International

An expected increase in global cotton supply in the 2024/25 season is weighing on prices for Australian producers, as export markets look to absorb large volumes from the US and Brazil, Rabobank says in a recently-released report. The agribusiness banking specialist says expectations are that world cotton stocks will rise in the coming season – largely driven by a recovery in production in the US and a potential record crop in Brazil.

It’s a long way from the small town of Carnarvon in WA’s Gascoyne region to the picturesque Italian city of Venice. But that’s exactly where WA glass-artist Sabrina Dowling Guidici will be heading this September. Sabrina is the only Australian to be exhibiting at this year’s prestigious Venice Glass Week where she’ll showcase a unique glasswork collection titled ‘Saltwaters’ ... inspired by seagrasses found in WA’s World Heritage Site of Shark Bay ...

Maldon RSL Sub-Branch hosted a moving service to observe Vietnam Veterans Day ... at the memorial cenotaph in Maldon Gardens and welcomed Veterans, family members and others who wished to pay their respects.

SunCable has achieved another major regulatory milestone, receiving approval from the Commonwealth Government for the Australian component of its flagship project, Australia-Asia Power Link (AAPowerLink) ... "SunCable will now focus its efforts on the next stage of planning to advance the project towards a Final Investment Decision targeted by 2027" ... SunCable will be investing further in communities in the Northern Territory, Singapore and Indonesia to progress the next phase.

Researchers warn the animals we eat could be the gateway for a pandemic in the form of antimicrobial resistance, unleashing a wave of deadly superbugs ... The researchers analysed this public health and food security challenge in the food animal industry in Southeast Asia for the International Journal of Food Science and Technology.

Kimberly Grabham. Emma Pocock, daughter of Bill and Debbie Pocock, is representing Australia. She will be competing at World Championship Multisport on August 25 in Townsville ... Emma's race consists of a three-kilometre ocean swim followed by 120-kilometre bike ride.

Kimberly Grabham. Hang onto your hats, teachers Leah Books and Kathy Duncan   went international! The pair flew off to Vanuatu, where they shared their skills, knowledge and teaching to classes of children and teachers. The program was one of many which a Queensland company called Global Teacher delivers.  

We all cheered as the Australian men’s pursuit team cycled to a gold medal at the Paris Olympics ... What many of us didn’t realise is that the team is coached by Tim Decker, brother and brother-in-law to Donald’s Carolyn and Charles Wheeler.

Matthew Denny is Australia’s first male discus thrower to win a medal at the Olympics. Matthew is also the only Olympian to come from Allora.

"There's no point in taking coal to Newcastle" is an old saying that seems appropriate for what young Ramsay horse trainer Ben Hoey has accomplished as he regularly trains Australian bred Arabian horses for export to rich owners in Arabia. The Hoey family is well known on the Downs as expert horsemen across a variety of disciplines such as Polocrosse, Polo and Endurance Riding and Ben is continuing this proud tradition.

For those who rock, we salute you! Medieval to Metal: The Art & Evolution of the Guitar  hits Ballarat this October.  Exclusive to the Art Gallery of Ballarat, the exhibition features  40  iconic  guitars on loan from the National Guitar Museum (USA) alongside  an awe-inspiring assemblage of photographs, paintings, drawings,  illustrative designs, and  objects.  

Rural libraries make up 81 per cent of all public libraries in Ukraine. In the near future, the number of these libraries may be reduced by 5 times. Libraries have failed to become attractive and profitable in a market economy. However, no one has tried to make them so.

Eleanor Patterson, Cohuna’s adopted Olympian, won bronze in the women’s high jump on Monday morning (our time) and with fellow high jumper Nicola Olyslagers, made Australian Olympic history. Patterson jumped a season best of 1.95m, placing equal third.

On the other side of the world to all the action in France, Mount Rascal 17-year-old Lien Dekeyser has won a gold medal in Malaysia as part of the Australian Under 19 Women’s underwater hockey team. Lien, a year 12 student at Toowoomba Anglican School, plays for the Toowoomba Redclaws Underwater Hockey Club.

A team of CFS volunteers and staff are heading to the United States this morning, ready to assist with dozens of wildfires burning across the country’s west. The eight-member SA deployment will travel to Boise, Idaho, to help fight major fires in the Pacific Northwest, across the states of Oregon and Washington.

As the Federal Government gets to the pointy end of its Regional Migration Review, peak bodies for farmers, backpackers and tourism have released a new report highlighting the economic value of backpackers in the regions. The report by Aither was commissioned by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), Backpacker & Youth Tourism Advisory Panel (BYTAP) and Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC).

Joanna Tucker. Kadina CFS volunteer Justin Baxter is flying to the US this week to help fight some of the 85 wildfires burning across the country, following an SOS call put out by officials. The Moonta Bay resident ... is scheduled to reach the state of Idaho ... to start his mission, along with eight more South Australians and a host of other Australian firefighters ... Mr Baxter said he had undergone an intensive training program to be ready for the 40-day deployment.

Five ... firefighters from Loddon Mallee departed on Friday for a month on the fireline in British Columbia ... “Our ... firefighters are well-prepared to face the challenging and remote terrain of Canada, bringing specialist skills in tree-felling and dry firefighting techniques."