DAILY NEWS Stream – January 7, 2025

French and German foreign ministers meet Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus [Syria], urging inclusion of Kurds and women in post-Assad transition, in first EU visit since opposition takeover in December 2024 (Hanoi Online)

Syria’s new Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani promises inclusive government during Saudi Arabia visit, seeking to reassure international community after Assad regime’s fall (Reuters)

Hamas wants Gaza ceasefire deal as soon as possible, senior official says, with new round of indirect talks resuming in Doha [Qatar] focusing on permanent truce and Israeli withdrawal (Reuters)

Russia faces drastic population decline, from 2 million births in 2014 to only 1.2 million forecast in 2024, sparking government concern over demographic crisis amidst devastating losses in Ukraine (BBC World Service)

Analysis shows Putin’s “strongman” image is crumbling as his failures stack up, with growing civil unrest threatening Russian stability (The Military Show)

US General Ben Hodges explains Russia’s nuclear threats are losing impact as the West shows growing resilience, with US warnings deterring Putin from escalation (Russia Ukraine)

Russian Army sees increased desertions from occupied Donetsk and Luhansk ##regions [Ukraine], with “I Want to Live” project reporting 25.6% of deserters are from these areas (Kanal13)

Russia: Moscow’s Mayor Sobyanin confirms 600,000 seriously wounded Russian soldiers have undergone treatment at the Voronovsky Rehabilitation Center, revealing unprecedented scale of casualties far beyond what Russia has previously admitted (Warthog Defense)

Finland court upholds seizure of Russian oil tanker suspected of damaging undersea power cables in Baltic Sea investigation (Reuters)

Russian court orders internet company Yandex to hide oil refinery images from search results after Ukrainian drone strikes damage critical infrastructure (Reuters)

Vietnamese and Swedish delegations discuss strengthening cooperation in green technology, digital transformation and sustainable development, with plans to establish direct flights between the two countries (HTV)

US Secretary of State Blinken heads to South Korea, Japan and France on diplomatic mission (Reuters)

Haiti receives 83 troops from Guatemala and El Salvador to join UN-backed anti-gang mission led by Kenya to counter escalating violence (Reuters)

Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Egede pushes for independence from Denmark in New Year speech, citing colonial history and need for self-determination amid US interest (Reuters)

South Korean protesters wave US flags and shout President Trump slogans while defending Korean President Yoon, hoping the US President will “save” the impeached Korean leader after His inauguration (VnExpress)

US: Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration plans include peace in Ukraine and the Middle East, deporting illegal migrants, and imposing tariffs on allies and adversaries, set to alter trade and security dynamics worldwide (BBC News)

India says US H1B skilled foreign worker visas benefit both countries’ tech sectors after President Trump and Elon Musk’s backing (Reuters)

Analysis: President Trump surpassed Presidents Clinton and Bush – all born in 1946 – by leveraging His unique “Vượng khí” [thriving energy]. Despite entering politics later than the other two, President Trump achieved greater prominence by reshaping American politics, founding the “Make America Great Again” dynasty, and gaining unprecedented success during His “Tai Sui” years [years of adversity, according to Chinese astrology] (Ngẫm Radio)

President Trump criticizes Biden’s decision to fly flags at half-staff for President Carter’s passing – a sign of mourning – during His inauguration, calling it politically motivated and hinting the flags may be raised to full height at the ceremony anyway (VnExpress)

US leftist news network CNN’s ratings hit all-time lows in 2024, declining further after President Trump’s victory as network averages just 405,000 primetime viewers (Breitbart)

Study: American late-night TV hosts failed to sway voters against President Trump, despite 98% of 1,463 political jokes targeting the President from September to October 2024 (Gateway Pundit)

Tech billionaire Elon Musk accuses Biden of treason over open border policies and selling border wall materials, as President Trump prepares stricter immigration measures, including mass deportations of illegal migrants on Day One (VietTimes)

Americans slam Biden for enabling terrorist attacks in New Orleans [Louisiana] and Las Vegas [Nevada], calling for greater national security to ensure a smooth transfer of power to President Trump on January 20, 2025 (BTV Epoch Times)

US: Three Justice Department officials arrested for leaking false information to the media about President Trump before election, inspector general report reveals (BTV Epoch Times)

Mount Shasta [California, US]: Off-grid community attracts spiritual seekers ##drawn by the mountain’s vortexes ##[places where spiritual energy is concentrated],##with young nomad communities surviving on food stamps and foraging amid economic challenges (Peter Santenello)

Resilient New Orleans [Louisiana, US] regains its stride after deadly truck attack, as music fills the streets again and restaurants brim with tourists (Reuters)

Vietnam: Bank scammers steal US$8,000 using fake offers to increase customers’ credit limit, tricking victims into sharing OTP [one-time password] codes and account access (VTV24)

Vietnam reports 88 human trafficking cases in 2024, with males comprising majority of victims at 80%, mainly lured by high-paying job offers abroad. Avoid trafficking by avoiding “high-salary, easy-job” scams, verifying job offers, staying cautious online, avoiding illegal border crossings, and reporting suspicious activities to authorities or trusted organizations (VTV24)

