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Universal’s new Epic Universe park set to generate $2 billion for Florida in year one

Epic things are coming to Orlando.

In a little more than a month, Universal will officially open the doors of its newest theme park, the first major theme park in the Florida area in 25 years, spurring a major shift in Orlando’s tourism industry.

Epic Universe is the largest of all Universal properties at 750 acres and features five themed worlds: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — The Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon — The Isle of Berk, Celestial Park and Dark Universe.

It will join Universal Studios and Walt Disney World in theme park mecca Orlando.

Tourism has long been the leading sector in central Florida, drawing both domestic and international visitors. More than 74 million people journeyed to Orlando in 2023, contributing around 50% of the total sales tax collected in Orange County.

Epic Universe is not only expected to bolster theme park revenues for Universal, as well as its rival just down the highway, Disney, but also bring in billions of dollars to the local economy.

“This is the first major, entirely new theme park in the U.S. in 25 years. This is a compelling reason to visit Orlando,” said Casandra Matej, CEO of Visit Orlando, a tourism trade association. “So, when you see a major milestone project such as Epic Universe, you know it’s going to have definitely a domino effect of economic benefits for our community.”

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

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Extended heatwave in India, Pakistan to test survivability limits, with temperatures reaching Death Valley levels

For hundreds of millions of people living in India and Pakistan the early arrival of summer heatwaves has become a terrifying reality that’s testing survivability limits and putting enormous strain on energy supplies, vital crops and livelihoods.

Both countries experience heatwaves during the summer months of May and June, but this year’s heatwave season has arrived sooner than usual and is predicted to last longer too.

Temperatures are expected to climb to dangerous levels in both countries this week.

Parts of Pakistan are likely to experience heat up to 8 degrees Celsius above normal between April 14-18, according to the country’s meteorological department. Maximum temperatures in Balochistan, in country’s southwest, could reach up to 49 degrees Celsius (120 Fahrenheit).

That’s like living in Death Valley – the hottest and driest place in North America – where summer daytime temperatures often climb to similar levels.

Ayoub Khosa, who lives in Balochistan’s Dera Murad Jamali city, said the heatwave had arrived with an “intensity that caught many off guard,” creating severe challenges for its residents.

“This has intensified the impact of the heat, making it harder for people to cope,” he said.

Neighboring India has also been experiencing extreme heat that arrived earlier than usual and its metrological department warned people in parts of the country to brace for an “above-normal number of heatwave days” in April.

Maximum temperatures in capital Delhi, a city of more than 16 million, have already crossed 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) at least three times this month – up to 5 degrees above the seasonal average – the meteorological department said.

The searing heat is being faced in several neighboring states too, including Rajasthan in the northwest, where laborers and farmers are struggling to cope and reports of illness are beginning to emerge.

Maximum recorded temperatures in parts of Rajasthan reached 44 degrees Celsius (111 Fahrenheit) on Monday, according to the meteorological department.

Anita Soni, from the women’s group Thar Mahila Sansthan, said the heat is much worse than other years and she is worried about how it will impact children and women in the state.

When the laborers or farmers head out, there is an instant lack of drinking water, people often feel like vomiting, they fall sick, or they feel dizzy, she said.

Farmer Balu Lal said people are already falling sick due to working in it. “We cannot even stand to work in it,” he said. “When I am out, I feel that people would burn due to the heat outside.”

Lal said he worries about his work and how he will earn money for his family. “We have nowhere else to go,” he said.

Testing survivability limits

Experts say the rising temperatures are testing human limits.

Extreme heat has killed tens of thousands of people in India and Pakistan in recent decades and climate experts have warned that by 2050 India will be among the first places where temperatures will cross survivability limits.

Under heatwave conditions, pregnant women and their unborn children are particularly at risk. “There is unexplained pregnancy loss and early babies,” said Neha Mankani, an advisor at the International Confederation of Midwives in Karachi.

“In the summers, 80% of babies are born preterm with respiratory issues because of the weather. We also see an increase in pregnancy induced hypertension, (which could) lead to preeclampsia – the leading cause of maternal mortality.”

India and Pakistan, both countries with glaring disparities in development, are expected to be among the nations worst affected by the climate crisis – with more than 1 billion people predicted to be impacted on the subcontinent.

The cascading effects will be devastating. Likely consequences range from a lack of food and drought to flash floods from melting ice caps, according to Mehrunissa Malik, a climate change and sustainability expert from Pakistan’s capital Islamabad.

Communities without access to cooling measures, adequate housing and those who rely on the elements for their livelihoods will feel the effects much more acutely, said Malik.

“For farmers, the weather is erratic and difficult to predict,” she said. “The main challenge is the fact that temperatures (are) rising at a time when crops aren’t at the stage to be harvested. They start getting ready earlier, yields get lower, and in this dry heat they need more water… If your plants are still young, severe heat causes little chance of them making it.”

Tofiq Pasha, a farmer and environmental activist from Karachi, said summers begin much earlier now.

His home province, Sindh, which, along with Balochistan, has recorded some of the hottest global temperatures in recent years, suffered a major drought during the winter months and the little rainfall has led to water shortages, he said.

“This is going to be a major livelihood issue among farmers,” Pasha said, explaining how temperatures also affect the arrival of pests. “Flowers don’t set, they fall, fruits don’t set, they fall, you have pest attacks, they decimate the crop, sometimes it gets too hot… the cycles are messed. Food production is extremely affected.”

Heatwaves have in the past have increased demand for electricity, leading to coal shortages while leaving millions without power. Trains have been cancelled to conserve energy, and schools have been forced shut, impacting learning.

This post appeared first on cnn.com

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Israel proposes Gaza ceasefire deal to release 10 hostages for hundreds of Palestinians, Hamas says

The proposal, received by Hamas on Monday, outlines an initial framework for a 45-day truce in the Palestinian enclave during which the two sides would aim to negotiate a permanent ceasefire, according to the official.

