China officially informed the World Trade Organization on Tuesday that it will ban the import of 24 different types of solid waste by the end of this year as part of a campaign to deal with environmental pollution and protect people's health.

    In response to growing public concerns over the potential environmental and health danger caused by the increasing amounts of solid waste imported into the country for recycling and treatment, China passed a special law in 1995 to control imports of waste materials, such as plastics, slag from steelmaking, unsorted scrap paper and discarded textile materials.

    A year later, the country published a list for solid waste imports and began implementing a permit system to control the import volumes and types of waste imported.

    However, due to the lack of effective supervision（监管）and the failure of relevant departments to fulfill their duties, solid waste imports have not been effectively controlled.

    So far, China is the world's largest importer of solid waste. According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection, China imported 7.3 million metric tons of plastic waste worth $3.7 billion in 2016, accounting for 56 percent of global imports of solid waste.

    Correct recycling of solid waste materials is an important part of the global economy, and moderate imports of scrap plastic, scrap paper and scrap rubber products, such as vehicle tires, can to some extent, make up for China's shortage of various raw materials.

    However, the lack of supervision has resulted in the country's severe soil and environmental worsening.

    Given that China's continuing efforts to push for industrial transformation and upgrading have resulted in a noticeable decline in the demand for the materials recycled from solid waste imports. It is right for the country to restrict such imports for the sake of the environment and public health, and to better adapt to the changed industrial structure.

    Shyness is the cause of much unhappiness for a great many people. Shy people are anxious and self-conscious; that is, they are excessively concerned with their own appearance and actions.

    Worrisome thoughts are constantly occurring in their minds: what kind of impression am I making? Do they like me? Do I sound stupid? Am I wearing unattractive clothes? It is obvious that such uncomfortable feelings must negatively affect people. A person's conception of himself or herself is reflected in the way he or she behaves, and the way a person behaves affects other people's reactions. In general, the way people think about themselves has a profound effect on all areas of their lives.

    Shy people, having low self-esteem, are likely to be passive and easily influenced by others. They need reassurance that they are doing "the right thing." Shy people are very sensitive to criticism; they feel it confirms their feelings of inferiority. They also find it difficult to be pleased by compliment with a statement like this one, "You're just saying that to make me feel good. I know it's not true." It is clear that while self-awareness is a healthy quality, overdoing it is harmful.

    Can shyness be completely eliminated, or at least reduced? Fortunately, people can overcome shyness with determined and patient efforts in building self-confidence. Since shyness goes hand in hand with a lack of self-esteem, it is important for people to accept their weaknesses as well as their strengths. Each one of us is a unique, worthwhile individual, interested in our own personal ways. The better we understand ourselves, the easier it becomes to live up to our full potential. Let's not allow shyness to block our chances for a rich and fulfilling life.

    Little Women is the story of four sisters growing up during the Civil War. Each March (马奇) sister has a different personality. Meg, the oldest, is dignified (端庄) and proper. Jo, next in age, is energetic and wants to be a writer. Beth is shy and quiet and loves music. Amy, the youngest, is spoiled (被宠坏的), a little conceited (自负), and enjoys art. In the following passage, an excerpt(节选)from Chapter 14 Secrets, Jo has a secret surprise to tell her sisters. Laurie is the boy who lives next door, and Hannah is the March's servant. The Spread Eagle is a newspaper in the town.

    In a few minutes Jo bounced (蹦跳) in, laid herself on the sofa, and pretended to read.

    "Have you anything interesting there?" asked Meg, with condescension (屈尊).

    "Nothing but a story, won't amount to much, I guess," returned Jo, carefully keeping the name of the paper out of sight.

    "You'd better read it aloud. That will amuse us and keep you out of mischief (恶作剧)," said Amy in her most grown-up tone.

    "What's the name?" asked Beth, wondering why Jo kept her face behind the sheet.

    "The Rival Painters."

    "That sounds well. Read it," said Meg.

    With a loud "Hem!" and a long breath, Jo began to read very fast.

    The girls listened with interest, for the tale was romantic, and somewhat pathetic (哀婉动人), as most of the characters died in the end. "I like that about the splendid picture," was Amy's approving remark, as Jo paused.

    "I prefer the lovering part. Viola and Angelo are two of our favorite names, isn't that strange?" said Meg, wiping her eyes, for the lovering part was tragical (凄婉).

    "Who wrote it?" asked Beth, who had caught a glimpse(瞥) of Jo's face.

    The reader suddenly sat up, threw away the paper, displaying a red face, and with a funny mixture of solemnity and excitement replied in a loud voice, "Your sister."

    "You?" cried Meg, dropping her work.

    "It's very good," said Amy.

    "I knew it! I knew it! Oh, my Jo, I am so proud!" and Beth ran to hug her sister, wild with joy over this splendid success.

    Dear me, how excited they all were, to be sure! How Meg wouldn't believe it till she saw the words. "Miss Josephine March," actually printed in the paper. How politely Amy criticized (批评) the artistic parts of the story, and offered advice for a sequel (续集), which unfortunately couldn't be carried out, as the hero and heroine were dead. How Beth got excited, and skipped and sang with joy. How Hannah came in to shout in great astonishment at 'that Jo's doin's'. How proud Mrs March was when she knew it. How Jo laughed, with tears in her eyes, as she declared she might as well be a peacock(孔雀) and done with it, and how the 'Spread Eagle' might be said to fly his wings proudly over the House of March, as the paper passed from hand to hand.

    "Tell us about it." "When did it come?" "How much did you get for it?" "What will Father say?" "Won't Laurie laugh?" cried the family, all in one breath as they gathered around Jo, for these foolish, affectionate (痴情的) people had a celebration of every little joy of family.

    Each applicant to Harvard College is considered with great care. We consider each applicant to Harvard College as a whole person, and put enormous care into evaluating every application. We hope you will explore the information in this section to understand what we look for in our admissions process.

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    Recently a movement was launched by Charity Cycling UK to raise awareness of dooring after discovering that many people don't know what it is. Dooring is when a driver or passenger opens the door into another road user—typically a cyclist—without looking for other road users.

    Cycling UK Chief Executive Paul Tuohy told Gloucestershire Live: "Some people seem to see car dooring as a bit of a joke, but it's not and can have serious consequences. Cycling UK wants to see great awareness made about the dangers of opening your car door carelessly，and people to be encouraged to look before they open."

    The charity says 2,009 of the 3,000 injuries happened to cyclists, resulting in five deaths but says this might not be the full extent of the danger.

    Cycling UK says not all car dooring incidents will be attended by police, so the charity has written to transport minister Jesse Norman calling for a public awareness campaign urging all car occupants, not just drivers, to look before opening vehicle doors. One of the ways the charity suggests is the "Dutch reach", where people leaving a vehicle reach over and use the non-door side hand to open the door.

    Cycling UK also suggests harsher laws and advice on safer road positioning for people who cycle.

    Mr Tuohy said: "In the Netherlands they are known for practising a method，known sometimes as the 'Dutch reach', which we think could be successfully encouraged in the UK."

    "Cycling UK has written to the Department for Transport asking them to look into this, and highlight the dangers of "car dooring" through a public awareness THINK style campaign."

    If you're really concerned about opening a door into the path of a cyclist coming behind you, consider using what's known as the "Dutch reach" to open the door. That will naturally turn you in your seat and give you a much better view of what's coming up alongside the car.