Erinome: Hello dear friends, and welcome back to our show. Today, we have a very sad and serious topic to talk about.

Enceladus: That's right, Erinome. We are going to talk about the huge fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong. It's a real tragedy.

Erinome: I saw the pictures online. The air in Tai Po still smells like burnt plastic, even days later.

Enceladus: Yes, and the building... it looks like a giant, black skeleton. The green safety nets are all gone, just black marks on the walls.

Erinome: It’s so scary to look at. The fire was put out, but for the people who lived there, the nightmare is just beginning.

Enceladus: The news updates are heartbreaking. The latest numbers from the Hong Kong government are much worse than the first reports.

Erinome: How bad is it now?

Enceladus: As of November 30th, the fire has caused 146 deaths and 79 injuries. And you know what? There are still 100 people missing.

Erinome: Oh no. 146 people... that is a huge number. And 100 people still missing? That's terrifying.

Enceladus: It is. The police and firefighters are still searching the buildings. They hope to finish searching all the homes soon.

Erinome: I really hope they can find them. So, what caused the fire to be so terrible? At first, I heard it was the bamboo scaffolding.

Enceladus: Well, that was part of it. But the police investigation found something much worse. The real problem was a cheap type of foam.

Erinome: Foam? What kind of foam?

Enceladus: It's called "fa pao jiao". The construction company used this foam to seal the windows to stop dust. But this foam is very, very easy to burn.

Erinome: Wow. So when the bamboo caught fire, this foam became fuel?

Enceladus: Exactly. It helped the fire spread very fast and made a lot of black, poisonous smoke. It trapped people in their homes.

Erinome: That sounds like a death trap. This wasn't an accident, it sounds like murder, as one resident said.

Enceladus: The police think so too. They have arrested 11 people now, not just three like the first news said.

Erinome: 11 people! Who are they?

Enceladus: They include site managers and also two senior directors of the engineering company. The ICAC is also investigating.

Erinome: The ICAC? You mean the anti-corruption agency?

Enceladus: Yes. They think there might be corruption in the 330 million Hong Kong dollar repair project. Maybe that's why they used such cheap and dangerous materials.

Erinome: This makes me so angry. They put money before people's lives. What about the victims?

Enceladus: This is maybe the saddest part. Wang Fuk Court is a community with many old people. Almost 40% of the residents are over 65.

Erinome: So many of them were at home in the afternoon when the fire started.

Enceladus: Yes, and many of them couldn't move easily. And there's another group of victims... the foreign domestic helpers.

Erinome: Oh, the helpers. What happened to them?

Enceladus: The Indonesian consulate confirmed that at least 7 Indonesian helpers died. They died trying to help their employers escape.

Erinome: How heroic and how tragic. They died trying to save others. My heart breaks for them and their families.

Enceladus: And one firefighter also died. His name was He Weihao. He was only 37 and was going to get married next month.

Erinome: Sad. This is just layer upon layer of sadness. What about the people who survived? Where are they now?

Enceladus: They are in temporary shelters. But they have lost everything. Their homes are gone, their belongings are gone. They have no home and no assets.

Erinome: I can't even imagine. What is the government doing to help them?

Enceladus: The government has promised to give them free places to live until their homes are rebuilt. They are also giving each family some money for living expenses.

Erinome: That's good to hear, but money can't heal the pain.

Enceladus: You are right. There are also many psychological problems. The articles call them "invisible scars".

Erinome: Invisible scars? What do you mean?

Enceladus: Survivors can't sleep. They keep seeing the fire and the smoke in their minds. They feel guilty for surviving when others didn't.

Erinome: That's called survivor's guilt, right? It must be a heavy burden.

Enceladus: Yes. And it's not just the survivors. The firefighters are also suffering. They saw terrible things and feel sad they couldn't save more people.

Erinome: Of course. They are heroes, but they are also human. They must be getting help, I hope?

Enceladus: Yes, they are. The government has arranged a "one household, one social worker" plan to help each family. Psychologists are also helping the firefighters.

Erinome: That's very important. And what about the community? Are people in Hong Kong helping?

Enceladus: Oh, yes. The community support is amazing. People are donating food, clothes, and money. Volunteers are helping at the shelters.

Erinome: It's good to see people coming together in such a dark time.

Erinome: Hello dear friends, and welcome back to our show! I'm Erinome.

Enceladus: And I'm Enceladus. We're here to share some of the latest news with you. Let's see what's happening.

Erinome: Okay, let's start with some very sad news from Hong Kong. A terrible fire in Da Pu has led to 128 deaths and 83 injuries. Oh no, it's just awful. And they say 150 people are still missing.

Enceladus: That is heartbreaking. So many people affected. And I see there's an update on the investigation. The Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption has arrested three more people, bringing the total number of arrests to 11.

