CRYPTO ROAST

👉 Washington Post Won't Endorse a Candidate for First Time in 30 Years ⏺ The Washington Post announced it won’t endorse a presidential candidate in the upcoming election, breaking a decades-long tradition. Publisher Will Lewis cited a return to “independent journalism,” but the move sparked backlash from current and former staff, with some calling it “cowardly.” ⏺ The Post Guild expressed disappointment just days before a pivotal election, following a similar decision by the Los Angeles Times not to endorse Kamala Harris. ➡️ FIVE

🗣 Debate Over €5 Entry Fee for Notre Dame Ahead of December Reopening ⏺ As Notre Dame prepares to reopen in December, France’s culture minister proposed a €5 entrance fee for tourists to fund the preservation of France’s historic churches. ⏺ While other European countries charge for cathedral visits, France’s Catholic Church strongly opposes the fee, insisting Notre Dame should remain open to all without charge. Legal experts also point to France’s 1905 secularism law, which may prevent entry fees for church buildings. ➡️ FIVE

🟢 Beyoncé Joins Kamala Harris in Texas Rally Against Abortion Ban ⏺ Beyoncé lent her star power to Kamala Harris at a Houston rally Friday, energizing a crowd of 30,000 at Shell Energy Stadium. She warned that Donald Trump could push Texas’s strict abortion ban nationwide if re-elected. ⏺ Harris used the rally to stress the urgency of reproductive rights, speaking to an audience that included women affected by the Texas abortion law. With Texas unexpectedly competitive, the rally underscored Democrats’ high stakes in the upcoming election. ➡️ FIVE

🗣 Italy's Surrogacy Ban: A 'Wicked' Law Sparks Outrage ⏺ Italy has enacted one of the strictest bans on international surrogacy in the Western world, criminalising couples seeking surrogacy services abroad with potential prison sentences of up to two years and heavy fines. ⏺ The law primarily targets heterosexual couples who turn to surrogacy due to health reasons. Critics argue that the measure is inhumane and could label children as "products of crime", with fears of a potential police state under the administration of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. ➡️ FIVE

🗣 Gambling's Global Threat to Health: Experts Demand Urgent Action ⏺ A Lancet report warns that gambling has become a significant public health threat worldwide, fuelled by mobile and online access. With over 450 million affected, including 80 million with gambling disorders, experts urge stricter regulations akin to those for tobacco and alcohol. ⏺ The report highlights sophisticated marketing and easy 24/7 access, which particularly impacts youth, linking gambling to mental health issues, financial ruin, and social harms. ➡️ FIVE

🔄 Putin Avoids Denying North Korean Troops in Russia Amid U.S. Claims 🟢 Amid claims that North Korea sent 3,000 soldiers to Russia, Putin sidestepped questions at the BRICS summit, saying it's Russia’s choice how it cooperates with Pyongyang. 🟢 The U.S. reported troop sightings in Russia’s Kursk region, hinting at potential deployment in Ukraine. Despite calls from the UN for peace in Ukraine, Putin accused the West of escalating the conflict. ➡️ FIVE

👉 Argentina's Lithium Boom Slows as EV Demand Falters ⏺ Amid an 80% drop in global lithium prices, Argentina's lithium projects are scaling back as demand for electric vehicles (EVs) slows. Companies like Galan Lithium and Argosy Minerals are cutting output targets and halting some operations. ⏺ This downturn has sparked mergers and acquisitions interest as firms seek stronger financial backers. With Argentina holding the world's second-largest lithium reserves, investors are eyeing bargains, anticipating a price rebound by 2025. ➡️ FIVE

🗣Biden to Apologise for Indian Boarding School Atrocities ⏺ President Biden will issue an official apology on behalf of the United States government for the role of federal agencies in Indian boarding schools, which forcibly removed indigenous children from their homes between 1819 and 1970. ⏺ Many of these children suffered abuse and some never returned home. This is the first time a president has acknowledged the impact of these schools, following an investigation by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to hear from survivors. ➡️ FIVE

🗣 Elon Musk’s Secret Talks with Putin ⏺ Since late 2022, Elon Musk has been in regular contact with Vladimir Putin, according to the Wall Street Journal. In 2023, Putin reportedly asked Musk not to activate Starlink over Taiwan as a favor to Xi Jinping. ⏺ Musk’s communication with the Kremlin has been kept hidden from the White House, despite his access to U.S. classified information. ➡️ FIVE

