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Friday, 5:12 AM

August 29, 2025

Good morning news friend! Follow today’s unfolding events as they set the stage for tomorrow’s stories. 📰🌟

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US Ends De Minimis Loophole

Starting today, the U.S. ends the de minimis tariff exemption for packages under $800, applying full tariffs on all imports regardless of value or origin.

Previously exempt shipments grew from 139 million in 2015 to 1.36 billion in 2024. The change, first applied to China and Hong Kong in May 2025, aims to block illicit imports like fentanyl and increase annual tariff revenue by up to $10 billion.

Postal services face flat-rate duties for six months, then must charge value-based tariffs. Major carriers will enforce full tariffs immediately.

The policy raises costs and delays for small businesses, benefiting large retailers and reshaping global e-commerce and U.S. trade enforcement.

Sources: Bloomberg, Reuters, Reuters, WallStreetJournal.

U.S. Approves $825 Million Missile Sale to Ukraine

The Trump administration approved an $825 million missile sale to Ukraine, including 3,350 Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) missiles and GPS units, plus spare parts, training, and support.

The system’s range covers several hundred miles to bolster Ukraine’s defense amid intensified Russian attacks. Funding comes from Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and U.S. Foreign Military Financing. The Pentagon notified Congress, but no contract is signed.

This follows two earlier U.S. deals totaling $652 million for air defenses and artillery support. Prime contractors are Zone 5 Technologies and CoAspire. The sale aims to reinforce Ukraine’s security amid stalled peace talks and escalating conflict.

Sources: AP News, Reuters, Bloomberg.

U.S. Economy Grows Faster Than Expected in Q2

The U.S. economy expanded at a 3.3% annual rate in Q2 2025, up from the initial 3% estimate, following a 0.5% contraction in Q1.

Consumer spending rose 1.6%, and private investment gains contributed to the upward revision, while government spending was revised lower. Imports increased more than expected, partially offsetting growth. Real final sales to private domestic purchasers increased 1.9%.

Inflation remained moderate, with the PCE price index up 2% and core PCE at 2.5%. Growth may slow below 1% in the second half due to a weakening labor market, tariff-driven inflation, and weakening consumer demand.

Sources: Upi, Investopedia, Investing, WallStreetJournal.

Gmail Spam Filters Under FTC Scrutiny

FTC chair Andrew Ferguson accused Gmail of disproportionately filtering Republican emails as spam, raising concerns of partisan bias. He sent a letter to Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai on August 28, warning of possible investigation if Google fails to comply with regulations.

Google denied the claims, stating spam filters operate on objective signals like user reports and email volume, regardless of political affiliation. The Republican National Committee’s previous lawsuit alleging intentional filtering was dismissed by a judge.

Google said it will review the FTC’s concerns constructively. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over perceived political bias in tech, with potential regulatory consequences for Google and other companies.

Sources: Reuters.

Salt Sparks Brain Inflammation

New research shows high salt intake triggers brain inflammation that raises blood pressure, shifting focus from kidneys and vessels. In rats, salty water activated immune cells in the brain, increasing vasopressin, a hormone elevating blood pressure.

Salt also disrupts the blood-brain barrier, allowing immune cells into the brain, and changes gut bacteria, promoting inflammation via the gut-brain axis. These neural-immune interactions contribute to salt-sensitive hypertension, especially in older adults and postmenopausal women.

About one-third of hypertension patients resist standard kidney- and vessel-targeted treatments. Emerging therapies targeting brain inflammation and immune pathways are under study, offering new approaches for managing hypertension linked to salt-induced neuroinflammation.

Sources: SciTechDaily, Frontiersin.

The End of Opioids

Japanese researchers developed ADRIANA, a non-opioid painkiller targeting α2B-adrenoceptors to enhance natural pain relief without cardiovascular risks. Tested in mice and humans, Phase I and II trials showed effectiveness for postoperative lung cancer pain.

Kyoto University and BTB Therapeutics are launching a large Phase II trial in the U.S. ADRIANA aims to reduce global opioid use amid the U.S. opioid overdose crisis, which saw over 80,000 deaths in 2023.

If approved, ADRIANA could provide safe, effective treatment for chronic and severe pain, offering an alternative to opioids without their associated risks.

Sources: SciTechDaily.

“A man in this world has to decide if he wants to be useful or if he wants to be applauded, for the two are very seldom the same thing. The public will make a great and noisy fuss over a general who wins a battle, but it will hardly notice the quiet doctor who saves a hundred lives in his own town.”

Did you know we also write in-depth deep dives? They are long, packed with insights, and have received rave reviews. If you’re up for a detailed, action-packed read, check them out:

• AI & the Future of White-Collar Work

• The Science of Longevity

• Metabolic Syndrome Nation

Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️