BRUSSELS -- The Chinese envoy to the European Union said on Friday that no matter what kind of labels are given to China's assistance efforts, the country will continue to help others fight the coronavirus and save as many lives as possible.

Zhang Ming, head of the Chinese Mission to the EU, said in a conversation with Friends of Europe, a Brussels-based think tank, that "COVID-19 is a human tragedy, not a playground for politics." (EU-China-COVID 19)

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MOSCOW -- Russia has reported 5,966 COVID-19 cases over the last 24 hours, raising the total number to 74,588 as of Saturday, official data showed.

The death toll climbed to 681, up 66 from the previous day, while 6,250 people have recovered, including 682 in the past 24 hours. (Russia-Coronavirus-COVID-19)

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BERLIN -- Climate policy won't be left out of the European Union(EU)'s agenda even amid coronavirus pandemic, Chancellor Angela Merkel said in her weekly video podcast on Saturday.

Speaking of Germany's presidency of the Council of the EU starting July 1, Merkel said it "will be clearly dominated by the issue of combating the pandemic and its consequences." (Germany-Merkel-Climate)

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RABAT -- Morocco foiled an attempt to smuggle 3 tons of cannabis in the Mediterranean town of Stihate, according to local newspaper Akhbar Alyaoum on Saturday.

The banned substance, planned to be smuggled by sea to Spain, was concealed in many packages inside a car, the report said, adding that two people managed to escape. (Morocco-Smuggle) Enditem

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