Asia
Japan Gives Local Governments Greater Power to Restrict Short-Term Rentals in Residential Areas
Japan's private short-term lodging system, known as 'Minpaku', started out as a practical way to handle more tourists and has turned into something much more complicated. The 2018 Residential Lodging Business Act brought home-sharing services like Airbnb into legal territory,...
Kuwait’s Mass Citizenship Revocations Leave Tens of Thousands Facing an Uncertain Future
The Kuwaiti government has been revoking citizenship from its people, and it's causing a lot of concern and debate. Since May 2024, when Kuwait's new Emir suspended parliament and parts of the constitution by decree, a large-scale campaign of...
Japan Raises Visa Fees for the First Time in Nearly Five Decades
Japan has increased visa fees for foreign visitors by more than five times starting July 1, the first-time fees have gone up in 48 years. According to the government, the adjustment is a reflection of decades of inflation and currency...
Karachi’s Red Line Bus Project Faces Years of Delays and Rising Construction Costs
Karachi, Pakistan's largest city and economic powerhouse, has struggled for decades to keep its transportation system aligned with its rapid population growth. For many residents, buses are the only practical way to travel, making reliable public transportation a necessity rather...
Flowercycling Helps Protect India’s Sacred Rivers While Honoring Religious Traditions
Every morning across India, millions of people bring fresh flowers like marigolds, roses, jasmine, and lotus blossoms to temples as offerings of love, gratitude, and devotion. These flowers hold deep spiritual meaning, but what happens after the prayers are over?...
Hong Kong Moves To Eliminate Coffin Homes But Housing Shortage Remains Unresolved
Hong Kong's coffin homes have become difficult to ignore as a symbol of just how severe the city's housing crisis has become. They highlight the stark contrast between Hong Kong's immense wealth and the harsh living conditions faced by many...
