Daw Ni Ni May Myint, Daw Chit Chit Chaw and U Min Aun are running for office in Taungup. For their release, the kidnappers demand the release of detained Rakhine politicians and students arrested in recent protests. For the rebels, the NLD is “democratic authoritarian regime”.

Taiwan welcomes the US decision. China strongly criticises it, promising a “legitimate and necessary response”. During the Trump presidency, Taipei bought weapons worth US$ 653 million. Washington's move threatens to increase already high tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

For the first time in 1,600 years, no pilgrims have come to the Holy Land. The losses reach a total of US$ 320 million. Tourism-related activities support 10,300 families. For expert opinion, the situation is worse than during the intifada. We need an overall plan for after the crisis that also involves the dioceses in the world.

The Holy See and Beijing have announced the extension of the agreement for another two years. China’s apparent dissatisfaction at continued relations with Taiwan. The Vatican is content with the fruits: no illegitimate bishops. But there are no new bishops and the repression of the official and underground communities has continued and worsened. How to avoid "declarationist nominalism" and work for full religious freedom.

Geng was arrested for illegally publishing more than 8,000 titles on 9 September, along with her husband whose fate is unknown. For Xu, this is an excuse to hold her for defending the academic after he was jailed. The law professor is a well-known critic of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The feeling of insecurity and concerns over victimisation by crime are the main factors underpinning support for the reintroduction of the death penalty. Former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo abolished the death penalty in 2006. In his fifth State of the Nation address last July, incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte asked the Philippine Congress to reintroduce it.