Welcome to Fresh Start.

This is People’s Daily app.

Here are today’s picks from our editors.

Xi calls for efforts to win war on drugs

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for following a path with Chinese characteristics to contain drug-related problems and winning the war on drugs in the new era.

Xi, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a written instruction released Monday ahead of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which falls on June 26.

To win the war, Xi spoke of the need to strengthen party leadership, give full play to the political and system advantages, improve the anti-drug work mechanism, heighten responsibilities for officials and mobilize the public.

Xi ordered cracking down on drug-related crime, focusing on key regions, busting drug-making and trafficking networks, investigating drug gangs and their protectors, and dealing with the root cause of drug proliferation.

Xi also stressed the importance of prevention, especially among the young. He said anti-drug education needed to be stepped up to foster an atmosphere in which drugs are rejected everywhere in society. (Xinhua)

Xi Jinping meets French PM Edouard Philippe

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday met with French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe in Beijing, saying China is willing to work with France to enrich the content of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

At present, the world is undergoing profound and complicated changes, said Xi, adding China is ready to work with France to make the bilateral relations continue to serve as a model for mutual respect, win-win cooperation, and exchanges and mutual learning between countries. (Xinhua)

China central bank lowers re-lending rate for small enterprises

China's central bank will cut re-lending interest rates for small and micro enterprises by 50 basis points as part of a broader policy package to ease the financial strain on small firms.

The re-lending and rediscount quotas for small companies, as well as sectors concerning rural areas, will be increased by a total of 150 billion yuan (roughly $23 billion), according to the People's Bank of China.

The measures will take effect on July 5 and are meant to support qualified debt-to-equity swap programs and help small business financing. (Xinhua – People’s Daily app)

Members of Parliment vote on expanding London’s Heathrow airport

British MPs are set on Monday to approve plans to build a third runway at London Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, after decades of debate.

The British government agreed to the £14 billion plan earlier this month, saying it would provide a major boost to the economy.

Construction on the new runway is planned to start by 2021, although it must still obtain planning permission and could face legal challenges. (AFP – People’s Daily app)

‘Bollywood Oscars’ honors drowned superstar

Bollywood superstar Sridevi Kapoor was honored for her final role during the Indian Film Academy’s annual award ceremony in Bangkok, winning best actress just months after her shocking death.

Sridevi was considered one of the most influential Bollywood actresses of all time. Her accidental drowning death in a Dubai hotel room bathtub in February left the nation in stunned grief.

Kapoor’s final film – called “Mom” – is a thriller about a mother seeking vengeance for her stepdaughter after a brutal assault. (AFP – People’s Daily app)

Long-lost sisters meet after DNA tests reveal relation

Two long-lost American sisters had no idea they shared the same parents until an Ancestry.com DNA test revealed the fact six months ago.

The Kitsap Sun reported that 78-year-old Beverly Meier met with her sister, 83-year-old Joyce Risher, for the first time last week after messaging eachother on Facebook to confirm their relation.

The two learned of their shared parentage from Risher’s granddaughter, who was researching her family genealogy. (AP – People’s Daily app)

Uruguay defeats Russia, Saudi Arabia edges Egypt, Group B matches both end in ties

Uruguay’s Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani scored a goal each, earning their team a decisive 3-0 win against Russia on Monday, finishing undefeated in group play and handing the host nation its first loss of the World Cup.

Egypt’s goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, who is the oldest person to play in a World Cup match, made some spectacular saves on Monday but could not save his team from defeat against Saudi Arabia. Salem Al-Dawsari scored the game winning goal in added time, leading Saudi Arabia to win 2-1.

Portugal tied with Iran 1-1 on Monday and will advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup, in spite of Cristiano Ronaldo missing a penalty kick. Portugal’s Ricardo Quaresma started out strong by scoring a goal at minute 45, however, his team failed to keep up the pressure to secure a win. Despite the tie, Portugal will now play Uruguay in their next match.

Meanwhile, Spain and Morocco also tied with a score of 2-2. Iago Aspas scored the final goal of the game in added time, allowing Spain to become the winner of Group B since it scored more goals than Portugal. (AP – 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 world’s longest river? 

(Answer: The Amazon is the longest river in the world, spanning some 4,345 miles through three countries.)

Today’s quote is from Polish scientist Marie Curie:

“I was taught that the way of progress was neither swift nor easy.”

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Raymond Mendoza, and Terry Guanlin Li.)