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President Donald Trump offered new details about his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, saying he expected the meeting to last several hours.

Trump made the comments during a diplomatic dinner hosted by South Korean President Lee Jae‑myung on Wednesday. Trump was caught on a hot mic as he sat down for the meal, saying his meeting with Xi on Thursday morning would last ‘three to four hours.’

‘We’re going to have something that’s going to be very, very satisfactory to China and to us. I think we’re gonna have a — I think it’s going to be a very good meeting. I look forward to it tomorrow morning when we meet,’ Trump said.

During his formal remarks, Trump also said he was confident that South Korea’s conflict with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un would ‘work out very well.’

‘You have a neighbor that hasn’t been as nice as they could be, and I think they will be. I know Kim Jong Un very well, and I think things will work out very well,’ he said.

Trump said earlier this week that he would be open to meeting with Kim during his time in South Korea. Trump is entering the final leg of his five-day Asia trip on Wednesday, having already visited Japan earlier this week.

‘I’d love to meet with him if he’d like to meet. I got along great with Kim Jong Un. I liked him, he liked me,’ Trump said during a gaggle on Air Force One on Monday.

Trump met with Kim multiple times during his first term, becoming the first U.S. president to set foot in North Korea. No meeting has been announced for this week, however.

Trump’s talks with his South Korean counterpart come as the two countries move closer to completing a new trade agreement.

Henry Haggard, former minister counselor for political affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, told Fox News Digital, ‘Trump’s main objective in meeting Lee Jae-myung is to secure a trade deal and, along with that, $350 billion in investments in the United States.’

‘He will also seek to push Lee to commit to a stronger stance against China, and to increase defense spending. Lee will seek to charm Trump, as the key to keeping the bilateral relationship on track is for Lee to have a stronger relationship with Trump.’

Lee is head of a left-leaning government that has so far shown reluctance to enhance South Korea’s partnership with the U.S. for fear of provoking Chinese backlash.

Fox News’ Efrat Lachter contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

If you’re over 50 and maxing out your 401(k), there’s a big change coming in 2026 that could affect how much tax you pay on your ‘catch-up contributions.’ While it’s mostly about taxes and retirement planning, there’s an unexpected side effect: scammers are circling. Every time your financial habits or personal data become public, it’s a chance for fraudsters to try to exploit you. Here’s what’s changing, why it matters, and how to protect yourself before the scammers come knocking.

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What’s changing with 401(k) catch-up contributions

Right now, if you’re over 50, you can make extra contributions to your 401(k) on top of the standard annual limit ($23,500 in 2025). These ‘catch-up’ contributions are typically tax-deferred, meaning the money comes out of your paycheck before tax and grows tax-free until retirement.

But starting in 2026, for anyone earning more than $145,000 in the previous year, these catch-up contributions will no longer be tax-deferred. Instead, they’ll become like the Roth 401(k), meaning you pay taxes on the money now, but it grows tax-free and can be withdrawn tax-free in retirement.

That sounds simple, but it creates a ripple effect:

  • High earners will see less take-home pay now.
  • Tax planning gets trickier, and some people may consider restructuring their accounts or investment strategies.
  • And, most importantly for CyberGuy readers: these changes create new opportunities for scammers.

Why the new rules could attract scammers

Scammers constantly look for financially active retirees. When rules like this change, fraudsters send out emails, calls, or letters pretending to be financial advisors, IRS agents, or plan administrators. Their goal? To trick you into giving away account numbers, Social Security details, or direct-deposit information.

Some common scam tactics to watch for:

  • Fake ‘plan update’ emails claiming you need to verify your 401(k) contributions due to the law change.
  • Roth conversion scam calls claiming you can ‘avoid extra taxes’ by transferring your account through a third-party ‘advisor.’
  • Urgency and fear tactics, such as ‘Act now, or lose your retirement benefits!’

Even savvy retirees can be caught off guard, especially when the message sounds official and references real tax law changes.

How to protect yourself from 401(k) scams and data theft

With new 401(k) rule changes taking effect, scammers are using the confusion to trick retirees and workers alike. Follow these steps to stay alert, safeguard your savings, and protect your personal data from being stolen or misused.

1) Know the legitimate changes

Start by understanding Secure 2.0 and how catch-up contributions will be taxed. Reliable sources include your plan administrator, the IRS website, or a licensed tax advisor. Staying informed helps you spot fake claims before they cause harm.

2) Use a personal data removal service

For retirees, this extra layer of protection keeps sensitive information out of reach from scammers who exploit tax changes, Roth conversions, and retirement updates. While you can manually opt out of data brokers and track your information, that process takes time and effort. A personal data removal service automates the task by contacting over 420 data brokers on your behalf. It also reissues removal requests if your data reappears and shows you a dashboard of confirmed removals.

While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com

3) Verify every call and email, plus use antivirus software

If you get a call or email about your 401(k), don’t assume it’s real. Hang up or delete it, then contact your plan administrator directly using official contact details. Avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from unknown messages.

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

4) Monitor your credit and accounts

Cybercriminals often use personal information from earlier data leaks or data brokers. Watch your credit reports and account activity closely. Early detection can stop suspicious transactions before they escalate.

5) Set up alerts and freezes if necessary

Ask your bank and retirement plan to enable transaction alerts. You can also temporarily freeze your credit to prevent anyone from opening new accounts in your name. This is especially useful during times of financial change.

6) Educate friends and family

Scammers often target retirees and their relatives who help manage finances. Remind your loved ones never to share account details over the phone or email. Protecting everyone in your household keeps scammers from finding weak links.

Kurt’s key takeaways

As 2026 approaches, the new 401(k) rule changes will reshape how millions of Americans manage their retirement savings. Staying informed, cautious, and proactive can protect your financial future. Scammers thrive on confusion, but by verifying information, monitoring your accounts, and removing your personal data from risky sites, you can stay one step ahead. Remember, the more control you take over your privacy, the harder it becomes for criminals to exploit it.

