DAILY NEWS Stream – February 22, 2025

Hamas says it is ready to free all 58 remaining hostages at one time in phase two of Gaza truce, set to begin in March 2025 (France 24)

“DEADLY SERIOUS”: US President Trump says He will never allow Iran to get nuclear weapons and it must never happen, as it would threaten the existence of Israel and the whole world (Fox Business)

US and Russia agree to restore embassies in Washington and Moscow during high-level talks focused on peace in Ukraine, held in Saudi Arabia (VNEWS)

Russia and Ukraine take “significant first step toward peace,” says US President Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt, following US and Russian diplomats’ meeting, hosted and mediated by Saudi Arabia (Fox News)

Analysis: President Trump’s ceasefire plan for Ukraine will control Putin, as increased European defense and peacekeeping troops on Ukraine’s eastern border will deter Russian aggression long-term (Times Radio)

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urges Europe to support US President Trump on ending Ukraine war, asking: “When are we Europeans going to stop being scandalized about Donald Trump and start helping Him to end this war?” Mr. Johnson calls on Europe to take action if it wants a seat at the negotiating table, including unfreezing US$300 billion in Russian assets to support Ukraine and compensate the US for its military aid (AA)

President Trump believes tech billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency [DOGE] can find US$1 trillion in federal government cuts. Mr. Musk agrees during their first joint interview, saying, “Yeah, I think so” (Fox News; NDTV)

US tech billionaire Elon Musk calls himself President Trump’s “tech support,” stating the goal of DOGE [Department of Government Efficiency] is to “restore the will of the people” through the President. He criticizes America’s shift from democracy to bureaucracy, where unelected officials block the President, violating the Constitution and voters’ rights (Fox News)

President Trump and Efficiency Commissioner Elon Musk reveal SHOCKING waste in federal government spending, including [in US dollars]: $100,000 for study on tequila/gin’s effects on sunfish aggression $1 million for study on cocaine’s effects on Japanese quail’s sexual behavior $750,000 for study on moon landing quote analysis (“one small step for man” vs “a man”) $1.5 million for New York video gaming industry expansion $388,000 on grant to Columbia University $45 million on diversity and inclusion scholarship in Burma [Myanmar] $3 million on girl-centered climate action in Brazil $289,000 on diverse bird watcher groups $28 million on Afghan army uniform camouflage pattern licensing $2.5 million for Super Bowl [American football championship] census advertisement $1.7 million on holograms of dead comedians at National Comedy Center $125,000 for study on anti-racist healing in nature $151,000 for study on perceived racism, cardiovascular disease risk, and aging $516,000 for study on racism’s effects on brain health disparities $611,000 for study on “microaggressions” among Latino individuals with obesity $6.9 million for smart toilet user recognition study $1.5 million for kitten motion sickness study $419,000 for study on cocaine use in lonely vs. happy rats $2.3 million for dog cocaine injection study $75,000 for Harvard University study on lizards being blown off trees $2.1 million on Paraguay border security $20 million on Iraqi children’s Sesame Street-style show $123,000 on teaching Kenyan children viral social media skills $10,000 on climate change cabaret show on ice $4.8 million on State Department influencer spending $8.2 million on Politico [digital newspaper company] subscriptions across federal agencies $500,000 for NASA’s Politico Pro subscriptions $4.6 million on Zoom/in-person meeting coordination in the Department of Education $3 million for Department of Education report showing prior reports were not utilized by schools (National Review)

Efficiency Commissioner Elon Musk cuts nearly US$1 billion in federal contracts with the US Department of Education

and eliminates DEI [diversity, equity, and inclusion] programs to reduce government's wasteful spending (New York Post) “I love the President”: Elon Musk reflects on his friendship and work with President Trump, calling him a “good Man” and saying he’s never seen Him do anything mean, cruel, or wrong. President Trump praises Mr. Musk as the smartest person he knows who “gets it done – he is a leader” (Sky News Australia)

American journalist Sean Hannity highlights tech billionaire Elon Musk’s contributions, including donating free Starlink internet to Hurricane Helene victims and aiding paraplegics through his brain implant company Neuralink, while countering Democrats’ criticisms (Fox News)

US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper advises Vietnamese against illegally immigrating to US, warning not to trust the false promises of migrant smugglers, online scammers, or visa fixers [scammers who offer help with visa applications in exchange for money]. He highlights the dangers of the journey, with hundreds of people going missing or dying each year, and many who make it to the US end up being caught, deported, or become victims of human trafficking (Báo Chính phủ)

US deports nearly 120 illegal immigrants to Panama, including Vietnamese to be transferred back to Vietnam in cooperation with the Vietnamese government. Illegal immigrants facing deportation have entered the US without authorization or violated visa conditions. This includes: a) Unauthorized entry – Crossing the border without valid documents like a US visa. b) Overstaying a visa – Remaining in the US after a visa expires without renewing it or changing to a legal status. c) Working illegally – Taking jobs not permitted under their visa type. Additionally, individuals involved in criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, violence, theft, or fraud, can be deported, as well as those deemed a threat to US national security (SGNN)

Warning: Overseas Vietnamese with green cards [permanent resident status in US] are still at risk of deportation if their green card is revoked, which usually occurs if a cardholder breaks the law or spends too much time in their home country. Here are 5 tips to avoid losing your green card: 1) Follow US laws strictly, including those related to business or criminal activity. 2) Avoid frequent long trips abroad, as they may raise doubts about your intention to live permanently in the US. Stick to short trips once a year or every couple of years at most. 3) Don’t travel to your home country or other countries without clear, valid reasons. Actions like opening a business abroad can raise suspicion and cause issues when re-entering the US. 4) Apply for a re-entry permit if you need to stay abroad for a while. 5) Be mindful of your immigration status, and maintain ties to the US as a green card holder (OK ĐƯỜNG PHỐ)

New Delhi [India]: Deadly stampede at New Delhi Railway Station kills at least 18, including five children, likely caused by overcrowding and station mismanagement (NDTV)

Practical Tips to Prevent and Survive Stampedes: For Individuals: a) Stay calm – Panic increases crowd pressure and reduces control. b) Protect your chest – Cross your arms to shield your chest and prevent compression, which makes breathing difficult and can cause suffocation. c) Move with the flow – Follow the crowd’s direction but move diagonally toward the edges. d) Avoid walls and barriers – These become high-pressure zones where people can get pinned. e) If you fall – Protect your head, curl into a fetal position, and try to get up quickly by grabbing stable objects or people.

For Event Planners and Authorities: a) Design sufficient and wide exits to reduce chokepoints and disperse crowd pressure. b) Use clear signage to guide crowds calmly toward exits. c) Train staff to manage crowd flow, ensuring orderly movement, and intervene when needed. d) Place strategic obstacles to help disperse crowd density and guide flow. e) Regulate access to high-density areas to prevent overcrowding and dangerous surges (Northeastern University)

Los Angeles [US] firefighter swept into the sea by landslide while driving his department vehicle during heavy rain, but luckily received only minor injuries (New York Post)

London [UK]: Massive fire consumes luxury hotel popular with Hollywood stars, forcing evacuation of over 100 people and compelling Netflix to relocate its afterparty for the British Academy Film Awards [BAFTA] to another venue (The Mirror)

Uplifting quote of the day: “The love of Heaven makes one Heavenly.” – William Shakespeare