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Tokyo elects 1st female governor to lead city into Olympics
By YURI KAGEYAMA
31 July 2016


Yuriko Koike is leading the organising committee for the 2020 Olympics. (Source: Reuters)

TOKYO (AP) -- Tokyo on Sunday elected its first female governor to lead the city as it prepares to host the 2020 Olympics, as voters turned to a leader promising clean politics after two predecessors resigned over money scandals.

Yuriko Koike was announced the winner by Japanese media as soon as voting ended, based on her definitive lead in exit polls. She will take charge of a sprawling metropolis with a population of more than 13 million and an annual budget bigger than Sweden's. "I am pushing for a Tokyo where people's lives will be better, and everyone can shine - men and women, children and adults, the elderly and the disabled," Koike said, appearing at her campaign office, bowing deeply and waving to cheering supporters.

Read more: Tokyo elects 1st female governor to lead city into Olympics

Italian-born fencer joins Brazil to fulfill grandma's dream
By TALES AZZONI
31 July 2016



SAO PAULO (AP) -- Italian-born fencer Nathalie Moellhausen grew up hearing her Brazilian grandmother talk about Brazil.

She rejoiced every time "Grandma Marcelita" picked up the guitar and played Brazilian songs around the house. It was because of her that Moellhausen learned to love Brazil. And now, to fulfill a dream of her 82-year-old grandmother, Marcela Farotti, Moellhausen will be competing for the hosts at the Rio de Janeiro Games. "Brazil means everything to her, and she wanted me to do this for the country," Moellhausen said. "She said it would be good to do something like this for a place that we love so much. So when the opportunity came, I decided to make the switch."

Read more: Italian-born fencer joins Brazil to fulfill grandma's dream

Belgian decathlete overcomes cancer to get to Rio Olympics
By RAF CASERT
31 July 2016



AMSTERDAM (AP) -- At the lowest point, when chemotherapy had turned Thomas Van der Plaetsen bald and weak at 23, even his brother, coach and biggest fan, Michael, thought chances for a comeback were minuscule. Now, barely a year and a half later, he is heading to the Rio Olympics as the European decathlon champion - and with a full head of hair.

Failing to get close to the medal stand at the Olympics won't feel anything like losing gold. Just being back among the best, participating in the 10-event competition that crowns the "world's greatest athlete," is already his biggest victory of all. "It was a long road back," the Belgian said. "If I can reach and convince only one person to stay positive in such a situation, I will take that as a victory."

Read more: Belgian decathlete overcomes cancer to get to Rio Olympics

The end of the rat race? New Zealand aims to become rat free
By NICK PERRY
25 July 2016


Minister Steven Joyce, Prime Minister John Key and Minister Maggie Barry get up close with the fauna at Zealandia, after announcing a target to make New Zealand pest-free by 2050. KEVIN STENT/FAIRFAX NZ

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -- Their abilities to travel, multiply and spread disease have always made rats one of mankind's greatest pests.

New Zealand says it's time to wipe them out. Every last one of them. Prime Minister John Key on Monday announced an ambitious plan to completely rid the South Pacific nation of rats and some other nuisance animals, including possums and stoats, by the year 2050.

The government is hoping a rat-free countryside will give a boost to native birds, including the iconic kiwi. Many bird species are threatened with extinction because rats and other pests feast on their eggs and compete with them for food. New Zealand is hoping to build on its success in eradicating rats from several of its smaller islands.

Read more: The end of the rat race? New Zealand aims to become rat free

Flight attendant's passion: Reuniting soldiers and dogs
By JIM SALTER
July 5, 2016


Oliver uses her spare time to fly around the country fetching dogs and then flying with the animals to reunited them with the soldiers they used to work with

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Derrek Green's eyes lit up as the black lab galloped across the airport corridor. He bent down, threw his arms out and embraced Zeva, the tail-wagging, retired military dog he had to leave behind two years earlier.

Read more: Flight attendant's passion: Reuniting soldiers and dogs