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Here are today’s picks from our editors.

Xi urges HK, Macao to embrace nation's reform, opening-up for greater development

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday voiced the hope that Hong Kong and Macao will further develop themselves by embracing the nation's cause of reform and opening-up.

Compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao are expected to continue participating in the country's reform and opening-up with sincere patriotism and pioneering spirit, attain the greater development of the two special administrative regions (SARs) by promoting the development of the country, and jointly work for the national rejuvenation, Xi said when meeting with a delegation from the two SARs.

Xi said he hopes Hong Kong and Macao can contribute to the country's comprehensive opening-up in a more proactive manner, take the lead in attracting capital, technology and talents, and take part in national high-quality economic development and the new round of high-level opening-up.

(Xinhua)

China, Singapore sign cooperation document on upgrading FTA

China and Singapore on Monday signed a cooperation document upgrading their free trade agreement (FTA) as both sides finalized negotiations.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong witnessed the signing of the document after holding talks.

Li arrived earlier Monday to start his first official visit to Singapore, where he is expected to build momentum for free trade and regional cooperation.

When meeting with Lee, the Chinese premier expressed the hope that the two sides seize the opportunity of the finalization of the FTA upgrading negotiations and lift two-way trade and investment to a higher level.

Upgrading the FTA will bring about real benefits to people and companies of the two countries and send to their business circles a strong signal to further expand trade and investment, Lee said. (Xinhua)

EU pressures Britain amid signs of progress in Brexit talks

Britain's European Union partners on Monday ratcheted up political pressure on Prime Minister Theresa May amid signs that some progress is being made in Brexit negotiations.

The main obstacle to an agreement is how to keep goods flowing smoothly across the border between EU country Ireland and Northern Ireland in the UK.

All parties have committed to avoid a "hard border" with costly and time-consuming border checks that would hamper business. Any new customs posts on the border could also re-ignite lingering sectarian tensions.

"The ball is in the British court. It is a question of a British political decision," said France's EU Affairs Minister, Nathalie Loiseau. (AP)

Germany faces 'unprecedented' shortage of electrical engineers

The number of electrical engineers being trained in Germany is not sufficient to satisfy market demand, according to a study conducted by the Association of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (VDE) on Monday.

The study found that "demographic change and digital transformation" have caused the shortage to hit an "unprecedented level.” Over the next ten years, roughly 100,000 additional electrical engineers will be required in Germany.

To support the engineering sector, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have started looking for engineers outside of Germany. (Xinhua)

China expands supercomputer share in TOP 500

China expanded its share on a global list of the world's fastest supercomputers, according to a biannual ranking of the Top 500 published Monday.

According to the rankings, the number of supercomputers in China increased from 206 in June to 227 accounting for 45.4 percent of the total.

For the Top 10 supercomputers, China's Sunway Taihu Light supercomputer ranked third with its performance of 93.0 petaflops.

Tianhe-2A (Milky Way-2A), deployed at the National Supercomputer Center in Guangzhou, is ranked fourth. (Xinhua)

China’s 'artificial sun' achieves temperatures of 100 million degrees

China's self-designed "artificial sun," aimed at harnessing fusion energy, can reach temperatures of 100 million Celsius in plasma, with heating power reaching 10 megawatts, media reported.

The Institute of Plasma Physics, with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, announced on its website Monday that various data points achieved in the experiments are close to meeting physics law demands for steady-state fusion reactor operations.

The breakthrough also provides a technological basis for mankind's development of clean nuclear energy, said the institute. (Global Times)

Egypt unearths 7 pharaonic tombs near Cairo

Egypt's Minister of Antiquities Khaled al-Anany announced Saturday the discovery of seven pharaonic tombs in the Saqqara Necropolis region in Giza Province.

The minister explained the mission uncovered three plain New Kingdom tombs from Egypty’s Late Period as a necropolis for cats, along with four Old Kingdom tombs, the most important of which belongs to Khufu-Imhat, the overseer of the royal buildings in the royal palace.

The minister added that a collection of wooden gilded statues depicting the physical features of a lion, cow, and falcon were unearthed. (Xinhua)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

What is the tallest pyramid in the world?

(Answer: The pyramid of Khufu at Giza, Egypt is the world's tallest. Also known as the Great Pyramid, it was 146.7 m high when completed around 4,500 years ago, but erosion and vandalism have reduced its height to 137.5 m high today.)

Today’s quote is from English poet William Blake (1757-1827).

“In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.”

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon and Elaine Yue Lin.)