While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Sept 9, 2025
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou giving a speech prior to the vote of confidence at the French National Assembly in Paris.
PHOTO: EPA
Follow topic:
Macron scrambles to find new French PM after Francois Bayrou ousted
President Emmanuel Macron will accept the resignation of Prime Minister Francois Bayrou on Sept 9 after his government was ejected in a confidence vote, with the French leader rushing to find a successor and stave off a new political crisis.
On Sept 8, Mr Bayrou suffered a crushing loss in a confidence vote he had himself called, plunging France into fresh uncertainty and leaving Mr Macron with the task of finding the seventh premier of his mandate.
The French presidency said in a statement that Mr Macron “took note” of the outcome and said he would name a new premier “in the next days”, ending any remaining speculation that the president could instead call snap elections.
Mr Macron will meet Mr Bayrou on Sept 9 “to accept the resignation of his government”, it added.
‘Leave now’, Netanyahu tells Gaza City residents as Israel intensifies assault
PHOTO: AFP
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told residents of Gaza City on Sept 8 to evacuate, as the military ramped up its deadly assault on the Palestinian territory’s largest urban centre.
Israel has been intensifying its bombardment of the city in preparation for an operation to conquer it, despite repeated entreaties from Western nations and aid agencies to stop.
Gaza’s civil defence agency meanwhile said at least 39 people had been killed by Israel, including 25 in Gaza City, on Sept 8.
Murdoch family reaches deal to resolve succession fight over media empire
PHOTO: AFP
The Murdoch family’s epic, decades-long succession battle has reached a multibillion-dollar finale.
Mr Lachlan Murdoch has completed an agreement to secure control of his family’s sprawling media empire for decades to come, the family announced on Sept 8. The deal ensures that the empire’s various outlets, including Fox News, The New York Post and The Wall Street Journal, will remain conservative after his father Rupert’s death.
It is valued at US$3.3 billion (S$4.2 billion), according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations.
Spain, Israel spar after Madrid moves ‘to stop Gaza genocide’
Spain on Sept 8 recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv after Israel’s top diplomat accused premier Pedro Sanchez of antisemitism and barred two government ministers from entry.
The spat came after Mr Sanchez unveiled measures he said aimed to “stop the genocide in Gaza”, marking a new low in relations over the devastating Israeli offensive, launched after an unprecedented Hamas attack in Israel in 2023.
The Socialist prime minister said his government would approve a decree to “consolidate in law” a ban on military equipment sales or purchases with Israel, a measure it had applied since the start of the conflict.
Italy keep World Cup hopes ticking over with crazy 5-4 win over Israel
PHOTO: AFP
Italy prevailed in a whirlwind game to beat Israel 5-4 in their World Cup qualifier in Hungary on Sept 8 after the Italians scored two own goals, twice came from behind and conceded a late equaliser but scrambled a win to stay in the hunt in Group I.
Italy had won their first game under new manager Gennaro Gattuso in a 5-0 home win over Estonia on Sept 5 and, while it was far from a five-star performance on neutral ground away to Israel they somehow came away with the three points.
Italy's victory puts them to second in the group on nine points, ahead of Israel on goal difference with a game in hand, but three points off Norway who have also played four matches.
