Welcome to Fresh Start.

This is People’s Daily app. 

Here are today’s picks from our editors.

China unveils ‘blue sky’ anti-pollution efforts

China's cabinet recently released a three-year action plan aimed at controlling air pollution and solidifying a timetable and roadmap for improving air quality.

Economic, legal, technological, and administrative means will be used in a coordinated manner to "win the battle for blue skies," according to the plan released by the State Council.

By 2020, emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide should drop by more than 15 percent compared with 2015 levels.

In April, China began levying taxes on businesses and institutions that discharged pollutants.

Plans are underway to start a national pricing system that will provide economic incentives for market players who curb environmental risks. (Xinhua – People’s Daily app)

Basketball diplomacy: South Korean athletes arrive in Pyongyang

A high-level South Korean delegation arrived in Pyongyang Tuesday with dozens of basketball players as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s favorite sport becomes the latest effort in sports diplomacy between the peninsula neighbors.

South Korean Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon led the 50 male and female athletes to Pyongyang, and earlier told journalists he hoped the games would "further enhance peace on the Korean Peninsula."

As the basketball delegation arrived at Pyongyang’s Sunan Airport, North Korea’s Vice Sports Minister Won Kil-u said, "We are proud that sports are taking the initiative in opening the road for peace.” (Xinhua – People’s Daily app)

49 AU members sign free trade pact 

49 members of the African Union (AU) signed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, said AU Chairperson Paul Kagame on Monday.

Kagame, who is also the Rwandan president, made the announcement in Nouakchott during the closing ceremony of the 31st summit of the 55-member African Union. (Xinhua – People’s Daily app)

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib arrested for corruption

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was arrested by anti-corruption investigators Tuesday, officials said, the latest dramatic development in a widening graft probe that has engulfed the ex-leader.

Najib will be charged Wednesday, a taskforce set up to investigate corruption involving Malaysian state fund 1MDB said in a statement. (AFP)

Chinese rescue experts help Thai soccer team trapped in cave

Chinese underwater dive experts are in Thailand where they have joined ongoing rescue efforts for a youth soccer team trapped in a cave, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed Tuesday.

"As a close friend and neighbor of Thailand, we were concerned about the safety of the victims from the very beginning. We are happy to see the operation making significant progress and all of the missing have been found alive," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang at a press briefing.

Heavy rains are expected in Northern Thailand’s Chang Rai Province region which could worsen conditions in the cave where the 12 boys and their soccer coach have been trapped for 10 days. (Xinhua – People’s Daily app)

Trump to rescind Obama-era guidance on affirmative action

The Trump administration is moving to rescind Obama-era guidance that encouraged schools to take race into account to encourage diversity in admissions, an administration official said Tuesday

The shift would give schools and universities the federal government’s blessing to take a race-neutral approach when accepting students to their institutions.  

A formal announcement was expected later Tuesday from the Justice and Education departments, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.  (Xinhua – People’s Daily app)

Sweden advances, England triumphs over Colombia

Sweden defeated Switzerland at St. Petersburg stadium 1-0.

Emil Forsberg scored his first goal of the tournament in the 66th minute and it was all the Scandinavian side needed to advance.

It’s been 24 years since Sweden’s last appearance at a World Cup Quarter Finals. 

The last Round of 16 match saw England and Colombia battle it out for the remaining Great Eight fixture.

With the game scoreless at the half, the second heated up when England’s Harry Kane provided the first goal of the match. 

England almost walked away with the win, but it was centerback Yerry Minna in the third minute of stoppage time who delivered the equalizer to keep Colombia’s World Cup hopes alive.

After two periods of extra play and the score still tied 1-1, it came down to a shootout.

In the end, England emerged the winner after Eric Dier scored the winning goal. (People’s Daily app)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

What is the oldest newspaper stiill published today?  

(Wiener Zeitung, the Austrian government's official gazette was first published in 1703).

Today’s quote is from Chinese philosopher Mozi.

“Whoever criticizes others must have something to replace them. Criticism without suggestion is like trying to stop flood with flood and put out fire with fire. It will surely be without worth.” 

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