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Albanian judge killed in courtroom shooting amid growing anger over justice system reforms

On Oct. 6, Albanian Appeals Court Judge Astrit Kalaja was shot inside the Tirana courtroom where he oversaw a property dispute case, according to the International Commission of Jurists. Kalaja died of his wounds, and two others were injured in the shooting. The 30-year-old suspect has been arrested.

Kalaja’s killing quickly became a lightning rod for nationwide dissatisfaction with the Albanian judiciary. 

Former Albanian Ambassador to the United States and the United Nations Agim Nesho told Fox News Digital that reforms implemented almost a decade ago by the European Union and the U.S. were ‘intended to strengthen the rule of law,’ but have been ‘transformed into a political instrument, undermining democratic institutions and concentrating power in the hands of the executive.’

‘As a result,’ Nesho said, ‘the public’s confidence in the justice system has severely eroded, with institutional dysfunction reaching a level where some segments of society feel driven to take justice into their own hands — a dangerous sign of democratic backsliding.’

Opposition Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha told Fox News Digital that Kalaja’s killing was ‘an abominable act and an alarm bell that should not be ignored.’

Berisha said that the ‘evident support that the act has garnered,’ including the creation of a now inactive GoFundMe to support the killer’s legal rights, demonstrates ‘protest against a dysfunctional judiciary, against a corrupt and politicized judicial system.’

Berisha said judicial reforms ‘left the country without a Constitutional Court and without a High Court for more than five years,’ creating a ‘staggering backlog’ of around 200,000 cases. He said that the process of vetting judicial personnel turned into ‘a witch-hunt against magistrates that were perceived [to be] independent or potentially right-leaning.’ According to Berisha, this led to the ‘weaponization of the judiciary against the opposition.’ 

A 2020 report on U.S. assistance to Albania describes American and EU efforts to ‘restore the integrity of the Albanian justice system.’ The report states that USAID assisted the High Court with creating a procedure to manage 72% of its 35,000 backlogged cases. It also stated that 125 of 286 judges and prosecutors put through vetting procedures had ‘been dismissed for unexplained wealth, ties to organized crime, or incompetence,’ while 50 judges chose to resign rather than go through vetting.

Berisha claimed that in the aftermath of reforms, it now takes about 15–20 years for the resolution of legal disputes. ‘Justice delayed is justice denied,’ Berisha said.

Lawyer Besnik Muçi, formerly a prosecutor and a judge in the Constitutional Court of Albania, told Fox News Digital that judicial reforms aimed ‘to establish a credible, fair, independent, professional, service-oriented justice system that is open, accountable and efficient.’ He said that the Albanian justice system ‘has failed in almost all’ parameters. 

Muçi said the courts’ backlog consists of about 150,000 cases. He also noted that the closure of five appeal courts and some district courts has ‘almost blocked the citizens’ access to justice.’ He also explained that most court buildings do not ‘meet…the security conditions and standards necessary.’ 

‘Citizens do not believe in the justice system,’ Muçi said. 

After Kalaja’s murder, the Korça Bar Association and National Bar Association of Albania boycotted court proceedings on Oct. 9 and 10. Korça Bar Association Director Nevzat Tarelli told Albanian news station CNA that Kalaja’s killing highlighted the need for increased security for and trust in judicial personnel. He also said that ‘people who expect justice in a timely manner, if they do not receive it, no longer have faith in justice.’ 

Engjëll Agaçi, general secretary of Albania’s Council of Ministers, did not respond to Fox News Digital’s questions about nationwide discontent with the judiciary or the size of Albania’s court case backlog. 

A State Department spokesperson declined to respond to questions about the success of U.S.-backed judicial reform efforts in Albania or address the issues that Kalaja’s killing has highlighted.

‘We offer our deepest sympathies to the victims of this attack and their families and strongly condemn the use of violence against judges and prosecutors,’ the spokesperson said.

 

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Trump directs Hegseth to pay troops during ongoing government shutdown standoff as he rails against Schumer

President Donald Trump railed against Democrats over the ongoing government shutdown Saturday, and said he is directing Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to make sure military service members get paid next week. 

‘Chuck Schumer recently said, ‘Every day gets better’ during their Radical Left Shutdown,’ Trump wrote on Truth Social. ‘I DISAGREE! If nothing is done, because of ‘Leader’ Chuck Schumer and the Democrats, our Brave Troops will miss the paychecks they are rightfully due on October 15th.’

He said he had directed Hegseth ‘to use all available funds to get our Troops PAID on October 15th. We have identified funds to do this, and Secretary Hegseth will use them to PAY OUR TROOPS.’

‘I will not allow the Democrats to hold our Military, and the entire Security of our Nation, HOSTAGE, with their dangerous Government Shutdown,’ he added. ‘The Radical Left Democrats should OPEN THE GOVERNMENT, and then we can work together to address Healthcare, and many other things that they want to destroy. Thank you for your attention to this matter!’

