To American visitors, Iceland is a very interesting country, partly because it is different in so many ways from he or she is used to seeing at home. There are quite a few things that are not done, or that do not exist on the island—quite a few “No's”．

    There is no pollution, for instance, no dogs are permitted in Reykjavik, the capital. There is no television on Thursdays or during the whole month of July, and only three hours of black­and­-white TV the rest of the time. There is no hard liquor（酒） on Wednesdays and no beer at any time. There is no handguns; only one prison of thirty­ five rooms in the whole land—an admirable figure, even for a small country of 313,376 people.

    There is no army, air force or navy. There is no tipping（给小费） for anything. There are no large stores open on Saturdays or Sundays. Since Iceland is located just under the Arctic Circle, there is no darkness in summer and no daylight in winter. But thanks to Gulf Stream, the climate is rather mild, with temperatures between 34 degrees and 52 degrees in July.

    The rules on television liquor and guns are the result of government decisions. But the absence of pollution is because of in great part the fact that Iceland gets its power from the thousands of hot springs(泉水) that come out of the ground. They provide all the energy needed by the country. In fact, Iceland uses only 3 percent of all its available power.

    Iceland has been described as a democratic（民主的） independent country where more fish are caught and more books published per person than anywhere else in the world. The Icelanders have always felt a particular love for literature. They wrote their first books in the ninth and tenth centuries AD. These works were poems and tales about the kings, heroes, and heroines of Iceland and Norway. At first, the stories were remembered and passed from generation to generation. They were finally written down between 1140 and 1220. The Icelanders have never stopped writing ever since. “Rather shoeless than bookless，” they proudly say.

    His Excellency

    Kim Jong Un

    Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Dear Mr. Chairman,

    We greatly appreciate your time, patience, and effort with respect to our recent negotiations and discussions relative to a summit (峰会) long sought by both parties, which was scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore.

    We were informed that the meeting was requested by North Korea, but that to us is totally irrelevant (不重要的). I was very much looking forward to being there with you.

    Sadly, based on the unacceptable and unfriendly statement, I feel it is not proper, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting.

    Therefore, please let this letter to serve to represent that the Singapore summit, for the good of both parties, but to the detriment of the world, will not take place.

    You talk about your nuclear capabilities (能力), but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used.

    I felt a wonderful dialogue was building up between you and me, and ultimately, it is only that dialogue that matters. Some day, I look very much forward to meeting you.

    In the meantime, I want to thank you for the release of the hostages (人质) who are now home with their families. That was a beautiful gesture and was very much appreciated.

    If you change your mind having to do with this most important summit, please do not hesitate to call me or write. The world, and North Korea in particular, has lost a great opportunity for lasting peace and great prosperity and wealth. This missed opportunity is a truly sad moment in history.

Sincerely yours,

Donald J. Trump

    President of the United States of America

    Washington, D.C. Bicycle Tours

    Cherry Blossom Bike Tour in Washington, D.C.

    Duration: 3 hours

    This small group bike tour is a fantastic way to see a world-famous cherry trees with beautiful flowers of Washington, D.C. Your guide will provide a history lesson about the trees and the famous monuments where they blossom. Reserve your spot before availability — the cherry blossoms—disappear!

    Washington Capital Monuments Bicycle Tour

    Duration: 3 hours (4 miles)

    Join a guided bike tour and view some of the most popular monuments in Washington, D.C. Explore the monuments and memorials on the National Mall as your guide shares unique facts and history at each stop. Guided tour includes bike, helmet, cookies and bottled water.

    Capital City Bike Tour In Washington, D.C.

    Duration: 3 hours

    Morning or Afternoon, this bike tour is the perfect tour for D. C. newcomers and locals looking to experience Washington, D.C. in a healthy way with minimum effort. Knowledgeable guides will entertain you with the most, interesting stories about Presidents, Congress, memorials, and parks. Comfortable bikes and a smooth tour route(路线) make cycling between the sites fun and relaxing.

Washington Capital Sites at Night Bicycle Tour

    Duration: 3 hours (7miles)

    Join a small group bike tour for an evening of exploration in the heart of Washington, D.C. Get up close to the monuments and memorials as you bike the sites of Capitol Hill and the National Mall. Frequent stops are made for photo taking as your guide offers unique facts and history. Tour includes bike, helmet, and bottled water. All riders are equipped with reflective vests and safety lights.

    The following are four famous malls in the world where you can not only purchase things but also enjoy entertainment.

