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Here are today’s picks from our editors.

Digital currency will go through tests before issuance in China

China’s central bank has said it’s still researching into digital currency and related products need to be tested before putting into use.

Governor of People’s Bank of China said the institution recognizes the inevitable development of digital currency, but its products need to be carefully tested to reduce risks to the financial system. (China Plus)

North and South Korea march separately in Paralympics opener

As the PyeongChang Paralympics kicked off on Friday, athletes from North and South Korea did not march together into the opening ceremony, as they did previously in the Olympics.

The two Koreas initially planned to march together but decided not to after dispute over the design of the Korean Unification Flag.

The North wanted a flag that includes the disputed Dokdo islands, which the South refuses to with respect to the rules of not politicizing sport events. (People’s Daily app)

South Korea expects peninsula denuclearization from Trump-Kim meeting

After US President Donald Trump’s surprising announcement to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jung-un by May this year, South Korea has signaled optimism that the historic meeting could lead to its neighbor giving up its nuclear weapons program.

Spokesman of South Korean president said the optimism was based on Kim’s claim that there would be major results from a meeting with Trump. (Reuters)

China attracts more students from Belt and Road countries

Since the launch of Chinese Government Scholarships program, more than 60 percent of its applicants have come from countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Back in 2004, China had only about 25,000 foreign students from Belt and Road countries. At the end of 2016, the number grew to roughly 200,000. (Xinhua)

Apple to investigate China leak complaint

Apple said on Thursday that it will investigate into the alleged leak of personal information. In a press statement, Apple assured that its tech support staff do not have access to customers’ passwords, emails or photos.

The statement came after a customer claimed he was harassed by an Apple staff who threatened to publish his personal information stored on iCloud, Apple’s storage service. (China Plus)

Thousands gather in Florence to say goodbye to Astori

The funeral of Italian soccer star Davide Astori was held in Florence on Thursday, attended by teammates and thousands of tearful fans who bid farewell to their captain. 

The 31-year-old was found dead in his hotel room on Sunday. An autopsy indicated heart problem as possible cause of death. 

Serena Williams wins in WTA Tour return

Tennis sensation Serena Williams shook off the rust from a 15-month layoff due to pregnancy to win her opening match at the WTA Indian Wells event with a victory over Zarina Diyas.

The unseeded Williams was the top-ranked player in the world when she began her long layoff following her victory at the 2017 Australian Open. During this time, she was expecting her daughter Alexis Olympia, who was born in September. (AFP)

All the single ladies, work it out with Mr. Okay!

Amid falling marriage rate in China, a Chinese newspaper has shared its own recipe for a successful marriage with its single female readers: Managing differences with Mr. Right Now instead of waiting for Mr. Right.

An editorial published by Sichuan Daily has made a case for Mr. Okay, telling the single ladies in the country that tolerance, not idolization of love, is the bedrock of a happy commitment. (CGTN)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

This weekend's poem is by English poet William Wordsworth: 

"My heart leaps up when I behold / A rainbow in the sky; / So was it when my life began; / So is it now I am a man; / So be it when I shall grow old, / Or let me die!" 

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Zeke Ziyi Zeng, Terry Guanlin Li, and Regina Barna.)