The government shut down on Oct. 1, after Democrats and Republicans failed to pass a spending bill to fund the government, with Democrats concerned that expiring Affordable Care Act tax cuts could raise premiums and that Medicaid cuts could leave people without coverage.  

Trump on Monday blamed Democratic lawmakers for the shutdown, saying he’d be ‘happy to work with the Democrats on their failed healthcare policies’ once the government reopens.

‘Democrats have SHUT DOWN the United States government right in the midst of one of the most successful economies, including a record stock market, that our country has ever had,’ Trump wrote on Truth Social. ‘This has sadly affected so many programs, services, and other elements of society that Americans rely on — and it should not have happened.’

‘I am happy to work with the Democrats on their failed healthcare policies, or anything else, but first they must allow our government to re-open,’ he added.

Schumer recently told Punchbowl News: ‘Every day gets better for us,’ regarding the Democrats’ shutdown strategy.

He added, ‘It’s because we’ve thought about this long in advance and we knew that health care would be the focal point on Sept. 30 and we prepared for it … Their whole theory was — threaten us, bamboozle us, and we would submit in a day or two.’

Republicans have blamed Schumer for the shutdown, saying it was meant to appease the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, particularly in his home state as Zohran Mamdani maintains the lead in New York City’s mayoral race and buzz swirls regarding Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is potentially challenging Schumer in the next primary. She has not formally declared a Senate bid.

‘Chuck Schumer just said the quiet part out loud: Democrats are gleefully inflicting pain on the American people over their push to give illegal aliens free health care,’ White House deputy press secretary Abigail Jackson said in a statement provided exclusively to Fox News Digital. 

Schumer recently shared with Fox News Digital remarks he made on the Senate floor. 

‘Every day that Republicans refuse to negotiate to end this shutdown, the worse it gets for Americans — and the clearer it becomes who’s fighting for them. Each day our case to fix healthcare and end this shutdown gets better and better, stronger and stronger because families are opening their letters showing how high their premiums will climb if Republicans get their way. They’re seeing why this fight matters — it’s about protecting their healthcare, their bank accounts and their futures.’

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Venezuelan Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado dedicates award to Trump for ‘decisive support’

Venezuelan opposition leader and newly minted Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado dedicated the award on Friday to both President Donald Trump and the ‘suffering people of Venezuela.’

Machado, a leading figure in the resistance against Venezuela’s ruling party, took to X to acknowledge the honor and to praise Trump for his support.

‘This recognition of the struggle of all Venezuelans is a boost to conclude our task: to conquer Freedom,’ Machado said. ‘We are on the threshold of victory and today, more than ever, we count on President Trump, the people of the United States, the peoples of Latin America, and the democratic nations of the world as our principal allies to achieve Freedom and democracy. 

She added, ‘I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause!’

Machado has previously been outspoken in her support for the Trump administration’s actions against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s regime and the country’s narco-trafficking network.

Last month, following reports that a U.S. strike killed 11 alleged Tren de Aragua narco-terrorists transporting drugs from Venezuela, Machado appeared on ‘Fox & Friends’ to discuss Maduro’s leadership, saying it was time for him ‘to go.’

‘On behalf of the Venezuelan people, I want to tell you how grateful we are to President Trump and the administration for addressing the tragedy that Venezuela is going through,’ Machado said at the time. ‘ … Maduro has turned Venezuela into the biggest threat to the national security of the U.S. and the stability of the region.’

Trump has also been a vocal critic of Maduro, and the U.S. is among several countries that do not recognize Maduro’s government as legitimate, according to Reuters.

In last year’s election, Machado rallied millions of Venezuelans to reject Maduro. She was described as a ‘brave and committed champion of peace’ by Joergen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

‘She is receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy,’ Frydnes said.

Trump was also among the contenders for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, awarded annually to an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to global peace, in the wake of his brokering a historic deal between Israel and Hamas. 

Fox News Digital’s Rachel Wolf and Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.

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Trump declared in ‘excellent overall health’ by doctor after Walter Reed visit

President Donald Trump is in ‘excellent overall health,’ the president’s doctor said in a memorandum after a follow-up evaluation at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday. 

Earlier this week, the White House announced that Trump, 79, would undergo a ‘routine’ semiannual physical on Friday. 

The president also met with troops while at the hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. 

‘President Donald J. Trump successfully completed a scheduled follow-up evaluation at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center,’ Navy Capt. Sean P. Barbabella, the physician to the president, wrote in a memorandum to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. 

Barbabella said that the visit was part of an ongoing health maintenance plan that included ‘advanced imaging, laboratory testing and preventative health assessments conducted by multidisciplinary team of specialists.’ 

He added, ‘Comprehensive laboratory studies performed in conjunction with the visit were exceptional, including stable metabolic, hematologic and cardiac parameters.’

In his summary, Barbabella said Trump, ‘remains in exceptional health, exhibiting strong cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, and physical performance.’ 

Barbabella also said Trump also received updated COVID-19 and flu shots in preparation for international travel. 

