AP News Summary at 5:35 p.m. ESTDelayed reaction: Joe Biden won't be short sold forever
A grieving Melbourne community will turn their suburb blue and yellow in memory of two teens who died from suspected methanol poisoning while on holiday in Laos. or signup to continue reading Holly Bowles, 19, died on Friday in a Bangkok hospital, one day after her best mate Bianca Jones, also 19, died in another hospital in the Thailand capital. The girls from Beaumaris in Melbourne's southeast had been on holiday in Laos last week when they became ill along with a dozen other tourists in the popular tourist town of Vang Vieng. Both girls were heavily involved with the Beaumaris Football Club which on Saturday posted a tribute to the pair, showing ribbons of blue and yellow, the club's colours, tied to a signpost of their home ground at Banksia Reserve. "Join in and turn Beaumaris Blue & Yellow in loving memory of both girls gone too soon and in support of their grief-stricken parents," the club posted on Instagram. It had held a "private get-together" for players and coaches on Friday night. Ms Bowles' parents confirmed her death on Friday, saying they were always so incredibly proud of their daughter and she was "now at peace". "We find comfort and solace in knowing that Holly brought so much joy and happiness to so many people," they said in a statement. "Holly was living her best life travelling through Southeast Asia meeting new friends and enjoying incredible experiences." Frank's cafe where Ms Bowles worked for more than two years, paid tribute to their co-worker, whom they described as a "staple" of the team. "Holly was the best of us. She was sweet, incredibly kind, reliable, funny, diligent, hardworking and extremely capable," the cafe posted on Instagram. "Believe me when I say that I couldn't fault her." Ms Bowles was "loved and adored with all our hearts and we'll miss her so, so much", her co-workers said. "Finally, to Holly, I'm just so thankful you walked through our door with a resume, kid. I'll never forget you mate." Thai authorities have already confirmed Ms Jones had died of "brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system". The manager and owner of the hostel, where the two teens were staying, have since been detained by Laotian police. Local federal MP Zoe Daniel offered her condolences to the teens' families, friends and local community. "Both of these young friends were on the trip of a lifetime, a journey countless young Australians have enjoyed for generations," she said. "That they were cruelly lost to a methanol poisoning event in Laos, so far from home, when they were supposed to be having the time of their young lives makes the pain all that more acute." Foreign Minister Penny Wong paid tribute to both girls, saying "all Australians will be holding both families in their hearts". The pair didn't leave their dorm at the Nana Backpacker Hostel 24 hours after going to Jaidee Bar and reported feeling unwell on November 13 before being rushed to hospitals in Bangkok. The suspected methanol poisoning event in Vang Vieng has been linked to six deaths so far, including the two Australians, a British woman, an American and two Danish tourists. It's believed all the affected tourists, consumed drinks laced with methanol. The Australian government has updated its , telling residents to be alert to the potential risk of spirit-based drinks including cocktails. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement AdvertisementMan City blows 3-goal lead and gets booed by fans in draw with Feyenoord in Champions League
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Royce Micro-Cap Trust, Inc. (NYSE-RMT) declares Fourth Quarter Common Stock Distribution of $0.21 Per ShareThe Public analyst, Nelson Adanna has expressed concerns over a recent article by Blessing Agbomhere, a Labour Party member, published in an online news platform that has stirred reactions within the Niger Delta community. According to Adanma, Agbomhere, whose party lost the recent election and who continues to express distress over the post-election fallout, raised serious allegations against the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission. Adanma noted that Agbomhere demanded that the NUPRC reverse the 2024 licensing and the 2022/23 Mini Bid Round for oil blocks in the Niger Delta region, citing a lack of inclusivity and fairness in the process. Nelson Adanma, who is a member of the Concerned Group of Indigenous Niger Delta Citizens, highlighted this claim