Fresh Start: Podcast News (4/2/2020 Thu.)
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Welcome to Fresh Start.

This is People’s Daily app. 

Here are today’s picks from our editors.

US becomes first nation with more than 200,000 COVID-19 infections

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The United States became the first nation with more than 200,000 COVID-19 infections on Wednesday, according to a new tally from Johns Hopkins University.

As of Wednesday afternoon, a total of 203,608 confirmed cases have been reported in the United States, with 4,476 deaths, according to the university's Center for Systems Science and Engineering.

New York state has recorded 83,712 diagnoses and 1,941 deaths, both the highest among US states and territories, read the update. (Xinhua)

Taliban ready to begin cease-fires in virus-hit Afghan areas

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The Taliban said Wednesday the group was ready to declare a cease-fire in areas of Afghanistan under its control if they are hit by a coronavirus outbreak.

The announcement follows a UN Security Council statement Tuesday urging Afghanistan’s warring parties to heed the UN secretary-general’s call for an immediate cease-fire to respond to the pandemic and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid throughout the country.

The Taliban have also said they would guarantee the security of health and aid workers traveling to their areas offering assistance to prevent the spread of the new virus. (AP)

60 Australian newspapers to stop printing amid COVID-19 pandemic

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Rupert Murdoch's Australian flagship media group News Corp announced Wednesday it will stop printing around 60 regional newspapers, as the troubled sector received a fresh blow from a COVID-19 advertising downturn.

News Corp said papers in the states of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia would cease printing and move online.

The announcement follows a series of media closure announcements, including national wire AAP, which is due to cease work later this year. (AFP)

Firefighters continue to battle SW China forest fire

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Over 2,800 firefighters are still battling the forest fire in southwest China's Sichuan Province, local authorities said Wednesday.

As of Wednesday morning, apart from one frontline zone with a 5-km-long burning area, fires in the other areas have been basically contained, said Zhu Kang, an official with the city government.

The fire started on a local farm Monday afternoon and quickly spread to nearby mountains due to strong winds, according to the government of Xichang. On Tuesday, 19 people, including 18 firefighters and a local forest farmworker died while battling the fire. (Xinhua)

Trump claims Iran is planning 'sneak attack' on US forces in Iraq

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US President Donald Trump claimed Wednesday that Iran is planning a "sneak attack" against US forces in Iraq, without providing any evidence or sourcing for the assertion.

“Upon information and belief, Iran or its proxies are planning a sneak attack on US troops and/or assets in Iraq. If this happens, Iran will pay a very heavy price, indeed!” said Trump. (People's Daily app)

Wimbledon canceled for 1st time since WWII because of virus

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Wimbledon was canceled on Wednesday because of the coronavirus pandemic, the first time since World War II that the oldest Grand Slam tennis tournament won't be played.

Britain imposed a nationwide lockdown just over a week ago, and the All England Club announced after a two-day emergency meeting that the event it refers to simply as The Championships is being scrapped for 2020. That hadn't happened since 1945.

Wimbledon was scheduled to be played on the club's grass courts on the outskirts of London from June 29 to July 12.

Instead, the next edition of the tournament will be June 28 to July 11, 2021. (AP)

Taobao sold rocket by live broadcast for $6.7m

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Taobao, China's largest online shopping platform, sold a rocket by live broadcast on Wednesday, worth $6.71 million.

The rocket is the Kuaizhou-1A solid-fuel carrier rocket, made in Wuhan. Not only can buyers order to launch the rocket, but they can also decorate the rocket as they desire, visit the launch site, and command the launch.   

The deposit for the rocket was 500,000 yuan, and was sold out minutes after being auctioned online. The move led many netizens to initially believe it was an April Fool's Day joke. (Global Times)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

In Greek mythology, how many graces are there?

(Answer: Three.) 

Today’s quote is from French writer Madame de Stael (1766-1817).        

"Politeness is the art of choosing among your thoughts."

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Brian Lowe, and Elaine Yue Lin. Music by Eugene Loner.)