DAILY NEWS Stream – February 5, 2025

Syria’s transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in capital Riyadh [Saudi Arabia] on his first foreign trip as Syrian leader, indicating major shift from unfriendly Assad era (Reuters)

Egypt’s President Sisi and US President Trump discuss Gaza in phone call; the Egyptian leader expresses confidence that President Trump can bring peace to the region (Reuters)

Qatar’s Prime Minister Al Thani calls on Hamas and Israel to immediately begin negotiating phase two of Gaza ceasefire, adding that there is no clear plan for when talks will begin (Reuters)

US wants Ukraine to hold elections, potentially by the end of 2025, especially if a ceasefire is reached with Russia in the next few months, says President Trump’s special Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg, seeking to uphold Ukraine’s democracy (Reuters)

US President Trump imposes 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada and 10% on those from China, demanding all three countries stop the flow of fentanyl drugs into America and that Mexico and Canada stop allowing illegal immigrants to cross the border or face continued/stronger tariffs (Reuters)

President Trump acknowledges Americans may feel “some pain” in the short-term from sweeping tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, but will prosper in the long-term as America stops getting “ripped off by virtually every country in the world” (Reuters)

US Secretary of State Rubio tells Panama to end China’s influence on canal or face US action during visit with Panama’s President Mulino, who agreed not to renew China’s Belt and Road investment initiative and review other agreements involving China and Chinese businesses and announced further cooperation with the US on migration (Reuters)

Analysis: US President Trump can prosecute those responsible for the fake legal cases against Him on the grounds of election interference, as they used the American justice system as a political weapon to try and win the 2024 election – failing miserably, though still blemishing the President’s record – and it’s time for justice to be served, not for “revenge,” but to deter and prevent future abuse and restore the confidence of the American people in the justice system (The Federalist)

President Trump suspends state funding of sex reassignment surgery or hormone therapy for children, stating, “Countless children later regret that they were disfigured and begin to realize the tragedy that they will never be able to, for example, become mothers” (Radar Armenia)

US Defense Secretary Hegseth to visit border with Mexico on his first trip since taking office, in the latest sign that fortifying the border will be a priority for the US military under President Trump (Reuters)

Overview of US President Trump’s second-term executive orders so far: Immigration Declared a national emergency at the US-Mexico border. Banned asylum for migrants crossing the southern border. Directed the Defense Department to prioritize sealing the border, expanding detention, and deploying 1,500 troops. Suspended refugee admissions to allow adequate safety review. Reinstated the “Remain in Mexico” policy for asylum seekers. Ordered end to birthright citizenship for children of non-citizen parents. Moved to classify criminal cartels as terrorist organizations. Invoked the Alien Enemies Act against foreign gang members. Ordered capital punishment for undocumented immigrants who commit certain crimes.

Climate Policy Ordered U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement.

Abortion Restored US participation in anti-abortion pacts. Reinstated the Mexico City Policy, cutting funds for foreign groups that promote abortion.

Military & Gender Policies Reinstated troops discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccines. Removed diversity, equity, and inclusion [DEI] requirements. Restricted transgender military service based on birth sex. Reversed Biden’s policy that allowed transgender troops.

Federal Grants & Loans Paused all federal grants and loans for program review.

Federal Workforce Ordered full-time return to office for federal employees. Froze hiring, except for military, immigration, national security, and public safety. Reinstated Schedule F, making it easier to fire government workers.

Diversity & Gender Policies Eliminated all federal DEI [diversity, equity, and inclusion] programs and offices. Placed DEI staff on paid leave pending office closures. Ordered review of contractors providing DEI training. Revoked the 1965 Equal Employment Opportunity order. Defined legal sex as strictly male or female on official documents. Banned gender identity and preferred pronouns in federal agencies.

Travel Ban Preparation Ordered a review of foreign vetting processes, setting up potential travel bans from nations deemed risky.

