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Black Sabbath’s farewell show to deliver £20M economic boost to Birmingham

3 Mins Read

Birmingham’s iconic heavy metal band Black Sabbath is taking center stage for one last time, and it is set to make a splash in the city.

The group’s farewell performance, scheduled for Saturday, July 5, at Villa Park, is expected to inject up to £20 million into the city’s economy, according to the West Midlands Growth Company.

The highly anticipated sold-out concert, titled Back to the Beginning, marks frontman Ozzy Osbourne’s final appearance with the original Black Sabbath lineup.

Billed as “the greatest heavy metal show ever,” the event is drawing fans from across the UK and beyond to the band’s hometown.

Ozzy Osbourne, 76, said the venue and the occasion were deeply meaningful. “I couldn’t have done my final show anywhere else,” he said in a Q&A with Premier Comms. “I had to go back to the beginning.”

His wife, Sharon Osbourne, echoed the sentiment, noting, Birmingham means so much to Ozzy. “When it comes to heavy metal music, Black Sabbath forming and his love of Aston Villa – it all started here.”

Surge in tourism and hospitality

The Black Sabbath concert headlines a packed weekend of cultural and sporting events throughout the West Midlands, contributing to what officials are calling an “unrivalled” few days for the region.

Alongside the concert, other major events include Jeff Lynne’s ELO: The Over and Out tour at the Utilita Arena, the second men’s cricket test between England and India at Edgbaston, Coventry’s Godiva Festival, and the Colmore Food Festival in central Birmingham.

This convergence of events is expected to drive hotel occupancy in Birmingham to nearly 90%, a significant increase from 54% during the same weekend last year.

Forecasts also suggest that hotel occupancy will remain elevated through the first three weeks of July.

The West Midlands Growth Company noted that the £20 million projection primarily stems from visitor spending on accommodation, dining, transport, and entertainment.

With thousands of attendees descending on the city, local businesses are expected to benefit from the surge in foot traffic.

Civic and cultural impact

Local leaders are celebrating the moment as both a cultural milestone and an economic opportunity.

Councillor John Cotton, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said the city was poised for a showcase of its vibrancy and diversity.

“The eyes of the world will be on Birmingham for an extraordinary, unrivalled few days of music, sport and foodie events, delivering real-time economic benefits to our local businesses and communities,” he said.

“There is always such a special atmosphere in the city on major event days. We look forward to bringing people together and providing the backdrop for a vibrant celebration of Birmingham’s culture and heritage.”

For Birmingham, the farewell show is more than just a concert — it’s a celebration of the city’s musical legacy and a powerful demonstration of how cultural events can help drive economic growth and civic pride.

As Ozzy Osbourne put it, it’s a final thank you — and a return to where it all began.

The post Black Sabbath’s farewell show to deliver £20M economic boost to Birmingham appeared first on Invezz

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In World news

Stallion Uranium to Resume Trading on the TSX-V and Enters into Agreement to Sell Shares of 1503571 B.C. LTD.

7 Mins Read

 

Stallion Uranium Corp. (the ‘ Company ‘ or ‘ Stallion ‘ ) ( TSX-V: STUD ; OTCQB: STLNF ; FSE: FE0 ) is pleased to announce that, further to the Company’s news releases dated May 14 th 2025 and May 21 st 2025, the TSX Venture Exchange (‘ TSX-V ‘) has approved the resumption of trading of the Company’s common shares. Trading will recommence on the TSX-V effective at markets’ open on July 7 th 2025. The Company is also pleased to announce that, further to its news release of November 28 th 2024, it has entered into a binding heads of agreement (the ‘ Heads of Agreement ‘) dated June 7 th 2025 amongst 1503571 B.C Ltd. (‘ 150 BC ‘), the remaining common shareholders of 150 BC (the ‘ Shareholders ‘) and Resolution Minerals Ltd. (‘ RML ‘), an ASX Listed Issuer, pursuant to which RML shall acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of 150 BC.

