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Here are today’s picks from our editors.

China balances college admission exam

In an effort to level the playing field among students pursing a higher education, China’s Ministry of Education announced the country's college admission exam will no longer include factors the once favored those with special abilities and talents.

The ministry said the move will lead to a quality-oriented exam and educational fairness.

In the past, students would receive extra points if they had special athletic abilities or had won major academic competitions.

Beginning this year, college admission exam will be administered with a focus on six tasks, including safety, stability, confidentiality, and penalty enforcement against those found to be in violation of academic regulations. (People’s Daily app)

G20 calls for more 'dialogue,' fails to diffuse trade war threat

The world’s financial leaders rejected protectionism on Tuesday while urging for “further dialogue” on trade. However, the leaders failed to diffuse trade war threats days before US metals tariffs take effect and Washington is to announce measures against China.

Finance ministers and central bankers of the world’s 20 biggest economies, which represent 75 percent of world trade and 85 percent of global gross domestic product, discussed trade disruptions as a growth risk during the two-day meeting.

The G20 also called for continued international monitoring of cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, and the risks they posed. (Reuters)

Myanmar’s vacant presidential post to be filled within 7 working days 

On Wednesday, Myanmar's presidential office announced the country’s top seat, which is currently vacant, will be filled within seven working days through a parliamentary election.

The statement was a follow-up to a previous one that had announced the former president’s voluntary resignation over health concerns and who recently underwent surgery in Singapore.

First Vice President U Myint Swe will serve as acting president according to the country’s constitution until a new leader is re-elected, U Zaw Htay, director-general of the President's Office told Xinhua. (People’s Daily app)

Finish ministry says North Korea, South Korea and US delegates had constructive meeting

Informal talks held in Finland between North and South Korea and US delegates ended on Wednesday, the Finnish foreign ministry said, describing the talks as constructive.

Some 18 delegates from the three countries, including Choe Kang-il, a deputy director general for North American affairs with North Korea’s foreign ministry, came to Finland earlier this week for a “track 2” conference amid a series of diplomatic encounters ahead of a possible US-North Korea summit.

Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini said on Tuesday that North Korea denuclearization was not on the table. (Reuters)

White House says ‘no specific plans’ for Trump-Putin meeting

Earlier this week, the White House said there were “no specific plans” for a meeting between US President Donald Trump and recently re-elected Russian President, Vladimir Putin.

The announcement followed remarks made by Trump who said he would "probably meet Putin in the not too distant future."

Trump told reporters he had talked with Putin over the phone congratulating the Russian leader on his re-election.

Should the leaders meet, Trump said they could discuss the arms race between Washington and Moscow and address issues including Ukraine, Syria and the Korean Peninsula. (Xinhua)

Austin package bomber blows himself up

On Tuesday, the alleged suspect behind a series of package bomb attacks that had terrorized Austin, Texas for 19 days blew himself up while sitting in his car surrounded by local law enforcement.

Identified as 23-year-old Mark Anthony Conditt, authorities were able to track down the suspect after obtaining surveillance footage of him at a FedEx office trying to send two packages addressed to minorities Sunday night.

Neighbors described Conditt as a quiet, studious man who worked as a computer technician and came from a good family. (People’s Daily app)

Search underway for crewmembers after vessel capsizes in Malacca Straight

Search and rescue efforts are underway after a sand mining vessel capsized in Malaysia’s Malacca Strait on Wednesday.

The Chinese embassy in Kuala Lumpur posted on its website that three Chinese crew members had been rescued with one confirmed fatality and another 12 who were still missing.

Malaysian Navy joined rescue efforts Thursday morning, along with seven members from the Chinese Marine and Rescue Center.

The three rescued Chinese crew members are in good condition and their families are on the way to Malaysia. (People’s Daily app)

Russian astronomers name black hole after Stephen Hawking 

Last week, Russian astronomers discovered a newly-created black hole and dedicated it to renowned English physicist Stephen Hawking.

Two days after Hawking’s passing, Russian scientists from Moscow State University observed a "gamma-ray burst” caused by the collapse of a star that left a black hole in its place.

While these bursts occur almost daily, it is almost impossible for a telescope to capture the energy release, which can last anywhere from milliseconds to tens of seconds. (People’s Daily app)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

Today’s quote is from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

“There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.”

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Lance Crayon, Ryan Yaoran Yu, and Terry Guanlian Li.)