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Here are today’s picks from our editors.
HKSAR chief executive to attend 1st community dialogue on September 26
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said Thursday that HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam will attend the first Community Dialogue session on September 26, and 150 people from the community will be invited.
Lam, together with HKSAR government officials, will attend the session from 7 pm to 9 pm at Queen Elizabeth Stadium, Wan Chai.
The session will be an open dialogue platform aimed at reaching out to the public to invite people from all walks of life to express their views to the government, so as to fathom the discontent in society and to look for solutions, the HKSAR government said. (Xinhua)
Strike on Iran will lead to ‘all-out war’ in region, warns Iranian FM
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned Thursday a possible military strike on his country will lead to an "all-out war" in the region.
Zarif made the remarks as the US and Saudi Arabia blamed Iran for the attacks on two Saudi oil facilities on Saturday.
Yemeni Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attacks, but the US and Saudi Arabia pointed the finger at Iran for sponsoring them, citing the weapons used were Iranian-made. (Xinhua)
South Korea, Japan to hold diplomatic talks amid bilateral trade spat: Seoul
Director general-level diplomats from South Korea and Japan will hold talks this week amid the ongoing trade spat between the two countries, Seoul's foreign ministry said Thursday.
Kim Jung-han, director-general for Asian and Pacific affairs at South Korea's foreign ministry, will meet his Japanese counterpart Shigeki Takizaki in Tokyo on Friday.
Kim and Takizaki will discuss issues of mutual concern, the Seoul ministry said. (Xinhua)
Belgian F-16 crashes in northwestern France, no casualties
A Belgian F-16 fighter jet crashed near the town of Lorient in northwestern France on Thursday with no casualties reported, local authorities said.
At 10:38 am, a Belgian military aircraft, with two people on board, crashed for unknown reasons, according to Morbihan prefecture.
"The pilot and his co-pilot were able to eject before the crash. They have both been located and are alive," authorities said. (Xinhua)
Argentine Senate approves emergency food law as crisis worsens
Argentina's Senate unanimously approved a law on Wednesday that will increase state funds dedicated to fighting hunger and improving nutrition as the country grapples with stifling inflation and increased poverty.
The measure establishes a "food emergency" and allocates a 50 percent boost in the current budget for national public food and nutrition policies, according to the government.
Argentine economic growth has stalled since last year, while inflation, running at 54.5 percent for the last 12 months, is far outstripping salaries, leading to a sharp uptick in poverty, official data shows. (CGTN)
US vaping illness count tops 500, but cause remains unknown
More than 500 people have been diagnosed with vaping-related breathing illnesses, but the cause remains unknown, US health officials said Thursday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 530 confirmed and probable cases have been reported in 38 states and one US territory, up from 380 a week ago.
All patients had used an electronic cigarette or other vaping device.
Doctors have said the illnesses resemble an inhalation injury, with the lungs apparently reacting to a caustic substance. (AP)
Black panther caught prowling French rooftops
Emergency workers caught an unusual prowler lurking around rooftops in northern France: a black panther.
Firefighters and a veterinarian responded after residents of a neighborhood near Lille reported that a big cat had been spotted “strolling on residential gutters” on Wednesday night.
Photos taken after the fire brigade’s arrival captured the panther making itself at home above ground, perching on building ledges and pacing outside a closed window.
The animal was put to sleep with a drug dart and put in a cage. It wasn’t clear where the panther came from or if it had escaped from a zoo. (AP)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
And now for the Question of the Day:
In which year did the Titanic sink?
(Answer: 1912.)
Today’s quote is from Irish poet Oliver Goldsmith (1730-1774).
"People seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy."
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon and Elaine Yue Lin. Music by Eugene Loner.)