In a groundbreaking medical achievement, Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital in Fujian Province, China, has successfully conducted the world’s first cross-border remote robot-assisted heart surgery. This historic procedure, performed on October 23, 2025, involved collaboration between Chinese and French medical experts. The surgery was led by Wang Yan, president of Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital, and Lionel Leroux, a professor of cardiovascular disease from Bordeaux University Hospital in France. Using a robotic system developed jointly by the Xiamen hospital and a Shanghai-based robotics company, the team remotely performed a transcatheter mitral valve repair on a 73-year-old patient in Xiamen, with no local surgeons physically present. The hour-long operation was executed with submillimeter precision and stable communication, monitored in real-time by the Xiamen hospital’s cardiac intervention, anesthesia, ultrasound, and nursing teams. The patient recovered well and was discharged shortly after the successful procedure. This milestone demonstrates the practicality and safety of remote precision control in robotic interventional therapy, marking a significant advancement in global medical technology. Wang Yan emphasized that this achievement highlights China’s capability to export its cardiovascular robotic systems for complex surgeries worldwide. French experts, including Thomas Modine, praised the technology as a major step forward in democratizing advanced medical skills globally. The success of this surgery is expected to pave the way for broader adoption of remote robotic techniques in clinical settings across the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
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Mainland talent get easier access to SARs
In a significant move to bolster cross-border collaboration and talent mobility, China’s National Immigration Administration has unveiled a series of streamlined measures aimed at facilitating easier access for mainland professionals to Hong Kong and Macao. Effective from November 6, 2025, eligible individuals—spanning high-level talent, researchers, educators, healthcare professionals, and legal experts—can now apply for multiple-entry permits valid for up to five years, allowing stays of up to 30 days per visit. These permits are contingent on official talent certification, ensuring a merit-based approach.
The policy, initially piloted in Beijing, Shanghai, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, will now extend to the Yangtze River Delta, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and all national pilot free trade zones. Additionally, professionals working in the Shenzhen Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone will benefit from expedited three-year multiple-entry permits, bypassing the need for additional talent credentials.
High-tech and advanced manufacturing firms will receive preferential quotas for these permits, while emerging startups within the zone will be exempt from first-year tax revenue requirements when applying for business travel permits. To further enhance efficiency, dedicated lanes and streamlined arrangements will be established at key ports, including Huanggang and Futian, to provide fast-track clearance for frequent travelers. A green channel will also expedite customs clearance for vehicles transporting research supplies.
In a parallel development, facial recognition technology will be expanded to major land crossings in Shenzhen and Zhuhai, including Huanggang, Luohu, and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge port. Eligible travelers aged 14 and above, including mainland residents with valid multi-entry endorsements and Hong Kong and Macao residents with mainland travel permits, can utilize these channels, provided they consent to facial and fingerprint data verification.
Starting November 20, mainland residents on family visit visas in Hong Kong or Macao can apply to extend their stay directly within the SARs, provided applications are submitted at least seven working days before the current stay period expires.
Jesse Shang Hailong, founder of the Hong Kong Top Talent Services Association, anticipates that these measures will attract tens of thousands of mainland professionals to Hong Kong, leveraging its unique position as an international connectivity hub. The policy is expected to significantly enhance researcher mobility and cross-border collaboration, particularly as the Hong Kong park of the Hetao zone prepares for its official opening by year-end.
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Britain’s Treasury chief prepares the ground for a tax-hiking budget
In a significant pre-budget announcement, UK Treasury Chief Rachel Reeves has indicated that tax increases are likely in the forthcoming budget, scheduled for November 26. Reeves, in an unusual move, addressed the public and financial markets three weeks ahead of the budget, preparing them for potential hikes in income and sales taxes. This decision marks a departure from her earlier election pledge to avoid such increases. Reeves emphasized the necessity of collective contribution to secure the nation’s future, hinting at broad tax adjustments. She attributed the need for these measures to several factors, including the UK’s substantial £2.6 trillion national debt, lower-than-expected productivity, and global economic challenges such as U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, volatile supply chains, and rising government borrowing costs. Reeves also pointed to the economic mismanagement by the previous Conservative government, which has left the UK particularly vulnerable. Despite these challenges, Reeves aims to deliver a budget focused on growth, fairness, and strengthening public services, while reducing national debt and controlling inflation. However, her approach has faced criticism for being overly pessimistic and for increasing business taxes in the previous budget. Additionally, Reeves has been under scrutiny for allegedly renting out her London house without a proper license, a mistake for which she has apologized.
