China’s food industry has a new problem to contend with, on top of the African swine fever threatening one third of its pork production.

The entire South Asian subcontinent once ruled by the British is seeing religious and ethnic attitudes harden and divisions deepen, writes Mihir Sharma.

The figure is according to a new report from UNICEF that looks at mortality rates in 16 countries that are going through conflict.

With global waste generation set to increase by as much as 70% by 2050, the world must act swiftly to avoid a catastrophe, write Mahmoud Mohieldin, Sameh Wahba, and Silpa Kaza Mahmoud

Ozone-related deaths have risen by 150% since 1990, while premature deaths cost the equivalent of 7.6% of GDP, says Shashi Tharoor.

Some 270m people there live below the poverty line, many of them without running water or proper shelter, and thus unable to protect themselves from the heat, says Gulrez Shah Azhar.

The gradual progression of climate change and delayed effects of emissions can give a sense of unreality; denial is a great psychological defence, write Liam Quaide and Róisín Cuddihy.

The Vatican has defended Pope Francis after human-rights groups expressed disappointment he did not publicly acknowledge the plight of Rohingya Muslims during a visit to Burma.

US secretary of state Rex Tillerson has made a secret trip to Afghanistan to outline the Trump administration's new south Asia policy.

With the US and Europe rolling back their foreign aid commitments,only China can fill the vacuum, say Asit K Biswas and Kris Hartley.

THE scale of the destruction caused by Hurricane Irma, following so quickly on the heels of Hurricane Harvey, is startling. 

HURRICANE Harvey was a sobering experience for some Americans but they can take some comfort in the fact that they are not as vulnerable to weather chaos as citizens of far poorer countries.

Devastating floods triggered by monsoon rains have killed more than 950 people and displaced close to 40 million people across northern India, southern Nepal and northern Bangladesh in recent days.

At least 173 people have died and millions more have been displaced across northern India, southern Nepal and Bangladesh after heavy monsoon rains unleashed landslides and floods.

Heavy monsoon rains have caused landslides and floods that have killed at least 160 people and displaced millions of others across northern India, southern Nepal and Bangladesh.

India stands on the threshold of global economic dominance, with a massive population set to eclipse that of China. Noel Baker savours an optimistic vision of the world’s largest democracy

Vaccines to combat a virus that can lead to fatal lung infections are urgently needed to help prevent child deaths, researchers have said.

This country is deficient when it comes to supporting victims of human trafficking, with a report claiming Ireland is still a destination and source country for women, men, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labour, including forced criminal activity.

A human rights group has expressed concern over brutal attacks in India by self-appointed "cow protectors" against Muslims and lower castes over rumours that they sold, bought or killed cows for beef.

The depletion of the Earth’s water resources continues apace, but we can take decisions and actions as governments, societies and individuals to address that, writes Yasmin Siddiqi.

A unique conservation effort in Afghanistan has helped bring the elusive snow leopard back from the brink and given hope to one of the poorest and most isolated communities on earth.

A rise in human trafficking from Romania and Nigeria drove a 73% increase in sex exploitation and forced labour cases in Ireland last year, according to a US Government report.

Thirteen North Koreans working at the same restaurant in a foreign country have defected to South Korea, Seoul officials said.

My son is just back from a trip to Istanbul, a city I’ve never visited myself. When he came round to tell us about the trip and show off his photos I was intrigued by his account of seeing wild parrots in one of the city parks, writes Dick Warner.

Climate change could push more than 100m people into extreme poverty by 2030 by disrupting agriculture and fueling the spread of malaria and other diseases, the World Bank said in a report.

Survivors trapped in the rubble of a collapsed Pakistani factory pleaded for help on their mobiles even as rescuers said they feared the death toll of 18 could rise in the latest tragedy to spotlight poor safety standards in south Asia.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

Pakistan hanged a man whose case had triggered international outcry, because, his lawyers said, he was arrested as a juvenile and tortured into confessing to murder.

Barry C Lynn looks at the easing of America’s trading relationship with China in the 1990s and the present dilemma for the US in managing its dependence and weaker status.

Police in eastern India have arrested one person and are searching for 14 others after a couple who had eloped together were beaten to death and cremated by relatives as a crowd looked on, police said.

Nepal’s government has drawn early criticism from opposition politicians and some residents for what they say has been a sluggish response to the humanitarian crisis triggered by Saturday’s massive earthquake.

Refugees rejected by Australia will soon fly from the Pacific atoll of Nauru to be resettled in Cambodia.

Indian poultry firms expect demand to pick up after a ban on beef in the country’s western state of Maharashtra, with other states ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party also aiming to toughen laws on livestock slaughter.

A group of core al-Qaeda terrorists in Syria is planning “mass casualty attacks” against the West, the head of MI5 has warned.

My four-year-old son has developed a needle phobia since he had to get a cut sutured a few months ago. 

Bowe Bergdahl’s home town has abruptly cancelled plans for a welcome back celebration amid security fears over the prospect of big crowds – for and against the US soldier freed by the Taliban in a prisoner-swap deal.

The only inevitable has preoccupied all cultures and religion, but now in the West we shun it, says Suzanne Harrington.