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Dems stage 12-hour ‘moral moment’ at US Capitol, rejecting Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., staged a sit-in on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on Sunday, taking a ‘moral moment’ to reject President Donald Trump’s agenda as Congress returns to Washington to negotiate the ‘big, beautiful bill.’

On the final day of the two-week congressional recess, Booker and Jeffries discussed their relationship with faith, invited Americans to share their experience of Trump’s first 100 days and sounded off on ‘what’s at stake with Trump’s budget.’ The sit-in’s hours-long livestream had amassed hundreds of thousands of views on X and YouTube.

Instead of church on Sunday, the Democratic leaders opted for a ‘sacred civic space’ outside the Capitol for more than 12 hours. Activists and politicians joined the Democrats throughout the day, including American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga.

‘This is how we will stop cuts to Medicaid, this is how we will stop Trump and congressional Republicans’ devastating agenda, this is how we will rise,’ Booker said on X at the end of the sit-in. 

Democrats have been warning Americans about Trump’s ambitious budget bill since he was elected in November, claiming his budget cuts will threaten funding for entitlement programs like Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare. The Trump administration has maintained that no cuts will be made to those services, despite the anticipated $1.5 trillion in spending reductions and extension of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts. 

As Congress returns to session this week, committees begin mark-ups on the budget framework passed by both the House and Senate before recess, with plans to finalize legislation by Memorial Day.

Trump added pressure to the negotiations on Sunday, posting on Truth Social that it is a crucial week for the budget bill, ‘which will contain Massive Tax Cuts, Strong Border Security Measures, Major Military Advancements, Dramatic Deregulation, Powerful Spending Reforms, and more!’

‘IT MUST BE DONE. We will unleash Economic Prosperity, and accelerate into the Golden Age of America,’ Trump said of his ‘big, beautiful bill.’

However, Democrats have a drastically different depiction of Trump’s vision for the country, and the 12-hour livestream on the Capitol steps covered their laundry list of concerns – everything from Department of Education cuts, Planned Parenthood funding and protecting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. 

‘This is a moment of moral urgency. We are in this moment where Congress is going to come back tomorrow from a two-week recess, and the Republican leaders on your side of the Capitol are saying that they’re going to force a bill through. They want to get it done during this work period and back over to the Senate to be voted on and put on the president’s desk,’ Booker said to Jeffries. 

‘This bill, we believe, presents one of the greatest moral threats to our country that we’ve seen in terms of what it will do to providing food for the hungry, care for the elderly, services for the disabled, health care for the sick,’ he added. 

Booker said the goal of the protest was to ‘center the stories of people who will be affected by this bill that will cut Medicaid so savagely and so many other things, to give tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans.’

Booker, who celebrated his 56th birthday on Sunday, has been mocked by critics for similar stunts rejecting Trump’s second-term agenda. The New Jersey senator broke the record for the longest-ever speech on the Senate floor last month, speaking out against Trump’s executive orders, tax cuts and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency for 25 hours. 

He also joined his Democratic colleagues ahead of Trump’s joint address to Congress earlier this year in a social media campaign with identical scripts describing ‘S— That Ain’t True’ about the Trump administration. 

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who has drawn tens of thousands of supporters to his ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ tour rallies across the United States, told NBC on Sunday that ‘what Democrats lack right now is a vision for the future,’ as the party struggles to find a consistent message and clear party leader in the aftermath of big November losses. 

Booker’s office did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment by deadline. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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Iowa rep in swing district endorsed by group working to elect GOP women

A Republican congresswoman from Iowa in a swing district has picked up an endorsement from a group working to elect more GOP women. 

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, was among a group of candidates in the House and Senate to receive first-round 2026 endorsements by Winning for Women PAC, which works to support free-market conservative women running for federal office. Cook Political Report – the leading nonpartisan handicapper – rates Miller-Meeks’ district as a ‘Toss Up’ in 2026. 

Miller-Meeks won her 2024 re-election bid in November after a recount confirmed her lead, helping her party pad its thin majority in the U.S. House and retain control of all four of Iowa’s congressional seats. She defeated Democrat Christina Bohannan in a rematch of 2022, when Miller-Meeks won by 7 percentage points. The 2024 margin was much tighter – Miller-Meeks’ lead over Bohannan was less than a percentage point, or fewer than 1,000 votes, according to the Associated Press. 

Miller-Meeks earned a first term in Congress representing Iowa’s 2nd District when she defeated Democrat Rita Hart by just six votes in 2020. 

She currently represents the 1st District, which includes the eastern part of the state and a swath of south-central Iowa, including Johnson County, home to the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

Winning for Women PAC on Monday also endorsed Reps. Young Kim R-Calif., and Jen Kiggans, R-Va., in the House, as well as Sens. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, in the upper chamber. Kim and Kiggans’ districts both ‘Lean Republican’ in 2026, according to Cook Political Report. Moody and Ernst are both in ‘Solid R’ seats, while Collins’ district ‘Leans R’ in the 2026 contest.

‘Early financial support is critical, particularly in close races,’ Danielle Barrow, the president of the Winning for Women PAC, said in a statement obtained by The Hill. ‘Given Republicans’ narrow control of Congress, we are announcing our initial endorsements earlier than ever before to ensure we hold and expand our majorities. We look forward to endorsing more strong women leaders in Congress in the coming weeks.’

