While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, April 9, 2025
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said two Chinese citizens had been caught fighting for Russia on Ukrainian territory, in the Donetsk region.
SCREENSHOT, PHOTO: X/@ZELENSKYYUA, REUTERS
Ukraine captures 2 Chinese nationals fighting for Russia
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 8 that Ukrainian troops had captured two Chinese citizens fighting alongside Russian forces, adding Kyiv would demand an explanation from Beijing and a reaction from its allies.
Moscow and Beijing have in recent years boasted of their “no limits” partnership and deepened political, military and economic cooperation since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
“Our military captured two Chinese citizens who fought in the Russian army. This happened on the territory of Ukraine – in the Donetsk region,” Mr Zelensky said, in a post on social media.
“We have the documents of these prisoners, bank cards, and personal data,” Mr Zelensky said, in a post that included a video of one of the alleged Chinese prisoners.
Elon Musk calls trade official Peter Navarro a ‘moron’
PHOTOS: AFP
Billionaire presidential adviser Elon Musk attacked White House trade counsellor Peter Navarro as “dumber than a sack of bricks” as a fight over US President Donald Trump’s tariff regime spilled onto social media on April 8.
In a flurry of posts on his social media platform X, Mr Musk called Dr Navarro “truly a moron” and mocked the trade adviser for in the past citing the work of “Ron Vara” – a fictional expert whose name is an anagram of his own.
The missives were the latest volley in an increasingly bitter spat between the two that broke out after Mr Trump last week announced that he was imposing a minimum 10 per cent tariff on most imports, with additional levies on around 60 countries that have larger trade deficits with the US.
US to take back Panama Canal from Chinese influence
The United States will take back the Panama Canal from Chinese influence, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on April 8 during a visit to the Central American nation.
Mr Hegseth, following talks with Panama’s government, vowed to deepen security cooperation with Panama’s forces and said China would not be allowed to “weaponise” the canal by using Chinese firms’ commercial relationships for espionage.
“Together, we will take back the Panama Canal from China’s influence,” Mr Hegseth said, speaking at a pier renovated with US assistance in Panama City.
Arsenal stun Real Madrid in Champions League
EPA-EFE
Arsenal stormed to a stunning 3-0 win over Champions League holders Real Madrid as Declan Rice’s free-kick masterclass left the Gunners within touching distance of a place in the semi-finals.
Rice scored two majestic free-kicks in the second half of the quarter-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Merino added Arsenal’s third goal before Real’s Eduardo Camavinga was sent off for kicking the ball away in the closing minutes to leave the Spanish giants in disarray.
Meghan reveals pregnancy-related medical complications
REUTERS
Meghan Markle, the wife of Prince Harry, revealed on April 8 that she faced medical complications related to her pregnancy in the debut episode of her new podcast.
In the episode, Markle hosted Bumble dating app founder Whitney Wolfe Herd and said “we both had very similar experiences – though we didn’t know each other at the time – with postpartum, and we both had preeclampsia. Postpartum preeclampsia.”
“It’s so rare and so scary,” said the 43-year-old former actress.