Erinome: Well, in response to this tragedy, there has been a lot of support. The China Social Welfare Foundation announced an update on its fundraising. Nearly one million people have donated. Wow.

Enceladus: That's amazing to see people coming together to help. And the Hong Kong government also said that donations and government funds have reached 1.1 billion Hong Kong dollars. That's a lot of money to help the victims.

Erinome: Yes, it is. Moving on to some health news. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention says that the rate of positive flu tests in the country is now close to 45%. This means we are at a medium level of flu season overall.

Enceladus: 45%? Wow, that's quite high. And it says some provinces have even reached a high level. Everyone should be careful and take care of their health.

Erinome: Definitely. Now for some economic news. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs reported that in the first 10 months of the year, retail sales of consumer goods in rural areas reached 5.5 trillion yuan.

Enceladus: 5.5 trillion! And you know what's interesting? The report says this is a 4.6% increase from last year. This growth is 0.4 percentage points higher than in the cities. It seems the countryside is spending more.

Erinome: That is interesting. And speaking of movement, the Ministry of Transport shared some data too. In the same 10 months, the number of cross-regional passenger trips in China was 56.88 billion.

Enceladus: 56.88 billion trips! That's a huge number. It's a 3.6% increase compared to last year. People are really traveling a lot.

Erinome: They are. Now, let's talk about a new policy. Several provinces have made it clear that areas with weaker financial situations should be very careful about offering new or increased subsidies for raising children.

Enceladus: Um, that makes sense. If a local government doesn't have enough money, it's probably wise not to make new promises for spending.

Erinome: I agree. Here's another new rule, this one from the central bank and other departments. Starting next year, when you withdraw more than 50,000 yuan in cash, you will no longer need to register the purpose of the withdrawal.

Enceladus: Oh, really? So it will be easier to take out your own money. That sounds like a convenient change for many people.

Erinome: It does. And here's a notice for people who ride electric bikes. From December 1st, the old standard electric bikes will no longer be sold.

Enceladus: You know that? I heard about this. The new national standard requires that all new bikes have 3C certification. And for safety, the motor will stop providing power when the speed goes over 25 kilometers per hour.

Erinome: That sounds like a good safety feature. Now, let's look at the markets. The international price of gold went up by 4.3% in one week. And November was the fourth month in a row that it has increased.

Enceladus: Wow. And it's not just gold. The price of silver has reached a new record high. It says the price has gone up by almost 90% this year. That is a huge increase!

Erinome: It really is. Now for some travel news related to Japan. In December, 904 flights from China to Japan have been canceled.

Enceladus: 904 flights? That's a lot. And travel agencies are saying that almost all group tours from China to Japan have been canceled. Also, about 40% of individual travel bookings have been canceled too.

Erinome: And there's more news from Japan. A Japanese media outlet reports that Tohoku University plans to increase tuition fees for foreign students by 70%. The university said this is to make a "distinction" between them and Japanese students.

Enceladus: 70% more? That's a big price difference. It will make studying there much more expensive for international students.

Erinome: Moving on to news from the United States. According to US media, former President Trump has announced that all documents signed by President Biden using an "auto-signature pen" are immediately no longer effective.

Enceladus: Okay, that's an unusual announcement. Also from the US, media reports say that the country has stopped issuing visas to individuals holding Afghan passports. And the US Treasury Secretary said they are working to cut off federal benefits for illegal immigrants.

Enceladus: Hello dear friends! Welcome to our podcast. I'm Enceladus, and with me today is Erinome. Today, we’re going to talk about a super interesting question: Why is donating 400ml of blood totally safe, but losing 400ml of blood in an accident can be really dangerous? Erinome, have you ever thought about this?  

Erinome: Oh, yes! I saw this question online last week, and I was so confused. Like, 400ml is 400ml—why the big difference?  

Enceladus: Let’s start with blood donation first. Do you know what happens before someone donates blood?  

Erinome: Um… I think they check if you’re healthy, right? Like, your body must be okay to donate.  

Enceladus: Exactly! The news says before donating, doctors check your blood pressure and blood tests. They make sure you’re a healthy person—no big illnesses. Only healthy people can donate, you know?  

Erinome: That makes sense. And how do they take the blood? Fast or slow?  

Enceladus: Slow! It’s a “slow operation” in the hospital or a blood donation car. The 400ml is taken slowly, so your body has time to adjust. For example, your blood vessels can get smaller, and body fluids can fill the space. So your heart and brain still get enough blood.  

Erinome: Oh! So 400ml is about 8% of an adult’s total blood. That’s not too much, and the slow process helps the body adjust.  

Enceladus: Yes! And after donating, they even give you snacks—like bread, ham, milk. Some people get a纪念包 (jinian bao)—a gift bag! I read a story: a person was very poor when young. They had only 10 yuan for a week, eating馒头 (mantou) and pickles. Then their friend donated blood and got a pink bag, bread, and milk. They wanted the bag, so they donated too!  

