Breaking
Invest Guide HQ
Author

admin

Browsing
Investing

Charbone Hydrogene a execute un financement de 50 millions USD pour accelerer son expansion en hydrogene en Amerique du Nord, facilite par US Capital Global

Investing 6 Mins Read

(TheNewswire)

Un groupe financier privé mondial dont le siège social est à San Francisco conseille sur la facilité de construction pour soutenir l’expansion des usines modulaires d’hydrogène vert de Charbone en Amérique du Nord.

Brossard (Québec) TheNewswire – le 4 juin 2025 – CORPORATION CHARBONE HYDROGÈNE (TSXV: CH OTCQB: CHHYF, FSE: K47 ) (« Charbone » ou la « Société »), une rare compagnie cotée en bourse spécialisée dans la production et la distribution d’hydrogène vert en Amérique du Nord, est heureuse d’annoncer plus de détails sur la signature, annoncée le 1 er mai 2025, d’un financement de projets d’un montant maximal de 50 millions de dollars américains, accordé par un fonds privé géré par True Green Capital Management LLC (« TGC »). US Capital Global Securities LLC, la division de courtage enregistrée auprès de la SEC du groupe financier privé mondial US Capital Global, a agi en tant que conseiller principal et facilitateur.

Basée à Montréal, Charbone développe des usines de production modulaires ciblant l’hydrogène d’une pureté de 99,999 % (grade 5.0 et supérieur), avec toute la production pré-vendue via des contrats de ventes à des clients de premier niveau.

‘ Nous sommes fiers d’avoir servi de conseiller principal à la fois à Charbone et à TGC sur cette transaction , a dit Charles Towle, Chef de la direction à US Capital Global Securities. ‘ Charbone connaît une forte dynamique, face à la demande croissante de solutions d’hydrogène propre pour décarboner les utilisateurs industriels grâce à ses principaux sites en développement en Amérique du Nord. Nous sommes impatients de soutenir la croissance continue de l’entreprise. La transaction a été menée par Lisa Terk, vice-présidente principale et banquière de premier plan spécialisée dans les technologies propres et les énergies renouvelables à notre siège mondial . ‘

‘ Ce financement marque une étape importante dans l’exécution de notre stratégie de croissance à long terme , a dit Benoit Veilleux, Chef de la direction financière de Charbone. ‘ Nous sommes reconnaissants à US Capital Global pour son soutien constant et son expertise tout au long de ce processus, depuis la structuration et de l’engagement des investisseurs jusqu’à la réussite de la documentation juridique . ‘

Hervé Touati, Directeur Général à TGC, a ajouté : ‘ Nous sommes heureux de financer Charbone et nous réjouissons de collaborer à cette initiative conjointe en matière d’énergie propre et renouvelable. Nous apprécions la diligence et la perspicacité de US Capital Global qui ont permis à cette opportunité d’aboutir . ‘

À propos de Charbone Hydrogène Corporation

Charbone est une entreprise intégrée d’hydrogène vert disposant de capacités stratégiques de distribution de gaz industriels en Amérique du Nord. Tout en poursuivant le développement de son réseau modulaire de production d’hydrogène vert, Charbone s’appuie également sur des partenariats commerciaux pour fournir de l’hydrogène, de l’hélium et d’autres gaz industriels sans les exigences en capital élevées des usines de production. Cette approche améliore les sources de revenus, réduit les risques opérationnels et accroît la flexibilité sur le marché. Charbone reste la seule société purement axée sur l’hydrogène vert cotée en bourse en Amérique du Nord, avec des actions cotées à la Bourse de croissance TSX (TSXV: CH); sur les marchés OTC (OTCQB: CHHYF); et à la Bourse de Francfort (FSE: K47). Pour plus d’informations, visiter www.charbone.com .

À propos de True Green Capital

True Green Capital Management LLC (« TGC ») est un gestionnaire de fonds spécialisé dans les infrastructures d’énergies renouvelables, spécialisé dans la production d’électricité décentralisée aux États-Unis et en Europe. Depuis 2011, TGC finance et gère des actifs d’énergie propre générant des rendements stables et faiblement corrélés. Basé à Westport, dans le Connecticut, TGC dispose également d’un bureau à Londres. Pour en savoir plus, rendez-vous sur www.truegreencapital.com .

