Fresh Start: Podcast News (3/30/2018 Fri.)

Welcome to Fresh Start.

This is People’s Daily app.

Here are today’s picks from our editors.

China urges US to tackle trade friction through dialogue

Beijing on Thursday urged the US to abandon its unilateral and protectionist stance, pointing out that China is confident in reacting against trade or investment protectionist actions.

Gao Feng, spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce, made the remarks in response to a question about how the country would be affected by the new tariffs on Chinese imports worth roughly $50 billion while also restricting Chinese investment.

Gao said the tariff initiative sets a bad precedent and goes against WTO regulations. He also said China would take appropriate actions to protect the interests of the country and its people. (People’s Daily app)

Xi-Kim meeting hailed by world leaders

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un paid an unofficial visit to China from Sunday to Wednesday.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the meeting between Xi and Kim.

"He (Guterres) views the latest positive developments as the start of a longer process of sincere dialogue, leading to sustainable peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula," said Farhan Haq, Guterres' deputy spokesperson, in a statement.

US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said on Twitter that Kim's visit to China was "an unprecedented, historic step in the right direction."

US President Donald Trump tweeted that there was a good chance Kim would do "what is right for his people and for humanity." (Xinhua)

South and North Korea to hold summit on April 27 in Panmunjom

Officials from South and North Korea have agreed to hold their leaders’ summit on April 27 in the truce village of Panmunjom.

The agreement was reached during high-level discussions between both sides at Tongilgak, a North Korean building in Panmunjom.

A joint statement following the discussions was issued and said Seoul and Pyongyang have agreed to hold their third summit on April 27 at Peace House, at a South Korean building in Panmunjom.

If held as agreed upon, Kim Jong Un would become the country's first leader to set foot in the South Korean territory since the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed in 1953. (Xinhua)

Saudi Arabia faces US lawsuits over 9/11 attacks

A US judge on Wednesday rejected Saudi Arabia's bid to dismiss lawsuits claiming that it helped plan the September 11, 2001 attacks in the US and should pay billions of dollars in damages to victims.

US District Judge George Daniels in Manhattan said the plaintiffs' allegations "narrowly articulate a reasonable basis" for him to assert jurisdiction over Saudi Arabia under the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, a 2016 federal law.

Lawyers for Saudi Arabia did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the decision.

Daniels' decision covers claims by the families of those killed, roughly 25,000 people who suffered injuries, and many businesses and insurers. (Reuters)

EU unveils military action plan

On Wednesday, the European Commission presented a plan designed to improve military mobility within and beyond European Union nations.

The commission, member states, and the European Defense Agency will define military requirements, including infrastructure, and identify how they fit with current regulations. 

Dubbed "Military Schengen,” the plan aims to make it easier to transport military forces and equipment across Europe amid rising concern of Russian aggression, German media reported. (People’s Daily app)

Driver tries to run over soldiers as France mourns terror victims

A man driving a car with fake license plates tried to hit a group of soldiers as they were jogging in Southeast France on Thursday, sparking fears of a new attempted attack as the country mourns the victims of an Islamist shooting spree last week.

Speaking French and Arabic, the driver, accompanied by a woman, threatened the soldiers during their morning jog near Grenoble, and then later tried to run down another group who were returning to their barracks, security sources confirmed.

French forces have been repeatedly targeted during the string of jihadist attacks that have claimed the lives of over 240 people in the past three years. (AFP)

China announces express delivery regulations

China's Express Delivery Interim Regulations were announced and address eight important issues affecting the country’s express delivery service sector.

Beginning May 1, for those receiving packages, proper identification along with their ID number will need to be shown or the delivery company is not to complete the delivery.

Both delivery providers and senders are encouraged to utilize eco-friendly packaging materials which are biodegradable and recyclable. (People’s Daily app)

Venezuela jailbreak attempt sparks blaze, 68 dead

A fire allegedly set during an attempted jailbreak from Venezuelan police holding cells killed 68 people on Wednesday, the country's top prosecutor and an inmates' rights group said.

The Carabobo detention center blaze is the latest in a series of deadly incidents in the country’s overcrowded jails.

Carlos Nieto, head of ‘A Window on Freedom,’ said that "some burned to death and others asphyxiated" after setting fire to mattresses and stealing a guard's gun during the attempted break out. (AFP)  

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

Today’s quote is from English biologist, Charles Darwin.

“A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.”

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Lance Crayon, Ryan Yaoran Yu, and Zeke Zeng Ziyi)