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Israel says it has killed leader of Palestinian militant group that took part in October 7 attack

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The Israeli military says it has killed the leader of a Palestinian militant group that took part in the October 7, 2023, terror attacks on southern Israel.

Asaad Abu Sharia, who led the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement and its armed wing the Mujahideen Brigades, was killed in a joint operation with Israel’s Shin Bet security agency, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday.

His death and that of his brother Ahmed Abu Sharia were confirmed by the militant group hours after Gaza’s Civil Defense reported that an Israeli airstrike had hit their family home in the Sabra area of Gaza City.

Hamas run Al-Aqsa TV said the strike killed at least 15 people and injured several. Video showed people searching through the debris of a demolished four-story house.

The Mujahideen Brigades took part in the October 7 attacks alongside Hamas and other Palestinian terror groups and took hostage some of the most high-profile captives, including a family whose suffering became a symbol of the attack.

According to the Israeli military, Sharia was among the militant leaders who stormed Kibbutz Nir Oz, a small Israeli community near the Gaza border where many residents were killed or taken hostage during the brutal terror assault that led to Israel’s war in Gaza.

Despite not being aware of Hamas’ plans in advance, fighters from the jihadist group joined in the cross-border assault “as an extension of the Hamas attack,” the Israeli military said.

According to Israel, Sharia was directly involved in the abduction and murders of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas – a family that became one of the most recognizable victims of the attack, partly because of the young ages of Kfir and Ariel, who were nine months and four years old respectively at the time.

Kfir was the youngest hostage kidnapped into Gaza and the youngest to have been killed. The boys’ mother, Shiri, was 32 at the time of her kidnap. Their father Yarden was also captured, but was released alive in February after 484 days in captivity.

Reacting to news of Sharia’s killing, the Bibas family expressed their “heartfelt gratitude” to the Israeli military, saying his death was “another step on the journey towards closure.”

“While Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir cannot be brought back, we find some measure of comfort knowing these despicable murderers will not harm another family,” the Bibas family said in a statement shared via the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

Israel’s military said Sharia was also involved in the abduction of the Israeli-American couple Gad Haggai and Judi Lynn Weinstein Haggai and the abduction and killing of Thai national Nattapong Pinta.

The Israeli-American couple were killed near their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz during the attack in 2023. The body of Nattapong, an agricultural worker who was abducted alive on October 7, was recovered from southern Gaza in a military operation on Friday.

Israel said it believes the Mujahideen Brigades are still holding the body of an additional foreign national. The group has previously denied killing their captives.

This post appeared first on cnn.com

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Editor's Pick

Colombian presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe shot in Bogota

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Colombian senator Miguel Uribe, in the running to join next year’s presidential race, has been shot at an event in Bogota, according to national police.

The mayor of Bogota, Carlos Galán, said Uribe was receiving emergency care after being attacked in the Fontibon district on Saturday and that the “entire hospital network” of the Colombian capital was on alert in case he needed to be transferred.

The mayor added that the suspected attacker had been arrested.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed his solidarity with the senator’s family in a tweet on X, saying, “I don’t know how to ease your pain. It is the pain of a mother lost, and of a wounded homeland.”

Colombia’s government has issued a statement condemning the attack on Uribe.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

This post appeared first on cnn.com

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Silver’s Surge is No Fluke—Here’s the Strange Ratio Driving It

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Silver just hit a 13-year high, breaking above a key resistance level that could ignite a major bull run. Some metals analysts now say a rally to $40 isn’t a long shot, but a matter of time. So, are the odds finally shifting in favor of the bulls?

And, more importantly, is now the time to capitalize on silver’s breakout?

To answer, let’s break down the key technical levels and explore the fundamental factors that may (or may not) fuel silver’s next major move.

Gold vs. Silver: A Look at Intermarket Momentum

In the StockCharts Market Summary, the Intermarket Analysis panel highlights various commodities and indexes. You’ll notice that SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) is leading the group with the largest positive three-month price change and StockCharts Technical Rank (SCTR) score.

FIGURE 1. MARKET SUMMARY INTERMARKET ANALYSIS PANEL. Gold is significantly outperforming other commodities.