The House currently has 31 Republican women members, while the Senate has just 10. Winning for Women PAC has spent more than $20 million since 2020 on boosting Republican female candidates in competitive primaries and general elections.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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SOURCE ROCK ROYALTIES ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER & YEAR-END 2024 RESULTS INCLUDING RECORD ANNUAL FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S./

Source Rock Royalties Ltd. (‘Source Rock’) (TSXV: SRR), a pure-play oil and gas royalty company with an established portfolio of oil focused royalties, announces results for the three-month period and year ended December 31, 2024.

Source Rock Logo (CNW Group/Source Rock Royalties Ltd.)

Annual Highlights:

  • Record annual royalty production of 251 boe/d (95% oil and NGLs), an increase of 21% over 2023.
  • Record annual royalty revenue of $7,689,586 , an increase of 16% over 2023.
  • Record annual Adjusted EBITDA (2) of $6,816,173 ( $0.15 per share), an increase of 18% (16% per share) over 2023.
  • Record annual funds from operations (2) of $5,994,371 ( $0.13 per share), an increase of 6% (5% per share) over 2023.
  • Declared $3,473,939 in dividends ( $0.0765 per share), resulting in a payout ratio (2) of 58%.
  • Achieved an operating netback (2) of $74.20 per boe and a corporate netback (2) of $65.25 per boe.
  • 43 gross new horizontal wells began producing on royalty lands in S.E. Saskatchewan (20), central Alberta (18), west-central Saskatchewan (3), east-central Alberta (1) and Manitoba (1).
  • Working capital of $4,860,362 ( $0.105 per share) as at December 31, 2024 .

Fourth Quarter Highlights:

  • Quarterly royalty production of 256 boe/d (97% oil and NGLs), an increase of 17% over Q4 2023.
  • Quarterly royalty revenue of $1,871,245 , an increase of 9% over Q4 2023.
  • Quarterly Adjusted EBITDA (2) of $1,709,057 ( $0.038 per share), an increase of 12% over Q4 2023.
  • Quarterly funds from operations (2) of $1,511,958 ( $0.033 per share), a decrease of 9% (11% per share) over Q4 2023.
  • Declared three monthly dividends of $0.0065 per share, resulting in a payout ratio (2) of 59%.
  • Achieved an operating netback (2) of $72.57 per boe and a corporate netback (2) of $64.20 per boe.

2024 Reserves Information

Source Rock’s reserves data and other oil and natural gas information, as required under National Instrument 51-101, is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca .

Financial and Operational Results

Three Months Ended December 31,

Year Ended December 31,

FINANCIAL ($, except as noted)

2024

2023

Change

2024

2023

Change

Royalty revenue

1,871,245

1,720,264 (1)

9 %

7,689,586

6,646,326 (1)

16 %

Adjusted EBITDA (2)

1,709,057

1,525,386

12 %

6,816,173

5,793,204

18 %

Per share (basic)

0.038

0.034

12 %

0.15

0.129

16 %

Funds from operations (2)

1,511,958

1,663,376

-9 %

5,994,371

5,653,618

6 %

Per share (basic)

0.033

0.037

-11 %

0.132

0.126

5 %

Total comprehensive income (loss)

501,915

382,367

31 %

1,495,319

1,566,310

-5 %

Per share (basic)

0.011

0.008

38 %

0.033

0.035

-6 %

Per share (diluted)

0.01

0.008

25 %

0.031

0.034

-9 %

Dividends declared

888,863

812,850

9 %

3,473,939

2,968,990

17 %

Per share

0.0195

0.018

8 %

0.0765

0.066

16 %

Payout ratio (2)

59 %

49 %

20 %

58 %

53 %

9 %

Cash and cash equivalents

4,635,727

1,462,040

217 %

4,635,727

1,462,040

217 %

Per share (basic)

0.10

0.03

214 %

0.10

0.03

215 %

Average shares outstanding (basic)

45,582,727

45,139,091

1 %

45,386,449

45,022,140

1 %

Shares outstanding (end of period)

45,582,727

45,231,645

1 %

45,582,727

45,231,645

1 %

OPERATING

Average daily production (boe/d)

256

218 (3)

17 %

251

208 (3)

21 %

Percentage oil & NGLs

97 %

94 %

3 %

95 %

93 %

2 %

Average price realizations ($/boe)

79.45

85.86

-7 %

83.58

87.54

-5 %

Operating netback (2) ($/boe)

72.57

76.06

-5 %

74.20

76.30

-3 %

Corporate netback (2) ($/boe)

64.20

82.94

-23 %

65.25

74.47

-12 %

(1)

Source Rock also benefited from $211,892 (Q4 2023) and $373,437 (fiscal 2023) of sales proceeds from royalty production that occurred after the effective date but prior to the closing date of acquisitions. These proceeds were accounted for as a reduction to the purchase price of the acquisitions.

(2)

This is a non-GAAP financial measure or non-GAAP ratio. Refer to the disclosure under the heading ‘Non-GAAP Financial Measures & Ratios’ for more information on each non-GAAP financial measure or ratio.

