DAILY NEWS Stream – January 4, 2025

Syria’s new Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani makes first official visit to Saudi Arabia since Assad regime’s collapse, arriving in Riyadh with delegation including new Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra (Reuters)

Tens of thousands of people in Istanbul [Türkiye] protest Gaza war (AP)

Russian gas era in Europe ends as Ukraine stops transit, officially ending Moscow’s decades-long dominance of European energy markets; the widely expected stoppage will not impact prices for EU consumers as the last remaining EU buyers have arranged alternative supplies (Reuters)

Romania and Bulgaria join EU’s Schengen free-travel zone on January 1, 2025, joining expanded bloc of countries whose residents can travel without passport checks (Reuters)

Pakistan and India continue annual New Year’s Day exchange of nuclear assets lists under 1988 bilateral pact preventing attacks on nuclear facilities (AP)

Peace brokered in Pakistan’s Kurram District as conflicting sides sign agreement following talks mediated by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [KP] provincial government, says KP spokesperson Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif (Dawn.com)

Vietnam’s President Lương Cường meets Palestinian special envoy Professor Riad Malki, reaffirming support for two-state solution and increased humanitarian aid to Palestine (Viet Nam News)

US Senator Bernie Sanders initiates legislation supporting President Trump’s campaign trail proposal of applying 10% credit card interest rate cap to help Americans “catch up” on their mounting debt (Fox News)

Las Vegas [Nevada, US]: Tesla Cybertruck filled with gasoline and fireworks explodes at Trump Hotel, killing driver and injuring seven. Police investigate possible connections to New Orleans truck attack on New Year’s Eve (BBC)

At least 20 Libyan migrants missing as boat sinks off Lampedusa island [Italy], with seven others rescued, as Italian government seeks to reduce migrant departures to save lives from dangerous seas (Reuters)

Milan prohibits all outdoor smoking in Italy’s toughest ban to date, with fines up to €240 for violations in public spaces and streets (France 24)

Kenya’s capital Nairobi emerges as content creation hub, with youth earning up to US$600 monthly through TikTok and YouTube videos amid 67% youth unemployment in traditional industries (Africa News)

Guinea’s transitional president General Mamadi Doumbouya promises return to constitutional order in 2025 through referendum and elections, marking end of transitional government (Africa News)

Venezuela’s economy grows 9% in 2024, following 5.5% growth in 2023, reports President Nicolás Maduro (Reuters)

Mexican peso weakens 23% against US dollar in 2024, marking steepest drop since 2008 amid political reforms (Reuters)

Vietnam: Police warn against illegal gambling schemes disguised as “blind bag” games on social media livestreams, with participants facing fines up to US$3,929 or imprisonment for up to three years, and urge citizens to report any disguised gambling or advertisement schemes (Viet Nam News)

Malaysia steps up enforcement on heavy vehicles after deadly highway crash kills seven, with over 1,400 deaths reported in past six years (The Straits Times)

China’s youth embrace “city treasure hunting” social media trend, hiding gifts for strangers to help spread joy amid economic gloom (The Straits Times)

Generation Beta, encompassing individuals born between 2025 and 2039, has arrived. Five ways they could shape our future: 1) Hyper-personalized technology, including sophisticated AI [artificial intelligence] tutors; 2) Focus on sustainability, pushing for more sustainable practices in business, technology and everyday life; 3) More fluid identities from belonging to diverse online communities, and more inclusive mindsets as they interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds from a young age; 4) New forms of education and work, especially due to the rise of automation and AI; 5) Integration of AR [augmented reality] and VR [virtual reality] into everyday life, blurring the lines between physical and digital worlds (9meters)

South Sudan receives 1.1 million cholera vaccines amid outbreak that’s killed 100 people since October 2024 and infected 6,000 across six states (Africa News)

UK: Severe flooding hits Manchester area as nearly a month’s worth of rain falls in two days, forcing evacuations and canceling New Year’s events (AP)

China records warmest year since recordkeeping began in 1961 in 2024, with national average temperature of 10.9ºC as Shanghai sees highest temperatures since 1873 (Reuters)

Russia warns of severe environmental damage as oil from damaged tankers keeps washing up on beaches over two weeks after Black Sea spill, as more than 10,000 people, largely volunteers, race to rescue wildlife and remove contaminated sand (AP)

Đà Nẵng and Hội An [Vietnam] beaches face severe erosion, with 100-meter section of Mỹ Khê Beach damaged by waves amid rising sea levels, rapid urbanization and poor management of the Vu Gia–Thu Bồn river system (Viet Nam News)

Taiping [Malaysia] has worked to protect historic raintrees from rain damage through monitoring, soil rehabilitation and road closures since 2017 (The Star)

Moulvibazar [Bangladesh]: Wildlife foundation rescues rare Guinea vulture from paddy field; the endangered bird will be released after recovery at Lawachhara center (The Daily Star)

Canadian tech billionaire Vitalik Buterin donates around US$400,000 to help care for Thai baby hippo celebrity Moo Deng (Asia News Network)

