DAILY NEWS Stream – November 8, 2025

Pakistan reopens a major border crossing with Afghanistan following the ceasefire mediated by Qatar and Türkiye, allowing for the return of over 1.56 million Afghan refugees to their home country (VOV)

President Trump’s deputy assistant Dr. Sebastian Gorka says the US has neutralized 393 leading Islamist terrorists worldwide and freed 76 wrongfully detained Americans since President Trump took office (Breitbart)

UK-based Indigenous rights organization Survival International warns at least 196 uncontacted Indigenous Nations in 10 countries (mostly in the Amazon) face extinction within a decade, due to logging, mining, and agribusiness threats. Experts urge a strict “no contact, no-go zone” policy, protection of Indigenous lands from extractive industries, and corporate responsibility in supply chains to prevent sourcing from these areas (Japan Today)

Nassau County [New York] County executive Bruce Blakeman (Republican) wins reelection after US President Trump endorsed him, likely securing his victory (New York Post; WXXI News)

President Trump bashes New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani (Democratic Socialist), calling him a communist after Democrats swept key elections. The President said the results weren’t good for Republicans or anyone, largely because of the Democrats’ government shutdown, and reiterated that top Republicans should eliminate the Senate filibuster [a voting delay tactic] to end the shutdown and pass Republicans’ agenda ahead of next year’s more major elections (CNBC)

President Trump’s administration will use emergency backup funds to pay for half of the food-aid programs for low-income Americans during the government shutdown. President Trump said the normal funding could start again as soon as Democrats in Congress agree to reopen the government (New York Post)

Maryland [US]: Baltimore County will no longer act as a “sanctuary” for illegal immigrants after agreeing to work with ICE (Immigration Customs and Enforcement) on immigration enforcement (U.S. Department of Justice)

Sonora [Mexico]: A major fire at a discount store kills at least 23 and injures dozens, prompting investigations as Mexican President Sheinbaum orders support for the victims’ families (Reuters)

Rio de Janeiro [Brazil] authorities seize over US$2 million worth of weapons in an anti-drug raid, the deadliest in the nation’s history, leaving at least 117 suspects and four police officers dead (The Korea Herald)

Egypt opens the US$1 billion Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza Pyramids, displaying over 100,000 artifacts including King Tutankhamun’s treasures, marking a cultural milestone expected to boost tourism (Reuters)

National Geographic highlights eight of the most beautiful and unique islands in Southeast Asia: + Koh Chang, Thailand + Penang, Malaysia + Cát Bà, Âu Lạc (Vietnam) + Komodo, Indonesia + Panay, Philippines + Isla Verde, Philippines + Java, Indonesia + Don Khong, Laos (Báo Thanh Niên)

Experts say mustard greens are a superfood, one of the most nutrient-dense leafy green vegetables packed with vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium, and cleansing antioxidants. Their natural plant-based compounds help lower inflammation, support liver detox, and improve circulation. Enjoy them lightly steamed or added to vegan soups for a peppery, plant-powered immunity boost (WebMD)

Nutritionists say watermelon seeds— often discarded— are actually full of protein, magnesium, zinc, and healthy fats that support heart health and stable energy. Their antioxidants help reduce inflammation and improve skin elasticity. Lightly roast or blend them into vegan milk for a nutritious, eco-friendly snack that fuels the body and reduces food waste (Healthline)

Experts say hot-tempered and easily angered people are more prone to stroke, even at a young age. Research shows negative emotions overactivate the sympathetic nervous system, causing blood vessel constriction, high blood pressure, and vascular damage, leading to blood clots and stroke. Traditional medicine also teaches that anger disrupts the liver’s energy, causing heat to rise to the head and trigger stroke, with warning signs including sudden headaches, dizziness, and facial flushing. Prevention steps include avoiding alcohol, getting enough sleep, eating a healthy vegan diet, and calming practices like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing (VietNamNet)

Brazilian research links Amazon gold mining to infant disabilities due to severe mercury poisoning. Indigenous children in Pará State are suffering neurological disorders and birth defects, raising concerns over nearby illegal gold mining operations (Reuters)

Typhoon Kalmaegi kills at least 46 people in the Philippines, including six military crew members whose helicopter crashed in Agusan del Sur on Mindanao Island, while tens of thousands were evacuated (Reuters)

Swedish study finds a climate-based food tax can significantly reduce emissions and improve public health. Researchers propose a “food tax shift”— removing VAT (value-added tax) on healthy items like fruits, vegetables, and grains, while raising taxes on high-emission items such as beef, lamb, pork, and dairy. They found that reducing Sweden’s meat consumption by 19% would be equivalent to removing one in ten passenger cars from the road (KRIB)

US researchers report that wetlands in the Mississippi River Basin significantly reduce nitrogen pollution, saving communities millions of dollars annually in water treatment costs. Experts urge continued protection and expansion of these key ecosystems (Earth.com)

Spanish scientists find the number of beneficial marine viruses in Blanes Bay have declined since 2011 due to rising sea temperatures and fewer nutrients, disrupting nutrient/carbon cycling and ecosystem balance (Earth.com)

Swiss researchers find that ocean bacteria off California [US] and Mexico’s coasts are secretly fueling global warming by producing nitrous oxide— a potent greenhouse gas— even in oxygen-rich waters, suggesting that oceanic emissions may be higher than previously expected (Earth.com)

Texas Southern University [US] football coach and former NFL (National Football League) player Cris Dishman (vegan) replaces his team’s greasy buffet food with healthy vegan snack bags filled with fruits, nuts, and clean-energy foods to boost health and performance. The team now reports fewer injuries and more energy. Coach Dishman believes “you play how you eat” and aims to teach his players lifelong good habits and discipline (Chron)

