CRYPTO ROAST

🟢 German Pizzeria Caught Serving Cocaine with Pizza Orders 🟢 German police raided a pizzeria in Düsseldorf where customers allegedly received cocaine with their pizza by ordering item 40 on the menu. After months of surveillance, officers arrested the 36-year-old manager, who tried to throw drugs out the window. 🟢 The raid uncovered 1.6kg of cocaine, cannabis, and €268,000 in cash. Following the bust, a larger drug ring was dismantled, leading to multiple arrests. ➡️ FIVE

🔄 Gaza Crisis: Israel Blocks Vital Aid, UN Warns 🟢 The UN reports Israel is blocking critical humanitarian aid from reaching northern Gaza, leaving hospitals without power and shelters overcrowded. 🟢 Civilians are reportedly being killed as they try to flee. While Israel claims to support evacuations, medics report attacks on shelters. Aid remains severely limited, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the region. ➡️ FIVE

🟢 Modi Pushes Peace, Xi Talks Strategy as BRICS Tackles Ukraine Crisis 🟢 At the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russian President Vladimir Putin, alongside China’s Xi Jinping and India’s Narendra Modi, discussed the Ukraine war. Modi called for peace, while Xi held private talks with Putin. 🟢 As BRICS considers expanding, Putin announced that 30 nations are eager to join. Meanwhile, Ukraine remains a major point of contention, with China and Brazil pushing for a truce, though Ukraine criticises them for siding with Russia. A final BRICS communique is expected soon. ➡️ FIVE

🗣 Kamala Harris Barely Leads Trump in Tight Race as Americans Worry Nation is 'Off Track' ⏺ A new poll reveals U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris holding a slim 46% to 43% lead over former President Donald Trump, just two weeks ahead of the Nov. 5 election. ⏺ The poll, which closed Monday, shows little change from last week's results, underscoring how close the race remains. Voters expressed concerns about the country's direction, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the outcome. ➡️ FIVE

🗣 Son of Singapore's Founding Father Gains UK Asylum Amid Explosive Family Feud ⏺ Lee Hsien Yang, the son of Singapore's revered leader Lee Kuan Yew, has been granted asylum in the UK after claiming persecution by his own government, which was once led by his brother, Lee Hsien Loong. ⏺ The brothers, entangled in a bitter public feud over their father's legacy, have been at odds since Lee Kuan Yew's death in 2015. Despite government denials of his allegations, Lee Hsien Yang's asylum request was accepted, citing a "well-founded fear of persecution." Now based in London, he vows to continue his opposition to the Singapore government. ➡️ FIVE

👉 Boeing Satellite Disaster Leaves Intelsat Customers in the Dark ⏺ A Boeing-built communications satellite, iS-33e, has broken up in orbit, causing a "total loss" and disrupting services for Intelsat customers across Europe, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific. ⏺ While Boeing faces multiple crises, including a major strike and spacecraft issues, Intelsat has launched a full investigation into the incident. ➡️ FIVE

🟢 McDonald's Burgers Linked to Fatal E. Coli Outbreak in the U.S. 🟢 One person has died and ten others have been hospitalised due to an E. coli outbreak traced to McDonald's hamburgers in the U.S., according to CNN. 🟢 The CDC has confirmed 49 cases across 10 states. Investigators have yet to identify the specific ingredient causing the contamination, but they are focusing on two potential sources: sliced onions and beef patties. ➡️ FIVE

🗣 FIFA Slammed for Ignoring Human Rights Abuses in Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup Bid ⏺ FIFA faces backlash for allegedly ignoring human rights concerns as Saudi Arabia prepares to host the 2034 World Cup. ⏺ The Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) claims the governing body has dismissed their requests to address rampant migrant worker abuse, including unpaid wages. Critics warn this decision could damage the sport's reputation and call for accountability regarding workers' mistreatment. ➡️ FIVE

🔄 Lidia Thorpe Defies Calls to Resign, Demands Justice After Royal Protest 🟢 Independent senator Lidia Thorpe has rejected calls for her to resign after her protest at a reception for King Charles. At the event, she yelled, "You committed genocide against our people." Thorpe emphasised that she is focused on justice for Indigenous Australians and not re-election. 🟢 Despite the backlash and an apology for her controversial social media post, she remains committed to her "truth-telling" approach. While debates over potential censorship continue, Thorpe insists on her right to speak out against the historical injustices of the monarchy. ➡️ FIVE

🗣 Israeli Airstrike Kills 13 Near Beirut Hospital ⏺ An Israeli airstrike near Rafik Hariri University Hospital in southern Beirut killed 13 people and injured 57, according to Lebanon's health ministry. ⏺ The strike was part of a broader offensive targeting Hezbollah-linked sites as the conflict escalates. Rocket fire from Hezbollah into northern Israel continues amid rising tensions. ➡️ FIVE

