Jackie Northam

One of the effects of the war in Ukraine is a global shortage of fertilizer. Food supplies could be threatened if more fertilizer doesn't get to the world market.

Russia has cut off natural gas for much of Europe to punish it for its support of Ukraine. But Putin may have miscalculated. Europe has been preparing to survive winter without Russian gas.

The first shipment of Ukrainian grain arrived in Ethiopia on Wednesday. But the delivery — six truckloads — is just a fraction of what is needed across the entire continent.

It's a move seen as retaliation by the Kremlin for western sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. The energy crisis is not limited to Europe as other countries are also feeling the impact.

Six months into the war in Ukraine, why should the U.S. continue to care and spend billions of dollars on the war when Europe is so ambivalent? And what do U.S. officials see as the end game?

The city of Kanazawa produces most of Japan's fine gold leaf, but there aren't enough young people to take over the craft. The same situation is playing out for small family businesses across Japan.

What it would actually take to send out Ukrainian grain. They need to bring in minesweepers, figure out shipping companies to use, assure no more missile attacks, sort out danger pay, and lots more.

Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of Japan's economy. But for many, the future is uncertain as a younger generation looks for jobs elsewhere.

Shinzo Abe, former Japanese prime minister who was killed July 11, championed for more robust defense and security policies. With current world events, those ideas are increasingly important in Japan.

The assassination of the former prime minister has prompted the world to reflect on his policies and what they actually accomplished.

President Biden's trip to Saudi Arabia next month represents a stark change in his attitude towards Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been implicated in the killing of a journalist.

Despite its concerns over human rights, the Biden administration is changing its stance toward Saudi Arabia in a bid to lower global oil prices and tame gas costs at the pump.

While the European Union cuts its purchases of Russian oil, it's also making a move to strike another, less-noticed blow to the Russian economy — depriving insurance for ships carrying its oil.

President Biden heads to Asia Friday for a meeting of the Quad group, which includes leaders from India, Japan and Australia. The unspoken focus of the gathering is China.

For decades, Russia and other nations collaborated on scientific and environmental issues in the Arctic. Now, there's concern that Finland and Sweden joining NATO could spark a military buildup there.

With the European Union countries vowing to stop buying Russian oil, India and China might get some more crude for a discount, but it is not going to make up the lost profits for Russia.

Russia is cutting off natural gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, and has demanded countries pay for energy in rubles. The move is seen as a warning by Russia to bigger European energy consumers.

It was seen as a way for Russia to prop up its currency and retaliate for Western sanctions, but it could cause global energy prices to spike. One analyst sees it as a warning to the rest of Europe.

Russia has long planned on expanding its oil drilling in the Arctic. But that relies on help from Western companies that are now pulling back because of the war in Ukraine.

EU foreign ministers, who are meeting Monday, are going to discuss more steps concerning the war in Ukraine. One question is whether Europe will reduce its dependence on buying Russia oil and gas.