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Here are today’s picks from our editors.
Hong Kong developers' group condemns violence
The Real Estate Developers Association (REDA) of Hong Kong on Thursday issued a statement condemning the escalating violence and called for restoring peace and order, with multiple major developers co-signing.
The Hong Kong society has suffered from the acts of violence perpetrated by a small group of individuals and such acts have deviated from the original intent of peaceful demonstrations and are bringing distress to the business community, and the general public as a whole, the REDA said in the statement.
The REDA said it hopes the city may regain peace and order as soon as possible. (Xinhua)
3,500 suspects captured in China's 'asset unfreezing' fraud crackdown
A total of 3,589 suspects have been captured and 284 fraud criminal groups busted so far this year in China's crackdown on scams of "unfreezing national fortune left long ago by Chinese," according to a Ministry of Public Security press conference on Thursday.
A total of 623 million yuan involved in the fraud cases has been frozen by authorities.
In typical asset unfreezing scams, criminals fabricate stories of huge fortunes left by Chinese from centuries or decades ago and trick people into contributing initial capital or membership fees to unfreeze the legacies for so-called poverty alleviation, charity, or investment programs.
The fraud is often conducted via social media and online payment platforms. (Xinhua)
South Korea sees uncertainty last despite Japan's approval of chip material export
South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Thursday that uncertainty would last over Japan's export curbs on South Korea despite Tokyo's first approval of a chip material to Seoul since its tighter export control of such materials in early July.
Moon's comments came after Japan permitted the shipment earlier in the day of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photoresist to South Korea, according to the presidential Blue House.
It was one of the three materials, on which Japan tightened regulations in early July to curb export to South Korea. The three materials are crucial for the production of memory chips and display panels that are the mainstay of the South Korean export. (Xinhua)
India responds to Pakistan's decision to downgrade bilateral ties
India on Thursday responded to Pakistan's decision to downgrade bilateral ties, saying it was "not supported by facts on the ground."
India's Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement the government regrets the steps announced by Pakistan and would urge them to review the decisions so channels for diplomatic communications are preserved.
On Monday, an official notification was issued in the name of Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, revoking the special status of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
Pakistan on Wednesday informed India to withdraw its high commissioner after the country decided to downgrade diplomatic relations and suspend trade ties with India amid recent Kashmir tensions. (Xinhua)
Syria rejects US-Turkish safe zone agreement
Syria’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday it rejects the US-Turkish agreement to establish a safe zone in northern Syria, state news agency SANA reported.
A ministry statement branded the US and Turkey as forces of occupation, saying the agreement, reached on Wednesday, constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter. (Xinhua)
NASA's Spitzer detects new galaxy
NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has detected a new Galaxy called NGC 5866, which lies 44 million light-years from Earth and has a diameter of roughly 60,000 light-years.
The clean edges of the dust emission from NGC 5866 indicate there is a very flat ring or disk of dust circling the outer region of the galaxy, according to NASA.
Trying to learn about the history and shape of NGC 5866 is challenging due to its orientation, said NASA. (Xinhua)
Beatles fans come together for 50th anniversary of Abbey Road photo
Hundreds of Beatles fans came together outside London's Abbey Road Studios on Thursday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the band making one of the most iconic album covers of all time.
Fans mobbed the pedestrian crossing exactly five decades from the moment when Britain's legendary Fab Four walked across for the photo that was used on the sleeve of their final studio album, "Abbey Road.”
The shot of John Lennon leading band mates Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison over the zebra crossing was instantly recognized all over the world. (AFP)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
And now for the Question of the Day:
Which German city is famous for the perfume it produces?
(Answer: Cologne.)
Today's quote is from English philosopher John Locke (1632-1704).
"Fortitude is the guard and support of the other virtues."
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon, Elaine Yue Lin, and Paris Yelu Xu. Music by Eugene Loner.)