Erinome: Oh wow! That’s a sad but cute story. Did they donate a lot?  

Enceladus: Yes! They donated 2000ml in total, but in small parts—like 200ml, then 200ml, then 400ml each time. They were young, so after donating, they could even go shopping! No problem at all.  

Erinome: That’s amazing. And they’re still friends now, right? The story said the friend bought them螃蟹 (pangxie) this year!  

Enceladus: Aww, yes! Hard times make good friends. Now, let’s talk about losing blood in an accident. Why is that different?  

Erinome: I think it’s sudden! Like, if you get a big cut, the blood comes out fast, not slow.  

Enceladus: Exactly! The news calls it “uncontrollable”. For example, if you have a wound from an accident, 400ml might be lost in just a few minutes. Your body can’t adjust that fast.  

Erinome: Oh no! So your blood pressure drops suddenly. What happens then?  

Enceladus: Your brain and heart need blood to work. If they don’t get enough, you’ll feel dizzy, maybe pass out. If you don’t get help quickly, it could be dangerous.  

Erinome: That sounds scary. Are there other reasons? Like, does the accident bring more problems?  

Enceladus: Yes! When you lose blood in an accident, there’s usually a wound. The wound might get infected, or you might hurt your organs. It’s like “snow adding to frost”—making the danger worse.  

Erinome: Oh right! So donating blood is just losing blood, but losing blood in an accident has other injuries. That makes it more dangerous.  

Enceladus: Exactly! And another thing: people who donate are healthy—no other illnesses. But people who lose blood in accidents might have other health problems, so their bodies can’t handle it as well.  

Erinome: I remember another story: a student tried to donate 300ml, but fainted at 220ml. Why?  

Enceladus: Oh, maybe because everyone’s body is different. The news says young people can donate, but they should “know their limits”. Like, if you’re too thin or not feeling well that day, you might not handle it.  

Erinome: So even with donation, we need to be careful. But overall, donation is safe for healthy people.  

Enceladus: Yes! Because it’s controllable: healthy, slow, with doctors watching. But losing blood is uncontrollable: sudden, fast, with wounds. That’s the big difference.  

Erinome: So to sum up: donating 400ml is safe because it’s planned, slow, and for healthy people. Losing 400ml is dangerous because it’s sudden, fast, and often with other injuries.  

Enceladus: That’s right! So next time someone asks, you can say: “Controllable vs Uncontrollable!”  

Erinome: Haha, easy to remember! And donating blood helps others—it’s a good thing. Just follow the doctors’ advice.  

Enceladus: Exactly! Okay, dear friends, that’s all for today. We hope you learned something new. Remember: donate blood safely, and stay safe from sudden blood loss. Thanks for listening, and we’ll talk again next time! Bye!  

Erinome: Bye!

Erinome: Hello dear friends! Welcome to our daily news talk. I'm Erinome, and sitting next to me is Enceladus. Let's see what's happening around the world today, shall we?  

Enceladus: Sure! First, the weather news. The Central Meteorological Observatory kept issuing sandstorm and strong wind warnings. More than 10 provinces have sand and dust weather, and some areas in western Inner Mongolia and northwestern Gansu even have sandstorms. Oh no, that sounds bad for people there.  

Erinome: Yeah, hope everyone stays safe. Next, health news. The CDC said the whole country has entered a fast-rising stage of flu, and flu activity has reached a medium流行 level. So we need to wear masks and wash hands more, right?  

Enceladus: Totally! Now, some fun news—"Zootopia 2" was released, and its first-day box office broke 213 million yuan. It became the single-day box office champion of imported animated films in China's movie history. Wow, that's a big success!  

Erinome: Haha, I want to watch it soon! Tech news now: Apple's first foldable phone was exposed. The price may be 2399 US dollars, and it's expected to come out in 2026. That's really expensive, um, will you buy it?  

Enceladus: Maybe not, too pricey! Next, about airlines. 10 airlines were talked to because the locked seat rate in economy class was over 38% on average. Unlocking seats became a hidden charge, and they need to hand in a整改 report in 15 days. That's not good for passengers.  

Erinome: Right, should be fair. Then, the medical insurance bureau revealed a bribe case about stents and balloons. The kickback for each stent was 5000 yuan, and for each balloon 800 yuan. Oh no, that's terrible for patients.  

Enceladus: So bad! Now, a metro incident. Netizens took videos of several Indians eating curry-flavored pies in Shanghai Metro. Shanghai Metro customer service responded: you can't eat in the carriage, and they will check the situation.  

Erinome: Yeah, eating in metro is not allowed. Next, tourism news: fewer Chinese tourists, so Japan's tourism may face the "coldest" Spring Festival. A hotel in Hokkaido had a lot of cancellations in 5 days.  

