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The dispute over occupied territories in Ukraine continues to be a sticking point amid negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow as President Donald Trump seeks to help bring an end to the war between the neighboring countries. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Fox News’ Bret Baier that a peace deal with Moscow could be close following his Sunday meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago.

‘Even with one question today, we’ve been very close,’ Zelenskyy told Baier on ‘Special Report.’ ‘I think we have a problem with one question: It’s about territories.’

Key issues about territory remain unresolved in talks that have taken place over months. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently said that the West must acknowledge the fact that Russia holds the advantage on the battlefield.

Zelenskyy has been reluctant to cede territory held by Russian forces since the war began in 2022 over to Moscow. 

Zelenskyy has suggested that Ukraine might be open to withdrawing from the Ukrainian provinces of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, which Russia wants to annex, only if Ukrainian voters give their approval in a referendum. 

‘I think the compromise, if we do a free economic zone that we have, and we have to move some kilometers back. It means that Russia has to make minor steps some kilometers back,’ Zelenskyy said. ‘This free economic zone will have specific rules. Something like this referendum is the way how to accept it or not accept it.’

Putin doesn’t want peace, Zelenskyy said, despite the mounting death toll for Russian forces. 

‘I don’t trust Putin. He doesn’t want success for Ukraine,’ Zelenskyy said. ‘I believe he can say such words to President Trump… but it’s not true really.’

Following his meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy said they were 90% agreed on a draft 20-point plan, despite Moscow showing no signs of budging on its territorial demands. 

The meeting came after Trump spoke with Putin over the phone where they both agreed that a deal must be reached to end Europe’s longest war in 80 years. 

It also came a day after Russia attacked the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv a day earlier. Moscow also claimed that Putin’s home in the Novgorod region was the target of a Ukrainian drone attack overnight, which Ukraine denies. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

The Trump administration announced a $2 billion pledge for United Nations humanitarian aid Monday and warned agencies must ‘adapt, shrink, or die’ under its overhaul, according to a statement from the Department of State.

The new package comes as the administration reins in traditional foreign assistance and pushes humanitarian organizations to meet stricter standards on efficiency, accountability and oversight.

‘Individual U.N. agencies will need to adapt, shrink, or die,’ the statement said after outlining what it called ‘several key benefits for the United States and American taxpayers.’

‘The United States is pledging an initial $2 billion anchor commitment to fund life-saving assistance activities in dozens of countries,’ the State Department said.

The administration also said that the contribution is expected to shield tens of millions of people from hunger, disease, and the devastation of war in 2026 alone, with a new model significantly reducing costs. 

‘Because of enhanced efficiency and hyper-prioritization on life-saving impacts, this new model is expected to save U.S. taxpayers nearly $1.9 billion compared to outdated grant funding approaches,’ the statement said.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the approach is intended to force long-standing reforms across the U.N. system and reduce the U.S. financial burden.

‘This new model will better share the burden of U.N. humanitarian work with other developed countries and will require the U.N. to cut bloat, remove duplication, and commit to powerful new impact, accountability, and oversight mechanisms,’ Rubio said in a post on X.

The pledge is smaller than previous U.S. contributions, which officials said had grown to between $8 billion and $10 billion annually in voluntary humanitarian funding in recent years.

Administration officials said those funding levels were unsustainable and lacked sufficient accountability.

Jeremy Lewin, the State Department’s senior official overseeing foreign assistance, underscored the administration’s position during a press conference in Geneva.

‘The piggy bank is not open to organizations that just want to return to the old system,’ Lewin said in the statement. ‘President Trump has made clear that the system is dead.’

The funding commitment is part of a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. and the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The agreement replaces project-by-project grants with consolidated, flexible pooled funding administered at the country or crisis level.

Tom Fletcher, the U.N.’s top humanitarian official and head of OCHA, welcomed the agreement, calling it a major breakthrough. ‘It’s a very significant landmark contribution,’ Fletcher said, according to the Associated Press.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz also said the deal would deliver more focused, results-driven aid aligned with U.S. foreign policy interests, while the State Department warned future funding will depend on continued reforms.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

LaFleur Minerals Inc. (CSE: LFLR,OTC:LFLRF) (FSE: 3WK0) (‘LaFleur Minerals’ or the ‘Company’ or ‘Issuer’) announces that, due to additional demand to participate in the LIFE Offering, the Company announces a non-brokered hard dollar private placement offering of up to 2,000,000 units of the Company (the ‘Units’) at a price of $0.50 per Unit, for gross proceeds of up to $1,000,000 (the ‘Hard Dollar Offering’). Each Unit will consist of one (1) common share in the capital of the Company (each a ‘Common Share’) and one (1) Common Share purchase warrant (a ‘Warrant’) granting the holder the right to purchase one (1) additional Common Share of the Company (a ‘Warrant Share’) at a price of $0.75 at any time on or before 36 months from the Closing Date (defined below).

The closing of the Hard Dollar Offering is expected to occur on or about January 5, 2026 (the ‘Closing Date‘), or such other earlier or later date as the Company may determine. The securities offered under the Hard Dollar Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period in Canada expiring four (4) months and one day from the closing of the Offering, in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws.

