Breaking
True Market Story
Author

admin

Browsing
2 Mins Read

Claressa Shields shares in podcast interview about plans for motherhood

World champion Claressa Shields joined The Pivot Podcast ahead of her highly anticipated fight against Lani Daniels in Michigan on Saturday, July 26, where she discussed her future outside of boxing.

The Pivot Podcast, hosted by former NFL players Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder, and Fred Taylor, featured a discussion with boxing star Shields. During the episode, she announced her plans to start a family with her partner, rapper Papoose, next year. She explained that one of the main reasons for this decision is her desire to be present for her children rather than waiting until later in her career to start a family. Although she plans to take time off to have a child, she intends to return to the ring to continue her boxing career at some point.

‘I don’t want to wait till I’m, you know, 40, 43, whatever, after my career, to have my kids,’ Shields said on The Pivot Podcast. ‘I want to be able to run at the park with my kids and stuff like that. I don’t want to be too old.”

Shields currently boasts an undefeated record of 16 wins and 0 losses, including three knockouts. As she prepares for her second fight of 2025, following her victory over Danielle Perkins in February, Shields attributes her success to her clean lifestyle. She believes this not only benefits her career but also aligns with her future plans of starting a family.

‘I don’t drink, I don’t smoke—I think that’ll also help me too when I’m going through this whole body and life changing stuff or, you know, whatever, next year,” Shields said.

How to watch Claressa Shields vs. Lani Daniels fight

Claressa Shields will face Lani Daniels on Saturday, July 26 at the Little Caesar Arena in Detroit.

  • Date: Saturday, July 26
  • Time: 6 p.m. ET
  • Claressa Shields vs. Lani Daniels main event ringwalks: 10 p.m. ET
  • Stream: DAZN

Watch Shields vs Daniels with DAZN

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Keep Reading
By
3 Mins Read

Oregon coach pushes for College Football Playoff schedule to end Jan. 1

While there’s plenty of talk of changes to expand the College Football Playoff, Oregon coach Dan Lanning wants one thing fixed: the schedule.

Lanning told ESPN at the Big Ten media days he wants the playoff to mirror the NFL with a shorter layoff from the end of conference championship week to the postseason and the national championship game to be played on Jan. 1.

‘I’d be in favor of creating our playoff system to mirror every other playoff system in sports,’ Lanning said. ‘The season’s over, and the playoffs start shortly after. The long break is something I’m not crazy about. I wish we played every single Saturday in college football. I wish college football ended Jan. 1.’

It’s something that Lanning can certainly attest to. Last season, the Ducks finished the regular season undefeated and won the Big Ten championship game. They were the No. 1 seed in the playoff, but had a first-round bye. Oregon waited 25 days before facing Ohio State in the quarterfinal match at the Rose Bowl, and the Ducks trailed 34-0 and were soundly beaten by the Buckeyes. All teams that received first-round byes in the new 12-team playoff lost in the quarterfinals.

Lanning didn’t excuse the season-ending defeat, but noted ‘it’s almost a month’ between playing games.

‘That’s a long time,’ he added.

Lanning’s ideal schedule involves starting the regular season at the current Week 0, which starts Aug. 23. By starting the season earlier and starting the playoff the week after conference championships, it would lead to the national championship game on New Year’s Day.

In the first edition of expanded playoff, the national championship game was played on Jan. 20. Lanning feels it is scheduled too late, and doesn’t allow coaches to hit the ground running on off-season recruiting. The College Football Playoff also ran concurrent with the NFL postseason.

‘There’s just some things where I don’t think the season aligns with the calendar in a lot of ways, and I wish I would speed up,’ he said.

Altering the college football calendar has certainly been mentioned as the talks for expanding the College Football Playoff to 16 teams heat up. Currently, teams playing in Week 0 must be granted a waiver by the NCAA.

ACC commissioner Jim Phillips previously said starting in Week 0 should be considered. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey told Yahoo Sports in June the sports should have a consistent opening weekend, and although Labor Day weekend has ‘been a good start date,’ he’s open to making changes.

‘The fact we are taking another look at it could be interesting,’ Sankey said. ‘I’m not opposed to that. I want to make sure it’s a broad view of the issues and not something narrow.’

This season’s College Football Playoff pairings will be announced Dec. 7 and play will begin on Dec. 19, 13 days after conference title games. Teams with first-round byes will play on Dec. 31 or Jan. 1. The national championship game is on Jan. 19.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Keep Reading
By
4 Mins Read

Ex-NFL star Kellen Winslow II has bid denied by state Supreme Court

The California Supreme Court has rejected a bid by former NFL tight end Kellen Winslow II to get his 14-year prison sentence reduced after he was convicted of sex crimes against five women in San Diego County, including the rape of a homeless woman in 2018.

Winslow’s attorney had filed the habeas corpus petition in March, arguing that recent criminal justice reform laws in California allowed for him to be resentenced to account for his history of head trauma in football and the alleged sex abuse he suffered as a minor.

But the petition was denied by the Supreme Court July 23 with only a brief explanation. The court cited precedent and said a habeas corpus petition “must include copies of reasonably available documentary evidence.” It also said that “courts will not entertain habeas corpus claims that could have been, but were not, raised on appeal.”

The latter reason was why his petition also was rejected by a state appeals court in January.  Winslow, 42, currently is incarcerated at a prison in Chino, California, and is not eligible for parole until August 2028, according to state records. He played football at the University of Miami and was the No. 6 overall draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2004.

What was Kellen Winslow II’s argument?

His attorney, Patrick Morgan Ford, asked the court to grant the petition or order an evidentiary hearing so that he may be returned to be returned for resentencing under the new sentencing laws. He ultimately sought a two-year reduction in his 14-year sentence, which was issued in 2021.

