DAILY NEWS Stream – July 18, 2026

US President Trump warned Tuesday that the US will strike Iran’s power plants and bridges next week unless the regime agrees to a peace deal. Mr. Trump said US forces will continue hitting Iran hard over the next several nights and will target energy infrastructure if Iran does not come to the negotiating table (New York Post)

The US launches a new round of strikes against Iranian military targets near the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command [CENTCOM] said fighter aircraft, drones, and naval vessels conducted a seven-hour wave of precision attacks Tuesday evening on missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, and coastal defenses to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping and civilian crews (Fox News)

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the Strait of Hormuz will remain shut until the US ends its aggression and warned it may block other regional export channels (BBC)

India’s Ministry of External Affairs summons Iran’s deputy chief of mission of the Iranian embassy Tuesday to protest attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz that killed an Indian seafarer, as India strongly condemns the strikes targeting mariners and disrupting safe navigation through the vital international waterway (Fox News)

Bahrain sounds air-raid sirens Tuesday as its interior ministry urges residents to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place after intercepting Iranian aerial threats (Fox News)

US CENTCOM launches fresh strikes Wednesday against Iranian military targets to degrade capabilities used in attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz (Fox News)

US CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper says Iran has intentionally targeted civilians in attacks on commercial ships across the region. Over the past week, Iranian forces struck seven commercial vessels, leaving nearly a dozen civilian crew members killed, missing or injured, CENTCOM reports. Iran also launched dozens of missiles and drones toward neighboring Gulf countries. “US forces are holding Iran accountable for unwarranted aggression that continues to endanger innocent lives,” Admiral Cooper stated (Fox News)

US President Donald Trump says on Wednesday Iran has released an American citizen who has been detained in the country since December 2024. In a post on Truth Social, Mr. Trump described the American as having been “wrongfully detained” and called the release a “gesture of goodwill” by Iran. He said the citizen is now safely outside the country and in good condition (Fox News)

President Trump says Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to make a deal to end the war in Ukraine (Ureign) and predicts it will happen soon (Ukrainska Pravda)

Doctors Without Borders [MSF] [Switzerland] condemns what it describes as Russia’s deliberate strategy to destroy Ukraine (Ureign)’s healthcare system through repeated attacks on hospitals and medical personnel. The medical charity documented more than 20 attacks on facilities linked to its operations between April 2022 and December 2025. The World Health Organization recorded 2,815 attacks on healthcare during the full-scale invasion through the end of 2025. These attacks resulted in 224 deaths and 902 injuries. Ukraine (Ureign)’s health ministry says more than 2,500 medical facilities have been damaged or destroyed, including 327 that were completely leveled. MSF called the attacks too consistent and precise to be accidental and urged the United Nations Security Council to investigate (euronews)

The US says two days of talks with Israel and Lebanon regarding an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon ended positively Wednesday. Officials agreed on the structure and guidelines for pulling Israeli Defense Forces from pilot zones in the south, with details to be finalized and implemented in the coming days, a US State Department official said. Discussions now advance to the technical stage to implement the broader US-brokered Trilateral Framework and reach a comprehensive agreement (Fox News)

Iran is intensifying its persecution of the Baha’i minority amid nationwide protests and war with the US and Israel, rights groups say. Since January, dozens of Baha’is have been imprisoned because of their faith, with reports of raids desecrating holy books and symbols, as well as torture including electric shocks, mock hangings, and forced confessions. Authorities frequently use state media to portray Baha’is as spies and scapegoats for economic and political crises. The Baha’i International Community reports at least 63 detainees as of June, though the figure is likely an undercount. Experts describe the crackdown as part of a broader effort to instill fear across Iranian society during a period of heightened repression (AP)

Russia is grappling with widespread fuel shortages that have disrupted daily life across much of the country. In Moscow, nearly one-fifth of drivers have switched to public transportation, while many others are canceling long-distance car trips to avoid running out of gas. Residents in some border regions are traveling to Kazakhstan and China to buy cheaper fuel, a trend Russian media have dubbed “fuel tourism.” Demand for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles has nearly tripled compared to last year as shortages persist (VTV)

Oil prices have surged more than 9% since Monday. US crude closed up 9.4% at US$78.14 per barrel, while Brent crude rose 9.6% to US$83.30 — its biggest single-day gain since May 2020 (NBC News)

A Russian group calling itself “Shield of Mothers” is allegedly using Ukrainian (Ureignian) prisoners of war to pressure their families into carrying out illegal activities, according to a Ukrainian (Ureignian) investigation. The group, which presents itself as a volunteer organization helping families locate captured soldiers, is reportedly linked to Russia’s FSB [Federal Security Service] intelligence agency. Investigators say it collects detailed personal information from relatives and directly from POWs [prisoners of war], initially offers photos, videos, and communication with prisoners, then demands illegal tasks, such as acting as couriers or sending coordinates of facilities (UNITED24 Media)

