While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Sept 5, 2025
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) and French President Emmanuel Macron attending a Paris press conference after a meeting of the "coalition of the willing" on Sept 4.
PHOTO: AFP
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France says 26 countries commit to Ukraine security
Over two dozen countries have pledged to take part in a force to be deployed in Ukraine after any peace accord with Russia, aiming to deter Moscow from ever again attacking its neighbour, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Sept 4.
A “reassurance force” for Ukraine is a key pillar of the security guarantees a coalition of mainly European countries want to offer to Ukraine if the war ends via a peace deal or a ceasefire.
However there is also growing concern that Russian President Vladimir Putin is currently showing no interest in a peace accord, with alarm intensifying after his high-profile visit to Beijing this week.
European leaders spoke to US President Donald Trump via video conference after the summit in Paris of the so-called coalition of the willing, hosted by Mr Macron and attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Israel military says it controls 40% of Gaza City
PHOTO: AFP
The Israeli military on Sept 4 said it controls 40 per cent of Gaza City, the largest urban centre in the Palestinian territory which it is preparing to conquer after nearly two years of devastating war.
Israel has intensified in recent days its bombardments of the area of Gaza City, in the territory’s north, ahead of the planned offensive, despite mounting international pressure to halt the campaign.
Gaza’s civil defence agency said Israeli strikes on Sept 4 killed more than 30 people in the city, out of at least 64 Palestinians killed across the Gaza Strip.
UK surgeon jailed for fraud, possessing amputation porn
A UK judge jailed a vascular surgeon on Sept 4 after he admitted making fraudulent insurance claims that involved having his legs amputated following self-inflicted injuries made “in part for sexual gratification”.
The case saw surgeon Neil Hopper also plead guilty to possessing extreme pornographic images, relating to videos by an extreme body modifications website called the EunuchMaker, which depicted genital mutilation.
Judge James Adkin handed Hopper, 49, of Cornwall in south-west England, a 32-month sentence, telling the surgeon he must serve 40 per cent of it behind bars before being considered for parole.
French couple kept panther that roamed rooftops
PHOTO: AFP
A French couple kept Louise, a playful black panther, in an apartment in northern France, triggering panic when she was spotted roaming nearby rooftops.
The pair were handed suspended jail sentences on Sept 4 for illegally keeping a wild animal, despite protesting that they saw Louise as their baby.
The ruling follows a September 2019 incident when the months-old feline was seen roaming a rooftop in Armentieres after slipping out of the couple’s window.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy steps down
PHOTO: REUTERS
Tottenham Hotspur’s long-serving executive chairman Daniel Levy is stepping down from his role after nearly 25 years, the Premier League club announced on Sept 4.
“This is all part of the club’s ambition to ensure that it is set up to deliver long-term sporting success,” the London club said, in a statement on its website.
Levy, known for his tough negotiating style, has often been a source of frustration for fans who blame him for failing to deliver players capable of winning regular silverware.
