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US revokes visas of British rap punk duo Bob Vylan after chant against Israeli military

The US State Department has revoked the visas of members of Bob Vylan, a British rap punk group who led crowds to chant “death” against the Israeli military at a UK music festival this weekend.

“The (State Department) has revoked the US visas for the members of the Bob Vylan band in light of their hateful tirade at Glastonbury, including leading the crowd in death chants. Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country,” Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said in a post on X Monday.

The group was slated to go on a US tour beginning in late October, according to a post on Instagram.

The US State Department has instituted an aggressive visa restriction and revocation policy for alleged support of terrorism and anti-Semitism.

The ban comes after rapper Bobby Vylan took to Glastonbury Festival’s third-biggest West Holts Stage on Saturday, shouting “Free, free Palestine,” before leading crowds to chants against the Israeli military. Video showed the rapper shouting into the mic, “Alright, but have you heard this one though? Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defense Forces).”

The artist also performed in front of a screen that displayed a message which read: “United Nations have called it a genocide. The BBC calls it a ‘conflict,’” referring to the UK’s public broadcaster that showed the festival live.

In a Sunday Instagram post captioned “I said what I said,” Bobby Vylan said he had received “messages of both support and hatred” following the performance.

“Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place,” the post read. “As we grow older and our fire possibly starts to dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us.”

Bob Vylan’s chants at the festival have also prompted outcry among top British officials, and British police are reviewing video footage of their set. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that “there is no excuse for this kind of appalling hate speech.”

The Israeli Embassy in the UK said it was “deeply disturbed” by what it called “inflammatory and hateful” rhetoric at the festival.

On Monday, the BBC admitted that “with hindsight” Vylan’s performance should have been pulled from air during the performance, saying that the corporation “respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence.”

“The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves,” it added.

This post appeared first on cnn.com
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Blue Lagoon Announces Major Steps Toward Production: Fully Funded, Government Inspections Passed, and Water Treatment Plant Completed

(TheNewswire)

Blue Lagoon Resources Inc.

June 30, 2025 TheNewswire – Vancouver, British Columbia Blue Lagoon Resources Inc. (the ‘ Company ‘) (CSE: BLLG; OTCQB: BLAGF; FSE: 7BL) is pleased to provide a corporate update highlighting significant progress at its Dome Mountain Gold Project as it prepares to enter production in a strong gold market.

‘We are fully funded, fully permitted, and now entering the final stages of mine readiness — with no short-term debt, multiple successful government inspections, and a water treatment plant that has now been completed,’ said Rana Vig, President and CEO. ‘The confidence shown by our institutional investors, along with new strategic backing and the recently signed $2 million line of credit — not secured against our property — from Nicola Mining, gives us the flexibility to fund mining and development without delay. We’re ready — and we’re moving quickly toward cash flow.’

FULLY FUNDED WITH STRONG BACKING AND NO DEBT

Blue Lagoon recently completed a successful non-brokered financing, fully subscribed by existing long-term shareholders including Crescat Capital, Phoenix Gold Fund, and Nicola Mining, alongside a small group of new strategic investors. In addition, CEO Rana Vig and Board Member Gurdeep Bains both increased their personal stakes in the Company.

The Company currently carries no short-term debt and has in-the-money warrants valued at over $3.6 million. As further validation of the project, Blue Lagoon has secured a $2 million line of credit from Nicola Mining, which can be drawn in $500,000 tranches — without any encumbrance on the Company’s mineral property. While the Company may ultimately never need to draw on this facility, having access to it provides an important financial backstop. It ensures capital is available if needed to support production ramp-up, seize opportunity, or manage any unforeseen short-term needs — all without causing further dilution to existing shareholders.

SENIOR UNDERGROUND GEOLOGIST HIRED TO

STRENGTHEN TECHNICAL TEAM

The Company is also pleased to welcome Michael McCardal as Senior Underground Geologist. Mr. McCardal brings three decades of underground gold mining experience with producers including Ascot Resources, Barkerville Gold Mines, Pure Gold Mining, and Kirkland Lake Gold.

At Ascot’s Big Missouri deposit, he led underground sampling protocols, grade tracking, and stope planning. At Kirkland Lake’s Macassa and Taylor Mines, he was instrumental in ore control, face mapping, and production reconciliation.

‘Mike’s experience will be very helpful in establishing best-in-class grade control and optimizing early stopes as we move into production this summer,’ said Vig.

