DAILY NEWS Stream – October 17, 2026

VegNews has published an article entitled: “8 Palestinian Food Brands to Help With Your Next Vegan Meal.” Here are the eight brands with vegan products sourced from farmers in Palestine: 1. Olive Odyssey — Organic olive oils 2. Huwa — Organic, cold-pressed olive oil 3. Fil — Fermented shatta chili sauce 4. Canaan — Olive oils 5. Watany — Sumac [spice from sumac shrub] 6. Al’ard — Fair-trade olive oil 7. Zaytoun — Medjoul dates, olive oil, and almonds 8. Hayati — Palestinian za’atar spice blend (VegNews)

PETA [People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals] has published a guide highlighting vegan chicken products, including nuggets, tenders, patties, and pieces that are primarily available in US retail stores. Here are some of the 22 options PETA lists: 1. Just Chicken 2. MorningStar Farms Chik’n 3. NotChicken 4. Beyond Chicken Pieces and Chicken Nuggets 5. Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based Chick’n Tenders, Chick’n Nuggets, and Chick’n Filets 6. Daring Foods Original Chicken Pieces and Original Breaded Chicken Pieces (PETA)

Iran is reportedly fortifying nuclear sites and warning of retaliation across the Middle East as it prepares for possible renewed US strikes after the November 3 US midterm elections (CNBC)

Yemen’s Houthis struck an administrative building belonging to Saudi Arabia’s national oil company, Aramco, in Dhahran [Saudi Arabia], on October 13, causing a fire but no reported casualties, hours after Saudi-led coalition strikes hit an oil facility in Sanaa [Yemen]. The Houthis threatened further attacks on Saudi oil facilities and airports, while Saudi authorities said debris from two intercepted missiles injured four people and damaged 15 homes in Riyadh [Saudi Arabia] (Al Jazeera)

Drone attacks hit two cargo ships off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast on October 13. The Guinea-Bissau-flagged Dignity sank, leaving 11 crew members missing after five were rescued, while all 15 aboard the Maltese-flagged Chelsea 3 were evacuated, including five treated for injuries. Ukraine (Ureign) accused Russia of carrying out the attacks, but Bulgaria said it lacked clear evidence identifying those responsible and was working with NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] and European Union allies to investigate (Associated Press)

All 27 European Union member states have agreed to open two more areas of membership negotiations with Ukraine (Ureign) and Moldova, covering the internal market, competitiveness and inclusive growth (UNITED24 Media)

French President Emmanuel Macron said on October 12 that the French navy had intercepted and boarded the DF Peak, an oil tanker linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, south of Réunion [France] in the Indian Ocean over suspected use of a false flag and illegal fuel trafficking (euronews)

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a non-binding declaration on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response on October 12, with 153 countries voting in favor, Argentina, Israel and the US voting against, and New Zealand and Paraguay abstaining. The declaration calls for stronger international cooperation guided by science, equity and human rights (United Nations News)

Cristian Popescu, pastor of the Passion for Christ church in Kirkland, Washington [US], has been charged with ten counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering in an alleged US$13 million investment scheme. Prosecutors allege he recruited more than 30 investors, including church members, through false claims about his online company, Followone, then diverted millions of dollars for personal expenses, stock trading and payments to family members (US Department of Justice)

US clinical pharmacist and metabolic medicine expert Jim LaValle warns that silent chronic inflammation can damage healthy tissues and contribute to serious diseases. He recommends five habits to help manage it: 1. Manage stress 2. Watch for food triggers 3. Keep blood sugar in check 4. Be mindful of environmental exposures, such as “forever chemicals,” microplastics, metals and pesticides 5. Avoid intense exercise without adequate recovery (Fox News)

On October 12, health officials in New South Wales [Australia] warned residents to avoid bat-people after 43 people were assessed for bites or scratches in two weeks. Bat-folk can transmit Australian bat lyssavirus, a rare but potentially fatal virus related to rabies (People)

