国内英语新闻:Top 10 buzzwords in Chinese papers in first half

Since the Copenhagen climate talks in 2009, China has expressed its desire to play its role in environmental protection, to increase cooperation with other nations and to cut per-capita emissions of greenhouse gases.

China invested 1.4 trillion yuan (205.3 billion U.S. dollars) in environmental protection from 2005 to 2010.

Ordinary people are gradually becoming more aware of the necessity of living low-carbon lifestyles.

HOUSE PRICE CONTROL

In the first half, the country's housing prices continued to soar, especially in big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou.

Premier Wen Jiabao pledged the government would make efforts to curb rising property prices. A series of policies have been introduced, including higher taxes, an increased supply of affordable homes, and tighter controls of bank credit.

Home prices in 70 large and medium-sized cities rose by 12.4 percent year on year in May, 0.4 percentage points down from the rise in April, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

WORLD CUP

In the first World Cup ever held in Africa, 32 teams gathered in South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup from June 11 to July 11.

Spain emerged as the champion, but Paul, the psychic octopus, stole the show by predicting all the winners in eight games.

However, scientists say the octopus merely favored the colors of the flags, which were similar to those of shrimps and crabs.