 

The approval follows the revocation of the previously announced Cease Trade Order (‘ CTO ‘) issued by the British Columbia Securities Commission on May 7 th , 2025, as a result of the Company’s failure to file its audited annual financial statements, accompanying management discussion and analysis and certifications for the financial year ended December 31 st , 2024 (the ‘ Annual Filings ‘).

 

The CTO was issued under Multilateral Instrument 11-103 – Failure-To-File Cease Trade Orders In Multiple Jurisdictions and prohibits the trading or purchase by any person or company of any securities of the Company in each jurisdiction in Canada in which the Company is a reporting issuer for as long as the CTO remains in effect; however, the CTO provides an exception for beneficial securityholders of the Company who are not currently (and who were not as of May 7 th , 2025) insiders or control persons of the Company who may sell securities of the Company if both of the following criteria are met: (a) the sale is made through a foreign organized regulated market, as defined in Section 1.1 of the universal market integrity rules of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada; and (b) the sale is made through an investment dealer registered in a jurisdiction of Canada in accordance with applicable securities legislation.

 

Further, the Company announces that Winning Media LLC of Huston, Texas, provided marketing services through one ticker tag article via the Globe and Mail for a one-day term on February 28 th , 2024, in consideration of a payment of USD$3,500. The services are no longer in effect and were not reviewed nor approved by the TSX-V at the time the services were provided as required by the policies of the TSX-V.

 

With stronger internal controls now in place, Stallion remains focused on unlocking the significant potential of its exploration portfolio in the prolific Athabasca Basin, recognized globally for its high-grade uranium deposits. The Company looks forward to providing further updates on its upcoming exploration activities in the near future.

 

  Agreement to Sell Shares of 1503571 B.C. LTD.:  

 

Pursuant to the Heads of Agreement, Stallion, along with the Shareholders have agreed to sell their common shares of 150 BC (the ‘ 150 BC Shares ‘) to RML (the ‘ Transaction ‘). Stallion acquired its 11,111,111 150 BC Shares in connection with the optioning of the Horse Heaven Property, as described in its news release dated November 8 th , 2024.

 

In connection with the Transaction, RML shall make the following payments to the Shareholders, on a pro rata basis in proportion to their shareholdings in 150 BC: (i) an aggregate of 444,812,889 fully paid ordinary shares in the capital of RML (‘ Consideration Shares ‘); (ii) an aggregate of 222,406,445 options to acquire fully paid ordinary shares in the capital of RML exercisable at A$0.018 each on or before July 31 st 2028 (‘ Consideration Options ‘); (iii) pay the Shareholders an initial aggregate cash payment of A$600,000 on completion of the Transaction (‘ Completion ‘); and (ii) a second aggregate cash payment of A$400,000 payable within nine months of Completion.

 

Stallion’s pro rata interest in such consideration is anticipated to be: 59,466,963 Consideration Shares, 29,733,482 Consideration Options, and aggregate cash payments of A$145,033. The Consideration Shares shall be subject to contractual escrow whereby 25% shall be released on Completion, 25% on the three-month anniversary from Completion, 25% on the six-month anniversary from Completion, and the final 25% on the 12-month anniversary from Completion.

 

The Transaction is subject to due diligence, RML shareholder approval, regulatory approvals, and other customary conditions to closing. There can be no guarantee that the Transaction will be completed as anticipated, or at all. RML and the Shareholders are arm’s length parties to Stallion.

 

  About Stallion Uranium Corp.  

 

 Stallion Uranium is working to ‘Fuel the Future with Uranium’ through the exploration of roughly 1,700 sq/km in the Athabasca Basin, home to the largest high-grade uranium deposits in the world. The company, with JV partner Atha Energy holds the largest contiguous project in the Western Athabasca Basin adjacent to multiple high-grade discovery zones and deposits.

 

Our leadership and advisory teams are comprised of uranium and precious metals exploration experts with the capital markets experience and the technical talent for acquiring and exploring early-stage properties. For more information visit stallionuranium.com .

 

  On Behalf of the Board of Stallion Uranium Corp.  

 

Matthew Schwab
CEO and Director

 

  Corporate Office:  
700 – 838 West Hastings Street,
Vancouver, British Columbia,
V6C 0A6

 

T: 604-551-2360
info@stallionuranium.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 release.  

