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

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Chinese open market operation rates up after Fed rate hike

China’s interest rates rise point-zero-five percent.

This, following an interest rate hike by the US Federal Reserve on Wednesday.

China’s central bank says the increase reflects market changes and the market’s normal response to US Fed rate hikes.

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China toughens stance ahead of US investigation results, tariff threats

China takes a firmer stance to a string of past and likely imminent US trade protection measures.

China says it is strongly opposed to the unilateral protectionist trade practices of the US and will resolutely take necessary measures to protect Chinese company interests.

The announcement comes following reports that the US will soon investigate alleged Chinese intellectual property and technology transfer violations.

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Sarkozy in police custody over campaign financing

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy is officially a suspect.

This, as investigators look into claims his 2007 election campaign received funding from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Sarkozy has been released from police custody but put under judicial supervision.

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China to merge state media broadcasting giants

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China issues a plan to deepen the reform of the Party and state institutions. 

The plan includes the creation of a new central radio and television network to be known as the“Voice of China.” 

It combines China Central Television, China National Radio, and China Radio International, and will serve under the State Council.

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Zuckerberg says Facebook made mistakes on user data, vows curbs

Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg finally brakes his silence on the data scandal.  

He apologized for a "major breach of trust" with its 2 billion users and vowed not to repeat the mistake.

A British firm linked to Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign allegedly harvested data on 50 million American users.

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Washington DC area blanketed in spring snowstorm

The US suffers its fourth nor' easter.

The White House has cancelled all public events due to the snowstorm. 

The DC area has not seen this much snow this late in the year in more than 50 years.

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Austin bombing suspect's uncle says he was computer geek

And the uncle of a 23-year-old man suspected of planting deadly bombs in Austin, Texas describes him as a computer geek.

But he says he has no idea what might have motivated Mark Anthony Conditt.

Authorities say Conditt died after detonating a bomb in his sport utility vehicle as officers moved in for an arrest near Austin.

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

(Produced by David Nye, Wang Yi and Shan Xin)