What do French soccer star Kylian Mbappé and the Japanese company behind Hello Kitty have in common? Before this week, very little. Now, they share the unenviable position of having angered Chinese fans and consumers – then having to quickly apologize and do damage control, with big earnings on the line.
It’s not the first time this has happened. In recent years, other foreign brands and prominent figures, from athletes to fashion houses, have found themselves in hot water. But this week’s back-to-back backtracks illustrate how difficult it can be to do business in China – where once you cross a perceived red line, people aren’t so quick to forgive and forget.
søndag 1. november 2026
China’s plenum backs tighter party discipline, a priority for Xi. Here’s why it matters
China’s Communist Party leaders ended a closely watched four-day meeting this week by endorsing a core priority for President Xi Jinping: tightening internal discipline and fighting corruption. The decisions could set the stage for personnel changes in key leadership bodies next year, when Xi is expected to secure a fourth term as party leader.
The Central Committee’s fifth plenum adopted a resolution Thursday on strengthening discipline and combating corruption. It also ratified the expulsions of more than 30 senior officials from the party, including one who was until early this year the army’s top general, and promoted the remaining general serving on the commission that oversees China’s military to the Politburo, one of the top decision-making bodies.
On Friday, party officials outlined plans to carry out the plenum’s decisions, emphasizing tighter discipline. Here’s what to know and why it matters.
The Central Committee’s fifth plenum adopted a resolution Thursday on strengthening discipline and combating corruption. It also ratified the expulsions of more than 30 senior officials from the party, including one who was until early this year the army’s top general, and promoted the remaining general serving on the commission that oversees China’s military to the Politburo, one of the top decision-making bodies.
On Friday, party officials outlined plans to carry out the plenum’s decisions, emphasizing tighter discipline. Here’s what to know and why it matters.
China leaders demand more loyalty and more initiative
The top echelon of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) held a four-day session behind closed doors in Beijing this week, with the talks focusing on strict leadership and discipline inside the ruling party.
Xi Jinping, who is both the CCP's general secretary and the head of state in China, signaled he would not only deepen the existing anti-corruption effort, but also ensure that party officials demonstrate more loyalty and more initiative at all levels.
According to the press release published on Thursday, the committee published a resolution praising the leadership and Xi Jinping for "enormous political courage and strong sense of responsibility" in tackling the issues of corruption and the weakening of the Party's governance. The statement emphasized the need to "consistently advance comprehensive and strict Party leadership."
Xi Jinping, who is both the CCP's general secretary and the head of state in China, signaled he would not only deepen the existing anti-corruption effort, but also ensure that party officials demonstrate more loyalty and more initiative at all levels.
According to the press release published on Thursday, the committee published a resolution praising the leadership and Xi Jinping for "enormous political courage and strong sense of responsibility" in tackling the issues of corruption and the weakening of the Party's governance. The statement emphasized the need to "consistently advance comprehensive and strict Party leadership."
Can EU and India work together to secure Indo-Pacific?
The European Union is vying for a larger role in Indo-Pacific security as the US finds itself on the back foot in the Eastern Hemisphere. India is among the regional powers looking for new allies. Its rising economy and increasingly global ambitions have pushed it into new forums and partnerships, including ever closer defense ties with the European bloc.
In January this year, India and the EU signed a Security and Defense Partnership, followed by their first formal Security and Defense Dialogue in March. More meetings followed throughout the year, including the fifth Maritime Security Dialogue in Brussels last month.
However, while both sides want to boost cooperation on maritime security, working together in the Indo-Pacific remains a challenge — India and European countries simply have different defense priorities.
In January this year, India and the EU signed a Security and Defense Partnership, followed by their first formal Security and Defense Dialogue in March. More meetings followed throughout the year, including the fifth Maritime Security Dialogue in Brussels last month.
However, while both sides want to boost cooperation on maritime security, working together in the Indo-Pacific remains a challenge — India and European countries simply have different defense priorities.
Seoul fears being sidelined as US reaches out to North Korea
South Korea's relationship with the North, always strained, seems to be going through a particularly hostile patch in recent weeks.
Last month, Seoul accused North Korea of planting a mine on the southern side of the heavily fortified border. The device exploded, injuring three South Korean soldiers. Pyongyang refused to apologize and insisted this was a false-flag incident designed to tarnish the isolated nation. The North Korean regime has since conducted multiple weapons tests, held its first-ever exhibition of military drones attended by Kim Jong Un, brought up self-propelled artillery units to the border and started preparing loudspeaker systems that will blast propaganda into the South.