 

  This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, ‘forward-looking statements’) that relate to the Company’s current expectations and views of future events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as ‘will likely result’, ‘are expected to’, ‘expects’, ‘will continue’, ‘is anticipated’, ‘anticipates’, ‘believes’, ‘estimated’, ‘intends’, ‘plans’, ‘forecast’, ‘projection’, ‘strategy’, ‘objective’ and ‘outlook’) are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this material change report should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date they are made.  

 

  Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement .

 

   

 

 

News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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In Politics

This July 4th, a family waits: American hostage’s father pleads for son’s freedom from Hamas terrorists

5 Mins Read

The first time I remember celebrating the Fourth of July was during the American bicentennial in 1976. As children living in New York City, my parents woke my sisters and I up early to see the Parade of Tall Ships as it entered the Hudson River. Even as a kid, this magnificent display conveyed to me a sense of the grand power of the U.S. The extraordinary event also offered me another feeling: that America, my home country, would do anything and everything in its power to keep me, my family, and indeed, all of its citizens, safe.

This Fourth of July, Americans will find themselves in two very different realities. Most will be surrounded by family and friends, enjoying baseball, hot dogs and ice cream cones. But for my American family, as well as dozens of other families of hostages, this day will be a stark contrast. On this day that celebrates freedom, my son Itay will spend the Fourth of July like he has the last 637 days – likely alone, in the cold, dark tunnels of Hamas in Gaza. He and 49 other hostages remain stripped of their freedom, while their families are in limbo, not able to embrace the holiday of independence. We need to remember, especially on this day, that Hamas is still holding Americans hostage, and 50 hostages in total.

On this day, we must look past the haze of fireworks and remember that the Fourth of July is about something more. It’s about celebrating our hard-fought, long-defended freedom and knowing that an attack on the freedom of any American – and taking them hostage – is an attack on the freedom of us all. Taking U.S. citizens as hostages should be a liability, not an asset, with severe consequences attached. So long as Hamas holds U.S. citizens, we are letting evil and terrorism win.

My son was 19 when he was taken hostage. On this Independence Day, he can no longer watch the Mets games with his brothers, something he loved and cherished. He can no longer try to strike me out in the neighborhood pickup game, or check in every five minutes at the grill asking when the food will be ready. On this Independence Day, his lack of freedom rings loudly.

This Fourth of July, my family and I will wake up again to the same nightmare we do every day, where every moment begs the same agonizing question: Where is my son, and what can we do to get him back?

Right now, all of our energy is focused on one thing. As every parent knows, when your child disappears from your sight – even for a few moments at a playground or store – panic sets in instantly. But when your child is kidnapped, especially by terrorists, the only thing you can think about is getting them back, whatever their condition. Until we can embrace Itay again, we cannot even begin to process what lies ahead or plan for the future. It’s impossible to move forward when this remains an open wound.

After the historic wins over Iran, Hezbollah, and yes, Hamas, now is the time for us to pause and adopt President Donald Trump’s policy of ‘Peace Through Strength.’ It is time for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to collaborate with the U.S. and bring the hostages back. The U.S. was successful last month in bringing New Jersey native Edan Alexander back home, independent of Israel, but it needs Israel to bring the remaining others out.

No fan of half-measures, President Trump is in a prime position to pull off the ‘Big Beautiful Deal,’ a comprehensive diplomatic initiative which would end hostilities in both Iran and Gaza, secure the release of all 50 remaining hostages in Gaza – including my son – and help stabilize the entire Middle East through a carefully negotiated framework.

President Trump is uniquely positioned to drive such an initiative forward. During his previous presidency, he successfully brokered the Abraham Accords, achieving what many had previously considered near impossible normalization between Israel and several Arab nations. The Big Beautiful Deal would be a direct extension of this diplomatic milestone, offering a more comprehensive and regional approach to peacemaking. The president’s unorthodox style has demonstrated that breakthroughs are possible even in the most entrenched conflicts.

America defined the values of freedom and human dignity that we celebrate on the Fourth of July. They didn’t come easily – we had to fight for them, good versus evil – and our continued defense of democracy is an essential part of the American identity.