👉 Three Journalists Killed in Israeli Strike in Lebanon ⏺ An Israeli strike in Hasbaya, southern Lebanon, killed three journalists early Friday. The victims were staying in a guesthouse with other reporters when missiles struck. ⏺ Witnesses reported that the strike directly hit the journalists' bungalow, leaving several others injured. The Lebanese Information Minister labeled the attack a “war crime.” Israel, which generally denies targeting journalists, has yet to respond to the incident. ➡️ FIVE

🟢 $100M Settlement Reached Over Baltimore Bridge Collapse The owners of a container ship that crashed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge have agreed to pay over $100 million to the U.S. government. The incident, labeled “one of the worst transportation disasters in recent memory” by the Justice Department, killed six workers and halted port traffic for months. Funds will cover federal response costs, though Maryland is seeking additional compensation for bridge reconstruction. ➡️ FIVE

👉 Russian Forces Make Rapid Advance in Ukraine’s Selydove ⏺ Russian troops have swiftly advanced into the eastern Ukrainian town of Selydove, threatening to push toward the strategic hub of Pokrovsk, Russian media and war bloggers report. ⏺ With Ukraine’s defences faltering, parts of the coal-mining town are now under Russian control. Ukraine’s General Staff confirms intense fighting in the area, with Russia deploying aircraft to support the assault. If captured, Selydove could pave the way for further Russian gains in the Donbas region. ➡️ FIVE

🗣 Ethnic Tensions Surge in Kosovo’s Divided City ⏺ In Mitrovica, a new Albanian-run cafe faces boycotts from local Serbs, reflecting deepening ethnic tensions. ⏺ Kosovo’s PM Albin Kurti’s plan to reopen a symbolic bridge between Serb and Albanian communities has sparked fears of violence, with NATO warning of potential clashes. Ethnic divides continue to dominate life in the city. ➡️ FIVE

🟢 UK to Ban Disposable Vapes in 2024 to Curb Teen Use Britain will ban single-use vapes next year to combat rising use among children and reduce environmental damage. With one in five teens reportedly trying vaping, the government aims to curb the appeal of colourful, fruity vapes to young people. The ban will take effect by June 2024. ➡️ FIVE

👉 Polar Bears at Risk of New Diseases as Arctic Ice Melts ⏺ As the Arctic warms, polar bears face rising threats from viruses and bacteria, according to a new study. Researchers found that blood samples collected over 30 years show an increase in infections among polar bears in the Chukchi Sea, linking these diseases to the loss of sea ice. ⏺ Wildlife biologist Dr. Karyn Rode warns that the Arctic ecosystem is changing, with land-based pathogens affecting top predators like polar bears, putting their survival at greater risk. ➡️ FIVE

👉 Tropical Storm Trami Devastates Philippines: 26 Dead, 150,000 Displaced Tropical Storm Trami has killed at least 26 people and forced over 150,000 to evacuate in the Philippines. The storm, bringing heavy rains and floods, caused widespread destruction across Luzon, with most deaths reported from landslides and drowning. Thousands are sheltering in evacuation centers as authorities brace for further impact. ➡️ FIVE

🗣 World Powers Scramble for Lebanon Aid, But Ceasefire Unlikely Before US Election ⏺ Global leaders gathered in Paris to raise €500 million for Lebanon's humanitarian crisis but struggled to make progress on a ceasefire. With Israel's offensive against Hezbollah ongoing, tensions remain high. ⏺ The U.S. is focused on its upcoming election, leaving France to push for an agreement, while major powers like Iran and Israel were not invited to the talks. ➡️ FIVE

👉 North Korea Targets South Korea’s First Couple in Shocking Leaflet Attack North Korean balloons sent propaganda leaflets into Seoul, personally attacking South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, Kim Keon Hee. This marks the first direct attack of its kind, as tensions rise between the two nations over military activity. ➡️ FIVE

🟢 Deadly Attack Rocks Turkish Aerospace Headquarters: Shocking Footage Revealed 🟢 At least five people have been killed and 14 injured in a brutal attack on Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) near Ankara. Shocking CCTV footage captured two attackers inside and outside the building, followed by a massive explosion. 🟢 Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed the death of both attackers, including a female assailant. TAI, a major player in Turkey's commercial and military aerospace sectors, now faces the aftermath of this tragic event. ➡️ FIVE

👉 Deadly Wildfire Smoke: Global Warming Linked to 12,000 Extra Deaths Annually ⏺ New research suggests that smoke pollution from wildfires, driven by global warming, may be causing 12,000 additional deaths per year. ⏺ The risk of fatal smoke inhalation is rising in regions like Australia, South America, Europe, and parts of Asia. The dangerous particles in wildfire smoke are more toxic than other pollutants, making climate change a growing threat to public health. ➡️ FIVE