“Petitioner (Winslow) is not asking to be released from prison at this time, but he does meet the criteria for relief under (state law) AB 124, given the trauma (brain damage) he received in his life of football, physical and sexual abuse he was subjected to as a child, and the impact of his debilitating motorcycle accident” in 2005, Winslow’s petition stated.

The attorney argued the new laws would have changed the sentencing analysis and led to a more favorable sentence. He also noted Winslow was given neuropsychological testing “which showed deficits caused by decreased blood flow in his frontal, temporal and occipital lobes, which is typical of traumatic brain injury.”

The Supreme Court still found a procedural problem with the petition. Winslow previously filed an appeal of his sentence in 2021, when he sought 233 days of custody credit for time he spent on electronic monitoring. That appeal was pending when the new state laws went into effect, but Winslow’s attorney didn’t raise those issues at the time. The state appeals court previously said he should have raised those issues then and rejected his petition.

Winslow’s life in prison described

Winslow agreed to a plea deal for his crimes, which included the rape of a woman who was unconscious in 2003. In a previous bid to get resentenced, Winslow said in a declaration filed with the court that “I will always feel remorse for what I did to the victims in my case.”

“Since entering prison, he has devoted himself to the teachings of the Bible, to helping others, to self-improvement and a productive life outside of prison, a plan that will include ongoing therapy,” Winslow’s petition to the state Supreme Court stated. “He is actively programming in prison, and is described by the director of his Anger Management class as a role model to other participants in the group. He is on a strict running program training for marathons, and has other inmates in the program as well. Inmates have sent letters expressing their gratitude for his support during their dark and difficult struggles in prison.”

Winslow’s father Kellen, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, attended his son’s trial in San Diego County and also claimed injuries from head trauma in football.

Kellen Winslow II’s attorney didn’t immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Keep Reading
By
9 Mins Read

MLS All-Star Game highlights: MLS defeats Liga MX

Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge, the Philadelphia Union’s Tai Baribo and Vancouver FC’s Brian White each scored goals to help Major League Soccer beat Liga MX standouts during the 2025 MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 23 at Q2 Stadium in Austin.

Baribo earned MLS All-Star MVP honors after his goal in the 51st minute secured the victory for MLS, which avenged a 4-1 loss to its Liga MX counterparts last year in Columbus, Ohio.

Baribo finished an assist from the Columbus Crew’s Diego Rossi, who also had an assist in the 2024 MLS All-Star game.

Surridge, tied with Lionel Messi for the Golden Boot lead with 18 goals this season, scored in the 28th minute on an assist from LAFC star Denis Bouanga to kick-start the MLS effort.

White, one of four Vancouver All-Stars, scored in the 80th minute to seal the victory, with an assist from Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire) and the second assist from Cristian Espinoza (San Jose Earthquakes).

The most noteworthy goal in the match was scored by 16-year-old Gilberto Mora in the 64th minute. Mora plays for Club Tijuana, and started for Mexico in its Concacaf Gold Cup win against the U.S. men’s national team last month.

The victory helped MLS take a 3-1 lead in its All-Star series against Liga MX.

Messi and fellow Inter Miami All-Star Jordi Alba did not play in the match.

Check out these highlights from the 2025 MLS All-Star Game:

MLS All-Star Game highlights

MLS 3, LIGA MX 1: Brian White scores goal

Vancouver’s Brian White scored in the 80th minute to restore a two-goal lead for the MLS All-Stars. White was assisted by Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire), with the second assist by Cristian Espinoza (San Jose Earthquakes).

The goal was awarded to White, despite the ball being deflected off the foot of Liga MX’s Brian Rodriguez and into the net.

MLS 2, LIGA MX 1: Takaoka prevents LIGA MX goal

Vancouver FC goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka prevented a game-tying goal in the 75th minute, defending a shot by Necaxa’s Diber Cambindo,

MLS 2, LIGA MX 1: 16-year-old Gilberto Mora scores goal

Gilberto Mora, the 16-year-old prodigy who helped Mexico beat the U.S. men’s national team in the Gold Cup earlier this month, has scored in the MLS All-Star Game.

Mora, of Club Tijuana, scored in the 64th minute to narrow the MLS lead in the second half. He is the youngest player to play for Liga MX in the MLS All-Star Game.

MLS 2, LIGA MX 0: MLS makes six more substitutions in 61′

In: White, Zinckernagel, Freeman, Gil, Vargas, Takaoka

Out: Baribo, Rossi, Pasalic, Mukhtar, Tverskov, St. Clair

MLS 2, LIGA MX 0: Tai Baribo scores goal in second half

The Philadelphia Union’s Tai Baribo has scored in the 51st minute to double the lead for the MLS All-Stars.

Baribo finished a stellar assist by Columbus Crew’s Diego Rossi during the sequence.

MLS 1, LIGA MX 0: Here are the halftime substitutions

Here are the subs for MLS:

In: M. Robinson; M. Arfsten; C. Espinoza; D. Luna.

Out: M. Boxall; K. Wagner; S. Berhalter; Evander.

Liga MX swapped its entire lineup at halftime:

In: G. Ferrareis; W. Ditta; Á. Zendejas; K. Castañeda; E. Montiel; K. Mier; J. Pereira; A. Aceves; G. Mora; D. Cambindo; Brian Rodríguez.

Out: I. Reyes; L. Garcia; J. Brunetta; R. Dourado; A. Palavecino; L. Malagón; S. Ramos; J. Gallardo; S. Canales; Á. Sepúlveda; R. Alvarado.

MLS 1, LIGA MX 0: MLS makes seven substitutions in 35’

MLS has already made seven substitutions in the first half, to account for players’ upcoming schedules with six games scheduled for Friday, July 24.

