DAILY NEWS Stream – December 14, 2024

Syria’s power shift: Assad regime falls, Turkish influence rises while Russia and Iran decline, sparking hopes for peaceful transition after rebel forces capture Damascus and Assad flees to Russia (VnExpress)

Türkiye opens border gates as Syrian migrants return home following Assad’s ouster, with crossings nearly doubling to 800 daily as many express hope for “a better life” under new leadership (Reuters)

Syria’s Hayat Tahrir al Sham [HTS] opposition leader Ahmad al-Sharaa (Abu Mohammed al-Golani), who ousted the Assad regime, tells Sky News the West has nothing to fear, promising stability and peaceful development (Sky News)

Syrian opposition leader Ahmad al-Sharaa (Abu Mohammed al-Golani) announces plans to dissolve Assad regime’s security forces and close notorious prisons as the nation establishes transitional government through March 2025 (Reuters)

Ukrainian forces strike Russian industrial facilities in Taganrog and Bryansk regions, damaging fuel pipeline and infrastructure (60 Giây | Tinh Hoa TV)

Ukrainian special forces unit “Ghost of Omega” conducts precision attacks against Russian positions in Ukraine, demonstrating effective combat tactics in strategic operations (60 Giây | Tinh Hoa TV)

UN General Assembly overwhelmingly demands immediate, permanent Gaza ceasefire and release of all hostages, escalating from previous calls for humanitarian truce (The Jerusalem Post)

US President Trump names Russia-Ukraine war as a top priority after January 20 inauguration, planning to act quickly to secure a peace deal (RBC Ukraine)

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán meets with US President Trump and Efficiency Minister Elon Musk at the President’s residence in Mar-a-Lago [Florida], discussing Ukraine war and other global issues, and afterwards posted on X “the future has begun” (The Kyiv Independent)

Hungary’s Prime Minister Orbán phones Putin to discuss Ukraine peace following meetings with US President Trump and Elon Musk, as second European leader after Germany’s Scholz to contact Putin recently (Politico)

China’s maritime movements around Taiwan are largest in decades, Taipei says, following Taiwanese President Lai’s Hawaii and Guam [US] visits (CNN)

Taiwan: Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an to promote peace with China through Taipei-Shanghai City Forum, hosting 102-member delegation led by Shanghai’s Vice Mayor Hua Yuan, scheduled for December 16, 2024 (Focus Taiwan)

Japanese atomic bomb survivors group Nihon Hidankyo accepts Nobel Peace Prize, with 92-year-old survivor Terumi Tanaka warning of nuclear threats and urging global disarmament (Euronews)

Ethiopia and Somalia agree to four-month “technical talks” hosted by Türkiye to resolve dispute over Ethiopia’s deal with breakaway Somaliland region, focusing on upholding sovereignty and sea access (The Independent)

US: President Donald Trump is crowned Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year” after winning back the White House, celebrating the unveiling of the cover by ringing the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange. This is the second time He has won this honor, the first being in 2016 following His first election victory (Mediaite)

“A great day for America”: President Donald Trump celebrates as FBI [Federal Bureau of Investigation] Director Chris Wray announces he is stepping down, making way for the President’s chosen nominee Kash Patel, who will help the President achieve His goals to “end the Weaponization of what has become known as the United States Department of Injustice” and “restore the Rule of Law for all Americans” (CNN)

President Trump invites China’s President Xi to January inauguration, as world leaders including Hungary’s Prime Minister Orbán consider attending the transfer-of-power ceremony (CBS)

Liberal news network CNN host Scott Jennings admits world leaders are already treating President Trump like He’s the “power center” of the United States, swiftly picking up relations from the President’s first term (Sky News Australia)

Elon Musk’s net worth surpasses record US$447 billion, becoming first person ever to reach US$400 billion, driven by SpaceX valuation and Tesla stock surge following President Trump’s victory and his appointment to lead the new US Department of Government Efficiency (Bloomberg)

Vietnam-China trade surges to record US$185.4 billion in first 11 months of 2024, with exports at US$55.2 billion and imports at US$130.2 billion (Người quan sát)

Analysis: Major tech companies like Nvidia, Google and SpaceX rush to invest billions in Vietnam as economists raise 2025 GDP growth forecast to 6.6%, driven by exports and fiscal stimulus (VietNamNet)

US study reveals 60% of employers laid off Gen Z workers in 2024 due to perceived lack of work motivation, as Gen Z - the generation born between 1997 and 2012 – prioritizes flexibility, mental health, and values, challenging traditional workplace cultures (VnExpress)

New film “Madagascar on Fire” by Senegal-based journalist Sira Thierij examines conflict between survival and environmental protection as Madagascar residents face pressure to clear forests for crops (France 24)

Experts warn live Christmas trees can harbor dangerous mold spores and VOCs [volatile organic compounds] that can trigger various symptoms including sneezing, coughing and headaches. Many are now opting for artificial trees to avoid harmful effects and keep their home environment clean (The Optimist Daily)

Dublin [Ireland]: Google Street View study finds harmful nitrogen dioxide exceeded WHO [World Health Organization] guidelines on nearly half of all days from May 2021 to August 2022, with Cork Street, O’Connell Street and Temple Bar areas most polluted (PA Media)

