In South Korea, blind students take a special version of the nation's college entrance exam, known as the Suneung, which can last up to 13 hours. This extended exam time is due to the use of braille test papers and the need for more time to process the information. These students face unique challenges, such as the physical strain of reading braille for long hours.
Key Facts
The Suneung exam is South Korea's college entrance test, impacting university admission and future prospects.
550,000 students take the exam nationwide, with the highest numbers in seven years.
For most students, the exam lasts about eight hours, but blind students may take up to 13 hours.
The longer duration for blind students is due to braille test papers, which are bulkier than standard papers.
Braille test booklets are 6 to 9 times thicker, increasing reading time and causing physical strain.
Han Dong-hyun is one student taking the extended exam, born completely blind and using braille and screen-reading software.
For blind students, keeping track of information is tougher because they cannot re-read spoken content or visually see graphs.
Last year, 111 blind students took the exam, with 12 having severe visual impairments.
Funding cuts from the United States have affected the World Food Programme's ability to support local farmers and school feeding programs in Haiti. The organization has been working to buy more food locally to support farmers and feed schoolchildren, but now faces a $44 million funding gap. This funding shortage could impact food assistance and local farming efforts in Haiti.
Key Facts
The World Food Programme provides food to local schools in Haiti, feeding about 600,000 students daily.
Over the past decade, the organization has increased local food sourcing in Haiti to about 72% of its needs.
The aim is to source 100% of school meal food locally by 2030.
In early 2024, U.S. funding cuts created a $44 million shortfall for the Programme in Haiti.
Haiti is dealing with increased gang violence and more than a million displaced people.
As of October, 5.7 million Haitians face severe hunger.
Small-scale farmers like Antoine Nelson depend on these programs to sell their produce and support their families.
Experts warn that without enough funding, important food assistance programs may end.
Two UK hospitals used a heart pump despite knowing it had a higher death rate compared to another available option. The pump, made by Medtronic, was eventually withdrawn due to safety concerns after it was found to cause more deaths and complications. Hospitals questioned the data and leading cardiologists had financial ties to the pump's manufacturer.
Key Facts
Two UK hospitals continued using a Medtronic heart pump despite knowing it had a higher mortality rate.
NHS raised concerns in 2018 about the pump's safety, showing higher deaths and complications.
Medtronic withdrew the device in June 2021 for patient safety reasons.
The device, an LVAD, helps weakened hearts pump blood and is crucial before transplants.
NHS data showed 45% mortality with the Medtronic pump versus 15% with a competing device.
The regulator, MHRA, approved the pump's use without knowing about the concerning data.
Some cardiologists at the hospitals were paid consultants for Medtronic.
Harefield Hospital stopped using the device in 2021; Freeman Hospital continued until Medtronic's withdrawal.
France may ban the Chinese fast-fashion company Shein soon after it opened a store in Paris. The country is concerned about the company's increasing presence and issues with inappropriate products found on its website.
Key Facts
Shein is a Chinese fast-fashion company.
Shein recently opened a location in Paris, France.
France is considering banning Shein due to concerns about its operations.
Issues arose from child-like sex dolls and weapons sold by third-party sellers on Shein's website.
There is growing opposition to Shein's presence in France.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's coalition won the most votes in the country's recent parliamentary election. The election had a voter turnout of 56%, but many voters felt disillusioned with the political process. The voting results demonstrated the diverse political landscape in Iraq, with different ethnic groups winning in their respective regions.
Key Facts
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's coalition received 1.3 million votes, the highest in Iraq's parliamentary election.
The voter turnout was 56%.
Al-Sudani's coalition gained about 370,000 more votes than the next competitor.
Shia, Sunni, and Kurdish candidates won seats in their respective majority areas.
The Kurdistan Democratic Party won the most seats in the predominantly Sunni Nineveh province.
For the first time since 2005, no Kurdish candidates won seats in Diyala province.
No single party can form a government on its own; alliances are necessary.
This was the sixth parliamentary election since 2003, following the fall of Saddam Hussein.
A car explosion occurred in a busy area of Delhi, India, near the Red Fort, killing at least eight people and injuring 20. The Indian government labeled it a terrorist attack and has launched an urgent investigation to find those responsible. Authorities are on high alert, and security efforts are being intensified in the area.
Key Facts
A car explosion in Delhi resulted in at least eight deaths and 20 injuries.
The blast happened near the Red Fort, a major landmark in the city.
