Andy Rubin has stepped down as the executive in charge of Google's Android operating system for smartphones and tablet computers, ending a seven-year reign that reshaped the technology industry.The unexpected change announced Wednesday may raise new questions about Android's direction as Google duels with Apple Inc., Microsoft Corp. and a long list of other companies in the increasingly important mobile computing market.Google is replacing Rubin with Sundar Pichai, an executive in charge of the

Four South Korean representatives at the top Asian club football tournament couldn't buy a victory this week, as all four of their matches ended in draws.In the second week of the 2013 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League, Pohang Steelers of the K League Classic gave up a last-minute equalizer against their Group G rival Bunyodkor in Uzbekistan and walked away with a 2-2 draw on Wednesday.Suwon Samsung Bluewings played Guizhou Renhe of China to a scoreless draw in their Group H co

South Korean figure skating star Kim Yu-na will perform in the middle of the pack for the short program at the world championships this week.In a draw held here on Wednesday, a day before the ladies' short program at the World Figure Skating Championships, Kim drew 14th among 35 skaters. The 2010 Olympic gold medalist will be the third skater in the third group.At Budweiser Gardens here in London, southwest of Toronto, the 35 performers will be divided into six groups. The first group features f

Foreign-currency loans extended by South Korean banks declined last year from a year earlier, as a stronger won helped borrowers repay their outstanding debts, the financial regulator said Thursday. The amount of foreign currency-denominated loans extended by local banks reached $29.93 billion in the January-December period of 2012, according to the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS). The figure has been on the decline since it hit $43.10 billion as of the end of 2008, the FSS said. From 2010,

Huge oCatholic worshippers erupted in applause Wednesday at the cathedral in Buenos Aires upon learning that the former Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina had been elected Pope Francis I.Some 200 somewhat surprised worshippers gave the new pontiff a standing ovation after the announcement, as crowds and media descended on the cathedral, which is located on the historic Plaza de Mayo.Crowds of people and mobile television crews rushed to the area outside the cathedral where the new pontiff used t

Police said Wednesday that they have questioned an American female TV personality for allegedly smoking marijuana, a crime punishable by up to one year in prison under South Korean law. Bianca Mobley, who gained popularity in South Korea after starring in a TV show featuring foreign women living here, was suspected of smoking marijuana between October and late November last year, said an officer at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. The officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said t

The Czech prime minister says the government has approved a sale of a minority stake in the national carrier CSA to Korean Airlines.Petr Necas says Korean Airlines will get a 44-percent stake in CSA for (euro) 2.64 million ($3.45 million). Necas said Wednesday the move is ``a very important step that makes possible the development of CSA and Prague's international airport.''The Czech state owns a 95.7 percent stake in the airline. It has been seeking a strategic partner for the carrier after it

Republicans in the House of Representatives are sending mixed signals in agreeing to meet Wednesday with President Barack Obama for talks over the budget impasse.On the one hand, many Republicans who long have chided Obama for failing to engage their party on America's biggest problems are applauding his newfound outreach _ part of a concerted effort by the president to mend ties with Congress in hopes of reaching a grand compromise on fiscal issues. On the other hand, neither side is backing do

The papal conclave is steeped in mystery _ and the church likes it that way. Elaborate ritual and veils of secrecy, after all, are fundamental to the papal mystique, seen as the glue the binds worshipers in faith. But in this conclave, the church appears to be making some concessions to the instant clarity expected in the Internet era: Just look at the thick plumes of black smoke that poured from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Tuesday and Wednesday to tell the world that the votes had not

Cardinals remained divided over who should be pope on Wednesday after three rounds of voting, an indication of disagreements about the direction of the Catholic church following the upheaval unleashed by Pope Benedict XVI's surprise resignation. In the second day of the conclave, thick black smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, prompting sighs of disappointment from the thousands of people gathered in a rain-soaked and chilly St. Peter's Square.“I'm not happy to see black smoke

South Korean mobile operators ended lower on the Seoul main stock index on Wednesday following government remarks on tightening regulations on smartphone subsidies.During a briefing on President Park Geun-hye's first cabinet meeting, spokeswoman Kim Haing said the government is seeking to draw up measures to curb excessive subsidies involved in mobile phone sales.Top mobile carrier SK Telecom Co. slipped 0.27 percent to 183,000 won, while No. 3 player LG Uplus Corp. lost 1.03 percent to 8,660 wo

President Park Geun-hye promoted Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Kyou-hyun to first vice foreign minister and another career diplomat Cho Tae-yul to second vice foreign minister Wednesday as she selected 20 new vice ministerial officials, her spokeswoman said.Senior unification ministry official Kim Nam-sik was promoted to vice minister, while a regional prosecutor's office chief, Kim Hak-ui, was named as vice justice minister and senior industry ministry officials Kim Jae-hong and Han Jin-hyun as f

New York City Police Officer Gilberto Valle's lawyers said he was just spinning sick and twisted fantasies for his own pleasure when he chatted online about abducting, roasting and eating women. A jury, though, decided he was deadly serious.Valle, 28, was convicted Tuesday of conspiracy in a macabre case that opened a window on a shocking Internet world of cannibalism fetishists. He could get life in prison at sentencing June 19 but is likely to face much less.His lawyers branded the outcome a “

The judge in the deadly Colorado movie theater shooting case entered a not guilty plea on behalf of James Holmes on Tuesday after the former graduate student's defense team said he was not ready to enter one.If Holmes is convicted, he could be executed or spend the rest of his life in prison. Judge William Sylvester said Holmes, 25, can change his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity later, if he chooses.Such a change could be the only way Holmes could avoid life in prison or execution. Pros