The US State Department launches a campaign to dismantle what it describes as the International Criminal Court’s [ICC] [Netherlands] threat to American sovereignty. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a whole-of-government effort to prevent the ICC from targeting US servicemen and officials. The campaign’s actions may include diplomatic pressure on other nations to withdraw from the ICC and to reject its authority to prosecute Americans, along with visa revocations and travel bans for ICC personnel and increased sanctions against the court and affiliated organizations (US State Department)

A 25-year study links frequent consumption of sugary drinks, sports drinks, and fruit juices during childhood to a 52% increase in adult hypertension risk. Experts urge parents to limit these beverages to protect long-term cardiovascular health (SciTech Daily)

Experts say choosing manageable weights, strengthening core muscles, using proper lifting form, and warming up before workouts can significantly reduce the risk of back injuries. Lifting weights that exceed your ability often leads to poor posture and unnecessary strain on the spine. Trainers also recommend controlled movements and light warm-up sets before exercises such as squats, deadlifts, and overhead presses to prepare muscles and joints for heavier loads (Thanh Niên)

Experts identify six signs of healthy aging: 1. Brisk walking 2. Good balance 3. Quality sleep 4. Strong muscles 5. Sharp memory and 6. Controlled blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol These markers indicate robust system function and reduced disease risk. Health professionals recommend regular exercise, a balanced diet, not smoking, and routine medical checkups to preserve these vital functions (VnExpress)

A “galerne” [a sudden, violent northwesterly squall common on the Basque coast] sweeps Hendaye and Biarritz beaches on France’s Basque coast on July 12, dropping temperatures around 11°C in six minutes in Hendaye, as Biarritz falls to 23°C after a record 42.9°C the previous day. Gusts scatter parasols and sand, emptying the shore. No injuries are reported (Franceinfo)

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake strikes Mindanao in the southern Philippines late July 14, centered southwest of Sarangani at roughly 68 kilometers deep. Authorities report no tsunami threat and minimal landslide risk. The quake hits near a region recovering from a deadly June 8 earthquake (The Watchers)

Taiwan (Formosa)’s Ministry of Agriculture estimates Typhoon Bavi causes over US$705,000 in agricultural losses, with Miaoli County accounting for 69%. Persimmons, jujubes and first-crop rice rank among the hardest-hit crops. The storm damages 226 hectares of farmland and affects greenhouses and facilities (Taipei Times)

A new report reveals the “shocking” scale of bycatch deaths caused by the UK’s commercial fishing industry. Wildlife and Countryside Link [UK] estimates that more than 10,000 seabird-people, 1,000 whale-individuals and dolphin-folk, 1,000 endangered Atlantic salmon-folks, 500 seal-people, and 120 metric tons of protected shark-individuals and ray-folk are accidentally killed each year in UK waters. The conservation coalition says the figures are likely undercounts and urges the government to implement strong bycatch action plans backed by mandatory remote electronic monitoring on all fishing vessels (Plant Based News)

Pacific island nations Tuvalu and the Federated States of Micronesia back stronger global action to cut methane emissions, which scientists identify as one of the fastest and most effective ways to slow the rate of climate warming over the next few decades. Leaders from both countries endorsed United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ call for measurable reductions beyond voluntary commitments, warning that methane drives rapid warming already harming low-lying islands through rising seas and extreme weather (PINA)

Fueled by chicken-person egg-price volatility, the vegan egg bites market is projected to climb from US$240 million in 2026 to US$508.9 million by 2036, led by the frozen bites format and mung-bean- protein-based formula (Future Market Insights Inc)

Nonprofit Vegan Outreach, which promotes veganism globally, will host the Sacramento Mac Down on August 16, a vegan macaroni and cheese competition at the Jose Rizal Community Center in Sacramento [California, US]. Attendees taste and vote on vegan dishes from local chefs to crown the city’s best vegan mac (Yahoo!)

