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Iran’s Khamenei stays away from talks as JD Vance says dynamic makes diplomacy ‘much more complicated’

As indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran started on Friday in Oman, remarks from Vice President JD Vance earlier in the week questioning the absence of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei from talks have raised a core dilemma for Washington — the person with ultimate authority in Tehran is not sitting at the negotiating table.

In the interview, Vance said, ‘It’s a very weird country to conduct diplomacy with, when you can’t even talk to the person who’s in charge of the country. That makes all of this much more complicated… It is bizarre that we can’t just talk to the actual leadership of the country. It really makes diplomacy very, very difficult,’ he said on Megyn Kelly’s podcast.

The Supreme Leader has no equals

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, has served as Iran’s supreme leader since 1989 and remains the country’s highest political and religious authority, with ultimate control over military, security and strategic decisions. That concentration of power means any diplomatic outcome must ultimately pass through him.

Sina Azodi, the director of the Middle East Studies Program at George Washington University, told Fox News Digital that Khamenei’s authority stems from direct control over Iran’s core power centers. ‘He is very powerful because he is the commander in chief of the armed forces and appoints the heads of the IRGC, the Artesh (conventional military), the judiciary and other important institutions.’

Azodi added that protocol and hierarchy also explain Khamenei’s absence from negotiations. ‘Iranians are very adamant about diplomatic protocols — that since other countries don’t have the equivalent rank, he does not participate in any negotiations because his ‘equal’ rank does not exist,’ Azodi said. ‘Even when foreign heads of state visit him, there is only the Iranian flag, and foreign flags are not allowed.’

Iranian sources familiar with internal discussions described Khamenei as operating from a legacy mindset at this stage of his life. ‘The supreme leader sees the confrontation with Washington as defining his historical role and believes Iran can retaliate against U.S. interests in the region. Khamenei is not focused on personal risk and views strategic confrontation as part of preserving his legacy,’ a Middle Eastern source speaking on the condition of anonymity told Fox News Digital.

Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital that Khamenei remains the decisive figure in Iran’s system even as the regime faces pressure at home and abroad.

‘He wields great influence in Iran but also exercises the greatest veto in Iran’s political hierarchy’

‘He wields great influence in Iran but also exercises the greatest veto in Iran’s political hierarchy,’ Ben Taleblu said.

He added, ‘The Iranian strategy… is to raise the cost of war in the thinking of the adversary,’ he said, describing a system that signals willingness to talk while simultaneously preparing for confrontation.

He warned that ‘regimes that are afraid and lethal and weak can still be dangerous,’ and said Tehran may believe threatening U.S. assets could deter a broader war even if such escalation risks triggering a stronger American response.

‘Very difficult to say what Khamenei’s mindset is, but I think that he, along with other senior officials, think that the current conflict is not an isolated phenomenon but rather the continuation of the June 2025 conflict and the recent protests, which he called ‘an American coup,’’ Azodi told Fox News Digital.

‘I think that he thinks that the U.S. is definitely after a regime change and that needs to be resisted at all costs,’ he added.

Inside Iran, frustration with Khamenei has become increasingly visible, according to a journalist reporting from within the country.

‘What people want more than anything else is for Khamenei to die… I hear it every day, everywhere I go — why doesn’t he die?’ the journalist told Fox News Digital.

‘He is perceived as God’s representative, while leaders of enemy states are viewed as representatives of Satan, which is why he never meets with them.’

‘You just open the Twitter of Iranians… the tweet is, why don’t you die? And everybody knows who we are talking about. So a nation is waiting for him to die.’

The journalist said many Iranians no longer believe political reform is possible and instead see generational change as the only turning point.

Iranian journalist in exile, Mehdi Ghadimi, told Fox News Digital that, ‘The Islamic government considers itself obligated to enforce Islamic law across the entire world. They harbor hatred toward Iranians and Jews, whom they regard as enemies of Islam,’ he explained, ‘In such a structure, the leader is seen as more than a political ruler; he is perceived as God’s representative, while leaders of enemy states are viewed as representatives of Satan, which is why he never meets with them. If dialogue or compromise were to take place, his sacred image would collapse in the eyes of his supporters.’

