hit

Dec. 21 (UPI) — Power has been largely restored after a widespread and unexplained blackout left swaths of San Francisco without electricity on Saturday, just days before Christmas.

Pacific Gas and Electric said in a statement Saturday afternoon that the blackout was affecting about 130,000 businesses and homes. At the time, the company said it had “stabilized the grid” and did not expect the blackout to further spread.

Late Saturday night, the company said crews restored about 95,000 customers. Of the 35,000 customers still without power Saturday night, another 10,000 have since had their service restored.

“We apologize for the delay in getting your power back on,” Pacific Gas and Electric said in a notice on its outage map around 3:45 p.m. local time Saturday. “Unforeseen issues can cause unexpected delays for our crews.”

Mayor Daniel Lurie said on social media that Muni lines — the diverse network of public transportation including buses, light rail, and historic street cars and cable cars — was affected by the blackout. The outage also affected city street lights, he said.

Because of that, Lurie said the city would increase its police presence overnight. The San Francisco Police Department later posted on social media that officers would be working to keep the city safe.

Meanwhile, emergency management officials urged residents to “stay home if you can, avoid all unnecessary travel, and check on neighbors safely.”

The Bay Area Rapid Transit system also said that it had closed its Powell Street and Civic Center stations downtown, which have since reopened.

The cause of the outage was not immediately clear but a spokesman for the San Francisco Fire Department told The New York Times that a fire at a large Pacific Gas and Electric substation in the South Market neighborhood contributed to the blackout.

L.os Angeles City Councilmember John Lee is facing a steep fine for his notorious 2017 trip to Las Vegas, with the city’s Ethics Commission saying he must pay $138,424 in a case involving pricey meals and expensive nightclub “bottle service.”

On Wednesday, the commission decided 4 to 0 that Lee, who represents the northwest San Fernando Valley, committed two counts of violating the city’s gift law and three counts of violating a law requiring that such gifts be disclosed to the public.

By a 3-1 vote, the panel found that Lee violated five additional counts of misusing his city position or helping his boss at the time — Councilmember Mitchell Englander — misuse his position. After that, the commission voted unanimously to levy the maximum financial penalty, as recommended by city ethics investigators.

The commission went much further than an administrative law judge, who, after a multiday hearing, concluded that Lee violated five of 10 counts and recommended a fine of nearly $44,000.

Commission President Manjusha Kulkarni argued for the maximum fine, saying it would discourage others from violating ethics laws. She said Lee directly benefited from his decision not to report the gifts — which came from three men who sought business with City Hall — on his economic disclosure forms.

Lee, by failing to report those gifts, gained an unfair advantage during his 2019 and 2020 election campaigns, both of which he won by small margins, Kulkarni said.

“There was a concealment effort made there in order to win those two elections,” she said.

Commissioner Aryeh Cohen voted against the five additional ethics counts, saying he wasn’t convinced that the gift information would have made a difference. Last year, after city investigators accused Lee of violating gift laws, he won reelection handily.

“Voters knew, and he won by a larger margin” than in 2019 or 2020, Cohen said. “So I don’t think that that was a misuse of a position or gaining benefit from it.”

Brian Hildreth, an attorney representing Lee, had argued for a maximum fine of $10,000. Appearing before the commission, he said city investigators incorrectly calculated the value of the gifts and failed to take into account how much Lee had actually consumed at the food and drink venues.

Lee, in a statement, vowed to keep fighting the charges, calling the case “wasteful and political.” An appeal would need to be filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

“Today is but one step in the process of fighting these baseless charges,” he said. “I look forward to finally having an opportunity to have this matter adjudicated in a fair and impartial setting.”

The Lee case revolves around gifts — mostly meals and alcohol but also hotel stays, transportation and $1,000 in gambling chips — provided by the three businessmen: Andy Wang, who peddled Italian cabinets, “smart home” technology and facial recognition software; architect and developer Chris Pak; and lobbyist Michael Bai.

Lee, while working as Englander’s chief of staff, flew with his boss and several others — including Wang and Bai — to Las Vegas in 2017. Englander resigned from office the following year, after being contacted by FBI agents about the trip.

In 2020, federal prosecutors accused Englander of accepting $15,000 in cash from Wang, lying to FBI agents and obstructing their investigation. He eventually pleaded guilty to a single count of providing false information to the FBI and was sentenced to 14 months in prison.

In 2023, Englander agreed to pay $79,830 to settle an Ethics Commission case focused on his own gift law violations. That same year, the commission filed a case against Lee, saying he violated the gift law not just in Vegas but also at restaurants in downtown L.A. and Koreatown.