INSPECTIONS PASSED WITH FLYING COLOURS

As part of its final mine preparation, the Company successfully passed three separate government inspections, confirming operational readiness across critical areas:

• Electrical Inspection – Verifying compliance with site-wide above and underground power systems.

• Reclamation & Geoscience Inspection – Reviewing on-going geological reporting and reclamation progress.

• Ground Control & Health and Safety Inspection – Ensuring safe above and underground conditions and mining procedures.

‘These clean inspections are a testament to the strength of our team and the standard of work being done at Dome Mountain,’ said Yannis Tsitos, Chair of the Company’s mining committee.

  CONSTRUCTOIN OF WATER TREATMENT PLANT COMPLETE

Construction of Blue Lagoon’s water treatment system — a critical component of the Company’s environmental compliance plan — is now complete and partially commissioned, as required under the Company’s Mines Act permit.

The system consists of two integrated technologies: a High-Density Sludge (HDS) circuit, which is fully installed and operational, and a Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) , designed to treat ammonia and nitrates from blasting residues using a microbial process. The MBBR circuit has also been fully constructed and is about to undergo microbial activation — a biological ramp-up that typically takes 2 to 4 weeks.

Designed to meet all regulatory discharge standards, the plant is engineered to treat mine water efficiently and in full alignment with the Company’s permit conditions. Blue Lagoon worked closely with Soren Jensen , the Company’s principal environmental consultant from SRK Consulting. Mr. Jensen holds a master’s degree in chemical engineering and has developed, designed, commissioned, and operated mine water treatment systems for mining operations for over 20 years, including similar treatment plants at other underground gold mines in Northern Canada.

Just as importantly, the Company collaborated closely with regulatory agencies and the Lake Babine Nation throughout the design and construction process to ensure the system meets both technical and community expectations.

With the construction of the water treatment system complete and regulatory milestones achieved, the Company is advancing mine development activities in accordance with its permit.   Environmental monitoring will continue during the MBBR activation phase to ensure ongoing compliance as the system reaches full operational capacity.

This milestone represents a major step toward production readiness and reinforces Blue Lagoon’s commitment to responsible, permit-driven development. The official mine opening is scheduled for July 9, 2025.

About Blue Lagoon Resources Inc.

Blue Lagoon Resources is a Canadian based publicly listed mining company (CSE: BLLG; FSE: 7BL; OTCQB: BLAGF) focused on building shareholder value through the aggressive development of its 100% owned Dome Mountain Gold project. The Company is run by professionals with significant finance and mining experience and operates within a prime mining jurisdiction in British Columbia, Canada. With the granting of a full mining permit, a key milestone achieved in February 2025 – one of only nine such permits issued in British Columbia since 2015 – Blue Lagoon is now focused on last preparatory activities and tasks related to the safe and secure opening of the Dome Mountain Gold Mine, targeting Q3 2025 as the start of gold production . The Company’s primary objective has always been to become a cash-flowing mining company, to ultimately deliver tangible monetary value to shareholders, state, and local communities.

The Company is not basing its production decision at Dome Mountain on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. The production decision is based on having existing mining infrastructure, past bulk sampling and processing activity, and the established mineral resource.  The Company understands that there is increased uncertainty, and consequently a higher risk of failure, when production is undertaken in advance of a feasibility study.

For further information, please contact:

Rana Vig

President and CEO

Telephone: 604-218-4766

Email: ranavig@bluelagoonresources.com

The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information: This release includes certain statements that may be deemed ‘forward-looking statements’. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that Blue Lagoon Resources Inc. (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’, ‘targets’, ‘plans’, ‘anticipates’, ‘believes’, ‘intends’, ‘estimates’, ‘projects’, ‘potential’, ‘mine’, ‘production’ and similar expressions, or that events or conditions ‘will’, ‘would’, ‘may’, ‘could’ or ‘should’ occur. 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 results of exploration activities may not show quality and quantity necessary for further exploration or future exploitation of minerals deposits, volatility of gold and silver prices, delays in mine development activities, future cash flow expectations and continued availability of capital and financing, permitting and other approvals, 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, contractors and consultants 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, contractor’s and consultants’ beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

News Provided by TheNewsWire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com
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SAGA Metals Appoints Accomplished Mining Executive Peter Hogendoorn to Board of Advisors and Engages Xander Capital Partners

Saga Metals Corp. (‘SAGA’ or the ‘Company’) (TSXV: SAGA) (OTCQB: SAGMF) (FSE: 20H) a North American exploration company focused on critical minerals discovery, is pleased to announce the appointment of seasoned mining executive Peter Hogendoorn to its Board of Advisors, along with a key investor relations partnership aimed at elevating shareholder engagement and corporate visibility.

