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Athletes at China’s 15th National Games encountered an unexpected twist during medal ceremonies: humanoid robots stepping in to help present awards. In Shenzhen—one of China’s major tech hubs—robots carried medals and sashes onto the podium, drawing loud cheers and photo-taking from the crowd. “I was stunned. I didn’t expect it at all,” said Beijing’s Meng Fanlong, who won silver in the men’s 92kg boxing event. “Maybe robots will eventually do more than we can. I’m not sure I’ll be able to outdo them.” As the first edition of the Games jointly hosted by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the event has integrated robotics across numerous sports and logistical operations. On the athletics field, robotic dogs transport javelins, reducing manual labor and improving safety. In other venues, automated machines conduct patrols, check power systems, and even serve as torchbearers. Organizers say more than 130 advanced technologies—including AI, robotics, and next-generation information systems—are being used throughout the Games. Pan Helin, an expert with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, noted that the event provides an important real-world testing ground for robotics and autonomous vehicles, helping accelerate their practical adoption. “This allows us to thoroughly test our systems and strengthen our team’s capabilities and coordination,” said Zhou Jiahao, chairman of a Shenzhen-based AI company. High-Tech Support for Boundary-Spanning Events In a landmark effort, the men’s road cycling race covered all three regions of the Greater Bay Area, supported by extensive technological safeguards, including those across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Unmanned patrol boats equipped with radar, HD cameras, and life-saving tools monitored the waters of Lingdingyang, conducting both stationary and roaming patrols. “Traditional water patrols often faced weather challenges and difficult conditions,” said Li Xinyi of the Zhuhai water police. “Unmanned boats changed everything—operations are more efficient, and officers are much safer, which helps keep the race course secure.” The cycling competition also required constant weather monitoring, as the bridge is prone to high winds. A mobile meteorological vehicle acted as a traveling weather station, gathering real-time wind and climate data to warn officials and protect riders. Technology Enhancing the Experience for Everyone Innovations at the Games extend beyond athletes and officials. Hearing-impaired spectators can instantly connect with remote sign-language interpreters through a one-click digital service. “It works just like Uber linking riders and drivers,” explained Shi Chengchuan, CEO of a Guangzhou tech firm. “Our platform connects interpreters with users, making the Games more inclusive.” Experts say these technological applications will have long-term benefits for the industry. “Our company has supported major events like the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, and each large event gives the industry another push forward,” said Li Ji, head of a Shenzhen sports technology company, which supplied LED display solutions for over 20 venues. “As AI evolves, we’re seeing more imaginative display technologies and tighter integration between sports lighting and digital content,” he added, noting that this has helped chart the company’s future direction. Pan emphasized that the National Games’ tech demonstrations will provide valuable insights for manufacturers, supporting digital transformation and driving industrial growth across the Greater Bay Area.

The 27th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF), one of China’s largest technology exhibitions, concluded Sunday in Shenzhen, generating 1,023 supply-demand matching and investment projects with an intended deal value exceeding 170 billion yuan (around 24 billion U.S. dollars). Themed “Technology Leads Development, Industry Integrates Fusion,” the three-day event attracted more than 5,000 companies and organizations from over 100 countries and regions, and welcomed upwards of 450,000 visitors. Chinese astronauts return safely after debris-damaged capsule forces unexpected delay The fair showcased over 5,000 new products, technologies, and innovative solutions across 22 major exhibition areas. Highlights included key equipment, artificial intelligence and robotics, national-level machinery, consumer electronics, low-altitude economy, and commercial aerospace, reflecting global scientific advancements alongside China’s innovation achievements. First launched in 1999, the annual CHTF has grown into China’s largest and most influential science and technology fair, serving as a major platform for international collaboration, investment opportunities, and showcasing cutting-edge technology developments. Source: XINHUA

