DAILY NEWS Stream – December 23, 2024

US officials visit Damascus first time in over 10 years following Assad’s fall, seeking information on missing Americans like journalist Austin Tice and meeting with Syrian people (Fox News)

UN aid chief Tom Fletcher praises Syria’s new authorities for allowing humanitarian aid access and committing to protect civilians, streamline permits, and ensure essential services following meeting with the new administration’s commander Ahmed al-Sharaa and Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir (Reuters)

Hamas shows increased willingness to negotiate ceasefire after US President Trump warns of consequences if hostages aren’t returned, says Australian Strategic Policy Institute Executive Director Justin Bassi (Sky News Australia)

Putin says he’s open to peace talks with Ukraine brokered by US President Trump (Sky News Australia)

UNESCO adds 58 cultural traditions to Intangible Heritage list, including the musical genre of Guarania in Paraguay; Aleppo [Syrian] soap making; Korean jang sauce fermentation; K’cimi dancing of Tropojë [Albania]; and the Festival of Bà Chúa Xứ Goddess at Sam Mountain, Vietnam (Good News Network)

US enters 10th COVID wave with highest transmission spike in three years, affecting 1.6% of population amid total silence in the corporate media (WSWS.org)

University of Pittsburgh [Pennsylvania, US] study finds H5N1 bird flu is adapting in cats, with South Dakota outbreak showing severe feline neurological symptoms and potential for human transmission (Phys.org)

German school closes temporarily after two children test positive for monkeypox virus, with four family members quarantined (DW)

Florida reports 82 “flesh-eating” Vibrio bacteria infections and 16 deaths in 2024, as climate change expands dangerous microbe’s range northward along US East Coast (National Geographic)

Wisconsin [US] reports 2,339 whooping cough cases in 2024, ranking third in US behind New York and Pennsylvania, as national cases surge six-fold (js)

US stores stock controversial food items banned in other countries, including artificial dyes, the chemical DPA to make apples shiny, and dangerous hormones force-fed to cows present in many dairy products (StarsInsider)

Northern India water pipe amazingly dispenses ice cylinders instead of water during extreme cold, astonishing locals (KameraOne UK)

UK throws away more than a million vapes a day, creating environmental crisis as toxic materials threaten wildlife and cause waste facility fires (The Guardian)

Bosnia records hottest year in 2024, with temperatures rising up to 1 degree Celsius above 2023 amid severe drought (AFP)

Global temperature records in 2023-2024 surprise scientists, suggesting climate change may be accelerating faster than predicted (Axios)

Positive climate developments in 2024: UK ends coal power, renewables surge globally, a river gains legal rights in Ecuador, Amazon deforestation drops (BBC)

US: Lake Michigan’s surface temperatures hit record highs in November 2024, rising 6 degrees Fahrenheit [3.3 degrees Celsius] above normal as climate change impacts Great Lakes ecosystems (Chicago Tribune)

Study: Alaska [US] marine heatwave “the Blob” killed 4 million common murres from 2014-2016, marking largest bird die-off in recorded history. Eight years later, population still hasn’t recovered (Alternet)

Iowa [US]: Food and Water Watch reports 179 manure spills in waterways over 10 years, with most occurring in counties with highest animal factory concentrations (Audubon County Advocate Journal)

London [UK]: 2024 marks first year renewable energy surpasses fossil fuels, as wind power alone generates 29% of electricity amid declining coal and gas use (Good News Network)

Arizona [US] Hopi farmer Michael Kotutwa Johnson grows corn without irrigation using ancient methods, planting seeds 18 inches [45 centimeters] deep to find moisture in desert (Reasons To Be Cheerful)

Scientists create new antioxidant inspired by radiation-resistant bacteria Deinococcus radiodurans, dubbed “Conan the Bacterium,” that could protect astronauts and treat radiation exposure (Live Science)

Australian scientists develop ultra-thin, flexible film to harness human body heat for powering wearable devices, offering sustainable energy alternative to batteries (Euronews)

Connecticut [US] will erase US$30 million in medical debt for 23,000 residents, part of national initiative to eliminate US$1 billion in medical bills (AP)

UK court rules breeding chickens who suffer due to fast-growth genes is unlawful, potentially impacting 95% of Britain’s chickens in historic animal welfare victory (The Ecologist)

International Vegan Interior Design Association launches to promote animal-free furnishings and connect vegan designers worldwide, with main webpage on social media platform LinkedIn (Designers Today)

Bihar [India]: Government and animal welfare groups rescue 400 animals from sacrifice at Gadhimai festival, intercepting smuggled animals at border in largest rescue operation in festival’s history (Garhwal Post)

US: State of Maryland’s ban on retail pet shop sales of dogs and cats upheld by federal appeals court, rejecting challenge by Missouri breeders (Maryland Matters)

UK House of Commons parliament leader Lucy Powell MP wishes nation cruelty-free Christmas as government explores phasing out animal testing amid growing public support (Cruelty Free International)

UK’s Strictly Come Dancing show bans real feathers in costumes after PETA campaign, switching to cruelty-free alternatives for 2025 season (Daily Mail)

US: Washington state bans cosmetics tested on animals starting January 2025, with exceptions for pre-2025 testing and foreign regulatory requirements (My Bellingham Now)

Türkiye updates food labeling laws, allowing vegan cheese production and permitting meat-alternative descriptors like “burger” and “salami” for vegan products (Green Queen)

Cape Verde: British travelers rescue dying pregnant donkey from beach, leading to miraculous birth of healthy foal at local riding center (Good News Network)

Los Angeles area [California, US] school offers vegetarian and vegan lunch options through meal provider Revolution Foods, with options like bean burritos and vegan taco bowls available in main lunch line (Los Angeles Daily News)

Health tip: Turmeric aids weight loss through metabolism boost and improved digestion, with effective ways to consume including tea, detox water, supplements and food (The Times of India) SupremeMasterTV.com/NWN

EU sanctions Russian icebreaker vessel Christophe de Margerie as part of efforts to reduce Russian LNG [liquefied natural gas] imports (Người đưa tin)

International Monetary Fund [IMF] approves US$1.1 billion loan to Ukraine, bringing total disbursed to US$9.8 billion since March 2023 (The Guardian)

US: President Trump and Efficiency Minister Musk achieve major win as Congress passes a funding bill slimmed from 1,547 to 118 pages, removing Democrat concessions while averting a shutdown (Reuters)

US billionaire Elon Musk meets with UK’s Nigel Farage at President Trump’s residence at Mar-a-Lago [Florida] to discuss potential US$100 million donation to far-right Reform UK party amid Mr. Musk’s growing political influence (France 24)

US to send Ukraine US$1.2 billion final aid package including missile defense systems and artillery shells, as White House uses remaining Ukraine Security Assistance funds (baotintuc.vn)

US tech billionaire Elon Musk publicly calls for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s resignation after terrorist attack kills 5 at Christmas market, following Mr. Musk’s recent endorsement of right-wing Alternative for Germany [AfD] party as the “only hope” of saving the country (baotintuc.vn)

Vietnam: Low pressure system east of Trường Sa Islands may strengthen, bringing heavy rain to central and southern Vietnam (Báo Lao Động)

Elevating quote of the day: “When one comes to the Essence of being, The shining Wisdom of reality Illumines all like the cloudless sky.” – The Venerated Enlightened Master Milarepa (vegan)

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