While silver is missing from this panel, the intermarket analysis chart to the right of the panel, which plots a one-year chart of intermarket performance, allows you to add silver to the group.

FIGURE 2. ONE-YEAR CHART LAYING OUT THE INTERMARKET ANALYSIS COMPONENTS. iShares Silver Trust (SLV) (color-coded gray) and its latest intermarket performance reading is highlighted by the magenta box.

Is Silver Undervalued? Understanding the Gold-to-Silver Ratio

Note the wide performance gap between GLD and SLV. Let’s look at a chart illustrating the gold-silver ratio ($GOLD:$SILVER).

FIGURE 3. 15-YEAR CHART OF GOLD-TO-SILVER RATIO. The ratio is above both averages, suggesting that silver is undervalued.

Take a look at the blue and green bands. Both represent the common gold-to-silver ratio levels that many, if not most, analysts use.

  • The blue band (60:1 to 65:1) reflects the long-term post-1971 average.
  • The green band (70:1 to 75:1) reflects the 10-year modern average.

When the ratio is above these bands, silver is typically undervalued relative to gold. This can signal three possible outcomes:

  • Silver rises while gold declines.
  • Both rise, but silver outpaces gold.
  • Both fall, but silver falls less.

The key question now: If silver is undervalued, does the technical setup support an actionable bullish resolution?

SLV Breaks Out: Key Support and Resistance Levels to Watch

In the daily chart below, SLV recently broke above key resistance at $31.75, exiting a wide trading range that stretched down to $26.25. The Quadrant Lines symmetrically divide the entire zone, providing more clarity to the trading volume and price behavior.

FIGURE 4. DAILY CHART OF SLV. Support levels are highlighted within the four quadrants dividing SLV’s 8-month trading range.

Here are a few key insights to consider:

  • The Stochastic Oscillator is reading “overbought,” suggesting that a pullback is likely in the coming sessions.
  • Buying pressure is stronger than at any point over the past year, according to the Chaikin Money Flow (CMF), suggesting that SLV, even in the case of a pullback, may have enough volume-driven momentum to drive prices higher.
  • The first quadrant, shaded green, marks the breakout level and top of the eight-month trading range.
  • The second quadrant, shaded yellow, marks the highest concentration of trading activity and various levels of support and resistance.
  • The third quadrant, shaded red, marks another level of support before the bottom of the range, which also marks the lowest support level over the last eight months.

If SLV pulls back but investor conviction remains strong, a bounce is likely within the first two quadrants, particularly the second (yellow) quadrant. However, if SLV drops below the second quadrant and enters the third (shaded red), it signals weakening sentiment and suggests the breakout has failed, pulling SLV back into the trading range that has dominated over the past eight months.

Will Silver Hit $40? Forecasts and Fundamental Tailwinds

Some analysts are expecting $SILVER to rise to around $40 an ounce. SLV’s price equivalence is around $37–$38 per share.

From a technical perspective, historical resistance levels are often target zones for those looking to take profit or unload positions. Here are the historical resistance levels to watch in SLV (pull up a 20-year chart of SLV to see these levels):

  • $36.44 – the February 2012 high
  • $42.78 – the August 2011 high
  • $48.35 – the April 2011 high

These are the levels reached since the last major silver boom in 2011. SLV may (or may not) reach these levels, but it’s important to see the proverbial “roof” before you hit it.

What This Means for SLV Traders Going Forward

With silver breaking out and momentum accelerating, SLV could be setting up for a sustained move. So watch the depth of the pullback, if it happens. You will want to see a bounce above $29 (the lower part of the second quadrant); movement below that is not favorable to the bulls. And, last but not least, remember things can change quickly as geopolitical developments and economic news unfold.

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The ideas and strategies should never be used without first assessing your own personal and financial situation, or without consulting a financial professional.

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Everyone Talks About Leaving a Better Planet for Our Children: Why Don’t We Leave Better Children for Our Planet?

