Australia

The trilateral defense talks in Hawaii on Oct. 1 were proposed by the American side, according to Japan's Ministry of Defense. (Photo by Ryo Nakamura)
Indo-Pacific

U.S. defense chief raises alarm over China's 'bullying' in Taiwan Strait

Austin holds meeting in Hawaii with Japan's Hamada and Australia's Marles

2 October 2022
Australia-based Investible says it has put money into eight startups focused on decarbonization across sectors such as logistics and agriculture. (Source photos by AP and screenshot from Investible's website) 
DealStreetAsia

Australia's Investible eyes 'novel tech' for climate fund

Has invested in companies including an electric-aircraft motor startup

30 September 2022
 A Sikh band plays during the Anzac Day March in Sydney in April 2018. There are about 210,000 adherents of the Sikh religion in Australia today, compared with just 12,000 25 years ago. (Getty Images)
Life

In Australia, multicultural means multireligious

Traditional churches in decline amid rise of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism

23 September 2022
Workers in Singapore: Asian employers are more eager to bring people back to offices than Western companies, research suggests.
Coronavirus

From Singapore to Japan, workers get restless as offices call

Surveys signal clash between employer and employee priorities after COVID

19 September 2022
Hong Kong-based PAG has acquired Australia's Patties Foods, which makes snacks such as meat rolls and pies. (Screenshot from Patties' website)
DealStreetAsia

Hong Kong-based PAG buys Aussie food brands Patties and Vesco

Acquisitions by Blackstone-backed investment manager total nearly $472m

16 September 2022
Ethereum is transitioning from mining to a proof-of-stake model, a move that is hoped will shore up interest in digital assets while decreasing energy usage.
Cryptocurrencies

Ethereum merge: Crypto players raise stakes amid blockchain shift

Digital token services in Asia hunt for fresh opportunities, but risks remain

15 September 2022
Joe Biden departs after speaking about a national security initiative at the White House in September 2021: The main aim of AUKUS is to elevate the intelligence and deterrent value of conventional capabilities.
Opinion

AUKUS is not an alliance for nuclear deterrence

Pact is really about strategic sharing of technology to protect open seas

15 September 2022
The Sydney Opera House is illuminated in honour of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 9.
International relations

Queen's death may stir republican sentiment in Australia, Pacific

Affection for Elizabeth as head of state might not transfer to King Charles

15 September 2022
A gambling watchdog has given Star Entertainment 14 days to respond to a damning report into operations at its Sydney casino.
Companies

Inquiry finds Australia's Star unfit to run Sydney casino

Gambling regulator says report into casino 'is, quite frankly, shocking'

13 September 2022
Squadron Energy aims to bring its LNG terminal at Port Kembla, near Sydney, online in 2023. (Photo courtesy of Squadron Energy)
Energy

LNG exporter Australia shifts focus to meeting demand at home

Energy companies respond to decarbonization drive, shortage concerns

10 September 2022
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh at a civic ceremony in New Delhi during the Royal Tour of India, circa January 1961.
International relations

Legacy of decency: Asian leaders pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

Monarch was frequent visitor to region during her 70-year reign

9 September 2022
LaSalle's latest fund will invest in projects in places such as Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Singapore. (Source image from LaSalle website)
DealStreetAsia

U.S.-based LaSalle raises over $2.2bn for Asia property fund

Will use capital across commercial, residential, logistics, hospitality sectors

9 September 2022
The Reserve Bank of Australia is in tightening mode as it attempts to tame inflation.
Economy

Australia raises key rate to 2.35%, hiking for 5th straight month

As inflation bites, RBA hints at more hikes and government lifts immigration cap

6 September 2022
U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi participate in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity launch event in Tokyo on May 23. 
Indo-Pacific

Indo-Pacific nations to agree on better supply chain communication

IPEF draft statement for Sept. 8-9 meeting also includes push for clean energy

4 September 2022
Employers seek to attract workers at a job fair at Sydney Airport in June. (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi) 
Economy

Australia PM calls for 'compromise, sacrifice' to combat labor crunch

Summit held with private sector amid 48-year-low jobless rate, inflation threat

2 September 2022
The Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Maine at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor in Washington in June 2021. Nuclear-powered submarines provide the most survivable leg of America's nuclear triad.
Indo-Pacific

AUKUS submarines: A burden too big for overloaded U.S. shipyards

Rear admiral says more work would be 'detrimental' to overstretched industry

1 September 2022
Anthony Albanese is in a unique position to launch a new era of personal diplomacy in Southeast Asia.
Opinion

Australia must seize chance to reset relations with ASEAN states

Country can leave behind image as 'America's deputy sheriff' with better outreach

1 September 2022
An autonomous vehicle collects iron ore at Fortescue Metals Group mine in the Pilbara region southeast of Port Hedland, Australia in 2018.
Materials

Australia's Fortescue profit falls 40% on weak iron ore prices

Cooling demand from top consumer China, rising costs hit miner's earnings

29 August 2022
A view of BHP Group's nickel sulphate plant being built south of Perth, Australia. The Anglo-Australian miner is pivoting heavily toward nickel to capture demand from the EV industry.
Materials

BHP bets big on EV-driven nickel boom

Miner pursues battery material while shrinking dependence on China, iron ore

25 August 2022
Obayashi's 39-story Atlassian Central structure, seen here in an artist's rendering, aims to reduce project-related carbon dioxide emissions by half. (Image courtesy of Atlassian)
Companies

World's tallest timber tower to be constructed in Sydney

Japan's Obayashi plans 39-story Atlassian building powered by renewable energy

25 August 2022
The Pitch Black exercise marks the first Indo-Pacific deployment for Germany's mainstay Eurofighter jets.
Indo-Pacific

Australia-led air force exercise begins with German aircraft

Drill aimed at countering China's growing military footprint in region

19 August 2022
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has emotionally dedicated his first term to recognizing Australia's Indigenous population in the nation's constitution. (Source photos by EPA/Jiji and Reuters)  
Politics

Australia split on recognizing Indigenous people in constitution

Diverse opinions among First Nation groups reflect complexity of issue

19 August 2022
Singapore uses rooftop solar panels, but their generating capacity is limited.
Energy

Singapore opens taps on renewable-energy imports with Laos deal

Far-reaching strategy stretches to Australian desert, but carries risks

18 August 2022
A Eurofighter, painted with the flags of Australia, Singapore, Japan and South Korea, refuels with the help of an Airbus A330.
Indo-Pacific

German Air Force shows it can be in Asia in a day

Taiwan issue serves as a wake-up call to European powers

16 August 2022
A Eurofighter Typhoon jet of the German Air Force stands at the air base in Neuburg an der Donau, Germany on July 22. Six Eurofighter jets took off from here on Monday. 
Indo-Pacific

German fighter jets head to Australia in shift for Indo-Pacific

Deployment includes detours to Japan and South Korea

16 August 2022