The gross proceeds from the Hard Dollar Offering will be used for the commissioning and restart of gold production operations at the Company’s wholly-owned Beacon Gold Mine and Mill, as well as work at the Company’s Swanson Gold Project in Val d’Or, Québec, as well as for general working capital purposes.

The Company has agreed to pay qualified finders and brokers a cash commission of 7.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds of the Hard Dollar Offering and such number of broker warrants (the ‘Broker Warrants‘) as is equal to 7.0% of the number of Units sold under the Hard Dollar Offering. Each Broker Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price equal to the Offering Price for a period of 24 months following the Closing Date.

The Company continues to progress in the closing of its previously announced non-brokered private placement LIFE Offering and Flow-Through Offering further to its news releases dated December 15, 2025, and December 16, 2025.

This news release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to qualification or registration under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The securities referred to in this news release have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the ‘U.S. Securities Act’), and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. ‘United States’ and ‘U.S. person’ are as defined in Regulation S under the U.S Securities Act.

About LaFleur Minerals Inc.

LaFleur Minerals Inc. (CSE: LFLR,OTC:LFLRF) (FSE: 3WK0) is focused on the development of district-scale gold projects in the Abitibi Gold Belt near Val-d’Or, Québec. Our mission is to advance mining projects with a laser focus on our resource-stage Swanson Gold Deposit and the Beacon Gold Mill, which have significant potential to deliver long-term value. The Swanson Gold Project is approximately 18,304 hectares (183 km2) in size and includes several prospects rich in gold and critical metals previously held by Monarch Mining, Abcourt Mines, and Globex Mining. LaFleur has recently consolidated a large land package along a major structural break that hosts the Swanson, Bartec, and Jolin gold deposits and several other showings which make up the Swanson Gold Project. The Swanson Gold Project is easily accessible by road allowing direct access to several nearby gold mills, further enhancing its development potential. Lafleur Mineral’s fully refurbished and permitted Beacon Gold Mill is capable of processing over 750 tonnes per day and is being considered for processing mineralized material at Swanson and for custom milling operations for other nearby gold projects.

ON BEHALF OF LaFleur Minerals INC.

Paul Ténière, M.Sc., P.Geo.
Chief Executive Officer
E: info@lafleurminerals.com
LaFleur Minerals Inc.
1500-1055 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC V6E 4N7

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding ‘Forward-Looking’ Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed ‘forward-looking statements’. All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words ‘expects’, ‘plans’, ‘anticipates’, ‘believes’, ‘intends’, ‘estimates’, ‘projects’, ‘potential’ and similar expressions, or that events or conditions ‘will’, ‘would’, ‘may’, ‘could’ or ‘should’ occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, without limitation, statements related to the anticipated use of proceeds from the LIFE Offering. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company’s management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279190

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

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Saga Metals Corp. (‘TSXV: SAGA,OTC:SAGMF’) (‘FSE: 20H’) (‘SAGA’ or the ‘Company’), a North American exploration company focused on discovering critical minerals, is pleased to announce the results from its follow up field program at the North Wind Iron Ore project in West Central region of Labrador, Canada.

Key Field Program Highlights

  • High-Grade Iron Ore Potential: Iron content (Fe₂O₃) in grab samples from the Sokoman Formation range as high as 84.57% Fe₂O₃, with continuous high grade in the Lower, Middle and Upper Iron stratigraphy’s. Highest grab sample of 2025 returned 79.26 % Fe₂O₃, from the Middle Iron Formation.
  • Magnetite-Rich Ore: Davis Tube separation techniques confirm the presence of magnetite-rich taconite ore, along with the occurrence of hematite, limonite, and goethite. These results are comparable to historical regional resources at the KéMag, Sheps Lake, and Perrault Lake deposits, which boasted strong resource estimates.
  • Extensive Mineralization Zone: Fieldwork identified iron ore mineralization over a 4km NW-SE trend, with indications that the mineralized zone continues southeast. Mapping in the area suggests that the units dip shallowly to the northeast which would make easy drill targets for resource estimation. Surface thickness of the mineralized trend ranges between 600 and 700 meters, underscoring the project’s potential scale.

Figure 1: Regional map of the North Wind Iron Ore Project in Labrador, Canada

SAGA’s North Wind Iron Ore Project: A highly prospective iron ore asset located in the globally recognized, resource-rich Labrador Trough

The North Wind Iron Ore property located 16 kilometers southwest of Schefferville, Quebec, within the prolific Labrador Trough, represents a secondary but high-potential critical mineral asset within Saga Metals’ portfolio. The Labrador Trough, an extensive 1,100-kilometer suite of Proterozoic rocks, is renowned for hosting world-class iron ore deposits and is a major hub for iron ore exploration.

In February of 2025, Cyclone Metals Limited announced that it signed a binding commercial agreement with Vale S.A. regarding the joint development of its Iron Bear iron ore project. (See Figure 1 above for project location). Under the terms of the agreement, Vale has the right to provide up to USD $138 million of funding to the Iron Bear Project in two Phases and earn 75% of the project. If Vale elects to proceed to Decision to Mine (DTM), Vale can elect to acquire the remaining 25% of the Iron Bear project at fair market value or carry Cyclone to production with no dilution.