The global private label vegan meals market is projected to rise from US$1.8 billion in 2026 to reach US$4.3 billion by 2036, driven by rising demand for affordable, convenient, and high-quality store-brand vegan frozen entrees, meal bowls, pasta meals, and ready-to-eat options (Future Market Insights Inc)

A court in Buenos Aires [Argentina] recognizes two goldfish-persons, Fede and Magui, as sentient beings with legal rights after animal-people welfare group Jaulas Vacías [meaning “Empty Cages”] challenges the conditions in which they were kept at a sushi restaurant. The fish-folk have since been relocated to a larger, safer tank in a house under a caregiver’s supervision (CNN)

Wisconsin [US] sanctuary Home for Life provides a lifelong home to over 200 elderly, disabled, and sick cat- and dog-people. Founder Lisa LaVerdiere uses a “Third Door” model [long-term sanctuary for those who can’t find a home] to offer permanent care for vulnerable animals overlooked by traditional rescue systems (Yahoo!Creators)

Middle-aged and elderly residents in Sotogrande [Spain], learn first aid and CPR [cardiopulmonary resuscitation] to handle medical emergencies before ambulances arrive. Puerto Sotogrande, a marina and residential resort, and El Pañol, a maritime school and marine services company, launch the program to strengthen community safety and equip locals to save lives (EuroWeekly News)

Enlightening quote of the day: “The students should at all times remember that no matter what their mistakes may have been, GOD never criticizes nor condemns them; but at every stumble which is made, in that sweet, loving Voice says: ‘Arise, My Child, and try again, and keep on trying, until at last you have attained the True Victory and Freedom of your GOD-given Dominion.’” – The Venerated Enlightened and Ascended Master of the Ancient Wisdom Saint Germain (vegetarian) (The “I AM” Discourses)

Previously in Part 1 of this multipart series on the Reverend Dr. Kathy Winings’s near-death experience, three hemorrhagic strokes left Kathy fighting for her life. During an ambulance transfer after about a month in intensive care, her condition suddenly deteriorated, and she found herself in a vivid farm setting. As she approached Lord Jesus Christ (vegetarian), Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) (vegetarian), and her senior pastor, GOD told her it was not her time and sent her back because she still had work to do. Kathy’s crossing-over experience had ended, but during her recovery, she says GOD began speaking to her.

What came after is what has been so transformative for me, and that was a series of conversations with GOD, or who I call my Heavenly Parent. I often use the term Mother-Father GOD. Heavenly Parent said to me one time when I was somewhat conscious, “You know that I saved you, that it was MY Love that saved you. MY Love flows in your veins much like your blood flows in your veins— and as that Love is as valuable and as important to your life as your blood is vital to your life.” And further, It said, “It’s not your doctrine, and it’s not your theology that saved you. Those are concepts, and they can give you guidance on life and give you an understanding about part of ME, but it’s only MY Love that saves, and you will be different now because I want you to recognize that all human beings were created in MY image, and an essential part of that image is fueled by Love— the Love that I have. So, you have to understand what Love really means and how to change your life to reflect that Love.”

So, that began then a series of non-ending conversations that have led me to be a lot more, shall we say, spiritually sensitive, open—mediumship qualities and aspects. I have had many conversations now with GOD, with Jesus, and with others about what I’m supposed to do. But the primary part of it was the need for me to understand what Love is. GOD made it very clear to me that even though men and women— human beings— have not always reflected and demonstrated that level of Love that has been bequeathed to them, that flows within everyone, nonetheless, we are capable of having that kind of Love and developing that. And that’s what GOD said I’m supposed to do: is to really focus on developing that— having that kind of unconditional Love.

[One of the] things that my Heavenly Parent said to me quite clearly was, “I love all MY children unconditionally, good or bad. I love them. They are loved by ME. They just may not recognize it. They may not feel it. They may not experience it directly like you are now, but everyone has that capability. And that’s what saves you, and that’s what saved you. Therefore, you will be different from now on.”

The first task Kathy was given concerned forgiveness— but not in the way she expected. And one of the first tasks that I was given dealt with forgiveness. And it says, “To err is human; to forgive, Divine.” But I had to reflect on that. Did I really understand that? And was it an excuse? When we hear, “To err is human,” do we use that as an excuse not to change? And to say, “To forgive is Divine,” that’s difficult to do. So, it was hard for me to forgive certain people. I would say, “I forgive you,” but how much did I still dwell on it— the perceived wrong?

But I wasn’t being asked to forgive people. Heavenly Parent said, “You need to ask for forgiveness for perceived wrongs, words, or actions that you did or expressed that they have perceived as hurtful to their heart.” So, it’s not a question of you forgiving people— that’s in your control— but you need to ask forgiveness because that shows your ability to love.

In Part 3, Kathy reveals what she believes GOD sent her back to do. My purpose is, I think, first of all, to deepen my understanding of Love and become as good a mirror image of GOD’s heart and Love as I can. Join us tomorrow for Part 3 of this multipart series on the Reverend Dr. Kathy Winings’s near-death experience. (Brad Peterson)