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Thousands of volunteers build 108 stupas in a day in Bhutan's Gelephu Mindfulness City
Buddhist masters have gathered in Gelephu, Bhutan, to witness the construction of 108 stupas in a single day
Panic spreads as insider warns of 'embarrassed' Trump's plan if GOP loses midterms
A U.S. official warned that President Donald Trump may authorize a major military operation against Iran if he “feels embarrassed or disenfranchised” after the midterms, sparking panic among countless onlookers.“The mad King theory just might be the right theory. But so sad for our country,” wrote Yale University professor Howard Forman, referencing a political theory that suggests a political figure being perceived as mad can help boost credibility.The initial warning was reported by Axios’ Barak Ravid, who claimed that the unnamed U.S. official warned that Trump “might be more inclined to order a major military operation if Republicans lose badly in the midterms.”“If he feels embarrassed or disenfranchised he will do something bold,” the U.S. official said, according to Ravid. “That’s what everyone are telling the Iranians. Their best shot to get a deal is right now.”Iran was sent a draft peace plan on Sunday by Qatari mediators, Reuters reported, as talks between Washington and Tehran continue. A senior Iranian official, however, has already “dismissed the proposals as unacceptable,” according to Reuters.With the midterms fast approaching on Tuesday, and with Republicans facing an increasingly dire midterm outlook, critics feared a deadly escalation could be imminent.“A slightly different/more accurate way to phrase this is Trump requires a kind of executive self-soothing,” wrote journalist Josh Marshall, editor-in-chief of Talking Points Memo. “His loss of power/popularity at home requires him to focus on areas of presidency where his power is essentially unlimited to try to reassert a sense of dominance.”Others, like Tommy Vietor, a former Obama administration official and Democratic political commentator, argued that the U.S. official’s warning was nothing more than an attempt to manipulate Tehran into accepting the Trump administration’s terms for ending the deeply unpopular conflict.“Give me a f------ break with this spin. You don’t need to regurgitate this bull----,” Vietor wrote in a social media post on X.Trump official says Trump might bomb Iran because his feelings are hurt.— Dan Pfeiffer (@danpfeiffer) October 31, 2026
The US-China trade war seems to have subsided – but the sense of calm is misleading
A truce has cooled the trade conflict, but neither country has done anything to limit the outbreak of new hostilitiesDonald Trump’s trade wars have largely fallen off the headlines. Fears of new tariffs flare up from time to time when the US president goes off the rails – for instance, threatening to end US trade with countries with which it has a deficit unless the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates. But the sense that the world’s two largest economies are plowing ahead into an overt economic conflagration has taken a back seat to other, more salient fears, about Trump ending American democracy, AI killing us all and stuff like that.The sense of calm is misleading. Under the radar, the world is marching toward an economic war of potentially epic proportions, one that, history suggests, could well spill over into the real thing. Continue reading...
Binance resumes customer withdrawals after record $6.3bn hack
Cryptocurrency exchange says 90% of losses covered as FBI blames North Korean state-sponsored group TraderTraitorThe cryptocurrency exchange Binance has started to allow its customers to withdraw their funds from the platform, as it recovers from a record $6.3bn (£4.7bn) hack.The exchange was hit by the theft on Thursday, which has since been described as the biggest heist in history, with experts identifying North Korea as the likely culprit. Continue reading...
