Planet Watch

Doomsday Clock: three minutes of midnight

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has set the hands of its iconic Doomsday Clock at three minutes to midnight—two minutes closer than in 2014.

Greater Middle East

Kurdish forces claim victory at Kobani

Kurdish forces at Kobani announced that the town is now under their full control, with ISIS militants driven out of all neighborhoods. The claim was confirmed by the Pentagon.

Southeast Asia

Mindanao: fighting flares with Moro rebels

A clash between Philippine National Police troops and Moro rebels left 30 dead, jeopardizing the Mindanao peace deal. The troops were hunting down the Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf cell.

Greater Middle East

Egypt: leftist protester killed at Tahrir Square

Protests around the commemoration of Egypt's 2011 revolution may be dominated by Islamist Morsi supporters, but an early demonstration called by a socialist party saw one killed.

Greater Middle East

Lebanon’s hashish valley arms against ISIS

The Bekaa Valley's cannabis farmers, who armed to resist Lebanese army eradication efforts, now say they are ready to resist any ISIS incursion into their fastness.