Emperor Akihito said his age and poor health could make the performance of his duties impossible. But Japanese law doesn't allow for the emperor to step down.
In a victory for the military, referendum voters in Thailand approved a draft constitution. Critics say it will entrench military control in the country.
Thai voters have overwhelmingly backed a new constitution in a referendum. The document's critics have called it a step backward for Thai democracy, while supporters say it provides stability.
Uber's China arm merged with its rival Didi Chuxing this week, creating a $35 billion ride-hailing colossus. The merger ends an era of brutal competition, and may help boost China's flagging economy.
The value of the digital currency plunged more than 20 percent after news of the theft broke. Nearly 120,000 bitcoin were stolen; it's not clear who took the currency or how.
During a meeting Tuesday with the prime minister of Singapore, President Obama touted the benefits of the Trans-Pacific trade deal. But with Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump both on record against the deal, Obama faces a narrow path to ratification.
It's a ritual of the Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community in India. An effort to get the government to outlaw the practice has sparked debate — and verbal attacks.
NPR's Audie Cornish talks with Zhang Yuanan, a reporter for a Caixan Media, a Chinese news organization. She is covering the U.S. presidential elections for a Chinese audience and she explains how citizens abroad view Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.
"We have to face the truth," Tsai Ing-wen said to representatives of the native tribes of Taiwan. She said her government offered its "fullest apology" for the treatment of aboriginal Taiwanese.