He continued, ‘For this reason, groups labeled as ‘moderate,’ ‘reformist,’ or ‘pro-Western’ are created so that the West can negotiate with them,’ Ghadimi added. ‘No one within the structure of the Islamic Republic thinks about anything other than defeating the Western world and establishing Islamic dominance globally. The diplomats presented to Western politicians as moderates are tasked with using diplomacy to buy time for Khamenei.’

The negotiations come amid heightened regional tensions, U.S. military deployments and unresolved disputes over Iran’s nuclear program and missile capabilities.

Regional analysts say that for the U.S., the central challenge remains unchanged. Diplomats can negotiate, but the final decision rests with one man — a leader shaped by decades of confrontation with the United States, focused on regime survival and determined to preserve his legacy even as Iran enters a new round of talks.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

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Why Melania’s hit documentary terrifies critics who desperately wanted her to fail

The film ‘Melania,’ a documentary about First Lady Melania Trump, made nearly $8 million on its opening weekend, making it the highest-grossing documentary in a decade. It’s a huge win for the first lady and a crushing defeat for those rooting against her.

The director of ‘Melania,’ Brett Ratner, has previously helmed Hollywood blockbusters such as ‘Rush Hour’ and ‘X-Men: The Last Stand.’ The fact that Ratner is already an established brand in Hollywood is noteworthy. During the first Trump term, it would have been unlikely that a Hollywood director would take a chance on a documentary about Melania Trump. Ratner still took a risk making the film, because Hollywood is traditionally lockstep on politics and quick to cut off anyone who steps outside the line. It’s easier to make a film like this in 2026 than it was in 2017, but only marginally so.

The film is a soft-focus look at Melania Trump’s life as first lady, offering a glossy, feel-good glance into what people normally don’t get to see inside the private first lady’s life. Still, it wouldn’t have mattered what was in the film — the media would have hated it anyway.

The reviews in the mainstream press aren’t so much scathing as personal. Variety called the film a ‘cheeseball infomercial of staggering inertia,’ while The Guardian noted it was ‘dispiriting, deadly and unrevealing’ and ‘unredeemable.’

In the film, it’s true we see Melania in her beautiful outfits and flawless makeup, but we also see her as the woman behind the man.

In one scene in the film, Melania advises the president to include the word ‘unifier’ in his inaugural speech. On Jan. 20, as he said the words, ‘My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier. That’s what I want to be: a peacemaker and a unifier,’ the president turned around to look at his wife. Of course, Melania wants her husband to be both a peacemaker and a unifier. She is rooting for him to succeed because it helps us all. A vicious media refuses to concede that she may want what is best for the country.

The film portrays a marriage where the first lady cares about her husband, worrying about his security on Inauguration Day and expressing relief when festivities are moved indoors. This portrayal flies in the face of the frequent commentary claiming the marriage is in name only. Why would the first lady care about her husband’s safety if she’s only in the union for glory or money? The New York Times counted how many days Melania has spent in the White House during this term, and Trump biographer Michael Wolff has claimed, without evidence, that they are separated. This film answers those accusations and rumors directly, in Melania’s own words.

In a 2018 interview with ABC, Melania was asked about her marriage and said, ‘I know people like to speculate and media like to speculate about our marriage. It’s not always pleasant, of course. But I know what is right and what is wrong and what is true or not true.’

She does, and she shows it in this film.

On the review site Rotten Tomatoes, the film ‘Melania’ is setting another kind of record: the largest discrepancy between the scores of film reviewers and filmgoers in the site’s history. It makes sense, since most of the reviewers went into the film with a rating in mind, whether or not they actually enjoyed the movie. The people who spent their money to go watch their first lady on the screen were going to be more honest, even if some were swayed by their enthusiasm for their president.

The media has three more years of the Trump administration and Melania Trump. They can stop having outbursts about the first lady and give her a fair hearing — something more than half the country would commend. Or they can continue to descend into irrelevance, as everyone knows even their panning of a film will be political. The choice is theirs.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

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Hegseth says US strikes force some cartel leaders to halt drug operations

War Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that some cartel drug traffickers operating in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility have halted narcotics activity following recent U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean.

‘WINNING: Some top cartel drug-traffickers in the @SOUTHCOM AOR have decided to cease all narcotics operations INDEFINITELY due to recent (highly effective) kinetic strikes in the Caribbean,’ Hegsth wrote in a post on X.

Hegseth credited President Donald Trump with directing the military actions, calling the effort a lifesaving deterrent.

