Fresh Start: Podcast News (1/19/2018 Fri.)

Welcome to Fresh Start. 

This is People’s Daily app. 

Here are today’s top picks from our editors.

China eases mobile device restrictions on flights                                   

If you have ever flown on a commercial flight in China, then you’ve probably been asked to turn off your cell phone.

Well, that will not be the case anymore as the Chinese government has eased restrictions regarding the use of electronic devices on airplanes. 

A message on the Civil Aviation Administration of China’s website read, "Airline companies can now create their own regulations regarding the use of electronic devices.” (People's Daily app)

China supports Koreas as dialogue continues

China supports dialogue between North and South Korea, fostering trust, building consensus, and finding solutions, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Thursday.

Media reported on Wednesday that North and South Korea have agreed to let their athletes march together under the unified flag of the Korean Peninsula for the opening ceremony at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics next month. (Xinhua)

Katie Couric returns for PyeongChang opening ceremony

NBC is bringing back Katie Couric to co-host the opening ceremony for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics next month.

Couric will co-host with Mike Tirico, who will replace Bob Costas as the prime-time host for the 2018 Winter Games. The Olympic opener commences on  February 9. (AP)

China’s 2017 GDP surges beyond forecast

The National Bureau of Statistics announced on Thursday that the world’s second-largest economy grew by 6.9 percent in 2017.

Last year the Chinese economy shifted from a high growth period to a high-quality growth period, said Ning Jizhe, head of the National Bureau of Statistics. (Global Times)

Starved grandchildren shock grandparents

The grandparents of 13 starved and tortured children say their son’s family looked happy and healthy when they last visited California six years ago.

“They were just like any ordinary family,” said Betty Turpin, the 81-year-old mother of David Turpin. “And they had such good relationships. I’m not just saying this stuff. These kids, we were amazed. They were ‘sweetie’ this and ‘sweetie’ that to each other.” (AP)

US Navy officers formally charged over ship collisions

On Tuesday, US Naval officials confirmed that five officers had been charged for their roles in ship collisions from last year, and included two commanders, one from the USS Fitzgerald and another from the USS John S McCain.

The remaining officers involved face multiple charges including negligent homicide. (People's Daily app)

Repeat victory for Jinan as ‘worst traffic’ city

A recent study found that East China’s Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province, is the most traffic-congested city in the country, a distinction it has earned for two consecutive years. 

The report, shedding light on which cities have the most road congestion, was released by AutoNavi Software, a mobile mapping and navigation service, and Alibaba’s  global cloud computing system service. (People's Daily app)

China honors Finland centennial with panda pair gift

Two giant pandas arrived at snow-covered Finland on Thursday, a gift from China marking the Scandinavian nation’s centennial anniversary.

Four-year-old male Hua Bao and three-year-old female Jin Baobao were welcomed during a ceremony at the Helsinki Airport attended by the Chinese ambassador to Finland and Finnish officials. (AP)

Quote of the Day:

As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Lance Crayon, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Serena Na Ma)