DAILY NEWS Stream – May 17, 2025

US President Trump begins His Middle East tour, the first major trip of His second term, with a speech at the 2025 Saudi Arabia Investment Forum. Key takeaways include: + US-Saudi Partnership: President Trump praised an 80-year alliance, now “stronger than ever,” emphasizing His personal ties with Saudi leaders including King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. + US Achievements: President Trump shared His administration’s success in border control, military recruitment, economic growth, and record-breaking investment. + Saudi Transformation: President Trump applauded Saudi Arabia’s modernization beyond the oil industry, with futuristic cities and global events. + Major Economic Deals: President Trump announced over US$1 trillion in investments and record US-Saudi military and commercial agreements. + Middle East Peace Vision: President Trump urged Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords [a historic Middle East peace deal from President Trump’s first term] and criticized Iran’s influence and Biden’s Middle East policy. + Iran Strategy: President Trump offered Iran peace and prosperity if it stops terrorism and its nuclear weapons program, and threatened sanctions and oil restrictions otherwise. + Regional Leadership: President Trump encouraged Gulf nations to lead through innovation and cooperation, not conflict. + Diplomatic Praise: President Trump thanked Saudi leaders and US allies, presenting Himself as a strong but peaceful global leader (FOX 35 Orlando)

US President Trump meets with Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – the first meeting between US and Syrian leadership in 25 years (Fox News)

US President Trump pledges to lift sanctions on Syria, aiming to give its new government a “fresh start” and “a chance for greatness.” In response, the people of Syria flocked to the streets in the capital Damascus to celebrate the US President’s decision and His moves to normalize US-Syria relations (Fox News)

US President Trump arrives in Qatar, greeted by the country’s ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim Al Thani, for the next leg of His Middle East tour (AP)

Jerusalem: Thousands gather at the People’s Peace Conference to call for an end to war in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and a two-state solution for peace between Israel and Palestine (Việt Nam News)

China’s President Xi pledges to help Myanmar rebuild after the devastating earthquake from March 2025 (Reuters)

President Trump signs an executive order to lower the cost of prescription drugs by requiring US pharmaceutical companies to charge Americans the same price as foreign customers. The President says drug companies often charge Americans unfairly high prices in order to artificially lower prices in foreign countries. He promises, “Americans will no longer be forced to pay almost three times more for the exact same medicines, often made in the exact same factories” (Sky News Australia)

US: A county judge is indicted for allegedly helping an illegal immigrant accused of domestic violence avoid arrest (Sky News Australia)

A US federal judge upholds President Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport criminal illegal immigrants – another major legal win for the President and His administration (Sky News Australia)

The US military is ending gender transition treatment for transgender troops, following President Trump’s order that transgender and gender-confused people are not eligible to serve (Fox News)

Research shows properly planned vegan diets do not cause zinc deficiency. The idea that nuts and legumes interfere with the body’s zinc absorption is a myth, as properly soaking them negates this effect. Zinc is also abundant in many plant-based foods, including pumpkin seeds, whole grains, and fermented foods, giving vegans many options to meet their daily zinc requirements (Anchay TV)

Vietnam: Many streets are flooded after heavy rain in Đồng Hới City [Quảng Bình Province] (Dân Trí)

Vietnam: Floods sweep away many tourist camps at A Don waterfall in Huế City (Dân Trí)

Heavy rain and storms in Quảng Trị Province Vietnam] leave one dead and one missing after landslides and floods (Dân Trí)

“Unreal”: A thunderstorm in the US State of Texas reaches 70,000 feet [over 21,000 meters] tall, about twice the height where commercial jets fly. At this height, such a storm can drop hail the size of melons; fortunately, a sudden change in conditions prevented this from happening (Newsweek)

Global report warns banana farmers are “battling daily” with climate change as extreme weather, pests, and disease destroy their crops (Euronews)

Birds in Bangladesh’s capital city Dhaka are disappearing due to habitat loss from human activities (The Daily Star)

EU: Study finds “force-feeding” chemicals to laboratory animals [a common procedure known as “gavage”] kills animals in 1 out of 7 studies where it’s used. The technique, which involves sticking a tube [often made of metal] down the throats of dogs, rabbits, and other animal subjects, is responsible for 21% of all animal injuries or deaths in European toxicity test reports reviewed (Cruelty Free International)

Uplifting quote of the day: “It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.” – Sir Edmund Hillary