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Here are today's top picks from our editors. 

Scientist assures human cloning is not the goal

The Chinese research team responsible for cloning two monkeys said there are no plans to conduct similar research on human clones. 

Co-author of the macque clone study, Muming Poo, assured that social ethics would by no means allow such a study.

The scientist explained that their clone study was aimed at gaining a better understanding of human brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's and autism. (Xinhua) 

China ambassador says development is win-win for Europe

"China will achieve high-quality development and bring huge opportunities to Europe and the world in a new era," announced Zhang Ming, Chinese Ambassador to the European Union.

Speaking before an audience of professors and students at the College of Europe in Belgium, Zhang emphasized how China will contribute even more to innovation and green development. 

"I can assure you that China's development is good news to Europe and the whole world," Zhang said. (People's Daily app)

US GDP 2.6 percent for 2017

US Economic growth unexpectedly slowed during the fourth quarter as high consumer spending lead to a surge in imports. 

The US GDP increased at a 2.6 percent annual rate, held back by inventory accumulation, the US Commerce Department said in its advance Q4 report on Friday. 

Third quarter results were much stronger coming in at 3.2 percent.

In a Reuters poll from last year, economists had anticipated a 3 percent figure for the final three months of 2017. (Reuters) 

German media complicit in diretor's past sexual misconduct

A growing sexual misconduct scandal involving a German television director took another turn as accusations of media cover-ups have now emerged.

Dieter Wedel, one of Germany’s most well-known TV directors, faces allegations of past sexual misconduct by a number of women.

But new information has revealed that German media intentionally gave the incidents limited coverage when the women first reported them, while some raised doubts on the credibility of the victims.

Most of the accusations against Wedel are too old to be brought to trial due to the statute of limitations, with some of them dating back to the 1970s. (AFP) 

Advance preparations to speed up for 2022 winter games

Beijing is accelerating its efforts for the 2022 Winter Olympics, authorities said during the recent municipal parliamentary session.

A government report issued said the Beijing Winter Games is one of their top three working priorities.

Development is underway on three different Olympic villages.

In 2015, Beijing won the bid to co-host the 2022 Winter Olympics with Zhangjiakou, a city in neighboring Hebei Province.  (Xinhua)

Autism event raises awareness in Beijing

On Thursday, children and young teenagers with autism performed Peking Opera and played musical instruments to help promote awareness and understanding of the neurological condition.

Millions of children have autism, a disease that affects behavior, social interaction, and emotional responses.

In China, those who have been diagnosed has having autism are often called “children of the stars.” With the increasing awareness of autism in China, more efforts have been made to help autistic children and their families. (CGTN)

Chinese city receives UNESCO World Heritage nomination 

China has officially nominated the 5,000-year-old city of Liangzhu for the  UNESCO World Heritage program of 2019. 

The site was discovered roughly 90 years ago and since then it has proven to be a continued source of historical revelation.

It was here that archeologists learned the residents of the ancient city were writing 5,000 years ago, pushing back the history of the written Chinese language by 1,000 years. (Global Times)

Women dominate Oxford admissions

For the first time in the school’s centuries-old history, Oxford University in Great Britain has admitted more women than men.

Figures show that last year 1,275 women received offers from the university, compared with 1,165 men.

Oxford colleges first started admitting women in 1974. (Xinhua)

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Quote of the Day:

As Dumbledore from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets said, “It is not our abilities that show what we truly are. It is our choices.”

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Lance Crayon, Serena Na Ma, Ziyi Zeng.)