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Cover of first issue (October/November 1930)

Oriental Stories was an American pulp magazine published by Popular Fiction and edited by Farnsworth Wright. It was launched in 1930 as a companion to Popular Fiction's Weird Tales, and carried stories with Far Eastern settings, including some fantasy. Contributors included Robert E. Howard, Frank Owen, and E. Hoffmann Price. In 1932 publication was paused; it was relaunched in 1933 under the title The Magic Carpet Magazine, with an expanded editorial policy that now included any story set in an exotic location, including other planets. Some science fiction began to appear alongside the fantasy and adventure material as a result, including work by Edmond Hamilton. Wright obtained stories from H. Bedford Jones, who was a popular pulp writer, and Seabury Quinn. Most of the covers of The Magic Carpet Magazine were by Margaret Brundage. Competition from established pulps in the same niche was too strong, and after five issues under the new title the magazine ceased publication. (Full article...)

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Domenico Ottomano

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In the news

Catherine Connolly

Catherine Connolly (pictured) is elected President of Ireland.
Sanae Takaichi is elected as the first female prime minister of Japan by the National Diet.
Eric Lu wins the International Chopin Piano Competition.
Tufan Erhürman is elected President of Northern Cyprus, defeating incumbent Ersin Tatar.

On this day

October 26

Laurent Gbagbo

1597 – Imjin War: Thirteen Korean ships commanded by Admiral Yi Sun-sin defeated a far larger Japanese invading fleet at the Battle of Myeongnyang in the Myeongnyang Strait.
1813 – War of 1812: British forces and Mohawk allies under Charles de Salaberry repulsed an American attempt to invade Canada.
1902 – A group of Russian explorers led by Baron von Toll left their camp on Bennett Island and disappeared without a trace.
1905 – The Saint Petersburg Soviet held its first meeting, becoming the first elected body in Russia to represent workers.
2000 – Following protests against military leader Robert Guéï, Laurent Gbagbo (pictured) became the president of Ivory Coast.

Sir John Gell, 1st Baronet (d. 1671)
C. W. Post (b. 1854)
Rahmah el Yunusiyah (b. 1900)
Nikolay Alyokhin (b. 1954)

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Today's featured picture

The grey-breasted partridge (Arborophila orientalis) is a bird species in the family Phasianidae. It is endemic to highland forest in the eastern salient of Java, Indonesia. Measuring 28 cm (11 in), the species is a stocky, short-legged bird. Its mostly grey plumage is barred on the lower back and tail. It has a black crown and nape, and conspicuous white forehead, cheeks and throat. The bare skin around the eyes is red, as are the legs, while the bill is black. This grey-breasted partridge was photographed in a nature preserve near the volcanic crater of Ijen in Banyuwangi Regency, Java.

Photograph credit: JJ Harrison

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