‘This is deterrence through strength. @POTUS is SAVING American lives,’ he wrote.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina praised the military action, writing on X, ‘Well done @SecWar and to all under your command. We must continue to verify and monitor. We can’t trust drug cartels.’

The Trump administration has been pursuing a policy of conducting deadly attacks against vessels of alleged ‘narco-terrorists.’

SOUTHCOM announced a strike that killed two on Thursday.

‘On Feb. 5, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Two narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed,’ Southern Command noted in a post on X.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

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After Major Gold Payout, Bian Ximing Turns Bearish Sights on Silver

A Chinese billionaire trader known for profiting from gold’s multi-year rally has turned sharply bearish on silver, building a short position now worth nearly US$300 million as prices slide.

Bian Ximing, who earned billions riding gold’s multi-year rally and later turned aggressively bullish on copper, is now positioned for a sharp reversal in silver—a bet that is already paying off as prices retreat from record highs.

According to exchange data analyzed by Bloomberg and people familiar with his positions, Bian has assembled the Shanghai Futures Exchange’s largest known net short position in silver, held through Zhongcai Futures Co.

The position, composed of roughly 30,000 contracts, or about 450 metric tons, has swung sharply into profit following silver’s more than 16 percent drop since late January.

The contrast with Bian’s copper strategy just a year ago could hardly be sharper.

In 2024, Bian emerged as China’s most prominent copper bull, building the largest net long position on the Shanghai Futures Exchange at a time when many traders were retreating amid trade tensions and growth concerns.

His thesis then centered on copper’s central role in electrification, grid expansion and industrial upgrading. That trade was built patiently and scaled over months, with Bian accumulating long positions across multiple contracts.

By the time copper prices surged, the position had generated hundreds of millions of dollars in gains.

Silver, by contrast, appears to have triggered Bian’s skepticism. While silver often trades alongside gold, its recent surge was increasingly viewed by market participants as driven by speculative positioning rather than fundamental shifts in industrial demand.

Unlike copper, where supply bottlenecks and electrification narratives were front and center, silver’s rally accelerated rapidly by drawing in leveraged traders and momentum funds.

Exchange data show that Bian began building silver shorts in the final week of January, as prices pushed into record territory in Shanghai. His exposure expanded quickly from about 18,000 contracts on January 28 to roughly 28,000 two days later, even as prices continued climbing.

The timing was costly at first, as volatility forced partial liquidations and earlier losses trimmed gains from prior silver longs.

However, Bian’s patience was rewarded when silver broke sharply lower.The short is now estimated to be worth roughly 2 billion yuan (US$288 million) in paper gains. After accounting for earlier losses, Bian’s net profit is estimated at around 1 billion yuan based on recent prices.

Whether the current selloff proves lasting remains an open question. Bian, who resides largely in Gibraltar and rarely speaks publicly, did not respond to requests for comment. Zhongcai Futures also declined to comment.

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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Saga Metals Acknowledges U.S. Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve “Project Vault” and Highlights Titanium’s Strategic Importance to North American Defense Supply Chains

Saga Metals Corp. (‘SAGA’ or the ‘Company’) (TSXV: SAGA,OTC:SAGMF) (OTCQB: SAGMF) (FSE: 20H), a North American exploration company focused on critical mineral discoveries, acknowledges the recent announcement by The White House and Donald Trump of ‘Project Vault,’ a large-scale U.S. strategic stockpile initiative intended to strengthen domestic supply chains, advance national security priorities, and reduce reliance on foreign-controlled sources of critical minerals and raw materials.

Project Vault—announced in the Oval Office with participation from Export-Import Bank of the United States (‘EXIM’) — establishes the U.S. Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve as an independently governed public-private partnership designed to store essential raw materials across U.S. facilities.

EXIM has approved a Direct Loan of up to US$10 billion to support Project Vault, providing long-term financing for a partnership between original equipment manufacturers and private-sector capital providers—an effort EXIM has positioned as strengthening U.S. production and processing capacity, insulating manufacturers from supply shocks, and advancing U.S. national economic security objectives.

The stockpile is the latest move by the Trump administration to build a Western supply chain to counter China’s dominance in critical minerals — especially when it comes to refining. Beijing sought to cut off exports of rare earths, a subset of critical minerals, last year during trade disputes with the U.S.

