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Here are today’s picks from our editors.

Train tickets go on sale for first day of Spring Festival holiday

On Sunday, train tickets went on sale for the Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve holiday, reported Chinanews.com.

Travelers can purchase tickets via various booking platforms with China Railway Corporation, including smartphone apps, websites, and over the phone. 

About 410 million rail trips are estimated to be made during the upcoming Spring Festival travel rush, an increase of 8.3 percent year-on-year. 

This year's Spring Festival travel rush, known as “Chunyun” in Mandarin, will start on January 21 and run through March 1. (China Plus)

Nearly 5,000 fugitives netted in China's global anti-corruption manhunt

China's global anti-corruption manhunt saw the return of 4,997 fugitives from more than 120 countries and regions between 2014 and Nov. 30, 2018, latest official figures showed.

Of the nearly 5,000 netted people, 56 were among the 100 fugitive criminal suspects who were on a "red notice" list and were most-wanted by China for their involvement in key corruption cases, the figures also showed.

During the same period, 10.51 billion yuan in ill-gotten gains were recovered as a result of the manhunt. (Xinhua)

British PM May insists Brexit deal vote to go ahead next week

British Prime Minister Theresa May ended speculation Sunday that a vote on her under-fire Brexit deal may be deferred again, insisting the vote would go-ahead in the House of Commons as planned next week.

During a BBC interview May said, "I want to see this deal go through. If the deal is not voted on, then actually we are going to be in uncharted territory."

Opposition MPs and politicians from her own Conservative Party have threatened to oppose her Brexit Withdrawal bill when they finally vote next week. If that happens it makes the prospect of a no-deal Brexit more likely than ever. (Xinhua)

Spain rescues 549 migrants in the Mediterranean

Spain's maritime rescue service says it has saved 549 migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea.

The service says its craft intercepted six small smuggling boats carrying a total of 350 migrants on Saturday in waters east of the Strait of Gibraltar.

On Sunday another 199 migrants were pulled from five different boats,including two tiny inflatable boats meant for small bodies of water or near the beach. 

The United Nations refugee agency estimates that 2,262 migrants died while crossing the Mediterranean in 2018.

The European Union's border agency says that 57,000 migrants reached Spain last year, double the figure for 2017. (AP)

Mexico launches plan to stimulate US border economy

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador launched an ambitious plan Saturday to stimulate economic activity on the Mexican side of the US-Mexico border, reinforcing his country's commitment to manufacturing and trade.

Mexico will slash income and corporate taxes to 20 percent from 30 percent for 43 municipalities in six states just south of the US, while having to 8 percent the value-added tax in the region. Business leaders and union representatives have also agreed to double the minimum wage along the border, to 176.2 pesos a day, the equivalent of $9.07 at current exchange rates.

Lopez Obrador, who took office on Dec. 1, said the idea is to stoke wage and job growth via fiscal incentives and productivity gains. (AP)

Cho Jung-tai voted as chairperson of Taiwan's DPP

Cho Jung-tai has been elected chairperson of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) after amassing 72.6 percent of the vote, according to media reports.

An official result is expected to be announced on Wednesday.

According to analysts, the vote will set the tone for the run-up to next year's election. 

Two months ago, Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen resigned as the head of the ruling DPP after the party suffered a major electoral defeat. (CGTN)

China's Peng Shuai and Yang Zhaoxuan win Shenzhen Open doubles title

China's Peng Shuai and Yang Zhaoxuan won the women's doubles title at the WTA Shenzhen Open by beating compatriot Duan Yingying and Czech Renata Voracova 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday.

Peng was paired with Yang for the first time in the new season. The No.2 seeds defeated Vera Zvonareva and Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland in the semifinals.

Peng, who was also a winner in 2017, secured the 22nd crown of her career. (CGTN)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

In terms of area, what is the largest country in South America?

(Answer: Brazil.) 

Today’s quote is from English writer Joseph Addison (1672-1719). 

"There is nothing which we receive with so much reluctance as advice."

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon, and Chelle Wenqian Zeng.)