DAILY NEWS Stream – April 13, 2026

Russia announces a 32-hour Orthodox Easter ceasefire from April 11 at 16:00 to April 12 at midnight, and orders troops to halt operations on all fronts, while Ukraine (Ureign) says it will observe the truce (Reuters)

Afghanistan says its China-mediated peace talks with Pakistan in Urumqi [China] are making “useful” progress as both sides work to resolve the conflict that began in October 2025 (Reuters)

The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation [Europol] dismantles a trafficking ring that had been smuggling Aulacese (Vietnamese) migrants into Britain via France and the English Channel, charging up to £19,000 per person (Daily Mail)

Rescuers in northern Mexico pull a miner alive after nearly 14 days trapped in the flooded El Rosario mine, while authorities confirm one coworker is dead and another remains missing (Daily Mirror)

Saudi Arabia’s KSRelief concludes a three-month training program for 255 Syrian refugees at Jordan’s Zaatari camp, offering courses in sewing, embroidery, drawing, literacy, and English (Arab News)

Spain’s Picos de Europa mountain range is named the most beautiful place on Earth for 2026 by Time Out, a UK-founded magazine and website, praised for its dramatic limestone peaks, deep gorges, coastal views, and preserved authenticity (EuroWeekly News)

The UK records a sharp rise in electric bike and e-scooter fires in 2025, fueling concerns about unsafe lithium-ion batteries and poorly regulated online-marketplace products (Báo Tin tức)

A woman in Padstow, Cornwall [UK] is injured and her three-year-old cavapoo-companion, Herbie, is killed after a dog-individual escapes from a nearby garden and violently attacks them, with Herbie trying to protect his caregiver before dying from the mauling (Daily Star)

Eating 30 “points” of different vegan whole foods [with each vegan whole food counting as a point] weekly significantly boosts gut microbiome diversity, strengthens immunity and reduces disease-linked inflammation. Experts emphasize that fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds each provide essential nutrients for beneficial bacteria. Prioritizing colorful, polyphenol-rich plants helps control harmful microbes, offering a simple and flavorful way to improve overall health through diverse vegan meals (VegNews)

Prolonged intense sunlight and extreme heat can damage eyes by causing chronic dry eye, pterygium (abnormal conjunctival growth), or potential retinal injury. Ophthalmologist Dr. Nguyễn Đức Huy of HCM CT advises avoiding peak Sun [10 am-4 pm], wearing UV [ultraviolet] sunglasses, using artificial tears, staying hydrated, and getting regular eye exams (VnExpress)

Antibacterial products like hand soaps and spray cleaners fuel the global superbug crisis by creating drug-resistant “environmental reservoirs.” Experts warn that overusing chemicals like triclosan in such products, accelerates antimicrobial resistance, urging a return to traditional soap to prevent millions of projected deaths from it by 2050 (Fox News)

The IUCN [International Union for Conservation of Nature] reports accelerating ice loss from climate change forces Emperor penguin-people and Antarctic fur seal-persons onto its endangered list. Scientists warn that shrinking habitats and declining food supplies continuously threaten vulnerable polar biodiversity (AOL)

Authorities warn more deadly floods and extreme weather are imminent in Afghanistan, as disasters over the past two weeks have already killed 148 people and collapsed over 1,100 homes (Reuters)

Severe drought engulfs all 100 North Carolina [US] counties, depleting reservoirs and sparking statewide burn bans. Officials warn that soaring temperatures worsen soil evaporation, severely threatening agricultural growth and public water supplies (WRAL News)

The RSPCA [Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals] rescues more than 250 poodle-cross dog-individuals from a severely overcrowded breeder’s home in Nottingham [UK], saying over-breeding caused the living conditions to spiral out of control and launching an appeal to find permanent homes for the animal-individuals (The Telegraph)

US researchers develop a compact solar-powered device that can disinfect drinking water in under an hour by combining filtration, sunlight-driven UV sterilization, and a food-dye photosensitizer that changes color to show when the water is safe (Tuổi Trẻ)

A new US study reveals healthy plant-based diets reduce dementia risk by 12%, even for those over 60. Researchers emphasize that quality, nutrient-dense foods are key to long-term brain health (The High Point Enterprise)

