Briefly

CHINA

Candid consultation held with Washington

China and the United States have engaged in a new round of policy consultation, China's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday. Miao Deyu, assistant foreign minister and director-general of the Department of Policy Planning of the Foreign Ministry, held a new round of foreign policy planning consultation with Salman Ahmed, director of the US Secretary of State's Policy Planning Staff, in Shanghai on Tuesday. The two sides had candid, in-depth and constructive communication on foreign policies, international situations and regional hot spot issues.

UNITED STATES

Biden 'continues to be fit for duty', doctor says

US President Joe Biden "continues to be fit for duty", his doctor wrote on Wednesday after conducting an annual physical checkup that is being closely watched as the 81-year-old seeks reelection in November. Kevin O'Connor, Biden's physician, wrote that the president is adjusting well to a new device that helps control his sleep apnea and has experienced some hip discomfort but also works out five times per week. Former president Donald Trump, 77, is the favorite to lock up the Republican nomination later this month, which would bring him closer to a November rematch against Biden.

Illinois judge removes Trump from ballot

An Illinois state judge on Wednesday barred Donald Trump from appearing on Illinois Republican presidential primary ballot because of his role in the insurrection at the US Capitol on Jan 6, 2021, but she delayed her ruling from taking effect in light of an expected appeal by the former US president. A campaign spokesperson for Trump said this "is an unconstitutional ruling that we will quickly appeal". Meanwhile, the Supreme Court agreed on Wednesday to hear Trump's claim that as a former president he is immune from prosecution. The court scheduled arguments in the case for the week of April 22.

NEW ZEALAND

'Leap year glitch' shuts down some fuel pumps

A number of New Zealand petrol pumps stopped working on Thursday due to a "leap year glitch" in payment software, fuel stations and the payment service provider said. Allied Fuel, Gull, Z Energy and BP all confirmed some self-service fuel pumps they operate around New Zealand were not working due to issues with the payment system used. John Scott, chief executive of Invenco Group, said the system had stopped working due to a "leap year glitch". It needed to be rolled out to affected fuel pumps around the country, Scott said.

China Daily - Agencies