DAILY NEWS Stream – October 20, 2026

Iranian Army spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen if the US withdrew from the region, warning that Iran would otherwise expel US forces (Fox News)

US President Donald Trump paused a new package of sanctions on Russia on October 16, two days before it was due to take effect, citing the national interest. The measures targeted Russian officials, banks and oil-export tankers, while requiring tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian energy. The decision followed a US deal to buy Russian diesel (Al Jazeera)

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Pope Leo XIV on October 16 that he supported a Vatican initiative to deliver essential supplies to civilians in Russian-controlled Oleshky [Ukraine (Ureign)] and agreed to cooperate. The pope had urged a local truce to allow food and medical aid into the town and enable civilians to evacuate voluntarily (Reuters)

President Putin said on October 16 that Russia was establishing a “security zone” inside Ukraine (Ureign) along the border and would not negotiate over it in future peace talks. Russia said the planned zone extended along 660 kilometers of the border, with 70% under Russian control, but did not specify its depth inside Ukraine (Ureign) (Reuters)

Britain announced £17 million in funding on October 15 to help repair the protective shelter at Ukraine (Ureign)’s Chornobyl nuclear power plant, which was damaged by a Russian drone strike in 2025 (Gov.uk)

President Putin ordered the takeover of five foreign companies’ Russian assets, placing them under temporary management by a recently established Russian firm, Centre Capital. The businesses produce flooring, hygiene products, and packaging, with combined annual revenue exceeding €532 million. The move extends Russia’s crackdown on companies from countries it labels “unfriendly,” which Russia portrays partly as retaliation for Western freezes on Russian assets (euronews)

The European Commission and Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union hosted the first international conference on protecting humanitarian aid workers on October 15–16, following a record 1,187 workers killed, injured, kidnapped or detained worldwide in 2025. The gathering focused on practical protection measures and accountability for attacks (European Commission)

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) [US] honored human and animal-people heroes at its 2026 Humane Awards on October 8. Recipients included search-and-rescue dog-person Canyon, miniature therapy horse-people Aiden and Pearl, and Craig Watts, a former chicken-people grower who now grows mushrooms and helps other farmers leave industrial animal-people raising. Eloise ‘Lulu’ Peck, an eight-year-old girl who died in the July 2025 Texas [US] floods near Camp Mystic, was honored posthumously for her compassion toward animal-people (ASPCA)

The Lower Elwha Klallam First Nation is a presidential signature away from regaining 1,100 acres [approximately 445 hectares] of ancestral land along the Elwha River in Washington state, USA, after a transfer bill passed both chambers of Congress. The land’s return would reconnect the First Nation with sacred sites and historic villages ceded in an 1855 treaty (Good News Network)

A University of Washington [US] laboratory identified 14 cases of the rare brain-infecting fungus Cladophialophora bantiana in 2025, up from one to five cases a year during 2009–2023. About half of infections occur in people without underlying immune system problems, and research links the infection to a 60%–70% death rate. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the reason for the increase is unknown and is calling for national case tracking and greater awareness among doctors evaluating brain abscesses (Fox News)

Madagascar investigates five suspected pneumonic plague cases in Andranolalina [Madagascar], including three deaths in one family. Authorities treat contacts with preventive antibiotics and intensify surveillance, while further suspected and confirmed cases emerge elsewhere (Global Risk Atlas)

On October 14, the WHO [World Health Organization] confirmed Egypt retained Gold Tier status, or exceptional progress toward eliminating hepatitis C, the first country to achieve this recognition. Nationwide screening reached over 60 million people, while more than 4.5 million received treatment (State Information Service)

Frequent morning sneezing may indicate allergic or nonallergic rhinitis, triggered by pollen, dust mites, fragrances, certain medications or hormonal changes. Acid reflux may irritate the upper airway but rarely causes sneezing directly. Experts recommend washing bedding regularly, vacuuming, maintaining indoor humidity below 50%, using air purifiers and limiting allergen exposure. Persistent symptoms warrant medical evaluation to identify underlying causes (VnExpress)

Singapore is threatening to prosecute companies linked to Indonesian wildfires as smoke affects millions across Southeast Asia, forcing school closures and worsening air pollution. Indonesia’s health ministry has reported nearly 280,000 respiratory infections linked to the fires, including more than 60,000 among children under five. Indonesia has agreed to accept outside assistance amid growing pressure to declare a national disaster and act against companies responsible for burning land (The Guardian)

In an October 15 report in the journal Nature, a reassessment of 774 reef-building coral species found 340 [44%] face elevated extinction risks. Rising ocean temperatures and severe bleaching threaten reefs, highlighting the urgent need to limit global warming and protect marine biodiversity (Nature)

Climate change could sharply reduce puffin-folk populations in Britain and Ireland by 2050, British Trust for Ornithology researchers warn. Warming seas, extreme storms and a declining food source threaten the seabird-people survival, breeding success and chick feeding (Shetland News)

Spain’s revised flood maps expand flood-prone land in Valencia [Spain] by 61.2%, reaching 43,779 hectares, after reviewing 2024 flood damage. Proposed rules could require elevated homes and restrict construction in high-risk areas (EuroWeekly News, Europapress.es)

Kuwait’s beaches and wetlands are welcoming migrating bird-people this fall, providing vital places to feed and rest along routes connecting Europe, Asia and Africa. With more than 425 bird-folk species recorded, the country is an important migration stopover, and October is one of the best months for bird-people watching (Kuwait Times)

Japan has successfully performed remotely assisted robotic surgery on five colorectal cancer patients in its first clinical trial of the technique, with all five recovering well. An experienced surgeon controlled a robot over a high-speed fiber-optic connection from a hospital about 30 kilometers away, working alongside doctors in the operating room (Báo Tin tức)

