While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Sept 20, 2025
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A Russian MIG-31 fighter jet flying above the Baltic sea after violating Estonian air space on Sept 19.
PHOTO: AFP
Russian jets enter Estonia’s airspace in Nato test
Three Russian military jets violated Nato member Estonia’s airspace for 12 minutes on Sept 19 in an “unprecedentedly brazen” incursion, its government said, the latest in a series of recent military actions by Russia that have rattled the alliance.
With tensions already high because of the war in Ukraine, the incursion came just over a week after more than 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace on the night of Sept 9-10. That prompted Nato jets to down some of them and Western officials to say Russia was testing the alliance’s readiness and resolve.
It also occurred three days after Russia and Belarus ended their “Zapad-2025“ joint military exercises, which included the rehearsal of the launch of Russian nuclear weapons.
Tallinn said the three MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace without permission and stayed for a total of 12 minutes before they were forced to withdraw, a period during which the high-speed aircraft could have traversed broad swathes of the country.
Trump to impose $130,000 fee for H-1B worker visas
US President Donald Trump plans to impose a new US$100,000 (S$130,000) application fee for H-1B worker visas, a White House official said, potentially dealing a big blow to the technology sector that relies heavily on skilled workers from India and China.
As part of his broader immigration crackdown, the Republican president was expected to sign a proclamation as early as Sept 19 restricting entry under the H-1B visa programme unless the application fee is paid, the official said.
The H-1B programme has become critical for technology and staffing companies who rely on foreign workers to fill a variety of technical roles.
Trump admin places new restrictions on Harvard
President Donald Trump’s administration escalated its campaign against Harvard University on Sept 19 by placing new restrictions on the Ivy League school’s ability to access federal funds for student aid, citing concerns about the “financial position” of the oldest and richest university in the United States.
The US Department of Education said it had placed Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Harvard on “heightened cash monitoring” status, a shift from the typical practice that will force it to use its own funds to disburse federal student aid before drawing down funds from the department.
The department is also seeking to have Harvard post a letter of credit for US$36 million (S$41 million) to ensure its financial obligations are met. In a letter, it said recent events raised concerns about Harvard’s finances, citing its decision to issue bonds and conduct layoffs amid its conflict with the White House.
Macron, wife to present ‘scientific’ evidence in lawsuit
Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron will offer “scientific” evidence and photos proving that France’s first lady is a woman, the lawyer representing them in a US lawsuit said on Sept 19.
Attorney Tom Clare said the Macrons planned to testify in their case against conservative American commentator Candace Owens, whom the plaintiffs accuse of helping fan online rumours about whether the French president’s wife is a transgender woman.
“There will be expert testimony that will come out, that will be scientific in nature, that will also demonstrate the falsity of the statements,” Mr Clare said in an interview on the BBC.
Trump admin plans $8b in weapons sales to Israel
The Trump administration is seeking congressional approval to sell Israel US$6.4 billion (S$8.2 billion) in support equipment and weapons including attack helicopters and troop carriers, people familiar with the matter said on Sept 19.
Israel’s military said it had expanded operations in Gaza City on Sept 19 and bombarded Hamas infrastructure, while displaced Palestinians traumatised by the advance said they had no means to flee.
The news of the proposed sale came days before world leaders were set to gather in New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly next week, which the UN Security Council is also due to hold a high-level meeting on Gaza.