‘President Trump continues to demonstrate excellent overall health,’ he wrote, adding that his cardiac age was found to be ‘approximately 14 years younger than his chronological age. He continues to maintain a demanding daily schedule without restriction.’ 

The medical checkup will be Trump’s second this year. He had a similar exam in April, during which his physician stated that he ‘remains in excellent health.’

In July, the president was diagnosed with a vein condition known as chronic venous insufficiency. At the time, Leavitt said Trump had noticed ‘mild swelling’ in his lower legs and was evaluated by the White House medical unit.

Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when veins in the legs struggle to allow blood to flow back up to the heart.

Leavitt attributed the bruising on the president’s hand to ‘frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin.’

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Kim Jong Un shows off ‘most powerful’ ballistic missile as foreign leaders watch North Korea military parade

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un displayed a new long-range intercontinental ballistic missile at a military parade in Pyongyang that included foreign leaders on Friday. 

The yet-to-be-tested Hwasong-20 was described by the state-owned Korean Central News Agency as having the ‘most powerful nuclear strategic weapons system.’

The government also displayed shorter-range ballistic, cruise and supersonic missiles at the military parade, which marked 80 years since the founding of the Worker’s Party.

Kim said at the parade that the military ‘must continue to evolve into an invincible force that eliminates all threats.’

The foreign dignitaries at the parade included Chinese Premier Li Qiang, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, and Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam. 

Kim also met with Medvedev on Friday, who praised the sacrifice of North Korean soldiers fighting with Russia in Ukraine. 

Kim said he hoped to strengthen ties with Russia and work together toward common goals. 

Last summer, Kim’s sister Kim Yo Jong warned the U.S. to not attempt to restart talks centered around denuclearization, adding that Pyongyang would view any attempt to pressure North Korea to denuclearize as ‘nothing but a mockery.’ 

‘If the U.S. fails to accept the changed reality and persists in the failed past, the DPRK- U.S. meeting will remain as a ‘hope’ of the U.S. side,’ Kim Yo Jong said, referring to the nation by its official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report. 

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War Department launches new counter-narcotics task force under Trump directive to crush cartels

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Friday announced that the Department of War (DOW) is establishing a new counter-narcotics Joint Task Force in the Caribbean Sea. 

Hegseth said the task force’s aim would be to ‘crush the cartels, stop the poison, and keep America safe. The message is clear: if you traffic drugs toward our shores, we will stop you cold.’

The task force is launching at the direction of President Donald Trump, he said, in the SOUTHCOM area, which covers the Caribbean and Latin America. 

The U.S. Southern Command said in a release that the task force was being launched under the II Marine Expeditionary Force on Friday ‘to synchronize and augment counter-narcotics efforts across the Western Hemisphere.’

‘Transnational criminal organizations threaten the security, prosperity, and health of our hemisphere,’ Admiral Alvin Holsey, the commander of SOUTHCOM, said in a statement. ‘By forming a JTF around II MEF headquarters, we enhance our ability to detect, disrupt, and dismantle illicit trafficking networks faster and at greater depth – together with our U.S. and partner-nation counterparts.’

This comes as the administration has begun strikes against boats in the Caribbean it says are linked to drug trafficking networks.

The administration has conducted a series of fatal strikes against four small boats believed to be carrying drugs over the last few months.

It said 21 people were killed in the strikes.  

The attacks have alarmed Democratic lawmakers as the administration hasn’t detailed what evidence it had against the targeted boats or their passengers. 

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Putin praises Trump’s peace efforts as ‘really doing a lot’ to resolve global crises and conflicts

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised President Donald Trump’s efforts to negotiate peace deals around the world, specifically citing his work brokering a truce between Israel and Hamas.

‘He’s really doing a lot to resolve such complex crises that have lasted for years and even decades,’ Putin said at a summit in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, where he met with leaders of nations once part of the former Soviet Union.

The remarks came in response to a question about whether he felt Trump had been passed over for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The award was given Friday morning to Venezuelan opposition leader and democracy activist María Corina Machado.

‘There have been cases where the committee has awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to people who have done nothing for peace,’ Putin said. ‘A person comes — good or bad — and [gets it] in a month, in two months — boom. For what? He didn’t do anything at all.

‘In my view, these decisions have done enormous damage to the prestige of this prize,’ he continued.

In September, Trump alluded to the likelihood that he would again be passed over for the Nobel Prize despite helping to end several conflicts.

‘If this works out, we’ll have eight — eight in eight months. That’s pretty good,’ Trump said during remarks to dozens of top generals and admirals in Quantico, Virginia. ‘Nobody’s ever done that. Will you get the Nobel Prize? Absolutely not.

‘They’ll give it to some guy that didn’t do a damn thing,’ he continued. ‘They’ll give it to the guy who wrote a book about the mind of Donald Trump and what it took to solve the wars. The Nobel Prize will go to a writer.’

