DAILY NEWS Stream – December 30, 2024

Finland detains Russian oil tanker suspected of damaging undersea power cable linking Estonia, amid rising concerns of Russian sabotage of Baltic Sea infrastructure (HTV Tin Tức)

Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya meets Chinese Premier Li Liang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing [China] to discuss military concerns and improve relations, with both sides agreeing to future visits (VTV.vn)

US Efficiency Commissioner Elon Musk criticizes unelected government agencies like the FBI, CIA, and CDC, calling this federal bureaucracy an unconstitutional “fourth branch” of government that is more powerful than the other three due to the creation of its own internal court system. He advocates for reducing agencies’ power and ensuring all government entities are subject to voter and judicial oversight, promoting transparency and accountability (Tinh Hoa TV)

US: Republicans criticize federal judges who withdrew their retirement plans to deny President Trump early judicial nominations – a partisan move that fuels Americans’ growing distrust in the court system – and similarly criticize Democrats racing to appoint more judges before President Trump takes office in an attempt to undermine His executive power (VnExpress)

Analysis: Biden’s four years in office revealed the root problem in the US economy – high taxes and burdensome regulations, leading to inflation and debt; in contrast, President Trump’s approach focuses on cutting taxes and reducing government size, promising to restore financial stability and reduce national debt (Tinh Hoa TV)

Wall Street Journal reveals Biden struggled with physical and mental health throughout his four years and often didn’t meet with important officials, as White House aides closely shielded him. Many major decisions, like the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal, were likely made by his advisers, not him – and no one spoke up publicly about his diminished mental health, despite the obvious signs (Ôn Cố Tri Tân)

Bình Định [Vietnam] authorities prosecute a forest guard and three “forest robbers” for collusion in illegal logging (SGGP)

Đắk Nông Geopark [Vietnam] recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark for the second time, through 2027, showcasing its unique 10,000-meter-long cave system and cultural-ecological significance, while promoting sustainable development and international collaboration (VnExpress)

Vietnam’s fertility rate drops to historic low of 1.91 children per woman in 2024, down from 2.11 in 2021, sparking concerns about population decline (VietNamNet)

South Korea bans surfing under influence of alcohol starting June 2025, with fines up to US$685 (Tuổi Trẻ)

Vietnam faces serious antibiotic resistance crisis, with one-third of patient antibiotics used inappropriately, as doctors warn of untreatable infections emerging if the issue remains unaddressed (KÊNH VTC14)

Four warning signs of excessive protein intake include bubbly urine, dehydration, kidney stones and weight gain, as experts urge moderation: about 45 grams of protein for the average woman and 55 grams for men (Thanh Niên)

Medical experts warn of rising childhood meningitis cases in Vietnam, urging early recognition to prevent fatalities and complications – consult a doctor if your child experiences symptoms such as high fever; severe headache, even when not having a fever; vomiting; poor appetite or trouble eating; abnormal crying or irritability, especially in infants; lethargy or excessive sleeping; sensitivity to light; stiff neck; and in newborns, a bulging fontanel [soft spot on the head] (VTC NOW)

World Bank provides US$12 million grant for Vanuatu earthquake recovery after 7.3 magnitude quake killed 14 and damaged buildings in Port Vila on December 17, 2024 (KÊNH VTC9)

Peru declares 90-day emergency after oil spill affects 10,000 square meters of ocean and seven beaches, impacting local wildlife and marine activities (Nông nghiệp)

Japanese government survey finds dangerous levels of PFAS “forever chemicals” in water systems across 42 locations in 10 prefectures, exceeding safe limits (VTV.vn)

HCM CT flooding halts traffic as unprecedented late-year storm causes deep water, stalling vehicles and endangering commuters (VietNamNet)

2024 marked by catastrophic natural disasters including typhoons, floods and volcanic eruptions causing US$310 billion in damages worldwide (Thanh Niên)

Thừa Thiên Huế province [Vietnam] promotes rooftop solar development through Decree 135, encouraging energy self-production and consumption in industrial zones (Thương hiệu Quốc gia)

Artificial intelligence [AI] development predicted to accelerate in 2025, with emerging quantum computing technologies showing promise for faster AI processing (VTV24)

UK scientists capture detailed image of single photon [particle of light] for the first time, advancing quantum physics and enabling new applications in sensors and computing (Tri thức và Cuộc)

Centennial Light Bulb in Livermore [California, US] has stayed lit for 123 years, making it the world’s longest-lasting bulb through unique carbon filament design (VnExpress)

Ants defeat humans in group challenge moving large objects through a maze, demonstrating superior collective intelligence, study finds (VnExpress)

Chinese company Unitree unveils B2-W, the “world’s first” human-carrying robot dog assistant, capable of jumping, climbing stairs and carrying 40-kilogram loads (VnExpress)