SAGA’s North Wind property spans 6,375 hectares across 255 claim blocks under a single license. Its geological framework holds significant potential, reinforced by a portion of a historical resource estimate (NI 43-101 compliant) completed in 2013 by New Millennium Iron. This estimate included two key types of iron ore commonly found in the Labrador Trough:

  • Soft iron ores: Composed of fine-grained secondary iron oxides, including hematite, goethite, and limonite.
  • Taconites: Fine-grained, weakly metamorphosed iron formations with above-average magnetite content.

Historical exploration at North Wind includes data from eight drill holes, drilled by New Millenium in 2013, which averaged 20.74% Total Fe (iron) content over 590 meters drilled. Notably, the Lower Red Green Chert (LRGC), a key stratigraphic unit within the property, returned an average grade of 24.76% Fe across 277 meters drilled and was intercepted in all eight holes. This LRGC unit forms part of the Sokoman Formation’s ‘Lower Iron Formation,’ a high-priority target confirmed by both New Millennium Iron and SAGA’s exploration team.

Figure 2: Saga Metals Mapping the North Wind Property in October of 2025

North Wind Iron Ore Field Program 2025

As part of routine claims maintenance, Saga Metals conducted a short field program at the North Wind Iron Ore property in the Autumn of 2025. In total, 38 rock samples were collected within the target area, all being grab samples, across all units, with the main focus on the Middle and Lower iron formations. Of those 38 Grab samples, 17 of them were above 30% with the highest sampling coming from the Middle Iron Formation with 79.26% Fe₂O₃.

The program focused on mapping, prospecting, and rock sampling, targeting the northern and central areas of the property for follow up and drill hole verification, and the south first pass evaluation.

The Sokoman Formation, a high-priority target for Saga Metals, forms the core focus of exploration. This formation is subdivided into three stratigraphic members based on iron content (Fe₂O₃) seen below with the 2025 Top 18 samples:

  • Upper Iron Member: 37%–70.42% Fe₂O₃
  • Middle Iron Member: 36 %–79.26% Fe₂O₃
  • Lower Iron Member: 32.97 %–66.75% Fe₂O₃

The highest sample collected during the program (Sample ID: 1800354) returned 79.26 % Fe₂O₃, originating from the middle Iron members of the Sokoman Formation. These middle and lower members of the Sokoman Formation are particularly prospective, offering the most favorable grades based on iron content.

To further evaluate the potential of these units, SAGA employed Davis Tube Magnetic Separation techniques (as seen below in Table 1). This analytical method effectively separates magnetic (magnetite) and non-magnetic fractions (hematite, limonite, goethite and gangue minerals), providing a robust measurement of magnetite content. Results from these tests indicate that the magnetic fraction compares favorably to grades from nearby historical deposits, including the KéMag, Sheps Lake, and Perrault Lake deposits along the same geological trend. These regional deposits have reported 20%–34% Davis Tube Weight Recovery (DTWR) in historical NI 43-101 mineral resource estimates. *Past results or discoveries of resources on adjacent or nearby properties may not necessarily be indicative of the presence of significant mineralization on the Company’s property.

The 2025 work program confirmed the continued definition of the prospective Middle and Lower Iron members of the Sokoman Formation. Detailed structural mapping has shown the shallow dip of these formations to the northeast which the team has recognised is a great opportunity to expand on the New Millennium resource in the future by defining the grade continuity under cover of the Menhek formation and the less mineralised Upper Iron formation. New Millennium’s drilling in 2012 concentrated on the narrow strip in the middle where these formations were exposed on the surface.

Michael Garagan, CGO & Director of Saga Metals Corp. stated: ‘These findings, including the identified shallowly dipping mineralization to the east, reaffirm the North Wind Iron Ore Project’s potential to become a significant iron ore asset. With iron ore playing a critical role in the steelmaking process and increasing demand driven by infrastructure and renewable energy developments, Saga Metals sees considerable growth potential for the projects value and positions it as a promising contributor to SAGA’s portfolio of critical mineral assets.’

Results of the 2025 Field Program:

Figure 3: Interpreted cross-section from West to East Across the Northwind Property. Shows shallowly dipping iron formations to the east.

Figure 4: Sample location map of 2024-2025 Rock Samples showing total iron grade overlying a geological map of the area.