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

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Tech Weekly: Market Dives After Week-Long Rally as China/US Tensions Reignite

This week, the technology sector remained the dominant force shaping overall market trends in the US, despite the ongoing complexity of macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions.

The partial US government shutdown continued to delay key economic reports, creating a data vacuum that heightened reliance on soft data like consumer sentiment surveys. Notably, the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index held steady at a subdued 55, reflecting persistent concerns about high prices and a challenging labor market.

Meanwhile, Canada reported a surprising gain of 60,400 jobs in September, with employment increases concentrated in full-time positions and manufacturing. The unemployment rate held steady at 7.1 percent, defying expectations and signaling a cautious stabilization after recent job losses.

Investor appetite for AI and related innovation remained high, pushing the Nasdaq Composite (INDEXNASDAQ:.IXIC) and S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX) to record or near-record levels midweek. However, ongoing trade frictions between the US and China continue posing risks to semiconductor supply chains and international tech trade flows.

On Friday (October 10), China introduced additional export restrictions on rare earth metals and related refining technologies, expanding controls to five more elements critical for electronics, defense and high-tech industries. US President Donald Trump responded by threatening to escalate tariffs on Chinese imports and warned of the potential cancellation of his upcoming meeting with President Xi Jinping at APEC in South Korea.

The news sent major stock indexes lower, with the S&P 500 seeing its largest decline since tariffs were first announced in April and the Nasdaq Composite losing 3.56 percent. The Philadelphia SE Semiconductor Index led losses, pulling back 6.32 percent.

After a nearly three-year rally fueled by enthusiasm for AI, concerns among analysts and investors about elevated valuations and concentrated exposure in AI-related companies continue to emerge.

The Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee warned of an increased risk of market correction, particularly in AI-focused tech firms, due to stretched valuations. They noted high market concentration in the S&P 500’s top five companies, many being AI-centric. Disappointing AI adoption or increased competition could trigger a downturn by reassessing high earnings expectations. Bottlenecks in AI advancements also pose valuation risks.

Similarly, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned that AI-fueled global stock prices are overvalued and vulnerable to a sudden correction. She cited weakening job creation and US tariffs as “troubling signs” that could lead to instability and dampen global growth.

Analysts from JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) also wrote in a Monday (October 6) note that AI-related debt has reached US$1.2 trillion, making it the largest segment in the investment-grade market. AI companies now represent 14 percent of the high-grade market, exceeding US banks. However, this debt is primarily in investment-grade bonds from companies with strong balance sheets,

This complex interplay of cautious optimism underscores the evolving narratives dominating the tech market.

Three tech stocks that moved markets this week

1. Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD)

AMD’s stock opened over 31 percent higher on Monday after announcing a multi-year deal to supply up to 6 gigawatts of AI chips to OpenAI, starting with its MI450 series in the second half of 2026.

The company extended its gains on Tuesday (October 7) after Jefferies upgraded the stock rating to “buy” as other brokerages hiked their price targets. The news helped temper losses seen throughout the tech sector as trade tensions escalated on Friday.

The partnership grants OpenAI warrants to acquire up to 160 million shares of AMD, representing around 10 percent ownership upon achieving deployment milestones. This deal positions AMD as a major AI hardware supplier and represents a challenge to Nvidia’s dominance in the sector.

2. Intel (NASDAQ:INTC)

Intel shares jumped as much as 3.05 percent on Friday after the company unveiled its Panther Lake architecture, the first PC processor built on its advanced 18A semiconductor manufacturing process, with high-volume production beginning later this year at its Fab 52 facility in Arizona.

Panther Lake is set to significantly enhance power efficiency and performance, delivering an anticipated 50 percent increase in CPU and GPU capabilities compared to earlier generations. This chip is designed for premium laptops and is central to Intel’s plan to re-establish its leadership in semiconductor manufacturing within the US.

Intel also previewed its first 18A-based server processor, Clearwater Forest, slated for release in the first half of 2026. Panther Lake is scheduled for commercial availability in early 2026, coinciding with major consumer electronics shows.

3. Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA)

Tesla released the long-awaited lower-priced versions of the Model Y and Model 3 on Tuesday, with the Model Y Standard starting at US$39,990.

After an initial rally on Monday following a weekend teaser of the announcement, shares fell by as much as 4.57 percent after an underwhelming reaction to modest price cuts and the vehicles’ lack of key features present in the pricier models.

The company also reportedly paused large-scale production of its humanoid robot Optimus due to technical difficulties and faced a new preliminary safety investigation by the NHTSA into its Full Self-Driving system, covering nearly 2.9 million vehicles amid reports of traffic law violations.

Company announcements helped Intel and AMD weather sector-wide losses on Friday

Chart courtesy of Google Finance

ETF performance

This week, the iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SOXX) only declined by about 6.27 percent, while the Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SOXQ) pulled back by approximately 6.49 percent.

For its part, the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SMH) only lost 5.86 percent.

These losses occurred against a backdrop of heightening trade tensions between tech’s two largest markets.

