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News analysis

‘Pandas are cute but US needs rare earth magnets’: Trump-Xi meet so far leaves analysts wanting more

But one noted that when the objective is to stabilise ties under pressure, the optics do matter.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping looking at an image of an autopen signing former US president Joe Biden’s signature in the Colonnade of the White House on Sept 24.

Chinese brands are scarce on Washington’s streets, so are the CEOs in Trump-Xi summit

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HDB reviewing ‘jumbo’ flat scheme after Telok Blangah unit listed for sale at $2.18m

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Najib cannot afford $15.6 million house arrest fine due to frozen accounts: Lawyer

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Wasp venom, crude oil: Britain’s Turner Prize finalists extract art from environment

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Pope heads to France on first state visit in 18 years

Philippines pardons drug mule Mary Jane Veloso repatriated by Indonesia

ST Live: ‘Jumbo’ flat scheme review, Najib seeks jail term halt, US state dinner for Xi

Trending

US-China ties

Asian Games

Semiconductors

Agriculture/farming

AI/artificial intelligence

Shorts
Trump shows Xi photo of Biden’s autopen ‘portrait’

0:21

Trump says Xi ‘loves good granite’ after giving him tour of the White House’s new helipad

0:28

'Friendship forged in blood and fire will surely live on': Xi on China-US history

1:52

Trump gifts Xi bald eagle statue during state dinner at White House

0:28

Trump: US Marines’ use of ‘gung-ho’ comes from US-Chinese cooperation during World War II

1:04

Xi Jinping: China and the US should ensure AI is under human control

0:51

Trump greets Xi at White House, leaders 'twin' in similar outfits

0:32

Supporters of and protesters against Xi Jinping clash amid his arrival in the US

0:25

Halloween Horror Nights 14: Karung guni’s horror house

2:31

Singapore

Monkey business? Macaques play repairmen, strip lampposts on Old Upper Thomson Road

NParks says the incidents are isolated, and that it will continue to monitor the situation. .

The macaques were spotted twisting cylindrical fittings and carrying some away for further “inspection”.

Two people charged in court in separate cases over alleged roles in unauthorised public assemblies

Singapore women’s epee team secure historic medal with semi-final spot at Asian Games

Investment alone not enough for ASEAN firms to capture opportunities: Gan Kim Yong

Asia
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The social media app forcing Japan to take digital privacy more seriously

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‘Semiconductor sector poised to take off in India’: More Singapore firms show interest

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That matcha in your cup? It probably didn’t come from Japan

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India rape cases turn focus back onto women’s safety

Opinion

Greenland deal a boost for US naval strategy

Jonathan Eyal

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Fake AI ads are ruining the online shopping experience

Nicole Chan

How tech firms hope to beat the backlash against ‘pervert glasses’

The Economist

I spent years in prison. Rehabilitation doesn’t end with counselling

Gopal Mahey

Visual stories

Rodeo shows, a ‘$2.5 trillion photo’ and gaffes: A history of Chinese leaders’ visits to the US

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Nepal’s towns in ruins: What it will take to rebuild after massive flood

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Keys to the past: National Museum’s revamped Singapore History Gallery reopening on Oct 10

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Indonesia needs to grow more rice, corn and sugar. Can its forests survive?

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The haze is back in Singapore. How does it compare with previous years?

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The sound of an identity: What makes the Singaporean accent unique?

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The future of play: How new guidelines are transforming Singapore’s playgrounds

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Anak Krakatau eruption: Where flights are being disrupted

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Mapping the 5.0-magnitude quake in China

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Nepal flood: What we know so far

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Podcasts
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The Usual Place Podcast

Watch: Does AI pose an existential threat to humanity?
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In Your Opinion Podcast

Can money buy love for reading? Gwee Li Sui on our results-oriented culture
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Headstart On Record Podcast

High anxiety, spiking cortisol: it’s tough making friends as an adult, is it worth the trouble?
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Asian Insider Podcast

BRICS is growing, but will it really challenge the US-led world order?
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Headstart
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Money Mentor
Work Bestie
Life Guide
About Headstart

askST Jobs: How to tell if you’re being micromanaged or closely supervised. What’s the difference?

Micromanagement can limit autonomy, but employees may be able to regain it by building trust.

There is a difference between a boss who checks in on employees and one who constantly hovers like a “helicopter parent” over them.

Headstart On Record Podcast

High anxiety, spiking cortisol: it’s tough making friends as an adult, is it worth the trouble?

Unpopular advice for fresh grads rejected for jobs: What if it’s not them, but you?

Me & My Money

She built wealth through property, then chose to fund a social enterprise

More young Singaporeans seeking recovery treatment at longevity-related wellness centres and clinics

The red light therapy room at House Longevity studio on Sept 2. House Longevity is among at least eight longevity-centred wellness centres and clinics that have opened here in recent years.

Will cutting down on drinking make me uncool?

ST’s assistant Life editor Clara Lock has reduced her alcohol consumption drastically since April.

Young & Savvy

Why paying $40 a day for silence was my best investment this year

Without the haste that comes with being socially and digitally connected, the writer felt like she had more than 24 hours in a day.

OCBC’s blue-chip plan gains traction with young investors, with 1 in 4 customers now under 35

OCBC head of treasury products and equities Germaine Tan says the growing attention on the STI and Singapore being seen as a safe haven have contributed to the growth of its BCIP.
Most popular

1

Police investigating video of man allegedly trailing female students while wearing smart glasses

2

Companies in S’pore with over 200 employees must have certified HR professional from July 2028

3

Veteran Chinese actor You Benchang, best known for his role as legendary monk Ji Gong, dies at 93

4

Singapore’s labour market has a new vulnerable group – credentialled workers

5

Actress Apple Chan gives birth to second child at 32 weeks via emergency caesarean section

6

Air Canada to axe S’pore’s only non-stop flight to Canada in January 2027

7

Finance manager who lent then boyfriend nearly $359,000 wins lawsuit for repayment

8

Man jailed for abandoning 71 cats in Bukit Panjang flat for two years; nine of them found dead

9

Xi says China and US should be ‘partners rather than rivals’, kicking off three-day state visit

10

COE prices fall across the board; Cat A premium dips to $131,890 after hitting record high on Sept 9

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Systema Smart Ex Power Rechargeable Toothbrush, toothbrushing, gum health

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.