Have you taken steps to see where your personal data is exposed, and what did you find most surprising when you checked? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter

Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

Senate Republicans are mulling a handful of bills to meet funding shortfalls as the shutdown drags on, but one that would prevent funding for federal benefits from lapsing may not get a shot on the floor.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is pushing a bill that would extend funding for food stamps, known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), until the government reopens and regular government funding continues.

His legislation comes after the Trump administration announced over the weekend the funding for the program would run dry on Saturday, and that they would reshuffle funding from an emergency contingency fund to keep the program afloat.

It’s one of a handful of bills pushed by Republicans to try and ease the pain of the ongoing shutdown. Others include efforts to pay certain federal workers, the military, and air traffic controllers, who missed their first full paycheck on Tuesday.

Hawley stressed that he would like a vote on the bill, but that it is so far being blocked from reaching the floor. He believed the legislation, which has 10 Republican co-sponsors and one Democratic co-sponsor, would pass if it hit the floor.

‘My strong encouragement is we don’t need to allow 42 million people to go hungry,’ he said.

But Senate Republican leadership and the White House want to exert pressure on Senate Democrats to reopen the government, and using the piecemeal ‘rifle shot’ strategy could get in the way of that.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., took a firm position against the rifle-shot approach after a closed-door lunch with the Senate GOP and Vice President JD Vance.

‘This piecemeal approach, where you do one-off here, one-off there, to make it seem, you know, more politically palatable to somebody or less painful. That’s just a wrong way to do this,’ Thune said. ‘There’s just a simple way to do it is to pick up the bill on the desk of the Senate and give us five more Democrat votes to pass it.’

Vance said that ‘we’re trying to keep as much open as possible’ and exploring all options with limited funds for SNAP and other issues, and he noted that the White House had found a way to pay the troops.

‘You know what would make this really easy? If the Democrats just opened up the government. Then we wouldn’t have to play this game where we’re trying to find, trying to fit a square peg in a round hole with this budget,’ Vance said.

Other Republicans echoed leadership and the White House’s sentiment.

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., similarly has a one-off funding bill that would pay working federal employees and the military, which he’s trying to reconfigure into a compromise proposal with Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.

However, he didn’t appear keen on supporting Hawley’s bill.

‘The way you provide SNAP benefits is you vote for the House CR. It’s that simple,’ he told Fox News Digital.

But co-sponsors of the bill were still hopeful that it could get a shot before the Saturday funding cliff.

Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., is the lone Democratic co-sponsor on the bill. He noted that while Senate Democrats’ primary focus during the shutdown was on extending the expiring Obamacare premium subsidies, it was ‘not to take food from people who need it.’

‘I’m really concerned about people not getting fed,’ he said.

Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, is another co-sponsor on the bill and told Fox News Digital that it depended on ‘how much longer this [shutdown] goes’ on whether the SNAP legislation hits the floor.

‘I hope so, because we can’t let people who need food to starve to death because of Democrats’ vanity and lack of humanity,’ he said.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

President Donald Trump’s tariffs are hitting toy giants Mattel and Hasbro as the critical holiday season nears. Still, both companies see a successful year end ahead.

“This quarter, our U.S. business was again challenged by industry-wide shifts in retailer ordering patterns,” CEO Ynon Kreiz said on Mattel’s recent earnings call. “That said, consumer demand for our products grew in every region, including in the U.S.”

During the most recent quarter, which ended Sept. 30, Mattel said sales slipped 6% globally, led by a 12% decline in North America. International sales rose 3%.

Some of the company’s top performing categories included Hot Wheels and action figures, primarily from the “Jurassic World,” Minecraft and WWE franchises.

Other Mattel brands saw a drop in sales, however, including Barbie and Fisher-Price.

With retail stores waiting until the last minute to assess the level of tariffs that would apply to their holiday orders, Kreiz said “since the beginning of the fourth quarter, orders from retailers in the U.S. have accelerated significantly.”

Retailers “expect strong demand for the holiday and they are restocking,” he added.

Meanwhile, rival toy giant Hasbro’s revenue jumped 8% in the quarter and it raised its financial guidance for the rest of the year.

Key drivers of that included “Peppa Pig” and Marvel franchise toys, as well as the Wizards of the Coast games.

Hasbro “managed tariff volatility with agility” and used price hikes to protect its margins, said Gina Goetter, the company’s chief financial officer and chief operating officer.

The company remains “firmly on track” to achieve its financial targets.

“As we calculate the various scenarios of where that absolute rates will play out, we’re really putting all of our levers to work,” she said on the company’s recent earnings call.

“From how we think about pricing, how we’re thinking about our product mix, how we’re thinking about our supply chain, and how we’re managing all of our operating expenses to mitigate and offset the impact” of tariffs, she said.

For its part, Hasbro also saw “softness” in the U.S. during the quarter due to retail chains waiting longer to place holiday orders, but said momentum is accelerating as the season gets underway.

In July, Mattel’s chief financial officer, Paul Ruh, said that the company was raising prices because of tariffs.

“We have implemented a variety of actions that will help us withstand some of those headwinds and those include … supply chain efficiencies and some pricing adjustments, particularly in the U.S.,” Ruh said on the company’s earnings conference call.

“So with that array of actions, we’re able to withstand some of the uncertainty that is mostly coming in the top line,” Ruh said. “Our goal is to keep prices as low as possible for our consumers.”

Still, Kreiz said that “consumers are buying our products and the toy industry is growing.”

He also said that consumers are taking price hikes in stride and those increases haven’t hurt demand: “We are not seeing any slowdown in consumer demand so far.”

Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks said the company has also raised some prices, but it was “pretty surgical” in what it chose to adjust.

“In terms of ongoing pricing, I think we just kind of have to see how the holiday goes and the consumer holds up,” he told analysts on the company’s earnings call.

