【推荐1】Self-driving cars may sound like something from a sci-fiction novel. However, with advanced trials expected from 2021, they are a lot closer to reality than you may think, and they could really help you.

The introduction of self-driving cars could have a major effect on how older adults go about their daily lives. It is hoped these cars will help reduce the social isolation (孤立)and loneliness we often experience as we get older. Additionally, this technology has the potential to enable a greater level of independence for disabled people.

Connected and automated vehicles, also known as CAVs, are vehicles that could perform many of the functions of today’s human drivers in the future.

The UK is already a world leader in developing connected and automated vehicle technology, thanks to the country’s world-class research base and clear rules for safe and responsible testing. Aware of the potential benefits of the technology—from improving road safety and reducing traffic jams, to enabling greater travel independence — the government has been making efforts to encourage the technology.

Indeed, it has committed to spending over £ 200 million on research and development and testing infrastructure (基础设施) to accelerate the production of safe and secure automated vehicles. Besides, the government is keen to understand the public’s view around CAVs and continues to survey public attitudes. It is also taking big steps towards establishing how our laws and regulations might need to change to support the safe use of self-driving cars. And last year the government created new insurance rules for self-driving cars.

However, there is still a way to go until self-driving cars will be fully introduced onto our roads. Even so, with some of the nation’s brightest minds working alongside organizations, there is a convincing opportunity to build the technology around the needs of those who could benefit most from it.

【推荐3】Bananas are one of the healthiest fruits you can eat, being loaded with protein, fiber, vitamins A, B6, and C, etc. Bananas are delicious on their own as well. But we’re not here today to talk about the banana fruit, but rather its peels. Generally thrown away as waste, banana peels actually bring about different uses.

Starting off with a topical benefit, banana peels are great for relieving the painful itch of bug bites. Science hasn’t figured out why it works, but you can’t argue with results. People who have tried it report that it is really useful.

There are lots of expensive ways to whiten teeth, and a lot of them use bleaching agents which weaken teeth and can cause sensitivity. But guess what? Banana peels can whiten teeth naturally and gently due to their potassium content.

Banana peels contain a lot of antioxidants that are great for your skin. To reduce the look of lines and wrinkles, simply rub a banana peel directly on the affected areas and wash your face 30 minutes later.

It is fiber once again that can lower your cholesterol levels, which is critical to maintaining a healthy heart. Banana peels contain more soluble fiber than the fruit itself, so throwing away the peel wastes a valuable opportunity to bump your intake. And finally, you can actually rub a banana peel on shoes, leather, and silver articles to clean them up and make them shine.

Whether you eat them or use them, banana peels don’t save very well. Once removed from the fruit, they blacken pretty quickly. It's best to prepare and consume banana peels right away. However, one thing is for sure—you will stop throwing these valuable wrappers in the trash after you discover all the incredible things they can do.

【推荐1】China has recently published its first artificial intelligence (AI) textbook for high school students, following a plan by the central government to include AI courses in primary and secondary school.

Under the common efforts by the research center for MOOC at East China Normal University and Sense Time Group Ltd., the textbook named Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence was written by famous experts from well-known schools nationwide, Xinhua News Agency reported on Sunday.

It includes the history of AI and how the technology can be used in areas such as facial recognition, self-driving and public safety. The text book not only pays attention to the basics of AI, but also to the practical use of AI in daily life, said Chen Yukun, a professor at East China Normal University, who is also a writer of the book.

At present, about 40 high schools across the country have joined the first group of AI   high education pilot ( 试 验 性 ) program, by introducing the textbook in school courses. The publication of the book is great progress as it takes AI technology out of the "ivory tower   ( 象牙塔) " and makes it part of high school learning, said Lin Dahua, a professor at The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

As early as 2016, the governments said that the need for AI experts may increase to 5 million in the coming years. Many industries in the future will benefit from AI technology , so the purpose of the course should be to let students learn the basic idea and methods of AI, Lin said. China has made great progress in technological research and development in recent   years.

The Antarctic Icecap is the largest supply of fresh water，representing nearly 2% of the world’s total of fresh and salt water. As can be seen from the table above, the amount of water in our atmosphere is over 10 times as much as the water in all the rivers taken together. The fresh water actually available for human use in lakes and rivers and the accessible ground water amount to only about one-third of 1% of the world’s total water supply.

【推荐3】Would you take a trip if you could not use your mobile phone during it? Not even a camera? A new travel company is asking people to do just that. The company is called Off the Grid. Zach Beattie is its founder. “When you’re somewhere new, there’s a lot to see and a lot of cool and interesting people to meet,” Beattie said. “Your phone can distract you.”

The company’s first journey is to Lisbon, Portugal in July. It is also planning trips to the Croatian coast, Barcelona, Spain, Lima, Peru and Tulum, Mexico.