The Israeli proposal also calls for the disarmament of Gaza, previously a red line for Hamas. It does not include a guarantee of a permanent end to the war, which Hamas has demanded as part of a comprehensive agreement.

The Hamas official said the group will not agree to any Israeli ceasefire proposal that calls for its disarmament or sees Israeli forces return to Gaza after an initial withdrawal, making it unlikely that the group will accept it.

The offer marks Israel’s first proposal to bring back hostages from Gaza since it resumed the war in March. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under intense pressure from hostage families and a growing number of military reservists to reach a deal.

Under the proposal, the hostages would be released in stages, starting with Israeli American Edan Alexander on the first day of the truce as a “special gesture” to the United States, the Hamas official said.

A further nine Israeli hostages would be released in two stages in exchange for 120 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and more than 1,100 detainees held without charge since October 7, 2023, the official added.

Israel’s proposal also demands that Hamas provide information about the remaining living Israeli hostages held by the group, “in exchange for information about the Palestinian detainees,” and the release of the bodies of 16 deceased Israeli hostages in exchange for the remains of 160 deceased Palestinians held by Israel.

The “temporary ceasefire lasting 45 days” would also include the cessation of military operations and the entry of aid into Gaza as well as “an agreed mechanism to ensure that aid reaches only civilians,” the Hamas official said.

The proposal would also include the entry of equipment necessary for sheltering Palestinians displaced in Gaza.

A Hamas delegation met with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo over the weekend. Israel has not publicly acknowledged whether it sent a team to the negotiations.

Since early March, Israel has cut Gaza off from the supply of humanitarian aid including food, with aid agencies warning that the situation for the strip’s 2 million civilians has deteriorated dangerously, only worsened by intensive Israeli military operations.

Israel’s move to block aid came ahead of its renewed military offensive in the enclave, in what it said was a bid to pressure Hamas into releasing more hostages and impose new conditions on a ceasefire that was in effect at the time. More than 1,500 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since mid-March, according to the Ministry of Health in the enclave.

Under the new ceasefire proposal, the Israeli military would withdraw for seven days from parts of Gaza including the southern city of Rafah, some areas of the north and the east of Gaza City, according to the Hamas official.

“Negotiations for a permanent ceasefire should be completed within 45 days,” after which the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas, both living and deceased, would be released to Israel, the official said.

“If an agreement is reached on the temporary ceasefire, it can be extended under conditions and for a duration agreed upon by the two parties… if the period ends without an agreement, it will be extended in exchange for new prisoners.”

‘Steps are underway’ to reach a deal

On Sunday, Netanyahu’s office said that “steps are underway” to reach a new hostage-ceasefire deal in Gaza, while speaking to the family of hostage Eitan Mor.

One of the groups representing hostages’ families, the Tikva Forum, confirmed the conversation and said that Netanyahu had updated the Mor family “on the progress of the negotiations for the release of 10 abductees alive.”

Israeli media have also reported that the negotiations are for the release of 10 hostages, but the prime minister’s office has not confirmed the number.

Also on Sunday, senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi said on Telegram that while Hamas had a positive attitude to any proposal “based on halting the aggression and the withdrawal of occupation forces… we will not accept a shift toward a fragmented process limited to a food-for-prisoners (hostages) deal.”

This post appeared first on cnn.com

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Police arrest couple for breeding and selling exotic cats in Spain

Police have arrested two people suspected of breeding and selling exotic cats in Spain.

Officers detained the pair at a property in Manacor, on the island of Majorca, after finding 19 exotic cats including a desert lynx and two servals, according to a statement from the Guardia Civil on Monday.

“The detainees sold different animal species such as white tigers, black leopards, hyenas and pumas to different parts of the world via the internet,” police said.

Investigators seized extensive documentation as well as more than 40 animal passports from Russia, Belarus and China, as well as two computers, three cellphones and two pen drives, according to the statement.

“The operation has uncovered a global criminal organization which included breeders, traffickers and veterinarians,” it added.

The investigation started in March when the nature protection service (Seprona) received reports that a couple were breeding exotic cats at a property in Majorca before selling them online.

Authorities said that the couple had an “extremely active” presence on social media and that the breeding operation in Majorca was just “the tip of the iceberg.”

The couple are accused of being part of an international wildlife trafficking network that saw the majority of animals being smuggled into the European Union from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine via the Poland-Belarus border, according to the Guardia Civil.

Species offered for sale included a clouded leopard with an asking price of 60,000 euros ($68,000), police said.

The seized animals, which included 16 mixed breeds, have been temporarily placed at the Safari Zoo de Son Servera in Majorca.

They will later be permanently rehomed in Alicante, mainland Spain.

These species require lots of space and can also be dangerous to humans, the Guardia Civil said.

As a result, traffickers have started trying to breed species such as desert lynx with domestic cats in order to produce exclusive but less dangerous animals, added the statement.

All of the seized animals are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international agreement for the protection of certain species.

The couple are accused of wildlife crimes, smuggling, falsifying documents and criminal conspiracy.

According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), the European Union is thought to be the third largest destination for illegal wildlife as well as “a crucial transit hub for illegal wildlife trade.”

This post appeared first on cnn.com

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Multiple French prisons attacked in response to government’s narco crackdown, ministers say

Several French prisons were attacked overnight in response to government efforts to clamp down on drug trafficking, senior officials said on Tuesday, as authorities grapple with what they have called a “tsunami” of cocaine coming into the country.

Unknown assailants fired automatic weapons at the prison in the southern city of Toulon, while vehicles were burned outside other lockups across the country and staff were threatened. It was not immediately clear whether the attacks were coordinated, or who carried them out.

Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin, who has led efforts to toughen prison security and crack down on gangsters who run their empires from behind bars, said he would travel to Toulon.

“Attempts have been made to intimidate staff in several prisons, ranging from burning vehicles to firing automatic weapons,” Darmanin wrote on X. “I am going to Toulon to support the officers concerned. The French Republic is facing up to the problem of drug trafficking and is taking measures that will massively disrupt the criminal networks.”

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said he had instructed local prefects, alongside the police and gendarmerie, to immediately step up the protection of staff and prisons.

“The State’s response must be implacable,” he wrote on X. “Those who attack prisons and prison officers should be locked up in these prisons and watched over by these officers.”

French media reported that the prisons targeted included Toulon, Aix-En-Provence, Marseille, Valence, and Nimes in southern France and Villepinte and Nanterre, near Paris.

Years of record South American cocaine imports to Europe have supercharged local drug markets, sparking a wave of drug violence across the continent.

France has not been spared, with record cocaine seizures, and gangs reaping windfalls from the white powder as they expand from traditional power bases in cities like Marseille into smaller regional towns unaccustomed to drug violence.

The rise in gang crime has lifted support for the far-right National Rally party, and helped drag French politics rightward. Darmanin, a former interior minister, and Retailleau have prioritized tackling drug trafficking.

In February – as he announced record cocaine seizures of 47 tonnes in the first 11 months of 2024, versus 23 tonnes in all of 2023 – Retailleau said France had been hit by a “white tsunami” that had rewritten the rules of the criminal landscape.

Darmanin has proposed a series of measures to tighten prison security, including isolating the country’s top 100 kingpins.

Lawmakers are also close to approving a sweeping new anti-drug trafficking law that would create a new national organized crime prosecutors’ office and give greater investigative power to police probing narcos.

French authorities scored a win against drug crime in February, when they recaptured Mohamed Amra, a French fugitive known as “The Fly.” His escape as he was being transported from prison to a court hearing resulted in the deaths of two prison guards and was seized upon by right-wing politicians as evidence that France had lost its grip on drug crime.

This post appeared first on cnn.com

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Israeli ministers accuse embattled security agency chief of waging political vendetta against government

Israeli ministers have redoubled their attacks on the embattled head of the country’s security agency, claiming he is undermining the government with a politically motivated investigation into a Shin Bet agent.

The agent, who has not been named, was arrested last Wednesday on suspicion of committing security-related offenses. Police say he used his position and access to Shin Bet systems to pass classified information to unauthorized parties “on several occasions.” The Shin Bet, officially known as the Israel Security Agency, is the country’s equivalent of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The arrest of the agent deepens an already bitter feud between members of the government and the leader of Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, who has said he will resign in the next few weeks. Ministers accuse him of mounting a number of politically motivated investigations designed to discredit the government. The acrimony soared following the QatarGate affair, which has ensnared two close associates of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Shin Bet acknowledged the leak and the subsequent investigation into the agent’s actions. It said that during the Gaza war, there has been a rise in leaks of classified information by employees of security agencies. More than 20 leaks-related investigations have been carried out, it said.

Last month, Netanyahu said he had lost confidence in Bar, but the Shin Bet chief has received support from the opposition.

The suspect’s lawyers say the information that he passed to a minister and two journalists was “of immense public importance” but posed no threat to public safety.

Amichai Chikli, the minister who received the information from the accused Shin Bet agent, said he was a hero for passing it on.

Chikli claimed the information showed that Bar “was obsessively spying on a sitting minister” and that the agent had “revealed that the parts of the Shin Bet’s investigation into the circumstances of the (Gaza) war’s outbreak that were made public present a false and distorted picture.”

“Israel has never had a Shin Bet chief as reckless, arrogant, and incompetent as (Bar),” he said.

The agent’s lawyers said the information he’d provided presented a more complex account of Shin Bet’s conduct before October 7 than was previously published. Hamas-led militants attacked Israel that day in 2023, killing more than 1,200 people and igniting the ongoing war in Gaza.

‘A real regime coup’

Commenting on the arrest, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said: “This is what a real regime coup looks like.” He described Bar as a “dangerous individual” who uses the agency’s intelligence and investigative tools “as instruments to retaliate against politicians and journalists.”

The government voted to dismiss Bar late last month. But Israel’s Supreme Court froze the decision after the Attorney General said the firing could not proceed without the approval of a special committee.

Netanyahu’s Likud party portrayed the accused agent as a whistleblower who had exposed how Bar had “transformed parts of the Shin Bet into a private militia of the deep state.” The party accused Bar of working with Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, another target of right-wing ire.

Yair Lapid, the head of Israel’s opposition, rushed to Bar’s defense, saying the attacks against him were “a dangerous bloodbath for him and the Shin Bet members whose fighters protect the state’s security.”

“The Israeli government is a government of criminals that attacks investigators who investigate offenses against state security,” Lapid said on social media.

Critics have linked the attempt to fire Bar directly to the QatarGate affair, in which court documents show the two Netanyahu associates arrested by Shin Bet are suspected of receiving money from Qatar and working to portray the country positively in the media.

“When Netanyahu gets in trouble with Qatar he tries to fire the investigator,” said Yair Golan, leader of Israel’s left-wing Democrats party. “He will do everything to save himself. Himself and his mouthpieces. Netanyahu is dangerous to Israel.”

This post appeared first on cnn.com

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Crypto Market Recap: Kraken Expands Services, EURC Momentum Grows

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Monday (April 14) as of 9:00 p.m. UTC.

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

At the time of this writing, Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$84,833.31 and is up 1.2 percent in 24 hours. The day’s range has seen a low of US$84,050.56 and a high of US$85,667.65.

