Cars pass by heavily damaged buildings in the central Syrian city of Homs on Saturday after it was taken over by anti-government rebels. On Sunday, Islamist-led rebels declared that they had entered and seized control of the capital, Damascus, with reports stating that President Bashar al-Assad had fled the country. Aaref Watad / AFP
Xi's proposal on exchanges finds wide support
When asked about President Xi Jinping's ambitious proposal made last year to invite a total of 50,000 young people from the United States over a period of five years to visit China on exchange and study programs, Eric Foster, nephew of legendary journalist Edgar Snow's wife, Helen Foster Snow, said he strongly supports more exchanges of this kind.
China's solution to land degradation applauded
Building on mature big data and artificial intelligence technologies, Chinese scientists have developed a targeted system for land degradation management on the Arabian Peninsula, which can be used to support governance decisions in the region, an expert said.
Report digs into Beijing's population
In its latest population report, Beijing has shared critical insights into the demographic landscape of China's capital, highlighting both challenges and opportunities as the city navigates its future.
Diver pieces back together smashed marine ecosystem
Having immersed himself in marine conservation for over a decade, Wang Fengguo possesses a profound understanding of the havoc that extreme typhoons can wreak upon coral reefs, which stand as some of the planet's most diverse ecosystems, amid the escalating climate crisis.
China's winter economy heating up rapidly
China's ice and snow economy is thriving, turning its natural "cold resources" into a burgeoning "hot economy" for the nation.
Boosting domestic demand key to growth
Amid the external uncertainty posed by the incoming administration of the United States, China should make expanding domestic demand a crucial focus for 2025, with consumption and services emerging as rising priorities as well as augmented fiscal spending being on the horizon.
Yoon asked to step down in 'orderly' way
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, now facing possible charges of treason, will step down early "in an orderly manner", the ruling party said after the parliament's failure to pass an impeachment motion against Yoon.
Situation in Syria will have spillover effects on a region already convulsed by violence
Taking advantage of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Lebanon, Syria's rebel groups, a coalition with a complicated composition and backed by foreign forces including the United States and Turkiye, launched a surprise offensive against Syria's pro-government forces last month.
Tried and tested poverty reducer
Rural tourism is emerging as a creative way of revitalizing rural areas across the Global South. It promotes a unique blend of agriculture and tourism, which is crucial for the economies of many developing nations.
Focusing on the wonder of nature
On vibrant green moss, a Heteropoda davidbowie, of the huntsman spider species, carries a white egg sac, its orange body blazing like a fiery flame, strikingly vivid and captivating against the faintly visible ferns in the surroundings.
Duo finds laughter is the best medicine
In a traditional courtyard dwelling in Beijing, an unexpected partnership was forming between a local graduate and a foreigner.
