Here are a few noteworthy Asian stories from the past week.

A truckers' strike is crippling the Republic of Korea. The government failed on November 30 to reach a deal with striking truck drivers, who defied an order to return to work as concerns rose over shortages of petrol and groceries inflicting further economic damage. As the strike continues in its second week, dozens of petrol stations have run dry. The Industry Ministry said the strike is estimated to have cost 1.6 trillion won ($1.23 billion) in lost shipments. 

The Korean Herald newspaper said in an editorial, "If the government does not resolve labor strife in accordance with the law and principles but compromises on the fly, unjustifiable strikes and illegal behavior will happen over and over again."

A bomb exploded at an Islamic school in Aybak city in Afghanistan, killing at least 16 people and injuring 24. The blast occurred as people were leaving prayers on November 30. Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Nafee Takkur said the Taliban's security forces were investigating the attack. It was not immediately clear who was behind the blast.

Former Indian flag carrier Air India, which was sold to the Tata Group, is merging it with Vistara Airlines, its joint venture with Singapore Airlines (SIA), to create a bigger full-service carrier that it says will strengthen its presence in domestic and international skies.

Autos-to-steel conglomerate Tata will hold 74.9 percent of the combined entity while SIA will own the remaining 25.1 percent, the Indian group said in a statement on November 29.

According to Reuters, SIA will invest $252 million into Air India as part of the deal, Tata said, with the pair aiming to complete the merger by March 2024, subject to regulatory approvals, including from India's aviation ministry, the central bank and antitrust watchdog.

(Cover: Tankers take part in a strike by a truckers' union in Sungnam, Republic of Korea November 28, 2022. /Reuters)