Lee repeatedly denied the allegations and argued that the statute of limitations had run out. The commission responded by scheduling a multiday hearing, held in June before Administrative Law Judge Ji-Lan Zang.

During those proceedings, Lee said he made a good faith effort to pay his own way and, in some cases, declined to eat during meals. For example, he testified that he did not remember eating during the meetings at Yxta Cocina Mexicana and Water Grill, both in downtown L.A.

Zang, in her written report to the commission, called those denials “not credible,” saying it “strains credulity” to believe that he would join the group at those restaurants without eating any food.

During the Las Vegas trip, Lee stayed at the Aria hotel, went to Blossom restaurant and spent an evening with the group at Hakkasan Nightclub.

At Blossom, Wang ordered a dinner worth nearly $2,500 that included shark fin soup, Peking duck and Kobe beef. Lee testified over the summer that he arrived at the restaurant in time for a dessert of bird’s nest soup, tasting it and deciding he did not like it.

At Hakkasan Nightclub later that night, Wang purchased three rounds of bottle service for the group for around $8,000 apiece, while Pak purchased a fourth round for $8,418.75.

Lee said he gave Wang $300 in cash as reimbursement for his drinks, withdrawing money from an ATM. Hildreth, his attorney, told the commission that drinks were served to a large number of nightclubgoers.

“The testimony and the evidence suggests that dozens and dozens of people were joining Councilmember Lee and others,” he said.

Kulkarni, before the vote, said she was especially troubled that Lee, after being contacted by FBI agents in 2017, sent Wang a backdated check for $442 to reimburse him for some of the Vegas trip. That act on its own, she said, constituted “a very serious offense.”

“That is not a mistake that one does. That is an affirmative act,” she said.

Hildreth said his client wrote a reimbursement check right away but that it was lost, necessitating a second, backdated check. He also noted that Lee cooperated with federal law enforcement and city ethics investigators.

“He sat for two interviews with the FBI,” Hildreth said. “That’s not something that deserves a punitive penalty.”

NEW YORK — For one Wisconsin couple, the loss of government-sponsored health subsidies next year means choosing a lower-quality insurance plan with a higher deductible. For a Michigan family, it means going without insurance altogether.

For a single mom in Nevada, the spiking costs mean fewer Christmas gifts this year. She is stretching her budget already while she waits to see if the Republican-led Congress will act.

Less than three weeks remain until the expiration of COVID-era enhanced tax credits that have helped millions of Americans pay their monthly fees for Affordable Care Act coverage for the last four years.

The Senate on Thursday rejected two proposals to address the problem, and an emerging healthcare package from House Republicans does not include an extension, all but guaranteeing that many Americans will see much higher insurance costs in 2026.

Here are a few of their stories.

Spending more for less

Chad Bruns comes from a family of savers. That came in handy when the 58-year-old military veteran had to leave his firefighting career early because of arm and back injuries incurred on the job.

He and his wife, Kelley, 60, both retirees, cut their own firewood to reduce their electricity costs in their home in Sawyer County, Wis. They rarely eat out and say they buy groceries only when they are on sale.

But to the extent that they have always been frugal, they will be forced to be even more so now, Bruns said. That is because their coverage under the health law enacted under former President Obama is, because of congressional inaction, getting more expensive — and for worse coverage.

This year, the Brunses were paying $2 per month for a top-tier gold-level plan with less than a $4,000 deductible. Their income was low enough to help them qualify for a lot of financial assistance.

But in 2026, that same plan is rising to an unattainable $1,600 per month, forcing them to downgrade to a bronze plan with a $15,000 deductible.

Kelley Bruns said she is concerned that if something happens to their health in the next year, they could go bankrupt. While their monthly fees are low at about $25, their new out-of-pocket maximum at $21,000 amounts to nearly half their joint income.

“We have to pray that we don’t have to have surgery or don’t have to have some medical procedure done that we’re not aware of,” she said. “It would be very devastating.”

Forgoing insurance

Dave Roof’s family of four has been on ACA insurance since the program started in 2014. Back then, the accessibility of insurance on the marketplace helped him feel comfortable taking the leap to start a small music production and performance company in his hometown of Grand Blanc, Mich. His wife, Kristin, is also self-employed as a top seller on Etsy.

Their coverage has worked for them so far, even when emergencies come up, such as an ATV accident their 21-year-old daughter had last year.

But now, with the expiration of Obamacare subsidies that kept their premiums down, the 53-year-old Roof said their $500-per-month insurance plan is jumping to at least $700 a month, along with spiking deductibles and out-of-pocket costs.

