Fresh Start: Podcast News (12/14/2019 Sat.)
People's Daily app
1576277002000

FS LOGO.jpg

8



Welcome to Fresh Start.

This is People’s Daily app. 

Here are today’s picks from our editors.

China holds key economic meeting to plan for 2020

xi.jpg

The annual Central Economic Work Conference was held in Beijing from Tuesday to Thursday, as Chinese leaders charted course for the economy in 2020.

In a speech at the conference, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, reviewed the country's economic work in 2019, analyzed the current situation and outlined key tasks for 2020.

Facing the complicated situation of mounting risks and challenges at home and abroad in 2019, China has maintained sustained sound economic and social development and made key breakthroughs in the "three tough battles," seeing notable progress in targeted poverty reduction, effective prevention and control of financial risks, and general improvement in the environment, according to a statement released after the conference.

"While fully acknowledging our achievements, we must see that the country faces rising downward economic pressure amid intertwined structural, institutional and cyclical problems," the statement said. (Xinhua)

China, US agree on text of phase one trade deal

trade.jpeg

China and the United States have agreed on the text of a phase one economic and trade agreement based on the principle of equality and mutual respect.

Both sides have reached consensus that the US side will fulfill its commitments to phase out its additional tariffs on Chinese products, so as to achieve a switch from hiking to cutting additional tariffs.

The Chinese side believes that China and the United States, the world's two largest economies, must deal with bilateral economic and trade relations with the big picture in mind. Reaching the agreement will serve the fundamental interests of the people of the two countries and the world, and is expected to bring positive influences on areas including economy, trade, investment and the financial market. (Xinhua)

UK's Johnson heads for big win in 'Brexit election'

UK's Johnson heads for.jpg

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Friday that voters had given his government a "powerful new mandate" to take Britain out of the EU next month, as he headed for victory in a landmark election.

With about 600 of 650 seats declared, Johnson's Conservatives secured the 326 seats required for a majority in the House of Commons, gaining 43 seats, while Labour lost 55 to 197, the BBC reported.

With a large majority of MPs, Johnson will be able to get the divorce deal he struck with Brussels through parliament in time to meet the next Brexit deadline of January 31. (AFP)

Myanmar's Suu Kyi denies genocide, warns reigniting crisis

kyi.png

Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi urged UN judges to drop a genocide case against her country, warning it risked reigniting the crisis that forced nearly three-quarters of a million Rohingya Muslims from their homes since 2017.

Gambia, on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC), filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice against Myanmar over alleged violation of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in western Rakhine state.

In her closing arguments after a three-day hearing at the ICJ, the Nobel peace laureate issued a stark warning to judges that allowing Gambia's case against Myanmar to go ahead could "undermine reconciliation." (CGTN)

Democrat-led House judiciary committee passes two articles of impeachment against Trump

imp.jpeg

After a two-day marathon debate, the US Democrat-led House judiciary committee on Friday passed both articles of impeachment, accusing President Donald Trump of abusing power and obstruction of Congress.

Democrats outnumbered Republicans on the panel 24 to 17, with 23 Democrats voting to send the measures to the full House. All 17 panel Republicans voted no.

The articles are widely expected to get a full House vote as early as next week. (Xinhua)

Taiwan airline suspends operation due to financial troubles

taiwan airline.jpg

Far Eastern Air Transport Corp. (FAT), a Taiwan-based carrier, on Friday promised to resume operations as quickly as possible, a day after the company announced its suspension of operations without warning.

The suspension was due to a shortage of capital, but the company has approached three groups of investors, FAT chairman Chang Kang-wei said at a press conference Friday.

Chang said if the funds are secured, he hopes flights could be resumed as early as Friday afternoon. (Xinhua)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

How many events are there in the decathlon? 

(Answer: 10.) 

Today’s quote is from Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu.   

"Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy."

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Brian Lowe, and Elaine Yue Lin. Music by Eugene Loner.)