US President Donald Trump’s lifelong abstinence from alcohol has scientific backing, as He witnessed drinking’s devastating effects on His brother Fred Jr., who died from alcoholism at 42, highlighting a predisposition to addiction that can affect anyone, both through genes and the choices we make (Health Digest)

Study finds microplastics in 32 of 36 [88% of] blood samples from healthy Korean adults, with higher concentrations linked to increased inflammation and blood clotting markers, particularly in those using more plastic food containers (News Medical)

Research shows broccoli sprouts contain 73 milligrams sulforaphane glucosinolate per ounce [28 grams], thus offering even more brain-protective benefits than mature broccoli while reducing DNA damage and feelings of anxiety through chlorophyll content (The Optimist Daily)

Malibu [California, US] faces evacuation orders as 2,000-acre [809-hectare] wildfire spreads through Malibu Canyon (Sky News)

Malibu [US] fires near Pepperdine University force 6,000 to evacuate as Santa Ana winds drive flames across Pacific Coast Highway, threatening seaside mansions and historic pier (PA Media)

Storm Darragh showed me how unprepared my family – and Britain – are for disaster, says The Guardian contributor Gaby Hinsliff, as 100,000 UK households were left without power for two nights after the storm made landfall on December 7, 2024 (The Guardian)

Arctic tundra now emits more carbon than it stores as climate change triggers frequent wildfires and permafrost thaw, warming four times faster than the global average, US officials report (The Guardian)

British bank HSBC accused of funding destruction of world’s “last great wilderness” as US$210 million loans it made to beef company Minerva Foods are linked to deforestation of 75,000 hectares in Gran Chaco [Paraguay] (The Telegraph)

UN report warns excess salt in soil affects 1.4 billion hectares globally, with potential 70% crop yield losses. Climate change could increase affected areas to 33% of world’s land by 2100 (The Guardian)

Climate change caused over US$600 billion in weather-related insurance losses globally over 20 years, with losses from global warming rising from 31% to 38% of total claims in the past decade (Euronews)

Research shows wildfire smoke increasingly affects US cities beyond those in Western states, with Canadian fires in 2023 causing 16,000 additional emergency room visits on “smoke days” nationwide (HealthDay)

Australia loses up to three native invertebrate species weekly as climate change and habitat loss drive extinctions, with 9,000 species lost since 1788 European colonization and up to 148 more predicted for 2024 (The Guardian)

Official biodiversity indicators reveal decline in birds, butterflies, bats, and protected areas in England [UK], with 13 measures worsening in the short term amid struggles to meet 2030 target of reversing wildlife declines (PA Media)

UK renewable electricity production surpasses fossil fuels in 2024 for first time, with wind, solar and hydropower contributing 37% compared to 35% from fossil fuels (The Independent)

Scotland and Wales [UK] are trailblazing Europe’s nature restoration as Scottish Rewilding Alliance coalition presents restoration plan for 30% of land and seas and Wales launches crowdfunding for major spring 2025 project (Euronews)

South Korean scientists develop groundbreaking method to create diamonds at room temperature and pressure in just 15 minutes, bypassing traditional high-pressure techniques. Though currently producing only microscopic diamonds, the process holds promise for technological applications and future scalability (Earth.com)

Scientists discover new primitive microcontinent beneath northern Atlantic Ocean’s Davis Strait between Canada and Greenland, formed by tectonic plate shifts 33-61 million years ago (Indy 100)

Chesapeake [Virginia, US]: Husband Andrew Duhe covers 40 pet adoptions at shelter as a 40th birthday gift for his animal-loving wife Jennifer, donating over US$4,000 to help pets find homes (Sunny Skyz)

Renowned UK naturalist, TV presenter and conservationist Chris Packham discusses his vegan lifestyle, explaining how it affords him greater control over his life while strengthening his advocacy for sustainable living and wildlife protection (BBC Good Food)

Swiss food tech giant Givaudan launches “Shape the Future” challenge for innovators aged 15-24 to develop creative alternative protein solutions beyond traditional meat and dairy substitutes (Vegconomist)

Beef industry-funded research accidentally proves plant proteins from navy beans, black beans and whole wheat bread are as effective as beef for muscle growth, supporting evidence for vegan diets’ nutritional excellence (Totally Vegan Buzz)

Israeli vegan company Gavan secures US$8 million to launch European facility producing Fatrix, a plant-based fat replacing butter “one-to-one” in bakery and dairy product recipes, starting operations in April 2025 (Vegconomist)

Japan’s FamilyMart launches Blue Green vegan product line featuring Mont Blanc dessert, Financier cake, Keema Curry and Bibimbap rice ball, aiming to expand sustainable food options in Japan amid growing plant-based demand (Vegconomist)

Health tip: Regular bell pepper consumption can boost immunity, eye health, brain function and weight loss through high vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants and water content while possibly supporting wound healing (VnExpress) SupremeMasterTV.com/NWN

Research reveals papaya’s diverse health benefits, with the whole plant including fruit, leaves and flowers containing nutrients that can boost immunity, regulate blood pressure and improve blood health (VnExpress)

Inspirational quote of the day: “The one thing we can never get enough of is love. And the one thing we never give enough is love.” – Henry Miller

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