as a potentially treasonable action, questioning the intent behind Agbomhere’s article. Despite these allegations, it is crucial to set the record straight regarding the fairness, transparency, and inclusivity of the NUPRC’s processes. Speaking on the matter, Adanna stated, “The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has consistently upheld its commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and fairness in managing Nigeria’s oil and gas resources. In the face of recent accusations, the NUPRC is reaffirming its adherence to the principles of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which governs the oil licensing and bidding processes. “The NUPRC’s operations are conducted with a clear focus on ensuring that all stakeholders are treated equitably, regardless of geographical or political affiliations. “The bidding processes for both the 2024 Licensing and the 2022/23 Mini Bid Round were carried out in strict accordance with the PIA, which was designed to ensure transparency at every stage. Independent observers monitored these processes closely to guarantee credibility and fairness. Every eligible stakeholder, including those from the Niger Delta, was given equal opportunities to participate in the bidding process. “The Niger Delta region’s central role in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is well recognized, and proactive efforts were made to ensure indigenous participation in the bidding rounds. Several indigenous Niger Delta companies successfully met the eligibility criteria and actively participated in the bidding, securing opportunities to contribute to the sector’s growth.” He added saying, “Despite claims of regional exclusion, the NUPRC’s approach was designed to encourage local participation, ensuring that indigenous companies could compete on a level playing field. The NUPRC firmly believes that the success of the oil and gas sector hinges on the inclusion of all stakeholders, particularly those from the oil-producing regions. “The allocation process for oil blocks has been meticulously crafted to align with both environmental sustainability and economic growth. The NUPRC’s focus is to ensure that Nigeria’s oil and gas resources benefit not only the host communities in the Niger Delta but also the broader Nigerian economy. “The process also considered environmental and social factors, reinforcing the NUPRC’s commitment to a balanced approach that promotes sustainable development. By prioritizing national development goals, the NUPRC seeks to harmonize the interests of the oil-producing regions with the overall well-being of the nation. “The NUPRC has stated that claims of regional exclusion are baseless and unfounded. The commission follows an impartial process, evaluating applicants based on objective criteria, such as technical expertise, financial capacity, and legal compliance. “While delays did occur during the bidding process, they were necessary to refine the framework and ensure that international best practices were adhered to. These delays were not meant to exclude any stakeholders but were aimed at creating a more thorough, fair, and transparent process.” Continuing, he explained that suggestions making the rounds that a new bidding round is required are unjustified, stating that the process has already been subjected to independent audits. “Moreover, the suggestion that a new bidding round is required is unjustified. The process has already been subjected to independent audits, which confirmed its fairness and compliance with the necessary legal and regulatory standards. Repeating the process would create unnecessary regulatory instability, potentially deterring further investment in the sector.” Concluding, he said, “In conclusion, the NUPRC remains committed to fostering peace, stability, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta region. The commission invites all stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue to address any lingering concerns and collaborate on solutions that will benefit all parties involved. “While the allegations raised by Blessing Agbomhere are without merit, they highlight the need for continued transparency and open communication in the sector. “The NUPRC values the contributions of the Niger Delta and is determined to ensure that the oil and gas sector serves the interests of all Nigerians. By working together, stakeholders can contribute to the development of a more sustainable and equitable oil industry that benefits the nation as a whole.
Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has passed away. He was 92. Earlier on Thursday evening, he was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi. He was rushed to the hospital's emergency department around 8:00pm after his health suddenly deteriorated. He was declared dead at 9:51pm. May he rest in peace. Political leaders gather at AIIMS amid Singh's health crisis After the news of Singh's hospitalization, many political leaders reached AIIMS. Among the first to arrive were Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Bharatiya Janata Party chief JP Nadda. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, who are in Belagavi for a Congress Working Committee meeting, are likely to head to Delhi tonight. Singh's health history and political career overview Singh has a history of health problems, having undergone several cardiac surgeries. He had a redo cardiac surgery with five bypasses in 2009, a stenting procedure in 2004, and a bypass surgery in 1990. On the political front, Singh was India's Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 and retired from the Rajya Sabha earlier this year. He entered politics in 1991 by joining the Rajya Sabha and became Union Finance Minister in PV Narasimha Rao's government. Singh's contributions to India's economic reforms Singh is best known for his contribution to India's economic reforms. He was instrumental in steering the country toward privatization, liberalization, and globalization. Academically, Singh topped Punjab University in BA and MA, studied at Cambridge, and got a D Phil from Oxford. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had lauded Singh for his dedication during a parliamentary voting session. PM Modi offers condolences India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic... pic.twitter.com/clW00Yv6oP
Former President at the age of 100. The 39th president of the United States was a Georgia peanut farmer who sought to restore trust in government when he assumed the presidency in 1977 and then built a reputation for tireless work as a humanitarian. He earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Carter died Sunday, coming up on two years after entering hospice care, at his home in Plains, Georgia. At age 52, Carter was sworn in as president on Jan. 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election. Carter left office on Jan. 20, 1981, following his 1980 general election loss to Ronald Reagan. Here's the latest: Carter's state funeral will be Jan. 9 President Joe Biden has scheduled a state funeral in Washington for former President Jimmy Carter on Jan. 9. Biden also declared Jan. 9 as a National Day of Mourning across the U.S. Carter, the longest-lived former president, died Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia. He was 100. Biden also ordered U.S. flags to fly at half-staff for 30 days from Sunday. Guterres' remembrance focuses on Carter's contributions to peace United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday praised Carter for his significant contributions to international peace through the Camp David Accords, the SALT II Treaty and the Panama Canal treaties. “President Carter’s commitment to international peace and human rights also found full expression after he left the presidency,” Guterres said in a statement. "He played a key role in conflict mediation, election monitoring, the promotion of democracy, and disease prevention and eradication. These and other efforts earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 and helped advance the work of the United Nations. “President Carter will be remembered for his solidarity with the vulnerable, his abiding grace, and his unrelenting faith in the common good and our common humanity,” Guterres said. Reflections from King Charles III King Charles III joined leaders from around the world in issuing their condolences and sharing their reflections on the former president. “It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of former President Carter," the king said in a public statement. “He was a committed public servant, and devoted his life to promoting peace and human rights. His dedication and humility served as an inspiration to many, and I remember with great fondness his visit to the United Kingdom in 1977." Biden remembers Carter for his decency President Joe Biden broke from his family vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands to remember Carter, recalling his predecessor as a role model and friend. America and the world lost a “remarkable leader” with Carter’s death, Biden said, adding that he had spoken to several of the former president's children and was working with them to formalize memorial arrangements in Washington. Speaking for roughly 10 minutes, Biden remembered Carter as a humanitarian and statesman, someone he couldn't imagine walking past a person in need without trying to help them. He represented “the most fundamental human values we can never let slip away,” Biden said. The president repeatedly praised Carter's “simple decency” and his values, saying some will see him as a man of honesty and humility from a bygone era. “I don’t believe it’s a bygone era. I see a man not only of our time, but for all times,” Biden said. “To know his core, you need to know he never stopped being a Sunday school teacher at that Baptist church in Plains, Georgia.” Egyptian president notes historic Camp David Accords Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said on X that Carter's significant role in achieving the peace agreement between Egypt and Israel "will remain etched in the annals of history.” He went on to say Carter's “humanitarian work exemplifies a lofty standard of love, peace, and brotherhood.” Carter will be remembered as “one of the world’s most prominent leaders in service to humanity,” el-Sissi said. Biden to speak on Carter's death President Joe Biden will speak about Carter Sunday evening. The president will make his address from a hotel in St. Croix, from the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he is on a holiday vacation with his family. Carter’s relationship with his wife Rosalynn spanned a near-lifetime Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter had one of the and political partnerships in U.S. presidential history. The former president sometimes called his wife, who died Nov. 19. 