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China signs pact with Solomon Islands to boost cooperation on ‘law enforcement and security matters’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:05 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — The Solomon Islands has signed an agreement to boost cooperation with China on “law enforcement and security matters,” in a move likely to raise concerns among the South Pacific island’s traditional partners including Australia, New Zealand and the United States. The agreement, details of which were not immediately released, was contained in a joint statement made public Tuesday following a meeting Monday in Beijing between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. As part of efforts to build a “comprehensive strategic partnership” the sides agreed to: “Enhance cooperation on law enforcement and security matters. The Chinese side will continue to provide support and help to Solomon Islands as needed in strengthening Solomon Islands’ police law enforcement capacity.” Located 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) northeast of Australia, Solomon Islands has been China’s biggest success in a campaign to expand its presence in the South Pacific...

UK wage growth remains strong amid high inflation; unemployment unexpectedly increases

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:05 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Wages in the U.K. are still rising at record highs, official figures showed Tuesday, as inflation remains stubbornly high.The Office for National Statistics said that wages, excluding bonus payments, rose by 7.3% in the three months to May, unchanged over the previous three-month period and matching the highest rate since records began in 2001.The agency’s director of economic statistics Darren Morgan said that due to high inflation “the real value of weekly earnings are still falling, although now at its slowest rate since the end of 2021.”Though inflation has fallen from its peak of over 10% at the end of last year, it remains elevated at 8.7%. The failure of inflation to fall as anticipated has stoked concerns that the Bank of England will continue to raise interest rates in the coming months rather than take a pause. The central bank lifted its main interest rate to a 15-year high of 5% last month, which has led to a sharp increase in mortgage rates.Els...

At least 2 killed as elevated road collapses in Bangkok

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:05 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — At least two people were killed after an elevated road being built in Thailand’s capital collapsed, authorities said Tuesday.Another 11 people were injured in the accident on Monday evening, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipan said in a news conference on Tuesday that one person was killed at the site and another later died at a hospital.Authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse, which occurred on the west side of Bangkok. The elevated road had been under construction since 2020.Chadchart said the debris at the site was being removed after authorities confirmed no one else was still trapped. It could take several days for the rubble to be cleared, he said.Video footage of the moment of the collapse showed a blue metal structure that appeared to be used for holding the concrete slabs suddenly falling and bringing the whole structure down.The construction project was commissioned by Bangkok authorities ...

Here are the best deals of Prime Day so far

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:05 GMT

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.130+ Best deals of Prime Day 2023Amazon Prime Day has begun, so now is the time to shop! The hottest items this year include electronics, kitchen appliances and toys, but you can find huge discounts on robot vacuums, outdoor furniture, TVs, beauty products and more. To help you quickly find the best deal of Prime Day 2023, we’ve curated a list of our favorites.The deals below were last updated on July 11, 2023, at 11:50 p.m. PT. Featured dealsIf you’re looking for the best items in a glance, these products are our favorites for Prime Day. Shark AV1010AE IQ Robot Vacuum 35% OFFIf you get this intelligent robot vacuum, you can forget about cleaning for up to 45 days. It cleans floors and carpets, works with voice or phone commands, and offers faster mapping than the previous model.Sold by AmazonEar and Nose Hair Trimmer Clipper 68% OFFIt is important to always look your best. Wi...

At least 300 migrants missing at sea near Spanish Canary Islands, aid group says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:05 GMT

At least 300 people who were traveling on three migrant boats from Senegal to Spain's Canary Islands have disappeared, migrant aid group Walking Borders said on Sunday.Two boats, one carrying about 65 people and the other with between 50 and 60 on board, have been missing for 15 days since they left Senegal to try to reach Spain, Helena Maleno of Walking Borders told Reuters.A third boat left Senegal on June 27 with about 200 people aboard.The families of those on board have not heard from them since they left, Maleno said.All three boats left Kafountine in the south of Senegal, which is about 1,700 kilometres (1,057 miles) from Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands."The families are very worried. There about 300 people from the same area of Senegal. They have left because of the instability in Senegal," Maleno said.The Canary Islands off the coast of West Africa have become the main destination for migrants trying to reach Spain, with a much smaller number also seeking to cross the M...

