1 . China has just officially opened its FAST radio telescope to international scientists. Scientists across the world can submit proposals for astronomical observations using the telescope.

FAST is short for Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (球面射电望远镜) and it is also believed to be the world's largest radio telescope and the most sensitive single-dish radio telescope. The receiving surface area of FAST is 250,000 square meters, about the size of 30 standard football fields. Its construction was completed in September 2016 and it officially began operating in January 2020.

The major scientific task of the telescope is the observation of pulsars (脉冲星) – the rotating neutron stars. The study of pulsars can help to confirm the existence of gravitational radiation and black holes, and help solve many other major questions in physics. Another scientific goal of FAST is to search for outer space civilization.

The telescope is located in a naturally deep and round karst depression in southwest China's Guizhou Province. The first advantage of the selected site is the altitude. The average altitude of Guizhou is about 1,100 meters, which maximizes the effectiveness of the observation equipment. Secondly, the radio telescope needs to have a “big pan” to receive better signal. The huge natural depression could reduce the amount of excavation (挖掘) and difficulty of construction. Moreover, the selected site in Guizhou is far away from cities, and has a small population, which reduces the interference (干扰) caused by wireless devices such as TVs, mobile phones and radios from human activities.

FAST has identified over 300 pulsars. Experts predict that the number could reach 1,000 in five years and that the telescope could locate and identify the first pulsar outside the galaxy. With the opening-up to international scientists, China's FAST is expected to make more contribution to astronomical research in the future.

3 . Best Family Vacations in Canada

When looking for the ideal destination for your next family vacation abroad, consider Canada for its wide range of multi-generational entertainment. Use this list to plan your next trip north, and vote below for your first-choice destination before you head out.

Niagara Falls	The maid of the mist boat tour may leave you fully wet, but it won’t wet your spirit on your trip. When you’re not admiring the falls, enjoy the blossoms at the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens. Or, visit the Aquarium (水族馆) of Niagara, which has more than1,500 species of aquatic animals.
Prince Edward Island	The background for the “Anne of Green Gables” stories, Prince Edward Island offers a variety of outdoor experiences—from sandy beaches to water sports like kayaking to exploring one of eight lighthouses. Plus, PEI is a quick flight from almost anywhere on the east coast.
Whistler	Kids will love hitting the slopes (斜坡) on Whistler and Blackcomb mountains nearby Vancouver. Whistler also features educational activities, such as the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, for families who want to gain some learning while on vacation.
Vancouver	You’ll find most of Vancouver’s kid-centered attractions in Granville Island and Stanley Park. The nearly 1,000-acre park has the Vancouver Aquarium, plus four playgrounds, and a mini-train. For a more exciting rush, walk across the 450-foot-long Capilano Suspension Bridge.

4 . When it comes to making television historical documentaries, there are few places and periods that British television audiences have not been taken by presenter Michael Wood. Earlier this year he became the first filmmaker from outside China to make a film about the life and work of poet Du Fu. The Du Fu film, featuring famous British actor Ian McKellen reading his poems, was shown on the BBC and China Central Television, and the reaction was instant and positive.

“It created a lot of interest and feedback in China and got a lot of coverage at the time, which was really touching, because when you go into a foreign culture as an outsider, to make a film about something of theirs, you want to make sure you’ve got it right.” Wood said.

As shown in the documentary, Du Fu’s works are learnt by heart by Chinese school students, but outside the country, he is not that well known. So, there is something Wood is keen to put right.

Stephen Owen, one of his leading translators from Harvard says, “Du Fu should be considered alongside Shakespeare and Dante as people who helped compose the emotional vocabulary of their culture.”

For more than 40 years, China has always held the most fascination for Wood. He first got interested in China when he was at school and picked up a book called Poems of the late Tang by AC Graham. “That book opened a window to a world that I never even dreamed.” he said. In the early 80s, it was the first time he had been to China. “I really enjoyed being with the people, who were so friendly and sociable. I remember coming back from my first long trip there feeling genuinely sad to go home.” Wood said.

Opening up discussion and encouraging cultural links is something Wood also does through his involvement. “We believe in dialogue. We try to promote mutual understanding and respect, and we want to help people in the West understand the culture of China better and to get rid of major areas of misunderstanding.” he said. “I did a series called The Story of England years ago, telling the history of the country over the centuries through the life of one village, and I’d love to try something like that in China.”

5 . Students at Summer Creek and Kingwood Park High schools have joined a project called “Students Helping Veterans (退伍军人) : Big Heroes, Tiny Homes” over the past school year.

The high school’s students and teachers partnered together to create a tiny home community in the Houston area, for homeless veterans. Generous local community donations helped fund the project. Besides, the schools collaborate with architects, engineers and other community partners in the local community to design and build homes expected to be 200 to 300 square feet in size. They eventually want to build a community where veterans can be surrounded by other veteran neighbors who understand and relate to their difficulties and issues when coming back to civilian life.

