Fresh Start: Podcast News (11/2/2018 Fri.)
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Welcome to Fresh Start.

This is People’s Daily app.

Here are today’s picks from our editors.

Xi, Trump have telephone conversation, to meet during G20 summit

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump on Thursday held a telephone conversation, speaking of bilateral trade and the Korean Peninsula issue while agreeing to meet bilaterally during the upcoming G20 summit in Argentina.

Trump said during the conversation that he looks forward to meeting Xi during the G20 summit so that they can have an in-depth discussion about some major issues.

The United States attaches importance to US-China economic and trade cooperation and would like to continue to expand export to China, he said, adding that the economic teams from the two sides need to enhance exchanges and consultations.

Xi said he is willing to meet Trump during the G20 summit in Argentina and further exchange views on bilateral ties and other major issues.

Xi said both he and Trump have good visions for a healthy, stable development of the China-US relations as well as expanding economic and trade cooperation, and they should make efforts to realize the wishes.

Xi noted in the conversation that China has repeatedly made clear its stance on bilateral ties, and hopes that both countries will promote a healthy, stable development of bilateral ties in accordance with the important consensuses reached between him and Trump. (Xinhua)

China to exempt import tariffs for certain goods at import expo

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China announced Thursday to make import tariffs exempt for certain amounts of foreign goods at the first China International Import Expo (CIIE).

During the expo taking place from Nov. 5 to 10, consumers can enjoy a 30-percent discount on these foreign products from their import value-added tax and consumption tax, the Ministry of Finance said in a statement on its website.

Prohibited imports, endangered animals, plants and their byproducts, as well as autos and 20 other named products will not be able to take advantage of the favorable tax policies, the ministry said.

The CIIE is scheduled to kick off in Shanghai on Monday. More than 3,000 companies from over 130 countries and regions have so far confirmed their participation in the event. (Xinhua)

Joint Turkey-US patrols begin in Syria's Manbij: state media

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Troops from Turkey and the United States launched joint patrols in the northern Syrian city of Manbij on Thursday, the Turkish defence minister said, part of a bid to ease tensions between the NATO allies.

The city is controlled by the US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia, which Turkey considers a terrorist group.

As part of the roadmap, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu at the time said the agreement would ensure the YPG leaves Manbij, then Turkey and the US would work together to establish a local security structure and decide who will govern the city. (AFP)

Russia slaps large-scale sanctions on Ukraine

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Russia-Ukraine relations have soured for years and could deteriorate further after Moscow rolled out large-scale economic sanctions against Kiev on Thursday.

The sanctions, ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin last month, include freezing non-cash funds, uncertified securities and property controlled by blacklisted groups in Russia and banning their withdrawal of capital from Russia, according to a decree signed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday.

Relations between Kiev and Moscow have been deteriorating since early 2014 over Crimea and armed conflicts in eastern Ukraine. Kiev has imposed a series of sanctions against Russia since then. (Xinhua - People's Daily app)

Pittsburgh synagogue shooter pleads not guilty to charges: report

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The suspect charged with killing 11 people at a synagogue in the US city of Pittsburgh pleaded not guilty on Thursday, according to records of court proceedings.

The suspect, Robert Bowers, has requested a jury trial to determine whether he is guilty of the 44-count indictment pressed against him by prosecutors Wednesday.

The US Department of Justice said Bowers faces a maximum possible penalty of death, or life without parole, followed by a consecutive sentence of 535 years' imprisonment. (Xinhua)

Google employees walk out to protest treatment of women

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Google engineers and other company workers around the world walked off the job Thursday to protest the internet company's lenient treatment of executives accused of sexual misconduct.

Employees staged walkouts at offices from Tokyo to Singapore to London.

The Google protest, billed "Walkout For Real Change," is unfolding a week after a New York Times story detailed allegations of sexual misconduct about creator of Google's Android software, Andy Rubin. The report said Rubin received a $90 million severance package in 2014 even though Google had concluded that the sexual misconduct allegations against him were credible.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai apologized for the company's "past actions" in an email sent to employees Tuesday.

"I am fully committed to making progress on an issue that has persisted for far too long in our society. and, yes, here at Google, too," Pichai wrote. (AP)

10th patient dies at pediatric facility in viral outbreak

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A 10th person died amid a viral outbreak at a pediatric care center while a different strain of the virus was found at another facility in the state, New Jersey health officials said Thursday.

There have been 27 cases associated with the respiratory virus at the center, where the affected children had severely compromised immune systems.

Officials have said new patients are not being admitted at Wanaque and there is not a wider public health concern stemming from the outbreak. (AP)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

Who invented the weapon called the revolver?

(Answer: Samuel Colt.)

Today's quote is from Polish composer Frederic Chopin.

“As long as I have health and strength, I will gladly work all my days.”

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon, Brian Lowe, Elaine Yue Lin, and Grace Xinyi Song.)