Bitcoin performance, April 11, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

The recovery appears to be related to last week’s announcement of partial import tariff relief, but the uncertainty of ongoing US-China trade tensions kept Bitcoin from rallying above US$86,000.

Ethereum (ETH) is priced at US$1,635.11, a 3.1 percent increase over the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency reached an intraday low of US$1,624.37 and a high of US$1,677.74.

Altcoin price update

  • Solana (SOL) is currently valued at US$131.19, up 2.4 percent over the past 24 hours. SOL experienced a low of US$128.75 and a high of US$134.05 on Monday.
  • XRP is trading at US$2.15, reflecting a 1.8 percent decrease over the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency recorded an intraday low of US$2.11 and a high of US$2.18.
  • Sui (SUI) is priced at US$2.21, showing a decreaseof 0.9 percent over the past 24 hours. It achieved a daily low of US$2.20 and a high of US$2.33.
  • Cardano (ADA) is trading at US$0.6397, trading flat over 24 hours. Its lowest price on Monday was US$0.6314, with a high of US$0.6548.

Crypto news to know

Kraken expands into stock and ETF trading

Kraken announced on Monday that it will expand beyond cryptocurrencies to offer eligible users trade services for over 11,000 US-listed stocks and exchange-traded funds through Kraken Securities.

Users will be able to trade traditional assets and cryptocurrencies within a single Kraken account. The service is available to select states as part of a phased rollout, with plans to expand to all states and the UK, Europe and Australia.

Euro-sacked stablecoin EURC sees growth amidst strengthening Euro

Circle’s Euro-backed stablecoin, EURC, is experiencing growth amidst a strengthening Euro, its market cap growing from around $83 million at the beginning of 2025 to $204 million at the time of writing.

The euro has been rallying while the dollar falls amidst escalating trade tensions between the US and the rest of the world. Obchakevich Research founder Alex Obchakevich expects Euro Coin will continue to grow even as nations reach a trade deal that he projects will stabilize the Euro at around $1.11.

“I predict EURC to grow to 400 million euros by the end of this year. This will be further impacted by MiCa regulatory support and economic challenges,” he said.

MANTRA (OM) token price collapse and aftermath

Following a dramatic price collapse in the MANTRA (OM) token on Sunday (April 13) that wiped out billions of dollars in market cap, CEO John Mullin spoke in a now-deleted AMA thread hosted by Cointelegraph on X.

During the Monday discussion, Mullin denied accusations of insider selling or “rug pulling,” saying the plunge occurred after exchanges closed positions without notice.

On-chain data revealed that around US$227 million worth of OM was deposited from 17 wallets, with two linked to strategic investor Laser Digital. Arkham data revealed those wallets moved millions of OM to OKX and Binance in the days leading up to the collapse.

“The Mantra association, our key investors, our advisers — no one has sold, and we are going to categorically deny and also provide verifiable proof onchain proof that this is the case,” Mullin stated in the AMA, adding that he “(doesn’t) know who those wallets belong to.”

Mantra is up 10.8 percent to US$0.65 at the time of writing, far below its April 9 price of US$6.76.

Strategy buys US$285 million in BTC amid volatility

Michael Saylor’s firm, Strategy, capitalized on sharp equity market swings last week, purchasing 3,459 more BTC valued at US$285.8 million between April 7 to 13.

The buy was funded through its at-the-market equity offering as shares fluctuated from -11 percent to +25 percent, demonstrating the firm’s commitment to BTC accumulation even during periods of financial instability. Strategy’s Bitcoin holdings now total around US$45 billion, representing about 2.5 percent of the total BTC supply.

The firm also disclosed a forthcoming US$5.9 billion unrealized loss due to new accounting rules requiring market-based valuations for digital assets. Even so, Strategy remains on track with its plan to raise US$42 billion through 2027 for continuous Bitcoin acquisitions, reinforcing its identity as a long-term Bitcoin maximalist corporate play.

Metaplanet now 9th largest public Bitcoin holder

Japanese investment firm Metaplanet has acquired 319 BTC at an average price of US$83,147, bringing its total treasury to 4,525 BTC. That makes it the ninth largest publicly traded Bitcoin holding company.

This acquisition is part of its broader treasury strategy to build shareholder value through Bitcoin accumulation, initiated in December 2024. The company now has a cost basis of US$408.1 million and evaluates its Bitcoin performance using Bitcoin yield, which hit 95.6 percent in the first quarter of 2025.

Backed by sophisticated financial engineering such as bond issuances and stock acquisition rights, Metaplanet has executed over 41 percent of its “210 million plan,” demonstrating significant momentum.

The firm’s bold approach also reflects Japan’s evolving stance toward crypto as a mainstream asset class and could influence similar treasury strategies in Asia.

CeFi lending drops from 2021 peak, DeFi borrowing soars

The crypto lending market remains well below its former highs, down from US$64.4 billion in 2021 to US$36.5 billion at the close of 2024, according to a new report by Galaxy Digital.

This contraction is largely due to the collapse of major centralized finance (CeFi) lenders like Genesis, BlockFi, Celsius, and Voyager, which together lost 82 percent of their lending capacity during the bear market.

However, decentralized finance (DeFi) has made a stunning recovery, with open borrows jumping from US$1.8 billion in late 2022 to US$19.1 billion across 20 platforms and 12 blockchains — a 959 percent increase. Galaxy attributes this to DeFi’s permissionless nature, transparency, and its resilience during market turmoil that crushed CeFi players.

Today, Tether, Galaxy, and Ledn dominate the surviving CeFi space, accounting for nearly 89 percent of its total activity, while DeFi’s growth hints at a larger shift toward decentralized, non-custodial financial infrastructure in the post-crash era.