    Mall of America (Minnesota, USA)

    This Mall has a theme park and a wedding church, where more than 5,000 couples have been married since its opening. The mall of America opened in 1992 and is the third largest mall in North America.

    The mall of America is the most visited shopping mall in the world, with more than 40 million visitors annually. Spending 10 minutes in every store would take shopper more than 86 hours to complete their visit to the Mall of America.

    Mall of the Emirates (Dubai)

    The mall of the Emirates is an entertainment and shopping resort located in Dubai. It offers a full range of shopping, leisure and entertainment facilities.

    This shopping center is home to over 450 retailers（零售商）and also features a complete range of entertainment options, including Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski destination in the middle East.

    West Edmonton Mall (Alberta, Canada)

    The fifth largest mall in the world and the largest in North America, it has the largest indoor water park, which has the biggest wave pool in the world.

    The mall has a theme park called Galaxyland, with a number of attractions, including a roller coaster. In addition, the mall has an indoor lake, which is home to four sea lions.

    The Dubai Mall (Dubai)

    The Dubai Mall is the world's largest mall in total area.

    The mall has 1,200 shops and houses an aquarium（水族馆）which earned the Guinness World Record for the world's "largest Acrylic Panel". The mall is also home to an ice rink（溜冰场）, a 250-room luxury hotel and 22 cinema screens, plus 120 restaurants and cafes. It's also famous for the unique "malls-within-a-mall" concept, with themed shopping area like Gold Souk, Fashion Island and The Grove, an indoor-outdoor streetscape with a fully retractable（可缩回的）roof.

I was cutting up lettuce in the kitchen when I suddenly remembered watching a video about soaking the lettuce stub (莴苣残余部分) in water to grow a whole new vegetable. So I took out a wide-mouthed cup and placed the stub into it, gave it a little water, and placed it by the window. 

On a snowy morning I noticed the first sign. A first small leaf from its heart spread out. A tiny green flag of hope. Beaten, but not defeated. This lettuce was not done living! Within days, it was impossible to see the cuts where I had removed the leaves. The growth was explosive. And when I lifted the blossoming head out of the cup, tiny root threads fell down, seeking for the earth. 

What is growing here? Lettuce or hope? 

If I were a lettuce in a similar condition, I'd want to skeptically assess where I found myself before committing to full growth. Yet for this lettuce, my inadequate offering of water and a place by a window was enough for it to decide to reclaim itself again. It grew in a cup of water, in faith. This is the heart of this lettuce: alive, strong and fearless. It deserved a name. I decided to call it Monty. 

Monty wanted to grow, as we all do. I think I gave him a little love and freedom. Those two were all he needed to return to himself. I see joy in this lettuce. The return to self is always an expression of joy, which is life itself. This is the tendency of all living things. 

Monty still lives in a cup, but I'm going to transplant him outside. He deserves to become his full self. The only problem I see now is my ability to support Monty. I hope I have enough of a green finger. 

I'm surprised to find myself where I am. Maybe Monty is, too. I have the same choice as he does: give in or start again. The prospect of starting again is discouraging. But my lettuce-friend, Monty, leads the way. I can only hope to be as brave.

Four rural villages in China were named Best Tourism Villages 2023 by the World Tourism Organization.

Huangling village in Jiangxi province, set in a hilly and mountainous region, is known for its surprising natural scenery, traditional architecture, and the preservation of ancient customs. The ancient houses in Huangling village are characterized by whitewashed walls, black-tiled roofs, and complex carved wooden elements. The village, rated as a national AAAA scenic spot, draws worldwide visitors throughout the year to view its live landscape.

Zhagana village, a globally important agricultural and cultural heritage site, is located at an altitude of 3,000 to 3,300 meters and is surrounded by mountains, in Gansu province. The steep mountains and Tibetan-style houses make up a "grand stone palace" where tourists can enjoy the harmony of nature and culture.

Xiajiang village, located in East China's Zhejiang province, is famous for its undestroyed natural beauty and a profound cultural heritage ranging from traditional folk culture to historical "red culture". The village has introduced unique tourism routes, high-level cultural programs, and a diverse range of celebrations.

Zhujiawan village, situated in Zhashui county, Shangluo city, possesses a variety of over 1,200 species of diverse animals and plant resources. Meanwhile, the village owns 25 intangible (无形的) cultural treasures. Additionally, it is home to 17 tangible cultural treasures. In recent years, Zhujiawan village has made use of its ecological strengths to develop tourism.