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From CNBC: $6.3B Binance Heist Could Be Biggest Crypto Heist Ever. Binance insists user funds are safe. [Ed: it is reassuring that none of the theft that occurs involves hacking the blockchain, only the security of companies.] AND Hackers Drain $2.6M From Polymarket Users. Trading on prediction market was briefly halted after breach linked to third-party tool

From Doog Lovers: Heartwarming Moment Caught on Drone: Blind Dog Joyfully Reunites With Loving Owner

From PM of Canada: Canada and the European Union announce new Alliance for the Future to create greater affordability, opportunity, and sovereignty. From Upstream: Canada explores LNG exports to Europe as part of new alliance. Canada-EU Alliance for the Future unveils feasibility study for gas shipments from North American producer

The Dan Scandal. From the Daily Mail: Revealed: Democrat operative at the center of Alaska Senate race scandal amid claims he recruited second Dan Sullivan to spoil Republican chances. From Zero Hedge: 'Decoy Dan' Skipped Town Two Days Before NYT Bombshell As Feds Surge Into Alaska. Catch Dan if you can...

Ilhan Omar. From FOX News: 'Radical Left Lunatic' judge Trump wanted impeached takes up Ilhan Omar warrant fight. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro called the request to unseal 'rash,' arguing the investigation remains ongoing. AND Omar’s midterm rival exposes 'vicious' Somali gangs amid immigration probe into embattled rep. John Nagel, running against Ilhan Omar, called for a gang task force after shootings in Eden Prairie and Bloomington. From Newsmax: Report: Obama Admin Uncovered Evidence Against Omar's Marriage. [Ed: fell outside the statute of limitations.] From Stanford Law: When Federal Agents Came to Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Door. Stanford’s David Sklansky discusses the search of Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home, the Justice Department’s election-timing rules, and what courts can do when prosecutions are challenged as retaliatory.

U.S. Elections in California. From AP: Administration Subpoenas California Election Officials. It's intimidation, Los Angeles County registrar says.From the Associated Press: Appeals Panel Rejects DOJ on Setting Aside California Ballots. Trump administration argues 20K ballots may have gone to noncitizens

From Dog Heirs: Funny Dog Thinks Halloween Skeleton Bones Are for Him.

Red Baron. From the Detroit News: Red Baron employee targeted in viral prank speaks out amid outpouring. From Trib Live: Over $500K raised for Red Baron pizza worker following attempted prank.

From QTR's Fringe Finance: “Very Intentional”: Steve Eisman Thinks Anthropic Is Hiding Something. "Steve Eisman, the investor made famous by The Big Short."

U.S. Election, Commentary. From Reason: The Midterms Offer a Choice Between Two Brands of Socialism. Democrats openly embrace socialist ideas as the GOP pushes for greater state direction of the economy. [Ed: Vance repeatedly denounces "free-market economic thinking." He's a scary person.]

U.S. Election, Facts. From Mish Talk: Texas Early Voting Is 13.5 Points Bluer than 2024. Is That Enough?

From Just the News: Emails cast doubt on Jack Smith testimony he followed rules to protect attorney-client privilege. Emails sharply contradict Smith’s testimony just weeks ago to the Senate Judiciary Committee. He expressed confidence his team had followed the proper rules to keep attorney client privileged testimony out of the hands of agents and investigators who weren’t legally entitled to have it.

From Cuteness: Lost German Shepherd Cleverly Turns Himself In To The Police To Get Back Home.

From Post Millennial: Texas ICE operation nabs over 4,170 illegal aliens in 10 days, 60% had criminal records. The 10-day effort, dubbed “Operation Lone Star Mission,” averaged 400 arrests per day. [Ed: I wish we didn't have to take ICE's word for the 60% figure.]

Big Picture Economics. From AP: Historic Drop Wipes $500B Off Alphabet's Market Value. Google's parent company plunges more than 12% amid worries about AI spending. From Macro Butler: Reset in Peace? Every fiat currency is a promise. Every promise has an expiry date. History has never once failed to collect.

