People's Daily Tonight: Podcast News (3/19/2019 Tue.)

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

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Xi's upcoming visit to boost China-EU partnership: Chinese FM

Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to Europe is expected to further boost the China-EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Xi will hold state visits to Italy, Monaco and France from March 21 to 26.

He said choosing Europe as the Chinese president's first overseas trip this year shows the great importance China attaches to the continent.

Wang said the visit will promote stability and multilateralism in a fast changing world. (Xinhua)

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Japan Olympic chief facing corruption probe to step down

The head of Japan's Olympic Committee said he would step down in June, as French authorities probe his involvement in payments made before Tokyo was awarded the 2020 Summer Games.

Tsunekazu Takeda said he would also be stepping down from the International Olympic Committee.

Takeda has come under pressure not to seek an additional term when his current mandate ends in June after it was revealed that French authorities believe they have evidence of corruption in the awarding of the 2020 Games to Tokyo. (AFP)

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Paris police chief sacked after Champs-Elysees rioting

The French government sacked the Paris police chief on Monday and will ban rallies in some areas.

This, after Saturday's violent "yellow vest" protests.

About 5,000 police were deployed in the capital on Saturday, far outnumbering the several hundred black-clad rioters who caused mayhem in front of groups of often passive policemen for more than seven hours on the famed Champs-Elysees.

More than 100 businesses were damaged at the weekend in Paris, including dozens of luxury shops and restaurants on the Champs-Elysees. (AFP)

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North China landslide death toll rises to 15

A house collapse triggered by a landslide in north China's Shanxi Province has caused 15 deaths and left a further five missing, local authorities said Tuesday.

Thirteen survivors are receiving medical treatment.

The rescuers are still searching for the missing with the help of rescue dogs and equipment, the local government said.

The accident occurred around 6:10 pm last Friday in the township of Zaoling in Linfen City, when a landslide toppled two residential buildings, a makeshift house and a public bathhouse. (Xinhua)

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Cyclone death toll in Mozambique may exceed 1,000: president

The death toll in Mozambique from Tropical Cyclone Idai could exceed 1,000.

The National Institute for Disaster Management said more than 84 deaths have officially been recorded since Idai hit land Thursday night, bringing torrential rains and devastating winds.

Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi said the Defense and Security Forces are on the ground to help with the search, and air resources including helicopters and airplanes were mobilized to Beira, one of the worst-affected cities. (Xinhua)

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Former provincial official sentenced to 14 years in prison

Ji Xiangqi, a former vice governor of East China's Shandong province, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison on taking bribes and embezzlement charges.

The court found that between 2003 and 2017, Ji took advantage of his position to benefit organizations on matters related to business cooperation and project contracting. Ji accepted money and property worth more than 25.71 million yuan (about $3.7 million).

It also found that between 2004 and 2013, Ji misappropriated artwork worth about 12.24 million yuan, which belonged to a public gallery under his supervision.

Ji was fined 3 million yuan and had his illegal gains confiscated. (Xinhua)

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Chinese banks post forex settlement deficit in February

And China's commercial banks saw a net forex settlement deficit of 101.3 billion yuan, or around $15 billion, in February.

This reversed a surplus of 81.8 billion yuan reported in January, the first surplus in seven months.

Although the monthly data was affected by seasonable factors such as the Spring Festival holiday, officials said they see increased stability in the country's foreign exchange market based on data from the first two months. (Xinhua)

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

(Produced by David Nye, Chen Lidan and Wang Xiangyu)