International

Australia’s beef sector is set for a return to "more normal" market conditions in the season ahead, after a recent extraordinary period marked by record prices levels and volatility, according to Rabobank’s Australian Beef Seasonal Outlook 2023. But while prices are projected to track in a narrower range – at close to current levels – through the year, this is still "historically high’ and expectations are that beef producer margins will remains strong, the agribusiness banking specialist says.

A small village cafe has had international recognition. A luxury online publication in United Kingdom has released its annual restaurant awards featuring restaurants and cafes from around the world. And Bonalbo’s Powick’s Pantry has won the Best Local Homemade Cafe 2023.

Dubai Chamber office in Sydney a ‘big win,’ says Al Ghurair ... Al Ghurair said that  Dubai Chambers  aims to encourage more Australian businesses to set up companies in Dubai to boost bilateral trade and foreign investment in the city ... “We will be taking the UAE business community back to Australia where they can also invest and explore what kind of economic activities they can do in Australia.”

A group of the United Kingdom’s most influential business figures were presented insights into South Australia’s growing global investment opportunities at a premier industry event in London recently ... The event highlighted the State’s economic priorities to some of the UK’s most influential business figures, focusing on key initiatives such as renewable energy, food and wine, digital skills, space and defence.

In Ukraine, participants in the flower business are three times heroes. In 2014, the war with Russia began. Then, in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic began. And in 2022, Russia invaded the territory of Ukraine. Over eight years, the business industry has experienced a catastrophic recession three times. Even so, the flower business continues to thrive. The love of Ukrainians for flowers is stronger than any problem.

The Alice Springs Turf Club is hosting Chinese satellite navigation equipment with potential military use and apparently without the knowledge of the Federal Government. This is alleged by a source, formerly linked to the company that supplied it, speaking with the  Alice Springs News  on the condition of not being named.

Charles Sturt University academics are collaborating on an international project to investigate how racehorses express positive emotions in their interaction with humans. Researchers from Charles Sturt, EITITe PÅ«kenga in New Zealand and Hartpury University in the United Kingdom have secured funding from the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) Equine Welfare Foundation for the three-year study.

Jordan Bryon has won a British Academy Film Award for the documentary ‘Children of The Taliban’. The documentary follows the lives of four children growing up in Kabul under Taliban rule and was recognised for the unique story telling as well as for its cinematography.

CWA Narrandera Evening Branch was delighted with the huge success of its International Food Fair at the Marie Bashir Park on Saturday ... "It was fabulous to see so many people there, enjoying the entertainment, purchasing food and items from the stalls and the children having fun with the activities/amusements": branch spokesperson Josie Marks.

Olympic and World Champions descended on Doha last Friday for the Opening of the 2023 Wanda Diamond League Season. This is the start of the international Athletics Season which brings together the world’s biggest names in track and field, including eight Australians led by a distance duo and a discus giant in the form of Allora’s Matthew Denny.

The global avocado trade will continue to grow in the next few years, but the market will be more competitive, forcing operators to be not only more efficient, but also increasingly sustainable, according to a new report by agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank. In the report Global Avocado Growth Far From Over, Rabobank says world avocado production expanded by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately seven per cent over the past decade.

Prime Ministers Albanese and Sunak met in London on 5 May 2023 and announced the long-awaited entry into force date of midnight 31 May 2023 for the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (A-UK FTA), following the expected completion of UK domestic processes ... The A-UK FTA, which was agreed in principle in June 2021 and signed on 17 December 2021, will see Australian beef and sheepmeat/goat meat access to the UK liberalised over a transition period.

The National Farmers’ Federation welcomes the 5 May 2023 announcement that the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement will enter into force on 31 May 2023.  The FTA improves access to an important market for Australian farmers and will allow them to diversify their markets. It will importantly give UK customers the option of sustainable, high quality Australian produce on supermarket shelves to complement their existing home-grown options.

The Australian Government has kicked off a new $1.4 million capacity enhancing project in Indonesia, providing Australian expertise in-country, to assist in the fight to control foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and lumpy skin disease (LSD) ... Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Mark Schipp said the project would be delivered by the FAO in partnership with the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) operating out of the MOA offices in Jakarta.

“Bula.” That was Louisa’s greeting to everyone at the Lions’ Club monthly meeting on April 27 – “Hello” in Fijian. “Welcome”. This welcome was an invitation to all gathered, an invitation into Fijian culture, shared through meals and memories.

Around 1000 people gathered at first light for Naracoorte’s Anzac Day Dawn Service where a special haka performance enthused the crowd. The performance has since gone viral via various traditional and social media platforms.

A class action, organised and crowd-funded by Queensland GP Dr Melissa McCann, is taking aim at the Commonwealth government and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), along with a number of senior public servants, alleging negligence, breach of statutory duty and misfeasance in public office. The suit alleges that the respondents approved the vaccines “with no proper or reasonable evidentiary or logical basis to reasonably determine the vaccines to be safe, effective and possessing a positive risk-benefit profile.”

While thousands of people across the UK are expected to gather around large screens in bustling city locations to celebrate the Coronation of his Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla, in the Queensland Outback Quilpie locals will celebrate in true Aussie style with a large scale bonfire that will be coloured a Royal red for the occasion and fireworks lighting up the crisp Autumn night at Baldy Top look out.

It’s a long way from the Clarence River in Grafton to the Thames in London, but stroke by stroke, a dedicated young crew of talented rowers from Brisbane Boys College (BBC), are continuing to make waves as they determinedly pursue their dreams of representing Australia on the international stage by competing in the prestigious 2023 Henley Royal Regatta.

The region is set to enjoy a boost to economic, cultural and educational opportunities as The Barossa Council gears up to enter into a formalised  sister-city agreement with the  City of Grapevine, Texas  which is the fifth largest wine producing state in the United States. Barossa Mayor Bim Lange said as major wine and food destinations, the two regions share many similarities and a global reputation for premium wine, food and events.

Carly Brisby of Yanchep was among those to attend the Anzac Day service in the Yanchep National Park earlier on 25 April 2023. “My grandfather fought in World War II and was a prisoner at Changi I believe so I’m just here to remember him and the other soldiers that fought in all the wars" ... In his Anzac Day address Yanchep Two Rocks RSL president Bill Jones said in the very early morning 108 years ago the landing of allied troops took place along the rocky shores and headlands of the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey.