DAILY NEWS Stream – June 8, 2025

The Netherlands blames Russian hackers with suspected ties to the Russian government for a major cyberattack in 2024 targeting its police data and similar attacks against NATO and EU nations that support Ukraine (AP)

Heavy smoking causes full-body inflammation and blood vessel damage, increasing disease risk even in young adults, new study reveals (News Medical)

Climate change is harming adolescent reproductive health in Kenya. Food, water, and sanitation insecurities are placing young teens aged 10-14, especially girls, at higher risk of school dropout, transactional sex, gender-based violence, and early pregnancy (News Medical)

Yellow fever cases in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru have surged eightfold in 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with 221 infections and 89 deaths reported (News Medical)

Vietnam: Two runners suffer acute kidney failure due to severe dehydration during a marathon in extremely hot and humid weather, doctors warn (Dân Trí)

High-fiber vegan diets benefit patients of multiple myeloma, a common blood cancer, by slowing disease progression and offering early protection through nutrition, study finds (New Medical)

Two studies show the Portfolio Diet—a proven whole-food vegan plan— lowers bad cholesterol, reduces the risk of heart disease and early death, slows aging, and supports long-term health (Medical Xpress)

Research shows food quality is more important than cutting down carbs and fat for heart health— plant-based, minimally processed foods lower risks of heart attack and stroke, while refined grains, sugar, and animal-people products increase risks (Albia Newspaper)

Wildfires in three Canadian provinces kill at least two people and send thick smoke across the eastern US, darkening skies and worsening air quality (Axios)

Massive dust cloud from Africa’s Sahara Desert sweeps the Caribbean and Florida [US], triggering air quality alerts and hazy skies from Barbados to Jamaica (AP)

Mount Etna [Italy], Europe’s largest volcano, erupts in its strongest blast in a decade, sending ash plumes 6.5 kilometers into the sky. No damage was reported, but dozens of flights were disrupted (Tuổi Trẻ)

A rain-triggered landslide strikes an Indian Army camp in Chhateng [Sikkim State], leaving at least three personnel dead and six missing (The Times of India)

UK braces for heavy rain and 80 kilometer/hour gusts in June 2025, amid an unseasonal cold snap and widespread travel disruptions at the start of the month (The Times of India)

A strong earthquake of magnitude 5.8 rattles western Türkiye, killing at least one and shaking areas across Greece, as rescue and damage checks continue (Euronews)

Heavy flooding and landslides in Yunnan Province [China] cause riverside homes to collapse, forcing evacuations (South China Morning Post)

Researchers in Japan develop a plastic that dissolves in seawater within hours, offering a potential solution to the plastic crisis polluting oceans and harming wildlife (Reuters)

Analysis: Young people in Vietnam now favor eating vegan food, seeing it as a trendy, healthy, and eco-friendly lifestyle (Nhà báo & Công Luận)

Netherlands-based Plukon Food Group buys vegan brand Vega Insiders, as animal-people meat companies shift toward plant-focused growth strategies (JustFood)

US-based Big Idea Ventures and Belgium’s Mars Petcare launch a new program aiming to develop eco-friendly, alternative protein pet foods of the future (Vegconomist)

US gluten-free baking company Flax4Life launches a new line of vegan muffins and brownies using sustainable lemna [duckweed] protein, a clean, nutrient-rich egg alternative (Perishable News)

The global vegan supplements market is expected to reach US$18.8 billion by 2035 as demand for vegan nutrition rises globally (Future Market Insights)

Israeli vegan startup Meala FoodTech partners with Dutch corporation DSM-Firmenich to launch Vertis PB Pea, a texturizing pea protein designed to bring better nutritional value to animal-people meat alternatives (FoodBev Media)

US vegan brand Altro Food launches the “Plant-Powered Palooza” summer campaign with playful online giveaways focusing on flavorful vegan quality and sustainability (Specialty Food Association)

US-based vegan company Nepra Foods reports a 44% growth in revenue for the full fiscal year, driven by a 56% client increase and strong demand for its allergen-friendly vegan products (Stock Titan)

Global demand for vegan spreads like vegan butter, vegan cream cheese and vegan lard is growing, expected to reach US$704.3 million in market value by 2031 as consumers seek healthier and eco-friendly alternatives to animal-people products (Insightace Analytic Pvt Ltd.)

India’s plant-based milk market is projected to reach US$140 million by 2031, driven by health and environmental concerns and high demand for soy, almond, coconut, oat and rice-based alternatives (IMARC Group)

Report: The global plant protein-based food and beverages market is expanding due to rising consumer interest in healthier, vegan diets and innovation in ingredients and flavors (The Insight Partners)

Australians name So Good as their Most Trusted Plant Based Milk brand, after parent company Sanitarium introduced Australia’s first soy milk nearly 40 years ago and has been a pioneer in the vegan milk category ever since (Retail World)

South Korean vegan cruelty-free shampoo company Mars Made wins ECRM’s Hair Care Buyers’ Choice Award for its eco-friendly shampoo bars; American vegan cruelty-free firm Alodia Hair Care was a finalist for its Deep Conditioning Masque (Drug Store News)

Dutch indoor farming startup The HAB wins grand prize at the ReThink Food Challenge in the Netherlands for its plant-based hydrogels that enable low-cost, sustainable indoor farming at home (Mirage)

The plant-based meat market is set to grow at a CAGR of 20.2% from 2024 to 2031, fueled by veganism, health awareness, and sustainability. Clean-label eating drives innovation in taste and textures in vegan burgers and nuggets (DataM Intelligence 4 Market Research LLP)

German chemicals company Symrise presents advanced taste solutions for plant-based foods at the Bridge2Food Europe 2025 summit. The company showcased heat-stable vegan meats, oat yogurt, and dairy alternatives optimized for delicious flavor (Protein Production Technology)

UK vegan charity Viva lists 10 plant-based foods that can help lower blood pressure naturally without medication: 1) Bananas – Rich in potassium, which helps reduce sodium levels. 2) Berries – Contain anthocyanins that promote nitric oxide production, improving blood flow. 3) Watermelon – Contains L-citrulline, which helps relax blood vessels. 4) Kale and dark leafy greens - High in nitrates that convert to nitric oxide. 5) Beetroot – Also rich in good nitrates, shown to lower blood pressure. 6) Lentils and chickpeas – Packed with fiber, potassium, and magnesium. 7) Flaxseed – High in omega-3 fatty acids, which can improve blood flow. 8) Oats - Contain beta-glucans that lower blood pressure. 9) Onions - Rich in quercetin, which may help reduce hypertension. 10) Cinnamon – Contains compounds that can help expand and relax blood vessels (Viva)

Practical quote of the day: “If you have trouble with empathy or understanding others’ feelings, try imagining others are you. I mean, literally: imagine vividly that everybody else looks like you, sounds like you, can feel the same emotions inside like you can, etc., as though very living being on Earth is your identical twin or clone. Then you may find it’s much easier to understand and treat others right, as you wouldn’t do wrong to yourself.” – Avrum Strauss (vegan)