Google to enforce MiCA rules on crypto ads

Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) will begin enforcing stricter ad policies across 27 European countries beginning on April 23, requiring all crypto advertisers to comply with the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation or be licensed under the Crypto Asset Service Provider framework.

All crypto exchanges and wallet providers advertising on Google must now also be certified by Google, and meet additional national-level legal obligations, further tightening the regulatory net on digital asset marketing.

This marks a significant shift in how crypto services are promoted in the EU and could weed out illicit players while boosting trust in licensed entities. Noncompliance will first trigger a warning before eventual account suspensions, giving advertisers a brief grace period to align with the rules.

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.

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This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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The Trader’s Flashlight in a Market Fog: What are Candlestick Patterns?

From Tokyo rice markets to Wall Street trading floors, candlestick patterns have stood the test of time.

Now, in the high-stakes world of cryptocurrency trading, where government policies can shift the market overnight, understanding these patterns could mean the difference between profit and loss.

In such a volatile environment, traders have continuously searched for signals amid the chaos, and many have claimed that these patterns offer a guiding light.

But how do these candlestick patterns work, and why do traders rely on them? Here’s what you need to know.

History of candlestick patterns

Candlestick charting traces its origins to 18th century Japan, where Munehisa Homma, a wealthy rice trader from Sakata, developed a system to analyze price movements in the rice futures market.

Homma meticulously recorded price fluctuations and identified patterns that reflected market sentiment, realizing that emotions such as fear and greed played a crucial role in price action. His insights allowed him to anticipate market trends, reportedly leading to immense trading success.

Homma’s techniques evolved into a structured system known as the Sakata Rules, which later laid the foundation for modern candlestick patterns. These rules emphasized the importance of recognizing repetitive price formations and interpreting their psychological implications.

Homma’s pioneering work made him legendary in Japan’s trading circles, with some historical accounts claiming he executed 100 consecutive winning trades using his methodology.

Candlestick charts remained largely unknown outside Japan until the late 20th century, where Steve Nison, an American technical analyst, introduced candlestick charting to Western financial markets in the 1980s.

Through extensive research, Nison translated and refined Japanese candlestick techniques, integrating them into modern technical analysis. His 1991 book, Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques, became a seminal work, widely regarded as the definitive guide on the subject.

Key candlestick patterns you need to know

Candlestick patterns provide traders with crucial insights into market sentiment, signaling potential reversals, continuations, or periods of indecision. These patterns are categorized into three main types:

  1. Bullish patterns indicating possible uptrends
  2. Bearish patterns signaling potential downtrends
  3. Neutral patterns suggesting indecision or continuation

Bullish patterns

Bullish candlestick patterns typically appear after a downtrend, signaling a potential shift in momentum as buying pressure increases. These patterns suggest that buyers are stepping in and that a reversal to the upside may be underway.

Bullish engulfing

Bullish engulfing candlestick pattern.

Image via commons.wikimedia.org.

  • Bullish engulfing: A two-candle pattern where a small bearish candle is followed by a larger bullish candle that completely engulfs the previous day’s body. This formation suggests a strong shift in momentum, as buying pressure overwhelms selling pressure. The larger the engulfing candle, the more powerful the signal.

Hammer

Hammer candlestick pattern.

Image via commons.wikimedia.org.

  • Hammer: A single candlestick with a small body near the top of its range and a long lower shadow. It appears after a downtrend and signals that despite initial selling pressure, buyers regained control and pushed prices back up. A hammer is more reliable when it forms near a significant support level.

Inverted hammer

Inverted hammer candlestick pattern.

Image via commons.wikimedia.org.

  • Inverted hammer: Similar to the hammer, but with a small body at the lower end of the range and a long upper shadow. This pattern suggests that buyers attempted to push prices higher after a decline, potentially signaling a reversal. It requires confirmation from the next candle closing higher.

Morning star

Morning star candlestick pattern.

Image via commons.wikimedia.org.

  • Morning star: A three-candle formation that signifies a trend reversal. It starts with a long bearish candle, followed by a small-bodied candle (which may be bullish or bearish) that gaps down, and finally, a strong bullish candle that closes well into the first candle’s body. This pattern suggests that bearish momentum is weakening and buyers are taking control.

Three white soldiers

Three white soldiers candlestick pattern.

Image via commons.wikimedia.org.

  • Three white soldiers: A powerful bullish pattern made up of three consecutive long bullish candles with small or no wicks. Each candle opens within the previous candle’s body and closes progressively higher. This pattern suggests a strong and sustained uptrend, particularly when accompanied by high volume.

Bearish patterns

Bearish candlestick patterns appear after an uptrend, signaling a potential reversal as selling pressure increases. These formations suggest that buyers are losing momentum, and a downward move may be imminent.

Bearish engulfing

Bearish engulfing candlestick pattern.

Image via commons.wikimedia.org.

  • Bearish engulfing: The opposite of the bullish engulfing pattern, this formation occurs when a small bullish candle is followed by a larger bearish candle that completely engulfs the previous day’s body. This suggests a shift from buying to selling pressure, often signaling the start of a downtrend.

Shooting star

Shooting star candlestick pattern.

Image via commons.wikimedia.org.

  • Shooting star: The shooting star is a single candle with a small body near the lower end of the trading range and a long upper shadow. It indicates that buyers pushed prices higher, but strong selling pressure forced prices back down, making it a potential reversal signal.

Hanging man

Hanging man candlestick pattern.

Image via commons.wikimedia.org.

  • Hanging man: Resembling the hammer, the hanging man appears at the top of an uptrend instead of the bottom. It has a small body and a long lower shadow, signaling that selling pressure is starting to emerge. A confirmation from the next candle closing lower strengthens this bearish signal.

Evening star

Evening star candlestick pattern.

Image via commons.wikimedia.org.