A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

Preferential trade alignment and allied coordination on display at the Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. efforts to diversify and stabilize critical minerals supply chains are expanding beyond domestic stockpiling toward allied coordination. On February 4, U.S. Vice President JD Vance outlined plans aimed at organizing partners into a preferential trade framework for critical minerals, including mechanisms intended to promote market stability and reduce vulnerability to price undercutting and supply disruption.

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand was in Washington on Wednesday as the Trump administration made a case for international partners to join a preferential trade zone for critical minerals with forced price floors.

Canada and the U.S. Department of Defense already have a co-investment deal to accelerate Canadian mining development and strengthen critical minerals supply chains.

A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

Titanium: A national defense critical mineral facing supply chain constraints

Titanium remains a cornerstone material for aerospace and defense platforms, infrastructure, and high-performance industrial uses, and continues to be a strategic concern for Western supply chains due to limited domestic sourcing and processing capacity. Titanium is deemed a critical metal by the U.S., EU and Canada and is essential for defense and aerospace applications due to its strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance.

Titanium is characterized as a critical mineral for defense and aerospace, with supply-chain risk concentrated in titanium metal pathways (including aerospace-grade sponge capacity and certification) rather than in pigment markets. The vast majority – over 90% globally of mined titanium is processed into the pigment – a looming supply chain gap UK-headquartered market intelligence company Project Blue outlines in a recent report.

‘Titanium is essentially a defence metal – it can be up to 20% or more of the markets for total titanium consumption that goes into defence. An F 15 can be up to 40% in weight of titanium. There’s some serious volume going in these jet planes,’ Project Blue Founder and Director, Dr. Nils Backeberg

Saga Metals’ Project Focus: Critical Minerals and Titanium Exploration in Labrador

Saga Metals believes the evolving policy environment reinforces the strategic relevance of North American Critical Minerals projects that can support secure, resilient supply chains for defense, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. The Company’s flagship Radar Ti-V-Fe Project is located in Labrador near the port community of Cartwright and is supported by existing infrastructure, including road access and proximity to tidewater logistics. Saga recently announced a 100% drilling success rate in 2025 with exceptional grades of titanium, vanadium, and iron in all 15 drill holes completed at the Radar Critical Minerals Project. The company is advancing towards a Mineral Resource Estimate and has completed four diamond drill holes in 2026 to start the year.

Mike Stier, CEO & Director of Saga Metals commented: ‘The U.S. government’s focus on critical mineral stockpiling reinforces the strategic importance of secure, allied sources of materials such as titanium—particularly for North American national security and defense-related supply chains. Saga Metals continues to advance its portfolio with a focus on critical minerals that support supply-chain security, advanced manufacturing, and future-facing technologies. We believe this policy momentum highlights the importance of investing in strategic mining projects that can help build resilience—diversifying supply, strengthening domestic and allied production capacity, and supporting stable investment conditions for the critical materials that power our economies and protect our industries.’

Key implications Saga Metals sees from Project Vault and allied initiatives

Saga Metals recognizes several key implications from Project Vault and the broader allied push toward critical-minerals security:

  • Rising strategic value of titanium and other critical metals in defense readiness, aerospace manufacturing, and industrial policy.
  • Potential acceleration of investment in North American exploration, development, and processing capacity as governments prioritize secure supply.
  • Expanded public-private cooperation to create resilient, domestically aligned supply chains and mitigate market disruption risk.
  • Increased allied coordination on pricing stability, trade frameworks, and supply diversification to reduce dependency on concentrated refining and processing pathways.

About Critical Minerals

Critical minerals are the foundation upon which modern technology is built. They are used in a wide range of essential products ranging from mobile phones and solar panels to electric vehicle batteries, medical devices and defense applications. Canada’s critical minerals list identifies 34 minerals and metals while the U.S.A identifies 60 minerals and metals as critical.

Investor Relations Agreement

Additionally, the Company and GRA Enterprises LLC DBA National Inflation Association (‘NIA’) entered into a consulting agreement (the ‘NIA Agreement’) for investor relations and communication services. The NIA Agreement has an initial term of twelve (12) months, at an aggregate cost of USD$100,000 for the term. Following the initial term, the NIA Agreement can be extended by three (3) months for an additional USD$30,000, six (6) months for an additional USD$50,000 or one year for an additional USD$100,000. NIA will leverage its expansive distribution channels – including targeted email lists, website features, and blog content – to highlight the Company’s growth story and project developments.

