DAILY NEWS Stream – September 4, 2026

The United Arab Emirates [UAE] said it intercepted an Iranian drone over its waters on August 31, a day after US and Iranian forces exchanged fire. The UAE said no damage was reported and condemned the incident as a violation of its sovereignty and a threat to public safety (Fox News)

Two supertankers carrying about 2 million barrels of Saudi crude each were struck by unknown projectiles within minutes of one another near the Strait of Hormuz on August 31. No casualties or environmental damage were reported (Fox News)

Yemen’s internationally recognized government said its forces intercepted and destroyed a remotely controlled Houthi explosive boat in the Red Sea on August 31 before it could reach its intended targets. Fighting has intensified in recent weeks, with government forces using drones and artillery against Houthi positions while the Houthis have launched missile and drone attacks on government-held areas and vessels linked to Saudi Arabia (Báo Tin tức)

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on September 1 that Iran would immediately reciprocate if the US returned to its commitments under the June US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding, an interim agreement aimed at ending the war. President Pezeshkian also said Iran remains open to a negotiated solution (Reuters)

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on September 1 that Russia stands in solidarity with the Iranian people and supports their pursuit of national interests. Meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization [SCO] summit in Bishkek [Kyrgyzstan], the two leaders also discussed strengthening bilateral ties. President Putin said Russia and Iran would continue their economic and trade relationship despite the current military and political situation (A News)

Ukraine (Ureign) has reached its target of 14.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas reserves for the 2026–2027 winter season, about a month ahead of schedule. The government says the reserves provide baseline coverage for winter while work continues to protect and decentralize energy infrastructure ahead of possible Russian attacks. Nearly 100,000 residential buildings, 12,400 boiler houses and 11,700 kilometers of heating networks have also been prepared for the heating season (Kyiv Post)

Researchers in Chile have developed therapeutic suits containing copper and zinc to help injured penguin-folk recover after surgery, especially from wounds caused by fishing-net entanglement. The fabric helps protect stitches while the metals inhibit bacteria, fungi and mites, and zinc may also promote faster tissue healing (Reuters)

Eye specialists are warning that people who looked directly at the August 12 solar eclipse without certified solar-viewing glasses or filters could develop solar retinopathy, a form of damage to the retina caused by looking directly at intense sunlight. Symptoms can appear hours or even days later and include blurred or distorted vision, dark spots, changes in color vision, light sensitivity, or reduced vision. Anyone who develops these symptoms should seek prompt advice from an eye doctor, as prolonged exposure can sometimes cause permanent vision damage (Mirror)

A study of 41,000 adults finds that sleeping longer on weekends is associated with a lower risk of high blood pressure. About one hour and 27 minutes of extra weekend sleep is linked to up to a 9% lower hypertension risk, while more than four additional hours may increase the risk of high blood pressure (New York Post)

A large observational study of 17,710 people finds that higher blood levels of xylitol, a low-calorie sugar alternative found in chewing gum, toothpaste, and various foods, are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. The highest levels are linked to 57% greater risk of death, heart attack or stroke over six years and an 18% higher risk over 30 years (Tuổi Trẻ)

Lesotho trains a growing number of male midwives to address shortages in maternal healthcare and help reduce its high maternal mortality rate. The emerging workforce challenges traditional views that midwifery is women’s work, while WHO [World Health Organization] and UNICEF [United Nations Children’s Fund] support expanding the midwifery workforce across Africa (AP)

Flash floods kill two people at Grand Canyon National Park [US], after heavy rain on August 29. The National Park Service says nearly all Bright Angel Creek footbridges are destroyed and the Transcanyon Waterline, which supplies water to the park, is 40% lost. Officials evacuate 82 people; one remains missing (CBS News)

Extreme summer heat costs Spain €17 to €24 billion, or 1 to 1.4% of GDP [Gross Domestic Product], Allianz Research estimates. High temperatures cut labor productivity, damage crops and hit tourism. CaixaBank Research finds tourists who endured the worst heatwaves are about 15% less likely to say they will return (EuroWeekly News)

Coral reefs no longer have time to recover between bleaching events, the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network says. Its report finds global mass bleaching now recurs every five or six years, with high ocean heat due to climate change to blame (Reuters)

A new study suggests agrivoltaic farming — growing crops among solar panels — could make better use of land while helping reduce heat stress for plants and farmworkers. In simulations of a tomato farm, crops under solar panels were up to 7.6 degrees Celsius cooler during peak afternoon heat and lost about 22% less water, while perceived temperatures for farmworkers fell by about 4.5 degrees Celsius. The panels also stayed cooler, helping recover some of the efficiency normally lost in hot conditions (Live Science)

Fifty-year-young Canadian endurance athlete Shawn Stratton (vegan) credits vegan living with fueling his ultramarathon achievements, debunking protein myths while promoting long-term health, animal-people welfare, and simple vegan meal planning (Frank Metivier)

Indian actor Rahul Roy (vegan) attributes his stroke recovery and acting return to lifestyle changes, adopting a strict vegan, Jain-style diet alongside daily medication while preparing for new projects (News18)