Enceladus: Sad for their tourism. Also, many Chinese citizens in Japan reported being insulted and beaten for no reason, getting hurt. Our embassy in Japan reminded Chinese citizens again to pay attention to personal safety.  

Erinome: Stay safe everyone there. Now, UN news: the UN started the selection process for the next Secretary-General, calling on countries to consider recommending female candidates. That's a good idea!  

Enceladus: Yeah, more women leaders! Finally, US news: American media said US national parks are using "America First" pricing. Foreign tourists' prices double, and they need to pay extra besides the standard ticket. Hmm, that's interesting.  

Erinome: Okay, that's it for today's news. Thanks for listening, and let's talk again next time! Bye!  

Enceladus: Bye bye!

Erinome: Hello everyone! Welcome to our podcast. I'm Erinome, and sitting next to me is Enceladus. Today we have a really sad story to talk about—a man died in a hotel because his life-saving medicine was left at the front desk for 5 hours. Let's start, Enceladus. Do you know what happened first?  

Enceladus: Oh no, that sounds terrible. Let me try. So, there was a 51-year-old man, Mr. Hu, staying at a hotel called Yasi Te in Wuhan. One morning, he felt sick and called his friend Han Shun to bring him medicine, right?  

Erinome: Yes, that's right. Mr. Hu called Han Shun at 9:19 AM. The medicine was in another friend's fridge, and Han Shun went to get it right away. He arrived at the hotel front desk at 9:40 AM—only 21 minutes later! That's really fast.  

Enceladus: Wow, 21 minutes is quick. But then what? Why didn't Mr. Hu get the medicine?  

Erinome: Here's the problem. Han Shun tried to call Mr. Hu, but no one answered. So he asked the front desk for help. He said, "This is medicine for a guest surnamed Hu, three-character name, checked in last night. Can you help find his room and give it to him?"  

Enceladus: Did the front desk help?  

Erinome: No, they didn't. The front desk said they couldn't give out guest info because of privacy. They told Han Shun to call Mr. Hu himself. Han Shun called six or seven times, still no answer. He left the medicine at the front desk and left, thinking Mr. Hu would come down later.  

Enceladus: Oh no! So the medicine just stayed there? For how long?  

Erinome: For 5 hours! The hotel cleaner found Mr. Hu dead in his room at 3 PM. The doctors think he died between 12 PM and 2 PM. And the medicine? It was for heart pain, high blood pressure, and diabetes—really important stuff.  

Enceladus: That's so sad. Who do you think is responsible here?  

Erinome: People are talking about three people: Mr. Hu, Han Shun, and the hotel. Let's start with Mr. Hu. Some say he should have told Han Shun his full name or room number. Or maybe he should have called 120 instead of just asking for medicine. What do you think?  

Enceladus: Hmm, maybe. Adults should know their health, right? But maybe he didn't think it was that serious. What about Han Shun? He was just helping a friend.  

Erinome: Lawyers say Han Shun is a "good Samaritan"—he was helping for free, so he has no legal responsibility. But some netizens say he should have stayed longer or told the front desk how serious the medicine was.  

Enceladus: And the hotel? They kept the medicine for 5 hours!  

Erinome: The hotel said they didn't know Mr. Hu was sick. The front desk didn't open the medicine bag, and Han Shun didn't say what the medicine was for. They also said Mr. Hu was a gold member, so he could check out late at 3 PM, so they didn't check his room earlier.  

Enceladus: But the front desk knew someone left medicine for a guest who couldn't be reached. Didn't that make them worried?  

Erinome: That's what many people are angry about. A lawyer said the hotel has a "duty to keep guests safe." If Mr. Hu died because he couldn't take the medicine, the hotel might have "secondary responsibility."  

Enceladus: So privacy vs. saving a life? Which is more important here?  

Erinome: Exactly! Netizens say when someone's life is in danger, privacy should come second. The hotel should have checked Mr. Hu's room or tried to contact him more.  

Enceladus: It's such a sad story. A life could have been saved if someone took one more step.  

Erinome: Yes. The hotel said they "didn't do one more step"—they just followed normal rules but forgot to think about the emergency.  

Enceladus: I hope hotels learn from this. When someone leaves medicine for a guest who can't be reached, maybe they should check the room or call 120.  

Erinome: Me too. Life is only once, right? Okay, that's it for today. Let's remember: sometimes rules need to be flexible to save lives. Thanks for listening, everyone. I'm Erinome.  

Enceladus: And I'm Enceladus. See you next time! Stay safe!

Erinome: Hello dear friends! Welcome to today's daily news chat. I'm Erinome, and this is my co-host Enceladus. Let's see what's been happening around the world lately, shall we?  

Enceladus: Hi everyone! So excited to share the news with you. Let's start with the first one!  

Erinome: Alright! First, China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism has released the mascot for the 2026 "Happy Spring Festival" – it's a lucky horse, inspired by the famous "Horse Treading on Flying Swallow" statue. Oh, and there's a new mandatory national standard for fireworks. It will optimize categories and levels, and start next May.  

