1 . Alipay, the digital payment arm of Chinese financial technology company Ant Group, is allocating more resources to roll out translation services in 16 languages, to ensure foreigners in China can use mobile payments without any hurdles.

Alipay’s move comes amid China’s intensified efforts to further improve foreigners’ payment _________ in the country.

Alipay has allowed foreigners in China to link their _________ bank cards, including Visa and Mastercard, to its mobile payment tool, greatly streamlining (精简) the payment processes, said Zhu Xugang, director of the cross-border business at Ant Group.

Users of 10 overseas e-wallets are also able to use their familiar home e-wallets on their own phones by _________Alipay QR codes, to enjoy seamless mobile payment experiences across Alipay’s vast merchant network.

According to Alipay, foreigners can use the app to complete payments at restaurants, hotels, scenic spots, convenience stores and supermarkets, as well as for ride-hailing, shared bikes, buses and other public _________services in China. The newly _________ multilingual app includes English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Japanese.

The mobile payment app has also _________ the single transaction (交易) limit for overseas travelers using mobile payments from $1,000 to $5,000 and lifted the annual cumulative transaction limit from $10,000 to $50,000.

The State Council, China’s Cabinet, published a guideline on improving payment services and _________ payment convenience in early March, a move to better meet the _________payment needs of the elderly and foreign visitors.

Last week, the People’s Bank of China, the country’s central bank, _________a payment guide that provides foreigners with text and graphic __________ on using bank cards, cash, mobile payments and e-CNY in China, the latest step in the country’s push to optimize the payment experience for foreigners.

Wang Pengbo, a senior analyst at market consultancy Botong Analysys, said the intensified efforts to provide convenient payment services will not only __________ improve the living and consumption experience of foreigners in China and attract more of them to the country, but also promote the healthy and sustainable development of the payment __________.

Wang said the move demonstrates the country’s resolve to expand high-standard opening-up, __________ the online payment scenarios of Alipay are wide enough, with high usage frequency. So, what it should do now is to expand the scope of foreign bank card binding and improve and simplify authentication of new users, to provide more convenient payment services to foreigners.

Meanwhile, Chinese banks are taking measures to expand the __________ of overseas bank cards and facilitate their use of cash in the country.

Dong said more efforts are needed to expand the scenarios of various types of payment methods at tourist attractions, sporting events, transportation hubs, healthcare and beauty centers and other daily __________ sites.

2 . Both my parents worked for 30-plus years for their employers — they had lifelong careers at a single company. Growing up, they taught me the importance of “loyalty” and “commitment”.

But in a rapidly changing world, the concept of a job for life has become as rare as a dial-up internet connection. This shift from stable, long-term employment and single-employer careers to a world where frequent job changes are the norm comes directly from globalisation, rapid technological advancements and the changing ideas about work.

Globalisation has turned the world economy into a giant, interconnected web. This has made job markets fiercely competitive and talent and opportunities in the labour market more diverse and digitally accessible.

Jobs can be widely publicised and explored online and are no longer tied to your city of birth. Add to this the rapid technological progress. We now live in a world where the skills you learned yesterday might not be enough for today’s job market.

The job market is transforming, with new careers emerging as automation and artificial intelligence (AI) advances. Risks and price policies can be efficiently assessed using AI, making insurance underwriters redundant while advanced software in banking and finance mean data analysis can be automated.

Online booking has reduced demand for travel agents and desktop publishers are being replaced by user-friendly software, which allows people to create their own materials. These changes highlight the need for professionals to update their skills and adapt to a technologically evolving job market.

As a result, career paths have become fluid and multi-directional. It’s no longer just about climbing the corporate ladder and getting a regular paycheck; it’s about exploring different paths, switching jobs and industries and sometimes even venturing into freelancing and the gig economy.

Loyalty is defined as an employee’s commitment to their organisation and its goals. It means a willingness to put in extra effort and to uphold the company’s values and objectives. Loyal workers often identify strongly with their workplace, are reliable and view the organisation positively, even during tough times.

When long-term employees change workplaces, it does not mean they are disloyal. It signifies a change in priorities and a redefined loyalty bond. Employees are loyal to their employer and its interests while working there. But they also seek mutual growth and expect to be recognised and rewarded.

Career paths are now a kaleidoscope (万花筒) of experiences and opportunities. Instead of a career identity being about a company brand, it is about skills, experiences and the meaningfulness of the work. This transformation means career decision-making is more intricate, considering personal aspirations, market trends and family considerations.

3 . Astronomers are eagerly anticipating a celestial (天体的) event that promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime sight: the appearance of a “new star” in the night sky, expected to occur sometime between now and September, as reported by NASA. This event, known as a nova (新星), is projected to take place within the T Coronae Borealis system, nestled in the constellation (星座) Corona Borealis, situated between the Boötes and Hercules constellations.

In contrast to the explosive demise of a massive star seen in a supernova, a nova is characterized by a sudden, brief explosion originating from a collapsed star, specifically a white dwarf. The T Coronae Borealis system is affectionately called the “Blaze Star.”     1    These stars orbit closely enough to interact violently, leading to periodic explosive events, with the last eruption observed in 1946.

