Oldest-ever panda The world’s oldest-ever panda in captivity was euthanized* on Sunday at the Hong Kong theme park where she lived because her health had deteriorated*. Ocean Park said in a statement posted on its website that a veterinarian* euthanized 38-year-old Jia Jia to prevent further suffering and for ethical reasons. “Her state became so debilitated* that based on ethical reasons and in order to prevent suffering, veterinarians ... agreed to a humane euthanasia for Jia Jia,” the statement said. Shenzhou-11 spacecraft China successfully launched the spacecraft carrying two astronauts*, who will remain in space for 33 days, the longest mission in the country’s manned space program to date. Shenzhou-11, China’s sixth manned spacecraft, will dock* with space lab Tiangong-2, marking a step closer to its space station ambitions. The spacecraft has entered its designated orbit. The mission aims to transport personnel and materials between Earth and Tiangong-2, and examine rendezvous*, docking and return technologies. Poverty reduction China has entered the crucial stage of poverty reduction as the fight against poverty remains tough despite remarkable achievements in the past, according to a white paper issued on Monday. China still has a large population living in profound poverty and the solutions to their problems are becoming increasingly costly and complex, said the white paper titled “China’s Progress in Poverty Reduction and Human Rights.” Foreign language festival Cultural shows and English games were among nearly 20 activities on offer to tens of thousands of visitors to the Beijing Foreign Language Festival 2016 over the weekend. Since the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics is a key word for this year’s event, citizens were able to learn about the history of the Olympics, in addition to language activities, according to a spokesperson with the city’s foreign affairs office. At one booth, in the cultural show zone, a woman from Krakow, Poland, whose English name is Anna, taught visitors some simple Polish phrases. (SD-Agencies) |