DAILY NEWS Stream – April 14, 2025

Syria and South Korea establish formal diplomatic relations at a meeting in Damascus [Syria], another milestone for Syria’s transitional government under President Ahmad al-Sharaa (Al Jazeera)

European countries pledge billions of dollars in military support for Ukraine as US envoy Steve Witkoff meets with Putin in Saint Petersburg [Russia] [Russia] to discuss peace (AP)

US President Trump’s team ends “temporary protected status” for thousands of Afghans and Cameroonians, saying their countries are now safe enough to return to (Al Jazeera)

US Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] Administrator Lee Zeldin plans to ban animal testing at the EPA by 2035, reviving President Trump’s plan from His first term that was canceled under Biden (The Washington Times)

US judge rules that anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil can be deported for his role in last year’s campus protests at Columbia University, as President Trump cracks down on anti-Jewish violence nationwide (Fox News)

The US Senate approves President Trump’s nominee, Air Force General Dan Caine, as top US general (Al Jazeera)

US measles cases surpass 700 with outbreaks in six states (AP)

US recalls “extra creamy” butter over coliform bacteria, raising alarms about potential fecal contamination (Fox News)

Scientists discover drinking more than eight alcoholic drinks a week doubles dementia risk and cuts life expectancy by 13 years (Daily Mail)

New twin study shows vegan vitamins boost vital nutrients in the blood far more than animal-based ones, with algae-based Omega-3 and D3 outperforming fish oil and lanolin [sheep’s wool]- based versions (Daily Mail)

Scientists create a vegan gum that neutralizes 95% of flu and herpes viruses, and could help stop future pandemics by blocking mouth and nose transmission (SciTechDaily)

Millions in northern China are told to stay indoors as strong winds approach; state media warns people under 50 kilograms [110 pounds] may be “easily blown away” (BBC)

UK: Dry weather causes a sharp rise in London wildfire calls compared to this time last year (BBC)

Report warns climate change will increase heart disease in the next 25 years, with Australia already losing 50,000 years of healthy human life per year due to weather-related heart problems (Al Jazeera)

Major shipping nations agree on a historic first global carbon tax, charging at least US$100 per ton of greenhouse gases emitted from large ships. The agreement, reached without US involvement, is expected to be adopted at an October 2025 meeting of the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization [IMO] and would take effect in 2027 (AP)

European Parliament and EU governments agree to new rules on shipping plastics after several major spills caused millions of plastic particles to wash up on European beaches (Euronews)

Danish company Lego says its new solar-powered factory in Vietnam will make toys without adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere (Euronews)

Love-expanding quote of the day: “All wars are civil wars, because all men are brothers.” – The Reverend Francois Fenelon