In: D. St. Clair; J. Glesnes; J. Tverskov; H. Mukhtar; M. Pašalić; T. Baribo; D. Rossi

Out: B. Stuver; T. Blackmon; A. Nájar; A. Dreyer; H. Lozano; S. Surridge; D. Bouanga

MLS 1, LIGA MX 0: Sam Surridge scores goal

Nashville’s Sam Surridge, tied with Lionel Messi for the Golden Boot lead with 18 goals this season, has scored the first goal in the MLS All-Star Game.

Surridge provided the finish with a header inside the box in the 28th minute, confirmed after a lengthy VAR, following a pass by LAFC’s Denis Bouanga.

MLS 0, LIGA MX 0: Luis Malagón makes big save on shot by Evander

The MLS All-Stars nearly broke the scoreless deadlock in the 13th minute following a corner kick. Following the corner, the ball bounced to FC Cincinnati’s Evander, who rifled a shot on goal from outside the 18-yard box that was saved by Club América’s Luis Malagón, who dove to make the one-handed block.

How to watch the MLS All-Star Game

The 2025 MLS All-Star Game is scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, at 9 p.m. ET at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. Fans can catch all the action on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

  • Date: Wednesday, July 23
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET
  • Stream:Apple TV
  • Location: Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas

Watch MLS All-Star on Apple TV

MLS All-Star starting 11

Liga MX All-Star starting 11

  • Juan Brunetta (Club Santos Laguna)
  • Angel Sepulveda (Club Querétaro)
  • Roberto Alvarado (Chivas Guadalajara)
  • Agustín Palavecino (Club Necaxa)
  • Rodrigo Dourado (Atlético de San Luis)
  • Sergio Canales (CF Monterrey)
  • Israel Reyes (Club América)
  • Sergio Ramos (CF Monterrey)
  • Luan (Toluca FC)
  • Jesús Gallardo (Toluca)
  • Luis Malagón (Club América)

2025 MLS All-Star roster

Goalkeepers:

  • Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United FC / Voted In)
  • Brad Stuver (Austin FC / Coach’s Selection)
  • Yohei Takaoka (Vancouver Whitecaps FC / Coach’s Selection)

Defenders:

  • Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew / Coach’s Selection)
  • Guilherme Biro (Austin FC / late addition)
  • Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps FC / Voted In)
  • Michael Boxall (Minnesota United FC / Voted In)
  • Alex Freeman (Orlando City SC / Voted In)
  • Jakob Glesnes (Philadelphia Union / Coach’s Selection)
  • Andy Najar (Nashville SC / Coach’s Selection)
  • Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati / Coach’s Selection)

Midfielders:

  • Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC / Voted In)
  • David Da Costa (Portland Timbers / Coach’s Selection)
  • Cristian Espinoza (San Jose Earthquakes / Coach’s Addition)
  • Evander (FC Cincinnati / Voted In)
  • Carles Gil (New England Revolution / Coach’s Addition)
  • Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake / Voted In)
  • Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC / Coach’s Addition) 
  • Jeppe Tverskov (San Diego FC / Coach’s Selection)
  • Obed Vargas (Seattle Sounders / Coach’s Addition) 
  • Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire FC / Coach’s Selection)

Forwards:

  • Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC / Commissioner’s Pick)
  • Tai Baribo (Philadelphia Union / Voted In)
  • Denis Bouanga (LAFC / Voted In)
  • Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC / Coach’s Selection)
  • Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano (San Diego FC / Commissioner’s Pick)
  • Marco Pašalić (Orlando City SC / Coach’s Addition)
  • Diego Rossi (Columbus Crew / Coach’s Selection)
  • Sam Surridge (Nashville SC / Coach’s Addition) 
  • Brandon Vazquez (Austin FC / Coach’s Selection /Injured)
  • Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps FC / Voted In)

2025 Liga MX All-Star roster

Goalkeepers:

  • Luis Malagón (Club América)
  • Kevin Mier (Cruz Azul)

Defenders:

  • Sebastián Cáceres (Club América | Coach’s Selection)
  • Willer Ditta (Cruz Azul | Center Back of the Year)
  • Luan García (Toluca | Coach’s Selection)
  • Jesús Gallardo (Toluca | Fullback of the Year)
  • Joaquim Pereira (Tigres UANL | Balón de Oro nominee)
  • Sergio Ramos (CF Monterrey | Coach’s Selection)
  • Israel Reyes (Club América | Coach’s Selection)
  • Ignacio Rivero (Cruz Azul | Coach’s Selection)
  • Carlos Rotondi (Cruz Azul | Balón de Oro nominee)

Midfielders:

  • Roberto Alvarado (Chivas Guadalajara | Coach’s Selection)
  • Juan Brunetta (Tigres UANL | Coach’s Selection)
  • Sergio Canales (CF Monterrey | Balón de Oro nominee)
  • Rodrigo Dourado (Atlético San Luis | Coach’s Selection)
  • Érik Lira (Cruz Azul | Balón de Oro nominee)
  • Elías Montiel (CF Pachuca | Coach’s Selection)
  • Gilberto Mora (Club Tijuana | Balón de Oro nominee)
  • James Rodríguez (Club León | Coach’s Selection)
  • Marcel Ruíz (Toluca | Coach’s Selection)
  • Agustín Palavecino (Necaxa | Defensive Midfielder of the Year)
  • Alejandro Zendejas (Club América | Coach’s Selection)

Forwards:

  • Diber Cambindo (Necaxa | Coach’s Selection)
  • Hugo Camberos (Chivas Guadalajara | Newcomer of the Year)
  • Uroš Đurđević (Atlas | FMF President Selection)
  • Henry Martín (Club América | Balón de Oro nominee)
  • Paulinho (Toluca | Forward of the Year)
  • Brian Rodríguez (Club América | Coach’s Selection)
  • Alexis Vega (Toluca | Attacking Midfielder of the Year)

Previous MLS vs. Liga MX All-Star Game results

  • 2024 (Columbus): Liga MX 4, MLS 1
  • 2022 (Minnesota): MLS 2, Liga MX 1
  • 2021 (Los Angeles): MLS 1, Liga MX 1 (MLS won penalty shootout, 3-2)

Why Mexican league partnership is vital for MLS

The 2025 MLS All-Star Game is Wednesday, July 23 in Austin, Texas, with the best in MLS taking on the Liga MX All-Stars at Q2 Stadium.

