标签： Asia

The Indian government has implemented a comprehensive ban against five over-the-top (OTT) streaming services for disseminating content deemed obscene and in violation of national digital media regulations. The prohibited platforms—MoodXVIP, Koyal Playpro, Digi Movieplex, Feel, and Jugnu—were officially shut down following an inter-ministerial consultation process.

India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting clarified that the regulatory action stems from existing information technology laws rather than an attempt to suppress creative expression. ‘The primary objective of these restrictions is to enforce compliance with established legal frameworks while safeguarding viewers from exposure to harmful or illegal material,’ the ministry stated in an official release. The government emphasized its commitment to maintaining public decency, protecting national interests, and upholding ethical standards across digital journalism platforms.

The decision followed extensive consultations with multiple government entities including the Ministries of Home Affairs, Women and Child Development, Electronics and Information Technology, and Law and Justice. Industry representatives from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), alongside experts in children’s and women’s rights, contributed to the evaluation process.

This enforcement action references India’s Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) rules, which explicitly prohibit content characterized as obscene, pornographic, privacy-invasive, gender-based harassment, racially objectionable, or promoting hate speech and violence. The government noted that intermediaries failing to observe these legal obligations forfeit their immunity under Section 79 of the IT Act, becoming subject to full legal consequences.

The recent ban continues India’s pattern of digital content regulation, following July’s blocking of 25 OTT platforms allegedly distributing vulgar and pornographic media. Officials noted that despite previous warnings, the prohibited services persisted in publishing objectionable content through alternative domains. India’s self-regulatory body, the Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council—comprising approximately 40 OTT members—had previously identified several platforms exhibiting ‘distasteful and bizarre’ scenes.

Oman stands poised to grant its residents an extended five-day public holiday for Eid Al Fitr in 2026, potentially offering one of the region’s longest festive breaks. This anticipated extension stems from the Sultanate’s unique lunar calendar observations that diverged from neighboring Gulf nations.

The foundation for this extended celebration dates to February 17, 2026, when Oman joined 26 other countries in announcing the Ramadan crescent had not been sighted, consequently establishing February 19 as the commencement of the holy month. This astronomical positioning means Oman will attempt to sight the Shawwal crescent on Thursday, March 19, 2026, which marks the conclusion of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid celebrations.

According to Oman’s official holiday decree 88/2022, the Eid Al Fitr holiday traditionally spans from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3. Crucially, the regulation stipulates that if either Eid Al Fitr or Eid Al Adha commences on a Friday, citizens receive compensatory time off. Multiple Omani media outlets, referencing astronomical projections, indicate Eid will likely begin on Friday, March 20, 2026.

This celestial alignment would create an official holiday period from Thursday, March 19 through Sunday, March 22, with the compensatory day off on Monday, March 23—collectively forming a five-day break. Final confirmation remains subject to the actual moon sighting by Omani authorities, maintaining the Islamic tradition of empirical lunar observation.

Meanwhile, regional comparisons reveal varying holiday schedules. The United Arab Emirates has announced a four-day public sector holiday from March 19-22, while private sector employees receive March 19-21 off, with Sunday workers returning on March 22 unless Ramadan extends to 30 days.

Xizang’s civil aviation sector achieved unprecedented growth in 2025, surpassing eight million annual passengers for the first time in history. According to regional aviation authorities, the autonomous region handled 71,000 flights throughout the year while moving 8.06 million passengers and 56,000 tons of cargo and mail. These figures represent substantial year-on-year increases of 6.9%, 6%, and 8% respectively, demonstrating remarkable expansion in regional air connectivity.

The growth trajectory—adding approximately one million passengers compared to 2024—has been fueled by strategic infrastructure development. The expansion centers around Lhasa Gonggar International Airport, supported by seven regional feeder airports. New routes connecting Lhasa with Chengdu and Guangzhou were established, alongside connections from Ngari prefecture and Lhokha to Chengdu. Authorities resumed popular routes linking Fujian and Chongqing with Lhasa while increasing flight frequencies to major hub cities including Chengdu, Chongqing, and Xi’an.

Xizang’s aviation network now encompasses 204 air routes operated by 12 airlines, connecting the region to 84 domestic and international destinations. This enhanced connectivity has significantly strengthened ties between Xizang and other Chinese regions while dramatically improving accessibility for residents in remote areas.

Technological advancements have played a crucial role in supporting this growth. Lhasa’s Terminal 3 has implemented paperless check-in systems, facial recognition boarding, and AI-assisted image screening technology. Additional passenger convenience measures include multilingual translation devices, priority security services, and expanded cabin options, collectively elevating the travel experience for the growing number of passengers.

In the snow-blanketed valleys beneath western Tianshan Mountains, a centuries-old tradition undergoes remarkable economic transformation. Zhaosu County, nestled within Xinjiang’s Ili River Valley, has successfully redefined the role of horses in its regional economy as traditional functions faded into obsolescence.

The region, historically celebrated for its legendary ‘Tianma’ (heavenly horses) and strategic position along the Grassland Silk Road, faced economic challenges as modernization rendered equine transport and military applications increasingly irrelevant. Rather than allowing this cultural cornerstone to diminish, local authorities implemented a comprehensive strategy to reinvent the animal’s economic value through diversified applications.

By late 2025, Zhaosu maintained approximately 122,300 horses within a broader regional population exceeding 500,000—representing nearly one-seventh of China’s total equine population. This substantial herd now serves revamped purposes across multiple sectors including recreational riding, competitive sports, and specialized breeding for dual-purpose milk-and-meat production.

The county established sophisticated infrastructure including state-owned breeding farms, artificial insemination networks, and Xinjiang’s inaugural performance-testing center specifically designed for sport- and leisure-oriented breeding programs. A advanced equine hospital featuring operating theaters, serology laboratories, and molecular diagnostics facilities represents China’s veterinary cutting-edge, collaborating with prestigious institutions including China Agricultural University.

Competitive events have flourished, with over 420 races and equestrian competitions hosted since 2021. The internationally recognized Super Derby International Equestrian TREC Endurance on Silk Road attracted participants from multiple nations including the United States, Italy, and Spain, featuring routes extending 500 kilometers.

Tourism integration has proven particularly successful, with seasonal spectacles like summer’s ‘horses bathing in the river’ and winter’s ‘heavenly horses treading snow’ generating substantial visitor numbers. The county welcomed approximately 9.4 million tourists in 2025—remarkable figures for a region with under 200,000 permanent residents.

Downstream economic diversification includes biotechnology ventures processing horse fat into cosmetics and traditional medicines, integrating local production into national supply chains. The equine industry now generates 1.53 billion yuan ($220.47 million) annually, sustaining thousands of local families through processing operations, cultural tourism, and professional services.

Policy support from Jiangsu’s Taizhou municipality under China’s regional assistance program has injected over 55.81 million yuan since 2023, reinforcing breed improvement, product processing, and brand development initiatives. This strategic reinvention demonstrates how traditional assets can find renewed economic relevance through innovation and market-oriented adaptation.