2023, “Rosie,” which is a good way to remember how her name actually is pronounced. It is “ROSE-uh-lyn,” not, repeat NOT, “RAHZ-uh-lyn.” They were married more than 77 years but their relationship went back even further. Jimmy’s mother, “Miss Lillian,” delivered Eleanor Rosalynn Smith at the Smith home in Plains on Aug. 18, 1927. The nurse brought her eldest child back a few days later to visit, meaning the longest-married presidential couple met as preschooler and newborn. She became his trusted campaign aide and White House adviser, surprising Washington by sitting in on Cabinet meetings. Then they traveled the world together as co-founders of The Carter Center. Most of the nation saw the former president for the last time at Rosalynn Carter’s funeral. Grandson Jason Carter says Plains kept his grandparents humble Jason Carter is now the chairman of The Carter Center’s board of governors. He said his grandparents “never changed who they were” even after reaching the White House and becoming global humanitarians. He says their four years in Washington were just one period of and that the center his grandparents founded in Atlanta is a lasting “extension of their belief in human rights as a fundamental global force.” Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter traveled the world advocating for democracy and fighting disease, but Jason Carter said they weren’t motivated by pity, or arrogance that a former American president had all the answers — they ventured to remote places because they could “recognize these people.” They too were from “a 600-person village” and understood that even the poorest people “have the power ... the ability ... the knowledge and the expertise to change their own community.” President Biden mourns his predecessor As reaction poured in from around the world, President Joe Biden mourned Carter’s death, saying the world lost an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” and he lost a dear friend. Biden cited Carter’s compassion and moral clarity, his work to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless and advocacy for the disadvantaged as an example for others. Biden said he is ordering a state funeral for Carter in Washington. Pelosi says Carter’s life ‘was saintly’ in devotion to peace Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is remembering Carter as a man steeped “in devotion to public service and peace.” The California Democrat said in a statement Sunday that Carter was committed to “honoring the spark of divinity within every person,” something she said manifested in “teaching Sunday school in his beloved Marantha Baptist Church, brokering the landmark Camp David Accords to pave the way to peace or building homes with Habitat for Humanity.” Pelosi also said Carter led “perhaps the most impactful post-presidency in history.” Historical praise from the United Kingdom British Prime Minister Keir Starmer noted in a post on X the special contribution Carter made by brokering the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt and through his work with the Carter Center. “Motivated by his strong faith and values, President Carter redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad,” Starmer said. Commemoration in New York City To commemorate Carter’s death, officials with the Empire State Building said in a post on social media that the iconic New York City landmark would be lit in red, white and blue on Sunday night, “to honor the life and legacy” of the late former president. The Obamas recall Carter's Sunday services In a statement issued Sunday, former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama said Carter’s beloved Maranatha Baptist Church “will be a little quieter on Sunday,s” but added that the late former president “will never be far away -- buried alongside Rosalynn next to a willow tree down the road, his memory calling all of us to heed our better angels.” Noting the “hundreds of tourists from around the world crammed into the pews” to see the former president teach Sunday school, as he did “for most of his adult life,” the Obamas listed Carter’s accomplishments as president. But they made special note of the Sunday school lessons, saying they were catalysts for people making a pilgrimage to the church. “Many people in that church on Sunday morning were there, at least in part, because of something more fundamental: President Carter’s decency.” A somber announcement The died Sunday, more than a year after entering , at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, who , spent most of their lives. