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Here are today’s picks from our editors.

Chinese president returns to Beijing after visits to Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

Chinese President Xi Jinping returned to Beijing Sunday evening after wrapping up visits to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

In Kyrgyzstan, Xi paid a state visit to the country and attended the 19th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Bishkek, capital of the country.

After Kyrgyzstan, Xi attended the fifth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe and paid a state visit to the country.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon saw Xi off at the airport of Dushanbe on Sunday morning local time.

Xi expressed his appreciation of Rahmon and the Tajik side's hospitality and congratulated Tajikistan for successfully hosting the CICA.

Cooperation between the two countries on the Belt and Road construction has yielded positive outcomes, Xi said, voicing his hope that as a result of joint efforts, bilateral cooperation will reach a new height and benefit people of both sides. (Xinhua)

Massive power outage hits Argentina, Uruguay: power companies

A massive outage blacked out Argentina and Uruguay on Sunday, leaving both South American countries without electricity, power companies said.

Argentina, with 44 million people, and Uruguay, with 3.4 million, have a common power grid centered on the bi-national Salto Grande Dam, 280 miles north of Buenos Aires. 

Two Argentine power companies confirmed that the failure knocked out electricity throughout Argentina, without specifying the cause. (AFP)

India's retaliatory tariffs on 28 American goods take effect

India's newly increased tariffs on 28 American goods came into effect from Sunday, as a retaliatory measure to Washington's recent refusal to exempt India from higher steel and aluminum tariffs.

The items include almonds, apples, and chemicals, official ministry sources said.

By imposing the hiked tariffs, India would earn about 217 million on additional revenue from such imports, which is equivalent to what the US would pocket by imposing higher tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum from India. (Xinhua)

G20 ministerial meeting agrees to establish framework on reducing ocean plastic waste

A Group of 20 (G20) ministerial meeting on Sunday agreed to create an international framework that aims at establishing voluntary measures to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean.

The two-day G20 Ministerial Meeting on Energy Transitions and Global Environment for Sustainable Growth was held in the resort town of Karuizawa in Central Japan.

Under the framework, each G20 member will need to report progress on its voluntary measures to address marine plastic waste issues.

According to the United Nations Environment Program, about 300 million tons of plastic waste are produced every year, of which 8 million tons end up in the world's oceans. (Xinhua)

Saudi crown prince says to finalize 533 mln privatization deals this year

Saudi Arabia's crown prince said Sunday the government will finalize privatization deals worth $533 million before the end of 2019, according to a Saudi newspaper.

The privatization drive is part of Vision 2030, an economic roadmap led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that is aimed at expanding the private sector, diversifying revenue streams of the world's top oil exporter to reduce its dependence on hydrocarbons, and creating jobs for young Saudis.

The expected deals will be in sectors that include rain silos, medical, and shipping services. (CGTN)

Israel PM's wife convicted of misusing public funds

An Israeli court Sunday convicted the wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of fraudulently using state funds for meals, under a plea bargain which saw her admit to lesser charges.

Sara Netanyahu was ordered to pay a fine and compensation in a deal approved by Jerusalem magistrates' court.

Netanyahu was also fined 2,800 and ordered to reimburse the state a further 12,500, the latter of which she will pay in nine installments, at her request. (AFP)

Japan opens Olympic rowing venue in Tokyo Bay

Organizers opened the rowing venue for next year’s Tokyo Olympics on Sunday, highlighted by a race between alumni crews from Oxford and Cambridge — the two English universities that famously square off each year on the Thames in London.

The new venue is located in Tokyo Bay and Oxford won the race this time.

Built by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the venue will have seating for 2,000 that can be increased to 16,000 for the Olympics and Paralympics. (AP)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

How many pedals do most modern pianos have?

(Answer: Three.)

Today’s quote is from Greek philosopher Plato (427 BC - 347 BC).

"The beginning is the most important part of the work."

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon, and Chelle Wenqian Zeng. Music by Eugene Loner.)