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Here are today’s picks from our editors.
China releases master plan for Hainan free trade port
Chinese authorities on Monday released a master plan for the Hainan free trade port, which aims to build the southern island province into a globally-influential high-level free trade port by the middle of the century.
A free trade port system focusing on trade and investment liberalization and facilitation will be "basically established" in Hainan by 2025 and become "more mature" by 2035, according to the plan jointly issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council. (Xinhua)
WHO says it hopes to continue US collaboration
The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus on Monday said his organization hopes to continue working with the US.
"The world has long benefited from the strong, collaborative engagement with the government and the people of the United States," he said at a virtual press conference from Geneva.
The WHO chief said the US government, peoples' contributions and generosity toward global health over the decades has been immense, and have made a great difference in public health worldwide.
"It is the WHO's wish for this collaboration to continue," he said. (Xinhua)
Spain reports zero virus fatalities since March
Spain said on Monday that there were zero fatalities reported from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the last 24-hours, marking a first since March.
The development is “very, very encouraging,” emergency health response chief Fernando Simón said.
Also, Spain recorded only 71 new COVID-19 infections in the same period, Simon said at a news conference.
“We are in a very good place in the evolution of the pandemic,” he added. (AP)
NYC mayor eyeing curfew after violence flares amid protests
New York’s mayor was considering putting the nation’s biggest city under curfew Monday after nights of destruction followed three days of largely peaceful protests over George Floyd’s death.
Mayor Bill de Blasio had previously rejected imposing a curfew, unlike other US cities to curb violence that erupted amid demonstrations over police brutality and racial injustice following Floyd's death last week.
The mayor emphasized that no decision had been made on a curfew as “there are advantages and disadvantages.” (AP)
DR Congo reports fresh Ebola outbreak
DR Congo reported a new Ebola outbreak in its northwest region on Monday, the latest health emergency for a country already fighting a surging number of coronavirus infections.
Health Minister Eteni Longondo said "four people have already died" from Ebola in the northwestern city of Mbandaka.
The Ebola epidemic in the country's east has killed 2,280 people since August 2018, and officials had hoped to proclaim it over on June 25. (AP)
Taj Mahal damaged in deadly India thunderstorm
A deadly thunderstorm that rolled across parts of northern India damaged sections of the Taj Mahal, including the main gate and a railing running below its five lofty domes, officials said Sunday.
India's top tourist attraction has been shut since mid-March as part of measures to try and combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Superintending Archaeologist of the Archaeological Survey of India, Vasant Kumar Swarnkar added there was no damage to the building's main structure. (CGTN)
Israeli scientists dig up cannabis traces in ancient temple
Israeli archaeologists say they’ve found cannabis residue on artifacts from an ancient temple in southern Israel — providing the first evidence of the use of hallucinogens in the ancient Jewish religion.
In a research paper, the authors say the discovery from an 8th-century BC shrine at Tel Arad offers the first proof for “the use of mind-altering substances as part of cultic rituals in Judah,” including the first Jewish Temple that stood in Jerusalem at the same time. (AP)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
And now for the Question of the Day:
Who plays Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean?
(Answer: Johnny Depp.)
Today's quote is from French writer Stendhal (1783-1842).
"The pleasures of love are always in proportion to our fears."
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon, and Elaine Yue Lin. Music by Eugene Loner.)