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Here are today’s picks from our editors.
China appreciates Solomon Islands' break of ‘diplomatic relations’ with Taiwan
China highly appreciates the decision of the Solomon Islands' government to recognize the one-China principle and break the so-called "diplomatic ties" with the Taiwan authorities, a spokesperson said on Monday.
On September 16, the Solomon Islands' government decided at a cabinet meeting it would recognize the one-China principle and sever "diplomatic ties" with the Taiwan authorities and establish a diplomatic relationship with China.
"We support this important decision which the Solomon Islands has made by itself as an independent sovereign state," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.
Stressing there is but one China in the world, and that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government that represents the whole of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, Hua said this is a basic fact and the universal consensus of the international community. (Xinhua)
China's first test base for unmanned ships to be operational
China has built the first test base for unmanned ships, which will be operational at the end of this year, according to the Science and Technology Daily on Monday.
The test base, Xiangshan Marine Scientific & Technological Port is located in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. It will create an innovation platform for the design, research and testing of unmanned marine systems and intelligent equipment.
The base will help develop the industrial chain of unmanned ships and foster research on advanced equipment manufacturing as well as new generation of information technology. (Xinhua)
Investigations indicate weapons in Aramco attacks are Iranian: Arab coalition
A Saudi-led coalition involved in a war in Yemen said on Monday that investigations indicated the weapons used in the two Saudi Aramco attacks were Iranian.
The spokesperson said the results of the investigation would be made public when complete, adding that the coalition has the ability to confront the attacks and defend vital oil facilities.
The attacks were reported Saturday morning with several explosions at Saudi Aramco plants in the eastern cities of Khurais and Abqaiq. (Xinhua)
Johnson says he can see ‘shape’ of a Brexit deal
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said after a meeting with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker that “there is a good chance” of a Brexit deal with the European Union.
Johnson said, “I can see the shape” of an agreement, but it will “require movement” from the EU.
The EU, in contrast, says Britain must move and produce concrete proposals to overcome differences over the Irish border that have so far blocked a deal. The European Commission says Britain has yet to offer any “legally operational” plans. (AP)
Iran to release seized British oil tanker
Iran's Foreign Ministry announced Monday that Iran will release the seized British-flagged oil tanker Stena Impero in the coming days.
"Legal and judicial procedures are underway ... and the ship will be released," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi said at his weekly press conference on Monday.
He noted that "no mediation is involved in the release of the ship."
Iran detained the Stena Impero on July 19, alleging that it had violated the maritime regulations while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. (Xinhua)
Volkswagen to pay up to $87 million in Australia for scandal
Volkswagen has agreed to pay up to $87 million to settle an Australian class action lawsuit stemming from the 2015 diesel emissions scandal, the German automaker and a lawyer said Monday.
Volkswagen will pay between $60 million and $87 million, depending on how many owners of the affected 100,000 Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda diesel vehicles sold in Australia join the class action, the firm’s principal lawyer Julian Schimmel said.
Volkswagen said in a statement it made no admission of liability in the settlement. (AP)
Beloved giant panda Chuang Chuang dies at Thailand's Chiang Mai Zoo
The Consulate General of China in Thailand's Chiang Mai confirmed on Monday that the 19-year-old male giant panda living in Chiang Mai Zoo died.
The consulate general said they mourned the passing of the beloved creature and the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda would send experts to Chiang Mai Zoo to work with Thai counterparts to discover the cause of Chuang Chuang's death.
The investigation results will be made available to the public, the consulate general said. (Xinhua)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
And now for the Question of the Day:
Which space craft set off for Jupiter in 1972?
(Answer: Pioneer 10.)
Today’s quote is from American writer Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894).
"Truth, when not sought after, rarely comes to light."
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon and Elaine Yue Lin. Music by Eugene Loner.)