SINGAPORE, March 11 — Only seven countries met World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality standards last year, data showed today, as researchers warned the war on smog would only get harder after the United States shut down its global monitoring efforts.

NEW DELHI, Nov 14 — Toxic smog blanketed northern India today, becoming too thick to see through in several places, as high levels of pollution combined with humidity, low wind speed, and a drop in temperature, officials said.

LAHORE, Nov 11 — Pakistan’s Punjab province banned most outdoor activities and ordered shops, markets and malls in some areas to close early from today to curb illnesses caused by intense air pollution.