People's Daily Tonight: Podcast News (1/15/2019 Tue.)
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This is People's Daily Tonight, your news source from China. 

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Xi: China, Finland to team up

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Chinese President Xi Jinping said China and Finland should make joint efforts to set an example of winter sports cooperation.

Xi made the remarks in his meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. 

As the two presidents looked on, their countries signed a number of cooperation documents.

Xi said there is great potential for the two countries to enhance winter sports cooperation, adding that the winter sports year will inject new impetus for people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. (China Daily)

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Beijing's imperial park restored to prepare for UNESCO list

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Beijing's imperial Jingshan Park is advancing the restoration of ancient buildings, as part of the city's efforts in getting its iconic central axis into UNESCO's world cultural heritage list.

Located immediately north of the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park is a major component of Beijing's central axis. 

To date, the park has demolished more than 1,000 square meters of non-heritage buildings and restored over 400 square meters of ancient buildings. (China Daily)

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First sprout grown on the Moon's surface by China's Chang'e-4

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The biological payload on the Chang'e-4 spacecraft released the latest test photos.

The photos show that the cotton seeds for the test have sprouted.

That shows Chang’e-4 completed the first ever biological experiment on the Moon's surface.

The sprout will continue to grow and is expected to grow its first green leaf soon.

This is the first plant shoot to grow on the Moon after experiencing severe environmental tests that included low gravity, strong radiation and a high temperature difference on the Moon.

Six organism samples are included in the biological payload. (People’s Daily app)

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Iran says it's launched a satellite that didn't reach orbit

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Iran on Tuesday conducted one of at least two satellite launches it plans despite criticism from the United States, but the satellite failed to reach orbit, an official said.

The rocket carrying the Payam satellite failed to reach the "necessary speed" in the third stage of its launch.

The official said the rocket had successfully passed its first and second stages before developing problems in the third. He did not elaborate on what caused the rocket failure, but promised that Iranian scientists would continue their work. (AP)

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Australian state to pump oxygen into rivers as fish die

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An Australian state government announced plans to mechanically pump oxygen into lakes and rivers.

This, after hundreds of thousands of fish have died in heatwave conditions.

Up to a million dead fish were found floating last week in the Darling River in western New South Wales state.

The state government announced that 1,800 more rotting fish had since been found in Lake Hume in the state's south.

Experts blame heatwave conditions across much of Australia and drought for starving waterways of oxygen. (AP)

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China raises retail fuel prices

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China will raise the retail prices of gasoline and diesel starting Tuesday.

Based on changes in international oil prices, the retail prices of both gasoline and diesel will be increased by 105 yuan (about $15.5) per tonne, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

It will be the first rise in retail fuel prices this year and comes after five consecutive cuts.

But experts predict that international oil prices are less likely to continue upward movement as the momentum for global economic recovery weakens and oil demand ebbs. (Xinhua)

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South Korea defense report doesn't refer to North as enemy

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And South Korea stopped calling North Korea an "enemy" in its biennial defense document.

This, as an apparent effort to continue reconciliation with Pyongyang.

The development comes as US and North Korean leaders are looking to set up their second summit to defuse an international standoff over the North's nuclear program.

South Korea's defense ministry white paper doesn't include typical terms labeling North Korea its "enemy, "present enemy" or "main enemy.”

South Korea first called North Korea a "main enemy" in its 1995 document, a year after North Korea threatened to turn Seoul into "sea of fire." (AP)

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And that’s People’s Daily Tonight.  Thanks for joining us.

(Produced by David Nye and Bai Yuanqi)