Vietnam seeks to up retiring age as population pressures pensions
HANOI – Vietnam is trying to raise the retirement age of both men and women to mitigate the economic impact of a rapidly aging population and take pressure off of…
Rome reopens Spanish Steps after costly restoration
Rome is reopening its famed Spanish Steps after a privately funded restoration but has urged visitors to treat the 18th century staircase with greater respect to prevent it falling again…
Vietnam upholds jail terms for political bloggers
HANOI – A well-known Vietnamese political blogger and his assistant have lost their appeal when a higher court upheld their jail terms and reaffirmed they had abused their freedom and…
U.N. resumes Syria aid delivery after attack
GENEVA – The United Nations appealed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and rebel groups on Thursday to allow aid convoys to enter eastern Aleppo as U.N. relief operations in Syria…
Census 2016: Over 90 percent of forms in, deadline looms
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is urging Australians who have not completed their Census forms, to do so before the end of this week. Duncan Young, head of ABS, says about…
In first U.N. address as leader, Suu Kyi defends efforts on Rohingyas
UNITED NATIONS – In her first address to the U.N. General Assembly as national leader, Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi defended her government’s efforts to resolve a crisis over treatment…
French actress Cotillard denies role in Jolie, Pitt split
LOS ANGELES – French actress Marion Cotillard has denied any involvement in the sudden split between Hollywood power couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, wishing that the two will “find peace,”…
Italy sets trial for suspected African human-smuggling boss
PALERMO, Italy – A Sicilian judge has ordered a trial for an Eritrean man accused of running a people smuggling network that sent thousands of migrants to Europe and many to…
Charlotte officials urge calm after police shooting sparks protests
US officials in the city of Charlotte, North Carolina, have called for calm and dialogue on after the fatal shooting of a black man by police led to a night of…
Vietnam drug kingpin, 8 henchmen get death sentence for heroin smuggling
HANOI – A court in Vietnam has sentenced to death a notorious drugs kingpin and eight associates, delivering the maximum punishment in a single verdict over the trafficking of more…
