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Here are today’s picks from our editors.

Beijing probably under long-term epidemic control: official

Epidemic prevention and control in Beijing will probably become a long-term normal, a spokesperson for the municipal government said Sunday.

The capital, a center for international exchanges, still bears the brunt of the risks as the worldwide spread of the COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating, said Xu Hejian, spokesperson for the municipal government and director of its information office, noting that there is no chance to call off the city's prevention and control work in a short time.

The overall strategy of guarding against imported cases and a rebound in indigenous cases will remain unchanged, with scientific analysis of the epidemic situation and accurate control methods taken, Xu added. (Xinhua)

Americans brace for ‘hardest, saddest’ week of their lives

The US Surgeon General Jerome Adams offered some of the starkest warnings yet Sunday as he braced Americans for the worsening fallout from the new coronavirus, warning “this is going to be the hardest and the saddest week of most Americans’ lives, quite frankly.” 

The number of people infected in the US has exceeded 300,000, with the death toll climbing past 8,400; more than 3,500 of those deaths are in the state of New York.

“This is going to be our Pearl Harbor moment, our 9/11 moment,” Adams said. (AP)

UK warns of tougher social distancing measures

The British government on Sunday warned that outside exercise could be banned if people flout stringent guidelines to cut the spread of coronavirus infections.

The UK government, on March 23, ordered a three-week shutdown of non-essential shops and services to cut close-contact transmission of the virus.

But warmer weekend weather has stoked fears that people could congregate in parks and open spaces, potentially threatening any gains made in cutting transmission rates. (AFP)

China's railways brace for increased passenger trips during tomb-sweeping holiday

China's railways are expected to see a rebound of passenger flows during the three-day tomb-sweeping holiday as the coronavirus outbreak leveled off across the country.

April 3 and April 4 saw 3.96 million and 3.89 million railway trips, respectively, both setting a single-day record after the Spring Festival, data from the China State Railway Group (CSRC) showed.

The company said it would add 260 trains each day during the holiday and improve services to meet the surging demand, as well as ensure safe and orderly trips. (Xinhua)

3rd person held in France knife attack south of Lyon

A third person has been detained in an anti-terrorism investigation in France over a knife attack south of Lyon that left two people dead, authorities said Sunday.

The third arrest was made Saturday night, and all three of the suspects are Sudanese, the French anti-terror prosecutor’s office said.

On Saturday, a man attacked residents with a knife in the small town of Romans-sur-Isere, injuring several people in addition to the two fatalities. 

During a subsequent search of one suspect's home, authorities found handwritten documents that included arguments about religion and a complaint about living in a “country of unbelievers.” (AP)

OPEC+ meeting delayed until April 9

OPEC and Russia have postponed a Monday meeting to discuss oil output cuts until April 9, OPEC sources said on Saturday.

Oil prices hit an 18-year low on March 30 due to a slump in demand caused by lockdowns to contain the coronavirus outbreak and the failure of OPEC and other producers led by Russia to extend a deal on output curbs that expired on March 31.

OPEC+ is working on a deal to cut the production of oil equivalent by about 10 percent of world supply, or 10 million barrels per day. (CGTN)

Disney sets new release dates for 'Mulan' and Marvel blockbusters

Walt Disney Pictures has announced new release dates for a string of its major movies, including the live-action remake of "Mulan" and upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) blockbusters like "Black Widow."

The entertainment giant postponed the releases of more than a dozen big titles as movie theaters across the globe have shuttered, and movie productions halted for an extended period to curb the global spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a note of optimism that North American movie theaters could be back in business by late July, "Mulan" – a mega-budget epic based on the tale of a legendary Chinese warrior – is now tentatively scheduled to hit theaters on July 24. (CGTN)

Thanks for listening, and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

In which film did father and son actors Will and Jaden Smith first appear together?

(Answer: The Pursuit of Happiness.)

Today’s quote is from Scottish poet Alexander Smith (1830-1867).   

"Books are a finer world within the world."

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