In the last few months, my family has met Vice President JD Vance, FBI Director Kash Patel, Attorney General Pam Bondi and others who promise us that President Trump’s policy of ‘America First’ is not hollow words and ‘America First’ prioritizes the release of American hostages and those unlawfully detained all around the world, including Gaza. 

To date, the Trump administration has been able to release 47 such Americans, and we pray Itay will be one of them as well soon. This Fourth of July, keep in mind that there was an attack on our freedom on Oct. 7, and fellow Americans remain in captivity. I call on President Trump: Do everything in your power to quash terrorism, and ensure that freedom wins the day with the release of the hostages.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

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In Stocks

Europe markets open: equities decline; China sets up to 34.9% tariff on EU drandy

3 Mins Read

European stock markets started Friday’s trading session in the red across the board, with the regional Stoxx 600 index declining as investors reacted to news of China imposing high duties on European Union brandy.

This development, coupled with ongoing uncertainty surrounding US tariff deadlines, has cast a shadow over markets, with French luxury and drinks companies taking an early hit.

A red start to Friday: China’s brandy duties spook markets

At the open, the pan-European Stoxx 600 index was down 0.4%.

The negative sentiment was widespread, with the UK’s FTSE 100 down 0.32%, Germany’s DAX down 0.29%, and France’s CAC 40 leading the losses with a decline of 0.72%.

This downturn follows a higher close on Thursday, when global equities were initially boosted by a much stronger-than-expected US jobs report.

The primary catalyst for Friday’s weakness is a final ruling from China’s commerce ministry on its investigation into European Union brandy.

According to a ministry release (via Google translation), the investigation concluded that the bloc has engaged in the dumping of the spirit.

Reuters reported that a tariff rate on EU brandy will now be set at up to 34.9% for a period of five years, starting from July 5.

This news had an immediate impact on French drinks sellers.

Shares of Pernod Ricard were down 3.3%, Remy Cointreau fell 4.5%, and luxury conglomerate LVMH, which also has a significant spirits business, saw its stock drop 2.1%.

The tariff clock is ticking: US deadlines and trade talk jitters

Adding to the cautious mood, investors are acutely aware that US President Donald Trump’s July 9 deadline for tariff negotiations is fast approaching.

This deadline could see duties on key trading partners, including the European Union, spike unless a comprehensive trade deal is reached.

President Trump has stated that the US will begin sending letters to countries setting out their specific tariff rates on exports to the US, with 10 to 12 nations expected to receive theirs today.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Bloomberg that he expects around 100 countries will face a 10% levy, which serves as the baseline for the so-called ‘reciprocal’ tariffs.

The EU, meanwhile, has said it is closing in on a “framework” trade deal with the US, but has also acknowledged that a full agreement will be impossible to reach by the July 9 deadline, leaving the final outcome uncertain.

While Wall Street is officially on a break for the 4th of July holiday today, investors will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on their phones for any updates on these trade developments, as well as the fallout from President Trump’s flagship megabill, which recently passed in Congress and promises a host of changes to taxes, social spending, and energy policy.

Corporate moves: Air France-KLM to take majority control of SAS

In the corporate arena, airline group Air France-KLM announced that it is initiating proceedings to acquire a majority stake in the Scandinavian airline SAS.

The move will see Air France-KLM increase its holdings in the company to 60.5%, up from its current position of just under 20%.

The airline group hopes to close the deal in the second half of next year.

The move is seen as a stabilizing force for the Scandinavian carrier.

“The move brings not just stability but will also allow for deeper industrial integration,” SAS CEO Anko van der Werff said in a statement, signaling a new chapter for the airline under majority ownership by the Franco-Dutch group.

The post Europe markets open: equities decline; China sets up to 34.9% tariff on EU drandy appeared first on Invezz

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In Business

Tariffs and weaker beer demand are weighing on Modelo owner Constellation Brands

3 Mins Read

Constellation Brands on Tuesday reported quarterly earnings and revenue that missed analysts’ estimates as beer demand slid and tariffs on aluminum weighed on its profitability.

