Welcome to Fresh Start.

This is People’s Daily app. 

Here are today’s picks from our editors.

Xi urges breaking new ground in major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for efforts to break new ground in major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, with the guidance of the thought on diplomacy of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era.

In an address at the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs held in Beijing on Friday and Saturday, Xi, who is also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Central Military Commission, underscored the importance of keeping in mind both internal and international imperatives including rejuvenation, progress, and building a community with shared future for humanity.

"We have kept a firm hold of the development trend of China and the world in the new era since the 18th CPC National Congress and made a series of important innovations on external work in theories and practices, thus forming the thought on diplomacy of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era," said Xi. 

Xi stressed the country's external work should be based on the overall plan of the CPC Central Committee and should further improve its layout and highlight priorities. (Xinhua – People’s Daily app)

China unveils pollution battle plan

China has unveiled a guideline to enhance ecological and environmental protection measures to win the battle against air, water, and soil pollution.

The guideline, published Sunday by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council, specified targets for pollution prevention and control which the country expects to achieve by 2020 and beyond.

China will develop and implement a three-year plan focusing on the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the Yangtze River Delta.

By 2020, some 90 percent of polluted and contaminated farmland will be safe to use, according to the guideline.  (Xinhua – People’s Daily app)

Erdogan leads partial count in pivotal Turkey poll

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday was leading a tightly-contested presidential election in a partial count as he seeks a new mandate in the face of a revitalized opposition and weakening economy.

Erdogan has just under 56 percent against his nearest rival Muharrem Ince of the secular Republican People's Party (CHP) with almost 29 percent, state-run Anadolu news agency said, based on a 60 percent vote count.

Erdogan needs over 50 percent to retain the presidency in the first round.

Ince vowed to spend the night at the headquarters of Turkey's election authority in Ankara to ensure a fair count.  (AFP)

White House press secretary kicked out of restaurant because of Trump

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was kicked out of a Virginia restaurant because of who she works for, US President Donald Trump.  

After the incident, Sanders tweeted she was told by the owner of the Red Hen in Lexington that she had to leave due to her employment under the current US administration.

The restaurant’s co-owner Stephanie Wilkinson told The Washington Post that her staff had called her to report Sanders was in the restaurant. 

Wilkinson said that she talked to Sanders privately and that Sanders’s response was immediate, “That’s fine. I’ll go.” (Reuters)

Spain's first 'stolen babies' case comes to trial

A former doctor will go on trial Tuesday in Madrid for allegedly stealing a newborn baby from her mother and giving it to a different woman, a practice thought to have affected thousands of families in Spain.

Eduardo Vela, an 85-year-old former obstetrician at Madrid's San Ramon hospital, will become the first person in the dock over the "stolen babies" scandal.

Vela is suspected of having taken part in the 1969 theft of Ines Madrigal, who is now 49 years old. 

Historians and campaigners estimate tens of thousands of babies may have been stolen from their parents over the decades. (AFP)

14 killed in Mexico border town

At least 14 people were killed Saturday in three separate incidents in Northern Mexico’s Juarez, a border town connecting the Southwestern US region, local media reported. 

Local officials said in one incident armed gunmen opened fire on eight men who were watching the World Cup match between Mexico and South Korea, killing six and injuring two.

Simultaneously, in downtown Juarez, five men watching the same soccer game at a hair salon were shot and killed. According to eye witness accounts, armed gunmen arrived in a blue van and opened fire.  

For the month June, 128 people have been killed in Juarez, and 13 of the victims were women. (People’s Daily app)

Senegal tie keeps Japan alive, England delivers Panama blowout, Colombia routs Poland 

In Group H action, Senegal and Japan tied 2 apiece, and both remain alive in tournament play.

A 78th minute equalizer from Japan’s Keisuke Honda saved the Asian side from elimination. The goal also made Honda the top-scoring Asian player in World Cup history with 4 goals in three different appearances.

On Thursday, Group H teams will play each other again with Senegal facing Colombia, and Japan taking on Poland.

In Group G, Harry Kane struck a hat-trick as England demolished Panama 6-1 on Sunday to ease into the World Cup last 16 alongside Group G rivals Belgium.

"I'm very proud. Not many players get to score a hat-trick in the World Cup," said Kane, who is only the third player to score three goals in a World Cup match after Geoff Hurst and Gary Lineker.

The British side also became one of only five times in World Cup history to score five goals before a halftime.

In the last match of the day, it was Poland who couldn’t keep up with the faster Colombian side especially with James Rodriguez on the pitch and were eliminated 3-0.

Colombia sits third in Group H with only 3 points, but today’s victory keeps hope alive heading into their showdown with Senegal later this week. (People’s Daily app)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day.

Which US state is nicknamed the “Golden State?” 

(California.)

Today's quote is from Italian painter Leonardo da Vinci.

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” 

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