“The popularity of the Internet in China has driven the explosive growth of profitable Web companies and made fortunes for some Chinese entrepreneurs despite government controls on what the public can see online. The number of mainland Internet users rose to 513 million in December, up 12 percent from a year earlier, the government-sanctioned China Internet Network Information Center said”. – AP Business Writer

Photo: Shi Yongxin, abbot of the Shaolin Temple, works on the computer April 8, 2005 in Dengfeng, Henan Province, China. (Photo by Cancan Chu/Getty Images)

A woman dressed in traditional attire participates in a procession to mark Gudi Padwa or the Marathi New Year in Mumbai, India, Tuesday, April 9, 2024. (Photo by Rajanish Kakade/AP Photo)

Performer and artist Aoi Yamada and film director Makoto Nagahisa perfom on stage during a conference at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in Cannes, France on June 21, 2023. (Photo by Eric Gaillard/Reuters)

A girl carries a toddler through a flooded street after the passage of Hurricane Rafel in Batabano, Mayabeque province, Cuba, on November 7, 2024. (Photo by Yamil Lage/AFP Photo)

Participants clear the last jump at the Soap Box Derby in Bandung, Indonesia on December 15, 2024. Over 120 entries were received to compete. Entries were voted by judges for performance, overall look and time. Fans voted for their favorite soap box team. (Photo by Algi Febri Sugita/ZUMA Press Wire/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

Palestinian refugees walk home in Gaza City on January 19, 2025, making a V sign with their fingers toward the camera, just before the ceasefire took effect. (Photo by Reuters/Yonhap News)

Participants take part in the so-called “Bearded Men” parade in the streets of Slawatycze village, eastern Poland, 29 December 2023. “Bearded Men” is an old local tradition, passed from generation to generation. In last three days of December, costumed citizens of Slawatycze say goodbye to the old year and make wishes for the New Year. (Photo by Wojtek Jargilo/EPA/EFE)

Palestinian couples participate in a mass wedding ceremony in Hamad City in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, December 2, 2025. (Photo by Abdel Kareem Hana/AP Photo)