The Korea Herald

Guatemala president vows tough actions against crime

World NewsJan 15, 2012

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) ― Retired Gen. Otto Perez Molina was sworn in as president of Guatemala on Saturday, calling on the United States and Mexico to help him fight a wave of drug trafficking and violence that has overwhelmed the Central American country.Perez won over voters by pledging to crush criminality with an “iron fist.” Mexican drug cartels have seized large swatches of territory in Guatemala, which has one of the world’s highest homicide rates.Perez, 61, is the first military officer ele
Venezuela to close Miami consulate

World NewsJan 15, 2012

CARACAS (AP) ― Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Friday that his government will close its consulate in Miami after the U.S. government expelled a diplomat.Chavez said he decided the consulate will shut its doors in response to what he called an unfair action by the U.S. State Department.“We’re going to close it. It’s OK. There won’t be a consulate in Miami,” Chavez said during his annual speech to the National Assembly.Livia Acosta Noguera, Venezuela’s consul general in Miami, was ordered o
Praise mounts for Myanmar release of political prisoners

World NewsJan 15, 2012

YANGON (AP) ― Myanmar’s release of political prisoners drew praise from longtime critics of its once-authoritarian government, with Washington responding with a major diplomatic reward.The release sparked jubilation among the country’s pro-democracy activists ― who were reuniting with their freed comrades Saturday ― while signaling the government’s readiness to meet Western demands for lifting economic sanctions. The United States immediately announced it would upgrade diplomatic relations with
Detained man suspected in US homeless killings

World NewsJan 15, 2012

Larry Pinson of Yorba Linda weeps after finding out the name of the homeless man that was killed Friday night outside a fast-food restaurant in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday. (AP-Yonhap News)ANAHEIM, California (AP) -- Investigators are ``extremely confident'' a man in their custody is responsible for a
S.Korean couple rescued in Italy liner disaster

World NewsJan 15, 2012

GIGLIO ISLAND, Italy, Jan 15, 2012 (AFP) - Rescuers evacuated a South Korean honeymoon couple from a cruise ship that hit rocks and keeled over off the west coast of Italy, Italy's ANSA news agency said Sunday, quoting rescuers.The couple, both aged 29, had been reached by firemen on a lower deck of
Oxford puzzles over unexplained death of professor

World NewsJan 15, 2012

OXFORD, England (AP) -- It seemed like a shocking crime: An Oxford University academic was found dying in the home of one of his closest friends, who was promptly arrested by police on suspicion of murder.But on Friday the direction of the attention-grabbing investigation into the death of Steve Raw
Taiwan ’s China-friendly president wins re-election

World NewsJan 15, 2012

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- Taiwan's president won re-election Saturday, paving the way for a continuation of the China-friendly policies that have delighted Beijing and Washington, and caused consternation among some in Taiwan worried about the durability of their de facto independence.With about 99 per
Night of chaos, fear after cruise ship ran aground

World NewsJan 15, 2012

PORTO SANTO STEFANO, Italy (AP) -- The first course had just been served in the Costa Concordia's dining room when the wine glasses, forks and plates of cuttlefish and mushrooms smashed to the ground. At the magic show in the theater, the trash cans tipped over and the theater curtains turned on the
Myanmar frees political prisoners

World NewsJan 13, 2012

YANGON (AP) ― Myanmar freed many of its most prominent political prisoners Friday in a long-awaited step toward national reconciliation that also has been a key condition set by Western nations for easing sanctions against the country.The releases of several political activists and ethnic minority leaders, confirmed by their relatives, were part of a presidential pardon for 651 detainees who Myanmar state radio and television said would take part in “nation-building.”It was the latest in a flurr
Candidates make final push ahead of Taiwan vote

World NewsJan 13, 2012

TAIPEI (AP) -- Candidates in Taiwan’s closely fought presidential election appealed for last-minute support Friday, with President Ma Ying-jeou offering his vision of better relations with China, and his main challenger attempting to galvanize resentment over growing income inequality.Amid swirling campaign banners and cheering crowds, Ma and Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party crisscrossed the island ahead of a contest that pits Ma’s experience against Tsai’s populism.Eighteen mill
Oslo court orders new psychiatric evaluation for gunman

World NewsJan 13, 2012

OSLO, Jan 13, 2012 (AFP) - An Oslo court on Friday ordered a new psychiatric evaluation of Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people in twin attacks in July, after an earlier and widely contested test found him criminally insane. "Due to the gravity of this case, the criminal responsibility
Barca to face Real Madrid

World NewsJan 13, 2012

MADRID (AP) ― Barcelona will play Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals after coming from behind to beat Osasuna 2-1 on Thursday and cruise to a 6-1 aggregate victory.Defending champion Madrid hosts the first leg Wednesday, with the return match at Barcelona on Jan. 25. The rivals have already met three times this season, with Barcelona winning the two-legged Spanish Super Cup 5-4 on aggregate in August before a 3-1 victory at Madrid in the league last month.The two games will take the n
MLB owners delay sale of Padres to Moorad

World NewsJan 13, 2012

PARADISE VALLEY, Arizona (AP) ― Major league owners have put off approval of sale of the San Diego Padres to Jeff Moorad.Commissioner Bud Selig said Thursday that baseball’s ownership committee and executive council unanimously decided to defer action “to get more clarity and technical information.”Moorad, who could be seen talking with Selig on a balcony outside the owners meeting Thursday, said he and the commissioner tried to work out an “11th-hour” agreement to get the matter presented to th
Choi Kyung-ju in 2nd place at Sony Open

World NewsJan 13, 2012

HONOLULU, Hawaii (AFP) ― An eagle and a birdie-birdie finish helped Canada’s Graham DeLaet grab the clubhouse lead Thursday in the $5.5 million Sony Open, the first full-field event of the U.S. PGA Tour season.DeLaet, celebrating his return from back surgery that threatened to derail his career, carded a seven-under par 63 on the par-70 Waialae Country Club course.He had a two-stroke lead over South Korean Choi Kyung-ju, Sweden’s Carl Petterson and Kyle Reifers, who were all in the clubhouse on
Rubio living up to hype in Minnesota

World NewsJan 13, 2012

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) ― The flashy passes between the legs of defenders and behind his back to open teammates on the wing have been dazzling.The stutter-step drives to the basket have been electrifying and the jump shots swishing through from distance have been downright unexpected.Ricky Rubio has brought energy, excitement and a little bit of magic to the Minnesota Timberwolves in his rookie season, but his true impact on one of the NBA’s struggling franchises can be measured in a subtle moment from