While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Sept 1, 2025
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Houthi fighters participate in a protest against Israel in Sana'a, Yemen, on Aug 29.
PHOTO: EPA
Yemen’s Houthi rebels raid UN premises, detain at least 11 workers in Sanaa
The United Nations said Yemen’s Houthis detained at least 11 workers on Aug 31 in raids on UN premises, which came after rebel authorities had made numerous arrests following Israel’s killing of their prime minister.
There has been no comment from Houthi authorities on the reported raids, but the group has previously arrested international aid workers.
The United Nations envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, said in a statement: “I strongly condemn the new wave of arbitrary detentions of UN personnel today in Sanaa and Hodeida... as well as the forced entry into UN premises and seizure of UN property.”
He said that “at least 11 UN personnel were detained” and demanded that they be “immediately and unconditionally” released.
Hospitalised Thai princess recovering after blood infection, says palace
The Thai king’s eldest daughter, who has been gravely ill in hospital for more than two years, is recovering after suffering a blood infection this month, the palace said on Aug 31.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol has been unconscious in hospital since falling ill during a military dog training session in December 2022.
She suffered a severe infection in the bloodstream in August and was receiving continuous treatment to stabilise her blood pressure, according to the palace.
Von der Leyen says Europe is drawing up ‘precise’ plans to send troops to Ukraine
Europe is drawing up “pretty precise plans” for a multinational troop deployment to Ukraine as part of post-conflict security guarantees that will have the backing of US capabilities, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the Financial Times in an interview published on Aug 31.
“President Trump reassured us that there will be (an) American presence as part of the backstop,” Dr von der Leyen told the FT, adding that “That was very clear and repeatedly affirmed.”
The deployment is set to include potentially tens of thousands of European-led troops, backed by assistance from the US, including control and command systems and intelligence and surveillance assets, the report said, adding that this arrangement was agreed at a meeting between US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and senior European leaders in August.
Political standoff in US intensifies over Trump’s plans for Chicago crackdown
A political standoff over US President Donald Trump’s plan to crack down on crime and illegal immigration in Chicago intensified on Aug 31 as a top administration official promised to deploy more federal officers and the Democratic governor of Illinois portrayed Mr Trump as a threat to democracy.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told CBS News' Face the Nation that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Chicago and other parts of the country would be bolstered, but declined to provide details. Ms Noem said Mr Trump would make any decision to deploy National Guard troops.
On the same programme, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said Mr Trump wanted to deploy troops so that he could halt or manipulate US midterm elections in 2026.
Shi downs Kunlavut to win first badminton world title, Yamaguchi takes women’s crown
World number one Shi Yuqi of China fought from behind to beat Thai reigning champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the men’s singles badminton world championship final on Aug 31, while Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi beat Chen Yufei of China in the women’s showpiece.
Shi outlasted Kunlavut 19-21, 21-10, 21-18 after one hour and 17 minutes on court in Paris to claim his first world championships crown.
“People often perceive me as performing better in team events. But in individual competitions, I always give my utmost effort,” Shi told reporters.