The Indian government called the explosion a "terror incident."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet condemned the attack, labeling it cowardly.
Authorities have not made any arrests or named suspects yet.
The explosion occurred when a slow-moving car stopped at a red light and detonated.
Police and forensic teams are conducting investigations to find the perpetrators.
Neighboring regions, including Uttar Pradesh, have raised security alerts following the incident.
The United Nations reports that over 10 million people have fled their homes in Sudan due to a conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces. The humanitarian situation, especially in North Darfur, is deteriorating.
Key Facts
Over 10 million people have left their homes in Sudan.
The conflict is between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces.
The UN migration agency highlighted the crisis.
North Darfur's humanitarian efforts are close to failing.
The UN calls this the largest displacement crisis in the world.
A French-Algerian writer named Boualem Sansal, who was jailed in Algeria, has been freed and allowed to leave for Germany for medical treatment. His release was influenced by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s intervention, which eased tensions between France and Algeria. Sansal's imprisonment had been a major issue in diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Key Facts
Boualem Sansal, an 81-year-old writer with prostate cancer, was arrested in Algeria nearly a year ago.
Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune pardoned Sansal, allowing him to travel to Germany for treatment.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier requested Sansal's release, citing his age and health, which influenced Algeria’s decision.
Sansal had received a five-year prison sentence for comments questioning Algeria's national borders.
Tensions between France and Algeria have involved disagreements over Western Sahara and diplomatic incidents.
Sansal's release marked a slight easing of strained relations, although other issues remain unresolved.
French President Emmanuel Macron communicated with Sansal and expressed gratitude towards President Tebboune for the release.
Diplomatic efforts for Sansal’s release involved Germany acting as a neutral party due to its relationship with Algeria.
Iran's president warned people living in Tehran that they might have to leave the city because of a severe drought. The drought situation in Tehran is getting worse, causing concerns for residents.
Key Facts
Iran's president spoke to the people about a potential evacuation of Tehran.
The reason for this warning is a worsening drought in the area.
Drought can mean there is not enough water supply for the city's needs.
The capital city of Iran is Tehran.
Moving people out of a city due to drought is not common and shows how serious the situation is.
This message affects millions living in Tehran as they may need to consider relocating.
The United Nations' migration agency is calling for a ceasefire and a safe path for aid to reach civilians trapped in el-Fasher, a city in Sudan's Darfur region now controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Many civilians cannot access necessary aid, and ongoing violence, including alleged widespread atrocities, has forced thousands to flee the area. Humanitarian aid efforts are struggling due to security issues and funding shortages.
Key Facts
The UN's migration agency wants a ceasefire and safe aid routes in el-Fasher, Sudan.
The Rapid Support Forces took control of el-Fasher in October 2023.
Tens of thousands of civilians in el-Fasher need humanitarian aid.
Nearly 90,000 people have fled el-Fasher since the RSF took over.
Displaced people report dangerous conditions, including sexual violence and death.
Humanitarian aid is at risk of collapsing because of violence and lack of funds.
The violence is spreading to other regions in Sudan, affecting aid delivery.
Women and girls in displacement camps are at high risk of sexual violence.
India has confirmed that a car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort, which resulted in several deaths, is a terrorist attack. Authorities are investigating under strict anti-terrorism laws and have carried out multiple raids and arrests in connection with the blast.
Key Facts
A car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort killed at least 13 people.
India has labeled the incident as a terrorist attack by "antinational forces."
The government is conducting an investigation to find those responsible.
Police are using a strict anti-terrorism law for broader arrest powers.
Raids in the Kashmir region led to the detention of about 500 people, most of whom were released after questioning.
Seven men, including two doctors, were arrested in a connected anti-terror investigation.
Authorities allege ties between arrested individuals and Pakistan-based groups.
India and Pakistan have a history of tensions over the Kashmir region, where both claim territory.
Fighting in eastern Ukraine is increasing between Kyiv and Moscow. European Union leaders say Russia is now extending its efforts beyond Ukraine. Europe is responding by boosting military spending due to concerns about risks to its security.
Key Facts
Fighting between Ukraine and Russia has been ongoing for almost four years.
Drones have been seen at sensitive sites in the European Union.
EU leaders state that Russia is engaging in a hybrid war beyond Ukraine.
The EU promises to protect its member countries' territories.
European countries are increasing military spending to levels not seen in decades.
Ukraine is gradually losing territory to Russia.
