Welcome to Fresh Start.
This is People’s Daily app.
Here are today’s picks from our editors.
China suspends Hong Kong visits by US military ships, aircraft, sanctions US NGOs
The Chinese government has decided to suspend reviewing applications to visit Hong Kong by US military ships and aircraft starting Monday, foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.
China will also take sanctions against some US non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for their role in the disturbances in Hong Kong, Hua said at a press conference.
The NGOs include the National Endowment for Democracy, National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, International Republican Institute, Human Rights Watch and Freedom House.
The spokesperson said the United States has seriously violated the international law and basic norms governing international relations and interfered in China's internal affairs by signing the so-called Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 into law despite China's firm opposition.
China will take further necessary actions in accordance with the development of the situation to firmly defend the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong and safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, she said. (Xinhua)
China's Long March-8 rocket successfully passes engine test
China has successfully tested the second stage engine of the Long March-8 rocket, preparing for its maiden flight in 2020, according to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).
The hydrogen-oxygen engine worked normal during the test and was shut down after successfully completing every procedure.
Developed by the CASC, the Long March-8 rocket is a new rocket that uses module design and can be prepared in a short time, making it competitive for commercial use. (Xinhua)
Beijing 2022 to kick off global recruitment for Games-time volunteers
Beijing 2022 will kick off its global recruitment program for Olympic volunteers on International Volunteer Day, December 5.
According to data released by Beijing 2022 officials, 27,000 volunteers will be needed for the Winter Games and 12,000 for the Winter Paralympics.
For Thursday's launch ceremony, Beijing 2022 will open its online system for the global recruitment of volunteers and the logo, video, and song of its volunteer program. An invitation will also be sent welcoming the world to be a volunteer during the 2022 Winter Games. (Xinhua)
Hamas, Islamic Jihad leaders head to Cairo for talks over truce with Israel
Leaders of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) headed to Cairo on Monday for talks with senior Egyptian security officials over a possible truce with Israel, Hamas sources said.
The talks will focus on the Egyptian efforts to reinforce a truce between Israel and the Palestinian factions, the sources said.
Internal Palestinian issues will also be discussed during the talks, they added. (Xinhua)
Japan to buy $146 million island for US military drills
Japan said Monday it had agreed to buy an uninhabited island off of its southwest coast for $146 million, eyeing it for US military drills.
Tokyo and Washington agreed in 2011 to relocate a training site for US fighter jets to Mageshima Island, around 30 kilometers off of the southwestern Japanese coast.
Residents who live on nearby islands have said they are concerned about the noise of a potential flight training base. (CGTN)
Dictionary.com chooses 'existential' as word of the year
Climate change and gun violence helped propel “existential” to Dictionary.com’s word of the year.
The choice reflects months of high-stakes threats and crises, real and pondered, across the news, the world and throughout 2019.
The word earned top of mind awareness in sustained searches at Dictionary.com in the aftermath of wildfires and Hurricane Dorian, and mass shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand, and El Paso, Texas. (AP)
Switzerland to issue commemorative coin in honor of tennis legend Roger Federer
The Swiss Federal Mint Swissmint announced Monday that it will issue a commemorative coin in honor of tennis legend Roger Federer next year.
In a statement posted Monday on the Swiss Federal Government's website, Swissmint said this will be the first time in its history that a commemorative coin has been designed after a living person.
According to the statement, Swissmint will issue a 20-franc "Roger Federer" silver coin on January 23, 2020, and a gold coin in May 2020. (Xinhua)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
And now for the Question of the Day:
What color were the Pyramids at Giza originally?
(Answer: White.)
Today’s quote is from English poet John Keats (1795-1821).
"You are always new, the last of your kisses was ever the sweetest."
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon, and Elaine Yue Lin. Music by Eugene Loner.)