November 1989, and East Germany, a repressive communist state that has known only dogmatic certainties under the shelter of the Soviet bloc, is now in uncharted territory. For the past few weeks, tens of thousands of its citizens have escaped through liberalising Hungary, and millions have taken part in demonstrations calling for multi-party elections, freedom to travel, independent media – indeed anything but the failing leadership of old men schooled in Moscow's ways.

Simon Mann has been urged by Foreign Office officials to remain silent about the coup attempt that left him languishing in an African prison, and settle for a "quiet life" with his wife and family in the UK, The Independent on Sunday has learnt.

Halloween may be over but the season for pumpkins and squash is not; these sweet-fleshed vegetables will be with us until the end of the autumn. There are many varieties, each with their own, subtle taste, and a glorious array of colours. The bright-orange onion squash – so called for its shape – is my favourite. Its flavour isn't particularly sweet, but it is deep and rich. It won't disintegrate during cooking, and works beautifully with roast lamb or chicken. ... more

Open all night long. Dimly lit, with rows of sleek, modern terminals, the internet café in Fiji's capital, Suva, was packed at all hours with teenage boys playing boisterous rounds of videogames. But one day soon after I arrived, the staff told me they now had to shut down by 5pm. Police orders, they shrugged: the country's military junta had declared martial law a few days before, and things were a bit tense.

This dish has its origins in the south of France. It is very rich and very indulgent, but lovely on a cold autumn evening. A salad of autumn leaves is perfect to balance its creamy flavours.