Oceania

A view of BHP Group's nickel sulphate plant being built south of Perth, Australia. The Anglo-Australian miner is pivoting heavily toward nickel to capture demand from the EV industry.
Materials

BHP bets big on EV-driven nickel boom

Miner pursues battery material while shrinking dependence on China, iron ore

25 August 2022
Obayashi's 39-story Atlassian Central structure, seen here in an artist's rendering, aims to reduce project-related carbon dioxide emissions by half. (Image courtesy of Atlassian)
Companies

World's tallest timber tower to be constructed in Sydney

Japan's Obayashi plans 39-story Atlassian building powered by renewable energy

25 August 2022
Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape speaks in parliament after he was sworn in for his second term in Port Moresby on August 9.
Politics

Papua New Guinea PM faces uncertain future after election disarray

Marape expected to take protectionist stance on foreign investment

23 August 2022
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's support has dropped off considerably since 2021.
Politics

Inflation and lockdowns hurt New Zealand's ruling party in polls

Once a COVID success story, PM Ardern's camp trails opposition ahead of 2023 election

23 August 2022
Sunset at Hapuna Beach on the west coast of the island of Hawaii, world-famous for its beauty. (Photo by Akira Takemura)
Travel & Leisure

Pandemic helps restore nature in Hawaii, changes tourism

Participating in conservation is becoming a part of the travel experience

20 August 2022
The Pitch Black exercise marks the first Indo-Pacific deployment for Germany's mainstay Eurofighter jets.
Indo-Pacific

Australia-led air force exercise begins with German aircraft

Drill aimed at countering China's growing military footprint in region

19 August 2022
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has emotionally dedicated his first term to recognizing Australia's Indigenous population in the nation's constitution. (Source photos by EPA/Jiji and Reuters)  
Politics

Australia split on recognizing Indigenous people in constitution

Diverse opinions among First Nation groups reflect complexity of issue

19 August 2022
Singapore uses rooftop solar panels, but their generating capacity is limited.
Energy

Singapore opens taps on renewable-energy imports with Laos deal

Far-reaching strategy stretches to Australian desert, but carries risks

18 August 2022
A Eurofighter, painted with the flags of Australia, Singapore, Japan and South Korea, refuels with the help of an Airbus A330.
Indo-Pacific

German Air Force shows it can be in Asia in a day

Taiwan issue serves as a wake-up call to European powers

16 August 2022
A Eurofighter Typhoon jet of the German Air Force stands at the air base in Neuburg an der Donau, Germany on July 22. Six Eurofighter jets took off from here on Monday. 
Indo-Pacific

German fighter jets head to Australia in shift for Indo-Pacific

Deployment includes detours to Japan and South Korea

16 August 2022
A worker operates heavy equipment to unload coal from a barge into a truck at a port in North Jakarta, Indonesia, on Jan. 13.
Commodities

Indonesian miner to take over Australian coking coal assets for $380m

Sinar Mas arm also announces $200m investment in Ant-backed mobile wallet

15 August 2022
The Mount Weld rare-earths mine in Western Australia. Shares of Lynas Rare Earths, which owns the mine, are at the highest point in about four months.
Supply Chain

Rare-earth prices fall on supply increase and China auto slowdown

Beijing loses leverage of once potent export ban despite rising tensions with Washington

13 August 2022
Dai-ichi Life will acquire Partners Group through its wholly owned subsidiary Dai-ichi Life Insurance International Holdings, which controls the group's overseas business. (Photo by Yo Inoue) 
Business deals

Japan's Dai-ichi Life to acquire NZ insurer for $630m

With its growing population, New Zealand will be insurer's 9th overseas market

12 August 2022
Olivia Newton-John performs in Los Angeles, U.S. in 2016. 
Obituaries

Pop music and 'Grease' star Olivia Newton-John dies at 73

British-born Australian singer and actor was a four-time Grammy winner

9 August 2022
The opening of Crown Resorts' Sydney casino comes as a breakthrough for the Australian company.
Companies

Crown Resorts Sydney casino finally set to start taking bets

Regulatory woes delayed gambling at glitzy, high-profile venue

8 August 2022
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attend a signing ceremony in Beijing in October 2019: China is making definite inroads in the region.
Opinion

China cannot match what U.S. has to offer Pacific island states

Washington and its allies must strengthen region's democratic institutions

5 August 2022
A firefighter works to douse a fire in a building, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Mykolaiv, in this handout picture released on July 31. 
Ukraine war: Free to read

Ukraine from July 8 to Aug. 1: Russian strikes kill Ukrainian grain tycoon

Grain ship leaves port of Odesa, Ukrainian minister says; Gazprom cuts gas to Latvia

1 August 2022
A coal mine in Queensland: The Australian state has sharply raised royalties charged on coal production, raising costs for miners. (Photo courtesy of BHP Group)
Energy

Local, international coal miners decry Australian royalty hikes

Move by Queensland government raises fears over investment environment

29 July 2022
This photo from 1868 shows the first Aboriginal cricket team to tour England. (Courtesy of Cricket Australia)
Life

'Black Cockatoo' shines light on Australia's dark history

New play draws attention to largely forgotten Aboriginal sporting hero

27 July 2022
Hitachi will provide an automatic train operation system for a rail line in Australia.
26 July 2022
Almost 49% of Woodside’s shareholders voted against its carbon emissions policies in a non-binding vote at the company’s annual general meeting in May.
Energy

Activists vow to escalate climate battle at Australia's Woodside

Gas producer becomes lightning rod for debate about Asia's energy transition

15 July 2022
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hugs Solomon Islands counterpart Manasseh Sogavare on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum in Suva, Fiji, on July 13.
International relations

Pacific forum signals reset with Australia, U.S. as China hovers

Albanese and Solomon Islands' Sogavare hug it out after neighbors' security spat

14 July 2022
Kawasaki Heavy's Suiso Frontier delivered the world's first cargo of liquefied hydrogen from Australia to Japan earlier this year. (Photo by Atsushi Ooka)
Energy

Quad members agree to promote hydrogen, ammonia fuel tech

Ukraine war underscores importance of clean energy security

14 July 2022
Micronesia's President David Panuelo during an exclusive interview with Nikkei Asia on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum on July 13 in Suva, Fiji. (Photo by Fumi Matsumoto)
Interview

Micronesia president frets over China's regional security goals

Bilateral ties only 'on economic and technical cooperation': FSM leader Panuelo

13 July 2022
Palau's President Surangel Whipps speaks to Nikkei Asia on the sidelines of Pacific Islands Forum in the Fijian capital of Suva on July 12.
Interview

Palau maintains Taiwan ties despite Chinese pressure

Pacific nation will raise concerns at regional forum, president says

13 July 2022