Still, the brewer reiterated its forecast for fiscal 2026, showing confidence that it can hit its financial targets despite the weaker-than-expected quarterly performance and higher duties.

Shares of the company fell less than 1% in extended trading on Tuesday evening but rose 3% during morning trading on Wednesday after the company’s conference call.

The stock has shed more than 20% of its value this year, fueled by concerns about how the higher duties imposed by President Donald Trump would affect demand for its beer.

Here’s what the company reported compared with what Wall Street was expecting, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG:

The report, which covers the three months ended May 31, includes the start of Trump’s tariffs on canned beer imports in early April. He also hiked trade duties on aluminum to 25% in mid-March and to 50% in early June.

Both imported beer and aluminum are crucial to Constellation’s beer business, which accounts for roughly 80% of the company’s overall revenue. Constellation’s beer portfolio only includes Mexican imports, like Corona, Pacifico and Modelo Especial, which overtook Bud Light as the top-selling beer brand in the U.S. two years ago.

Constellation reported fiscal first-quarter net income of $516.1 million, or $2.90 per share, down from $877 million, or $4.78 per share, a year earlier. Constellation’s operating margin fell 150 basis points, or 1.5%, in the quarter, in part driven by higher aluminum costs.

Excluding items, the brewer earned $3.22 per share.

Net sales dropped 5.8% to $2.52 billion, fueled by weaker demand for its beer and the company’s divestiture of Svedka vodka.

Constellation is still facing softer consumer demand, CEO Bill Newlands said in a statement. He attributed the weaker sales to “non-structural socioeconomic factors.” Constellation’s beer business saw shipment volumes fall 3.3%, caused by weaker consumer demand.

Last quarter, Newlands said Hispanic consumers were buying less of the company’s beer because of fears over Trump’s immigration policy. Roughly half of Constellation’s beer sales come from Hispanic consumers, according to the company.

But on Wednesday, Newlands demurred when asked about Hispanic consumer sentiment, saying that all shoppers are concerned about higher prices.

“When you see a fair amount of change, both Hispanic and non-Hispanic consumers are concerned about inflation and about cost structure,” Newlands said.

He added that consumers aren’t going out to eat as much and hosting fewer social occasions, which means they are drinking less beer. Still, he maintained that consumer interest in drinking beer hasn’t waned; while shoppers’ overall spending on beer has fallen, their relative spend on beer compared with their total grocery bill has held steady.

For fiscal 2026, Constellation continues to expect comparable earnings per share of $12.60 to $12.90. The company is projecting that organic net sales will range from declining 2% to rising 1%.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

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In Politics

Trump administration swarms SCOTUS with emergency requests and sees surprising success

2 Mins Read

The Supreme Court ended its term last week, but the justices aren’t done yet, partly due to a legal blitz President Donald Trump has strategically deployed in his second term, one that’s proven surprisingly effective in advancing his sweeping agenda.

Lawyers for the Trump administration filed their 20th emergency application to the Supreme Court Thursday in just a 23-week period. 

The dizzying pace of applications comes as the administration looks to advance some of Trump’s sweeping policy actions. And, in many cases, the court’s 6-3 majority has given the administration the green light to proceed. 

The high court has ruled in Trump’s favor in the majority of emergency applications, allowing the administration to proceed with its ban on transgender service members in the military, its termination of millions of dollars in Education Department grants and its firing of probationary employees across the federal government, among many other actions.

Like most emergency orders, the rulings are often unsigned, giving little indication what the justices might be thinking.

Emergency applications — and the Supreme Court’s responses — aren’t meant to offer lasting relief. But Trump has found success using a ‘move fast and break things’ strategy to push key requests through the court’s so-called ‘shadow’ docket.

For context, Trump has filed more emergency applications in five months than his predecessors did in years. Former President Joe Biden submitted just 19 over his entire term, while presidents Obama and George W. Bush filed only eight combined during their time in office.

In the interim, the strategy has allowed him to enforce many of the sweeping executive orders he signed upon taking office. These orders were met with hundreds of lawsuits across the country and blocked by many lower courts, prompting the administration to appeal them, again and again, through the federal judiciary. 

