DAILY NEWS Stream – June 13, 2026

On June 9, US Central Command says American forces have completed strikes on Iranian air-defense systems, ground-control stations and surveillance radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz in a proportional response to the downing of a US Army Apache helicopter, adding that US forces remain vigilant to defend against further Iranian aggression (Fox News)

Global spending on nuclear weapons reaches a record US$119 billion in 2025, up 19% from 2024 as the nine nuclear-armed states modernize arsenals and place more warheads on alert, with ICAN [International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons] [Switzerland] and SIPRI [Stockholm International Peace Research Institute] [Sweden] warning of an accelerating arms race even as total warheads fall to about 12,187 and ready-to-use warheads rise to 9,745, and the US accounting for US$69.2 billion— more than all other nuclear states combined (VnExpress)

Iran accelerates its execution campaign against dissidents and anti-regime activists amid ongoing internet censorship, with the Iran Human Rights Society documenting 784 executions so far in 2026 and warning the real number is likely higher, while the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) reports at least 18 executions over a two-day period between May 31 and June 1, and rights groups say restricted internet connectivity continues to obscure the full scale of state violence (Fox News)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer warns major technology companies that they must introduce device-level controls to block children from sending or receiving sexually explicit images or face legislation within months (euronews)

A BBC [UK] investigation finds that more than 300 migrants from Iraqi Kurdistan attempting to reach the UK were kidnapped last summer in Libya by a militia that tortured them and demanded a US$5,000 (£3,700) ransom from each of their families while threatening forced organ removal, with former captives describing beatings, burns, starvation and prolonged confinement, and 110 hostages later repatriated on an Iraqi government-chartered flight (Daily Mail)

Experts warn that separating puppies from their mothers too early can raise the risk of anxiety, aggression, poor socialization, and stronger biting behavior later in life. The key socialization period runs from about three to 13 weeks, when puppies learn from their mother, siblings, and humans. While eight weeks is often considered acceptable for adoption, some experts say staying with the mother until 12 weeks can give puppies a stronger foundation for confidence, social skills, and learned behavior (Daily Express)

The World Health Organization warns that unsafe food causes about 866 million people to become ill and 1.5 million deaths each year, with children under five facing nearly three times the risk of older groups and accounting for almost one-third of all foodborne disease cases, as climate change, poor sanitation, and weak food safety systems intensify global vulnerability (euronews)

The World Health Organization launches a six-month, US$518 million continental preparedness and response plan to help the Democratic Republic of the Congo [DRC] and Uganda contain the Bundibugyo-variant Ebola outbreak and support other African countries with surveillance, testing, infection control and border screening, as cases reach 515 with 91 deaths in the DRC and 19 cases with 2 deaths in Uganda and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting funding gaps despite donor commitments (VTV/WHO)

Federal regulators suspend a Maryland [US] dairy’s license following a deadly multi-state Listeria outbreak linked to contaminated requesón, a soft cheese. The toxic contamination went undetected for three years, causing eight severe illnesses, seven hospitalizations, and one death. Health authorities urge consumers to immediately discard recalled products bearing permit number 24-128 and sanitize refrigerated surfaces, as the aggressive bacterium thrives in cold temperatures (Food Poisoning News)

Nutrition experts warn that late-night snacking damages heart health, as people often choose ultra-processed foods high in sugar and fat. Eating during the body’s natural rest period raises blood sugar, insulin, and cholesterol while disrupting metabolism and sleep. To reduce cardiovascular risk, researchers recommend avoiding mindless evening eating, managing stress without food, and choosing healthier, fiber-rich options (Eating Well)

Brown rice tea offers a caffeine-free nutritional boost. Made from roasted whole-grain brown rice, this fragrant drink provides antioxidants, B vitamins, fiber, selenium, manganese, and other essential minerals while containing no caffeine. To prepare it, roast dried brown rice over low heat until aromatic and evenly browned, then simmer or steep 20–30 grams in one liter of hot water for 20–30 minutes. Many people enjoy it as a healthy alternative to green tea (Báo Sức khỏe và Đời sống)

Rescuers search rubble in the city of General Santos after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake kills at least 37 people and injures hundreds in the southern Philippines. Emergency responders work to reach people still trapped, with power outages affecting services in hospitals (Reuters)

Afghanistan’s disaster authority reports floods, heavy rain and landslides kill at least 301 people and injure 385 over 10 weeks. The disasters affect over 18,800 families, destroy almost 2,000 homes, and impair roads and farmland. Officials continue assessing damage and delivering aid (The Watchers)

Wellington, New Zealand, declares a state of emergency as 11-meter waves and strong winds hit the coast. Authorities evacuate hundreds from southern suburbs, while winds reaching 128 kilometers per hour force flight cancellations. Police set up checkpoints to keep people away from the coast, and no injuries are reported (VietnamPlus)

Earth League International (ELI) [US] reports widespread wildlife trafficking in Cambodia after a year-long undercover investigation documenting networks that allegedly slaughter at least one tiger-individual per week, supply endangered-species products to exclusive venues, and operate transnational supply chains intertwined with online scams, drugs, timber trafficking and corruption, while noting that demand has fallen since Cambodia’s crackdown on scam centers but the country remains a major regional transit hub (Asia News Network)

Denmark awards Danish cement producer Aalborg Portland 16.5 billion Danish kroner (about US$2.55 billion) in long-term subsidies for a CCS [carbon-capture- and-storage] project expected to begin operating in 2030, funding the capturing, transport and storage of up to 1.25 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year and accounting for more than half of the national carbon-capture-and-storage target as Denmark pursues its 70% emissions-reduction goal from 1990 levels (Reuters)