Energy & Environment Declared a national energy emergency to expand production and scrap regulations. Promoted oil and gas drilling in Alaska and offshore areas. Suspended offshore wind lease sales. Lifted freeze on liquid natural gas exports.

World Health Organization [WHO] Began US withdrawal from the World Health Organization.

Jan. 6 Pardons Pardoned ~1,500 President Trump supporters convicted for the 2021 Capitol riot.

Tech & Government Efficiency Delayed TikTok ban enforcement by 75 days. Established the Department of Government Efficiency to cut government spending (Reuters)

UK will make it illegal to use AI [artificial intelligence] tools to create child sexual abuse images in world’s first law of its kind (Reuters)

UK amending Data Bill, making it illegal to AI-generate explicit images of someone without their consent, with violators facing unlimited fines or jail time (Reuters; Gov.uk)

EU experts warn: New avian flu mutations could adapt to humans and increase risks, with agencies calling for better preparedness and more information sharing (Euronews)

Scientists discover first henipavirus in North America, in shrews [mole-like mammals] in Alabama [US], raising pandemic fears, as henipaviruses have had high fatality rates in other regions (SciTechDaily)

Nigeria records 214 confirmed cases of Lassa fever, with 39 deaths across 10 states between December 30, 2024 and January 19, 2025 (Premium Times)

Powdery mildew disease attacking blueberry plants is spreading around the world, caused by fungus Erysiphe vaccinii, creating a white, powdery layer on the plants’ surface that disrupts their ability to absorb sunlight and steals essential nutrients (Earth.com)

“An extremely violent global pandemic”: Disease caused by parasite Scuticociliate wipes out sea urchins worldwide as Israeli-led scientists race to track and limit its spread in key reef ecosystems (SciTechDaily)

US doctors find unusually high microplastic concentration in placentae of premature babies, indicating potential link between plastics and preterm birth in pregnant women (Gujarat Samachar)

Australia: One dead, thousands urged to evacuate as Queensland State battles floods 500 kilometers [310 miles] north of Brisbane (Reuters)

Magnitude 5.7 earthquake strikes Ecuador; no casualties or damage reported (Reuters)

Coral bleaching has reached “catastrophic” levels on the Great Barrier Reef, with some coral species suffering 95% mortality in worst coral dieoff ever recorded, study finds (Earth.com)

Catastrophic tipping point in Greenland reached as crystal blue lakes turn brown and release carbon dioxide in summertime, new study finds (LiveScience)

Using AI [artificial intelligence] has negative effects on nature, including high water consumption to cool down data centers and heavy CO2 emissions from electricity usage. Here are 5 practical tips to lower your AI carbon footprint: 1) Reflect Before Using AI – Assess if AI is truly necessary for each task, and opt for simpler alternatives like web searches when possible; 2) Choose Efficient Models – Use smaller AI models like GPT-3.5 for basic tasks, reserving advanced models for complex needs; 3) Reuse Responses – Save and reuse AI-generated answers to minimize redundant computations; 4) Limit Output Length – Keep responses concise, such as by giving AI a word limit, to reduce energy consumption and improve efficiency; 5) Batch Prompts – Group multiple questions into a single prompt to lower energy use and improve sustainability (Tilburg.ai)

Planting rain gardens can reduce flooding by absorbing runoff in shallow depressions filled with soil, preventing immediate drainage into waterways. They also can filter pollutants and lower the surrounding temperature while beautifying urban spaces (The Guardian)

Chinese Academy of Sciences researchers convert carbon dioxide into nutritious food with 74% protein yield (Interesting Engineering)

Shape of electrons is revealed for the first time through major advance in quantum physics, relevant to everything from quantum information science to electronics manufacturing (Earth.com)

Motivational quote of the day: “For anything worth having one must pay the price; and the price is always work, patience, love, self-sacrifice – no paper currency, no promises to pay, but the gold of real service.” – John Burroughs