DAILY NEWS Stream – May 13, 2025

Relief and hope in India and Pakistan as ceasefire holds. The United Nations and countries worldwide, including Bangladesh, Qatar, Türkiye, and the UK, have welcomed the truce, which was brokered by more than 30 countries (Al Jazeera)

Putin proposes direct Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul [Türkiye] on May 15, 2025. The offer comes after European leaders called for an unconditional 30-day truce starting this week (Al Jazeera)

The CEOs of America’s five largest airlines support President Trump’s plan to modernize the air traffic control system (USA TODAY)

US President Trump signs an order to stop taxpayer funding for public media outlets PBS and NPR, accused of spreading “radical, woke propaganda disguised as ‘news’” (Fox News)

A major US health report says gender dysphoria – a condition of distress and confusion about one’s gender – should be treated with therapy instead of gender transition treatments, which have many risks including permanent infertility, weaker bones, cognitive issues, and regret. The report follows President Trump’s March 2025 request to Congress to ban sex changes for children, telling kids across America, “You are perfect exactly the way God made you” (Sky News Australia; Fox News)

President Trump will hold a military parade on June 14, 2025, to celebrate the US Army’s 250th birthday and honor active-duty service members and veterans (Fox News)

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warns the government might run out of money by August 2025 if Congress doesn’t act. He urges lawmakers to increase or suspend the debt limit by mid-July (CBS)

Tokyo [Japan]: San-ikukai Hospital opens a reception desk to accept abandoned babies, allowing mothers to anonymously leave their newborns under 4 weeks old (VTV.vn)

The UK reports its highest number of listeriosis cases in 8 years. The potentially deadly infection is linked to smoked fish, sausage, and pre-packaged meat sandwiches (Daily Mail)

Japan has seen over 10,000 cases of whooping cough so far this year – triple 2024’s total. Experts blame the rise partly on antibiotic-resistant bacteria (The Japan News)

Ireland and the UK: Cross-border wildfire damages a third of the Slieve Beagh conservation area, prompting fire alerts across Northern Ireland (BBC)

Indigenous people in the Amazon Rainforest are preparing for a drier future as the Madeira River continues to lose water. Its flow has declined over 20 years, reaching a record low in September 2024 (Mongabay)

The City of Pittsburgh [Pennsylvania, US] is launching its first Vegan Restaurant Week on May 12, 2025, with vegan dishes available at restaurants throughout the city (Next Pittsburgh)

The Vegan Sausage Fest is returning to the City of Madison [Wisconsin, US] on May 24, 2025, featuring chefs showcasing their best plant-based sausage creations. More info at VeganSausageFest.com (Fox 47)

While vegetables are vital for health, some can pose risks for seniors due to weaker digestion, immunity, and common age-related health issues. Here are 6 vegetables older adults may need to limit or avoid: 1) Water Spinach - High in purines, which can worsen gout. - Cooling effect may upset digestion. - Often grown in polluted water. - May contain heavy metals or pesticides if not cleaned properly. 2) Bamboo Shoots - Can be toxic if not cooked correctly due to cyanhydric acid. - High in oxalates, which may cause kidney stones. - Risky when not processed well at home. 3) Vietnamese Coriander - Has warming properties that can throw off body balance. - Contains oils that may affect the nervous system. - Could lower sexual function in older men. - May irritate stomach problems. - Often eaten raw, which increases contamination risk. 4) Pickled Vegetables - Extremely high in salt, risky for those with high blood pressure. - May contain nitrites that can turn into cancer- causing compounds. - Incomplete fermentation can lead to harmful bacteria. - Nutrient levels are low due to pickling process. 5) Raw Vegetables - Higher risk of bacteria and parasites. - May contain pesticide residue. - Especially risky for those with weakened immunity. - Can cause digestive issues or infections. 6) Amaranth - Contains proteins that break down into uric acid (bad for gout) - Strong laxative effect may harm weak digestive systems. - Has calcium oxalate, which may cause kidney stones. - Could carry pesticides if not grown safely (NguyenHungThanh@)

Seniors over 65 need more than just walking to stay fully healthy. While walking is good for heart health, other exercises help build strength, protect joints, and improve balance. Top 5 exercises for seniors: 1) Water exercises like swimming or water walking ease joint strain while strengthening muscles. They can reduce joint pain by 40% compared to land-based workouts. 2) Strength training with light weights, resistance bands, or body-weight moves such as chair squats reduces fall risk by up to 34% and helps maintain independence. 3) Tai Chi and Qigong use gentle, flowing movements to improve balance and flexibility, lowering fall risk by up to 58% within six months. 4) Stationary cycling boosts heart health and circulation without joint impact, improving endurance by up to 20% more than walking. 5) Chair yoga or stretching helps those with mobility or balance issues improve movement by up to 40% in eight weeks when done regularly. Consistent, low-impact exercise enhances quality of life, eases pain, and supports independence in older adults (Sống Khôn Ngoan)

Uplifting quote of the day: “If you want love and acceptance from your family, then you must give love and acceptance to them.” – Louise Hay