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Most religions of the world have the fundamental beliefs that are strikingly similar to the Ten Commandments. History has taught humanity that life does not seem to work well without such guiding principles. As responsible parents, we should have a parallel foundation of ten life skills that we impart part to our children. Your list will vary from mine, of course, but these are the ten essential precepts which I imparted to my son.

  1. Learn the basic life skills such as hygiene, cooking, cleaning, etc.
  2. Develop and maintain positive relations with friends and family.
  3. Keep a positive ‘can-do’ attitude exuding confidence and good self-esteem.
  4. Have strong ethics and values centered around honesty, morality and empathy for others.
  5. Develop strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
  6. Develop strong problem solving skills, curiosity, education, and rational thinking.
  7. Set goals and maintain the motivation to overcome life’s inevitable challenges.
  8. Appreciate the spiritual side of life.
  9. Keep healthy habits pertaining to diet, exercise, and lifestyle.
  10. Understand the tenets of financial literacy relating to money, saving, budgeting, and spending.

Many parenting books have been written on each of these ten topics, but I’d like to highlight the last one – #10. I propose that financial literacy alone has 10 essential skills that we should cultivate in our children. Giving them the gift of a money-wise toolkit along with your time will go along way to ensure their long-term success. It will be the proud legacy you leave and how you’ll be remembered.

These are my Ten Financial Commandments to teach your offspring.

  1. Start early and encourage your kids to embrace investing as a hobby. It’s intellectually stimulating and they’ll meet great people.
  2. Invest consistently and regularly. Don’t try to time the market. As of yet, no one has successfully created that algorithm.
  3. Warren Buffet famously described the magic of compounding as “the eighth wonder of the world.” He likened it to a snowball rolling down a long hill, accumulating more snow as it rolls. Do the math; it’s true.
  4. Avoid debt and leverage. Buying a house or college loan aside, credit card debt and onerous fees can ruin you.
  5. Ignore fads and hot tips. You’ll be inevitably late, pay too much and experience the bursting of the bubble eventually.
  6. Day trading is not investing, and it’s important to understand the difference. If you are an adrenaline addict and absolutely must day trade, then allocate a small percentage of your portfolio to this activity and consider it your “funny money” that’s expendable. Trading is indeed part of successful investing, but overtrading is not.
  7. Pay attention to fees. One percent a year may not sound like much, but when you do the calculations and look at a 10-15 year timeframe, you’ll lose out big-time. Fees represent your money that doesn’t get reinvested or compounded for you over the span of those 15 years.
  8. Be careful which assets you marry. Some have long-term handcuffs, high fees, unattractive risk-to-reward ratios and low probabilities of making you wealthier. I’ve never forgotten this famous quote from John Bogle, who founded Vanguard: “Don’t look for the needle in the haystack; buy the haystack.” In other words, buying the S&P 500 Index (SPY) is a reasonable strategy.
  9. Investing is a marathon, not a sprint. Young people often think that if they lose big, they’ll have many years to recover. My point is, why lose at all? Asset protection should always be a paramount objective throughout one’s life. Start young.
  10. Be action-oriented. Start today. Don’t procrastinate. Don’t make excuses. Buy a good investment book. (I humbly suggest the one I wrote with my son.) Start a free trial at StockCharts.com. Do some paper trading. You might discover you are the second coming of Warren Buffett!

In a spirit of full disclosure, it’s important that I acknowledge the other half of the equation in writing about the ten basic life skills and financial commandments instilled in my son. He was also raised by a devoted and well-educated mother who has an MBA and understands the markets as well.

The bottom line: teach your children about money management. If you don’t, you are intentionally placing them instead into the hands of that merciless professor called “Experience”. The tutorial will be ruthless, and the lessons learned will be costly and late.

Trade well; trade with discipline!

Gatis Roze, MBA, CMT

StockMarketMastery.com

  • Author, “Tensile Trading: The 10 Essential Stages of Stock Market Mastery” (Wiley, 2016)
  • Developer of the “Stock Market Mastery” ChartPack for StockCharts members
  • Presenter of the best-selling “Tensile Trading” DVD seminar
  • Presenter of the “How to Master Your Asset Allocation Profile DVD” seminar

P.S. If you would like to be notified when I post a new Traders Journal blog, please submit your preference via the tile in the right column titled FOLLOW THIS BLOG.