US neurologist Dr. Steven Resnick warns that digital information overload can keep the nervous system on high alert, causing headaches, dizziness and digestive problems. He recommends five strategies to manage stress: 1. Recognize what you’re feeling: Listen to your emotions and name your fears to help calm your nervous system. 2. Name the pattern: Identify recurring negative thoughts or behavioral loops running on autopilot. 3. Catch the trigger: Pinpoint the subconscious cues or stimuli that spark your automatic stress response. 4. Reward the new habit: Replace bad habits with healthier ones and give yourself a tangible reward to reinforce the change. 5. Float instead of fight: Stop running from anxiety; instead, safely allow yourself to experience and feel it (Fox News)

Indonesia continues to experience volcanic activity, with volcano Anak Krakatau recording 31 eruptions over five days by October 12. Authorities restricted access within 5 kilometers of Anak Krakatau and urged compliance with safety warnings (VietnamPlus)

Tropical Storm Rachel brought record rainfall and severe flooding to Las Vegas, Nevada [US], with 27 millimeters recorded on October 12, the highest daily October total since 1947. Floodwaters stranded motorists and prompted rescues (Tiền Phong)

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck the central Mid-Atlantic Ridge on October 13 at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the USGS [United States Geological Survey]. No tsunami threat was issued for Caribbean coasts (The Watchers)

PETA [People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals] says its investigations in Egypt and Morocco documented camel-people being beaten, denied adequate food, water and veterinary care, and forced to carry tourists through exhaustion and extreme heat. Some were killed for their flesh when they were no longer considered profitable. PETA is urging GetYourGuide and On The Go Tours to stop promoting camel-people rides worldwide, noting that more than 30 travel companies have confirmed they do not offer them (PETA)

A mail carrier in Pasadena, California [US], has been charged with animal-people cruelty after allegedly striking Sugar, a white peacock-person, repeatedly on August 18, causing the peacock-individual to collapse. Sugar fully recovered under the care of animal-people welfare organization Pasadena Humane and was relocated to a safe new home in Northern California on September 29 (Los Angeles Daily News)

UK wild bird-person populations have fallen to their lowest recorded level, with average populations across 132 native breeding species down 19% between 1970 and 2025 and nearly half of monitored species declining over the past five years. Farmland bird-people and seabird-people are among the hardest hit, with habitat loss, pesticide use and avian flu contributing to declines. Conservation experts are calling for expanded protection and funding, pointing to recovering populations of red kite- and crane-people as evidence that conservation efforts can work (The Guardian)

Vulnerable gray-headed flying fox-folk face mass starvation across New South Wales and parts of Victoria [Australia] as severe food shortages leave adults exhausted and pups dying, prompting a surge in wildlife rescue calls (The Guardian)

Teal Garden Nutrition owner Linda J. Montgomery (vegan) showcases vegan meals at the 50th annual Red River Revel, a multi-arts festival, in Shreveport, Louisiana [US]. Remaining event dates are October 15-18 (KTAL News)

All 73 passengers and crew aboard the stranded MV Awka ferry since October 9, were rescued near Vanikoro [Solomon Islands] on October 12. Mechanical problems left the vessel in rough seas (Anadolu Ajansı)

Afghan educator Shabana Basij-Rasikh donated US$2.5 million to establish a permanent University of Oxford [UK] scholarship, supporting one Afghan woman annually with postgraduate study and leadership training (Kabul Tribune)

Canadian firefighters rescued Aphrodite, a Nigerian dwarf goat-person trapped overnight on a cliff ledge 3 meters below the summit near where she lives in Metchosin, British Columbia [Canada] (The Cool Down)

Inspiring quote of the day: “Measure not GOD’s Love and Favor by your own feeling. The Sun shines as clearly in the darkest day as it does in the brightest. The difference is not in the Sun, but in some clouds which hinder the manifestation of the light thereof.” – The Reverend Richard Sibbes British Anglican Minister and Theologian (Grace Quotes)

Previously in Part 1 of this two-part series on Susanne Seymoure’s near-death experience, Susanne described a life-threatening skiing accident at age 12. She encountered Lord Jesus Christ (vegetarian), who carried her away with two angels alongside. Looking down, she saw her distressed family at the bottom of the hill. In Part 2, Susanne describes meeting groups of beings who consider her request to return to her mother.