À propos de US Capital Global

Fondée en 1998, US Capital Global propose une gamme de solutions financières avancées, comprenant des produits de dette, de capitaux propres et d’investissement personnalisés pour les entreprises et les investisseurs du marché intermédiaire. La société supervise des fonds d’investissement directs et propose des services complets de gestion de patrimoine et de banque d’investissement, incluant des stratégies de fusions-acquisitions et une expertise en levée de capitaux. Parmi les entités notables du consortium figurent US Capital Global Investment Management LLC, US Capital Global Wealth Management LLC et US Capital Global Securities LLC, courtier-négociant enregistré auprès de la SEC et membre de la FINRA. Pour en savoir plus, visiter www.uscapital.com .

Énoncés prospectifs

Le présent communiqué de presse contient des énoncés qui constituent de « l’information prospective » au sens des lois canadiennes sur les valeurs mobilières (« déclarations prospectives »). Ces déclarations prospectives sont souvent identifiées par des mots tels que « a l’intention », « anticipe », « s’attend à », « croit », « planifie », « probable », ou des mots similaires. Les déclarations prospectives reflètent les attentes, estimations ou projections respectives de la direction de Charbone concernant les résultats ou événements futurs, sur la base des opinions, hypothèses et estimations considérées comme raisonnables par la direction à la date à laquelle les déclarations sont faites. Bien que Charbone estime que les attentes exprimées dans les déclarations prospectives sont raisonnables, les déclarations prospectives comportent des risques et des incertitudes, et il ne faut pas se fier indûment aux déclarations prospectives, car des facteurs inconnus ou imprévisibles pourraient faire en sorte que les résultats réels soient sensiblement différents de ceux exprimés dans les déclarations prospectives. Des risques et des incertitudes liés aux activités de Charbone peuvent avoir une incidence sur les déclarations prospectives. Ces risques, incertitudes et hypothèses comprennent, sans s’y limiter, ceux décrits à la rubrique « Facteurs de risque » dans la déclaration de changement à l’inscription de la Société datée du 31 mars 2022, qui peut être consultée sur SEDAR à l’adresse www.sedar.com; ils pourraient faire en sorte que les événements ou les résultats réels diffèrent sensiblement de ceux prévus dans les déclarations prospectives.

Sauf si les lois sur les valeurs mobilières applicables l’exigent, Charbone ne s’engage pas à mettre à jour ni à réviser les déclarations prospectives.

Ni la Bourse de croissance TSX ni son fournisseur de services de réglementation (tel que ce terme est défini dans les politiques de la Bourse de croissance TSX) n’acceptent de responsabilité quant à la pertinence ou à l’exactitude du présent communiqué.

Pour contacter Corporation Charbone Hydrogène :

Téléphone bureau: +1 450 678 7171

Courriel: ir@charbone.com

Benoit Veilleux

Chef de la direction financière et secrétaire corporatif

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

News Provided by TheNewsWire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Keep Reading
Editor's pick

Controversial Gaza aid operation pauses for 24 hours after days of deadly shootings

Editor's pick 4 Mins Read

The distribution of aid from a controversial new US- and Israel-backed organization into Gaza was paused for 24 hours on Wednesday after Palestinians en route to a distribution site came under fire for three straight days, with fatal consequences.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said that its hubs would be closed due to logistical work to better handle the massive number of people arriving in the hope of collecting food, and so the Israeli military could make “preparations on the access routes to the centers.” Distribution at the sites is expected to resume Thursday.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) warned Palestinians, who endured an 11-week blockade on aid into the strip followed by a meager trickle of food and supplies in the past couple of weeks, to stay away from the GHF sites. “Movement tomorrow on the roads leading to the distribution centers is strictly prohibited, as these are considered combat zones,” the military’s Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote in a post on X on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for GHF said the organization was “actively engaged” in talks with the Israeli military to improve security beyond the perimeter of the humanitarian zone. GHF asked the IDF to introduce measures to guide foot traffic away from military positions, develop clearer guidance to allow the population to move safely to the aid sites, and to “enhance IDF force training and refine internal IDF procedures to support safety,” the spokesperson said.

The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the Israeli agency coordinating the passage of aid into Gaza, said 157 trucks with food and flour entered the enclave on Tuesday. These truckloads of humanitarian aid have supplied both GHF and the United Nations, which has continued to deliver aid after GHF began operating. But it remains a fraction of the 500-600 trucks that entered Gaza before the war, according to the UN.

