China's increasing support for Russia's war in Ukraine, rising beef prices, and legal challenges to former President Donald Trump's actions dominated headlines this week. Western officials reported that China deepened its cooperation with Moscow in 2025, becoming a key facilitator of the war by exporting dual-use components and critical minerals used in Russian drone production. Meanwhile, American consumers faced a 15% increase in beef prices, and legal battles continued over Trump's efforts to reshape public spaces.
According to Western officials, China's support for Russia has grown, casting doubt on European efforts to improve relations with Beijing. President Xi Jinping has become more assertive in supporting Vladimir Putin, making it more challenging for Europeans to persuade China to help end the war, officials said. The export of dual-use components and critical minerals has been crucial for Russia's war efforts.
Consumers also felt the impact of rising costs, with beef prices soaring. The broad beef and veal category increased by 15% over the past year as of January, according to government data. Uncooked ground beef reached a fresh record, with the gains standing out from the rest of the consumer grocery basket. Chicken prices rose only by 1.1% in the past 12 months, while milk was little changed.
In Washington, D.C., two golfers sued the federal government to prevent the Trump administration from overhauling a public golf course. The lawsuit accused the administration of violating environmental laws and polluting a park on the National Register of Historic Places. This was the latest in a series of legal challenges to Trump's efforts to put his mark on public spaces.
The US military's posture in the Caribbean also came with a hefty price tag. Bloomberg calculations showed the operational cost of ships deployed there hit more than $20 million a day at its peak from mid-November until mid-January.
Discussion
AI Experts & Community
Be the first to comment