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Here are today's picks from our editors. 

China to strengthen patent protection

China investigated 6,529 patent infringement cases in the first half of 2019, according to the National Intellectual Property Administration (NIPA) at a press conference Tuesday.

A total of 238,000 invention patents were authorized in China in the first half of the year, up 9.9 percent.

Huawei had 2,314 invention patents authorized in the period, ranking first on the Chinese mainland.

SINOPEC ranked second with 1,595 authorized invention patents, and smartphone maker Oppo ranked third with 1312. (Xinhua) 

Putin declines State Duma's call for sanctions on Georgia

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said that he would not support the State Duma's idea of imposing sanctions on Georgia, regardless of rising tensions between the two countries.

Earlier in the day, the Russian State Duma of the Federal Assembly adopted at a plenary session a statement in which it recommended the Russian government consider applying "special economic restrictive measures" on Georgia and to submit relevant proposals to Putin.

Tensions between Russia and Georgia have escalated sharply since last month after thousands of Georgians gathered in front of the parliament building in downtown Tbilisi in protest at a Russian lawmaker's visit. (Xinhua) 

Trump again attacks India, says tariffs 'unacceptable'

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday fired a new Twitter salvo at India, accusing the giant Asian economy of unfairly blocking American imports.

Earlier this year he stripped India of benefits which allowed some duty-free exports to the United States, claiming that India had refused to grant wider access to American-made goods.

Last month, India slapped duties on dozens of US products, including hundreds of millions of dollars in almonds from California, as well as other US fruits and nuts. (AFP) 

At least 46 people hospitalized in carbon monoxide leak at Canadian hotel

At least 46 people have been rushed to hospital, including 15 in critical condition, following a suspected carbon monoxide leak at a hotel in the Canadian city of Winnipeg, local authorities said Tuesday.

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service crews responded to the alarm around 10am local time and detected CO of various levels throughout the building, up to 385 parts per million, the city of Winnipeg said in a series of tweets. (Xinhua) 

US billionaire Tom Steyer joins presidential race

US billionaire Tom Steyer Tuesday announced his presidential bid, becoming the latest addition to a crowded field of Democratic candidates.

Steyer has been a fierce critic of US President Donald Trump and a strong advocate for his impeachment. Steyer is also the founder of activist group Need To Impeach, which collects signatures in support of impeachment proceedings.

Steyer's belated announcement came one day after California Congressman and presidential hopeful Eric Swalwell dropped out of the race after being unable to draw sufficient support. (Xinhua) 

France to impose green tax on plane tickets to curb emissions

As of 2020, the French government will impose a new green tax on plane tickets for all flights departing from the country's airports as part of its plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and generate more funds to invest in cleaner transport infrastructure, Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne announced on Tuesday.

A 1.5 euro tax will be imposed on economy-class tickets for domestic or intra-Europe flights, and the tax will be as high as 18 euros on business-class tickets for flights leaving European Union territory, she added.

The tax will help the government collect 180 million euros, which it aims to spend on financing infrastructure projects, according to the minister. (Xinhua) 

Girl fell to death from open window on cruise ship

An attorney for the family of an 18-month-old Indiana girl who fell to her death from the 11th story of a cruise ship in Puerto Rico says she plunged from a window inexplicably left open in a children's play area.

Attorney Michael Winkleman in Miami said in a statement Tuesday that Chloe Wiegand was playing in the "kid's water zone" on the Freedom of the Seas on Sunday when she asked to be lifted to a wall of windows lining the play area so she could bang on the glass.

He says Chloe’s grandfather lifted her, believing the window was closed, and “she was gone in an instant.”

Royal Caribbean International hasn't responded to messages seeking comment. (AP) 

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

What is the name given to an animal that only eats plants?

(Answer: Herbivore.)

Today's quote is from British poet George Herbert (1593-1633).

"None knows the weight of another's burden."

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon, Brian Lowe and Elaine Yue Lin. Music by Eugene Loner.)