Fresh Start: Podcast News (4/5/2019 Fri.)

Welcome to Fresh Start.

This is People's Daily app.

Here are today's picks from our editors.

China holds memorial service for deceased in forest fire

A memorial service was held in Xichang, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Thursday morning for 30 people who died while fighting a forest fire.

Party and state leaders, including President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, Premier Li Keqiang and Vice Premier Han Zheng, sent wreaths to pay their respect.

State Councilor Wang Yong attended the service on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and State Council and extended condolences to the families of the deceased.

The 30 people, including 27 firefighters and three locals, were recognized as martyrs by the Ministry of Emergency Management and the Sichuan provincial government.

Wang said the martyrs are "role models in the new era."

More than 3,000 members of the public attended the service. (Xinhua)

China, Philippines conclude fruitful dialogue on South China Sea issues

China and the Philippines have wrapped up talks on the South China Sea issue and maritime activities in a friendly and constructive manner, and achieved fruitful outcomes, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said Thursday.

Issues related to the South China Sea are not the sum total of Sino-Philippine relations, Geng said, stressing both sides should not exclude mutually beneficial cooperation in other fields.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to addressing disputes by peaceful means through friendly consultations and negotiations by sovereign states directly concerned, Geng added. (CGTN)

China's national maritime museum to open to public in 2019

China's first national maritime museum is scheduled to open to the public this year, with venue construction entering the home stretch, local authorities said.

The museum is located in the Binhai New Area of North China's Tianjin Municipality. Covering an area of 150,000 square meters, the 3-story museum, with one upper story in some parts, will be free for visitors.

The six sections in the 23,000-square-meter exhibition hall cover a wide range of themes including Chinese marine culture and history, marine ecology and environment, science education and interactive programs. (Xinhua) 

China releases 13 new professions to keep pace with economic upgrade

China has released 13 new professions to keep pace with economic and technological development, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MHRSS).

The 13 new professions, jointly released by the ministry, State Administration for Market Regulation and National Bureau of Statistics, include artificial intelligence (AI) technicians, Internet of Things (IOT) technicians, big data and cloud computing technicians, electronic sports specialists, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) pilots, agricultural managers, industrial robot system operators, among others. (Xinhua) 

Former foreign minister George Vella named Malta's new president

Maltese former foreign minister George Vella was named the country's new president on Thursday, taking over from Marie Louise Coleiro Preca who was one of Europe's few female ceremonial heads of state.

Vella was nominated by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and the choice was approved by parliament. His tenure will span five years. (CGTN) 

Christchurch gunman faces 50 murder charges

The alleged gunman of the Christchurch terrorist attack will face 50 murder charges and 39 attempted murder charges, New Zealand police said Thursday.

Brenton Tarrant will appear in Christchurch High Court on Friday. The police said other charges are still under consideration.

The 28-year-old Australian gunman is now in custody at New Zealand's only maximum security prison in Paremoremo, Auckland. He will appear in court through an audio-visual link from prison. (Xinhua) 

Bezos ex-wife to surrender 75 percent of couple's Amazon shares

MacKenzie Bezos, ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, announced Thursday they had finalized their divorce, and that she would surrender 75 percent of the couple's shares in the tech giant.

MacKenzie Bezos also said she would give all of her stake in The Washington Post and the space exploration firm Blue Origin to her ex-husband, as well as voting control of her remaining Amazon shares.

In a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Amazon said MacKenzie Bezos now controls four percent of the company's outstanding common stock. (AFP) 

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

Which garden is considered to be among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World?

(Answer: The Hanging Gardens of Babylon.)

Today's quote is from Austrian composer Gustav Mahler (1860-1911).

"With the coming of spring, I am calm again."

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon, Elaine Yue Lin, and Chelle Wenqian Zeng. Music by Eugene Loner.)