标签： Asia

In an unprecedented move within China’s tourism sector, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province has unveiled a groundbreaking lifetime access program for its scenic attractions. The initiative, launched January 28, 2026, in Chengdu, introduces two distinctive pass options: single-attraction lifetime access and a comprehensive pass covering 14 premier destinations.

The comprehensive lifetime pass, priced strategically at either 317 or 318 yuan (approximately $46), represents exceptional value compared to the standard cumulative entry fee of 1,091 yuan for individual visits to all included sites. Among the participating attractions are world-renowned natural wonders including Hailuogou Glacier and the spectacular Daocheng Yading nature reserve.

Prefecture Governor Feng Fagui characterized the program as a transformative approach to tourism accessibility. Immediately following the official launch ceremony, sales commenced through digital platforms including a dedicated WeChat mini-program and Douyin (China’s version of TikTok). The market response proved overwhelming, with travel agencies securing 600,000 lifetime passes in initial bulk purchases.

Complementing the access program, Ganzi has appointed 150 professional photographers as official tourism ambassadors, granting them complimentary entry to all scenic areas. These visual artists will document the region’s stunning landscapes and cultural heritage, sharing their work globally to enhance international awareness.

According to Liu Hong, Director of Ganzi’s Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau, the multifaceted strategy aims to position the prefecture as a premier international eco-cultural tourism destination. The initiative builds upon the region’s growing tourism momentum, which saw 260,000 visitor arrivals in the previous year.

The southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is advancing toward potentially implementing a groundbreaking prohibition on social media usage for children, marking one of the most significant digital welfare initiatives in the country’s history. State Information Technology Minister Nara Lokesh announced Thursday that government authorities are conducting comprehensive studies to establish legal mechanisms for enforcing “age-appropriate access” to digital platforms.

This development emerges against the backdrop of escalating global apprehension regarding online addiction and digital harm affecting younger demographics. Minister Lokesh emphasized that societal trust in social media ecosystems is progressively deteriorating, with children increasingly succumbing to compulsive usage patterns that demand urgent intervention.

The state administration has formally extended invitations to major technology corporations including Meta, Google, X, and ShareChat to participate in crucial discussions evaluating international best practices in youth digital protection. This collaborative approach seeks to balance technological innovation with responsible digital citizenship.

Andhra Pradesh’s initiative mirrors parallel considerations in Goa, where western Indian authorities are simultaneously examining the legal viability of comparable restrictions for minors. The movement gains additional momentum from the federal government’s annual economic survey, released concurrently, which recommends establishing nationwide guidelines concerning children’s screen time exposure.

The survey explicitly suggests that “policies on age-based access limits may be considered, as younger users are more vulnerable to compulsive use and harmful content,” indicating potential nationwide policy alignment.

Minister Lokesh further highlighted concerning trends in online safety for women, noting that many face persistent digital harassment that cannot be overlooked. This comprehensive approach addresses multiple vulnerable demographics within the digital landscape.

India’s position as the world’s most populous nation, with approximately one billion internet users and connectivity reaching 95% of villages, underscores the monumental significance of these potential regulatory changes. This development places India within an expanding international movement, following Australia’s implementation of social media restrictions for users under 16 in December and France’s recent legislative approval blocking platform access for children under 15. The European Union and numerous other nations are contemplating similar protective measures.

In a significant move to safeguard welfare during the nation’s most important traditional holiday, China has implemented comprehensive social assistance measures targeting vulnerable demographics. The Ministry of Civil Affairs unveiled this enhanced support framework on Thursday, emphasizing timely and adequate aid distribution throughout the Spring Festival period.

Zhang Wei, Deputy Director of the Ministry’s Social Assistance Department, detailed the multifaceted initiative during a press briefing. The strategy encompasses accelerated subsistence allowance payments, expanded heating subsidies, and simplified application procedures for those seeking assistance during the holiday season. “Our priority is ensuring complete and punctual disbursement of assistance funds to all eligible recipients,” Zhang stated.