(3)

Source Rock also benefited from 29 boe/d (100% oil & NGLs) for Q4 2023 and 12 boe/d (100% oil & NGLs) for fiscal 2023, of royalty production that occurred after the effective date but prior to the closing date of acquisitions.

About Source Rock Royalties Ltd.

Source Rock is a pure-play oil and gas royalty company with an existing, oil focused portfolio of royalty interests concentrated in southeast Saskatchewan , central Alberta and west-central Saskatchewan . Source Rock targets a balanced growth and yield business model, using funds from operations to pursue accretive royalty acquisitions and to pay dividends. By leveraging its niche industry relationships, Source Rock identifies and acquires both existing royalty interests and newly created royalties through collaboration with industry partners. Source Rock’s strategy is premised on maintaining a low-cost corporate structure and achieving a sustainable and scalable business, measured by growing funds from operations per share and maintaining a strong netback on its royalty production.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as ‘plans’, ‘is expected’, ‘expects’, ‘scheduled’, ‘intends’, ‘contemplates’, ‘anticipates’, ‘believes’, ‘proposes’ or variations (including negative and grammatical variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results ‘may’, ‘could’, ‘would’, ‘might’ or ‘will’ be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding Source Rock’s dividend strategy and the amount and timing of future dividends (and the sustainability thereof), the potential for future drilling on Source Rock’s royalty lands, expectations regarding commodity prices, Source Rock’s growth strategy and expectations with respect to future royalty acquisition and partnership opportunities, and the ability to complete such acquisitions and establish such partnerships. Such statements and information are based on the current expectations of Source Rock’s management and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Although Source Rock’s management believes that the assumptions underlying these statements and information are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this news release may not occur by certain dates or at all and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Source Rock. Although Source Rock has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements and information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. No forward-looking statement or information can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements and information speak only as of the date on which they are made and Source Rock undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures & Ratios

This news release uses the terms ‘funds from operations’ and ‘Adjusted EBITDA’ which are non-GAAP financial measures and the terms ‘payout ratio’, ‘operating netback’ and ‘corporate netback’ which are non-GAAP ratios. These financial measures and ratios do not have   a standardized prescribed meaning under GAAP and these measures and ratios may not be comparable with the calculation of similar measures disclosed by other entities.

‘Adjusted EBITDA’ is used by management to analyze the Corporation’s profitability based on the Corporation’s principal business activities prior to how these activities are financed, how assets are depreciated, amortized and impaired, and how the results are taxed. Additionally, amounts are removed relating to share-based compensation expense, the sale of assets, fair value adjustments on financial assets and liabilities, other non-cash items and certain non-standard expenses, as the Corporation does not deem these to relate to the performance of its principal business. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to represent net profit (or loss) as calculated in accordance with IFRS.

The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to funds from operations is cash flow from operating activities. ‘Funds from operations’ is defined as cash flow from operating activities before the change in non-cash working capital. Source Rock believes the timing of collection, payment or incurrence of these non-cash items involves a high degree of discretion and as such may not be useful for evaluating Source Rock’s operating performance. Source Rock considers funds from operations to be a key measure of operating performance as it demonstrates Source Rock’s ability to generate funds to fund operations, acquisition opportunities, dividend payments and debt repayments, if applicable. Funds from operations should not be construed as an alternative to income or cash flow from operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP as an indication of Source Rock’s performance.

‘Corporate netback’ is calculated as funds from operations divided by cumulative production volumes for the period. Corporate netback is used by Source Rock to better analyze the financial performance of its royalties against prior periods and to assess the cost efficiency of its overall corporate platform as it relates to production volumes. There is no standardized meaning for ‘corporate netback’ and this metric as used by Source Rock may not be comparable with the calculation of similar metrics disclosed by other entities, and therefore should not be used to make comparisons.

‘Operating netback’ represents the cash margin for products sold. Operating netback is calculated as revenue minus cash administrative expenses divided by cumulative production volumes for the period. Operating netback is used by Source Rock to assess the cash generating and operating performance of its royalties against prior periods and to assess the costs efficiency of its operating platform as it relates to production volumes. There is no standardized meaning for ‘operating netback’ and this metric as used by Source Rock may not be comparable with the calculation of similar metrics disclosed by other entities, and therefore should not be used to make comparisons.

‘Payout ratio’ is calculated as the aggregate of cash dividends declared in a period divided by funds from operations realized in such period. Source Rock considers payout ratio to be a key measure to assess Source Rock’s ability to fund operations, acquisition opportunities, dividend payments, cash taxes and debt repayments, if applicable.

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

SOURCE Source Rock Royalties Ltd.

Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2025/28/c6620.html

News Provided by Canada Newswire via QuoteMedia

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Radiopharm Theranostics Doses First Patient with 18F-RAD101 in U.S. Phase 2b Imaging Study of Brain Metastasis

Phase 2b study evaluating diagnostic performance of 18F-RAD101 for suspected recurrent brain metastases from solid tumors of different origins

Underscores Radiopharm’s commitment to developing transformative oncology radiopharmaceuticals

Radiopharm Theranostics (ASX:RAD, Nasdaq: RADX, ‘Radiopharm’ or the ‘Company’), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative oncology radiopharmaceuticals for areas of high unmet medical need, today announced the dosing of the first patient in its U.S. Phase 2b imaging study of 18F-RAD101 in suspected recurrent brain metastasis.

