DAILY NEWS Stream – March 11, 2026

Strikes across the Gulf continue even after Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian issues a public apology and pledges to halt attacks unless they originate from neighboring territory, as missiles and drones are still intercepted in several Gulf Cooperation Council states (Arab News)

The United States moves to stabilize Gulf energy shipping by offering up to US$20 billion in reinsurance for maritime losses as Iran-linked missile and drone attacks halt tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and insurers withdraw coverage (Reuters)

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko pardons 18 prisoners as part of a broader effort to improve relations with the US, even as rights groups warn that repression continues and new political cases emerge (AP News)

Bhutan is recognized at the International Tourism Exchange Berlin 2026 as the “Destination of the Year – Earthly Experiences” for its commitment to authentic and regenerative tourism, while the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association honors the country with a Gold Award for ecological and sustainable travel leadership (Kuensel)

In the midst of ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Bishop Aldo Berardi of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia calls on Christians and Muslims to unite in prayer during Lent and Ramadan, urging both communities to seek peace and become builders of reconciliation (Vatican News)

A yearlong Interpol operation across nine countries leads to the rescue of 65 children and the arrest of 60 suspects, using coordinated cross-border investigations and long-standing abuse archives to identify victims who had gone unrecognized for years and dismantle networks involved in producing and distributing child sexual exploitation material (UPI)

The UK Health Security Agency is investigating more than 60 cases of infants falling ill after consuming baby formula contaminated with the cereulide toxin, traced to an oil ingredient supplied to food manufacturers Nestlé and Danone (Sky News)

The HPV [Human Papillomavirus] virus causes warts through direct skin contact or sharing personal items like towels and razors. Dr. Vũ Thị Dung (Bạch Mai Hospital) warns that high-risk strains like HPV 16 and 18 can lead to cervical and anal cancers. Although usually benign, warts spread rapidly and cause severe pain or infection if self-treated improperly. Experts recommend medical interventions such as CO2 laser or cryotherapy for definitive removal and to prevent scarring or recurrence (Tuổi Trẻ)

Abnormal body odors reveal hidden chronic diseases and internal organ dysfunction. Experts warn that a rotten apple scent indicates severe diabetic ketoacidosis, while an ammonia smell signals kidney failure and sour odors reflect gastric disorders. Notably, individuals over 40 often develop “old person smell” due to 2-nonenal [biochemical] accumulation as metabolism slows down. Identifying these olfactory red flags early is crucial for detecting internal organ damage, metabolic issues, and serious gynecological conditions before they escalate (Soha)

Âu Lạc (Vietnam)’s Ministry of Health orders an emergency recall of 700+ violating Herbitech brand supplements, including popular children’s items. Authorities cite counterfeit products, forged tests, and tax evasion by the firm, urging a nationwide sweep to prevent these hazardous, low-quality products from reaching consumers (Lao Động)

Flash floods in Nairobi, Kenya, kill 23 people after heavy rains push a river over its banks. The disaster sweeps away cars, disrupts major airport flights, and cuts power as soldiers aid rescue efforts (Reuters)

Four people die and several others are injured after multiple tornadoes and damaging winds strike Southwest Michigan [US]. Governor Gretchen Whitmer activates the state’s emergency center as officials assess widespread destruction and power outages (FOX 2 Detroit)

Satellite imagery reveals early sea-ice collapse in Antarctica severely threatens molting emperor penguin-people. Climate-driven ice loss can force the vulnerable bird-people into freezing waters before their new feathers are ready, causing population declines (Phys.org)

Animal-people-rescue volunteers in South Los Angeles [US] report finding dead cat-individuals and dog-folks abandoned in trash bags and showing signs of severe abuse, prompting advocacy groups to call for stronger enforcement of animal-people protection laws (New York Post)

Zimbabwe receives a €1 million grant from the Dutch Postcode Lottery to strengthen wildlife rescue, ranger capacity, and habitat protection across the Hwange–Matetsi–Zambezi conservation landscape by the International Fund for Animal Welfare [IFAW] and Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (IFAW)

As moth numbers in the UK continue to fall sharply, the Royal Horticultural Society and the Wildlife Trusts urge gardeners to allow caterpillars to develop into moths by tolerating some leaf-nibbling and using pesticide-free methods to help protect declining moth species and support wider garden biodiversity (The Guardian)

A new analysis by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology [KAIST] and the US Pacific Northwest National Laboratory finds that current global carbon dioxide emissions— about 37 gigatons per year— are more than double Earth’s safe annual limit, underscoring the urgency of accelerating decarbonization (Phys.org)

An oil spill washes ashore on beaches in Veracruz, Mexico, leaving hardened tar along the coast as residents begin cleanup efforts while authorities investigate the cause and the state oil company Pemex denies responsibility (Reuters)

California [US] teen Emily Lin (veg advocate) successfully secures vegan and vegetarian lunch options and nondairy milk at her school and others by working with her school district. A US$4,000 grant she helped secure from the non-profit Friends of the Earth funds new items like vegan nuggets and meatballs to promote health and inclusion (San Gabriel Valley Tribune)

Vegan milk producer Oatly expands its Landskrona factory [Sweden] to boost annual site capacity by 33%, targeting production of 200 million liters per year. The upgrade meets surging European demand for oat-based drinks while prioritizing reduced climate impact (Seeking Alpha)

HBO Max Asia’s docuseries “Thai Street Food: Best Kept Secrets” explores Thailand’s ancient vegan and vegetarian traditions. The show highlights historic animal-people meat-free dishes that support modern sustainability and cultural heritage (Plant Based News)

