People's Daily Tonight: Podcast News (7/18/2018 Wed.)
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This is People’s Daily Tonight, your news source from China. 

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CAAC cuts Air China flight hours after vaping incident

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China’s civil aviation authority cuts the flight hours of Air China’s Boeing 737 fleet.

This, after one of its pilots attempted to turn off the circulation fan to prevent smoke from his e-cigarette from reaching the cabin.

He accidentally switched off the airconditioning unit, which triggered an altitude warning.

The agency likewise cancelled the license of the flight’s pilot and co-pilot. (People's Daily app)

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Premier urges reduction in cost of anti-cancer medicine

Premier Li Keqiang wants to ensure the supply and a price reduction for anti-cancer medicine. 

He says the appeal for less-costly imported medicines for patients reflects the urgency of tackling the problem of reducing prices and ensuring supplies.

Two State Council executive meetings decided to drop tariffs on imported cancer-fighting medicine. (China Daily)

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Trump backs down under fire, ‘clarifies’ on Russia meddling

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US President Donald Trump goes on damage control.

He claims he misspoke at a joint news conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki.

Trump stunned the world by shying away from criticizing the Russian leader for Moscow’s actions to undermine the election, and cast doubt on US intelligence agencies.

That statement led to strong bipartisan criticism from US lawmakers. (AP)

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Thai cave boys to leave hospital, speak to media

The 12 boys and the football coach who survived a highly dangerous and dramatic rescue from a flooded cave in Thailand are preparing to leave the hospital.

The "Wild Boars" soccer team is being discharged a day earlier than previously announced.

Authorities hope a question and answer session will satisfy the intense media speculation that has accompanied their epic underground ordeal. (AFP)

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Fed chairman says gradual rate hikes best way for now

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US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell defends the gradually rise of the federal funds rate for now.

He says concerns about the Trump administration's trade policy could have an impact on US wages and capital expenditures.

Last month, the Fed raised its target range for the benchmark federal funds rate for the second time this year. (Xinhua)

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Civilians killed, wounded in shelling on Yemen market: MSF

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Three civilians were killed and nine wounded when a mortar shell hit a crowded market in southwestern Yemen.

Allied with Iran, the northern Huthis are locked in a war against the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

He’s backed by a powerful military alliance led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Nearly 10,000 people have been killed in the Yemen conflict since 2015, when Saudi Arabia and its allies joined the government's fight against the Huthis.

The conflict has pushed the impoverished country to the brink of famine, triggering what the United Nations says is the world's worst single humanitarian crisis. (AFP)

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Chinese vice president meets WHO director-general

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And Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan says the Chinese government is committed to promoting the development of a healthy China.

He says China appreciates the critical role played by the World Health Organization in coordinating global health development.

He added that China supports the WHO in promoting the implementation of health-related Sustainable Development Goals. (Xinhua)

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

(Produced by David Nye, Jiang Zhuqing and Liang Peiyu)