Culture
Jafar Panahi sentence: Iran jails the filmmaker again, this time for five years
The Jafar Panahi sentence adds five years and one month in prison, a travel and social media ban, and asset seizure, The Daily Star reports.
Free Thought Daily
Latest Stories
All recent Free Thought Daily posts in one clean reading list.
Cryptocurrency
Bitcoin price slips below $80,000 after the Fed holds rates
The Bitcoin price fell below $80,000 after the Fed held rates at 3.75%-4.00% on 28 October. Ether and XRP fell more.
News
Nvidia Hugging Face deal draws Justice Department antitrust questions
The Justice Department is probing the Nvidia Hugging Face deal, valued at $12.9 billion, over AI competition, Reuters reported on 28 October.
Science and Technology
Gemini 4 Carbon: Google gives its cyber-focused AI to defenders first
Gemini 4 Carbon is Google's new frontier model. It reaches cyber defenders first, with wider access later, at $2 per million input tokens.
Bangladesh
HSC results 2026 delayed to 31 October as 1.27 million await
HSC results 2026 are now due on 31 October, two days late. About 1.27 million candidates across 11 boards are waiting for their grades.
International
Israel election result: record turnout leaves no clear winner
The Israel election result shows record turnout and no majority. Likud leads on votes, but coalition talks will decide who governs.
Cryptocurrency
Bitcoin ETF inflows return $110m as price hovers near $80,000
Bitcoin ETF inflows of about $110 million broke a two-day outflow run, while bitcoin sits near $80,000 before the Fed decision. Not investment advice.
International
UN report on Russian strikes: Ukraine energy attacks called a crime against humanity
A UN report on Russian strikes says the bombing of Ukraine's energy grid amounts to a crime against humanity, as Kyiv waits for air defence missiles.
Ex-Muslim Voices
Pirganj attack: a resurfaced Facebook post and a night of fear, Ex-Muslim Voices column
The Pirganj attack on three Hindu homes began with a screenshot of a deleted post. An Ex-Muslim Voices column on mobs, blasphemy claims and safety.
Bangladesh
Cyber Protection Act amendment draws fire from Bangladesh critics
The proposed Cyber Protection Act amendment worries lawyers and politicians in Bangladesh, who fear it could silence online speech. What critics say.
Culture
Eric Bauza dies at 46: the voice behind Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck
Eric Bauza, the Emmy-winning voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, has died at 46. A look at his career and the Looney Tunes legacy he carried.
Atheism
Qaisar Ayub blasphemy case: Pakistan upholds a death sentence for words online, atheism column
The Qaisar Ayub blasphemy case shows how Pakistan's law can end a life over disputed online content. An atheism column on why the law must go.
Humanism
Ebola health workers deserve protection from violence: a humanist column
A nurse was killed responding to an Ebola alert in Congo. A humanist column on why protecting Ebola health workers is a moral test for us all.
Science and Technology
FTC Anthropic investigation: regulator demands executive testimony
The FTC Anthropic investigation now seeks testimony from executives, Just Security reports, weeks before a possible IPO. What is known and what is not.
Opinion
Mada Masr closure shows Egypt is jailing the questions: opinion
The Mada Masr closure and the detention of editor Lina Attalah show how Egypt punishes independent reporting. An opinion column on a widening crackdown.