It’s the fourth time in five years that MLS has chosen an All-Star team from Mexico’s top flight as its All-Star Game opponent, and it’s not hard to see why. There is a longstanding soccer rivalry between the countries at the national team level, and that extends to club play. MLS vs. Liga MX matches have often been fiery and dramatic, and there’s no more reliable method for each league to test itself than by facing its next-door neighbor.

The links between the two leagues go deeper than that, though, with MLS and Liga MX openly discussing ideas on how the two sides could go closer. — Jason Anderson

MLS All-Stars 30 years later: How the league moved the ball forward

Since its inaugural season in 1996, just two years after the United States hosted the 1994 World Cup, MLS has steadily grown alongside the nation’s rising interest in soccer.

Over the past three decades, global icons such as Carlos Valderrama, David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimović have brought star power and credibility to the league, helping shape its identity and elevate its global standing. — Safid Deen and Ramon Padilla

30 best players in MLS history: From BWP to Beckham, Messi to Moreno

MLS has seen its fair share of stars over what is now a 30-season lifespan. Whether those players were global icons, cult figures, or unknowns who used the league to make their name in the soccer world, the league has seen some outstanding talents grace its fields.

USA TODAY made its picks for the 30 best players in MLS history. — Jason Anderson

USA TODAY Sports’ 48-page special edition commemorates 30 years of Major League Soccer, from its best players to key milestones and championship dynasties to what exciting steps are next with the World Cup ahead. Order your copy today!

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Keep Reading
By
6 Mins Read

5 Best-performing Canadian Oil and Gas Stocks of 2025

Oil prices fell sharply during the second quarter, after reaching year-to-date highs early in the year.

Between January and the end of June, Brent shed 18.26 percent from US$81.69 to US$66.77. West Texas Intermediate made a similar decline falling 16.94 percent from US$78.86 to US$65.50, over the same time period.

The contraction was largely attributed to OPEC+ easing production cuts and increasing output.

Global supply was further bolstered by China’s strong import volumes and rising domestic output, giving refiners room to delay purchases and adding to a mild US inventory build, both of which added downward pressure.

Conversely, seasonal demand from the US summer driving season and solid Q2 GDP growth in China offered some support.

Despite that backdrop, the five top-performing oil and gas stocks on the TSX and TSXV have seen share price growth over Q2 2025. All year-to-date performance and share price data was obtained on July 16, 2025, using TradingView’s stock screener, and oil and gas companies with market caps above C$10 million at that time were considered.

1. Falcon Oil & Gas (TSXV:FO)

Year-to-date gain: 43.75 percent
Market cap: C$127.55 million
Share price: C$0.115

Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Falcon Oil & Gas is an international oil and gas company incorporated in BC, Canada. The company specializes in the exploration and development of unconventional oil and gas assets, with interests in assets in Australia, South Africa and Hungary.

On January 24, Falcon issued its first corporate update of 2025, announcing the launch of a well stimulation campaign for two wells for the Shenandoah South pilot project in the Beetaloo Sub-Basin, located in Australia’s Northern Territory.

The company has a 22.5 interest in the Beetaloo joint venture, with Tamboran Resources (NYSE:TBN,ASX:TBN) owning the remaining 77.5 percent.

Falcon’s share price spiked several times in June, reaching a year-to-date high of C$0.14 on June 17, which it maintained through late June. The stock movement coincided with Beetaloo updates, including “stellar” flow test results on June 17.

“The IP30 flow rate results announced today of 7.2 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d), are truly stellar and marks another major data point in the Beetaloo Sub-basin again demonstrating that it compares to the best shale wells in the United States,” CEO Philip O’Quigley wrote in the press release.

2. Imperial Oil (TSX:IMO)

Year-to-date gain: 25.67 percent
Market cap: C$57.37 billion
Share price: C$112.70

Calgary-based Imperial Oil is a prominent Canadian energy company involved in the exploration, production, refining and marketing of petroleum products. With a history spanning over 140 years, Imperial operates diverse assets across Canada, including oil sands, conventional crude oil and natural gas assets.

On January 31, Imperial released its Q4 2024 results, reporting an estimated net income of C$1.23 billion in Q4 2024, slightly down from C$1.24 billion in Q3. The decline was attributed to lower price realizations, partly offset by higher production and improved refinery utilization in the Downstream segment.

On May 2, the company announced a Q2 2025 dividend of C$0.72 payable on July 1.

Imperial shares reached a year-to-date high of C$113.05 on July 13. The rally occurred after Scotiabank raised its share price target for Imperial from C$100 to C$110 on July 11, citing stronger refining margins and earnings outlook.

3. MEG Energy (TSX:MEG)

Year-to-date gain: 10.07 percent
Market cap: C$6.7 billion
Share price: C$26.35

MEG is an energy company solely focused on in-situ thermal oil production in the southern Athabasca oil region of Alberta, Canada. Utilizing innovative enhanced oil recovery projects, including steam-assisted gravity drainage extraction methods, the company aims to increase oil recovery responsibly while reducing carbon emissions.

In mid-May, Strathcona Resources (TSX:SCR) made an unsolicited C$4.1 billion offer for MEG, a move company executives quickly denounced.

In a subsequent press release on June 16, MEG called the offer “inadequate, opportunistic, and NOT in the best interests of MEG or its shareholders.”