NIA, based in Mooresville, North Carolina, has a strong track record of investor communications for publicly traded companies. The Company will not issue any securities to NIA as compensation. NIA and its principals are at arm’s length to the Company. NIA currently has no direct or indirect interest in the securities of the Company, or any right or intent to acquire such an interest.

For more information about NIA: Contact ga@gerardadams.com or visit them at 112 Camp Lane, Mooresville, North Carolina, 28117.

Qualified Person

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

About Saga Metals Corp.

Saga Metals Corp. is a North American mining company focused on the exploration and discovery of a diversified suite of critical minerals that support the North American transition to supply security. The Radar Ti-V-Fe Project comprises 24,175 hectares and entirely encloses the Dykes River intrusive complex, mapped at 160 km² on the surface near Cartwright, Labrador. Exploration to date, including 4,250 m of drilling, has confirmed a large, mineralized layered mafic intrusion hosting vanadiferous titanomagnetite (VTM) and ilmenite mineralization with strong grades of titanium and vanadium.

The Double Mer Uranium Project, also in Labrador, covers 25,600 hectares and features uranium radiometrics that highlight an 18km east-west trend, with a confirmed 14km section producing samples as high as 0.428% U3O8. Uranium uranophane was identified in several areas of highest radiometric response (2024 Double Mer Technical Report).

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

With a portfolio spanning key commodities critical to the clean energy future, SAGA is strategically positioned to play an essential role in critical mineral security.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Mike Stier, Chief Executive Officer

For more information, contact:

Rob Guzman, Investor Relations
Saga Metals Corp.
Tel: +1 (844) 724-2638
Email: rob@sagametals.com
www.sagametals.com

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

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

News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Blackrock Silver to Present at the Precious Metals and Critical Minerals Virtual Investor Conference on February 10th 2026

Blackrock Silver Corp. (TSXV: BRC,OTC:BKRRF) (OTCQX: BKRRF) (FSE: AHZ0) (‘Blackrock’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce that Andrew Pollard, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Company, will present live at the Precious Metals & Critical Minerals Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on February 10th, 2026 at 2PM ET

Blackrock invites individual and institutional investors, as well as advisors and analysts, to attend online at VirtualInvestorConferences.com.

DATE: February 10th
TIME: 2:00PM ET
LINK:https://www.virtualinvestorconferences.com/wcc/eh/4814904/lp/5226511/blackrock-silver-corp-otcqx-bkrrf-tsxv-brc

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the Company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

Marketing Agreement

The Company also announces that that it has entered into a marketing agreement (the ‘Agreement‘) with Epstein Research (‘ER‘), led by Peter Epstein, pursuant to which Mr. Epstein will provide investor relations services to the Company for a six (6) month term beginning on February 6, 2026 and ending on August 6, 2026 in consideration for a cash fee of US$2,500 per month, payable by way of a one time aggregate payment of US$15,000, paid in advance, subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.

In accordance with the terms of the Agreement, ER will work with the Company on posting on social media and producing articles, interviews and commentary designed to increase awareness of the Company.

There are no performance factors contained in the Agreement and ER will not receive any securities of the Company as compensation.

Mr. Epstein does not beneficially own, directly or indirectly, any securities of the Company or any right to acquire securities of the Company. Mr. Epstein operates www.epsteinresearch.com, is an arm’s-length party to the Company, and has over 20 years experience in buy-side analyst roles.

Epstein Research is a research and analysis firm operated by Peter Epstein, located in the state of New Jersey, USA, specializing in investor relations and market awareness for public companies.

About Blackrock Silver Corp.

Blackrock Silver Corp. is an American-focused emerging primary silver developer systematically advancing the high-grade Tonopah West Project, situated in the historic ‘Queen of the Silver Camps’ in a jurisdiction consistently ranked as one of the top mining regions globally. The Company is backstopped by a veteran board and technical team with a proven track record of discovering, financing, and building major precious metal mines in Nevada and globally. Blackrock is committed to establishing a secure, high-margin, domestic supply of silver and gold.