    2     Over time, the red giant becomes increasingly unstable, shedding its outer layers onto the white dwarf. This exchange of matter eventually triggers a “runaway thermonuclear reaction,” resulting in the nova phenomenon, according to NASA.

While the precise timing of the upcoming nova event remains uncertain, astronomers are closely monitoring the T Coronae Borealis system, which has been dimming since March of the previous year. William J. Cooke, lead of NASA’s Meteoroid Environments Office, notes that while most novae occur unexpectedly, T Coronae Borealis is one of the 10 recurring novae in the galaxy, offering some predictability to its eruptions.

Located approximately 3,000 light-years away from Earth, the T Coronae Borealis system is typically too faint to be seen with the naked eye.     3    

Once the nova reaches its peak brightness, it will appear as if a new star has emerged in the night sky, remaining visible for a few days without any equipment and slightly over a week with binoculars before gradually fading from view over the course of about 80 years.

    4    As an effective observing approach, they provide valuable insights into the dynamics of recurrent novae and the processes occurring within these stellar systems.

The NASA Universe account on X will provide regular updates on the nova event, allowing enthusiasts and researchers alike to stay informed about this captivating astronomical phenomenon. Reflecting on past experiences, including witnessing the 1975 Nova Cygni, which inspired his career in astronomy, Cooke underscores the significance of these celestial events in shaping our understanding of the cosmos.

The Evolution of Robotics: A Journey from Imagination to Reality

The development of robots represents a fascinating journey from mere imagination to practical reality. Over the years, advancements in technology and engineering have pushed the evolution of robots, transforming them from simple mechanical devices to complicated machines capable of copying human behavior and performing complex tasks.

The history of robotics dates back centuries, with early concepts of mechanical beings found in ancient stories and legends. However, it was not until the 20th century that significant progress was made in the field of robotics. The appearance of industrial robots in the mid-20th century revolutionized manufacturing processes, leading to increased efficiency and productivity in factories around the world.

One of the most significant milestones in the development of robots was the invention of the programmable robot arm by George Devol and Joseph Engelberger in the 1950s. This innovation paved the way for the widespread adoption of robots in industrial settings, where they could perform repetitive tasks with correctness and accuracy.

Another milestone was the introduction of the first autonomous mobile robot, Shakey, developed by researchers at Stanford Research Institute in the 1960s. Shakey demonstrated the potential of robots to navigate and interact with their environment autonomously, laying the foundation for future advancements in robotics.

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) has been instrumental in pushing the boundaries of robotics. AI-powered robots are capable of learning from their experiences, making decisions, and adapting to new situations. This has enabled the creation of social robots, such as Pepper and Sophia, which can interact with humans in meaningful ways.

In recent years, there have been significant advancements in robotics, particularly in areas such as medical robotics, autonomous vehicles, and humanoid robots. Medical robots, for example, are being used for minimally invasive surgeries, precision medication delivery, and patient care. Autonomous vehicles are revolutionizing transportation, with companies like Tesla and Waymo developing self-driving cars. Meanwhile, humanoid robots like Boston Dynamics’ Atlas are pushing the boundaries of what robots can achieve, with capabilities such as dynamic movement and dexterity.

Starting exercise

You want to start doing exercise? Congratulations! You have just taken your first step towards a new and improved you!

Most people assume that regular exercise does wonders for the body and mind—but what exactly are its health benefits? To start with, physical activity increases the efficiency of your heart and lungs. During exercise, your heart and lungs must work harder. This extra effort makes them grow stronger over the long term. Moreover, exercise is good for your mental health. Working out can help you reduce stress and get over negative feelings.

Exercise is any activity that gets your body moving. Exercise doesn’t have to mean breaking a sweat at the gym or running a marathon. Any physical activity counts towards improving your health — something is always better than nothing. If you are just starting exercise for the first time, remember to start at a level that is comfortable for you.

Scientists have long known that what you eat can make or break a workout and possibly affect your fitness results. Like cars that run on petrol, your body burns carbohydrates (碳水化合物) for energy. Foods like noodles, rice, fruit and vegetables give your body plenty of carbohydrates to keep up your energy during a long workout. To help your muscles recover and repair themselves after exercise, you need to eat foods rich in protein, such as fish, eggs and milk products.

Choose the right clothing and shoes for the exercise and physical activity you plan to do is also important. To prevent injury, make sure your clothes and footwear are both comfortable and safe. What’s more, remember to warm up before exercising and stretch at the end of your workout.

So, now you know the benefits of exercise and how to do it safely and effectively. What are you waiting for?

7 . Flexible thinking for your career

Does work ever leave you feeling stuck in a rut with limited opportunities to be creative? To thrive, you might want to _________ your brain’s flexibility. But is this even possible, and if so, how?

Most jobs require the ability to solve problems and deal with _________, at least to a certain extent. Imagine a teacher who has a new and very nervous student in their class. If that teacher is a flexible thinker, he will be able to _________ his classroom management, even if he hasn’t seen this situation before. According to Leonard Mlodinow, author of Elastic, flexible thinkers rely on idea generation and imagination — they are willing to _________ and take risks. “Elastic thinking is what you need when the circumstances change, and you are dealing with something new. It’s not about _________ rules.” Therefore, instead of following the typical _________ for welcome a new student, the teacher might come up with a tailored response, based on prediction and previous experience.

