Politics

Bitcoin has almost topped $20,000. The cryptocurrency's meteoric rise this year has Asian central bankers worried.
Economy

Asian central bankers on high alert over bitcoin frenzy

BOJ's Kuroda warns of the crypto's 'undoubtedly abnormal' rise

21 December 2017
Philippine Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez talks during second Regular Session of the 17th Congress in suburban Quezon city, north of Manila, on July 24. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is scheduled to make his second State of the Nation Address this afternoon.
Datawatch

Asian democracies on upward trend in corruption fight

Data shows freer press and more open societies across region

15 December 2017
Former Indonesian parliament speaker Setya Novanto is escorted into a courtroom for his first trial in Jakarta on Dec. 13.
Politics

Indonesia's second largest party replaces chairman after graft indictment

Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto named successor of Setya Novanto

14 December 2017
Members of Nahdlatul Ulama, a large Indonesian Muslim group, protest outside the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta on Dec. 8. (Photo by Simon Roughneen)
Politics

Trump's Jerusalem move sparks a backlash in Southeast Asia

Indonesia, Malaysia a lead chorus of criticism as Muslims protest US decision

14 December 2017
The secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Yousef bin Ahmad al-Othaimeen, right, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, center, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas attend a news conference following the OIC meeting in Istanbul on Wednesday.
Politics

Asia's Muslim nations want East Jerusalem seen as Palestinian capital

Calls are response to US recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital

14 December 2017
Buddhist monks protest the visit of a U.N. official in Yangon on Jan. 16, 2015. According to local media reports, they were angry that the international organization had urged the government to give members of the Rohingya minority citizenship.
The Big Story

Religious extremism poses threat to ASEAN's growth

Aided by social media, hardliners gain mainstream support

13 December 2017
A Twitter logo is seen in front of a computer screen displaying an Islamic State flag. Twitter says it has shut down tens of thousands of terrorism-related accounts.
Politics

Ugly social media wars fueling intolerance in Asia

Similar tactics are cropping up across different areas and different faiths

13 December 2017
Protesters condemn Washington's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital outside the U.S. embassy in Jakarta on Dec. 11.
Politics

Indonesians and Malaysians protest Trump's Jerusalem gambit

Widodo, Najib, other leaders to discuss Muslim response in Istanbul

12 December 2017
A smelter run by Indonesia Asahan Aluminium at Kuala Tanjung in North Sumatra province. (Photo by Erwida Maulia)
Business

Indonesia seeks control of aluminum supply chain

Inalum bets on new holding structure to finance ambitious expansion

11 December 2017
Workers at a construction site of the light rail transit project in Jakarta. (Antara Foto)
Politics

Jakarta touts deal, scrambling to keep $2.1bn rail project afloat

Indonesian ministers seek to end flip-flops in funding scheme

9 December 2017
Transport trucks cross the bridge connecting China and North Korea.
North Korea Crisis

Forty-nine nations breached North Korea sanctions: report

US think tank lists China, Malaysia, Japan as enablers of illicit trade

8 December 2017
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet chats with her Indonesian counterpart, Joko Widodo, during her visit to the presidential palace in Jakarta in May.
Economy

Indonesia set to ink trade deal with Chile by year-end

President Widodo embraces openness, shifting country away from protectionism

8 December 2017
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, front row, center, poses alongside vice-president Jusuf Kalla at the opening of the Bali Democracy Forum in Tangerang, Indonesia, on Dec. 7. (Photo by Simon Roughneen)
Politics

Asia's Muslim leaders slam Trump's decision on Jerusalem

Indonesian foreign minister vows to stand 'with the Palestinian people'

7 December 2017
Surin Pitsuwan gives an exclusive interview to the Nikkei Asian Review on Nov. 30, just hours before his death. (Photo by Yukako Ono)
Politics

Remembering former ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan

Gifted speaker who fought for a more unified bloc dies at age 68

7 December 2017
Surin Pitsuwan, then secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, speaks during a lecture in Kuala Lumpur in 2012.
Politics

Michael Vatikiotis: The statesman who raised Southeast Asia's profile

As secretary-general of ASEAN, Surin Pitsuwan fought the odds to do good in the region

7 December 2017
A fruit vendor sets up his stall near a luxury shopping mall in Jakarta.
Economy

Asia Pacific's rich-poor gap widens fastest in China, Indonesia

Economic growth less effective in curbing poverty than in past decades

4 December 2017
A Pertamina gas station in Jakarta
Politics

Pertamina's bind shows perils of petrol price controls

Indonesia's state oil company points finger at Jakarta for missing profits

3 December 2017
Surin Pitsuwan, then secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, speaks during a lecture in Kuala Lumpur in 2012.
Politics

Statesman who raised ASEAN's international profile

Former Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan sought reform and cohesion

1 December 2017
Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita speaks to the Nikkei Asian Review.(Photo by Keiichiro Sato)
Interview

EU asking for 'trade war' with palm oil curbs: Indonesian minister

TPP is 'nothing without the US,' argues top trade official

1 December 2017
Indonesia Asahan Aluminium President Budi Gunadi Sadikin, second from left, poses with the presidents of three new mining subsidiaries after a news conference in Jakarta on Nov. 29. (photo by Wataru Suzuki)
Business

Indonesia eyes global playing field with state mining conglomerate

Coal, nonferrous-metal and tin businesses come under holding company to revive downstream projects

30 November 2017
Global economic growth is expected to remain robust, but emerging economies are becoming more vulnerable to financial risks, the OECD warns in its latest outlook.
Economy

Heavy debt raises interest-rate risk for emerging economies

Monetary tightening may raise prospect of funding shocks, OECD warns

28 November 2017
Foreign tourists take pictures as Mount Agung erupts at Besakih Temple in Bali, Indonesia, on Nov. 26.
Economy

Bali volcano eruption raises fears for Indonesia tourism

Airport closes, 100,000 told to leave as hot clouds and lava threaten

27 November 2017
The Doha skyline
Economy

Qatar looks to build Asia ties as Gulf isolation drags on

World's top LNG producer wants to import more food and sell more gas

25 November 2017
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, left, and ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh shake hands after signing the migrant worker deal in Manila on Nov. 14. (Photo by Simon Roughneen)
Economy

ASEAN migrant worker deal gets cautious welcome

Critics cite limitations, such as ability of nations to opt out of key provisions

24 November 2017
The planned missile is seen being equipped on the cutting-edge F-35 stealth fighter used by Japan's Air Self-Defense Force. (Courtesy of ASDF)
International relations

Japan and UK to collaborate on missile development

Tokyo's first non-US partnership would develop an air-to-air weapon

24 November 2017