Fresh Start: Podcast News (4/29/2020 Wed.)
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Welcome to Fresh Start.

This is People’s Daily app. 

Here are today’s picks from our editors.

US confirms COVID-19 toll hits 1 million

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The number of COVID-19 cases in the United States topped 1 million Tuesday afternoon, reaching 1,002,498, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.

According to the tally, a total of 57,266 deaths related to the disease have been recorded in the country.

New York remains the hardest-hit state, with 291,996 cases and 22,668 deaths, followed by New Jersey where 111,188 cases and 6,442 deaths have been reported. (Xinhua)

UK mourns ‘fallen’ front-line workers, expands virus testing

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The UK held a minute’s silence Tuesday for all front-line workers who have died from the coronavirus.

As clocks struck 11am, senior political leaders, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, joined hospital and nursing home staff in observing the silence. London’s transport networks came to a halt as workers honored colleagues who have died from COVID-19, and the bells of Westminster Abbey went silent.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said 85 front-line workers in the National Health Service had died from the virus, while another 19 have died in care homes.

“These are the nation’s fallen heroes and we will remember them,” Hancock said at the government’s daily briefing. (AP)

China offers global students free online courses amid COVID-19 epidemic

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China launched an international online teaching service Tuesday, offering 193 online college courses for global students for free amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic.

Entitled iCourse, the online teaching service was established under the guidance of China's Ministry of Education.

A total of 60 high-quality Chinese universities and colleges have uploaded their courses in fields including medicine and epidemic containment, economics, natural science, art, engineering and agriculture to iCourse. (Xinhua)

French shops to reopen on May 11

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Shops and markets can reopen when France's coronavirus lockdown eases on May 11, though schools will resume classes only gradually and face masks will be compulsory on public transport, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said Tuesday.

Philippe told parliament that home confinement had helped brake the epidemic and prevented tens of thousands of deaths, but the economy now had to be reopened. 

"We will have to learn to live with the virus," he said, since no vaccine or proven treatment is yet available. (AFP)

Next year's Olympics will be cancelled if pandemic not over

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The postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics will have to be cancelled if the coronavirus pandemic isn't brought under control by next year, the organizing committee's president said in comments published Tuesday.

The pandemic has already forced a year-long delay of the Games -- which are now scheduled to open on July 23, 2021 -- but Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori said no further postponement was possible.

In an interview with Japan's Nikkan Sports daily, Mori was categorical when asked if the Olympics could be delayed until 2022 if the pandemic remains a threat next year, replying: "No."

"In that case, it's cancelled," Mori said. (AFP)

Italy warns against mafia's dangerous appeal during epidemic

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Italy's mafia is using the COVID-19 epidemic to expand its influence, experts and authorities have warned, as people struggle to get daily necessities or keep their business afloat after weeks of lockdown measures.

Italian news reports have mentioned mafia groups such as the Camorra in Naples delivering food and other necessities to those in need, as well as handing out loans to struggling businesses.

In return, mafia will be asking people to register a company, stash a gun, or help move drugs, said Federico Cafiero De Raho, Italy's anti-mafia and counter-terrorism public prosecutor. (CGTN)

Pentagon releases 'UFO' videos taken by US Navy pilots

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The Pentagon has officially released three videos taken by US Navy pilots showing mid-air encounters with what appear to be UFOs.

One of videos was shot in November 2004 and the other two in January 2015.

In one, the weapons sensor operator appears to lose lock on a rapidly moving oblong object which seconds later suddenly accelerates away to the left and out of view.

Retired US Navy pilot David Fravor who saw one of the "UFOs" in 2004 said that "As I got close to it ... it rapidly accelerated to the south, and disappeared in less than two seconds." (AFP)

Thanks for listening, and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

Which acid is present in vinegar?

(Answer: Acetic acid.)

Today’s quote is from Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519). 

"The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art."

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