This is People’s Daily Tonight, your news source from China.

_____

Magnitude 7.3 earthquake shakes Venezuela; buildings evacuated in Caracas 

A powerful earthquake rocks Venezuela’s northeastern coast.

The magnitude-7.3 quake shook the capital and briefly interrupted a pro-government rally.

The US Geological Survey says it had a depth of 123 kilometers.

Its epicenter was 20 kilometers off the sparsely populated peninsula that has seen several devastating quakes in the past. (AP)

_____

Scientists confirm ice exists at Moon's poles

Scientists say they have confirmed the existence of ice on the Moon's surface for the first time.

It’s a discovery that could one day help humans survive there.

The ice mainly lies in the frigid shadows of craters at the lunar poles, and was detected using instruments that flew on the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft.

Signs of ice on the Moon have been reported by scientists for years, but previous observations could have been explained by other phenomena.  (AFP)

_____

2018 FOCAC Beijing summit: Four outcomes expected

China pledges a stronger community of shared future with Africa.

This, as China hosts the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) next month.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi says the forum will usher in a new era for the Belt and Road initiative, and documents signed during the forum will be a blueprint for the next three years. (CGTN)

_____

PLA to participate in Vostok 2018 drills

The People's Liberation Army will participate for the first time in Russia's Vostok military drills.

Experts say it's a move that showcases their deepening strategic partnership.

The joint exercise will be held from September 11 to 15 in Russia's Trans-Baikal.

China will send about 3,200 officers and soldiers, more than 900 pieces of equipment and weaponry plus 30 helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.  (Global Times)

 _____

Trump ex-lawyer Cohen pleads guilty -- and implicates president

Long-time former Trump lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen pleads guilty to violating campaign finance rules during the 2016 presidential race.

Worse, he implicated the US president in the process.

Cohen pled guilty to five counts of tax fraud, one for bank fraud and two counts for violating campaign finance laws.

Cohen says he paid sums of $130,000 and $150,000, respectively, to two women who claimed they had affairs with Trump.

He says he was acting at his boss's request to buy their silence with the purpose of influencing the election. (AFP)

_____

Australian gov't cancels largest live exporter's license over animal welfare scandal 

The Australian government permanently cancels its largest live sheep exporter's export license.

Australia opened an investigation into the company's practices after footage of 2,500 dead or dying sheep as a result of thirst and exhaustion aboard the vessel Awassi Express in the Middle East was made public.

The government has come under pressure to ban the practice entirely, but remains opposed to the idea. (Xinhua)

_____

China issues guidelines to categorize general aviation operations

And China will categorize general aviation flights to further develop the industry.

The new categories for China's general aviation include a new management system that will classify each flight into a specific sector. (Xinhua)

_____

And that’s People’s Daily Tonight. Thanks for joining us.

(Produced by David Nye and Qu Qiuyan)