HOOK WEEKLY NEWS WRAP | 25.07.25
DEATH TOLL IN THAILAND-CAMBODIA CLASHES RISES TO 14
At least 14 people have died after cross-border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia erupted on Thursday. And these are just the Thai figures, as Cambodia hasn’t confirmed any casualties yet. Bangkok says that more than 100,000 people have been evacuated from its border provinces and moved to shelters. Cambodians have been fleeing from border areas as well. The latest clashes between the two southeast Asian nations began early on Thursday. Troops from both nations exchanged gunfire, each accusing the other of firing first. Cambodia fired rockets and artillery at Thailand. Thailand launched airstrikes targeting military installations in Cambodia. China, the EU and the US have all called for de-escalation.
CHINA BEGINS CONSTRUCTING MEGA-DAM ON BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER
China has begun construction on a mega-dam along the Brahmaputra/ Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet. Chinese Premier Li Qiang attended the project’s groundbreaking ceremony in Tibet. The dam and its hydropower stations are expected to cost over $160 billion. It is projected to supply 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, making it the largest hydro-electric facility in the world. But the project has caused concerns in India. The river known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet is called the Brahmaputra River in India. It flows into the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, and then crosses Assam, before entering Bangladesh. New Delhi is concerned that the Chinese dam could disrupt the flow of water into India, affecting both water and food security. India is also concerned that China may weaponise the dam in the event of a conflict.
TRUMP ANNOUNCES ‘MASSIVE’ TRADE DEAL WITH JAPAN
Trump says he has reached a trade deal with Japan. He put up a post on his platform, Truth Social. Trump claims that Japan will invest $550 billion into the US. Tokyo will allegedly open its markets to American cars, trucks and agricultural products. And Trump said that Japanese exports to the US would face 15% tariffs, instead of the 25% announced in April.
OZZY OSBOURNE PASSES AWAY AT 76
And finally, the “Godfather of Heavy Metal”, Ozzy Osbourne, passed away this week. He was 76. Ozzy Osbourne passed away less than three weeks after he performed a farewell concert in his hometown of Birmingham in England. Born John Michael Osbourne, the self-styled “Prince of Darkness” joined the band which would become Black Sabbath in 1967. Ozzy Osbourne had reunited with his original Black Sabbath bandmates for his final concert this month.