Enceladus: Wow, the horse mascot must be cute! Fireworks rules, right? Safety is important, haha.  

Erinome: Exactly! Next, space news! The Shenzhou-22 spacecraft was launched successfully and has docked with the space station. Also, the first batch of "moon soil bricks" finished their space exposure test – they're in good condition!  

Enceladus: Oh my, that's amazing! Moon soil bricks in space? So cool! I wonder what they'll be used for later.  

Erinome: Maybe for building on the moon? Who knows! Now, legal news: China's Supreme People's Procuratorate said that stable pre-marital cohabiting couples are also considered "family members". And if someone hurts or kills their abuser to escape domestic violence, the punishment may be lighter based on the situation.  

Enceladus: Oh, that's good. Protecting people from家暴 (jiabao) is so important. No one should suffer that, sad.  

Erinome: Right. Moving to Beijing: they've broken the 35-year-old limit! Many public institutions now let people up to 38 apply, and high-level talents can have even higher age limits.  

Enceladus: Wow, that's great news for older job seekers! Age shouldn't stop good people, you know that?  

Erinome: Totally! Now Sichuan province: they plan to ban or limit smoking in public places. And from the autumn 2025 semester, they'll start free preschool education step by step.  

Enceladus: Free preschool? That's a big help for families! And no smoking in public – healthier for everyone, haha.  

Erinome: Next, power banks! The "strictest ever" safety standard is out. The old 3C certification won't work anymore, nearly 70% of current production may be淘汰 (taotai) – stopped. It's expected to be officially released next February.  

Enceladus: Oh no! So many power banks might not be safe now? We need to check our ones, um.  

Erinome: Be careful! Now banks: all six big state-owned banks have stopped selling five-year large-denomination certificates of deposit. Some banks even have "interest rate inversion" – longer terms have lower rates than shorter ones.  

Enceladus: That's strange! Why would people save for longer if the interest is lower? Hmm.  

Erinome: Maybe the economy is changing. Next, RMB exchange rate: it's hit a 1-year high! Both onshore and offshore RMB against the US dollar rose past 7.09.  

Enceladus: Wow, RMB is getting stronger! Good for trade, right?  

Erinome: Probably! Now, news about Chinese tourists in Japan: many are returning early, and airports are like Spring Festival rush. But sad news: a Chinese man and his mother were traveling in Japan, and he fell from the 4th floor of the terminal and died.  

Enceladus: Oh no, that's so sad. My heart goes out to his family.  

Erinome: Yeah, really tragic. Moving to Thailand: heavy floods there have killed 41 people and affected over 2.68 million. The Thai military says they'll send an aircraft carrier to help with rescue!  

Enceladus: An aircraft carrier for floods? That's big! Hope they can save more people, um.  

Erinome: Let's go to France: all 4 suspects in the Louvre robbery have been caught! And the Chinese pandas "Huanhuan" and "Yuanzai" in France have started their journey back to China.  

Enceladus: Oh, the pandas are coming home! So happy for them, haha. And the robbers caught – good job police!  

Erinome: Finally, from South Korea's media: the Pakistan-Afghanistan border conflict got worse. Pakistan launched a night airstrike on Afghanistan, killing 10 and injuring 4.  

Enceladus: Oh, that's sad. Why can't they stop fighting?  

Erinome: I wish they could find peace. Okay, that's all the news for today. Thanks for listening, everyone!  

Enceladus: Yeah, see you next time! Bye!

Erinome:Hello dear friends! Welcome to our podcast. I'm Erinome, and sitting next to me is Enceladus. Hey Enceladus, have you seen people complaining about red, itchy ears after wearing new earrings lately?  

Enceladus:Oh yeah! I saw some posts online. They thought it was just skin sensitivity, but then it got better after taking the earrings off. So weird, right?  

Erinome:Um, turns out it might be more serious than that! CCTV reported on November 23rd that some cheap jewelry is like a "heavy metal bomb"!  

Enceladus:Wow, really? What happened?  

Erinome:A pair of earrings marked "S925 silver" was tested, and the cadmium in it was over 9000 times the safety limit! Oh no, that's scary!  

Enceladus:Cadmium? What's that? Is it dangerous?  

Erinome:Yes! It's a Group 1 carcinogen, super harmful. The news said long contact can let it go into your body through skin. It builds up in kidneys and bones, maybe hurt kidneys, make bones weak, or even cause cancer.  

Enceladus:Sad... So why do they put cadmium in jewelry?  

Erinome:Because cadmium is cheap and makes jewelry look smooth, not easy to fade. Much cheaper than silver or gold. Small factories want more profit, so they use it without checking.  

Enceladus:Oh right! Those cheap ones—like 10 or 20 yuan for "pure silver" earrings at night markets or online shops. They look shiny and new, so students and young girls buy them a lot.  

