【推荐1】In a small, rough shipyard on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, a small team is building what they say will be the world’s largest ocean-going clean cargo ship.

Ceiba is the first ship built by Sailcargo, a company trying to prove that zero-carbon shipping is possible, and commercially available. Made largely of wood, Ceiba combines both very old and very new technology: sailing masts stand alongside solar panels, a uniquely designed electric engine and batteries. Once on the water, she will be capable of crossing oceans entirely without the use of fossil fuels, which sets her apart.

“The thing that is striking is the fact that she’ll have one of the largest marine electric engines of her kind in the world,” Danielle Doggett said. The system also has the means to capture energy from underwater propellers (螺旋桨) as well as solar power, so electricity will be available for the engine when needed. “Really, the only limit on how long she can stay at sea is water and food on board for the crew.”

Despite some hold-ups due to the global disaster, the team hopes to get her on the water by the end of 2024 and operating by 2025, when she will begin transporting cargo between Costa Rica and Canada.

“There are actually loads of innovations happening that could transform shipping emissions, but few companies are willing to apply them to building ships like Ceiba.” says Lucy Gilliam. “So it’s not that we don’t have great ideas. The problem that we have is that fossil fuels are still too cheap. And we don’t have the rules to force people to take up the new technology.”

When it comes to promoting this kind of boat, it has to be said that Ceiba is small for a cargo ship — tiny in fact. She will carry around nine standard shipping containers. She is also relatively slow. Being a world-first, there are some aspects of Ceiba’s design that have yet to be proven at sea.

【推荐2】The Public Transport Fares in New York

On our website, you can find out how much it costs to ride the subway, bus, Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North in the New York area.

★ Subways and buses

●Fare for most riders on subways and local, limited, and Select Bus Service buses:$2.85.

●Express buses cost $6.85.

More information about subway and bus fares

●Riding the subway costs $2.85 for most riders. People with disabilities or who are 65 or older are qualified for a reduced fare.

●An unlimited ride MetroCard can save you money. It gives you unlimited rides for a certain length of time.

●MetroCards cost $1. All cards except for the Single Ride card are refillable (可充值的).

●Up to three children under 44 inches tall ride for free when they are with a fare-paying adult.

●You pay the fare at turnstiles (旋转闸门) before you aboard the train. You don’t have to do anything afterwards.

★ Railroads: LIRR (Long Island Rail Road) and Metro-North

●Fares vary based on when and where you are travelling.

●Buying tickets on your phone is the most convenient option.

More information about railroad fares

●Peak (高峰的) fares are charged during business rush hours on any weekday train scheduled to arrive in New York City terminals between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. or depart New York City terminals between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. On Metro-North trains, peak fares also apply to travel on any weekday train that leaves Grand Central Station between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.

●Off-peak fares are charged at all other times on weekdays, all day on Saturday and Sunday, and on holidays.

●Use our trip planner to find fare information. Get schedules and directions and see whether a trip is during peak or off-peak hours.

【推荐1】There is no better way to explore the Great Wall in China than by hiking or walking along it. Here we recommend three most popular hiking routes for you. Take your time and feel the history coming to life.

Route 1: Jinshanling-Simatai (West)

This route is also called Jinshanling Great Wall hiking. It is definitely the best hiking route if you want to see the original Great Wall. It includes some ruined sections as well as some breathtaking scenery with the Wall snaking along the mountain ridges into the distance.

Distance from Beijing: 1.5 hours by road                    Wall conditions: half ruined

Time needed: about 3 hours on the Wall                    Length: 5 kilometers

Difficulty:＊＊＊＊

Route 2: Mutianyu-Simatai

Mutianyu is the best fully restored section of the Great Wall with convenient access from Beijing. Simatai is the most spectacular wild section of the Wall but this route is the most visitor-friendly. An overnight stay in a hotel at Gubei Water Town will allow you to have a relaxing tour of the Simatai Great Wall section.

Distance from Beijing: 5 hours by road             Wall conditions: totally ruined

Time needed: two days                                        Length: 10 kilometers

Difficulty: ＊＊＊

Route 3: Jiankou-Mutianyu (Wild Hike)

The experience will be extraordinary. When you reach the mountain ridges, you have conquered the most challenging Great Wall section. What's more, there are no crowds around you-it's just you, the mountains, the ruined wall, your guide, and the history behind these ancient ruins.

Distance from Beijing: 2. 5 hours by road                    Wall conditions: partly ruined

Time needed: about 4 hours on the Wall                    Length: 7 kilometers

Difficulty: ＊＊＊＊＊

If you love a hiking trip with pleasant surprises and no disappointments, just pick one from the above routes.

【推荐3】Finding just the right book to read together can open a door to helping a child understand difficult subjects like illness, loss, and big change. Here’s a list of some of the best.

Black Dog

Author: Levi Pinfold

A black dog appears outside the Hope family’s home. As each member of the family sees it and hides, the dog grows bigger and bigger. Only the youngest Hope has the courage to face the black dog. When it chases (追逐) her she shows no fear, so it grows smaller and smaller. Finally, back to the size of a normal dog.

I Remember

Author: Jeanne Willis

A sweet little boy visits an old lady one day. He seems familiar to her. He’s even got the same name as her grandson, George! Of course, he is her grandson George. He gently reminds her of what they’ve done together before. A beautiful book that might help children learn about dementia (痴呆).

I Talk Like a River

Author: Jordan Scott

In class, a boy hides at the back in the hope that he won’t be asked to speak. But the teacher directs a question his way. All his classmates watch him stumbling over (结结巴巴地说) his words. His father collects him from school, and takes him for a walk by the river.

Susan Laughs

Author: Jeanne Willis

Susan can do so many things - she can laugh, sing, fly, dance, swim and much more. The final page of this book reveals that Susan is in a wheelchair, showing that "disabled" doesn’t mean “disadvantaged”.