People's Daily Tonight: Podcast News (3/13/2018 Tue.)

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

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China's national legislature hears draft supervision law

China’s draft supervision law goes to third reading.

It’s aimed at creating an independent State organ to supervise personnel who wield public authority.

The law grants supervisory commissions the authority to fight corruption.

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Theresa May: Russia 'highly likely' behind spy attack

British Prime Minister Theresa May says it was“highly likely”that Russia was to blame for the poisoning of a former Russian spy.

The spy was attacked on March 4 near his home in southern England.

May says it is now clear that Mr. Skripal and his daughter were poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent of a type developed by Russia.

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China unveils State Council reshuffle plan

China’s cabinet will undergo major changes.

A draft submitted to the first session of the 13th National People's Congress on Tuesday says the number of ministry-level bodies will be cut by eight, and the number of vice-ministry-level institutions by seven.

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US defense secretary pays surprise visit to Kabul

US Defense Secretary James Mattis pays an unannounced visit to Kabul on Tuesday.

Reports say the Pentagon chief will meet Afghan President to discuss matters of mutual interest, including the war on terror and the peace process in Afghanistan.

Mattis will also meet the commanders of US and the allied troops in Afghanistan.

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Abe back under fire following file tampering revelation

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is under fire again.

This, after his finance minister admitted altering documents on a cut-price land deal scandal implicating Abe and his wife.

Reports say some Finance Ministry documents linked to the dubious deal appeared to have been revised, in an apparent attempt to cover up the scandal. 

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Explosion near convoy of Palestinian PM during visit to Gaza

An explosion goes off near the convoy of Palestinian Prime Minister during his visit to Gaza.

The explosion occurred shortly after his convoy entered for a rare visit to the territory run by Islamist movement Hamas.

A statement on official Palestinian media says President Mahmud Abbas considered it a "cowardly targeting" of the Prime Minister's convoy and held Hamas responsible.

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WTO chief warns of 'domino effect' of US trade tariffs 

And World Trade Organization chief Roberto Azevedo warns of a potential domino effect of proposed US tariffs on steel and aluminum.

He says once you enter the path of reciprocal reprisals, you know when it begins, you know how it begins, but you don't know how or when you will be able to stop the process.

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

(Produced by David Nye, Wang Yi and Zhao Dantong)