GHF got off to a rocky start when its first executive director resigned the day before operations began last Monday, citing concerns over impartiality and urging Israel to allow more aid into the blockaded enclave.

US military veteran Jake Wood quit as GHF’s head after just a matter of weeks at the organization, publicly launched by the United States in early May. The foundation appointed evangelical Christian leader Rev. Johnnie Moore as its new director on Tuesday, who promised to expand the distribution effort in Gaza.

“GHF is demonstrating that it is possible to move vast quantities of food to people who need it most – safely, efficiently, and effectively,” Moore said in a statement Tuesday.

The organization has repeatedly said there has been no violence at their sites but acknowledged on Tuesday that there have been incidents along the approach routes to the centers. “This was an area well beyond our secure distribution site,” GHF said.

Dozens of Palestinians have died after coming under Israeli fire in recent days, Palestinian authorities say. On Tuesday, nearly 30 people were killed, and dozens wounded, according to the Palestinian health officials. The IDF said its forces opened fire multiple times after identifying “several suspects moving toward them, deviating from the designated access routes.”

A day earlier, three Palestinians were shot dead and dozens wounded as they were on their way to access aid, Palestinian and hospital authorities said. The Israeli military said that its forces fired warning shots approximately a kilometer (about 1,100 yards) from the GHF site.

On Sunday, the Palestinian health ministry, hospital officials and a half-dozen eyewitnesses said the Israeli military was responsible for gunfire that killed 31 people. At the time, the IDF said its forces “did not fire at civilians while they were near or within” the aid site, but an Israeli military source acknowledged that Israeli forces fired toward individuals about a kilometer away, before the aid site opened.

Most established aid organizations and the UN have refused to work with GHF saying it fails to meet core humanitarian principles and citing concerns that its limited distribution points in the south of the strip would further the military goals of Israel to remove Gaza’s population from the north.

The UN’s humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, was scathing in his assessment of the foundation during a UN Security Council meeting earlier this month.

“It makes aid conditional on political and military aims. It makes starvation a bargaining chip. It is a cynical sideshow. A deliberate distraction. A fig leaf for further violence and displacement,” Fletcher said.

But GHF has doubled down on its distribution mechanism. The organization said Tuesday: “We remain focused on one thing: getting food to the people who need it most. And right now, we are the only organization doing that at scale, with consistency and safety.”

This post appeared first on cnn.com

Keep Reading
Editor's pick

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex shares rare photos of Lilibet in birthday post

Editor's pick 2 Mins Read

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has shared rare photos of her daughter, Lilibet, to mark the princess’ fourth birthday.

In one black-and-white picture, posted on Instagram on Wednesday, Meghan can be seen cuddling Lilibet, whose face is partially visible behind her mother’s hand and arm.

“Happy birthday to our beautiful girl! Four years ago today she came into our lives – and each day is brighter and better because of it. Thanks to all of those sending love and celebrating her special day,” wrote Meghan in the caption.

A second photo in the post shows Meghan cradling Lilibet, whose face is visible in profile, shortly after her birth.

The princess was born on June 4, 2021, a year after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from their roles as senior royals and moved to the United States.

Meghan and husband Prince Harry are known to fiercely guard the privacy of Lilibet and older brother Prince Archie, 6.

The couple did release a Christmas card last year that featured a rare photo of both children, but their backs are to the camera as they run towards their parents. Five other images appeared on the card, all depicting engagements from the year. It marked the first time since 2021 that Harry and Meghan released a Christmas card featuring their children.

In April, Meghan revealed that she had suffered from postpartum preeclampsia, calling the potentially fatal condition “so rare and so scary.”

“The world doesn’t know what’s happening quietly,” Meghan said on the debut episode of her “Confessions of a Female Founder” podcast.

“And in the quiet, you’re still trying to show up for people… mostly for your children, but those things are huge medical scares.”

Most cases of postpartum preeclampsia develop within 48 hours of childbirth, but it can develop four to six weeks postpartum, according to the Mayo Clinic. Postpartum preeclampsia can cause seizures and other serious complications if left untreated.

