Fresh Start: Podcast News (10/2/2018 Tue.)
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Welcome to Fresh Start.

This is People’s Daily app. 

Here are today’s picks from our editors.

122 million tourists greet first day of National Day holidays

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Chinese tourist numbers surged 7.54 percent year-on-year on the first day of the weeklong National Day holidays to 122 million and generated revenues of 103 billion yuan ($15 billion), official data showed on Monday. 

2018 also marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up, and many tourist attractions feature decorations with this theme, according to the website. 

Meanwhile, the red tourism industry, with an abundant revolutionary heritage, has seen a boom since the first day of the weeklong holidays. (Global Times)

James P Allison of US and Tasuku Honjo of Japan win Nobel Medicine Prize

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Two immunologists, James Allison of the US and Tasuku Honjo of Japan, won the 2018 Nobel Medicine Prize for research that has revolutionized the treatment of cancer, the jury said on Monday. 

Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy targets proteins made by some immune system cells, as well as some cancer cells. 

The proteins can stop the body's natural defenses from killing cancer cells. The therapy is designed to remove this protein "brake" and allow the immune system to more quickly get to work fighting the cancer.

They will receive their prize from King Carl XVI Gustaf at a formal ceremony in Stockholm on December 10. (AFP)

US, Mexico, Canada agree on free trade pact to replace NAFTA

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Negotiators from Canada and the United States went down to the wire but were able to reach an agreement on a new free trade pact that will include Mexico, the governments announced late Sunday night.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) updates and replaces the nearly 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which President Donald Trump had labeled a disaster and promised to cancel.

Canada will open its dairy market further to US producers, and Washington left unchanged the dispute settlement provisions which Ottawa demanded.

This will allow them to sign the agreement before Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto leaves office December 1, the date that was the cause of the last minute flurry of activity. (AFP)

Indonesia earthquake death toll tops 1,200, calls for international help

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Rescuers are racing against time to reach victims of last Friday's earthquake still trapped under rubble two days after the disaster. Meanwhile, the death toll rose to more than 1,200 on Monday.

Some remote areas have yet to be contacted, medicines are running out and rescuers are struggling with a shortage of heavy equipment to reach desperate victims calling out from the ruins of collapsed buildings.

In response, President Joko Widodo opened the door to the dozens of international aid agencies and NGOs lined up to provide life-saving assistance. (People's Daily app)

South Korea holds ceremony for repatriation of 64 war dead

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South Korea held a repatriation ceremony on the country's Armed Forces Day for the remains of 64 soldiers who were killed in North Korea during the Korean War, Yonhap reported on Monday.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in chaired the ceremony at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam with the attendance of top military and government officials and religious leaders.

The remains were found in North Korea during a joint 1996-2005 excavation project involving the US and North Korea. 

After the repatriation ceremony, the defense ministry's Agency of Killed In Action Recovery & Identification will carry out the identification process, including DNA tests, to deliver them to their next of kin, said Yonhap. (CGTN)

Xuzhou City wins UN-Habitat Scroll of Honor

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China's Xuzhou City was among five winners of the 2018 UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) Scroll of Honor that were feted on Monday for advancing urban renewal.

They stood out among about 50 candidates, including individuals, organizations and projects, this year.

The city, which is in east China's Jiangsu Province, scooped the prestigious award for promoting holistic and broad-based approaches to ecological restoration through intelligent solid-waste management.

The UN-Habitat said Xuzhou has become a national pilot city for the recycling and utilization of renewable resources that has been extended to 166 cities in China. (Xinhua)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

How big is the Forbidden City in Beijing?

(Answer: The Forbidden City covers an area of about 72 hectares with a total floor space of approximately 150,000 square meters. It consists of more than 90 palaces and courtyards, 980 buildings and over 8,728 rooms.)

Today’s quote is from Chinese philosopher Xun Kuang

“If knowledge and foresight are too penetrating and deep, unify them with ease and sincerity.”

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, and Raymond Mendoza.)