DAILY NEWS Stream – April 18, 2025

World Expo 2025 opens in Osaka [Japan] with 160 countries and regions showcasing their technological and cultural achievements. Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba hopes the event will restore “a sense of unity in the world once again” (France 24)

Russia’s Putin is open to a “permanent peace” deal with Ukraine, says US envoy Steve Witkoff, who sees a deal “emerging” after five hours of talks with the Russian leader, while noting “it took a while to get here” (Al Jazeera)

NATO’s support for Ukraine remains “unwavering,” says alliance Secretary-General Mark Rutte during a visit to the Ukrainian port city Odesa (AP)

Iran must “stop and eliminate” its nuclear enrichment program to make a deal with the US, says President Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff ahead of the next round of talks with Iran on April 19, 2025 (Al Jazeera)

President Trump says it’s up to China to begin trade talks, adding that China needs a deal to save its economy while the US is okay without one (Al Jazeera)

President Trump considers tariffs on rare earth minerals – vital for military and energy tech - to reduce US reliance on China and others (Al Jazeera)

US: Democrat-led states are to blame for most of the nearly US$400 million in unemployment payment fraud over the past 4 years, says the Department of Government Efficiency [DOGE] (Fox News)

The UK bans travelers from bringing in meat and dairy from the EU due to the spread of foot-and-mouth disease [FMD] in intensively-raised animals across Europe (Politico)

Northern China is hit by its biggest sandstorm in decades, covering millions of square kilometers and disrupting travel and outdoor activities in several cities, including Beijing (DBC News; The New York Times)

Asia records 4 earthquakes in nearly two hours with magnitudes up to 5.9, causing panic and evacuations in India, Myanmar, and Tajikistan, with some damage but no injuries reported (VnExpress)

5.6-magnitude earthquake strikes off the southern Philippines, with no immediate reports of damage or casualties (Channel News Asia)

Spanish researchers turn air conditioners’ wasted heat into electricity using small vertical turbines, possibly producing hundreds of megawatt-hours a year (Jason Deegan)

Scientists bring back dire wolves, a species that went extinct 12,500 years ago. US biotech company Colossal Biosciences says these are the “world’s first” animals to be successfully brought back from extinction. Three white pups were born by taking DNA from ancient fossils, editing the genes of gray wolf embryo cells, and placing them in large pet dogs who served as surrogate moms (Sudipta Sekhar D; CNN)

Insightful quote of the day: “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” – Oscar Wilde (vegan)