Erinome:Exactly! But how can we tell if jewelry has cadmium? We can't see it with our eyes, right?  

Enceladus:No, we can't. The news said even "S925" or "999 silver" marks might be fake. Those small factories just刻 the marks on cheap metal.  

Erinome:So scary! So what can we do to avoid these "toxic jewelry"?  

Enceladus:First, don't fall for the "low price trap"! Real silver jewelry has a cost. If it's "pure silver" but only 10 yuan, be careful! Don't be greedy for cheap.  

Erinome:Right! Check if it has clear labels and quality reports. Don't buy from street stalls or unlicensed online shops.  

Enceladus:Also, when wearing jewelry, there are tips. Don't let it touch sweat, makeup, or shower gel—those make heavy metals come out faster.  

Erinome:Oh! And if you have a wound or are allergic, better not wear metal jewelry. If your skin gets itchy or red, take it off right away and wash the area. See a doctor if it doesn't get better.  

Enceladus:That's important. Health is more important than looking pretty, right?  

Erinome:Totally! Those cheap shiny things might slowly hurt our bodies. Not worth it.  

Enceladus:Do you think the government will check these factories more?  

Erinome:The news hopes so! They need to check production and sales to make us safe when we buy jewelry.  

Enceladus:Yeah. So remember, friends: don't buy super cheap "silver" jewelry. Ask for quality reports, buy from正规 stores, and take off if you feel uncomfortable.  

Erinome:Health first, always! Okay, that's it for today. Thanks for listening, everyone. We'll talk again next time. Bye!  

Enceladus:Bye! Stay safe and healthy!

Erinome: Hello everyone! Welcome to our daily news podcast. I'm Erinome, and here with me is Enceladus. Let's dive into today's top stories, shall we?  

Enceladus: Hi Erinome! Sounds good. Let's start with the weather first—everyone cares about that, right?  

Erinome: Exactly! So, two cold waves will affect China this week. Some northern areas may see a temperature drop of up to 12℃, and many places might hit the lowest temperature of the second half of the year. Wow, that's really cold!  

Enceladus: Oh no, I need to tell my friend in Beijing to grab a heavy coat! 12℃ drop is no joke. Next, any news about school kids? I bet they’re waiting for vacation!  

Erinome: You’re right! The winter vacation time for primary and middle schools across China is out. Provinces like Liaoning, Hebei, Hainan have the longest vacation—45 days! While Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai have the shortest, only 25 days each.  

Enceladus: Oh, kids in Hainan must be jumping for joy! 45 days is like a mini summer break. Shanghai kids might be a bit sad though… 25 days goes by fast, you know?  

Erinome: Haha, probably! Now, good news for travelers: Xixia Mausoleum Scenic Area, a world heritage site, announced it will waive the first entrance fee for all tourists nationwide. And Taizhou in Jiangsu? Many scenic spots there will waive tickets for tourists from cities with "zhou" in their names!  

Enceladus: Wow, that’s a great deal! If my city had "zhou" in its name, I’d pack my bag today. Saving money on tickets is always nice.  

Erinome: Totally! Drivers, listen up too—domestic refined oil prices just saw the 10th drop this year. 92-octane gasoline is back to the 6-yuan era, and filling a full tank will cost 2.5 yuan less.  

Enceladus: Oh, that’s good news! Even 2.5 yuan saved adds up, right? Drivers must be smiling at the gas station today.  

Erinome: For sure! Now, a little economy news: The central bank will conduct a 1 trillion yuan MLF operation on November 25th. It’s a 1-year term—um, MLF is like a loan tool for banks, I think? Not super sure, but it sounds important for the economy.  

Enceladus: Maybe! Let’s move to education. Any updates on postgraduate exams?  

Erinome: Yep! The number of postgraduate applicants in 2026 is 3.43 million. That’s 450,000 less than 2025, and it’s the third year of decline. Experts say talent demand is changing, so applicants are being more rational.  

Enceladus: Sad for some students who dreamed of grad school, but being rational is smart. Maybe they’re choosing jobs or other paths now.  

Erinome: Exactly! Now, a heartwarming rule from Shanghai: This month, a new policy starts—only children can get 7 days of nursing leave when their elderly parents are hospitalized. And guess what? No household registration restriction!  

Enceladus: Oh, that’s so helpful! Taking care of sick parents is tough, so this leave must reduce stress a lot. Good for Shanghai!  

Erinome: Totally! Now, space news—super cool! China will launch a space exploration satellite program to search for the origin of cosmic life. And there’s more: China is starting an international fusion program, calling on the world to work together on "artificial sun" energy research.  

Enceladus: Wow, "artificial sun"! That sounds like something from a sci-fi movie. I hope it works—clean energy for everyone!  