Cocks also cautioned that there may be a two-tier economy forming, something other executives and economists have observed in recent months.

“Right now, I think it’s really kind of a tale of two consumers. The top 20%, particularly in the U.S., continue to spend pretty robustly,” he said. “The balance of households are watching their wallets a bit more.”

On Friday, the Labor Department released the latest consumer price index data, which showed that inflation is rising at a 3% annual pace, up from August’s 2.9%.

In May, Kreiz told CNBC that approximately half of the company’s toys were sourced from China.

Beijing has faced some of the steepest tariffs from Washington of any U.S. trade partner, as Trump has rolled out his disruptive trade agenda this year.

Mattel’s Ruh said the company continued to adjust its supply chains in response to shifting global tariff policies.

“We will be continuing to work with our retailers to make sure that the product is on the shelf,” he said.

At the same time, Hasbro’s Goetter said the company is diversifying its supply chains away from high-tariff countries.

“By 2026, we expect approximately 30% of our total Hasbro toy and game revenue will be sourced from China and 30% of our revenue will be based in the U.S., as we opportunistically lean into our U.S. manufacturing capacity,” she said.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

Metals Focus published its annual Precious Metals Investment Focus report on Saturday (October 25).

The report from the leading gold analysis firm outlines the investment options available for those interested in leveraging rising demand for precious metals such as gold and silver. It also highlights key supply and demand trends shaping the precious metals market and driving prices now and over the next 12 months.

Gold surged over 65 percent from the start of 2025 to its record high of US$4,379.13 per ounce on October 17. Not to be outdone, silver skyrocketed more than 88 percent its highest-ever price of US$54.47 per ounce on the same day.

Although prices for both precious metals have since pulled back on profit taking, Metals Focus believes the conditions that created these record-high prices are still very much in play.

US trade policy driving gold price in 2025

Metals Focus analysts attribute gold’s stellar performance in 2025 to a number of factors largely centered on growing global economic uncertainty and ongoing geopolitical conflicts. Gold’s safe-haven status is highly favored in these conditions, attracting both retail and institutional investors as well as central banks.

However, the firm sees US President Donald Trump’s trade policies as the most influential: “In our view, the single most important factor has been uncertainty around US trade policy.”

Trump’s constant trade war waffling has businesses and governments scrambling to keep up and unable to plan for the future. As tariffs increase the price of goods while disrupting supply chains, inflation is becoming stickier.

This is baking in more macroeconomic risks into the global economy, and in turn raising the risk for stagflation — an environment that experts agree is ideal for higher gold prices.

The US Federal Reserve’s reversal of its monetary policy in mid-September 2025 with its first interest rate cut and the anticipation of further rate cuts to come are further boosting the gold price. The sustainability of growing US debt and the waning strength of the US dollar on the global stage are also price supporting factors for the yellow metal.

Central bank gold buying, which has reached record levels in recent years, also continued to be net positive in 2025, further driving demand. “Put together, these drivers explain why gold has not only reached fresh highs in 2025, but also why pullbacks have been shallow and short-lived, as investors have been rushing to buy dips,” states Metals Focus.

Silver price shoots up on liquidity squeeze

The same forces sending gold prices to new heights are also bringing silver along for the ride.

Silver often lags behind its sister metal, and this latest price cycle was no exception.

However, investor belief that silver remains undervalued given strong industrial demand and unprecedented tight supply finally pushed the metal to break on through to the other side of a 45 year record high.

Metals Focus also points to the liquidity squeeze in the silver futures market, specifically concerning the COMEX in London. As the immediate supply of silver has not been enough to meet rising demand, the spot price for silver has risen higher than the price of futures contracts, a phenomenon known as backwardation.

This creates a squeeze on short sellers who must now buy back silver contracts at higher prices.

The situation amplified silver’s rally in early to mid-October. However, later in the month shipments of silver from New York and China helped to alleviate this pressure.

Gold price outlook for 2026

Looking forward, the trends underlying much of gold’s record-breaking price momentum are expected to remain strong well into next year. Metals Focus sees the price of gold posting another annual average high of US$4,560 as it heads toward US$5,000 in 2026, potentially reaching a record US$4,850 in the fourth quarter.

These gains in gold are projected to materialize despite supply side growth. Metals Focus is forecasting a surplus of 41.9 million ounces in 2026, up 28 percent year-on-year. The firm sees gold mine production reaching another record high in 2026 at the same time that gold recycling could climb by 6 percent to a 14-year high in jewellery demand is likely to be affected by high prices, low consumer confidence, and economic uncertainty.

What will move gold prices higher in 2026?

Gold investors should take cues from interest rate moves, inflation levels, strength or weakness in the US dollar and sentiment surrounding the independence of the Federal Reserve.

Of course, US trade policy will continue to be a main theme for precious metals over the next 12 months.

“As we have witnessed since the beginning of the Trump 2.0 administration, the abrupt and often unpredictable nature of US policy moves and the resulting uncertainty for the global trade system, and in turn the global economy, is expected to be a key driver of sentiment towards gold,” states the firm in the report.

Further driving demand, central banks around the world are expected to remain net buyers of safe-haven gold as the global push toward de-dollarization continues.

Gold and silver price outlook.

Chart via Metals Focus, Bloomberg.

Silver price outlook for 2026

As for silver, the white metal will continue to be seen as a more affordable alternative to gold. Metals Focus is looking for silver to average US$57 next year, and even take a run at the US$60 level in mid- to late 2026.

Silver has not only benefited from safe-haven investor demand and strong industrial demand, but also tight supply. However, the firm notes that the ongoing supply deficit for silver is expected to fall from 143.6 million ounces in 2024 to 63.4 million ounces in 2025. That figure is expected to shrink further to 30.5 million ounces in 2026.

Nevertheless, the silver market remains in a supply deficit at a time when demand is strong.

