近来 (jìn lái) is a formal, written word for 'recently, lately', often used in news or official statements. Unlike the everyday 最近 (zuì jìn), which can also mean 'soon', 近来 refers only to the past. It is less specific than 近日 (jìn rì 'in the past few days') and 日前 (rì qián 'a few days ago'), which pinpoint a narrower time frame.