DAILY NEWS Stream – April 23, 2025

President Trump hopes Ukraine and Russia will make a peace deal this week, so they can do “BIG BUSINESS” with the US and become rich (Thanh Niên)

US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says a US-Russia economic partnership could strongly motivate Russia to permanently end its war in Ukraine as peace talks continue (Dân Trí)

Vietnam is helping Cuba grow more food – especially rice - by providing equipment, training, and support. This aid helps Cuba become more self-sufficient amid 60 years of severe US sanctions, serving as a model of cooperation between developing countries (Thấy Pháp Thấy Phật)

Report: China is running illegal police stations in 53 countries to silence critics of the Chinese Communist Party [CCP], without permission from those countries. In Australia, several people report being targeted for criticizing China:

- Andrew Phelan (TV commentator): Arrested after a fake violent email was sent under his name. He believes China’s Ministry of State Security set up the false accusation. - Kevin Caraco (Monash University academic): Targeted with fake sexually offensive emails sent in his name. Had a false resignation letter sent to his department colleagues. - Drew Pavlou (activist): Received 40+ death threats over six months. Arrested in London [UK] after a fake bomb threat was made in his name. His mother Vanessa now faces threats and smear campaigns. - Badiucao (“Bardi”) (political artist): Receives death threats and is followed by suspicious individuals; can’t exhibit his art in Australia due to Chinese pressure on galleries; must constantly move between countries for safety.

Two secret Chinese police stations allegedly exist in Sydney, but despite victims’ experiences, the Australian police deny they are active (60 Minutes Australia)

Analysis: 9 countries hold the key to global power thanks to strategic geographic advantages that strengthen their security, trade, and development:

- Türkiye: Sits between Europe and Asia; controls major sea routes. - United States: Protected by two oceans and mountains; rivers and resources support trade and independence. - China: Populated along rivers; surrounded by natural barriers.

- Panama: Owns the Panama Canal, a key trade route. - Iran: Guards the Strait of Hormuz and is naturally protected.

- Egypt: Controls the Suez Canal, crucial for shipping. - Singapore: Sits at the Strait of Malacca, a vital trade hub.

- India: Borders the Indian Ocean; long coast aids maritime power. - Argentina: Fertile and rich in rivers, great for farming and transport (GHIỀN ĐỊA LÝ)

Flu cases surge in Scotland [UK], causing 463 deaths in the first 14 weeks of 2025 - almost double the same period last year (VnExpress)

Sinkholes appear in multiple areas of Bắc Kạn Province [Vietnam], disrupting land and housing (Báo Thanh Niên)

Heatwave strikes across Asia, with temperatures as high as 46.4ºC in Pakistan (Soha.vn)

Scientists film a baby colossal squid for the first time. It was found 600 meters deep near the South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. The baby is 30 centimeters [one foot] long now but will grow up to seven meters [23 feet] and weigh up to 500 kilograms [1,100 pounds] (Schmidt Ocean Institute)

A giant virus is discovered in Finland for the first time. Named Jyvaskylavirus, its discovery suggests giant viruses - which grow up to 1,000 times larger than normal viruses – may be more widespread than previously believed and play an important role in ecosystems (Thanh Niên)

Lawyer and speaking coach Jefferson Fisher says liars often use the words “always” and “never.” They tend to use these extremes suddenly, without thinking. To test if someone’s lying, he suggests repeating their answer after a 5-second pause. For example:

QUESTION: Were you texting while you were driving that day? LIAR: No, never – I never text when I drive. QUESTION: [pause] …You NEVER text when you drive?

LIAR: Well, I mean, sometimes I do…

Mr. Fisher then suggests offering them an “out” that allows them to admit the truth gently, such as: “If you were texting, it’s OK…” (The Diary Of A CEO)

Cautionary quote of the day: “If a person commits evil, let him not do it again and again. Let him not find pleasure therein, for painful is the accumulation of evil… It may be well with the evil-doer as long as the evil does not ripen. But when it does ripen, then the evil-doer sees [the painful results of] his evil deeds… Neither in the sky nor in mid-ocean, nor by entering into mountain clefts – nowhere in the world is there a place where one may escape from the results of evil deeds.” – The Worshipped Shakyamuni Buddha (vegan)