“We therefore remain bullish towards silver for the rest of this year and 2026,” note the report’s authors, who expect silver to continue outperforming gold at least in the first half of the new year.

In response, the gold-silver ratio has the potential to continue falling in 2026. However, Metals Focus believes the market will see this trend reverse in the back half of the year as silver loses some steam.

Gold-silver ratio.

Chart via Metals Focus, Bloomberg.

Investor takeaway

Overall, Metal Focus is confident the precious metals bull market will continue for the rest of 2025 and into 2026.

Gold especially is benefiting from its safe-haven status at a time of heightened macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty. Silver is tracking its ascent and also seeing tight aboveground supply and sustained industrial demand.

For those who think they’ve missed out on the gains to be made in this latest precious metals bull cycle, there’s still plenty of upside to be had in the gold and silver markets in Q4 and heading into 2026.

Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, currently hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

International Lithium Corp. (TSXV: ILC,OTC:ILHMF) (OTCQB: ILHMF) (FSE: IAH) (the ‘Company’ or ‘ILC’) is pleased to announce, further to its announcement on September 09, 2025, that on October 24, 2025 Lepidico met all the drawdown conditions for completion of its secured loan from ILC and that this has now been increased to the full amount of CAD$ 510,000. Of this loan amount CAD$420,000 earns interest at the rate of 10% p.a.

There were various conditions for the drawdown of the remaining loan, including a key condition now met that, by full drawdown, there would be no debt owed by Lepidico Mauritius or its subsidiaries to its ultimate Australian parent, Lepidico Ltd., which is in liquidation.

ILC now holds without any conditions an option from Lepidico (Canada) Inc. (‘Lepidico Canada’) to buy 100% of the shares of Lepidico (Mauritius) Ltd. (‘Lepidico Mauritius’) on a debt-free basis for consideration of CAD$975,000 plus certain payments in the future that are contingent on and linked to various possible receipts by Lepidico Canada. Lepidico Mauritius in turn owns 80% of Lepidico Chemicals Namibia (Pty) Ltd. (‘Lepidico Namibia’), which owns the Karibib Lithium, Rubidium and Cesium project in Namibia. The actual net amount payable by ILC on option exercise will be the difference between CAD$975,000 payable by ILC for the option exercise and the repayment to ILC of loan principal of CAD$510,000 plus interest accrued to the date of option exercise. The option has been granted until the later of November 30, 2025, and 30 days after the arbitration outcome is known (see below).

It is important to reiterate that there is a possibility that the option may not be exercised, especially if Lepidico Namibia encounters an adverse outcome in an arbitration dispute with the Chinese company Jiangxi Jinhui Lithium Co. Ltd., which involves claims and counterclaims. This arbitration in Singapore is now expected to conclude at any time from now until the end of 2025. Conversely, if the arbitration is resolved positively, ILC and Lepidico Canada have agreed that 30% of the net proceeds after legal and other costs will be retained by the part of the Lepidico group that ILC would be acquiring, with the remaining 70% paid to Lepidico Canada. The deal structure reflects ILC’s reluctance to assume the risk of a negative arbitration award arising from events that occurred seven years ago.

Assuming the transaction goes ahead with ILC exercising its option, the Company would leapfrog, by several years, the development stage of other projects it is interested in, including those in Zimbabwe and:

  • have one of the largest rubidium resources in Africa and (per our own research and also using Grok) the largest disclosed rubidium resource in Africa, as well as one of the most extensive rubidium resources in North America through ILC’s existing Raleigh Lake project in Ontario;
  • be well-positioned for an upswing in the lithium market; and
  • strengthen its stance as one of the leading global players in the rubidium market and a company with some of the most significant cesium interests of any non-Chinese company.

Lepidico’s ownership of Karibib resulted from its 2019 acquisition of TSXV-listed Desert Lion Energy in exchange for shares and other securities valued at that time at AUD$ 22.9 million (approximately CAD$20.7 million). Since acquiring the company in 2019, Lepidico has invested a further AUD$ 12.1 million (approximately CAD$ 10.9 million) in the Karibib project, excluding central group overheads, with a significant portion directed towards drilling, an environmental study and subsequently a Definitive Feasibility Study and a further Resource Estimate both under JORC standards.

The Karibib Project comprises two areas near Karibib, Namibia, with fully permitted mining licences known as Rubicon and Helikon (also in various reports spelled Helicon), along with an Exclusive Prospecting Licence EPL5439 for an adjacent area. Fuller details are as set out in our news release of September 9, 2025.

It is believed, based on published data, that as well as its significant lithium resource, the Karibib project contains the largest (or one of the two largest) rubidium resources of any project in Africa (the others being in Zimbabwe and Zambia). At the same time, the amount of cesium is smaller but nevertheless equal to about one year of global demand. For cesium Sinomine has historically been the largest producer in Africa, and has recently restarted cesium production at its Bikita project in Zimbabwe by extracting pollucite from petalite tailings. Sinomine is also known to have rubidium from the lepidolite at Bikita, but we are not aware of any resource estimate.

If the option is exercised, ILC would, subject to confirming the resource as its own resource (and not a historical resource as it is presently treating it) have the largest known or at least the largest disclosed rubidium resource in Africa. The Company also has extensive rubidium resources in North America through its Raleigh Lake project in Ontario. Please refer to the Company’s ‘The Raleigh Lake Project – NI 43-101 Technical Report PEA’ dated January 18, 2024 by ERM Consultants Canada Ltd. and the seven named QPs in the report.

John Wisbey, Chairman of ILC, stated: ‘This potential acquisition marks a significant advancement for ILC globally – particularly in Southern Africa. With this single transaction for a project that reached the Definitive Feasibility Study stage under JORC in 2020 and was upgraded in 2022, the Company would leapfrog, by several years, the development stage of other projects we are interested in, including those in Zimbabwe.’

