Thousands of fans turn out in Tokyo to greet WC champions TOKYO (AP) ― This Japanese flower bloomed just when the country needed it most. A nation reeling from months of tragedy united in joyous celebration Monday after its women’s soccer team ― nicknamed “Nadeshiko” for a pink mountain flower ― won the World Cup by beating the United States. Fans decked out in the team’s dark blue colors hugg...

The time has come. South Korean swimming star Park Tae-hwan arrived in Shanghai on Monday to compete in the 2011 World Swimming Championships. For Park, the biennial event, which is running until July 31, is an opportunity to erase the memory of his meltdown two years ago. At the previous championships in Rome, the 2008 Olympic gold medalist failed to make it into the finals in any race. Last m...

South Korean striker Ji Dong-won has expressed his excitement for the upcoming season in the English Premier League. The 20-year-old Ji, who signed last month with Sunderland AFC, is enjoying being on the pre-season tour with his new club. Sunderland’s new striker Ji Dong-won (right) of Korea speaks with manager Steve Bruce on Friday. (Sunderland) “If I stay injury free and have time to adapt ...

GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories (AFP) ― Israeli aircraft struck Gaza overnight for the fourth time in as many days, wounding a militant who was about to fire a rocket, Palestinian security sources said on Saturday. The Palestinian was admitted to hospital but his injuries were not life-threatening, the sources said. An Israeli military spokeswoman confirmed that an air strike had targeted a ...

SANDWICH, England (AP) ― About the only predictable part of this British Open is the weather. The biggest surprise is the list of contenders for the claret jug. The weather was wild again Saturday, shifting from a raging wind to a gentle sea breeze, from a driving rain to brilliant sunshine, and leaving most of the field wet, tired and feeling as though they got the short end of the draw. That’...

Officials blame traditional musk deer gland medicine FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) ― A total of five North Korea players have tested positive for steroids at the women’s World Cup, soccer’s biggest doping scandal at a major tournament in 17 years. FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Saturday that after two players were caught during the tournament this month, FIFA tested the rest of the North Korean squ...

For Kim Jin-sun, Pyeong-Chang’s recent victory over two European rivals to win the bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics was a poignant moment. Kim, 64, had been an executive director for Pyeong-Chang’s two earlier, failed Winter Games bids. A three-time governor of Gangwon Province, where PyeongChang is located, Kim is a principal figure that launched PyeongChang’s Winter Games project more than a d...

Rah shares secrets of successful PyeongChang presentation Theresa Rah, the communication director of PyeongChang’s 2018 bid committee, is now probably the country’s best known speaker and presenter. Her impressive presentation on July 6 for PyeongChang’s 2018 Winter Olympics bid not only captured the attention of the IOC voters, but also thrilled millions of TV viewers across the country. Furth...

“Beady Eye Live in Seoul”: Rock band Beady Eye will hold a concert on Sept. 3 at Ax-Korea in Seoul at 7:30 p.m. The concert had been initially scheduled in May but was delayed due to the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The U.K. group consisting of Liam Gallagher and other ex-members of Oasis released their first album “Different Gear, Still Speeding” in February. Korean indie band Gukkast...