Thousands of residents from Tirah Maidan have been forcibly uprooted during a security operation amid freezing winter conditions, sparking a severe humanitarian crisis and criticism of the state’s treatment of civilians in conflict zones. According to a post by PTM Khyber on X, entire families—including children, women, and the elderly—were forced to leave their homes on foot, enduring days of trekking through mountainous terrain in extreme cold. Heavy snowfall blocked roads, leaving many stranded, with some taking shelter in vehicles without sufficient food, warmth, or medical care.

After the dangerous journey, displaced families faced further hardship during the “registration” process, reportedly waiting for three to four days on open roads without tents, sanitation, or basic facilities. The delays exposed vulnerable groups to illness, exhaustion, and severe distress. “There was no planning and no dignity,” PTM Khyber said, describing the residents as left hopeless in the harsh cold.

The incident reflects a wider trend of forced displacement in Pakistan’s tribal areas, where military operations frequently cause civilian suffering with little accountability. The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement Khyber condemned the Tirah operation as inhumane and unnecessary, demanding immediate relief, reopening of snow-blocked routes, and an end to policies that uproot communities without safeguards. They emphasized the need to protect human rights and prevent the oppression of civilians under the pretext of security.

Using the hashtag #PashtunsRejectTirahOperations, PTM Khyber stressed that loyalty cannot be expected from citizens who are denied protection and dignity. Residents insist they are not seeking charity but asserting their constitutional rights, safety, and the ability to live without fear of forced displacement.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

Pakistani households are now spending more on education than the government, underscoring deep structural weaknesses in public education financing and intensifying concerns about inequality and state responsibility. A newly released report presented at a national policy dialogue revealed that families spent an estimated PKR 2.8 trillion on education, exceeding the government’s allocation of PKR 2.23 trillion. As a result, Pakistan’s total education expenditure has reached PKR 5.03 trillion, with households contributing 56 percent of the total while the public sector accounts for only 44 percent.

The findings were shared during the launch of the 15th annual Public Financing of Education report by the Institute of Social and Policy Sciences (I-SAPS). This marks the first nationwide assessment to merge official education budgets with household-level spending, offering a more comprehensive view of how education is financed in the country. According to the report, families spent PKR 1.31 trillion on private school fees, PKR 613 billion on tuition and coaching centers, and PKR 878 billion on related costs such as books, uniforms, and transportation.

I-SAPS Executive Director Salman Humayun warned that the growing reliance on private spending poses serious equity challenges. He noted that when families are forced to outspend the state, children from poorer households face an increased risk of being excluded from education altogether. Participants at the policy dialogue linked rising private expenditure to ongoing shortcomings in public schools, including declining quality, weak accountability, and limited responsiveness.

Experts emphasized that simply increasing education budgets will not resolve these issues. Instead, they called for improved governance, greater efficiency, and outcome-focused financing to restore confidence in the public education system. Federal officials acknowledged progress in education data collection but stressed the importance of independent research to guide policymaking amid ongoing fiscal constraints.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

A powerful explosion tore through a Chinese-run restaurant in the heart of Kabul's Shahr-e-Naw district on Monday, killing seven people and injuring more than a dozen others. The attack, claimed by the Islamic State's Afghan affiliate, targeted a popular spot frequented by Chinese expatriates and locals alike.

The suicide bombing struck near the restaurant's kitchen during peak hours, blowing a massive hole in the front facade and sending debris flying across the crowded street. Eyewitnesses recounted a deafening blast followed by thick smoke and chaos as diners and passersby scrambled to escape. Among the dead were six Afghans and one Chinese national identified as Ayub, with victims including women and a child rushed to nearby hospitals.

Owned by Chinese Muslim Abdul Majid, his wife, and local partner Abdul Jabbar Mahmood, the eatery served noodles and dishes beloved by Kabul's small Chinese Muslim community. It stood as a symbol of China's expanding footprint in Afghanistan post-2021 Taliban takeover, amid Beijing's interest in mining and infrastructure deals. The IS claim via its Amaq agency fits their pattern of hitting Chinese-linked sites, challenging Taliban security pledges to attract foreign investment.

China swiftly condemned the violence, urging a thorough investigation and enhanced safeguards for its citizens and projects, after five nationals were wounded. Taliban forces cordoned off the area but reopened streets quickly, downplaying the breach in one of Kabul's most fortified zones packed with embassies and offices. The incident underscores ongoing instability, as Afghanistan grapples with economic woes and militant threats despite Taliban rule.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Sina Weibo.

A tragic rail accident occurred on Wednesday in Nakhon Ratchasima province, northeastern Thailand, when a construction crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train, causing it to derail and resulting in numerous deaths and injuries. The incident took place around 9:05 a.m. local time in Ban Thanon Khot, Sikhio district (commonly called Korat), when a large launching gantry crane, used for constructing an elevated section of the high-speed rail project, suddenly fell onto Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani passenger train No. 21 as it passed beneath the construction site, according to the Bangkok Post.

Initial reports from Thai authorities confirmed at least 32 fatalities, with dozens more injured. Many passengers were trapped in the wreckage, and rescue teams focused on extrication and medical care. Between 64 and 66 people were reported injured, and three remained missing according to provincial health updates.

Eyewitnesses described hearing loud crashes and explosions as the crane’s heavy steel structure and concrete load struck the train’s middle carriages. Two carriages were severely damaged, and one caught fire, sending smoke billowing as rescuers struggled to reach survivors. The train was estimated to be traveling at around 120 km/h (75 mph) when the crane fell. Most casualties were in the second carriage, which bore the brunt of the impact and fire.

The accident occurred on a high-speed rail line that is part of a major Thai-Chinese infrastructure project designed to connect Bangkok with Kunming, China, via Laos. The affected segment is being built by Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD), which expressed regret over the incident and pledged compensation to victims’ families. Thai authorities, including Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, ordered an immediate investigation and emphasized strict review of safety measures and accountability. The State Railway of Thailand announced service disruptions on the affected route, with rerouting and cancellations continuing as emergency operations proceed.

The incident drew international condolences, including from India. The Ministry of External Affairs expressed deep sorrow for the loss of life, extended sympathy to the injured, and reaffirmed support for Thailand. In a post on X, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives and injuries in the train accident in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, on January 14, 2026. Our heartfelt condolences to the people and Government of Thailand. We extend our deepest sympathies to the affected families and wish a swift recovery to all those injured.” As rescue operations conclude, attention is now turning to structural safety assessments and stronger regulatory oversight for large infrastructure projects in Thailand to prevent future tragedies.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will visit Japan on January 13–14 for a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The leaders are scheduled to meet in Nara City on January 13, followed by a dinner, where discussions are expected to cover regional and global matters, as well as economic and social issues. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman speak with Michiyo Ishida, CNA’s senior correspondent, for more details.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Singapore’s “dead birds” hotline recorded its highest number of reports last year, reflecting a growing toll of birds killed after colliding with glass surfaces on buildings. The museum notes that the problem is expanding beyond sheer numbers, now affecting newer and sometimes rarer species as urban development intensifies. The report explores the causes behind these collisions, the reasons bird-friendly architecture has yet to become common practice, and the practical solutions—such as specially treated glass and façade modifications—that could significantly reduce bird deaths. Andrea Heng and Rani Samtani discuss these issues with Dr Tan Yen Yi, Research Fellow at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

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.