‘Assuming the transaction goes ahead with ILC exercising its option, ILC will be well-positioned for an upswing in the lithium market, as well as strengthening its stance as one of the leading global players in the rubidium market and a company with some of the most significant cesium interests of any non-Chinese company.’

About International Lithium Corp.

International Lithium Corp. is a Critical Minerals exploration company with exploration activities in Ontario, Canada, with intentions to expand into Southern Africa. It has projects at various stages, ranging from Definitive Feasibility Study at Rubicon in Namibia (note that ILC currently has an option only and is treating this as historic information at this point and not a current resource for ILC) to Preliminary Economic Assessment at Raleigh Lake (as noted above) to Pre-Drilling at Wolf Ridge. The primary target metals in Canada are lithium, rubidium and copper. There are three projects (two in Ontario and one in Ireland) in which ILC has sold its share but where we stand to receive future payments from either a resource milestone being achieved or from a Net Smelter Royalty. In Namibia the Karibib project contains lithium, rubidium and cesium.

While the world’s politicians are currently divided on the future of the energy market’s historic dependence on oil and gas and on ‘Net Zero’, there is in any scenario an ever increasing and significant demand for electricity driven by AI and data centres, and by a likely unstoppable momentum towards electric vehicles and grid-scale electricity storage. All these contribute to rising demand for lithium and copper as well as other metals. Rubidium is also a valuable critical metal that is strategic for high-precision clocks and for space technology. We have seen the politically driven and increasingly urgent wish by the USA, Canada, EU and other major economies to safeguard their supplies of critical metals and to become more self-sufficient. Our Canadian and Southern African projects, which contain lithium, rubidium, cesium and copper, are strategic in that respect.

Our key mission for the next decade is to generate revenue for our shareholders from lithium and other battery metals, as well as rare metals, while also contributing to the creation of a greener, cleaner planet and less polluted cities.

This includes optimizing the value of our existing projects in Canada as well as finding, exploring and developing projects that have the potential to become world-class deposits. We have announced that we regard Southern Africa as a key strategic target market for ILC and, in addition to Namibia, we have applied for and hope to receive EPOs in Zimbabwe. We hope to make further announcements on the portfolio developments over the next few weeks and months.

The Company’s interests in various projects now consist of the following, and in addition, the Company continues to seek other opportunities:

Name Metal Location Stage Area in 
Hectares
Current Ownership Percentage Future Ownership % if options exercised and/or residual interest Operator or 
JV Partner
Rubicon + 
Helikon + 
Exclusive Prospecting Licence
Lithium
Rubidium
Cesium
Karibib, 
Namibia
2021 : Feasibility Study completed for Li, Rb and Cs 29,500 0 % 80% Lepidico; ILC if option exercised
Raleigh Lake Lithium
Rubidium
Ontario Dec 2023 : PEA for Li completed Apr 2023 Maiden Resource Estimates for Li and Rb 32,900 100% 100% ILC
Firesteel Copper
Cobalt
Ontario Aeromagnetics and Drilling started mid 2024 6,600 90% 90% ILC
Wolf Ridge Lithium Ontario Pre-Drilling 5,700 0% 100% ILC
Mavis Lake Lithium Ontario May 2023
Maiden Resource Estimate
2,600 0% 0%
(carries an extra earn-in payment of AUD$ 0.75 million if resource targets met)
Critical Resources Limited
Avalonia Lithium Ireland Drilling 29,200 0% 0%
2.0% Net Smelter Royalty
GFL Intl Co Ltd. (owned by Ganfeng Lithium Group Co. Ltd)
Forgan/
Lucky Lakes
Lithium Ontario Drilling 0% 0%
1.5% Net Smelter Royalty
Power Minerals Limited

 

The Company’s primary strategic focus at this point is on the Raleigh Lake Project, comprising lithium and rubidium, and the Firesteel copper project in Canada, as well as obtaining EPOs and mineral claims in Zimbabwe. The Karibib projects in Namibia, including further development on the EPL there, will become a high focus if ILC exercises its option there.

The Raleigh Lake Project now encompasses 32,900 hectares (329 square kilometres) of mineral claims in Ontario and represents ILC’s most significant project in Canada. To date, drilling has occurred on less than 1,000 hectares of our claims. A Preliminary Economic Assessment was published for ILC’s lithium at Raleigh Lake in December 2023, with a detailed economic analysis of ILC’s separate rubidium resource still pending. Raleigh Lake is 100% owned by ILC, free from any encumbrances and royalties. The Raleigh Lake Project boasts excellent access to roads, rail, and utilities.

A continuing goal has been to remain a well-funded company to turn our aspirations into reality. Following the disposal of the Mariana project in Argentina in 2021, the Mavis Lake project in Canada in 2022, and the Avalonia project in 2025, ILC continues to achieve sufficient inward cash flow to be able to make progress with its exploration projects.

With the increasing demand for high-tech rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles, electrical storage, and portable electronics, lithium has been designated ‘the new oil’ and is a key part of a green energy, sustainable economy. By positioning itself with projects that have significant resource potential and solid strategic partners, ILC aims to be one of the preferred lithium and rare metals resource developers for investors and to continue building value for its shareholders for the rest of the 2020s, the decade of battery metals.

On behalf of the Company,

John Wisbey
Chairman and CEO
www.internationallithium.ca

For further information concerning this news release, please contact +1 604-449-6520 or info@internationallithium.ca or ILC@yellowjerseypr.com.