Figure 5: Sample 800354: Strongly magnetic sample of ‘banded magnetite and red chert, predominately massive magnetite (~2cm diameter) with goethite’ 48.05 Fe2O3(T) % (FUS-ICP)

Sample_ID Formation Fe2O3(T) (%) FUS-ICP LOI (%) GRAV Magnetic Fraction (g) DT Non-Mag Fraction (g) DT Calculated Start Mass (g) DT
1800309 Middle Iron Formation 79.26 -0.94 17.39 12.658 30.048
1800352 Upper Iron Formation 70.42 5.57 11.024 18.962 29.986
1800371 Lower Iron Formation 66.75 -0.86 16.648 13.22 29.868
1800353 Middle Iron Formation 60.01 2.51 0.486 29.513 29.999
1800307 Lower Iron Formation 48.91 5.41 0.007 29.955 29.962
1800354 Lower Iron Formation 48.05 2.32 0.102 29.879 29.981
1800312 Upper Iron Formation 43.62 23.43 0.008 29.961 29.969
1800311 Middle Iron Formation 40.41 -0.18 8.45 21.5 29.95
1800303 Upper Iron Formation 39.77 0.89 9.876 20.13 30.006
1800365 Middle Iron Formation 39.69 3.54 0.054 29.974 30.028
1800357 Lower Iron Formation 39.57 4.27 5.213 24.873 30.086
1800310 Middle Iron Formation 38.15 -0.15 8.389 21.59 29.979
1800305 Lower Iron Formation 38.07 4.72 0.012 30.004 30.016
1800366 Upper Iron Formation 37.38 12.54 0.025 29.926 29.951
1800369 Middle Iron Formation 36.88 -0.56 9.826 20.124 29.95
1800304 Lower Iron Formation 33.74 1.12 6.402 23.584 29.986
1800306 Lower Iron Formation 32.97 3.48 0.018 29.802 29.82
             

Table 1: Results from all samples over 30% Fe₂O₃ including the Davis Tube Separation Analysis

Corporate Update

The Company further reports that it entered into a digital marketing services agreement dated December 29, 2025 (the ‘Marketing Agreement‘) with Machai Capital Inc. (‘Machai‘). Pursuant to the Marketing Agreement, Machai will, among other things, provide the Company with certain marketing services to expand investor awareness of the Company’s business and to communicate with the investment community (the ‘Machai Services‘).

The Machai Services will include, among other things: (i) branding, content and data optimization to assist the Company to create in-depth marketing campaigns, and (ii) tracking, organizing and executing the Machai Services through search engine optimization, search engine marketing, lead generation, digital marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, and brand marketing. In consideration of the Machai Services, and pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Marketing Agreement, the Company has agreed to pay Machai a fee of C$400,000 (plus applicable taxes) over a 120-day term, which will be paid using the Company’s available working capital. This agreement may be terminated at any time, with mutual consent of both parties

The Machai Services will be rendered primarily online through a variety of news and investment community communications channels. Suneal Sandhu, the President of Machai – located at 101 – 17565 – 58 Avenue, Surrey, BC, V3S 4E3 – will be involved in conducting the Machai Services. Machai and Mr. Sandhu do not have any interest, directly or indirectly, in the Company or its securities, or any right or intent to acquire such an interest.

The terms and conditions of the Marketing Agreement remain subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Qualified Person

Peter Webster, P. Geo., of Mercator Geological Services is a professional geologist registered with the Professional Engineers and Geoscientist of Newfoundland and Labrador, 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.

References:

Balakrishnan, T. (2013). Supplementary assessment report, national instrument 43-101 technical report, resource estimation of Sheps Lake and Perault Lake properties. Prepared for New Millenium Iron Corporation. Newfoundland and Labrador Mineral Lands Division Report, Assessment File 023J/0394.

Géostat, (2007). Technical Report, estimation of the mineral resources of the KeMag iron ore deposit. Énergies et resources naturelles Québecs, GM 64046.

Neal, HE., Watts, Griffis. (2001) Iron deposits of the labrador trough. Explore mining geol. Vol.9, No.2, pp 113-121, 2000.

Cyclone Metals and Vale sign joint development agreement

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 Titanium 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 a 2,200m drill program, has confirmed a large and mineralized layered mafic intrusion hosting vanadiferous titanomagnetite (VTM) 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 North Wind Project and other corporate initiatives, including market awareness contracts. 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

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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / ACCESS Newswire / December 30, 2025 / Empire Metals Limited (AIM:EEE)(OTCQX:EPMLF), the AIM-quoted and OTCQX-traded exploration and development company, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement for its 75% interest in the Eclipse Mining Lease (‘Eclipse ML’ or the ‘Project’), a non-core gold asset located near Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.

The agreement includes a three-month exclusivity and due diligence period, during which the proposed purchaser will complete technical and commercial due diligence on the Project.

Highlights

  • Conditional sale of Empire’s 75% interest in the Eclipse ML, a non-core gold asset

  • Purchaser is a reputable Western Australian mining services company operating in the Kalgoorlie region

  • Total consideration of A$750,000 cash for Empire’s interest, subject to successful completion of due diligence

  • Transaction supports Empire’s strategy to focus capital and resources on the Pitfield Titanium Project

Shaun Bunn, Managing Director, said: ‘This conditional sale represents a further step in our strategy to streamline the portfolio and focus management attention and capital on advancing the Pitfield Project. Eclipse is a non-core asset for Empire, and this transaction provides an opportunity to unlock value while reducing ongoing holding and resourcing costs. We look forward to progressing the due diligence phase with the purchaser.’