On Thursday, North Korea also fired around 10 short-range ballistic missiles towards the Sea of Japanjust before a scheduled visit to South Korea by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Last month, Seoul accused North Korea of planting a mine on the southern side of the heavily fortified border. The device exploded, injuring three South Korean soldiers. Pyongyang refused to apologize and insisted this was a false-flag incident designed to tarnish the isolated nation. The North Korean regime has since conducted multiple weapons tests, held its first-ever exhibition of military drones attended by Kim Jong Un, brought up self-propelled artillery units to the border and started preparing loudspeaker systems that will blast propaganda into the South.
On Thursday, North Korea also fired around 10 short-range ballistic missiles towards the Sea of Japanjust before a scheduled visit to South Korea by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
FBI says North Korea behind $6 billion Binance crypto theft
The FBI said Saturday that North Korea was behind the theft of more than $6 billion (€5.36 billion) in virtual assets from the cryptocurrency exchange Binance. "The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) was responsible for the theft of more than $6 billion USD in virtual assets from cryptocurrency exchange Binance, on or about October 29, 2026," the US law enforcement agency said in a statement.
The theft, which happened within a matter of minutes, is believed to be the biggest cryptocurrency heist in history. The stolen assets included bitcoin, ethereum and stablecoins such as tether and USD Coin, whose values are pegged to traditional currencies. News of the cyberattack caused the prices of most major cryptocurrencies to slump on Friday.
The theft, which happened within a matter of minutes, is believed to be the biggest cryptocurrency heist in history. The stolen assets included bitcoin, ethereum and stablecoins such as tether and USD Coin, whose values are pegged to traditional currencies. News of the cyberattack caused the prices of most major cryptocurrencies to slump on Friday.
FORMER RAGYA ABBOT JAILED FOR FIVE YEARS AFTER LONG LIFE PRAYERS FOR DALAI LAMA
Chinese authorities in Golog have sentenced Khensur Tenpa Gyatso, a former abbot of Ragya Monastery, to five years in prison, linked to his encouragement to Tibetans to participate in long life prayers for the Dalai Lama and loyalty to a religious teacher in exile. The sentence comes amid a wider crackdown in the Ragya area, where authorities have also closed schools with Tibetan language at the core of their teaching.
Tibetan sources say Tenpa Gyatso, also known as Lobsang Tenpa, was jailed after security forces searched his quarters and found recordings of the Dalai Lama’s teachings, along with photographs of the Dalai Lama and of Shingza Rinpoche, the monastery’s head, who also lives in exile. This was the second time he had been held. In 2025, during celebrations of the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, he led long-life prayers for the Dalai Lama and was detained for several months.
Tibetan sources say Tenpa Gyatso, also known as Lobsang Tenpa, was jailed after security forces searched his quarters and found recordings of the Dalai Lama’s teachings, along with photographs of the Dalai Lama and of Shingza Rinpoche, the monastery’s head, who also lives in exile. This was the second time he had been held. In 2025, during celebrations of the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, he led long-life prayers for the Dalai Lama and was detained for several months.
CHINA SHUTS THREE MORE TIBETAN SCHOOLS IN GOLOG: ‘OUR LIFELINE IS LOST FOREVER
The Chinese authorities have abruptly closed three privately and community-run Tibetan schools in Machen (Chinese: Maqen) County, Golog (Chinese: Guoluo), in the Tibetan area of Amdo, now part of Qinghai. All three placed Tibetan language, culture and Buddhist identity at the heart of their teaching, while also meeting the requirements of China’s nine-year compulsory education curriculum, including teaching in Chinese.
Footage circulated on Tibetan social media accounts of girls weeping and distressed as they were forced to leave their school in the grasslands. “We will never forget the kindness of our teachers,” one of the pupils posted on social media, while another said: “Our lifeline is lost forever.”
Footage circulated on Tibetan social media accounts of girls weeping and distressed as they were forced to leave their school in the grasslands. “We will never forget the kindness of our teachers,” one of the pupils posted on social media, while another said: “Our lifeline is lost forever.”
lørdag 31. oktober 2026
Record number of purges as Xi emphasises 'party discipline' at China political gathering
A record 33 members have been expelled from China's Communist Party as it concluded a major annual political gathering, which had the most empty seats ever seen. The fifth plenum was attended by 279 Central Committee members, compared to 315 at the fourth plenum in October 2025 and 364 at the third one in July 2024. While recent plenums focused on economic reforms or social and development issues, party discipline took centre stage at this week's gathering.
Xi Jinping has made the fight against corruption a central pillar of his rule since he took the reins in 2012, calling it the "biggest threat" to the party. Since then, more than two million individuals have been disciplined for cases related to "pointless formalities, bureaucratism, hedonism and extravagance", Zhang Fuhai, from the party's disciplinary commission, told a press briefing on Friday.