This post appeared first on cnn.com

Keep Reading
Investing

SAGA Metals Engages Paul McGuigan as its Qualified Person to Oversee Advancement of the Radar Ti-V-Fe Project in Labrador & Provides Corporate Update

Investing 8 Mins Read

Saga Metals Corp. (‘SAGA’ or the ‘Company’) (TSXV: SAGA) (OTCQB: SAGMF) (FSE: 20H) a North American exploration company focused on critical mineral discovery, is pleased to announce the appointment of Paul McGuigan, P. Geo., as its Qualified Person on the exploration and development of the Radar Ti-V-Fe Property (the ‘ Project ‘) in Labrador. Mr. McGuigan will advise on standards of practice for QAQC, structural mapping, drilling and deposit modelling.

Mr. McGuigan, a Professional Geoscientist, has 50 years of international experience in economic geology and mineral exploration management, spanning grassroots exploration to feasibility studies and mining operations. Early in his career, he was employed by IBM, the Geological Survey of Canada, Imperial Oil, Pechiney Ugine Kuhlmann, Esso Minerals Canada and Westmin Resources.

For the last 37 years, McGuigan has led Cambria Geological Inc., which has operated in North and South America, West Africa, the Middle East, the SW Pacific, and Europe. Clients have included private and publicly-listed companies, First Nations groups, and governments. He has been responsible for multiple feasibility-level projects involving due diligence standards, data validation, project management, mine rehabilitation, deposit modelling, and QAQC.

In decades of public service, McGuigan was a member of the Consulting Practice and Geoscience Committees of the Engineers and Geoscientists of BC, an executive/director of the BC Neurological Centre, and president/director of the BC Centre for Ability Foundation.

McGuigan’s geological expertise includes Fe-Ti-V-P in layered mafic intrusions, iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG), volcanogenic massive sulphide, porphyry Cu-Mo-Au, epithermal and orogenic gold, and diamond deposits.

Regarding the Radar V-Ti-Fe project, McGuigan has served in several relevant roles on similar projects. In his early career, he researched gravity and magnetic separations, which led to novel heavy mineral sampling methods. For Esso Minerals, he supervised the structural mapping and mineral resource estimation of a complexly deformed, copper-bearing massive magnetite deposit, significantly improving the head grade and supporting the re-opening of the 8,000 tpd underground Granduc Mine in BC.

Later, McGuigan co-founded a commercial laboratory with Acme Analytical (now part of the Bureau Veritas group), conducting mineral separations and identifying and testing indicator minerals.

For a private Latin American group of companies, McGuigan served as the Qualified Person for testing V-Ti-Fe in Proterozoic layered mafic intrusions, including drilling, bulk sampling, pilot mill construction, and the construction of an on-site laboratory for mineral separations, XRF analysis, and QAQC. For that same client, McGuigan supervised the definition drilling and resource estimation of a heavy mineral sands deposit, with significant Ti-Fe in titanomagnetite.

In Canada, McGuigan has served as the Qualified Person and reviewed numerous Superior and Grenville Province V-T-Fe (P) deposits in layered mafic intrusions. In certain projects, he secured government grants for metallurgical and critical mineral technology.

Figure 1: Radar Property map, depicting aeromagnetic anomalies, oxide layering and the site of the 2025 drill program. The Property is well serviced by road access and is conveniently located near the town of Cartwright, Labrador. A compilation of historical aeromagnetic anomalies is shown. SAGA has demonstrated the reliability of the regional airborne magnetic surveys after ground-truthing and drilling in the 2024 and 2025 field programs.

Radar Ti-V-Fe Project Overview:

The Company’s 100%-owned Radar Property is located 10 km from the coastal city of Cartwright, Labrador, benefiting from tremendous infrastructure, including road access, deep-water port, airstrip and nearby hydro-electric power. The Radar Property comprises 24,175-hectares and entirely encloses the Dykes River intrusive complex mapped at 160km 2 on surface.

The Dykes River intrusive complex is a recently recognized Mesoproterozoic layered mafic intrusion (Gower, 2017). It has gained attention due geological similarities to large AMCG-type intrusions and a very extensive titanium–vanadium–iron (Ti-V-Fe) rich layer.

