October 28th, 2021

Asia's addiction to coal

Burning coal is a dirty and expensive habit. So why can't Asia quit?

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The Big Story

Asia's self-destructive coal addiction

Burning coal is a dirty and expensive habit, so why can't Asia quit?

A farmer tends vegetables in a field near a coal-fired power plant in China's Anhui Province. As the U.S. and EU continue to phase out coal-fired power generation to curb climate change, Asia's share of global coal consumption has doubled in the last 20 years.

Russia has not rushed to formally recognize Taliban rule in Afghanistan, but President Vladimir Putin has called for gradually welcoming the group into "the civilized family of nations."

Asia Insight

Russia puts Taliban on 'probation' with Central Asia on knife edge

Moscow cautiously warms to once sworn enemy in light of other threats

AusNet Services owns and operates the electricity transmission network and gas and power distribution assets in Victoria, Australia's second-most-populous state. (Source photos by Getty Images and screenshot from AusNet Services' website)

Business Spotlight

Australia's foreign ownership rules face first test in $7bn battle for AusNet

Electricity network has attracted Canadian interest -- and there's a China twist

New rules mean universities in Japan will have to gain permission from the Ministry of Economy, Tradeand Industry when teaching critical technologies to foreign students who stay in the country for more than six months. (Photo by Kei Higuchi)

Politics

Japan to limit foreign students' access to security-linked tech

Universities will need Tokyo's approval to teach foreign government-sponsored students

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks remotely during the 76th Session of the General Assembly at UN Headquarters in New York on September 21. (File photo by Reuters)

International relations

Xi attacks U.S. attempts to expand Taiwan's UN involvement

Chinese president calls on all nations to defend current UN-backed global order

Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi speaks via video during the 18th CSIS/Nikkei Symposium on Oct 22. (Screenshot)

International relations

Japan defense minister warns of Crimea-style invasion of Taiwan

In veiled reference to China, Kishi says wars can begin without troops

An arrival gate at  Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok prepares for an inspection ahead of the country's Nov. 1 reopening.

Coronavirus

Thailand to reopen for quarantine-free entry from 46 countries

Bigger-than-expected list needed to stimulate tourism, PM says

Tourism Minister Nancy Shukri, right, says strict safety protocols would be in place for the reopening. (File photo by Wong Ying Xian and Reuters)

Interview

Malaysia eyes allowing tourists from 10 nations next month: minister

Nancy Shukri says island haven Langkawi, Johor targeted for quarantine-free visits

Evergrande Chairman Xu Jiayin, who rode Deng Xiaoping's "reform and opening-up" policy from rags to riches, risks losing everything. (Source photos by AP and AFP/Jiji)

China debt crunch

The rise and fall of Evergrande founder Xu Jiayin

'Red lines' drawn by central bank in 2020 strike down China's richest man

Zee Entertainment Enterprises founder Subhash Chandra was once dubbed "India's Rupert Murdoch.'' (Source photo by AP)

Media & Entertainment

'India's Rupert Murdoch' fights to keep control of his media empire

Subhash Chandra enlists Sony in battle over future of Zee Entertainment

Taiwan's TSMC has announced it will build its first chip plant in Japan in Kumamoto Prefecture, with mass production slated to start in 2024.

Semiconductors

TSMC in Japan: 5 things to know about its chip factory plans

Company faces limits at home and pressure abroad, while Tokyo joins global race

Abdul Qadeer Khan, pictured in Islamabad in February 2009: the nuclear scientist played a pivotal role in helping Pakistan develop nuclear weapons.

Opinion

Why the U.S. let Pakistan nuclear scientist A.Q. Khan off the hook

Decision could still come back to haunt Washington

Containers may still be piling up in Asian ports, but boon to the region's exporters spurred by COVID is about to end.

Opinion

Roaring Asian exports set to fizzle

Declining flow of new orders points to a harsher reality

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, center, speaks to reporters on the first day of the budget session on Jan. 29. The country raised tariffs on over 50 items for fiscal 2021-22.

The Nikkei View

India must abandon protectionism to unleash growth

Throwing up barriers to foreign investment won't help boost GDP per capita

A bartender mixes an arak cocktail at Karma Kandara Bali, a luxury resort and beach club on the island's Bukit Peninsula. (Ian Neubauer)

Life

Reinventing an ancient spirit with a bad reputation

In Bali, Indonesia's traditional 'arak' liquor is moving upmarket

Yohani Diloka De Silva's song's success offered millions a chance to hear the Sinhala language for the first time. (Photo courtesy of Pettah Effect)

Tea Leaves

When music breaks language barriers

Neglected South Asian tongues can take heart in massive reach of Sinhala popular song