Ivory Coast: Comoe National Park shows strong signs of recovery after being devastated by civil wars from 2002 to 2011. The government has since re-equipped and re-trained rangers, and elephant- and chimpanzee-people have returned (Bangkok Post)

A University of Texas [US] study finds regularly helping others can slow cognitive decline by up to 20% in middle-aged and older adults (Báo Tuổi Trẻ)

The World Cat Federation (WCF) International Jubilee Cat Show 2025 concludes in HCM CT [Âu Lạc (Vietnam)] with victory going to Saturday Hayden, a longhaired British cat from Thailand, who triumphed over 120 competitors. The event promoted animal-people welfare and raised funds for stray shelters (Báo Dân Trí)

US: A couple risk their lives to hold onto a girl who nearly fell from a 60-meter-high roller coaster at an amusement park in Missouri [US] (Báo Dân Trí)

Cuba begins recovering after Hurricane Melissa. The Red Cross and Red Crescent delivered the first 20 metric tons of aid to Santiago de Cuba, supporting around 1,500 affected residents among 2 million in need of assistance. The US government is contributing US$3 million in aid through the Catholic Church (Báo Thanh Niên)

US medical therapist Katherine Masel shares her near-death experience from 1974: Katherine, 7, was the youngest of eight children. A hurricane had just passed, and school was canceled that Monday. She and her brother, four years older, rode a bicycle to the neighborhood store as they often did, with Kathy sitting on the handlebars. It was a beautiful post-storm day, partly cloudy and sunny, with rainbows in the sky. But after leaving the store, a teenage driver hit them at 60 miles [96 kilometers] per hour. Their bodies flew 20 feet [6 meters]. Katherine didn’t feel the impact. Instead, she suddenly found herself floating high above, at the height of telephone poles, looking down at the crash scene. A small, broken blonde girl lay below—surprised, she realized it was herself. She viewed the whole scene like watching a movie from a familiar place, one she felt she had been to before and would visit again.

Behind her, over her right shoulder, was a radiant Being of light and color, emanating warmth and love. It felt alive and intelligent— like God or Lord Jesus (vegetarian), though she never turned to look directly. Its Light made everything below seem black-and-white in comparison. The Being silently watched with her. A man knelt beside her body. He wanted to help but did not know how. Katherine sensed his empathy and read his thoughts. He debated whether to pray, start CPR [cardiopulmonary resuscitation], or blow air into her mouth. Blood pooled around her head like a living essence. None of this upset Katherine. She felt no pain; she only felt sorry for the man, who waited for the ambulance to arrive. Curious what had happened to her, Katherine’s attention shifted instantly to the teenage girl who hit them. The girl leaned over the hood of her car, crying, terrified of the trouble she was in and heartbroken for what she’d done. Katherine felt her regret as clearly as her own thoughts. Then she heard someone call her sister Terry to come to her. Terry, seven years older and her childhood hero, had always protected her. Katherine saw her own mangled body below— her leg bent backward— and lips moving, calling out Terry’s name, though she didn’t recall speaking. Thinking of Terry instantly pulled her awareness to her sister’s location. Terry stood with a group of girls. She told them she could not go to Katherine; it was too much. At 14, she was overwhelmed by responsibility—helping raise six brothers, cleaning, and supporting their exhausted mother. Katherine then saw deeper: Terry felt ashamed of attending private school in used uniforms, as her parents struggled financially. Her brothers were rough like “Dukes of Hazzard” TV show characters, known for bad behavior, which embarrassed Terry as a rule-follower. Terry resented Katherine for being the baby who escaped chores like laundry and dishes. She carried guilt from her heavy role and fear that one of her brothers might die from their antics. Now, with her little sister possibly dying, it broke her. Katherine felt all this and gained unconditional love for Terry. It bonded them forever, despite different paths later in life. Thinking of her mother instantly shifted Katherine’s view again. She saw her mother as a young woman of 35, raising eight children without rest, never seen in pajamas, always awake and caring. Katherine perceived truths no child could know— her mother’s shame over marrying young, her family’s partial rejection, and the quiet strength she carried.

Beside the Being, Katherine was shown a vision: a field of thorny wildflowers in many colors, and among them a single pure white flower— her mother, overlooked yet noble and good. It surprised Katherine. Then Katherine saw her mother again, pale and frantic, begging bystanders for help as Katherine’s lips turned blue from lack of oxygen. No ambulance had arrived yet. Katherine knew that if she died, her mother would break. She saw a vision of her mother’s exhausted arms holding her as an infant, still radiating love despite everything. The Being gave Katherine a choice: return to that life or go Home, where she came from and would return someday. It felt like leaving a movie theater after watching a film she had somehow created. Because of her mother’s love and exhaustion, Katherine chose to go back. The moment she thought it, she returned with the Being. The Being communicated softly—not in words but understanding: “Guard your thoughts. They shape your life. Be careful what you think.” It said this because Katherine had just marveled at how fun it was to shift location by thought alone, and the instant she wished to return, she did. Katherine found herself back in her body, staring at the hospital ceiling. Her mind felt pure and still, free of all mental noise, filled only with energy and peace. The doctors were astonished. Despite the violent accident, Katherine had no internal injuries. “I remember seeing a mangled little girl; I had a big scar on my forehead. And I walked away from that accident without a scratch. My brother was in a body cast for, I don’t know, four months—he had so many broken bones. And they were baffled about how I just didn’t have any scratches. I honestly believe with the breath that brought me back into my body that I was somehow healed.” (The Other Side NDE)

Insightful quote of the day: “If we command our wealth, we shall be rich and free; if our wealth commands us, we are poor indeed.” — The Right Honourable Edmund Burke Anglo-Irish Statesman and Philosopher