  • Evening star: The bearish counterpart to the morning star, this three-candle pattern starts with a strong bullish candle, followed by a small-bodied candle that gaps up, and then a long bearish candle that closes well into the first candle’s body. This signals a transition from bullish to bearish momentum.

Three black crows

Three black crows candlestick pattern.

Image via commons.wikimedia.org.

  • Three black crows: This pattern consists of three consecutive long bearish candles with small wicks, each opening within the previous candle’s body and closing progressively lower. It signals strong selling pressure and the likelihood of a continued downtrend.

Neutral patterns

Neutral candlestick patterns signal market indecision and can lead to either a continuation of the existing trend or a reversal. Traders should consider additional indicators or confirmation signals before acting on these patterns.

Doji

Doji candlestick pattern.

Image via commons.wikimedia.org.

  • Doji: A candlestick where the opening and closing prices are nearly identical, resulting in a small or nonexistent body. Doji patterns indicate market indecision and can appear in various forms:
    • Standard doji: Signals uncertainty, often preceding a breakout or reversal.
    • Gravestone doji: A bearish signal, with a long upper shadow and no lower shadow, indicating rejection at higher prices.
    • Dragonfly doji: A bullish signal, with a long lower shadow and no upper shadow, showing strong buying interest.

Spinning top

Spinning top candlestick pattern.

Image via commons.wikimedia.org.

  • Spinning top: Featuring a small body with long upper and lower shadows, the spinning top reflects a tug-of-war between buyers and sellers, often signaling consolidation or a possible trend reversal.

Combining candlestick patterns with indicators

While candlestick patterns provide valuable insights into market sentiment, relying on them alone can lead to false signals, especially in a volatile market like Bitcoin.

To increase accuracy, traders often combine these patterns with technical indicators that help confirm trends, momentum and potential reversals. Below are some of the most effective indicators to use alongside candlestick patterns:

  1. Moving averages — Moving averages smooth out price fluctuations and help traders identify the prevailing trend. They can also act as dynamic support and resistance levels.

Application: If a bullish candlestick pattern (eg., bullish engulfing, morning star) appears while Bitcoin’s price is above a key moving average (such as the 50 day or 200 day MA), this strengthens the signal that an uptrend may continue.

Conversely, if a bearish candlestick pattern (eg., bearish engulfing, shooting star) forms below a moving average, it increases the likelihood of further downside.

  1. Relative Strength Index (RSI) — RSI measures the speed and magnitude of price movements on a scale of zero to 100. A reading above 70 suggests overbought conditions (potential reversal or pullback), while a reading below 30 suggests oversold conditions (potential buying opportunity).

Application: A bullish candlestick pattern forming when RSI is below 30 strengthens the case for a trend reversal (eg., a Hammer appearing in oversold conditions could indicate a strong buying opportunity).

A bearish candlestick pattern forming when RSI is above 70 suggests that the price may be primed for a pullback (eg., a Shooting Star forming in overbought conditions signals potential downside).

  1. Volume analysis – Volume represents the number of trades executed and provides insight into the strength behind price movements. A price move with high volume is more significant than one with low volume.

Application: If a bullish reversal pattern (eg., morning star) appears with high volume, it confirms strong buyer interest and increases the likelihood of a sustained uptrend.

If a bearish reversal pattern (eg., bearish engulfing) forms with high volume, it signals aggressive selling pressure and strengthens the bearish outlook.

Common mistakes to avoid

While candlestick patterns are valuable tools, it is very easy to misuse them—leading to unnecessary losses. Understanding common pitfalls can help investors refine their strategies and improve decision making.

  1. Trading candlestick patterns without confirmation
    Many traders see a single candlestick pattern, such as a Bullish Engulfing or Shooting Star, and immediately enter a trade without waiting for additional confirmation. This leads to false signals and premature decisions.

How to avoid it: Always combine candlestick patterns with other indicators (eg., RSI, moving averages, volume analysis). Furthermore, look for follow-through price action — a second candle that confirms the expected move.

  1. Ignoring the importance of timeframes
    A common trap is assuming that a candlestick pattern on a 5 minute chart carries the same weight as one on a daily or weekly chart. Shorter timeframes are more prone to noise and false signals.

How to avoid it: Prioritize patterns on higher timeframes (daily, weekly) for more reliable signals. If trading lower timeframes (eg. 15 minute chart), ensure the pattern aligns with the higher timeframe trend.

  1. Overtrading and chasing every pattern
    Some traders try to trade every candlestick pattern they see, leading to excessive trades, emotional decision making and mounting losses. Overtrading often results from fear of missing out or lack of patience

How to avoid it: Stick to high-probability setups where multiple factors confirm the trade. Wait for patterns to form at key levels, not in random price areas. Set clear entry and exit rules instead of reacting impulsively.

  1. Failing to adapt to market conditions
    Candlestick patterns do not work the same way in all market environments. Some traders blindly follow textbook interpretations without considering other factors. Candlestick patterns are purely technical, but the market is heavily influenced by fundamental news. Ignoring events like ETF approvals, regulatory shifts, or major financial institution involvement can lead to poor trading decisions.

How to avoid it: Always check news before trading, especially for large moves. Avoid trading right before or after high-impact events, as volatility can distort patterns. Use candlestick analysis in combination with fundamental trends.

Final thoughts

Candlestick patterns have stood the test of time, but while these patterns offer valuable insights into market sentiment, they are not foolproof signals. Successful trading is a holistic skill — it means understanding that context, confirmation and discipline are just as important as recognizing the patterns themselves.

By combining these patterns with other essential factors and indicators, traders can refine their strategies and make more informed decisions.

