US grocery prices see biggest jump in 4 years as Iran war drives up costs
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that grocery prices in the country rose by 0.7 percent in April, marking the largest one-month increase in nearly four years.
According to US media, the spike confirms warnings that the war on Iran is driving up food costs for Americans.
On an annual basis, fresh vegetable prices are up more than 44 percent compared with three months ago. During the same period, the cost of other staples, such as bread and milk, has seen more moderate increases of 8 percent and 5 percent.
Meanwhile, coffee and beef are experiencing price shocks caused by both the war on Iran and other global factors.
Increased shipping expenses and the high global demand are pushing prices higher. Over the last three months, grocery coffee prices in the US have climbed at an annual rate of more than 22 percent.
‘I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation,’ Trump says
Trump has said he “doesn’t think about Americans’ financial situation” when it comes to his war on Iran, as preventing Tehran from having nuclear weapons takes precedence.
When asked by a reporter to what extent the economic situation in the US, where inflation is rising, was motivating him to make a deal with Tehran, he responded: “Not even a little bit.”
“The only thing that matters when I’m talking about Iran: They can’t have a nuclear weapon,” he said.
He was pressed further by another reporter who asked if Trump was considering the financial impact of the war on Americans, to which he said: “Every American understands” that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.
The war on Iran has pushed up food and fuel prices, making daily life increasingly difficult for Americans across the country.
US ‘Golden Dome’ missile shield could cost $1.2 trillion, far exceeding early estimates
The AP reports that Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” missile defence programme is now estimated to cost $1.2 trillion over 20 years.
A new analysis from the Congressional Budget Office shows the cost is far more than the $175bn Trump mentioned last year for his plan to protect the US with an Israeli-like missile shield, including putting weapons in space.
The system is to be based on Israel’s “Iron Dome” and is designed to detect and stop missiles during an attack. So far, Congress has approved approximately $24bn for the project.
Trump ordered the installation of the system during his first week in office and expects it to be working before his term ends in January 2029.
WATCH: Cannes Film Festival opens amid Gaza debate and AI concerns
The Cannes Film Festival has begun, and with political division, when it comes to the genocide in Gaza, front and centre.
Paul Laverty, a Scottish screenwriter, set the tone, saying actors should be allowed to speak out against the war.
“Isn’t it fascinating to see some of them, like Susan Sarandon, Javier Bardem, Mark Ruffalo, blacklisted because of their views in opposing the murder of women and children in Gaza? Shame on Hollywood people who do that,” he said.
Watch the video below:
Trump says main focus for China visit is trade, but will have ‘long talk’ with Xi on Iran
Before leaving for Beijing on Tuesday, Trump said that trade, not Iran, will be the main topic of his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the AP reports.
Although Trump said he expects a “long talk” about Iran with Xi, he added that it wouldn’t be a primary point of discussion.
“I wouldn’t say Iran is one of them, to be honest with you, because we have Iran very much under control,” Trump said.
Trump described Xi as “a friend” and someone he gets along with, adding, “I think you’re going to see that good things are going to happen.”
But the president also issued a harsh warning regarding Iran’s nuclear programme. He told reporters, “We’re either going to make a deal or they’re going to be decimated. One way or the other, we win.”
On the current ceasefire, Trump said he would be considering its future during his flight to Beijing and “for the next little while”.
“We’re going to see what happens,” he said.
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