There is a growing concern about the potential for wider conflict in Europe.
President Trump is asking Israel's president to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is involved in a corruption case. Other events include a former aide to California's governor facing legal charges, the retirement of a Federal Reserve official, and the U.S. Mint stopping penny production in Philadelphia.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump wants Israel's president to pardon Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Netanyahu is involved in a corruption case.
A former aide to California Governor Newsom has been charged with stealing campaign funds.
The president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta is retiring.
The U.S. Mint in Philadelphia has stopped making pennies.
The war in Gaza has resulted in many children needing medical attention, including some who required amputations. Before the U.S. State Department paused medical visas for Palestinians, some of these children traveled to the U.S. to receive essential medical care.
Key Facts
Gaza has the highest rate of child amputees per person in the world.
The conflict has severely impacted children, leading to serious injuries.
The U.S. State Department paused new medical visas for Palestinians in August.
Before the pause, some children from Gaza came to the U.S. for life-saving medical treatment.
Journalists Amna Nawaz and Zeba Warsi documented the children's experiences.
The article includes a warning that some images may be unsettling.
A British couple, Craig and Lindsay Foreman, are jailed in Iran and have started a hunger strike according to their son, Joe Bennett. They were arrested in January during a motorbike trip and have not been tried or convicted yet. The UK government is involved and providing consular help.
Key Facts
Craig and Lindsay Foreman were arrested in Iran in January.
They are accused of espionage but have not been tried.
The couple is currently on a hunger strike as a form of protest.
They are held in Evin Prison in Tehran.
The UK government is offering consular assistance to them.
The Foremans were traveling with valid visas and a guide.
The UK advises against traveling to Iran due to risks of detention.
Lindsay Foreman was reportedly asking questions that might have led to their arrest.
Cardiff plans to introduce a new tourism tax for overnight visitors, becoming the first in Wales to do so. The tax would charge £1.30 per person per night for most accommodations, starting in April 2027, and is expected to raise £3.5 million yearly. A public consultation will begin if the council approves it.
Key Facts
Cardiff could introduce a £1.30 per night fee for overnight guests in most accommodations.
The tax is expected to generate £3.5 million annually for local authorities.
A 12-week public consultation is set to start on December 1 if approved.
Welsh legislation passed in September allows for the tax to begin in April 2027.
The fee applies to stays of 31 nights or fewer in various accommodations but exempts some, like children under 18.
The funds aim to improve the visitor experience in Cardiff, such as funding events and marketing.
Some business leaders express concern about the tax's potential economic impact.
The tax is considered lower than many other European tourism fees.
A U.S. aircraft carrier is in the Caribbean as part of efforts by President Trump's administration to increase pressure on Venezuela and fight drug trafficking. This move has led to criticism from various governments and human rights groups because many people have been killed in recent months.
Key Facts
A U.S. aircraft carrier has arrived in the Caribbean.
The deployment is part of President Trump's strategy to pressure Venezuela.
The U.S. aims to combat drug trafficking in the region.
Recent U.S. actions have resulted in many deaths.
Governments and human rights groups in the region have criticized these actions.
Juanita Goebertus Estrada from Human Rights Watch commented on the situation.
A bus accident in Peru resulted in at least 37 deaths and many injuries after the vehicle fell into a deep ravine. The crash occurred on a difficult part of the Pan-American Highway in the Arequipa region. An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the incident, and the driver of a pickup truck involved has been detained.
Key Facts
At least 37 people died when a bus fell into a 200-meter deep ravine in Peru.
The accident occurred on the Pan-American Highway in the southern region of Arequipa.
The bus collided with a pickup truck before plunging off a curve into the ravine.
There were 60 passengers on the bus operated by the Llamosas company.
Bus crashes in Peru are common, often due to poor road conditions and excessive speed.
Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating the crash, and the truck driver is detained.
36 people died at the accident site, and one person died later in the hospital.
25 injured people, including three minors, are receiving treatment in a local hospital.
The Booker Prize, a major award for novels written in English, was awarded to David Szalay's book "Flesh" this year. Jeffrey Brown interviewed Szalay about his novel for an arts program.
Key Facts
The Booker Prize is a well-known award for English-language novels.
It is given out every year.
The novel must be published in the UK or Ireland to be eligible.
David Szalay won the Booker Prize this year for his novel "Flesh".
Jeffrey Brown, a senior arts correspondent, interviewed Szalay.
The interview was part of an arts series called CANVAS.
