DAILY NEWS Stream – December 15, 2024

People’s Assembly [Parliament] of Syria says it “supports people’s will” for new nation after opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham captures Damascus, ending Assad regime. UN urges peaceful transition and protection of civilians (VTC NOW)

Analysis: Assad’s fall in Syria will likely undermine Putin’s power in any negotiations over the war in Ukraine, as Russia loses its Middle Eastern cornerstone of its strategy against the West (Tuổi Trẻ)

US disburses US$20 billion to Ukraine from frozen Russian assets via World Bank, part of G7’s US$50 billion aid package, as President Zelenskyy expresses his “deep gratitude” (Báo Mới)

Ukrainian air defenses demonstrate resilience against intensified Russian drone and missile attacks, intercepting 93% of drones in October through advanced electronic warfare and Western-supplied systems (Một Thế Giới)

Ukraine’s Sea Baby unmanned drone-boat engages Russian helicopters and aircraft in Black Sea firefight near Crimea, reportedly causing significant damage and casualties to Russian forces (VnExpress)

Ukraine’s drone strikes cripple Russian fuel infrastructure, damaging one-third of refineries while air defense interception rates improve with new Western systems (Quân Sự Mở)

UK finance minister Chancellor Rachel Reeves says Britain wants to reset its relationship with the EU at Brussels Eurozone meeting, marking first high-level UK attendance since Brexit amid warming diplomatic ties (HTV)

President Trump, TIME’s Person of the Year 2024, praises tech billionaire Elon Musk, TIME’s Person of the Year 2021 and a top ten finalist for the 2024 honor, for his patriotism in putting the country first by prioritizing America over his company, as the President considers vetoing Congress spending bills that don’t match Mr. Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy (vegetarian)’s cost-cutting plans as heads of the Department of Government Efficiency (TIME)

Port-au-Prince [Haiti] gang massacres at least 110 elderly residents in Soleil slum on suspicion of using witchcraft to kill the gang leader’s son (SGGP)

HCM CT [Vietnam] police report 560 online fraud cases in 2024, warning of sophisticated phone scams that impersonate companies, offer fraudulent prize winnings, deal fake unsecured bank loans, or pretend to be authorities asking victims to update personal information online through suspicious links (Người Lao Động)

Bạch Mai Hospital reports surge in adult measles hospitalizations as winter arrives in northern Vietnam, with doctors warning of serious complications and urging prevention measures (VTC NOW)

Đồng Nai province [Vietnam] reports over 4,300 measles cases and two deaths, as health department directs hospitals to strengthen treatment capacity and isolation measures to limit fatalities (Đồng Nai)

When the weather changes, children can be susceptible to several illnesses, including viral infections, respiratory disorders, and in rare cases, severe conditions like myocarditis [heart inflammation], as happened to a 6-year-old boy in Kiên Giang [Vietnam] who was recently hospitalized, highlighting the importance of closely monitoring children’s health during weather changes and seeking medical attention if severe symptoms develop (Truyền hình Hậu Giang)

HCM CT [Vietnam] reports surge in sexually transmitted infections [STIs], especially in homosexual men, as city health department launches STI prevention plan for 2025-2030 (Tiền Phong)

Đông Triều [Quảng Ninh, Vietnam]: 61-year-old woman falls into coma after inhaling onion vapor while chopping large quantities of the vegetable, with doctors diagnosing her with an acute allergic reaction including grade III anaphylactic shock and respiratory failure at city medical center (Thanh Niên)

Java [Indonesia]: Ten bodies found after flash floods and landslides hit Sukabumi district, forcing 3,000 to evacuate as rains destroy bridges, roads and 1,200 homes (VNEWS)

Mount Kanlaon’s eruption displaces 87,000 residents on Negros Island [the Philippines] as hot ash and debris force evacuations. Diocese of San Carlos mobilizes aid while Caritas provides essential supplies (ANC 24/7)

Storm Querubin is forecast to form near the South China Sea between December 16 and 22, potentially impacting eastern Philippines, with Philippines meteorologists warning of heavy rains in coming days (TOÀN CẢNH 24H)

Vietnam: Nam Sơn waste treatment complex struggles with overcapacity, handling 5,000 tons daily versus 1,000-ton design capacity. New power plant aims to reduce waste volume 90-95% through incineration (VTV4)

UN study reveals over 75% of Earth’s land experienced increased drought from 1990-2020 compared to the previous thirty-year period, affecting 2.2 billion people with climate change impacts (VTV24)

Male humpback whale sets new migration record swimming 13,046 kilometers from Colombia to Zanzibar across three oceans to find a mate, revealing new insights into breeding patterns (VnExpress)

New report by Cornell University [US] and Clean Air Task Force researchers explores potential of using super-hot rocks 10 kilometers underground, reaching 374ºC, to generate abundant geothermal energy (VnExpress)

Nghệ An [Vietnam] authorities arrest two suspects for illegally possessing 3,000 kilograms of endangered pangolin scales, strengthening enforcement of wildlife protection laws (Nghệ An TV)

Xiamen University [China] develops high-sensitivity underwater laser radar capable of detecting tiny objects at 1 kilometer depth, likened to “finding needles under the sea,” enabling improved ocean monitoring and resource exploration (VnExpress)

