DAILY NEWS Stream – February 21, 2025

Russia and Ukraine take “significant first step toward peace,” says US President Trump, following US and Russian diplomats’ meeting, hosted and mediated by Saudi Arabia (Fox News)

President Trump says He will probably meet with Russia’s Putin in February 2025 to discuss an end to the Ukraine war (Fox News)

European leaders hold emergency summit in Paris [France] to remain “relevant” as US and Russian diplomats start pre-negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. The summit, called by French President Macron, included the leaders of Denmark, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, the UK, the EU, and NATO (FP)

Lebanon denies two Iranian planes from landing after US warns Israel might shoot them down or target Beirut airport if they were allowed to land (The Defense Post)

US President Trump’s Border Patrol encounters only 229 illegal immigrants in one day across the entire southwest border, down from Biden’s high of over 11,000 a day (RealTomHoman)

President Trump declares emergency in Kentucky State over severe storms, winds, flooding, and landslides, and pledges to cover 75% of emergency protective measures through federal funding (The White House)

US tech billionaire Elon Musk will build a 17-kilometer tunnel network in Dubai [United Arab Emirates] to reduce traffic and provide cooler transport in one of the world’s hottest cities, to be completed in several years (Newsweek)

Bahrain is willing to support Vietnam to develop financial centers in HCM CT and Đà Nẵng, part of Vietnam’s plan to become a key financial hub (The Investor)

Vietnam sees most international visitors of any January in its history, at nearly 2.1 million tourists in January 2025 (VTC News)

Two-year-old in Vietnam hospitalized after swallowing 27 toy magnetic balls, severely rupturing his gut. Toymakers urged to avoid using magnets or batteries in toys for children under three. Parents should choose age-appropriate toys, always supervise playtime, and go to the hospital immediately if a child swallows a foreign object (VTV24)

US study finds Gen Z [born 1997–2012] is more pro-marriage and has far fewer one-night sexual encounters than Millennials [born 1981–1996] did at the same age (Fortune)

6 household items that could cause harm if bought too cheap or low-quality: 1) Rubber Pillows: May contain harmful chemicals like talc and styrene butadiene, linked to cancer. Check for a mild rubber scent and avoid products that have a strong chemical odor or tear easily. 2) Blankets: Some made from recycled medical waste and contain harmful chemicals like formaldehyde. Look for blankets with a light, pleasant scent, and avoid if they have a sour or strong smell. 3) Iron Pans: May be made from recycled scrap metal containing lead, cadmium, and mercury. These can leach into food at high temperatures, causing poisoning. Choose iron pans with safety certification and from reputable brands. 4) Towels: Often made from recycled materials, may not be properly disinfected and can harbor bacteria or viruses. Choose towels from trusted brands and regularly wash and dry them to maintain hygiene. 5) Toilet Paper: May be made from recycled waste, containing bacteria and viruses, which can lead to infections and health problems. 6) Fake Porcelain Bowls: Can release harmful chemicals like melamine and formaldehyde when holding hot food, which can harm the digestive system. Choose bowls from reliable brands and avoid overly cheap, brightly colored ones (VnExpress)

Türkiye: Black crows seen flying in the night sky, prompting disaster speculation as residents remember similar omens before the devastating 2023 earthquake (TCT - KHÁM PHÁ)

Deforestation in Argentina’s Gran Chaco forest is increasing, raising concerns that the nation’s forest laws are too lenient, allowing illegal animal-raising and fires to destroy large areas without punishment (Mongabay)

German security report warns climate change threatens the EU’s survival, worsening migration, food insecurity, and conflicts, while Southern EU states will face harsher impacts, risking political instability within the bloc (Politico)

China’s pangolin scale trade has dropped since 2018, study finds, but smuggling continues, often going unreported. Most scales come from Africa and are used in traditional Chinese medicine (Mongabay)

Persian Gulf desert farms are blooming as solar water-desalination lowers costs and boosts yields, bringing them closer to traditional farming’s productivity (VTV.vn)

Motivational quote of the day: “Meditate … do not delay, lest you later regret it.” – The Worshipped Shakyamuni Buddha (vegan)