DAILY NEWS Stream – December 21, 2024

Lobbying firm leader Nathan Daschle says US President Trump can act boldly as virtually every Republican is either on His side or unwilling to oppose Him, highlighting His strong political influence that should enable Him to enact His sweeping agenda to Make America Great Again (Sky News Australia)

Wisconsin [US] reports its first human bird flu case in Barron County poultry worker, with health officials monitoring other exposed workers as virus spreads through commercial flock (Channel 3000)

Western Australia faces new COVID wave days out from Christmas with 75 daily hospitalizations, as health officials urge isolation during symptoms (Daily Mail)

Louisiana [US] reports its first severe H5N1 bird flu case, linked to backyard flock exposure, bringing total US cases to 61 since April 2024 (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

California [US] declares its first statewide emergency over bird flu after virus spreads to Southern California cattle, with 34 human cases and over 600 affected dairy operations since March (Politico)

Experts identify 10 key warning signs you’re eating too much sugar and starch, thus causing excess blood sugar levels: 1) Tiredness and sleepiness after meals; 2) Constant thirst; 3) Rapid aging and wrinkling of the skin; 4) Blurred vision; 5) Gums bleed easily; 6) Constant hunger; 7) Constant craving for sweets; 8) Puffy face; 9) White coating appears on tongue; 10) Heart palpitations or nervousness (EVA COCO)

President Donald Trump’s Health Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. criticizes processed foods and vegetable oils, linking them to declining public health, and urges consumers to return to natural, less processed foods (Tinh Hoa TV)

Research reveals four beverages harmful to kidneys: 1) Milk tea - high sugar damages kidneys; 2) Carbonated drinks – due to high chemical, acid, sugar content; 3) Strong tea – from excess fluoride; 4) Poor-quality coffee – may contain harmful chemicals (Sống Khỏe & Sống Tốt)

Warning: Cây lá ngón [Gelsemium plant] in Vietnam’s northern mountains contains deadly toxins in all parts, with just two leaves fatal to adults, as its yellow flowers and glossy leaves make it deceptively attractive (hải phương TV)

Port Vila [Vanuatu]: 7.4-magnitude earthquake kills 14 and injures over 200, damaging critical infrastructure and affecting 116,000 people (Sky News Australia)

Vietnam’s 200,000 hectares of coconut trees rank fifth-largest in growing area globally, absorbing 75 metric tons of CO2 per hectare annually, offering carbon credit potential while industry seeks sustainable development (Tuổi Trẻ)

Oxford University [UK] Professor Paul Behrens identifies animal meat and dairy as main drivers of planetary boundary breaches, citing 80% agricultural land use and calling for global shift to plant-based diets (Plant Based News)

US: New York City Council passes animal protection bill banning pet shop and unlicensed pet sales of dogs, cats, and rabbits, targeting puppy mills with US$1,000 fines per violation and civil penalties of US$500 per animal, per day of violations (Friends of Animals)

UK Parliament holds inaugural meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on phasing out animal experiments in medical research, with Irene Campbell MP as chair, and decided on activities program for 2025 including

animal-free laboratory visits, workshops with pioneering human-specific scientists, and Minister roundtables (Animal Free Research UK)

Vegan athlete Fiona Oakes undertakes 625-mile [1005-kilometer] December challenge in Essex [England, UK], running 25 miles [40 kilometers] daily to support 400 rescued animals at Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary (Vegan FTA)

US vegan company All Y’alls Foods launches dairy-free Cheezy Bits snack in Texas, offering 33 grams protein per bag. Made from organic soybeans, the product targets health-conscious consumers seeking sustainable alternatives (Vegconomist)

Vegan food news of the week: free dairy-free mochas at Peet’s Coffee chain in the US on New Year’s Day, H!P’s vegan bacon chocolate in the UK, and US vegan bakery Cinnaholic’s new holiday menu (VegNews)

Traditional medicinal plants guide recommends Kim Vàng [Golden Needle plant] to treat snake bites, Tía Tô [Perilla leaves] for bee stings, and hạt Đậu Lào [Lao Bean seeds] for dog bites (hải phương TV) SupremeMasterTV.com/NWN

Expert warns using hormonal emergency contraceptive pills leads to increased breast cancer risk due to high estrogen levels, causing breast tissue growth and endometrial changes (Tiền Phong)

Analysis reveals Russia’s military failures, with massive troop losses reaching 645,000 over 31 months despite recruitment efforts and conscription age raised to 30 as Putin struggles to maintain forces (The Military Show)

Ukraine calls for international sanctions against Russia oil tankers after two ships carrying 5,000 tons each split and sink in Black Sea, causing major environmental disaster (The Guardian)

Ukrainian army destroys six armored vehicles coming to the aid of North Korean soldiers in Kursk (Kanal13)

Russia has lost over 9,000 tanks and 18,000 armored vehicles since 2022, rapidly depleting its Central Tank Reserve Bases, including the 769th in Ulan-Ude, threatening its military readiness (The Military Show)

Global support for Ukraine exceeds US$500 billion through 2024. The top 10 countries helping Ukraine win the war are 10) Poland; 9) Sweden; 8) Canada; 7) Norway; 6) The Netherlands; 5) Denmark; 4) United Kingdom; 3) European Union; 2) Germany; 1) United States (The Military Show)

Boston [US] reports lowest murder rate on record in 2023 with 37 homicides, dropping further to 22 in 2024 through December as violent crime declines across the city (Good News Network)

