Pacific Islands

Singapore said on Friday it had instructed Facebook to correct a post on its social media platform under its new "fake news" law.
Politics

Singapore tells Facebook to correct post, citing 'fake news' law

Social media giant ordered to run correction after author refuses to comply

29 November 2019
An almond-sorting line at a ranch in California: The U.S. state produces about 80% of the world's supply.
Commodities

Demand from health-conscious Chinese underpin world nut prices

Despite high import tariffs, China is still buying from the US

29 November 2019
A ship at a Rio Tinto aluminum refinery in northern Australia: The mining titan is working to cut carbon emissions in its extraction and processing operations.
Commodities

Rio Tinto chases greener identity in Australia and China

Mining giant's projects seek to cut emissions in carbon-heavy industries

28 November 2019
China will continue some of Taiwan's projects, such as the construction of the main stadium for the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara. (Photo by Fumi Matsumoto)
Opinion

Pacific islands avoid China's 'debt-trap' diplomacy for now

Beijing's interest in region sparks fears it is making unsustainable loans

27 November 2019
Apart from the sale of industrial equipment, Malaysia’s Sime Darby also assembles automobiles and retails mass-market and luxury brands such as BMW and Porsche.
Nikkei Markets

Sime Darby's net profit rises on strong equipment sales

Robust demand for mining equipment in China to help sustain earnings

26 November 2019
A miner looks across a mine in Kalgoorlie, located around 500 kilometers east of Perth, Australia. 
Commodities

US and Australia form scrum to break China's rare-earth grip

Washington looks to ally to end reliance on trade war rival

26 November 2019
Major LNG development projects have been launched around the world in recent years.
Energy

LNG prices in Asia plunge 43% as new US supply hits market

Production at new fields in Australia and Russia adding to glut

25 November 2019
A Lion Dairy & Drinks logistics facility in Australia. (Photo courtesy of the company)
Business deals

Kirin to sell Australian dairy unit to China's Mengniu

Japanese brewer continues streamlining to focus on alcoholic beverages

25 November 2019
Seedless Shine Muscat grapes, developed in Japan, enjoy growing popularity overseas. (Photo by Yuji Uoyama)
Agriculture

Japan to strengthen IP protections for its high-end produce

Move will curb foreign growers so Japanese farms realize the fruits of their labor

23 November 2019
An Australia-inspired offering at Bali's Sea Circus.
Life

Modern Australian cuisine makes waves in Bali

Expatriate chefs rule culinary roost on Indonesian resort island

22 November 2019
A firefighter works to contain a bush fire in the Australian town of Old Bar, in New South Wales, on Nov. 9.
Tea Leaves

Australians confront 'trial by fire'

Unprecedented bush blazes disrupt politics and social norms Down Under

20 November 2019
Spark New Zealand has decided to keep Huawei on its 5G supplier list.
Huawei crackdown

Huawei back in New Zealand's 5G plans despite security concerns

Country's No. 2 carrier addresses unease with smaller role for Chinese supplier

20 November 2019
Members of the Philippine Railway Institute observe the operations of a Marunouchi Line driver at Honancho station in Tokyo (Photo by Yuki Kohara).
Transportation

Tokyo Metro tackles $87bn global market with IPO in mind

Subway operator seeks new growth engine as aging population cuts local business

12 November 2019
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, left, with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. It is unclear whether India will return to the RCEP talks.
International relations

RCEP trade deal can take effect without India, Thailand confirms

China, Japan, ASEAN and others to write up treaty for ratification by June

8 November 2019
U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien at a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the ASEAN summit on Nov. 4 in Thailand. (Pool photo)
International relations

Trump's ASEAN snub signals US-led Asia order is in decline

Southeast Asian leaders see presidential envoy as sign of disrespect, expert says

5 November 2019
Leaders of sixteen nations pose during the Third RECEP Summit in Nonthaburi, Thailand, on Nov. 4: The members failed to reach an agreement on a free trade deal on Monday.
International relations

Five things to know about India's cool stance on RCEP

Face-saving document raises questions about New Delhi's future in trade deal

5 November 2019
The RCEP talks are expected to continue next year, but some political analysts and economists fear it may be difficult to regain momentum.
International relations

16 Asia-Pacific nations fail to seal RCEP trade deal

India blocks agreement; talks pushed to next year in blow for trade-war-weary China

5 November 2019
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who holds the key to the world's largest trade deal, will attend several summits in Bangkok.
International relations

China, Japan and ASEAN await India's nod to seal RCEP trade deal

Negotiators in last-minute effort after ministerial talks ended without breakthrough

2 November 2019
Ministers of RCEP member nations gather for negotiation in Bangkok on Nov. 1. (Photo by Rie Ishii)
International relations

Asia ministers end RCEP trade talks without breakthrough

Leaders of 16 nations to release joint statement on deal's status Monday

2 November 2019
An ASEAN summit kicks off five days of meetings in Bangkok that will conclude on Monday evening with a summit of the 16 nations trying to put together the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
International relations

RCEP: Five things to know about Asia's mega trade talks

India frustrates China, demanding its farmers and industries be protected

31 October 2019
A humpback whale breaches in Gold Coast, Australia. The possibility of witnessing these spectacular splashes is a big tourist draw.  
Life

New-style whaling industry draws tourists Down Under

Watching the world's biggest mammals is big business in Australia

30 October 2019
Indigenous people have fought for decades to halt climbing on Uluru.
Politics

Uluru climbing ban takes effect as indigenous peoples make strides

Governments and business increasingly recognize rights of native populations

26 October 2019
Rio Tinto's borax mine in California where high-grade lithium was found in waste rock. (Photo courtesy of the company)
Materials

California lithium find offers boon for American security

Rio Tinto to build $10m pilot plant, hoping to be top producer in US

26 October 2019
Customers pay just a quarter of the bill at the time of purchase, with the rest automatically withdrawn from a bank account in three successive biweekly installments. (Photo by Fumi Matsumoto)
Finance

Australia's 'shop now, pay later' giant faces regulatory scrutiny

Afterpay woos millennials with bite-size scheduled payments

22 October 2019
The All Blacks perform the traditional Haka dance in Japan, a key element of the team's brand.
Rugby World Cup

All Blacks scrum with Hello Kitty to dominate business

New Zealand's rugby team pours ad revenues into further team building

20 October 2019