The 7-to-10-day tours are for small groups, no more than 16 people. Trip prices begin at $ 1,500. The cost includes stays in hostels, some meals and ground transportation. It does not include airfare.

Travellers will be able to use a simple mobile phone that does not connect to the Internet. It will have useful local phone numbers. Off the Grid travellers are allowed to bring usual cameras to take photos. But the company also employs a photographer to take lots of pictures during the tour. Once the trip is over travellers can post the photos on social media.

Trip schedules provided by Off the Grid include at least three activities and two social events. The company prefers special experiences to more traditional sightseeing. The Lisbon trip, for example, includes surfing lessons, exercise by the sea, a day of boating and dinner with a local family. Beattie says he does not want the travellers to be too busy going from one place to another.

【推荐1】Limited to a narrow seat for hours with just a tiny bag of cookies and orange juice to comfort yourself, the last thing you feel like doing when you get off a plane is to wait around for your bags. The easy choice when traveling has been to limit yourself to a carry-on suitcase and pray it fits in the overhead bin. Not only does it get you out of the airport faster but it’s also free. Not any longer, however.

Recently, some airlines are starting to charge for carry-on bags, and travelers aren’t at all happy about it. Packing light might not be a choice anymore when looking for tips to get the best airfare possible.

Some smaller airlines such as Frontier and Spirit have always charged customers for carry-on bags, but now bigger name airlines, such as United, are starting to do it too. When you buy a Basic Economy ticket through United，you’re not allowed a full-size carry-on bag unless you’re a Mileageplus Premier member. If you forget to check your bag before security and bring it all the way to the gate, not only will you pay the checked-bag fee, but you’ll have to pay an additional $ 25 gate handling charge. Not the best way to start off a trip. Don’t miss these additional things airlines don’t want to tell you but every flier should be aware of.

You might think that the new carry-on bag guidelines are due to space limitations in the overhead bins, but it has more to do with on-time rates（准时率）. Aviation economies experts and seniors vice president of ICF Aviation Samuel Engel told Vox that the biggest bottleneck when it comes to boarding is carry-on luggage. For every minute a plane isn’t in the air, it’s losing money. A delayed flight makes the crew(乘务人员) look bad and passengers very angry So, the next time you fly, plan to check your bag before security, pay a bit more for your ticket so you are allowed a carry-on, or try rolling a week’s worth of clothes into a backpack, a still-allowed “personal item”.

【推荐2】

Oct. 23rd is the beginning of Shuangjiang or “Frost’s Descent” in English, the 18th of 24 solar terms(节气) in the Chinese lunar calendar. It refers to the time when frost(霜) starts to fall across China, or “the dews(露水) were frozen into frost” because of the coldness, as recorded in ancient Chinese books.

By the time of Shuangjiang, most of the harvesting work is already completed in northern China, and farmers are now able to enjoy a period of rest. But in the south, the harvest is still on the go. Farmers have to take home the sweet potatoes before they are destroyed by the coming frost. After a year of farming, it is the time to plow the fields and prepare the soil for next year in both south and north.

Autumn might be the most colorful season in China with the leaves turning from golden yellow to red. Hiking has become popular since the ancient times as people can enjoy the special autumnal scenery. Du Mu, a well-known poet from the Tang Dynasty wrote the beautiful mountainous scenery in a poem: “I stopped the coach as charmed by the maple woods; Frosted autumn leaves outshine February flowers in redness.”

The Double Ninth Festival also falls during the season, a festival for the elders. Going hiking in the highlands is part of the celebrations practiced by the ancient Chinese people.

“Keeping warm” becomes a most important thing at this time of the year as the weather is getting colder. Persimmon(柿子) is the favored fruit in many areas. The Chinese believe that persimmons could not only keep off the coldness, but strengthen the muscles and bones. Also, chicken or mutton soup is believed to be good for the spleen and advised for the diet.

Shuangjiang brings the frost and freezing wind, and autumn has come to an end. But for most Chinese, it is not necessarily a sad time because in winter, they are able to have different but equally beautiful scenery.

【推荐3】New England is the six northeastern states of the United States：Maine，New Hampshire，Vermont，Massachusetts，Rhode Island，and Connecticut. The six states were among the first colonies (殖民地) in America. The colonies were ruled by England，and this is how the area became known as New England. After the Revolutionary (革命的) War the colonies became states.

Many things are similar in the six New England states. For example，there are many stone walls, fishing villages and forests in these states. The houses and buildings are similar，too. People cut down trees from the forests to make space for their farms and villages.

They then used wood from the trees and stones from the field to build houses，schools, and churches. Even today, most of the houses in New England are made of wood.

There are big cities in New England，but there are also small cities and farms，especially in the northern part.There is much industry and business and New England is one of the most populous (人口稠密的) parts of the United States.It has many busy seaports on its long coast.There are always many tourists who enjoy the beautiful lakes，beaches，and mountains and who visit the historical places.