Recent studies on Belize’s Great Blue Hole investigate its geological structure and marine biodiversity, aiding conservation and resource management efforts in the area, as the deepest pits on Earth remain largely unstudied (Radio Khám Phá)

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty works with Qatar to accelerate Gaza ceasefire talks, while Hamas and Israel commit to continued negotiations (HTV Tin Tức)

Thousands of Slovaks surround government building in Bratislava demanding Prime Minister Fico’s resignation following his unannounced visit with Putin, with one protester’s sign simply reading “It smells like treason” (Sky News)

President Trump urges Supreme Court to delay TikTok’s January 19, 2025 ban, saying that it interferes with His ability to address national security concerns and protect free speech, as He seeks a resolution through political means once in office (The New York Times)

Analysis: President Trump can help TikTok avoid a US ban by seeking a Congressionally-granted exception to the PAFACA [Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act] or requesting a delay in enforcement. He may also leverage a 90-day grace period to claim TikTok’s US entity is sufficiently independent from Chinese parent company ByteDance and use the extra time to negotiate a deal that mitigates any national security concerns (VnExpress)

Analysis: President Trump’s “Peace Through Strength” strategy returns in His “administration 2.0” with an agenda focused on strengthening US foreign policy, pressuring adversaries like China and Iran, and pursuing peaceful resolutions in Ukraine and beyond (Tạp chí VietTimes)

US CIA [Central Intelligence Agency] and Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates discussed ways to manipulate/censor COVID information months before the pandemic started, reveals President Trump’s Health Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Tinh Hoa TV)

Democrats face internal divisions and debates over strategies to approach President Trump’s sweeping political influence, with many Democrats supporting cooperation with the new government (VnExpress)

US Attorney General Merrick Garland has secretly urged Justice Department staffers not to quit after President Trump takes office in an attempt to resist the federal government shakeup planned by the President and His Department of Government Efficiency headed by billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy (vegetarian) (Khung Trời Mới)

Quảng Nam [Vietnam] education officials warn schools about students buying Kuman Thong dolls online, citing risks of scams and illegal activities (Báo Tuổi Trẻ)

UN reports the Sudan crisis has forced 11.5 million to flee homes, with 8.5 million facing food insecurity and 775,000 near famine amid ongoing conflict (KÊNH VTC9)

Russia declares national emergency after Russian oil tanker breaks apart in the Black Sea, causing major oil spill that has washed up on Krasnodar coast for more than 10 days (VTV.vn)

Japanese school study finds a record 27% of high school students are addicted to the internet, as are 24% of middle schoolers and 16% of elementary school students, prompting calls for swift government measures such as internet addiction recovery programs and improved education on healthy internet use (VTV24)

UK detects H5N1 and H5N5 bird flu in Norfolk and Yorkshire flocks, ordering quarantine measures (VTV.vn)

Garment factory in Bến Tre [Vietnam] reports 83 chickenpox cases, with outbreak risk prompting health authority response (VTV.vn)

Ecologists warn Spain’s next big rainstorm could wash metric tons of plastic into the Mediterranean Sea due to illegal dumping by the agriculture industry into dry riverbeds of Almería province (VTV24)

Doctors warn parents against bathing babies in herbal water, as improper use can cause skin infections and lifelong complications in newborns (Tiền Phong)

Vietnamese medical experts warn parents of newborns to follow proper bathing guidelines, recommending only 2-3 weekly baths to protect babies’ sensitive skin in the first few months after birth (Tiền Phong)

Doctors warn newborns can contract sexually transmitted diseases from mothers during pregnancy and birth, urging proper prevention, prenatal screening, and treatment (Tuổi Trẻ)

Dominican Republic: Severe rainfall forces 11,300 to evacuate in Puerto Plata, with 2,260 homes affected (DBC News)

Heavy snow hits northern and western Japan, with authorities urging caution due to severe conditions (HTV - Đài Hà Nội)

Hanoi [Vietnam]’s air quality ranks third worst globally, with PM2.5 pollution reaching dangerous levels across multiple districts (Người đưa tin)

Santa Cruz [California, US]: Wharf partially collapses during storm with waves up to 18 meters, prompting evacuation of coastal hotels (VTV.vn)

Hawaii [US]: Kilauea volcano erupts, spewing lava and toxic gases, with officials raising alert level (VTV.vn)

Hanoi [Vietnam]’s 74-kilometer Nhuệ River faces severe pollution from urban wastewater, affecting farming communities that still depend on it for irrigation (Tuổi Trẻ)

Zambia: Mother goose risks her life to attack fishing eagle that caught her baby, enabling the young bird’s escape (VnExpress)

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