The U.S. multicenter, open-label, single arm Phase 2b clinical trial 1 is evaluating the diagnostic performance of 18F-RAD101 in 30 individuals with confirmed recurrent brain metastases from solid tumors of different origins. The primary objective of the study is concordance between 18F-RAD101 positive lesions and those seen in conventional imaging (MRI with gadolinium) in participants with suspected recurrent brain metastases.

RAD101 is a novel imaging small molecule that targets fatty acid synthase (FASN), a multi-enzyme protein that catalyses fatty acid synthesis and is overexpressed in many solid tumors, including cerebral metastasis. Disruption of FASN activity allows for the accurate detection of cancer cells, representing a strongly viable target for the imaging of brain metastasis. Positive data from the Imperial College of London’s Phase 2a imaging trial of 18F-RAD101 in patients with brain metastases showed significant tumor uptake that was consistent with and independent from the tumor of origin. 2

‘We are proud to pioneer the first U.S. clinical trial of RAD101,’ said Harshad R. Kulkarni, MD, Chief Medical Advisor at BAMF Health and Principal Investigator of this Phase 2b study. ‘This marks an important step toward improving diagnostic precision and enabling more evidence-based, individualized treatment decisions for patients with brain metastases following stereotactic radiosurgery.’

‘This trial is an excellent illustration of BAMF Health’s clinical trials platform in action,’ added BAMF Health’s Director of Clinical Trials. ‘Our Radiopharmacy is producing the imaging agent on-site, our clinic team is caring for the patient and providing the best image in the world, and our clinical trials team expertly coordinates it all. BAMF’s facility and team were built to do trials just like this.’

‘Current standard of care imaging is less sensitive in discriminating between tumor recurrence and radiation necrosis in patients with brain metastasis who have received anticancer treatments, including radiation,’ said Riccardo Canevari, CEO and Managing Director of Radiopharm Theranostics Ltd. ’18F-RAD101 has the strong potential to improve diagnostic accuracy of brain metastases, and holds promise for discriminating between treatment effect and true progression in the more than 300,000 patients diagnosed with brain metastasis each year in the U.S. alone. We look forward to advancing this clinical trial and to reporting topline data in the second half of 2025.’

About Radiopharm Theranostics

Radiopharm Theranostics is a clinical stage radiotherapeutics company developing a world-class platform of innovative radiopharmaceutical products for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in areas of high unmet medical need. Radiopharm is listed on ASX (RAD) and on NASDAQ (RADX). The company has a pipeline of distinct and highly differentiated platform technologies spanning peptides, small molecules and monoclonal antibodies for use in cancer. The clinical program includes one Phase 2 and three Phase 1 trials in a variety of solid tumor cancers including lung, breast, and brain. Learn more at radiopharmtheranostics.com .

About BAMF Health

BAMF Health is the world’s first vertically integrated platform for intelligence-based precision medicine. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, BAMF Health employs the most advanced theranostic imaging technology to detect and treat cancer and other diseases and conduct advanced clinical trials. Our overriding mission is to empower patients to become people again. With a team of data scientists, researchers, software engineers, and clinicians —all working in lockstep—we’re making good on it. To learn more about BAMF Health, visit www.bamfhealth.com .

Authorized on behalf of the Radiopharm Theranostics Board of Directors by Executive Chairman Paul Hopper.

For more information:

Investors:

Riccardo Canevari
CEO & Managing Director

Radiopharm Theranostics
P: +1 862 309 0293
E: rc@radiopharmtheranostics.com

Andrew Dymon
Precision AQ (formerly Stern IR)
andrew.dymon@precisionaq.com

Media:

Matt Wright
NWR Communications
P: +61 451 896 420
E: matt@nwrcommunications.com.au

Follow Radiopharm Theranostics:
Website – https://radiopharmtheranostics.com/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/TeamRadiopharm
Linked In – https://www.linkedin.com/company/radiopharm-theranostics/
InvestorHub – https://investorhub.radiopharmtheranostics.com/

________________________
1 https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06777433
2 S. Islam et. Al., EJNMMI; 07 February 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-025-07118-0

News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia

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SCOOP: Dept of Energy says it saved $700M in Trump’s first 100 days by cutting ‘wasteful’ programs

In President Donald Trump’s first 100 days, the Department of Energy says it has saved taxpayers more than $700 million by cutting programs the administration labeled as ‘wasteful.’

The immediate savings are resulting from the cancellation of ongoing contracts at the DOE relating to topics such as diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) and progressive climate change goals linked to the Democrats’ Green New Deal proposals. They are part of a broader $3 billion in savings that the Trump administration has projected will occur as a result of the cancellation of additional contracts that were not yet finalized. 

‘In the first 100 days of the Trump Administration, the Department of Energy has saved the American taxpayer more than $3 billion in projected savings – and this is just the beginning,’ DOE spokesperson Ben Dietderich told Fox News Digital in a statement. 

