The closure of border crossings between Balochistan and Afghanistan has deepened Pakistan’s economic crisis, with Punjab reportedly losing over Rs80 billion per month due to stalled trade. Business leaders warn that the government’s inability to maintain stable cross-border commerce is worsening inflation and eroding investor confidence, according to The Balochistan Post.

The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry highlighted that key trade routes have been effectively paralyzed since last October, hitting industries reliant on the Afghan market, including cement, agricultural chemicals, and food exports. The closures have also revealed the state’s failure to separate economic cooperation from political and security disputes, a recurring issue harming Pakistan’s economy.

Thousands of traders remain stranded on both sides, with estimates suggesting around 3,000 affected, mostly from Pakistan. Truckloads of perishable goods, including fresh and dried fruits from Afghanistan, are reportedly rotting at border points, causing severe financial losses. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s exports of vegetables, medicines, and construction materials have been disrupted, weakening the export sector further. Trade experts note that the Afghan border is crucial not only for bilateral trade but also as Pakistan’s gateway to Central Asia. The ongoing shutdown is amplifying economic stress, lowering incomes, and fueling public frustration.

Criticism has been directed at the federal government and revenue authorities for failing to assist affected traders. Business groups report that perished consignments have gone uncompensated, while transport operators face severe financial strain. Experts argue this reflects policy paralysis rather than unavoidable circumstances and have called for immediate diplomatic engagement to reopen the border crossings without delay.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on friday invited South Korean President Lee Jae-myung to a state visit in Beijing, signaling China’s effort to improve ties with South Korea amid regional tensions, Al Jazeera reported. South Korea’s national security adviser, Wi Sung-lac, said Lee will meet Xi on Monday in Beijing before traveling to Shanghai to visit the historic site of South Korea’s provisional government during Japan’s 35-year colonial rule.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the leaders are expected to discuss “practical cooperation” in areas such as supply-chain investment, tourism, and responses to transnational crime. Wi added that peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula will also be on the agenda. The planned visit comes less than two months after Xi’s first trip to South Korea in 11 years during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, marking an unusually quick series of reciprocal state visits. This meeting precedes upcoming talks between South Korea and Japan. Relations between China and Japan remain tense, following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s November remarks suggesting a military response if China attacked Taiwan.

Wi reaffirmed South Korea’s stance on Taiwan, stating that the country “respects the one-China policy and acts accordingly,” which acknowledges Beijing’s claim over Taiwan while maintaining separate relations with the self-governing island. China’s recent live-fire exercises have further escalated tensions with Taiwan, prompting the United States to urge Beijing to ease military pressure. “China’s military actions and statements toward Taiwan and other regional actors unnecessarily raise tensions,” said Tommy Pigott, the US State Department’s principal deputy spokesperson.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended New Year celebrations in Pyongyang, which featured fireworks, patriotic songs and dances, and a taekwondo performance, according to state media KCNA on Thursday. Kim’s daughter, Ju Ae—whom some analysts see as a potential successor—was present with him, interacting with children, sitting beside him, and holding his hand, KCNA photos showed.

In his speech, Kim praised the North Korean people for their contributions to the “successes and phenomenal changes” of 2025, and emphasized the importance of unity ahead of a key party congress expected in early 2026, which will set the country’s future direction. The 9th Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea is anticipated soon and is expected to outline North Korea’s plans for the next five years in areas including nuclear and weapons development and the economy.

Kim also sent a New Year message to North Korean troops fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine, calling them the “greatest strength and pride and a strong pillar” of the nation, and expressing hope for their eventual return. “Be brave. Behind you are Pyongyang and Moscow,” he said, according to KCNA. Additionally, KCNA reported that Kim received New Year cards from several heads of state, including the Chinese president and his wife, though it did not mention Xi Jinping by name or provide further details.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

During a police raid in the Philippines, authorities discovered a handbook in a compound used by a cyberfraud gang. Written in Chinese, the manual offered step-by-step instructions on conducting scams, including detailed techniques for manipulating and deceiving victims. One line on the second page bluntly stated: “A woman’s IQ is zero when in love. As long as emotions are in place, the client’s money will naturally follow.” Another handbook, found in a separate law enforcement operation and written in both English and Chinese, focused specifically on romance scams. Together, the manuals reveal how cybercriminals exploit emotional manipulation to trick victims into believing in a romantic relationship before persuading them to invest in fraudulent schemes.

