Badminton's shuttlecock shake-up

For many people, dogs are family members, not just pets. That makes it especially difficult when a city begins enforcing rules that could leave some dogs effectively confined to their homes. Hangzhou's regulations have led to discussion about fairness and practical solutions, with the goal of balancing the needs of residents, dog owners and the four-legged family members. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun

China's outdoor adventure boom is shaping how people spend their free time, from weekend cycling groups and hiking trails to marathon runners chasing personal bests. That surge in demand is fueling a massive commercial opportunity across high-tech gear, tourism and sporting events. The industry now faces the challenge of sustaining growth while preserving the people, places and natural environments that make these activities possible. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun 

Think fatigue, muscle weakness and constant achiness are just part of modern life? New research points to a hidden culprit most of us never check: vitamin D. Adults in China are overwhelmingly falling short, with younger people hit hardest by indoor lifestyles. / Is your prefrontal cortex attractive (17:42)? On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushun

China's biggest online sales festival is in full swing, and the standout helper this year is artificial intelligence. AI is lending a hand at every turn, from shoppers weighing their options to courier firms bracing for a parcel avalanche, and it's even flying off the shelves itself. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushun

A time restriction in Guangzhou is catching subway riders off guard and sparking debate about extra fees for staying underground too long. The policy raises questions about whether public transit systems should charge passengers for the time they spend inside their stations. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun

Bees pollinate one third of the global food supply, but shifting seasons and shrinking habitats are putting them at risk. Beekeepers in China are responding with smart hive technology and restored flower habitats. These efforts to protect pollinating insects are also creating new economic possibilities for rural communities. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun

China's outdoor adventure boom is reshaping how people spend their free time, from weekend cycling groups and hiking trails to marathon runners chasing personal bests. That surge in demand is fueling a massive commercial opportunity across high-tech gear, tourism and sporting events. The industry now faces the challenge of sustaining growth while preserving the people, places and natural environments that make these activities possible. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun

For many people, dogs are family members, not just pets. That makes it especially difficult when a city begins enforcing rules that could leave some dogs effectively confined to their homes. Hangzhou's regulations have led to discussion about fairness and practical solutions, with the goal of balancing the needs of residents, dog owners and the four-legged family members themselves. On the show: Steve, Yushan & Yushun

Hundreds of yuan for a desk buddy that won't lift a finger to help you sounds like a bad deal. No chores, no career advice, just the occasional funny noise. Yet an entire generation seems to think otherwise. China's booming market for AI companions is built on charm over brainpower, and the companies behind it are betting that connection matters more than capability. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan

Fresh watermelons in Chinese markets practically all year round are just the beginning. Behind that year-round produce sits a much larger experiment in connecting 1.4 billion consumers and producers into one seamless national market. As global businesses gather in Shanghai for the ninth CIIE this week, the focus turns to what a unified national market actually means on the ground and who stands to gain from it. On the show: Steve, Fei Fei & Yushan