【推荐1】Bald eagles are a breathtaking sight, no matter where you see them. Bald eagles are making headlines again, as proven by NPR’s story about the birds’ amazing recovery in Chesapeake Bay.

“Forty years ago, we probably would not have seen a single bald eagle here,” says Bryan Watts, a conservation biologist. This is a familiar story across a nation where pollution and pesticides(杀虫剂) nearly wiped out the species in the United States. The bald eagle was on the endangered species list for decades, and considerable recovery efforts were put into place to bring the national symbol back.

It was delisted in 2007, and stories of its recovery have continued to be a source of celebration from Glenwood, Iowa to Chicago to Sandy Island Eagle Sanctuary in Missouri. The fascination with watching this species come back with vigor(活力) has been equally as wonderful as witnessing the recovery itself. Some efforts to help endangered species recover can be controversial, but the recovery of the bald eagle has been a story everyone can get behind. A bald eagle nest in Decorah, Iowa brings in millions of viewers every season as the parents hatch their chicks. It’s not often a livestream angled on a bird’s nest gets that kind of viewership!

The conservation effort has not been easy and in some areas, such as the Channel Islands off the California coast, it is really tough to carry out. Bald eagles once called these islands home but disappeared with the emergence of the pesticide DDT. In addition, humans changed the ecosystem there by introducing invasive species. Restoration efforts have included removing the alien species and helping native species. A program for reintroducing bald eagles starting in 2002 has been a success, with 2010 seeing a record-setting 15 wild chicks hatched.

At present, while there are many dangers that still face the bald eagle, the incredibly successful recovery over the last several decades is a conservation story to champion - and one to feed hope for other endangered species whose recovery is still underway.

【推荐2】The air is thin and we have to rest several times on the shore hike from camp. To our left, snow-covered mountains disappear into clouds that seem almost close enough to touch. On the plain in front of us, we can just make out a herd of graceful animals. This is why we stay here.

Tibetan antelopes live mainly on the plains of Tibet. Watching them move slowly across the green grass, I'm struck by their beauty. I'm also reminded of the danger they are in. They are being hunted illegally for their valuable fur.

My guide is Zhaxi, a villager from Changtang. He works at the Changtang National Nature Reserve. The reserve is a safe place for the animals and plants of northwestern Tibet. To Zhaxi, protecting the wildlife is a way of life. “We're not trying to save the animals,” he says. “Actually, we're trying to save ourselves.”

In the 1980s and 1990s the population of Tibetan antelopes dropped by more than 50 percent. Hunters were shooting antelopes to make money. Their living places were becoming smaller as new roads and railways were built.

In order to save Tibetan antelopes, the Chinese government placed them under national protection. Zhaxi and volunteers watched over the antelopes day and night to keep them safe from attacks. Bridges and gates were added to let the antelopes move easily and keep them safe from cars and trains.

The measures were effective. The antelope population has recovered and in June 2015, the Tibetan antelope was removed from the endangered species list. The government, however, does not intend to stop the protection program since the threat to the Tibetan antelope has not yet disappeared. Only when we learn to exist in harmony with nature can we stop being a threat to wildlife and to our planet.

【推荐1】Why do we find ugly animals so appealing? And what makes odd-looking creatures so cute?

Evolution (进化) plays a role. According to Austrian zoologist Konrad Lorenz, human attraction to childish features, such as big eyes, large heads and soft bodies, is an evolutionary adaptation that helps ensure that adults care for their young, guaranteeing the survival of their species. Odd-looking animals such as blobfish, pugs, and bulldogs all share these childish qualities that initiate an affectionate response among humans. And these childish characteristics increase a person’s “protective behavior, attention and willingness to care” for the individual and reduce the “likelihood of attacks towards a child”, says Marta Borgi, a researcher.

Ugly animals often have other value—some, like the blobfish or the naked mole rat, live in extreme environments that they have adapted to in remarkable ways. Scientists are keen to study these animals to understand whether their biology might provide fresh insights that could lead to treatments for human health conditions such as cancer, heart disease and other deadly diseases.

Our fascination with ugly-cute animals can also be traced back to culturally-based causes. “The ugly-cute thing is very fashionable,” says Rowena Packer, a lecturer of animal behavior. “This is partly driven by social media, with many influential people showing off pet pugs and French bulldogs on the Internet,” she says.

But there are some serious welfare concerns around this trend. Vets are urging people not to choose a flat-faced dog, because they suffer from serious health problems. Pugs and French bulldogs which have been selectively produced experience breathing difficulties, repeated skin infections and eye diseases.

We may want to rethink our love for “ugly-cute” animals because of their silly features like protruding (鼓出的) eyes and wrinkly faces.

【推荐3】Believe it or not, there are many strange things banned around the world.

Black cars—Turkmenistan

Trying to buy a new car in the central Asian country of Turkmenistan can be a tricky business due to numerous restrictions issued by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Batir Turken, who is from Turkmenistan but lives in Dubal, explained, “For the country with 60℃ in summer, it is really strange and stupid—cars with black colors are banned, and dirty cars are not allowed to drive in the city.”

He added, “Cars which are older than five years are banned, cars with a right-hand drive are banned, sports cars and two-door cars are banned, and cars with tinted(有色的) windows are banned.”

Vacuum cleaners(真空吸尘器)Victoria—Australia

No one likes a noisy neighbor, but the state of Victoria in Australia has introduced a set of rules about at what point during the day you can make noise including when you can vacuum.

