📅🐍 Stat of the Day: Salazar Slytherin’s favorite year on the Chinese zodiac calendar is officially in effect. Celebrations for the Lunar New Year (aka Chinese New Year) kick off today, marking the start of the Year of the Snake for billions of people in China, South Korea, and other nations worldwide.

The Lunar New Year is widely considered the most important annual holiday in China, with many employers taking at least two weeks off as most official operations – including governments and factories – come to a standstill.

However, other activities abound:

• China is anticipating 9 billion trips across the country during the 40-day Lunar New Year travel period, mostly by car, with total spending estimated at $90 billion.
• Consumer spending on shopping and dining in China during the Lunar New Year is projected to exceed $100 billion.

👀 Looking ahead…The Year of the Snake traditionally symbolizes growth, renewal, and good fortune. Those born during this year are believed to be more charismatic, intelligent, and artistic – but also more cunning, mysterious, and obstinate.

🤔 Did You Know? The British Library is legally required to have a copy of every single book ever published in the UK and Ireland. It hosts an estimated ~200 million works and adds 5 miles of new shelving every year.

📰 Worth a Read: 'The baddies reflect the worries of today': How TV spy thrillers are booming in an age of distrust → (BBC)