With their joint income of about $75,000 a year, that increase is not manageable, he said. So, they are planning to go without health insurance next year, paying cash for prescriptions, checkups and anything else that arises.

Roof said his family is already living cheaply and has not taken a vacation together since 2021. As it is, they do not save money or add it to their retirement accounts. So even though forgoing insurance is stressful, it is what they must do.

“The fear and anxiety that it’s going to put on my wife and I is really hard to measure,” Roof said. “But we can’t pay for what we can’t pay for.”

Single mom’s straining budget

If you ask Katelin Provost, the American middle class has gone from experiencing a squeeze to a “full suffocation.”

The 37-year-old social worker in Henderson, Nev., counts herself in that category. As a single mom, she already keeps a tight budget to cover housing, groceries and daycare for her 4-year-old daughter.

Next year, that is going to be even tougher.

The monthly fee on her plan is going up from $85 to nearly $750. She decided she is going to pay that higher cost for January and reevaluate afterward, depending on whether lawmakers extend the subsidies, which as of now appears unlikely. She hopes they will.

If Congress does not act, she will drop herself off the health insurance and keep it only for her daughter because she cannot afford the higher fee for the two of them over the long term.

The strain of one month alone is enough to have an impact.

“I’m going to have to reprioritize the next couple of months to rebalance that budget,” Provost said. “Christmas will be much smaller.”

Swenson writes for the Associated Press.

AN iconic film has just returned to Netflix, and fans are realising that its ‘hot blonde’ bombshell hasn’t aged a day.

It’s been over two decades since the legendary comedy first graced screens across the globe, with this ‘hot blonde’ character only being in her 20s at the time of filming.

American film and TV actress Darcy Donavan, is best known for her feature in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004), where she shared the screen with Hollywood heavyweights Will Ferrell, Steve Carrell and Paul Rudd.

Anchorman became considered as a “cultural phenomenon” in the world of comedy, loved for its absurd humour, witty characters and highly-quotable lines – and it’s returned to streaming service Netflix this week.

Following a hotshot television anchorman (Ron Burgundy), viewers are taken along on a journey of life in the newsroom, from breaking stories to feuds, new hires, and jealousy.

Anchorman, which also starred a stunning Christina Applegate, was nominated for countless awards in the year following its debut.

WICKED: FOR BAD

Wicked: For Good in Golden Globes snub as DiCaprio movie gets 9 nominations

FLASH FORWARD

Eighties movie bombshell has barely aged at all 45 years after hit film

Though Darcy didn’t have a huge role in the movie, being officially listed under the role of ‘hot blonde’ in such a big show made her character all the more iconic.

20 years on, it’s hard not to notice from recent snaps of the hot blonde – who is now in her forties – that she’s barely aged over the decades.

Darcy has maintained her svelte figure over the years, stunning in a bodycon sparkly dress on her Instagram recently.

The same signature blonde hair that also landed her the part of ‘hot blonde’ remains as beautiful as ever, now falling down past her chest.

Fans also got a glimpse of her age-defying beauty in a recent appearance on the Rollin’ Olan podcast with host Jeff Olan.

During their chat, the film and TV star recollected her filming experience on the set of Anchorman.

She told Jeff that the whole movie “was pretty much improv” and praised her famous scene partners for their wit and acting talents.

“Will Ferrell is definitely, you know, a comic genius.

“And Paul Rudd, I mean, he’s such a sweetheart. I really became good friends, too, with the director [Adam McKay].

“He is so talented, but he’s just really down to earth, you know, and, uh, he’s a phenomenal director.

“He understands, you know, how to get the best out of an actor and not feel pressure. And that’s the one thing I just think is phenomenal about him.”

Following the success of the first film, the lead stars returned for Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues in 2013, though Darcy did not reprise her role.

The ‘hot blonde’ has however starred in lots of other films and TV shows since, including popular series Modern Family, dystopian sci-fi Westworld, and even CSI.

But she still performs the occasional more anonymous role, such as ‘hot housewife’ in My Name Is Earl.

Darcy’s most recent work is on 2025 movie Hollywood Grit.

Starring alongside others including Max Martini and Tyrese Gibson, the production follows the story of a detective who’s looking for somebody’s daughter who vanished from a Hollywood jazz club.

The army claims the member was working to re-establish Hamas’s capabilities in the Strip.

The Israeli military has said it struck a “key” Hamas member in the area of Gaza City, without elaborating on who they may be.

In a post on Telegram, the army alleged that the member had been operating to re-establish Hamas’s capabilities, which have been severely depleted by more than two years of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.