Dietderich said to date, the DOE has suspended contracts supporting DEI initiatives and Green New Deal priorities, as well as other ‘wasteful’ programs, ‘generating more than $700 million in immediate savings for the American taxpayers.’ 

‘President Trump and Secretary Wright are fully committed to making government more accountable, efficient, and effective stewards of the American taxpayers’ dollars,’ he said.

During Trump’s first 100 days in office, according to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the administration’s efforts have saved the government at least $160 billion. That amounts to $993.79 per taxpayer, according to DOGE. 

An ‘Agency Efficiency Leaderboard,’ tracking which departments have received the most savings, shows the Department of Health and Human Services ranked number one. 

HHS is followed by the General Services Administration at number two, the Department of Education at number three, the Labor Department at number four, and the Office of Personnel Management rounds out the top five.

The Department of Justice is ranked last, just before the Department of Veterans Affairs. The DOE, according to DOGE, is ranked as the agency with the third least savings.

The savings reportedly stemmed from a combination of asset sales, contract and lease cancellations or re-negotiations, fraud and improper payment deletion, grant cancellations, interest savings, programmatic changes, regulatory savings and workforce reductions.  

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Trial of gang accused of robbing Kim Kardashian at gunpoint opens in Paris

Nearly nine years after billionaire reality TV star Kim Kardashian was bound, gagged and robbed at gunpoint during Paris Fashion Week, the trial of nine men and one woman accused of carrying out the dramatic heist opened Monday at a packed courthouse in the French capital.

The case centers on the October 2016 theft of nearly $10 million in cash and jewelry, including a $4 million engagement ring that was never recovered. The defendants, who range in age from their 30s to their 70s, are facing charges including armed robbery, kidnapping and conspiracy. Eight of them deny involvement, while two have admitted to lesser offenses.

As the trial proceedings began, several of the defendants, including Aomar Ait Khedache and Yunice Abbas, made their way into the courtroom. Ait Khedache, often alleged to be the mastermind of the robbery, entered with the support of a cane and wearing hearing aids.

The defendants’ families arrived moments later, taking their seats next to the press.

The robbery unfolded just before 3 a.m. at the “No Address” hotel, a discreet luxury residence in Paris where Kardashian was staying. Disguised as police officers, the thieves forced the concierge to lead them to Kardashian’s apartment, where they tied her up at gunpoint. According to court documents, the group tracked Kardashian’s movements through her social media posts, helping them to orchestrate the attack.

Kardashian is scheduled to testify on May 13, when she will face the alleged robbers in court for the first time. A heightened police presence is expected outside the courthouse during her appearance.

The trial has been delayed for years partly because of major cases like those related to the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks.

Of the original 12 suspects, one has since died and another defendant who has Alzheimer’s disease has been ruled unfit to stand trial. If convicted, some of the remaining defendants could face up to 30 years in prison.

The trial is scheduled to run through May 22, with a verdict expected on May 23.

This post appeared first on cnn.com
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Spain and Portugal hit by major power outage, halting trains and flights and wiping out traffic lights

A widespread and unexplained power outage knocked out electricity in most of Spain and Portugal on Monday, shutting off traffic lights and causing chaos at airports, train stations and on the roads.

Portugal’s grid operator Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN) said electrical supply was lost across the entire Iberian peninsula, and in parts of France, on Monday. It could be several hours until power is fully restored, Spain’s grid operator said, meaning parts of the two countries could be plunged into darkness once the sun sets.

The outage took out screens, lighting and power sockets, and caused traffic lights and subway systems to suddenly fail. Some power began to trickle back across Spain hours later, but efforts to fully revive the grid and to investigate the cause have not yet been successful.

The cause of the blackout was unclear, but its impact was dramatic: transport hubs shuttered and governments in both countries, which share a population of around 60 million people, hastily co-ordinated a response.

Madrid’s mayor José Luis Martinez Almeida asked people to minimize their movements and only call emergency services if it was truly urgent. He also called on people to stay clear of the roads for emergency workers. Later in the day, Madrid’s emergency services provider urged the country’s government to declare a national emergency.

Portugal’s grid operator said restoring power was a “complex operation.”

“At the moment it is impossible to predict when the situation will be normalized,” it said.

Efforts could stretch into the night. “The experience of other similar events that have taken place in other countries indicate to us that this process – the total reestablishment of the electrical supply – will take several hours, Eduardo Prieto, director of services for system operation at Red Eléctrica, had earlier told broadcaster La Sexta.

“We could be talking about six to 10 hours, if everything goes well, until we reestablish supply to every last customer,” he said.

Dozens of Iberian cities, like Madrid, Lisbon, Barcelona, Seville and Valencia, are major hubs for transport, business and tourism. Two of the five busiest airports in the European Union in 2023 were Madrid’s and Barcelona’s, according to EU data.

Portugal’s National Institute for Medical Emergencies said it had “activated its contingency plan,” running its telephone and IT systems through a back-up generator. Spain’s health ministry said the same process happened in hospitals there.

But flights at major airports in the region were suddenly delayed or cancelled, with travelers scrambling to adapt; online flight trackers reported that several airports saw their frequent departures suddenly halted after midday. Portugal’s flag carrier TAP Air Portugal told people not to travel to the airport until further notice.