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” The Carter Center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. A Southerner and a man of faith In his 1975 book “Why Not The Best,” Carter said of himself: “I am a Southerner and an American, I am a farmer, an engineer, a father and husband, a Christian, a politician and former governor, a planner, a businessman, a nuclear physicist, a naval officer, a canoeist, and among other things a lover of Bob Dylan’s songs and Dylan Thomas’s poetry.” A moderate Democrat, as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. After he left office and returned home to his tiny hometown of Plains in southwest Georgia, Carter regularly at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world. Former Vice President Gore remembers Carter for life "of purpose” Former Vice President praised Jimmy Carter for living “a life full of purpose, commitment and kindness” and for being a “lifelong role model for the entire environmental movement.” Carter, who left the White House in 1981 after a landslide defeat to Ronald Reagan. concentrated on conflict resolution, defending democracy and fighting disease in the developing world. Gore, who lost the 2000 presidential election to George W. Bush, remains a leading advocate for action to fight climate change. Both won Nobel Peace Prizes. Gore said that “it is a testament to his unyielding determination to help build a more just and peaceful world” that Carter is often “remembered equally for the work he did as President as he is for his leadership over the 42 years after he left office.” During Gore’s time in the White House, President Bill Clinton had an uneasy relationship with Carter. But Gore said he is “grateful” for “many years of friendship and collaboration” with Carter. The Clintons react to Jimmy Carter's death Former President former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, remember Carter as a man who lived to serve others. “Hillary and I mourn the passing of President Jimmy Carter and give thanks for his long, good life. Guided by his faith, President Carter lived to serve others — until the very end." The statement recalled Carter's many achievements and priorities, including efforts “to protect our natural resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, make energy conservation a national priority, return the Panama Canal to Panama, and secure peace between Egypt and Israel at Camp David." After he left office, the Clinton statement said, Carter continued efforts in "supporting honest elections, advancing peace, combating disease, and promoting democracy; to his and Rosalynn’s devotion and hard work at Habitat for Humanity — he worked tirelessly for a better, fairer world,” the statement said.
EPL: Danny Murphy urges Liverpool to sign Chelsea star as Alexander-Arnold’s replacementHeadwater Exploration Inc. (CDDRF) to Issue Dividend of $0.07 on January 15th
Vancouver, BC, Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rockridge Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: ROCK ) (OTCQB: RRRLF ) (Frankfurt: RR0 ) (“Rockridge”) (the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has filed and has commenced the delivery of the joint management information circular of the Company, Eros Resources Corp. (“ Eros ”) and MAS Gold Corp. (“ MAS Gold ”) dated November 26, 2024 (the “ Circular ”) and related materials for the annual general and special meeting of shareholders of the Company (the “ Meeting ”) to approve, among other things, the previously announced three-way merger transaction (the “ Transaction ”), pursuant to which, Eros will acquire (i) all of the issued and outstanding shares of Rockridge by way of plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the “ Rockridge Arrangement ”) and (ii) all of the issued and outstanding shares of MAS Gold that it does not already own by way of plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the “ MAS Arrangement ”). Pursuant to the Transaction, shareholders of Rockridge will receive 0.375 common shares of Eros (each full share, an “ Eros Share ”) for each Rockridge common share (a “ Rockridge Share ”) held and shareholders of MAS Gold will receive 0.25 Eros Shares for each MAS Gold common share (a “ MAS Gold Share ”) held. Upon closing of the Transaction, existing Eros shareholders will own approximately 42.37% of the combined company, existing MAS Gold shareholders will own approximately 37.33% of the combined company, and existing Rockridge shareholders will own approximately 20.30% (based on the current issued and outstanding shares of each of the companies). Benefits of the Transaction: Proven Leadership Team: The combined company board and management will bring decades of relevant experience, with a track record of significant valuation creation for stakeholders, capital markets expertise, and technical experience. Mineral Resources with Exploration Potential in Saskatchewan, Canada: The combined company will consist of high-grade gold and copper assets in Saskatchewan and the portfolio of the combined company is expected to provide shareholders with exposure to approximately 77,890 hectares of mineral claims, offering the potential for new discoveries and potentially attracting larger strategic partners. Strong Balance Sheet to Execute on Growth Initiatives : The combined company will benefit from Eros’ portfolio of equities valued at over $7.5 million as at June 30, 2024. The board of directors of the Company unanimously recommends that shareholders vote FOR the Transaction and related matters, for the reasons above, among other reasons discussed more fully under the heading "The Transaction – Reasons for the Transaction" in