With America’s aging road network falling further behind on long-delayed repairs, cities and states are increasingly deploying artificial intelligence to identify the most urgent hazards and prioritize maintenance. In Hawaii, officials are distributing 1,000 AI-enabled dashboard cameras as part of an effort to curb a recent surge in traffic deaths. The dashcams automatically scan guardrails, road signs and pavement markings, distinguishing minor issues from serious problems that require immediate repair. “This isn’t a once-a-month review where someone decides where to send their crews,” said Richard Browning, chief commercial officer at Nextbase, the company that built the cameras and imaging system. Other states are testing similar ideas. San Jose, California, began placing cameras on street sweepers, and city staff found the system identified potholes correctly 97% of the time. The city is now expanding the program to include parking enforcement vehicles. In Texas — which has more lane miles than the next two largest states combined — officials are rolling out an expansive AI-driven safety program that uses cameras and voluntary cellphone data from participating drivers. Elsewhere, state agencies are using AI to monitor street signs and compile annual congestion reports. Monitoring every guardrail, every dayHawaii residents can sign up in the coming weeks for a free dashcam worth $499 under the “Eyes on the Road” campaign. The initiative was tested on government vehicles in 2021 but paused during the wildfire crisis. Roger Chen, an engineering professor at the University of Hawaii helping oversee the project, said the state’s geography and supply-chain challenges complicate road maintenance. “Equipment has to be shipped in. There are space and topographical constraints. It’s not straightforward,” Chen said. While the system can detect debris and faded lane paint, its ability to flag damaged guardrails is especially emphasized. Anthropic, Microsoft unveil massive AI data center projects amid industry expansion “They are examining every guardrail in the state, every day,” said Mark Pittman, CEO of Blyncsy, the tech firm that aggregates dashcam feeds with mapping tools. Guardrail maintenance is a sensitive issue in Hawaii. In 2024, the state paid $3.9 million to settle a lawsuit after a driver died in 2020 by hitting a guardrail that had been damaged for 18 months but never repaired. Hawaii recorded its 106th traffic fatality of 2025 in October — already surpassing the previous year’s total. It is unclear how many were linked to roadway defects, but Chen said the rising toll highlights why the program is timely. Building a national AI road databaseSan Jose officials say early results from road-scanning cameras have been promising. Mayor Matt Mahan, a Democrat and former tech entrepreneur, said the technology will become far more effective once cities pool their roadway images into a shared AI database. The software can identify hazards it has encountered elsewhere, Mahan noted. “It says, ‘That’s a cardboard box wedged between parked cars — that’s debris,’” he said. “We don’t have to wait years for that example locally.” San Jose helped launch the GovAI Coalition in March 2024 to allow governments to share best practices — and eventually their data. Members include cities in California, Minnesota, Oregon, Texas and Washington, as well as the state of Colorado. Simple fixes also matterSome states are improving safety without relying on cameras. Massachusetts-based Cambridge Mobile Telematics developed StreetVision, which uses phone data to detect risky driving patterns. The tool helps state agencies identify road conditions that cause sudden braking or unsafe maneuvers. At a recent Washington, D.C. conference, company executive Ryan McMahon recalled seeing a spike in aggressive braking on a nearby road. The cause: a bush had grown over a stop sign, blocking it from view. “That pointed to an infrastructure problem — and the fix was just a pair of garden shears,” he said. Texas has been relying on StreetVision and other AI tools to upgrade its massive road network. The technology recently helped locate thousands of outdated or missing road signs across 250,000 lane miles. “If something was installed 10 or 15 years ago on paper, good luck digging it out of the records now,” said Jim Markham, a crash-data specialist at the Texas Department of Transportation. “AI lets us cover more ground, faster, than we ever could manually.” Preparing for autonomous vehiclesResearchers say today’s AI tools lay the groundwork for an era when driverless cars become more widespread. Pittman of Blyncsy predicts that within eight years, nearly every new vehicle — autonomous or not — will carry road-facing cameras. “We need to understand the roadway from grandma in a Buick to Elon in a Tesla,” he said. “Transportation agencies are now designing infrastructure for humans and automated drivers, and they need to start closing that gap.” Source: AP 

