Parisian Shopkeeper Hailed as Hero After Foiling Attempted Crypto Kidnapping

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A Paris bicycle shop-owner is being celebrated as a local hero after he intervened in a brazen attempted kidnapping on the streets of Paris, using a fire extinguisher to chase off a gang of masked attackers. The target of the kidnapping was reportedly the daughter of a French crypto businessman, according to local media.

The incident occurred on Tuesday in the 11th arrondissement and has sparked renewed concerns over the safety of individuals tied to the cryptocurrency industry, which has seen an uptick in threats, particularly in France.

Dramatic Rescue Caught on Camera

Widely circulated video footage shows:

  • Three masked men wrestling with the woman and her husband.

  • A van idling nearby, presumed to be the getaway vehicle.

  • The shopkeeper, identified only as Nabil, charging at the attackers with a fire extinguisher.

  • The attackers fleeing into the van, with Nabil throwing the extinguisher at the vehicle as it drives off.

Community Applause for Local Hero

On Wednesday, passersby and neighbors praised Nabil outside his shop:

“You’re a champion,” one woman said.
“Thank you very much. That’s kind,” Nabil replied.

Nabil said he knew the couple personally and commended the woman’s husband for his bravery:

“He took a lot of blows to the head and he didn’t let go of his wife. I think that’s what made them give up, more than the fire extinguisher.”

He described his decision to act as spontaneous:

“I rushed over with that object, not knowing exactly what I was going to do with it. But I feel like it ended the altercation. So I achieved my goal.”

Growing Risks for Crypto Figures

This attempted abduction marks at least the third such attack targeting individuals linked to France’s crypto sector in recent months. French prosecutors have launched an investigation, and authorities are examining potential organized crime links.

The incident underscores the increasing physical security threats faced by crypto entrepreneurs, whose digital wealth has made them prime targets for extortion and kidnapping in real life.

Tower Semiconductor Forecasts Q2 Revenue Above Estimates on Wireless Chip Demand

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Tower Semiconductor (TSEM), the Israel-based contract chipmaker, forecast second-quarter revenue slightly above Wall Street expectations on Wednesday, buoyed by steady demand for wireless communication and power management chips.

The company, which specializes in analog and mixed-signal semiconductors, is seeing record growth in radio frequency (RF) infrastructure technologies, driven by expanding wireless and sensing applications—even as demand in automotive and industrial sectors remains uneven.

Key Forecast and Financial Highlights:

  • Q2 Revenue Guidance: $372 million (±5%), above analyst estimates of $371.3 million (LSEG)

  • Q1 Revenue: $358.2 million, in line with forecasts

  • Q1 Adjusted EPS: 45 cents, beating estimates of 38 cents

Growth Drivers

  • Strong demand for RF infrastructure chips used in wireless communication is a standout contributor to revenue.

  • Despite choppy conditions in the automotive and EV sectors, Tower is finding support in consumer electronics and industrial applications.

The company is also expanding production capacity at its Agrate, Italy facility, a move that increases short-term costs but is expected to bolster long-term output and growth potential.

Tower reaffirmed its full-year outlook for sequential revenue growth across quarters, signaling confidence in its product pipeline and end-market stability.

Market Reaction

Despite the strong performance and upbeat forecast, Tower’s U.S.-listed shares slipped about 1% in premarket trading, possibly due to broader market sentiment or cost concerns related to facility expansion.

Tower’s continued focus on analog and RF chip technologies—especially amid global interest in connectivity and power efficiency—positions it as a resilient player in a diversifying semiconductor landscape.

Indian Tourists Cancel Trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan Over Support for Pakistan

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Indian travel platforms are reporting a sharp drop in bookings and a surge in cancellations for trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan, following the two countries’ statements of support for Pakistan during its recent conflict with India.

The diplomatic row follows a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which New Delhi blamed on Islamabad. India retaliated with cross-border strikes last week, targeting what it called terrorist camps, prompting escalating tensions. Although a ceasefire has since been agreed, the fallout continues to affect international travel plans.

Travel Industry Reaction

According to MakeMyTrip, one of India’s largest travel booking firms:

  • Bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan have dropped 60% over the past week.

  • Cancellations have surged by 250% during the same period.

EaseMyTrip CEO Rikant Pittie confirmed similar trends, noting:

  • 22% rise in cancellations for Turkey.

  • 30% increase in cancellations for Azerbaijan.

  • Travellers are instead opting for Georgia, Serbia, Greece, Thailand, and Vietnam as alternative destinations.

“When these nations openly support Pakistan, should we fuel their tourism and their economies?”
— Nishant Pitti, Founder & Chairman, EaseMyTrip

Meanwhile, ixigo, another prominent travel app, announced on X that it is suspending all bookings for Turkey, Azerbaijan, and China, citing geopolitical tensions.

Context and Numbers

  • In 2023, 287,000 Indians visited Turkey, and 243,000 visited Azerbaijan, according to EaseMyTrip’s Nishant Pitti.

  • Both destinations have become increasingly popular with Indian tourists due to affordability, visa ease, and cultural appeal.

However, the political backlash following perceived support for Pakistan is prompting a broader nationalistic consumer shift, with Indians re-evaluating not only leisure destinations but also their economic impact through tourism.

While travel to the region may resume depending on diplomatic developments, the current climate highlights how foreign policy and public sentiment can rapidly influence tourism flows and international business ties.