China issues guidelines on official receptions

China issued a series of guidelines on official receptions on Sunday, pledging to close loopholes that foster extravagance and corruption. Full Story

Thai Prime Minister to dissolve parliament

Thailand's Prime Minister says she will dissolve Parliament and hold an election following a wave of anti-government protests. Full Story

• Thai House dissolved, yet protests persist
• Commuter train hits vehicle in Indonesia
• Japan calls for global action against China’s new air zone
• Human remains washed up on beach in UK
• More than 70 leaders expected for Mandela funeral

• Japan PM Abe's ratings slide after state secrets act
• 82% Japanese oppose secrecy law: poll
• Cambodian opposition to march on Rights Day
• Billy Joel, 4 others receive Kennedy Center Honors
• Raul Castro to attend Mandela's funeral

Chinese funeral company launches up to $215 mln HK IPO-term sheet

Fu Shou Yuan International Group Ltd, a Shanghai-based death care company, launched on Monday an up to $215 million Hong Kong initial public offering. Full Story

• Watchdog bans import of Daewoong injections
• Services set to power consumption
• Alibaba, Haier set up joint venture
• Slower China inflation reduces worries of tighter policy
• China stocks close mixed on Monday

• "Slowing growth ahead" for property prices
• HSBC considers floating UK banking business - FT
• China yuan rises to new high against USD Monday
• China stocks open higher on Monday
• China's November PPI down 1.4 pct

'Gravity,' 'Her' share top prize from L.A. film critics group

The Los Angeles Film Critics Association named "Gravity" and "Her" as the year's best films on Sunday and chose Bruce Dern, Cate Blanchett and French actress Adele Exarchopoulos for top acting honours Full Story

• Billy Joel, 4 others receive Kennedy Center Honors
• 'Holmes' Season 3 trailer
• Former gymnast Liu Xuan married
• Lily Allen reclaims top spot in British music chart
• Obama family plans Hawaii vacation

• Coming home: A tribute to Paul Walker
• Nigella tells UK court she took cocaine
• Arnold Schwarzenegger in China's Xi'an
• MJ's family to seek new trial in death lawsuit
• Singer Katy Perry named UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

Everton's late equalizer denies Arsenal seven-point lead

Arsenal failed to extend their lead at the Premier League table to seven points on Sunday as Gerard Deulofeu's late goal earned Everton a 1-1 draw at Emirates Stadium. Full Story

• German President Gauck will not attend Sochi Games
• Durant scores 36 to carry Thunder past Pacers
• Rockets gives Magic fifth straight loss
• Former gymnast Liu Xuan married
• China's Ding to play Murphy in the Masters first round

• Uruguay, Italy, England in World Cup group of death
• Three admit guilty in Australia's biggest match-fixing scandal
• Pacers beat Jazz 95-86
• Suns end Rockets' six-game home winning streak
• Brazil deploys 3,600-strong security force for WC draw

Do Dogs Need Coats or Sweaters? Only 3 Types Do

n general, there are three kinds of dogs who benefit from the insulation provided by a sweater or coat, as well as the protection afforded by life as a pampered house pet: Full Story

• Scientists’ decoding of protein expected to help treat leukemia
• The 10 best books of 2013
• Oldest human DNA reveals mysterious humanity
• Weibo accounts top 1.3b
• Zhusuan listed as World Intangible Cultural Heritage

• Education reform to help students
• Abacus on UNESCO list
• Cameron visits Tang dynasty poet's cottage
• Cameron urged to return the looted treasures
• Mo Yan stresses sinology in translation work