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Here are today’s picks from our editors.

UN General Assembly adopts resolution calling for ‘intensified’ int'l co-operation against COVID-19

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Thursday adopted a resolution on COVID-19, calling for "intensified" international cooperation to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Resolution 74/270 states that the 193-member UNGA notes "with great concern" the threat to human health, safety, and well-being caused by COVID-19, which continues to spread globally.

The resolution also calls for "intensified international cooperation to contain, mitigate and defeat the pandemic, including by exchanging information, scientific knowledge, and best practices and by applying the relevant guidelines recommended by the World Health Organization." (Xinhua)

China to mourn COVID-19 victims on April 4

China will hold a national mourning Saturday for martyrs who died in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, and compatriots died of the disease, according to the State Council.

During the commemoration, national flags will fly at half-mast across the country and in all Chinese embassies and consulates abroad, and public recreational activities will be suspended across the country.

At 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Chinese people nationwide will observe three minutes of silence to mourn the deceased, while air raid sirens and horns from automobiles, trains, and ships will sound off in grief. (Xinhua)

US employment falls 701,000 in March amid coronavirus: govt

The US economy shed 701,000 jobs in March amid the damage inflicted by the coronavirus shutdowns, while the unemployment rate surged to 4.4 percent, the Labor Department reported Friday.

That was the worst job loss since March 2009, during the depths of the global financial crisis, and the most significant jump in the jobless rate in more than 45 years, the report said.

However, the Labor Department acknowledged it "cannot precisely quantify the effects of the pandemic on the job market in March." (AFP)

Coronavirus may spread through normal breathing: US scientists

The new coronavirus might spread through the air via normal breathing and speaking, a top US scientist said Friday.

Anthony Fauci, head of infectious diseases at the National Institutes of Health, told Fox News the guidance on masks would be changed "because of some recent information that the virus can be spread even when people just speak, as opposed to coughing and sneezing."

As it stands, the official advice is that only sick people need to cover their faces, as well as those caring for them at home. (AFP)

IOC says Tokyo postponement presents 'opportunity' for Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics

Postponing the Tokyo Olympics to July 2021 will stand the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in good stead, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Thursday, stressing the importance of "looking on the bright side" of a future packed sporting calendar amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"So. we truly believe that it is a great build-up towards the Beijing Games. We are discussing with the organizing committee and also internally with our partner as well on how to maximize this opportunity to have two editions of the games that are not too distant," said the IOC. 

Earlier this week, Beijing organizers said their preparations for 2022 were on schedule, and they had no plans to delay the event that begins on February 4, 2022.  (CGTN)

China to launch IoT communications satellites named after Wuhan

China will launch the first two communications satellites for its space-based Internet-of-Things (IoT) project in mid to late April, with one satellite named after its birthplace Wuhan, according to the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC).

The rocket to send the satellites, Kuaizhou-1A, was developed by the Wuhan-based Sanjiang Group under the CASIC. 

Over 130 members of the rocket and satellite joint test team have arrived at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China, to carry out assembly, test, and launch operations this month. (Xinhua)

AfDB approves $1.5 million grant to stem desert locusts in Africa

African Development Bank has approved a $1.5 million emergency relief grant to assist nine countries in the East and Horn of Africa to curb the spread of desert locust swarms threatening livelihoods and food security.

The funds will be used to control the spread of the locust invasion, prevent potential next-generation swarms, and to conduct impact assessment and monitoring to enhance preparedness and awareness. A portion of the funds would also be allocated for administrative costs.

The nine beneficiary countries are Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania. (CGTN)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

What is the pinyin name for Tomb-Sweeping Day in China?

(Answer: Qing Ming.)

Today’s quote is from American businessman Elon Musk.       

"I think we are at the dawn of a new era in commercial space exploration."

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon, and Da Hang. Music by Eugene Loner.)