British aviation expert Julian Bray explains why the South Korea plane crash happened: a concrete slab that is against airport building codes was placed at the end of the Muan Airport runway, causing a deadly explosion despite the pilot’s best efforts including a textbook wheels-up landing (The Sun)

Indonesia announces free nationwide health screening program starting February 2025, targeting 60 million people in first year with US$300 million budget (VnExpress)

US: Gen Z [born 1997-2012] increasingly chooses vocational training over college due to lower costs, shorter study period, and AI job security concerns (VnExpress)

Indian women’s cooperative Lijjat transforms from small papad [crispy snack]- making venture to US$186 million business, empowering 45,000 women nationwide (BBC)

Sudan faces world’s largest humanitarian crisis with 10% of global aid needs, as International Rescue Committee calls for intervention (France 24)

Thailand: Traditional media industry faces more layoffs in 2025 as digital disruption continues, with TV predicted to lose 7% of advertising revenue (The Nation)

Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà calls for rapid shift to electric vehicles and green transport amid worsening urban air pollution (Viet Nam News)

Nepal: National Public Health Laboratory launches breast cancer genetic testing service, enabling more affordable domestic tests without needing to send samples to India (The Kathmandu Post)

Indonesia faces calls for stricter chemical sales controls after series of acid attacks leaves victims with life-altering injuries (The Jakarta Post)

Women with long COVID face heartbreaking fertility issues as debilitating symptoms and lack of medical research force many to postpone or abandon dreams of motherhood (ABC Australia)

World Health Organization [WHO] reports 7 million official COVID-19 deaths after 5 years of outbreak, with true toll likely triple that as virus continues evolving despite vaccines (VTV.vn)

Chinese health officials warn of surge in respiratory infections, particularly among children, with potential new virus strain causing severe pneumonia complications (DBC News)

Taiwan closely monitors human metapneumovirus outbreak in China, with officials warning the respiratory virus primarily affecting young children could spread (Radio Taiwan International)

US border faces threat of screwworm as the flesh-eating parasite resurfaces in Mexico, prompting US warnings and halt to beef imports (New York Post)

Queensland [Australia]: Scientists race to save koalas from extinction as chlamydia epidemic ravages wild populations, with vaccine trials showing promise (BBC)

UK implements travel bans and phone restrictions for suspected human traffickers, after a significant increase in illegal border crossings via English Channel in 2024 (VTV.vn)

UK regulators warn against buying weight loss medicines without a prescription, be it through social media or beauty salons, citing health risks and legal consequences (Gov.UK)

Kashmir [India]: Doctors warn of increased heart attack and stroke risks during freezing weather, especially for elderly and those with health conditions (Times Now)

Nutritionists highlight vegetables that help reduce belly fat through improved digestion and blood sugar regulation: Bell peppers, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Kale and Lettuce (VnExpress)

York University [Toronto, Canada] study shows taking a weeklong break from social media significantly improves female students’ self-esteem and body image compared to regular users (The Optimist Daily)

East Yorkshire [UK]: Time-lapse study reveals rapid coastal erosion at South Beach over four months, showing accelerating cliff loss (Timothy’s Travels)

Ethiopian authorities evacuate residents near Mount Dofan volcano in Awash Fentale as smoke rises and earthquakes increase in frequency (baotintuc.vn)

Australia’s southeast faces extreme heat reaching 14ºC above average, prompting fire bans in Victoria amid heightened bushfire risks (Reuters)

Scientists monitor Yellowstone supervolcano, America’s “ticking time bomb,” using modern techniques, as researchers predict another eruption soon (DW)

Japan’s Kansai Airport, built on an artificial island for US$40 billion, has sunk over 12 meters in eight years, with experts warning it could sink below sea level by 2067 (VnExpress)

Vietnam Airlines will use sustainable aviation fuel [SAF] for all flights departing Europe starting January 2025. Beginning at 2% SAF usage, the airline aims to progressively increase to 70% by 2050, supporting Vietnam’s net zero goals (Soha.vn)

Pù Hu Nature Reserve in Thanh Hóa [Vietnam] releases 72 rare and endangered wildlife individuals back into the wild, emphasizing conservation efforts, ecological restoration, and rehabilitation of illegally captured animals (Tiền Phong)

Finland: Geoscientists study 500-million-year-old hexagonal meteorite crater Söderfjärden that emerged from sea in the past few centuries, offering insights into geological formations (VnExpress)

Thailand: Suranaree University of Technology students transform rice husks into valuable gems worth 6,000 times more than their inputs through ceramic techniques (Tuổi Trẻ)

West Hollywood [California, US] promotes Veganuary [Vegan January] campaign with free resources and business participation, aiming to reduce emissions and improve public health through plant-based eating (VegOut)

Vegan skincare brand FG-Beauty uses Eastern prickly pear extract, focusing on natural ingredients and eco-friendly methods that boost skin absorption (The Dong-a Ilbo) SupremeMasterTV.com/NWN

Zimbabwe: Seven-year-old boy Tinotenda Pudu survives five days lost in Matusadona National Park, surviving among lions by eating wild fruit and digging for water (BBC)

Uplifting quote of the day: “Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.” – Anthony J. D’Angelo