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

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Rio Tinto Unveils 158.2 Carat Yellow Diamond, Plus Rare Auction and Tariff Tensions

In a discovery that offers a glimmer of optimism amid a turbulent year for the diamond industry, Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO) has unveiled a 158.2 carat yellow diamond from its Diavik diamond mine, located in the remote Northwest Territories (NWT).

The rough gem, described by Rio Tinto as a “miracle of nature,” is one of only five yellow diamonds exceeding 100 carats ever recovered from Diavik since it began operations in 2003.

The diamond, unearthed from one of the most challenging mining environments on Earth, underscores Diavik’s reputation for producing rare and high-quality stones.

While the mine is best known for its white gem-quality diamonds, less than one percent of its output consists of yellow diamonds, making this latest find a significant event in the mine’s 22 year history.

“This two billion year old, natural Canadian diamond is a miracle of nature and testament to the skill and fortitude of all the men and women who work in Diavik’s challenging sub-Arctic environment,” said Matt Breen, COO of Diavik Diamond Mines, in a press release.

The Diavik mine, jointly operated by Rio Tinto and located entirely off the grid, has also become a model for sustainable mining in the Arctic. It has integrated renewable energy sources into its operations, including a wind-diesel hybrid facility introduced in 2012 and a solar power plant completed in 2024.

This commitment to sustainability adds further value to its diamonds, which carry a provenance often sought by ethical consumers and collectors alike.

This is not the first time Diavik has made headlines with extraordinary finds. In 2018, the mine unearthed a 552 carat yellow gem-quality diamond — the largest ever found in North America.

Known as the ‘Canadamark’ yellow diamond, the discovery eclipsed the previous record set by the 187.7 carat Diavik Foxfire diamond, found in 2015.

Portions of the Foxfire were later cut into two brilliant-cut pear-shaped diamonds, which sold at a Christie’s auction for US$1.3 million.

But while such discoveries reinforce Diavik’s status as a producer of rare gems, they also arrive during a precarious moment for the broader NWT mining sector.

The territory’s three major diamond mines — Diavik, Ekati, and Gahcho Kué — are grappling with steep financial losses, with Diavik alone reporting a US$127 million loss in 2024. These financial headwinds stem from a combination of inflationary pressures, weakened global diamond prices, and unexpected disruptions, including a tragic plane crash near Fort Smith early last year.

Industry advocates are now urging the territorial government to step in and provide relief, particularly in the form of easing property tax burdens.

Blue diamond steals spotlight in US$100 million Sotheby’s exhibit in Abu Dhabi

On the international front, a 10 carat rare blue diamond from South Africa has emerged as the crown jewel of Sotheby’s latest diamond exhibition in Abu Dhabi.

Part of an eight stone showcase valued at over US$100 million, the blue diamond is expected to fetch around US$20 million when it goes to auction in May.

Sotheby’s selected the UAE capital for the exhibit due to the region’s increasing appetite for high-end diamonds. “We have great optimism about the region,” said Quig Bruning, the company’s head of jewels in North America, Europe, and the Middle East.

“We feel very strongly that this is the kind of place where you have both traders and collectors of diamonds of this importance and of this rarity.”

Petra Diamonds delays Cullinan tender as US tariff shockwaves hit market

Meanwhile, Petra Diamonds (LSE:PDL,OTCPink:PDLMF) announced last week that it would delay the sale of gems from its Cullinan mine due to uncertainty over new US tariffs on imports — including diamonds.

The delay comes amid heightened concerns that the tariffs, introduced last week, could disrupt global diamond flows and further depress an already sluggish market.

Petra had already sold 176,000 carats from its Finsch and Williamson mines for US$18 million in its fifth tender of the year — a modest 9 percent price increase over the previous round.

However, overall tender revenue is down 25 percent year-on-year, totaling $103 million so far in 2025, compared to US$138 million during the same period in 2024. Shares of Petra fell 6.1 percent following the announcement.

The Cullinan Mine, famously the source of the largest gem-quality diamond ever discovered, has recently struggled to yield high-quality stones, further complicating Petra’s recovery efforts amid market volatility and its ongoing restructuring plan.

The diamond market isn’t the only luxury segment to be impacted by geopolitical trade tensions.

On April 10, Prada Group (HKEX:1913) which owns luxury brand Prada, announced its acquisition of the Versace brand from Capri Holdings (NYSE:CPRI) for US$1.38 billion, marking a significant consolidation in the luxury fashion industry.

The deal reunites two iconic Italian brands and positions Prada to better compete with industry leaders like LVMH (OTC Pink:LVMHF,EPA:MC) and Kering (EPA:SSKEG). Capri Holdings, which acquired Versace for US$2.1 billion in 2018, faced challenges with the brand’s performance, including a 15 percent decline in revenue in late 2024. The sale allows Capri to refocus on its core brand, Michael Kors, and address financial pressures following a blocked merger with Tapestry (NYSE:TPR) in 2023.

According to a January report from McKinsey, The luxury goods sector faces a challenging outlook in 2025, with global growth projected to slow to between 1 percent and 3 percent annually through 2027.

This deceleration follows a period where price increases accounted for over 80 percent of growth from 2019 to 2023, a strategy that has now reached its limit as aspirational consumers become more price sensitive.

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

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Presenting on Emerging Growth Conference 81 Day 1 on April 16; Register to live stream

EmergingGrowth.com a leading independent small cap media portal announces the schedule of the 81 th Emerging Growth Conference on April 16 & 17, 2025.

The Emerging Growth Conference identifies companies in a wide range of growth sectors, with strong management teams, innovative products & services, focused strategy, execution, and the overall potential for long-term growth.

Register for the Conference here.

Submit Questions for any of the presenting companies to:
Questions@EmergingGrowth.com

For updates, follow us on Twitter

Day 1
April 16, 2025

9:00
Virtual Lobby opens.
Register for the Conference. If you already registered, go back to the registration link and click ‘Already registered’ and enter your email.

