China Takes Over the Solomon Islands — And the Pacific: China, after years of persistent commercial, diplomatic, and military efforts, is taking over the Pacific. The five-year deal, subject to automatic renewals, will allow Beijing to use the islands to base its military and to do pretty much what the Chinese military wants. If implemented to its full extent, the Framework Agreement will give China the ability to sever shipping lanes and air links connecting the U.S. with its treaty ally Australia and partner New Zealand. For decades, Washington allowed Canberra and Wellington to manage the Solomons and its region.... Beijing, through payoffs now detailed in public, essentially owns Sogavare's government. https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/18384/china-takes-over-solomon-islands California Governor Gavin Newsom Signs Fast-Food Worker Bill, Paving the Path to $22 an Hour Minimum Wage: $20 fast-food burger incoming… California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) on Monday signed a new fast-food bill that will pave the path for $22 an hour minimum wage. CBS News reported: California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday signed a nation-leading measure giving more than a half-million fast food workers more power and protections, despite the objections of restaurant owners who warned it would drive up consumers’ costs. The law caps minimum wage increases for fast-food workers at chains with more than 100 restaurants at $22 an hour next year, compared to the statewide minimum of $15.50 an hour, with cost-of-living increases thereafter. Restaurant owners and franchisers cited an analysis they commissioned by the UC Riverside Center for Economic Forecast and Development saying that the legislation would increase consumer costs. $22/hr to serve sub par food with an attitude. Hmmmm, think I'll stay home. We've all see how the fast food industry has responded in the past few years to these wage increases. They have eliminated half of their work force and replaced them with automated kiosks. And with this pay increase one would think that the service and cleanliness would improve but what I have seen is quite the opposite. The restaurants are much messier and the attitudes of the workers has not gotten better. What was once a convenience is now something to be avoided. Becoming a convoidance... :yes: :whistle: :unsure: China is building a robot army – here’s the video (at the link): The Chinese technology company Unitree Robotics is producing dozens of menacing four-legged robot dogs, according to a video showing the robots moving in unison. The dog-like robot also has a number of “special movements,” including fast running, backwards running, side-to-side movement, creeping forward, rollover, jumping, backflip, obstacle crossing, obstacle avoidance, and more. Additionally, Aliengo can detect human posture and has facial recognition. https://americanmilitarynews.com/2022/09/china-is-building-a-robot-army-heres-the-video/ 
Beijing is moving from island group to island group, and soon the People's Liberation Army will be in striking distance of Hawaii.
There is now talk that China will ink a security agreement with Papua New Guinea, just north of Australia.
