Paolo Fossati

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen is aiming for her second term as a defender of Taiwan's liberal values. Her rival Han Kuo-yu is in favor of establishing closer ties with mainland China. Both candidates have organized huge end-of-election rallies tonight.

The new coronavirus strain has infected so far 59 people in Wuhan, a city in central China. No deaths have been reported and eight patients have been discharged from the hospital. Researchers still have to determine which animal is the source of the virus, its incubation period and the transmission route. A vaccine may take years.

Over 200 people came together to remember Chow Tsz-lok two months after his death. Some shouted slogans like ‘Liberate Hong Kong, the revolution of our times’ and ‘Disband the police now’. The 22-year-old man fell from a car park to escape police. The circumstances of the accident are still unclear.

The traditional translation of sacred sculpture concludes a novena. Tensions between the United States and Iran are mounting. The archbishop of Manila: "The mission of the love of Jesus is also our mission". Over 12 thousand policemen guarantee the safety of the procession.

The Chao Phraya River is so low that it cannot keep tidal seawater out. In a nation where about 11 million people work in agriculture, the drought threatens harvests and the economy. Thailand’s prime minister urges people to save water.

A new directive came into force whereby “Teaching materials in primary and secondary schools must reflect the will of the party and the state”. In Tibet, the authorities order families to keep their children away from religious activities during the winter school break.

Mahathir Mohamad slams the US military operation as "immoral" and contrary to international laws. " If anybody insults or says something that somebody doesn’t like, it is all right for that person ... to send a drone and have a shot at me." Recently, the prime minister raised controversy over the treatment of the Muslim minority in India and criticized the Organization for Islamic Cooperation.

Leni Robredo is a long-standing adversary of the controversial head of state. In a 40-page report, she lays out the findings she made during the 18 days she co-chaired the country’s top anti-drug committee. The government’s controversial campaign has not slowed down the consumption of methamphetamine.

The South Korean president made the speech at the beginning of the year. Best wishes for better relations between the two Koreas and new negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington. Diplomatic plans for 2020 outlined with the four major powers in the region.

Authorities are trying to identify the cause of the infection. Between 2003 and 2004, severe acute respiratory syndrome killed 349 people in mainland China and 299 others in Hong Kong. The World Health Organization (WHO) criticized China for underestimating the number of cases.

The college will open in August in the year Filipino bishops dedicated to Ecumenism, interreligious dialogue and indigenous peoples. For PIME missionary, young people should “remain committed leaders, open to dialogue in the contexts in which they live.”

During an important party meeting, Kim Jong-un announced a "new strategic weapon". The official newspaper of the Workers' Party: "It is stupid to trade national dignity, security, progress, development and future for rice and money." Appeals for a "self-sufficient" economy renewed.