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Here are today's picks from our editors. 

Chinese president arrives in Italy for state visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Rome Thursday for a state visit to Italy to map out the future of the bilateral relationship and move it into a new era.

It is the first visit by a Chinese head of state to the European nation in 10 years.

Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were greeted by senior Italian government officials at the airport.

While delivering a written speech upon arrival, Xi said that the China-Italy relations have withstood the test of time and international vicissitudes since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 49 years ago.

Upholding the principle of mutual respect, trust and benefit, China and Italy have constantly promoted their friendship and cooperation, setting an example of developing bilateral ties between two countries of different social systems, cultural backgrounds and development stages, Xi said.

The Chinese president noted that he is looking forward to meeting the Italian leaders to jointly draw the blueprint for the future development of bilateral relations.

Italy is the first stop of Xi's three-nation Europe tour, which will also take him to Monaco and France. (Xinhua)

Merkel says will 'fight to last hour' for orderly Brexit

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday she would struggle until the last possible moment to achieve an orderly Brexit, saying the interests of Germany, Britain and the EU were at stake.

Merkel stressed that avoiding Britain crashing out of the EU without an exit deal was in the fundamental interest of all sides.

"We, together as the other 27 EU member states, will react in an adequate manner and the less people play guessing games, the easier it will be," she said. (AFP) 

Pentagon to probe if Shanahan used office to help Boeing

The Pentagon’s inspector general has formally opened an investigation into a watchdog group’s allegations that acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has used his office to promote his former employer, Boeing.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed an ethics complaint with the Pentagon’s inspector general a week ago, alleging that Shanahan has appeared to make statements promoting Boeing and disparaging competitors, such as Lockheed Martin.

Shanahan has been serving as acting Pentagon chief since the beginning of the year, after James Mattis stepped down. (AP) 

Brazil's ex-President Michel Temer arrested in corruption investigation

Brazil's former President Michel Temer was arrested on Thursday as part of an ongoing corruption investigation, local media reported.

The arrest was ordered by Judge Marcelo Bretas, who is in charge of the Operation Car Wash investigations on government corruption.

Temer, the predecessor of current President Jair Bolsonaro, left office last year. (Xinhua) 

East China industrial park blast kills at least 6, injures 30

An explosion at a chemical industrial park in Yancheng, East China’s Jiangsu Province, killed six people and seriously injured 30 on Thursday.

Xiangshui County officials said the explosion happened at about 2:50 pm after a fire broke out at a pesticide factory.

The wounded were taken to a local hospital and received emergency treatment from medical staff. Meanwhile, an environmental protection unit is monitoring the air quality throughout the area. 

The cause of the accident is under investigation. (People's Daily app) 

China lose to Thailand 1-0 at China Cup opener

Fabio Cannavaro gave an ominous debut as head coach of Chinese men's soccer national team as his side lost to Thailand 1-0 at the opening match of China Cup on Thursday.

Chanathip Songkrasin, dubbed as Thailand's Messi, scored the winner at the 33rd minute.

The 46-year-old Italian, who serves as head coach of China's top-flight club Guangzhou Evergrande, was appointed China’s head coach last Friday amid controversy. (Xinhua) 

Ancient imperial palace gate ruins found in Central China

Archaeologists in Central China's Henan Province have found a gate of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534) imperial palace in Luoyang, the dynasty's capital. 

The ruins were later confirmed to be the remains of the western gate of Taiji Hall, the imperial palace's main hall, according to Liu Tao with the Institute of Archaeology under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, leader of the excavation project.

Historical records show that officials in the Northern Wei Dynasty used to park their sedan chairs and carriages outside the gate before they entered the Taiji Hall to meet the emperor, he said. (Xinhua) 

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

Where is the Leaning Tower of Pisa located?

(Answer: Leaning Tower of Pisa is located in the city of Pisa, Italy.)

Today's quote is from Italian poet Torquato Tasso (1544-1595).

"Love is when he gives you a piece of your soul, that you never knew was missing."

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