People's Daily Tonight: Podcast News (8/23/2018 Thu.)
By Wang Zi
People's Daily app
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This is People's Daily Tonight, your news source from China.

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China produces largest aspheric mirror with potential military, space applications

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Chinese scientists produce the world's largest aspheric mirror.

A military expert says it could be used for military and national defense applications.  

The 4.03-meter diameter mirror is made of silicon carbide and passed its final test on Tuesday. 

The mirror’s successful development breaks the monopoly of large diameter aspheric mirrors by foreign countries. (Global Times)

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China imposes 25% tariffs on $16 billion worth of US goods


China imposes a 25 percent tariff on $16 billion worth of US goods.

This, in response to an identical new round of tariffs from the US on Chinese products.

China says it strongly opposes US tariffs and is forced to fight back.

China will file a complaint with the World Trade Organization against US tariffs. 

By launching the complaint under the WTO dispute settlement mechanism, China hopes to safeguard free trade and multilateral mechanisms as well as its legitimate rights and interests.  (People's Daily)

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UN holds memorial service for late secretary-general Annan

The United Nations in New York pays tribute to the late former secretary-general Kofi Annan.

Annan died on August 18.

Current Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remembered the late statesman, diplomat and gentleman as both a friend and mentor and a guiding force for good. 

Annan began his UN career in 1962, when he was just 24 years old. 

Over 35 years, he rose through its ranks to the highest position, serving as secretary-general between 1997 and 2006. (VCG-CGTN)

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Aussie PM Turnbull in crisis with second leadership challenge

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Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's tenuous grip on power comes under intense.

The man who wants his job launched a second leadership challenge in a week.

Senior ministers have also been defecting. 

Former home affairs minister Peter Dutton says he’s confident he now had the numbers to unseat Turnbull

He has yet to publicly respond to the latest threat to his rule,

But reports said he turned down the demand for another party meeting during the phone call. (AFP)

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US military deployment of 5 Ospreys close to Tokyo raises safety concerns among civilians

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The US Air Force will deploy five Osprey transport aircraft at Yokota Air Base near Tokyo in October.

It's part of a wider plan to introduce 10 of the tilt-rotor aircraft to the base in the coming years.

Japan's Defense Ministry has provided few details about the deployment.

It says the aircraft will quickly be able to respond to contingencies and deploy US special force personnel if and when deemed necessary. (Xinhua)

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Beijing launches hotline to curb 'black intermediary' business 

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Beijing's Municipal Housing and Urban-Rural Construction Committee and the Public Security Bureau launch a hotline aimed at curbing the illegal real estate and landlord-tenant business. 

In one day the hotline received calls from nine districts and more than 30 institutions. 

Authorities said those who are caught conducting business as a "black intermediary" can expect to receive stiffer penalties. (People's Daily app)

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China to strengthen regulation of extracurricular education institutions

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And China will further regulate institutions providing extracurricular classes or off-campus training.

A document says education departments at the provincial level should set specific standards, and ensure that local extracurricular education institutions give classes in fixed locations with qualified teachers. 

The guideline also asks institutions to inform local education departments of the details about their after-school classes. (Xinhua)

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

(Produced by David Nye and Wang Zi)