While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Oct 21, 2025
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US President Donald Trump and Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said part of the agreement had to do with processing of the minerals.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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Trump, Australia’s Albanese sign critical minerals agreement, discuss submarine deal
US President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a rare earths and critical minerals agreement on Oct 20 aimed at ensuring a steady supply of the materials at a time when China is trying to tighten control over global supply.
As they met at the White House for their first summit, Trump said the deal had been negotiated over four or five months. Albanese described it as an US$8.5 billion (S$10.99 billion) pipeline “that we have ready to go.”
The full terms of the agreement were not immediately available. The two leaders said part of the agreement had to do with processing of the minerals. Albanese said both countries will contribute US$1 billion over the next six months for joint projects.
Trump says Hamas will be ‘eradicated’ if they breach Gaza deal
PHOTO: SAHER ALGHORRA/NYTIMES
US President Donald Trump said Oct 20 that he would give Hamas a chance to honour the Gaza truce deal with Israel, but warned the group would be “eradicated” if it fails to do so.
“We made a deal with Hamas that they’re going to be very good, they’re going to behave, they’re going to be nice,” Mr Trump told reporters at the White House as he hosted Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“And if they’re not, we’re going to go and we’re going to eradicate them, if we have to. They’ll be eradicated, and they know that.”
Ukraine’s Zelensky to attend allies meeting in London on Oct 24, says Macron
PHOTO: AFP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend a meeting of Ukraine’s allies known as the “coalition of the willing” in London on Oct 24, French President Emmanuel Macron said, as Kyiv tries to bolster support in its war against Russia.
“This Friday, we will have a meeting of the coalition of the willing - partly virtual and partly in-person - in London, and President Zelensky will be there,” Macron said on Oct 20, speaking to journalists in Slovenia.
The so-called “coalition of the willing” - put together by France and Britain in February - has held talks for months at various levels to try to define plans for what they could contribute militarily for Ukraine and to deter Russia from attacking it again once there is a final truce.
Sinner opts out of Davis Cup, Alcaraz to represent Spain
PHOTO: REUTERS
Jannik Sinner has decided not to take part in this year’s Davis Cup Finals with reigning champions Italy confirming his absence in Oct 20’s team announcement, while world number one Carlos Alcaraz will represent Spain at next month’s competition.
Sinner, ranked number two in the world, led Italy to a successful defence of their title last year in Spain, but will not be on home soil when the Final 8 takes place in Bologna from November 18-23.
“Jannik Sinner has not given his availability for 2025,” Italian captain Filippo Volandri said.
Apple closes in on US$4 trillion valuation as data shows strong demand for iPhone 17
PHOTO: REUTERS
Apple shares surged to an all-time high on Oct 20, with the iPhone maker close to becoming the third company to hit a US$4 trillion (S$5.17 trillion) market valuation as data showed strong momentum for the latest iPhone.
Data from research firm Counterpoint showed the iPhone 17 series outperformed its predecessor in early sales in China and the United States, with the newer models out-selling the iPhone 16 series by 14 per cent during their first 10 days of availability in the two countries.
Apple shares jumped 4.2 per cent to US$262.9, giving it a market capitalisation of about US$3.9 trillion and making it the second most valuable company in the world after AI-chip giant Nvidia.
