Pacific Islands

Vendors set up their stalls at a roadside market in New Delhi. The South Asian nation is worried that eliminating tariffs would lead to an influx of cheap goods from abroad.  
International relations

Asia trade pact RCEP aims for fall signing, after India elections

Negotiators set to meet in February to restart negotiations

7 January 2019
Scott Morrison's first trip overseas as Australian Prime Minister was to neighboring Indonesia in August.
International relations

Australia's canceled Israel embassy move shows country's Asian concerns

Government buckles amid backlash from Muslim-majority Indonesia and Malaysia

5 January 2019
Voters in some of the Asia-Pacific's biggest economies head to the polls in the new year.
Politics

Incumbents fight to keep power in series of 2019 Asia elections

Thailand, Indonesia, India, Japan, Philippines and Australia brace for new polls

3 January 2019
Although China has tightened its information controls, the country has also shown an interest in helping to create shared, international rules governing data management.
International relations

WTO seeks to ban government raids on corporate data

China and US open to multilateral effort led by Japan, Singapore and Australia

3 January 2019
These marble Tibetan snow lions were carved in Vietnam for Bendigo's Great Stupa. (Photo by Geoff Hiscock)
Arts

Great Stupa brings Buddhism to Australia's bush

Pagoda will hold one of the world's top collections of the faith's sacred relics

31 December 2018
A ship leaves a port in Indonesia, which has indicated interest in joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.
Trade war

Japan rings in the year of mega free trade

TPP-11 zone covers a big chunk of global GDP -- but not US and China

30 December 2018
Tech companies say no one's data is safe without secure encryption. The Australian government says terrorists will imperil safety if encryption cannot be bypassed by authorities.
Politics

Australia shocks global tech community with anti-encryption law

Vaguely worded legislation threatens privacy and security of smartphone users

29 December 2018
Some whales are protected by the IWC, but Japanese officials disagree that certain species are endangered.
26 December 2018
Samooh Ali of the Maldives, right, defends the ball against a Singaporean rival during a friendly match in the city-state on March 23. (Pictobank/Getty Images)
Tea Leaves

When the 'beautiful game' transforms national confidence

Maldives shows that victory for Asia's soccer minnows means more than just goals

26 December 2018
Residents inspect a house damaged by a tsunami, in Carita, Indonesia, on Dec. 23. 
Natural disasters

Indonesia tsunami death toll tops 370, with dozens missing

Disaster likely triggered by eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau

24 December 2018
Mitsubishi Corp. has decided to sell interests in two Australian coal mines and use the proceeds to get ahead of what it sees as an approaching copper boom.
Companies

Mitsubishi Corp. to sell interests in Australian coal mines

Proceeds to go toward increasing copper positions ahead of electric vehicle boom

20 December 2018
A Madame Tussauds artist works on Malcolm Turnbull’s likeness before it is shelved. (Photo by Madame Tussauds)
Tea Leaves

Assassins at work in Australia's chamber of horrors

Canberra's leadership fiasco makes it the 'coup capital of the democratic world'

19 December 2018
Wan Long, chairman and chief executive officer of WH Group, the world's biggest pork company, poses with one of the company's products.
19 December 2018
Dalal Karra-Hassan leads a group of women through a workout program at a Sydney park.
Business trends

Women-only gyms and fitness groups draw Australian Muslims

For the modest, workouts away from the prying eyes of men are a comfort

17 December 2018
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison delivers a speech at the Sydney Institute on Saturday.
International relations

Australia recognizes West Jerusalem as Israeli capital

Prime minister says embassy will not move until city's status is settled

16 December 2018
"It concerns us that the rules-based order is under threat," says New Zealand Trade Minister David Parker.
Interview

New Zealand minister fears 'unsettled world' amid Huawei row

David Parker says 'rules-based order' under threat following multiple arrests

13 December 2018
© Illustration by Daniel Garcia
Asia Insight

A small island gets caught in China's Pacific power game with West

Bougainville's huge copper reserves and independence vote draw global interest

11 December 2018
Dubbo zoo visitors feed carrots to a giraffe. (Photo by Di Smith)
Life

'Glamping' thrill in Australia's bush has a serious side

Luxury holidays bring visitors up close to endangered rhino

9 December 2018
The U.S. has lobbied allies to keep Huawei equipment out of their planned 5G wireless networks.
International relations

New Zealand's Huawei ban reveals difficulty of trade war neutrality

Wellington bows to US pressure on 5G despite trade talks with Beijing

29 November 2018
A sign shows the way to the Rio Tinto-owned Rossing Uranium Mine in the Namib Desert. 
Business deals

Rio Tinto sells African uranium mine to China

Deal paves way for shutting down money-losing uranium business

27 November 2018
APEC leaders including, from left, China's Xi Jinping, Papua New Guinean host Peter O'Neill, Japan's Shinzo Abe and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence pose in Port Moresby on Nov. 18.
Trade war

APEC chair statement underlines US-China divisions

Fight against 'protectionism' removed from document released five days after summit

23 November 2018
APA Group owns more than half of Australia's natural gas transmission network. (Photo courtesy of APA Group)
Business deals

Australia rejects Hong Kong group's bid for pipeline operator

Conglomerate CK's planned buy of APA not in 'national interest,' Canberra says

21 November 2018
APEC leaders including, from left, China's Xi Jinping, Papua New Guinean host Peter O'Neill, Japan's Shinzo Abe and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence pose in Port Moresby on Nov. 18.
Trade war

US-China trade clash blocks APEC declaration

Forum ends without statement for first time in its history

19 November 2018
Turkey's Yildiz Holding plans to sell its Godiva chocolate business spanning several big Asia-Pacific markets, hoping to complete a deal by the middle of next year. (Photo by Shihoko Nakaoka)
Business deals

Godiva's East Asia chocolate business up for sale

Mitsubishi Corp. and others among potential buyers from Turkey's Yildiz

16 November 2018
A giant banner showing Chinese President Xi Jinping and Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Peter O'Neill shaking hands is displayed in Port Moresby.
Belt and Road

China displays Pacific ambitions in Great Game with Australia and US

APEC host Papua New Guinea rolls out red carpet for Xi ahead of summit

16 November 2018