China's economic growth will likely exceed 8 percent this year on the back of stimulus measures, recovering slightly from last year's slower growth, a Chinese financial daily said Monday.The Beijing-based Securities Daily, a media outlet designated by China Securities Regulatory Commission, said China's economy will grow 8.2 percent this year, higher than an estimated 7.7 percent growth in 2012. "With the effect of policy measures gradually emerging, the Chinese economy in 2013 is expected to ac

The new season of "The Biggest Loser" reality weight loss show will feature two 13-year-olds, sparking controversy, a fat-acceptance group said. Season 14 will include the two young teens and a 16-year-old, causing The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance to denounce the move, accusing the show of attempting to "profit off the bullying and stigmatization of fat kids" the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday. "I am concerned that 'The Biggest Loser' promotes short-term weight loss and do

South Korea could see the younger population aged between 9-24 decrease by more than 50 percent from now in 2060 if the country's low birth rates continue, a government report showed Monday.The nation's youth population reached its peak at 14 million in 1980, but it has since steadily declined to 10.2 million last year, accounting for 20.4 percent of the total population, census data by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family showed.The number of young people aged 9-24 is expected to dwindle

The father of the New Delhi gang-rape victim has revealed his daughter's identity to a British newspaper and called for her name to be made public "to give courage to other women" in an interview published Sunday."My daughter didn't do anything wrong, she died while protecting herself," he told the Sunday People. "We want the world to know her real name."I am proud of her," he added. "Revealing her name will give courage to other women who have survived these attacks. They will find strength fro

South Korean stocks started lower Monday, led by losses in tech and construction shares, analysts said.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 7.31 points, or 0.36 percent, to 2,004.63 in the first 15 minutes of trading.Tech blue chips led the market decline, with top-cap Samsung Electronics falling 1.11 percent and LG Display, the biggest panel supplier for Apple's iPad tablet computer, dipping 2.27 percent.Top chipmaker SK hynix shed 1.14 percent.Construction firms also tr

The World Bank and Korea Communications Commission (KCC) will sign a deal next week on a joint project to establish a "Global Cybersecurity Center" in South Korea, officials said Sunday.The World Bank, headed by Korean-born physician Jim Yong Kim, proposed it set up the center in South Korea in late 2013, they said.The facility will be tasked with promoting cybersecurity and other information protection in developing nations."The World Bank and KCC plan to sign a memorandum of understanding on e

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas gave orders Sunday for work to begin on new passports, ID cards, drivers' licenses and stamps reading "State of Palestine," official media said.The decree, carried by the official WAFA news agency, came in the wake of the Palestinians' successful bid late last year for non-member observer state status at the United Nations over intense Israeli and US opposition.Abbas said the changed language on official documents would help strengthen the Palestinian state "on

Goalkeeper Iker Casillas came off the bench after just five minutes for 10-man Real Madrid who needed a second half double from Cristiano Ronaldo to beat Real Sociedad 4-3 on Sunday.The Madrid captain was left out for the second consecutive game but was called upon in the opening minutes following a penalty conceded by his replacement Adan Garrido who was red carded. Xabi Prieto, who was to grab a hat-trick, scored from the spot-kick to equalize after Karim Benzema had put Madrid ahead after jus

President Barack Obama will nominate Chuck Hagel as his next defense secretary, a senior administration official said Sunday, choosing a former Senate colleague and a decorated Vietnam veteran and signaling he's ready for a contentious confirmation fight likely dominated by questions about Hagel's stands on Israel and Iran.Obama, who avoided a Capitol Hill battle by deciding not to nominate U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice as his first choice for secretary of state, went ahead with Hagel, 66, even as

President Bashar al-Assad offered a road map to end Syria's civil war in a rare speech Sunday in which he branded the opposition "slaves" of the West and told foreign powers to stop backing the rebels.The main armed opposition group the National Coalition, swiftly rejected the plan and Washington said Assad's speech, his first in public in seven months, showed he was "detached from reality".The European Union again called on him to step aside.And Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi told CNN he back

South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan said Friday he remained cautious about the prospects of improving the strained ties with Japan, describing relations with Tokyo as a "big challenge" for Seoul this year. Kim made the remarks at a meeting with former diplomats hosted by the Korean Council on Foreign Relations, hours before he meets with a special envoy sent by Japan's new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to President-elect Park Geun-hye. "I would like to emphasize that we should develop a futu