There was no immediate comment from the Palestinian group.

The Wafa news agency reported that an Israeli drone hit a vehicle at the Nabulsi junction in the west of Gaza City, resulting in casualties.

The agency did not report on specific numbers, and it was not clear if the attack was the one that allegedly killed the Hamas member.

Since the ceasefire started in October, Israel has continued to attack Gaza daily – reaching nearly 800 times – in a clear breach of the agreement, according to authorities in Gaza.

Israel also continues to block the majority of aid trucks from entering the enclave. The United Nations General Assembly on Friday overwhelmingly backed a resolution demanding that Israel open unrestricted humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, stop attacking UN facilities, and comply with international law, in line with its obligations as an occupying power.

Hi and welcome to another edition of Dodgers Dugout. My name is Houston Mitchell. Looks like the Dodgers found a new closer for Christmas.

The new closer

Well, the Dodgers did what many did not expect: give another long-term, big-money deal to a closer. They have agreed to a deal with former Mets closer Edwin Díaz on a three-year, $69-million deal. There will be $4.5 million deferred each year and the value of the contract as tabulated for luxury tax purposes will be $21 million per year. It’s a record for annual value for a reliever, breaking the record held by….. Díaz.

Díaz was considered by most to be the top reliever on the market. Last season with the Mets, he was 6-3 with a 1.63 ERA and 28 saves. In 66.1 innings, he gave up 37 hits and walked 21 while striking out 98. He turns 32 in March. He had three blown saves and allowed six of 15 inherited runners to score.

If there is a red flag here, it is that his fastball velocity has dropped from an average of 99 mph in 2023 to 97 mph last season. Which is still pretty fast of course.

You’ll forgive me for not doing somersaults over the deal yet. It could turn out to be an amazing signing. However, as we saw last season with Tanner Scott, relievers are like a box of chocolates: You never know what you are going to get. Díaz has a much better record of success than Scott did. But we’ve seen over the last few seasons what can happen with a signing (Scott, Kirby Yates), decline in form (Blake Treinen) or injuries (Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech, Brusdar Graterol).

But the Dodgers did need bullpen help, and they signed the best reliever on the market, so it’s hard to find fault in that.

You can read more on the signing in this story by Jack Harris.

And an analysis, which includes discussion of a possible salary cap, from Bill Shaikin here.

Fernando misses the Hall

The Contemporary Baseball Era Committee for the Baseball Hall of Fame met Sunday. It was a 16-member committee, and there were eight candidates to consider: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Carlos Delgado, Jeff Kent, Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy, Gary Sheffield and Fernando Valenzuela.

The only person elected: Kent, wh was named on 14 ballots (you had to be on 12 for election).

The others:

Nine votes
Carlos Delgado

Six
Don Mattingly
Dale Murphy

Fewer than five
Barry Bonds
Roger Clemens
Gary Sheffield
Fernando Valenzuela

The committee made a big mistake in not electing Fernando, and really embarrassed itself by not giving him even five votes.

When you look at the numbers, Fernando is at best a borderline candidate. He won a Cy Young and Rookie of the Year award, but won only 173 games in his career.

However, when you consider what he meant for the sport in addition to his accomplishments as a player, he qualifies. The three players who created more baseball fans than any other are Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson and Fernando. The fact the Dodgers have a massive Latino following can be traced back to Fernando. He created fans in other cities. He opened MLB to an almost entirely untapped market.

But, some people look only at the numbers. Fernando should be in the Hall. So should Maury Wills. Unfortunately, it’s looking increasingly unlikely that either will make it.

And congratulation to Jeff Kent, who played for the Dodgers but will go into the Hall as a Giant. So, not that big of a congratulations. His election enhances the candidacy of another former Dodger: Chase Utley.

New book

Last week I told you about a new book by Ross Porter, the longtime Dodger announcer who used to do the “Ask Ross Porter” feature in this newsletter. The book, “The Ross Porter Chronicles — Volume 1: The Dodger Years,” is a compendium of interviews he has done over the years with Dodgers, including Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell, Ron Cey and Sandy Koufax.

Reaction was overwhelming, and as a result, they sold out of signed books. However, if you still want a signed copy to give to someone as a Christmas present (it would make a great gift for a Dodger fan), you have an alternative. You can order the book at Amazon. Make sure you have it shipped to you before Dec. 21. Ross will be signing books in person on Dec. 21 from 1-3 p.m. at Northridge Sports & Memorabilia, 9514 Reseda Blvd,, Unit 14.

