Japanese strawberries are known for their sweet taste.
Economy

Japan eyes Australia as new market for its strawberries

Imports of Japanese beef, banned in 2001, are also set to resume

26 December 2017
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Stocks

Resource stocks track higher on rosy global economic outlook

Tailwinds from US tax cuts could also spur on demand

23 December 2017
A logo of NHA on the rooftop of a building in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province
Business

HNA Group buy approved amid mounting scrutiny

Austria backs deal by Chinese conglomerate, but international probes intensify

22 December 2017
The deckhouse of the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System. Japan plans to deploy two of the systems to counter the growing threat from North Korea.
Economy

Rising Asia tensions push Japan's defense budget to record high

No end in sight for spending as Pyongyang and Beijing continue to flex military muscle

22 December 2017
Bitcoin has almost topped $20,000. The cryptocurrency's meteoric rise this year has Asian central bankers worried.
Economy

Asian central bankers on high alert over bitcoin frenzy

BOJ's Kuroda warns of the crypto's 'undoubtedly abnormal' rise

21 December 2017
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, right, is delighted at the passage of the same-sex marriage bill on Dec.7 in the lower house of the Australian parliament.
Business

Same-sex marriage law in Australia has wedding sector in a swoon

New law will encourage gays to marry in-country while luring those from abroad

20 December 2017
A protester holds a sign as he participates in a demonstration against the Indian mining company Adani's planned Carmichael coal mine project in northeast Australia, at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Oct. 7.
Business

Giant Australian coal mine faces new hurdle as Adani deal collapses

Cancellation of $1.5bn outsourcing plan raises doubts about project's future

19 December 2017
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Economy

Australia trims growth forecast to 2.5% on slower wage gains

Fiscal surplus target remains on track; Treasurer affirms push for corporate tax cut

19 December 2017
A protester holds a sign as he participates in a national Day of Action against the Indian mining company Adani's planned coal mine project in north-east Australia at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Oct. 7.
Economy

Adani scraps coal-mine contract with Australia's Downer

Funding challenges mount along with opposition to coal

18 December 2017
Paragliders fly over Queenstown and lake Wakatipu in Queenstown, New Zealand.
Life

New Zealand's improbably 'hot' Southern Alps under pressure

Once isolated high country faces housing crisis and environmental pressures

17 December 2017
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaks to reporters at Parliament House in Canberra on Dec. 5.
Politics

Australia-China mistrust steals spotlight in Sydney by-election

PM's future in balance amid talk of covert meddling and 'racial paranoia'

15 December 2017
Protesters participate in a national Day of Action against the Indian mining company Adani's planned coal mine project in north-east Australia at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Oct. 7.
Business

India's Adani to 'adjust' as Queensland to veto coal mine funding

New premier of Australian state said she would veto loan for Carmichael mine

13 December 2017
Philip Lowe, governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, doubts the future of bitcoin.
Economy

Central banker lashes bitcoin 'speculative mania'

Reserve Bank of Australia governor joins critics of modern 'tulip bubble'

13 December 2017
A Taiwan Coast Guard officer stands guard under a Taiwanese flag in Pengjia Islet, north of Taiwan.
Politics

Taiwan eyes 'important role' in alternative Asian sphere of influence

Mainland affairs minister intrigued by Trump references to 'Indo-Pacific'

13 December 2017
Australia's Sen. Sam Dastyari attends question time in the Senate chamber at Parliament House in Canberra on Dec. 4.
Politics

Prominent Australian senator resigns over China links

Government moves to block foreign political money as China looms larger

12 December 2017
Australia's AWE is developing domestic natural gas projects. (Courtesy of AWE)
Business

China hits resistance in bid for Aussie gas developer AWE

A $350m buyout offer faces government scrutiny and local competition

12 December 2017
The Chatree gold mine in the northern Thai province of Phichit was closed in January after a government order. (Photo by Hiroshi Kotani)
Economy

Australia's Kingsgate battles Thai government over gold mine closure

Case moves to international arbitration after military junta's decision

10 December 2017
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Business

Signs of stress mount for China's HNA Group

Acquisitive conglomerate faces financial and regulatory problems

7 December 2017
A construction worker builds a house in the western Sydney suburb of Oran Park in October. Australia's housing boom appears to be slowing.
Economy

Can Australia keep its long growth streak going?

Interest-rate rises loom, despite weak consumer spending

6 December 2017
British Prime Minister Theresa May, right, and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in New Delhi in November 2016
Opinion

Brexit Britain's troubled quest to 'Asianize' the Commonwealth

London is struggling to find partners, even in India, where it has focused diplomatic efforts

6 December 2017
Talk of abolishing large-denomination bank notes largely centers on preventing criminals from hoarding cash.
Economy

The case for getting rid of high-denomination bank notes

Softer cashless route would hinder criminals, crack interest rate constraints

4 December 2017
India's Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles, mounted on a truck, pass by during a full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, on Jan. 23, 2006.
Politics

Missile test furthers India's push for Indian Ocean supremacy

New Delhi draws line at Strait of Malacca as China tests the waters

1 December 2017
Barnaby Joyce, right, speaks at Parliament House in Canberra on Aug. 17 when he was still deputy prime minister.
Politics

Citizenship ruling causes delayed chaos Down Under

Mainstream politicians run afoul of Australia's century-old constitution

30 November 2017
Barnaby Joyce, right, speaks at Parliament House in Canberra on Aug. 17 when he was still deputy prime minister.
Politics

Citizenship ruling sparks delayed chaos Down Under

Mainstream politicians run afoul of Australia's century-old constitution

30 November 2017
Driverless trucks transport iron ore at Fortescue Metals' Solomon Hub mine in Western Australia.
Commodities

Australia's Fortescue has top miners looking over their shoulders

Automation is making it a serious rival with a mother lode of profit

30 November 2017