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Here are today’s picks from our editors.

Xi urges medical workers to carry forward humanitarian spirit

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called on medical workers to carry forward the humanitarian spirit to save lives and make further contributions to improving the people's health.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, gave the instruction ahead of China's first Medical Workers' Day, which falls on Sunday.

In his instruction, Xi expressed appreciation for the country's medical workers' devoted and humanitarian spirit and their efforts in wholeheartedly serving the people's health.

He also acknowledged their achievements in preventing and treating diseases, fostering medical talents and promoting scientific and technological development in this regard.

Xi urged Party committees and governments of all levels as well as the whole society to care for and respect medical workers and called on medical workers to serve the people wholeheartedly and promote the humanitarian spirit of saving lives. (Xinhua-People's Daily app)

Hubei punishes 11 officials for defective DPT vaccine

Eleven officials in central China's Hubei Province have been punished for the case of substandard DPT vaccines produced by Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co. Ltd.

Earlier this month, a national inspection team formed by members of departments including the National Health Commission looked into the case and found misconduct in vaccine production, as well as in fulfillment of local supervisory responsibilities.

Provincial authorities said the 11 officials work for departments including the provincial food and drug administration, Wuhan municipal government, and Wuhan municipal food and drug administration. Six of them were removed from their posts, while the other five were given inner-Party warnings and demerits to their records. (Xinhua-People's Daily app)

Imran Khan elected as prime minister of Pakistan

Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (justice movement party) was elected as the new prime minister of the country on Friday evening.

It was announced that Khan won the election by securing the lower house's 176 votes out of the total 272 votes cast in Friday's polling.

Khan will be sworn in as the 22nd elected prime minister of Pakistan on Saturday by the country's president, Mamnoon Hussain. (Xinhua – People’s Daily app)

China's outbound investment sees steady growth in Jan.-July period

China's non-financial outbound direct investment (ODI) continued steady growth in the first seven months of the year, according to official data.

Chinese investors made more than $65 billion of non-financial ODI in nearly 4,000 overseas enterprises in 152 countries and regions from January to July, the Ministry of Commerce said. It marked a 14.1-percent increase from the same period a year ago.

ODI in countries along the Belt and Road rose 11.8 percent from a year earlier to nearly $9 billion.

The structure of outbound investment continued to improve, with investment mainly in leasing and business services, retail and wholesale, manufacturing, and mining sectors. (Xinhua）

India flood crisis death toll reaches 324

The death toll from floods that have triggered landslides and sent torrents sweeping through villages in the Indian state of Kerala reached 324, according to authorities.

Kerala has been battered by record monsoon rainfall this year and is "facing the worst floods in 100 years,” according to India’s chief minister.

Authorities said thousands of people have been taken to safety, but 6,000 more are still waiting for rescue.

Some 33 million people have taken to social media to secure help, saying that they are unable to contact rescue services. (AFP – People’s Daily app)

China's 'Tian En' ship crosses Bering Strait into 'Polar Silk Road'

A Chinese ice-class cargo ship on Friday crossed the Bering Strait, starting its maiden voyage in the Arctic's Northeast Passage, a waterway known as the "Polar Silk Road."

Tian En, a multifunctional ship of COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers Co., was delivering wind power equipment to the ports of France, the Netherlands and Sweden.

In a white paper declaring its Arctic policy early this year, China has pledged to further cooperate with other countries to jointly build the "Polar Silk Road” as part of the Belt and Road Initiative.

"The Polar Silk Road is turning into a golden route," said Zhang Li, deputy general manager of the company, adding that COSCO Shipping has paid close attention to avoid pollution along the waterway. (Xinhua-People's Daily app)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

What is the largest desert in China?

(Answer: Taklimakan Desert)

Today’s quote is from Chinese philosopher Confucius.

“The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.”

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Terry Guanlin Li, and Raymond Mendoza)