Spanish train operator Renfe said trains had stopped and departures were canceled. And in subway tunnels, passengers were plunged into darkness. Video posted on social media showed blackened subway cars stuck in standstill on platforms in Madrid, where the metro was suspended and entrances to stations were taped off.

Sporting events were impacted too. Tennis fans at the Madrid Open filed out of courts after the outage caused play to be suspended.

Some parts of southern France, near the Spanish border, felt a more sporadic impact.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

This post appeared first on cnn.com
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Israel boycotts hearing at UN’s top court on banning of aid agency for Palestinians

Israel on Monday boycotted a hearing at the United Nations’ top court on its decision to ban a UN aid agency that has served millions of Palestinians since it was established in 1949.

The hearings will look at Israel’s obligations, both as a member of the United Nations and as an occupying power, toward the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The aid agency provides education, healthcare and social services to nearly 6 million Palestinian refugees across the Middle East.

The hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which began in The Hague on Monday following a request by the UN General Assembly, are scheduled to last all week, with 40 countries, including the United States, set to speak as part of the proceedings. The ICJ will issue an advisory opinion about Israel’s obligations at a later stage, after the hearings conclude.

The court’s advisory opinions have no binding force, but they carry tremendous significance. They are “often an instrument of preventive diplomacy and help to keep the peace,” according to the court. They also help interpret and shape international law.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called it “another shameful proceeding” designed to delegitimize his country. Speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem in lieu of the hearing on Monday, Sa’ar accused UNRWA of being “an organization that is infested with Hamas terrorists.” He said Israel had submitted its written position but would not take part in “this circus.”

UNRWA has repeatedly denied these accusations in the past, saying there is “absolutely no ground for a blanket description of ‘the institution as a whole’ being ‘totally infiltrated.’”

At the opening of the hearings on Monday, the UN’s legal counsel said Israel had a clear obligation as an occupying force to allow and facilitate humanitarian aid for Gazans.

“In the specific context of the current situation in the occupied Palestinian Territories, these obligations entail allowing all relevant UN entities to carry out activities for the benefit of the local population,” Elinor Hammarskjöld said.

Ammar Hijazi, the Palestinian representative at the hearing, said “there can be no doubt about the court’s jurisdiction in these proceedings,” pointing to two previous ICJ cases involving Israel.

In January 2024, the ICJ ruled that Israel must take “all measures” to prevent a genocide in Gaza. Then in June, it said in an advisory opinion that Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza is illegal.

“Israel is starving, killing and displacing Palestinians, while also targeting and blocking humanitarian organizations trying to save their lives,” Hijazi said.

Amir Weissbord, an official with Israel’s foreign ministry, claimed on Monday that “1,462 UNRWA workers in Gaza are confirmed terrorists,” which he said was based on intelligence. Israel has not provided evidence to support the accusation of such a high number. Weissbord said the number would be even higher once Israel began looking into UNRWA’s female employees.

After the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks, Israel alleged that 12 of UNRWA’s 14,000 staffers in Gaza were involved in the assault. A subsequent UN investigation found that nine employees “may have” been involved in the attack. UNRWA said at the time that their contracts had been terminated.

‘Campaign to discredit UNRWA’

In October, Israel’s parliament passed a law banning UNRWA from activity within Israel and revoking the 1967 treaty that allowed the agency to carry out its mission. The ban was expected to severely restrict UNRWA’s ability to operate in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said at the time that the move violated international law and was “the latest in the ongoing campaign to discredit UNRWA and delegitimize its role toward providing human-development assistance and services to Palestine refugees.”

In early April, Israel raided six UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem, ordering them to close within 30 days. Lazzarini promised that the agency would not be cowed by Israel’s actions.

“UNRWA is committed to stay & deliver education and other basic services to Palestine Refugees in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in accordance with the General Assembly resolution mandated to the Agency,” he said on social media.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been pushing to dismantle UNRWA well before the October 7 attacks, arguing that the agency perpetuates the Palestinian “refugee problem.” UNRWA’s definition of Palestinian refugees includes the descendants of those Palestinians who were forced out of their homes during Israel’s creation in 1948. Israeli officials have rejected that definition, arguing that descendants don’t qualify as refugees and thus don’t have the right to return to their ancestral homes in what is now Israel.

This post appeared first on cnn.com
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Investing

Heliostar Delivers Strong First Quarter 2025 Results

Q1 2025 Operational and Financial Highlights

  • Gold equivalent ounce (‘GEO’) production of 9,082 GEOs and sales of 8,034 GEOs for Q1 2025. The Company is on track to achieve annual sales guidance of 31,000 to 41,000 GEOs for 2025
  • Preliminary interim consolidated cash costs of US$1,175-1,275 per GEOs sold and consolidated all-in sustaining costs (‘AISC’) of US$1,375-1,475 for Q1 2025. The Company is on track to achieve its annual cash cost guidance range of US$1,800-1,900 per GEOs sold and AISC of US$1,950-2,100 per GEOs sold
  • Average sale price of US$2,875 per ounce of gold for Q1 2025
  • Closing of the quarter with US$27M in cash and no debt

Heliostar Metals Ltd. (TSXV: HSTR) (OTCQX: HSTXF) (FSE: RGG1) (‘Heliostar’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to report preliminary interim results for the three months ended March 31, 2025 (‘Q1 2025’), which corresponds to the fourth quarter of Heliostar’s fiscal reporting year 2024-25.

