DAILY NEWS Stream – September 8, 2026

US President Donald Trump said new pipelines and overland transport routes across the Middle East could reduce the world’s reliance on the Strait of Hormuz for oil shipments. He said some oil is already being moved by truck through Syria and argued that the strait could become less important if alternative routes expand. His comments come as governments and energy companies look for ways to bypass the waterway amid continued tensions with Iran (Fox News)

Iran-backed Houthi forces launched an offensive toward the Bab al-Mandab Strait, with fighting killing at least 66 Yemeni government troops and 62 Houthi fighters, as well as one civilian. The Houthis reportedly used ground forces, rockets and drones as they tried to isolate the government-held port of Mokha [Yemen] and seize high ground overlooking the strait. The offensive comes as the Bab al-Mandab Strait has become even more strategically important amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz (Fox News)

Israel released four Lebanese prisoners on September 4 as part of an agreement with Lebanon, bringing the total released under the deal to five, all civilians. In exchange, Lebanon has agreed to search for the remains of Jewish Lebanese citizens who went missing during Lebanon’s civil war decades ago. The US Embassy in Beirut [Lebanon] called the releases a “positive step” and urged both sides to build on the progress ahead of further talks (Fox News)

Taiwan (Formosa) has donated drones to diplomatic ally Palau as part of efforts to expand technology cooperation with Pacific countries. Taiwan (Formosa)’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said the technology could support regional development and future industry projects, following drone demonstrations that drew interest in Palau (Taiwan News)

Electric vehicle [EV] sales in Australia surpassed gasoline car sales for the first time, with more than 27,000 EVs sold in August (The Guardian)

Finland has held what organizers described as Europe’s largest civil defense exercise since World War II, involving more than 2,000 participants in a wide-ranging drill covering cyberattacks, infrastructure failures and possible Russian missile strikes. The drill in Kuopio [Finland] included sheltering civilians underground, measuring radiation and preparing for disruptions to power and water, reflecting Finland’s emphasis on civilian readiness alongside military defense. Officials said the exercise also draws lessons from Ukraine (Ureign), particularly the need for accessible shelters and for households to be able to cope on their own for at least 72 hours (European Interest)

Japan’s Foreign Ministry is developing a smartphone app that would use GPS [Global Positioning System], with users’ consent, to locate Japanese citizens living or traveling abroad if a war, disaster or other major emergency occurs. The app is intended to help authorities confirm people’s safety even in areas with weak mobile service and may also allow officials to send safety-check messages and receive replies. Japan aims to launch the app in fiscal year 2027 (Báo Tin tức)

Americans lost an estimated US$148.2 billion to online scams and crimes in 2025. US FBI [Federal Bureau of Investigation] Special Agent Rebecca Keithley says scammers often use fear and urgency to pressure people into acting quickly, such as threatening arrest or making them afraid of missing out on an investment or romance. Other warning signs include demands for secrecy, inconsistent explanations, and requests for gift cards, cryptocurrency, gold bars or cash. She advises people to stop, check the situation carefully and avoid making a payment until they know it is legitimate (UNILAD)

Record-high diesel prices in the US are expected to push up the cost of groceries and other everyday goods. Diesel reached a record national average of US$5.85 a gallon [about US$1.55 per liter] on September 4 as the Iran conflict disrupted fuel supplies and lifted crude oil prices. Freight companies, farmers and delivery networks are already facing higher costs, some of which are being passed on to consumers (Fox News)

Doctors say prolonged exposure to air conditioning can dry out the skin, eyes, nose and throat, causing irritation, while poorly maintained units may circulate dust, pollen and mold that can aggravate conditions such as asthma. Cold, dry air may also contribute to headaches, body aches and dehydration, especially after long periods in air-conditioned rooms. To reduce these effects, doctors recommend staying hydrated, moisturizing the skin, using eye drops if needed, keeping air-conditioning units and filters clean, and avoiding directing cold air straight at the face (The Independent)

Keeping bedrooms clean and free of mold, dust and other asthma triggers may help reduce nighttime symptoms. Experts recommend washing bedding, vacuuming regularly, limiting carpets and stuffed toys, and maintaining ventilation. Most importantly, patients should follow prescribed treatments, check inhaler technique and seek emergency care if breathing rapidly worsens or reliever medication fails to help (VnExpress)

