As Pakistan waits for elections, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar's alleged proximity to the country's powerful military has raised concerns.

Christian families in Pakistan pick up pieces after mob attack over 'blasphemy' On August 16, a Muslim mob attacked a Christian neighbourhood of the Pakistani town of Jaranwala. Homes and churches were burned and ransacked by a crowd of hundreds that tore through the streets of the town in the eastern Punjab province.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan had been handed a three-year prison sentence for concealing gifts he had received while in office. It was unclear whether the suspension enables Khan to run for office in 2024.

A weekly news show produced with photos, videos and personal accounts from France 24 Observers around the world - all checked by our staff here in Paris.

A weekly news show produced with photos, videos and personal accounts from France 24 Observers around the world - all checked by our staff here in Paris.

Teenagers and young men are increasingly taking part in violent attacks on religious minorities in Pakistan. Psychologists say they lack emotional maturity and are being taken advantage of by extremist groups.

Nigerian student, Oluyemi Sopade, and his team have emerged victorious in the annual Kids Innovation Challenge, hosted by The Destiny Trust. The team, all students at a local technical college, built an Arduino smart compost system capable of transforming food waste into manure.

Fatal skirmishes last week near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border between troops and militants has resulted in a renewed crackdown on Afghan refugees.

German economy posts zero growth in second quarter. German gross domestic product (GDP) remained level between the first and second quarters of 2023, according to new data released last week. Year-on-year, the economy contracted by 0.2% in the second quarter.

Children in the favelas of Brazil are coming under police fire. According to the Instituto Fogo Cruzado, nearly 300 minors have been killed by stray bullets during police operations in recent years. The bereaved families are demanding that more be done to prevent a repeat of these tragedies. The Brazilian police force says it is operating in extremely difficult conditions, and has pledged to improve.

Islamabad shuttered the key crossing after an exchange of fire between the two countries. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of failing to control the border, allowing militants to cross and launch attacks from Pakistan.

At the same time the global economy was forecast to do slightly better in 2023. But the effects of tight monetary policy are expected to be felt for a while yet.