This year marks the 70th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Yet the road to abolish nuclear weapons remains a long one. The Asia-Pacific Leadership Network for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, or APLN, is trying to advance the cause. The members are former foreign and defense ministers and academics from Asia-Pacific countries. Though they are no longer in office, they still act on behalf of their respective governments.

It's been 2 weeks since massive explosions rocked Tianjin in northern China. Chinese authorities say they'll beef up the country's industrial safety measures in response to the chemical blasts in warehouses at the port. The explosions shortly before midnight on August 12th shocked the nation. At least 146 people have been confirmed dead and 27 are missing.