Other tech market news

            Tech news to watch next week

            Next week, investors will be closely monitoring a slate of important earnings reports from leading financial and technology companies, including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America Corp (NYSE:BAC), Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS), Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS), IBM, Intel and Tesla.

            Additionally, the US government’s shutdown resolution or extension will affect the release of vital economic data, influencing market sentiment and investment strategies.

            On the policy front, investors should watch for Federal Reserve communications for clues on interest rate directions, as well as progress in US-China trade negotiations, which will undoubtedly define the near-term trajectory of the tech market.

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

            This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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            Crypto Market Update: Altcoins Retreat as Bitcoin ETFs See US$2.7 Billion in Inflows

            Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Friday (October 10) as of 9:00 a.m. UTC.

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

            Bitcoin and Ether price update

            Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$121,578, down by 1.6 percent in 24 hours. The cryptocurrency’s lowest valuation of the day was US$119,967, and its highest was US$123,548.

            Bitcoin price performance, October 10, 2025.

            Chart via TradingView

            Bitcoin may be trading near record highs, but one of its most respected on-chain indicators suggests the rally could still have significant room to run possibly as far as US$180,000.

            The Mayer Multiple, a long-term metric that compares Bitcoin’s current price to its 200-week moving average, remains well below levels that have historically marked market tops.

            “Bitcoin is at all-time highs and the Mayer Multiple is ice cold,” crypto analyst Frank Fetter wrote on X (formerly Twitter). According to Fetter, Bitcoin would need to climb to around US$180,000 before the indicator flashes “overbought” conditions, implying that the current cycle could still have room to expand.

            The indicator’s historical context adds weight to that view. During Bitcoin’s 2017 and 2021 peaks, the Mayer Multiple surged well above 2.4, signaling excessive market exuberance before major corrections followed.

            This time, the pattern looks different. The Multiple’s highest level in the current cycle—1.84 in March 2024, when Bitcoin neared US$72,000—never approached prior extremes, according to Glassnode data. Analysts see this moderation as a sign of a more sustainable advance.

            Despite these encouraging on-chain signals, not everyone is convinced the path higher will be smooth. Short-term traders remain divided on whether Bitcoin can maintain momentum into the final quarter of the year.

            Trader Tony “The Bull” Severino argued that Bitcoin may be entering a decisive 100-day window. Writing on X, Severino pointed to the Bollinger Bands indicator on Bitcoin’s weekly chart, which has tightened to levels not seen before. He noted that Bitcoin’s recent inability to hold above US$126,000, after briefly testing the upper band, could signal a short-term pullback before any sustained breakout.

            Ether (ETH) also slid after last week’s rally, but has since recovered some of its losses. It was up by 0.7 percent over 24 hours to US$4,365.58. Ether’s lowest valuation on Friday was US$4,285.77, and its highest was US$4,401.99.

            Altcoin price update

            • Solana (SOL) was priced at US$222.58, an increase of 1.1 percent over the last 24 hours and its highest valuation of the day. Its lowest valuation on Friday was US$217.57.
            • XRP was trading for US$2.83, trading flat over the last 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$2.78, and its highest was US$2.84.

            Derivatives trends

            The crypto derivatives market saw heavy liquidations over the past 24 hours, totaling roughly US$674 million, according to Coinglass data. Long positions accounted for US$505 million of that amount, while short positions made up US$169 million, marking one of October’s sharpest liquidation waves.

            Among major assets, Bitcoin long liquidations reached US$116 million, compared to US$68.22 million in shorts, indicating that overleveraged bullish traders bore the brunt of the latest downturn. Ether long positions were liquidated for US$146 million, against US$34.54 million in shorts, reflecting a similar shakeout of optimistic bets amid heightened volatility.

            Despite the sell-off, futures open interest for Bitcoin rose 0.23 percent in the last four hours to US$90.19 billion, suggesting that traders are gradually re-entering positions or maintaining leverage at elevated levels.

            Ether futures open interest also ticked up 0.22 percent to US$59.53 billion, showing that market participants remain engaged even after widespread liquidations.

            Bitcoin’s relative strength index (RSI) at 72.15 indicates that the asset remains in overbought territory, potentially signaling near-term price swings or corrective moves. Still, the market’s resilience near the US$120,000 level points to continued speculative interest.

            Today’s crypto news to know

            XRP, DOGE, SOL slip as US$2.7 billion flows into Bitcoin ETFs

            Major altcoins faced losses Friday as traders took profits from Bitcoin’s record-breaking rally, even as spot ETF demand remained strong.

            Bitcoin briefly dipped to around US$120,000 overnight before stabilizing near US$122,000, while Ether erased its weekly gains with a 2.4 percent drop.

            Solana, XRP, Dogecoin, and Cardano each slid up to 3 percent, according to CoinDesk data. Despite the retreat, US-listed Bitcoin ETFs drew US$2.72 billion in inflows this week, highlighting resilient institutional appetite.

