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Happy New Year!
Here are today’s picks from our editors.
World leaders call for courage, efforts to make 2020 a better year
In their New Year messages, leaders of various countries have called for courage and efforts to make 2020 a better year and overcome challenges as we enter a new decade.
In a New Year speech delivered on Tuesday evening, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to achieve the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects for China in the "milestone" year.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called for unity and concerted efforts by the Russian people, noting "our personal plans and dreams are inseparable from Russia."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in her New Year's Eve address, appealed for courage and confidence of the German people to meet the challenges of the new decade. (Xinhua)
China starts 10-year fishing ban on Yangtze River
China on Wednesday began a 10-year fishing ban on key areas of the Yangtze River to protect biodiversity in the country's longest river, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
Starting from this year, the ban will be observed in 332 conservation areas in the Yangtze River basin, which will also be expanded to all natural waterways of the river and its major tributaries from no later than Jan. 1, 2021.
Fishing will also be prohibited on natural waterways of large lakes connected to the Yangtze such as the Dongting Lake and Poyang Lake for 10 years starting from no later than Jan. 1, 2021. (Xinhua)
US embassy in Baghdad suspends consular operations
The US embassy in Baghdad on Wednesday announced the suspension of all public consular operations until further notice.
A statement by the embassy said "due to militia attacks at the US embassy compound, all public consular operations are suspended until further notice. All future appointments are cancelled.”
On Sunday evening US forces bombarded headquarters of Hashd Shaabi's 45th and 46th Brigades, leaving 25 dead and 51 injured. (Xinhua)
India, Pakistan exchange list of nuclear installations
New Delhi and Islamabad on Wednesday exchanged a list of their nuclear installations, officials said.
The exchange was carried out through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, India's Foreign Ministry officials said.
The exchange has taken place under a bilateral agreement between the two countries that prohibits them from attacking each other's atomic facilities.
This is the 29th consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries. (Xinhua)
Australia fires: Military to be deployed to help rescue effort
Australia has launched a major operation to reach thousands of people stranded in seaside towns after deadly bushfires ripped through popular tourist areas on New Year's Eve.
As emergency-level fires spread, thousands of people fled to beaches in the southeastern states of New South Wales and Victoria, the two worst-affected regions. Navy ships and military aircraft were deployed alongside emergency crews on Wednesday to provide humanitarian relief and assess the damage from the fires. The death toll reached 12, with more than 1,000 homes destroyed. (CGTN)
Mainland box office sales grow 5.4 pct in 2019
Total box office sales on the Chinese mainland in 2019 stood at 64.3 billion yuan, growing by 5.4 percent from the previous year.
According to the China Film Administration on Tuesday, domestic films grossed 41.2 billion yuan during the year, a significant 8.65-percent increase from last year.
In 2019, of the 88 films each with box office sales of 100 million yuan, 47 were domestic films, the administration said. (Xinhua)
Wulan loses to Tanaka in the 'hardest' match in Chinese boxing history
Wulan Tuolehazi of China lost to Japan's three-division world title holder Tanaka Kosei in a WBO Flyweight World Championship bout in Tokyo on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old Japanese showed his dominant skills and strategy from the opening bell, suppressing Wulan in the ring and finally knocking out the 26-year-old Chinese at 2:17 of the third round.
Kosei (15W, 9KOs) is one of two boxers in the world who’ve had the fewest bouts (12) to obtain three division champion titles. The other is Vasyl Lomachenko of Ukraine. (CGTN)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
And now for the Question of the Day:
The month of January is named after which Roman god of doorways?
(Answer: Janus.)
Today’s quote is from British writer C.S. Lewis (1898-1963).
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Brian Lowe, and Elaine Yue Lin. Music by Eugene Loner.)