A controversial prisoner swap deal with Iran could go ahead under a Belgian court ruling. But the conditions attached mean the future of a Belgian aid worker remains unclear.

Opposition leader Imran Khan is demanding fresh polls to steer Pakistan out of a protracted political crisis. But holding general elections is a costly affair, and the South Asian country's coffers are empty.

Since the Taliban retook power in Afghanistan in August 2021, thousands of Afghan families have found refuge in neighbouring Pakistan. Many Afghans decided to flee their country in order for their daughters to have an education, the Taliban having imposed a ban on secondary and higher education for girls. Pakistan does not offer real prospects of integration or employment to refugees.

EU Commission loosens state aid rules to counter U.S. green subsidies. BRUSSELS, March 9 (Reuters) - The European Commission on Thursday relaxed rules to allow EU countries to provide state aid to companies to encourage them to stay put rather than move across the Atlantic to take advantage of U.S. green subsidies.

EU Commission loosens state aid rules to counter U.S. green subsidies. BRUSSELS, March 9 (Reuters) - The European Commission on Thursday relaxed rules to allow EU countries to provide state aid to companies to encourage them to stay put rather than move across the Atlantic to take advantage of U.S. green subsidies.

Supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan confronted police outside his home in Lahore. Authorities have tried to arrest Khan, who has been entangled in a string of legal cases.

Lahore's air pollution rose to PM2. 5 levels of 97.4 micrograms per cubic meter from 86.5 in 2021, replacing Bhiwadi in Indiaas the most polluted city globally. Bhiwadi and Delhi were next in the rankings, ,with pollution levels reaching up to 92.7 and 92.6 respectively.

Niger, one of the world's poorest nations, has resisted a recent spate of coups and inroads by Russian mercenaries seen in neighboring countries and is set to benefit from millions in US aid.

The ruling means Khan can now travel to Islamabad without being detained to face corruption charges. The former cricketer-turned-politician has been holed up in Lahore as his supporters clashed with police.

With the Taliban banning girls from secondary schools and universities, we meet the Afghan families who risked everything by fleeing to neighbouring Pakistan to ensure their daughters receive an education. We also visit the Kenyan village which bans men as it offers a refuge to women and girls facing gender-based violence.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Thursday (March 16) $150 million in new humanitarian assistance for Africa's Sahel region, saying it would provide life-saving support to refugees and others impacted by conflict and food insecurity.

India and Pakistan traditionally have hostile relations, but there is hope on one front, at least. In order to enable the Sikhs from India to make a pilgrimage to one of their holiest shrines, a "peace corridor" has been opened between the two countries.