Chairman of the Board James McFarland stated in the release, ‘A combination with Strathcona would expose shareholders to inferior assets and significant capital markets risks, including a C$6 billion overhang resulting from Waterous Energy Fund’s 51 percent ownership in the combined company.”

MEG has launched a strategic review and welcomed alternative bids from other companies.

Shares of MEG rose to a year-to-date high of C$26.14 on June 20, on the heels of the statement and alongside news that operations at the company’s Christina Lake operations in Alberta would resume at full capacity following wildfire interruptions.

4. Headwater Exploration (TSX:HWX)

Year-to-date gain: 3.75 percent
Market cap: C$1.65 billion
Share price: C$6.92

Headwater Exploration is a Canadian oil and gas company focused on developing high-quality assets in Alberta’s Clearwater play and low-decline natural gas in New Brunswick’s McCully Field.

In March, Headwater reported strong 2024 results, with annual production up 13 percent year-over-year to 20,310 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) and net income rising 20 percent to C$188 million.

Headwater released its Q1 2025 results and a company update in May, highlighting the receipt of TSX approval for a normal course issuer bid, allowing it to repurchase up to 10 percent of its public float over the next year.

Additionally the company reported record production of 22,066 boe/d during Q1 and adjusted funds flow of C$92.4 million. Net income for the period came in at C$50 million. The company declared a quarterly dividend of C$0.11 per share during Q1 and ended the quarter with no debt and C$63.6 million in adjusted working capital.

Company shares spiked to a year-to-date high of C$7.43 on January 9, and reached a Q2 high of C$7.22 on June 19, which coincided with a broader surge in the oil market.

5. Athabasca Oil (TSX:ATH)

Year-to-date gain: 3.72 percent
Market cap: C$2.84 billion
Share price: C$5.57

Athabasca Oil is focused on developing thermal and light oil assets within Alberta’s Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. The company has established a substantial land base with high-quality resources. Its light oil operations are managed through its private subsidiary, Duvernay Energy, in which the company holds a 70 percent equity interest.

On March 5, Athabasca Oil released its 2024 year end results, highlighting strong production and significant cash flow increases. The company averaged 36,815 boe/d during 2024, marking a 7 percent year-over-year increase.

Its Q1 2025 results released on May 7 reported further production growth, with average petroleum and natural gas production of 37,714 boe/d and average thermal oil output of 34,742 barrels per day.

Athabasca Oil generated C$130 million in adjusted funds flow and C$71 million in free cash flow. The company returns capital to shareholders through annual share buybacks, and at the time of the release, it had completed C$94 million in buybacks since the start of 2025.

Broad market positivity in mid-June pushed shares of Athabasca Oil to a year-to-date high of C$6.16 on June 20.

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Keep Reading
By
6 Mins Read

Crypto Market Update: SEC Pauses Bitwise ETF Conversion Soon After Approving Application

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Wednesday (July 23) 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$118,148, down by 0.7 percent over the last 24 hours. Its highest valuation on Wednesday was US$118,462, while its lowest valuation was US$117,583.

Bitcoin price performance, July 23, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

Bitcoin traded lower over the past 24 hours, hovering between $117,000 and $120,000 amid several market pressures.

A major whale moved over US$1.2 billion in dormant BTC, sparking speculation of potential selling.

After a rotation into altcoins, investors took profits following recent highs, while outflows from spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) signaled weaker institutional demand.

Ethereum (ETH) was priced at US$3,592.65, down by 1.9 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation as of Wednesday was US$3,568.86, and its highest was US$3,657.02.

Altcoin price update

  • Solana (SOL) was priced at US$188.86, down by 5.5 percent over 24 hours. Its lowest valuation on Wednesday was US$186.95, and its highest was US$192.58.
  • XRP was trading for US$3.25, down 8.9 percent in the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$3.18, and its highest valuation was US$3.36.
  • Sui (SUI) is trading at US$3.70, down 5.5 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$3.67, and its highest was US$3.84.
  • Cardano (ADA) was trading at US$0.8152, down by 6.9 percent over 24 hours. Its lowest valuation on Wednesday was US$0.8058, and its highest was US$0.8370.

Today’s crypto news to know

PNC Bank and Coinbase partner to advance digital asset solutions

PNC Bank and Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:COIN) have announced a strategic partnership to broaden access to digital asset solutions for PNC’s clients and institutional investors.

The collaboration will leverage Coinbase’s crypto-as-a-service platform, enabling PNC to offer secure and scalable cryptocurrency access. PNC clients will be able to buy, hold and sell cryptocurrencies directly through PNC’s platform.

PNC will also provide essential banking services to Coinbase, signifying a mutual commitment to strengthening the digital financial system. Both companies emphasize that this partnership will meet the increasing demand for secure and streamlined digital asset access.

Goldman Sachs and BNY to launch tokenized money market funds

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) and BNY (NYSE:BK) are preparing to offer institutional investors access to tokenized money market funds, aiming to enhance capital markets with real-time settlement, 24/7 access and increased efficiencies.

BNY clients will soon be able to invest in money market funds with ownership recorded on Goldman Sachs’ private blockchain, as per a Wednesday news release.

“As the financial system transitions toward a more digital, real-time architecture, BNY is committed to enabling scalable and secure solutions that shape the future of finance,” said Laide Majiyagbe, global head of liquidity, financing and collateral at BNY, adding that mirrored tokenization of money market funds is the first step.

This initiative involves major players such as BlackRock (NYSE:BLK), Fidelity Investments, Federated Hermes and the asset management divisions of Goldman and BNY.

Tokenized money market funds offer a contrast to interest-bearing stablecoins, which are specifically prohibited under the GENIUS Act, which was signed into law last week. They provide yield, which makes them a low-volatility tool for hedge funds, pensions and corporations.

