New fossil evidence of the earliest complete skeleton of an ancient primate suggests it was a hyperactive, wide-eyed creature so small you could hold a couple of them in your hand _ if only they would stay still long enough.The 55 million-year-old fossil dug up in central China is one of our first primate relatives and it gives scientists a better understanding of the complex evolution that eventually led to humans. This tiny monkey-like creature weighed an ounce (28 grams) or less and was not a

Technology June 6, 2013

A North Korean concentration camp escapee received an international human rights award on Thursday for raising global awareness of the atrocities taking place in the communist country.Switzerland-based non-governmental agency UN Watch said Shin Dong-hyuk was presented with the 2013 Moral Courage Award. Shin was made famous by his biography "Escape from Camp 14" and his efforts to draw attention to serious human rights abuses taking place in the North.UN Watch also said that as the only known per

North Korea June 6, 2013

Roughly one in three North Korean children are suffering from stunted growth caused by malnutrition, a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) showed Thursday.The organization under the United Nations said in its 2013 food and agriculture report that the North's figures for slower-than-normal-growth stood at 32.4 percent, which was higher than the average for other Asian countries, excluding Japan.Numbers for the whole of Asia stood at 26.8 percent. The latest findings showed stunt

North Korea June 6, 2013

The 15-year-old daughter of Michael Jackson is physically fine after being taken to a hospital early Wednesday, an attorney for Jackson's mother said.Perry Sanders Jr. wrote in a statement to The Associated Press that Paris Jackson is getting appropriate medical attention and the family is seeking privacy.“Being a sensitive 15 year old is difficult no matter who you are,” he wrote. “It is especially difficult when you lose the person closest to you. Paris is physically fine and is getting approp

People June 6, 2013

China's growing frustration with longtime ally North Korea offers the United States a glimmer of hope about a once unthinkable prospect: holding discussions between Washington and Beijing about what to do if the government in Pyongyang collapses.There is no sign that the North Korean regime is in danger or that U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jingping will discuss that possibility when they meet this week in California.  Any such talk would alarm North Korea if word got out.

North Korea June 6, 2013

North Korea on Wednesday accused the South of having lured, kidnapped and brainwashed nine young North Korean refugees who were recently forcibly repatriated from Laos to Pyongyang via China.Their case has attracted international concern and condemnation, with the United Nations and human rights groups warning the North that it would be held responsible for the safety of the refugees -- aged between 14 and 18.But a lengthy statement attributed to a spokesman for the central committee of the Nort

North Korea June 6, 2013

A Federal Reserve survey says economic growth increased throughout the United States from April through late-May, fueled by home construction, consumer spending and steady hiring.Eleven of the Fed's banking districts reported “modest to moderate” economic growth, according to the Beige Book survey released Wednesday. The 12th, in Dallas, reported strong growth.The survey is based on anecdotal reports. The mostly favorable results of the latest survey suggest that the economy and the job market a

World Business June 6, 2013

Syrian troops and their Lebanese Hezbollah allies captured a strategic border town Wednesday after a grueling three-week battle, dealing a severe blow to rebels and opening the door for President Bashar Assad's regime to seize back the country's central heartland. The regime triumph in Qusair, which Assad's forces had bombarded for months without success, demonstrates the potentially game-changing role of Hezbollah in Syria's civil war. The gain could also embolden Assad to push for all-out mili

World News June 6, 2013

The ease with which Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic swept aside their quarterfinal opponents at the French Open was remarkably similar. Both men won in straight sets Wednesday, hardly challenged. Both earned 12 break points, Nadal converting seven, Djokovic five. Nadal's serve was broken only once, Djokovic's twice. In what amounted to heavy-duty practice sessions for the real test that lies ahead, Nadal needed 1 hour, 56 minutes to beat No. 9-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 in Court Phi

More Sports June 6, 2013

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday announced the renewal of Iran sanctions exceptions for South Korea and eight other nations.The nine nations will be able to continue purchasing reduced amount of Iranian crude oil for the coming 180 days without any penalties under the National Defense Authorization Act."The United States and the international community stand shoulder to shoulder in maintaining pressure on the Iranian regime until it fully addresses concerns about its nuclear progr

June 6, 2013

South Korea stands firm against a private organization's visit to North Korea to arrange a joint event, the unification minister said Wednesday, making clear the government will only accept working-level official talks to resolve all outstanding inter-Korean issues.Last month, the South Korean Committee for the Joint Implementation of the June 15 Summit Declaration requested government permission to allow its representatives to visit the North's border town of Kaesong to commemorate the annivers

North Korea June 5, 2013