Fury as Dem senator remains lone lawmaker to spill on Trump's 'insane' post-midterm plan
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) warned this week that the Trump administration plans to resume its war on Iran after the midterms — an “insane” scheme he said he learned of in confidential briefings. By Saturday night, he was still the only lawmaker to speak out about those briefings, leaving one independent journalist furious.“In one of these briefings, we did get the chance to have a fairly detailed conversation about what the war plan would be if we restarted military operations,” Murphy said, speaking at the Middle East Institute. “You’ve heard a preview that it would be a short-duration plan. I will just say this: their plan is insane. It will lead to devastating escalation and the likely destruction of our commitment to the rule of law. The plan that they have developed will lead, in my view, to a prolongment and escalation of this war that will be devastating for our security interest.”As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and ranking member of the Department of Defense Subcommittee, Murphy is often briefed on matters related to U.S. military operations and foreign policy. As noted by Murphy, however, he was not the only member of Congress to have been briefed on the Trump administration’s post-midterm plans for Iran.“How has literally no other member of Congress mentioned this briefing???” independent journalist Ken Klippenstein wrote in frustration Saturday evening, later calling the lack of interest in the briefings from other members of Congress “just pathetic.”Murphy’s warning came after reports that the U.S. told Gulf nations to prepare for a short-lived, high-intensity campaign after the Nov. 3 election. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump was weighing strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites and civilian infrastructure. Trump has said he won’t launch any attacks on Iran until after the election.How has literally no other member of Congress mentioned this briefing ???— Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) October 31, 2026
Outrage as Trump turns Greenland into giant US aircraft carrier in 'deranged' post
President Donald Trump sparked a wave of outrage with a new social media image many read as a blunt warning to a U.S. ally.On Saturday, Trump shared an image on Truth Social showing Greenland transformed into a sprawling American air base, the island's entire surface paved over with runways, hangars and rows of military jets. A massive U.S. flag flies over the scene, with "WELCOME TO GREENLAND" splashed across the bottom in bold block letters.The image landed as Trump continues to push for American control of Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of Denmark, despite repeated objections from leaders in Nuuk and Copenhagen.Independent journalist Aaron Rupar flagged the image, describing it as a depiction of Greenland "as a giant American military colony."Greenlander Orla Joelsen, a political activist and former parliamentary candidate, didn't hold back."Oh Donald, what on earth is this?" he asked. "An enormous American aircraft carrier parked on top of Greenland? Is this your latest fantasy of owning our country?"Joelsen pointed to U.S. plans for two new military facilities on the island, along with upgrades to Pituffik Space Base, and insisted, "That's military cooperation, NOT American ownership." He also reminded Trump that the U.S. and Denmark signed an agreement recognizing Greenland's right to self-determination."Did you forget what you signed, Donald?" Joelsen added. "Or are you just hoping your voters can't read either?"Anti-Trump influencer Lucas Sanders didn't mince words either. "He's Deranged Don," Sanders said.Progressive voice Joe Mikhaili called the image "the type of un-American s— that only a self obsessed dictator does."Hollywood Reporter editor-at-large Kim Masters turned her fire on Republicans. "Behold the GOP fealty to a lunatic," she remarked on Bluesky.British tech writer Tom Coates kept it short. "What a f— a—," he fumed.Social media personality Mario Nawfal mocked the image too, quipping that "Denmark is trying to have a diplomatic conversation while Trump is playing Battleship with an entire country."Popular anti-Trump commentator Molly Ploofkins summed up the mood with a single word. "Sigh," she replied.Oh Donald, what on earth is this? An enormous American aircraft carrier parked on top of Greenland? Is this your latest fantasy of owning our country?Here’s a reality check for you:The United States is planning two new military facilities in Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, along with upgrades to Pituffik Space Base.That’s military cooperation, NOT American ownership.You signed an agreement recognizing Greenland’s right to self-determination and the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark.Did you forget what you signed, Donald? Or are you just hoping your voters can’t read either?— Orla Joelsen (@OJoelsen) October 31, 2026
Police probe the royal retreat at the center of cryptic Epstein emails
Scottish detectives are investigating time that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell spent at Balmoral, King Charles’ private estate in Scotland.Police Scotland said it had received “information” and that inquiries into the disgraced royal’s time there with the late child sex offender were at a “very early stage," reported The Guardian.The Daily Express has reported that the inquiries relate to claims that women were trafficked to the estate.“We have received information and active inquiries are ongoing, but these are at a very early stage,” a Police Scotland spokesperson said. “All inquiries are evidence-led, with the needs of victim survivors at the heart of those inquiries.”Photos previously released by the U.S. Department of Justice appear to show Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein on a shooting trip at Balmoral.The estate also appears in a string of cryptic emails released last year as part of the Epstein files. In August 2001, someone using the name “the Invisible Man” sent four emails to Maxwell, who has since been convicted of sex trafficking. In one, the sender said their “valet” had recently died and that they had “left the RN,” shorthand for the Royal Navy. Mountbatten-Windsor left the Royal Navy the month before.Another email from the same sender, dated Aug. 16, 2001, said they were at “Balmoral summer camp for the royal family” before asking Maxwell: “Have you found me some inappropriate friends?”In March 2002, Maxwell wrote to the Invisible Man that she had passed along a message to an unnamed person, beginning: “I just gave Andrew your telephone no.” She added that “Andrew” would be “very happy” if the person did some “two legged sight seeing.”The sender of the emails has not been confirmed.Several other British police forces, including the Metropolitan Police, Thames Valley Police and Surrey Police, have live investigations linked to the Epstein files. The National Police Chiefs’ Council said there is no national investigation at present.Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office over allegations that he shared sensitive information with Epstein while serving as a U.K. trade envoy. He denies wrongdoing, and that investigation continues.