China. From Zero Hedge: Turning The Knife Inward: Xi Purges A Record 33 At Fifth Plenum As China's Military High Command Shrinks To Two Men. Only 162 of 205 full members showed up to this week's Central Committee conclave, the lowest turnout since the Cultural Revolution, and the PLA's seven-man high command is now down to Xi and the general who ran the purges.

From PBS: Judge orders 3 taxpayer-funded Trump administration ads to be pulled from TV, social media. [Ed: they were paid for with tax money.]

Fraud. From the Western Journal: Bessent and FBI Director Kash Patel Announce Multimillion-Dollar Fraud Arrests in Sweeping Minnesota Crackdown; [Ed: The raids produced four arrests tied to a 26-count indictment alleging large-scale Medicaid and social-services fraud...] From Fox9: Minnesota fraud: Feds executed 17 search warrants, 4 arrested. From Zero Hedge: Mobile Tax Preparers Indicted Over 9,000 Allegedly Fraudulent Returns Seeking $177 Million, With $81 Million Already Paid Out. The indictment alleges the scheme ran from about 2021 through 2024.

From People: Meet Champ! An ‘Invincible’ 3-Legged Therapy Dog and the Winner of the 2026 World’s Cutest Rescue Dog Contest

From Hollywood Reporter: Patrick Stewart, Whose Picard Had Shakespearean Flair, Dies. Beloved Star Trek and X-Men star dies after dementia battle. [Ed: his presence reinvented Star Trek.]

From I Love My Dog So Much: The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Experience: Fun Facts And Heartwarming Stories

Iran. From Zero Hedge: The Day After Midterms: Diplomacy Or Another "Epic Fury"? [Ed: attack planned for immediately after the midterms?]

From CTV News: Canada-EU Summit set to launch additional talks on a deeper partnership. From Politico.EU: Quebec premier boycotts Mark Carney’s EU summit. In a letter to European leaders, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon warns that agreements running counter to Quebec’s interests “will simply not be implemented.” AND Mark Carney isn’t the climate hero Europeans think. Canada's prime minister used to be an eco-warrior. Now, not so much.

DSA. From Zero Hedge: Democratic Socialist Of America Puts Crosshairs On United Airlines, Elbit System: "We Will Sever Supply Chains" What about government-run grocery stores? From the New York Post: DSA wants to ‘take over’ Dem party with AOC 2028 presidential bid, Mamdani campaign guru admits.

From Euronews: Bolsonaro claims he is Brazil's true leader after fleeing to US. [Ed: says he is the true winner of the election. Intends to lead opposition to Lula from the U.S.]

From Jonathan Turley: Last Stand at the High Court: Reporter Catherine Herridge Fights to Protect Confidentiality in Bizarre National Security Case

From Pupvine: California Adopter Welcomes A Puppy Without Knowing He Is Blind And Deaf Then Finds A New Way To Reach Him

U.S. Elections. From Post Millennial: WA state refuses to comply with DOJ request to sequester over 400 potential non-citizen ballots. Democrat Secretary of State Steve Hobbs claimed the demand was “election interference.” [Ed: this objection is not going to stand, unless there is real bias.] From the Epoch Times: DOJ to Deploy 1,000 Election Monitors During Midterms. From CBS News: Georgia breaks early voting record; more than 2 million cast ballots in person. [Ed: I'm hearing that turnout will be huge.] From Reason: The Midterms Offer a Choice Between Two Brands of Socialism. Democrats openly embrace socialist ideas as the GOP pushes for greater state direction of the economy.

From Zero Hedge: Putin Calls Musk A "Real Genius," Says Russia Coordinating With Him In On Satellites. Musk has about 160 times as many satellites in orbit as Russia...

The Oil Crisis. From Nate Hagens: A Shattered Market?: The Counterintuitive Story of the Hormuz Oil Crisis. From Oil Price: The Diesel Crisis Is Here To Stay. AND Peace Talks Won’t Save Oil Buyers From $100-Plus Oil. From Bloomberg: America's Truckers on the Brink With 221 Bankruptcies This Year. From Bloomberg: American Trucking Operators Confront Mounting Diesel, Insurance, Debt Costs.