Retired greyhound-person Blake saves over 30 lives by donating rare, “universal” blood to Pet Blood Bank UK. His seven donations provide vital emergency transfusions, highlighting the critical, ongoing need for canine blood donors nationwide (BBC)

Officials of the village of Benitatxell [Spain] honor 16 civil protection volunteers with the Interior Ministry Medal of Honor. These heroes receive recognition for their vital rescue efforts and supply deliveries during Valencia province’s devastating 2024 DANA flood crisis (EuroWeekly News)

The Lionhearts Project saves five elderly lion-people from euthanasia by purchasing the now-closed Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary in New Zealand, which could not relocate them. The site now operates as a private retirement haven, with the public not allowed to enter, and crowdfunding efforts underway to fund the animal-people’s ongoing care (The Star)

Enlightening quote of the day: “A tree with trunk, branches and leaves has a single root, which if cut, will cause all its parts to wither. In the same way, if you cut the root of the mind, the foliage of samsara [endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth] will wither.” – The Venerated Enlightened Master of Tibetan Buddhism Naropa (vegetarian) (The Mahamudra Middle Way Of The Ganges)

I remember thinking to myself like this is it I’m dying, just feeling nothing and being accepting of it in a way. And I remember thinking that the only thing that really mattered was kindness and people, and nothing material mattered. In part 1 of 2 of Chris Kito’s near-death experience, American real estate professional Chris Kito shares how he died from anaphylaxis at age 23 and was told by his deceased grandfathers that he had to return to Earth because his work wasn’t finished.

Chris grew up in Long Island, New York, one of three brothers. At age two, his family discovered he had a severe allergy to peanuts and tree nuts. Throughout his childhood and early adulthood, he carefully avoided nuts and never experienced a serious reaction. At 23, Chris moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in real estate, not knowing anyone in the city.

One Sunday evening, Chris attended a birthday party where he wasn’t drinking and was fully sober and aware. They served what appeared to be a regular chocolate cake. I just remember taking a little sliver of the cake and putting it in my mouth and then thinking something tastes weird, wait, there’s a peanut in here, something is off. And it was so quick, I didn’t even know what it was. And I thought, oh geez, I think that was a peanut. I don’t know, was it? And then I looked later to check that, oh yeah, there’s peanuts in the cake. So, I end up leaving the party. I go home, everything’s absolutely fine. It’s probably around 9:30, 10:00 right now. I get home, I take the two Benadryl [allergy medication], then I go lay down. Lights are off, and I’m laying in bed, and it’s like 15, 20 minutes. I’m like I don’t feel well. I’m feeling kind of hot. I’m a little itchy. Something’s off; my body’s chemistry is off. I turn on the mirror, and I remember looking, and this moment was so profound. This is the first time I sensed something could have actually really been wrong. I was completely red. I had hives all over my neck, my face, my hands, my armpits, my body, that I thought OK, this is something more serious.

Chris searched for his EpiPens [emergency allergy medication] but discovered they had expired months earlier. The anaphylaxis rapidly intensified. At this point, I was relatively OK, then I was in pain, and then I just seemed to kind of like turn over where everything got much worse very quickly. What I was going through was the anaphylaxis, and that’s when it started to speed up. Then, the breathing got harder. Then, I started to panic. Then, my eyes were bloodshot, the redness came out. Then, I’m like, am I breathing? Is my throat closing? Because that’s what was going on — my throat would close during the anaphylaxis.

Despite his condition, Chris decided to drive himself to the hospital, which was only 15 to 20 minutes away on a Sunday night with no traffic. And I remember driving and just going and thinking how far am I going to make it before I have to use this epinephrine. Once you use epinephrine, it’s very hard to have any other motor skills. You can’t really move. You’re not going to be able to drive. So, I thought, let me just get as close as I can. And I’m driving, and I’m driving. And I get to the hospital. I pull in, and I stumble out of the car. I have my wallet in my hand. And at this point, my breathing is really very difficult. I’m totally red. The nurse behind the desk looks at me, and she goes do you have any identification. And I just remember my hands trying to pull out my ID, and I couldn’t do it. And I remember falling, kind of like leaning over, and she jumped up behind the chair. The other nurse came around, they grabbed me, and they carried me back.

Within moments, Chris was rushed into the emergency room. Nurses lifted him onto a bed and began working quickly.

They cut off his shirt and started life-saving treatment. By that point, he says he was only taking in about ten percent of the oxygen his body should have been receiving. The doctor looked at me and said, “I’m so sorry. I can’t save your life. The epinephrine isn’t working.” Sometimes the anaphylaxis is so far that it can’t be stopped. It can’t be reversed, and they couldn’t stop it. There’s no oxygen in my body. I’m suffocating. I remember thinking to myself like this is it, I’m dying, just feeling nothing and being accepting of it in a way.

And I remember thinking that the only thing that really mattered was kindness and people, and nothing material mattered. I mean, I’m laying here suffocated to death on a hospital bed away from everybody, and things get very clear very quickly in that moment. I remember laying there and just this energy of absolute euphoria and bliss. And then, that’s it like I’m done, like I’m leaving this. I remember I was not in my body at that point, like I was gone.

What happened next, Chris says, would change his life forever. And I remember both my grandfathers, who passed away, coming to me in that situation. They said very clearly, “You can’t. It’s not your time. You have work to do. You have to go back.” Join us tomorrow for Part 2 of 2 of Chris Kito’s near-death experience. (Anthony Chene production)