Appointment of Peter Hogendoorn to Board of Advisors

With over three decades of experience, Mr. Hogendoorn has specialized in financing junior mining and technology companies in both public and private sectors. As the founder and owner of Wrenswood Capital Corp for the past 20 years, he has focused on investing in and advising numerous start-ups and facilitating the revitalization of defunct operations. In 2012, he raised $16M through a joint venture that financed the original Sage Plains potash discovery well, which is still regarded as the richest potash discovery well in history. In 2021, he founded Sage Potash Corp. (TSXV: SAGE), of which he is currently CEO, where he has advanced permitting and engineering for initial production of 150,000 TPY, with State and Private Mineral leases of approximately 30,000 acres and BLM prospecting permit applications on an additional 58,000 acres.

‘We are thrilled to welcome Peter to Saga Metals’ board of advisors, where his proven track record as a distinguished mining executive will significantly enhance our strategic vision,’ said Mike Stier, CEO & Director of Saga Metals. ‘Peter’s extensive experience in driving successful mineral exploration and development aligns seamlessly with our mission to advance critical mineral projects, particularly our Radar Titanium project in Labrador.’

Mr. Hogendoorn commented: ‘I’m excited by SAGA’s team and vision for developing strategic critical minerals that are traditionally produced in foreign jurisdictions. This has resulted in an overleverage of import dependence on critical minerals in Western economies. Such is the case for both Titanium and Potash with many starting to see the bull market opportunity ahead. Located in Labrador with proximal seaport access, I believe there exists an excellent opportunity to create important local jobs, and wealth creation as SAGA strives to become a major producer of titanium and other strategic critical minerals.’

Strategic IR Engagement with Xander Capital Partners

The Company is also pleased to announce that it has entered into an investor relations agreement dated June 30, 2025 (the ‘ Agreement ‘) with Xander Capital Partners Inc. (‘ Xander ‘), pursuant to which Xander will provide investor relations and market consulting services for an initial period of 12 months, subject to extension by mutual agreement of both parties. The Agreement can be terminated by giving 30 days’ prior written notice of termination to the other party or by mutual written agreement of the parties.

Xander has been engaged to heighten market awareness of the Company and to broaden the Company’s reach within the investment community. Pursuant to the Agreement, Xander will provide the following services to the Company: brand awareness, introductions to mining industry partners, research analysts, investment bankers, advisors, potential board members and digital marketing professionals. The Company will pay Xander a monthly cash fee of USD $10,000 as consideration for the services and 700,000 stock options (each, an ‘ Option ‘), which Options are exercisable for a period of two (2) years from the date of grant and vest quarterly over a period of 12 months. The Options were issued to Rob Guzman and James Hellwarth, both principals of Xander.

Xander Capital Partners, a leading investor relations firm with over 30 years of cumulative industry experience whose clientele has included public companies such as Alpha Lithium Corp. from inception in 2019 to the recent $300-million-plus buyout in 2023. Xander’s engagement is expected to elevate the Company’s capital markets profile, ensuring that SAGA’s growth story reaches a broad and sophisticated investor base. Xander is headquartered in Orlando, with their reach expanding internationally. Their services include introductions to high-net-worth individuals, assistance with the raising of equity capital, and corporate sponsorship.

The Agreement remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the ‘ Exchange ‘).

Going forward please contact Rob Guzman, Investor Relations, for more information related to the Company and its projects.

Contact details:

Toll Free Tel: +1 (844) 724-2638
Email: rob@sagametals.com

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 global transition to green energy. The Radar Titanium Project comprises 24,175 hectares and entirely encloses the Dykes River intrusive complex, mapped at 160 km 2 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 featuring uranium radiometrics that highlight an 18km east-west trend, with a confirmed 14km section producing samples as high as 0.428% U 3 O 8 and 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 Lithium.

With a portfolio that spans key minerals crucial to the green energy transition, SAGA is strategically positioned to play an essential role in the clean energy future.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Mike Stier, Chief Executive Officer

For more information, contact:
Saga Metals Corp.
Rob Guzman, Investor Relations
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 advisors, projects and investor relations. 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, risks and uncertainties involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and the risks detailed in the Company’s continuous disclosure, filed 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.

