DAILY NEWS Stream – April 12, 2025

US President Trump limits tariffs on most nations to 10% for 90 days to allow for trade talks with over 70 countries, while further increasing taxes on Chinese imports to 125% (Tuổi Trẻ)

Washington DC [US]: Recent anti-Trump protesters have been brought in by bus in groups, suggesting they are actors hired by someone behind the scenes (60 Giây | Tinh Hoa TV)

Washington DC [US]: A clean energy executive and an ex-federal worker are charged with vandalizing Tesla cars in their neighborhood (The Washington Post)

The UK reports its first-ever case of human flu spreading to a pig in a rare “reverse zoonosis,” prompting experts to warn of pandemic risks and call for ending animal factory operations (Mirror)

Mexico reports its first human case of H5N1 bird flu after a 3-year-old girl dies from the virus (Euronews)

The World Health Organization warns another pandemic is “certain” to happen sooner or later and urges all countries to prepare (Tuổi Trẻ)

Thailand: Flash floods turn streets into rivers in Samut Prakan Province, damaging or sweeping away many cars (Đỗ Hoài Thương)

The Philippines: Massive fire spreads after Kanlaon Volcano erupts, shooting into the air a 4,000-meter column of ash that covered the sky (Báo Pháp Luật TP HCM; Anadolu Ajansi)

March 2025 sees record global temperatures 1.6ºC higher than pre-industrial times, raising alarm as international climate goals appear increasingly unreachable (Al Jazeera)

Zen the Border Collie teaches other dogs how to rescue people in Italy’s Dolomite Mountains, as rescue dogs play an increasingly important role in search and rescue efforts due to avalanches linked to climate change (VTV.vn)

Myanmar holds a ceremony to honor rescue teams from five Southeast Asian countries – Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam - for helping after the recent devastating earthquake (VTV24)

New data shows New Zealand’s major cities are sinking, so rising seas will affect them sooner – within decades (The Conversation)

Northern Cyprus strengthens animal protection laws, introducing prison terms of up to 8 years for killing protected animals and 2 years for causing an animal’s death by neglect (CyprusMail)

US State of Massachusetts enacts two new animal welfare laws: one bans selling puppies or kittens under 8 weeks old, and the other outlaws cat declawing, which experts say is like cutting off a human finger at the first knuckle (WGGB/WSHM)

US: New York State Senate passes several new animal welfare bills, including: 1) Banning insurance discrimination based on dog breed. 2) Prohibiting the use of certain wild animals in traveling shows. 3) Restricting animal devocalization to medically necessary cases only. 4) Requiring inspection of abandoned properties for abandoned animals. 5) Clarifying laws on aggravated animal cruelty. 6) Expanding and strengthening the exotic animal ban.

The measures were passed in honor of National Animal Advocacy Day, celebrated April 30 each year. To become effective, the State Assembly must also pass the bills, followed by the Governor’s signature (The New York State Senate)

China removes pangolin [a scaly mammal]-based medicine from its 2025 official medical guide, marking a step toward wildlife protection (World Animal Protection)

Nigerian officials arrest a Chinese wildlife trafficking “kingpin” suspected of running an international smuggling ring for pangolin scales (Mongabay)

US State of South Carolina authorities crack down on dog fighting, rescuing 200 dogs from fight rings in 2025 so far (WLTX)

US: Democrats and Republicans in the Senate unite in support of a new bill requiring vegan milk options for students at school (Green Queen)

US vegan group Greener by Default expands its partnership with food service provider Sodexo to provide vegan meals at 400 hospitals across the country (BusinessWire)

Uplifting quote of the day: “Love seeks one thing only: the good of the one loved. It leaves all the other secondary effects to take care of themselves. Love, therefore, is its own reward.” – The Reverend Thomas Merton (vegetarian)