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This is People's Daily app.

Here are today's picks from our editors. 

Xi sends congratulatory letter to China-ASEAN media exchange year

Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a congratulatory letter to the opening ceremony of the 2019 China-ASEAN Year of Media Exchanges, which was held Wednesday.

Saying China-ASEAN relations have entered a new phase of all-around development, Xi stressed the launch of the China-ASEAN Year of Media Exchanges represents an important move toward intensifying their strategic partnership.

"Acting as a bridge in promoting communication, cooperation and people-to-people contacts, media can play an even greater role in the development of China-ASEAN ties," said the Chinese president. (Xinhua) 

Central China province to cut coal consumption by 5 pct

Central China's Henan province plans to cut its coal consumption by 5 percent in 2019 to improve its energy mix.

The provincial government aims to further cut local coal consumption by 10 million tons this year, the provincial energy saving and pollution reduction office said Wednesday.

The provincial government ordered strict approval restrictions on new coal consuming projects and elimination of some outdated coal-powered facilities, the office said. (China Daily) 

Putin says Russia to take measures if US deploys missiles

Russia does not intend to be the first to place missiles in Europe but will develop its defense capacities and take reciprocal measures if the United States deploys missiles, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday in his address to Russia's Federal Assembly.

"Russia will be forced to create and deploy weapons that can be used not only against areas, from which a direct threat will emanate, but also against the centers making decisions on the use of missile systems that threaten us," Putin said.

Putin stressed that Russia wants peace with all countries, including the United States, but it will develop its military might to protect itself against any threat. (Xinhua) 

Three lawmakers quit UK PM May's Conservatives over 'disastrous' Brexit

Three pro-EU lawmakers from Britain's governing Conservative Party quit to join an independent group in parliament on Wednesday, in a blow to Prime Minister Theresa May's attempts to unite her party around her Brexit plans.

The trio, long critical of May's Brexit strategy to leave the European Union which they say is being driven by Conservative eurosceptics, said in a statement they were resigning over "this government's disastrous handling of Brexit". (China Daily) 

Winter storm closes schools, snarls travel across much of US

A sprawling storm closed schools, snarled travel and threatened homeless populations in the US Wednesday with snow and cold stretching from the Midwest to the East Coast and heavy rain in the South.

Snow fell in New York City, and schools in several parts of the US closed amid predictions of messy afternoon commutes.

Nationwide, more than 2,000 flights were canceled and more than 3,400 were delayed, according to the flight-tracking website FlightAware. Washington's Reagan National Airport led the pack Wednesday morning, with 37 percent of departures and 33 percent of arrivals canceled. (AP) 

China holds zero tolerance attitude on illegal trade of endangered wildlife, products

A prominent Chinese businesswoman dubbed the “Ivory Queen” was sentenced to 15 years in prison by a Tanzanian court on Tuesday for smuggling tusks of more than 350 elephants, weighing nearly 2 tons, to Asia, Reuters reported Wednesday.

Geng Shuang, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the Chinese government has adopted a "zero tolerance" attitude toward participating in the illegal trade of endangered wildlife and its products, and has resolutely punished criminals.

The Chinese government has consistently required Chinese citizens abroad to comply with local laws and regulations.

“We do not protect the illegal activities of Chinese citizens and support the relevant departments of Tanzania to investigate and handle the case in accordance with the law,” he stressed. (People's Daily app) 

Ford to close oldest plant in Brazil, costing 2,700 jobs

Ford Motor says it will close its oldest factory in Brazil and exit its heavy commercial truck business in South America, a move that could cost more than 2,700 jobs as part of a restructuring meant to end losses around the world.

The factory slated for closure is in Sao Bernardo do Campo, an industrial suburb of Sao Paulo that has operated since 1967. It first produced a number of auto models before being switched predominantly to trucks in 2001. It makes the F-4000 and F-350 trucks, as well as the Fiesta small car, a sales laggard. (CGTN) 

Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.

And now for the Question of the Day:

During which geological period was the earth's surface covered in glaciers?

(Answer: Ice Age.)

Today's quote is from American athlete Kobe Bryant.

"Winning takes precedence over all. There's no gray area. No almosts."

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Brian Lowe, and Elaine Yue Lin. Music by Eugene Loner.)