1 . In Lulea, a city in northern Sweden, the sun only shines around three hours a day in the winter months. People tend to stay warm at home and that can be very lonely. To help ease winter loneliness, the local authority is asking everyone to just say hello to each other. The new campaign is called Sag hej.

While the world is experiencing an increase in loneliness following the Covid-19 pandemic, in places that do not get a lot of sunlight during the winter months, the issues are exasperating.

“Loneliness and isolation are major problems at any time of the year and almost everywhere in the world right now,” Micael Dahlen, professor of wellbeing and happiness at the Stockholm School of Economics, said. “It comes with the times that we live in, with the lifestyles that we have, where we don’t necessarily encounter each other to the same extent that we used to. This increases in winter when we are outside less and socializing less,” he added.

While most people believe that loneliness is most common amongst seniors who tend to live alone, the opposite is true. It is actually rising in young people. A recent study published in the International Journal of Adolescence and Youth found that loneliness in young people has been increasing and this negatively impacts mental and physical wellbeing. Research about Lulea found that 45 percent of 16-to-29-year-olds were experiencing problems due to being lonely.

Asa Koski, who works for the city, came up with the idea of the Sag hej! campaign. She wants the city, which is undergoing rapid growth due to green industry jobs, to be a friendlier, more welcoming, and less lonely place for newcomers. “We don ’t just want that Lulea is going to grow as a city; we want Lulea to be a pleasant and safe and friendly city as well where there’s culture, leisure activities, and sport,” said Koski.

Many people agree that saying hello should be encouraged and believe that the more international the city becomes, the more people will become friendlier too.

2 . Join us for an in-depth look at a range of our courses. Our Subject Masterclasses run throughout the year, we will update this page with future sessions at regular intervals throughout the year. Both UK and international students are welcome to attend.

Subject Masterclasses are subject-specific events that offer students the chance to experience typical undergraduate teaching at the University of Cambridge. The events are designed for students looking to apply in October 2024, including mature students.

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As science fiction offers surprise and exciting, I had a strong urge to read The Three- Body Problem written by Liu Cixin. The book, first releasing as a series in Science Fiction World magazine in 2006 in China, turned out to be a hit.

The book described the story of Ye Wenjie and Wang Miao, two scientists on the not distant future. Ye joins a secret project to contact aliens. Meanwhile, Wang registers or logs on to an online video game called “Three Body”. It has influenced minds deeply that people are worried about the possibility of the earth being invaded by an advanced civilization.

Curiously, I was referred to an online forum and concluded that the concern is necessary, at least for now. Which is declared by scientists, the chance of life beyond the earth develops into superior intelligence is quite slim.

8 . Qian Qihu, China’s top defense engineering expert, has once again moved many netizens with his charity—donating a total of 500, 000 yuan to help children living in poor conditions.

Qian, 87, was born in Kunshan, Jiangsu province. He is an academician from the Chinese Academy of Engineering and also the _______ of China ’s highest military honor, the August 1 Medal in 2022. He also _______ the award of Person Touching China for 2023.

Qian, together with his wife and Kunshan Underground Space Technology Research Institute, _______ 1 million yuan to Jinhui Charity Fund based in Kunshan, to _______ actually unattended children and children suffering from leukemia   (白血). He set up the _______ fund in 2013, which is named after his mother and wife, to help excellent students from _______ families gain access to schools and quality education. As of now, the program has _______ 1, 331 students, with _______ of about 13. 6 million yuan and Qian has personally donated about 13. 38 million yuan.

Many beneficiaries have not only received _______ assistance but also have been inspired by the spirit of Qian, taking him as a role ________ . “His assistance has not only enabled me to continue my studies with peace of mind, but also ________ my way. In the future, I hope I can follow his steps and make ________ to our country’s national defense,” said a National University of Defense Technology student who received ________ from Qian.

In 2019, Qian was ________ with State Preeminent Science and Technology Award, China’s top science award, for his ________ contributions to national defense infrastructure   (基础建设). He donated all the 8 million yuan he was ________ to help poor children receive education. In 2020, Qian made two donations ________ 6. 5 million yuan to support Wuhan in the fight ________ the COVID-19 pandemic.

Qian has ________ donated all his savings to the charity fund. “The value of life lies in ________ . I have devoted my whole life to our country and the people,” said Qian.