SEC halts Bitwise crypto index ETF conversion for review

On Tuesday (July 22), the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Division of Trading and Markets approved the Bitwise 10 Crypto Index to convert to an ETF, only to immediately pause it for review.

In a letter issued later that day, SEC Assistant Secretary Sherry Haywood said that the order will remain “stayed until the Commission orders otherwise.” Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas has suggested that the SEC might be delaying its approval until it establishes a listing standard for crypto ETFs.

Bitwise had applied for this conversion in November for its fund, which offers exposure to a range of cryptocurrencies.

Nate Geraci, president of NovaDius Wealth Management, described the situation as “bizarre,” drawing parallels to the Grayscale Digital Large Cap ETF conversion, which experienced a similar approval and subsequent pause on July 1.

Bitcoin millionaires surge by 16,000 in 2025, according to report

Nearly 16,000 new Bitcoin wallets have crossed the million-dollar threshold since Donald Trump assumed the presidency in January 2025, according to a Finbold report. The number of Bitcoin millionaires is up from 132,842 in November 2024 to 192,205 as of July 20, marking a 45 percent increase in just eight months.

Large holders with over US$10 million in BTC also saw gains exceeding 16 percent in the same period.

The surge has been linked to renewed investor optimism following Trump’s re-election, along with clear signals of regulatory support and clarity for digital assets.

A significant boost came this week when the US House passed the Genius Act. The legislation, expected to streamline compliance for institutions, is widely seen as the most comprehensive federal crypto framework to date.

The rapidly changing policy environment has encouraged capital inflows and bolstered confidence in US-based crypto markets, with the resulting daily average tallying to 88 new Bitcoin millionaires in 2025 alone.

South Korea warns fund managers to reduce exposure to crypto stocks

South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) has issued informal warnings to asset managers over their exposure to crypto-related stocks and ETFs. According to the Korea Herald, firms with significant holdings in US-listed crypto companies such as Coinbase and Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) were reportedly told to scale back.

The directive follows the FSS’s longstanding 2017 stance prohibiting direct investment in virtual assets by financial institutions, despite recent global shifts in crypto regulation. While the agency has been reviewing possible easing of crypto rules, officials reportedly said that licensed entities must continue observing current guidelines.

The FSS has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the report.

PayPal unveils cross-border wallet platform

PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) has launched PayPal World, a cross-border payments network that integrates several of the world’s largest digital wallets, aiming to simplify international commerce for billions.

The platform’s initial partners include India’s UPI (via NPCI International), China’s Weixin Pay (via Tenpay Global) and PayPal’s own services including Venmo.

A memorandum of understanding has also been signed with Mercado Pago in Latin America.

According to PayPal CEO Alex Chriss, the initiative allows users to pay with their native wallets regardless of location. Chriss called it a potential “game changer” for frictionless payments in travel and e-commerce.

“The challenge of moving money across borders is incredibly complex, and yet this platform will make it so simple for nearly two billion consumers and businesses,’ Chriss said a recent press release.

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

Keep Reading
By
1 Min Read

Joe Cavatoni: Gold’s Key Driver Now, Catalyst for Next Leg Higher

Joe Cavatoni, senior market strategist, Americas, at the World Gold Council, explains that market risk and uncertainty are driving gold, with H1 2025 seeing multiple record highs.

‘Think strategically when you think about gold, and keep that allocation in mind,’ he said.

He also shares thoughts on the importance of central bank allocations and the potential impact of tariffs and US economic conditions on gold during the second half of 2025.

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Keep Reading
By
3 Mins Read

White House Unveils 90 Point AI Strategy

The White House on Wednesday (July 23) released a sweeping national strategy for artificial intelligence (AI), outlining over 90 federal actions designed to strengthen America’s position as the global leader in AI development.

The document fulfills a mandate laid out in President Donald Trump’s January 23 executive order, which called for the removal of what the administration described as “barriers to American leadership” in the field.

Titled “Winning the AI Race: America’s AI Action Plan,” the plan sets priorities across three core pillars: accelerating innovation, building domestic infrastructure and leading on global AI diplomacy and security.

The White House said parts of the strategy will be enacted via executive orders in the coming weeks.

Trump and senior officials are set to promote the initiative at an event on Thursday (July 2) night that will be hosted by the Hill and Valley Forum, a group of influential tech donors and investors.

“President Trump has prioritized AI as a cornerstone of American innovation,” said Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

“This plan galvanizes federal efforts to turbocharge our innovation capacity, build cutting-edge infrastructure, and lead globally, ensuring that American workers and families thrive in the AI era.”

The new initiative marks a clear departure from previous federal policy, explicitly revoking the Biden-era Executive Order 14110, “Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence,” which had emphasized caution, regulation and ethical oversight. In contrast, the Trump administration’s AI directive aims to remove what it describes as “onerous” federal restrictions and foster what it calls innovation free from “ideological bias.”

The goal, according to Trump administration officials, is to secure the global proliferation of US-made AI technologies and prevent the dominance of foreign alternatives. Domestically, the plan pledges to fast track the permitting process for building new data centers and semiconductor fabs, and to launch national workforce initiatives targeting technical trades essential to AI infrastructure, such as electricians and HVAC technicians.

David Sacks, White House special advisor for AI and crypto, framed the plan in strategic and geopolitical terms.

“Artificial intelligence is a revolutionary technology with the potential to transform the global economy and alter the balance of power in the world,” Sacks said, adding that in order to win the AI race, the US must center its innovation domestically and “avoid Orwellian uses of AI.”

In May, the Trump administration reached agreements with the United Arab Emirates to grant the country access to advanced AI chips — part of a broader US$200 billion cooperation deal announced alongside plans for a 5 gigawatt AI campus in the United Arab Emirates. .

