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

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4th plenum of 19th CPC Central Committee set

The fourth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China will be held from October 28 to 31 in Beijing.

Members of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau discussed important issues on how to uphold and improve the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and modernize China's system and capacity for governance.

They decided that the document will be revised based on the discussion at Thursday's meeting and submitted to the fourth plenary session. (Global Times)

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China agriculture expands steadily in first three quarters

China's agricultural sector expanded steadily during the first three quarters of the year, with a stable increase in farmers' incomes, an official said Friday.

The added value of the country's primary industry hit 4.3 trillion yuan (about $614.3 billion) during the period, up 2.9 percent year on year.

Disposable incomes of farmers jumped 6.4 percent year on year to 11,622 yuan.

China's grain output is expected to reach over 650 billion kg for a fifth straight year in 2019, sustaining 16 consecutive years of a bumper harvest. (Xinhua)

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DOJ review of Russia probe now a criminal inquiry

The US Justice Department has shifted its review of the Russia probe to a criminal investigation.

It’s a move likely to raise concerns that US President Donald Trump and his allies may be using the powers of the government to go after their opponents.

The revelation comes as Trump already faces scrutiny about a potential abuse of power.

This includes a House impeachment inquiry examining whether he withheld military aid in order to pressure the president of Ukraine to launch an investigation of former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter. (AP)

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Lion Air crash report due with Boeing jet flight-controls in spotlight

Indonesia's air safety watchdog releases its final report Friday on the crash of a Boeing 737 Max operated by Lion Air that killed 189 people, with all eyes on possible problems with the brand new jet's flight control system.

A summary of the report shown to victims' relatives earlier this week in Jakarta suggested it would highlight flaws in the flight-control system of the hi-tech aircraft, which only entered commercial service in 2017.

Preliminary probes into the accident have pointed to the model's Manoeuvring Characteristics Augmentation System, an automated flight-handling mechanism that pilots were unable to control. (AFP)

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South Korea to give up developing nation status at WTO

South Korea has decided to give up its developing nation status at the World Trade Organization.

South Korea Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said there is little possibility that the international community can recognize South Korea as a developing country in future WTO negotiations.

He added that a delay could undermine its negotiating power. (CGTN)

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Evacuations as wildfire roars through California wine country

A fast-moving wildfire roared through California wine country Thursday, prompting evacuations and destroying structures as authorities warned of the imminent danger of more fires across much of the state.

The Kincade fire in a rural area of Sonoma County kicked up Wednesday night, quickly growing from a blaze of a few hundred acres into an uncontained 10,000-acre inferno, California fire and law enforcement officials said.

About 500 responders backed by air tankers and helicopters battled the blaze fed by wind gusts topping 70 miles per hour.

Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for the community of Geyserville and nearby vineyards after the fire, which started in a mountainous area, quickly spread, crossing a highway and moving toward homes, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said. (AFP)

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China, Singapore pursue stronger ties

And China's recent efforts to strengthen cooperation with Singapore in the financial sector show that Beijing aims for comprehensive opening-up.

Experts said a Chinese market offering greater access would provide the Southeast Asian country more growth opportunities.

The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission and the Monetary Authority of Singapore signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance supervisory cooperation and facilitate the exchange of information in banking, insurance supervision and crisis management. (Global Times)

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

(Produced by David Nye and Zhan Huilan)