The "micro age gap" is an age difference of between seven and 12 years, and a recent piece in The Telegraph argues that it is an optimal range for a successful relationship. Those in micro age gap relationships benefit from knowledge sharing and are able to learn from their partner's lived experiences, while still circling the same life stages and reference points, the author said. The piece cited examples of celebrity couples such as Jay-Z and Beyoncé and Davina McCall and Michael Douglas, with both pairs enjoying successful relationships. Couples with more significant age gaps can face issues when the older partner's health declines earlier, but life expectancy is increasing, a psychotherapist quoted in the article said.
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The US government reports of improved relationships were made at trade meetings "when we don’t know what to do," as concrete deliverables seem to be fading, writes William Reinsch in Forbes. European Union (EU), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) trade meetings have lately focused heavily on relationship building, whereas we should look for more concrete achievement in a world where competing priorities are becoming increasingly complex, he suggests. Reinsch recommends full transparency from leaders discussing these issues if the US is to be best served.
The US and Papua New Guinea (PNG) signed a defence pact designed to enable increased military training from the US to PNG. The deal comes amid concerns about China’s increasing influence in the Pacific region. Prime Minister James Marape and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken denied that the agreement was targeted at any specific country. The US and Australia have previously seen the Pacific region as their area of influence, and have sought to balance China’s moves to establish closer ties with island nations in the area.
