Vietnam, China’s ‘Little Sister’

Published on May 11, 2010 by Luke Hunt

Vietnamese hate the moniker, reports Luke Hunt for The Diplomat. But their feelings about their big neighbor are a lot more complicated. The rooftop balcony of the Majestic Hotel commands sweeping views across the Saigon River where tinysampans mix with giant cargo ships and ply their trade. Loaded with history and nostalgia, its bar is also a venue for the Old Hacks Reunion—a once-in-five-year affair when Vietnam War era combat reporters get together and trade tales from the past and down a few of their favourite ales. Great survivors, like Peter Arnett, Jim Pringle and photographers Tim Page and Al Rockoff, were there this year. But their ranks, like their hairlines, are gray and thinning. .

Vietnam’s 35th

Published on Apr 30, 2010 by Luke Hunt

Snapshots from the 35th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. On April 30, 1975, Soviet-made tanks smashed through the gates of the Presidential Palace in Saigon signalling the war with South Vietnam and its chief ally the United States was over. Significant commemorations are held every five years which includes a reunion of combat reporters who covered the era. .

Lost World for World Heritage

Published on Apr 26, 2010 by Luke Hunt

by Luke Hunt for The Times Malaysian authorities have ended years of tortuous debate and decided to nominate the Maliau Basin as a World Heritage Site, in effect saving the celebrated rainforests from the clutches of timber and mining interests.The basin, located deep within the remote interior of North Borneo, was discovered only in the 1970s and remains largely unexplored. Scientists hailed the decision, saying it was a victory for the environment and the species that remain undiscovered. .

Semporna Boat Festival

Published on Apr 24, 2010 by Luke Hunt

Photo Feature by Luke Hunt Bajau Woman SEMPORNA, Malaysia — Each year in Semporna on the east coast of Borneo the Bajau people hold their boat annual boat festival. The festival is colourful and the people use this to highlight their maritime skills. The government also used the 2010 festival to highlight their military skills.The show of force was meant to intimidate locals who have extensive connections with local prates and members of the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyha terrorist outfit in Indonesia and the Southern Philippines. .

Stiletto by Max Kolbe — March, 2010

Published on Mar 20, 2010 by Luke Hunt

Clan Ampatuan & the Munganao Flaks As the Ampatuan clan in the Southern Philippines embarks on a dizzying array of pre-trial maneuverings, authorities have assured Andal Senior and his siblings that they won’t be fronting the courts alone for the massacre of 57 people, including 31 journalists. Of the 197 people facing charges, 196 respondents, including 14 Ampatuans, were to be indicted for 41 counts of murder. Another 16 counts were yet to be ruled on in the November 23 Maguindanao massacre. Breathtaking! Alleged ring leader, Andal Jr has been charged with 56 counts of murder, one shy of the 57 victims, because one body has not been identified. Clan members charged are Andal Snr, Andal Jnr, Zaldy, Akmad, Anwar,....