Dear Abby: What can I do about my husband’s embarrassing sneeze?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:05 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My husband sneezes really loud and it’s kind of embarrassing. What should I do about this? I told him he should see a doctor because it happens a lot.MARRIED TO A NOISEMAKERRelated ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: My ex-wife says these kids are my grandchildren. I’m not so sure. Advice | Dear Abby: My brother has cut all ties, and I don’t even know what I did Advice | Dear Abby: I don’t want to make my husband jealous but I’m excited about this new hobby Advice | Dear Abby: I don’t want to live like this, but there’s that ‘for better or worse’ thing Advice | Dear Abby: I want a relationship with her, but she doesn’t know she’s my sister DEAR MARRIED: People sneeze for various reasons, not all of them allergy-related. Your husband should discuss it with his doctor because the solution could be something simple.If he’s unwilling,...

Sale closed in Fremont: $1.6 million for a single-family residence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:05 GMT

1986 Mandan Court – Google Street ViewThe spacious property located in the 1900 block of Mandan Court in Fremont was sold on June 2, 2023. The $1,635,000 purchase price works out to $588 per square foot. The house, built in 1978, has an interior space of 2,781 square feet. Outside, the home presents roofing composed of wood shake roofing / shingles materials. Inside, a fireplace enhances the ambiance of the living area. Additionally, the home is equipped with an attached garage. Situated on a spacious 10,095-square-foot lot, the property offers ample outdoor space along with the added bonus of a pool.These nearby houses have also recently been purchased:On Mandan Place, Fremont, in March 2023, a 1,728-square-foot home was sold for $2,000,000, a price per square foot of $1,157. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.In May 2023, a 2,580-square-foot home on Winding Lane in Fremont sold for $2,050,000, a price per square foot of $795. The home has 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.A 1,703-sq...

For the 1st time, every player at the Women’s World Cup will be paid at least $30K

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:05 GMT

A group of players across the globe asked FIFA late last year to increase the prize money for this summer’s Women’s World Cup. There had been pleas from the women to boost those funds before, but this time it was different. The players not only wanted a prize pool equal with the men’s World Cup, they also sought a guarantee that a percentage of the prize money would go directly to the players themselves. While it wasn’t true equity with the men’s World Cup, FIFA indeed raised the prize pool for the women’s tournament by more than three times that of the 2019 event in France. But more than that, soccer’s governing body agreed in June that a chunk of those funds should be paid straight to the players — all 732 of them. Every player will earn at least $30,000, with the amount increasing the further along that teams progress in the tournament. The 23 players in the title-winning squad will each get $270,000.That’s significant for many of t...

World Cup showcases inequity within the women’s game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:05 GMT

As the Women’s World Cup approached, Jamaican players started to panic. They were uncertain about training camps, accommodations and even pay heading into what for many would be the biggest tournament of their careers. So they took to social media. A number of the Reggae Girlz, as they are affectionately known, went public with their concerns, pleading with the Jamaican Football Federation to address “subpar” conditions. The mother of one player took it a step further: She started a GoFundMe page to raise money to make sure the team and the support staff is provided what they need to be successful — such as adequate hotels and compensation. “These girls deserve better. They have proven themselves on an international platform that they belong. And they need support, whether it’s from parents, friends, or fans, to let them know that we see what they’ve accomplished, and we’re proud of them,” said organizer Sandra Phillips-Brower, the mother of midfielder Havana...

EU climate chief doesn’t rule out return to Dutch politics

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:05 GMT

Frans Timmermans, the EU’s Green Deal chief, is leaving open the option of returning to national politics following the resignation of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Asked at a press conference on Tuesday whether he was interested in a return to Dutch politics, the commissioner — a member of the Netherlands’ center-left Labor Party — didn’t say no. “My party and the Green party are holding a referendum that will allow the [party] members to speak out on whether they want to have a joint list and a joint program. Anything I would say now would disturb that process,” he said. “It’s up to the members of both parties to express themselves and then everybody will have to make up their minds about what happens next,” he added.The Netherlands will hold a general election in November following the government’s collapse over migration policy. Rutte on Monday announced his departure from politics after serving 13 years as prime minister and 1...