            The ETF surge underscores Bitcoin’s growing role as a “digital safe-haven,” especially as gold surged above Us$4,000 an ounce. However, a possible pullback to the US$107,000–US$115,000 range could be imminent ahead of the Federal Reserve’s October 29 policy meeting.

            EU dismisses ECB’s call for new stablecoin rules

            The European Commission said Friday that existing crypto regulations under MiCA are adequate to handle stablecoin risks, pushing back on calls from the European Central Bank for stricter oversight.

            According to a Reuters report, the ECB had urged Brussels to introduce new safeguards against “multi-issuance” models, where stablecoins minted outside the EU could be treated as interchangeable with those issued within.

            Industry groups, including members like Circle, asked the Commission to formally clarify that multi-issuance is allowed under current rules.

            In a statement to Reuters, the Commission said MiCA already provides a “robust and proportionate framework” and that further guidance will be published soon.

            The ECB’s main concern is that redemptions from non-EU tokens could drain reserves inside the bloc, posing systemic risks. Stablecoin issuers countered that their reserve structures already mitigate such threats.

            Bitcoin ETFs extend Uptober gains as Ethereum products lose momentum

            US spot Bitcoin ETFs posted another strong day Tuesday, with US$197.8 million in net inflows, reinforcing Bitcoin’s dominance as institutional investors rotated away from Ethereum products.

            Data from SoSoValue showed total Bitcoin ETF assets climbing to US$164.79 billion, representing nearly 7 percent of Bitcoin’s market cap.

            BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (NASDAQ:IBIT) led inflows with US$255 million, extending its lead over rivals as total assets surpassed $97 billion. Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (BATS:FBTC) and Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (NYSEARCA:GBTC) saw outflows of US$13 million and US$45 million, respectively.

            The renewed demand follows a surge of US$1.19 billion in inflows earlier this week, the highest since July, with BlackRock again accounting for the majority.

            Bitcoin has gained over 10 percent in October, peaking at US$126,080 before easing to $121,000. Meanwhile, Ethereum ETFs snapped their eight-day inflow streak with US$8.7 million in withdrawals, reflecting a temporary pause after a strong start to the month.

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

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

            This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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            Top 5 Canadian Mining Stocks This Week: Valhalla Jumps 282 Percent on Ambler Approval

            Statistics Canada released September’s job data on Friday (October 10). According to the release, 60,000 jobs were added to the Canadian economy during the month, and the employment rate increased to 60.6 percent, up 0.1 percent from August. However, the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 7.1 percent.

            The increase in the labor market follows a significant decline of 106,000 combined jobs over the previous two months.

            Leading the gains was the manufacturing sector, which added 28,000 jobs to the labor force. The increase was followed by 14,000 new workers in the health care and social assistance sector, and 13,000 new roles in the agriculture sector.

            The natural resources sector posted a 2.2 percent gain, adding 7,100 new jobs over August’s numbers, but the sector shed 18,200 workers over September 2024.

            Earlier in the week, StatsCan released a report on the economic contribution of critical mineral production in 2023 on Monday (October 6).

            In 2023, critical mineral production contributed C$30.2 billion in nominal gross domestic product (GDP) and C$20.9 billion in real GDP terms, which accounted for 1.1 percent of the total economy and 37.4 percent of the mineral and mining sector.

            The report also details a nominal GDP increase of 63 percent and a real GDP growth of 12.7 percent between 2019 and 2023. During the same period, job growth increased by 6.2 percent, with the subsector employing nearly 55,000 workers, outpacing the entire mineral and mining sector and the broader economy, which grew by 5.2 percent and 5.6 percent, respectively.

            South of the border, the White House announced on Monday that President Donald Trump approved the Ambler Access Road project in Alaska. This was followed by a 50 to 46 vote by the Senate on Thursday evening to repeal a land management plan for Alaska that had delayed development of the road.

            The controversial project would connect the Dalton Highway to the Ambler Mining District via a route that passed through the Gates of the Arctic National Park, considered one of the United States’ best-preserved parks.

            The access road was initially approved during Trump’s first term in office, but approvals were rescinded in 2024 under the Biden administration due to the impact on the Western Arctic caribou herd, salmon and other wildlife. The Native American Tribes who live, hunt and fish in the area have largely stood in opposition to the road.

            Proponents point to access to critical minerals like copper and gallium, which have become a focal point as the US seeks to increase domestic production of these minerals, which are required for the advancement of AI technologies, data centers and national defense.

            Both gold and silver soared to record highs this week, with the gold price reaching US$4,058.98 per ounce on Wednesday (October 8) and the silver price climbing to an intraday all-time high of US$51.14 per ounce on Thursday (October 9). While gold has been consistently setting new records in 2025, silver broke its all-time high set in 1980.

            Precious metals have seen broad gains since the start of the year, fueled by widespread uncertainty in the global economy due to factors including chaotic US trade policy and, most recently, the failure of US lawmakers to agree on a funding package to prevent the federal government from shutting down.

