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Here are today’s picks from our editors.
New York may establish temporary hospitals for virus cases
New York state officials are considering establishing temporary hospitals on college campuses and in New York City’s main convention center in preparation for a possible onslaught of coronavirus patients, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Saturday.
The state is reviewing four possible locations for temporary hospitals, which would be operated by the Army Corps of Engineers.
On Friday, US President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for the state of New York due to the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus, local media reported citing Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
So far, New York has seen about 10,400 coronavirus cases, and about 1,600 people hospitalized. (AP-CGTN)
EU approves France plan for 300 bn euro virus aid package
The European Commission on Saturday approved a proposal by France to guarantee up to 300 billion euros in state aid to ease the economic burden of the coronavirus.
The EU body approved three measures by France "to help its economy manage the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak," said Margrethe Vestager, executive vice president in charge of competition policy at the EU Commission. (AP)
Two major airlines in Africa suspend international flights
Anxiety rose in Africa as two major airlines announced cancellations of international flights on Friday over the coronavirus and the continent's busiest airport blocked foreigners from disembarking. So far, most of the cases in Africa have been linked to overseas travel.
South African Airways (SAA) suspended all international flights until June in light of a government travel ban aimed at stopping transmission of the novel coronavirus. SAA flies to New York, London, Frankfurt, Munich and Washington – all in what South Africa now considers high-risk countries. (CGTN)
Museums in Shanghai greet visitors once again
Museums in Shanghai have been reopening as the number of new COVID-19 cases continues to dwindle. Among the cultural institutions that reopened on March 13 were Shanghai Museum, Shanghai History Museum, Shanghai Natural History Museum, China Art Museum Shanghai and the World Expo Museum.
As the outbreak has yet to pass, all museum visitors must present a valid ID, have their temperatures taken and wear masks at all times when they are on the premises.
Museums must also be sterilized regularly and control the flow of visitors, according to the protocols by the municipal commission of culture and tourism. (China Daily)
Russia urges US to lift sanctions on Iran amid COVID-19 outbreak
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Saturday called on the United States to abandon its unilateral sanctions against Iran, as the country is plagued by the coronavirus outbreak.
The US sanctions are "inhumane" as Iran is faced with an acute shortage of means to solve urgent healthcare problems caused by COVID-19, Ryabkov said in a statement. (Xinhua)
Chinese soccer player Wu Lei tests positive for novel coronavirus
Chinese soccer player Wu Lei, who played for Spanish club Espanyol, tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to Spanish local media.
Wu is one of four Espanyol players confirmed to have been infected with the virus, according to the La Liga club. He is in stable condition and resting at home.
Wu is the only Chinese national playing in one of the world's top leagues. (China Daily)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
And now for the Question of the Day:
Pong was one of the first video games. What sport was the game based on?
(Answer: Tennis.)
Today’s quote is from Italian poet Torquato Tasso (1544-1595).
"The day of fortune is like a harvest day, we must be busy when the corn is ripe."
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, and Brian Lowe. Music by Eugene Loner.)