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This post appeared first on investingnews.com
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Nuvau Announces Voting Results of Its Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders and Announces the Appointment of Steven Bowles as Chair of the Board

 Nuvau Minerals Inc. (TSXV: NMC) (the ‘Company’ or ‘Nuvau’) is pleased to announce the results of its annual and special meeting of shareholders of the Company (the ‘Meeting’) held on June 26, 2025.

A total of 18,122,588 common shares of the Company (‘Common Shares‘) were represented, in person or by proxy, at the Meeting, representing approximately 35.5% of the total issued and outstanding common shares as of the record date of the Meeting.

All matters presented for shareholder approval at the Meeting were overwhelmingly approved as follows:

  • Peter van Alphen, Ewan Downie, Fariah Mir, Christina McCarthy, Michael Vitton and Steven Bowles were each re-elected as directors of the Company for the ensuing year;
  • Ernst & Young LLP was re-appointed as auditor of the Company for the ensuing year and the directors of the Company have been authorized to fix their remuneration; and
  • the Company’s omnibus equity incentive plan was re-approved by shareholders in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the ‘Omnibus Plan‘).

The Omnibus Plan was last adopted by shareholders of the Company on August 29, 2024. The Omnibus Plan is a fixed 10% plan and provides for the grant of options, restricted share units, performance share units and deferred share units. The aggregate maximum number of Common Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the Omnibus Plan is 5,109,999 Common Shares (less any Common Shares reserved for issuance under outstanding awards and under other security-based compensation arrangements of the Company). The Omnibus Plan has received conditional acceptance from the TSX Venture Exchange.

In addition, and further to the Company’s commitment to growing its business within Quebec, the Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Quebec based Steven Bowles as Chair of the board of the directors of the Company effective as of June 27, 2025. Steven Bowles has extensive experience in the Mining & Metals sector, encompassing private equity, private credit, M&A, and projects/operations management. He currently serves as Managing Director at Nebari Partners. Prior to this role, he held the position of Senior Director of investment in natural resources and energy within Investment Quebec’s private equity group.

For more details regarding the matters presented at the Meeting, please refer to the management information circular dated May 26, 2025, which is accessible on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under the Company’s issuer profile and on the Company’s website at www.nuvauminerals.com.

About Nuvau Minerals Inc.

Nuvau is a Canadian mining company focused on the Abitibi Region of Québec. Nuvau’s principal asset is the Matagami Property that is host to significant existing processing infrastructure and multiple mineral deposits and is being acquired from Glencore.

For more information go to our website www.nuvauminerals.com.

For further information please contact:

Nuvau Minerals Inc.
Peter van Alphen
President and CEO
Telephone: 416-525-6023
Email: pvanalphen@nuvauminerals.com

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always, using phrases such as ‘expects’, or ‘does not expect’, ‘is expected’, ‘interpreted’, ‘management’s view’, ‘anticipates’ or ‘does not anticipate’, ‘plans’, ‘budget’, ‘scheduled’, ‘forecasts’, ‘estimates’, ‘potential’, ‘feasibility’, ‘believes’ or ‘intends’ or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results ‘may’ or ‘could’, ‘would’, ‘might’ or ‘will’ be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information. This news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to, among other things: the Company’s ability to complete the earn-in to acquire the Matagami Property; the Matagami Property holding multiple mineral deposits; and the significance of existing infrastructure at the Matagami Property.

Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management, in light of management’s experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information are set out in the Company’s public disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under the Company’s issuer profile. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward- looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/257278

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This post appeared first on investingnews.com
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Crypto Market Recap: Metaplanet Buys 1,005 Bitcoin, Plans US$208M Bond to Fund More BTC

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Friday (June 27) as of 9:00 a.m. UTC.

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

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

Bitcoin (BTC) is priced at US$107,027, trading flat in the last 24 hours. The day’s range for the cryptocurrency brought a low of US$106,709 and a high of US$107,884.

Bitcoin price performance, June 27, 2025.

Bitcoin price performance, June 27, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

Ethereum (ETH) closed at US$2,449.37, trading flat over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation on Friday was US$2,402.46 and its highest valuation was US$2,459.96 at the opening bell.