For now, those near-term wins have energized Trump allies, allowing them to press forward with a blitz of executive actions and claim ‘victory,’ however temporary. The approach allows Trump to advance major policy priorities without relying on a slow-moving Congress.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

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In Stocks

Asian markets open: Vietnam index at 3-year high on US deal; Sensex to open up

3 Mins Read

Asian stock markets presented a mixed picture at Thursday’s open, with Vietnamese equities surging to a more than three-year high as investors reacted to news of a new trade agreement with the United States, announced by President Donald Trump.

While this development fueled optimism in some corners, other regional markets, including Japan, edged lower, as investors continued to assess the broader global trade landscape and awaited a key US jobs report.

The standout performer in early Asian trading was Vietnam. The benchmark Vietnam Index rose 0.3% to its highest level since April 2022, according to data from LSEG.

This rally came after President Donald Trump, via his Truth Social platform, announced a new trade agreement with the Southeast Asian nation.

According to Trump, the US is imposing a 20% tariff on goods imported from Vietnam, while the latter will impose a “ZERO Tariff.” This announcement comes as the deadline for President Trump’s 90-day global tariff reprieve draws closer.

However, the Vietnamese currency, the dong, weakened to a record low of 26,195 per dollar following the news of the trade deal, as shown by LSEG data.

While Vietnam striking a trade deal with the US contributed to a rally in US equities, the optimism may not be universally shared across Asian markets and economies, according to some analysts.

Vishnu Varathan, Mizuho Securities’ head of macro research for Asia ex-Japan, suggested a more cautious interpretation, according to CNBC.

“For one, the deal with Vietnam is a stark reminder of the imbalance in leverage, to the disadvantage of Asian exporters,” he wrote in a Thursday note.

However, Varathan also added that the depreciation of the Vietnamese dong could potentially provide a buffer against the impact of the 20% US tariffs.

Elsewhere in Asia, market performance was varied. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 slipped 0.15%, and the broader Topix index lost 0.21%.

In contrast, South Korea’s Kospi added 0.77%, and the small-cap Kosdaq rose 0.5%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 also gained, adding 0.13%.

In Greater China, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index slipped 0.64%, while mainland China’s CSI 300 managed to add 0.14%.

Indian markets poised for modest gains

Indian benchmark indices, the Sensex and Nifty, are likely to see a modest increase at the open on Thursday, influenced by the pockets of gains seen in other Asian markets following the US-Vietnam trade agreement.

This optimism is also supported by investors keeping a close watch on the progress of a potential trade agreement between the US and India.

Gift Nifty futures were trading at 25,584 points at 8:18 A.M. IST, suggesting a slight increase from the previous close of 25,574.50 and pointing to a potentially positive start for the domestic bourses.

US market backdrop: records set, jobs data awaited

US stock futures were little changed in early Asian hours as traders braced for the release of June’s major jobs report.

S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq 100 futures were fractionally higher, while futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose a slight 21 points, or less than 0.1%.

Overnight in the US, the three major averages had closed mixed, but with notable record-setting performances. The S&P 500 scored a fresh all-time intraday high and closed at another record.

The Nasdaq Composite also advanced 0.94% to post a record close of 20,393.13.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average, however, slipped a marginal 10.52 points, or 0.02%, to end at 44,484.42.

The post Asian markets open: Vietnam index at 3-year high on US deal; Sensex to open up appeared first on Invezz

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In World news

Crypto Market Recap: Coinbase Acquires Liquifi, Tether to Have its Day in Court

6 Mins Read

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Wednesday (July 2) 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) is priced at US$109,452, up by four percent in the last 24 hours, and its highest valuation of the day. The day’s range for the cryptocurrency brought a low of US$107,542.

Bitcoin price performance, July 2, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

Bitcoin’s price gain was driven by a calming in Middle East tensions and growing optimism after the US Federal Reserve signaled a dovish tilt; both factors boosted investor risk appetite. Additionally, continued inflows into US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and favorable regulation expectations helped sustain upward momentum.

