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’s not

Officials blame traditional musk deer gland medicineFRANKFURT, 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 squad an

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 deca

Rah shares secrets of successful PyeongChang presentationTheresa 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. Furthermo

“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 Gukkasten

“Baribari Chochom Didimsae 2011”: National Dance Company of Korea has been offering this performance series since 2001 to help the public better understand and appreciate Korean dance which is often considered difficult. It presents both traditional dances and new choreography inspired from the traditional dances. It runs through July 24 at The National Theater of Korea in Jangchung-dong, central

“Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival”: In Buyeo County in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, a lotus festival will be held from July 21-24. The festival celebrates beautiful lotus flowers and highlights the importance of preserving wild flowers. Programs include some events related to lotus flowers, making paper lotus flowers and making lotus flower soap. Other tourist destinations are located nearby th

“Asia Philharmonic Orchestra”: The Asia Philharmonic Orchestra, established in 1995 by Maestro Chung Myung-whun and Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, will hold its regular concerts in Korea, Japan and China. In 1995, when Chung conducted the opening ceremony of an international orchestral festival in Tokyo, he met many Asian musicians from top orchestras. His idea was to put them together.

“Coyote Ugly”: The beloved songs from the movie Coyote Ugly, like “Can’t Fight the Moonlight,” can be heard again on stage this time. Though the musical’s setting is the bar Coyote Ugly 10 years since the movie’s success, the storyline is basically the same, starting with young singer-songwriter wannabe April’s arrival to the city. Luna of K-pop group f(x) shares the role of April with two other a

“Life Story”: Gallery SUN Contemporary is presenting 13 new works by South Korean sculptor Kim Gyung-min. Kim is known for her unique style of colorful and bright sculptures despite the flood of abstruse contemporary art. At the exhibition, visitors can find bubbly and joyful sculptures reflecting her everyday life with her family. The exhibition runs through July 31 at Gallery SUN Contermporary i

Lloyd “King of Hearts” Zone 4/Interscope RecordsAfter a lackluster response to 2008’s “Lessons In Love” and departure from the label that gave him his start, The Inc., things were looking less than promising for Lloyd and his smooth falsetto. But he regrouped and found a home at Polow da Don’s label Zone 4, a partnership with Interscope Records, and the move seems to be paying off with his new alb

Depapepe“One”Sony MusicWeather and music tend to have a match. For hot summer days, the refreshing sound of bosa nova is recommended; for rainy and gloomy days, sticky jazz sounds might be appropriate. Japanese guitar duo Depapepe’s music matches bright sunny days and summer vacation trips. After the 2009 album “Do!,” the duo is back with their fifth album “One.” In Korea, the duo became famous af

The hotel’s JW’s Grill presents fresh and plump North Atlantic lobster across the menu through Aug. 31 for the annual summer lobster festival. The North Atlantic lobster is known for being low in cholesterol but rich in protein. A la carte menu includes grilled lobster with white wine cream sauce, lobster tail and shrimp simmered in a saffron stock and cranberry lacquered lobster. Appetizers will

Hana Tour said it will hold a honeymoon promotion for three weeks until July 31. During the exhibition period, those who make a reservation for a honeymoon package labeled “honeymoon exhibition” will get a 200,000 won discount and a prepaid card for Lotte duty free shop worth 40,000-100,000 won. Also, the company will give away Apple iPads and hotel accommodation coupons through lotteries. Those w

The Korea Tourism Organization is to hold “Korea Tourism Photography Contest” to raise awareness in local tourism. The 39th annual contest will give top winner a presidential award and prize money of 5 million won. A culture minister’s award will come with prize money of 3 million won, and Visit Korea Committee chairman’s award, 2 million won for silver and 1 million won for bronze. Selected photo

With the “DMZ International Documentary Film Festival” coming up in September, Korail said it plans to run a train that will screen documentary films and hold an event to see movies with film star Yoo Ji-tae. The train, which will run from either Busan Station or Dong Daegu Station to Imjingang Station for two days, will leave on Sept. 22 and Sept. 25. Arriving in Imjingang Station, passengers wil

Cafes put soy, mangoes and sticky rice cakes into cool dessertsHot weather brings out the summer treats at cafes and dessert shops across the nation. While that generally signifies bingsu (Korean shaved ice dessert), ice cream and gelato, a growing number of establishments are taking their cue from Asian ingredients. Fueled by the “well-being” movement and a well-traveled palate, three spots dish

Sales at Korea’s major discount outlets and department stores rose from a year earlier in June on growing demand for groceries and goods for outdoor activities, a government report showed Thursday.Combined sales of the country’s three major discount outlets rose 2.7 percent in June from the same period last year with those of three leading department stores rising 8.2 percent on-year, according to

POSCO, Korea’s leading steelmaker, said Thursday that its Canadian unit will set up a joint venture with Canada’s Fortune Minerals Ltd. to acquire a stake in a Canadian coal mine development project.POSCO said that POSCO Canada Ltd. will invest a total of 181 million Canadian dollars ($189 million) for a 20 percent stake in the Mount Klappan coal project. POSCO will pay 30 million Canadian dollars

Sony Corp., Japan’s largest exporter of consumer electronics, plans to introduce a line of upgraded digital book readers in the U.S. by as early as next month to challenge Kindle-maker Amazon.com Inc. The Sony Reader, priced from $180 to $300, will probably be offered with hardware and software improvements in August, Phil Lubell, vice president of digital reading at Sony Electronics, said Wednesd