DAILY NEWS Stream – January 14, 2025

US President Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff meets with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid Gaza ceasefire push; following the meeting, an Israeli delegation headed to Qatar for hostage talks (Reuters)

US President Trump is right to urge higher military spending from NATO, says UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, citing persistent Russian aggression (AP)

President Trump’s Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg says world must reinstate “maximum pressure” on Iran to turn it into a more democratic country (Reuters)

US will return US$52.8 million in seized assets to Nigeria that were linked to a former Nigerian oil minister corruption case, to fund rural electrification and justice programs (AP)

Indonesia and Japan promise deeper defense and economic ties at joint press conference with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (AP)

Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede ready for talks with US President Trump about island’s future, following US interest in acquiring Greenland (Reuters)

President Trump prosecutor Jack Smith resigns from Justice Department after both criminal cases against President Trump were closed following His election victory (BBC)

“VICTORY OVER LAWFARE”: Fox News host Sean Hannity praises President Donald Trump for overcoming legal challenges brought by political opponents, as New York judge issues the President unconditional discharge (Fox News)

Analysis: President Trump can appeal His sentencing – and thus have the wrongful, politically motivated charges against Him wiped clean from His record - by arguing presidential immunity, citing trial errors, and challenging the admissibility of evidence on appeal after sentencing is finalized (Fox News)

US government voices support for tech billionaire Elon Musk’s antitrust lawsuit against companies OpenAI and Microsoft alleging their monopolization of the AI market, citing legal doctrines about anticompetitive practices and board member conflicts (Reuters)

Uyghurs detained in Thailand over a decade ago say they face deportation and persecution in China, making public appeal to stay in Thailand for their safety (AP)

India reports 15 cases of HMPV [human metapneumovirus] across seven major cities as health minister warns virus symptoms resemble COVID-19 (Zee News)

Bali [Indonesia] implements health screening for Chinese and Malaysian arrivals due to HMPV [human metapneumovirus] outbreak concerns, requiring health passes (record of recent travel history and health condition) three days before entry (The Jakarta Post)

UK hospitals overwhelmed by winter flu crisis, with patients facing 50-hour waits in corridors amid severe staff shortages (Daily Mail)

Victoria [Australia] father Stephen Bond fights for his life after contracting first Japanese encephalitis case in the state in three years from mosquito bite near Murray River (7News)

Los Angeles: Aircraft drop water and fire retardant to stem Palisades fire’s eastward spread as on-the-ground firefighting intensifies amid warnings of 70 mile/hour [110 kilometer/hour] wind gusts (Reuters)

Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa meets Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Damascus [Syria], focusing on strengthening borders in first visit from a Lebanese premier in 15 years (Reuters)

Los Angeles fires: Hundreds of animals sheltered by Pasadena Humane Society and LA Equestrian Center shelter, providing medical care and reuniting pets with families (Reuters)

US: Californians scramble to evacuate thousands of pets, overwhelming shelters as people scramble to save dogs, cats, horses, and even pigs from encroaching flames (AP)

Tokyo [Japan] researchers develop AI [artificial intelligence] system for rapid earthquake epicenter detection, reducing margin of error from 20 to just a few kilometers and improving tsunami warning accuracy for Nankai Trough (The Japan Times)

US company Rictor unveils Skyrider X1 electric flying motorcycle that can travel at 100 kilometers/hour for 40 minutes, aiming to avoid traffic jams, with prototype planned for launch in 2026 (VnExpress)

German supermarket chain Aldi launches its largest-ever Veganuary [Vegan January] range with vegan egg replacer, meal kits and meat alternatives (Vegan Food & Living) SupremeMasterTV.com/NWN

Western allies pledge an additional US$2 billion military aid to Ukraine, and Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy meets Italy’s Prime Minister Meloni to discuss defense (Thanh Niên)

Japan expands sanctions against Russia, freezing assets of 44 entities and individuals while banning exports to 53 organizations, including 22 Russian and 18 Chinese (VTV.vn)

US Treasury imposes largest-ever energy sanctions on Russia, targeting 183 oil tankers and major companies to reduce Russian revenue by billions monthly (HTV)

Putin ready to meet US President Donald Trump “unconditionally,” as Russia welcomes dialogue to address bilateral tensions (VTV24)

Cambodia issues advisory after death from H5N1 bird flu, as 28-year-old man in Kampong Cham contracted severe illness after eating a sick chicken. Health Ministry investigates his contacts as country reports 73 cases since 2003 (Thanh Niên)

South Korea’s hospitals overwhelmed by worst flu outbreak since 2016, with COVID-19 resurging, as government recommends people wear masks (Báo Tuổi Trẻ)

Sugary drinks cause 340,000 deaths each year from diabetes and heart disease, with fast-rising impact in Africa and Latin America, global study finds (VTV24)

California [US] Wildfires Wreak Havoc: Palisades Fire forces evacuations in San Fernando Valley amid rising death toll and unprecedented destruction likened to a nuclear bomb, with some homes igniting days after the initial blaze (KTLA5; NBC; ABC; CBC; VietNamNet)

Analysis: Los Angeles [California, US] wildfires came two days after Hollywood mocked God at the 2025 Golden Globes. Religious residents suggest divine judgment, while praying for victims and the vulnerable (Living Water)

