Asia Today: S. Korean students take exams amid viral spike

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of masked students in South Korea, including 41 confirmed COVID-19 patients, took the highly competitive university entrance exam Thursday despite a viral resurgence that forced authorities to toughen social distancing rules. The Education Ministry said about...

Bangladesh begins relocating Rohingya refugees to island

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Authorities in Bangladesh have begun relocating thousands of Rohingya refugees to an isolated island despite calls by human rights groups for a halt to the process, officials said Thursday. The United Nations has also voiced concern that refugees be allowed to make a “free...

Asian shares inch higher on optimism over vaccines, stimulus

Shares were mostly higher in Asia on Thursday, helped by progress toward rolling out coronavirus vaccines and talk of reaching a compromise on new help for the U.S. economy. Shares rose in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul and Sydney but fell in Shanghai. The rollout of a vaccine in the U.S. could begin this month, if...

Thai prime minister acquitted of ethics breach, retains post

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s highest court on Wednesday acquitted Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha of breaching ethics clauses in the country’s constitution, allowing him to stay in his job at a time he's fending off calls for his resignation from student-led pro-democracy protesters. The...

Asia Today: S. Korea says stay home ahead of national exams

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean officials are urging people to remain at home if possible and cancel gatherings as about half a million students prepare for a crucial national college exam. Vice Education Minister Park Baeg-beom says the 490,000 applicants include 35 virus carriers who will take...

Thailand's Constitutional Court acquits Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha of ethics violation, allowing him to keep post

The Latest: Tucson votes in mandatory nightly curfew

TUCSON, Ariz. -- At the urging of Mayor Regina Romero, the Tucson City Council voted Tuesday night to establish a mandatory nightly curfew for three weeks in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19. The 10 p.m.-to-5 a.m. curfew will take effect Friday and run through Dec. 23. Romero says she sought the curfew...

Thai leader faces court ruling that could cost him his job

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s highest court is set to rule Wednesday on whether Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has breached ethics clauses in the country’s constitution and should be ousted from his position. The Constitutional Court will rule on a complaint brought by the Pheu Thai Party, the...

Asian shares mixed after S&P 500 sets fresh record high

Asian shares advanced Wednesday after Wall Street kicked off December with more milestones, as a broad rally pushed the S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite to new highs. Australia reported its economy expanded 3.3% in the July-September quarter as the country recovered from pandemic lockdowns. That lifted the...

Asia Today: Vietnam reports 1st local infection in 89 days

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnamese authorities are conducting intensive contact tracing after discovering the country's first confirmed local transmission of the coronavirus in 89 days. State media said Tuesday that a 32-year-old man in Ho Chi Minh City tested positive for the coronavirus on Monday after...