A pedestrian walks past a row of taxis in central Sydney on Monday. Uber entered Australia in 2012. Photo: AFP

Australian taxi drivers win US$178 million payout from Uber in legal settlement

More than 8,000 taxi drivers and hire-car owners banded together to launch a class action against the US ride-sharing giant, arguing they lost substantial income when Uber entered Australia in 2012.

18 Mar 2024 - 2:32PM

What’s behind Australian investors’ reluctance to venture into Southeast Asia?

A lack of risk appetite for developing markets and different ways of doing business are among the factors holding back Australian investors, experts say.

A lack of risk appetite for developing markets and different ways of doing business are among the factors holding back Australian investors, experts say.

16 Mar 2024 - 9:30AM

US knew Nauru might cut ties to Taiwan before it did, official says

Daniel Kritenbrink, an assistant secretary of state, tells Senate hearing ‘we had known for some time [of Nauru’s concerns] … in this instance, they decided to flip’.

Daniel Kritenbrink, an assistant secretary of state, tells Senate hearing ‘we had known for some time [of Nauru’s concerns] … in this instance, they decided to flip’.

15 Mar 2024 - 7:59AM

Australia won’t follow US on TikTok ban, PM Albanese says

Albanese said ‘we have no plans’ to replicate a move by US legislators to ban the app unless it agrees to divest from its Chinese owner.

Albanese said ‘we have no plans’ to replicate a move by US legislators to ban the app unless it agrees to divest from its Chinese owner.

14 Mar 2024 - 3:38PM

Probe into mid-air dive of Latam jet focuses on pilot seat movement: report

A report said the ‘seat movement caused the nose down’ angle of the aircraft that was flying from Sydney to Auckland.

A report said the ‘seat movement caused the nose down’ angle of the aircraft that was flying from Sydney to Auckland.

14 Mar 2024 - 9:48AM

MORE STORIES

Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis says Australia’s purchase of nuclear-powered submarines would only force “China’s political class to close ranks around an authoritarian core”. Photo: Shutterstock

Australia should ‘end servility to US’, defuse Aukus deal: ex-Greek minister

Yanis Varoufakis says diplomacy is a ‘far better way’ for Canberra to engage with Beijing, and that the Aukus deal would ‘turbocharge a new Cold War’.

14 Mar 2024 - 12:46PM

China to end wine tariffs in ‘coming weeks’, Australia says, as ties improve

Removing the import taxes would help revive a billion-dollar Australian market and put an end to Beijing’s years-long campaign of punitive trade actions

Removing the import taxes would help revive a billion-dollar Australian market and put an end to Beijing’s years-long campaign of punitive trade actions

13 Mar 2024 - 11:19AM

Japan may be making its biggest security move in the Pacific Islands since WWII

Talks on March 19 are expected to involve Japan’s Self-Defence Forces and police taking part in local and regional responses as well as training.

Talks on March 19 are expected to involve Japan’s Self-Defence Forces and police taking part in local and regional responses as well as training.

13 Mar 2024 - 2:22PM

New Zealand seizing Latam Boeing 787 black boxes after mid-air plunge injured 50

On Monday, the plane travelling from Sydney to Auckland with 263 passengers and nine crew members on board dropped abruptly mid-flight – without explanation.

On Monday, the plane travelling from Sydney to Auckland with 263 passengers and nine crew members on board dropped abruptly mid-flight – without explanation.

12 Mar 2024 - 2:39PM

12 hospitalised in New Zealand after turbulence leaves ‘whole plane screaming’

More than a dozen ambulances and other medical vehicles rushed to treat passengers on the Latam flight when the Boeing 787 Dreamliner landed in Auckland.

More than a dozen ambulances and other medical vehicles rushed to treat passengers on the Latam flight when the Boeing 787 Dreamliner landed in Auckland.

12 Mar 2024 - 2:41PM

Australian writer sentenced to death in China may never be executed

A pro-democracy blogger and spy novelist, Yang is an Australian citizen born in China who was working in New York before his 2019 arrest at Guangzhou airport.

A pro-democracy blogger and spy novelist, Yang is an Australian citizen born in China who was working in New York before his 2019 arrest at Guangzhou airport.

11 Mar 2024 - 4:41PM

Inside Japan’s vice clubs, Taiwan’s forgotten disco era: 6 weekend reads

From the Japanese vice clubs tricking women into sex work to why 2024 could be Southeast Asia’s year for tourism, here are stories you may have missed over the weekend.

From the Japanese vice clubs tricking women into sex work to why 2024 could be Southeast Asia’s year for tourism, here are stories you may have missed over the weekend.

11 Mar 2024 - 12:00PM

Will stronger Manila-Canberra ties lead to Western support in South China Sea?

Manila and Canberra’s interests are ‘intertwined’, President Marcos Jnr said in remarks seen as a subtle message to China it has the West’s security support if needed.

Manila and Canberra’s interests are ‘intertwined’, President Marcos Jnr said in remarks seen as a subtle message to China it has the West’s security support if needed.

9 Mar 2024 - 12:00PM

US Senate passes funds for Pacific island nations after congressional delays

Deals for Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau, intended to counter China’s influence in the region, win passage as part of appropriations package.

Deals for Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau, intended to counter China’s influence in the region, win passage as part of appropriations package.

9 Mar 2024 - 9:12AM

Fresh mass coral bleaching threatens Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

The agency tasked with monitoring the reef’s health said the coral bleaching is extensive in the shallow water areas.

The agency tasked with monitoring the reef’s health said the coral bleaching is extensive in the shallow water areas.

8 Mar 2024 - 12:09PM

Australia upgrades Vietnam ties to highest level amid US-China rivalry

The comprehensive strategic partnership will support expanded cooperation on a range of issues, including climate, energy, defence and security.

The comprehensive strategic partnership will support expanded cooperation on a range of issues, including climate, energy, defence and security.

7 Mar 2024 - 12:54PM

Asean urges ‘immediate ceasefire’ as Malaysia warns time running out for Gaza

The call comes as Malaysia rebukes the international community for a continued failure to end Israel’s five-month bombardment and get urgent aid to Palestinians.

The call comes as Malaysia rebukes the international community for a continued failure to end Israel’s five-month bombardment and get urgent aid to Palestinians.

6 Mar 2024 - 10:31PM

Australia ‘buying US hegemony’, ex-PM says as he slams Canberra’s China policy

Southeast Asian nations typically avoid a zero-sum position between superpowers US and China, analysts say, despite growing Chinese influence in the region.

Southeast Asian nations typically avoid a zero-sum position between superpowers US and China, analysts say, despite growing Chinese influence in the region.

6 Mar 2024 - 5:47PM

No spy concerns and tariffs: smooth drive for Chinese EVs in Australia

Australia is turning highly attractive to Chinese brands as it does not have a car manufacturing industry and is seen as unlikely to erect trade barriers.

Australia is turning highly attractive to Chinese brands as it does not have a car manufacturing industry and is seen as unlikely to erect trade barriers.

6 Mar 2024 - 1:10PM

Why Singapore’s possible hosting of future Aukus subs could provoke Beijing

The remarks reiterate Singapore’s role as a ‘military access point’ for the US and Australia in Southeast Asia, observers say.

The remarks reiterate Singapore’s role as a ‘military access point’ for the US and Australia in Southeast Asia, observers say.

6 Mar 2024 - 10:48AM