Friday☕️

Trending:

• On July 24th, 2025, armed conflict erupted between Thailand and Cambodia along their shared border, reigniting longstanding territorial disputes rooted in the 1904 Franco-Siamese Treaty and the 1962 International Court of Justice ruling, which awarded the Preah Vihear Temple to Cambodia while leaving adjacent lands contested. The escalation built from a series of incidents earlier in the year: a February clash at Prasat Ta Muen Thom over Cambodian tourists singing their national anthem, a May skirmish that killed a Cambodian soldier, June's mutual border closures and trade bans, and July landmine explosions—attributed by Thailand to Cambodian forces using Russian PMN-2 mines—that injured Thai troops, leading to ambassador recalls and severed diplomatic ties.

• As of July 24th, 2025, fighting continues in border areas spanning Thailand's Surin, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces and Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces, with artillery exchanges, Cambodian rocket strikes hitting Thai civilian targets like a Sisaket gas station (killing at least eight people), and a hospital, and Thai F-16 airstrikes under "Operation Yuttha Bodin" destroying Cambodian tanks and positions. Casualties include at least 14 deaths, dozens injured, and over 100,000 displaced amid evacuations and sealed borders; Thailand accuses Cambodia of violating the Geneva Convention and Ottawa Treaty, while Cambodia labels the Thai actions as unprovoked incursions and has requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting on July 25th. International responses emphasize de-escalation, with ASEAN nations offering mediation and major powers like the US, China, and Russia urging restraint, as social media amplifies divided narratives and real-time footage of military movements raises concerns of further intensification.

Development:

• On July 23, 2025, energy company TotalEnergies and shipping firm CMA CGM announced a €20 billion ($22 billion) investment to develop significant liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering infrastructure at the Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s busiest maritime center. The initiative includes building a 20,000 cubic meter LNG bunkering vessel, extensive fueling infrastructure, upgraded port handling systems, and expanded LNG storage, with full operations anticipated by 2028.
• The completed facility will supply up to 360,000 metric tons of LNG annually through guaranteed contracts extending to 2040, supporting CMA CGM’s expanding fleet of dual-fuel vessels designed for lower emissions. This major project strengthens Rotterdam’s strategic role as a critical energy and logistics hub for Northern Europe and directly aligns with the tightening International Maritime Organization (IMO) decarbonization targets. As ports worldwide transition toward greener energy solutions, this infrastructure initiative represents one of Europe’s largest LNG maritime developments, reinforcing Rotterdam’s leadership in maritime energy transition logistics.

Social:

• Terry Gene “Hulk Hogan” Bollea, the iconic wrestler who defined 1980s wrestling culture through “Hulkamania,” died on July 24, 2025, at age 71 following cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida, home. Despite over 30 minutes of CPR efforts by paramedics, Hogan was pronounced dead later that morning at Morton Plant Hospital. Hogan’s storied career included headlining eight of the first WrestleMania events, winning six WWE world championships, and later transforming into “Hollywood Hogan,” leading WCW’s groundbreaking nWo faction during wrestling’s famed Monday Night Wars. Post-retirement, he ventured into film, notably in Rocky III, reality TV with Hogan Knows Best, and overcame controversies such as a high-profile legal battle with Gawker and leaked racist remarks. Hogan leaves behind his wife Sky Daily, and his children Brooke and Nick.
• Ozzy Osbourne, legendary vocalist of Black Sabbath and an essential pioneer of heavy metal, passed away at age 76 on July 22, 2025, at his home in Buckinghamshire, England, surrounded by family, following complications from advanced Parkinson’s disease, which he publicly revealed in 2020. Just 17 days earlier, Osbourne delivered his emotional farewell performance with original Black Sabbath bandmates at Villa Park in Birmingham, drawing over 45,000 fans despite being confined to a throne on stage, and raising £140 million for charity. Tributes poured in from notable artists including Elton John, Metallica, Rod Stewart, and Questlove, underscoring Osbourne’s monumental influence on music history and pop culture.

Environment & Weather:

• On July 23, 2025, a major wildfire ignited in a wine-producing region north of Limassol in southern Cyprus, rapidly growing into one of the island's most significant blazes in over 50 years due to a heatwave with temperatures up to 43-44°C (109-111°F), strong winds, and ongoing drought that has reduced the Kouris reservoir to 15.5% capacity. The cause remains under investigation, with some reports and social media discussions suggesting possible arson. By July 24, it had affected at least 100 square kilometers (39 square miles or 24,000 acres), leading to evacuations of hundreds from 14 villages, damage to dozens of homes and vehicles, the deaths of two individuals found in a burned-out car, injuries to at least 10 people (two in serious condition), and the loss of thousands of animals.

• As of July 24, 2025, firefighting operations involve more than 250 personnel, 75 fire engines, and 14 aircraft for aerial water drops, which were suspended overnight but have resumed amid challenges from persistent winds, heat, and active fire fronts with no full containment yet achieved. Visual reports depict flames consuming rural areas, heavy smoke covering communities, and extensive damage, emphasizing the fire's severity and the ongoing requirement for additional resources to limit further impacts.

Sports:

• From July 23 to 24, 2025, notable achievements occurred across several sports. In Major League Baseball, Shohei Ohtani homered for the fifth consecutive game, tying a Dodgers franchise record and reaching 37 home runs for the season. His performance contributed to Los Angeles’s 4–3 victory over Minnesota, secured by Freddie Freeman’s two-run single in the ninth inning. In Philadelphia, Bryce Harper hit his 350th career home run—a 439-foot shot—becoming the eighth active player to reach this milestone, though the Phillies lost 9–8 to Boston in extra innings.

• In the WNBA, the Atlanta Dream defeated the Phoenix Mercury 90–79, with Atlanta’s Allisha Gray scoring a game-high 28 points. Brittney Griner recorded 17 points and 8 rebounds for Phoenix in her first game facing her former team. The Indiana Fever earned an 80–70 upset victory over the Las Vegas Aces, led by Kelsey Mitchell’s 21 points and double-doubles from Natasha Howard and Aliyah Boston. Indiana’s Caitlin Clark remained sidelined indefinitely due to a groin injury.
• In international soccer, the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 finalists were determined. England defeated Italy 2–1 after extra time, with Chloe Kelly scoring the decisive goal in the 119th minute following Michelle Agyemang’s equalizer in stoppage time. Spain also advanced to the final by defeating Germany 2–1 in extra time. The final between Spain and England is scheduled for July 27 in Basel, Switzerland. In golf, Scottie Scheffler won the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, finishing 17-under par for a four-shot victory, claiming his fourth career major and first Open title. Finally, in esports, Gen.G Esports won the League of Legends title at the Esports World Cup, defeating AG.AL 3–2 in the final, extending their winning streak to 26 matches and maintaining their lead in the overall Club Championship standings.

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