From UPI: Trump calls for Peltola to be removed from race after report. [Ed: interesting that the NYT is breaking this story.]

From Jonathan Turley: No, CNN Did Not Defame Cenk Uygur by Trashing his Anti-Israel Ad Supporting Abdul El-Sayed. [Ed: Turley is a torts prof.]

Ukraine. From Politico.EU: Ukraine peace talks: 5 things to know about the chances of a deal. Volodymyr Zelenskyy worries that a new escalation in the U.S.-Iran war could derail negotiations over a truce in Ukraine. From the Kyiv Independent: UK announces 'biggest ever' Ukraine support package of $13 billion in 2027 From Simplicius: Upping the Ante: Russia Pounds Kiev’s South Bridge With Iskander Missile.

From FOX News: Serious consequences Ilhan Omar could face as immigration probe is thrown into spotlight: judge.

From Pupvine: Woman Moves Her Rescue Dog From Costa Rica To California, Then Notices Her Strange New Routine.

StockpilingFrom Inkl: Japan Joins UK in Urging Households to Prepare Week Long Emergency Supplies. From Advice Around Prague: UK Shoppers Strip Shelves of Beans and Water After Government Emergency

From NBC News: Final Election Results Show Netanyahu Has Lost Majority. But opposition bloc also failed to win enough seats to control Knesset

France. From Connexion France: Fuel shortages worsen across France, hundreds of stations entirely out of supply. From Reclaim the Net: France’s Senate Approves Bill Expanding Police Powers Over Online Speech

From CBS News: Alaska's governor orders investigation into Peltola campaign over allegedly recruiting second Dan Sullivan.

A Pool for a President
"This black and white photograph depicts the indoor pool of the White House built in 1933 during the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1970, the indoor pool was converted into the White House Press Room. An outdoor pool replaced the indoor pool in 1975."

From Naked Capitalism: Wall Street is Coming for Your Burger. [Ed: strangely fascinating.]

From the Waggington Post: Woman Finds Her Dogs On The ROOF — And Its Just Another Day For Them

From Novaya Gazeta: Serbia’s election-winning Student List movement says it will not impose sanctions on Russia."The Student List, the protest movement that won Serbia’s parliamentary elections last weekend..." From RFE/RL: Student List Lead Candidate Vows EU Integration, Open Debate On Russia Ties.

From Mish Talk: Trump’s Eight Huge Unforced Errors Will Set MAGA Back for Years [Ed: frankly, the Dems are as guilty of a few of these as Trump.]

Iran. From CBS News: Iran war has cost $47 billion, U.S. military says From the Cradle: Regional security runs through Tehran. The four-way summit in Tehran has exposed the limits of a regional security order built around Iran's exclusion, even as speculation grows over the future of its alliance with Yemen. [Ed: Oct. 26, with Saudi, Turkish, and Pakistani officials in Tehran.] From Hamer Intel: Iran’s Defence Chief Vows War Readiness and Underground Arms Factories as New Fighter Jet Touted. From the Guardian: Iran May Be Sending Message With Execution of Athletes. Renowned mountaineer is hanged, accused of taking part in protests

From CBS News: U.S. military strike alleged drug boat in Pacific, killing 5 people. The latest attack brings the number of people who have been killed by the U.S. military's boat strikes to at least 240 in more than 70 strikes. [Ed: no one ever verifies that these were drug runners...and even if they were, the death penalty with no trial?]

U.S. Elections. From Race to the White House: Comprehensive forecasts [Ed: as detailed as it gets.] From AP: Judge Deals Blow to Trump in His California Ballot Fight. Judge denies federal request to segregate California ballots. From Zero Hedge: Democrat Operatives Spent Months Hunting For Alaskans Named Dan Sullivan - Campaign Denies Involvement: Report. "The sole purpose of his candidacy is to benefit the Peltola campaign." From the Post Millennial: NY Times admits Dem operatives are behind effort to recruit ‘spoiler’ Alaska candidate with same name as GOP Sen Dan Sullivan. A report by the NY Times detailed the scheme, supporting allegations by the GOP that a candidate appearing on the ballot with the same name as the incumbent Dan Sullivan was intentional.

