Admissions scandal in background as South Koreans sit for grueling college exam
A record low number of South Korean students sat for the annual college entrance exam on Thursday, a test that many of them have prepared for since day one at school, and for which the country delayed work hours and put flights on hold.
EU’s proposed ambassadorial visit to Xinjiang seen unlikely to happen
The European Union is discussing a visit for ambassadors to China’s far western region of Xinjiang, where Beijing has been accused of oppressing ethnic Uighurs, but the trip is unlikely to happen unless certain conditions are met, diplomats said.
Schools close as protesters occupy Hong Kong roads and campuses
Anti-government protesters paralyzed parts of Hong Kong for a fourth day on Thursday, forcing school closures and blocking highways and other transport links to disrupt the financial hub amid a marked escalation of violence.
Factbox: What students are saying as Hong Kong university campuses burn
Reuters spoke to students at Hong Kong universities where campuses have become blazing battlegrounds as anti-government, pro-democracy protesters clash with police.
EU citizens warned over missing Brexit residency deadline
Britain is threatening to deport European Union citizens if they fail to apply on time for a new immigration status after Brexit and will only grant leniency in exceptional circumstances, according to people briefed on the plans.
Indian court delays ruling on ban on women entering Hindu temple
India’s Supreme Court on Thursday referred a decision to lift a centuries-old ban on women of menstruating age entering a Hindu temple to a larger bench of judges, delaying a final verdict in the case that has divided opinion.
Student kills one, wounds three before killing himself at Russian college
A 19-year-old male student shot and killed a fellow student and wounded three others at a vocational college in Russia’s Far East on Thursday before committing suicide, Russian investigators said in a statement.
Highlights: Hong Kong disrupted as citywide protests spread
Anti-government protesters paralyzed parts of Hong Kong for a fourth day on Thursday, forcing school to close and blocking highways and other transport to disrupt the financial hub amid a marked escalation of violence.
Lack of forecast rains to prolong Australian bushfires threat
Official weather forecasts for Australia out on Thursday showed no substantial rains for at least three months, providing grim news as firefighters battle to get more than 100 bushfires raging across the east coast under control.
Tenuous calm in Gaza as Islamic Jihad says truce reached with Israel
Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad said it was holding fire from the Gaza Strip on Thursday after Israel agreed to an Egyptian-mediated truce, calming the worst surge in fighting in months.
