Fresh Start: Podcast News (6/21/2018 Thu.)

Welcome to Fresh Start.

This is People’s Daily app. 

Here are today’s picks from our editors.

Chinese president meets Nepalese Prime Minister

China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Nepal in infrastructure connectivity, post-disaster reconstruction, trade and investment under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, said President Xi Jinping on Wednesday.

Xi’s remarks came while meeting with Nepal's Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.

"Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Nepal, the two countries have always carried out mutually beneficial cooperation on the basis of the 'Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence,” President Xi said.

Oli said Nepal and China have enjoyed a time-honored friendship and their relationship served as a model for relations between countries with different systems and sizes. (Xinhua – People’s Daily app)

China launches new battle against air pollution, targets 80 percent clear sky average

By 2020, China could wake up to clearer skies and a greener environment, according to the nation's top environmental authorities.

At the State Council press briefing for “Battle for Blue Skies" on Wednesday, it was announced officials had approved a three-year action plan aimed at cleaning the nation's air. 

"The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region still remains the most heavily polluted, despite making tremendous progress in the past five years. Following that, the Fenwei plain ranks second, with coal-mine burning being its major pollutant," said Zhao Yingmin, vice minister of ecology and environment.

"Battle for Blue Skies" first appeared in Premier Li Keqiang's Government Work Report in March of 2017. (CGTN – People’s Daily app)

Britain's May wins Brexit vote in parliament

Prime Minister Theresa May won a crucial Brexit vote in parliament on Wednesday, keeping her deeply divided government’s plans to end Britain’s more than 40 years of partnership with the European Union (EU) on track.

After pro-EU Conservative lawmaker Dominic Grieve said he would support the government’s proposal for a "meaningful vote" in parliament on any Brexit deal, a potential rebellion that could have undermined May's authority was averted.

May adopted a high-risk strategy by facing off with rebels in her Conservative Party, and it paid off. 

One lawmaker said May had no option but to take them on or risk their rebellion growing as she cuts ties with the EU. (Reuters)

North Korea's tourism sector set to thrive as coastal region under development

The Wonsan-Kalma region in North Korea's Kangwon Province, best known for Myongsasipri, a four-kilometer sandy beach resort, along with a modern international airport, is helping drive the country's tourism industry.

Currently, a resort that will span hundreds of hectares is under development, Korean Central News Agency reported.

About 180 kilometers from Pyongyang, Wonsan is filled with many natural sights and offers a well-developed urban infrastructure rarely seen anywhere else in the country. 

Experts said Wonsan’s rapid development has to do with the area which makes for an easy transformation in the smallest amount of time. (Global Times -  People’s Daily app)

China to build first nuclear tech university

It was recently announced that China plans to establish a university in Tianjin dedicated to nuclear technology research in an effort to meet the growing talent demands of its nuclear industry.

China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), one of the country's largest nuclear companies, has reached an agreement with the Tianjin municipal government to jointly invest in the university project.

"The university will focus on establishing the vocational education system, accelerating research, as well as upgrading school equipment," said He Zixing, vice-president of CNNC. (China Daily – People’s Daily app)

Xie Zhenye becomes China's fastest man

Chinese sprinter Xie Zhenye dashed to a 9.97-second winning mark in the men's 100-meter event at the Meeting de Montreuil on Tuesday, cutting .07 seconds from his personal best while breaking the national record by two-hundredths (.02) of a second.

The 24-year-old Xie outraced Akani Simbine of South Africa who finished second, followed by Paul Camilo de Oliveira of Brazil who placed third.

Xie also beat the national record of 9.99 seconds, set by China’s Su Bingtian in 2015, and is the second Chinese sprinter to finish the 100-meter track event in less than 10-seconds. (Xinhua – People’s Daily)

Portugal sends Morocco home, Uruguay blocks Saudi run, Spain victorious over Iran

In Group B action, Portugal defeated Morocco 1-0.

An early goal from Cristiano Renaldo was all Portugal needed to advance to the round of 16.  

In Group A action, Uruguay trounced Saudi Arabia 1-0.  

A Luis Suárez goal in the 23rd minute was enough to keep the Saudi side down Uruguay and Russia will face off on Monday in Samara to determine who will advance out of Group A.

In other Group B action, Spain defeated Iran 1-0, and will advance to play Portugal next week.

Spain are undeafted in their last 21 matches, the longest active winning streak in international football. (People’s Daily app)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day.

Q:  How much money will the championship team of this year’s 2018 FIFA World Cup receive? 

(According to US money magazine Forbes, the championship team will receive $38 million. The second place team will receive $29 million, and the team who finishes third will receive $24 million.) 

Today’s quote is from Chinese writer Yu Hua. 

“If literature truly possesses a mysterious power, I think perhaps it is precisely this: that one can read a book by a writer of a different time, a different country, a different race, a different language, and a different culture and there encounter a sensation that is one's very own.” 

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Ziyi Zeng, and Lance Crayon)