From Dog Heirs: Australian Shepherd Goes Viral For Handing Out Halloween Candy To Trick-or-Treaters

AI. From the International Man: Doug Casey on How Artificial Intelligence Will Radically Transform the World From Futurism: Anthropic Appears to Be the First Company to Go Public by Warning That It May Destroy Humankind.

From Progressive International: Ulm5 — Germany’s show trial sets a dangerous precedent. In a show-trial riddled with procedural irregularities, Germany is seeking to make an example of five activists who organized against the genocide in Gaza. "Last week, the judge in Germany’s Ulm5 case refused to allow the defence team to call their first witness..." ]Ed: dangerous precedent, indeed.]

From the Hill: O'Keefe Charged Over Minnesota Voting Stunt. Prosecutors allege impersonation, identity theft at Minneapolis polling place. [Ed: Minnesota may have been an ill-chosen place.]

Russia. From Dances with Bears: Friendly Kremlin Reminder — the Trump Family Promissory Note is Falling Due. From Business Insider: Ethiopia takes delivery of 12 Su-35 Russian fighter jets ahead of schedule as regional tensions rise. [Ed: could have been put under Russia or Africa but I thought the continuing presence of Russia in Africa was important.]

From Rest of the World: Big Tech’s thirst for water is sparking a global resistance

From the Los Angeles Times: SoCal sober living homes drugged patients to keep the money flowing, federal prosecutors allege [Ed: SoCal=Southern California.]

Israel. From First Post: Israel election: Why it could take weeks or even months to know who the next PM will be. In Israel, it may take many weeks to determine who will form the next government. The fight is tight between Benjamin Netanyahu and his opponent, retired General Gadi Eisenkot. In the end, if both contenders fall short of the 61-seat majority mark, another election would be held. From the Middle East Eye: There Are Multiple Paths Out Of Israel's Election Deadlock. Netanyahu meanwhile alleges widespread fraud among the Arab parties...

From Zero Hedge: Watch: Chaos Erupts At UN As Mike Waltz Gets Into Screaming Match With Cuban Diplomat, U.S. Staffer Allegedly Assaulted. The video appeared to show a member of the Cuban delegation assaulting Waltz spokesman J.P. Freire while attempting to snatch his cell phone...

From the Epoch Times: Inside The Little-Known Drug Program Making Big Hospitals Billions. The 340B program was meant to stretch resources for low-income hospitals. Critics say some now profit heavily while giving little charity care...

From I Love My Dog So Much: From Zero To Hero: Infamous Training Success Stories Of Border Collies

The Cost of Living. From KTLA: Outrage grows as some L.A. residents report water and power bills spiking by thousands of dollars. [Ed: a must read.]

From Pupvine: Georgia Man Recovering From Surgery Finds The Perfect Medicine In His Mischievous Little Shadow

Israel. From Zero Hedge: Netanyahu, Eisenkot Deadlocked As Both Fall Short Of Majority; Bibi Bloc Taking Edge. Arab-led parties could influence coalition formation... From antiwar: Israel Breached Iranian Airspace This Weekend but Iran Chose Not To Respond. Why?

Brazil. From the Independent: Flavio Bolsonaro arrives in US after Trump gives him visa despite police order to surrender passport. Defeated Brazil election candidate is met by his brother upon arrival with family in Miami. [Ed: so *that* is why Trump was so silent. He was waiting until Bolsonaro was on U.S. soil.] From Zero Hedge: Democracy Dies In Brazil? Bolsonaro Flees Lula's Totalitarian Crackdown As Trump Admin Plans To Grant Visas. "Whatever else is true, it is not exactly a sign of a healthy, normal or functioning democracy when the candidate who narrowly loses a presidential race -- and concedes defeat -- is suddenly barred from leaving..." From Naked Capitalism: The US and Israel’s Planned Takeover of Latin America Hits a Big Snag in Brazil From Glenn Greenwald: Lula’s Historic Victory in Brazil — and What It Means. A Bolsonaro win was nowhere near as inevitable as was depicted over the last several weeks. Many grave problems lurk for Brazil. But Lula’s stature as a giant of world politics is now beyond doubt.

