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Here are today's picks from our editors.
State Council releases vocational education reform implementation plan
China has vowed to cultivate more quality laborers and skilled workers by reforming its vocational education systems, according to a plan for implementing the reform issued by the State Council, or China's cabinet.
Vocational education and training systems will be reformed to match with science and technology development trends and market demands and to promote economic modernization and higher quality employment, the official documents note.
All sectors of society, especially enterprises, are encouraged to support the country's vocational education, it says, adding that major companies are welcome to run vocational schools and offer high-quality programs. (Xinhua)
Huawei ranks world's 3rd biggest chip buyer
Huawei Technologies Co. ranked the world's third-largest buyer of semiconductors in 2018, following Samsung Electronics Co. and Apple Inc, according to a recent report by US-based research firm Gartner Inc.
The Chinese tech company spent over $21 billion on semiconductor chips last year, accounting for 4.4 percent of the total world-wide market. It increased its chip spending by 45.2 percent.
Three other Chinese companies, Lenovo, BBK Electronic Co. and Xiaomi Corp., were also among the top 10 semiconductor buyers in 2018. (Xinhua)
Iran's IRGC confirms deadly terror attack in SE province
A suicide attack on a bus carrying security forces in Iran's southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan province on Wednesday killed dozens, said Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in a statement reported by the official IRNA news agency.
A car loaded with explosives was blasted near the bus carrying a unit of IRGC's Quds forces which led to the causalities, the statement said.
At least 20 were killed and 20 others were injured in the suicide attack that targeted the personnel of the IRGC in the Chanali area of Sistan and Baluchestan province.
According to local reports, Jaish al-Adl rebel group has claimed responsibility for the attack. (Xinhua)
China sees 225m air passenger trips with e-boarding passes in 2018
China has seen a total of 225 million air passenger trips use electronic e-boarding passes to take flights in 2018, according to statistics from the country's civil aviation authorities.
In 2018, 229 Chinese airports provided the mobile devices-based flight information query service, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).
By the end of 2018, there were about 40 Chinese airports that supported digital boarding passes. (Xinhua)
Chinese design titled world's "Most Beautiful Book"
Instead of using traditional printing paper to make a book, a Chinese publishing company used food wrapping paper and as a result, recently won the 2019 "Best Book Design from all over the World" competition held in Leipzig, Germany.
Old Trades of Jiangsu: A Glimpse, published by Jiangsu Phoenix Education Publishing Co., Ltd, highlights a disappearing group of people -- craftsmen from old trades.
An independent international jury, which convenes in February each year in Leipzig, selected 14 outstanding designed books from over 600 from 32 countries and regions. (Xinhua)
New Zealand to ban smoking in cars with children
The New Zealand government says it will prohibit smoking in cars with children to protect children's health.
Once the legislation is approved in parliament, police will be able to ask smokers to stop smoking in a car if children are present.
According to the severity of conditions, police will give people warnings or issue a fine of 50 New Zealand dollars ($33.7) to smokers including those vaping. (Xinhua)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
And now for the Question of the Day:
How many weeks are there in a leap year?
(Answer: 52 weeks and 2 days.)
Today's quote is from English author Samuel Johnson (1709-1784).
"The true art of memory is the art of attention."
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Brian Lowe, and Elaine Yue Lin.)