New | Around the nation: Lunar New Year has Chinese figurine-maker rolling in dough

A Beijing couple was attacked in their home by an intruder on Lunar New Year's Eve, Beijing Morning Post reports. The couple, Jiangxi natives, had decided to remain in the capital over the festive season this year. But late at night, the husband awoke to his wife's screams and found her on the floor, bleeding from the head. He then spotted the intruder, who was armed with a kitchen knife, and struggled with the man, sustaining several slashes in the process. The man received 13 stitches for his wounds and the woman required 15. Investigations were ongoing.

A Beijing actor performing at the Temple of Heaven over the Lunar New Year revealed that he lost 3kg in just five days while acting out his role, China Radio International reports. Zhong Jixian, 31, who has played the emperor role for the past six years, said he performed in 10 shows, each about 70 minutes long, over the first five days of the new year. He said he had to be extremely focused in acting out his part, including keeping the solemn, powerful stance of an emperor as he walked.