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Tuesday, 5:22 AM

August 19, 2025

Good morning news friend! Trace today’s unfolding events as they shape what comes next. 📰🌟

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Ukraine Peace Talks Gain Momentum

President Trump pledged U.S. support for European security guarantees to Ukraine in ongoing peace talks with Russia. Ukraine plans to buy about $90 billion in U.S. weapons, including aircraft and air defense systems.

Trump seeks a direct Zelenskiy-Putin meeting, possibly followed by a trilateral summit, expected within two weeks. European leaders urged a ceasefire before advancing talks, but Trump favors a peace deal without pausing fighting.

NATO membership for Ukraine remains off the table, though NATO-style security assurances are under discussion. Zelenskiy rejected Russia’s demand to cede more Donetsk territory without a referendum.

The summit reflected improved U.S.-Ukraine relations and a renewed push for a peace deal amid complex issues.

Sources: Reuters, Reuters, Bloomberg, AP News, WallStreetJournal.

India and China Move Toward Rapprochement

Indian PM Modi calls Putin a “friend” as India strengthens ties with Russia and China, distancing from the U.S. amid steep tariffs.

Chinese FM Wang Yi visited India—the first high-level visit in three years—discussing troop reductions and reopening border trade along their disputed boundary, where clashes in 2020 killed soldiers on both sides.

Modi will visit China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, aimed at countering U.S. influence. The U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods and penalized Russian oil imports; India rejected this and deepened Russian ties.

Growing U.S.-Pakistan engagement and Pakistan’s use of Chinese weapons against India in recent clashes have pushed India closer to China.

Sources: Bloomberg, AP News, Reuters, JapanTimes.

Intel’s $12 Billion Rescue

Intel secured a $12 billion lifeline in August 2025 through two key developments. SoftBank invested $2 billion, acquiring nearly a 2% stake at $23 per share, boosting Intel’s stock by 5.6%.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is negotiating a 10% stake, worth about $10 billion, by converting Chips Act grants into equity. Intel lost $18.8 billion in 2024, losing market share to AMD and struggling with its chip manufacturing expansion.

CEO Lip-Bu Tan is slowing factory construction to match demand. These investments aim to stabilize Intel amid concerns about its product roadmap and competitive position, highlighting semiconductor manufacturing’s strategic importance for U.S. technology leadership.

Sources: Bloomberg, Bloomberg, Reuters, Reuters, WallStreetJournal.

Gaza Ceasefire Deal

Hamas agreed to a 60-day ceasefire and to release 10 hostages first in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners and the return of slain hostages' bodies. Israel has not formally accepted, with Netanyahu demanding all hostages freed immediately.

Israeli forces are advancing into Gaza City, Hamas’ last major stronghold.The ceasefire proposal closely resembles Witkoff’s earlier plan, previously rejected by Hamas.

The deal aims to lead to permanent ceasefire negotiations during the 60-day truce. Mediation by Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. seeks a broader ceasefire deal.

Sources: Reuters, AP News, Bloomberg, Timesofisrael.

Breakthrough in Psoriasis Treatment

Researchers identified enzyme SSAT as key in psoriasis by disrupting regulatory T cells (Treg), which normally suppress inflammation. Increased SSAT in Treg cells shifts them to produce pro-inflammatory substances, worsening psoriasis.

Inhibiting SSAT in mouse models restored Treg function and reduced skin inflammation, suggesting a new treatment route. Unlike current therapies that cause broad immunosuppression, targeting SSAT could offer more precise control with fewer side effects.

This mechanism may also apply to other chronic inflammatory diseases, broadening potential impact. The findings open a new avenue for therapeutic development focused on immune metabolism rather than general immune suppression.

Sources: SciTechDaily, Ac.

The Most Synthetic Life Form

Scientists created Syn57, a synthetic bacterium using only 57 of the natural 64 genetic codons by removing redundant serine, alanine, and one stop codon. They made over 101,000 genetic changes, assembling the genome in 100-kilobase fragments and testing them before final assembly.

Syn57’s simplified genetic code can still sustain life, freeing codons for synthetic amino acids. The altered code may resist natural viruses, potentially reducing losses in industrial bacterial protein production, and could prevent gene transfer to natural organisms, addressing environmental risks.

This development offers new possibilities in synthetic biology, enabling redesigned genomes with novel biological functions and improved biosafety.

Sources: Sciencealert.

“Any fool can get a round of applause when he first makes his entrance; the real business is making sure the crowd ain't throwing vegetables at you by the time the curtain falls.”

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• AI & the Future of White-Collar Work

• The Science of Longevity

• Metabolic Syndrome Nation

Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️