标签： Asia

Arab bus drivers in Israel are increasingly avoiding work due to a surge in violent attacks, particularly after matches involving the Beitar Jerusalem football club. Drivers and union representatives report a recurring pattern of racism and violence in Jerusalem’s Malha area, near the club’s Teddy Stadium. What begins as chants and jeering often escalates into spitting, threats, and physical assaults. Majid Mabrouk, a senior union representative, described the situation as blatant racism, with drivers dreading match days. Recent weeks have seen a sharp increase in attacks, with nine incidents recorded in just 24 hours. Despite repeated requests for police patrols around stadium bus stations, no action has been taken. Muhammed Siyaj, a Palestinian bus driver from East Jerusalem, shared his experience of being targeted with insults, rocks, and curses. He lamented the lack of protection from both the bus company and the police. Beitar Jerusalem’s fan base, particularly the hardcore group La Familia, has long been criticized for racist chants and violence against Arabs. Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, is a known supporter of the club. Human rights organizations and former players have urged club management and police to address the issue, but enforcement remains ineffective. Ahmad Qaraen, another driver, recounted a near-fatal attack by Beitar supporters in June, expressing his fear and reluctance to return to work. Union representative Yaniv highlighted the lack of trust in the police, with over 90% of complaints being closed without prosecution. The union has warned of potential bus service suspensions if no additional security measures are implemented. Jerusalem police claim to be investigating recent incidents but have yet to make any arrests. Drivers and unions argue that the lack of consequences emboldens attackers, leaving drivers to face constant fear and danger.

The Zhanhua district in Binzhou, Shandong province, has become a beacon of agricultural success with its winter jujube industry. Known for its crispness and sweetness, the Zhanhua winter jujube has earned the status of a national geographical indication product. This achievement is the result of a comprehensive industry-wide upgrade that has transformed traditional farming practices into a modern, technology-driven enterprise.

For decades, jujube farmers in Zhanhua faced the uncertainties of nature. ‘We used to rely entirely on the weather. A good year meant a decent harvest, but if typhoons or frost hit, a year’s hard work was lost,’ said Wang Chunjun, a jujube farmer with 28 years of experience. Today, Wang’s orchard is a testament to the district’s agricultural evolution. Traditional open-field planting has been replaced by modern greenhouses equipped with integrated water and fertilizer systems, intelligent temperature control, and automated pest monitoring. These advancements have not only reduced labor but also stabilized the quality and yield of the jujubes.

In recent years, Zhanhua district has significantly increased its technological investment in winter jujube cultivation. This has led to the development of more than 10 high-quality varieties, providing farmers with rich germplasm resources. The district has also established an intelligent management platform that oversees 6,400 hectares of jujube orchards across nine major planting townships, ensuring precise and standardized management.

The industry’s growth extends beyond fresh fruit. ‘Besides fresh winter jujubes, we have developed more than 10 different products, including jujube bud tea, jujube honey, jujube wine, freeze-dried crispy jujubes, and jujube wood carvings,’ said a staff member of the Zhanhua Winter Jujube Development Exhibition Hall.

Chen Yujuan, director of Zhanhua district, emphasized the broader implications of this success. ‘The upgrade of the Zhanhua winter jujube industry represents not only a breakthrough in traditional agriculture but also an exploration of pathways for rural vitalization,’ she said. ‘We will further increase technological investment, extend the industrial chain, and enhance brand value to let this sweetness delight people across all seasons and throughout the nation.’

In a grand ceremony held in Changsha, Hunan province, on November 6, 2025, thirty exemplary doctors and nurses were celebrated for their remarkable contributions to healthcare at the “China’s Good Doctors and Good Nurses” event. The event, which featured interviews, documentaries, and stage performances, showcased the inspiring stories of these medical professionals. Among the honorees was Li Zan, Director of the Department of Oncology Plastic Surgery at Hunan Cancer Hospital, who has pioneered advanced cancer treatments in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Another notable figure, Zhu Huifang, a nurse from Huzhou, Zhejiang province, shared her heartwarming experiences as part of China’s medical aid mission in Africa, where she earned the affectionate title “Chinese Mom” from local children. Since its launch in 2017, the program has recognized over 1,100 individuals and 15 teams across 24 events nationwide. Earlier that day, a free large-scale clinic was organized in a Changsha park, where a volunteer team of renowned doctors and nurses provided services to more than 900 residents.