While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, July 23, 2025
US President Donald Trump said on July 22 that he may visit China soon for a landmark trip to address simmering trade and security tensions between the superpower rivals.
'President Xi has invited me to China, and we'll probably be doing that in the not-too-distant future,' Mr Trump told reporters in the White House's Oval Office.
'A little bit out, but not too distant. And I've been invited by a lot of people, and we'll make those decisions pretty soon.'
Mr Trump and Mr Xi's aides have discussed a potential meeting between the leaders during a trip by the US president to Asia later this year, Reuters has reported, citing two people familiar with the plans.
READ MORE HERE
US will charge 19% tariff on goods from Philippines
US President Donald Trump on July 22 announced a new 19 per cent tariff rate for goods from the Philippines after what he called a 'beautiful visit' by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the White House, saying US goods would pay zero tariffs.
Mr Trump posted the news on his Truth Social media platform after meeting with Mr Marcos in the Oval Office, where he had signalled a deal could be reached during the visit.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
World Trump says US will charge 19% tariff on goods from Philippines, down from 20%
Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat
Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking
Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22
Singapore Singapore, Vietnam agree to step up defence ties, dialogue between leaders
Life Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath's bat-biting frontman turned reality TV star, dies aged 76
Asia Malaysia govt's reform pledge tested as DAP chief bows over unresolved 2009 death of political aide
Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving
'It was a beautiful visit, and we concluded our Trade Deal, whereby The Philippines is going OPEN MARKET with the United States, and ZERO Tariffs. The Philippines will pay a 19 per cent Tariff,' Mr Trump said, calling Mr Marcos a 'very good and tough negotiator'.
READ MORE HERE
France's Foreign Minister visits Ukraine front line
France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on July 22 visited Ukraine's north-eastern front-line region of Kharkiv, where Russia launched a new offensive in 2024.
With a small group of journalists including AFP, Mr Barrot walked through the centre of Kharkiv, which is under constant fire from the Russian forces located some 30km away.
'Russia isn't only leading its war of aggression on the front line. It also deliberately targets civilians, residential areas and businesses to undermine Ukrainian morale,' Mr Barrot said, standing on a rooftop overlooking the city, from where ruined offices and residential buildings could be seen.
READ MORE HERE
Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne dies aged 76
Ozzy Osbourne, frontman of 1970s heavy metal band Black Sabbath, earned his infamy biting the head off a bat on stage and pursuing a drug-fuelled lifestyle before reinventing himself as a loveable if often foul-mouthed reality TV star.
Known to fans as 'The Prince of Darkness' and the 'Godfather of Heavy Metal,' Osbourne has died at the age of 76, the BBC reported, citing a family statement.
The hell-raising singer, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, passed away just over two weeks after playing a farewell concert in his home city of Birmingham, England.
READ MORE HERE
England beat Italy to reach Women's Euro final
PHOTO: REUTERS
Chloe Kelly fired home the rebound from her own penalty to net the winner as England pulled off a stunning comeback to beat Italy 2-1 after extra time on July 22 and reach the Women's European Championship final.
England, who fell behind in the first half but hit back to level in second-half stoppage time, had the better of the chances in extra time, and when Emma Severini pulled down Beth Mead in the box, Kelly grabbed the chance to decide the game.