US space agency NASA’s James Webb telescope discovers potential volcanic activity on exoplanet super-Earth L 98-59 d, located 35 light-years from Earth, with evidence of a sulfur-rich atmosphere suggesting magma oceans and tidally-driven eruptions (Tiền Phong)

Two centers in Vietnam’s Central Highlands – the Đắk Lắk Center for Elephant Conservation, Animal Rescue and Forest Protection and the Chư Mom Ray National Park [Sa Thầy, Kon Tum] – rescue, rehabilitate and release endangered animals like pangolins, macaques and rare turtles who get lost and fall into traps, with over 20 animals rescued since mid-2023 (Sức khỏe & Đời sống) SupremeMasterTV.com/NWN

Syrians say they “feel peace,” “without fear” after fall of Assad (AFP)

Damascus [Syria]: Opposition committee member Ahmad Baccora meets with religious and community figures to strengthen civil peace following Assad regime’s fall, emphasizing inclusive rebuilding of democratic state (AA)

US President Trump pledges to end Gaza war and achieve “long-lasting peace” in the Middle East in His second term, expressing skepticism that anyone but Himself can make it happen while remaining open to various solutions including two-state approach (New York Post)

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu is ready for hostage deal with Hamas, which has reportedly conceded to key Israeli demands including Israeli Defense Forces’ presence in Gaza during pause (Fox News)

Ukrainian intelligence launches “I Want to Live” campaign targeting North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region with leaflets and videos, successfully persuading over 350 soldiers to surrender (Tuổi Trẻ)

Russian ruble [currency] plunges 21% against US dollar after new US sanctions target 50+ Russian financial institutions, prompting Russia’s central bank to suspend foreign ruble sales (VnEconomy)

China’s President Xi Jinping meets Russia’s Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev during his visit to China, emphasizing three principles for Ukraine crisis de-escalation: containing combat zone, preventing escalation, and avoiding provocations that intensify hostilities (RBC Ukraine)

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán proposes Christmas ceasefire in Ukraine war and prisoner swap with Russia during call with Putin (Evening Standard)

EU and seven European nations – France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Ukraine, and the UK - sign Berlin Declaration reaffirming support for Ukraine’s victory, endorsing Peace Formula plan and pledging increased military and financial assistance including G7’s US$50 billion loan (RBC Ukraine)

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reports over 1 million Ukraine war casualties [injuries and deaths] since February 2022, with 10,000 weekly casualties on all sides as President Zelenskyy confirms 43,000 Ukrainian military deaths (DPA International)

UN Secretary-General Guterres praises Türkiye’s President Erdoğan for facilitating Ethiopia-Somalia peace talks through Ankara Declaration, anticipating technical negotiations between the two nations (Türkiye Today)

The United States welcomes the Ankara Declaration by Ethiopia and Somalia that reaffirms each country’s sovereignty, unity, and independence, with appreciation for Türkiye’s leadership (US Department of State)

President Trump announces His refusal to accept the US$400,000 presidential salary again for a second term, citing commitment to serving America rather than personal gain, continuing practice from His first term (Tinh Hoa TV)

Fox News poll reveals the majority of Americans feel hopeful about President Trump’s upcoming second term, with strong Republican support at over 90% (Sky News Australia)

US: Democratic Senator John Fetterman endorses President Trump’s UN Ambassador nominee Elise Stefanik, praising her stance against antisemitism and commitment to holding the UN accountable (New York Post)

Top MSNBC news anchors see viewership ratings continue to plummet following President Donald Trump’s election victory (Sky News Australia)

Facebook parent company Meta donates US$1 million to President Trump’s inauguration fund as billionaire CEO Mark Zuckerberg seeks to show his support following a private dinner with the President at His residence in Mar-a-Lago [Florida] in November 2024 as well as reported meetings with incoming administration officials (Sky News)

Amazon to donate US$1 million to President Trump’s inauguration fund, with founder Jeff Bezos planning a meeting with the President, emphasizing collaboration between tech leaders and the incoming administration (The Edge Malaysia)

US House of Representatives committee reveals the FBI [Federal Bureau of Investigation] secretly collected President Trump supporters’ bank data by bypassing privacy laws through suspicious activity reports. Initially tied to January 6, 2021, the data has since been accessed by over 14,000 officials, raising nationwide privacy concerns (Tinh Hoa TV)

Thạch Hạ [Hà Tĩnh, Vietnam]: 1.5 metric tons of pomfret fish die and float to the surface of a 36-hectare saltwater lake due to heavy rains and temperature fluctuations (Tuổi Trẻ)

Air pollution still the top environmental health risk to Europeans, causing 240,000 annual deaths despite improving conditions, European officials warn, as new EU Air Quality Directive aims to meet World Health Organization [WHO] standards by 2030 (Euronews)

Chinese gold mining threatens endangered protected site in Democratic Republic of the Congo as company Kimia Mining Investment vastly expands in Okapi Wildlife Reserve World Heritage Site over 8 years, decimating forests and threatening endangered species (The Independent)

President Trump criticizes US-supplied long-range missiles being fired into Russia as “crazy,” warning it escalates Ukraine war ahead of His January 20 return to the White House (Evening Standard)

Graceful quote of the day: “For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” – Audrey Hepburn

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