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More than 7 million border crossings were recorded in Beijing in 2026 as of Sunday morning, a 13% rise from a year earlier, according to official data. This year, the number of exits and entries by foreign nationals at Beijing ports had surpassed 2.28 million as of Sunday morning, up 34 percent from the same period of 2025, according to the Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection. As of Saturday, about 828,000 foreign arrivals at Beijing ports this year had entered under visa-free or temporary entry permit policies, accounting for over 70 percent of all foreign entrants. The recent surge in Beijing's inbound tourism is partly attributable to the continuous optimization of visa-free policies. To date, China has introduced unilateral visa-free policies for 50 countries and implemented 240-hour transit visa-free arrangements for 55 countries. To boost clearance efficiency and deliver better services amid the increasing passenger flow, Beijing has introduced a series of measures, including a one-stop service for issuing temporary entry permits and conducting inspections for people applying for the 240-hour visa-free transit, as well as guidance on visa-free policies and assistance in filling out arrival cards for first-time visitors to China. 

Japan begins its day with a long-standing fitness routine known as Radio Taiso, a simple and energetic exercise programme that has become part of daily life and is often linked to the country’s high life expectancy. Every morning at 6:30, radio broadcasts play music along with step-by-step instructions for light exercises. Millions of people follow the routine in parks, schools, offices and at home, moving together in a shared rhythm. The practice dates back nearly a century, having been introduced in 1928 during the time of Emperor Hirohito. Its lasting popularity comes from its simplicity and accessibility, as the exercises are suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. The routine includes basic movements such as stretching upward, twisting the body, bending at the waist, swinging the arms and light jogging or jumping in place. It lasts about 10 minutes and can be done at any intensity, depending on the participant’s ability. The programme is divided into short segments that gradually become slightly more challenging. Participants perform a series of arm movements, waist bends, shoulder lifts, small jumps and marching steps, along with neck stretches and light squats. Each movement is repeated several times, with reminders to breathe slowly and relax. Beyond physical fitness, Radio Taiso also serves as a social activity, especially for older people. In Tokyo’s Kiba Park, groups gather regularly to exercise together. Mieko Kobayashi, 88, said she attends almost every day unless the weather is bad. “By moving my body, I feel better,” she said. Her friend Yoshiko Nagao, 77, noted that many participants live alone, making the daily gathering an important social connection. “Laughing and chatting while taking a walk after the exercise is also good,” she said. “We come even on New Year’s Day.” Kenji Iguchi, 83, who has been joining for about two decades, said the routine helps him stay active. “It’s for my joints, mainly the knees and back, because of my age,” he said, adding that meeting familiar faces is something he looks forward to every day. Japan is known for having one of the world’s longest life expectancies, averaging around 85 years, supported by healthy diets, quality healthcare and active lifestyles. Government data shows a record number of people aged 100 or older, with nearly 100,000 centenarians currently living in the country. Interestingly, Radio Taiso has its roots in the United States. It was inspired by a similar programme promoted by an insurance company in the 1920s. Japanese officials later brought the idea home, where it quickly spread nationwide. The routine was briefly banned after World War II during the US occupation, as group exercises were seen as having militaristic elements. However, it returned in 1951 due to strong public demand. Today, more than 20 million people in Japan take part in Radio Taiso at least once a week, according to a recent survey. The tradition has also spread abroad, particularly in Brazil, home to a large Japanese community.

