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Articles by Libby Hogan
After a decade going 'nuclear free', Taiwan is considering returning to nuclear power
Libby Hogan For a decade, Taiwan phased out nuclear power, replacing it with natural gas and renewable energy. Now the government is preparing to reverse course. Last month, Taiwan's Nuclear Safety Commission said it had finished reviewing plans to restart a nuclear reactor it shut down in May 2025. Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant in the island's south could resume power generation as early as 2028, according to Taiwan's Central News Agency.
Singapore rolls out new dating app FirstDate, as marriage and fertility rates fall
Libby Hogan and Patrick Martin Government-funded "date quests", a pioneering matching algorithm and a platform only available for public servants. Singapore's FirstDate dating app aims to boost connection as fertility rates hit a record low and marriage rates continue to decline in the city-state. It launched this week for civil servants aged 21 to 35 but not everyone is convinced it will be successful.
Singapore rolls out new dating app FirstDate, as marriage and fertility rates fall
Government-funded "date quests", a pioneering matching algorithm and a platform only available for public servants. Singapore's FirstDate dating app aims to boost connection as fertility rates hit a record low and marriage rates continue to decline in the city-state. It launched this week for civil servants aged 21 to 35 but not everyone is convinced it will be successful.
After a decade going 'nuclear free', Taiwan is considering returning to nuclear power
For a decade, Taiwan phased out nuclear power, replacing it with natural gas and renewable energy. Now the government is preparing to reverse course. Last month, Taiwan's Nuclear Safety Commission said it had finished reviewing plans to restart a nuclear reactor it shut down in May 2025. Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant in the island's south could resume power generation as early as 2028, according to Taiwan's Central News Agency.
US sanctions Fijian businessman over alleged corruption tied to China
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US sanctions Fijian businessman over alleged corruption tied to China
foreign affairs reporter Stephen Dziedzic, Fiji reporter Lice Movono and Libby Hogan The US has slapped sanctions on a high-profile Chinese Fijian businessman accused of being a member of a criminal network with ties to the Chinese government. In a statement issued this morning, the US State Department said it was designating Zhao Fugang, director of the Overseas Chinese Service Center in Fiji, for his involvement in what it called "significant corruption" on behalf of China-based actors.
China's plan to build sixth Antarctic base raises concerns
China is preparing to build its sixth research station in Antarctica, expanding into Marie Byrd Land — a remote, little-studied stretch of the continent's west. It has some experts and politicians worried. Independent senator Jacqui Lambie is among those concerned about Australia's defence priorities. "Five bases have already been built, and China claims there is no geopolitical motive," she said. "Open your eyes, [Department of] Defence." Whether that alarm is warranted depends on who you ask.
China's plan to build sixth Antarctic base raises concerns
China is preparing to build its sixth research station in Antarctica, expanding into Marie Byrd Land — a remote, little-studied stretch of the continent's west. It has some experts and politicians worried. Independent senator Jacqui Lambie is among those concerned about Australia's defence priorities. "Five bases have already been built, and China claims there is no geopolitical motive," she said. "Open your eyes, [Department of] Defence." Whether that alarm is warranted depends on who you ask.
Why Kyrgyzstan's youth are embracing ancient sports at the World Nomad Games
The horse is already moving when Sezim Jumabekova draws her bow. She has three targets to hit before the track runs out. She grips the horse with her thighs, twists at the waist, and shoots. Ms Jumabekova, 29, from Kyrgyzstan, has been riding competitively for only three years. "I've fallen off many times and torn my clothes learning new tricks," she said. Sezim Jumabekova tries out new tricks ahead of the opening ceremony.
Nepal's peak trekking season is approaching, but its guides are in mourning
Angelica Silva and Libby Hogan At this time of year, trekking guide Eka Devi Mainali would normally be going about her usual preparations for Nepal's peak season. But instead she's waiting to hear if her friends' bodies have been found, 19 of them. "I have lost many friends and people I personally knew in this devastating disaster," Ms Mainali told the ABC. Nepal's peak hiking season runs from September to November.