The Company plans to host a corporate update webinar on May 13th, 2025, at 8:00AM Pacific Time/11:00AM Eastern Time. Full fiscal year-end reporting is anticipated in late July 2025.

Heliostar CEO, Charles Funk, commented, ‘The first quarter of 2025 was a very strong, first full quarter of production for the Company. We restarted production at La Colorada, fully paid off the acquisition debt and returned lower costs than budgeted.

‘In Q2, production is expected to decrease due to drawdown of inventory on the leach pad at San Agustin prior to a planned restart of primary mining activities later in 2025. We remain well on track to meet our production and cost guidance for 2025.

‘Heliostar exited the quarter with a strong cash balance of US$27M. This allows us to expand the drilling program at La Colorada and commence the Company’s largest drilling campaign at our flagship Ana Paula project, where we see potential to increase the high-grade underground resource.

‘Looking forward, in Q2, we are focused on delivering an updated technical report to support a planned increase in production at La Colorada and completing the permitting to allow for the restart of mining at San Agustin. The Company intends to utilize the cash flow from operations to increase annual gold production from both producing mines, as well as build Ana Paula with minimal equity dilution.’

Operational and Financial Results1

Key Performance Metrics La Colorada San Agustin El Castillo Total
Ore processed 2 t ore 959,365 ——- —— 959,365
Gold production 3 oz Au 4,109 4,412 257 8,777
Silver production3 oz Ag 18,279 8,595 546 27,421
GEO production 4 oz GEO 4,312 4,507 263 9,082
Gold sold oz Au 3,112 4,172 497 7,781
Silver sold oz Ag 12,468 9,936 523 22,927
GEO sold 4 oz GEO 3,250 4,282 502 8,034
Cash Cost 5 US$/GEO sold 1,175-1,275
All-In Sustaining Cost (AISC) 5 US$/GEO sold 1,375-1,475
Cash and cash equivalents US$ 26,900,000

 

Notes:

  1. Results are preliminary in nature and subject to final reconciliation.
  2. Production from San Agustin and El Castillo from re-leaching.
  3. Metals production before payable deductions.
  4. GEO production and GEO sold are based on weighted average sale prices for Q1 2025 of US$2,875/oz Au and US$31.95/oz Ag.
  5. These measures are non-IFRS financial measures.

Non-IFRS Measures.This news release refers to certain financial measures, such as all-in sustaining cost, which are not measures recognized under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. These measures may differ from those made by other companies and accordingly may not be comparable to such measures as reported by other companies. These measures have been derived from the Company’s financial statements because the Company believes that they are of assistance in the understanding of the results of operations and its financial position. Certain additional disclosures for these specified financial measures have been incorporated by reference and can be found in the Company’s MD&A for Q4 2024 available on SEDAR+.

Cash costs.The Company uses cash costs per ounce of metals sold to monitor its operating performance internally. The most directly comparable measure prepared in accordance with IFRS is the cost of sales. The Company believes this measure provides investors and analysts with useful information about its underlying cash costs of operations. The Company also believes it is a relevant metric used to understand its operating profitability and ability to generate cash flow. Cash costs are measures developed by metals companies in an effort to provide a comparable standard; however, there can be no assurance that the Company’s reporting of these non-IFRS financial measures are similar to those reported by other mining companies. They are widely reported in the metals mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning and are disclosed in addition to IFRS financial measures. Cash costs include production costs, refinery and transportation costs and extraordinary mining duty. Cash costs exclude non-cash depreciation and depletion and site share-based compensation.

AISC.AISC more fully defines the total costs associated with producing precious metals. The AISC is calculated based on guidelines published by the World Gold Council (WGC), which were first issued in 2013. In light of new accounting standards and to support further consistency of application, the WGC published an updated Guidance Note in 2018. Other companies may calculate this measure differently because of differences in underlying principles and policies applied. Differences may also arise due to a different definition of sustaining versus growth capital. Note that in respect of AISC metrics within the technical reports, because such economics are disclosed at the project level, corporate general and administrative expenses were not included in the AISC calculations.

Statement of Qualified Persons

Gregg Bush, P.Eng., and Mike Gingles, Qualified Persons, as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, have reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and have approved the disclosure herein. Mr. Bush is employed as Chief Operating Officer of the Company, and Mr. Gingles is employed as Vice President of Corporate Development.

About Heliostar Metals Ltd.