Anyone who buys the book on Amazon can bring it to the signing, and Ross will sign it for free. He’ll also sign any Dodger items you bring.

It’s a great chance for you to meet a Dodger icon. Ross is 87. The icons from our Dodger childhood won’t be there forever. If you have a chance to go out there, I highly recommend it.

In case you missed it

Analysis: Could Dodgers’ Edwin Díaz signing portend more big moves later this offseason?

Starz picks up drama on gambling scandal involving Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter

Shaikin: Dodgers signing of Edwin Díaz shows they aren’t going to worry about a potential salary cap

Dodgers and Edwin Díaz agree to terms in blockbuster move to shore up bullpen

Former Dodgers, Giants slugger and noted curmudgeon Jeff Kent voted into the Hall of Fame

Fernando Valenzuela falls short of induction into National Baseball Hall of Fame

Metro votes to approve Dodger Stadium gondola project despite protests

And finally

Fernando Valenzuela pitches a no-hitter. Watch and listen here.

Until next time…

Have a comment or something you’d like to see in a future Dodgers newsletter? Email me at houston.mitchell@latimes.com. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.

CAMRYN Magness, the singer who toured with One Direction, has died aged 26 after being struck while riding an electric scooter.

Her death was confirmed this week in a statement on her official social media pages, describing her as a “radiant force”.

It read: “Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our beloved Camryn, a radiant force whose voice, coy, and bright spirit touched so many.

“Whether beneath the waves or on stage, she met life with fearless energy and boundless kindness.

“In the quiet between waves, her memory will surface—bright, bold, unforgotten.

“Rest in endless blue, our sweet girl. You are deeply loved and forever cherished.

STAR ‘MURDER’

Grammy-nominated singer, 71, stabbed to death son is arrested for ‘murder’

SHOCK LOSS

Jimmy Neutron actor Jeff Garcia dead at 50 after ‘being taken off life support’

“Please keep her family and friends in prayer as they navigate this difficult time. Camryn will live on in our hearts forever.”

Camryn died last Friday after being struck in Fort Myers, Florida, according to multiple reports.

Born in Denver, Colorado, in 1999, she began her career at eight, posting YouTube videos that led to a record deal and a move to Los Angeles.

Her debut single Wait and See featured in the 2011 film Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer.

She toured with Cody Simpson and Greyson Chance in 2011 before joining One Direction as a support act for seven US dates on their 2012 Up All Night Tour.

The band then brought her back for 63 shows on their 2013 Take Me Home Tour.

Reflecting on that breakthrough, she previously told Teen Vogue: “Going into the tour, I was an unknown artist.

“It’s a great feeling to be walking around and someone coming up to me and saying, ‘Hey, you did so well!’. It was really exciting for me when that happened for the first time.”

Camryn later supported Fifth Harmony and released a run of singles, along with her 2017 album Glow.

Her official obituary described her as “beloved” as a “daughter, sister, fiancée, granddaughter, and friend” who died “far too young, and long before her light was ever meant to leave this world”.

It remembered her as a “vibrant, fearless, and deeply loved young woman whose compassion, humour, and bright spirit touched every person blessed to know her.”

It added: “A gifted performer, Camryn’s voice and music were extensions of her soul.

“Whether she was on a stage, at a family gathering, or sharing a song with someone who needed it, Camryn’s music was a reflection of her heart, her courage, and her endless creativity.”

Camryn Magness is survived by her parents, Sarah and Gary; siblings Chelsea and Cable; and her fiancée, Christian.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online

Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.

Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.

China’s trade surplus – the difference between the value of goods it imports and exports – has hit $1 trillion for the first time, a significant yardstick in the country’s role as “factory of the world”, making everything from socks and curtains to electric cars.

For the first 11 months of this year, China’s exports rose to $3.4 trillion while its imports declined slightly to $2.3 trillion. That brought the country’s trade surplus to about $1 trillion, China’s General Administration of Customs said on Monday.

Shipments overseas from China have boomed despite US President Donald Trump’s global trade war, largely consisting of sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs on most countries, which were launched earlier this year in a bid to reduce US trade deficits.

But China, which was initially hit with US tariffs of 145 percent before they were lowered to allow for trade talks, has emerged largely unscathed from the standoff by stepping up shipments to markets outside the US.

Following Trump’s 2024 election win, China began diversifying its export market away from the US in exchange for closer ties with Southeast Asia and the European Union. It also established new production hubs, outside of China, for low-tariff access.

Why does China have such a large trade surplus?

China’s exports returned to growth last month following an unexpected dip in October, rising to 5.9 percent more than one year earlier and far outpacing a 1.9 percent rise in imports, according to China’s General Administration of Customs.