Sumit Gupta, Mumbai, India, said,“In Melbourne, Australia, vacuuming your house between 10 pm and 7am during weekdays and 10 pm and 9 am during the weekends is against the law.”

Chewing gum—Singapore

Singapore prohibits the sale and import of chewing gum,which makes it impossible for locals to get their hands on gum. However, exceptions are made for people who have medical conditions and need to chew gum. The ban began in 1992 and is still in effect.

Running out of fuel—Germany

People are not allowed to let their cars run out of fuel if they are driving on the autobahn(高速公路) in Germany. What complicates matters is that a person can’t walk along the highway to get some gas, as walking on the autobahn is also prohibited by law.

Changing bulb—Victoria, Australia

In Victoria, one of the most populous states in Australia, changing a light bulb is illegal unless you are a licensed electrician. People who disobey this law could receive a fine of up to AU$10(￡5.5).

【推荐1】Some people say that the best way to reduce the size of your waist is to do stomach exercise. Many people believe that when specific muscles are exercised，the fatty tissues(组织)in the immediate area are burned up. The truth is that exercise burns fat from all over the body and not from one specific area. Of course，if you reduce the fat throughout your body，you will certainly see results around your waist，too.

Some people believe that you need to exercise twice a week in order to keep a sufficient level of physical fitness. However，studies directed by American scientists show that unexercised muscles lose their strength very quickly. Within 48 to 72 hours，you must use the muscles again to reestablish(重建)the good physical effects. And what does that mean to you？American scientists concluded that while daily exercise is most helpful，exercising every other day or three days a week will keep a sufficient level of physical fitness.

Is it true that you burn more calories running one mile than walking the same distance？The answer is no. The truth is that you use the same amount of energy whether you walk or run the mile，since in both cases you are moving the same weight the same distance. The speed does not matter. Of course，if you run rather than walk for 30 minutes，you will cover more distance，and therefore，burn more calories.

If your breathing doesn't return to normal within 5 minutes after you finish exercising，you have exercised too much. Five minutes or so after exercising，your breathing should be normal，your heart shouldn't be beating loudly，and you shouldn't be tired.

【推荐2】Do you know the term "tweenager"? It's a slang word being used in the UK to describe children 10-13 years old. They are between junior and the teenage years. Why are they suddenly referred to in this way?

Tweenagers now have more money, freedom and influence upon their parents than they've ever had before. More and more companies are creating products and services for tweenagers. You can get everything from branded lunchboxes and mobile phone covers, to monthly fan magazines and clothing-it's all about sales.

Most children in the UK today get more pocket money than kids did a decade ago. It is because parents are having fewer children on average than in the past. In addition, the divorce rate in the UK is continually rising and parents spend less time with their children than they used to. So, many parents try to compensate(补偿) by buying presents for them.

And do tweenagers have more freedom? Well, UK children today are very familiar with media and computer. Many have a television, if not a computer, in their bedrooms. They have access to much more information about the world.

They may have experienced a lot in life as well, since 24% of UK kids live in single-parent families. People now say that "Kids are getting older younger". With such sophistication (世故) at such a young age, they are much more fashion conscious and concerned about their image.

In a world of TV programs that promise overnight success and fame at a young age, some people think it's extremely important to look fashionable. Surely none of the above is a good thing, is it? Can it really be healthy for us to encourage kids to be like adults at such a young age? Are we stealing childhoods in return for profit?

The UK government is certainly concerned, and for that reason has strict laws preventing companies from marketing their products and services at children. So, is there a happy ending to this story?

Companies have just worked out that the older tweenage audience is now looking for something darker and more rebellious. As a result, films such as Twilight are being produced for this older tweenage audience.

【推荐3】Like a tired marriage, the relationship between libraries and publishers has long been dull. E-books, however, are causing heartache. Libraries know they need digital wares, but many publishers are too cautious about piracy（盗版） and lost sales to co-operate. Among the big six, only Random House and Harper Collins license e-books with most libraries.

Publishers are wise to be nervous. Owners of e-readers（电子阅读器） are exactly the customers they need: book-lovers with money. If these people switch to borrowing e-books instead of buying them, what then? Electronic borrowing is awfully convenient. Unlike printed books, which must be checked out and returned to a physical library miles from where you live, book files can be downloaded at home. The files disappear from the device when they are due.

E-lending is not simple, however. There are lots of different and often incompatible（不兼容的）e-book formats devices and licenses. Most libraries use a company called OverDrive, which secures rights from publishers and provides e-books and audio files in every format. Yet publishers and libraries are worried by OverDrive’s global market dominance the company can control fees and conditions. Publishers were annoyed when OverDrive cooperated with Amazon, the world’s biggest online bookseller, last year. Owners of Amazon’s Kindle e-reader who want to borrow e-books from libraries are now redirected to Amazon’s website, where they must use their Amazon account to secure a loan.

According to Pew, an opinion researcher library users are a perfect for market for Amazon. Late last year Amazon introduced its Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, which lets its best customers borrow free one of thousands of popular books each month.

Library supporters argue that book borrowers are also book buyers and that libraries are vital spaces for readers to discover new work. Many were cheered by a recent Pew survey, which found that more than half of Americans with library cards say they prefer to buy their e-books.

So publishers keep adjusting their lending arrangements in search of the right balance.

Random House raised its licensing prices earlier this year, and Harper Collins limits libraries to lending its titles 26 times.