After a quick flight, Susanne sat on Lord Jesus Christ’s lap beneath a large tree. Despite the Love and comfort she felt, her thoughts remained with her mother below. Once I saw my mother screaming at the bottom of the hill, it was like I snapped into a different state of mind. And I said, “I have to go back. My mother will never make it without me. She cannot survive. She will not make it.” Susanne felt that her request to return had surprised Lord Jesus Christ and the angels. While she sat on His lap, a group of beings wearing similar cloaks gathered to consider her request. She later described this group as a council.

They were just miffed. They’re like, “Really, does she really want to go back? Is that possible? Would that be OK?” There was a lot of discussion. And they didn’t ignore me, and they didn’t make me feel like they’re the all-powerful and I’m nobody. They made me feel like we’re going to make this absolutely best choice for everyone. Susanne understood that each council had limits to what it could do. As the first group reached those limits, additional councils arrived, wearing different colored cloaks. Everything looked realistic and official, and Lord Jesus Christ (vegetarian) waited patiently. Finally, an older being was awakened. She described him as serious and grouchy, someone the others did not want to disturb unless necessary.

And I didn’t know who he was, but he actually put his arms under my arms, under my armpits, from behind, and he just sort of glided me around really fast to show me what I thought looked like universities or libraries or houses of information, to let me know intelligence— how intelligent all this is— because he’s showing me old, because I think he wanted me to equate age with wisdom. And then all those places of records or films. He just let me know that everything is taken into consideration, everything. They warned her that she would face pain and could not be promised an easy recovery. They kept saying, “Are you sure?” And I said, “Yes. I’m 100% sure. She will not make it. I have to.”

And then I remember Jesus looking at me. And I was looking at Him. And then we both looked over, and there [were these] mountains, or it was like a hillside. And then, over that hill, this big golden Light just came over, and it just came towards us. And I thought it looked like a hand because, to me, it felt like it was coming, [and] reaching, but it was this big Light, and then Jesus and that Light, They became one Light. Susanne believed the golden Light signaled permission to return and understood that Lord Jesus Christ and GOD were one. He reassured her that everything would be alright and that He would stay with her. He then carried her back to her body.

Susanne recalls being severely injured, with a broken neck. Below, her family believed she had died. Her grandmother had urged her mother to wait for help rather than see her daughter in that condition. Help took a long time to arrive at the remote hill, where Susanne says they had no emergency response service or cell phones. She says Lord Jesus Christ stayed with her until her parents and helpers reached her. When her mother arrived, she found Susanne talking as though someone was there with her.

So when they did come, my mother got to the top of the hill expecting to see no movement, no talking, no life. She sees me talking. And she’s, “Who was talking to you? And who were you talking to?” Susanne recalls lying in a pool of blood, severely injured, yet smiling and laughing as she told her mother that Lord Jesus Christ had just been there. Those helping her focused on her injuries and cautioned against moving her. With no ambulance service or hospital in the area, a volunteer drove Susanne and her mother through the snowstorm to a hospital in New York [US]. During the journey, her mother urged her to rest and stop talking about what she had seen.

Susanne recalls that those at the hospital regarded her survival and ability to speak as miraculous. She says she had no internal bleeding despite swelling the size of baseballs on her temples. After returning home, she remained unable to walk until she suddenly got up and walked to the bathroom. By the following year, she had become a gymnast. Her mother insisted that Susanne keep the experience private, wanting to protect her from reliving the accident and its trauma. Susanne honored her mother’s wishes and began writing about the experience after her mother died. She spent about six years completing her account while working as a nurse. Susanne says the experience helped inspire her choice to enter nursing. She calls the experience her inner compass and emphasizes the unconditional love she felt from the beings she encountered in Heaven.

You don’t have to be a cookie-cutter person or fit into a certain box; They love you the way you are. You don’t have to look or act or be a certain way. Susanne now shares her experience to offer others comfort and hope, encouraging them to remain open to the goodness at work in the world. If only people knew how much Jesus loved them and that Heaven is real. It’s the realest thing I know. And that Love is real, and it’s the most powerful thing I know. So just, even though sometimes the world sounds like all these bad things are happening. I guarantee there are a lot of good things at work. Just keep your heart open. (Grief 2 Growth YouTube channel - Thank you)