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Welcome to Fresh Start!
This is People’s Daily app.Here are today’s picks from our editors.
China's US bond holdings show biggest seven-year increase
China remains the largest US bondholder, ahead of Japan.
China's total foreign exchange holdings climbed to $3.16 trillion in January, an increase for the 12th consecutive month.
Bloomberg News reported in January that China was considering slowing or halting the purchase of US Treasuries amid rising trade tensions between the two countries. (Global Times)
Losar: Tibet’s biggest holiday
For 2018, the Tibetan New Year and the Chinese New Year fell on the same day.
As the most important holiday on the Tibetan calendar, Losar is celebrated over a two-week period.
Families enjoy preparing and eating a big meal together to usher in the New Year. It is the most important family meal of the year.
In some parts of the region, Losar celebrations include throwing Zanba, a local food made with barley flour, into the air to show respect to god. (CGTN)
China bags silver and bronze in women’s aerials
China’s Zhang Xin won silver and Kong Fanyu claimed the bronze in the women’s free-style ski event after making it through a crash-ridden final round.
The 32-year-old Zhang earned 95.52 points in the final to take the silver, while her teammate Kong Fanyu won bronze with 70.14.
Hanna Huskova of Belarus posted 96.14 points to win the gold.
2014 Sochi silver medalist Xu Mengtao scored 91 points to take second early on in the three-round final but was eliminated after crashing during her second jump. (People’s Daily app)
Team China celebrates Spring Festival at PyeongChang
On Thursday, China House in PyeongChang hosted their own New Year’s Eve gala to welcome the beginning of the Year of the Dog.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach was in attendance and expressed his holiday greetings to China’s Olympians.
Bach said 2018 is a “very important year for Chinese sports" with the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games in sight, which he hopes "China can make even stronger, even bigger and even more universal.” (CGTN)
Trump offers Lunar New Year greetings
On Friday, US President Donald Trump released a statement, sending his greetings and best wishes for a Happy Lunar New Year.
Trump noted the diversity of the Asian-American population, recognizing what he called the “countless contributions to our national unity and makeup” that they have made.
"It is not difficult to notice how deeply they cherish a rich heritage and emphasize the importance of sacred traditions and familial ties," read Trump’s statement.
"The American people join with those in Asia and around the world in welcoming the Year of the Dog," said Trump. (Xinhua)
Telltale internet message may have foreshadowed Florida school massacre
The 19-year-old male accused of shooting 17 people to death at a Florida high school legally purchased the assault rifle used in the killings, and may have foreshadowed the attack in a social media comment investigated by the FBI last year, authorities said on Thursday.
New details about the troubled background and gun ownership of the suspect, Nikolas Cruz, emerged as he appeared in court to face formal charges of carrying out the second-deadliest mass shooting at a public school in US history. (Reuters)
Roger Federer claims extraordinary new piece of history
Federer dropped the first set of his quarterfinal against world No. 42 Robin Haase at Rotterdam, but played flawlessly from that point to claim a 4-6 6-1 6-1 victory.
Of all the records the Swiss maestro broke or extended with his return to the world No. 1 tennis ranking, one in particular stands out.
At age 36, he will overtake Andre Agassi as the oldest No. 1 by three years.
Federer will reclaim the top spot after a record gap of five years and 106 days when rankings are updated on Monday. (AP)
No room for puppies at China’s Year of the Dog box-office blitz
The Spring Festival box-office holiday season is officially underway in China, and just as anticipated, this year is shaping up to be the biggest money-maker ever.
Kicking off Year of The Dog in high competitive fashion, holiday tentpole offerings include, “The Monkey King 3," military-action film "Operation Red Sea," detective comedy "Detective Chinatown 2" and the sequel to one of the highest-grossing Chinese films ever made, "Monster Hunt.”
It was reported the “Monster Hunt” sequel earned close to $32 million in advance sales, setting a new record for presale revenue. (China.org.cn)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
Today’s quote is from the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore:
“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.”
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Lance Crayon, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Serena Na Ma, and Regina Barna.)