Australia's Nepali and Tibetan communities fear for loved ones after flash flood
Xiaoning Mo, Libby Hogan, and Andi Yu Tibetan and Nepali Australians are anxious about family and friends missing after disaster struck the Nepal-Tibet border. At least 160 people were killed and hundreds more — including 34 Australians — are missing after a huge wave smashed through villages yesterday It is believed a glacier avalanche likely caused the flood.
Scam centres growing 'exponentially' despite Myanmar crackdown
Libby Hogan, Jarrod Fankhauser and Julian Fell The scam industry in Myanmar is morphing and heading into the jungle, according to satellite imagery, victim testimony and local investigators. Deep in Myanmar's borderlands, pro-democracy fighters from an ethnic Karen armed group made an unexpected discovery after retaking territory held by a militia. The Karen National Liberation Army entered a large apartment complex behind jungle and razor wire fences.
Life on the islands of the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran war
For years, the islands scattered across the Strait of Hormuz drew a particular kind of traveller. Before the war, backpackers slept in villagers' spare rooms, families enjoyed picnics at Hormuz Island's Red Beach and urban Iranians came for the strange geology and remoteness that felt far from Tehran's political orbit. People came tothe Strait of Hormuz for the colours. On Hormuz Island, rust-red hills descend to salt caves streaked with pale pink and mustard yellow, like melting fabric.
Family of ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi call for 'proof of life'
When Aung San Suu Kyi's son heard his mother was being transferred from prison to house arrest, he didn't celebrate. He hesitated. "We have not had proof she is alive," said Kim Aris, who last received a handwritten letter from his mother two years ago. "It was heavily censored, but she was able to convey her cell was extremely hot in summer and very cold in winter.
Why Taiwan is becoming a hotspot for Australian travellers
"You must try the pepper pork buns at the night market," said Michelle Knox, an Aussie tourist from Umina Beach. "The shaved ice peanut and ice cream roll with a dash of coriander — that was a real combo," she added. "And the stinky tofu is not as pungent as durian. The fried stuff is quite nice," she laughed. Like a lot of Australians, Ms Knox came to Taiwan chasing flavour and wanting to try the best beef noodle soup. Night markets from Taipei to Hualien are a feast for the eyes.
More rain hits New Zealand's North Island after deluge causes major flooding in Wellington
Businesses have reopened as flooding recedes in Wellington after days of heavy rainfall. Police are searching for a missing man in Wellington. Authorities have warned of ongoing risks of high rivers despite the weather improving. Floodwaters have receded as locals and some businesses in New Zealand's capital begin clearing debris and reopening shops.
Myanmar's coup leader seeks legitimacy as family wealth surfaces in Thailand
When Sean Turnell, a former economic advisor to Aung San Suu Kyi, was thrown into prison after Myanmar's military seized power in a coup, he pieced together the commander-in-chief's character from an unlikely source: his cellmates. "People I spoke to in prison had been in his same class at the military academy. They said he had always been a very insecure guy, always on the lookout to go one better," he recalled.
Myanmar's coup leader seeks legitimacy as family wealth surfaces in Thailand
Thailand And Vietnam Got The Fame: These 9 Places Kept The Magic There’s no denying the magic of Thailand and Vietnam they’re legendary for a reason. But as tourism surges and crowds grow, more travelers are …
Myanmar's women caught between war, disaster and blocked aid
A monastery sheltering about 100 people in northern Myanmar has been bombed by the military, killing monks and civilians in what rights groups say is part of a broader pattern of attacks on religious sites. The air strike on March 20 hit the monastery in Katha, in Sagaing region — a town where author George Orwell once lived and which inspired his novel Burmese Days.
Hong Kong police arrest bookstore owner and staff for selling Jimmy Lai biography, broadcaster reports
Hong Kong police have arrested a bookstore owner and three shopkeepers for allegedly selling "seditious" publications. The publications included a biography of jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai, broadcaster TVB reported on Tuesday, local time. The owner of the Book Punch store, Pong Yat-ming, and three staff members were accused of selling copies of The Troublemaker, a biography of Mr Lai by one of his former business directors, Mark Clifford, TVB reported.
