Holiday dinner still a revered tradition

Things change with the times, but the Lunar New Year's Eve dinner, the last meal of the lunar year, remains the most important tradition among Vietnamese.

US, France, UK close embassies

The United States, France and United Kingdom have closed their embassies in Yemen and evacuated their staff because of the political crisis and security concerns following the takeover of much of the country by Shiite rebels.

Houth is drive nation to verge of failed state

When Yemen's Houthi fighters scaled the rooftops surrounding former president Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi's home, killed his guards and put him under house arrest, they left no doubt that negotiating a political settlement with them would be difficult.

Car pileup on bridge leaves 2 dead, 65 hurt

Two people were killed and more than 60 injured on Wednesday after a pileup in foggy weather, involving about 100 vehicles, on a bridge near the Incheon International Airport, South Korean officials said.

Two charged with planning terror attack

Two men were charged on Wednesday with planning to launch an imminent terrorist attack in Australia, after police seized a homemade flag associated with the Islamic State group, a machete and a hunting knife in a counterterrorism raid.

Schools troubled by radical parents

The radicalization of some Australian parents and students has become a serious issue among schools in Victoria state, with some parents reportedly abandoning their children to fight in the Middle East.

Critics of former PM 'try to discredit her with escape rumors'

Opponents of former Thai prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra were trying to discredit her by spreading false rumors that she would flee abroad before she is due to face criminal charges this month, her lawyer said on Wednesday.

Hostage found good in all

Even while being held hostage by Islamic State extremists, Kayla Mueller found good in everything.

Dozens killed before Minsk peace talks

The leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany were due to hold peace talks on Wednesday aimed at halting a 10-month war in Ukraine where dozens were killed in the latest fighting.

300 migrants feared lost at sea

An estimated 300 people died this week when their overcrowded dinghies sank in the Mediterranean during stormy weather as they attempted to reach Italy, the UN refugee agency said on Wednesday after speaking to a handful of survivors.

Three US rear admirals faulted over bribe scandal

The US navy has censured three rear admirals over a widening bribery scandal centered on a Singapore-based contractor who admitted to showering officers with cash, gifts and prostitutes to further his firm's interests, the Navy said on Tuesday.

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