China has announced it will send a new pair of giant pandas to Zoo Atlanta, marking a fresh phase of panda cooperation with the United States despite ongoing tensions between the two countries. According to the China Wildlife Conservation Association, a male panda named Ping Ping and a female named Fu Shuang will be sent from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The move is part of a 10-year conservation partnership agreement signed with the zoo last year. The association did not mention when the pandas will arrive but said preparations are underway in the United States, including upgrades to the animals’ living facilities to ensure a safe and comfortable environment. Chinese experts have also provided technical support for the improvements. The announcement comes just weeks before a planned visit by US President Donald Trump to China in mid-May, where he is expected to hold talks with President Xi Jinping on several issues, including trade. Zoo Atlanta welcomed the news, saying it is honored to care for the pandas and continue working with Chinese partners. “We can't wait to meet Ping Ping and Fu Shuang and welcome visitors back to experience the joy of giant pandas,” said Zoo President Raymond B. King. China’s Foreign Ministry said the new cooperation will help improve panda care, support global biodiversity efforts and strengthen ties between the people of China and the United States. Under a previous agreement that ended in 2024, Zoo Atlanta housed pandas Lun Lun and Yang Yang, which gave birth to seven cubs. The two pandas and their youngest offspring returned to China in October 2024, joining their other cubs already there. Giant pandas have long been seen as a symbol of friendship between China and the United States, dating back to 1972 when China gifted a pair to the National Zoo in Washington. Since then, China has used panda loans as part of its international diplomacy efforts. Officials say the renewed cooperation will also support research, including disease prevention, treatment and scientific exchange between the two countries. The International Union for Conservation of Nature removed giant pandas from its endangered list in 2016, reclassifying them as “vulnerable.” In 2024, the National Zoo in Washington and the San Diego Zoo also received pandas from China.

Britain has moved closer to phasing out smoking for good after Parliament approved a new law that will stop future generations from legally buying cigarettes. Under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, anyone born after December 31, 2008 will never be allowed to purchase cigarettes. The measure, described by supporters as a landmark step in public health policy, now only needs formal approval from King Charles III before becoming law. The law also gives the government wider powers to regulate tobacco, vaping and nicotine products, including rules on flavours and packaging. Smoking is already banned for people under 18 in the UK, but the new system will gradually raise the buying age each year, effectively shutting future generations out of legal cigarette access entirely. Health campaigners welcomed the decision. Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, said the move made the end of smoking “inevitable” after years of campaigning. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the policy would protect children from addiction, saying it would create “the first smoke-free generation.” Britain’s smoking rate has fallen sharply since the 1970s, but about 6.4 million people, or roughly 13 percent of the population, still smoke, according to official data. Authorities say smoking causes around 80,000 deaths every year and remains the leading preventable cause of death and illness in the country. The UK now joins a small group of countries taking strong legal steps to phase out smoking, although similar efforts in New Zealand were later rolled back.

The Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is considered one of the most extreme environments on Earth, known for its intense heat, active volcanoes, acidic pools and strikingly colourful landscapes shaped by ongoing geological activity. Often described as a “gateway to hell,” the region stands apart from typical travel destinations, as its defining features are natural forces such as shifting tectonic plates, geothermal activity and volcanic eruptions rather than human-built landmarks. Located in the Afar region in northwestern Ethiopia near the Eritrean border, the depression is one of the lowest and most hostile places on the planet. It sits at the junction of three tectonic plates — African, Arabian and Somali — making it a key site for studying continental drift. Due to this constant geological movement, parts of the land lie more than 100 metres below sea level. Scientists say the Earth’s crust here continues to crack and sink, allowing magma to rise closer to the surface and reshape the terrain. The region is also among the hottest inhabited places in the world, with temperatures often exceeding 40 degrees Celsius and sometimes reaching 45 degrees. Low rainfall and harsh conditions mean that very few plants or animals can survive, while steam vents, sulphur fumes and exposed salt flats dominate the landscape. One of its most notable features is Erta Ale, an active volcano that contains a rare, permanent lava lake. The molten lava continuously bubbles and glows, offering scientists and visitors a unique view of volcanic activity. Another major attraction is Dallol, where bright mineral formations, sulphur vents and highly acidic pools create an almost surreal environment. Some of these المياه have extremely low pH levels, making them among the most acidic on Earth and highly dangerous despite their vivid colours. Although much of the area is uninhabited, the Afar people live in nearby settlements and have adapted to the harsh conditions over generations. Their livelihoods depend largely on salt mining and livestock such as camels and goats, with traditional salt caravans still transporting blocks of salt across the desert. Reaching the Danakil Depression is difficult and typically involves travelling from the city of Mekelle in four-wheel-drive vehicles, often with guided tours due to safety and environmental challenges. The best time to visit is between November and February, when temperatures are relatively lower, though still extreme. Experts advise careful preparation, including adequate supplies and experienced guidance. Scientists consider the Danakil Depression a natural laboratory that offers valuable insights into Earth’s structure and the processes that shape continents, while for travellers it provides a rare opportunity to witness raw geological forces in action.