As of now, the White House has not provided a timeline for the full rollout of the 90 outlined actions, but officials said implementation would begin “in the coming weeks.”

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Keep Reading
By
10 Mins Read

Walker Lane Resources Ltd. Announces Closing of Private Placement

 

Walker Lane Resources Ltd. (TSX – V: WLR) (F r ankfurt:6YL ) (‘WLR’ o r t h e ‘ Comp a ny’) is pleased to announce, further to its news releases of June 10, 2025, that it has received TSX Venture Exchange approval to close the non-brokered private placement (the ‘ Private Placement ‘). On July 23, 2025, the Company issued 2,508,335 non-flow through Units (each a ‘ NFT Unit ‘) at a price of $0.12 per NFT Unit, for gross proceeds of $301,000, and 607,143 flow-through Units (each a ‘ FT Unit ‘) at a price of $0.14 per FT Unit, for gross proceeds of $85,000, for aggregate gross proceeds of $386,000. Each NFT Unit is composed of one common share and one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a ‘ NFT Warrant ‘). Each FT Unit is composed of one common share and one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a ‘ FT Warrant ‘), each NFT Warrant and each FT Warrant are exercisable for two (2) years at $0.16 per common share.

 

An insider of the Company subscribed for an aggregate of 1,178,571 Units, composed of 750,000 NFT Units and 428,571 FT Units. Such participation was considered to be a ‘related party transaction’ as this term is defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions (‘ MI 61-101 ‘). The Company relied on the exemption from valuation requirement and minority approval pursuant to subsection 5.5(a) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101, respectively, for the insider participation in the Offering, as the securities do not represent more than 25% of the Company’s market capitalization, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101.

 

The Company intends to use the proceeds from the sale of FT Units to incur ‘Canadian exploration expenses’ and ‘flow through mining expenditures’ as these terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) and, in particular, the Company’s exploration program at its Amy and Silver Hart Properties in the Rancheria Silver District, (Yukon/British Columbia), and potentially limited activities at Logjam (Yukon). Such proceeds will be renounced to the subscribers with an effective date not later than December 31, 2025, in the aggregate amount of not less than the total amount of gross proceeds raised from the issue of FT Units. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of NFT units for its properties in Nevada including Tule Canyon, Cambridge and Silver Mountain and for general working capital. The FT and NFT Units issued under the financing are subject to a four-month hold.

 

   A     bout Walker Lane Resources Ltd.   

 

 Walker Lane Resources Ltd. is a growth-stage exploration company focused on the exploration of high-grade gold, silver and polymetallic deposits in the Walker Lane Gold Trend District in Nevada and the Rancheria Silver District in Yukon/B.C. and other property assets in Yukon. The Company intends to initiate exploration programs to advance the drill-ready Tule Canyon (Walker Lane, Nevada) and Amy (Rancheria Silver, B.C.) projects to resource definition stage through proposed drilling campaigns that the Company desires to undertake in the near future.

 

The company intends to conduct early stage exploration efforts on its Cambridge and Silver Mountain Properties in the Walker Lane Area, Nevada, evaluate its Silver Hart/Blue Heaven property for medium term development, and advancing exploration on its Logjam property in Yukon.

 

On behalf of the Board:
   ‘Kevin Brewer’    
Kevin Brewer, President, CEO and Director
Walker Lane Resources Ltd.

For Further Information and Investor Inquiries:  

 

Kevin Brewer, P. Geo., MBA, B.Sc. (Hons), Dip. Mine Eng.
President, CEO and Director
Tel: (709) 327 8013
  kbrewer80@hotmail.com   
  Telephone (604) 602-0001   
  www.walkerlaneresources.com   
Suite 1600-409 Granville St.,
Vancouver, BC, V6C 1T2

 

   Ne     i     t     h     er     t     h     e     TS     X     Ven     t     ure     Exc     h     a     n     ge     n     o     r     its     Reg     u     l     a     ti     o     n     S     ervices     Prov     i     der     (as     t     h     at     term     is     de     fi     ned     in     t     h     e p     o     li     c     ies     of     the     T     SX     Vent     u     re     Excha     n     ge)     accepts     re     s     ponsi     b     ility     f     or     t     he     ade     q     u     acy     or     accuracy     of     this     release.   

 

  Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements  

 