Xi Jinping has made the fight against corruption a central pillar of his rule since he took the reins in 2012, calling it the "biggest threat" to the party. Since then, more than two million individuals have been disciplined for cases related to "pointless formalities, bureaucratism, hedonism and extravagance", Zhang Fuhai, from the party's disciplinary commission, told a press briefing on Friday.
Why North Korea's 'elite' hackers are the prime suspect in major Binance hack
Two major blockchain analytics firms say they have robust intelligence pointing to a North Korean state-backed group as the likely culprits in the $6.3bn (£4.7bn) hack of Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange. The Lazarus Group, a North Korean hacking unit also known as TraderTraitor, was identified "with high confidence" by TRM Labs, as well as Chainalysis.
This incident is just the latest linked to the country, one of the poorest in the world and where access to the internet is severely restricted. Experts accuse the government of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un of relying on cybercrime to finance itself, something Pyongyang has long denied.
This incident is just the latest linked to the country, one of the poorest in the world and where access to the internet is severely restricted. Experts accuse the government of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un of relying on cybercrime to finance itself, something Pyongyang has long denied.
US jails two Chinese nationals for spying
Two Chinese nationals have been jailed in the United States after admitting to trying to recruit US military service members to spy for Beijing. Liren “Ryan” Lai, 40, and Yuance Chen, 39, were each sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a statement on Friday.The men sought to arrange “dead drop” cash payments in exchange for information related to US national security, the statement also said.
The pair operated a “long-running”, “extensive” and “brazen” scheme to undermine US national security and support Chinese intelligence operations and recruitment in the US, Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A Eisenberg said.
According to court documents, Lai and Chen began acting as agents of China’s foreign intelligence arm, the Ministry of State Security, no later than May 2021.
The pair operated a “long-running”, “extensive” and “brazen” scheme to undermine US national security and support Chinese intelligence operations and recruitment in the US, Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A Eisenberg said.
According to court documents, Lai and Chen began acting as agents of China’s foreign intelligence arm, the Ministry of State Security, no later than May 2021.
Why are US, Russia and China racing to put nuclear reactors on the moon?
The United States, Russia and China are racing to build nuclear reactors on the moon, as scientists warn about the possible risk of a radioactive mishap.
In January, NASA, the US space agency, announced plans to develop a nuclear reactor on the moon by the end of 2030. Russia, working with China, aims to do the same by 2036 as they strive to advance space exploration. The reactors will be needed to power mining of frozen water trapped deep in the moon’s craters, which scientists believe could supply drinking water, air, and rocket fuel for future bases. The reactors would also provide power for lunar bases.
Here is what we know.
In January, NASA, the US space agency, announced plans to develop a nuclear reactor on the moon by the end of 2030. Russia, working with China, aims to do the same by 2036 as they strive to advance space exploration. The reactors will be needed to power mining of frozen water trapped deep in the moon’s craters, which scientists believe could supply drinking water, air, and rocket fuel for future bases. The reactors would also provide power for lunar bases.
Here is what we know.
US, South Korea, Japan call for ‘complete denuclearisation’ of North Korea
The United States, South Korea and Japan have reiterated their longstanding call for North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons, a move Pyongyang has repeatedly ruled out.
The three countries addressed the issue on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) meeting in the US city of Atlanta on Thursday, with their top diplomats reaffirming their “resolute commitment to the complete denuclearisation” of North Korea, according to a readout by the US Department of State.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also pledged the “full implementation” of United Nations Security Council resolutions, including a ban on supporting revenue for North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
The three countries addressed the issue on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) meeting in the US city of Atlanta on Thursday, with their top diplomats reaffirming their “resolute commitment to the complete denuclearisation” of North Korea, according to a readout by the US Department of State.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also pledged the “full implementation” of United Nations Security Council resolutions, including a ban on supporting revenue for North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
North Koreans being recruited into forced labour in Russia, report says
North Korean workers are being recruited into forced labour in Russia by a broker network using bogus student enrolments, according to a months-long investigation by an international law foundation. The network brings North Koreans into Russia on student visas to skirt United Nations sanctions and labour law, as part of a state-sponsored work programme that helps fund Pyongyang’s ballistic missile development, according to the Global Rights Compliance report released on Thursday.
Smoke from wildfires killed 3,500 people in Indonesia in September: Report
Toxic smoke from wildfires killed 3,560 people in Indonesia last month, according to a new report.
