Welcome to Fresh Start.

This is People's Daily app.

Here are today's picks from our editors. 

President Xi delivers keynote speech at 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation Friday morning in Beijing.

Xi called for high-quality and sustainable infrastructure under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and pledged to make high-standard free trade deals with more countries.

Xi said that joint building of the Belt and Road has opened up new space for the world's economic growth. It has also created a new platform to boost international trade and investment, expanded new practices to optimize global economic governance, and made new contributions to improving people's well-being in all countries.

Xi called on participants of the BRI to continuously advance the initiative along the path of high-quality development. The open, green and clean approaches should be adhered to and the goals of a high-standard, livelihood-improving and sustainable development should be achieved. (Xinhua) 

Chinese, Russian presidents hold talks

Chinese President Xi Jinping Friday held talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing.

Stressing that Russia is an important partner in the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Xi said the alignment of the BRI with the Eurasian Economic Union is a model of regional economic cooperation.

The two sides should continue to promote cooperation in economy and trade, energy, science and technology, aerospace, connectivity, as well as cooperation at sub-national level and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, Xi said, adding that China will send a pair of giant pandas to Russia for joint research.

The BRI, proposed by President Xi, has provided an important platform and set a successful example for expanding international cooperation, and won increasing support from the international community, Putin said, adding that the presence of so many state leaders and representatives at this forum is proof. (Xinhua) 

Newly-launched BeiDou satellite enters orbit

A newly-launched satellite of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) entered its preset orbit Friday, according to Xi'an Satellite Control Center.

It is the 44th satellite of the BDS satellite family and the first BDS-3 satellite in inclined geosynchronous Earth orbit.

After in-orbit tests, the satellite will work with 18 other BDS-3 satellites in intermediate circular orbit and one in geosynchronous Earth orbit. (Xinhua) 

Kim Jong Un leaves Vladivostok after summit with Putin

Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Un left the Far Eastern Russian city of Vladivostok on Friday after a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin where the two vowed to pursue closer ties.

Kim on Friday also appeared for a wreath-laying ceremony at a World War II memorial to Russia's Pacific Fleet in Vladivostok. (AFP) 

Sri Lanka says wanted extremist died in hotel attack

An extremist leader considered a central figure in Sri Lanka's Easter suicide bombings died in the attacks, the president said Friday as the police chief became the latest figure to quit over the failure to prevent the massacre.

President Maithripala Sirisena told reporters that local extremist Zahran Hashim, believed to be a key player in the attacks, died in one of the blasts at three packed churches and three luxury hotels used by foreign tourists.

With the country still on edge, heavy security was put in place for Friday prayers at mosques, but authorities revised down the bombings' toll to 253 dead from 359, saying some badly mutilated bodies had been counted twice.

(AFP) 

Uber looks to raise up to $9B in initial public offering

Ride-hailing giant Uber is aiming to raise $9 billion in its mammoth initial public stock offering that, while smaller than initially expected, still dwarfs most stock market debuts.

The San Francisco-based company expects to be valued at $80.5 billion to $91.5 billion, falling well below prior estimates that rose as high as $120 billion.

Even so, Uber is on track for one of the largest IPOs in history. The company plans to sell 180 million shares for between $44 and $50 each. (AP) 

Xu/Liu win mixed doubles at table tennis worlds

Chinese duo Xu Xin and Liu Shiwen beat defending champions Maharu Yoshimura and Kasumi Ishikawa of Japan 4-1 to take the mixed doubles crown at the World Table Tennis Championships on Friday.

China has secured its first gold medal in Budapest after sweeping the women's semifinal spots on Thursday. (Xinhua) 

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

Hg is the chemical symbol of which element?

(Answer: Mercury.)

Today's quote is from American writer Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915).

"The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today."

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