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This is People’s Daily app.
Here are today’s picks from our editors.
China sees overall decline in numbers of new confirmed COVID-19 cases
The total number of newly confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus has gradually decreased across China, showing a positive sign that the epidemic situation has improved, a health official said Friday.
"The daily number of new confirmed cases nationwide dropped from the peak of 15,152 on Feb. 12 to less than 900 on Thursday," Zeng Yixin, deputy director of the National Health Commission, said.
Also, the number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 outside Hubei, the epicenter of the outbreak, was 258 reported on Thursday, down from a peak of 890 on Feb. 3, Zeng said. (Xinhua)
Seven Yangtze River cruise ships enlisted as 'hotels' for medics in Wuhan
Seven cruise ships on Yangtze River have been enlisted as "water hotels" for medical staff battling against the coronavirus in the central China city of Wuhan.
The municipal government of Yichang, Hubei Province, said on Friday that under the coordination of the Ministry of Transport, the ships used for tourism in the Three Gorges scenic area are on the way to Wuhan.
The seven cruise ships offer 1,469 beds in total. Each ship is equipped with firefighting, water and power supply facilities. (Xinhua)
US preparing to sign deal with Taliban
The United States is preparing to sign a deal with the Taliban on February 29, building on an agreement to reduce violence across Afghanistan, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday.
"Upon a successful implementation of this understanding, signing of the US-Taliban agreement is expected to move forward," he said in a statement released after visiting Saudi Arabia.
The partial truce will mark a historic step in more than 18 years of grueling conflict in Afghanistan and would pave the way for a deal that could, ultimately, see the war end. (AP)
Japan rejects London's offer to take over Tokyo 2020 Olympics amid coronavirus fears
Japan has brushed off London's offer to host the 2020 Olympics if the outbreak of the coronavirus forced the games to be moved from Tokyo, insisting the games would open as planned on July 24.
"We will move forward preparations for hosting a safe and secure Olympics," Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga was quoted as saying by Tokyo-based Kyodo News on Friday.
The assurance comes as a response to an offer from London's mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey for the Conservative Party, proposing to take over the Olympics. (CGTN)
American women seek more than $66M in damages from US Soccer
Players on the US women’s national team are seeking more than $66 million in damages as part of their gender discrimination lawsuit against the US Soccer Federation.
The damages were included in a slew of papers filed Thursday night in US District Court in Los Angeles ahead of a trial scheduled to start May 5.
Players on the women’s team sued the federation last March alleging institutionalized gender discrimination that includes inequitable compensation between the men’s and women’s teams.
The lawsuit has drawn worldwide attention since the US won the World Cup final last summer in France when fans in the crowd chanted "Equal Pay! Equal Pay!" (AP)
IS supporter admits plotting to bomb London's St Paul's Cathedral
An Islamic State (IS) supporter has pleaded guilty to plotting to bomb London's landmark St Paul's Cathedral and a hotel, local media reported Friday.
According to the BBC, Safiyya Amira Shaikh admitted preparing terrorist acts and disseminating terrorist information during a hearing at the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales.
The 36-year-old was arrested after asking an undercover police officer to supply bombs. Shaikh allegedly went on a reconnaissance trip to plan bomb locations. (Xinhua)
Knee injury forces Roger Federer to miss 2020 French Open
Roger Federer has announced that he will be away from the court for a while after having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in Switzerland.
Federer won the French Open title in 2009. Last year, he made the semifinals at Roland Garros before losing to Rafael Nadal.
Federer will be 39 years old in August. Though he still leads the world with 20 Grand Slam titles, Nadal (19) and Novak Djokovic (17) are catching up, not to mention that they are younger. (CGTN)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
And now for the Question of the Day:
Calling it “inflammable air”, which English scientist discovered hydrogen?
(Answer: Henry Cavendish.)
Today’s quote is from English economist John Maynard Keynes (1883-1946).
"Successful investing is anticipating the anticipations of others."
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Brian Lowe, and Elaine Yue Lin. Music by Eugene Loner.)