US President Donald Trump has dismissed concerns over the living conditions and mental health of sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has spent more than 260 days at sea amid ongoing US military operations in West Asia. The aircraft carrier's unusually long deployment has raised concerns among sailors' relatives and lawmakers, with reports citing shortages of basic supplies, sanitation issues and mental health challenges. The US Navy says a sailor who fell overboard on August 3 was safely recovered and that no service member aboard the carrier has died. Officials have also disputed reports portraying the crew as victims of deteriorating conditions.

The USS Abraham Lincoln carries roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines. Military experts say extended deployments, combat operations and prolonged periods without port calls can place significant physical and psychological pressure on service members.

Donald Trump Dismisses Concerns Over USS Lincoln Crew Conditions 

President Donald Trump's economic strategy is facing fresh scrutiny as his administration continues using tariffs and sanctions to pressure trading partners and geopolitical rivals.

New tariffs of up to 12.5% on imports from 60 countries are now facing legal challenges, with multiple US states arguing that the administration exceeded its authority. Economists also suggest that American businesses and consumers—not foreign exporters—are paying much of the cost through higher prices.

At the same time, US sanctions on Russia have pushed Moscow to expand alternative payment systems, shadow shipping networks, and trade partnerships with countries such as China and India.

Trump's Tariffs & Sanctions Under Fire | Are US Economic Pressure Tactics Failing?

Official data from Beijing revealed that trade between China and Russia reached a historic high in 2023, exceeding $240 billion, AFP reported.<o:p></o:p>

This surge in bilateral trade surpassed the goal of $200 billion set by the two nations during their meetings last year. The figures marked a remarkable 26.3 per cent year-on-year increase, emphasising the strengthening economic ties between China and Russia, particularly in the aftermath of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. <o:p></o:p>

In contrast, trade between the United States and China experienced a decline for the first time since 2019, with commerce valued at $664 billion in 2023, down 11.6 per cent from the previous year.<o:p></o:p>

China's neutral stance on the Ukraine war, where it has refrained from criticising Moscow's invasion, has drawn criticism from Western countries. Despite geopolitical tensions, China-Russia trade has flourished, reaching new heights in 2023. <o:p></o:p>

"The complexity, severity, and uncertainty of the external environment are on the rise, and we need to overcome the difficulties and make more efforts to further promote the growth of foreign trade," AFP quoted Wang Lingjun, vice minister of the General Administration of Customs as saying. <o:p></o:p>

The data also revealed a decline in China's exports and imports, with exports falling by 4.6 per cent and imports down by 5.5 per cent over the year. <o:p></o:p>

This marks the first retreat in exports since 2016. Meanwhile, on the domestic economic front, China faced deflation for the third consecutive month in December. The consumer price index (CPI) fell by 0.3 per cent year-on-year, indicating a persistent decline in prices since September. <o:p></o:p>

The prolonged period of deflation poses challenges for the broader economy as consumers tend to delay purchases, potentially leading to reduced production, hiring freezes, and layoffs. In contrast, inflation in the United States stood at 3.4 per cent in December.<o:p></o:p>

The economic landscape in China is further underscored by gloomy figures, with producer prices sinking by 2.7 per cent, marking the 15th consecutive month of declines. <o:p></o:p>

The producer price index (PPI), a key indicator reflecting the cost of goods leaving factories, provides insights into the economic health of the nation. <o:p></o:p>

The PPI's 3 per cent fall in November highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Chinese industries. <o:p></o:p>

(With inputs from AFP)<o:p></o:p>

Official data from Beijing revealed that trade between China and Russia reached a historic high in 2023, exceeding $240 billion, AFP reported. This surge in bilateral trade surpassed the goal of $200 billion set by the two nations during their meetings last year.

Official data from Beijing revealed that trade between China and Russia reached a historic high in 2023, exceeding $240 billion, AFP reported. This surge in bilateral trade surpassed the goal of $200 billion set by the two nations during their meetings last year. The figures marked a remarkable 26.3 per cent year-on-year increase, emphasising the strengthening economic ties between China and Russia, particularly in the aftermath of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In contrast, trade between the United States and China experienced a decline for the first time since 2019, with commerce valued at $664 billion in 2023, down 11.6 per cent from the previous year. China's neutral stance on the Ukraine war, where it has refrained from criticising Moscow's invasion, has drawn criticism from Western countries. Despite geopolitical tensions, China-Russia trade has flourished, reaching new heights in 2023. "The complexity, severity, and uncertainty of the external environment are on the rise, and we need to overcome the difficulties and make more efforts to further promote the growth of foreign trade," AFP quoted Wang Lingjun, vice minister of the General Administration of Customs as saying. The data also revealed a decline in China's exports and imports, with exports falling by 4.6 per cent and imports down by 5.5 per cent over the year. This marks the first retreat in exports since 2016. Meanwhile, on the domestic economic front, China faced deflation for the third consecutive month in December. The consumer price index (CPI) fell by 0.3 per cent year-on-year, indicating a persistent decline in prices since September. The prolonged period of deflation poses challenges for the broader economy as consumers tend to delay purchases, potentially leading to reduced production, hiring freezes, and layoffs. In contrast, inflation in the United States stood at 3.4 per cent in December. The economic landscape in China is further underscored by gloomy figures, with producer prices sinking by 2.7 per cent, marking the 15th consecutive month of declines. The producer price index (PPI), a key indicator reflecting the cost of goods leaving factories, provides insights into the economic health of the nation. The PPI's 3 per cent fall in November highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Chinese industries. (With inputs from AFP)

China-Russia trade hits record high in 2023 amid decline in US commerce

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Donald Trump Dismisses Concerns Over USS Lincoln Crew Conditions

Trump's Tariffs & Sanctions Under Fire | Are US Economic Pressure Tactics Failing?

China-Russia trade hits record high in 2023 amid decline in US commerce