Hook News Brief | 18.07.25
DONALD TRUMP DIAGNOSED WITH CHRONIC VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY
US President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI. The White House announced this after Trump’s legs appeared swollen, and apparent bruising on his hand in recent photographs. CVI is not considered a serious health threat. The White House said Trump's case was “benign”, and it was common in people over the age of 70. Trump is 79 years old, and the oldest man to win a US Presidential election.
WSJ RELEASES 2003 TRUMP LETTER TO EPSTEIN
The Wall Street Journal has released a letter, purportedly from Trump to the convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. The letter contained a lewd picture and a note. The note ended with the line, “A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.” Trump is said to have sent this letter to Epstein on his 50th birthday in 2003. On July 7, Trump’s Justice Department backtracked on its pledge to release the so-called “Epstein files”, which are said to contain a list of the sex offender’s clients. Trump has been facing a backlash from some of his supporters over the U-turn.
SWEIDA DEATH TOLL APPROACHES 600
In Syria, the death toll from the sectarian clashes in Sweida has hit 594. This is according to the UK-based war monitor, the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights. The violence began on Sunday, when clashes erupted between Syria’s Bedouin and Druze communities. Syrian government forces joined the Bedouin fighters on Monday, leading to an escalation in bloodshed. The government in Damascus has now withdrawn its forces after pressure from Arab nations and the US. But reports say that Bedouin fighters have launched a new offensive against the Druze community in Sweida. Meanwhile, Israel keeps conducting airstrikes in Syrian territory, purportedly in support of the Druze. Local Syrian media said that Israel launched another attack near Sweida on Thursday.