Ireland explores vegan protein production, cultivating faba beans and hemp seeds to drive economic growth. Government-backed projects aim to diversify agriculture and enhance sustainability by reducing reliance on imported soy (Irish Farmers Journal)

Impossible Foods becomes the “Official Plant-Based Burger Partner” at Madison Square Garden [New York City, US arena], launching the “Impossible Grille.” The concession stand serves beef, chicken, and pork alternatives to fans during New York Knicks basketball and New York Rangers hockey games (Morningstar)

Global online marketplace Etsy bans all fur sales starting August 2026 following pressure from PETA [People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals], joining other major brands. Activists now shift their focus to urge online marketplace Temu toward similar animal-people welfare policies (PETA)

In India, mechanical elephants replace live elephant-people in temple rituals to prevent cruelty and improve safety. These robots mimic traditional movements, and since 2023, over 26 machines have debuted in South India, some gifted by PETA India to temples, as captive elephant-person populations in India continue to decline, particularly in Kerala state (TheWorld)

On April 6, the US Coast Guard cutter Midgett rescues three people stranded off Chuuk [Federated States of Micronesia] since March 30. Following an engine failure, crews locate their 7-meter skiff across over 36,250 square kilometers of rough sea. All survivors are found unharmed and safely transported to Weno [Federated States of Micronesia] (War.gov)

Enlightening quote of the day: “You must not let your life run in the ordinary way; do something that nobody else has done, something that will dazzle the world. Show that God’s creative principle works in you.” – The Venerated Enlightened Master Paramahansa Yogananda (vegetarian) (GoodReads)

Previously in Part 1 of Candice Purchase’s near-death experience, Candice shared how, while awake during a heart procedure, she suddenly found herself in a realm of pure white Light, sitting as a child at the feet of what she believes was God. She returned to the operating table with the memory of overwhelming peace and love, kept the experience to herself for years, and only later began to reflect on what it meant.

Next, she shares why she believes she was sent back — and how the experience shaped the life she felt called to live afterward. My take of it, when my God’s hand was coming toward the top of my head, was that because, in the next instance, I was back on the operating table. So I feel like that was Him saying I still have to live this life on this Earth and be of service with my purpose. In the years following her near-death experience, Candice developed as an evidential medium. She describes how the experience clarified her path.

I feel like my near-death experience also, I feel like it opened up something within me, in the sense that I am so clear on my purpose and what I have to do with bringing through past loved ones to help people here to heal by bringing them through. I do not fear death now, because I know where we are going. We all go to the same beautiful space of love and peace, where we belong, and we are held. But before my near-death experience, for sure, I was afraid. I was afraid. But yeah, it’s a beautiful space that I feel like I got to experience, which really helps me in what I do now, and that I can share with loved ones where their past loved ones are, and they will take comfort and peace knowing that, and it may give them some closure, to know that they’re in a beautiful, loving place.

Candice closes by reflecting on how her near-death experience changed the way she lives, loves, and serves others. It does change you, in a way. You feel the love, and you just want to share the love. You open your heart more. I feel like I see the good in so many people, even when they don’t see it in themselves. It’s just like a feeling of I want to be of service. I want to help people. I want to help people to heal. And a lot of people are very much in the physical with their life, or the mind. And I feel like my near-death experience, coupled with what I do, being a medium, it’s all about living from the heart and wanting to help and being of service.

Live life with an open heart and honesty, and as true as you can, for your beliefs and what you believe in, and to know that you are not alone. And sometimes people come into your life to go through a lesson with you or teach you something. But I feel like there’s so much that is orchestrated from the unseen world towards us, that we just got to allow and surrender. And I feel like our life will be so much easier. It will be so much more filled with peace and love, and a knowing in our heart that we are doing the right thing. Whereas, with our mind, we may be stressing and fearing and thinking too much.

But I feel like when you just have faith, and you just trust, I feel like that can change your life and make things easier. We’re not just here in the physical. There’s a whole spiritual world out there. And we can lean into our faith, knowing that we’re so loved, and when you feel that love in your heart, you just want to give it back. You just want to help other people. And that’s such a beautiful thing. (Tales Of Resilience)