            For more on what’s moving markets this week, check out our top market news round-up.

            Markets and commodities react

            Canadian equity markets were mixed this week.

            The S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) halted its record-breaking run this week, losing 1.17 percent to close Friday at 29,850.89.

            The S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX) fared better, ending a volatile week up 1.75 percent at 980.77. The CSE Composite Index (CSE:CSECOMP) was up 2.2 percent to close out the week at 184.31.

            The gold price set another new record, reaching an intraday high of US$4,058.98 per ounce on Wednesday. On the week, gold was up 3.39 percent to US$4,018.68 by Friday’s close.

            The silver price saw even stronger gains, breaking its own all time high on Thursday at US$51.14 per ounce, before pulling back slightly to post a weekly gain of 4.27 percent to US$50.03 per ounce by 4:00 p.m. EDT Friday.

            Copper was up as much as 3 percent on the week during trading Thursday, but the copper price collapsed on Friday, falling from US$5.10 to end the week at US$4.80 per pound.

            The S&P Goldman Sachs Commodities Index (INDEXSP:SPGSCI) fell 0.71 percent to end Friday at 539.97.

            Top Canadian mining stocks this week

            How did mining stocks perform against this backdrop?

            Take a look at this week’s five best-performing Canadian mining stocks below.

            Stocks data for this article was retrieved at 4:00 p.m. EDT on Friday using TradingView’s stock screener. Only companies trading on the TSX, TSXV and CSE with market caps greater than C$10 million are included. Mineral companies within the non-energy minerals, energy minerals, process industry and producer manufacturing sectors were considered.

            1. Valhalla Metals (TSXV:VMXX)

            Weekly gain: 282.35 percent
            Market cap: C$44.59 million
            Share price: C$0.65

            Valhalla Metals is a polymetallic exploration company with a pair of projects in Alaska’s Ambler Mining District, the Sun and Smucker projects.

            Its primary focus, the Sun project consists of 392 claims that cover an area of 25,382 hectares.

            A May 2022 technical report states that the indicated resource for the project is 1.71 million metric tons of ore containing 55.85 million pounds of copper, 162.96 million pounds of zinc, 42.04 million pounds of lead, 3.3 million ounces of silver and 12,000 ounces of gold.

            It also reported an inferred resource of 9.02 million metric tons containing 239.64 million pounds of copper, 831.33 million pounds of zinc, 290.26 million pounds of lead, 23.68 million ounces of silver and 73,000 ounces of gold.

            The project is largely dependent on the construction of the 211 mile Ambler Access Road, which Trump approved in his first term. Former President Joe Biden rescinded the federal permit in 2024 due to environmental concerns, which is discussed in-depth above.

            Shares in Valhalla surged this week after the Senate and the White House signaled support for the project. The company said in a news release on Tuesday (October 7) that it was excited by the reversal and will now be able to restart exploration and expand the known resources at the Sun Deposit.

            2. Trilogy Metals (TSX:TMQ)

            Weekly gain: 191.35 percent
            Market cap: C$1.53 billion
            Share price: C$8.42

            Trilogy Metals is a polymetallic exploration and development company working to advance its Upper Kobuk mineral projects in Northern Alaska, which it owns in a 50/50 joint venture with South32 (ASX:S32,OTC Pink:SHTLF).

            Its most advanced asset is the Arctic copper, zinc, lead, gold and silver project, which is in the feasibility stage. In an updated feasibility study from February 2023, the company reported annual payable production volumes of 148.68 million pounds of copper, 172.6 million pounds of zinc, 25.75 million pounds of lead, 32,538 ounces of gold and 2.77 million ounces of silver.

            After tax, the study pegged the net present value at US$1.11 billion, with an internal rate of return of 22.8 percent and a payback period of 3.1 years.

            Trilogy’s other key asset is the Bornite copper-cobalt project located 25 kilometers southwest of its Arctic project. The site hosts widespread mineralization and has seen historic exploration dating back to the 1950s.

            A preliminary economic assessment for Bornite, dated January 15, established an after-tax net present value of US$393.9 million, with an internal rate of return of 20 percent and a payback period of 4.4 years. The updated mineral resource included with the report estimates an inferred resource of 6.53 billion pounds of copper with an average grade of 1.42 percent from 208.9 million metric tons of ore.

            Like Valhalla’s, shares in Trilogy surged this week on the news that the US government approved construction of the Ambler Access Road.

            Additionally, Trilogy reported on Monday that it had entered into a binding letter of intent, that would see the US Department of Defense invest US$17.8 million in Trilogy in exchange for 8.22 million shares, or 10 percent of the company, and will hold warrants for an additional 7.5 percent.

            Both Trilogy and the DoD stated that they will work in good faith to facilitate financing for the construction of the road and will include permit applications for the FAST-41 process to expedite mining development.

            3. ARES Strategic Mining (CSE:ARS)

            Weekly gain: 180.65 percent
            Market cap: C$184.54 million
            Share price: C$0.87

            Ares Strategic Mining is a development company advancing its Lost Sheep fluorspar mine in Utah, US, to production.