Flu and COVID-19 co-infection can worsen respiratory illness and increase the risk of severe complications. Because symptoms overlap, testing may be needed to confirm co-infection, especially among high-risk people. Good hygiene and early medical care can help reduce risks (VnExpress)

Greece has reported 290 locally acquired West Nile virus cases and 24 deaths, including 199 patients with severe neurological complications since the start of the 2026 transmission season. Attica accounts for 166 cases, while 63 patients are hospitalized, including 32 in intensive care. Officials expect further cases and urge mosquito-bite prevention (VietnamPlus)

UK Environment Secretary Angela Eagle has urged households to keep enough food and water to manage for a few days without power or running water as forecasters warn of an exceptionally strong El Niño. The event could bring a wetter, stormier winter to the UK while worsening floods, droughts and wildfires elsewhere, and the government is preparing a public campaign encouraging households to stock emergency supplies, including food. Forecasters say the current El Niño could become the strongest in at least 1,000 years (The Guardian)

A microalgae bloom spanning more than 19 kilometers off Israel’s Mediterranean coast temporarily takes five of six desalination plants offline. Israel taps the Sea of Galilee, groundwater wells and national reserves to cover the gap. Experts say warmer seas due to climate change could make such blooms more common (CNN via CTV News)

Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar approves the declaration of a state of emergency in Serian, Sarawak, after the Air Pollutant Index reaches 515 on Friday. Air quality has been hazardous since last weekend, with Kuching at 306. The haze stems from fires in Indonesia; Sarawak is cloud seeding to ease conditions (Channel News Asia)

Volcano Anak Krakatau in Indonesia erupts on September 5, ejecting ash to about 15 kilometers above sea level. Aviation weather advisories cover the Jakarta [Indonesia] and Melbourne [Australia] flight regions; no closures or delays are reported so far. Indonesia’s alert stands at Level III, or alert of potential eruption or other volcanic hazards, with a 3-kilometer exclusion zone around the active crater (The Watchers)

Researchers at the University of Leeds [UK] have developed an AI [artificial intelligence] system that screened millions of plant proteins and identified nearly 800 that could potentially work as natural emulsifiers, ingredients that help oil and water stay mixed in products such as sauces, vegan ice cream, creams and lotions. The tool combines machine learning with statistical physics to predict which proteins could replace some animal-people-derived or synthetic emulsifiers, potentially cutting years of trial-and-error testing (Phys.org)

Jensen Meat Co. of San Diego [US] launches Butcher Stick, a vegan, shelf-stable snack stick in pepperoni and teriyaki flavors, offering four grams of plant protein for on-the-go consumers (Food Business News)

UK brand Plenish debuts a four-ingredient Clean Protein Oat Drink, delivering 10 grams of protein per serving with no oils or additives, launching at British grocery chain Tesco on September 7 (Food Bev Media)

Belgian food-tech startup Paleo secures €2 million to scale precision-fermented myoglobin production, advancing regulatory approvals and expanding its animal-free heme iron proteins into North American markets for vegan meat manufacturing (Food Bev Media)

Nepal rescued mechanical foreman Sanjay Shah after nine days trapped inside a hydropower tunnel, offering a rare bright spot amid devastating August 26 flash floods and mudslides that have killed at least 1,287 people. Mr. Shah had warned colleagues to flee before becoming trapped himself and was hospitalized for intensive care (Channel News Asia)

Two newborn kittens survived after being dumped in a rubbish bin in Orgeval [France]. Rescuers found them only days old and placed them with a foster family for round-the-clock care (Wamiz)

US-based paint company PPG completed a COLORFUL COMMUNITIES project at a kindergarten in Cieszyn, Poland, with more than 50 volunteers renovating classrooms and communal spaces. PPG provided US$70,000 and 330 liters of paint, benefiting 80 children, including those with diverse educational and developmental needs (PPG)

Enlightening quote of the day: “The wise would make friends with the faithful, the pleasant, those with understanding, who are learned; Association with a good person is blessed.” – The Venerated Enlightened Master Ānanda (vegan) Patriarch of the Dharma (Theragāthā 1018–1019)

