While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Sept 14, 2025
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Romanian Defence Minister Ionut Mosteanu said F-16 pilots came close to taking down a drone on Sept 13, before it left national airspace towards Ukraine.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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Jets scramble as drone breaches Romania’s airspace
Romania scrambled fighter jets on Sept 13 when a drone breached the country’s airspace during a Russian attack on Ukrainian infrastructure near the border, the defence ministry said.
Defence Minister Ionut Mosteanu said the F-16 pilots came close to taking down the drone as it was flying very low before it left national airspace towards Ukraine.
A threat of drone strikes also prompted Poland to deploy aircraft and close an airport in the eastern city of Lublin on Sept 13, three days after it shot down Russian drones in its airspace with the backing of aircraft from its Nato allies.
Romania, a European Union and Nato state which shares a 650km border with Ukraine, has had Russian drone fragments fall onto its territory repeatedly since Russia began waging war on its neighbour.
US’ Rubio heads to Israel amid tensions
PHOTO: REUTERS
US President Donald Trump’s top diplomat, Mr Marco Rubio, headed to Israel on Sept 13, amid tensions with fellow US allies in the Middle East over Israel’s strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar and expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Speaking to reporters before departure, Mr Rubio reiterated that the US and President Donald Trump were not happy about the strikes.
Mr Rubio said the US relationship with Israel would not be affected, but that he would discuss with the Israelis how the strike would affect Mr Trump’s desire to secure the return of all the hostages held by Hamas, get rid of the militants and end the Gaza war.
Explosion in Madrid bar injures 25, three seriously
PHOTO: REUTERS
An explosion gutted a bar in Madrid on Sept 13 injuring 25 people, three of them seriously, Spanish authorities said, while ruling out more victims being trapped under rubble.
Firefighters were clearing debris at the premises in the capital’s Vallecas neighbourhood, Madrid emergency services announced on X, sharing footage of the bar’s partially collapsed ceiling and bricks strewn on the ground.
Doors had been ripped off their hinges, with shards of glass scattered on the road outside, while first responders whisked away a victim on a stretcher.
Kirk allies warn Americans: Mourn him properly or else
PHOTO: REUTERS
After the fatal shooting of right-wing influencer Mr Charlie Kirk, Republicans have a warning for Americans: Mourn him respectfully or suffer the consequences.
Over the past several days, Democratic and Republican leaders have widely condemned the murder of Mr Kirk, a 31-year-old activist and Trump world celebrity known for his hard-right views and pugnacious debating style.
A smattering of commentators – including ordinary people joking about and sometimes celebrating Mr Kirk’s death to lawmakers and pundits dwelling on his history of bigoted rhetoric – has also surfaced, only to be targeted in organised campaigns.
Tottenham deepen West Ham’s woes with 3-0 win
PHOTO: REUTERS
Tottenham Hotspur cruised to a comprehensive 3-0 win over West Ham United on Sept 13 to leave the home side languishing in the Premier League bottom three, with the Hammers suffering another blow as midfielder Tomas Soucek was sent off for a dangerous tackle.
Christian Romero had the ball in the net for Spurs with a header from a corner in the 19th minute, but the goal was immediately ruled out by referee Jarred Gillett for a push in the build-up, with the VAR confirming his decision as correct.
With Tottenham sensing weakness, the West Ham penalty area resembled a wrestling ring at every set piece and they could have easily have conceded a penalty for some over-zealous grappling as they struggled to keep track of the Spurs players.
