do you think you could love me

Wednesday, March 12th, 2025

World Events — Ceasefire in Ukraine?

The Economists

Ukraine has made a strategic move by agreeing to a 30-day ceasefire proposal from the United States, potentially shifting the dynamics of the conflict in its favor. This decision came after extensive talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on March 11th, 2025. The agreement has led to the immediate resumption of U.S. intelligence sharing and security assistance to Ukraine, which had been suspended following a tense meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. By accepting the ceasefire proposal, Ukraine has not only regained crucial American support but also placed pressure on Russia to reciprocate. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the responsibility now lies with Russia to agree to the ceasefire, stating, "The ball is now in their court". This diplomatic maneuver by Ukraine could potentially turn the tables on the Kremlin, as it demonstrates Ukraine's willingness to pursue peace while maintaining its defensive capabilities with renewed American backing.

Tech — China’s AI Boom

The Economists

China's AI boom has reached unprecedented levels, with the recent launch of Manus, an AI bot by Butterfly Effect, causing a registration site crash due to overwhelming demand. This follows the January debut of DeepSeek's cost-effective AI model, which has triggered a surge in Chinese markets, with the Hang Seng Tech Index up over 40% since mid-January. The excitement has spread across various sectors, from tech giants to government departments, with hundreds of large Chinese enterprises planning to integrate DeepSeek's technology. Venture capitalists are eagerly investing in AI startups, and China's central government has announced a 1 trillion yuan ($140 billion) tech-focused venture capital fund. Major tech firms like Alibaba, Baidu, and Tencent are heavily investing in AI and cloud computing infrastructure to capitalize on the boom. However, potential challenges to this growth include difficulties in monetizing AI applications, access to advanced semiconductors, and the possibility of stricter U.S. restrictions on chip exports to China.

Economics — Canada’s Aggressive Response to American Tariff  

As the world grapples with President Donald Trump's tariffs, many nations are closely observing Canada's response, which has been notably aggressive. Canadian officials, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford and incoming Prime Minister Mark Carney, have adopted hostile measures, such as imposing a 25% charge on electricity exports and criticizing the U.S.'s trustworthiness. While this brinkmanship initially led to Trump reducing metal tariffs, the situation remains tense, with Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly warning other nations they could be next. Experts are divided on whether Canada's aggressive approach or a more diplomatic strategy, like Mexico's, is more effective in dealing with Trump's trade policies, but the consensus is that unity among countries is crucial in pushing back against the U.S.'s trade barriers.

Health — Adjustment Disorder

Verywell Mind 

Adjustment disorder is a mental health condition characterized by difficulty adjusting to stressful life events such as moving, relationship changes, or career shifts, leading to mood or behavioral disturbances. Diagnosed in both children and adults, it affects approximately 1% of the population at any given time. According to the DSM-5, symptoms, which must arise within three months of the stressor and not persist for more than six months after it ends, include marked distress or significant impairment in social, occupational, or other areas, and can manifest with depressed mood, anxiety, or behavioral changes. These symptoms must also be out of proportion for the person’s culture and cannot represent normal bereavement. The disturbance also must not meet criteria for another mental disorder, like depression or anxiety. Adjustment disorders can stem from single events, like a natural disaster or getting married, or from ongoing difficulties, like the stress associated with launching a business or moving away to college. Treatment typically involves talk therapy to provide emotional support, teach coping skills, and manage stress, sometimes combined with medication for associated depression or anxiety. Coping strategies also include participating in leisure activities, practicing good self-care, turning to healthy coping skills, seeking social support, and engaging in problem-solving.

Cooking — Roasted Salmon Fillets

Roasted salmon fillets get a flavor boost from a simple sauce made with gochujang, mayonnaise, and honey, which provides a spicy-sweet glaze and slight caramelization. Paired with store-bought kimchi for a tangy kick, these rice bowls are perfect for a quick and delicious weeknight meal.

Eating Well

Song Rec — do you think you could love me (Yung Kai)

Quote of the Day 

“The day that I decided that my life was magical, there was suddenly magic all around me.” Marabeth Quin