China’s goods surplus for the first 11 months of 2025 was up 21.7 percent from the same period last year. Most of the surge was driven by strong growth in high-tech goods, which outpaced the increase in overall exports by 5.4 percent.

Auto exports, especially for electric vehicles, rallied as Chinese firms muscled in on Japanese and German market share. Total car shipments jumped by more than one million to approximately 6.5 million units this year, according to data from China-based consultancy Automobility.

And although China still trails US leaders like Nvidia in advanced chips, it is becoming dominant in the production of semiconductors (used in everything from electric cars to medical devices). Semiconductor exports rose by 24.7 percent over the period.

China’s technological advances have also boosted shipbuilding, where exports rose 26.8 percent compared with the same period in 2024.

So, given the hostile global trade backdrop, how has China achieved this?

Rerouting and diversifying

Though Washington has lowered tariffs on Chinese imports in recent months, they remain high. Average import duties on Chinese goods currently stand at 37 percent. For this reason, Chinese shipments to the US have dropped by 29 percent year-on-year to November.

Some Chinese companies have shifted their production facilities to Southeast Asia, Mexico and Africa, enabling them to bypass Trump’s tariffs on goods arriving directly from China. Despite this, overall trade between the two countries remains down.

In the first eight months of this year, for instance, the US imported roughly $23bn in goods from Indonesia, an increase of nearly one-third on the same period in 2024. It is widely understood that the rise is down to Chinese goods being redirected via Indonesia.

“The role of trade rerouting in offsetting the drag from US tariffs still appears to be increasing,” Zichun Huang, an economist at Capital Economics, wrote in a note to clients on Monday. Huang added that “exports to Vietnam, the top [Chinese] rerouting hub, continued to grow rapidly.”

As trade with the US has slackened, China has doubled down on developing ties with other major trading partners. That includes a 15 percent surge in Chinese shipments to the EU, compared with the year before, and an 8.2 percent rise in exports to countries in Southeast Asia.

Weaker currency

Another reason for China’s trading success is that its currency has been cheap, compared with others, in recent years. A lower renminbi makes exports relatively inexpensive to produce, and imports relatively expensive to consume.

China maintains a “managed float” of the renminbi – meaning the central bank intervenes in foreign exchange markets to maintain its value against other currencies – with the aim of keeping the price stable.

For years, many economists have argued that China’s currency is undervalued. In their view, that gives exporters a competitive edge by boosting the appeal of cheap Chinese products at the expense of other countries, leading to large imbalances in trade.

Indeed, taking into account global inflationary dynamics, the real effective exchange rate – a measure of the competitiveness of Chinese goods – is actually at its weakest level since 2012.

How has China got here?

China’s eye-watering $1 trillion trade surplus – never before recorded in economic history – is the culmination of decades of industrial policies that have enabled China to emerge from a low-income agrarian society in the 1970s to become the world’s second-largest economy today.

China established itself as a dependable producer of low-cost manufactured goods, like T-shirts and shoes, in the 1980s. Since then, it has climbed the industrial ladder to higher-value goods, such as electric vehicles and solar panels.

By far its largest sector in terms of exports is electronics. China exported a total of more than $1 trillion-worth of electronic goods around the world in 2024. This follows the pattern of other industrialised countries by starting with simple, labour-intensive goods and then moving into more complex sectors. However, China has done so with unusual scale and speed to cement its dominance across numerous global supply chains.

It also dominates trade in rare-earth metals, which are crucial for the manufacture of a wide range of goods from smartphones to fighter jets.

Twelve of the 17 rare earth metals on the periodic table can be found in China, and it mines between 60 percent and 70 percent of the world’s rare-earth resources. It also carries out 90 percent of the processing of these metals for commercial use.

For historical context, China’s trade surplus in factory goods is larger as a share of its economy than the US ran in the years after World War II, when most other manufacturing nations were emerging from the ruins of war.

How are other countries responding to China’s expanding dominance?

Many are looking for ways to redress the balance.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited China last week, warned the EU may take “strong measures”, including imposing higher tariffs, should Beijing fail to address the imbalance.

The EU already imposes additional tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), which range from 17 percent to 35.3 percent, for example, on top of its existing 10 percent import duty.
Germany’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, arrived in China for a two-day trip on Monday this week, becoming the latest senior European official to visit for talks amid the country’s rapidly expanding goods trade with Europe.

Before his trip, Wadephul said he planned to raise the issue of tariffs with his Chinese counterparts, particularly those involving rare earths, in addition to concerns about industrial “overcapacities”, which he said are distorting global prices for industrial goods.