The study, released by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) on Thursday, found that air pollution-related deaths in Indonesia surged by 42 percent in September, rising from an estimated 3,740 people killed in August to 5,310. Toxic smoke from forest and land fires caused 3,560 deaths last month, the report said. “Chronic, non-fire emissions from urban and industrial air pollution sources” caused another 1,750 deaths, the Helsinki-based think tank found.
Toxic fire smoke accounted for 94-99 percent of air pollution-related deaths in Kalimantan, on the island of Borneo, and more than 80 percent on Sumatra, the regions worst affected by the fires, the report notes. Deaths on the southern island of Java, meanwhile, remained largely tied to urban and industrial sources, the study found.
The study, released by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) on Thursday, found that air pollution-related deaths in Indonesia surged by 42 percent in September, rising from an estimated 3,740 people killed in August to 5,310. Toxic smoke from forest and land fires caused 3,560 deaths last month, the report said. “Chronic, non-fire emissions from urban and industrial air pollution sources” caused another 1,750 deaths, the Helsinki-based think tank found.
Toxic fire smoke accounted for 94-99 percent of air pollution-related deaths in Kalimantan, on the island of Borneo, and more than 80 percent on Sumatra, the regions worst affected by the fires, the report notes. Deaths on the southern island of Java, meanwhile, remained largely tied to urban and industrial sources, the study found.
He questioned Thailand's monarchy dressed as Harry Potter. Now he's in jail for 34 years
Even before they come through the door, you can hear the prisoners walking towards the courtroom, the shackles round their ankles clinking with each step. The five who walk into the courtroom are familiar with the routine; they are facing multiple criminal prosecutions and have spent much of the past five years going back and forth to court.
One of them, a small, bespectacled man with greying hair, opens his arms to hold his three-year-old son, who has been brought to court by his partner to see him. This is Arnon Nampa, a 42-year-old human rights lawyer. His offence was to call for Thailand's powerful monarchy to be scrutinised and held accountable. He did this dressed as the eponymous young wizard at a Harry Potter-themed demonstration in central Bangkok in 2020.
One of them, a small, bespectacled man with greying hair, opens his arms to hold his three-year-old son, who has been brought to court by his partner to see him. This is Arnon Nampa, a 42-year-old human rights lawyer. His offence was to call for Thailand's powerful monarchy to be scrutinised and held accountable. He did this dressed as the eponymous young wizard at a Harry Potter-themed demonstration in central Bangkok in 2020.
fredag 30. oktober 2026
Is the Korean Peninsula moving closer to war?
Recently, Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, warned that Pyongyang could take strong retaliatory measures if Seoul continues activities it considers provocative.
To casual observers, this may appear to be just another routine exchange of verbal threats between the two Koreas. However, a closer examination of the current situation suggests that something unusually significant may be unfolding on the Korean Peninsula. Military tensions are intensifying, with renewed warnings, military deployments and threats of retaliation along the border. North Korea appears to be adopting an increasingly confrontational posture, raising concerns about the growing risk of war.
What is driving this escalation at this particular juncture?
To casual observers, this may appear to be just another routine exchange of verbal threats between the two Koreas. However, a closer examination of the current situation suggests that something unusually significant may be unfolding on the Korean Peninsula. Military tensions are intensifying, with renewed warnings, military deployments and threats of retaliation along the border. North Korea appears to be adopting an increasingly confrontational posture, raising concerns about the growing risk of war.
What is driving this escalation at this particular juncture?
China’s Belt and Road hasn’t lived up to Xi’s promise
Designed to dwarf even the Marshall Plan, the American program to rebuild Europe after World War II, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was first unveiled by President Xi Jinping in a 2013 speech at Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan.
Beijing later pledged to invest US$1 trillion, and by some estimates as much as $8 trillion, in roads, railways, bridges, ports and other infrastructure projects around the world, with an emphasis on sparking economic development in the underfinanced Global South. Originally called One Belt, One Road, the BRI was meant to usher in what Xi described in his speech as a more just world order. But on many counts, the program has not measured up to its original, world-changing ambition.
Thirteen years after its launch, many observers and analysts now see the BRI as more of a liability than an asset to China’s plan to forge a post-America-led world order.
Beijing later pledged to invest US$1 trillion, and by some estimates as much as $8 trillion, in roads, railways, bridges, ports and other infrastructure projects around the world, with an emphasis on sparking economic development in the underfinanced Global South. Originally called One Belt, One Road, the BRI was meant to usher in what Xi described in his speech as a more just world order. But on many counts, the program has not measured up to its original, world-changing ambition.
Thirteen years after its launch, many observers and analysts now see the BRI as more of a liability than an asset to China’s plan to forge a post-America-led world order.
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