These scams are often referred to as “pig-butchering,” a term describing how targets are metaphorically led like pigs to slaughter. The FBI lists pig-butchering as one of the most common scams today. Investigations by Reuters this year highlighted how victims of human trafficking are sometimes forced to work in industrial-scale scam operations in Southeast Asia run by Chinese-led gangs. The rise of artificial intelligence has further enhanced these scams, enabling fraudsters to craft more convincing and sophisticated deceptions.

The handbooks, reviewed exclusively by Reuters, provide insight into how scammers create fake identities and adapt their approach to each victim. A spokesperson for the Philippine Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) confirmed the authenticity of the materials, stating they were recovered from two compounds north of Manila during raids last year.

The Chinese-language handbook describes a seven-day plan for defrauding women in China, involving a fake investment platform for crude oil. Victims are referred to as “clients” and the fraud as a “sale.” The bilingual manual targets male victims, recommending conversations about cryptocurrency without explicitly detailing how to extract money.

The first handbook, nine pages long, was discovered in a compound partially owned by a Chinese-born woman, Alice Guo, who is now serving a life sentence for human trafficking. Authorities also found mobile phones used in pig-butchering operations and several hundred people involved in scams, many of whom were trafficking victims.

While it’s unclear if the manuals were directly used in scams, former workers at similar compounds confirmed the methods matched what they had been instructed to do. Reports by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime indicate such scripts were found in at least two other raids in the Philippines and Thailand in 2023 and 2024.

Experts who reviewed the Chinese manual said it illustrates advanced manipulation tactics, including isolating the target and overwhelming them with affection. The scam begins with creating a fake persona, carefully constructed to form an emotional bond with the victim. Recommended traits include being a Taurus, having a managerial job at Sinopec, and presenting certain personal details such as marital status, family, and hobbies. Additional recommendations suggest matching aspects of the persona to the victim’s background and interests to foster a sense of connection.

The manuals provide day-by-day instructions. On Day 1, scammers introduce themselves and gauge the target’s interest in investments. By Day 2, discussions about potential investments begin, and by Day 5, the scammer tries to establish a romantic connection. By Day 7, the target is encouraged to invest in a fake platform. The manuals also suggest abandoning unresponsive targets quickly to maximize efficiency. The manuals include scripts for daily interaction, such as greetings and attention-focused messages, and techniques for adapting to different victim personalities. These personality types include cold-hearted, career-oriented, conservative, pampered, rough, and romantically inexperienced individuals. The goal is always to create closeness and dependency, often mirroring the victim’s behavior and interests to deepen trust.

One real-life example involved Beth Hyland, who, after a divorce, was targeted by “Richard” on Tinder. Within weeks, she was engaged and had transferred $26,000 in cryptocurrency before realizing it was a romance scam. Despite warnings from her financial advisor, she nearly sent an additional $50,000. Experts note that victims often experience lasting shame and emotional trauma, while scammers quickly move on to new targets. The Chinese manual advises constantly seeking new victims, emphasizing the efficiency and ruthlessness of these operations: “Remember not to hang yourself on one tree. Keep messaging and look for new targets.”
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

Thailand’s Pheu Thai Party has selected 46-year-old academic Yodchanan Wongsawat, a nephew of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as its leading candidate for the premiership in the February election. The move brings the influential Shinawatra family back into focus as Thailand grapples with deadly border clashes with Cambodia and internal challenges within the party. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss the implications of his candidacy for party cohesion, border security, and the country’s political trajectory with Kevin Hewison, Emeritus Professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

Starting 6 pm tomorrow (13 Dec 2025), train commuters can check a single webpage for updates on trip delays. Daniel Martin talks with Professor Raymond Ong, Transport Analyst and Deputy Head (Research) at NUS’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Across the globe, Gen Z is moving beyond online activism and taking to the streets — pushing back against existing systems, highlighting inequality, and demanding a future they can trust. Many young people feel increasingly shut out, with rising youth unemployment and shrinking economic opportunities adding to their frustration. We speak with CNA senior correspondent Wei Du, who followed a wave of Gen Z demonstrations in Asia for an Insight documentary, and Dr. Eugene Mark, Fellow and Co-coordinator of Thailand Studies at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, to understand the forces behind this new wave of youth-driven protests.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

A recent study reveals that maintaining a sense of control is crucial for ageing well. Seniors who retain independence and the ability to make their own decisions tend to be healthier and happier. Post-retirement, men often face more challenges, whereas women’s social networks help them stay resilient. The research underscores the significance of purpose, social connections, and dignity in later life. Andrea Heng and Genevieve Woo discuss the study with A/P Justina Tan, Vice President of Strategic Partnership and Engagement at SUSS.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.