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20 killed, over 640 injured in Afghanistan earthquake
A catastrophic magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck northern Afghanistan in the early hours of Monday, November 3, 2025, resulting in significant loss of life and widespread injuries. According to Qari Taj Mohammad Hemat, deputy spokesman for Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority, the disaster claimed at least 20 lives and left 643 people injured, with 25 in critical condition. The epicenter, located 22 kilometers west-southwest of Khulm, was reported by the United States Geological Survey to have occurred at a depth of 28 kilometers. Rescue operations are underway in the hardest-hit provinces of Balkh and Samangan, where emergency teams are transporting the injured and providing aid to affected families. The Taliban government’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, expressed deep sorrow over the casualties and financial losses, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to assist those impacted. Additionally, the historic Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif sustained damage, though it remains structurally intact. The United Nations has mobilized teams to assess needs and deliver urgent assistance, noting that this disaster follows a recent deadly earthquake in eastern Afghanistan.
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Academic journal promotes Hongshan culture
A significant milestone in the study of ancient Chinese civilization was marked with the launch of the academic journal ‘Research on Hongshan Culture’ in Shenyang, Liaoning province. This quarterly publication aims to provide a systematic platform for academic exchange, featuring articles on new archaeological discoveries, material culture research, social and cultural studies, comparative civilization research, and international perspectives. The journal is chaired by Gu Yucai, president of the Chinese Society of Cultural Relics, with Bai Baoyu, director of the Liaoning Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, serving as editor-in-chief. The editorial board includes renowned archaeological experts from China and abroad, such as Jia Xiaobing, Pauline Sebillaud of France, and Christian E. Peterson of Canada. Hongshan culture, dating back to the late Neolithic period, is a crucial component of Chinese civilization, known for its exquisite jade artifacts, large-scale stone tombs, and goddess temples. These findings have pushed the origins of Chinese civilization further back in history, providing essential physical evidence for exploring its development. The journal’s establishment aims to centralize scattered research findings, foster international academic exchange, and showcase the long history and achievements of Chinese civilization. At the first International Communication Conference on Hongshan Culture, scholars like Christian E. Peterson and Elizabeth Childs-Johnson highlighted the unique aspects of Hongshan society, emphasizing its ritual organization and significant contributions to the origins of Chinese civilization. The journal is expected to deepen cross-regional and cross-disciplinary research cooperation, allowing Hongshan civilization to shine anew in the modern era.
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Shutdown disrupts food aid for millions
The ongoing U.S. government shutdown, now in its fifth week, has severely disrupted critical food assistance programs, leaving millions of low-income Americans in dire straits. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has accused Republicans of ‘weaponizing hunger’ by failing to reopen the government, which has led to the suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP, which provides food aid to over 42 million citizens, has seen its funding lapse due to the shutdown, with recipients losing benefits as of last Saturday. Despite a federal judge’s order to use emergency funds to maintain SNAP, officials have stated that restoring benefits could take at least a week. The shutdown’s impact is particularly severe for Black Americans, who constitute 12.6% of the population but more than a quarter of SNAP recipients. Additionally, the $4.1 billion Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is also facing delays, leaving millions of households without heating and cooling assistance as winter approaches. Mark Wolfe, executive director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, warned that the temporary disruption could have profound effects on the nation’s poorest families. The shutdown has also led to a multibillion-dollar hit to the economy, with both political parties exchanging sharp accusations over the crisis.
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Revitalized river the source of success
Longli County in Guizhou Province has pioneered an innovative model that harmonizes ecological river management, water tourism, and community involvement, setting a benchmark for sustainable development. The Sanyuan River, the county’s largest waterway, has undergone a remarkable transformation since 2020, evolving from a narrow, farmland-bordered channel to a vibrant hub of tourism and recreation.