The Eclipse ML Project

The Eclipse ML is a small granted mining lease located near Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, which has historically been subject to gold exploration. As part of its broader portfolio rationalization strategy, Empire has been actively reviewing options to reduce exposure to non-core assets and is pleased to have entered into an exclusivity arrangement with the purchaser in respect of its interest in the Project.

Sale Terms

Key terms of the conditional sale agreement include:

  • The sale relates to Empire’s 75% interest in mining lease M27/153 (Eclipse ML)

  • The agreement includes a three-month exclusivity and due diligence period

  • During the exclusivity period, the purchaser may conduct a small RC drilling programme as part of its due diligence

  • Total consideration of A$750,000 for Empire’s 75% interest, comprising:

    • A$50,000 non-refundable cash deposit, payable within five days of execution of the agreement; and

    • A$700,000 cash payable on completion, following successful due diligence

Next Steps

The anticipated next steps are as follows:

  • The due diligence period last three months, to be conducted by the Purchaser.

  • A Program of Works has been submitted to the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration (DMPE) to support a small drill campaign, to be funded by the Purchaser

  • Subject to a successful due diligence period, settlement is expected to occur in early April.

  • Empire continues to review options for other non-core assets, consistent with its strategy to accelerate development activities at the Pitfield Project.

**ENDS**

For further information please visit www.empiremetals.co.uk or contact:

Empire Metals Ltd
Shaun Bunn / Greg Kuenzel / Arabella Burwell

Tel: 020 4583 1440

S. P. Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Nomad & Joint Broker)
Ewan Leggat / Adam Cowl

Tel: 020 3470 0470

Canaccord Genuity Limited (Joint Broker)
James Asensio / Christian Calabrese / Charlie Hammond

Tel: 020 7523 8000

Shard Capital Partners LLP (Joint Broker)
Damon Heath

Tel: 020 7186 9950

Tavistock (Financial PR)
Emily Moss / Josephine Clerkin

empiremetals@tavistock.co.uk
Tel: 020 7920 3150

About Empire Metals Limited

Empire Metals Ltd (AIM:EEE)(OTCQX:EPMLF) is an exploration and resource development company focused on the commercialization of the Pitfield Titanium Project, located in Western Australia. The titanium discovery at Pitfield is of unprecedented scale and hosts one of the largest and highest-grade titanium resources reported globally, with a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) totalling 2.2 billion tonnes grading 5.1% TiO₂ for 113 million tonnes of contained TiO₂.

Titanium mineralisation at Pitfield occurs from surface and displays exceptional grade continuity along strike and down dip. The MRE extends across just 20% of the known mineralised footprint, providing substantial potential for further resource expansion.

Conventional processing has already produced a high-purity product grading 99.25% TiO₂, suitable for titanium sponge metal or pigment feedstock. With excellent logistics and established infrastructure, Pitfield is strategically positioned to supply the growing global demand for titanium and other critical minerals.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

SOURCE: Empire Metals Limited

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

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Silver’s 2025 breakout marked one of the metal’s most decisive shifts in more than a decade.

As the price pushed through longstanding resistance, investors, miners and policymakers reassessed its role in global markets, allowing silver to reassert itself as not only an industrial metal, but also a staple financial asset.

Looking back at silver’s record-breaking year, these are our most popular news stories of 2025.

1. Retail Investors Look to Trigger Silver Squeeze 2.0

Publish date: March 31, 2025

Silver received mainstream attention in March, with renewed calls for what supporters dubbed “Silver Squeeze 2.0,” reviving a theme that first gained prominence during the meme stock era of 2021.

Online chatter intensified ahead of March 31, with advocates urging coordinated purchases of physical silver to challenge what they saw as entrenched institutional control over the metal’s pricing.

Efforts traced back to a March 22 post on X by user @TheSqueakyMouse, which gained broader attention after being amplified by sector analyst Jesse Colombo. Colombo, who posts under the handle @TheBubbleBubble, has argued that the silver price is artificially suppressed by large financial institutions:

“Bullion banks like JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) and UBS Group (NYSE:UBS) suppress silver prices through aggressive naked shorting—but a coordinated surge of physical buying could catch them off guard and break their hold on the market.’

Colombo pointed to data showing that major banks hold net short positions equivalent to roughly 223 million ounces of silver, meaning a US$1 price increase could theoretically translate into US$223 million in losses for those positions.

2. Missouri Set to Recognize Gold and Silver as Legal Tender, Critics Raise Implementation Concerns

Publish date: May 12, 2025

Attention on precious metals took a more concrete form in Missouri. In May, the state’s General Assembly passed a Republican-backed amendment to a broader finance bill that recognizes gold and silver as legal tender.

The measure would require state entities to accept electronic forms of gold and silver for public debts, including taxes. Private businesses would not be required to accept precious metals, but could do so voluntarily.

Supporters argued that recognizing gold and silver offers a hedge against inflation and what they view as irresponsible federal monetary policy. Critics, however, questioned how the system would work in practice.

3. Silver Miners Deliver Record Q2 Earnings as Price Breaks Out

Publish date: August 19, 2025

Silver’s mid-year rally above US$35 per ounce translated into record or near-record earnings for many miners in Q2.