Moldova: President’s three-legged “first dog” Codrut returns home after fleeing fireworks on New Year’s Eve (Reuters)

Poland begins its six-month turn as EU Council President with focus on European security and defense, with 300 official meetings, 22 informal minister councils and 200 cultural events planned through summer 2025 (Euronews)

President Trump to hold 20,000-person rally at Capital One Arena in Washington DC [US] on January 19, 2025, one day before His inauguration (CBS)

Americans accused in January 6 Capitol protests seek court approval to attend President Trump’s inauguration, citing invitations from Republican representatives and pledging peaceful attendance as they hope to support His long-awaited return (Newsweek)

President Trump names Justin Caporale as Executive Producer for Major Events and Public Appearances after he helped produce the President’s most viral campaign moments, including the famous garbage truck photo op (The Hill)

Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser [Democrat] reports “great meeting” with President Trump to discuss city priorities and infrastructure, finding common ground (Fox News)

Analysis: President Trump and Republican allies in Congress aim to eliminate the federal Department of Education, citing concerns over “woke” ideology including on gender and race being pushed onto American children. One way to do so is to delegate most of its functions to the state governments, while the Treasury Department manages student loans and the Department of Justice handles civil rights protections, with provisions included for more alternatives to public schools to give American families greater say in their child’s education (BBC)

Analysis: The Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 could allow President Trump to install temporary officials in key positions without Senate confirmation, bypassing potential nomination challenges (CBS)

President Trump pledges full federal support to New Orleans [Louisiana, US] following deadly truck attack, as officials nationwide respond to the crisis (KENS 5)

UK study finds each cigarette shortens life by 20 minutes, with smokers losing decade of life on average, prompting new quit-smoking campaign (The Guardian)

US and Spanish research finds eating over 45% of daily calories after 5pm increases type 2 diabetes risk, especially in older adults (New Telegraph)

Scientists identify Zavaritskii volcano on Simushir [Sea of Okhotsk] as source of 1831 global-cooling eruption that caused famines and crop failures around the world, calling for international coordination to prepare for the world’s next big potential eruption (The Independent)

Analysis: India can benefit from smart precision farming technologies to boost agricultural resilience and productivity amid climate challenges threatening food security (ManufacturingToday)

Scientists warn synthetic gas HFC-125 [hydrofluorocarbon-125], used in air conditioners, refrigerators, and fire extinguishers, has 3,500 times more warming potential than CO2 [carbon dioxide] and is worryingly increasing in the atmosphere, threatening global climate stability (Revista Sociedade Militar)

Brazil reports climate disasters have doubled since 2020 compared to the 2000 to 2019 period, with annual average of 4,077 incidents causing US$88.4 billion in damages since 1995 (Erem News)

Nigerian health experts warn sugary drink industry drives climate change through greenhouse gas emissions and plastic pollution, urging Nigeria to implement taxes to curb their consumption (The Eagle Online)

Study reveals massive carbon release 56 million years ago severely acidified oceans, warning of similar threats from today’s accelerated human-caused emissions (China Daily)

Global study shows Earth’s carbon sinks reaching dangerous saturation point as CO2 fertilization effect [wherein plant growth increases with higher CO2 levels in the atmosphere] declines, threatening climate stability (Earth.com)

Scientists improve climate models by incorporating effects of Antarctic continental uplift caused by glacier melting (Ynetnews)

Quebec [Canada] whistleblowers expose severe animal welfare violations at turkey-raising operations, revealing overcrowding, injuries and filthy conditions throughout five-year investigation (Vegan For The Animals)

Investigation exposes use of trained “guide sheep” to lead lambs to slaughter at animal factories, highlighting manipulative practices in animal-raising industry (Animal Equality)

Franklin County [US]: Kentucky Humane Society rescues 10 neglected horses, including former world-touring racehorse War Envoy, from farm mud pit without food or water (FOX 56)

East African continental rift zone shows accelerated tectonic activity as plates separate at 0.8 centimeters yearly, potentially forming new ocean within a million years (Daily Galaxy)

PETA’s AI robot calf Charli XC Cow visits US shopping centers, engaging passersby with thought-provoking questions about leather consumption and animal welfare to encourage people to buy vegan (PETA)

Denmark’s equestrian federation introduces stricter animal welfare rules for 2025, including new age limits and optional nosebands for competition horses, in response to animal welfare campaigners – many of whom are pushing to end the cruel, deadly sport (Eurodressage; World Animal Protection)

Hong Kong: Ombudsman Jack Chan investigates government’s animal welfare work amid rising abuse cases, calling for tougher enforcement and penalties against animal cruelty (Office of the Ombudsman, Hong Kong)

US: Best Friends Animal Society launches campaign to help animal shelters achieve no-kill status by 2025 through community education and support (KATV)

Bath [England, UK]: Animal charity offers free veterinary care to pets of homeless people as veterinary costs soar to average £400 per visit (BBC)

Noble-hearted quote of the day: “Power is no blessing in itself, except when it is used to protect the innocent.” – Jonathan Swift