China county offers reward to couples if bride under 25

In an effort to combat its declining birth rate and aging population, Changshan County in China's Zhejiang province—one of the country's wealthiest provinces—announced a cash reward for newlywed couples last week. It said a cash reward of 1,000 yuan ($138) would be given to couples if the bride is aged 25 or under, SCMP reported. The initiative is part of a series of measures aimed at incentivizing young people to marry and have children amid an intensifying demographic crisis.