Additional information on Blackrock Silver Corp. can be found on its website at www.blackrocksilver.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

For further information, please contact:

Andrew Pollard, President & Chief Executive Officer
Blackrock Silver Corp.
Phone: 604 817-6044
Email: andrew@blackrocksilver.com

Sean Thompson, Head of Investor Relations
Blackrock Silver Corp.
Email: sean@blackrocksilver.com

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

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/282934

News Provided by TMX Newsfile via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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African Discovery Groupannounces signing of Definitive Sales and Purchase Agreementfor Butembo Copper Asset in the Democratic Republic of Congo; name change to Copper Intelligence, Inc

AFDG, now Copper Intelligence, has successfully entered a binding contract for the transaction closing of the Butembo mining concession in Eastern DRC. In conjunction with the SPA, AFDG shares have been issued to the license holders, with ownership of the mining interest now held by the US domiciled entity, thus completing the Reverse Takeover transaction (RTO).

The transaction was signed in parallel with a Strategic Minerals roundtable held in Washington DC in conjunction with the launch of Project Vault by US President Trump, and the attendance by His Excellency, President Felix Tshisekedi of DRC, Aldo Cesano, Director of Copper Intelligence, and the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial hosted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Department of State in Washington, D.C.

Copper Intelligence, Inc is now the first stand-alone DRC company to be publicly traded in the United States.

Andrew Groves, Chairman of Copper Intelligence stated, ‘ We are delighted to hold this status as a dedicated US company operating in Africa, aggregating assets in the DRC’s highest grade copper deposits in the world. The geology, and DRC’s prospective superlative yields, affords us the opportunity to create a unique, and dedicated copper exploration company. The Technical Team will now drive shareholder value through a methodical exploration program, asset addition, and validation of results.’

Aldo Cesano, Director added, ‘We believe Copper Intelligence will make a significant contribution to the people and communities of the DRC in which we work.’

Alan Kessler, Director and Founder concluded, ‘We are confident Copper Intelligence holds the resources, timing and execution capability to embrace the global copper shortage, and create shareholder value as a pioneering African company.’

About the Butembo Copper Project

Butembo is a near surface, low strip, Tier one exploration opportunity, located near the Ruwenzori mountain location of Uganda’s biggest copper mine (Kilembe with 4 million tons of verified reserves), located only 50km from the Ugandan border with verified access to rail. The High-grade copper samples thus far have returned 18% Copper assays, which if maintained at production would rank amongst the highest globally.

Industry and DRC positioning

According to The Washington Post, projected demand scenarios suggest that annual copper deficits could reach or exceed 6 million tons by 2035. The U.N. Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates that closing this gap would require opening around 80 major new mines by 2030.

Click here to continue reading.

Media Contact:

www.copperintelligence.com
Maxine Gordon
mg@africandiscoverygroup.com
(917) 478-0406

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/african-discovery-group-afdg-announces-signing-of-definitive-sales-and-purchase-agreement-spa-for-butembo-copper-asset-in-the-democratic-republic-of-congo-name-change-to-copper-intelligence-inc-302681359.html

SOURCE African Discovery Group

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Equity Metals Exhibiting at the 2026 PDAC

Equity Metals Corporation (TSXV: EQTY,OTC:EQMEF) (FSE: EGSD) (OTCQB: EQMEF) (‘Equity’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to advise that it will be exhibiting at the annual 2026 Prospectors & Development Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention, the world’s premier mineral exploration & mining event.

To learn more about Equity Metals’ Silver Queen, silver-gold project in British, we invite you to visit the team at Booth # 2541 in the Investors Exchange, Level 800, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building from Sunday March 1st through Wednesday March 4th.

An updated version of our Corporate Presentation is now available on the Company’s website: www.equitymetalscorporation.com

About PDAC

PDAC 2025: The World’s Premier Mineral Exploration & Mining Convention is the leading event for people, companies and organizations connected to mineral exploration. This annual convention in Toronto, Canada is known for attracting up to 30,000 attendees from over 130+ countries for its educational programming, networking events, outstanding business opportunities.

Since it began in 1932, the PDAC Convention has grown in size, stature and influence. Today, it is the event of choice for the world’s mineral industry hosting more than 1,100 exhibitors and 2,500 investors. Visit PDAC’s website for registration and ticketing information.