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Big Rally Ahead Should Yield All-Time High on This Index

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All of our major indices continue to rally off the April 7th, cyclical bear market low. A couple, however, have broken out of key bullish continuation patterns that measure to all-time highs. I’ll focus on one in today’s article.

Russell 2000

The IWM is an ETF that tracks the small-cap Russell 2000 and it’s chart couldn’t be much more bullish right now. After setting an all-time high on November 25, 2024 at 243.71, the IWM fell into its own cyclical bear market, dropping to a low of 171.73 on April 7th. That represented a drop of 71.98 points, or 29.54%, well beyond the 20% cyclical bear market threshold. A bottoming reverse head & shoulders pattern formed and I’ve been awaiting for a breakout above neckline resistance at 211. We saw that on today’s open after nonfarm payrolls highlighted our somewhat resilient economy as jobs came in ahead of expectations and the unemployment rate held steady. Check out this chart on the IWM:

I’m not saying that we’ll see a straight up move to 249, and short-term direction could be impacted by how we finish today. A weak afternoon could lead to further short-term selling, possibly back to the rising 20-day EMA. But, ultimately, and during 2025, I’m looking for that all-time high. A strong finish this afternoon and close on or near the daily high would add more bullishness to this chart.

Leading Stocks in Leading Industry Groups

The small cap IWM is no different than any of our other major indices, like the S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100. When you see an index breakout, you need to look to the leading stocks in that area in order to outperform the benchmark index. We started our Leading Stocks ChartList (LSCL) two weeks ago and the results have been absolutely phenomenal so far, which I would expect them to be. After last week, we produced our 2nd weekly LSCL and the results have been awesome once again. There were 43 stocks included and 32 of the 43 have outperformed the S&P 500 this week. That’s similar results to our first weekly LSCL.

Individual stock leaders from our LSCL included the following big winners as of 1pm ET today:

  • PRCH: +16.89%
  • DOMO: +15.75%
  • LASR: +15.40%
  • HOOD: +15.10%
  • QBTS: +13.17%
  • TTMI: +11.62%
  • ZS: +10.76%

These are exceptional returns when you consider the benchmark S&P 500 gained just 1.38% this week.

I want to provide all of our followers a SPECIAL OFFER to join our FREE EB Digest newsletter. Subscribe HERE with only your name and email address (no credit card required), and we’ll provide you a link and password to download this unique Leading Stocks ChartList (LSCL) and check it out for yourself. You need to be an Extra or Pro member at StockCharts in order to download the ChartList into your account. Basic members and non-members can view the ChartList and check out the stocks we include for next week.

Happy trading!

Tom

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Your Weekly Stock Market Snapshot: What It Means for Your Investments

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This week, we got a smorgasbord of jobs data — JOLTS, ADP, weekly jobless claims, and the nonfarm payrolls (NFP). Friday’s NFP, the big one the market was waiting for, showed that 139,000 jobs were added in May, which was better than the expected 130,000. Unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%, and average hourly earnings rose 0.4% for the month.

The stock market rallied on the news. The S&P 500 rose above the 6000 level and closed slightly above it. That’s the first time the index has hit the 6K level since February. And the party wasn’t just in the S&P 500. All the major stock market indexes closed higher, and the Cboe Volatility Index ($VIX) closed below 17, suggesting investors are pretty complacent.

Sector Performance: Tech Takes the Lead

When you look at which sectors did best this week, it’s pretty clear that Technology was leading the charge. But is the leadership as strong as it was last year?

To answer, we can begin by taking a look at the MarketCarpet for S&P Sector ETFs below. It clearly illustrates the strength of the Technology sector.

FIGURE 1. WEEKLY PERFORMANCE OF THE S&P SECTOR ETFS. Technology is in the lead while Consumer Staples is the laggard.Image source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

Now, if you drill down, it’s evident from the MarketCarpet of the Technology Sector that heavily weighted large-cap stocks, across the many different categories within the sector, displayed strong performance for the week.

