Fresh Start: Podcast News (12/19/2018 Wed.)
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Welcome to Fresh Start.

This is People’s Daily app.

Here are today’s picks from our editors. 

Xi stresses adhering to path of socialism with Chinese characteristics

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President Xi Jinping on Tuesday stressed staying on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics at a gathering commemorating the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up.

All the theories and practice of the Communist Party of China in the past 40 years of reform and opening-up are based on the theme of upholding and advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics, he said.

There is no textbook of golden rules to follow for reform and development in China, a country with over 5,000 years of civilization and more than 1.3 billion people, Xi said.

Socialism with Chinese characteristics provides a broad pathway for China to advance with the times and steer the course of development today, Xi said.

"We will resolutely reform what should and can be reformed and make no change where there should not and cannot be any reform," he said. (Xinhua) 

China gives 10 foreigners reform friendship medals

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China held a conference Tuesday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the country's reform and opening-up that has changed the destiny of the Chinese nation and influenced the world.

President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the event.

The Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council awarded individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the country's reform and opening-up. 100 Chinese received reform pioneer medals, while 10 foreigners received friendship medals.

The 10 foreigners recognized for their contributions made during China’s reform and opening-up include Alain Merieux, president of Foundation Merieux, Klaus Schwab, executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, and Panasonic founder Konosuke Matsushita. (People's Daily app) 

Trump directs Pentagon to create 'Space Command'

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US President Donald Trump on Tuesday ordered the creation of "Space Command," a new organizational structure within the Pentagon that will have overall control of military space operations.

The new command is separate from Trump's goal to build the new military branch "Space Force," although it could be a step in that direction. (AFP) 

Chinese UK Embassy issues biometrics visa

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Earlier this week, the Chinese Embassy in the UK issued its first biometrics visa to British-Cypriot economic Nobel Prize winner Christopher Pissarides.

Chinese ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, personally issued the visa to the Nobel Prize winner, currently a professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Biometrics technology can identify a human’s unique biological characteristics such as fingerprints, irises, and facial features.

 Since the 9-11 terrorist attacks in the US in 2001, numerous countries have moved to implement biometrics into their visa application process. (China Plus) 

Poll shows America less respected worldwide

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The US is less respected abroad today than it has been in the past, both from the views of international relations experts and the overall US public, according to a latest Pew Research Center survey.

Of the foreign affairs experts interviewed, 93 percent said the US is less respected by other countries compared with the past, according to the report released Monday.

The report, based on a survey carried out in October 2018 by the College of William and Mary, interviewed 1,157 experts.

Survey respondents included those from political science departments at US universities and colleges or other professional schools, as well as individuals who conduct research on international issues. (Xinhua) 

Messi wins record 5th Golden Shoe

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Lionel Messi has received his record fifth Golden Shoe award as Europe's top scorer for his performance during the last European football season.

The win also breaks the tie he shared with Juventus' striker Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Barcelona superstar scored 34 goals in the Spanish league, two more than the runner-up, Mohamed Salah of Liverpool.

The 31-year-old Argentine is Barcelona's all-time leading scorer with 572 goals in 655 appearances. (Xinhua) 

Cheek for check-in: Alibaba opens AI 'future hotel'

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Chinese Internet giant Alibaba on Tuesday opened a hotel loaded with artificial intelligence (AI) and robots, automating a series of procedures like check-in, light controls and room service.

FlyZoo Hotel, opened in Hangzhou, capital city of East China's Zhejiang Province, where Alibaba is headquartered, and is known as the company's first "Future Hotel.”

Guests can check-in by simply scanning their faces. The hotel’s facial recognition system also allows guests to use their faces as key cards to open doors and access other hotel services.

Hotel bookings and check-out procedures can also be done with a few clicks on a mobile phone app. (Xinhua)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

Where does the name “Boxing Day” come from?

(Answer: From the church alms boxes.)

Today’s quote is from Roman poet Ausonius (310-395).

“If fortune favors you do not be elated; if she frowns do not despond.”

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon and Elaine Yue Lin.)