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Here are today’s picks from our editors.
China postpones admission exams for postgraduates, doctoral students amid coronavirus outbreak
China's Ministry of Education (MOE) announced that doctoral and second-round postgraduate exams, along with interviews held by universities and institutions, would be postponed due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Mass gatherings or large-scale exams are prohibited during the outbreak, said a MOE guideline, adding that local authorities, universities, and institutions should make timely adjustments to their admission work plans by local prevention and control situations. (Xinhua)
Ukraine: Recordings show Iran knew jetliner hit by a missile
A leaked recording of an exchange between an Iranian air-traffic controller and an Iranian pilot purports to show that authorities immediately knew a missile had downed a Ukrainian jetliner after takeoff from Tehran, killing all 176 people aboard, despite days of denials by the Islamic Republic.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy acknowledged the recording’s authenticity in a report aired by a Ukrainian television channel on Sunday night.
In Tehran on Monday, the head of the Iranian investigation team, Hassan Rezaeifar, acknowledged the recording was legitimate and said that it was handed over to Ukrainian officials. (AP)
Erdogan says Turkey hits back after Syrian shells kill Turkish troops
President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Turkey would continue to retaliate after Syrian military shelling killed four Turkish troops and wounded nine in Syria's Northwest Idlib region, where Turkish forces have bulked up in recent days.
Erdogan said initial indications show 30-35 Syrians were "neutralized" in Turkey's response to what the government called intense shelling of its soldiers.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces, backed by Russian airpower, have recently made advances in Idlib, prompting Turkey to warn it may launch a military operation there unless the fighting is halted. (CGTN)
Air Canada flight safely lands in Madrid with damaged engine
An Air Canada Boeing 767 aircraft with 128 passengers on board has made a safe emergency landing at Madrid Airport.
The Toronto-bound flight AC837 had departed from the Spanish capital in the early afternoon on Monday but had to request an emergency return after one of its two engines was damaged, and a tire ruptured during takeoff.
Spain’s Defense Ministry said that an F18 fighter jet had been dispatched from a military airport near the Spanish capital to evaluate the damage done to the landing gear of Toronto-bound flight AC837. (AP)
UK to end early release of terror convicts after stabbings
The British government said Monday it would introduce emergency legislation to stop people convicted of terror crimes from being released after serving half of their sentences, following Sunday's attack in London by a recently released offender.
The announcement came one day after an Islamic extremist who had recently been released from prison wounded two people in South London, despite being under police surveillance. Sudesh Amman, 20, strapped a fake bomb to his body and stabbed two people on a busy street before he was shot dead by police.
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said terror convicts would have to serve at least two-thirds of their sentences and wouldn’t be released before the end of their full terms unless the parole board agreed. (AP)
Palestine to ban entry of Israeli products: official
Palestinian Minister of Economy Khaled al-Osaily announced Monday that his ministry would ban the entry of Israeli products to Palestinian markets.
Al-Osaily said the decision would apply to Israeli vegetables, fruits, soda drinks, mineral waters, and juices, adding that "the decision will take effect within 48 hours."
Al-Osaily also said the decision to ban Israeli products was an immediate response to Israel's ban on Palestinian agricultural imports. (Xinhua)
KC Chiefs rally past 49ers to end 50-year Super Bowl drought
The Kansas City Chiefs ended a 50-year wait for a Super Bowl victory after beating the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 on Sunday with a thrilling late comeback led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
It's the first National Football League championship for Kansas City since their triumph over the Minnesota Vikings in 1970.
Mahomes was named MVP for Super Bowl 54 and is the youngest player to win both the NFL and Super Bowl MVP awards. (Xinhua)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
And now for the Question of the Day:
What is the name of the belt of volcanoes around the edges of the Pacific Ocean?
(Answer: The Ring of Fire.)
Today’s quote is from French writer Stendhal (1783-1842).
"Pleasure is often spoiled by describing it."
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon, and Elaine Yue Lin. Music by Eugene Loner.)