FIGURE 2. WEEKLY PERFORMANCE OF TECHNOLOGY SECTOR. Large-cap heavily weighted stocks were in the green this week.Image source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

Semis Grind Higher

Within tech, the semiconductors look especially strong, with several dark green squares in the MarketCarpet. This warrants a closer look at this industry group.

The weekly chart of the VanEck Vectors Semiconductors ETF (SMH) shows an upside move, with the ETF trading above its 40-week simple moving average. However, SMH is still underperforming the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is trending higher and is in better shape since the end of March, but needs to gain more momentum to push it into overbought territory.

FIGURE 3. WEEKLY CHART OF VANECK VECTORS SEMICONDUCTOR ETF (SMH). While the price action in SMH is leaning towards the bullish side, it’s underperforming the SPY and needs more momentum.Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

If SMH continues to move higher with strong momentum, it would be a positive indication for the equity markets. However, there are several moving parts that investors should monitor.

Closing Position

While stocks are inching higher on low volatility, news headlines disrupt trends, sometimes drastically.

The weakening U.S. dollar and rising Treasury yields can sometimes signal headwinds for the stock market. Next week is going to be all about inflation, and we’ll get the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) for May.

With the job numbers in the rearview mirror, investors will be focused on inflation, especially since the Fed meets the following week. As of now, the Fed isn’t expected to make any changes to interest rates until perhaps their September meeting. Let’s see if next week’s inflation data changes the picture.

Watch the price action unfold by monitoring the StockCharts MarketCarpets and the StockCharts Market Summary page.

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The ideas and strategies should never be used without first assessing your own personal and financial situation, or without consulting a financial professional.

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From Tariffs to Tech: Where Smart Money’s Moving Right Now

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Stay ahead of the market in under 30 minutes! In this video, Mary Ellen breaks down why the S&P 500 just broke out, which sectors are truly leading (industrials, technology & materials), and what next week’s inflation data could mean for your portfolio.

This video originally premiered June 6, 2025. You can watch it on our dedicated page for Mary Ellen’s videos.

New videos from Mary Ellen premiere weekly on Fridays. You can view all previously recorded episodes at this link.

If you’re looking for stocks to invest in, be sure to check out the MEM Edge Report! This report gives you detailed information on the top sectors, industries and stocks so you can make informed investment decisions.

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Investing

Hempalta Provides Strategic Update Regarding Equipment Sale and FCC Agreement

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Hempalta Corp. (TSXV: HEMP) (‘Hempalta’ or the ‘Company’), a Canadian-based provider of nature-based carbon credit solutions, today issued a corporate update outlining recent developments in its strategic transition.

Equipment Sale Update

On May 22, 2025, Hempalta announced its wholly owned subsidiary, Hempalta Processing Inc. (‘HPI’), had entered into a US$1.15 million agreement to sell its hemp processing and biochar equipment (the ‘Transaction’). Despite follow up discussions and repeated assurances, the purchase price has not been paid to HPI; accordingly, HPI has retained ownership of all equipment and associated intellectual property and has reinitiated the asset sale process. Interested parties may contact the Company for additional details.

FCC Forbearance Agreement

In connection with the termination of the Transaction, HPI, has entered into a forbearance agreement with Farm Credit Canada (‘FCC’) dated effective June 2, 2025. This agreement extends protection through June 30, 2025, providing HPI time to complete a revised monetization plan for its processing assets while maintaining transparency and compliance with its senior lender.

Carbon Credit Market Momentum Continues

The Company’s 2024 carbon credits now total 29,448 tonnes of CO₂ removal across 12,669 acres under the Hemp Carbon Standard. These credits are available for purchase via the Company’s Cloverly storefront (hempcarbonstandard.cloverly.app), and discussions with corporate buyers are ongoing.

CEO to Speak at Canadian Climate Investor Conference

Hempalta President and CEO Darren Bondar will be speaking at the 2025 Canadian Climate Investor Conference hosted by the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX and TSXV) on June 11, 2025, at the Arcadian Court in Toronto. Mr. Bondar will outline Hempalta’s strategic pivot to nature-based carbon credit markets and showcase the scalable growth opportunity through its Hemp Carbon Standard platform.