Radar Ti-V-Fe Project 2025 Winter Drill Program Highlights:

  • Analytical results have now been received on all 7 diamond drill holes from the 2025 winter program.
  • Combined with petrographic analysis, these new assays further confirm that the primary economic mineral is vanadiferous titanomagnetite—favorable for simplified metallurgical processing.
  • Titanomagnetite-rich zones average between 20% and 40% titanomagnetite, with localized massive layers exceeding 60%.
  • Drilling has confirmed the presence of oxide layering and associated magnetic anomalies to vertical depths of up to 300 meters.
  • Current drilling has tested just 1/40th of the identified 20 km strike extent of the oxide layering zone within the Dykes River Intrusion (refer to Figure 1 for map view) .

Marketing Services Agreement with Maximus Strategic Consulting Inc.

The Company also announces that it has entered into an online marketing agreement with Maximus Strategic Consulting Inc. (‘ Maximus ‘).  Pinnacle Digest and PinnacleDigest.com are business names of Maximus. Maximus has agreed to produce and distribute, through the email newsletter and YouTube channel of PinnacleDigest.com, a video highlighting the Company and its projects. Additionally, all the Company’s news releases during the term of the online marketing agreement will be featured in Pinnacle Digest’s weekly email newsletter.

The Company’s engagement of Maximus will run for a period of four months beginning on June 1, 2025, and the Company will pay Maximus a fee of C$150,000 (plus GST) paid in two instalments.  Maximus’ business address is 300 – 1550 5 St. SW Calgary, Alberta. T2R 1K3, email address is support@pinnacledigest.com . Maximus currently owns 300,000 common shares in the capital of the Company and 300,000 common share purchase warrants, each exercisable to acquire one common share at an exercise price of $0.50 per common share until May 23, 2027.

Qualified Person

Paul J. McGuigan, P. Geo. is an Independent Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information related to the Radar Ti-V-Fe Project disclosed in this news release.

About Saga Metals Corp.

Saga Metals Corp. is a North American mining company focused on the exploration and discovery of critical minerals that support the global transition to green energy. The Company’s flagship asset, the Double Mer Uranium Project, is located in Labrador, Canada, covering 25,600 hectares. This project features uranium radiometrics that highlight an 18km east-west trend, with a confirmed 14km section producing samples as high as 0.428% U 3 O 8 and uranium uranophane was identified in several areas of highest radiometric response (2024 Double Mer Technical Report).

In addition to its uranium focus, SAGA owns the Legacy Lithium Property in Quebec’s Eeyou Istchee James Bay region. This project, developed in partnership with Rio Tinto, has been expanded through the acquisition of the Amirault Lithium Project. Together, these properties cover 65,849 hectares and share significant geological continuity with other major players in the area, including Rio Tinto, Winsome Resources, Azimut Exploration, and Loyal Lithium.

SAGA also holds additional exploration assets in Labrador, where the company is focused on discovering titanium, vanadium, and iron ore. With a portfolio that spans key minerals crucial to the green energy transition, SAGA is strategically positioned to play an essential role in the clean energy future.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Mike Stier, Chief Executive Officer

For more information, contact:
Saga Metals Corp.
Investor Relations
Tel: +1 (778) 930-1321
Email: info@sagametals.com
www.sagametals.com

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

Cautionary Disclaimer

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as ‘will’, ‘may’, ‘should’, ‘anticipates’, ‘expects’, ‘believes’, and similar expressions or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the exploration of the Company’s Radar Project. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, environmental risks, limitations on insurance coverage, risks and uncertainties involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and the risks detailed in the Company’s continuous disclosure filings with securities regulations from time to time, available under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements only as expressly required by applicable law.

News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Keep Reading
Editor's pick

Iran’s supreme leader slams US nuclear proposal, says it will continue to enrich uranium

Editor's pick 2 Mins Read

Iran’s supreme leader has denounced a proposal by the United States aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear efforts and demanded that his country retains independence amid reports of Washington offering to become involved in Tehran’s nuclear program.

Despite several rounds of talks between the two sides to thrash out a new nuclear deal major sticking points remain, with Iran insisting on its right to nuclear enrichment.

“The first word of the US is that Iran should not have a nuclear industry and should rely on the United States,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told a crowd gathered in Tehran to commemorate the death of Imam Khomeini, the founder of Iran’s Islamic Republic.

“Our response to the US’ nonsense is clear: they cannot do a damn thing in this matter,” he said.