Venezuela. From Mediaite: ‘Oil for Ourselves’: Trump Floats Making Venezuela a ‘Prosperous 51st State’. [Ed: I thought Canada was supposed to be the 51st state.] From Venezuelanalysis: Western Media Accept Trump’s Plundering of Venezuelan Oil as Business as Usual

Immigration. From the Associated Press: SCOTUS Gives Trump a Win on Deportation Procedure. Court declines to intervene in dispute about judges' ability to halt some deportations

From the New York Post: Feds raid billionaire’s Beverly Hills mansion in dramatic Eric Swalwell probe — as source reveals sex worker link. [Ed: there's a lot more to this story, of course, and we'll be hearing more]

Iran. From Alastair Crooke: The Iran War & The 'Terrible Power Of The Purse'. More signs that Iran is preparing for war, not for a deal... [Ed: the Iran War is going to sink Trump.]

From Reason: Democrats Want to Punish Elon Musk. Nationalizing SpaceX Would Punish Innovation. Robert Reich says Democrats should lay the groundwork to nationalize Starlink and SpaceX, but taking over a successful tech company would risk escalation with Russia and chill innovation without helping Ukraine. [Ed: no wonder Musk is donating mega $ to the GOP. The Dems would try to destroy him.]

From ABC News: Trump offers $1M reward for voter fraud tips that result in conviction. It is not clear where the money for this reward would come from. [Ed: it is late in the game for this play.] From the Dept. of Justice:

From Doog Lovers: Incredible Rescue as Loyal Dog Guides Officer to Owner in Distress After Hours of Waiting for Help.

Election Fraud. From the Dept. of Justice: Justice Department Announces Charges Involving 48 Aliens for Election-Related Crimes. [Ed: across 5 states. From ABC News: Trump offers $1M reward for voter fraud tips that result in conviction. It is not clear where the money for this reward would come from. [Ed: a bit late in the game.] From the Epoch Times: Dozens Of Immigrants Charged With Illegal Voting, Fraudulent Voter Registration. The defendants include an illegal immigrant accused of voting in the 2024 election.

From Arnold King: Hatred of Others Profits. "Years ago, I came up with the acronym FOOL, for Fear Of Others’ Liberty."

Big Picture Economics. From Porter and Company: The Market’s Most Reliable Warning Light Is Flashing Red [Ed: I've read this warning in multiple sources.] From Phoenix Capital Research: The Bond Bubble Is Bursting in Paris First, and America Is Catching the Flight. A G7 bond market cracked.

U.S. Election. From Moon of Alabama: U.S. Midterm Consequence Preview. [Ed: I disagree with analysis but it is worth considering.] From Free Republic: My one-week out predictions. [Ed: sensible predictions.] From Al Jazeera: US midterms 2026: All you need to know in maps and charts. [Ed: surprisingly clear explanation.]

From Kyiv Post: Zelensky: Europe Must Be Included in November Peace Talks. [Ed: more sabotage from Zelensky. Including various EU nations would make the talks unwieldy and unlikely to come to any consensus.]

From Sunny Skyz: This Dentist Brings His Dog In To Help People With Dental Anxiety

Ilhan Omar. From FOX News: 175 Democrats demand Trump admin stop Ilhan Omar investigation, warn it could hurt her re-election bid. [Ed: seeking reelection in less than a week.] From Newsweek: What Ilhan Omar’s Memoir Reveals About Her Date of Birth, Family History

AI. From Lab Bible: Bill Gates said just four jobs will survive AI takeover as Microsoft puts 60,000 jobs at risk worldwide From Futurism: It Appears That the AI Bubble Has Just Burst in China. “And now we see the bubble bursting.”

From the Post Millennial: Plastic straws 6 times better than paper for cancer-linked carcinogens, study finds

States that have restricted plastic straws in restaurants include California, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, and others.

From the Waggington Post: Terrified Puppy Gets Tangled In Branches While Trying To Escape Rescuers — Then Realizes She’s Finally Safe