Altcoin price update

  • Solana (SOL) was priced at US$142.26, down 0.6 percent over 24 hours. Its highest valuation as of Friday was US$143.46, and its lowest was US$143.46.
  • XRP was trading for US$2.10, down by 1.3 percent in 24 hours. The cryptocurrency’s highest valuation was US$2.08, and its lowest price on Wednesday was US$2.14.
  • Sui (SUI) is trading at US$2.63, showing an increaseof 1.4 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation was US$2.59, and its highest valuation was US$2.67.
  • Cardano (ADA) is priced at US$0.5580, trading flat in the last 24 hours. Its highest valuation as of Friday was US$0.5631, and its lowest was US$0.5496.

Today’s crypto news to know

Trump’s World Liberty adds UK DeFi partner, eyes stablecoin vault

World Liberty Financial, the crypto venture connected to Donald Trump’s family, has secured a partnership with Re7 Capital, a London-based decentralized finance hedge fund, in a bid to scale its USD1 stablecoin.

Backed by up to US$10 million in investment from Hong Kong’s VMS Group, Re7 Capital will work with World Liberty on deploying a stablecoin vault on the Euler and Lista protocols, while also expanding to Binance’s BNB Chain.

VMS Group, a family office for wealthy Hong Kong clients, is making its first crypto move through its stake in Re7.

Meanwhile, the Middle East’s Aqua 1 Foundation disclosed a US$100 million investment into World Liberty tokens, becoming its largest single investor.

UAE’s Aqua 1 buys US$100 million of Trump’s World Liberty Tokens

The Aqua 1 Foundation, a relatively low-profile fund based in the United Arab Emirates, confirmed a US$100 million purchase of World Liberty tokens, linked to Donald Trump’s family-backed crypto initiative.

The tokens, known as $WLFI, function as governance tokens, meaning holders vote on protocol changes but cannot yet freely trade them. World Liberty said it hopes to eventually allow these tokens to become transferable.

The partnership will also help identify and develop blockchain projects across South America, Europe, and Asia. The fund also plans to launch a separate vehicle to advance Middle East digital economic initiatives using blockchain and artificial intelligence.

Despite the investment, Aqua 1 maintains a very minimal online footprint, with only three posts on X and a website registered just weeks ago.

World Liberty says Aqua 1’s teams will support its compliance and expansion efforts going forward.

Bitcoin logs weakest monthly growth despite strong ETF flows

Bitcoin’s performance is stalling despite massive inflows to spot ETFs, pointing to shifting market forces.

The leading crypto asset has climbed just 2 percent for the month, marking its smallest gain since July 2023, even with US$3.9 billion in inflows over recent weeks.

Data shows that whales holding over 10,000 BTC have leaned toward selling, dampening bullish momentum. Smaller wallets have also been net sellers, further pressuring prices as opportunistic traders take profits.

Between January and April, most market participants had offloaded assets until accumulation restarted near US$76,000 in April.

Now, Bitcoin is consolidating with realized profits in the current cycle hitting US$650 billion, higher than last cycle’s $US550 billion.

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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Microsoft says goodbye to the Windows blue screen of death

It’s a bittersweet day for Windows users.

Microsoft is scrapping its iconic “blue screen of death,” known for appearing during unexpected restarts on Windows computers. The company revealed a new black iteration in a blog post on Thursday, saying that it is “streamlining the unexpected restart experience.”

The new black unexpected restart screen is slated to launch this summer on Windows 11 24H2 devices, the company said. Microsoft touted the updates as an “easier” and “faster” way to recover from restarts.

The software giant’s blue screen of death dates back to the early 1990s, according to longtime Microsoft developer Raymond Chen.

Crowdstrike Microsoft Tech Glitch Halts Operations At Delhi Airports blue screen of death recovery
Travelers walk past screens after a major disruption in Microsoft’s cloud services caused widespread flight cancellations and delays at T3 IGI Airport in New Delhi, India, on July 19.Vipin Kumar / Hindustan Times via Getty Images file

Microsoft also said it plans to update the user interface to match the Windows 11 design and cut downtime during restarts to two seconds for the majority of users.

“This change is part of a larger continued effort to reduce disruption in the event of an unexpected restart,” Microsoft wrote.

The iconic blue screen was seemingly everywhere in July 2024 after a faulty update from CrowdStrike crashed computer systems around the world.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS
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Supreme Court to hear Republican challenge that could shake up US elections

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to take up a Republican-led challenge to U.S. campaign finance restrictions that limit the amount of money that political parties can spend on behalf of certain candidates. 

The case, National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission, was originally appealed to the court by the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), and on behalf of two Senate Republican candidates running for election at the time — among them, now-Vice President JD Vance.

It centers on whether federal limits on campaign spending by political parties run afoul of free speech protections under the First Amendment of the Constitution.

