麻豆约拍

Max Pearson introduces correspondents' and writers' stories from the USA, the occupied West Bank, Taiwan and Costa Rica.

Donald Trump has accepted his party's nomination to be its Presidential candidate and chosen Ohio senator JD Vance as his running mate. Anthony Zurcher reflects on what the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee signalled for the next steps in the campaign.

Walking across the territory of the occupied West Bank throws up extraordinary views, historic landscapes - and moments of stark reflection. Tim Whewell describes some of the conversations he had with Israelis and Palestinians during a journey across this disputed land.

From Taoist drag queens to near-naked tai chi masters, the clubland of Taipei is full of startling sights. It's a world where most people feel free to be themselves. But as Lucy Ash heard recently in Taiwan, for members of the LGBTQ community there's apprehension about how their rights might be rolled back if China's influence on the island grows stronger.

Costa Rica is a famously eco-friendly nation - and with no army and growing forest cover, it's also an exception to the rule in Central America. John Kampfner traces the history of one community of outsiders - Quaker pacifists from the US - who've put down roots in the Monteverde rainforest.

Producer: Polly Hope
Editor: Tom Bigwood
Production Co-Ordinator: Katie Morrison