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

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Except for statements of historical fact, this news release or other releases contain certain ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information or forward-looking statements in this or other news releases may include: the timing of completion of any offering and the amount to be raised, the likelihood or otherwise of the Company exercising its option on Lepidico Mauritius, the outcome of arbitration involving Lepidico Namibia, the effect of results of anticipated production rates, the timing and/or anticipated results of drilling on the Karibib or Raleigh Lake or Firesteel or Wolf Ridge projects, the expectation of resource estimates, preliminary economic assessments, feasibility studies, lithium or rubidium or copper recoveries, modeling of capital and operating costs, results of studies utilizing various technologies at the company’s projects, the Company’s budgeted expenditures, future plans for expansion in Southern Africa and planned exploration work on its projects, increased value of shareholder investments in the Company, the potential from the Company’s third party earn-out or royalty arrangements, the future demand for lithium, rubidium, cesium and copper, and assumptions about ethical behaviour by our joint venture partners or third party operators of projects or royalty partners. Such forward-looking information is based on assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those discussed in the sections entitled ‘Risks’ and ‘Forward-Looking Statements’ in the interim and annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis which are available at www.sedarplus.ca. While management believes that the assumptions made are reasonable, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking information. Forward-looking information herein, and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on expectations, estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the time of such statements, are subject to significant business, economic, legislative, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may prove to be incorrect and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information should circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272194

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1911 Gold Corporation (‘1911 Gold’ or the ‘Company’) (TSXV: AUMB; OTCQB: AUMBF; FRA: 2KY) is pleased to announce the appointment of Éric Vinet as Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective December 1, 2025. The Company has also made several key site-level appointments to further strengthen its operations team, including Sam Bates (Mine Superintendent), David Towle (Mill Manager), and Dan Barrie (Director, Special Projects). These appointments reflect the Company’s strategic focus on building the operational leadership required to advance the 100%-owned and fully permitted True North Gold Project toward a planned restart of operations in 2027.

‘I am excited to welcome Éric Vinet to 1911 Gold as Chief Operating Officer,’ stated Shaun Henrichs, President & CEO. ‘Éric has already played a key role in shaping our technical and operational strategy through his current advisory work with the Company. His extensive experience in mine development, operational optimization, and risk management will be instrumental as we complete the Preliminary Economic Assessment and prepare for the trial mining program next year – important steps toward the restart of the True North Gold mine. Alongside other recent senior site-level appointments, Éric’s leadership further strengthens our capability to execute a safe, efficient, and successful restart of operations at True North.’

‘I look forward to joining 1911 Gold as it moves toward the restart of the True North gold mine,’ stated Éric Vinet. ‘The combination of a proven, high-grade gold system, a skilled operations team, and existing, permitted infrastructure creates an exceptional foundation for success. Having worked on similar underground operations throughout my career (and having spent the past year working alongside the 1911 Gold team as the project advanced), I see a tremendous opportunity to apply my technical and operational experience to safely and efficiently bring the mine back into production. I’m also eager to help evaluate other areas across the Rice Lake property that have strong potential to support additional near-term production.’

Éric Vinet, Chief Operating Officer

Mr. Vinet brings over 30 years of progressive technical and operational experience in the mining industry and has held several senior positions, including Senior Vice President (SVP) Operations at New Gold, where he was also General Manager at the Rainy River mine (2019-2020), repositioning the asset and reinitiating underground mining operations. Prior to this, Mr. Vinet served for several years as General Manager at Semafo Inc.’s gold operations in both Niger and Burkina Faso.

Prior to joining 1911 Gold, Mr. Vinet held key technical roles in several underground mining operations with production ranging from 800 to 4,800 tonnes per day. His experience includes the El Mochito Mine in Honduras with Breakwater Resources Ltd., the Nuestra Señora Mine in Sinaloa, Mexico with Scorpio Gold Corporation, and with African Barrick at the Bulyanhulu Mine in Tanzania. He also held progressively more senior positions at multiple underground operations in the Val-d’Or region, including the Louvicourt Mine, Sigma Mines, and the Kiena Gold and Copper Rand Mines in Chibougamau.

The breadth of this experience – spanning diverse mining methods, operational and capital budgeting, cost management, capital construction, contractor oversight, health and safety management, and the preparation of numerous technical studies – provides Mr. Vinet with a comprehensive and practical skill set that will greatly benefit the Company. He is a graduate of École Polytechnique de Montréal, earning his degree in Mining Engineering in 1989.

In connection with Mr. Vinet’s appointment as COO and under the terms of his current advisory agreement, he has been granted 800,000 options to purchase common shares of the Company, pursuant to the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan (the ‘LTIP’). Such options have an exercise price of $0.93 per common share and expire on October 28, 2030. The options vest as to one-third immediately and one-third after the first and second anniversaries of the date of grant. Mr. Vinet has also been granted 300,000 restricted share units (‘RSU’) under the LTIP, vesting one-third on December 1, 2025 and one-third after the first and second anniversaries of the effective date of his appointment.

Sam Bates, Mine Superintendent

Mr. Bates brings over 20 years of mining experience, primarily in the Red Lake gold camp, most recently serving as Mine Operations Superintendent at the Madsen Mine, where he oversaw underground development in support of the mine’s restart. His strong leadership and commitment to safety, combined with experience at operations such as McIlvenna Bay, Keno Hill, and Red Lake, further strengthen 1911 Gold’s site team.

David Towle, Mill Manager

Mr. Towle has over 40 years of milling and processing experience and was most recently Mill Manager at the Madsen Mine in Red Lake, where he managed mill commissioning and startup to achieve nameplate production. His extensive background in plant operations, commissioning, and leadership across multiple Canadian gold projects will be invaluable as 1911 Gold advances toward the restart of operations.

Dan Barrie, Director, Special Projects

Mr. Barrie brings over 30 years of experience in supply chain management, contract administration, and project execution across major Canadian mining projects. His proven expertise in procurement, logistics, and operational readiness will be instrumental as 1911 Gold strengthens its supply chain capabilities in support of long-term operational excellence.

About 1911 Gold Corporation

1911 Gold is a junior developer with a highly prospective, consolidated land package totaling more than 61,647 hectares within and adjacent to the Archean Rice Lake greenstone belt in Manitoba, Canada. The Company also owns the True North mine and mill complex in Bissett, Manitoba. 1911 Gold believes its land package represents a prime exploration opportunity, with the potential to develop a mining district centred on the True North complex.

