Fresh Start: Podcast News (10/22/2018 Mon.)
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Welcome to Fresh Start.

This is People’s Daily app.

Here are today’s picks from our editors.

Xi encourages private entrepreneurs to further innovate, create, develop

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President Xi Jinping has encouraged private entrepreneurs to have firm confidence in development and work in a down-to-earth way to develop their businesses.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a letter on Saturday in response to some private entrepreneurs having been awarded for their contributions in a poverty relief campaign.

"I'm delighted to see an increasing number of private entrepreneurs actively shouldering social responsibilities, eagerly devoting themselves to the arduous battle to eradicate poverty, and helping many impoverished people to live a better life," Xi said.

The awarded private entrepreneurs recently sent Xi a letter, reporting the experiences of participating in the campaign and expressing their determination to further contribute to poverty eradication. (Xinhua)

Chinese rescuers race to save workers trapped in mine accident

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Two miners have been rescued and 18 more remain trapped after a rock burst at a coal mine in East China's Shandong Province, local authorities said Sunday.

The burst happened at around 11:00 pm and destroyed part of a water drainage tunnel. 334 people were underground when the accident occurred.

312 were later lifted to safety, according to an expert with Shandong Energy Group, the mine’s owner.

The two miners who were rescued Sunday afternoon and were hospitalized. Two other miners have been confirmed dead.

The cause of the accident is under investigation. (Xinhua)

China unveils draft measures on individual income tax deductions

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Chinese authorities on Saturday unveiled temporary measures on special additional deductions for taxable personal income in an effort to collect public opinion in the next two weeks.

China's revised individual income tax law that came into force this month added special additional deductions on taxable income for children's education, continuing education, treatment for serious diseases, elderly care, and housing loan interests and rent.

The temporary deduction rules were made under the principles of being fair and reasonable, simple and easy to implement, effectively reducing burdens and improving lives, according to the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration. (Xinhua)

Taiwan train derailment inflicts heavy casualties

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At least 18 people died and another 171 injured as of 11 pm Sunday, after a passenger train derailed in Taiwan earlier in the afternoon, according to the island's railway authority.

The Puyuma Express No. 6432 bound for Taitung from Shulin Station with 366 passengers on board derailed at 4:50 ppm at Xinma Station, Yilan County.

All eight cars of the express train derailed, with at least three of them overturned. The cause of the derailment is still under investigation. (Xinhua)

Russian officials warn against US withdrawal from INF Treaty

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Russian officials said Sunday that the US statement on its intention to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty) could be seen as "blackmail," warning that cancelling the treaty would be very dangerous.

Head of the Russian Federation Council's International Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev warned that Washington's possible withdrawal from the treaty might cause its Western allies to take the same path, which could trigger a war.

On Saturday, US President Donald Trump said that Washington would pull out of the INF Treaty on account of Russia's alleged agreement breach. (Xinhua)

Murderers of Chinese nationals not to 'go unpunished': Central African president

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The murderers of three Chinese nationals in the Central African Republic (CAR) "will not go unpunished," Central African President Faustin-Archange Touadera said.

Touadera made the remarks during a recent meeting in Bangui with CAR Chinese Ambassador Chen Dong.

Touadera assured the criminal act "is not going to alter our will to continue working to improve our cooperation with China."

On October 4, three Chinese nationals were killed in Sosso-Nakombo in Southwestern CAR by local residents who believed the Chinese victims were responsible for the disappearance of one of their compatriots. (Xinhua)

Walmart aims to further expand in China

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Walmart opened its first China store in Shenzhen, Southern China's Guangdong Province in 1996.

Since then the US retailer has expanded its footprint in China and is eyeing greater market share.  

Daniel Shih, senior vice president of Walmart China told CGTN that Walmart is excited about the future of the country’s retail business.

"We plan to spend 300 million yuan ($42 million) to remodel and renovate our stores. We plan to open another 30 to 40 retail outlets, covering all formats, hypermarkets, supermarkets, and Sam's Clubs." (CGTN)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

What is the equatorial radius of earth?

(Answer:  The radius of Earth at the equator is 6,378 kilometers.)

Today’s quote is from Greek philosopher Xenophanes.

“It takes a wise man to recognize a wise man.”

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon, and Terry Guanlin Li.)