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Here are today's picks from our editors. 

China ready to join DPRK in turning blueprint of bilateral ties into reality: Xi

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday that Beijing seeks to join Pyongyang in turning the blueprint of the bilateral ties for a new era into reality.

Xi, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), made the remarks during his meeting at the state guest house with Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The Chinese leader said that he hopes both sides can work together to implement the various agreements during the visit this time so as to turn the blueprint of the bilateral ties for a new era into reality step by step.

The Chinese side, said Xi, will firmly support the DPRK's socialist enterprise, the implementation of its new strategic line and a political solution to solving the nuclear issue and materializing lasting peace and security on the peninsula.

For his part, Kim appreciated China's valuable support for the WPK's efforts to lead the people in the DPRK on the path to socialism, saying that the friendship between the two sides has been long standing, and enjoyed a firm basis, and the two sides are conducting intensive exchanges and friendly cooperation like family. (Xinhua) 

Apple urges US gov't not to impose new tariffs on Chinese imports

Apple has urged the US government not to impose additional tariffs on its products imported from China, saying that the new round of tariffs would reduce its contribution to the US economy, and hurt the company's global competitiveness.

In a letter to US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, which was made public on Thursday, the tech giant wrote that the proposed tariffs of up to 25 percent would impact all of its major products, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, and AppleTV. (Xinhua) 

Trump confirms military retaliation against Iran called off last minute

US President Donald Trump Friday confirmed that he authorized military strikes against Iran in retaliation for downing a US military drone but called off the operations 10 minutes before they were to be implemented.

"We were cocked & loaded to retaliate last night on 3 different sights," Trump said in a series of tweets, adding that he called off the strikes due to possible casualties.

The US military confirmed on Thursday that a RQ-4 Global Hawk Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile system on Wednesday. (Xinhua) 

Georgian parliament speaker steps down amid mass protests

Georgian Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze resigned on Friday amid mass protests in the capital of Tbilisi, Secretary General of the ruling Georgia Dream party Kakha Kaladze said.

Clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers began on Thursday during an ongoing rally on Rustaveli Avenue in downtown Tbilisi in front of the parliament.

The riots started after a delegation of the Russian State Duma, the lower house of parliament, took part in the 26th session of the Inter-parliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (IAO) in Tbilisi on Thursday. (Xinhua) 

China A-shares to join FTSE GEIS on June 24

FTSE Russell, a leading global multi-asset index, data and analytics provider, announced Friday that it will add Chinese A shares to its widely-tracked global benchmarks commencing June 24.

At a launch ceremony at the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, FTSE Russell's CEO Waqas Samad said the inclusion would be an important mark of the development and opening-up of China's stockmarket. (Xinhua) 

China encourages production of 34 generic medicines

Chinese authorities on Friday released a list of 34 generic medicines, encouraging pharmaceutical firms to develop and produce them.

Anti-AIDS drugs Rilpivirine and Abacavir, and leukemia drug Azathioprine are included in the list issued by the National Health Commission (NHC).

The list is the first of its kind in the country and new lists will be published at the end of each year starting 2020. (Xinhua) 

IOC perfectly satisfied with preparation of Beijing 2022

IOC President Thomas Bach said that he has no concerns at all about the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, as his committee is perfectly satisfied with all preparation work.

After discussing the report by the Chair of the Coordination Commission of Beijing winter games on Thursday, Bach said that Beijing 2022 had once again emphasized that the main motivation behind the games is to make an overall program for health in China. (Xinhua) 

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

Which is the only mammal that can’t jump?

(Answer: elephant.)

Today's quote is from English poet William Blake (1757-1827).

"The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom."

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