Pan American Silver (TSX:PAAS) reported record net earnings of US$189.6 million in the period, while First Majestic Silver (TSX:AG,NYSE:AG) posted its strongest quarter to date, nearly doubling revenue year-on-year.

Even mining companies facing production challenges, such as Fresnillo (LSE:FRES,OTC Pink:FNLPF), saw revenue growth driven by gold output and pricing strength.

4. Missing Silver Bars Bring Mining Community Together

Publish date: March 7, 2025

Amid those financial milestones, the mining community was united in March by a widely shared incident.

Following the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada convention, two 10 ounce silver bars purchased by Kin Communications founder Arlen Hansen went missing after being checked in his luggage on an Air Canada flight.

The bars, worth about US$647, were intended for a silent auction benefiting Canadian children living with diabetes.

“I don’t need a refund, a free upgrade, or more points, this was stolen from the children who need it, not me,” Hansen wrote on X. The response from the mining community was swift. First Majestic Silver and its mint division volunteered to replace the lost silver, while others donated to Diabetes Canada and expressed support.

The incident also revived scrutiny of airline cargo security, particularly given Air Canada’s association with earlier high-profile precious metals thefts, including the 2023 gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

5. Pan American Silver Gets Green Light for US$2.1 Billion MAG Silver Deal

Publish date: August 25, 2025

One of this year’s most consequential silver M&A developments came when Pan American received final clearance from Mexico’s Federal Economic Competition Commission for its US$2.1 billion acquisition of MAG Silver.

The approval paved the way for the deal to close in early September, combining Pan American with one of the world’s highest-grade primary silver assets, Juanicipio.

Under the terms, MAG shareholders were to receive either cash or Pan American shares, leaving them with about 14 percent of the combined company on a fully diluted basis.

“This strategic acquisition further solidifies Pan American as a leading Americas-focused silver producer,” Pan American CEO Michael Steinmann said when the deal was announced.

He added that Juanicipio “will meaningfully increase Pan American’s exposure to high margin silver ounces,” while also providing longer-term growth through MAG’s exploration properties in Utah and Ontario.

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

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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA / ACCESS Newswire / December 30, 2025 / Prince Silver Corp. (CSE:PRNC,OTC:PRNCF)(OTCQB:PRNCF)(T130:Frankfurt) (‘Prince Silver’ or the ‘Company) is pleased to announce that its ongoing reverse circulation (‘RC’) drilling program has encountered favourable alteration in all ten drill holes completed to date at the Prince Silver Mine Project (the ‘Project’). Furthermore, the Company will increase the planned drill program from 21,000 feet (~6,400 metres) to over 30,000 feet (~9,100 metres) and accelerate drilling with the addition of a second RC drill rig next month.

Current drilling is focused on evaluating near-surface (less than 300 metres) carbonate replacement (‘CRD’) silver-gold-manganese and base-metal mineralization, as well as sediment-hosted gold-silver zones, along a 3,500-foot (~1,070-metre) structural corridor ranging from 600 to 1,200 feet (~180-360 metres) in width. Mineralization at the Project remains open in all directions within shallow, gently dipping mineralized zones that present potential for open-pit mining.

The first batch of assays for the ten completed drill holes is expected in January 2026. Results will provide important insight into the scale and continuity of mineralization across the Exploration Target (as defined below) and the broader mineralized system, and to help guide subsequent phases of drilling with the objective of incorporating new data into an initial NI 43-101-compliant mineral resource estimate.

‘The alteration encountered in the drill holes reinforce our confidence in the Prince Silver Mine Project and support our decision to expand and accelerate drilling,’ said Derek Iwanaka, CEO of Prince Silver Corp. ‘With a second drill rig coming on site and assays pending, we are well positioned to advance the Project toward a maiden mineral resource while continuing to test the broader mineralized system.’

Exploration Target

Historical drilling at the Project identified an exploration target (the ‘Exploration Target’) outlined in an independent historical report prepared in accordance with JORC guidelines by OmniGeoX Exploration Consultants of Perth, Australia. The report, titled ‘Prince Project Exploration Target’ (dated April 24, 2024), was authored by Dr. Lachlan Rutherford and Michael Martin (OmniGeoX Exploration Consultants, 2024, Independent Report prepared for Prince Silver Corp.).

The Exploration Target is based on 129 historic drill holes testing mineralized carbonate replacement beds and host Pioche Shale to depths of up to 300 metres. Historical block modelling of polymetallic mineralization suggests the immediate Exploration Target ranges from approximately 25-43 million tonnes with grades of 1.44-1.57% Zn, 0.78-0.87% Pb, 0.28-0.40 g/t Au, 37-40 g/t Ag, and 3.62-4.30% Mn. Dr. Rutherford and Mr. Martin are Competent Persons as defined under the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code).

Additional details on the Exploration Target and historic production are available in the Company’s press release dated February 27, 2025, filed on SEDAR+ (Prince Silver Corp., 2025, Historic Drilling and Production Summary).

Readers are cautioned that the Exploration Target is not a mineral resource as defined under National Instrument 43-101. The Exploration Target is conceptual in nature and based on historic drilling totaling 16,606 metres, historic production records, mine level plans, and 3D geological modelling. There has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource, and it is uncertain whether further exploration will result in the delineation of a mineral resource.

