标签： Asia

The longstanding border dispute between Pakistan and Afghanistan, centered on the Durand Line, has reignited tensions between the two nations. The Taliban-led Afghan administration refuses to recognize the 2,600-kilometer border, labeling it as ‘imaginary,’ while Pakistan asserts its international legitimacy. The Durand Line, established in the late 19th century by British diplomat Sir Mortimer Durand, divides Pashtun communities and separates Afghanistan from the sea. Despite Islamabad’s efforts to fortify the border with trenches and fencing, Kabul has consistently condemned these measures. The porous border facilitates both informal crossings and vital trade, with Pakistan being Afghanistan’s largest trading partner. However, recent closures have resulted in significant economic losses, estimated at $50 million since October 12, 2025. Security concerns have escalated since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of harboring armed groups, including the Pakistani Taliban (TTP). In December 2024, Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, targeting alleged terrorist hideouts, reportedly killed nearly 50 people. The Taliban denies these accusations and rejects the border as a colonial relic. Recent clashes in October 2025, which began with explosions in Kabul, led to over 70 deaths and hundreds of injuries. A fragile ceasefire brokered by Turkey and Qatar has temporarily halted violence, but negotiations in Istanbul have yet to yield a lasting agreement. Talks are set to resume, with both sides warning that failure to reach a deal could reignite conflict.

South Korean officials have raised doubts about the feasibility of constructing a nuclear-powered submarine in a US shipyard, following US President Donald Trump’s recent social media announcement. Trump stated last week that he had approved South Korea’s request to build such a submarine, specifying it would be constructed at the Philadelphia shipyard. However, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok clarified during a parliamentary hearing on Thursday that the South Korean-owned Philly Shipyard currently lacks the capability to undertake such a project. This statement comes after Trump’s post on Truth Social, where he responded to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s request for nuclear fuel to power submarines equipped with conventional weapons. Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back further emphasized that it would be more logical to build the submarines in South Korea, given the nation’s advanced shipbuilding expertise. South Korea is home to leading shipbuilders like Hanwha Ocean, which owns the Philly Shipyard but has declined to comment on the matter. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth assured that the Trump administration would collaborate with relevant departments to fulfill the commitment, emphasizing the president’s desire for strong alliances.

In response to a surge in fatal bear attacks, Japan has revised its stringent gun laws to arm riot police with rifles. The decision, announced on Thursday, comes as the country grapples with a record number of bear-related fatalities, with 13 deaths reported since April 1—more than double the previous annual record. The National Police Agency (NPA) has identified northern regions such as Iwate and Akita as hotspots for these incidents and will deploy rifle-equipped riot police to these areas starting November 13. These officers will receive specialized training from local hunters’ associations to better understand bear behavior. The move follows criticism that standard police handguns are ineffective against bears. Meanwhile, Japan has also deployed soldiers to assist in bear management, though they will not carry firearms. Instead, troops will focus on transporting traps and using anti-bear sprays, protective gear, and net launchers. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration is urgently drafting a policy package to address the crisis. Scientists attribute the rise in bear populations to climate change, which has increased food sources like acorns, deer, and boars. Additionally, rural depopulation has blurred the boundaries between human settlements and bear habitats, prompting bears to venture closer to residential areas.

The Philippines has declared a state of emergency as the nation braces for the potential impact of a super typhoon, following the devastation caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the emergency measures on Thursday, November 6, 2025, after Kalmaegi claimed at least 114 lives and left hundreds missing in central provinces. The majority of fatalities resulted from flash floods, with Cebu province being the hardest hit. The typhoon, which exited the archipelago into the South China Sea on Wednesday, displaced over 560,000 people, with nearly 450,000 seeking refuge in emergency shelters. Meanwhile, another storm, Fung-wong, currently classified as a tropical storm, is forecasted to intensify into a super typhoon by Saturday, November 9. This comes less than two months after Super Typhoon Ragasa wreaked havoc across the region. Authorities are on high alert, urging residents to prepare for the impending disaster.