The financial backbone of this effort includes over 141 billion yuan ($20 billion) in pre-allocated central funds dedicated to social assistance programs. Major metropolitan areas including Beijing and Shanghai have already commenced distributing aid through various channels—direct cash transfers, consumption vouchers, and essential goods provision.

To identify those in need more effectively, authorities are employing advanced data analytics platforms complemented by physical verification through field visits. This dual approach enables real-time monitoring of vulnerable groups, particularly isolated seniors, individuals with severe disabilities, and those battling serious medical conditions.

Beyond financial support, the program features operational hotlines throughout the holiday period and personalized visits by civil affairs personnel to assess specific needs. Several provinces have additionally broadened heating assistance eligibility to include households marginally above subsistence allowance thresholds but facing financial strain due to fixed expenditures.

This comprehensive social protection initiative reflects China’s commitment to ensuring no citizen is left behind during traditional family reunions and celebrations.

Iranian families seeking the release of relatives detained during recent nationwide protests confront an increasingly impossible bail system, compounding the nation’s ongoing sociopolitical crisis. Administrative obstructions, exorbitant financial requirements, and deliberate judicial delays have created insurmountable barriers for detainees awaiting trial.

Legal expert Mustafa Nili revealed to Shargh daily that bail amounts have skyrocketed due to hyperinflation and currency devaluation, now requiring 10 billion rials ($9,000) per year of potential imprisonment—a tenfold increase from 2022 levels. Even families capable of meeting these astronomical sums face arbitrary rejections by security forces at courthouses, effectively denying due process.

The human dimension emerges through firsthand accounts: one mother described mortgaging her brother’s home to meet a 50 billion rial bail for her daughter, while noting many fellow prisoners lack any recourse to freedom. Demographic data from the Qom Seminary study of 11,252 arrestees reveals disturbing patterns—17% are high-school students, 77% under age 30, and 65% from low-income backgrounds, directly contradicting government narratives blaming foreign agitators.

Simultaneously, Iran’s economic collapse accelerates as the rial plummets to historic lows against the dollar (1:1.57 million), triggering catastrophic price surges in essentials. Dairy products have risen 40-85%, forcing nutritionally devastating dietary cuts among vulnerable populations. Government price controls threaten to exacerbate shortages, creating a self-perpetuating crisis cycle.

The National Sociological Association of Iran issued a grave warning against the normalization of state violence, stating that civilian killings risk irreversible social fragmentation. Their declaration emphasized that ‘no political or military justification can excuse this level of human suffering,’ highlighting the erosion of public trust and potential for total societal collapse if demands for reform continue to be met with suppression.

The Indian state of Maharashtra conducted a solemn state funeral on Thursday for Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, whose distinguished political career ended tragically in a plane crash. The final rites were performed with full state honors at Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati, where his sons lit the ceremonial pyre amid emotional scenes of public mourning.

Prominent national figures including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and NCP leader Sharad Pawar joined thousands of citizens in paying their final respects. The atmosphere was charged with emotion as supporters chanted “Ajit Dada Amar Rahe” (Long Live Ajit Dada) while the leader’s mortal remains arrived at the ceremony grounds.

Simultaneously, investigative teams from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and forensic experts commenced their examination of the crash site where the aircraft went down on Wednesday morning. The Pune Rural Police have registered an Accidental Death Report and launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.

Ajit Pawar’s political legacy spans decades, marked by his unprecedented six non-consecutive terms as Deputy Chief Minister across various administrations. Born in 1959 in Ahmednagar district, he earned the affectionate title “Dada” (elder brother) through his grassroots connectivity and substantial contributions to Maharashtra’s development through cooperative movements, milk unions, and sugar factories.

His complex political journey included engineering an NCP split in 2019 to join the BJP-led government, yet maintaining close ties with his uncle and political mentor Sharad Pawar. Known for his straightforward approach, Pawar’s career demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability within Maharashtra’s dynamic political landscape.

The veteran leader is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar and their two sons, who participated in the traditional funeral ceremonies alongside other family members and political associates.