9:20
Introduction

9:25 – 9:35
Empire Energy (ASX: EEG)
Keynote speaker: Alex Underwood, CEO & Managing Director

9:40 – 10:10
PSQ Holdings, INc. (NYSE: PSQH)
Keynote speaker: Michael Seifert, Founder, President / CEO

10:50 – 11:20
Ur-Energy (NYSE American: URG) (TSX: URE)
Keynote speaker: John W. Cash, CEO

11:25 – 11:55
Interstellar Communication Holdings
Keynote speakers: Seda Hewitt, Space Ambassador of IcMercury Harri Laitinen, Lifeguard of IcMercury, and Lijie Zhu, Captain of icMercury

12:00 – 12:30
U.S. Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: USEG)
Keynote speaker: Ryan Smith, President, CEO & Director

12:35 – 1:05
Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (NASDAQ: OMEX)
Keynote speaker: Mark D. Gordon, Chairman & CEO

1:10 – 1:40
Nova Minerals Limited (NASDAQ: NVA) (ASX: NVA)
Keynote speaker: Christopher Gerteisen – CEO & Executive Director

1:45 – 2:15
C3 Metals Inc. (TSXV: CCCM) (OTCQB: CUAUF)
Keynote speaker: Daniel A. Symons, President, CEO & Director

2:20 – 2:50
Ucore Rare Metals, Inc. (OTCQX: UURAF) (TSXV: UCU)
Keynote speakers: Pat Ryan, CEO

2:55 – 3:05
Eloro Resources, Ltd. (OTCQX: ELRRF) (TSX: ELO)
Keynote speakers: Chris Holden – VP Corporate Development

3:10 – 3:20
Opawica Explorations Inc. (OTCQB: OPWEF) (TSXV: OPW)
Keynote speaker: Blake Morgan, President / CEO

3:25 – 3:35
HydroGraph Clean Power Inc. (OTCQB: HGRAF) (CSE: HG)
Keynote speaker: Kjirstin Breure, President and CEO

Postponed
GeoVax Labs, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOVX)
Keynote speakers: David Dodd, Chairman, President / CEO

_______________________________________________________________

Day 2
April 17, 2025

8:45
Virtual Lobby opens.
Register for the Conference. If you already registered, go back to the registration link and click ‘Already registered’ and enter your email.

9:00
Introduction

9:05 – 9:35
SBC Medical Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: SBC)
Keynote speaker: Yuya Yoshida, Executive Vice President & CFO

10:50 – 11:20
Evofem Biosciences, Inc. (OTCQB: EVFM)
Keynote speaker: Amy Raskopf, Chief Business Development Officer

11:25 – 11:55
Bioxytran, Inc. (OTCQB: BIXT)
Keynote speakers: Dr. David Platt, CEO & Mike Sheikh, Executive Vice President Business Development

12:00 – 12:30
Clene Inc., (NASDAQ: CLNN)
Keynote speakers: Rob Etherington, President / CEO

12:35 – 1:05
Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASBP)
Keynote speakers: Kraig Higginson – CEO

1:10 – 1:40
Regen BioPharma Inc. (OTC Pink: RGBP)
Keynote speakers: David Koos, President / CEO, & Harry M. Lander, Ph.D. Senior Scientific Consultant

1:45 – 2:15
Banzai International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BNZI)
Keynote speaker: Joseph Davy, Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO

2:55 – 3:05
Citizens, Inc. (NYSE: CIA)
Keynote speakers: Jon Stenberg, President / CEO, and Jeff Conklin, CFO

3:10 – 3:20
Sono Group N.V. (OTCQB: SEVCF)
Keynote speaker: George O’Leary, Managing Director, CEO and CFO

Postponed
22nd Century Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: XXII)
Keynote speaker: Lawrence D. Firestone, Chairman & CEO

3:40 – 3:50
Alt Equity
Keynote speaker: Daniel Wait, President / Founder

3:55 – 4:05
Cyios Corp. (OTC Pink: CYIO)
Keynote speaker: John O’Shea, Chairman

4:10 – 4:20
Beneficient (NASDAQ: BENF)
Keynote speaker: Brad K. Heppner, CEO

Visit the following link to register. You will then receive an email containing the link and time to sign into the conference.

Register for the Conference here.

Submit Questions for any of the presenting companies to:
Questions@EmergingGrowth.com

Replays: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

About EmergingGrowth.com
Founded in 2009, Emerging Growth.com quickly became a leader in its space and has developed an extensive history of identifying emerging growth companies that can be overlooked by the investment community.

About the Emerging Growth Conference
The Emerging Growth Conference is an effective way for public companies to engage with the investment community regarding their Company, new products, services and other major announcements from anywhere, in an effective and time efficient manner.

All sessions are conducted through video webcasts. Our conference serves as a vehicle for Emerging Growth to build relationships with our existing and potential clients. Accordingly, a certain number of the presenting companies are our current clients, and some may become our clients in the future. In exchange for services we provide, our clients pay us fees in the form of cash and securities, and we may currently have, or in the future may have investments in the securities of certain of the presenting companies. Finally, certain of the presenting companies have paid us a fee to secure a presentation time slot or to present generally. The presentations to be delivered by the presenting companies (including any virtual handouts of written materials) have not been approved, endorsed by or otherwise reviewed by EmergingGrowth.com nor should they in any way be construed to have been made in connection with an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities. Please consult an investment professional before investing in anything viewed on the Emerging Growth Conference or on EmergingGrowth.com.

If you believe or know of a company that might fit our audience, contact us here.

Thank you for your interest in our conference, and we look forward to your participation in future conferences.

Contact:

Emerging Growth
Phone: 1-305-330-1985
Email: Conference@EmergingGrowth.com

News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia

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