Erinome: Me too! Now, some travel trouble: Platform data shows 12 China-Japan routes have canceled all flights. The cancellation rate might hit 21.6% in the next week.  

Enceladus: Oh no, people with trips planned must be upset. I hope flights resume soon.  

Erinome: Same here. Next, animal lovers might want to hear this: Japanese officials revealed that the giant panda loan program has stopped.  

Enceladus: Oh no, pandas are so cute! I hope the pandas in Japan are doing okay and can go home safely.  

Erinome: Me too. On a brighter note, Indian media says India fully resumes issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens. And direct flights between New Delhi and Shanghai will start next February!  

Enceladus: That’s great! Traveling between India and China will be easier now. More people can visit the Taj Mahal or the Great Wall, right?  

Erinome: Exactly! Now, news from London: British media reports London may impose a tourist tax on overnight visitors. It could raise up to 240 million pounds every year.  

Enceladus: Hmm, travelers might grumble about extra costs, but maybe the city needs the money for subways or parks. Who knows?  

Erinome: Maybe! Now, some US news: US media says there’s a rumor the US "Government Efficiency Department" has disbanded early, but the director denied it. Also, the US CDC will end all monkey research—some monkeys may even be euthanized.  

Enceladus: Oh, that’s sad… Poor monkeys. I hope there’s a better way than euthanasia. They didn’t do anything wrong!  

Erinome: I agree. Alright, that’s a lot of news today! Let’s wrap it up.  

Enceladus: Yep! Thanks for tuning in, everyone. We’ll be back with more updates next time. Bye!  

Erinome: Hello dear friends! Welcome to our podcast. Today we have a really shocking story to talk about—an academic scandal in China. Have you heard about Guo Wei from Jiangsu University of Science and Technology?  

Enceladus: Oh right! He was called a "chief scientist" there, but it turned out he was a big liar. Wow, how did that happen?  

Erinome: Let's start from the beginning. In November 2025, people found out Guo Wei faked almost everything about himself. The university said they fired him and sent the case to the police. Sad, right?  

Enceladus: Why was he found out? I heard it was because of the academician selection?  

Erinome: Yes! He tried to apply for academician, and the strict check during that process made his lies public. Haha, some netizens joked, "If the university didn't push him for academician, he might have faked until retirement!"  

Enceladus: That's so ironic. So what did he fake exactly? His education?  

Erinome: Oh no, everything! He said he was the 1994 Shaanxi college entrance exam top student, but the real top student was someone else named Chu Huaixiang. And he claimed he studied at Xi'an Jiaotong University, but the school has no record of him.  

Enceladus: So he didn't even go to college?  

Erinome: Probably only high school! A同乡 said he failed the exam and worked as a laborer. His overseas PhDs from Australia and Japan? No records either. The university didn't check these!  

Enceladus: What about his work experience? He said he was a senior researcher in Germany and chief engineer in Europe for 17 years.  

Erinome: All fake! The German Academy has no him. The company he mentioned said their Guo Wei was just a normal worker, not chief engineer. Oh, and he said he was a "Russian Academy of Engineering foreign academician"—that's real, but people think he might have bought it.  

Enceladus: Wow, he made up so many titles! What about his academic achievements?  

Erinome: He said he published 170+ SCI papers, even a "Guo Model" in top journal Nature Materials. But when people checked, no such papers! No patents either. Some of his patents even had university leaders as co-authors. That's strange.  

Enceladus: Did he do business too?  

Erinome: Yes! He started many companies, but they were all empty shells. Like one company in Lishui—no employees, no real business. He even didn't pay his workers, and was taken to court. The court said he had no money to pay them. Sad!  

Enceladus: But how did he get the job at the university in 2023? As a chief scientist, professor, and PhD supervisor!  

Erinome: The university admitted they didn't check his materials carefully. They trusted his titles too much. A headhunter recommended him, and they just believed it. No real background check.  

Enceladus: So no one doubted him for two years?  

Erinome: Students said he couldn't answer technical questions. In group meetings, he only talked about "applying for more money" but not real research. Some teachers reported doubts in 2024, but the university didn't check. People were afraid to "offend" the "top talent".  

Enceladus: That's a problem. What did the media say?  

Erinome: Local media like The Paper and National Business Daily investigated deeply. They found his fake papers, empty companies, and even his patents with school leaders. Netizens were angry: "How can a high school student be a PhD supervisor for two years?"  

Enceladus: What about foreign media?  

Erinome: Foreign media like South China Morning Post and Times of India reported it too. They said it's "utterly baffling"—how a high school student fooled everyone. They compared it to the "Hanxin scandal" before, where someone faked a chip.  

Enceladus: So what's the result now?  

Erinome: Police are investigating him for fake documents and stealing research money. The university is punishing the people who didn't check his materials. The education ministry might use this as a warning for all universities.  

Enceladus: What lessons can we learn from this?  

