【听 · 焦点】苹果就“电池门”道歉 换电池将降价

Apple apologizes for battery slowdown

US company Apple has apologized for its decision to deliberately slow down older phones to protect battery stability.

In this March 9, 2015, file photo, Apple CEO Tim Cook talks about the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus during an Apple event in San Francisco. Apple is apologizing for secretly slowing down older iPhones, which it says was necessary to avoid unexpected shutdowns related to battery fatigue. The company issued the statement on its website Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017. [Photo: AP]

Meanwhile, the company said it is slashing $50 off the out-of-warranty iPhone battery replacement for the next year, bringing the cost down to $29 for anyone with an iPhone 6, starting in late January.

A new software update will also hit early next year giving users more insight into battery life.

The tech giant admitted last week that it has used software updates to limit the performance of older iPhones that may have battery issues that would cause them to turn off suddenly.

But it sparked massive criticism worldwide.

Xi pledges to enhance party-to-party exchanges with Japan

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on China and Japan to enhance party-to-party exchanges and cooperation.

During a meeting with a delegation of Japan's ruling coalition, the president hailed the China-Japan ruling party exchange meeting for its role in promoting bilateral relations.

He also praised the role of the secretary generals of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito Party in boosting bilateral friendship.

The Japanese delegation arrived in Beijing after this year's meeting of the China-Japan ruling party exchange in Fujian.

Xi calls for more efforts in major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics

Chinese President Xi Jinping has met with Chinese diplomatic envoys to foreign countries, urging them to promote the major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.

As part of the meeting, Xi Jinping suggested diplomats learn to understand the trend of the times and the international situation.

He said diplomats must absolutely remain loyal to the Party, to the country, and to the people.

He also demanded strict compliance with political discipline for diplomats.

19 detained in fentanyl trafficking case

Chinese police say they have cracked a fentanyl manufacturing and trafficking case, based on tips from the United States.

19 suspects have been detained during two raids over the past two months in Hebei, Jiangsu, Shanghai and Zhejiang.

The raids were carried out following leads from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and police in Guangdong Province.

Officers have discovered an illegal fentanyl factory and two trading locations for drugs.

（这里有一句留给大家来填空，记得听完留言写下你的答案哦！）

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever.

China and the US agreed to enhance joint crackdowns on it after its abuse become a serious problem.

Top legislator plans to list Antarctic law

China's top legislature has listed the country's first Antarctic law into its legislation plan.

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress has approved a report from the Chinese Environment and Resources Protection Committee (ERPC).

The report says Antarctica is a new strategic region related to future national security and development.

In May, China published its first full report on its undertakings in Antarctica over the past three decades, titled "China's Antarctic Activities."

It's suggested the Antarctic law could help China protect its resource use and joint future development interests in the area.

The legislation is expected to start following the annual plenary session of the NPC in March.

Football star George Weah wins Liberian presidential election

Former professional footballer George Weah has won Liberia's presidential election.

The country's electoral commission said the ex-striker had taken over 61 percent of the vote with nearly all ballots already cast.

Full results are not expected until later today, and neither candidate has made a public comment yet.

51-year-old Weah grew up in poverty in Liberia's capital Monrovia.

He went on to have a glittering football career in the 1990s, becoming the only African to win FIFA World Player of the Year trophy, and the Ballon d'Or.

This is the second time he has run for the presidency in Liberia, the first being in 2005.

Alabama certifies Jones' win over Moore

The US state of Alabama has officially certified Democrat Doug Jones' victory in this month's special Senate election, despite fraud claims by his opponent, Roy Moore.

John H. Merrill, Alabama Secretary of State, made clear that they found no evidence of voting irregularities.

Jones defeated Moore on December 12 by about 22-thousand votes, making him the first Democrat in 25 years to win a Senate seat in traditionally Republican Alabama.

Moore, whose campaign was dogged by sexual misconduct accusations, refused to concede defeat and even filed a lawsuit on Wednesday raising claims of election fraud.

Tesla to build pick-up trucks in 2019

Tesla CEO Elon Musk says the company will build an all-electric pickup truck soon after it begins building the Model Y SUV.

The Model Y, which will be built on the same platform as the Model 3 sedan, is expected to go into production in mid-2019.

The idea of building electric pick-up trucks was first announced in July.

Adding a pickup truck to its lineup would make Tesla the first full-line electric automaker.

Musk also says the pick-up truck would likely be a little larger than the current bestselling Ford F150 pick-up.

No more details about the truck have been revealed so far.

（以上文稿仅供参考）

上期回顾：中共十九届二中全会将于明年1月召开

上期答案：He chose to run as an independent candidate in the race. He will need to collect at least 300-thousand signatures from his supporters to support his bid, after his paperwork has been authenticated.

跟随英语环球，天天进步就从这每日一题开始吧！