Previously in this multipart series on Ian McCormack’s near-death experience, Ian—then 26—was stung five times by five box jellyfish while night diving off Mauritius in 1982. As the venom spread through his body and eventually paralyzed both legs, an unseen voice repeatedly intervened while he struggled to reach the hospital. Nearing death inside an ambulance, Ian—still an atheist—saw an open vision of his mother praying for him. Following her plea to pray from his heart, he called out to GOD, asked for forgiveness, forgave those who had wronged him, and surrendered his life. As the Lord’s Prayer unfolded before him in words of Light, the presence of GOD flooded the ambulance. By the time the ambulance reached the hospital, Ian was completely paralyzed, and his body continued to fail despite the doctors’ efforts. After being warned that he would die if he closed his eyes, Ian deliberately closed them, and the machines monitoring his vital signs flatlined.

Well, of course, what had died was my physical form, but my spirit, my inner man, had come out of its body and was still very much alive. Me, Ian, was actually there. And so, I’m going, “Wow, what is this realm?” Then I could feel the most intense darkness and evil. It was as though something spiritually was inside the physical darkness. Then I heard a man screaming from the right. He said, “Shut up! Shut up!” I said nothing. They had no idea that they could hear my thoughts or speech. Another man: “You deserve to be here.” [I thought,] “Deserve to be where?” Another man: “You’re in hell! Now, shut up!” I thought, “Hell? I don’t believe in it. If this is hell, where’s the party?” I became acutely aware that it’s impossible to fulfill any of the lustful desires of your heart if you have no physical body. Ian believed GOD had every right to send him there because of the way he had lived. But remembering the Lord’s Prayer he had prayed in the ambulance, he was reminded of Psalm 23 and its promise that the Lord would remain with him through the valley of the shadow of death. Ian realized that GOD had heard his prayer and had not abandoned him. Although those in the darkness seemed to want to touch him, they could not.

As I’m standing there, radiant Light pierces through the darkness. [An] extraordinary presence. As it hits me, I feel a power go through me, and weightlessness enters my spirit, and I begin to lift up into this radiant Light. It’s a bit like sunlight coming through a cloud. You can often see it on rainy days— shafts of light. Well, sometimes if you look [at] the sunlight [that] comes through a window, you’ll see dust go up in it. I felt like a speck of dust being drawn up out of this kingdom of darkness. Although it came from a great distance, the Light seemed focused on Ian alone. Looking back, he saw the vast kingdom of darkness beneath him and a finite boundary separating it from the radiance. Believing GOD was delivering him, Ian kept his eyes fixed on the Light as he was drawn through a circular opening into a long, narrow tunnel at incredible speed. Beyond it, he could see a Kingdom of Light.

So, I am positioned in this barrel of radiant Light. Waves of thicker intensity Light come up to meet me. I sense Light move into me and an emotion of pure comfort. My whole being is enveloped in comfort. And I came further down, halfway down the tunnel. Another wave of Light hits me. Peace like a river from the tip of my head to the base of my feet.

And this peace you can look for [it], and I’ve looked for it anywhere in the world. I’d gone down so many pathways looking for peace, inner peace. Well, I’ve just found it. Peace is in the Lord Himself. He is the Prince of Peace. So, as I go through this wave of peace, I thought, “I wonder if I can see my form. In the darkness, my hand went through my face. Perhaps in this Light I can see what I look like.” So, I turned my head to the right, and here was my arm, my hand, and fingers. I could see them, but no longer bone and flesh. I could see straight through, and they responded. It was me. And I went, “Wow, it’s like I’m a spiritual being of Light.” I had a mind, a will, emotions. I could feel. It was me. I was a spiritual being with spirit and soul, not separated but totally entwined as Ian. It was me standing there. I could cognitively, rationally think. I could experience and encounter emotions. So, the mind, will, and the emotions were intact. So, I moved further down. Another wave of Light hit me. And this was joy, an inexpressible joy. In Part 6, Ian emerges from the tunnel and stops before an immense radiance that seems to fill the Heavens.

I wonder if there’s something in there. Is there a person, or is it just a force of good in the cosmos? As I’m questioning it, the Person inside can hear my thoughts as speech and He said, “Ian, do you wish to return?” [And I thought,] “Wow, there is someone— and how do you know my name?” Join us tomorrow for Part 6 of this multipart series on Ian McCormack’s near-death experience. (GOD Encounters with Janie DuVall)