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China’s exports and imports fall in August as weak global demand keeps its economy under pressure

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:26 GMT

HONG KONG (AP) — China’s exports and imports both fell in August from a year earlier, reflecting tepid global demand that is adding to pressures on its slowing economy.Customs data released Thursday showed exports for August slumped 8.8% to $284.87 billion in the fourth straight month of decline. Imports slid 7.3% to $216.51 billion.The total trade surplus fell to $68.36 billion from $80.6 billion in July.Chinese leaders have in rolled out various policy measures to shore up the economy after the country’s rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic fizzled earlier than expected.The central bank has eased borrowing rules and and cut mortgage rates for first-time home buyers while providing some tax relief measures for small businesses.So far, the authorities have avoided large-scale stimulus spending or broader tax cuts.Demand for Chinese exports weakened after the Federal Reserve and central banks in Europe and Asia began raising interest rates last year to cool inflation that w...

Trudeau visits Singapore to promote Canadian businesses, products

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:26 GMT

SINGAPORE — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is continuing his tour of the Indo-Pacific region this week with a visit to Singapore to promote Canadian business and products.His two-day visit is expected to include meetings with business leaders in the region, as well as meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.Trudeau is in Asia this week to promote trade as well as Canadian energy and products, meeting with Indo-Pacific leaders and attending two summits.The visit to Singapore comes after a stop in Jakarta, Indonesia, where Canada launched a strategic partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.The partnership is considered a symbolic gesture that reflects Canada’s expanded presence in the Indo-Pacific region, with Trudeau saying it shows the progress being made on a free-trade agreement with the 10 countries in ASEAN.This weekend he will head to India for the G20 leaders’ summit in New Delhi.This report by The Canadian Press was first published...

In Southeast Asia, Harris says ‘we have to see the future’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:26 GMT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — It took more than a day of flying, including two refueling stops, for Vice President Kamala Harris to reach this year’s summit of Southeast Asian countries. And once she arrived, she had less than eight minutes of public speaking time during two meetings. But in Jakarta’s cavernous convention center, adorned with billowing flowers and tropical plants for the occasion, Harris saw an opportunity to shape the future of United States foreign policy. In an interview with The Associated Press, the vice president said that Washington must “pay attention to 10, 20, 30 years down the line, and what we are developing now that will be to the benefit of our country then.”For her, that means working in Southeast Asia. Two-thirds of its population is under 35 years old. It’s the fourth-largest market for U.S. exports. One-third of global shipping travels through the South China Sea.“Think about it,” Harris said. This was her third trip to Southeast Asia since...

Southern California man survives 5 days trapped in ravine after crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:26 GMT

A Southern California man who crashed his truck into a steep ravine recalls the terrifying ordeal and surviving five days without food or water.The crash left 68-year-old Calvin Smith trapped and severely injured in a Kern County backcountry area on Aug. 29.As Calvin was driving to his home in Ridgecrest that day, his truck suddenly went over an embankment and fell down about 100 feet into a grassy ravine below.Calvin was ejected out the window during the impact and suffered a broken back and ribs. Unable to move, he lay there, praying he would soon be found.“I was terrified,” Calvin recalled. “I kept asking God, saying, ‘Please don’t let me die out here.’ It was ice cold at night and burning hot during the daytime.”A Southern California man who crashed his truck into a steep ravine recalls the terrifying ordeal and miraculously surviving five days without food or water on Aug. 29, 2023. (Kern County Fire Department)A Southern California man who crashed his truck into a steep ravine...

Vigil held for 3 killed in Cook's Corner mass shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:26 GMT

Nearly 200 people attended a vigil at Library of the Canyons in Orange County to sing, pray and remember the lives of three people tragically killed when a gunman opened fire at Cook’s Corner bar two weeks ago in Trabuco Canyon.  The deadly shooting unfolded on Aug. 23 when retired Ventura police sergeant John Snowling walked directly up to his wife inside the popular bar and grill, and, without saying a word, shot her and a friend, according to witnesses.   He continued “randomly” shooting people both inside and outside the bar, seriously wounding six others, before being fatally shot in a gunfire exchange with seven deputies, Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said at a news conference.  Authorities investigate a deadly shooting at Cook's Corner in Orange County on Aug. 23, 2023. (OnScene.TV)“Nothing will destroy this canyon, Cook’s Corner, the quality of life, this open space,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said at the vigil. &...