Ethereum (ETH) is priced at US$2,584.30, up by 7.5 percent over the past 24 hours and its highest valuation of the day. Its lowest valuation on Wednesday was US$2,446.41.

Altcoin price update

  • Solana (SOL) was priced at US$152.55, up by five percent over 24 hours. Its highest valuation as of Wednesday was US$153.39, and its lowest was US$148.29.
  • XRP was trading for US$2.18, up by 4.9 percent in 24 hours. The cryptocurrency’s lowest valuation was US$2.15 and its highest was US$2.27.
  • Sui (SUI) is trading at US$2.92, showing an increaseof 9.3 percent over the past 24 hours and its highest valuation on Wednesday. Its lowest valuation was US$2.76.
  • Cardano (ADA) is priced at US$0.5932, up by 10.6 percent in the last 24 hours, and its highest valuation of the day. Its lowest valuation as of Wednesday was US$0.5605.

Today’s crypto news to know

Judge permits billion-dollar lawsuit against Tether

A US bankruptcy judge is allowing a US$40 billion lawsuit against stablecoin issuer Tether to proceed, according to court documents filed in New York on Monday (June 30). The lawsuit was launched by crypto lender Celsius, which accused Tether of improperly liquidating nearly 40,000 Bitcoin from its platform in June 2022.

Tether attempted to dismiss claims, arguing that the liquidation was to cover Celsius’s US$812 million debt when Bitcoin prices plummeted. Tether also claimed that US courts lacked authority over Tether’s non-US operations, a claim the judge disagreed with, and maintains that Celsius had directed the liquidation.

Coinbase buys Liquifi in undisclosed deal

Coinbase has acquired Liquifi, a startup that builds token management platforms for crypto projects, continuing its busy M&A streak in 2025. Liquifi, backed in its 2022 seed round by Dragonfly and investors like Balaji Srinivasan, helps projects track token vesting, manage crypto cap tables, and handle tax requirements. Coinbase declined to disclose the purchase price, but said Liquifi will help streamline token launches and distribution. This puts Coinbase closer to an “end-to-end” model, similar to Binance’s launchpad, which supports crypto creation from early stages.

Liquifi has been locked in a legal fight with competitor Toku over alleged business document theft, claims which it denies, and Coinbase said it will stand by Liquifi’s defense.

The deal follows other Coinbase acquisitions this year, including Spindl, Iron Fish’s team and the company’s record-breaking US$2.9 billion Deribit buy.

SEC considers streamlining ETF listings

The US Securities and Exchange Commission is reportedly considering a change to its listing structure that would allow ETF issuers to submit a Form S-1, the initial listing registration filing, without having to first file a Form 19b-4.

This is according to crypto journalist Eleanor Terrett, who added that she was told issuers would only need to wait 75 days before listing their tokens if they met the criteria for a general listing standard, the details of which are still unknown but could involve criteria like market capitalization, liquidity and trading volume.

Tech billionaires launch crypto-focused bank Erebor

A group of prominent tech investors, including Anduril’s Palmer Luckey, Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund and Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, are backing a new US-based crypto bank called Erebor, as per the Financial Times.

Erebor has applied for a national banking charter and plans to serve technology-driven sectors like artificial intelligence, defense and crypto, as well as individuals working in these fields.

The digital-only bank will be headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, with an additional office in New York.

Erebor intends to hold stablecoins on its balance sheet, offering a stable value backed by reserves. The bank is led by Owen Rapaport and Jacob Hirshman, a former Circle adviser.

Erebor’s mission is to address the gap left by the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, which had been a critical channel for startups and venture investors until its 2023 failure.

AllUnity to launch Euro stablecoin

Germany’s financial watchdog, BaFin, has granted regulatory approval to Deutsche Bank and its asset management arm, DWS, for their joint venture, AllUnity. They will launch a euro stablecoin called EURAU, pegged 1:1 to the euro.

The approval allows AllUnity to launch its stablecoin in compliance with new MiCA regulations. The stablecoin aims to facilitate secure, transparent and compliant digital payments for institutions and businesses across Europe.

