#official estimates

HONOLULU  | Northern Marianas brace for slow recovery after typhoon

HONOLULU  — Residents of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands were bracing for months without electricity or running water in the aftermath of the strongest storm to hit any part of the U.S. this year.

Super Typhoon Yutu crossed over the U.S. territory early Thursday local time.

Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, the commonwealth’s delegate to U.S. Congress, said the territory will need…

Australia beef exports seen missing forecast as drought in 2014-15

SYDNEY:  Australian beef exports are likely to fall short of official estimates in the year to June, with ranchers in the world’s third-biggest supplier culling fewer cows as heavy rains revive pastures scorched by a prolonged drought, analysts said.

A slower slaughter rate could boost Australian cattle prices to record highs and ramp up costs for key consumers such as the United States, which is…