Dove Men+Care partners with US National Basketball Association star Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks to promote its vegan, paraben-free Dove Men+Care Plant-Powered Body Wash collection, highlighting natural moisturizers and essential oils for everyday men’s grooming (Happi)

Free mobile dental clinic to serve vulnerable people in Britain. The mydentist Foundation is investing £1 million to expand dental care for homeless individuals and disadvantaged communities. Developed with Dentaid The Dental Charity, the mobile unit will provide essential treatments and screenings, with more than 850 people expected to receive care in its first year (Good News Network)

Eight people, including children, escape safely after rising tides trap them in a coastal cove called Cala dels Testos [Spain]. Civil Protection, police and firefighters conduct an overnight evacuation across steep, slippery terrain, bringing everyone to safety around 12:20 am on August 28. No injuries are reported. Authorities urge caution at remote coastal coves (EuroWeekly News)

In California [US], volunteers rescue climber Rob Martin near Mammoth Lakes after a more than 15-hour technical operation in a precarious gully. A four-person Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team reaches Mr. Martin, who is stranded on a narrow ledge above thousands of feet of vertical exposure (Bangor Daily News)

Enlightening quote of the day: “As long as we regard ourselves superior to others or look down upon the world, we cannot make any real progress.” – Guru Domo Geshe Rinpoche Ngawang Kalsang (vegetarian) Venerated Enlightened Master of Tibetan Buddhism (TibetanBuddhistEncyclopedia.com)

In this multipart series on Ian McCormack’s near-death experience, Christian minister Reverend Ian McCormack shares how he died after being stung by five box jellyfish-people, descended into hell, and then encountered Lord Jesus Christ (vegetarian) in Heaven. In 1982, Ian was 26 and had spent two years surfing around the world. He was living on the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, where he had learned to night dive with local Creole divers. One night, he joined them for another dive. A storm at sea had swept thousands of box jellyfish-people onto the outer reef. During the dive, Ian’s short-sleeve vest left his arms exposed, and five different box jellyfish stung him five separate times. Box jellyfish venom is reportedly 100 times more lethal than a cobra-person’s.

It felt like someone had put molten metal on my arm. It was like thousands of volts of electricity. When the Creole divers saw Ian’s blistered arm, they warned him that a single sting could kill him and that he needed to reach a hospital. They dragged him into their wooden boat and pulled it across the reef into the lagoon, where a young boy took him toward shore. As Ian struggled to breathe, he removed his wetsuit and tried to slow the venom’s spread with a makeshift tourniquet. By the time they reached the beach, his right leg was paralyzed, and the boy had to drag him onto the road. Although Ian pleaded with him to find an ambulance or telephone, the panicked boy began pulling the boat back out to search for the other divers. Left alone in the isolated area, Ian grew increasingly weak and lay down as his eyes began to close.

And I heard an audible voice next to me. It said, “Son, if you close your eyes, you will never awaken again.” I’m going, “What? Who on Earth was that?” So I turned to my right, to where the voice had come from, but there was no one there. I thought, only crazy people hear invisible voices. I had no faith and belief in GOD. I mean, I was a complete atheist. But I found out later, of course, that “My sheep hear My voice.” Well, I was one of the rebellious sheep that was lost. The warning jolted Ian back to full alertness. Supporting himself on his left leg and using his paralyzed right leg like a crutch, he hobbled toward a small gas station, where three taxi drivers initially assumed he was drunk. After Ian showed them his blistered arm and begged to be taken to the hospital, they demanded payment upfront. Because he had no money with him, they walked away and ignored his pleas.

I heard a voice directly behind me, and it was the same man’s voice as I’d heard a minute ago. He said, “Son, are you willing to beg for your life?” I said, “Beg for your life. That’s a brilliant idea.” So, I literally turned around to see where the man was – the invisible man. So, I fell to my knees, lifted my paralyzed hand, and literally bowed my head and begged for my life. And as I’m pleading, for my life I can see underneath my hands two men’s feet walk away, no interest whatsoever. The third one, his feet, I could see the indecision of what his two other taxi friends had done and what I was doing. And I said, “Look, I am deadly serious. I will die in front of you if you don’t help me.” And to my amazement, I saw his feet walk towards me. The third taxi driver finally helped Ian into his car and began racing toward the hospital. Partway there, he asked for Ian’s hotel room number so he could collect his fare. When Ian explained that he was not a tourist staying at a hotel but lived in a bungalow with local Creole friends, the driver became increasingly angry and refused to continue to the hospital. Instead, he drove Ian to a small hotel. By the time they arrived, the venom had paralyzed Ian’s left leg as well, leaving him unable to walk.

In Part 2, Ian’s desperate journey toward the hospital comes to a brutal end. With both legs paralyzed and unable to get out of the taxi by himself, he begs the driver for help— but the man responds by leaving him completely helpless in the hotel parking lot. He leans over, looks me in the eyes, picks my ankles up, and chucks them out of the car, slams the door, throws it into gear, and drives off into the night. I went, “Unbelievable.” Join us tomorrow for Part 2 of this multipart series on Ian McCormack’s near-death experience. (GOD Encounters with Janie DuVall)