About Hempalta Corp.

Hempalta Corp. (TSXV: HEMP) is a Canadian clean-tech company focused on high-integrity carbon removal credits derived from industrial hemp. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Hemp Carbon Standard Inc., the Company supports regenerative agriculture, biochar deployment, and AI-powered MRV to deliver transparent, verifiable carbon credits aligned with global climate goals.

Learn more at www.hempalta.com or contact Investor Relations at invest@hempalta.com.

For more information, please contact:

Investor Relations
Hempalta Corp.
Email: info@hempalta.com
Website: www.hempalta.com		 Hempalta Corp.
Web: https://www.hempalta.com/
Email:info@hempalta.com

 

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains statements and information that, to the extent they are not historical fact, may constitute ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is typically, but not always, identified by the use of words such as ‘expects,’ ‘plans,’ ‘continues,’ ‘intends,’ ‘anticipates,’ ‘potential,’ ‘aims,’ ‘will,’ and similar expressions, including negatives thereof.

Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding: the Company’s ability to complete the sale of its hemp processing and biochar equipment; the resolution of the outstanding forbearance with Farm Credit Canada (FCC); negative cash flow from operations and the Company’s ability to operate as a going concern; the anticipated proceeds and timing of any asset sales; the scaling of the Hemp Carbon Standard platform; the sale of verified carbon credits; the development of new corporate offtake agreements; and the Company’s broader growth initiatives under Hempalta carbon credit platform.

Such forward-looking information is based on assumptions and expectations, including but not limited to: the Company’s ability to remarket and sell the equipment; continued support from major shareholders and new investors; demand for nature-based carbon removal credits; successful onboarding of additional farmers; favorable regulatory conditions; and Hempalta’s ability to execute its strategic plan and secure necessary financing on reasonable terms.

Although the Company believes the assumptions and expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them, as actual results may differ materially due to known and unknown risks. These risks include, but are not limited to: economic conditions and capital market volatility; failure to close the asset sale or private placement; changes in carbon credit market demand or pricing; regulatory changes; inability to retain key personnel; weather-related challenges impacting hemp cultivation; and those risks set forth in the Company’s public disclosure documents available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Forward-looking information in this news release is provided as of the date hereof, and the Company does not undertake to update such information except as required by applicable securities laws.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OR OVER U.S. NEWSWIRES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/254819

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Ford Government Pushes Bill 5 Through Legislature, Sparking First Nations Outcry

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In a move that has ignited a storm of opposition from Indigenous communities and environmental groups, Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government passed Bill 5 on Wednesday (June 4).

Formally titled the Protecting Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, the legislation grants the province unprecedented authority to override provincial and municipal laws in favor of economic development.

Specifically, Bill 5 allows the government to establish ‘special economic zones’ where environmental protections, labor regulations and other statutes can be suspended for projects led by ‘trusted proponents.’

Premier Doug Ford’s government argues that the bill is critical for expediting development in the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region and countering global economic threats, including US tariffs.

But the bill’s passage, by a vote of 71 to 44, has drawn fierce backlash from First Nations leaders who say they were not consulted, in violation of treaty rights enshrined in the Canadian constitution.

Speaking to reporters, Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents 49 First Nations in Northern Ontario, warned that protests and blockades — reminiscent of the Idle No More movement — are likely.

‘I think after today we need to look at every option that is at our disposal, including legal, political, economic, everything – including taking direct action,’ he said, adding, ‘Everything is on the table.’

Ford was not present in the legislature for the vote, drawing condemnation from Indigenous leaders and opposition politicians. He reportedly missed the vote due to an overrun in an online meeting with a US congressman.

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles stood alongside First Nations representatives to denounce the premier’s absence and vowed to continue resisting the legislation, which she predicted will end up in court.

Public gallery benches erupted during the vote with shouts of ‘Shame on you!’ and ‘Where’s the premier?’ Security escorted several individuals out, including one man who yelled, ‘Our land is not for sale!’

Opposition parties attempted to stall the bill with thousands of proposed amendments, but the Progressive Conservative majority pushed it through after using time allocation to cut short debate.