US declares a Public Health Emergency in California to address wildfire-related health issues, including lung conditions, irritation, and PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] in firefighters and victims (Tuổi Trẻ)

Miracle in Los Angeles as Getty Villa museum survives devastating wildfire, with trees and vegetation burned but staff and priceless art collection safe (DAN VIET NEWSPAPER)

US: Mystery object appears flying through Los Angeles fires, sparking speculation of UFOs [unidentified flying objects] among millions of web viewers (Báo Tiền Phong News)

Analysis: Los Angeles [LA] fire damage could have been minimized with more staffing and equipment, up-to-date infrastructure, and tighter prevention of known sources of wildfires. LA Fire Chief Kristin Cowley cites budget cuts and inadequate resources, while President Trump criticizes Governor Newsom’s failed leadership, calling for his resignation (The Hill)

Los Angeles residents outraged at Governor Newsom [Democrat], Mayor Bass [Democrat] and local officials’ wildfire response, citing inadequate preparations, late evacuations, and lack of firefighting support in affected neighborhoods, with tens of thousands signing petitions for the governor and mayor’s “immediate” recall (VnExpress)

The 15 biggest environmental problems of 2025: 1) Global warming due to fossil fuels; 2) Dependence on fossil fuels; 3) Food waste; 4) Loss of biodiversity; 5) Plastic pollution; 6) Deforestation; 7) Air pollution; 8) Ice melt and sea level rise; 9) Ocean acidification; 10) Agriculture, especially animal- and fish-raising; 11) Soil degradation; 12) Food and water security; 13) Fast fashion and textile waste; 14) Industrial fishing; 15) Cobalt mining (VietNamNet)

Jordan-based company Midbar introduces the AirFarm, a mobile, ultra-water-efficient system with self-inflating modules that install in half a day. It uses 90% less water than hydroponics, cuts fertilizer use by 60%, and eliminates pesticides, offering a game-changing solution for farming in water-scarce and urban areas (VnExpress)

Corporate Europe Observatory warns big tech companies dominate AI ##[artificial intelligence] standards-making in the EU, holding 55% of seats on joint technical committee versus 9% for civil society, urging fairer representation to protect citizens’ rights and privacy (Euronews)

More than 100,000 people displaced in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo since the start of 2025, United Nations says, adding to 2.8 million already displaced in North Kivu province (AP)

US chicken and pork plant workers face higher health risks, US government studies confirm, with 81% of poultry workers and 46% of pork workers at high risk of musculoskeletal disorders (Reuters)

“We’re just like fish: no water, no life”: Iraq’s historic marshlands face extinction from drought and dam projects, threatening the Marsh Arabs and other ancient communities (The Telegraph)

Climate change triggers mental health crisis as natural disasters intensify, with vulnerable populations facing increased anxiety, depression, and trauma. Counselors and mental health professionals are advised to increase their climate awareness to better serve their clients – and to protect their own mental health (American Counseling Association)

Australian cricket faces disruption from extreme weather as unpredictable conditions threaten sports participation and financial stability nationwide (Financial Review)

Report finds global warming caused the massive coral die-off in northeastern Brazil in 2024 – the region’s second major coral bleaching episode in five years (Carta Campinas)

Jordan faces unprecedented drought, threatening 63 wildflowers and many other species with extinction, as region experiences longest dry spell in 100 years (Arabia Weather)

Florida [US] invests US$6.1 million in a new wildlife highway crossing to protect endangered panthers, as deaths near record high with 36 fatalities in 2024 out of only around 200 individuals left (Fox 4 News)

Haryana [India] begins studying climate change’s impacts on bird migration through bird census at Sultanpur National Park, aiming to address threats such as habitat loss and pollution (The Times of India)

New York [US] signs Climate Change Superfund Act, charging fossil fuel companies US$3 billion annually until 2050 for emissions from 2000-2018. The funds will support state infrastructure upgrades for climate adaptation, focusing on disadvantaged, climate-vulnerable communities (Green Queen)

Starbucks Japan introduces biodegradable plant-based straws at 32 stores in Okinawa Prefecture starting January 23, followed by all stores from March 2025, aiming to cut waste and emissions in half by 2030 (Kyodo News)

Scientists reveal two overlooked ocean processes crucial for carbon storage: sorption [the uptake of carbon minerals] and molecular transformation [the conversion of smaller, reactive molecules into larger, less reactive molecules], offering insights on climate change mitigation strategies (Phys.org)

New York [US] State Assembly introduces Peanut’s Law to protect sanctuary animals, requiring 72-hour wait before seized animals can be euthanized and granting sanctuaries the right to emergency appeals, in response to beloved squirrel celebrity Peanut’s tragic death at the hands of the state in 2024 (NHES)

US survey reveals increasing interest in plant-based diets, with Asian Americans leading, especially among Gen Z [born 1997 to 2012] and Millennials [born 1981 to 1996] (VegNews)

Restaurant chain Papa John’s UK introduces vegan Hawaiian pizza featuring vegan ham for Veganuary [Vegan January] – more info on the month-long vegan challenge at veganuary.com (VegNews)

Insightful quote of the day: “Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent to throw it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” – The Worshipped Shakyamuni Buddha (vegan)