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Here are today’s picks from our editors.
Xi meets with HKSAR chief executive
President Xi Jinping on Monday met with Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam, who is on a duty visit to Beijing.
During the meeting, Xi heard a report from Lam on Hong Kong's current situation and the HKSAR government's work.
Xi said 2019 has been the most grim and complex year for Hong Kong since it returned to the motherland.
Xi also said Lam has led the SAR government to actively respond to social concerns, adopt a series of policies and measures to support businesses and mitigate difficulties for the people, and carefully study solutions to deep social tensions and problems.
Xi said the central government fully acknowledges the courage and sense of mission Lam has demonstrated during this special period for Hong Kong. (Xinhua)
China's natural gas output exceeds 170 bln cubic meters in 2019
China's natural gas output reached 173.3 billion cubic meters in 2019, according to the national energy work conference held in Beijing on Monday.
The country's annual output has increased by over 10 billion cubic meters for three consecutive years, the source said.
China's newly proven reserves of natural gas in 2019 reached 1.4 trillion cubic meters, up 68 percent year on year. (Xinhua)
France's pensions reform chief resigns
France's high commissioner for pensions, Jean-Paul Delevoye, has stepped down from his post.
Delevoye resigned on Monday after failing to disclose a high-paying private sector job while he was in office, according to a government statement.
French President Emmanuel Macron's office said in a statement that it had accepted Delevoye's resignation and a replacement would be appointed "as soon as possible."
The controversial pensions reforms currently being proposed in France have been met with an angry reaction in the country, resulting in a series of strikes. (CGTN)
Turkey may close 2 military bases used by US 'if necessary': president
Turkey may close two military bases where US soldiers are stationed if "necessary," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on late Sunday.
"We may need to make some decisions, too," he said, elaborating a recent US resolution passed by the Senate that recognized the killings of Armenians as "genocide" in 1915.
The US Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution that formally recognizes the Ottoman Empire's actions toward the Armenian people from 1915 to 1923 as an act of "genocide." (Xinhua)
Starbucks apologizes for not serving 2 US police officers
Starbucks has apologized after baristas refused to serve two sheriff’s deputies in Riverside County, California on Thursday.
The company soon started taking criticism after Chad Bianco, the Riverside County Sheriff, tweeted Friday, saying “the anti-police culture repeatedly displayed by Starbucks employees must end.”
An ABC News report cited an officer with the company saying the two deputies were not refused service but ignored by the workers for about five minutes.
Reggie Borges, Starbucks spokesperson, expressed their regret for the incident saying, “We really want to connect with the two deputies, apologize directly, and hear their stories.” (China Plus)
India to set up third rocket launchpad
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) would soon set up a third rocket launchpad in the country, officials said Sunday.
The launchpad will be built near Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu.
Currently, India has two launch pads in Andhra Pradesh.
The demand for additional launch pads has risen as a result of increased satellite launches from India, both for domestic and international customers. (Xinhua)
Miss Jamaica crowned Miss World 2019
Jamaican psychology student Toni-Ann Singh was crowned Miss World 2019 Saturday at a ceremony in London.
The 23-year-old was crowned by last year's winner, Mexican Vanessa Ponce de Leon.
Singh is the fourth Jamaican to win the title. France's Ophely Mezino and India's Suman Rao were the runners-up. (AFP)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
And now for the Question of the Day:
How many letters are there in the German alphabet?
(Answer: Thirty.)
Today’s quote is from German philosopher Meister Eckhart (1260 - 1328).
"A just person is one who is conformed and transformed into justice."
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon, and Elaine Yue Lin. Music by Eugene Loner.)