Iranians celebrate ancient Nowruz despite repression and war with US, Israel
As bombs continue to fall around them, defiant Iranians are celebrating Nowruz — meaning "new day" and the first day of spring. Bonfires flicker across the country and tables are decorated, despite those marking the event also facing surveillance and threats of arrest from Iranian authorities. Iranians say they are determined to honour the ancient ritual despite war and longstanding pressure from authorities, where officials restrict or discourage pre-Islamic traditions.
Soaring fuel prices see spike in EV interest in Australia
As fuel prices soar amid the Iran war and blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, electric vehicle makers are reporting a surge in interest. Angela, from Melbourne's east, is among three generations of her family keen to make the switch. "It is always something we were interested in, but lately high fuel prices have really pushed us to seriously consider it," she said. Her mother and grandmother agree that it's worth the investment.
Iran war drives up cost of living in Asia, hits crucial tech industries
Chathura, a taxi driver in Sri Lanka, usually spends his days shuttling tourists between beach cities on their holidays. But recently, he has been staying home. Sri Lanka's government has introduced weekly fuel quotas, limiting drivers to 15 litres for cars and 5 litres for motorbikes. "It's my birthday today, but I am staying home because clients are cancelling tours due to the fuel situation," he told the ABC.
Iranians in Australia react to shattered homeland as US and Israeli strikes continue Original
As strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel intensify, Australia's Iranian diaspora has described feeling relief at the killing of the Islamic Republic's supreme leader, yet anxiety for relatives caught inside an escalating war. "People are allowed to feel relief, even celebration, when a dictator dies," said AK, an Iranian architect based in Australia. "That's not bloodlust.
Myanmar military using festivals as propaganda to hide war zone
In Myanmar's Chin State, one of the country's oldest tribal regions, February is typically marked by Chin National Day — a celebration of identity and self-governance. It features traditional dances, woodwind instruments and ceremonial rifle fire. But this year, few felt inclined to celebrate. Warning: This story contains graphic details and imagery.
Who are Shen Yun, the group named in a threat against Prime Minister Anthony Albanese?
The prime minister was forced to evacuate his residence earlier this week due to a bomb threat linked to performances in Australia by classical Chinese dance group Shen Yun. Threatening emails demanded that the shows be cancelled and falsely claimed that explosives had been placed around the Lodge. Police are also investigating a separate bomb threat against a Gold Coast theatre hosting the group.
Why Asian countries are joining Trump's Board of Peace
A handful of Asian nations have agreed to sign up to US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace. Initially pitched as a measure to resolve the conflict in Gaza, it's now expanded its remit to be a new global conflict-resolution platform. Donald Trump's Board of Peace was initially pitched as a measure to resolve the conflict in Gaza.
Why Asian countries are joining Trump's Board of Peace
17 hours ago RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT "BASARNAS" HANDOUT, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO — EDITORIAL USE ONLY SHOTLIST: CISARUA, WEST BANDUNG, INDONESIA (RELEASED ON JAN. 30, 2026) (BASARNAS — RESTRICTED) 1. VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS OF AREA AFFECTED BY LANDSLIDECISARUA, WEST BANDUNG, INDONESIA — RELEASED ON JAN.
Gen Z led the revolution in Bangladesh - can they win the election?
Nahid Islam feared for his life two years ago. The then-student activist was detained and tortured for helping lead widespread protests in Bangladesh that began in 2024. They were sparked by anger over a quota system that limited the number of government jobs that were awarded based on merit. Within weeks, demonstrations led largely by gen Z drove prime minister Sheikh Hasina from office, ending more than a decade in power and igniting hopes that younger people could reshape Bangladesh politics.
Denmark tells Trump to back off over 'threats' against Greenland
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland have urged US President Donald Trump to stop threatening to take over Greenland. Mr Trump reiterated controversial remarks expressing interest inthe strategic Arctic territory in an interview with The Atlantic magazine. "We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defence," he told the magazine.
