This is People’s Daily Tonight, your news source from China.
_____
Downtrend in gold price boosts demand in China
Gold consumption in China rose 5 percent year-on-year in the first three quarters of the year to almost 850 tons.
Insiders said the downward trend since April has further boosted demand in China.
They said demand in the fourth quarter is expected to stay strong due to China-US trade tensions.
The China Gold Association said gold consumption for jewelry purposes has increased.
But the use of gold for industrial purposes rose the most, around 25 percent year-on-year, to 82 tons on the back of strong demand from electronics manufacturers.(Chinadaily)
_____
Macron's popularity dips as French fuel tax revolt simmers
Emmanuel Macron's popularity took a further hit in recent weeks as fuel tax protests rumbled on across France in discontent with the president's economic reforms.
Only 25 percent people said they were satisfied with Macron, down from 29 percent in October.
His government introduced fuel tax hikes to encourage drivers to embrace less-polluting cars. But many rural voters got anxious as the extra cost began to bite in October when global oil prices surged.
Angry motorists and other demonstrators accused Macron of being out of touch with ordinary people and blocked roads across France in a grassroots campaign dubbed “Yellow Vests”.
More than 400 people were injured, 14 of them seriously.(CGTN)
_____
Top Australian scientific body invests in future AI, space technology
Australia's top scientific body has announced a 25.6 million US-dollar investment in artificial intelligence and space technology.
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization will spend 13.9 million US dollars on advancing AI-driven solutions for food security, sustainable energy and regional security.
The remaining 11.7 million dollars will go towards developing technologies for Earth observation and improving resource utilization in space.
The organization’s chief executive said the program was vital to establish Australia as a global player in multiple scientific fields into the future.(Xinhua)
_____
Dozens of children freed from human traffickers in Algeria
Algerian authorities said 93 children of different African nationalities were freed from human trafficking networks.
"Algerian security forces managed within a week to free 93 children of various African nationalities, including over 60 children from Niger, as they are exploited to raise money by begging in the capital Algiers," said the Police Department.
These children have been taken care of at the Social Assistance Homeless Center in upper Algiers and are in good physical and mental condition.
Algeria has handed 10,000 illegal immigrants, including 7,000 children, to its neighboring Niger this year.(Xinhua)
_____
China unveils new company delisting rules after vaccine scandal
China’s security regulators unveiled fresh terms as part of the new delisting rules that would force companies to delist once found to have committed serious mistakes or crimes against public safety.
New scenarios prompting forced delisting have been added to the latest rules.
The new regulations came after illegal activities by vaccine maker Changsheng Biotechnology had triggered public outrage and concern.
Under the new rules, the Shenzhen Stock Exchange would delist Changsheng.
That company was found to have falsified data and sold ineffective vaccines to children.(Chinadaily)
_____
Icon of animation empire Mickey Mouse celebrates 90th birthday
Mickey Mouse, the brainchild of cartoonist Walt Disney on Sunday celebrated his 90th birthday.
The iconic rodent launched his celluloid career in "Steamboat Willie," at New York's Colony Theater on November 18, 1928.
In the eight-minute-long, black-and-white cartoon, Mickey pilots a steamboat and entertains his passenger, Minnie Mouse, by making musical instruments out of the menagerie on board.
To mark his birthday, Disney opened a 16,000-square-foot art exhibition in Manhattan, called "Mickey: The True Original Exhibition," featuring original art, larger-than-life photo ops and, of course, commemorative merchandise. The exhibition runs until February 10.(AP)
_____
Bloomberg donates $1.8 billion to alma mater, Johns Hopkins
And former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is donating $1.8 billion to his alma mater, Johns Hopkins University.
Bloomberg and the university said that the gift is the largest ever to any education institution in the US.
University President Ronald Daniels called the gift “transformative”.
He says the contribution will allow Hopkins starting next fall to eliminate student loans in financial aid packages and commit to admitting the highest-achieving students regardless of ability to pay.
The 76-year-old founder of the global finances services company Bloomberg L.P. is among the world’s richest people.
He is also weighing a run for president in 2020.(AP)
_____
And that’s People’s Daily Tonight. Thanks for joining us.
(Produced by David Nye and Bai Yuanqi)