Disney and YouTube TV have finalized a new agreement that restores major channels—including ABC and ESPN—to Google’s livestreaming service, ending a blackout that lasted more than two weeks. Disney announced that its full lineup of networks and local stations has begun returning to YouTube TV. The streaming platform confirmed the restoration as well, telling subscribers they would see channels reappear throughout the day and apologizing for the outage. Disney programming was removed from YouTube TV on Oct. 30 after the companies failed to agree on a new licensing deal, leaving viewers without access to popular sports, news, and entertainment content. The blackout affected major channels such as NatGeo, FX, Freeform, SEC Network, ACC Network, and others—disrupting coverage of major college football games and other live events. Disney executives Alan Bergman, Dana Walden, and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said they were glad the channels were back in time for a busy weekend of programming, including college football. During the standoff, YouTube TV accused Disney of pushing for price hikes that would reduce subscriber choice and claimed Disney was using the blackout as leverage to boost its own streaming services, including Hulu + Live TV and Fubo. Disney countered that YouTube TV had refused to pay fair market rates and accused Google of leveraging its market dominance. Disney also said YouTube TV pulled its channels before the previous contract officially expired. Negotiations were especially tense ahead of the Nov. 4 elections, with both companies publicly criticizing each other. Once the new deal was finalized, YouTube TV said it managed to protect the value and flexibility of its service, while Disney said the agreement reflects its commitment to delivering top-tier entertainment and adapting to viewers’ changing habits. The dispute is one of many high-profile clashes over streaming rights as competition intensifies—often leaving subscribers caught in the middle. Disney and YouTube TV have had similar conflicts before, including a 2021 breakdown that lasted less than two days. Other networks have also been removed from YouTube TV after expired contracts; Univision, for example, has been off the platform since Sept. 30. YouTube TV’s base plan costs $82.99 per month and includes live content from NBC, CBS, Fox, PBS and more. The platform previously promised a $20 credit if the Disney dispute continued for an extended period, and customers began claiming it on Nov. 9. Disney distributes live TV both through traditional channels and its own streaming services. ESPN launched a standalone streaming service earlier this year at $29.99 per month, while other Disney programming is available via Hulu, Disney+, or Fubo. Disney currently offers a bundle of ESPN, Hulu, and Disney+ for $35.99 per month—or $29.99 per month for the first year.

Three Chinese astronauts returned to Earth on Friday after their trip home was delayed more than a week because their original return capsule was damaged, likely by space debris, officials said. The crew, who had spent six months aboard the Tiangong space station, had been scheduled to return on Nov. 5. But their Shenzhou-20 capsule was found to have tiny cracks in one of its windows, prompting China’s Manned Space Agency to abandon the plan. Instead, they used the newly arrived Shenzhou-21 spacecraft, which had transported their replacements. Watchdog group Public Citizen urges OpenAI to withdraw Sora app over deepfake risks The nine-day delay extended their mission to 204 days — the longest stay by any astronaut at China’s space station. The space agency did not say whether the switch would affect future missions, though it confirmed Shenzhou-22 will be launched. The return capsule touched down in the Gobi Desert on Friday afternoon, releasing a red-and-white parachute before landing in a cloud of dust. The astronauts were helped out about half an hour later and appeared in stable condition. Mission commander Chen Dong said their prolonged stay underscored the challenges of space travel. “The path of human space exploration is not smooth,” he said. “But that is why we choose it.” The crew had continued experiments during their extended mission, along with four mice brought to study how small mammals adapt to weightlessness and confinement. China’s space program, which has ramped up rapidly in recent years, is a source of national pride. It has already landed a rover on Mars and aims to send astronauts to the moon by 2030. Source: AP

