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Welcome to Fresh Start.
This is People’s Daily app.
Here are today’s picks from our editors.
IMF predicts world economic growth of -3 pct in 2020
The IMF released its latest World Economic Outlook on Tuesday, predicting that global economic growth will shrink sharply to minus 3 percent in 2020, down 6.3 points from its January 2020 forecast. But the IMF predicts the outbreak will subside in the second half of 2020, with economic activity returning to normal under policy support, and the global economy rebounding to 5.8 percent by 2021.
Gita Gopinath, the IMF's chief economist, noted that many countries now face multiple crises, including health crises, financial crises and plummeting commodity prices, which interact in complex ways. (People's Daily app)
ASEAN Plus Three countries pledge to jointly fight COVID-19, keep markets open
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, China, Japan and South Korea (ASEAN Plus Three or APT) on Tuesday pledged to enhance cooperation in jointly fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and stabilizing and invigorating the regional economy.
In a joint statement of the special ASEAN Plus Three meeting on COVID-19, the 13 Asian countries agreed to pool more efforts to guarantee the health and safety of people and keep markets open and free in the region.
They committed to enhancing national and regional capacities to prepare for and respond to pandemics, including the protection of healthcare workers and other frontline personnel, and the provision of adequate medicines and medical supplies, the statement said. (Xinhua)
Figures show hundreds of COVID-19 deaths in UK care homes
Leading British charities said the new coronavirus is causing “devastation” in the country’s nursing homes, as official statistics Tuesday showed that hundreds more people with COVID-19 have died than are recorded in the UK government’s daily tally.
The Office for National Statistics said 5,979 deaths that occurred in England up to April 3 involved COVID-19, 15 percent more than the 5,186 deaths announced by the National Health Service for the same period.
Age UK and other charities have written to Health Secretary Matt Hancock calling social care “the neglected front line” in the pandemic. (AP)
Hawaii ranks No. 1 in US states hit hardest by COVID-19's impact on tourism
Hawaii ranks No. 1 in US states where COVID-19 has had the biggest impact on tourism, according to a study released Tuesday by finance website, the WalletHub.
According to the study, the COVID-19 pandemic has "wreaked havoc" on many of the country's "non-essential" industries, including tourism, as countless attractions have closed down, from commercial hotspots like Disney World to natural wonders like Grand Canyon National Park.
The study noted that there could be as many as 5.9 million jobs lost due to declining travel by the end of April. (Xinhua)
China to expand opening-up in trust sector
The asset requirement of $1 billion for overseas financial institutions to invest in Chinese trust companies will be lifted, according to the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission.
The top banking and insurance watchdog has revised rules regulating trust companies and solicited public opinion to expand opening-up in the trust sector.
The country will further promote streamlined administration and delegate powers, optimize licensing procedures and simplify application materials for trust companies, said the commission. (Xinhua)
Obama endorses Biden for US president
Former US President Barack Obama said on Tuesday he is endorsing Joe Biden, his former deputy, for the White House.
In a video posted on Twitter, Obama talked about Biden's leadership, which he said "belongs in the White House."
Biden became the Democratic Party's presumptive presidential nominee last week after his only rival, US Senator Bernie Sanders, suspended his own campaign. Sanders, who had campaigned on progressive policies, endorsed Biden, a moderate political veteran, on Monday. (Xinhua)
Ukrainian officials: Fires out near Chernobyl nuclear plant
Ukrainian emergency officials said Tuesday they have extinguished forest fires in the radiation-contaminated area near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, but acknowledged that grass was still smoldering in some areas.
Ukraine’s emergencies service said radiation levels in the capital, Kyiv, about 100 kilometers south of the plant, were within norms after the forest fires.
President Zelenskiy urged Ukrainians not to panic. (AP)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
And now for the Question of the Day:
What part of the atom has no electric charge?
(Answer: Neutron.)
Today’s quote is from English actor Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977).
"A man's true character comes out when he's drunk."
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Brian Lowe, and Elaine Yue Lin. Music by Eugene Loner.)