Annual General Meeting Results

Prince Silver Corp. held its annual general meeting of shareholders on December 23, 2025 (the ‘AGM’). Shareholders approved all matters presented, as set out in the Company’s management information circular dated November 25, 2025, including:

  • Setting the number of directors at five (5);

  • Election of Derek Iwanaka, Ralph Shearing, Marco Montecinos, Darrell Rader, and Robert Wrixon as directors until the next annual meeting or until their successors are appointed;

  • Re-appointment of Davidson & Company LLP as auditor for the ensuing year; and

  • Adoption of the Company’s 20% rolling omnibus equity incentive plan.

The Company thanks former director Neil MacRae, who did not seek re-election, for his valuable guidance and support.

Ralph Shearing, P.Geo. (Alberta), a Qualified Person under NI 43-101 and Director and President of the Company, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this news release.

About Prince Silver Corp.

Prince Silver Corp. is a silver exploration company advancing its flagship Prince Silver Project in Nevada, USA, featuring a near-surface, historically drilled deposit that remains open in all directions. The Company also holds an interest in the Stampede Gap Project, a district-scale copper-gold-molybdenum porphyry system located 15 km north-northwest, highlighting Prince Silver’s focus on high-potential, strategically located exploration assets.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Derek Iwanaka, CEO & Director
Tel: 236-335-9383
Email: info@princesilvercorp.com
Website: www.princesilvercorp.com

Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as ‘may’, ‘expect’, ‘estimate’, ‘anticipate’, ‘intend’, ‘believe’ and ‘continue’ or the negative thereof or similar variations. Some of the specific forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to: completion of the Acquisition and related transactions, proposed drill programs, amendments to the Company’s website, property option payments and regulatory and corporate approvals. 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, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, dependence on key personnel, completion of satisfactory due diligence in respect of the Acquisition and related transactions, and compliance with property option agreements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, failure to obtain regulatory or corporate approvals, exploration results, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the ‘U.S. Securities Act’) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons (as defined under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

SOURCE: Prince Silver Corp.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

News Provided by ACCESS Newswire via QuoteMedia

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President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago on Monday afternoon, with talks expected to focus on renewed tensions with Iran and the possibility of advancing to additional stages of the Gaza peace plan.

Before meeting with the president, Netanyahu is slated to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday morning.

Dr. Dan Diker, president of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, told Fox News Digital that President Trump has likely been pressuring Netanyahu since the peace plan’s implementation, noting that the American leader has little patience for Middle Eastern timelines, which he said are far longer than those in the U.S. and the real estate sector.

‘The problem is that Hamas knows all it has to do is survive and continue controlling the western part of Gaza while attacking Israel, as it has been doing from Gaza’s tunnel network, in order to ratchet up tensions between Israel and the U.S.,’ Diker said.

Netanyahu’s mission during the visit, he continued, will be first to lay out Israel’s threat assessment regarding Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas as extremely serious, and to impress upon the president that Tehran is rebuilding its military capabilities. He is also likely to seek to persuade Trump to allow Israel to take the steps it deems necessary to defeat Hamas.

Israeli opposition leader and former prime minister Yair Lapid told Fox News Digital that ‘We [Israel] should be coordinating with President Trump on all the major fronts, but the top priority has to be the management of stage two in Gaza.’

Lapid added, ‘Israel needs to achieve the disarmament of Hamas and the removal of the threat from Gaza, and that requires the implementation of President Trump’s plan.’

During the meeting, Netanyahu will reportedly present Trump with plans for a potential strike on Iran. Israel has warned Washington that a recent Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps missile drill could be masking preparations for an attack, a concern that IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir conveyed to U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper during recent meetings in Tel Aviv.

In a Saturday interview reported by the country’s media, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country is engaged in what he described as a ‘total war‘ with the U.S., Israel and Europe. The Times of Israel reported him saying, ‘In my opinion, we are at total war with the United States, Israel and Europe,’ Pezeshkian said. ‘They want to bring our country to its knees.’

Axios reported that U.S. intelligence assesses there is no immediate threat, while Israeli defense officials say forces remain on heightened alert.

According to Dr. Meir Javedanfar, a lecturer on Iran and the Middle East at Reichman University, Netanyahu’s plan is expected to call for strikes on Iran’s missile program.

‘Israel will probably hope that such a wide-scale attack would further undermine the legitimacy of Iran’s supreme leader, thereby creating greater political instability within the country. This is especially true given that after the recent war with Israel, Iran’s economy has deteriorated significantly, and the regime is not taking the necessary steps to address these problems,’ he said.

Israeli Minister for Settlement and National Missions Orit Strook stressed the importance of completing full Gaza demilitarization before moving forward with further stages of the plan.

She referenced Trump’s address to the Israeli Knesset in October, noting that he highlighted his role in building international support for Gaza’s demilitarization and securing a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for the full dismantling of weapons, tunnels and terror infrastructure.