He first effort was saved but she fired home the rebound to send them through to the final where they will face either Spain or Germany.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Colombia denounces mass deportation of citizens from Ecuador
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Colombians who are deported by the Ecuadorian government line up at the Rumichaca International Bridge in Colombia, July 26, 2025. Colombian Foreign Ministry/Handout via REUTERS BOGOTA - Colombia's Foreign Ministry on Friday criticized Ecuador for deporting large numbers of Colombian citizens without a formal protocol, describing it as a "unfriendly gesture," while Quito said the removals followed legal procedures and upheld human rights standards. On Thursday, the Colombian government reported that authorities in the neighboring country had announced plans to deport Colombians currently imprisoned in various Ecuadorian penitentiaries. "Through diplomatic channels, Colombia has formally lodged its strongest protest against the Ecuadorian government for this unfriendly act, and is currently evaluating appropriate measures in response," the Foreign Ministry said Friday night. The ministry emphasized that Ecuador had taken this action "without implementing any protocol to guarantee the safe, orderly, and respectful transfer of detainees, in line with their human rights." Ecuador's Foreign Ministry said in a statement it had notified Colombia via diplomatic channels of individual deportation proceedings starting July 8, and that the process followed the country's legal framework. Authorities underscored their commitment to due process, citing the issuance of individual rulings and judicial release orders. "Ecuador therefore rejects claims of mass deportations," the ministry said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Woman taken to hospital after car falls into sinkhole on Tanjong Katong Road Singapore Students hide vapes in underwear, toilet roll holders: S'pore schools grapple with vaping scourge Singapore 'I've tried everything': Mum helpless as son's Kpod addiction spirals out of control Singapore NDP 2025: How Benjamin Kheng is whisked from Marina Bay to Padang in 10 minutes by boat, buggy Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 HDB flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Singapore From libraries to living rooms: How reading habits take root in underserved S'pore children Asia Thai-Cambodia clashes spread along frontier as death toll rises Asia Thousands rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur for resignation of PM Anwar Meanwhile, Radio Caracol reported that Amilcar Pantoja, mayor of the Colombian border town of Ipiales, confirmed that around 700 Colombian detainees were being sent across the binational bridge without prior official notice. REUTERS
Straits Times
32 minutes ago
- Straits Times
EU chief von der Leyen heads to Scotland for trade talks with Trump
BRUSSELS/EDINBURGH - EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen headed to Scotland on Saturday ahead of a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday afternoon, commission spokespeople said, as EU officials said the two sides were nearing a trade agreement. Trump, in Scotland for a few days of golfing and bilateral meetings, told reporters upon his arrival on Friday evening that he was looking forward to meeting with von der Leyen, calling her a "highly respected" leader. He repeated his view that there was a 50-50 chance that the U.S. and the 27-member European Union could reach a framework trade pact, adding that Brussels wanted to "make a deal very badly". If it happened, he said it would be the biggest trade agreement reached yet by his administration, surpassing the $550 billion accord agreed with Japan earlier this week. The White House has released no details about the planned meeting or the terms of the emerging agreement. The European Commission on Thursday said a negotiated trade solution with the United States was within reach, even as EU members voted to approve counter-tariffs on 93 billion euros ($109 billion) of U.S. goods in case the talks collapse. To get a deal, Trump said the EU would have to "buy down" that tariff rate, although he gave no specifics. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Woman taken to hospital after car falls into sinkhole on Tanjong Katong Road Singapore Students hide vapes in underwear, toilet roll holders: S'pore schools grapple with vaping scourge Singapore 'I've tried everything': Mum helpless as son's Kpod addiction spirals out of control Singapore NDP 2025: How Benjamin Kheng is whisked from Marina Bay to Padang in 10 minutes by boat, buggy Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 HDB flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Singapore From libraries to living rooms: How reading habits take root in underserved S'pore children Asia Thai-Cambodia clashes spread along frontier as death toll rises Asia Thousands rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur for resignation of PM Anwar EU diplomats say a possible deal between Washington and Brussels would likely include a broad 15% tariff on EU goods imported into the U.S., mirroring the U.S.-Japan deal, along with a 50% tariff on European steel and aluminum. The broad tariff rate would be half the 30% duties that Trump has threatened to slap on EU goods from August 1. It remains unclear if Washington will agree to exempt the EU from sectoral tariffs on automobiles, pharmaceuticals and other goods that have already been announced or are pending. Combining goods, services and investment, the EU and the United States are each other's largest trading partners by far. The American Chamber of Commerce in Brussels warned in March that any conflict jeopardized $9.5 trillion of business in the world's most important commercial relationship. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Nasa says it will lose about 20% of its workforce
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Nasa will lose about 3,900 employees as US President Donald Trump aims to trim the federal workforce. WASHINGTON - The US space agency Nasa will lose about 3,900 employees under Mr Donald Trump's sweeping effort to trim the federal workforce – at the same time as the president prioritises plans for crewed missions to the Moon and Mars. In an emailed statement, Nasa said around 3,000 employees took part in the second round of its deferred resignation programme, which closed late on July 25. Combined with the 870 who joined the first round and regular staff departures, the agency's civil servant workforce is set to drop from more than 18,000 before Mr Trump took office in January to roughly 14,000 – a more than 20 per cent decrease. Those leaving the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on the deferred resignation programme will be placed on administrative leave until an agreed departure date. An agency spokesperson said the figures could shift slightly in the coming weeks. 'Safety remains a top priority for our agency as we balance the need to become a more streamlined and more efficient organisation and work to ensure we remain fully capable of pursuing a Golden Era of exploration and innovation, including to the Moon and Mars,' the agency said. Earlier this year, the Trump administration's proposed Nasa budget put a return to the Moon and a journey to Mars front and centre, slashing science and climate programmes. The White House says it wants to focus on 'beating China back to the Moon and putting the first human on Mars'. China is aiming for its first crewed lunar landing by 2030, while the US programme, called Artemis, has faced repeated delays.