In addition, the Company holds the Apex project near Snow Lake, Manitoba and the Denton-Keefer project near Timmins, Ontario, and remains focused on advancing organic growth while pursuing accretive acquisition opportunities across North America.

1911 Gold’s True North complex and the exploration land package are located within and among the First Nation communities of the Hollow Water First Nation and the Black River First Nation. 1911 Gold looks forward to maintaining open, cooperative, and respectful communications with all of our local communities and stakeholders to foster mutually beneficial working relationships. 

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Shaun Heinrichs
President and CEO

www.1911gold.com

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as ‘plans’, ‘expects’ or ‘does not expect’, ‘is expected’, ‘budget’, ‘scheduled’, ‘estimates’, ‘forecasts’, ‘intends’, ‘anticipates’ or ‘does not anticipate’, or ‘believes’, or describes a ‘goal’, or variation 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.

All forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s beliefs and assumptions based on information available at the time the statements were made. Actual results or events may differ from those predicted in these forward-looking statements. All of the Company’s forward-looking statements are qualified by the assumptions that are stated or inherent in such forward-looking statements, including the assumptions listed below. Although the Company believes that these assumptions are reasonable, this list is not exhaustive of factors that may affect any of the forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, predictions, projections, forecasts, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including, but not limited to, statements about the completion of the Preliminary Economic Assessment, and the timing and results thereof, commencement of trail mining next year, and the potential re-start of mining operations in 2027, are forward-looking statements. Although 1911 Gold has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are given as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

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.

SOURCE 1911 Gold Corporation

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(TheNewswire)

Brossard, Quebec TheNewswire – le 28 octobre 2025 CORPORATION CHARBONE (TSXV: CH,OTC:CHHYF; OTCQB: CHHYF; FSE: K47) (« CHARBONE » ou la « Société »), un producteur et distributeur nord-américain spécialisé dans l’hydrogène propre Ultra Haute Pureté (« UHP ») et les gaz industriels stratégiques, a le plaisir d’annoncer que les travaux de construction civil ont officiellement débuté hier, le 27 octobre 2025 sur le site de Sorel-Tracy, conformément à l’échéancier présenté dans le communiqué du 22 octobre dernier .

Ce jalon marque le lancement concret de la phase de construction du premier module de production d’hydrogène propre UHP de CHARBONE au Québec. Les travaux visent la préparation complète des infrastructures techniques et la mise en place des fondations nécessaires à la réinstallation des équipements principaux, dont la livraison avait été complétée avec succès plus tôt ce mois-ci.

« Nous sommes très fiers de voir le projet progresser exactement selon le plan établi , grâce à l’engagement exceptionnel de nos équipes et de nos partenaires , » a déclaré Dave B. Gagnon, PDG de CHARBONE . « Le début des travaux civils concrétise notre vision d’une production locale et décarbonée d’hydrogène propre UHP au Québec. Chaque étape franchie nous rapproche de la mise en service prévue en novembre et du déploiement de notre modèle modulaire . »


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À propos de CORPORATION CHARBONE

CHARBONE est une entreprise intégrée spécialisée dans l’hydrogène propre Ultra Haute Pureté (UHP) et la distribution stratégique de gaz industriels en Amérique du Nord et en Asie-Pacifique. Elle développe un réseau modulaire de production d’hydrogène vert tout en s’associant à des partenaires de l’industrie pour offrir de l’hélium et d’autres gaz spécialisés sans avoir à construire de nouvelles usines coûteuses. Cette stratégie disciplinée diversifie les revenus, réduit les risques et augmente sa flexibilité. Le groupe Charbone est coté en bourse en Amérique du Nord et en Europe sur la bourse de croissance TSX (TSXV: CH,OTC:CHHYF) ; sur les marchés OTC (OTCQB: CHHYF) ; et à la Bourse de Francfort (FSE: K47) . Pour plus d’informations, visiter www.charbone.com .

Énoncés prospectifs

Le présent communiqué de presse contient des énoncés qui constituent de « l’information prospective » au sens des lois canadiennes sur les valeurs mobilières (« déclarations prospectives »). Ces déclarations prospectives sont souvent identifiées par des mots tels que « a l’intention », « anticipe », « s’attend à », « croit », « planifie », « probable », ou des mots similaires. Les déclarations prospectives reflètent les attentes, estimations ou projections respectives de la direction de Charbone concernant les résultats ou événements futurs, sur la base des opinions, hypothèses et estimations considérées comme raisonnables par la direction à la date à laquelle les déclarations sont faites. Bien que Charbone estime que les attentes exprimées dans les déclarations prospectives sont raisonnables, les déclarations prospectives comportent des risques et des incertitudes, et il ne faut pas se fier indûment aux déclarations prospectives, car des facteurs inconnus ou imprévisibles pourraient faire en sorte que les résultats réels soient sensiblement différents de ceux exprimés dans les déclarations prospectives. Des risques et des incertitudes liés aux activités de Charbone peuvent avoir une incidence sur les déclarations prospectives. Ces risques, incertitudes et hypothèses comprennent, sans s’y limiter, ceux décrits à la rubrique « Facteurs de risque » dans la déclaration de changement à l’inscription de la Société datée du 31 mars 2022, qui peut être consultée sur SEDAR à l’adresse www.sedar.com; ils pourraient faire en sorte que les événements ou les résultats réels diffèrent sensiblement de ceux prévus dans les déclarations prospectives.

Sauf si les lois sur les valeurs mobilières applicables l’exigent, Charbone ne s’engage pas à mettre à jour ni à réviser les déclarations prospectives.

Ni la Bourse de croissance TSX ni son fournisseur de services de réglementation (tel que ce terme est défini dans les politiques de la Bourse de croissance TSX) n’acceptent de responsabilité quant à la pertinence ou à l’exactitude du présent communiqué.