            Initially acquired in 2020, the property consists of 353 claims across 5,982 acres south-west of Salt Lake City. The Lost Sheep fluorspar mine is currently in the construction phase and has received backing from the state of Utah and the federal government. It is the only permitted fluorspar mine in the country.

            Ares reported on July 31 that it had launched a program with Iowa State University and the Ames National Laboratory to explore the potential of extracting gallium from the site in addition to fluorspar,

            As part of this research, the company indicated on September 16 that it had also confirmed the presence of germanium within fluorspar samples from its Lost Sheep mine. The company said that the discovery has the potential to unlock additional critical mineral value from the project.

            In its most recent construction update on September 11, Ares reported the Lumps plant has reached an advanced stage, with concrete foundations and pads being completed and steel frame structures being erected.

            4. Nord Precious Metals (TSXV:NTH)

            Weekly gain: 154.55 percent
            Market cap: C$17.04 billion
            Share price: C$0.42

            Nord Precious Metals is focused on advancing its projects in Ontario, Canada, and owns the TTL silver gravity plant in the region.

            The company’s primary exploration property is the Castle project located south of Timmins in the Cobalt Camp. It covers an area of 7,332.76 hectares and hosts the past producing Castle mine complex, which produced 9.4 million ounces of silver and 376,000 pounds of cobalt.

            A 2021 mineral resource estimate revealed a total inferred silver equivalent resource of 7.57 million ounces, with an average grade of 7,149 grams per metric ton (g/t) silver, 2,537 g/t cobalt, 628 g/t of copper, and 467 g/t of nickel, from 32.9 million metric tons of ore.

            The company also owns the past-producing Beaver Mine, located just east of Castle along the border between Ontario and Quebec. The mine operated until 1940 and produced 7.1 million ounces of silver.

            The company has been working on the development of a tailings recovery program at the site, announcing on October 1 that test work produced commercial high-grade silver with concentrations up to 2,114.9 g/t.

            Nord is planning to apply for a recovery permit to process tailings at its TTL gravity plant, which it plans to begin commissioning once it receives the permit.

            The company said that the results validate the technical approach to the tailings program.

            5. Avalon Advanced Materials

            Weekly gain: 145.45 percent
            Market cap: C$47.82 billion
            Share price: C$0.135

            Avalon Advanced Materials is an explorer and developer focused on lithium projects in Canada.

            The company’s flagship project is its 40 percent owned Separation Rapids lithium project in Ontario, a joint venture with SCR-Sibelco, which owns the remaining 60 percent.

            The project consists of three primary lithium targets: the Separation Rapids deposit; the Snowbank target, located near Kenora; and the Lilypad project near Fort Hope, which also hosts tantalum and cesium mineralization.

            The pair increased the project’s measured and indicated resource by 28 percent in late February.

            Avalon is also developing the Lake Superior lithium processing facility in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

            The most recent news from Avalon came on Thursday when it reported that it had produced lithium hydroxide and analcime using an alkaline leach process developed by Finnish mineral processing company Metso.

            The company said that early assessments indicate a 60 percent potential reduction in water use, along with a smaller carbon footprint compared to traditional methods. It stated that the achievement marked a milestone for the company to establish a sustainable lithium processing solution at its facility

            FAQs for Canadian mining stocks

            What is the difference between the TSX and TSXV?

            The TSX, or Toronto Stock Exchange, is used by senior companies with larger market caps, and the TSXV, or TSX Venture Exchange, is used by smaller-cap companies. Companies listed on the TSXV can graduate to the senior exchange.

            How many mining companies are listed on the TSX and TSXV?

            As of May 2025, there were 1,565 companies listed on the TSXV, 910 of which were mining companies. Comparatively, the TSX was home to 1,899 companies, with 181 of those being mining companies.

            Together, the TSX and TSXV host around 40 percent of the world’s public mining companies.

            How much does it cost to list on the TSXV?

            There are a variety of different fees that companies must pay to list on the TSXV, and according to the exchange, they can vary based on the transaction’s nature and complexity. The listing fee alone will most likely cost between C$10,000 to C$70,000. Accounting and auditing fees could rack up between C$25,000 and C$100,000, while legal fees are expected to be over C$75,000 and an underwriters’ commission may hit up to 12 percent.

            The exchange lists a handful of other fees and expenses companies can expect, including but not limited to security commission and transfer agency fees, investor relations costs and director and officer liability insurance.

            These are all just for the initial listing, of course. There are ongoing expenses once companies are trading, such as sustaining fees and additional listing fees, plus the costs associated with filing regular reports.

            How do you trade on the TSXV?

            Investors can trade on the TSXV the way they would trade stocks on any exchange. This means they can use a stock broker or an individual investment account to buy and sell shares of TSXV-listed companies during the exchange’s trading hours.

            Article by Dean Belder; FAQs by Lauren Kelly.

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

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

            This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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