The Irish embassy is asking people to help choose a logo to represent its EU presidency. The poll has been launched by the Irish Tanaiste (deputy prime minister) and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, and Minister of State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton. Go to www.eu2013.ie to find details about the four designs and vote. The winning logo will be featured online and in print when Ireland holds the presidency during the first six months of 2013. Voting is open now unti

New ambassadors and diplomatic staff in Korea have taken part in a program to introduce them to the country. The program run by the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security, which is affiliated with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, held cultural and information events for 62 people from 43 countries. Ambassadors to Korea from Belarus, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Gabon, Laos, Norway, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka attended events on Wednesday and Thursday last week. Diplomatic

Fiji is to open a new embassy in South Korea next year, sending an ambassador from Suva to Seoul. The new embassy is expected to open in the first half of 2012 to foster trade and investment between Korea and the archipelago about 2,000 km northeast of New Zealand. It will employ about 5 staff, a Fiji government official said, adding that an ambassador may be selected in the next month. “We want to open an embassy there because Korea is right in the heart of Asia,” he added. “Korea and Fiji have

BRUSSELS (AP) ― Australian Open champion Kim Clijsters made a successful return to the court after a four-month layoff by beating top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki 6-2 7-6 (5) in an exhibition Thursday.In front of about 10,000 home fans at the Antwerp Sports Palace, Clijsters proved she has fully recovered from the stomach muscle injury that forced her off the tour in August. She will be leaving for Australia in two weeks and plans to defend her title in Melbourne next month.She is hoping to punctua

GREENBURGH, New York (AP) ― The anchor of the Dallas Mavericks’ defense now centers one of the league’s best frontcourts.Tyson Chandler joined the New York Knicks on Saturday, in the belief that joining, Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire means he’s not done competing for championships.The Knicks have long needed a defensive presence, and Chandler plans to provide it. “I know what my job is coming here,” he said. “I know I came here to defend. I’m going to defend the rim, I’m going to rebound,

DUBAI (AP) ― Top-ranked Luke Donald is on the verge of becoming the first golfer to win the European and American money titles, shooting a 6-under 66 Saturday in the third round at the Dubai World Championship to trail leader Alvaro Quiros by four strokes.While Donald climbed the leaderboard, Rory McIlroy headed the other way to all but end his chances of overtaking the Englishman for top spot on the European money list. The U.S. Open champion had a shaky 1-under 71 to drop into a tie for eighth

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) ― No campaign rallies, no debates and definitely no tweeting. Candidates in the next IOC presidential election will face a series of ethics rules that may prove as difficult to police as to obey.A ban on use of social networks is just one of the wide-ranging regulations included in a “code of conduct” issued by the International Olympic Committee’s ethics commission.The rules, approved by the IOC executive board this week, come into force immediately and cover any pote

ANAHEIM, California (AP) ― Every time Albert Pujols got close to the metal crowd-control barriers, fans shrieked and shoved forward for autographs and high-fives. With his new red cap shielding his eyes from the brilliant Southern California sun, Pujols soaked in the cheers and the rays on his first day in his new home.Baseball’s most feared slugger has arrived in Southern California, and his staggering new paychecks aren’t the only reason he left St. Louis for the Los Angeles Angels.Pujols and

United responds well to humiliating exit from Champions LeagueMADRID (AP) ― Alexis Sanchez, Xavi Hernandez and Cesc Fabregas scored, and Barcelona snapped Real Madrid’s 15-match winning streak with a 3-1 victory Saturday, overcoming one of the fastest goals in clasico history.Barcelona also overtook Madrid on goal difference atop the Spanish league standings.Karim Benzema opened the scoring just 21 seconds in after Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes miskicked a clearance at Bernabeu Stadium.But

The daughter of a late renowned South Korean composer has filed a complaint against a high-profile South Korean man whose family members are being held in North Korea, an official said Saturday.The move by Yun Isang’s daughter comes amid a growing public campaign for the return of Oh Kil-nam’s wife and two daughters who are believed to have been held in a North Korean political prison camp for more than two decades.Oh has claimed his family was lured to North Korea in 1985 after he got a doctora