'They're demons': 5-year-old UP girl abducted, gang-raped, thrown from 3rd floor, dies; accused said they picked her 'for fun'
04 January 2026 * 'They're demons': 5-year-old UP girl abducted, gang-raped, thrown from 3rd floor, dies; accused said they picked her 'for fun' * Karnataka Muslim man kills Dalit woman for refusing his marriage proposal, dies by suicide hours later * 17 arrested in Iraq over NYE video of men harassing woman * Women arrested during protests in Eastern Kurdistan, Iran * RSS Flags 'Love Jihad', Pushes For Women's Empowerment At Bhopal Meet * Mother and daughter killed in Tangkak crash after...
Venezuelans across the globe divided over US mission to capture Maduro
Venezuelan migrants across the world have voiced both condemnation and support of the US mission to capture deposed Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro. Mr Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were seized at their home early on Saturday, flown out of the country and placed on a US-bound warship to face a criminal trial in New York. US President Donald Trump said the US would "run" Venezuela until a new government was installed.
On Pakistan's roof of the world, a new generation of female climbers emerge
Sultana Nasab never planned to climb the world's second-tallest mountain while pregnant. But when the opportunity arose, she couldn't refuse. "There was a selection process for the first-ever sponsored women climbers from Pakistan to summit K2," she said. "It had always been my dream to climb, so it was a golden opportunity." The peak, rising 8,611 metres on the China and Pakistan border, is known as "Savage Mountain".
Pakistan's first woman to summit K2 sparks new wave of female climbers
3 hours ago Shakar Garh, Pakistan - January 03, 2026 Following recent floods, River Ravi has witnessed an increase in large fish, providing a livelihood boost for local fishermen. A young fisherman, Muhammad Arif from Hakimpura, caught a massive 102kg fish near Kartarpur Shakargarh, estimated to be worth around Rs 200,000. He stated that fish numbers have significantly increased after the floods. Earlier, he had also caught a 65kg fish, which he sold for Rs 100,000.
How a tsunami in Sri Lanka sparked a push to prevent drowning
For Upul Rathgama, who grew up inland in Sri Lanka's crowded capital, drowning once seemed like a distant danger — something that happened far from home, near the sea. Then it happened next door. "A small child in the house in front of mine fell into an open toilet and died," Mr Rathgama said. "You can drown in two inches of water, not many people know this." Drowning is Sri Lanka's second-leading cause of accidental death, after road accidents.
X payments incentivised misinformation in wake of Bondi shooting, expert says
US social media platform X incentivised the spread of inflammatory misinformation in the wake of the Bondi Beach shootings, a digital media expert says. In the hours after the attack on a Jewish celebration — in which 15 innocent people were killed and dozens were injured — social media was flooded with false and misleading claims.
What Australia can learn from China to become the world's 'cleaner' rare earth refiner
Australia holds a plethora of rare earths — minerals essential for all sorts of cutting-edge technologies from wind turbines to hypersonic missiles. Until now, most of them have been sent to be refined in China. That is largely because the process is dirty, expensive, and politically unpopular.
International students are struggling with Australia's cost of living - and experts say there is no quick fix
Alipriya Biswas was so short of money when she began studying in Australia, she lived on rice and tinned tuna for a year. When the 21-year-old journalism student moved from India to Melbourne, she had no friends or family for support — and spent her first night without a bedsheet. "$200 a week is nothing for an Australian to live on," she said.
Japan and US sign deal on rare earths as new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi goes on 'charm offensive'
US President Donald Trump and Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi have signed a framework agreement for securing the supply of critical minerals and rare earths through mining and processing. The agreement was signed today during Mr Trump's visit to Japan, part of his wider Asia trip, as both countries look to strengthen their rare earth supply chains used everywhere from renewable energy to electronics and cars.
Pirate attacks and sea robberies surge in key South-East Asian shipping lane
A poop deck — the highest, rearmost platform of a ship — is the perfect vantage point to survey the seas. But it's not every day you spot an armed robber or pirate in the distance. That's exactly what happened to a seafarer as a cargo ship slowed through the choke point of the Phillip Channel, which links the Malacca Strait to the South China Sea. A small wooden sampan — little more than a fishing boat — was used for the crime.
