At least 350 people trekking in Tibet were rescued "safe and sound" after a snowstorm hit the area surrounding Mount Everest. The heavy snowfall surprised the trekkers on Saturday night, October 4, at an altitude of approximately 4,200 meters above sea level. The storm buried several tents and cut off various points along the route that runs through the Gamma Valley on the eastern slope of Everest.

The decision of Tibet's spiritual leader to confirm that the tradition of the institution he represents will be maintained and, therefore, that after his death there will be a new Dalai Lama, who will be his reincarnation and will be freely chosen, is a challenge to Xi Jinping's government. The current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has entrusted the future of the succession to the Gaden Phodrang Foundation. This entity, which bears the name of the government of independent Tibet, is the one that must search for, choose, and protect the new spiritual leader of the Tibetans. In reality, it is a foundation created and organized from exile and, therefore, it is assumed that the Dalai Lama will be reincarnated outside of China. This is a challenge to Xi Jinping: this decision, published through a video message, has been quickly rejected by Beijing, who has reaffirmed that the succession will follow national regulations and that the chosen one will be sought within Chinese territory and will require government approval.

Tibetan tradition holds that the soul of a Buddhist monk is reincarnated after death. Now that the Dalai Lama is about to turn 90—this Sunday— Tibetans are anxious to know who will replace him., charged with supporting the nation in exile. The 14th spiritual and political leader of Tibetan Buddhism turns 14 on July 6, and is expected to announce his reincarnation during his birthday ceremony. The announcement has generated excitement, not only among followers of his religion, but also in interested countries: the United States, India, and, above all, China.