SHOCKING: 6 - What They Never Told You

Australia’s $10bn EU trade deal has stalled again. What is it and what’s gone wrong?

Trade minister warns there is no room to renegotiate, saying ‘we’ve got to either accept or reject this offer’

The Guardian - AU · Oct 20

‘For Panama, it is life or death’: how drought is choking the canal that feeds a nation

Failed rains and a dire El Niño threaten the waterway that sustains the country, with farmers selling cattle to survive

The Guardian - UK · Oct 20

The women getting their wombs removed so they can keep cutting sugarcane: ‘My body is enslaved to the system’

WOMBS OF DEBT: To avoid missing work and losing daily wages, female sugarcane cutters in Maharashtra feel forced to undergo hysterectomies to stay in the fields. They tell Noopur Jambhekar how they are trapped in a cycle of debt – but still dream of better futures for their children

The Independent UK · Oct 20

Why Loose Cattle Eat Festival Waste and What It Does to the Rumen

The Rumen Is a Fermentation Vat, Not a StomachCattle are ruminants, which means digestion begins not in an acid stomach but in a four-chambered system where the first and largest chamber, the rumen, holds between 100 and 150 litres of fermenting ingesta in an adult cow. Billions of microbes, bacteria,…

Times Life · Oct 20

The Fed's Beige Book is Mentioning Diesel a Lot More Than Before. What That Could Mean for Consumer Prices.

The jump in mentions points to growing concern among businesses about an expense that can reach consumers through shipping charges and higher product prices.

International Business Times · Oct 19

India sets import quotas for New Zealand apples, kiwifruit under FTA

India will implement a quota system for importing apples, kiwifruit, Manuka honey, and albumins from New Zealand. The quotas will gradually increase over five years, allowing for proper regulation of imports. Apple imports will be capped initially, with no allowances in the first year. The duty rates will vary depending…

The Economic Times · Oct 19

India-New Zealand FTA to kick in October 20, opening market opportunities for exporters

The India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement will come into effect on October 20, enhancing trade for both nations. New Zealand expects increased demand for its agricultural products, particularly kiwifruit, honey, and apples, in India. The agreement includes provisions to ensure tariff-free access for Indian goods in New Zealand's market. Both…

The Economic Times · Oct 19

Tricky time for lunchboxes: banana shortage hits supermarket shelves after cool weather in Queensland

Dearth of bananas coincides with poor apple harvest and lack of summer stone fruit

The Guardian - AU · Oct 19

Animals In Chinese Rice Paddies: Ducks, fish cut chemicals; pest balance shifts

Rice-duck and rice-fish farming methods employed in southern China showcase remarkable ecological and economic benefits. In rice-duck systems, the ducks are effective in curbing weed growth but may struggle with insect pest control. On the other hand, rice-fish systems have significantly cut pesticide usage while maintaining yields comparable to conventional…

The Times of India · Oct 19

Sweet corn can turn dark after home canning even when it was processed correctly; natural compounds can react with iron and air to create the unexpected colour

Sweet corn may develop brown or black hues after home canning due to chemical reactions. These color changes often occur without spoilage, despite proper canning practices. The reactions involve enzymes and minerals, which can influence the corn's appearance. High-quality water and appropriate processing temperatures are crucial for maintaining color. It…

The Economic Times · Oct 19