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Treasure from the mountain
Under the golden autumn sun of Changbai Mountain, 70-year-old Cui Chang’an, a fourth-generation ginseng master, carefully uncovers a ginseng root that has grown for over three decades. ‘We never just dig ginseng,’ Cui explains. ‘We lift it, leave the small ones, and replant the seeds. That’s how the mountain keeps giving.’ This ancient practice is the cornerstone of Fusong county, known as China’s hometown of ginseng, where the tradition of gathering ginseng, called Fangshan, has been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage since 2008. Fusong boasts over 460 years of documented cultivation history, with wild collection in the Changbai Mountain region dating back more than 1,500 years. Today, about 45,000 people in Fusong are employed in the ginseng industry, managing 14,000 hectares of wild-simulated ginseng, producing nine metric tons valued at 135 million yuan ($18.9 million). Ginseng is cultivated in two main ways: garden ginseng, grown on flat land like ordinary crops, and wild-simulated ginseng, which grows naturally under forest canopy and is considered equivalent to wild ginseng, a national first-class protected plant. At the heart of Fusong lies Wanliang, home to the world’s largest national-level ginseng market, where 80 percent of China’s ginseng is traded. Products from this small town are exported globally, particularly to Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asian countries, with items like ginsenosides soaps exceeding 100,000 pieces annually. Fusong now produces five major categories of ginseng goods — food, health supplements, cosmetics, medicines, and bioproducts — totaling more than 600 varieties. Fusong County Natural Biotechnology Co, a provincial high-tech leader, is at the forefront of innovation, being the only firm in China capable of extracting individual ginsenosides like RH2 and RG3. With rising global wellness awareness, demand for ginseng continues to grow. Experts like Wang Defu, honorary president of the Fusong Ginseng Culture Research Association, see a promising future for Chinese ginseng, emphasizing the need for a stronger international brand and greater global recognition. Supported by government initiatives focusing on standardization, brand development, market expansion, and technology integration, the ginseng industry in Fusong is thriving, ensuring its position as a global ginseng hub. For Cui Chang’an, the legacy of ginseng is timeless. ‘I may never find the ginseng my grandfather planted,’ he reflects. ‘But someone will, and the mountains will keep giving.’
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Sabalenka to face Kyrgios in ‘Battle of Sexes’
In a highly anticipated exhibition match, world number one Aryna Sabalenka will face off against Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios in a modern take on the iconic ‘Battle of the Sexes.’ The event is scheduled for December 28 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, which boasts a capacity of 17,000. Sabalenka, the reigning US Open champion and a four-time Grand Slam winner, expressed her readiness for the challenge, stating, ‘I have a lot of respect for Nick and his talent, but make no mistake, I’m ready to bring my A-game.’ Kyrgios, currently ranked 652nd due to a prolonged absence from the tour following a wrist injury, welcomed the opportunity, saying, ‘When the world number one challenges you, you answer the call.’ The match has sparked mixed reactions among tennis fans. While some view it as an entertaining spectacle aimed at attracting a younger audience, others fear it could undermine women’s sports if Sabalenka loses. Kyrgios’s past controversies, including a guilty plea for assaulting an ex-girlfriend in 2023 and his association with controversial influencer Andrew Tate in 2024, have further fueled concerns about the event’s potential to perpetuate sexism. Despite these debates, Sabalenka remains unfazed, describing the match as a ‘cool idea’ and vowing to ‘kick Nick’s ass.’ The format of the match remains under discussion, with potential modifications to court size and serving rules being considered.
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Delhi’s lonely African elephant was killed by rare rodent-borne virus
Shankar, the only African elephant at Delhi Zoo, passed away on September 17, 2023, after a life marked by isolation and loneliness. The 29-year-old male elephant’s death was initially shrouded in mystery, but an autopsy has now revealed the cause: encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), a rare rodent-borne pathogen. The virus, which causes fatal inflammation of the heart and sometimes brain fever in mammals, is transmitted through rodent feces and urine. According to Delhi Zoo director Sanjeet Kumar, this is the first recorded death in India attributed to EMCV, though unreported cases may exist. The virus, first isolated in 1945, has been documented in various mammals, including pigs, rodents, big cats, and African elephants. Outbreaks have occurred globally, with captive African elephants particularly affected in the US and South Africa. Shankar’s death has reignited concerns about the welfare of captive animals in India. He was one of two African elephants gifted to India by Zimbabwe in 1998 as a diplomatic gesture. After his companion died in 2001, Shankar lived in isolation, despite a 2009 federal ban on keeping elephants alone for more than six months. Activists had long campaigned for his relocation to a wildlife sanctuary, but a 2021 petition to Delhi’s High Court was dismissed. With Shankar’s passing, only one African elephant remains in India—a solitary male at Mysore Zoo. His death underscores the need for improved animal welfare standards and the risks posed by rare diseases in captive environments.