Beijing Queer film festival cancelled after harassment from authorities
Forums for discussion of feminist and LGBTQ+ views face growing intolerance from Chinese state, say expertsBeijing’s annual independent queer film festival has been cancelled after what is understood to have been a campaign of sustained harassment from authorities.Beijing Queer film festival, which was due to begin on Friday in China’s capital, is one of the country’s oldest independent film festivals. Continue reading...
Severe rainfall and flood warnings issued for central Greece and western Turkey
Turkey has been hit by powerful thunderstorms and a fatal tornado this week with more heavy rain expectedHeavy rain and strong winds will continue to affect parts of south-eastern Europe and Turkey over the next few days, as an area of low pressure in the region has allowed for the formation of powerful thunderstorms. During a particularly intense thunderstorm in Antalya, a coastal city in the south-west of Turkey, the formation of a tornado resulted in the deaths of four construction workers on Tuesday. Authorities in Greece and Turkey have released severe rainfall and flooding warnings, as a further 100-150mm (nearly 4-6in) of rain is expected this week in central Greece and western parts of Turkey, with locally higher totals possible.Travelling eastwards towards south Asia, strong winds and heavy rainfall have swept across the Indian regions of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh as Cyclone Arnab made landfall. With wind gusts in excess of 85mph (140km/h) and rainfall totals in some regions exceeding 200mm, the severe storm has prompted mass evacuations of more than 180,000 people, as well as widespread disruption to energy and transport infrastructure. The cyclone will weaken as it continues to traverse northwards over the coming days, though will continue to deliver heavy rain to parts of northern and central India as it does so. Continue reading...
Sudanese diaspora and human rights groups denounce UAE nominee for UN top job
Critics cite Lana Nusseibeh’s denial of accusations the UAE is fuelling Sudan war by supporting paramilitary RSFMembers of the Sudanese diaspora and international human rights monitors have denounced the candidature of an Emirati diplomat for the top job at the UN, citing her denial of accusations that the United Arab Emirates is fuelling the war in Sudan by supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.The UAE nominated Lana Nusseibeh last week to replace the UN secretary general, António Guterres, as he finishes his second five-year term this year, upending a race that had become gridlocked. Continue reading...
Sinkholes, scarred land and scapegoats: the scourge of illegal gold mining in Johannesburg
There is no end in sight for the drivers of illegal mining, while police action appears ineffectiveCora Bailey has been encountering illegal miners ever since she first started treating injured animals in the townships around Roodepoort, west of Johannesburg, in 1991. But as the price of gold has soared, so too has activity in the abandoned mine shafts that mark the area.In late September, dozens of zama zamas – the name given to illegal miners in South Africa, meaning roughly “to take a chance” in Zulu – arrived to dig for gold across the dirt road from her charity, Claw (Community Led Animal Welfare). Continue reading...
China expels a record number from Communist party amid Xi’s intensified purges of top officials
The unprecedented number of empty seats at the fifth plenum – a symbol of expulsions – serve as a symbol for the scale of the purges under Xi JinpingChina expelled a record number of officials from the Chinese Communist party (CCP) as it concluded a major political gathering, which saw an unprecedented number of empty seats indicating the scale of the purges under Xi Jinping.A record 33 members were expelled at this week’s fifth plenum, a gathering of top officials that takes place roughly once a year. Continue reading...