Will China’s exports continue to grow?

Despite efforts by the US and other wealthy countries to diversify away from China, few economists expect the country’s broad-based trade momentum to slow anytime soon.

Economists at Morgan Stanley predict China’s share of global goods exports will reach 16.5 percent by the end of the decade, up from 15 percent now, reflecting China’s ability to adapt quickly to shifting global demand.

More immediately, China’s strong trade performance means the annual growth target – set by Beijing to guide economic policy and to align regional governments – of about 5 percent is likely to be met.

THE star of a hit superhero movie has barely aged since became a global superstar more than 40 years ago.

Ornella Muti played Princess Aura in Flash Gordon in 1980 and looked incredible at a recent book signing event.

The actress made her English-speaking film debut in the sci-fi movie and was voted “The Most Beautiful Woman in the World” in 1994 by a worldwide poll of readers of Class magazine.

Flash Gordon, which celebrated its 45th anniversary this month, follows the adventures of American football quarterback Flash as he ventures into space to unite the planet Mongo and save Earth from destruction.

Ornella, who was born in Italy with Russian ancestry, has recently been on a book tour on the Italian island of Calabria.

She released her autobiography, This Is Not Ornella Muti, in September and shared a series of photos from her tour in Calabria.

HARD TO HANDLE?

Tom Hardy in feud with unexpected A-list co-star after ‘winding them up’

health battle

Danniella Westbrook ‘rushed to hospital with breathing issues’

Ornella looked striking a red maxi dress and dark-framed glasses as she greeted fans in the Italian bookstore.

The beauty worked as a model before making her film debut as a 14-year-old in 1970.

She would go on to have an illustrious film career in Italy before making her Hollywood debut in the 1980s.

After starring in Flash Gordon, Ornella worked with many well-known movie directors, including Woody Allen, John Landis and Eugene Levy.

In 2008, Ornella launched her own jewellery line and opened a number of retail stores in Italy.

She had a brush with the Italian law in 2015 when she was sentenced to 10 months in jail for cancelling a theatre performance.

Ornella had cited a health reason for cancelling the show in 2010, but then attended a dinner with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg.

The actress is mum to three children, including her model daughter, Naike Rivelli.

Naike and her mum became the topic of a heated debate when it was revealed, Ornella and Naike’s step-father had snapped nude pics of the model for Instagram.

In 2016 Naike, who is well-known in Italy for uploading racy snaps, posted a photo of her standing on one leg covering her breasts and groin with her hands.

Underneath the picture, she wrote: “Who in the world took this picture of me? The man I don’t have? The woman I don’t have? The friends who aren’t here right now? Who?”

Then, she revealed another snap showing her stepfather, Fabrice Kerherve, taking the shot – as her mother lies under a dressing table taking even more pictures.

Next to this photo, Naike added: “In the end, it’s so much simpler than it seems.

“A simple crazy morning with my mum Ornella Muti and my stepdad Fabrice Kerherve family moments.”

But far from ‘liking’ the social media posts, many online commenters felt there was something distasteful about the model being photographed by her stepdad.

WASHINGTON — President Trump is planning a $12 billion farm aid package, according to a White House official — a boost to farmers who have struggled to sell their crops while getting hit by rising costs after the president raised tariffs on China as part of a broader trade war.

According to the official, who was granted anonymity to speak ahead of a planned announcement, Trump will unveil the plan Monday afternoon at a White House roundtable with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, lawmakers and farmers who grow corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, rice, cattle, wheat, and potatoes.

Farmers have backed Trump politically, but his aggressive trade policies and frequently changing tariff rates have come under increasing scrutiny because of the impact on the agricultural sector and because of broader consumer worries.

The aid is the administration’s latest effort to defend Trump’s economic stewardship and answer voter angst about rising costs — even as the president has dismissed concerns about affordability as a Democratic “hoax.”

Upwards of $11 billion is set aside for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmer Bridge Assistance program, which the White House says will offer one-time payments to farmers for row crops.

Soybeans and sorghum were hit the hardest by the trade dispute with China because more than half of those crops are exported each year with most of the harvest going to China.

The White House says the aid is meant to help farmers who have suffered from trade wars with other nations, inflation, and other “market disruptions.”

The rest of the money will be for farmers who grow crops not covered under the bridge assistance program, according to the White House official. The money is intended to offer certainty to farmers as they market the current harvest, as well as plan for next year’s harvest.