Restroom conditions at high school in Long Beach a 'disaster,' students say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:26 GMT

The topic of restroom accessibility and cleanliness at Long Beach Polytechnic High School was front and center Wednesday night at a school board meeting, with several students voicing their concerns over what some say has been an ongoing problem at the largest school in the Long Beach Unified School District.  “I love my teachers. I love my classmates. It’s an amazing place. It’s a historical place,” LBPHS junior Alivia Seard told KTLA.  Seard, who is not short on school spirit, said the campus bathrooms have been a growing problem at the school.  “There are not nearly enough restrooms for over 4,000 students,” she explained. "The restrooms are often locked and if you happen to get to a restroom that isn't locked, the insides are a disaster." The high school junior and several other students spoke out Wednesday night about the situation, demanding that the board take action.  KTLA obtained recent photos of the conditions inside some of the school’s bathrooms, a b...

The 10 most expensive reported home sales in San Jose the week of Aug. 28

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:26 GMT

A house in San Jose that sold for $3.6 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in San Jose in the past week.In total, 18 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $2 million. The average price per square foot ended up at $1,030.The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of Aug. 28 even if the property may have been sold earlier.10. $1.9 million, single-family home in the 1000 block of Mazzone DriveThe 1,895 square-foot detached house in the 1000 block of Mazzone Drive in San Jose has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in August and the total purchase price was $1,900,000, $1,003 per square foot. The house was built in 1979. The house features three bedrooms and two bathrooms.Mazzone Drive9. $1.9 million, single-family residence in the 2200 block of Gunar DriveThe sale of the single family residence in the 2200 block of ...

Piedmont construction workers robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:26 GMT

(KRON) -- Construction workers were robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight in Piedmont on Tuesday, the Piedmont Police Department said. The robbery happened at about 11:40 a.m. in the 200 block of Estates Drive. The suspects backed into a driveway and two people got out of the car, one holding a handgun.The thieves targeted the workers for their tools. The workers gave up the property and were not harmed, per police. The suspects were driving a white Lexus IS 350 with tinted windows. They fled the scene in that car. Anyone with information about this robbery is asked to call PPD at (510) 420-3015.

Robbery suspect targets Boost Mobile stores in Richmond and San Pablo

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:26 GMT

RICHMOND, Calif. (KRON) – Surveillance video shows a robber stealing from a cell phone store in Richmond. That man is still on the loose as of Wednesday. The store owner says the robber targeted not only this store but also another San Pablo store he owns.He is trying to get the word out about this. He says the robbery suspect’s threatening and brazen behavior has left store employees concerned about coming to work.He said the robbery suspect at first pretended to be a customer before threatening to shoot the employee.“He showed her his gun. He walked behind the counter, forced her out of the way, opened the register, took all the money,” said the owner, who identified himself as Richard. Police standoff with armed suspect near SF high school resolved Richard says the thief took $1,000 in cash last Saturday afternoon, leaving store employees feeling alarmed.“People are afraid to go to work,” Richard said. “At the same time, I’m afraid they will get hurt. At first, we thought ...

Oakland 4-year-old killed in bicycle accident

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:26 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) – The Oakland biking community is asking city leaders to do more after a 4-year-old girl was killed in an accident near Lake Merritt. The girl was riding in a child’s seat on the back of her father’s bike on Lakeshore Avenue on Aug. 5 when a driver opened a car door in front of them, causing them to crash. The child died a few days later. Missing Netflix engineer found dead near Golden Gate Bridge The 4-year-old’s aunt says her parents are completely torn apart, and one month after the tragedy, they are still learning how to live without her.A growing memorial sits near Lake Merritt and Hanover Avenue for 4-year-old Maia Correia. The little girl and her father were riding in the bike lane, wearing helmets and trying to stay out of the way of cars when a parked car opened its door and hit the bike. Maia fell and hit her head.George Spies with Traffic Violence Rapid Response says someone called 9-1-1 and paramedics came to the scene.“They checked her out she s...