Apple has introduced a new “Digital ID” feature that allows iPhone users to add their U.S. passport information to the Apple Wallet app, offering a quicker way to verify identity at airports ahead of the busy holiday travel season. Apple said the Digital ID system, launched on Wednesday, will initially be available in beta at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints in more than 250 airports across the United States. It will allow travelers to confirm their identity during domestic flights even if they do not have a Real ID. However, the company stressed that the Digital ID will not replace a physical passport and cannot be used for international travel or border crossings. Apple already lets users in 12 U.S. states and Puerto Rico add their driver's licence or state ID to Apple Wallet, while TSA accepts some type of mobile ID at airport checkpoints in at least 16 states and Puerto Rico. According to TSA, travelers using Digital ID “can move through more than 250 TSA checkpoints faster and more securely.” How to add your passport to Apple Wallet To set up the feature, users need to open the Wallet app on their iPhone, tap the plus (+) icon, and select “Digital ID.” If it does not appear, searching “Digital ID” inside the app may help. The process requires scanning the passport’s photo page and then placing the iPhone on the passport’s embedded chip for authentication. Users will then need to verify their identity with a selfie and complete a series of simple facial movements, such as turning their head or blinking. After the verification is completed, the Digital ID will appear in the Wallet. How it works at airport checkpoints To present a Digital ID at TSA kiosks, users simply double-click the iPhone’s side button to open the Wallet app, select the Digital ID card and hold the device or Apple Watch near the reader. The machine will capture a photo, and the phone will show what information is being requested—such as name or date of birth. The user must then confirm the data using Face ID or Touch ID. Security and privacy protections Apple says all passport data added to the device is encrypted and stored securely. The company also cannot see where or when a Digital ID is used. The use of biometric verification ensures that only the device owner can release the information. Apple further notes that users do not need to unlock or hand over their device to present their Digital ID. Where mobile IDs are accepted TSA says more than a dozen states currently support mobile IDs at airport checkpoints. These include Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia, along with Puerto Rico. More details are available on the TSA website.   Source: AP

Artificial intelligence firm Anthropic on Wednesday announced a $50 billion investment to expand its computing infrastructure, including new data centers in Texas and New York. Microsoft also revealed progress on a major data center project in Atlanta, Georgia, which it said will be linked to another facility in Wisconsin to form a “massive supercomputer” powered by hundreds of thousands of Nvidia chips. Apple removes two major gay dating apps in China following government order The announcements underscore the tech industry’s continued push to build large-scale, energy-intensive AI infrastructure despite concerns about financial risks, environmental impact, and surging local electricity costs. Anthropic, developer of the Claude chatbot, said the investment—made in partnership with London-based Fluidstack—will create about 800 permanent and 2,400 construction jobs. Microsoft’s new “Fairwater 2” center will bolster its own AI services as well as those of OpenAI and other developers. Source: AP

Apple has removed two of China’s most popular gay dating platforms, Blued and Finka, from its app store in the country following an order from Chinese authorities — marking another step in Beijing’s tightening restrictions on the LGBTQ+ community. In a statement, an Apple spokesperson confirmed that the removal was made “based on an order from the Cyberspace Administration of China,” without providing further details. “We follow the laws in the countries where we operate,” the spokesperson told The Associated Press. A review by the AP on Tuesday showed that both apps were no longer available on Apple’s China app store, although an “express” version of Blued could still be found. The difference between the full and express versions, or whether Android versions remain accessible, was not immediately clear. Apple said Blued was available “only in China,” while Finka’s developer had already “elected to remove the app” from markets outside the country earlier this year. Another popular gay dating app, Grindr, was also removed from Apple’s Chinese app store in 2022. Despite the decriminalization of homosexuality in 1997, China’s LGBTQ+ community has come under mounting pressure, with several advocacy groups forced to shut down and activism facing increasing restrictions. Apple removes ICE-tracking app after US pressure Both Blued and Finka are owned by BlueCity, a China-based company serving the LGBTQ+ community domestically and abroad. BlueCity was delisted from the Nasdaq in 2022 after going private. Last year, Apple similarly removed messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Threads from its Chinese app store following directives from the same government agency. “Among all foreign tech companies serving Chinese users, Apple is likely the most compliant with China’s internet regulations,” said George Chen, a partner and digital practice co-chair at The Asia Group. He noted that Apple “seldom challenges the government’s takedown orders, as the Chinese market — especially iPhone sales — remains too significant for the company.” Source: AP