Pour contacter Corporation Charbone :

Téléphone bureau: +1 450 678 7171

Courriel: ir@charbone.com

Benoit Veilleux

Chef de la direction financière et secrétaire corporatif

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

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(TheNewswire)

Brossard, Quebec TheNewswire – October 28, 2025 CHARBONE CORPORATION (TSXV: CH,OTC:CHHYF; OTCQB: CHHYF; FSE: K47) (‘ CHARBONE ‘ or the ‘ Company ‘), a North American producer and distributor specializing in clean Ultra High Purity (‘ UHP ‘) hydrogen and strategic industrial gases, is pleased to announce that civil construction work officially began yesterday, October 27, 2025, at the Sorel-Tracy site in accordance with the timeline presented in the Company’s October 22 press release.

This milestone marks the concrete launch of the construction phase for CHARBONE’s first clean UHP hydrogen production module in Quebec. The work involves the complete preparation of technical infrastructure and the installation of foundations required for the reassembly of the main equipment, the delivery of which was successfully completed earlier this month.

We are extremely proud to see the project progressing exactly according to plan, thanks to the outstanding commitment of our teams and partners ,’ said Dave B. Gagnon, CEO of CHARBONE . ‘ The start of civil construction work brings our vision of local, decarbonized clean UHP hydrogen production in Quebec to life. Each milestone achieved brings us closer to commissioning in November and to the broader deployment of our modular model .’


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About CHARBONE CORPORATION

CHARBONE is an integrated company specializing in clean Ultra High Purity (UHP) hydrogen and the strategic distribution of industrial gases in North America and Asia-Pacific. Through a modular approach, the Company is building a distributed network of green hydrogen production plants while diversifying revenues via helium and specialty gas partnerships. This disciplined model reduces risk, enhances flexibility, and positions CHARBONE as a leader in the transition to a low-carbon future. CHARBONE is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: CH,OTC:CHHYF) , the OTC Markets (OTCQB: CHHYF) , and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE: K47) . Visit www.charbone.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that are ‘forward-looking information’ as defined under Canadian securities laws (‘forward-looking statements’). These forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as ‘intends’, ‘anticipates’, ‘expects’, ‘believes’, ‘plans’, ‘likely’, or similar words. The forward-looking statements reflect management’s expectations, estimates, or projections concerning future results or events, based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates considered reasonable by management at the date the statements are made. Although Charbone believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, as unknown or unpredictable factors could cause actual results to be materially different from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements may be affected by risks and uncertainties in the business of Charbone. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those described under ‘Risk Factors’ in the Corporation’s Filing Statement dated March 31, 2022, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com; they could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements.

Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Charbone undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

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

Contact Charbone Corporation

Telephone: +1 450 678 7171

Email: ir@charbone.com

Benoit Veilleux

CFO and Corporate Secretary

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin is tightening his grip on power by elevating younger loyalists amid growing instability inside the Kremlin as he ages, according to reports.

On Sunday, The Telegraph reported that Putin, 73, who has ruled Russia for more than two decades, is ‘running out of cards to play’ as pressure mounts both domestically and abroad. 

The Federal Security Service (FSB) also opened a criminal case against exiled businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky and 22 members of the Anti-War Committee of Russia, accusing them of plotting a seizure of power, per reports. Khodorkovsky spent a decade in a Siberian prison before founding the Anti-War Committee in 2022.

John Herbst, Senior Director of the Eurasia Center at the Atlantic Council and former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, told the U.K. outlet that ‘the Kremlin is falling into paranoia.’

‘All the people around him have started thinking about a world beyond Putin, so he has arranged his own elite in a really careful way, so there are no clear seams along which it would kind of rip apart,’ Henry Hale, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at George Washington University, told Fox News Digital. 

‘He also has members of his own family now that are starting to rise in the ranks. One of the ones that has gotten the most attention is Anna Evgenievna Tsivilyova, née Putina,’ Hale said. 

Tsivilyova, 52, is Putin’s first cousin once removed and currently heads the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation, a state-run organization that supports Russian soldiers and veterans. 

She has also served as chair of the board of the Kolmar Group, one of Russia’s largest coal companies.

‘The younger people are being brought up by the older generation integrated seamlessly into the power pyramid,’ Hale said.

‘Putin is worried about what happens as he ages and if you don’t provide some opportunity for younger people to rise up, you know, then the regime might come under some pressure.’

‘These people can be trusted because they’re related to people close to Putin, and they can also be young and energetic. The younger people are being brought up by the older generation, integrated seamlessly into the power pyramid,’ Hale added.

In 2023, Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin staged a brief mutiny, sending his fighters toward Moscow before abruptly standing down only to die weeks later in a plane crash. 

Now, the Kremlin’s focus has shifted to silencing opposition abroad. 

‘Tensions remain within the elite and Putin wants to get rid of any possible risks,’ Hale said. ‘The 2023 incident was a warning from Putin to his own elite, his own inner circle, not to dare try anything. Putin and his people are watching each other carefully and so don’t try anything funny,’ Hale added.

Recently, western sanctions, less oil revenue, and war costs could push Russia toward recession.  

The Treasury Department under President Donald Trump sanctioned Russia’s two largest oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, escalating pressure on the Kremlin to end its war in Ukraine. 

According to reports, the Russian government could raise taxes and increase domestic borrowing to close the gap.

‘Putin has weathered the main crisis that the full-scale invasion of Ukraine brought Russia, which was the initial shock of the invasion and its failure to take Ukraine in a matter of days,’ Hale added. 

‘But war brings uncertainty and there’s a risk of disastrous defeat, underperforming expectations. All the people around him start thinking about a world beyond Putin.’

‘That said, well, I think Putin’s regime is fairly stable at the moment,’ Hale concluded.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Kremlin for comment.

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