Apec’ing Order: “But back in China, in meetings with the military, Xi was warning in strikingly stark terms that intensifying competition between a rising China and a long-dominant United States was all but unavoidable, and that the People’s Liberation Army should be prepared for a potential conflict.” Ahead of this week’s APEC meeting between Biden and Xi, from the NYT (Gift Article): Behind Public Assurances, Xi Jinping Spreads Grim Views on U.S. And some more, interesting background from a kid from my old neighborhood (now a very knowledgeable adult). Michael Froman, Council on Foreign Relations Chief: China sending ‘schizophrenic’ messages to American business.

+ This is Not a Drill: Two trends worth noting. Trump is starting to talk a lot more like Hitler. Trump campaign defends “vermin” speech amid fascist comparisons. And Trump’s authoritarian language is being matched by some very detailed and disturbing authoritarian plans. Behind the Curtain: Trump allies pre-screen loyalists for unprecedented power grab.

+ The Mayor Can’t Take Your Call Right Now It’s probably not a good sign when you’re the mayor of a major city and the FBI seizes your personal devices. FBI seizes electronic devices from New York City mayor.

+ Jimbo’s Jumbo: Texas A&M AD fired Jimbo Fisher because program ‘stuck in neutral.’ The payout is definitely in overdrive. “Fisher’s dismissal is expected to cost the school more than $76 million to buy out his contract, nearly triple the highest known previous coaching contract buyout at a public school.”

+ Ice Breaker: “Hundreds of small earthquakes have been rattling the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland over the past few days — an early warning sign of a looming volcanic eruption. About 900 earthquakes have been detected so far since midnight on Monday. A day earlier, more than a thousand quakes — all below a 3 magnitude — were recorded.” A volcano in southwestern Iceland is expected to erupt in the next few days.

+ Lamped Up: “The temple town eyed breaking its own Guinness World Record for the most small oil lamps lit up at the same time.” Hindus in India and Pakistan celebrate Diwali. And from The Atlantic: Diwali 2023: Images From the Festival of Lights.