Corporate Update

Further, the Company reports that it has engaged Research Capital Corporation (‘RCC’) as a financial advisor to provide advice and assistance in connection with defining strategic and financial objectives over a one-month term. Equity will compensate RCC by payment of $24,000 and issuance of 150,000 share purchase warrants (‘Advisory Warrants’) valued at $30,000 (calculated using a share price of $0.40 with warrants valued at half that of shares). Each Advisory Warrant is exercisable for one common share of the Company for a period of 36 months at an exercise price equal to $0.40 per share. Such Advisory Warrants have been issued are subject to a hold period expiring June 7, 2026. RCC is arm’s length to the Company.

About Equity Metals Corporation

Equity Metals Corporation is a member of the Malaspina-Manex Group. The Company owns 100% interest, with no underlying royalty, in the Silver Queen project, located along the Skeena Arch in the Omineca Mining Division, British Columbia. The property hosts high-grade, precious- and base-metal veins related to a buried porphyry system, which has been only partially delineated. The Company also has a controlling JV interest (57.49%) in the Monument Diamond project, NWT, strategically located in the Lac De Gras district within 40 km of both the Ekati and Diavik diamond mines. As well, the Company has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Arlington Property, located within the Boundary District of south-central British Columbia where 2025 exploration work consisted of geophysics and diamond drilling designed to identify and delineate an apparent gold system.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

‘Lawrence Page, K.C.’

Lawrence Page, K.C.
Chairman, Director, Equity Metals Corporation

For further information, visit the website at https://www.equitymetalscorporation.com; or contact us at 604.641.2759 or by email at corpdev@mnxltd.com.

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

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Equity Metals Corporation does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/282959

News Provided by TMX Newsfile via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Nicki Minaj blasts Gavin Newsom for ‘missing the plot’ while obsessing over Trump

Nicki Minaj, who has recently been a vocal critic of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, accused him in a new interview of trying to be like President Donald Trump, referring to recent social media posts of the governor’s that emulate the president’s frank style.

‘With Newscum, it’s the fact that with everything you said, but then having the audacity to be playing on Twitter, obsessed with Trump, trying to be Trump, trying to be funny when it’s not and then wanting to roll around in the mud with female rappers or whomever and completely missing the plot,’ Minaj told Katie Miller on her podcast this week.

Many of Minaj’s online attacks have been over the governor’s support of transgender children.

‘Imagine being the guy running on wanting to see trans kids,’ Minaj wrote on social media late last year. ‘Not even a trans ADULT would run on that. Normal adults wake up & think they want to see HEALTHY, SAFE, HAPPY kids. Not Gav. The Gav Nots. GavOUT. Send in the next guy, I’m bored.’

She suggested to Miller that Newsom would be better off not trying to compete with Trump.

‘But President Trump is already the president, get it?’ she said as if speaking directly to Newsom. ‘He’s already done it twice. He’s won. Good. OK. Meanwhile, you are embarking on what — a journey that will end up being a big huge failure for him.’

The ‘Tukoh Taka’ singer said the governor still doesn’t ‘seem to grasp the fact that these jokes that you’re making are only funny to your assistant, you know, the weirdo little guy that calls Black women stupid h— and stuff.’

Newsom’s assistant responded to one of Minaj’s slams on social media last year by posting a picture of a Nicki Minaj T-shirt in the trash. He captioned the image: ‘Stupid H–,’ a reference to her 2012 song of the same name.

She claimed that ‘no one cares’ about Newsom’s rhetoric online, ‘and he’s making a fool out of himself like when he went all the way to another country to speak ill of the country and the president. We would never want someone like that to be our president. Americans are so big on loyalty and that just showed us all you do not have a loyal bone in your body and no one is going to vote for you.’

Newsom spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last month, expressing his concerns that ‘freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of speech’ are all under attack because of the Trump administration.

‘They’re censoring historical facts, they’re rewriting history,’ he added, also claiming that the administration had canceled an earlier event the governor was supposed to speak at.

Minaj said Newsom failed to respond to her when she asked for his office’s help ‘on Twitter about swatting calls that were happening that were clearly a part of their extended smear campaign. And he completely ignored it, right? And next thing you know, he’s on there flapping his gums about female rap stuff and trying to get in women’s business. So I had to. I had to show him who’s boss on Twitter.’

Newsom has only responded to her tirade of social media attacks once.

In December, he posted a mashup of videos and images of Trump, including with Jeffrey Epstein, set to Meghan Thee Stallion’s Minaj diss track ‘HISS.’

