Jackie Northam

The U.S. and the European Union are taking aim again at Russia's oil profits, which it uses to fund the war in Ukraine. New rules start next week.

The U.S. and its allies will try two new tactics to cut Russia's profits: Europe will ban Russian crude imports and the G7 will impose a price cap on the oil Russia sells to other parts of the world.

The three-year-old French bulldog competed against some 1,500 dogs representing 200+ breeds and varieties of the American Kennel Club. "He fits the standard perfectly," said his handler, Perry Payson.

Before the war in Ukraine, Europe was Russia's largest natural gas customer. Now, Russia is using energy as a weapon. There's concern this new front in the war will spread to the rest of the world.

The US and Saudi Arabia usually try to keep their differences behind closed doors. But they broke out into the open this week over oil supplies and Ukraine.

The decision by the OPEC+ group of oil producers, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, has created a breach in U.S.-Saudi relations, with members of Congress calling to retaliate.

The cuts in oil production by OPEC Plus could signal a rift between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. — or just an effort by the oil producers to make more money.

As oil producers in the OPEC Plus alliance meet Wednesday, they'll discuss cutting supplies. That could lead to higher gas prices and hints at new political challenges for the White House.

The 2 million bpd cut in oil production was backed by Saudi Arabia and could benefit Russia. The OPEC+ meeting took place as much of the world is battling soaring energy costs and rising inflation.

Some European leaders say the Nord Stream pipeline leaks are deliberate. There's growing concern about what it could mean for security at oil and gas installations around Europe.

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.