Australia

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group and units from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Australian Defense Force participate in trilateral exercises in the Philippine Sea on July 21. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Naval Forces Japan)
22 July 2020
If restaurant customers tap their smartphone on “me&u,” a disk-shaped device about 8cm in diameter and visible at the top right of the pictured table, a digital menu appears on the smartphone screen. The device is likely to expand its footprint in Australia on coronavirus fears. (Photo courtesy of me&u)
Business trends

More Australia restaurant-goers get a taste of digital menus

Using smartphones to order and pay gain popularity on coronavirus fears

18 July 2020
More Hong Kong citizens are applying for Thailand's long-term residency program. (Source photo by Akira Kodaka and Reuters) 
Economy

Thai residency visa draws Hong Kongers after China security law

Kingdom poised to compete with UK and Australia to attract territory's emigrants

17 July 2020
A durian party in Singapore in 2018. The spiky fruit is a celebrated summer delicacy in parts of Southeast Asia, with flavors that can range from creamy custard to bitter, boozy liquor. (Courtesy of 99 Old Trees)
Life

Southeast Asia celebrates durian at parties, festivals and buffets

Despite poor reputation in Western media, fruit pleases palates across region

15 July 2020
Sydney’s officially designated Thai Town is only the second in the world after the one in Los Angeles. (Courtesy of the Thai Town Business and Community Association)
Life

Inside Sydney's 'Little Bangkok'

Australia's Thais transform demographics and make headlines amid crisis

13 July 2020
Many countries fear Beijing's new security law covering Hong Kong will be used to crack down on pro-democracy activists and critics of the mainland government.
International relations

Abe and Morrison share concern over Hong Kong security law

Japan and Australia seek to resume business travel between countries

10 July 2020
Aluminum prices are down due to weak demand from the auto sector.
Commodities

Rio Tinto to shutter aluminum smelter in New Zealand

High power costs and weak demand from auto industry sink operations

9 July 2020
Since Chinese tourists contribute about A$12 billion to Australia's  economy each year, Beijing wants Canberra to pay a price for biting the hand that feeds it.
Opinion

China's economic bullying will never work

Beijing has threatened Australia, Japan and others with tariffs and tourism cuts

8 July 2020
A funeral pyre for a COVID-19 victim burns in New Delhi.
Coronavirus: Free to read

Coronavirus: Week of June 28 to July 4, Global cases top 11 million

Tokyo surge rises to over 120 cases; Philippines and India log biggest spikes

4 July 2020
Indonesian naval officers stand by as a Japanese destroyer arrives in Jakarta as part of an Indo-Pacific tour in 2018.
International relations

Japan deepens intelligence sharing with India, Australia and UK

To track Chinese activities better, Tokyo broadens sources beyond US

3 July 2020
Female workers use their mobile phones during a break in Sydney on Mar. 18: women in Australia are paid 14% less than men on average.
Opinion

Australia's coronavirus response will not help women back into work

Government has directed money to male-dominated industries

2 July 2020
Japan is eager to reopen business travel to and from a number of territories, including Taiwan, Brunei, Myanmar and Singapore, but not China.
Coronavirus

Japan puts Taiwan and Brunei atop its business travel agenda

Myanmar also considered as Tokyo moves to undo coronavirus restraints

30 June 2020
Australia-listed Infigen Energy owns and operates 670 megawatts of wind farm, gas, battery and other contracted assets.
Business deals

Philippines' Ayala fights to take over Australia's Infigen Energy

Bidding war with Spain's Iberdrola heats up for renewables company

29 June 2020
China's Landbridge Group holds a 99-year lease to the Port of Darwin -- the sort of deal Australian critics say warrants closer scrutiny.
International relations

Rocky China ties seen driving Australia foreign investment reforms

Planned rules set to counter espionage fears as cyberattack jolts Canberra

19 June 2020
China is Australia's largest trade partner, accounting for 26% of its exchange with the world, with Australian exports to China valued at a record AU$153 billion last year.
Trade

China plays hardball on trade as Australia tensions escalate

Beijing punishes Canberra with tariffs and bans for COVID-19 inquiry push

16 June 2020
Jetstar Pacific Airlines, Vietnam's second-largest budget carrier, was hit hard by weak demand for domestic flights during the coronavirus lockdown.
Transportation

Qantas to exit Vietnam joint venture amid coronavirus slump

Jetstar Pacific will lean on Vietnam Airlines to navigate post-pandemic market

16 June 2020
Malcolm Turnbull, Australia's prime minister from 2015 to 2018, advocates a "no-shame, no-blame investigation" examining the origins and management of COVID-19.
Interview

Malcolm Turnbull argues Australia can withstand China's pressure

Ex-PM says reason Beijing buys iron ore is not 'because they like kangaroos'

15 June 2020
China barred imports of beef from four Australian abattoirs in May.
Interview

Australia farm minister urges exporters to think beyond China

Littleproud downplays politics in beef and barley trade rows

12 June 2020
Australia's newspapers have seen revenue halve between 2009 and 2019.
Technology

Australia fights to make Google and Facebook pay for news

Coronavirus-hit media want 'fair' slice of $5bn ad revenue pie

5 June 2020
The Zip service allows customers to buy now and pay later without a credit card at over 20,000 merchants.
Business deals

Australia's Zip payment provider takes over US peer in $270m deal

QuadPay acquisition adds 1.5m clients in push for global expansion

5 June 2020
Planes wait on the tarmac at Narita International Airport. Japan is eager to restart business travel to and from countries with low coronavirus infection rates. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Travel & Leisure

Japan set to lift quarantines for business travelers in summer

Exclusive: Visitors from Thailand, Vietnam, New Zealand and Australia are first in line

5 June 2020
INS Shakti, a fleet replenishment tanker of the Indian Navy, is seen docked at Changi Naval Base during a visit to Singapore, May 2018.
International relations

India and Australia sign military pact as China tensions rise

Deal grants access to bases and strengthens partnership with Japan and US

4 June 2020
A boy receives polio vaccine drops at a Karachi train station in 2016.
Politics

Coronavirus threatens to upend Pakistan's long war against polio

39 nations at risk as public funds are diverted to fight COVID-19

3 June 2020
A Virgin plane takes off from Kingsford Smith airport in Sydney. Australia's second-biggest airline has faced long-running financial struggles exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.
2 June 2020
A bartender pours a beer at a hotel bar in Sydney. Asahi's deal for Carlton & United Breweries puts it in the deep end of Australia's beer market.
Business deals

Asahi's $10bn Australian beer deal faces post-pandemic hangover

Japanese brewer closes transaction in shrinking, changing market

2 June 2020