In asking the Supreme Court to review the case, petitioners said the spending limits ‘severely restrict political party committees from doing what the First Amendment entitles them to do: fully associate with and advocate for their own candidates for federal office.’

A decision from the Supreme Court’s 6-3 conservative majority could have major implications on campaign spending in the U.S., further eroding the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, a law Congress passed more than 50 years ago with the aim of restricting the amount of money that can be spent on behalf of candidates.

The case comes as federal election spending has reached record highs: Presidential candidates in 2024 raised at least $2 billion and spent roughly $1.8 billion in 2024, according to FEC figures.

The challenge will almost certainly be among the most high-profile cases to be heard by the Supreme Court in the upcoming term.

The Trump-led Justice Department also said it will side with the NRSC in arguing the case, putting the administration in the somewhat unusual move of arguing against laws passed by Congress. The Democratic National Committee, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, meanwhile, have asked to defend the decision of a lower appeals court that ruled in 2024 to keep the limits in place.

The Justice Department cited free speech protections as its basis for siding with the NRSC, saying their decision to do so represents ‘the rare case that warrants an exception to that general approach’ of backing federal laws.’

Oral arguments will be held in the fall.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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Exiled Iranian prince tells Trump he can be ‘one of history’s great peacemakers’ amid talk of regime change

FIRST ON FOX – As U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran give way to an historical ceasefire, opposition figures are stepping forward with renewed urgency — calling on the United States to support regime change led by the Iranian people. 

One of the most prominent voices is that of the exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of the late Shah of Iran, who has long advocated for a secular and democratic alternative to the Islamic Republic.

Born in Tehran in 1960, Pahlavi was officially named crown prince during his father’s coronation in 1967. In 1978, at the age of 17, he left Iran for military training with the United States Air Force in Texas. Months later, his family was forced into exile following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and the monarchy was replaced by an Islamic theocratic regime that has ruled Iran ever since.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, the prince discussed the growing resistance inside Iran, his message to the military and why he believes now is the moment for President Donald Trump to act in support of the Iranian people. 

What’s your message to President Trump and the American people?

President Trump is looking for peace in the Middle East and an end to chaos. He wants to keep American troops safe and finally bring them home. I want the exact same thing. But the current regime in Iran does not want this. It thrives on chaos and bloodshed. So true peace can only happen when the Islamic Republic is gone. 

So my message to President Trump is this: the way to end the chaos and destruction is to help the people of Iran to end this regime and take their country back. He can leave a lasting legacy and be one of history’s great peacemakers if this happens. I am ready to be his partner in this process and this mission and lead our nation into a peaceful, democratic future once again aligned with regional stability and American interests. Working with President Trump, we can bring down the world’s most dangerous regime—and fill the void not with chaos, but with strength, order, and freedom.

You stated ‘a broad coalition of Iranians’ is already working to build a post-regime future. Who are the key players in that coalition, and how are they coordinating inside and outside the country?

This coalition spans across sectors and ideologies—former officials, dissidents, technocrats, activists, women’s rights leaders, workers, students and members of the diaspora. Inside Iran, they’re organizing resistance and preparing for a democratic transition. Outside, we’re building the institutional groundwork for the day after: from transitional justice to economic recovery. Most importantly, to ensure chaos does not ensue and we can secure a peaceful transition. What unites us is not a political party, but a single goal—freeing Iran from tyranny and rebuilding it as a sovereign, democratic nation.

You stress that the Iranian military and security forces should defect and join the people. Have you been in touch with any current or former elements of the armed forces, and do you see signs of that happening?

Yes—quietly, but clearly. I’ve had conversations with both former and current members of the armed forces. Many of them love their country but despise what the regime has turned it into. We are seeing growing cracks — hesitation to follow orders, defections, and signs of passive resistance. In recent days, I have launched a formal channel for these communications to increase. My message to them is simple: history is being written now. Stand with your nation, not the criminals. You will be remembered for your choice.

As a trained fighter pilot, what’s your opinion about the U.S. and Israeli air campaign in Iran that has shaken the foundations of Iran’s military infrastructure?

I was proud to wear my country’s uniform, and I have flown many of these fighter jets. To see the state of disrepair and disgrace the Islamic Republic has dragged our armed forces into pains me deeply. The members of the armed forces I speak to share this pain. They hate to see our once proud military used to abuse our people at home and sow chaos and terror abroad. The new Iran I seek will have a once-again proud armed forces that defends our nation and helps establish peace and stability in the Middle East.