A new Tulane University [US] study reports that global mangrove loss has reversed for the first time in decades, with total mangrove area now rebounding above recent lows and closed-canopy, carbon-dense forests expanding as gains since 2010 outpace losses, degradation rates fall sharply, and conservation and restoration programs drive healthier, denser coastal ecosystems (Good News Network)

Actor Woody Harrelson (vegan) says on a recent episode of the podcast Where Everybody Knows Your Name — which has over 325,000 YouTube views — that the “number one” way individuals can help the planet is through a change in diet, highlighting the environmental impact of animal-people meat and livestock production as he, actors Ted Danson, and Harrison Ford discuss climate change, personal dietary shifts, and broader environmental advocacy (Plant Based News)

Austrian company Revo Foods launches a new mycoprotein-based vegan chicken product, EL POLLO, across Austria, Germany, and Italy. The expansion follows high consumer demand for the brand’s innovative vegan octopus alternative (The Cool Down)

Indian beauty company Esskay appoints Sapna Bhavnani (vegan) as “Chief Vegan Officer for Rica Responsible Beauty” to lead its new vegan salon products initiative. The campaign aims to establish cruelty-free, vegan items as the salon industry standard (Ad Gully)

Chef LD [Lianna Davies] (vegan) will debut a music-fueled cooking show at the UK’s Download Festival on June 13 and 14. The interactive performance features Chef LD creating vegan versions of festival musicians’ favorite animal-people meat-based dishes on stage (Vegan Food & Living)

Saudi coffee chain Ratio opens a branch in Alkhobar staffed mainly by people with Down syndrome. Following specialized training, these employees boost workplace inclusion. The accessible café supports disability services and plans upcoming expansions (Arab News)

Nonprofit Signal Shala educates marginalized children inside repurposed air-conditioned shipping containers beneath an overpass in Mumbai [India]. The no-cost school provides lessons, free meals, showers, transport, and technology training like AI [artificial intelligence] and robotics, offering vital support to out-of-school youth from low-income and homeless families (Japan Times)

A German Shepherd-person survives drifting in the North Sea nearly 5 kilometers offshore of England, UK while on an inflatable kayak. Strong winds strand the dog friend for two hours until a sightseeing boat crew rescues him from the water, reuniting him with his caregiver (Metro)

Inspiring quote of the day: “Be reverent before the dawning day. Do not think of what will be in a year, or in ten years. Think of to-day.” – Romain Rolland French Dramatist, Novelist and Nobel Prize for Literature Laureate (John Christopher: Storm and Stress)

Previously, in Parts 1 and 2 of Richard Green’s near-death experience, Richard ran the New York Marathon for his sister Roslin after unknowingly drinking liquid morphine, believing it was only a painkiller for his injured heel. He reached the finish line, but moments later, outside the paramedics’ tent, he collapsed and heard them say he had no pulse, was not breathing, and had no heartbeat. As everything around him faded, Richard entered a dark, silent void where there was no sense of time, no bright light, and no family waiting for him — only stillness and peace. Then he heard his name, a siren, and a voice telling him, “Stay with us, Richard.” He was rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital, where his wife realized he had taken Roslin’s morphine. Richard says the doctor agreed, they gave him adrenaline, and he came back.

In the final part, he explains why that silence felt like a rebirth, and how it changed the way he saw life, people, and purpose. It felt like I was just — I can say it’s a rebirth, I can say I was reprogrammed, I can say whatever I can think to put it across to you. But I think, all in all, from what I’ve heard of near-death experiences and stuff like that, or people passing over and coming back with stories, is that we all have one thing in common. And the one thing is, we’re never the same. Never, ever the same.

The experience transformed Richard completely — his priorities, his work, and his sense of purpose. Money and fame no longer meant what they once had. Instead, he felt as though he was being placed in certain moments for a reason. One night, Richard felt drawn to go to an open mic event, even though he did not know why. While Richard was there, he noticed a man carrying a black garbage bag. When Richard asked what was inside, the man said it was a guitar. The man explained that he did not really play full songs, only little tunes, like sounds from television commercials. Richard encouraged him to play anyway. The man with the guitar did play that night. Afterward, Richard told him the performance was fantastic. At the time, Richard did not realize how much that encouragement had meant. But later, the same man came back to him.

He turned up, and he gave me a present. And he said, “I want you to have this. Because you don’t realize, you saved my life that night. That was the night I was ending everything. That’s why the guitar was in just a bin liner.” And I kind of knew, I knew that that was going to sort of happen. And I’m drawn towards these people who are at their lowest, and they just need that lift. I can’t explain it. I haven’t got all the answers, but I do understand now that, when I speak to people, I can see in their eyes; I actually can see the person. We all can put on a mask. I’ve done it for years and years and years. We put this mask on of being something we’re not, or inside, we’re feeling completely different to this mask. But I can sort of see into the eyes of people, and I get the truth. I can see the truth. That same sense of purpose later shaped Richard’s work as a driving instructor. He says he began working especially with young people with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism, finding fulfillment in helping students who needed patience, honesty, and a different kind of support.

Sometimes, you have to die to finally know how to live. And I don’t want everyone to die to do it. So, what I want to do is try to say, you don’t have to do what I’ve done. Just take it from me [that] there is another way of living the rest of your life and take it from today that you just see things differently. You see lights brighter. You hear sounds louder or clearer. You’ll see that tree with the Sun shining through the leaves, and you will start to appreciate it. And just give something back. And, if you do, I’m sure you’ll feel you’ll get back tenfold what you’ve given away. And I think, I truly believe, you will feel you are a better person. You’ll have a better life. (Spiritual Warrior Journey)