Welcome to Fresh Start.

This is People’s Daily app. 

Here are today’s picks from our editors.

Chinese overseas M&A activities cool in H1: report

Chinese overseas mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activities lost steam in the first half of this year amid rising global economic uncertainties, a report showed Thursday.

Chinese firms spent about $22 billion in outbound M&A deals in the first six months of the year, down by about 60 percent from the same period in 2017, according to a report by global management consultancy Bain & Company.

Bain attributed the drop to China's currency depreciation, fears of the effects of the US-China trade dispute, and tightening regulations. (Xinhua)

US stocks give up big early gain after two-day tumble

A big early gain for US stocks evaporated Friday leaving major indexes only somewhat higher after two days of steep losses. 

Stocks remained volatile after the drop and are on track for their biggest weekly loss in six months. Meanwhile investors have been rattled by large interest rate increases and concerns that US-China trade tensions are impairing global economic growth.

The S&P 500 index added 4 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,733. 

The Dow edged up 49 points, or 0.2 percent, to 25,088. The Nasdaq composite gained 63 points, or 0.9 percent, to 7,392. (AP)

Turkey court frees US pastor after two-year detention

A Turkish court on Friday ordered the release of an American pastor held for the last two years in Turkey, at a case that caused a crisis in ties with the US.

The court in Aliaga convicted Andrew Brunson of terror-related charges and sentenced him to three years, one month and 15 days in jail, an AFP correspondent said.

He was released early for time served and good behavior, with the court lifting his house arrest and overseas travel ban, the correspondent added. (AFP)

Community fears grow as DR Congo Ebola death toll climbs

Humanitarian workers are struggling to calm community fears in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where 125 people have already died of Ebola as the virus continues to spread.

The World Health Organization said Friday that 200 cases have been registered in the latest outbreak first detected on August 1, with 165 laboratory confirmed and 35 considered probable.

This latest outbreak -- the 10th in DR Congo since Ebola was first detected in the region in 1976 -- emerged in the Northeastern region of North Kivu, home to a cluster of armed groups. (AFP)

Chinese researchers produce mouse pups with same-sex parents

Chinese researchers produced healthy mice with two mothers that went on to have offspring of their own.

The study, published on Thursday in the journal “Cell Stem Cell,” said researchers used stem cells and targeted gene editing to render same sex reproduction.

Mice from two dads were also born but only survived for a few days, according to the study.

Certain reptiles, amphibians, and fish can also reproduce with same gender parents, but it is challenging for mammals to do so even with the help of fertilization technology. (Xinhua)

Biopic of Li Na starts filming in secret

Filming has started for the much-anticipated biopic based on the life story and accomplishments of China's superstar tennis player Li Na -- despite it still being unclear who will play the tennis ace.

Renowned director Peter Chan released a poster for the project on Thursday, showing Li Na standing with her back facing the viewer while holding a racket on a tennis court surrounded by thousands of spectators.

Chan decided to use an unknown for the lead role who was chosen and then trained in private for two years. Li said she met the actress and was satisfied with Chan's choice.

Li said she is looking forward to the film demonstrating her eagerness toward achieving her dreams. (China.org)

Britain's Princess Eugenie weds beau at Windsor Castle

Princess Eugenie married tequila executive Jack Brooksbank during a star-studded royal wedding at St. George’s Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle Friday.

The 28-year-old bride, granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, is ninth in line to the British throne.

The queen and her husband, Prince Philip, attended the wedding, along with other senior royals.

The A-list guests included Hollywood stars Demi Moore and Liv Tyler, fashion luminaries Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell and pop singer Robbie Williams. (AP)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

What is OK short for?

(Answer: The most popular theory is that OK comes from ‘oll korrect’, a deliberately misspelled writing of ‘all correct’. It was popularized in Boston newspapers around the 1840s when it was fashionable to go around spelling things incorrectly for humorous effect.)

Today’s quote is from German philosopher Meister Eco hart

“The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of making a mistake.” 

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon, and Da Hang.)