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Here are today’s picks from our editors.

Chinese president meets DPRK foreign minister

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Beijing on Friday.

Xi asked Ri to convey his cordial greetings to Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of DPRK.

Xi said that during Kim's three visits to China this year, the two leaders had a thorough and in-depth exchange of views over major issues including deepening China-DPRK friendly cooperation as well as promoting regional peace, stability and development.

The Chinese side supports the DPRK people to explore a development path suited to its national conditions under the leadership of Kim, and hopes that the DPRK will have a promising future in all its endeavors, the president said.

For his part, Ri conveyed Kim's cordial greetings and best wishes to Xi.

Ri said the DPRK is willing to work with China to hold well celebration activities marking the 70th anniversary of DPRK-China diplomatic relations next year, consolidate the traditional friendship with China and enhance bilateral cooperation.

(Xinhua)

Rocket carrying China's Chang'e-4 lunar probe blasts off

China's Chang'e-4 lunar probe was successfully launched by the Long March 3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center at 2:23am on Saturday local time, starting a mission to make humanity’s first soft landing on the far side of the Moon.

The Chang'e-4's lunar lander and rover are equipped with eight instruments, cameras and payloads for a range of scientific studies, including low-frequency radio observations, detection of solar wind activity and interaction with matter on the Moon’s surface, as well as explorations of surface features and subsurface structures.

In 2004, China officially launched a Moon exploration project called Chang'e Project. The Chinese Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP) is divided into three main operational phases of orbiting (Phase I), landing (Phase II) and returning (Phase III). (People's Daily app)

France gears up to face new riots; Paris shuts down

France mobilized tens of thousands of police officers and made plans to shut down beloved tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre on the eve of anti-government protests that authorities feared could be even more violent than the ones that have crippled the country for weeks.

The drastic security measures will put central Paris in a lockdown on Saturday.

French President Emmanuel Macron agreed late Wednesday to abandon the fuel tax hike that triggered the movement, but protesters' anger at his government has not abated. (AP)

Trump names ex-Bush official William Barr as new attorney general

US President Donald Trump on Friday nominated William Barr, a conservative lawyer who was attorney general in the administration of the late George H.W. Bush, to lead the Department of Justice.

Barr would replace Jeff Sessions, who Trump forced to resign last month amid rising pressure on the White House from the Russia collusion investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. (AFP)

China marks successful repatriation of 4,833 fugitives

As the International Anti-Corruption Day approaches on December 9, China's "Skynet" program to have fugitives living overseas returned to China has been marked by success. The People's Daily reports that since its launch in 2015, 4,833 people have been returned to China from more than 120 countries.

This includes 995 state functionaries, and 54 out of 100 Interpol red notice fugitives. The program has also recovered more than 10.3 billion yuan (1.5 billion US dollars) in assets.

China has signed 54 extradition treaties and 63 mutual legal assistance treaties with 71 countries. (China Plus)

Stocks plunge again, led by technology

Major indexes are sinking again as traders continue to unload stocks, extending a dismal streak for the stock market.

Friday’s sell-off erased more than 500 points from the Dow Jones Industrial Average, bringing its weekly drop to more than 1,000. Technology and health care stocks led the way lower.

The Dow dropped 561 points, or 2.2 percent, to 24,394.

The S&P 500 fell 59 points, or 2.2 percent, to 2,636. The Nasdaq fell 190 points, or 2.7 percent, to 6,999. (AP)

Beaver Creek winner Luitz under oxygen investigation

Alpine skier Stefan Luitz is under investigation for allegedly breaking anti-doping rules by inhaling oxygen between runs during his giant slalom win at Beaver Creek last weekend.

The International Ski Federation (FIS) told AFP on Friday it was looking into the matter after Italian and Swiss journalists revealed the existence of a photograph which appeared to show the German inhaling oxygen

In June 2016, the FIS banned the use of oxygen cylinders in competition, a point specified in the federation's anti-doping regulations. (AFP)

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

After the Sun, what is the closest star to the Earth?

(Answer: Proxima Centuari.)

Today's quote is from Chinese philosopher Xun Kuang (310BC-237BC).

“Human nature refers to what is in people but which they cannot study or work at achieving.”

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Brian Lowe, Elaine Yue Lin and Da Hang.)