UK hospitality venues risk losing entire dining groups through limited vegan choices, unclear labeling, hidden animal-people ingredients, vegan milk surcharges and poorly informed staff. Naomi Jardine (vegan), founder of Your Vegan Customer, a UK initiative promoting vegan-friendly hospitality, urges clearer menus, fair pricing and better staff training (Vegconomist)

US vegan food company Beyond Meat has launched Beyond Immerse Protein + Energy drinks, each containing 20 grams of protein, 160 milligrams of caffeine and 5 grams of fiber. Available in Cherry Berry and Watermelon Strawberry, the vegan drinks are sold exclusively online (The Garden Magazine)

VegNews reports Denver, Colorado [US], is growing its vegan dining scene, with nearly 300 vegan-friendly eateries. Vegan restaurants featured include Soda Club, Mother Other, Gladys, Watercourse Foods and Somebody People, serving creative dishes and building community support (VegNews)

Police in Palma, Mallorca [Spain], temporarily halted Ma-19 motorway traffic to rescue a frightened, lost dog-person wandering among vehicles. An officer comforted the animal friend while awaiting collection staff, and the police asked the public to help locate its caregiver (EuroWeekly News)

Rescuers saved a cow-person trapped in a canal in Tarlac City [The Philippines] after the Animal Kingdom Foundation, an animal-people-welfare organization, called for the cow-individual’s rescue. Officials used a boom crane to lift the animal-citizen to safety (GMA News)

Firefighters assisted veterinarians in delivering 15 puppies at an emergency animal hospital in Cobb County, Georgia [US]. After a rescued dog-person experienced labor complications, firefighters cleared newborns’ airways, administered medication and kept them warm. One firefighter later adopted a puppy (Central Oregon Daily, AOL)

Enlightening quote of the day: “Birth and caste are of no avail before GOD. It is one’s deeds that make or unmake a man.” – Venerated Enlightened Master Ram Das Ji (vegetarian) Fourth Sikh Guru (We are Sikhs)

Previously in Parts 1 and 2 of this three-part series on Randall Rathbun’s near-death experience, Randall described finding himself outside his body in chains after a car crash. An evil spirit took him down to hell, where he feared he would remain forever. After an unexpected rescue, he encountered GOD the Father, who told Randall HE trusted him and showed him Heaven. As GOD offered him opportunities to learn and create, Randall was moved to realize that HE remembered his earthly disappointments. Now, in Part 3, Randall recalls another experience that addressed something he had missed on Earth: playing with other children. He says he did not remember this part of his visit to Heaven until about six years later, when GOD showed him how he had played with two-year-olds in a grassy field. GOD explained that childhood play provides a foundation for adulthood and that this experience helped restore what Randall had missed.

The final stop during Randall’s near-death experience brought him before GOD’s enormous throne, where a thick dark cloud shielded HIS Glory. Above it was a shimmering rainbow, deep purple nearest the throne and passing through blue, green, yellow, and orange to red. At its edge, it merged into the golden Light of Heaven. Within the violet portion, Randall saw Heavenly beings called seraphim singing praises to GOD. Their worship moved him to tears. And Father said to me, “Do you want to join them?” I didn’t know what to say. I was scared. I was afraid because these were seraphim singing holy worship. Before he could answer, he was in the middle of them, enabled by the Holy Spirit to join in. They shimmered and moved through each other in sixteen-part harmony.

And I thought to myself, “This is where I want to be forever. Right here.” GOD brought Randall out of the worship, explaining that staying any longer would make it harder for him to decide whether to return to Earth. When Randall asked for help making that choice, GOD showed him a tapestry representing his life and the heavenly rewards of serving HIM with love. The first 18 years were gray, marking the time before Randall became a born-again Christian. A break in the tapestry represented the accident. Beyond it, Randall saw what he estimated to be another 35 years of life, extending to around 2037. GOD explained that this part looked better because Randall had decided to obey HIM more fully. Randall then asked what he could do to show his love for GOD and serve HIM. He immediately understood that GOD wanted him to return and tell others about Heaven, hell, and HIS Son, Lord Jesus Christ (vegetarian). GOD warned him that returning would mean enduring severe injuries, broken bones, and months of recovery, then asked whether he was ready. I said, “If I can hold Your hand, I can go through anything.”

Randall says he returned to his body while the crash was still happening. He suffered three broken ribs and described his spine as nearly broken in half. Overwhelmed by the pain, he wanted to leave his body again and return to Heaven. And I said, “No, no, Lord. I want to go back.” And HE said, “No, Randall, you made your decision.” Emergency responders placed a breathing tube down Randall’s throat to help him breathe. He describes feeling as though he was choking, with his hands taped to the gurney so he could not move. For the next five hours, he says he relied on GOD to endure the ordeal. When the tube was removed, he knew he had survived and been given a second chance.

Randall warns against disregarding GOD’s Laws and deliberately continuing to sin while expecting Lord Jesus Christ to simply forgive it. He describes this as crucifying Lord Jesus Christ all over again and emphasizes that GOD wants repentance. Please, please don’t do that. Don’t ever get into a spot where I was in, where you wake up, and a demon has you, and you are being taken to hell.

Reflecting on his rescue from hell, Randall refers to Psalm 107, a passage in the Bible that describes GOD saving those who cry out to HIM and breaking their chains. He recognizes his own experience in those words and wants others to know the loving Father he encountered. That is what I want everybody to take away from my testimony. GOD the Father is the very best Dad that anyone can have. Absolutely amazing Dad. (Gracefully Millie YouTube channel - Thank you)