Around the World: Australia/New Zealand

Clinton plans visit

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will visit Australia and New Zealand next week, further cementing improved relations with two key Pacific allies. Clinton will deliver a policy speech on U.S. engagement with the Asia-Pacific region in Honolulu on Jan 12. Clinton's stop in New Zealand Jan 15-17 will feature a meeting with Prime Minister John Key, whose election at the head of a center-right government in 2008 ended nine years of rule by Labour Party governments that often struck an anti-American tone.