Erinome: Universities need to check backgrounds carefully—like verifying degrees and work records. They shouldn't just care about titles. Also, better money supervision and protecting students who report problems.  

Enceladus: Right! And students and teachers should speak up if they find something wrong. Don't be silent.  

Erinome: Exactly. It's sad that real researchers might lose resources because of liars like Guo Wei.  

Enceladus: Yeah. We hope universities will change, value real work, not fake titles.  

Erinome: Okay, that's all for today. Thanks for listening! Remember, honesty is the best policy. See you next time!  

Enceladus: Bye everyone!

Erinome: Hello everyone! Welcome to today's news roundup. I'm Erinome, and sitting next to me is Enceladus. Let's dive into the latest stories together, shall we?  

Enceladus: Sure! Let's start with some good news first. What's up?  

Erinome: Alright! The Ministry of Civil Affairs said marriage registrations in the first three quarters were 5.152 million pairs, up 405,000 from last year. And so far, 29 provinces have extended marriage leave. Wow, that's nice for couples, right?  

Enceladus: Yeah! More time for weddings and holidays. Good for them. Next?  

Erinome: Now, health news. Flu patients are increasing in many places. Oseltamivir sales have gone up 237% in the past 7 days. But pharmacies say they have enough stock. Um, everyone should wear masks and wash hands, you know?  

Enceladus: Totally! Health first. What about tech news?  

Erinome: Exciting stuff! New progress in all-solid-state batteries. Electric cars might soon drive over 1000 kilometers on one charge. And China's first large-capacity all-solid-state battery production line is already built. Wow, that's a big step for electric vehicles!  

Enceladus: No kidding! Longer range means less worry about charging. Cool!  

Erinome: Right. Next, a rumor check. There was talk about a C7 driver's license for low-speed electric vehicles (you know, those small ones called "laotoule") being tested in Shanghai and Guangzhou. But traffic departments and the auto association both said it's not true.  

Enceladus: Oh, so just a rumor. Good they clarified it.  

Erinome: Yeah. Now, a sad story from Shandong. A hotpot restaurant in Boxing added fuel into the soup pot by mistake. 11 people had to go to the hospital. The shop is closed now, and officials set up a joint investigation team. Oh no, that sounds scary. Hope everyone recovers soon.  

Enceladus: Me too. Accidents like that are terrible.  

Erinome: Moving on. There was a rumor online about Indian tourists "stealing clothes" at a Yiwu night market and surrounding the female shop owner. But police said it was a misunderstanding—foreign tourists missed payment. They talked and paid on the spot.  

Enceladus: Haha, just a mix-up. Glad they sorted it out without trouble.  

Erinome: Right. Now, some positive news. Zhong Shanshan, the founder of Nongfu Spring, donated 100 million yuan to Zhuji Middle School, his hometown school, to set up an education fund. That's amazing!  

Enceladus: Definitely! Investing in education is so important. Good for him.  

Erinome: Next, about academic issues. The Chinese headquarters of the Russian Academy of Engineering said they're checking Guo's academic fraud. They've suspended his foreign academician资格 for now.  

Enceladus: Yeah, academic honesty is really important. Cheating can't be tolerated.  

Erinome: Exactly. Now, a company update. Wingtech released a statement saying Nexperia Netherlands hasn't made any real response yet. They urged Nexperia to talk and solve the control problem.  

Enceladus: Hope they can communicate and fix it soon.  

Erinome: Let's switch to Japan. Japanese media reported that Ishiba Shigeru criticized Takachi Sanae again, saying she made wrong remarks just to talk. Also, a fire in Oita Prefecture has been burning for 6 days and still isn't fully put out.  

Enceladus: Sad about the fire. Hope they can put it out soon and no one gets hurt.  

Erinome: Me too. Now, bad news from Vietnam. Vietnamese media said floods from heavy rain have killed 90 people, 12 are missing, and nearly 130,000 users lost power. Oh no, that's devastating.  

Enceladus: Terrible. Natural disasters are so hard. Hope rescue efforts go well.  

Erinome: Right. Over to India. Foreign media said robbers pretended to be central bank officials, stopped a cash truck, and stole 70 million rupees. 3 suspects were arrested, including a security company employee and a police officer.  

Enceladus: Wow, that's bold! Pretending to be officials. Good they caught some.  

Erinome: Yeah. Now, news from the US. US media said the Education Department has started to "dismantle"—the White House said American families don't need the department. Also, the US reported a death from H5N5 bird flu, believed to be the first in the world.  

Enceladus: Um, H5N5 sounds new. Everyone should be careful with bird flu, right?  

Erinome: Definitely. Stay safe.  

Enceladus: Alright, that's a lot of news today.  

Erinome: Yep! Okay, that's it for today's news roundup. Thanks for listening, everyone. We'll be back next time with more updates. Bye!  

Enceladus: Bye! Take care!