So, how can you become a more flexible thinker? According to Dr Lisa Feldman Barrett, it’s all about _______   the brain. One way of doing this, she says, is through exposure to a variety of experiences which make it easier to adjust to new situations. A lot of companies now consider flexible thinking in the workplace, _________ when it comes to design. Workspaces may have couches(长沙发) where workers can _________ and relax, giving them the space to come up with and process new ideas. Mlodinow says it’s very important to take time to daydream, listen to ideas and concepts you disagree with and spend time doing activities outside of your __________. This will help you understand multiple points of view and therefore blossom in many different aspects of your career.

So, if you want to make a change, you can become a flexible thinker too, with a little practice.

City Walks step up in popularity

For Fang Rui, walking the streets of Nanjing and taking in the buildings and culture of the historical city is almost a daily routine.

Born and raised in Nanjing, the 28-year-old works as a landscape designer in the city     1     studying overseas for several years.

In May, Fang organized a free city walk for around 50 people     2     came from all over the country to experience a deeper connection with Nanjing. She chose to walk in Xinan Li, a tourist area that is not as popular as other Nanjing landmarks. The district has preserved various historical buildings, with the most well-known being the former residence of the scholar Gan Xi, which     3     (build) during the reign of the Qing Emperor Jiaqing (1796-1820). Designing city-walk routes like Fang’s requires time and effort. Fang said she spent about a month     4     (research) routes for Nanjing’s southern area and adjusted the walking map three times.

The origins of city walks     5     be traced back to London, England. Originally, city walks referred to guided tours     6     participants followed a planned route under the guidance of tour conductors, with a strong emphasis on discovering the city’s history, culture, landscapes, and other aspects.

For tourists     7     locals not fully familiar with a city’s history and culture, the organized walks are an authentic and immersive(沉浸的) experience. Walk organizers are passionate and care about a city’s cultural heritage. They also have a more personalized and deeper understanding of their city,     8     goes beyond just visiting iconic landmarks. Gradually, the concept of city walks, which emphasizes the quiet appreciation of urban lifestyle and cultural atmosphere,     9     (gain) popularity worldwide.

The appeal of city walk is particularly resonant (共鸣) with the younger generation, who frequently find     10     caught up in demanding work schedules, thereby limiting their time for local exploration. The growing trend of city walk reflects a changing attitude towards life, embracing a warmer, more relaxed, and slower-paced lifestyle.

There’s a rarely-visited, dusty corner of the world where something magical happens. The place, which looks like Mars with its red rock landscape, is the Tatacoa Desert, in Colombia.

Tatacoa is located in the region of Huila, south of the country’s capital Bogotá. Although Tatacoa, with its protruding cacti and red rippled rocks, is called a desert, it is in fact a dry tropical forest. But the exciting, and very     1    , feature of this desert, is what happens above it, at night.

Thanks to its remote location — it’s almost 30 miles and an hour’s drive over bumpy winding roads to the nearest town — Tatacoa has no light pollution to     2     with the night sky.

Up to 88 constellations (星座) are visible on a clear night, as well as both hemispheres — something that happens nowhere else in the world.

The warm and dry climate helps with stargazing; a     3     atmosphere, which happens in dry spots or places of high elevation, decreases something called scintillation, which is when a star’s light rises and falls rapidly. It’s why stars twinkle, which looks beautiful but isn’t so great for astronomers.

Not only is Tatacoa a natural wonder, but the DIY observatory that’s run by a Colombian man named Javier Fernanda Rua Restrepo has become a star     4     too. In fact, this humble building attracts stargazers from all over the world, from China to Iceland to Australia. And Restrepo has also become well-known in astronomer circles, with a few scientists     5     their own telescopes to support the grassroots observatory.

The Colombian, who is     6     from Cali, fell in love with the stars thanks to his father’s interest in astronomy and science, and first visited Tatacoa in 1997, to try to see the Comet Hale-Bopp. He stayed for a couple of days before heading back to his hometown. But within a month, he returned to Tatacoa — and never left, camping out for weeks on end     7     for the night to come so that he could watch the stars.

At first Restrepo had worked at the Colombian government’s observatory, which he helped staff for 15 years. But after budget cuts meant he lost his job, he figured he would     8     build his own.

In 2015, Restrepo opened the doors to his observatory — Tatacoa Astronomia — with just one telescope. Now, as Colombia has grown in     9     as a tourist destination, hundreds flock to Restrepo’s star party, which he holds once a year in July.

Tatacoa Astronomia is only open on starry nights, and Restrepo remains the sole employee. But that doesn’t distract from the intimacy and the specialness of the place. The structure sits on a small patch of land that Restrepo bought himself, and is cordoned (隔离) off by tarpaulin (油布) to add an extra sense of     10     and intrigue (阴谋) for visitors.

“The stars… they put my life into its tiny perspective,” he says, “and they constantly remind me there are greater things out there.”