Lynas has clashed with Malaysian regulators over its rare-earths processing plant in the country.
Business deals

Australia's Wesfarmers makes $1bn bid for rare-earths miner

Conglomerate is offering 45% premium for Lynas, supplier based outside of China

27 March 2019
The current conservative government of Australia shares Japan's commitment to the Quad.
Opinion

The Convenient Rewriting of the History of the 'Quad'

In responding to China's rise, we should remember our experience of a decade ago

26 March 2019
Population growth in cities like Sydney has put a strain on public infrastructure.
Politics

Australia cuts immigrant intake by 15% ahead of election

Government moves to ease congestion in country's biggest cities

20 March 2019
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, wearing a hijab, visits the Kilbirnie mosque in Wellington, the capital, on March 17.
Politics

Shootings highlight New Zealand's embrace of immigrants

Prime minister recommits to diversity in face of attack that killed dozens

20 March 2019
Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have come in for harsh criticism for their handling of a livestreamed video from the Christchurch shootings.
International relations

Australia calls for G-20 social media crackdown after shootings

Prime minister demands platforms be reined in and 'consequences' clarified

19 March 2019
New Zealand is now part of the real world.
Opinion

New Zealand -- confronting complacency

Massacre will bring dramatic changes to protect multiculturalism

19 March 2019
Young protesters in Sydney answer a student-led call for action against climate change, which many Australians blame for the extreme weather conditions that have been affecting their country. (Photo by Fumi Matsumoto)
Politics

Australian parties spar over climate change ahead of elections

Extreme weather swipes at economy of one of world's largest coal exporters

18 March 2019
A Glencore mine in Australia. The company has vowed to cap coal production over environmental concerns. (Photo courtesy of Glencore)
Business trends

China, Indonesia and India emerge as miners of Australia's coal

Western companies under pressure to divest fossil fuel assets

17 March 2019
A model shows off a Roger David shirt and jacket during the 2016 Melbourne Fashion Festival. The iconic Australian company closed the last of its stores in December 2018.
Business trends

Australia's fashion industry shrinks as global brands move in

Domestic clothing makers squeezed as e-commerce and a slow economy reshape market

17 March 2019
Ambulance staff take a man from outside a mosque in central Christchurch on March 15.
Politics

Australian charged in New Zealand mosque shooting that killed 49

Trump condemns 'monstrous' attack that was livestreamed by the shooter

16 March 2019
Shearing sheep in New South Wales
Economy

Wool prices on high ground as Australian pastures dry up

Easing trade tension leads to stronger demand in China

14 March 2019
Donald Trump's most important strategic adviser on China right now could be the late Douglas MacArthur.   
Opinion

China, the South Pacific and MacArthur's ghost

US must react firmly to Beijing's growing maritime reach or risk losing out

13 March 2019
"18/28: The Singhaseni Tapestries," a work by Jakkai Siributr shown at APT9, is a family tale of political persecution in Thailand told through patchwork and embroidery.
Arts

Brisbane's Asia-Pacific art festival melds remote and familiar

Contemporary 'triennial' doubles down on quixotic regional focus

8 March 2019
More than 80% of Australian iron ore exports head to China.
Economy

Australian growth sputters on China slowdown

Last quarter's 0.2% expansion fell short of forecast as exports declined

7 March 2019
Australian Trade Minister Simon Birmingham, left, and Indonesian counterpart Enggartiasto Lukita shake hands after signing the economic partnership agreement in Jakarta on March 4.
Economy

Indonesia and Australia finally sign free trade deal

Canberra's plan to move Israel embassy to Jerusalem delayed agreement for months

4 March 2019
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Communist Party delegates attend the 19th National Congress in October 2017.
International relations

Chinese developer swept up in Australia's red scare

Canberra's counterinfluence campaign against Beijing risks alienating key trading partner

4 March 2019
The U.S. and Australia combined make up most of Japan's frozen beef imports.
Economy

TPP-11 exporters gain ground over US in Japan's beef market

Shipments from members jump while Washington presses for bilateral deal

28 February 2019
The Australian dollar hit a near 10-year low against the U.S. dollar in early January.
Currencies

Aussie dollar trends lower as Chinese money flees housing market

Central bank hints at rate cuts to spur spending and shore up economy

28 February 2019
Shaktikanta Das, after less than two months as RBI governor, switched on the rupee printing press anew.
Opinion

Asian central banks risk overfilling punchbowl

Slowing growth calls for monetary easing, but electoral pressures may push states too far

28 February 2019
Few complaints from Southeast Asia when Japan naval ships conducted joint exercises with a U.S. aircraft carrier group in the South China Sea last year. 
Opinion

Japan can help fill a security gap in Southeast Asia

Survey reveals regional concerns about impact of US-China rivalry

26 February 2019
Stream article image
Politics

Faking it on Twitter: Why social media may not sway Asia elections

Candidates' inflated followings and low engagement suggest reach is overstated

24 February 2019
Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei speaking to journalists in Shenzhen in January.
5G networks

Huawei comes out swinging against critics

Chinese telecom equipment maker changes tack over US-led campaign

24 February 2019
An Australian skier takes on the mountain at Geto Kogen Snow Resort in Kitakami, Iwate Prefecture.
Life

Aussie skiers in Japan look beyond Niseko for powdery pay dirt

Hokkaido resort no longer seen as hidden gem as its fame spreads abroad

23 February 2019
Eleventh-grade student Akshath Mugad uses the Byju's learning app at home in Mumbai. The app has 2 million paid subscribers. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)
Startups in Asia

Indian education unicorn Byju's aims to ace global test

Tutoring app makes 'accidental entrepreneur' an investor darling

22 February 2019
Augmented reality video conferences could be used for immersive gaming, Singtel and partners said.
5G networks

Singtel taps Oppo phone for 'first' 5G augmented reality call

Chinese company takes part in test between Singapore and Australia

22 February 2019