German airline Lufthansa has announced plans to cancel around 20,000 short-haul flights through October as kerosene prices have reportedly doubled following the outbreak of the war in Iran. The airline said the decision is expected to save about 40,000 tonnes of fuel and is aimed at reducing “unprofitable short-haul flights” across its network. According to the company, the first phase of cancellations—affecting around 120 flights per day—began on Monday and will remain in effect until the end of May. Lufthansa also confirmed that it will permanently withdraw 27 aircraft from its Lufthansa CityLine unit, citing strike-related disruptions and rising fuel costs linked to Middle East tensions. The airline said the broader restructuring comes amid increasing pressure on European carriers due to fuel supply risks. Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency has warned that Europe could face jet fuel shortages lasting up to six weeks if supply disruptions continue.

A special guided tour at the Berlin Zoo is helping people living with dementia reconnect with familiar surroundings and enjoy moments of calm, memory and joy. Eighty-six-year-old Christel Krueger and her daughter were among participants last month in a program organized by Malteser Deutschland, part of the international Catholic aid group Order of Malta. Standing by the glass of a hippo enclosure, Krueger watched a mother hippopotamus and her calf resting in the water. Nearby, other participants observed elephants and rhinos at a relaxed pace designed to avoid stress or confusion. “I’ll still be thinking about it when I go home,” said 85-year-old Ingrid Jansen, describing how the experience stayed with her. The initiative is part of a growing global effort to make cultural spaces more accessible for people with disabilities, including those with dementia, hearing or visual impairments, and autism. Organizers say traditional tours are often too fast and overwhelming. These special visits instead focus on fewer exhibits, slower movement and sensory experiences such as sounds and smells that can help trigger memories. “People with dementia are often not visible in society,” said Christine Gruschka, who helps coordinate the program. “They still deserve to take part in public life, feel included and be seen.” Millions of people worldwide live with dementia, a condition that affects memory, thinking and daily functioning. In Germany alone, around 1.6 million people are affected, a number expected to rise significantly in the coming decades. The Berlin program includes visits not only to the zoo but also to museums and historic sites, with plans to expand further. For families and caregivers, the tours also offer emotional support. Relatives say shared experiences like these help them connect in new ways with loved ones who are gradually losing cognitive abilities. “I can’t communicate with her the same way anymore, but I can see she notices things and responds,” said Manuela Grudda, whose mother participated in the tour. “That means a lot to me.” Organizers say such programs help ensure that people with dementia remain part of everyday social and cultural life rather than being isolated.

A 2,500-year-old golden helmet and other ancient treasures stolen from a Dutch museum have been returned to Romania after a 14-month investigation and international effort to recover them. The decorated Coțofenești helmet, along with three gold bracelets linked to Romania’s ancient Dacian civilization, was flown back to Bucharest on Tuesday and taken under tight security to the National History Museum, where they were briefly displayed behind glass with armed guards present. The artifacts were stolen in January 2025 from the Drents Museum in the Netherlands during a raid that shocked the art world and triggered a major cross-border investigation. Authorities say three suspects are currently on trial in connection with the theft. Museum officials described the return as both a relief and an emotional moment after months of uncertainty over whether the treasures had been lost forever. “This is not just a return of objects, but of a part of our historical memory,” said Cornel Constantin Ilie, interim director of the National History Museum. “We lived with the fear that part of our past could be gone permanently. Today, we can say it has come home.” Dutch museum director Robert van Langh also welcomed the recovery, calling it a significant moment for both countries and praising the cooperation between Dutch and Romanian authorities. Prosecutors in the Netherlands recently presented the recovered items, although one of the three gold bracelets is still missing. Officials say efforts to locate it are ongoing, with a court ruling expected in the coming weeks. During its disappearance, the helmet was found slightly damaged, while the recovered bracelets remain intact. Investigators had earlier feared the helmet might have been melted down due to its high profile and difficulty to sell. Romania’s culture minister said the case highlighted both the importance and vulnerability of cultural heritage, warning that such treasures remain at risk from theft, trafficking, and neglect. The artifacts will be shown to the public in Bucharest before undergoing restoration work, museum officials said, calling their return a symbol of international cooperation and persistence in protecting cultural heritage.