Legal experts warn that Bill 5 could significantly alter the legal and environmental landscape in Ontario. The legislation includes Henry VIII-style provisions — named after the 16th-century monarch notorious for consolidating executive power — which allow the provincial cabinet to override laws without legislative scrutiny.

Laura Bowman, a lawyer with Ecojustice, said, ‘This is not just undemocratic; it’s anti-democratic.’

Environmental advocates have also raised alarm about Bill 5’s implications for conservation. It rewrites Ontario’s endangered species law by giving the cabinet, not scientists, final authority on which species merit protection.

Additionally, it eases rules on preserving Indigenous archaeological sites.

The government has floated the possibility of Indigenous-led economic zones as part of the regulations it must still draft, but details remain scarce, and First Nations groups say the damage has already been done.

Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict, who previously met with Ford in a tense private session, said the discussions were necessary, but insufficient. “Our Chiefs have made it clear that they fully reject Bill 5, and the Chiefs of Ontario stand by and defend the position of the Chiefs,” Benedict maintained in a statement. “First Nations rights holders must be at the table, and the Government must fulfill its constitutional and treaty obligations.”

The Ring of Fire region, located in the James Bay lowlands, is at the center of the controversy.

While some First Nations near the area support road construction projects, others oppose the rush to mine in the region without thorough consultation and environmental safeguards. The Ford government has touted the area’s reserves of critical minerals — such as nickel and lithium — as essential for Ontario’s economic future.

While some industry stakeholders have cautiously welcomed provisions in Bill 5 that streamline mining approvals under a “one project, one process” regime, critics and civil liberties advocates say its rhetoric risks escalating tensions.

Among them is the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, which has condemned Bill 5 as a dangerous overreach that could hollow out legal safeguards without meaningful public oversight.

Legal scholars say the government’s interpretation of its duty to consult remains contested. While a 2018 Supreme Court ruling (Mikisew Cree) found that governments are not constitutionally required to consult Indigenous groups during the drafting of legislation, it emphasizes that such consultation is often politically and morally necessary.

Moreover, many Indigenous leaders say consultation is no longer enough. Invoking the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, they are calling for ‘free, prior and informed consent’ as the new standard.

In the coming weeks, the Ford government must draft the regulations that will define how Bill 5 is implemented. These rules, it insists, will be subject to consultation. But with Indigenous leaders threatening direct action and legal battles on the horizon, Ontario may be on the brink of a new phase in its fraught relationship with First Nations.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Crypto Market Recap: Strategy Eyes US$1 Billion Capital Raise, Uber Considers Stablecoin Usage

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Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Friday (June 6) as of 9:00 p.m. UTC.

Get the latest insights on Bitcoin, Ethereum and altcoins, along with a round-up of key cryptocurrency market news.

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$104,245 as markets closed for the week, up 2 percent in 24 hours. The day’s range for the cryptocurrency brought a low of US$104,006 and a high of US$105,201.

Bitcoin price performance, June 6, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

After dipping below US$101,000 during the dispute between US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, Bitcoin recovered to around US$105,000 early in the trading day, influenced by a strong US labor report.

Despite the rebound, analysts are wary due to technical indicators like a weakening relative strength index, suggesting potential downside. A possible rate cut from the US Federal Reserve on June 18 could push Bitcoin to US$112,000, but the outlook is uncertain. Order book data indicates a liquidity trap, and limited short interest points to a fragile recovery.

Additional selling pressure and investor distrust are contributing to shaky market sentiment.

Ethereum (ETH) finished the trading day at US$2,490.63, a 2 percent decrease over the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency reached an intraday low of US$2,482.52 and saw a daily high of US$2,519.25.

Altcoin price update

  • Solana (SOL) closed at US$149.26, trading flat over 24 hours. SOL experienced a low of US$148.86 and reached a high of US$151.79 on Friday.
  • XRP is trading at US$2.17, reflecting a 1.6 percent increase over 24 hours. The cryptocurrency reached a daily low of US$2.16 and a high of US$2.18.
  • Sui (SUI) peaked at US$3.18, showing an increaseof 5.7 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation on Friday was US$3.16, and its highest was US$3.19.
  • Cardano (ADA) is trading at US$0.663, up 2.8 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest price of the day was US$0.6604, and it reached a high of US$0.6693.

