Priceless painting looted by Nazis during World War II returns to Poland from Japan

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A priceless 16th century Italian painting that was looted by Nazi Germany during World War II and discovered in Japan has been returned to Poland, authorities in Warsaw said Wednesday. The “Madonna with Child” attributed to Alessandro Turchi, is the latest...

North Korea's failed satellite launch triggers public confusion, security jitters in neighbors

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea’s launch of a spy satellite on Wednesday ended in an embarrassing failure, but still prompted public confusion and security jitters in neighboring South Korea and Japan, which are wary of the North’s growing weapons arsenal. About 14...

Typhoon Mawar losing strength as it heads toward Japan's Okinawa Islands

NAHA, Japan (AP) — Typhoon Mawar appeared to be losing force as it headed Wednesday toward Japan's Okinawa Islands, where the United States maintains a significant military presence, after largely skirting Taiwan and the Philippines. After tearing across Guam last week, Mawar...

Japanese knuckleball pitcher Eri Yoshida plays on her own 'Field of Dreams'

OYAMA, Japan (AP) — Eri Yoshida sat in the dugout of an all-dirt baseball field in rural Japan, surrounded by rice paddies, narrow roads, and traditional Japanese houses. The scene recalled instantly the 1989 film “Field of Dreams" — Asian style — and Yoshida certainly has...

See the images of North Korea's launch pad activity as it prepares its first spy satellite

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said Tuesday it would launch its first military spy satellite in June and described space-based reconnaissance as crucial for monitoring U.S. “reckless” military exercises with South Korea. The statement came a day after North Korea...

Toyota, Daimler Truck, Hino, Mitsubishi Fuso joining forces in ecological technology

TOKYO (AP) — German truck maker Daimler, Japan’s top automaker Toyota and two other automakers said Tuesday they will work together on new technologies, including using hydrogen fuel, to help fight climate change. The companies said Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corp., whose top...

North Korea notifies neighboring Japan it plans to launch satellite in coming days

TOKYO (AP) — North Korea on Monday notified neighboring Japan that it plans to launch a satellite in coming days, which may be an attempt to put its first military reconnaissance satellite into orbit. Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said he ordered Japan’s Self Defense Force to...

Anannarukarn holds off Furue to win LPGA Match Play at Shadow Creek

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. (AP) — Pajaree Anannarukarn of Thailand capped off the longest week on the LPGA Tour with a 3-and-1 victory Sunday to win the Bank of Hope LPGA Match Play over Ayaka Furue of Japan. Anannarukarn, who beat Linn Grant of Sweden in the semifinals Sunday morning...

Japan's coast guard says North Korea has notified it of plans to launch a satellite in coming days

Palou balances plans with Ganassi vs. McLaren as Spaniard tries to win Indy 500

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Few had heard of Alex Palou when he arrived in IndyCar after several years of racing in Japan. It was 2020, during the pandemic and a season of no spectators, and the Spaniard drove for one of the smallest teams in the series. But the next year he moved to Chip...