As a team, the students attend regular meetings together to work on the design. They are motivated by the purpose behind the project which keeps them focusing on the tasks at hand. With every nail that goes in, they know that they are improving a veteran's life and providing him a secure home where he can spend his golden years. "The kids are doing something for someone without any reward except knowing they are doing it for someone," said Missy Tayler, their proud teacher.

"They wanted to serve their country and protect us, and they came back but they didn't get the same treatment," said senior student Sarah Dalby, describing her motivation to help. She added that when she started the project, she barely knew how to use a saw but she is a fast learner and loves the work. “You have to appreciate the armed forces of our country for giving us the individual liberties that we enjoy,” senior student, Nicolas Logan said when explaining his own motivation to participate in the project.

6 . China’s Chang’e 5 mission to the moon was completed in less than a month after blasting off (点火起飞). A capsule containing samples of lunar (月球的) rocks and soil collected from the surface of our natural satellite landed in Inner Mongolia, where it was taken back for study.

Chinese broadcaster CGTN reported that the capsule had landed back to Earth just after 10am Dec. 16. Search crews were out in the freezing pre-dawn Hours looking to find back the capsule from the snowy grassland during temperatures well below zero. Aerial images (航拍影像) appeared to show the capsule safely resting on the ground.

China's National Space Administration announced on Thursday, Dec. 3, that its ascent module (上升器) had blasted off from the top of the mission's lunar lander, carrying samples of rock and soil it dug from the lunar surface. It then met with an orbiter circling the moon. The pair made the return trip to Earth where the capsule carrying the samples was sent on its way for a hot and fast going down through our atmosphere only to land on the frozen ground.

The mission lifted off from China on Nov. 23 and landed on the moon on Dec. l. Videos from Chinese media showed the lander’s robotic arm hard at work during its short shift on another world. During its stay, Chang'e 5 also sent back images of a lunar plain of relatively young volcanic moon rock. The image shows both distant hills and how the feet of the lander dug into the soft surface of the moon as it touched down. Enlarging the foot of the lander in particular providers a real sense of the dry, desert-like lunar surface. When the samples were collected, they have been the first pieces of the moon to be returned to our planet since the 1970s.

7 . International UN Volunteer Program 2021

If you are interested and ready to become a UN volunteer, you can join a million volunteers to register and become an international volunteer through any of the available opportunities cutting across a wide range of professions. UN volunteer job is available to the volunteers from any part of the globe. You can contribute your time, skills and knowledge through volunteering with the UN. This is an opportunity to create a positive impact and be a significant force for achieving peace and development.

What it involves

The International UN Volunteers promote peace and development in communities around the globe, while supporting the ideals and aspirations (抱负) of the United Nations.

Volunteers come from 160 countries, representing many cultures and backgrounds. They bring a wide variety of perspectives (观点) and approaches.

As a volunteer, you can learn about different cultures, expand your networks, study foreign languages and gain professional and life experiences.

Requirements for becoming a UN volunteer

*25 years old or older (no upper age limit).

* University degree or higher technical diploma (文凭).

*Two years of relevant volunteer experience in a professional background will gain the priority to be employed.

* Good working knowledge of at least one of UNV's three working languages: English, French or Spanish.

* Ability to work in a multicultural environment.

* Willingness to work with people and local organizations to draw upon the synergies (协同作用) between expert solutions and local knowledge.

* Ability to adjust in difficult living conditions and sometimes remote locations.

* Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

8 . Tourists to the North Antrim Coast come for its breathtaking beauty On this stretch of coast, myth and history live side by side, and running out of things to do is near impossible. Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede, the Iron Isles’ filming locations ...

However, when I make my way to the north of the-country in October, none of them are on my mind. What brings me to the coastal town of Portrush are the waves.

Located, on a peninsula, Portrush is home to three brilliant beaches and all the usual points of interest of a coastal town. But what makes the North Antrim Coast so special is the promise of the consistent waves hitting its shores. Although still relatively unknown, it’s a surfer’s dream destination. This is the home of six-time Irish national surfing champion, Andrew Hill, after all.

I meet Andrew at his surf shop, the most popular in Portrush. After hiring a surf board and jumping in the water at West Strand, I quickly realise that my trusted wetsuit is not enough. Within just 30 minutes, I’ve lost all feeling in my feet and hands, and my ears are burning. I retreat to a nearby café and gulp down steaming tea before popping by Andrew’s shop again. Surf boots are what I need, we decide. I leave with a new determination to master the icy Atlantic waves. I’m invited to surf a different spot with Andrew and his friend that afternoon. but I decline his generous offer. My head is set on one thing only: taking revenge on the same waves that almost turned me into an ice block that very morning.

Even with boots, surfing the cold waters of Portrush leaves my feet purple. I become covered in bruises that don’t register until I thaw out each night, and it takes a couple of days to fully regain feeling in my hands. But it’s worth it, and I would gladly do it all over again.