China purchases have been slow

In October, after Trump met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea, the White House said Beijing had promised to buy at least 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans by the end of the calendar year, plus 25 million metric tons a year in each of the next three years. Soybean farmers have been hit especially hard by Trump’s trade war with China, which is the world’s largest buyer of soybeans.

China has purchased more than 2.8 million metric tons of soybeans since Trump announced the agreement at the end of October. That’s only about one quarter of what administration officials said China had promised, but Bessent has said China is on track to meet its goal by the end of February.

“These prices haven’t come in, because the Chinese actually used our soybean farmers as pawns in the trade negotiations,” Bessent said on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” explaining why a “bridge payment” to farmers was needed.

During his first presidency, Trump also provided aid to farmers amid his trade wars. He gave them more than $22 billion in 2019 and nearly $46 billion in 2020, though that year also included aid related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trump has also been under pressure to address soaring beef prices, which have hit records for a number of reasons. Demand for beef has been strong at a time when drought has cut U.S. herds and imports from Mexico are down due to a resurgence in a parasite. Trump has said he would allow for more imports of Argentine beef.

He also had asked the Department of Justice to investigate foreign-owned meat packers he accused of driving up the price of beef, although he has not provided evidence to back his claims.

On Saturday, Trump signed an executive order directing the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission to look at “anti-competitive behavior” in food supply chains — including seed, fertilizer and equipment — and consider taking enforcement actions or developing new regulations.

Kim, Funk and Tang write for the Associated Press. AP writers Michelle L. Price in Washington, Bill Barrow in Atlanta and Jack Dura in Bismarck, N.D., contributed to this report.

IT’S every music lover’s dream to share the stage with their favourite artist – and that came true for one lucky superfan.

The legendary frontman of an iconic noughties band recently surprised a musician by taking to the mic and belting out one of his band’s biggest songs that became a megahit in the early 00s.

US rock band Train rose to fame in 1993 and lead singer Pat Monahan has been it’s sole constant member over the years.

In a new video, the singer, 56, was recently spotted taking over the mic of a fellow musician and superfan. 

In a moment straight out of every fans wildest fantasy, Pat shocked gig goers as he walked up to where vocalist Sedona Rose was performing after being called up mid-performance.

The fan was playing with her band when the Train frontman, who looked inconspicuous dressed in all black, suddenly stepped in as lead singer.

BOND BELTER

Huge British band lined up to record next Bond theme amid major changes

ROCK OFF

Huge rock band cancel gigs due to ‘sudden family loss’ – leaving fans devastated

Without missing a beat he grabbed the mic and continued to sing Train’s smash hit Drops of Jupiter.

The 2 minute video sees Pat and the band perform the full track together in a sweet moment, as the audience applauded and watched on mesmerised.

Released in 2001, Drops of Jupiter reached No. 6. on the Billboard 200 list and went on to win two Grammy Awards in 2002.

The song remains one of Train’s biggest hits and this year the band celebrated as it hit 1 billion streams on the music app Spotify.

Taking to TikTok, artist Sedona shared the pinch me moment adding the caption: “It’s not everyday you get to sing your fave song of all time with the dude who wrote it …” 

Fans took to the comments gushing over the clip, as one user said: “Love Train. His voice hasn’t changed a bit.”

“5 minutes of his time to make a life long memory,” remarked one fan with another writing: “This is incredible.”

Some in the comments section voiced that Pat had stolen the fans ‘thunder’, saying: “Why not just let u sing the song? Sorry but it bothers me that he took over- stealing your thunder.”

However, the musician was quick to hit back revealing she had called the frontman up to the stage. 

She said: “I knew he was there and before I started the song I said ‘this next one is my fave song of all time and the person who wrote this is actually here tonight, sooo you can come up if you’d like’.

”It was an honor for him to come up and sing fr! I had the rest of the 3 hours of the gig for my “thunder”.”

Train hail from San Francisco and are a popular pop rock band who has had many smash hits over the years.

In addition to Drops of Jupiter, Train’s top songs include Careless Whisperer, Hey, Soul Sister and Drive By.

As of 2025 the band consists of Pat, Matt Musty, Jerry Becker, Butch Walker and Hector Maldonado.

Last year, it was sadly revealed that one of the group’s founding members Charlie Colin had passed away at the age of 58.

The musician’s mother revealed Charlie died after he slipped and fell in the shower.

Charlie formed the band alongside Pat, Scott Underwood, Rob Hotchkiss, and Jimmy Stafford.

But in 2003, he was given an ultimatum for his substance abuse and was ultimately forced to leave the band.

“I had a really great run, but it was difficult,” Charlie previously told the Los Angeles Times about his time with the band.