Nature is a quiet healer that calms our busy minds and soothes our anxious hearts. A walk in the forest, the sound of ocean waves crashing on the shore, or the sight of stars twinkling in the night sky—these simple encounters with the natural world reconnect us with something bigger than ourselves.

Life is full of unexpected turns, and uncertainty is its constant companion. Many of us fear the unknown, clinging to plans and control, but these unplanned moments are often life’s greatest teachers. A missed opportunity may lead to a better path; a failure may spark a new passion; a detour may

Zhenjiang, December — Though only 55 meters high, Beigu Mountain commands respect as a cultural landmark with a rich history. Perched on the banks of the Yangtze River, the mountain offers breathtaking views of the vast river, where ships sail steadily toward the horizon. Its steep cliffs, shaped by centuries of wind and water, give it the nickname “the most magnificent river mountain under heaven.” The mountain is steeped in stories from the Three Kingdoms period, with sites like Ganlu Temple, where the marriage of Sun Quan’s sister to Liu Bei was celebrated. Visitors can climb the ancient steps to the top, passing stone carvings and pavilions, and stand on the Beigu Tower to recite the poems of Xin Qiji, who once wrote of the mountain’s grandeur. In winter, when the air is crisp and clear, the view of the Yangtze River stretching to the sky is particularly awe-inspiring, blending natural beauty with historical depth.

Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and other leaders pose for a group photo with the promoted military officers in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 22, 2025. Xi on Monday presented certificates of order to promote two military officers to the rank of general. (Xinhua/Li Gang)BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), on Monday presented certificates of order to promote two military officers to the rank of general.The promoted officers are Yang Zhibin, commander of the Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), and Han Shengyan, commander of the PLA Central Theater Command.Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the CMC, announced the orders of promotion, which were signed by Xi, at a ceremony held for the promotion in Beijing. Zhang Shengmin, vice chairman of the CMC, presided over the ceremony.Xi extended his congratulations to the two generals.General is the highest rank for officers in active service in China. ■

Mental health has emerged as a critical global health issue, with millions of people worldwide affected by conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this crisis, as isolation, economic stress, and fear of illness led to a surge in mental health problems. Despite the growing recognition of mental health’s importance, many individuals still face barriers to accessing care, including stigma, limited availability of mental health services, and high treatment costs. Innovations in mental health care are helping to address these challenges. Digital mental health tools, such as mobile apps for meditation and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and teletherapy services are expanding access to care, particularly for individuals in remote areas or those who prefer confidential support. Additionally, integrated care models that combine mental health and physical health services are improving the coordination of care and reducing stigma. To further advance mental health care, governments and healthcare organizations must invest in mental health research, expand the workforce of mental health professionals, and promote public awareness to reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking behavior.

Precision medicine, also known as personalized medicine, represents a paradigm shift from a one-size-fits-all approach to healthcare, focusing on treating patients based on their unique genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Advances in genomics, particularly next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, have made it possible to analyze an individual’s DNA quickly and affordably, providing insights into their susceptibility to certain diseases and their response to specific medications. This personalized approach has already shown promising results in the treatment of cancer, where targeted therapies attack specific genetic mutations in tumor cells, minimizing damage to healthy tissue and improving treatment efficacy. Precision medicine is also being applied to chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, enabling early risk assessment and customized prevention strategies. However, the widespread adoption of precision medicine faces challenges, including the high cost of genomic testing, the need for large-scale health data integration, and ethical considerations related to genetic privacy. As technology advances and costs decrease, precision medicine is expected to become a standard part of healthcare, leading to more effective treatments and better patient outcomes.