In Boyai County, located in the Zhuang Autonomous Region of southern China, traditional woven crafts play an important role in improving the standard of living in rural areas. A 65-year-old Zheng demonstrates her skill by weaving exquisite baskets from silver grass, earning about 2,000 yuan per month.
The history of local artisans reflects the growth of the industry: what was initially simple silver grass or bamboo has transformed into an industry with an annual product value exceeding 4.2 billion yuan. The weaving techniques using silver grass and bamboo in Boyai, which are over a thousand years old, were recognized as part of Guangxi's regional intangible cultural heritage in 2014 and have become one of the county's key industries.
According to Huang Haifeng, a county official, the total industrial output of the sector reached 4.27 billion yuan in 2025, an increase of 5.57% compared to the previous year. Furthermore, exports grew by 2.33% compared to last year, reaching 1.28 billion yuan.
At the China Import and Export Fair, known as the Canton Fair, a local craft company presented products in creative forms, such as cactus and elephant figurines, instead of standard baskets. Huang Liangjiang, the company's CEO, noted that the products have transformed from items associated with the grandparent generation to goods appealing to younger consumers. His company supplies products to over 60 countries and regions and collaborates with several international brands.
Another local craft firm integrates traditional weaving methods with modern design, creating items such as Scandinavian-style lampshades, French-style picnic baskets, and tea trays. Tu Qunxiao, the company's general manager, emphasized that they pay great attention to design innovation, including incorporating Boyai weaving elements into products adapted for the global market.
To stimulate the industry's development, Boyai established a specialized light industry park for bamboo, wood, and grass products. Supporting measures were implemented, including subsidies for participating in trade fairs and awards for obtaining international certifications and patents. Events such as intangible cultural heritage festivals and weaving competitions were also held, and interaction with universities and design institutes was encouraged to promote innovation.
Today, more than 390 weaving enterprises operate in the county, providing stable employment for about 25,000 people, as well as temporary and seasonal work for over 200,000 others.
Due to rising temperatures in the country, Japanese people are being advised to adopt a new style of clothing that includes abandoning ties in favor of shorts. Many workers in Japan traditionally have to wear suits at work, and this new approach is eliciting mixed reactions.
The Tokyo government is actively encouraging employees to forgo suits and ties in favor of T-shirts, polo shirts, and sneakers. This idea is part of an initiative called 'Tokyo Cool Biz,' which is an updated version of the 'Cool Biz' program launched by the Ministry of the Environment in 2005.
The main goal of this campaign is to reduce electricity consumption and carbon emissions by allowing employees to dress more comfortably while maintaining air conditioning at higher temperatures.
Until now, the Japanese corporate environment was characterized by dark suits and white shirts even in the hottest months. Suda, a 34-year-old civil servant, told Reuters that he initially felt a bit awkward coming into the office in central Tokyo wearing a light blue polo shirt and knee-length dark blue shorts. However, the feeling of embarrassment gradually faded as more of his colleagues began to accept this more relaxed style.
Another civil servant, Noboru Watanabe, aged 50, admitted that he has already gotten used to the changes and finds it difficult to revert to the previous style. He, who heads a team in Tokyo on climate change measures, believes that despite this, 'formal events still require formal attire,' so he chooses his outfit based on the 'task and situation.'
Although some companies that deal directly with clients still expect formal attire, the number of employers providing employees with greater freedom in clothing choices is growing, especially when they are not meeting with clients.
The campaign has caused controversy, reports AFP. Sachi Koike, a 52-year-old real estate agent, told the agency that she does not mind men giving up ties or suits, but wearing shorts is excessive for her. She explained that she 'associates shorts with weekends' and added, 'I think hairy legs do not look very good in a work setting.'
On Wednesday, the Japan Meteorological Agency and the Ministry of the Environment jointly issued heatstroke warnings for the capital—the first of the summer—advising people to limit their time outdoors and use air conditioning.
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has hired 143 contract workers to be distributed across local offices in the Gauteng province. This measure aims to reduce long waiting times in queues, improve service quality, and assist with the ongoing social benefit verification process, which has placed additional strain on service centers.
The new staff started working this week and will support frontline operations, including conducting benefit verifications, eLife certifications, and providing general customer services. SASSA Gauteng stated that these appointments are part of broader measures designed to increase beneficiary satisfaction and reduce waiting times at local branches.
According to SASSA, local offices have faced an increase in client numbers in recent months, largely due to ongoing social benefit verifications and eLife certification processes. These checks are necessary to ensure that benefits are paid only to eligible beneficiaries.
Beneficiaries selected for verification are notified via SMS and are required to visit a SASSA office to complete the procedure. To manage the increased workload, SASSA introduced a dedicated fourth payment day monthly for beneficiaries whose benefits are under review. The agency clarified that benefits due for verification are paid on this extra day, rather than within the standard three-day payment cycle, which serves as a direct signal to visit a SASSA office.
SASSA warned that beneficiaries who fail to comply with verification requirements risk having their payments suspended. Delays often occur because some beneficiaries ignore verification notifications, while others do not receive messages due to outdated contact information, leading to a rush of clients seeking help later. In addition to hiring extra personnel, SASSA is strengthening queue management systems, prioritizing vulnerable groups such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and pregnant women, and expanding public awareness campaigns.
The agency also encourages beneficiaries to use digital platforms to access services like eLife certification and benefit applications to reduce the need for in-person visits. Meanwhile, SASSA condemned the illegal practice of reserving and selling queue spots outside local offices. The agency's statement noted that this practice exploits vulnerable members of society and contributes to unnecessary office congestion. SASSA added that it is collaborating with law enforcement agencies to ensure the prosecution of individuals involved in this activity, affirming its commitment to improving operational efficiency and ensuring that entitled beneficiaries receive social assistance 'with dignity and respect.'
