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As Toxic Smog Reaches Dangerous Levels, Bangkok Closes All Public Schools

All 437 city-run public schools will be closed through Friday because of dangerous air quality that has overtaken the city.

in Asia

Japan Imposes JPY1,000 Departure Tax on All Foreign Visitors

The JPY1,000 (US$9.22) fee went into effect on Monday and aims to raise funds to support the country's tourism sector.

in Asia

What We Know So Far About the 152 Vietnamese Tourists Who Went Missing in Taiwan

The recent disappearance of 152 Vietnamese tourists in Taiwan has the potential to severely affect the visa application process for Vietnamese citizens in the future.

in Asia

Thousands of Myanmar Women Are Trafficked for Forced Marriage in China: Report

The report was conducted by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Kachin Women’s Association Thailand (KWAT).

in Asia

Chinese Scientist Claims to Have Created World’s First Gene-Edited Babies

Dr. He Jiankui’s declaration prompted a group of 122 scientists to issue a statement condemning his actions as “crazy.”

in Asia

Taiwan Votes Against Marriage Equality in Referendum, but All Is Not Lost

While the voting result is a setback for Taiwan's progress on LGBTQ rights, there is still hope.

in Asia

Taiwan Votes Against Marriage Equality in Referendum, but Not All Is Lost

While the voting result is a setback for Taiwan's progress on LGBTQ rights, there is still hope.

in Asia

Dead Whale Found in Indonesia with Plastic Bottles, Bags, Flip-Flops in Stomach

A dead whale washed ashore in Indonesia this weekend with thirteen pounds of plastic in its stomach. 

in Asia

Asia's Latest Pokémon GO Icon Is a Taiwanese Grandpa Who Uses 11 Phones to Play

While many people spend their retired lives arranging flowers, playing chess, nurturing pet birds or yelling at cable news television, this Taiwanese man is devoting his golden years to catching Pokém...

in Asia

Better Pay, Lower Costs in Vietnam Entice Taiwanese Workers Away From Home

Destinations such as Vietnam and India are enticing Taiwanese companies and workers to settle down.

in Asia

Penguin Random House Will Open Its Southeast Asia Publishing Arm in Singapore

While Penguin Random House's distributing unit has already existed in Singapore, the establishment of a publishing arm could open up more opportunities for Southeast Asian writers.

in Asia

Thailand Closes Famous Maya Bay Indefinitely to Save Coral Reef From Tourists

Maya Bay, a small beach on Thailand's Phi Phi Leh Island, has been a popular tourist destination since it appeared in the 2000 film The Beach starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

in Asia

Taiwan Considers Opening Citizenship to Skilled Southeast Asian Workers

To address an aging population and loss of skilled workers to more affluent neighbor nations, Taiwan is debating policies that would make it easier for skilled workers from Southeast Asian countries t...

in Asia

Grab, Uber Fined $9.5m in Singapore Over 'Anti-Competitive' Merger

The Grab and Uber merger from this past March led to an investigation over competition infringement conducted by Singapore's competition watchdog.

in Asia

Bangkok Banned Street Vendors Last Year. Now, Merchants Are Fighting Back.

Last year, Bangkok's military junta imposed a ban on street vendors on the grounds of maintaining the city's "order and hygiene."

in Asia

South Korea Imposes Ban on Sale of Coffee in Schools

The ban will be applied for both students and teachers.

in Asia

KFC Bans Straws for All In-House Diners in Hong Kong and Macau

The move is the latest in a wave of Asian initiatives to combat plastic waste. 

in Asia

Chinese Bride Abandons Wedding Shoot to Give First-Aid to Traffic Victim

Like thousands of other Chinese couples, Xie Dan and her husband celebrated their wedding on August 18 — the day after Chinese Valentine's Day.

in Asia

After Jakarta, Bangkok Is the Next Asian City That's Sinking Too Fast

Bangkok is one of three cities — along with Venice and New Orleans — which are sinking ten times more quickly than sea levels are rising.

in Asia

High-Profile Chinese Monk Accused of Coercing Nuns Into Sex

The monk in question is currently the abbot of Longquan Monastery and the head of the Buddhist Association in China.