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Here are today’s picks from our editors.
China's top legislature concludes annual session
The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, concluded its annual session on Thursday.
Lawmakers adopted the Civil Code, which is to take effect on Jan. 1, 2021.
The meeting also adopted the NPC Decision on Establishing and Improving the Legal System and Enforcement Mechanisms for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to Safeguard National Security, which became effective upon its release on Thursday. (Xinhua)
In lockdown easing, UK’s Johnson says groups of 6 can meet
Outdoor gatherings of six people from different households will be allowed from next week as part of another easing of the coronavirus lockdown in England, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Thursday.
But the government’s chief scientific adviser cautioned that Britain was at a “fragile” point in its fight against the virus, with some 2,000 new infections still being reported each day.
The prime minister also confirmed that schools would start reopening from Monday, initially for some younger students. Outdoor-based shops, such as car showrooms, can also open. (AP)
Pandemic puts up to 86 mln children at risk of poverty: UNICEF
The economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic could push as many as 86 million more children into poverty by the end of 2020, said a joint study by Save the Children, and UNICEF on Wednesday.
That would bring the total number of children affected by poverty worldwide to 672 million, an increase of 15 percent over last year, the two aid agencies said in a statement, adding that nearly two-thirds of those children overall live in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
But the pandemic-driven increase is expected to occur mainly in Europe and Central Asia, according to the study. (CGTN)
US layoffs climb to 41 million, despite business reopenings
An estimated 2.1 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week despite the gradual reopening of businesses around the country, bringing the running total since the coronavirus shutdowns took hold in mid-March to about 41 million, the US government said Thursday.
In a glimmer of hope, the overall number of people currently drawing jobless benefits in the US fell for the first time since the crisis began, from 25 million to 21 million, suggesting some companies are starting to rehire. (AP)
Violent protests rock Minneapolis for 2nd straight night
Violent protests over the death of a black man in police custody rocked a Minneapolis neighborhood for a second straight night as angry crowds looted stores and set fires. The mayor asked the governor to activate the National Guard.
The protests that began late Wednesday and stretched into Thursday morning were the most destructive yet since the death of George Floyd, who was seen on video gasping for breath during an arrest in which an officer kneeled on his neck for almost eight minutes.
Mayor Jacob Frey sought calm. “Please, Minneapolis, we cannot let tragedy beget more tragedy,” he said on Twitter. (AP)
Cockpit voice recorder of crashed Pakistani plane recovered
The cockpit voice recorder of the Pakistani airliner that crashed last week was found on Thursday, six days after the passenger plane went down in a crowded neighborhood near the airport in the city of Karachi, killing 97 people on board.
The recorder, recovered from among the plane debris, was subsequently handed over to Airbus experts.
The inquiry report into the crash is expected to be completed within three months, said Prime Minister Imran Khan. (AP)
Disney plans to reopen Walt Disney World starting July 11
Walt Disney plans to reopen the world's largest theme park, Walt Disney World in Florida, in phases beginning on July 11, if the state's governor approves.
Disney wants to reopen Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11, and Epcot and Hollywood Studios on July 15, according to Jim MacPhee, senior vice president of operations for the Walt Disney World Resort.
After MacPhee's presentation, an Orange County task force OK'd the plan, sending it to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for final approval. (CGTN)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
And now for the Question of the Day:
Which famous Irish actor played Lawrence of Arabia?
(Answer: Peter O’Toole.)
Today's quote is from Greek philosopher Anaxagoras (500 BC - 428 BC).
"It is not I who have lost the Athenians, but the Athenians who have lost me."
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon, and Elaine Yue Lin. Music by Eugene Loner.)