One of the world's smallest nations, Palau lacks the resources to build a massive financial system from scratch.
Finance

Japan fintech tapped to build Palau's first bond issuance platform

Pacific island nation turns to co-developer of Cambodia's Bakong digital currency

14 July 2024
About a third of Inpex's additional spending will go to developing onshore wind power in Australia. (Inpex)
Energy

Japan's Inpex picks Australia for $1.25bn renewable energy buildup

Gas and oil driller seeks to create export hub for green hydrogen

13 July 2024
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw speaks about the arrest of an Australian Army private and her husband, who are accused of spying for Russia, in Canberra on July 12. (Australian Federal Police via AP)
International relations

Australia arrests couple in alleged Russia-linked espionage plot

Authorities warn of more foreign agents seeking to infiltrate public bodies

12 July 2024
BHP's global headquarters in Melbourne. (AFP/Jiji)
Commodities

BHP to suspend Australia nickel operations amid Indonesia-fed glut

Miner cites oversupply of the key EV material for the move

11 July 2024
Guzman looks to quintuple its stores in Australia to 1,000. (Photo by Rurika Imahashi)
Food & Beverage

Australia's Guzman y Gomez plans big expansion after splashy IPO

Soaring stock price may stem from quiet market as profitability concerns remain

10 July 2024
Indo-Pacific partners will launch new joint projects on Ukraine, AI, disinformation and cybersecurity.
Indo-Pacific

NATO to launch 4 projects with Indo-Pacific partners, including AI and cyber

Global 'arsenal of democracy' will help allies adapt to shifting security landscape

10 July 2024
A U.S. soldier inspects a Patriot missile defense battery near Warsaw in 2015. Precision munitions and air defense are seen as key areas of need as NATO looks to expand defense industrial cooperation. (Agencja Gazeta via Reuters)
Indo-Pacific

NATO to expand defense industrial cooperation to Indo-Pacific

Alliance aims to tap production capacity of South Korea, Japan and Australia

9 July 2024
The Australian Cyber Security Centre said in a report that a Chinese hacker group, APT40, had conducted malicious cyber operations for China's Ministry of State Security.
Cybersecurity

Australia says China-backed hackers behind cybercrimes

Cybersecurity agency says thieves stole passwords, usernames from 2 networks

9 July 2024
The Reserve Bank of Australia: The central bank says the decline in correspondent banks serving the Pacific is due to streamlining and counterterrrorism and anti-money laundering efforts.
Finance

Australia, U.S. to tackle Pacific's fall in correspondent banks

'Worrying trend' hurts financial access, stability in region, U.S. official says

9 July 2024
The offer follows Rex's search for partners for its proposed Hillside Copper-Gold project on the Yorke Peninsula.
Commodities

Indonesia's Salim makes bid for Australia copper player Rex Minerals

Group's $265m offer represents hefty premium over recent share price

8 July 2024
A Switchblade drone strikes a target at sea. (Australian Department of Defence)
Defense

Australia to purchase U.S.-made 'killer drones'

Adoption of armed drones by Canberra has been slow, expert says

8 July 2024
People walk in the central business district of Sydney, one of Australia's largest cities.
Technology

Australian tech companies look beyond degrees when hiring

Industry focuses more on experiences and skills in diversification push

7 July 2024
Dalisa Pigram, left, and Miranda Wheen perform during "Cut the Sky," a production from Australian dance company Marrugeku. (Photo by Marina Levitskaya)
Arts

Australian contemporary dance eyes center stage

Nationwide, troupes embrace the languages of the body in motion

7 July 2024
NATO is forming a closer relationship with four key Indo-Pacific nations to counter perceived security threats from China and Russia.  
Indo-Pacific

NATO to up security links with Japan, South Korea, Australia, NZ

Atlantic military alliance will issue joint cooperation document next week

4 July 2024
The Australian government has contracted with Amazon Web Services to provide "top-secret" cloud storage, citing the U.S. company's capabilities. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP)
Defense

Australia taps Amazon for $1.3bn 'top secret' cloud storage system

Local arm of U.S tech giant to run data centers for military and intelligence

4 July 2024
Australia's earnings from metallurgical coal, used as a fuel for steelmaking, are forecast to fall in the next 12 months due to weaker prices.
Commodities

China tensions with West a risk for resource exports, Australia warns

Further dips in value expected as U.S., Europe look to reshore manufacturing

2 July 2024
Students work in a computer lounge at the campus of the University of New South Wales in Sydney.
Education

Australia doubles visa fees in clampdown on international students

Move is one of a raft of changes as nation seeks to reduce migration

1 July 2024
An excavator digs up vines near the town of Griffith in southeast Australia.
Food & Beverage

In vino veritas: Australia wrestles with wine glut

Falling consumption among young, thirst for quality fuels change at wineries

29 June 2024
A lithium mine in Brazil: The global market for the metal used in EV batteries is getting more crowded, even as prices slump. 
Commodities

Australia to dominate lithium supply for 'years to come' but prices subdued

BMI outlook suggests lithium market unlikely to return to boom prices

28 June 2024
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange walks outside a United States District Court following a hearing in Saipan, the Northern Mariana Islands, U.S., on June 26.
Crime

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange heads to Australia after U.S. plea

Release ends 14-year legal saga and more than five years in a British prison

26 June 2024
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, left, speaks as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese listens in Canberra on June 26. Manele is on his first official overseas trip since taking office in May.
International relations

Solomon Islands PM visits Australia in first foreign trip

Leaders discuss security, policing as geopolitical tension in Pacific heats up

26 June 2024
Australia's Labor government has a legislated target of generating 82% of the country's electricity from renewable sources by 2030 to meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement on climate.
Energy

Renewable backers anxious as Australia's energy debate goes nuclear

Proposal adds uncertainty to wind and solar projects already facing hurdles

26 June 2024
Australian sheep farmers are facing pressures due to low prices for wool.
Commodities

Australian wool threatened by low prices, industry body CEO says

Farmers consider pulling out of business as prices stay at half pre-pandemic peak

26 June 2024
Marcus Ong, second from left, managing director of Niugini Resources and Investments, with members of a community in Papua New Guinea. (Photo by Niugini Resources and Investments)
Commodities

Singapore company launches mining venture in Papua New Guinea

CEO calls Pacific nation 'very blessed' despite civil unrest, U.S.-China tussle

23 June 2024
A checkpoint manned by independence supporters in Noumea on May 24: The situation in New Caledonia remains unsettled. (Sipa via AP Images)
Opinion

Pacific powers must strike careful balance in New Caledonia

Support for reconstruction needs to be attentive to Kanak sensitivities

21 June 2024