Today’s crypto news to know

Uber considers stablecoins for cost reduction

On stage at the San Francisco-based Bloomberg Tech Summit on Thursday (June 5), Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER) CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said the company is “definitely going to take a look” at using stablecoins to help reduce the cost of moving money around the world.

“We’re still in the study phase, I’d say, but stablecoin is one of the, for me, more interesting instantiations of crypto that has a practical benefit other than crypto as a store of value,” he said. “Obviously, you can have your opinions on Bitcoin, but it’s a proven commodity, and you know, people have different opinions on where it’s going,” he added.

UK set to lift ban on retail access to crypto ETNs

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced plans to lift its ban on retail investors buying crypto exchange-traded notes (ETNs), a major shift from its earlier risk-averse stance.

Initially barred due to concerns over volatility and investor protection, the FCA now says consumers should have the right to choose whether these high-risk assets fit their portfolios. David Geale, the FCA’s digital assets chief, said the move is part of a broader push to ‘rebalance’ the regulator’s approach to financial risk. The proposal, which would allow ETNs to be sold on FCA-registered investment exchanges, will now enter a public consultation phase.

This regulatory pivot follows the UK’s introduction of draft laws in April aimed at integrating crypto into the formal financial system. The FCA emphasized that its separate ban on crypto derivatives for retail traders will remain in place.

Switzerland adopts crypto information exchange bill

The government of Switzerland has adopted a bill to enable the automatic exchange of information (AEOI) on crypto with 74 partner countries, including the UK, all EU member states and most G20 countries.

The measure excludes the US, Saudi Arabia and China. The bill is currently under discussion in parliament and, if approved, the AEOI framework for crypto assets will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

Switzerland will only engage in AEOI with partner states that also desire information exchange with Switzerland.

Strategy to raise nearly US$1 billion to buy more Bitcoin

Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR), the company known for its aggressive Bitcoin acquisition strategy, is launching a nearly US$1 billion capital raise through its new 10 percent Series A STRD preferred stock. The offering includes over 11 million shares and promises a high fixed yield, making it attractive to yield-hungry investors in a low-rate environment.

Unlike other Strategy offerings like STRK (convertible) and STRF (senior status), STRD offers the highest payout at 10 percent, but comes with more risk due to its non-cumulative dividend and junior status. Dividends are only issued when declared, and the shares cannot be called under normal market conditions.

Proceeds will go toward “general corporate purposes,” which notably include expanding its Bitcoin holdings.

Metaplanet plans US$5.3 billion warrant offering to scale Bitcoin treasury

Tokyo-based Metaplanet (OTCQX:MTPLF,TSE:3350) is taking its Bitcoin commitment to the next level with a massive US$5.3 billion stock warrant issuance, the largest of its kind in Japan.

The company is offering 555 million shares through stock acquisition rights, using a novel moving-strike pricing model that adjusts with market value — a first in the Japanese market.

This 555 Million Plan follows an earlier US$600 million raise and is part of Metaplanet’s goal to hold over 210,000 BTC by 2027, approximately 1 percent of total Bitcoin supply.

The vast majority of the proceeds — around 96 percent — will go toward direct Bitcoin purchases, while a small fraction will support debt management and derivative strategies like selling puts.

Maple Finance expands syrupUSD to Solana

Lending platform Maple Finance announced on Thursday that it has expanded user access by deploying its syrupUSD yield-bearing stablecoin to Solana-based platforms Kamino and Orca.

Previously, it had only been available on the Ethereum blockchain.

According to the announcement, Solana integration is launching with US$30 million in liquidity, which will establish “a deep and stable foundation for lending, trading, and collateral provisioning.’

This new system was made possible by using Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP), which started operating on the Solana main network on May 19. CCIP lets different blockchain systems, specifically those using Ethereum Virtual Machine and Solana Virtual Machine technology, share information.

The ability to transfer data between these distinct blockchain environments is expected to significantly boost efficient and affordable growth within the digital ecosystem.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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