Shearer tastes defeat as Chelsea move up

Alan Shearer’s first game in charge of Newcastle ended with a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea to leave the north-east giants deep in relegation trouble in the Premier League. Second half goals from Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda earned title challengers Chelsea a valuable three points which lifted them to second place ahead of Liverpool’s match later on Saturday at Fullham.

Ceremonies open 2nd day of NATO summit

A symbolic ceremony was under way Saturday to mark France’s return as a full NATO member and to remember those who have died in NATO-led missions during the alliance’s 60-year history. NATO leaders were gathering on a footbridge over the Rhine river separating France and Germany, which are both hosting a two-day NATO summit that concludes Saturday. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will walk from one side and French President Nicolas Sarkozy planned to walk from the other to meet in the middle and greet each other

Analysis: Amid pending launch, N. Korea only shows half its hand

The United States, Japan and South Korea can only wait and see what North Korea has up its sleeve. For almost a month, the reclusive country has been showing only a few of its cards to the world as it intends to — in its words — launch “an experimental communication satellite for peaceful purposes.” However, while the North Koreans are showing just a few cards, as is typical for them, there are no expectations they will show their whole hand — and many believe they are playing their own game

South Korea edges past North in World Cup qualifier

South Korea scored a late goal Wednesday to defeat North Korea 1-0 in a World Cup qualifying match set amid the backdrop of heightened political tensions in the region. Substitute Kim Chi-Woo scored in the 88th minute when his left-footed free kick went past defenders and into the back of the net. Replays showed that a North Korean defender may have deflected the ball just enough to prevent goalkeeper Lee Woon-Jae from the save.