You’ve been criticized — also by Iranian dissident leader Maryam Rajavi — for allegedly seeking to restore the monarchy and lacking broad support among Iranians. What do you say to those who claim you have no legitimate mandate and are out of touch with the people inside Iran?

Maryam Rajavi leads a radical cult that fuses Marxist and Islamist ideologies—a group that has killed American soldiers and is completely rejected by Iranians. I don’t respond to attacks from terrorists, especially those with no support on the ground.

I am focused on leading this movement and this change, I am not advocating for a particular form of government. Iranians will choose their future form of government in free and fair elections and anyone who wants to deny them this right is not part of the democratic opposition.

My mandate is the trust of my compatriots who chant my name not because I ask for it, but because I have stepped forward to serve them and not myself. When Iran is free, the people—not cults or clerics—will decide our future in a national referendum.

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Senators enter marathon vote-a-rama as Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ deadline barrels near

Senate Republicans are inching closer to a final vote on President Donald Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill,’ but face one more obstacle before lawmakers go on record on the president’s ambitious agenda.

Lawmakers wrapped up several hours of debate on the megabill that began Sunday afternoon and petered out early Monday morning. The next hurdle is the marathon ‘vote-a-rama,’ when lawmakers on either side of the aisle can submit an unlimited number of amendments to the bill.

Senate Republicans will use the time to further change and mold the bill to sate holdouts, while Democrats will inflict as much pain, and burn as much time as possible, with amendments designed to kneecap or outright kill the legislation.

The debate was largely a predictably partisan affair filled with floor charts, impassioned gesticulating fists and pleas to either pass or nuke the bill.

Senate Democrats railed against the bill for its slew of changes to Medicaid, green energy tax subsidies and how the bill, particularly its design to make Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Job act permanent, would balloon the federal deficit.

Republicans lauded the ‘big, beautiful bill’ for the growth it could supercharge in the country, and in particular, how important it was to prevent the president’s first-term tax cuts from lapsing.

‘I say to everybody in America who’s been hearing all of the politics of fear, about what we’re doing here and running up the deficit, [they] need to remember that only in Washington, D.C., is the refusal to raise your taxes an increase in the deficit,’ Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said. ‘And we’re not going to let that happen.’

Lawmakers kicked off the debate with a back and forth on whether Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., or the Senate parliamentarian had the authority to dictate if Republicans could use the current policy baseline, the budget gimmick the GOP argues would negate their tax bill from ballooning the deficit, or current law, which would show the real cost of Trump’s tax package over the next decade.

‘Republicans can use whatever budgetary gimmicks they want to try and make the math work on paper, but you can’t paper over the real-life consequences of adding tens of trillions to the debt,’ said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.  

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released two sets of scores Saturday and Sunday that reflected both current policy and current law. Under current policy, the bill would tack on just over $507 billion over the next decade. But under current law, the package would add roughly $3.3 trillion.

Graham countered that as budget chair, he has the right to set the numbers.

‘The resolution we’re operating under to get us here, we voted to make that the case so we’re not doing anything sneaky,’ he said. ‘We actually voted to give me the authority to do this, and it passed.’

Graham also went to bat for the GOP’s planned cuts to Medicaid, which they have presented as efforts to root out waste, fraud and abuse in the program by instilling work requirements, booting illegal migrants off the benefit rolls, and making changes to just how much the federal government would pay states.

He argued that since former President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act became law, Medicaid has grown exponentially, largely because Obama ‘incentivized’ states to opt in to the Medicaid expansion program and allowed for able-bodied working-age adults to get onto the benefit rolls, something he noted that Medicaid was ‘never intended’ to do.  

‘It’s a good thing for the individual involved to be working,’ he said. ‘It’s a good thing for the taxpayer, for them to be working. But that seems to be a crime on the other side, to ask somebody to work that can work.’

Not all Republicans were aligned in their passion to pass Trump’s bill.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., torched the legislative behemoth in a fiery floor speech that railed against the deficit-adding effect the bill would have. He and Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., both voted against advancing the bill through a key procedural hurdle late Saturday night.

Tillis, who largely agrees with many of the tweaks to Medicaid, railed against the changes to the provider tax rate and accused the president of being duped by his healthcare advisors in the White House. 

He said he would remain against the bill until lawmakers took the time to actually unpack what their Medicaid proposals would do to the states, adding, ‘What’s wrong with actually understanding what this bill does?’ 

