This is People’s Daily Tonight, your news source from China.

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Xi congratulates Indian PM Modi on party's election victory

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the victory of his Bharatiya Janata Party in the general elections.

In a congratulatory message, Xi pointed out that China and India are important neighbors to each other and are the world's two largest developing countries and emerging economies.

Xi also attached great importance to the development of China-India relations, and said he will continue to work with Modi to guide the development directions of the bilateral relations, enhance mutual political trust, expand pragmatic cooperation and promote the closer developmental partnership between the two countries to a new height.(Xinhua) 

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SpaceX rocket brings first batch of 60 internet satellites into space

SpaceX on Thursday launched a rocket containing the first 60 satellites of its "Starlink" constellation, which is intended to provide internet from space and could one day number 12,000 satellites.

SpaceX, the private rocket company of high-tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, is now looking to seize a chunk of the future space internet market.

Each satellite weighs just 227 kilograms (500 pounds) and was built in-house in Redmond, near Seattle.

Starlink will become operational once 800 satellites have been activated, which will require a dozen more launches.(AFP)

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S. Korea eyes innovation, coexistence of fintech, financial companies

South Korea was eyeing the innovation and coexistence of fintech and financial firms as the government of President Moon Jae-in sought to foster the fintech industry.

The move serves as one of new growth drivers to encourage the innovation of the existing banking sector.

The Financial Services Commission, the country's financial regulator, held the first fintech fair in Seoul Thursday, bringing together hundreds of businessmen from fintech and financial companies and officials from foreign financial regulators and international organizations. The fair would last till Saturday.(Xinhua)

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China voices concerns on US moves in Straits

Beijing has conveyed its concern to Washington over US Navy ships' latest voyage through the Taiwan Straits, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said on Thursday.

China paid close attention to the US naval ships' movement in the Straits and monitored the entire process, Lu said at a regular news conference in Beijing.

"The Taiwan question is the most important and most sensitive part of China-US relations," he said. "We urge the US to adhere to the one-China policy and the three joint communiques between the two countries, and to handle Taiwan-related issues prudently and properly to avoid having a negative impact on China-US relations as well as to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits," Lu said.(Chinadaily)

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AI major approved for 35 Chinese universities

The Ministry of Education Friday has approved 35 universities to set up an artificial intelligence major and some of them, including Peking and Tsinghua universities, will recruit students this year.

It will be the first time for the AI major to recruit students independently this year, as 10 million students will sit for the national college entrance exam, or gaokao, next month and most will select future majors soon.

The establishment of a new major has reflected the demand for talent in society. In February, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security published a list of 15 new careers, including AI engineers and technicians.(Chinadaily)

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US files 17 new charges against WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange

The US Justice Department said on Thursday that it has filed 17 new charges against WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange, including receiving and unlawfully publishing classified military and diplomatic documents in 2010.

He was accused of violating the US Espionage Act. However, multiple US media outlets say the new charges could set a dangerous precedent for journalists.

The new counts include one of conspiracy to receive national defense information, three of obtaining national defense information and 13 of disclosure of national defense information. Australian-born Assange, 47, faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each of the new counts if convicted.(Xinhua)

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Boat accident leaves 10 dead, 8 missing in southwest China

Ten people have been confirmed dead and eight others remained missing after a boat capsized on a river in southwest China's Guizhou Province Thursday afternoon, according to local authorities Friday.

Rescuers composed of police, emergency response officers, people from local transport and health departments are searching for the missing, and trying to lift up the capsized boat.

The vessel had 29 people on board when it capsized Thursday, and eleven of them have been rescued.(People's Daily app)

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

(Produced by Bai Yuanqi and Huang Jingjing)