Fresh Start: Podcast News (6/16/2018 Sat)

Welcome to Fresh Start.

This is People’s Daily app. 

Here are today’s picks from our editors.

President Xi congratulates People's Daily on 70th anniversary

Chinese President Xi Jinping wrote a letter of congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the establishment of People's Daily on Friday. 

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, asked the newspaper to continuously improve its penetration, guidance, influence and credibility.

Xi said the newspaper has played a significant role and has made glorious achievements in every historical period, ranging from revolution, construction to reform. (People’s Daily app)

China responds to latest US tariff moves

China’s Ministry of Commerce said Friday it would immediately counter US tariffs equivalent in scale and force.

Meanwhile, all economic and trade results achieved in previous consultations will not go into effect, a spokesperson said in a press release from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce late Friday.

Officials from China’s Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced later it would respond by imposing a 25 percent tariff increase on $50 billion dollars in US imports. 

Tariff hikes on agricultural goods, automobiles, and marine products will go into effect July 6.  Further tariff increases on other products will be announced later. (People’s Daily app)

Spanish government unveils welcoming measures to help migrants

Spain’s new center-left government unveiled a series of measures Friday to “put people’s rights first” in the country’s migration policies.

The Spanish cabinet took the first steps toward extending public health care for migrants without residence permits, Education Minister Isabel Celaa announced, saying the government would have a decree ready in six weeks.

On Friday, Spain’s maritime rescuers pulled around 270 migrants and three bodies from more than 30 boats in the Gibraltar Strait, while helicopters and rescue vessels looked for at least three more migrant boats. (AP)

Riders plunge 34 feet, 6 injured in roller coaster derail

Two roller coaster passengers fell 34 feet when their car derailed and was left dangling from the track, while firefighters used ladders to pull eight others to safety high above the Daytona Beac Boardwalk in Florida on Thursday.

“The front car which was holding four passengers completely came off the tracks,” said Daytona Beach Fire spokeswoman Sasha Staton.

In videos posted on social media by witnesses, two people can be seen dangling from the car’s seats and metal scaffolding beneath the track. Bystanders gathered under the passengers, stretching out their hands to assure them that help was coming.

Nine passengers were taken to the hospital, but officials there wouldn’t provide updates on their conditions due to privacy concerns, said Tangela Boyd, a spokeswoman for Halifax Health Medical Center. (AP)

Overseas talent returning to China

LinkedIn, the US-based career-networking platform released a report that said talent returning home to China continues to be a growing trend, and especially so in the finance and tech sectors. 

Career hopefuls in their twenties represent the largest demographic of returnees ready to start a new career, but overall, the total number fell 30 percent last year, according to Global Times. 

Job seekers in their thirties almost doubled from 16 percent in 2013 to just over 30 percent in 2017, the report said, explaining that the demographic offered years of overseas work-related experience. 

In terms of desired workplace, 90 percent of those surveyed said they were interested in transnational corporations, followed by 72 percent, who would prefer to work for a large or medium-sized private enterprise. (Global Times – People’s Daily app)

US network apologizes for Robbie Williams World Cup gesture

US broadcaster Fox has apologized after it showed pop star Robbie Williams giving the middle finger to viewers during the World Cup opening ceremony in Moscow.

The gesture, while innocent by the standards of pop star antics, prompted a flood of concerned comments on social media, many from parents saying it was inappropriate for children.

"The 2018 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony was a newsworthy event produced by a third party and carried live on Fox," the network said in a statement, adding, "As it was broadcast live, we did not know what would happen during Robbie Williams' performance and we apologize.”

Williams performed alongside Russian soprano Aida Garifullina, with the two singing a duet of his hit solo song "Angels." (AFP)

Uruguay breaks spell, Iran draught ends, Ronaldo makes World Cup history

Veteran coach Oscar Tabarez said Uruguay "broke the spell" after they left it late to defeat an Egypt side shorn of Mohamed Salah 1-0 in their World Cup opener on Friday.

Uruguay's victory leaves them and Russia in early control in Group A.

Iran won their first World Cup match in 20 years thanks to Moroccan substitute Aziz Bouhaddouz who put the ball into his own net with a diving header in the 95th minute.

Spain and Portugal tied with 3 to 3 in a nail-biter first round match. 

Meanwhile, Portugal’s Christian Ronaldo made history as he became the fourth man to score goals at four separate World Cup tournaments. (People's Daily app)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day.

Q: What is the only bird that can fly backwards? 

(Answer: The Hummingbird)

Today’s quote is from the Roman poet Horace.

“Men cease to think when they think they know it all.”

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon, and Raymond Mendoza.)