‘Republicans are about to make a mistake on healthcare and betraying a promise,’ he warned. ‘What do I tell 663,000 people in two or three years, when President Trump breaks his promise by pushing them off of Medicaid because the funding isn’t there anymore?’

Paul, who has taken issue with the addition of a $5 trillion hike to the debt ceiling baked into the bill, reaffirmed that he would be voting against the megabill during final passage.

‘In deciding whether to vote for the ‘big, not-so-beautiful bill,’ I’ve asked a very specific question: Will the deficit be more or less next year? The answer, without question, is this bill will grow the deficit,’ he said. 

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Tillis denounces Trump ‘big, beautiful bill’ hours after surprise retirement announcement

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., denounced President Donald Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill,’ just hours after making the surprise announcement that he would not run for a third term in 2026. 

Tillis voted against a motion to proceed with the spending package on Saturday and then announced his retirement on Sunday, citing political polarization and a desire to spend more time with family.

He then took to the Senate floor later Sunday to warn that ‘Republicans are about to make a mistake on healthcare and betraying a promise’ on Medicaid should the package clear the upper chamber. 

‘It is inescapable that this bill in its current form will betray the very promise that Donald J. Trump made in the Oval Office or in the Cabinet room when I was there with finance. He said, ‘We can go after waste, fraud and abuse’ on any programs,’ Tillis said. ‘Now, those amateurs that are advising him, not Dr. Oz, I’m talking about White House healthcare experts, refuse to tell him that those instructions that were to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse, all of a sudden eliminates a government program that’s called the provider tax. We have morphed a legal construct that admittedly has been abused and should be eliminated into waste, fraud and abuse, money laundering. Read the code. Look how long it’s been there.’

‘I’m telling the president that you have been misinformed,’ Tillis said. ‘You supporting the Senate mark will hurt people who are eligible and qualified for Medicaid.’

‘I love the work requirement. I love the other reforms in this bill. They are necessary, and I appreciate the leadership of the House for putting it in there,’ Tillis said. ‘But what we’re doing, because we have a view of an artificial deadline on July 4, that means nothing but another date in time. We could take the time to get this right if we lay down the House mark of the Medicaid bill and fix it.’ 

The two-term senator said he consulted with Republican experts in the state legislature, Democrats loyal to Gov. Josh Stein and an independent body from the hospitals’ association to gain insight on how the provider tax cuts would impact North Carolinians. In the best-case scenario, he said, the findings showed a $26 billion cut in federal support for Medicaid. Tillis said he presented the report to the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Dr. Mehmet Oz. 

‘After three different attempts for them to discredit our estimates, the day before yesterday they admitted that we were right,’ Tillis said. ‘They can’t find a hole in my estimate.’

‘So what do I tell 663,000 people in two years or three years when President Trump breaks his promise by pushing them off of Medicaid because the funding is not there anymore, guys?’ Tillis said. ‘I think the people in the White House, those advising the president are not telling him that the effect of this bill is to break a promise, and do you know the last time I saw a promise broken around healthcare? With respect to my friends on the other side of the aisle, it’s when somebody said, ‘If you like your healthcare, you could keep it, if you like your doctor, you could keep it.’ We found out that wasn’t true.’ 

In promoting the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, from 2009 to 2010, former President Barack Obama repeatedly claimed, ‘If you like your healthcare plan, you can keep it. If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor.’ Tillis argued that it was the failures of that package that led to him becoming the second Republican Speaker of the North Carolina House since the Civil War and later to his election to the U.S. Senate. 

Trump celebrated Tillis’ retirement announcement and issued a warning to other ‘cost-cutting Republicans.’ 

‘For all cost-cutting Republicans, of which I am one, REMEMBER, you still have to get reelected. Don’t go too crazy!’ Trump wrote Sunday night. ‘We will make it all up, times 10, with GROWTH, more than ever before.’ 

After his Senate speech, Tillis told reporters that he had told Trump that he ‘probably needed to start looking for a replacement.’

‘I told him I want to help him,’ Tillis said, according to Politico. ‘I hope that we get a good candidate that I can help and we can have a successful 2026.’

The senator told reporters Trump is ‘getting a lot of advice from people who have never governed and all they’ve done is written white papers.’ He condemned ‘people from an ivory tower driving him into a box canyon.’

In his retirement announcement, Tillis said that ‘it’s become increasingly evident that leaders who are willing to embrace bipartisanship, compromise, and demonstrate independent thinking are becoming an endangered species.’ 

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