Britain's Queen Elizabeth receives flowers from people at Melbourne during an 11-day official visit to Australia in October 2011.
Politics

Australia reopens debate over ditching monarchy

Opposition leader promises referendum on cutting ties to British royals

8 August 2017
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, left, and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono shake hands before their meeting in Manila on Aug. 7.
Economy

US, Japan, Australia urge ASEAN to 'maximize pressure' on North Korea

Also call for legally binding code of conduct in South China Sea

8 August 2017
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill (left) signs his oath of office witnessed by Governor General Bob Dadae in Port Moresby Wednesday. (Photo courtesy of PNG Prime Minister's Office)
Politics

Papua New Guinea prime minister returned in chaotic election

Peter O'Neill's government faces economic challenges as deficit widens

2 August 2017
Jacinda Ardern, the new leader of New Zealand's opposition Labour Party speaks to the press on Aug. 1.
Politics

NZ opposition leader ejected on poor ratings ahead of election

Taking Labour helm, Jacinda Ardern hopes to win over women, young people

1 August 2017
An East Timorese woman casts her ballot in parliamentary elections in Dili, East Timor on July 22.
Politics

East Timor poll highlights country's growing pains

Election reveals worries over corruption, unemployment and persistent poverty

23 July 2017
The changing demographics of cities like Sydney are challenging concepts of "Australian."
Economy

The changing face of Australia's national identity

Can country maintain its delicate balancing act between East and West?

20 July 2017
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Politics

The TPP 11 agree to move forward with minimal tweaks

Signatories hope to entice the US back into the fold

20 July 2017
The changing demographics of cities like Sydney are challenging concepts of "Australian."
Tea Leaves

The changing face of Australia's national identity

Can country maintain its delicate balancing act between East and West?

20 July 2017
High level iron ore production continues in Australia
Politics

UK magnate plans Australian steelworks overhaul

Industrialist plans to invest 'more than A$1bn' in aging Whyalla plant

18 July 2017
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Economy

Aussie state buying back mining license from China Shenhua

Move aims to reserve fertile land for farming amid pivot from coal

14 July 2017
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Economy

US viewed as world economic leader, but gap with China narrows

Impressions of American strength highest in Japan, South Korea amid decline in EU

14 July 2017
Japan's Kazuyoshi Umemoto said the remaining TPP members want to keep its standards high.
Politics

TPP to stay largely as is minus US, members agree

Countries aim to tempt Washington back but could clash over revisions

14 July 2017
Japan's Nobuteru Ishihara, center, leaves a meeting of the TPP 11 during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ministers' conference in Hanoi on May 21, 2017.
Politics

TPP 11 to discuss writing US out of trade pact

Drug data protection, tariffs among issues for negotiators at next week's Japan meeting

8 July 2017
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte checks a sniper rifle during a handover ceremony for equipment provided by China at Clark Air Base, near Angeles City, on June 28.
Politics

Neighbors back Philippines against Islamic State-linked fighters

Region fears Marawi siege may be prelude to greater terrorist threat

6 July 2017
People gather at an election rally in the Papua New Guinea capital, Port Moresby, on June 21.
Politics

Papua New Guinea struggles to keep vote on track

Polling in the capital suspended, election officials arrested

28 June 2017
Australian soldiers destroy surrendered militant arms in 2003. (Courtesy Australian Aid)
Politics

Peacekeepers to leave Solomon Islands after 14 years

Prime minister appeals to UN for help to prevent fresh outbreaks of civil strife

21 June 2017
Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill speaks during the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting at the Yanqi Lake International Convention Center in the northern suburb of Beijing on November 11, 2014.
Politics

Papua New Guinea set for costly, unpredictable poll

Prime minister who thought he could 'have it all' faces the voters

21 June 2017
A U.S. Air Force missile maintenance team removes the upper section of an intercontinental ballistic missile with a nuclear warhead at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana.
Politics

UN launches second round of nuclear ban talks

Proponents hopeful for final text of treaty by early July

16 June 2017
Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla speaks to Nikkei reporters in Tokyo on June 5. (Photo by Yoichi Iwata)
Economy

Indonesia's Kalla: TPP has lost its 'allure' without US

Vice president signals Jakarta is still on board with regional free trade

15 June 2017
A boy stands on top of a seawall near the village of Tangintebu on South Tarawa in Kiribati.
Politics

Greg Colton: Trump turns his back on climate change -- and US leadership

The president's callous approach toward other countries will prove costly

15 June 2017
Andrew Little
Politics

Ahead of elections, NZ opposition flags 40% immigration cut

Slowing income growth, stretched infrastructure turn tide against immigrants

12 June 2017
Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull delivers the keynote address at the 16th International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore on June 2.
Politics

Turnbull speaks truth to Beijing on South China Sea

Australian leader warns that coercion risks provoking Asia-wide resistance

9 June 2017
A boy stands on top of a seawall near the village of Tangintebu on South Tarawa in Kiribati.
Politics

US exit from Paris deal marks end of influence in South Pacific

For island states, climate pact is a matter of life and death

8 June 2017
From left, U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne speak to reporters after their June 5 meeting in Sydney.
Politics

US, Australia want China to do more on North Korea

Defense, foreign affairs heads stress Beijing's responsibility as rising power

6 June 2017
Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla speaks to Nikkei reporters in Tokyo on June 5.
Economy

Indonesia has 'lost interest' in TPP without US, vice president says

Jusuf Kalla says Jakarta remains keen on alternative regionwide pact

5 June 2017