Oceania: News & Insights

Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, left, has accused Rupert Murdoch's media empire of undermining democracy. (Source photos by Reuters and EPA/Jiji)

Media & Entertainment

Turnbull takes on Murdoch's Australian media empire

Former prime minister is calling for rigorous inquiry into News Corp

2 April 2023

Container ships at the Port of Felixstowe in England. CPTPP members have agreed on Britain's entry into the grouping.

Trade

U.K. accepted as 12th member of CPTPP trade bloc

Group aims to finalize first nonfounding member's accession in July

31 March 2023

Fishermen in Karachi: The Delta Blue Carbon mangrove restoration project in Pakistan has had a positive impact on the local fishery community.

Opinion

Rows over Asian carbon credits overlook project benefits

Efforts to offset emissions can benefit communities most in need

30 March 2023

Anthony Albanese, left, with Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak at U.S. Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego on March 13: The SSN-AUKUS program is set to constitute the backbone of the submarine force of both Australia and the U.K.

Opinion

AUKUS and GCAP set new Indo-Pacific security template

Technology cooperation more than a response to China's military modernization

28 March 2023

The landmark Sofitel Brisbane Central has has over 400 rooms. (Screenshot from Sofitel Brisbane Central's website)

DealStreetAsia

Singapore's CDL to buy Brisbane's biggest hotel for $119m

Canada's Brookfield selling Sofitel property in Australian city

25 March 2023

The U.S. plans to sell Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines to Australia under the plan announced March 13. (Photo by US Navy via Reuters)

Indo-Pacific

U.S. guards undersea superiority with Australia-U.K. nuclear sub deal

Washington advances distributed forces as short-term deterrence against China

15 March 2023

From left, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, U.S. President Joe Biden, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak deliver remarks on the AUKUS partnership at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego, California on March 13.

Indo-Pacific

AUKUS submarine deal seen as decades-long gamble for Australia

Cost, personnel and politics are risks in developing nuclear-powered fleet: analysts

14 March 2023

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during parliamentary question time on Feb.6: The risks of tunnel vision and overreach in Canberra are real.

Opinion

AUKUS focus carries risks for other areas of Australian security

Diversion of resources and attention could affect maintenance of Pacific order

12 March 2023

A heavy rare-earth mine at Mount Weld in Australia. Japan is investing in operations here to secure supplies of the materials. (Photo courtesy of Lynas Rare Earths)

Supply Chain

Japan takes first stake in heavy rare earths to reduce China reliance

Sojitz, JOGMEC aim to fill 30% of domestic demand in deal with Australian miner

9 March 2023

Benchmark Australian coal prices have dropped by more than half from their September peak.

Commodities

Sky-high Australian coal prices drop back to pre-Ukraine-war levels

Europe's mild winter brings chance for cheaper power in Japan as supply fears ease

2 March 2023

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, center left, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, center right, signed a reciprocal access agreement in January.

International relations

Japan defense pacts with U.K. and Australia move closer to approval

Troop visits and training facilitated with 'quasi-allies' as Chinese threat looms

1 March 2023

Australia's recent passport update was a chance to showcase the nation's design prowess. What the public got instead was the same sober navy-blue cover. (Courtesy of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade)

Tea Leaves

Passports can say a lot about a country

Australia's new design is a missed opportunity in soft power projection

22 February 2023

Chinese students gather for photos at the University of Sydney on July 4, 2020, after a graduation ceremony was cancelled during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Economy

Australia banks on China tailwind as rate hikes threaten slowdown

Influx of Chinese students, tourists could help offset RBA's hawkish policy

20 February 2023

Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks with Nikkei Asia in Tokyo on Feb. 17. (Photo by Andrew Sharp)

Interview

Morrison says 'premature' for AUKUS expansion to include Japan

Former Australian PM welcomes NATO outreach to Indo-Pacific

17 February 2023

Syndey Opera House near the waterfront in 2021. Workers in Australia took more annual leave than usual in January.

Economy

Australia employment falls unexpectedly for second month

Jobless rate jumps to 8-month high of 3.7% in January

16 February 2023

A truck carries rare-earth elements toward Lynas Rare Earths' Mount Weld processing plant in Western Australia. The company has a major plant in Malaysia.

Environment

Malaysia says Lynas Rare Earths must stop key processing activity

Government cites radioactivity, but Australian company says operation 'low risk'

16 February 2023

The use of psilocybin, a derivative from of magic mushrooms, is be legalized for specific mental health cases in Australia from July.

Politics

Australia approves ecstasy and magic mushrooms for medical use

Professionals will be able to prescribe the party drugs for PTSD, depression

15 February 2023

Energy

Woodside and partners see path forward for East Timor gas field

Companies aim to move 'expeditiously' to settle dispute on LNG terminal location

14 February 2023

A farmer makes plantings on a floating seedbed made from invasive water hyacinths in Pirojpur district, Bangladesh: Modern-day green technologies can take inspiration from indigenous practices.

Opinion

Asia's green transition will require more climate finance

Philanthropic organizations can support technological innovations

14 February 2023

Facial recognition technology is displayed at the 2019 Digital China Exhibition in Fuzhou, China: Dual-use technologies have prompted renewed debate about the ethical use of technology.

Opinion

Tech standard setting cannot be left to companies or lone nations

International effort needed to build digital norms around democratic values

9 February 2023

Interview

China import ban won't squeeze Australia, says incoming Japan envoy

Canberra 'will continue to look to diversify markets': Justin Hayhurst

6 February 2023

Oxeye scad in Raja Ampat, Indonesia: The transition from an extractive to a regenerative model will rely on systemic political and economic shifts.

Opinion

Asia's 'blue capital' can help alleviate hunger and poverty

Fishery and aquaculture output can be sustainably expanded with care

2 February 2023

Jacinda Ardern is embraced as she arrives at the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch in 2020 to unveil a memorial plaque in memory of the victims of a 2019 terror attack: She demonstrated how a woman leader can be both firm and empathetic.

Opinion

Jacinda Ardern did 'have it all' as New Zealand's prime minister

Despite sexist attacks, pioneer leaves with track record of policy successes

29 January 2023

It is expected that more than 20,000 satellites for observation and communication will be launched into space within the next 10 years, which makes the total of satellites about 30,000, including ones in operation now.

Aerospace & Defense Industries

Palm-sized satellites, 3D-printed rockets herald new era in space

Number of satellites to triple to 30,000 -- and change life on the ground

22 January 2023

Expectations for Australia's wheat crop remain high despite concern about heavy rain during harvest season.

Commodities

Australia's bumper wheat crop cuts prices for hungry Asian markets

Imports by top consumer China more than double as shipping jam eases

21 January 2023