Khamenei said Wednesday that Iran is refusing to allow the United States to give a “green or red light” with its nuclear program and stressed on “national independence.”

US President Donald Trump said on Monday, seemingly contrary to what was proposed to Iran, that the deal will not allow uranium enrichment.

“Under our potential Agreement — WE WILL NOT ALLOW ANY ENRICHMENT OF URANIUM,” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.

Iran’s supreme leader added on Wednesday that his country has been “able to achieve a complete nuclear energy cycle,” a feat only achieved by a few countries.

“Uranium enrichment is an essential part of the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, and we will not abandon it,” Khamenei said.

Iran and the US concluded a fifth round of high-stakes nuclear talks in Rome on May 23 amid growing skepticism in Tehran about the chances of a deal. After that round of discussions, the two sides “agreed to meet again in the near future,” a senior US administration official said at the time.

Previous reporting by Kylie Atwood and Frederik Pleitgen.

This post appeared first on cnn.com

Keep Reading
Editor's pick

Suspected crypto kidnapping mastermind detained in Morocco

Editor's pick 2 Mins Read

One of the suspected masterminds behind a string of violent kidnappings in France of people linked to the cryptocurrency trade was detained Tuesday in Morocco, France’s justice minister said.

Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, a 24-year-old French-Moroccan citizen from just outside Paris, was wanted by France for several crimes, including armed extortion and kidnapping as part of a criminal gang, according to the “red notice” for him published by Interpol and Moroccan state media.

French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin thanked Morocco on X for detaining the man, citing the “excellent judicial cooperation” between the two countries.

Bajjou had “multiple bladed weapons of different sizes” in his possession when he was taken into custody, as well as “dozens of mobile phones and communication devices” and a sum of money allegedly related to criminal activities, Moroccan state media reported.

In January, David Balland, cofounder of a crypto wallet company, and his partner, were kidnapped in central France with their attackers cutting off one of Balland’s fingers as part of a 10-million euro ($11,430,000) ransom demand. The couple were later freed by elite French policemen, according to BFMTV.

Bajjou is also suspected of involvement in the May kidnapping of another man working in the crypto industry, who also had one of his fingers cut off before his release, per BFMTV.

Later that month, the daughter of the CEO of French cryptocurrency platform Paymium was saved by passers-by from a daylight kidnapping attempt in Paris, with Bajjou suspected to have been involved, BFMTV reported.

On May 30, 25 people aged between 16 and 23 were put under official investigation in Paris, suspected of involvement in a kidnapping in May in Paris and an attempted kidnapping in the western French city of Nantes.

This post appeared first on cnn.com

Keep Reading
Editor's pick

Several feared dead in a crowd crush outside a cricket stadium in India

Editor's pick 1 Min Read

Several people were feared dead and many more injured in a crowd crush on Wednesday outside a cricket stadium in southern India’s Karnataka state.

The incident happened as thousands of cricket fans gathered outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru city to celebrate the winners of the Indian Premier League, which is the world’s most popular T20 cricket tournament.

The Times of India newspaper reported at least seven people had died in the crush. Local TV news channels showed visuals of police shifting the injured persons and those who fell unconscious to ambulances.

D.K. Shivakumar, the deputy chief minister of Karnataka state, told reporters that “the crowd was very uncontrollable.”

The event was being held to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first Indian Premier League title win on Tuesday.

Crowd crushes are relatively common in India. In January, at least 30 people were killed as tens of thousands of Hindus rushed to bathe in a sacred river during the Maha Kumbh festival, the world’s largest religious gathering.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

This post appeared first on cnn.com

Keep Reading
Business

McDonald’s Snack Wrap is officially returning. Here’s when.

Business 2 Mins Read

Snacktime is nigh at the Golden Arches.

On June 3, McDonald’s announced exactly when the Snack Wrap will return to partipating restaurants nationwide: July 10. And, thankfully, it’s not a limited-time offer, either — it’s here for good.

The Snack Wrap, which has been off menus for almost a decade, features one of the chain’s new McCrispy Strips — a chicken strip made with all-white meat — and is topped with shredded lettuce and shredded cheese, wrapped in a flour tortilla.