The upcoming horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla brings Akshay Kumar back together with filmmaker Priyadarshan, with much of the film being shot at a historic palace near Jaipur. The production is taking place inside Chomu Palace, a sprawling royal estate known for its grand yet eerie atmosphere. The location has cinematic history, having featured in the 2007 hit Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Its maze-like corridors, dim courtyards and regal setting align closely with the film’s haunted mansion theme. Originally built in the 16th century as Chomugarh Fort by Rao Gopalji, the structure served as a military stronghold for Jaipur’s royal lineage. Over time, it was expanded and transformed into a palace, particularly during the 18th century under Thakur Karan Singhji and later rulers, shifting from defence to royal residence. By the early 20th century, it had evolved into a full-fledged palace featuring grand spaces such as the Darbar Hall. Today, the restored property operates as a heritage hotel, preserving its historic character while hosting visitors and film productions. Architecturally, the palace reflects a blend of Rajput and Mughal styles, with carved balconies, domed pavilions and expansive courtyards. Distinctive lattice stonework, known as jaali, allows natural airflow while maintaining privacy. Interiors are decorated with frescoes and murals depicting mythology, royal life and hunting scenes, alongside intricate marble inlay designs. Now functioning as a luxury heritage hotel, the palace offers guests a cultural experience that includes traditional Rajasthani cuisine and royal-style hospitality. It has also become a popular venue for destination weddings and high-end events. Situated about 45 kilometres from Jaipur, the palace is accessible through scenic routes showcasing Rajasthan’s rural landscapes, adding to its appeal as both a tourist destination and a filming location. #From NDTV

Four years after her death, Queen Elizabeth II continues to cast a long shadow over the British monarchy as the country marks the 100th anniversary of her birth. At souvenir shops near Buckingham Palace, items featuring the late queen remain far more popular than those of her son, King Charles III, reflecting her lasting appeal among the public. Shopkeepers say products bearing Elizabeth’s image still sell strongly, highlighting how deeply she remains connected to people’s memories after her record 70-year reign. Elizabeth, who died in September 2022, was the only monarch most Britons had ever known. Even now, the phrase “the queen” often brings her to mind rather than Queen Camilla. Her long rule saw her transform from a young and glamorous monarch in post-war Britain into a widely respected national figure who helped steady the country during difficult periods, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts say her influence continues to shape how people view the monarchy today. “Despite her absence, Elizabeth II remains a central figure whenever we think about the monarchy,” historian Ed Owens told AP, adding that she remains one of the most important figures in the institution’s modern history. The centenary is being marked with events including a reception at Buckingham Palace, a new memorial garden in Regent’s Park and exhibitions showcasing her fashion. Elizabeth was not originally expected to become queen. Born on April 21, 1926, she was the daughter of the second son of King George V and was expected to live a relatively quiet royal life. However, her uncle King Edward VIII’s abdication changed her future, placing her father on the throne and making her the heir. She became queen in 1952 at the age of 25, beginning a reign that would span decades of major global and social change. Throughout her rule, she carried out thousands of engagements at home and abroad, helping strengthen Britain’s ties with countries across the world, including former colonies and long-time allies. In her later years, she also connected with younger generations, appearing in memorable moments such as a short film with actor Daniel Craig during the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony. King Charles paid tribute to his mother, recalling how millions remember her for both historic moments and brief personal encounters that left a lasting impression. Observers say Elizabeth managed to adapt to changing times while staying above politics, offering stability during periods of uncertainty. However, her legacy is not without criticism. Her handling of the controversy surrounding her son Prince Andrew and his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has been questioned, with critics saying she acted too slowly to address the issue. Even so, analysts argue that her achievements far outweigh such shortcomings, noting her role as a steady figure across generations. As historians continue to assess her impact, many members of the public still view her with admiration, remembering her as a symbol of dignity and continuity in a rapidly changing world.