US President Donald Trump and Efficiency Minister Elon Musk oppose House Speaker Mike Johnson (Republican)’s funding bill, citing wasteful spending and Democratic giveaways, and urge Republicans in Congress to call the Democrats on their bluff in threatening a government shutdown to feed their agenda (CNBC)

President Trump sues newspaper the Des Moines Register, along with its parent company and its former pollster, for “brazen election interference,” calling the left-wing press “corrupt” over a poll asserting His loss in Iowa [US] days before He carried the state by 13 points (BBC)

Missouri [US] lawmakers prepare legislation to name several state highways after President Trump, with state Senator Nick Schroer [Republican] introducing his bill on social media with the message “It’s time to Make Missouri Roads Great Again” (Sky News Australia)

Pasali [Nigeria]: Children as young as five work in dangerous illegal lithium mines, revealing dark side of electric vehicle and electronics supply chain, as Chinese businesses dominate poorly regulated industry (Euronews)

Analysis: US mega factories with thousands of animals are driving the threat of bird flu, with 720 cows and 112 million poultry affected since 2022 and 61 humans having tested positive, raising pandemic concerns (Wired)

Stanford University [US] study reveals flu virus survives in refrigerated raw milk for five days, raising pandemic concerns amid bird flu outbreaks in dairy cattle (Earth.com)

Putnam County [New York, US] health officials investigate gastrointestinal illness outbreak affecting dozens, advising residents to practice proper hygiene and stay home when sick amid regional spread (Mid Hudson News)

California [US] reports 166 hypothermia deaths in 2023, more than double the amount from a decade ago, with rising homelessness and aging population driving increase as homeless individuals are 40 times more likely to end up in the hospital due to extreme cold (News Medical)

Study finds diabetes and weight loss drug Ozempic may double risk of rare eye condition NAION [nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy] causing sudden vision loss or blindness (Quartz)

Food experts reveal shocking differences between US ingredient lists and other countries, warning of thousands of untested substances in the American versions, including some with links to cancer, outlawed in Europe and other regions (Daily Mail)

Rumford [Maine, US]: Brown snow falls after paper mill malfunction releases black liquor chemical byproduct that causes skin irritation (Mirror)

Loma Linda [California, US] residents in “Blue Zone” known for its longevity eat oatmeal daily for long life, with researchers highlighting its beta-glucan benefits for heart health and immune system (SurreyLive)

Kenya faces worst drought in 40 years as climate change intensifies water scarcity; UN’s Baku Climate Unity Pact pledges support for vulnerable nations at COP29 summit (Al Jazeera)

UK study reveals animal factories cost taxpayers £1.2 billion annually, with 85% of government farming subsidies absorbed by industrial operations, and recommends halting megafactory expansion (Plant Based News)

Swiss startup Synhelion develops carbon-neutral “solar diesel” technology that can synthesize gasoline, diesel, or any other fossil fuel 100% by solar power, signing deals to supply aircraft manufacturer Pilatus and ferry company Lake Lucerne starting 2027 (Good News Network)

Researchers develop synthetic whale feces to restore ocean ecosystems and enhance carbon sequestration, with projects like WhaleX and Cambridge’s Marine Biomass Regeneration targeting oceanic dead zones (Brighter Side of News)

Scientists discover Dulcibella camanchaca, a rare predatory amphipod in the Atacama Trench, highlighting unique hadal zone [6,000 to 11,000 meters below sea level] biodiversity and offering insights into the ocean’s deepest ecosystems (Mint)

PETA proposes converting Tyson Foods’ Kansas [US] meat facility into animal empathy museum and vegan cafe after its February 2025 closure, which would produce jobs for displaced workers while increasing tourism and animal welfare awareness (Plant Based News)

Denmark restricts firework use to December 31 and January 1, increasing fines to US$220 for violations, driven by concerns from animal welfare organizations, which are now calling for a complete ban (The Pinnacle Gazette)

UK: Labour Parliament Member Sarah Owen proposes limiting firework noise to 90 decibels, equivalent to hair dryer volume, citing disruption to sleep and stress for pets and PTSD sufferers (Daily Mail)

Animal rights activists bid “good riddance” to Northern Ireland’s North Down fox hunt as annual New Year tradition closes its kennels for good (Belfast Telegraph)

US Senate passes FDA Modernization Act 3.0, requiring Food and Drug Administration to eliminate mandatory animal testing requirements for investigational new drugs within six months, thus promoting humane, efficient drug development through modern scientific methods – the bill’s next step is the House of Representatives (WIBW)

Wales [UK] sheep population drops to 8.75 million in 2024 from 12 million in 1990s, falling below chicken numbers amid Brexit impacts and lower red meat consumption (Vegan FTA)

Mongolian vegan runner Budjargal Byambaa becomes 55th person ever to complete grueling 3,100-mile [4,989-kilometer] Sri Chinmoy race in New York City [US]; Mr. Byambaa has been vegan since 2019 and eats primarily raw (Viva)

Beyond Meat launches Beyond Smash burger at Tesco stores across UK, featuring slim patties that crisp when cooked and offering 16 grams protein per serving for Veganuary [vegan January] (Vegconomist)

London [Ontario, Canada] vegan startup New Leaf expands beet burger production from food truck to grocery stores, seeking larger commercial kitchen as sales exceed forecasts by 50% (The London Free Press)

Research reveals four research-backed steps to reduce dementia risk: regular exercise, healthy diet focusing on whole foods, stress management through mindfulness, and memory-boosting cognitive activities (The Optimist Daily)

Upright quote of the day: “A man can fail many times, but he isn’t a failure until he begins to blame somebody else.” – John Burroughs

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