This press release and related figures, contain certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements as defined in applicable securities laws (collectively referred to as forward-looking statements). These statements relate to future events or our future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words ‘anticipate’, ‘plans’, ‘continue’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘project’, ‘predict’, ‘potential’, ‘should’, ‘believe’ ‘targeted’, ‘can’, ‘anticipates’, ‘intends’, ‘likely’, ‘should’, ‘could’ or grammatical variations thereof and similar expressions is intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this presentation. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning: our strategy and priorities including certain statements included in this presentation are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, including statements regarding the Tule Canyon, Cambridge, Silver Mountain, and Shamrock Properties in Nevada (USA), and its Silverknife and Amy properties in British Columbia, the Silver Hart, Blue Heaven and Logjam properties in Yukon all of which now comprise the mineral property assets of WLR. WLR has assumed other assets of CMC Metals Ltd. including common share holdings of North Bay Resources Inc. and all conditions and agreements pertaining to the sale of the Bishop mill gold processing facility and remains subject to the condition of the option of the Silverknife Property with Coeur Silvertip Holdings Ltd. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to the Company and assumptions the Company believes are reasonable. The Company has made various assumptions, including, among others, that: the historical information related to the Company’s properties is reliable; the Company’s operations are not disrupted or delayed by unusual geological or technical problems; the Company has the ability to explore the Company’s properties; the Company will be able to raise any necessary additional capital on reasonable terms to execute its business plan; the Company’s current corporate activities will proceed as expected; general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner; and budgeted costs and expenditures are and will continue to be accurate. Actual results and developments may differ materially from results and developments discussed in the forward looking statements as they are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties, including: public health threats; fluctuations in metals prices, price of consumed commodities and currency markets; future profitability of mining operations; access to personnel; results of exploration and development activities, accuracy of technical information; risks related to ownership of properties; risks related to mining operations; risks related to mineral resource figures being estimates based on interpretations and assumptions which may result in less mineral production under actual conditions than is currently anticipated; the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles; environmental and other regulatory risks; changes in operating expenses; changes in general market and industry conditions; changes in legal or regulatory requirements; other risk factors set out in this presentation; and other risk factors set out in the Company’s public disclosure documents. Although the Company has attempted to identify significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other risks that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are beyond the Company’s control. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurances that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences or benefits to, or effect on, the Company. The information contained in this presentation is derived from management of the Company and otherwise from publicly available information and does not purport to contain all of the information that an investor may desire to have in evaluating the Company. The information has not been independently verified, may prove to be imprecise, and is subject to material updating, revision and further amendment. While management is not aware of any misstatements regarding any industry data presented herein, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made or given by or on behalf of the Company as to the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the information or opinions contained in this presentation and no responsibility or liability is accepted by any person for such information or opinions. The forward-looking statements and information in this presentation speak only as of the date of this presentation and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by applicable law. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, prospective investors should not read forward-looking information as guarantees of future performance or results and should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. Nothing in this presentation is, or should be relied upon as, a promise or representation as to the future. To the extent any forward-looking statement in this presentation constitutes ‘future-oriented financial information’ or ‘financial outlooks’ within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, such information is being provided to demonstrate the anticipated market penetration and the reader is cautioned that this information may not be appropriate for any other purpose and the reader should not place undue reliance on such future-oriented financial information and financial outlooks. Future-oriented financial information and financial outlooks, as with forward-looking statements generally, are, without limitation, based on the assumptions and subject to the risks set out above. The Company’s actual financial position and results of operations may differ materially from management’s current expectations and, as a result, the Company’s revenue and expenses. The Company’s financial projections were not prepared with a view toward compliance with published guidelines of International Financial Reporting Standards and have not been examined, reviewed or compiled by the Company’s accountants or auditors. The Company’s financial projections represent management’s estimates as of the dates indicated thereon.

 

   

 

 

News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Keep Reading
By
4 Mins Read

Credit card startup Imprint beats big banks for Rakuten co-brand deal

There’s a new player making waves in an industry dominated by big banks.

Imprint, the 5-year-old credit card startup, beat out banks in a competitive bidding process for a new co-branded card from online shopping platform Rakuten, CNBC has learned.

The deal is the most recent sign that Imprint is gaining traction in the co-branded credit card industry.

The New York-based startup also just raised $70 million in additional capital, boosting its valuation by 50% to $900 million less than a year from its previous round, according to Imprint CEO Daragh Murphy.

Credit card partnerships with retailers, airlines and hotels are some of the most hotly contested deals in finance. Brands often go through extensive bidding processes to select a card company, while the companies compete for the right to issue cards to millions of loyal customers. The industry’s largest players include JPMorgan Chase, Capital One, Citigroup and Synchrony.

“We’re talking to Fortune 500 companies about being their partner and them choosing us over Synchrony, over Barclays, over U.S. Bank,” Murphy said in an interview. “We have to kind of walk and talk like we’re a big, important company, even though we still have a startup ethos.”

That’s why the company recently raised capital, bringing its total to $330 million, most of which is held on the firm’s balance sheet, according to Murphy. Those funds help show potential partners that Imprint has staying power, he said.

Imprint also has about $1.5 billion in credit lines from banks including Citigroup, Truist and Mizuho, which it uses to extend loans to card customers, Murphy said. The startup is behind the cards from brands including Eddie Bauer, Brooks Brothers and Turkish Airlines.

To offer its credit cards, Imprint usually partners with one of two small banks, First Electronic Bank or First Bank and Trust. Imprint handles the customer experience, including the technology and credit decisions, while using the credit card rails of regulated banks.

In the case of the Rakuten card, Imprint is relying on the American Express network, which allows users to get Amex purchase protections and other perks. It is using First Electronic Bank to help issue the cards.

“Though we’re not a regulated bank, we’re effectively building a bank,” Murphy said. “We have to do all the same things as a bank. We’re a capital markets company; we’re a compliance company; we’re a risk and credit and fraud company; we’re a technology company.”

To gain a toehold in the market for co-branded cards, which can be used anywhere credit cards are accepted, Imprint decided it would focus on a seamless digital experience for customers, Murphy said. That requires technology integration that is difficult for established players who rely on third-party companies including Fiserv to complete transactions, he said.

“The banks are in trouble because they don’t own the technology that the credit card runs on,” Murphy said. “Every credit card in your wallet, whether it’s Chase … or from Citi or Synchrony, they rely on two or three different third parties to power the technology.”

Imprint also decided to set itself apart by making it easy for customers to pay off their loans, Murphy said. Card companies including Bread Financial and Synchrony make a far larger percentage of revenue from late fees than Imprint does, he said.

“You shouldn’t have all these regressive late fees, and you shouldn’t make it hard to pay,” Murphy said. “The easier we make it to pay, the more likely you are to use the card, and the more likely you are to use the card, the better it is for everybody.”

Finally, Murphy said the company’s low customer acquisition costs allow it to fund more rewards for card users.

The new Rakuten card, for instance, offers users an extra 4% in cash back in addition to what customers earn through shopping on the online portal, capped at $7,000 in spending per year.

Users also earn 10% in cash back while dining at Rakuten’s partner restaurants, and 2% cash back on groceries and non-partner restaurants.

The previous Rakuten credit card was issued by Synchrony and discontinued in 2022.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

Keep Reading
By