Video of US military adjusting red carpet for China’s Xi sparks online backlash

South China Morning Post Thursday 24 September 2026, 04:23 UTC By Alyssa Chen 1 min read

Key Points

A video clip showing uniformed US military personnel on their hands and knees making last-minute adjustments to a red carpet has gone viral online, as President Donald Trump rolled out a lavish welcome for his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews. The 12-second clip, which circulated widely on US social media, captured several service members hurriedly smoothing and cleaning the 30-metre (98 feet) carpet moments before Xi emerged from his aircraft. Chinese officials –...

US (LOCATION) China (LOCATION) Donald Trump (PERSON) Chinese (ORG) Xi Jinping (PERSON) Joint Base Andrews (LOCATION) Xi (PERSON)

Originally published by South China Morning Post Read original →

A New South Wales man has been charged with using cryptocurrency to purchase child abuse material. Detectives executed a search warrant on Wednesday morning at a home in North Albury, where they seized electronic devices, drugs, and other items for forensic examination. Jamie Bell, 29, was arrested and taken to Albury Police Station where he was charged with possessing prohibited drugs, producing and possessing child abuse material, and producing animal sexual abuse material.

ABC Australia 11m ago

Is the EU's electricity ‘diverse’ enough? Renewables slip year-on-year despite huge solar boom

More than half of electricity generated in the EU came from renewable energy sources during the second quarter of 2026, new data shows. The European Union is struggling to reduce its reliance on gas, despite vowing to accelerate the shift to clean, homegrown energy following the war on Iran. New data from Eurostat found that more than half (54.1 per cent) of electricity generated in the EU came from renewable energy sources during the second quarter (Q2) of 2026.

Euronews 12m ago

Live: Lachie Neale appeal to be heard ahead of GF team announcement

Thu, 3 Sept, 8:10 pm, Final score, Dockers 40, Hawks 72 Fri, 4 Sept, 7:40 pm, Final score, Cats 107, Blues 74 Sat, 5 Sept, 3:15 pm, Final score, Swans 141, Lions 88 Sat, 5 Sept, 7:35 pm, Final score, Crows 90, Bulldogs 68 Fri, 11 Sept, 8:10 pm, Final score, Dockers 120, Cats 106 Sat, 12 Sept, 7:35 pm, Final score, Lions 144, Crows 91 Fri, 18 Sept, 7:40 pm, Final score, Swans 71, Dockers 83 Sat, 19 Sept, 5:15 pm, Final score, Hawks 122, Lions 131 Sat, 26 Sept, 2:30 pm, Game not started,...

ABC Australia 13m ago

Montenegro's EU accession bid faces race against time to solve bilateral issues with Croatia

Montenegro's 2028 EU accession timeline is at risk unless it resolves soon its bilateral disputes with Croatia over war crimes, maritime borders, and property claims. Montenegro’s ambitious goal of becoming the EU’s 28th member by 2028 could be jeopardised unless it resolves its outstanding bilateral disputes with Croatia soon. Brussels was forced to postpone a pencilled-in intergovernmental conference with the bloc's "frontrunner" candidate on Tuesday, after Croatia reiterated its...

Euronews 14m ago

Video of US military adjusting red carpet for China’s Xi sparks online backlash

Related Stories

NSW man charged with child abuse offences as police probe crypto use

Is the EU's electricity ‘diverse’ enough? Renewables slip year-on-year despite huge solar boom

Live: Lachie Neale appeal to be heard ahead of GF team announcement

Montenegro's EU accession bid faces race against time to solve bilateral issues with Croatia