A spokesperson for Newsom told Fox News Digital: ‘We wish Mrs. Minaj-Petty, her husband, and his parole officer well.’

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

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DR MARC SIEGEL: How AA, faith and science align with Trump’s fight against addiction

I applaud President Donald Trump’s Jan. 29 executive order known as the Great American Recovery Initiative, but I think it should be renamed the Bill W. and Dr. Bob Initiative, after the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous. Both men suffered from severe alcoholism until a fateful day in December 1934, when Bill Wilson experienced a spiritual awakening — described as a blinding white light — after demanding that God show Himself. Bill also described the sensation of standing on a mountain with the wind of the Spirit blowing through him, and he instantly felt liberated, his obsession with alcohol gone.

This conversion experience formed the basis for Bill W.’s spiritual transformation and recovery from alcoholism, and it led to the core 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous, which Bill W. co-founded in June 1935 with Dr. Robert Smith. Dr. Bob also suffered from severe alcoholism, and Bill W. helped him quit. By that June, Dr. Bob had taken his final drink. Together with Sister Ignatia, Dr. Bob helped transfer his freedom from alcohol to others, providing medical care and physical guidance to thousands of alcoholics in Akron, Ohio, and around the country.

The reason I believe President Trump’s initiative could be called the Bill W. and Dr. Bob Initiative is because, like AA, it recognizes the importance of community, health and faith. These elements must be central tenets of the plan for it to be successful. The White House announcement states its goal is ‘to coordinate a national response to the disease of addiction across government, health care, faith communities and the private sector in order to save lives, restore families, strengthen our communities and build the Great American Recovery.’

Trump’s initiative was soon followed this week by the HHS $100 million Safety Through Recovery, Engagement and Evidence-based Treatment and Supports (STREETS) program, which will focus on addiction, mental health, homelessness and crisis intervention. 

This is a much-needed program and I was glad to see it spearheaded by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., himself a recovered heroin addict, along with his cousin, former Rep. Patrick Kennedy, a recovering alcoholic whom I have interviewed and found to be a powerful and convincing voice for recovery.

The reason I believe President Trump’s initiative could be called the Bill W. and Dr. Bob Initiative is because, like AA, it recognizes the importance of community, health and faith. 

Keep in mind that denial is a key part of the problem for most addicts, and deep faith, along with role modeling, is a critical way to overcome that denial. As the White House pointed out in its fact sheet, ‘48.4 million Americans, or 16.8% of our nation’s population, suffer from addiction, yet very few who need treatment receive it or believe they need it.’

During President Trump’s first term, in 2019, when he declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency, he also acknowledged that his brother Fred had ‘a very, very, very tough life’ before succumbing to alcoholism and heart disease. Trump said the same to me when I interviewed him at the White House in July 2020, and I could see how deeply the loss affected him personally.

Trump’s heart is clearly in the right place when it comes to the current initiative — and he is not alone. The announcement of the new federal plan to combat drug and alcohol addiction included Kathryn Burgum, a former alcoholic and the wife of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, as well as United State Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, who told the story of his son dying from a drug overdose during the event.

Raising awareness is a lofty goal, along with acknowledging just how hard addictions are to break. The role of faith and the church must be emphasized, but so too must the scientific tools that enable miraculous recoveries — from buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, to naltrexone, an opioid antagonist that blocks both euphoria and craving. GLP-1 agonists are also showing promise in decreasing cravings for alcohol and drugs and reducing alcohol consumption, in part by delaying gastric emptying. Medically assisted therapy for opioids — specifically methadone, naltrexone and buprenorphine — has been shown to reduce opioid-related deaths by more than 50%.

As I wrote in my new book, ‘The Miracles Among Us,’ so-called soft miracles arise from an intricate combination of science and faith.

All these tools must be paid for, and the federal government should help make them more available. Indeed, every primary care physician like me should have the unrestricted ability to prescribe these lifesaving medications, and every major church and synagogue should have a federally subsidized recovery program for drug and alcohol addiction.

Addiction destroys not just individuals, but entire families and communities. Recovery from addiction is a multi-pronged process involving faith, access to quality health care and committed leaders who can relate to the problem. 

Ninety years after Bill W. and Dr. Bob started us down the path toward beating addiction, their caring, spiritual approach is more important than ever.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

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