This go-round, the Snack Wrap comes in two flavors: Spicy, which McDonald’s says “brings the heat with a habanero kick” reminiscent of its Spicy McCrispy sandwich; and Ranch, which “delivers a satisfying burst of cool ranch goodness,” according to the brand, along with hints of garlic and onion.

Customers can get the Snack Wrap on its own or as a combo meal, which will come with two wraps, a medium fries and your drink of choice.

It’s been a long journey for Mickey D’s devotees: On Dec. 5, Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald’s USA, first revealed that the Snack Wrap was on its way back while discussing the new McValue menu.

“The Snack Wrap will be back in 2025,” Erlinger said at the time, declining to reveal the exact date. “It has a cult following, I get so many emails into my inbox about this product.”

Then, on April 15, the chain teased the official release date: “snack wraps 0x.14.2025,” it posted on X, without specifying the month.

Now, for the official rollout, McDonald’s is leaning into the fact that for years, fans have inundated the chain with pleas to reinstate the item after it was kicked off menus in 2016. A Change.org petition started in 2021 in its honor garnered over 17,000 signatures, and fans resorted to posting TikToks and making dedicated Instagram accounts devoted to bringing it back.

While the chicken-craving masses waited for the Snack Wrap’s return, other fast-food chains have dropped their own versions: In March 2023, Wendy’s introduced its Grilled Chicken Ranch Wrap; in July 2023, Taco Bell reintroduced its Crispy Chicken Taco for a limited time; and in August 2023, Burger King launched BK Royal Crispy Wraps for a limited time, too.

Most recently, a single day before McDonald’s announcement, Popeyes dropped its own Chicken Wraps as a limited-time offer. Let the wrap battle commence.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

Keep Reading
Business

Peloton launching resale market for used bikes, treadmills

Business 3 Mins Read

Peloton on Tuesday launched its own marketplace for reselling used equipment and gear as the company looks to capitalize on the many bikes and treadmills collecting dust in people’s homes.

The platform, dubbed Repowered, will allow members to post listings for their used Peloton equipment and gear and set a price with help from a generative AI tool, the company said.

Sellers have the final say on how much to list the item for, but the AI tool will suggest a price based on information about the product, such as its age, Peloton said.

It said sellers will get 70% of the sales price, while the rest will be shared between Peloton and its platform provider, Archive. Sellers will get a discount toward new equipment, while buyers will see the activation fee for a used product drop from $95 to $45, the company said.

Buyers will be able to see the equipment’s history on the listing and have the option to get the item delivered for an extra fee, Peloton said.

The resale market for used bikes and treadmills is booming. The company said it wants to streamline the sale process for members and offer a safe and comfortable way for prospective customers to buy equipment. It’s also an opportunity for Peloton to reach a wider array of new users as it plots a pathway back to growth.

Last summer, Peloton said it had started to see a meaningful increase in the number of new members who bought used Bikes or Treads from peer-to-peer markets such as Facebook Marketplace. At the time, it said paid connected fitness subscribers who bought hardware on the secondary market had grown 16% year over year, and it believed those subscribers exhibited a lower net churn rate — or membership cancellation — than rental subscribers.

Peloton has plenty of enthusiastic fans who use the company’s equipment every day, but some people have likened it to glorified clothes racks because so many people stop using them. While those owners paid for their exercise machines when they bought them, many have canceled their monthly subscription, which is how Peloton makes the bulk of its money, according to the company’s financial records.

Peloton is already reaping the subscription revenue from people who bought hardware on the secondary market, but now it will get a cut of that market with little upfront cost.

Repowered is a direct challenger to not just Facebook Marketplace but also the burgeoning startup Trade My Stuff, formerly known as Trade My Spin, which sells used Peloton equipment.

Trade My Stuff founder Ari Kimmelfeld told CNBC he previously met with Peloton to discuss ways to collaborate.

But Peloton said Repowered isn’t connected with Trade My Stuff.

Repowered is launching first in beta in New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C., with plans to go nationwide in the coming months, Peloton said. The platform will launch first to sellers, and once there’s enough inventory available, it’ll go live to buyers, the company said.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

Keep Reading
Business

Dollar General is shaking off tariff fears and winning over higher-income consumers

Business 5 Mins Read

Shares of Dollar General jumped nearly 16% on Tuesday after the discounter raised its outlook, saying it drew more middle- and higher-income shoppers amid fears that higher tariffs would hurt consumer spending.

