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October 20th, 2022

Dirty metals for clean cars

Indonesian nickel could be the key to the EV battery industry

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The Big Story

Dirty metals for clean cars: Indonesian nickel could be key to EV battery industry

Rich nickel reserves attract Chinese investment but environmental hurdles remain

The belching chimneys of Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park, a nickel processing complex in Central Sulawesi province, are powering the move to electric vehicles. (Photo by Dimas Ardian)
Cathay Pacific sees the lifting of many of Hong Kong's COVID-19 restrictions as an opportunity to regain its status as one of Asia's top airlines, but its immediate future remains cloudy.
Business Spotlight

Cathay Pacific seeks takeoff as Hong Kong opens up

Flagship airline on quest for staff and profits after city's COVID isolation

Opportunistic pricing and data privacy are concerns as startups bring insurance tech to Indonesia and Vietnam, where people often sell motorbike policies on the roadside. (Photo by Lien Hoang)
Technology

Vietnam and Indonesia don't get insurance. Can fintech help?

Can 'insurtech' achieve profits and data privacy with bite-size products?

Tsai's government promotes the New Southbound Policy, which encourages manufacturers to invest and set up factories in Southeast Asia. (Source photos by AP) 
International relations

Taiwanese companies in China flocking to Southeast Asia: survey

Shift indicates potential importance of President Tsai's New Southbound Policy

As the race for talent heats up around the world, some experts argue the Albanese government will struggle to attract immigrants back to a country dubbed "Fortress Australia" throughout the pandemic for its hardline response to prevent the virus from hitting its shores.
Asia Insight

'Fortress Australia' seeks to become immigration nation again

COVID-induced labor shortages push Albanese to raise cap on migrants

 Employees work on the production line of semiconductor wafer at a factory in China. The latest round of U.S. export curbs takes aim at the heart of Beijing's chip ambitions.
Semiconductors

China's 'sea turtle' tech executives stranded by U.S. crackdown

Chinese Americans at top chipmakers snared by U.S. new export ban

Indonesian ride-hailing and delivery company Gojek says offering more choice on meal sizes can help consumers and businesses better deal with inflation. (Photo courtesy of Gojek) 
Inflation

Indonesia's Gojek urges more food size choice to fight inflation

Segment head says smaller portions can save consumers money, avoid waste

India's top court recently said that in the context of abortion rights, "the meaning of rape must ... be understood as including marital rape."
Politics

India abortion ruling applauded but safety fears, taboos persist

Court allows term limit of 24 weeks for all, recognizes marital rape as valid reason

Japan's attractiveness as a place to work continues to fade as the yen weakens and wages rise in other Asian countries.
Datawatch

Foreign workers shun Japan as yen's value plunges

Average wage in dollar terms falls 40% over 10 years

People walk on the Bund in Shanghai in July 2019. The younger generation's disinterest in consumption, marriage and raising children has been a key factor in the overall slowing of Chinese consumption growth.
Opinion

China's economic slowdown is about more than zero COVID

Pandemic adds to challenge of transition from rapid growth to quality growth

Joe Biden, center, Narendra Modi, right, and Fumio Kishida attend the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework launch event in Tokyo on May 23: China is not a prospective member of the group.
Opinion

India should reconsider its stance against IPEF trade talks

Outlook for export growth dim unless New Delhi keeps up with competitors

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Life

An insider's guide to Tokyo's Koreatown

Where to shop and eat in Shin-Okubo, one of the city's buzziest districts

The resurgence of vinyl records over the past decade has been well-documented. Now the compact cassette, for all its imperfections, has been placed in the revivalist ranks. (Getty Images)
Tea Leaves

Cassette tape revival turns old trash into new treasure

Musicians and fans like its affordability and physical qualities in a digital world