In other news out of Europe, the European Central Bank said it plans to test a new system using blockchain technology by late 2026 to settle payments in euros. This initiative, called Pontes, is part of a two-track approach that will connect modern blockchain platforms with the eurozone’s existing payment systems.

China considers stablecoins to reinforce cross-border payment strategy

Policy advisors in China are pressing Beijing to explore stablecoins for cross-border payments, even as the country’s broad crypto ban remains in place, Bloomberg reported.

People’s Bank of China (PBOC) Governor Pan Gongsheng noted that stablecoins could make international finance more resilient to geopolitical disruptions, a view echoed by other senior officials.

Former PBOC governor Zhou Xiaochuan suggested dollar-linked stablecoins might even accelerate dollarization, while others see a case for yuan-backed coins to support China’s long-term currency goals.

The momentum comes after the US Senate passed a stablecoin bill in June, advancing President Donald Trump’s digital currency agenda. Stablecoin supply is projected to reach US$3.7 trillion by 2030, driven by cheaper, faster settlement options compared to traditional banking.

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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In Business

As his feud with Trump reignites, Musk’s business with the government is back in the crosshairs

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Elon Musk and President Donald Trump are fighting again. Now Musk’s business interests — and the billions in government contracts they enjoy — are once again in the crosshairs.

Investors were already punishing Tesla on Tuesday, sending shares in the electric carmaker more than 4% lower in afternoon trading. The stock has experienced a late-spring rally alongside the broader market but remains down some 20% so far this year. The shares have been pummeled by a global backlash to Musk’s alliance with Trump on the campaign trail and in the White House, where the multibillionaire led a sweeping program of government cuts

Musk acknowledged there had been “some blowback” to the actions taken by his Department of Government Efficiency project that may have affected Tesla sales. Yet investors remain largely bullish on the company and its efforts to pivot away from mass-market EVs and toward self-driving taxis and robotics, pushing its market valuation back toward $1 trillion.

Tesla remains Musk’s best-known business, but its fortunes are less directly tied to the government than SpaceX, his rocket-building company. SpaceX’s $350 billion valuation largely rests on the many government contracts that fuel it. SpaceX’s work for NASA has ramped up in recent years in support of the Artemis mission to return to the moon.

Meanwhile, SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft is currently the only active vessel capable of carrying astronauts to and from the International Space Station. SpaceX has also become essential to the Department of Defense’s missions taking satellites into orbit and today is responsible for the majority of such missions, according to Ars Technica.

SpaceX is privately held, meaning its shares don’t trade on the open market. It is thus difficult to get a real-time gauge on how worsening relations could affect the company’s fortunes. But the impact could be substantial. Since fiscal year 2000, total revenue for SpaceX and Tesla from federal unclassified contracts sits at $22.5 billion, according to Bloomberg Government data — with most of those going to the former. The Washington Post has put the figure for SpaceX alone at close to $38 billion, with $6.3 billion alone coming in 2024 — the highest annual total to date.

The dispute with Trump has also taken a chunk out of Musk’s personal net worth. After soaring to an all-time high of nearly half a trillion dollars after Trump’s election win, Musk’s publicly available wealth tally now sits at $400 billion, though that still makes him the world’s wealthiest individual by nearly $150 billion ahead of Oracle founder Larry Ellison, another Trump ally.

The Musk-Trump tiff first exploded into public view last month, shortly after Musk formally stepped down from his special government employee role and criticized the massive spending and tax cut bill that Republican senators passed Tuesday. Trump responded at the time by threatening to “terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts.”

Musk, in turn, said he would begin “decommissioning” the Dragon, only to reverse course hours later after an X user advised him and Trump to “cool off and take a step back for a couple of days.”

Before their initial flare-up subsided, Musk announced he would be reining in his political spending weeks after a candidate he had backed lost a key Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Some analysts believe the current relapse in tensions between the two men will be short-lived given Musk’s reliance on the government, and vice-versa.

Still, Musk is now discussing launching his own political party to address the U.S.’s fiscal imbalances, which he believes Trump’s bill will exacerbate — a contention supported by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. While the South Africa-born executive is ineligible to run for office, any candidate he backed for national office would likely face immediate conflict-of-interest questions.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

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