The Tennessee-based retailer beat quarterly expectations for revenue and earnings. The company said it now anticipates net sales will grow about 3.7% to 4.7%, compared to its previous expectation of about 3.4% to 4.4%. It expects diluted earnings per share to range from $5.20 to $5.80, compared to its prior outlook of approximately $5.10 to $5.80. Dollar General anticipates same-store sales will increase 1.5% to 2.5%, higher than its previous guidance of about 1.2% to 2.2%.

Here’s how the retailer did for the fiscal first quarter compared with Wall Street’s estimates, according to a survey of analysts by LSEG:

In the three-month period that ended May 2, Dollar General reported net income of $391.93 million, or $1.78 per share, compared with $363.32 million, or $1.65, in the year-ago quarter.

As of Tuesday’s close, shares of Dollar General have risen about 48% so far this year. That far exceeds the roughly 1% gains of the S&P 500 during the same period. Shares of the retailer closed at $112.57 on Tuesday, bringing Dollar General’s market value to $24.76 billion.

Dollar General’s first-quarter results — and its stock performance — stand out in a retail industry that is already taking a hit from President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Companies including Best Buy, Macy’s and Abercrombie & Fitch have cut their profit outlooks due to tariffs.

On an earnings call Tuesday, Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos said the company has worked to reduce its exposure to China — and limit price hikes for shoppers. He said the retailer has worked with vendors to cut costs, moved manufacturing to other countries and made changes to its products or swapped them out for other merchandise.

He said direct imports make up about a mid- to high single-digit percentage of its overall purchases and indirect imports are about double that.

“While the tariff landscape remains dynamic and uncertain, we expect tariffs to result in some price increases as a last resort, though, we intend to work to minimize them as much as possible,” he said.

CFO Kelly Dilts said on the company’s earnings call that full-year guidance assumes that Dollar General will be able to offset “a significant portion of the anticipated tariff impact on our gross margin, but also allows for some incremental pressure on consumer spending.”

Customer traffic dipped by 0.3% in the first quarter compared to the year-ago period, but shoppers spent more when they visited. The average transaction amount rose 2.7%, as sales in the food, seasonal, home and apparel categories all grew.

Vasos added tariffs have also increased U.S. consumers’ desire to find deep discounts. Vasos said the company’s first-quarter results reflect Dollar General’s gains from “customers across multiple income bands seeking value.”

He said store traffic and the company’s market research indicates that more middle- and higher-income customers have come to its stores more frequently and spent more when they visited.

“We are pleased to see this growth with a wide range of customers and are excited about our ongoing opportunity to grow [market] share with them,” he said.

Those gains have helped as Dollar General’s core customer “remains financially constrained,” Vasos said. According to a survey by the company, he said 25% of customers reported having less income than they did a year ago and almost 60% of core customers said “they felt the need to sacrifice on necessities in the coming year.”

Dollar General’s sales largely come from U.S. consumers who are on a tight budget. About 60% of the retailer’s sales come from households with an annual income of less than $30,000 per year, Vasos said last fall at a Goldman Sachs’ retail conference.

In addition to wooing value-conscious shoppers, Dollar General has tried to tackle company-specific problems that drew government scrutiny and tested customer loyalty. The discounter, which has more than 20,000 stores across the country, has paid steep fines to the Labor Department for workplace safety violations due to blocked fire exits and dangerous levels of clutter.

Vasos highlighted some of the ways that Dollar General has tried to improve the customer experience. Among them, it’s worked to reduce employee turnover, and it took about 1,000 individual items off its shelves so it can keep top-selling items in stock, he said.

Dollar General has launched its own home delivery service, which is now available at more than 3,000 stores. Its deliveries through DoorDash have grown, too, with sales up more than 50% year over year in the quarter.

Dollar General has also bulked up its merchandise categories outside of the food and snack aisles, adding more discretionary items like seasonal decor and home items.

Vasos said sales in those categories have also gotten a boost from middle- and higher-income customers shopping its stores.

Its newer store chain, Popshelf, sells mostly discretionary items and caters to consumers with higher household incomes than Dollar General’s typical shoppers. Vasos did not share a specific metric for the chain, but said Popshelf’s same-store sales delivered strong growth in the quarter. The company recently changed the store layout to emphasize toys, beauty and party candy.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

Keep Reading