‘Hamas wakes up every day with a mission to hurt us,’ Strook told Fox News Digital. ‘The IDF will not withdraw even one meter, and no rehabilitation framework will be established until full demilitarization is completed.

‘If, God forbid, the opposite happens in the meeting, it will be a failure of the peace plan, a failure for Trump himself — who would be settling for fake demilitarization— and a failure for us. We will not be able to say that we won this war if Hamas remains armed,’ she added.

Trump is nevertheless expected to soon unveil the second stage of his Gaza framework, despite Hamas’s failure to return the remains of Israel Police Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, who was killed during the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre, and whose body was taken to Gaza by Hamas terrorists.

Fox News Digital’s Sophia Compton contributed to this report.

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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., on Sunday called for President Trump to only focus on America’s needs as the president meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The president has been heavily involved in the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts since returning to the White House.

Trump met with Zelenskyy on Sunday at Mar-a-Lago to discuss a peace plan aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war that began with an invasion by Moscow in February 2022.

Netanyahu arrived in Florida on Sunday ahead of their scheduled meeting on Monday at Trump’s estate to address Israel’s conflicts in the Middle East. It will be the sixth meeting of the year between the two leaders.

Greene, responding to Trump’s meeting with Zelenskyy and Netanyahu, said that the Trump administration should address the needs of Americans rather than becoming further involved in global conflicts.

‘Zelensky today. Netanyahu tomorrow,’ she wrote on X.

‘Can we just do America?’ the congresswoman continued.

The congresswoman has been a vocal critic of supplying U.S. military aid to foreign countries amid the conflicts in Europe and the Middle East.

She has also referred to Zelenskyy as ‘a dictator who canceled elections’ and labeled Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as a genocide and humanitarian crisis.

This comes after Taylor Greene, who is set to resign from the House in January, had a public spat with Trump over the past few months as Trump took issue with the Georgia Republican’s push to release documents related to the investigations into deceased sex predator Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump had withdrawn his endorsement of Greene and called her a ‘traitor’ over the public feud.

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President Donald Trump is taking action against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria, following through on previous threats and signing off on airstrikes targeting the group on Thursday. 

While the Christmas strikes zeroed in on ISIS militants, there are a number of violent extremist organizations operating in Africa’s Sahel region, where U.S. officials claim they are continuing to grow in influence and strength as violence surges there. 

The strikes conducted on Christmas occurred in Nigeria’s Sokoto State on the border of neighboring Niger. The area is where the Islamic State’s (IS) Sahel Province, which is largely based in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, has ‘made inroads into Nigeria,’ according to Caleb Weiss, an editor with the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies’ Long War Journal. 

‘In Sokoto, it has carried out attacks against both government forces and civilians, representing just one jihadist group operating in Nigeria,’ Weiss said in a statement Thursday.

Additionally, other ISIS branches like IS West Africa Province, as well as organizations tied to other violent extremist groups like al Qaeda, are also active in the region, he said. These include Boko Haram, a Nigerian-based group that the State Department designated a foreign terrorist organization in 2013, as well as offshoots of al Qaeda like Ansaru and The Group for Support of Islam and Muslims, also known as Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin, or JNIM.

‘In addition to IS Sahel, there is also IS West Africa Province, which supports and coordinates with IS Sahel in NW Nigeria; the so-called Boko Haram; and the Al-Qaeda groups of Ansaru and the Group for Support of Islam and Muslims, which, like IS Sahel, is a group mainly based in Mali and Burkina Faso, but in recent years have also made inroads into Nigeria that has effectively made the Sahelian and Nigerian conflicts one large conflict,’ Weiss said. 

Meanwhile, the Sahel region, which primarily includes Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali, is ripe for terrorist activity, and U.S. officials have long cautioned about the threat that these groups pose to the U.S. homeland.

For example, Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, who is the head of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), told reporters in May that extremist groups are gaining ground and ‘expanding their ambitions,’ meaning the threat to the U.S. homeland is increasing as these groups gain ‘capability and capacity’ in the Sahel region.

‘It is the flashpoint of prolonged conflict and growing instability. It is the epicenter of terrorism on the globe,’ Langley said. 

Meanwhile, Trump announced Thursday that he directed the strikes in northwest Nigeria, after previously warning he would take action following recent attacks in the region against Christians.

‘I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,’ Trump said on Thursday in a post on Truth Social. ‘The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.’

It’s unclear how many people were killed in the attacks, although Trump said that the strikes were ‘deadly.’ AFRICOM said Thursday that its initial assessment is ‘multiple’ ISIS terrorists were killed in the attack. 

Christians and Christian institutions have faced a series of attacks in Nigeria. In November, two people were killed and dozens were kidnapped after gunmen raided the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State. Those who were abducted were liberated almost a week later.

Also in November, armed attackers stormed St. Mary’s School in Niger State, an event that resulted in the kidnapping of more than 300 students and staff. Although school officials later said roughly 50 students were able to break free, more than 250 students and 21 teachers are still in captivity.

The Trump administration moved to designate Nigeria a ‘country of particular concern’ in November. Nigeria has pushed back against the U.S. government’s designation. 

Fox News’ Greg Wehner contributed to this report. 

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