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This is People’s Daily app.
Here are today’s picks from our editors.
Xi calls for advancing political consultation in China
President Xi Jinping on Friday stressed upholding the system of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and improving the CPPCC work of political consultation, democratic oversight, and participation in and deliberation of state affairs.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at the Central Conference on CPPCC Work, which also marks the 70th anniversary of the CPPCC, in Beijing.
The president stressed the important role of the CPPCC in achieving the two goals before its 100th anniversary.
They are building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and to build China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, and harmonious.
Xi praised the work of the CPPCC during the past 70 years, noting that it fulfilled its duties with commitment to pursuing unity and democracy. (Xinhua)
China's first Yellow River tunnel begins construction
China on Friday started the shield excavation of its first tunnel across the Yellow River, according to China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC).
Located in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, the 15.76-meter diameter tunnel is the country's widest shield tunnel for both rail and road transport, said Li Penglin, a project leader from the CRCC, the main operator of the tunnel.
With a total length of 4.76 km, the tunnel contains two levels. A two-way six-lane highway is on the upper level and the lower level is reserved for rail transit, flues and escape channels, according to Li. (Xinhua)
Trump says US imposing sanctions on Iran's national bank
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that his country is imposing sanctions on Iran's national bank following attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities.
Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House, claimed that the new sanctions on Tehran are the "highest sanctions ever imposed on a country."
Washington has been indicating that Iran was behind Saturday's drone attacks on oil production facilities in eastern Saudi Arabia, a claim strongly denied by Tehran. (Xinhua)
Tunisia's ousted president Ben Ali dies aged 83
Ousted Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has died at the age of 83 in a hospital in Saudi Arabia, the official news agency Tunis Afrique Presse reported.
Ben Ali suffered poor health over the past few weeks which saw him admitted to the hospital in the city of Jeddah.
The former president had ruled Tunisia for 23 years, before fleeing to Saudi Arabia in early 2011 after mass protests erupted against his rule. (CGTN)
South Korea serial killer suspect identified after 33 years
South Korean police have identified a suspect in one of the country's most notorious serial murder cases more than 30 years after the first of 10 killings.
Between 1986 and 1991 a record number of police officers for a single case were mobilized to try to find the person who raped and murdered women in rural parts of Hwaseong, south of Seoul.
By using the latest forensic techniques, police have identified Lee Chun-jae, 56, as a suspect in at least three of the killings.
The suspect is currently serving a life sentence for raping and murdering his sister-in-law in 1994 but denies involvement in the Hwaseong murders and the statute of limitations has expired, meaning he will not be prosecuted. (Xinhua)
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio drops 2020 presidential bid
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio ended his campaign for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination Friday after struggling to gain traction in a sprawling field of candidates.
Announcing his decision in an MSNBC interview, de Blasio did not throw his support behind any candidate but said he would support the eventual Democratic nominee "with energy." (AP)
About 75 people gather at Area 51 gate, 1 person arrested
About 75 people arrived early Friday at a gate at the once-secret Area 51 military base in Nevada — at the time appointed by an internet hoaxster to “storm” the facility to see space aliens — and one person was arrested, authorities said.
The “Storm Area 51” invitation spawned festivals in the tiny Nevada towns of Rachel and Hiko nearest the military site. Lincoln County Sheriff Kerry Lee estimated that about 1,500 people had gathered at the festival sites. (AP)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
And now for the Question of the Day:
Name the school that Harry Potter attended?
(Answer: Hogwarts.)
Today's quote is from Roman poet Lucretius (94 BC - 55 BC).
"The fall of dropping water wears away the stone."
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Brian Lowe, Elaine Yue Lin and Paris Yelu Xu. Music by Eugene Loner.)