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Trade

Agriculture department forbids 16,000 livestock stranded in Perth being re-exported to Israel

About 16,000 livestock will stay stranded on a ship in Perth after the federal agriculture department forbid them from being re-exported.
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A livestock vessel docked off the coast

'Low number' of animals confirmed dead on live export ship MV Bahijah, off WA's coast

The agriculture department says the number of deaths is below the reportable mortality rate, as authorities are continue deciding what will happen to the remaining stock.
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A sheep sticks its head through the bars of a window of the ship.

From dripping on bread to biofuels and skincare, demand for tallow is surging

It started as a war-time snack that reduced waste during food scarcity, but now tallow is making Australia one of the most significant players in biofuel exports.
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A young woman stands next to a batch of jars filled with tallow products.

Bitter news for wine exporters as more people choose not to drink to save money — and health

Australian wine exports have been hit by a global trend in people drinking less alcohol and cutting costs, but hope remains for the re-opening of a major market.
A hand reaches for a glass of wine. A Harry Potter book is on the coffee table

Highways across Europe are being blocked by tractors. This is why farmers are protesting

European farmers are angry about rising costs, environmental policies and cheap food imports — especially from Ukraine. And they're not shy about letting politicians know about it.
Large green tractors on the highway surrounded by people.

Zero cattle exports from Darwin as industry awaits Indonesian permits for 2024

The ABC understands there are a few thousand cattle held up in yards around the Northern Territory's Top End, and two live export vessels anchored off Darwin, as the industry waits for the permit issue to be resolved.
An aerial view of a wharf part of the Darwin Port, with the city of Darwin in the distance.

How long will Australia remain a major gas exporter? It depends who you ask

Resources Minister Madeleine King has used a week-long visit to Japan and South Korea to assure both government and business figures that Australia will remain a "reliable supplier" of export gas well into the future.
Madeleine speaks in parliament in a bright red blazer, black glasses and gestures with her left hand.

Northern Ireland government could return in days, after DUP agrees to end two-year boycott

The leader of Northern Ireland's largest pro-British party is optimistic the regional power-sharing government could be restored soon, urging ministers in London to move quickly.
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A man in a suit and tie speaks into microphones and gestures with one hand, in front of a DUP sign behind him.

'It's going to smell pretty bad': 15,000 animals stranded at sea during heatwave amid biosecurity risks

The animals have been at sea for 25 days on board the MV Bahijah after it was ordered by the federal government to turn back from its voyage to the Middle East due to security concerns in the strife-torn Red Sea.
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A livestock export ship on the ocean

With mines closing and FIFO jobs on the line, WA's government throws a lifeline to nickel miners

Nickel miners could pay less to mine in WA, as the government holds crisis talks with the resources industry as mines shut and hundreds of jobs are lost.
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A person holds a handfull of ground nickel

Western efforts to break China's green tech stranglehold 'not possible' this decade, global forecaster says

Across the Western world, governments are trying to rein in China's ascendancy in green tech manufacturing. But a respected global forecaster has offered a sobering assessment.
Two men look at a photovoltaic cell that's suspended under lights for inspection

Waiting for goods from overseas? There's a 'perfect storm' of issues causing delays

Consumers have been warned they face long delays and higher prices for goods as shipping and port problems cause delays across the world. 
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A large ship being guided by two small tug boats

Union dispute with DP World creates container backlog at Australian ports as meat industry calls for intervention

Ports operator DP World tells a Senate Estimates hearing nearly 55,000 containers filled with consumer goods and farm exports are stuck on the docks due to union stop-work action, as stakeholders call for federal government intervention.
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Two women dressed in white jackets, hair nets and protective ear muffs stand near a conveyer belt packing meat.

Export ship carrying thousands of Australian cattle and sheep stuck in Red Sea route limbo

Animal advocates are "deeply concerned" about the situation, which could see the animals' journey prolonged as alternative route found around the deteriorating security situation. 
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A photo of sheep  inside a pen

US hits more Houthi targets in Yemen as rebels strike Greek cargo ship in Red Sea

The US hit Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles in its latest strikes against the group's targets in Yemen, after the rebels continued attacks in global shipping lanes. 
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Houthi fighters and tribesmen stand on and around a ute holding up guns.

Australia could be stumbling into biggest waterfront dispute since the 1990s. Here's what it might mean for you

The current row between a Dubai-owned stevedore, DP World, and the Maritime Union of Australia could reignite inflation and cause the Reserve Bank to continue lifting interest rates, experts say. There are calls for federal minister Tony Burke to intervene. 
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Container ship at the Melbourne wharves

UN Security Council demands halt to Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping route

The vote was 11-0 in favour of the resolution, with Russia, China, Algeria and Mozambique abstaining.  
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the back of a man with a mask on on  acargo ship

China's appetite for Australian barley is back, three years after tariffs halted the market

Farmers say it took time to bounce back from China's tariffs on Australian barley, but the reopening of the market has been positive.
A composite photo of Australian and Chinese flags combined with a grain photo overlaid 

Lithium mine near Darwin considers halt as market 'deteriorates'

Shares in Core Lithium have crashed by more than 20 per cent this morning after the company announced it was reviewing its operations near Darwin because of "the deterioration in lithium market conditions".
a mine site with a big truck and white rock

Rebels with drones are sending billions of dollars of cargo on an expensive 10-day detour and you may pay the price

Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have fired missiles at container ships in the Red Sea. As one of the world's major trade routes closes, there are fears it could derail a fragile global economy.
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The Galaxy Leader cargo ship is escorted by Houthi boats in the Red Sea in this photo released November 20, 2023.

US announces multinational operation as Houthi attacks upend global trade in vital Red Sea corridor

The attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea by Yemen's Houthi rebels are scaring off some of the world's top shipping companies and oil giants, effectively rerouting global trade.
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A large ship being guided by two small tug boats

ASEAN country leaders will land in Melbourne for a major summit. Here's why it's so important to Australia

Next March, leaders from across South-East Asia will join a major summit in Melbourne to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ties between Australia and ASEAN. What is the meeting all about, and what are the trickiest issues the leaders will grapple with? 
A group of leaders holding hands.

How drone attacks in the Red Sea could cause major disruptions to global trade

The US and British militaries say they have shot down 15 attack drones targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea. Australian peak shipping bodies warn there could be major implications. 
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a big ship in the ocean

Northern Territory's first cotton gin officially opens near Katherine

About 150 people have attended the official opening of the NT's first cotton gin, which cost about $70 million to build.
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A row of large round cotton modules wrapped in yellow plastic sitting outside a large tin shed.

China lifts restrictions on Australian abattoirs as trade tensions ease

Analysts say the protracted bans were part of a campaign of economic punishment conducted by China against Australia due to political tensions.
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Abattoir staff in white hard hats, grey overalls and blue aprons process meat hanging from the roof of a large room