Trump’s golf buddy Norman pitches Australia to head of diplomatic queue
SYDNEY – Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull became one of the first world leaders to speak to US President-elect Donald Trump this week, but only after one of Trump’s old…
Vietnam PM backs off from US-led TPP, emphasises independent foreign policy
HANOI – Vietnam will shelve ratification of a US-led Pacific trade accord due to political changes ahead in the United States, but wants to maintain good relations with Washington as…
Vietnam president in Cuba for official visit
Vietnam’s president Tran Dại Quang has met with Cuban leader Fidel Castro on Wednesday, during a three-day state visit to the Communist island. According to Cuban state-run TV, the two…
Ex-Pentagon chief Laird dies, advocated ‘Vietnamization’ policy
WASHINGTON – Melvin Laird, who as defence secretary under President Richard Nixon from 1969 to 1973 helped extricate US forces from the morass of the Vietnam War in a policy he…
Miss Universe pageant to be held in Manila in January
MANILA, Philippines – Officials and organisers of the Miss Universe 2016 competition have confirmed the next pageant will be held in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, in January 2017.…
Britain’s Prince William arrives in Vietnam for conservation visit
HANOI – Britain’s Prince William has met Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc after arriving in Hanoi on Wednesday at the start of a two-day trip to promote wildlife protection.…
Indonesia releases 39 Vietnamese fishermen
Indonesia has released 39 Vietnamese fishermen after they were arrested for illegally fishing in its waters, according to various media reports. The fishermen were said to have been repatriated at Indonesia’s Soekarno…
Cuba pardons 787 prisoners after pope’s call for mercy
HAVANA – Cuba has pardoned 787 convicts in response to Pope Francis’ Holy Year call to all heads of state for acts of clemency, the ruling Communist Party newspaper Granma…
Disputed memo says Britain has no Brexit plan
LONDON – Britain has no overall strategy for leaving the European Union and splits in Prime Minister Theresa May‘s cabinet could delay a clear negotiating position for six months, according…
Vietnamese asylum seekers forcibly returned by Australia, jailed – ABC
Vietnamese asylum seekers whose boat was turned back in June by Australian officials have been punished with jail terms in Vietnam. A Melbourne based Vietnamese advocate from the Voice Australia…