Heliostar aims to grow to become a mid-tier gold producer. The Company is focused on increasing production and developing new resources at the La Colorada and San Agustin mines in Mexico, and on developing the 100% owned Ana Paula Project in Guerrero, Mexico.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Charles Funk
President and Chief Executive Officer
Heliostar Metals Limited
Email: charles.funk@heliostarmetals.com
Phone: +1 844-753-0045		 Rob Grey
Investor Relations Manager
Heliostar Metals Limited
Email: rob.grey@heliostarmetals.com
Phone: +1 844-753-0045

 

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

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release includes certain ‘Forward-Looking Statements’ within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and ‘forward-looking information’ under applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘target’, ‘plan’, ‘forecast’, ‘may’, ‘would’, ‘could’, ‘schedule’ and similar words or expressions, identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things: In Q2, production is expected to decrease due to drawdown of inventory on the leach pad at San Agustin prior to a planned restart of primary mining activities later in 2025. We remain well on track to meet our production and cost guidance for 2025. This allows us to expand the drilling program at La Colorada and commence the Company’s largest drilling campaign at our flagship Ana Paula project, where we see potential to increase the high-grade underground resource. Looking forward, in Q2 we are focused on delivering an updated technical report to support a planned increase in production at La Colorada and completing the permitting to allow for the restart of mining at San Agustin. The Company intends to utilize the cash flow from operations to increase annual gold production from both producing mines as well as build Ana Paula with minimal equity dilution.

Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information relating to the terms and completion of the Facility, any future mineral production, liquidity, and future exploration plans are based on management’s reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on management’s experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the receipt of necessary approvals, price of metals; no escalation in the severity of public health crises or ongoing military conflicts; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; and the Company’s ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms.

These statements reflect the Company’s respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company’s mining activities in foreign jurisdictions; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company’s management team and outside contractors; risks regarding exploration and mining activities; the Company’s inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of public health crises; the economic and financial implications of public health crises, ongoing military conflicts and general economic factors to the Company; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company’s interactions with surrounding communities; the Company’s ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified under the caption ‘Risk Factors’ in the Company’s public disclosure documents. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/249931

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

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Times Square billboard pops up rallying around ‘historic’ Trump accomplishment during first 100 days

A nonprofit patient’s rights advocacy group has placed a billboard in New York City’s Times Square praising President Donald Trump for ‘delivering’ on a major healthcare promise within his first 100 days in office. 

The billboard, placed by PatientsRightsAdvocate.org, (PRA) will run from April 28 to May 4 and touts Trump’s executive order signed in February directing the departments of the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services to make healthcare prices transparent.

‘President Trump delivers healthcare price transparency,’ the billboard, along with a picture of Trump resembling Superman says. ‘First 100 Days!’

Trump’s order directed the departments to ‘rapidly implement and enforce’ the Trump healthcare price transparency regulations, which he claims were slowed by the Biden administration.

The departments will ensure hospitals and insurers disclose actual prices, not estimates, and take action to make prices comparable across hospitals and insurers, including prescription drug prices.

PRA says that more than 1 in 3 Americans postponed or avoided care due to ‘fear of unknown costs’ and that 100 million Americans are in medical debt, which represents the country’s largest cause of personal bankruptcy. 

 ‘The magnitude of President Trump’s delivering ‘radical’ price transparency in healthcare is historic,’ Cynthia Fisher, founder and chairman of PatientRightsAdvocate.org, said in a statement. 

‘Patients soon will have access to actual prices, not estimates, before they receive care. Prices create a functional market where the consumer benefits from competition and choice to lower costs,’ Fisher continued. ‘Soon, patients will be able to shop for the best quality of care at the best price. Prices protect patients with remedy and recourse from overcharges, errors, and fraud. We are closer than ever to shifting the power to the consumer to live healthier and longer lives at a far lower cost.’  

Andrew Bremberg, former assistant to President Donald Trump and director of the Domestic Policy Council at the first Trump White House, also touted Trump’s executive order, saying that the president ‘built on his first term healthcare legacy and signed an even stronger price transparency executive order. 

‘His efforts to deliver real prices, not estimates, underscore his unwavering commitment to the American people. President Trump has a bold vision to transform the American healthcare system with price transparency as the catalyst.’ 

The executive order notes a number of concerns with current healthcare pricing, including that prices vary between hospitals in the same region.

‘One patient in Wisconsin saved $1,095 by shopping for two tests between two hospitals located within 30 minutes of one another,’ according to the statement.

The White House claims one economic analysis found Trump’s original price transparency rules, if fully implemented, could deliver savings of $80 billion for consumers, employers and insurers by 2025.

‘The hospital wanted me to pay $3,700 up front for a simple fibroid removal surgery,’ Arizona patient Theresa Schmotzer said in a statement at the time of the billboard’s placement. ‘Because that seemed high, I went looking for what it should cost. I found the actual price online and saw that my share was only $700 not $3,700. Because I had access to real prices, not estimates, I saved $3,000. President Trump’s executive order on healthcare price transparency will allow more people to find real prices and save.’  

States across the country have been pushing similar measures in the form of legislation to ensure that patients are given more transparency about the healthcare costs they are assuming, including in Ohio, where legislation was recently signed into law requiring hospitals to post exact prices in dollars and cents for all available services. 

‘They’ll be able to check them, compare them, go to different locations, so they can shop for the highest-quality care at the lowest cost,’ Trump wrote in a statement when he signed the executive order. ‘And this is about high-quality care. You’re also looking at that. You’re looking at comparisons between talents, which is very important. And, then, you’re also looking at cost. And, in some cases, you get the best doctor for the lowest cost. That’s a good thing.’

Fox News Digital’s Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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