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This is People’s Daily app.
Here are today’s picks from our editors.
China Post to publish stamps for the Year of the Rat
China Post will publish a set of zodiac stamps for the upcoming Chinese Lunar Year of the Rat on Sunday.
The rat is a beloved creature that ranks first on the Chinese zodiac calendar.
Designed by the well-known artist Han Meilin, the rats on the stamps represent good wishes for people's lives in the New Year. (China Plus)
China-Myanmar joint biodiversity survey makes new discoveries
A team of scientists from China and Myanmar recently finished a joint field biodiversity survey in northern Myanmar, making new discoveries including potentially six new plant species and three new amphibian species along with capturing rare footage of endangered wild animals.
During the survey, the team collected more than 3,300 specimens of plants and animals during the month-long project in the Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary in Myanmar's Sagaing Region.
The team captured footage of Bengal tigers for the first time since the joint scientific endeavor began five years ago. (CGTN)
Iran says US responsible for consequences of Soleimani's assassination
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Saturday that the United States is responsible for the consequences of the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, former commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).
Zarif made the remarks in a meeting with the visiting Qatari Foreign Minister.
“Iran does not seek tensions in the region, but the presence of foreign forces is the cause of instability, insecurity and tensions in our sensitive region,” Zarif said, according to the official IRNA newsagency. (Xinhua)
US unveils partial ban on flavored e-cigarettes
The US government announced Thursday it was banning most flavored e-cigarettes in an effort to curb the rising tide of youth vaping, but under industry pressure it stopped short of the full ban promised in September by the White House.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said the change will take effect in early February, outlawing cartridges with fruit, mint and candy flavors, which are particularly popular with young people.
However, the ban will exempt e-cigarettes in flavors like tobacco or menthol. (AFP)
Harry Potter studio tour worker sentenced for stealing magical merchandise
A man who worked at the Harry Potter film studio tour has been sentenced for stealing merchandise worth almost 37,000 pounds, British media reported Saturday.
Adam Hill was sentenced to 14 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and 250 hours unpaid work, after he was found guilty of stealing wands, ties, badges, key rings and other items from the Warner Bros Studio Tour stockroom.
He was caught after colleagues noticed the items piling up under his desk.
Using eBay, the 36-year-old managed to sell 1,040 stolen items. (Xinhua)
US men’s soccer team cancels plan to train in Qatar
The US men’s soccer team has canceled its plan to train in Doha, Qatar, from Jan. 5-25 “due to the developing situation in the region.”
The US Soccer Federation announced the decision Friday, a day after a US military air strike killed a top Iranian military commander.
The USSF said it hopes to train in the future in Qatar, host of the 2022 World Cup. (AP)
Two giant pandas born in Belgium win 'Panda Cub of the Year' Gold Award
Bao Di and Bao Mei, the two giant pandas born last year in the Belgian zoo of Pairi Daiza, won the "Panda Cub of the Year" Gold Award on Friday.
The ceremony of 2019 Giant Panda Global Awards was held in Pairi Daiza. It was organized by the Giant Panda Global website, a platform to promote conservation efforts for giant pandas.
328,445 votes were registered during online voting in 15 categories. (Xinhua)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
And now for the Question of the Day:
About how many active volcanos are there on Earth?
(Answer: About 1900.)
Today’s quote is from French philosopher Montesquieu (1689-1755).
"To love to read is to exchange hours of ennui for hours of delight."
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Brian Lowe, and Paris Yelu Xu. Music by Eugene Loner.)