Fresh Start: Podcast News (1/28/2019 Mon.)
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Welcome to Fresh Start.

This is People’s Daily app.

Here are today’s picks from our editors.

Xi, Macron exchange congratulations on 55th anniversary of China-France ties

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday exchanged congratulations on the 55th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic relations.

In his congratulatory message, Xi said the two countries have been continuously expanding bilateral exchanges and cooperation based on mutual respect and benefit, which is in the interest of both countries and promotes the well-being of both peoples.

Xi noted that the world is undergoing major changes unprecedented in the past century, and the human society is facing opportunities and challenges in its development.

China and France are both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, shouldering special historical missions and responsibilities, he added.

In his part, Macron said he attaches great importance to the friendship between the two countries and their comprehensive strategic partnership, and is willing to join hands with Xi to promote bilateral cooperation in the fields of nuclear energy, aviation, agrifood, economy and trade. (Xinhua)

China to launch healthcare program helping disabled orphans

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China has issued a guideline on implementing a program to provide disabled orphans with accessible healthcare, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

The program, with the aim of helping disabled orphans better integrate into society, offers financial assistance for charges including diagnosis and treatment, rehabilitation, special medicine and assistive devices, according to the guideline released at a press conference last week.

The program will benefit orphans under 18 years old and those above the age of 18, but still in school, it said. (Xinhua)

At least 20 killed, 111 injured in Philippines church bombing

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The death toll from two explosions at a Roman Catholic church in Jolo, capital city of Sulu Province, Philippines early Sunday morning has reached at least 20, with 111 reported injured, said Sulu Police Chief Graciano Mijares.

Two explosive devices were set off at the church, located in the Mindanao region.

After the bombing, military personnel blocked the street leading to the church. Cellular signals were also shut off in the hours following the bombings.

No one has claimed responsibility for the church attack.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman Salvador Panelo said the military will rise to the challenge and crush those responsible for the tragedy. (People's Daily app)

Duke University professor resigns amid racist email against Chinese

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An assistant professor at Duke University has stepped down in response to her racist emails about Chinese students, which have sparked widespread uproar since Friday.

Megan Neely, director of graduate students for the Master of Biostatistics program warned international students in one email to speak English instead of Chinese to avoid “unintended consequences.”

According to Neely, two unnamed colleagues approached her about the students observed "not taking the opportunities to improve their English” and speaking Chinese in lounge and study areas.

An apology letter to biostatistics students was later issued by Mary E Klotman, dean of the Duke University School of Medicine, saying a thorough review of the master’s program is underway, and Neely was asked to step down as director effective immediately. (People's Daily app)

Measles outbreak grows in Northwest US, 31 cases reported

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The number of confirmed measles cases near Portland grew to 31 on Friday — an outbreak boosted by lower-than-normal vaccination rates in what has been called an anti-vaccination US “hot spot.”

26 of the confirmed patients had not been vaccinated against measles, and the vaccination status of four others who were infected is unknown. One child has been hospitalized. Authorities say nine additional cases are suspected.

Most of the cases involved children younger than 10, the Clark County Public Health Department said in a statement. One adult is infected, and the rest are teenagers. (AP)

China's Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has first 5G base station

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China's Qinghai-Tibet Plateau recently had its first 5G base station opened in the city of Xining, Northwest China's Qinghai Province, according to the Qinghai subsidiary of telecom firm China Mobile.

The service was opened last week. Currently, part of the city's downtown area is covered by 5G service, with a peak download speed of 1.3 Gbps, about 10 times that of 4G service.

The province also plans to offer information services such as virtual reality and telemedicine thanks to faster Internet speed. (CGTN)

Chinese boxer Xu Can takes WBA featherweight title

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Chinese boxer Xu Can, 24, on Saturday won the World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight title.

Xu came to Houston to challenge former WBA featherweight champion Jesus Rojas of Puerto Rico.

Rojas was a formidable opponent with 26 wins, including 19 knockouts.

Xu has a record of 15 wins (two knockouts) and two defeats. He is currently the highest ranked Chinese boxer in the featherweight division. (China Daily)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

Which invention is Guglielmo Marconi  known for?

(Answer: The first successful long-distance wireless telegraph.)

Today’s quote is from Greek philosopher Heraclitus (544 BC - 483 BC).

"You cannot step into the same river twice."

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