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This is People’s Daily app.
Here are today’s picks from our editors.
China classifies all counties as COVID-19 low-risk areas
China classified all counties as low-risk for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) Thursday, a health official said.
The move comes after zero domestic cases were reported on the Chinese mainland for four consecutive days on Wednesday, and with no new fatalities for 22 consecutive days, said Mi Feng, a spokesperson for the National Health Commission, at a press conference in Beijing.
Mi noted there is still uncertainty about the pandemic situation, calling for continuous efforts in treating patients, rehabilitation management, and implementation of regular pandemic prevention and control measures, to guard against a virus rebound. (Xinhua)
France to start 'very gradual' easing of lockdown: PM
France will start to ease lockdown restrictions beginning Monday through "a very gradual process" which would stretch over several weeks to avoid a COVID-19 resurgence, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe confirmed on Thursday.
"Following the data of the past few days, the gradual lifting of the confinement can begin on May 11. This is a new step in the fight against the epidemic," Philippe announced.
The prime minister noted that a national lockdown could be re-imposed if the virus accelerated again. (Xinhua)
Trump valet has coronavirus; president again tests negative
A member of the military serving as one of US President Donald Trump’s valets has tested positive for COVID-19, the White House said Thursday. Trump and US Vice President Mike Pence have since tested negative for the virus and “remain in good health.”
It marked the latest scare for the president, and the first known instance where a person who has come in proximity to the president has tested positive since several people at his private Florida club were diagnosed with COVID-19 in March. (AP)
Data shows virus death risk twice as high for black Britons
Almost all ethnic minorities in Britain are at greater risk of dying from COVID-19, and black men and women are nearly twice as likely to die than white individuals, according to an analysis by the National Statistics Agency.
The analysis found that along with black Britons, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Indians, and those with mixed ethnicities have a higher risk of dying of COVID-19 compared with those who identified themselves as white.
The office said that a substantial part of the variation among ethnic groups in COVID-19 mortality rates can be explained by socioeconomic factors, noting that “other causes are still to be identified.” (AP)
Chemical leak at LG plant in India kills 11, about 1,000 ill
A gas leak at a chemical factory owned by a South Korean company in southern India on Thursday left at least 11 people dead and about 1,000 struggling to breathe.
The chemical styrene, used to make plastic and rubber, leaked from the LG Polymers plant Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, while workers were preparing to restart the facility after a coronavirus lockdown was eased, officials said.
The leak was suspected to have come from large tanks left unattended because of the strict COVID-19 lockdown over the past six weeks. (AP)
US luxury retailer Neiman Marcus files for bankruptcy amid COVID-19 crisis
Neiman Marcus Group, a 112-year-old luxury department store chain in the US, has filed for bankruptcy protection, the second major US retailer to do so this week amid the COVID-19 crisis.
It has commenced voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings with the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, according to a statement released by the company on Thursday.
While extending temporary closures of some stores, the company said it continues to serve customers through its e-commerce platforms in an effort to manage its business throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. (Xinhua)
ROK announces three-state eSports tournament with China, Japan
The Republic of Korea (ROK) will join hands with China and Japan to hold a three-state eSports tournament in November, announced ROK's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Thursday.
The tournament will contain four competitions on different platforms including PC and cellphone. Considering that COVID-19 could remain a threat, the event may happen online.
No specific video game has been named yet for the tournament, but considering the trend, platform and participants, League of Legends (LOL), Honor of Kings, Super Smash Brothers, and Brawl are potential choices. (CGTN)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
And now for the Question of the Day:
The character Jar Jar Binks first appears in which of the “Star Wars” movies?
(Answer: Star Wars Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace.)
Today's quote is from Scottish scientist Hugh Miller (1802 - 1856).
"Problems are only opportunities with thorns on them."
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon, and Elaine Yue Lin. Music by Eugene Loner.)