The BBC was thrown into turmoil Monday following the sudden resignations of two senior executives over the editing of a speech by former U.S. President Donald Trump — an incident that critics say has plunged the broadcaster into an “existential crisis.” The century-old, publicly funded British institution came under fire after its flagship news program edited together segments of Trump’s January 6, 2021 speech in a way that appeared to show him urging his supporters to march on the U.S. Capitol and “fight like hell.” BBC Chairman Samir Shah apologized for what he called an “error of judgment.” Trump’s legal team threatened to sue, demanding a retraction and compensation for the “false and defamatory” broadcast. The scandal has reignited debate over whether the BBC — long seen as a cornerstone of British journalism — can maintain its impartiality in an era of political polarization. “This is an existential crisis for the BBC,” said Julie Posetti, a journalism professor at City St. George’s University of London. She warned that the corporation’s quick concessions could embolden those seeking to intimidate or discredit public service media. Allegations of BiasThe controversy erupted after the Daily Telegraph published details from an internal BBC memo criticizing the Panorama program’s handling of Trump’s speech. The documentary, aired just before the 2024 U.S. election, stitched together quotes from two separate parts of Trump’s remarks — nearly an hour apart — omitting lines in which he urged peaceful protest. The BBC’s Director-General Tim Davie and Head of News Deborah Turness resigned Sunday amid the backlash. Shah acknowledged that the editing created “the impression of a direct call for violent action.” Turness admitted mistakes but denied claims of institutional bias — a stance echoed by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The leaked memo also accused the broadcaster of showing favoritism on transgender and Israel-related issues, fueling long-standing right-wing claims of bias within the BBC. Political and Public ReactionTrump responded on social media, accusing BBC journalists of being “corrupt” and trying to “tip the scales” of the U.S. election. The White House press secretary shared headlines portraying Trump as “at war with fake news BBC.” In Britain, right-wing politicians seized on the controversy. Reform U.K. leader Nigel Farage declared the BBC “institutionally biased for decades,” while conservative columnist Charles Moore said the corporation habitually reflected “a metropolitan, left-wing worldview.” The BBC has also faced criticism from across the political spectrum for its coverage of the Israel-Hamas war and other sensitive topics. Posetti, however, argued that the BBC remains one of the world’s most trusted media outlets. “It’s wrong to label it ‘fake news’ when it clearly isn’t,” she said, though she added that the organization should have addressed the editing issue “clearly and transparently.” Legal Threats from TrumpTrump’s warning of legal action mirrors previous lawsuits against major U.S. networks. In recent years, he has reached multimillion-dollar settlements with CBS’s 60 Minutes and ABC News over allegedly misleading edits and statements. The BBC’s Funding and FutureThe BBC is financed by a £174.50 ($230) annual television license fee paid by all U.K. households with a TV. It is legally required to remain impartial and independent under its royal charter, though it is not controlled by the government. Founded in the 1920s and affectionately nicknamed “Auntie,” the BBC has long been considered a national institution. It operates the BBC World Service in over 40 languages and produces popular shows such as Doctor Who, Strictly Come Dancing, and The Traitors. However, with its charter up for renewal soon, critics are questioning whether the license fee model is sustainable amid competition from streaming platforms and declining public trust. Farage warned that the recent crisis could accelerate public disillusionment: “If the BBC doesn’t get its act together, millions will simply refuse to pay the license fee.”  

China has introduced a new K-visa program aimed at attracting skilled professionals in science and technology, in a move seen as a direct challenge to the United States’ dominance in recruiting global tech talent. For Indian IT expert Vaishnavi Srinivasagopalan, who has worked in both India and the U.S., the K-visa could open new career opportunities in China. “It’s like China’s version of America’s H-1B visa,” she said, adding that the new pathway makes working abroad easier for people like her. Beijing unveiled the K-visa last month as part of a broader push to strengthen its innovation base and close the talent gap with the U.S. Unlike China’s existing R-visa, the K-visa doesn’t require applicants to have a job offer before applying, making it more flexible and appealing to international professionals. The rollout comes amid tightening U.S. immigration policies under President Donald Trump, including sharply increased H-1B visa fees, which have made the U.S. less attractive to many foreign students and workers. Tech giants woo millions of Indians with free AI tools to tap future market Experts say Beijing is seizing the moment to project itself as an open destination for skilled workers and investors. “China sees the U.S. immigration squeeze as a golden opportunity to welcome global talent,” said Barbara Kelemen of Dragonfly, a security intelligence firm. However, the move has stirred debate at home, where youth unemployment remains high. Some young Chinese job seekers fear foreign professionals might add to the competition. Despite these concerns, analysts say China’s efforts to lure overseas experts reflect its determination to lead in fields such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and robotics. Source: AP