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This is People’s Daily app.
Here are today’s picks from our editors.
China sees infrastructure projects resume work
Construction on a series of key infrastructure projects across China has restarted as the country vowed to expedite previously planned projects to mitigate the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on investment progress.
A 216.8-km railway stretching from northern China's Hebei Province to Shandong Province in eastern China resumed operation Friday, with the first group of 1,625 construction employees returning to work.
The project is expected to play a significant role in boosting the economies throughout the Bohai Sea region. (Xinhua)
Chinese cities, provinces suspend Tomb-sweeping Day activities
Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, will suspend Tomb-sweeping Day activities at all funeral parlors, cemeteries, and cinerary halls beginning Wednesday to prevent mass gatherings and reduce cross-infection amid COVID-19.
The decision was made as Tomb-sweeping Day, also known as Qingming Festival, approaches. On the days surrounding the festival, which will fall on April 4, Chinese families pay respect to their ancestors, clean their graves, offer flowers, and burn incense.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, other Chinese provinces and cities have temporarily banned group activities that involve gathering in public. They have also implemented reservation services to control visitor numbers at cemeteries, and have urged the public to sweep their ancestors' tombs remotely. (Xinhua)
Trump moves on invoking powers to spur virus supplies
US Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said he implored President Donald Trump during a phone call Friday to invoke the Korean War-era act immediately to order the manufacture of ventilators and other critically needed medical gear.
The president told Schumer he would, then could be heard on the telephone making the order. He yelled to someone in his office to do it now, said Schumer’s spokesman, Justin Goodman.
Trump invoked the Defense Production Act on Thursday to get needed medical supplies on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak, mobilizing the federal government to marshal the private sector to combat the pandemic. (AP)
US, Mexico agree to restrict non-essential border travel
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday the United States and Mexico have agreed to restrict non-essential travel along their border to counter the COVID-19 outbreak.
Pompeo announced the restriction at the daily coronavirus briefing at the White House. The restriction is similar to the US-Canada border measure that Trump announced on Wednesday.
US acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said that travel restriction measures on Canada and Mexico would go into effect on Saturday and would also not apply to trade and commerce. (Xinhua)
UK to close cafes, bars: PM
Cafes, bars, pubs, and restaurants must close beginning Friday night across Britain, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Friday in a move to strengthen social distancing amid COVID-19.
Night clubs, theatres, gyms, cinemas, and leisure centers must also close, said Johnson during his daily briefing at Downing Street. (Xinhua)
Kremlin denies Russia, Saudi Arabia wage oil price war
Russia and Saudi Arabia did not engage in an oil market price war, the Kremlin said Friday.
"We have good relations with Saudi Arabia, we are partners, and we don't think that anyone should interfere in this relationship," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
Peskov said despite low oil prices, it has not been a disaster for Russia, especially during the medium term, because the country has enjoyed a solid margin for several years to fulfill all social obligations and development plans. (Xinhua)
More NBA players test positive for COVID-19
The NBA reported another bad day due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Seven players and organization members from four teams – the Los Angeles Lakers, the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Denver Nuggets –tested positive for the virus.
Both the Nuggets and the 76ers claimed that its "organization members" and not their players tested positive. The Lakers said two players had tested positive but did not reveal their names.
So far, the NBA has eight teams with at least one COVID-19 infection. (CGTN)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
And now for the Question of the Day:
In what parts of your body are there 250,000 sweat glands?
(Answer: Feet.)
Today’s quote is from American poet Emily Dickinson (1830-1886).
"Forever is composed of nows."
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon, and Elaine Yue Lin. Music by Eugene Loner.)