Planet Watch

UN moves to outlaw nuclear weapons in 2017

The UN adopted a resolution—hailed by disarmament campaigners as an important landmark—to launch negotiations in 2017 on a treaty outlawing nuclear weapons.

South Asia

Pakistan: who was behind Quetta attack?

ISIS and the Taliban both claimed responsibility for the deadly suicide attack at a police academy in Quetta, while Pakistani authorities blamed the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi network.

Oceania

World Court turns down nuclear arms case

The International Court of Justice refused to hear a claim by the Marshall Islands that the UK, India and Pakistan have failed to fulfill treaty obligations to halt the nuclear arms race.

South Asia

Pakistan lawmakers approve cybersecurity law

The National Assembly of Pakistan approved the Electronic Crimes Bill that international human rights organizations say will hinder citizens' free speech and privacy.

South Asia

Revered Sufi singer assassinated in Pakistan

Thousands of people attended the funeral of slain qawwali singer Amjad Sabri in Karachi, the day after he was shot dead in an attack claimed by the Pakistani Taliban.

Afghanistan

What was behind Af-Pak border clashes?

Pakistan and Afghanistan saw deadly border clashes and a tense stand-off over Islamabad's plan to build a barbed-wire separation barrier at its Torkham crossing.

Afghanistan

Mullah Mansour death: blow to Pakistan?

The killing of Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mansour in a US drone strike actually took place in Pakistan—without consent of Islamabad, signaling a break between the two allies.

Iran

Global executions surge —yet again

Amnesty International's annual report on the death penalty again notes an alarming surge in the number of executions worldwide—now reaching the highest total since 1989.

Afghanistan

Drone ‘Kill List’ target speaks

Malik Jalal, a community leader from Pakistan's tribal areas, traveled to the UK to speak out, claiming he is on the US drone "Kill List" for his efforts to broker peace with the Taliban.