🟢 Tragic Crash: Nine Dead, Including Teen Rowers, in Brazil Van Collision 🟢 A devastating crash in southern Brazil killed nine people, including seven teenage rowers, when their van collided with a truck on Sunday night. 🟢 The team from Pelotas was returning from a competition when the truck failed to brake, slamming into their vehicle. Only one person, a 17-year-old, survived the accident. President Lula expressed his condolences, calling the loss "irreparable." ➡️ FIVE

👉 Peru’s Ex-President Toledo Sentenced to 20 Years for Bribery ⏺ Former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo was sentenced to 20 years in prison for taking $35 million in bribes from Brazilian company Odebrecht. ⏺ The conviction is Peru’s first major ruling in the Lava Jato corruption scandal. Toledo, who governed from 2001 to 2006, denied the charges but was convicted based on witness testimonies. Despite his request to serve his sentence at home due to cancer, the court refused. ➡️ FIVE

👉 Putin’s Bold Move: Hosting Global Leaders to Defy Western Isolation ⏺ Despite Western sanctions and an international arrest warrant, Russian President Vladimir Putin is hosting a massive BRICS summit in Kazan, aiming to show the world Russia’s global support. ⏺ Leaders from over 20 nations, including China and India, are attending, with BRICS nations accounting for 45% of the global population and 28% of the world economy. Putin hopes to promote alternatives to the U.S. dollar in global trade, but deep divisions within BRICS could challenge any significant progress. ➡️ FIVE

🟢 Blinken Races to Revive Gaza Ceasefire After Hamas Leader's Death 🟢 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel today, kicking off a Middle East tour aimed at restarting Gaza ceasefire talks following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. 🟢 Blinken will visit Jordan and Doha to discuss post-war plans and aid, but analysts are doubtful any breakthrough will come before the U.S. election. Tensions remain high as Israel intensifies military operations, and retaliation for Iran’s recent missile attack looms, potentially destabilising the region. ➡️ FIVE

👉 RSF Mistakenly Shoots Down UAE-Supported Cargo Plane in Sudan ⏺ A cargo plane, possibly with Russian crew aboard, was shot down over Sudan’s North Darfur province during battles between the army and RSF forces. ⏺ The Russian Embassy is investigating, while reports suggest RSF fighters mistakenly targeted the aircraft, which was allegedly part of a UAE-supported supply mission. ➡️ FIVE

🟢 Helicopter Crashes Into Radio Tower in Houston, Killing Four, Including Child 🟢 A tragic helicopter crash occurred in Houston, Texas, when a Robinson R44 collided with a radio tower, killing all four people on board, including a child. 🟢 The radio tower collapsed after impact, sparking a grass fire that firefighters quickly extinguished. Fortunately, there were no casualties on the ground. The incident is under investigation as authorities assess the damage and cause of the crash. ➡️ FIVE

🗣 ‘Not My King!’: Australian Senator Disrupts King Charles’ Address ⏺ King Charles was heckled by Australian Senator Lidia Thorpe during his visit to Parliament House in Canberra. Shouting "You are not my King" and accusing the monarchy of genocide, Thorpe was escorted out by security. ⏺ Thorpe, an Indigenous advocate, called for a treaty between Australia's government and its first peoples. Despite the protest, many Australians gathered to greet the King and Queen, who are on their first visit to Australia since Charles became head of state. ➡️ FIVE

👉 Floods Devastate Bangladesh: 1.1 Million Tons of Rice Destroyed ⏺ Severe flooding in Bangladesh has caused the loss of 1.1 million metric tons of rice, leading to an increase in food prices and prompting the government to take measures to import 500,000 tons of food. ⏺ The floods have resulted in at least 75 deaths and affected millions of people, particularly in the eastern and northern parts of the country. | ➡️ FIVE

🗣 Spanish Canary Islands Erupt in Massive Protests Against Over-Tourism ⏺ Thousands rallied across Spain's Canary Islands on October 20, demanding a change to the over-tourism model that locals claim drives up housing prices and harms the environment. ⏺ Demonstrations took place in major tourist spots like Gran Canaria and Tenerife, with protesters chanting, "This beach is ours!" As nearly 10 million tourists visited the islands in 2024, residents called for sustainable tourism practices to protect their homes and natural resources. ➡️ FIVE

🔄 North Korea's Military Moves: Zelenskiy Demands Global Response 🟢 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for a strong international response to reports of North Korea's involvement in the war in Ukraine, citing evidence of troops and weapons being sent to Russia. 🟢 South Korean officials have reported that 1,500 North Korean soldiers are training in Russia, but the deployment of these troops has not been confirmed by U.S. or NATO officials. Zelenskyy warned that this could lead to further escalation of the conflict and prolong the instability in the region. ➡️ FIVE