Pirate attacks and sea robberies surge in key South-East Asian shipping lane
With so many better options today, investment-linked insurance plans just don't make sense to me When I first entered the working world in the early 2010s, one of the earliest conversations I had with a financial adviser was about …
Nepal's Gen Z demands reform as country begins new political path
Nepal's deadliest outbreak of political violence in decades has led the country to a new dawn. Early last week, mostly Gen Z protesters took to the streets of Kathmandu and other cities, prompting Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli to resign on Tuesday. Former chief justice Sushila Karki has replaced Mr Oli as interim prime minister, tasked with holding a new parliamentary election and becoming the first woman to lead the Himalayan nation.
Youth leaders in Nepal discuss interim leadership options with the army as two frontrunners emerge
Leaders of Nepal's "Gen Z" protest movement are continuing to meet with the army to discuss appointing an interim leader to run the country as an uneasy calm descends on the country after days of deadly violence. Nepal's capital remains under tight security after riots forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign. Schools are still closed, while some essential services have resumed following protests against corruption, economic stagnation, and the government's short-lived social media ban.
Nepalese anti-government protests continue over corruption and lack of economic opportunity
What started with a peaceful protest has up-ended Nepal in a matter of days. Some students rallied in school uniform in what have been called the gen Z protests, calling for the government to overturn a ban on platforms like Facebook, X and YouTube from operating in the country. Authorities responded violently, opening fire on the crowds, leaving at least 19 people dead.
'Every family has lost someone': Afghan-Australians describe horror after earthquake
Mohib Iqbal was shocked when a 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck just a few kilometres from his home village in Afghanistan. While his village has been spared, there is widespread destruction in the surrounding valleys of the eastern Hindu Kush mountains, where mud houses cling to steep slopes. "Every house is affected, nearly every family has lost someone," a healthcare worker on the ground relayed to him, the day after the first earthquake hit on Sunday.
Sri Lanka's former president has been arrested, but some say it's a distraction from an economy in tatters
The arrest of former president Ranil Wickremesinghe has up-ended Sri Lanka's political landscape. For the first time in the country's history, a former head of state has been detained on corruption charges. But observers say his arrest raises questions about the direction of the country's new government, led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and about whether it strengthens or undermines a fragile economic recovery.
Global child sextortion likely linked to South-East Asia scam compounds, report finds
Sextortion is a new tactic in South-East Asia's multi-billion-dollar fraud industry, with investigators finding children are becoming victims as criminal networks expand beyond romance scams and cryptocurrency fraud. Researchers have found that compounds along the Thai-Myanmar border, as well as in Cambodia, are increasingly instructing trafficked workers to blackmail victims using intimate images.
Rice nearly sank US tariff talks until Japan finally agreed to take more American grain
For decades, Japan's tight protection of its rice market — a symbol of cultural pride, postwar resilience and self-sufficiency — blocked broader trade deals. Last month, rice was once again a sticking point during negotiations over the US "reciprocal tariffs" with President Donald Trump calling Japan a "spoiled" country that "won't take our rice". However, this time Mr Trump forged what he framed as a tariffs breakthrough: Japan importing more US rice.
Beauty queens, bogus footage and the battle for truth on the Thailand-Cambodia border
What began as a deadly clash over the contested border between Thailand and Cambodia has devolved into a raging online battle of narratives. A ceasefire in July paused five days of fighting, in which at least 43 people were killed and more than 300,000 displaced, but now the fight has moved online. Nationalist myths have been given a digital makeover, a beauty queen has been appointed to counter a female general, and old footage has been recycled to make accusations of war crimes.
Donald Trump leveraging peacekeeping in tariff 'deals' across Asia
Just days after imposing a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods, United States President Donald Trump has increased it by another 25 per cent. The 50 per cent tariff is set to take effect in three weeks, and comes as Mr Trump pushes for a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. He has accused India of profiting from Russian oil and ignoring civilian deaths in Ukraine. The announcement of further tariffs on India was the latest indication that Mr Trump has leveraged peacekeeping in trade deals.
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