As Australia battles a foreign invader to save its bees, Biden vows to fight until Russia is eradicated from the world’s bread basket

(Originally published July 1 in “What in the World“) Food prices are the second-largest factor behind U.S. inflation after energy.

But no relief would appear to be in sight if war continues to disrupt Ukraine’s ability plant, harvest and export wheat. U.S. President Joe Biden pledged at the end of this week’s summit meeting of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Madrid to fight for Ukrainian victory against Russia as long as it takes.

Already struggling with high fuel prices and a global shortage of fertilizer, Australia is now battling an incursion by a mite that could wipe out its bees, which are crucial to pollinating many of the fruits and nuts it grows, including almonds, apples, cherries and pears. After discovering the varroa mite last week, authorities in New South Wales are systematically destroying beehives to keep the pest from spreading.