50 young scientists win 2025 Xplorer Prize

The 2025 Xplorer Prize announced its winners on Monday morning, with 50 young scientists making the list.

Nine of the winners are women, the highest number in the Prize's history.

Six of the honorees were born in the 1990s, while eight research institutions saw winners for the first time. Both figures reflect the rise of a new generation of researchers.

One of China's most prestigious funding programs for young talent in basic science and frontier technology, the Xplorer Prize was launched in 2018.

Each winner will receive three million yuan (about 42,000 in U.S. dollars) over five years, with full freedom to use the funds for their research. The award supported 347 scientists over the past seven years, encouraging them to push boundaries and drive innovation.

50 young scientists win 2025 Xplorer Prize

The death toll in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip has risen to 71,441 since the conflict between Hamas and Israel erupted on Oct 7, 2023, with the number of injuries reaching 171,329, said Gaza's health authorities on Thursday.

In the past 24 hours, hospitals in Gaza received two bodies, according to the health authorities.

Since the ceasefire agreement took effect on Oct 11, 2025, Israeli attacks have killed 451 people and wounded 1,251 others in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 71,439: health authorities