the Circular. The Circular provides important information on the Transaction and related matters, including the background to the Transaction, the rationale for the recommendations made by the board of directors of the Company, voting procedures and how to attend the Meeting. Shareholders are urged to read the Circular and its schedules carefully and in their entirety. The Circular and meeting materials can also be found under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ ( www.sedarplus.ca ) as well as on the Company’s website at: https://www.rockridgeresourcesltd.com/investors/agm/. Rockridge is aware that, as a result of the national strike commenced by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers on November 15, 2024 (the “ Strike ”), Canada Post’s operations have shut down. In order to facilitate the delivery of the Circular and related materials for the Meeting to non-registered shareholders in the event that the Strike, lockout or similar or related events prevent, delay or otherwise interrupt delivery of Circular and related materials for the Meeting to non-registered shareholders in Canada in the ordinary course by the applicable intermediaries, Rockridge will provide the Circular and meeting materials by electronic mail or by courier upon request by a shareholder to the Company at 604-558-5847 or by email at info@rockridgeresourcesltd.com. The Meeting will be held at 1111 W Hasting Street 15 th Floor, Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 2J3 on January 6, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time). Shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 8, 2024 are entitled to receive notice of and vote at the Meeting. Shareholders are encouraged to vote well in advance of the Meeting in accordance with the instructions the form of proxy or voting instruction form delivered to shareholders. The deadline for shareholders to return their completed proxies or voting instruction forms is January 2, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time). Note that Shareholders who hold their shares with a broker, bank or other intermediary may be required to return their voting instruction form in advance of January 2, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) to be included in the vote. Non-registered shareholders are also encouraged to contact the proxy department at their broker or other intermediary (where their common shares are held) who can assist them with the voting process. Non-registered shareholders must follow the voting instructions provided by their broker or other intermediary and will need their specific 16-digit control number to vote. Receipt of Interim Orders The Company is also announcing that the Supreme Court of British Columbia has granted the interim orders in respect of the Rockridge Arrangement and the MAS Arrangement (together, the “ Interim Orders ”). The Interim Orders authorize various matters related to the Rockridge Arrangement and the MAS Arrangement, including the holding of meetings of shareholders of Rockridge and MAS Gold and the mailing and delivery of the Circular to shareholders of Rockridge and MAS Gold. Additional Information Full details of the Transaction are set out in the Business Combination Agreement, which is filed on the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . On behalf of the Board, Jonathan Weisblatt CEO About Rockridge Resources Ltd. Rockridge Resources Ltd. is a public mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral resource properties in Canada, specifically copper and gold. Rockridge’s 100% owned Knife Lake Project is located in Saskatchewan which is ranked as a top mining jurisdiction in the world by the Fraser Institute. The project hosts the Knife Lake Deposit, which is a VMS, near-surface Cu-Co-Au-Ag-Zn deposit open along strike and at depth. There is strong discovery potential in and around the deposit area as well as at regional targets on the large property package. Rockridge’s gold asset is its 100% owned Raney Gold Project, which is a high-grade gold exploration project located in the same greenstone belt that hosts the world class Timmins and Kirkland Lake lode gold mining camps. Additional information about Rockridge and its project portfolio can be found on the Company’s website at www.rockridgeresourcesltd.com . Rockridge Resources Ltd. Jonathan Wiesblatt, CEO Nicholas Coltura, Corporate Communications Email: info@rockridgeresourcesltd.com jwiesblatt@rockridgeresourcesltd.com NEITHER THE TSXV NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. None of the securities to be issued pursuant to the Transaction have been, nor will be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction. Forward-Looking Information and Statements This press release contains certain “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the beliefs of the Company regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company’s control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such “could”, “intend”, “expect”, “believe”, “will”, “projected”, “planned”, “estimated”, “soon”, “potential”, “anticipate” or variations of such words. By identifying such information and statements in this manner, the Company is alerting the reader that such information and statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company and/or the combined company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such information and statements. In addition, in connection with the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release, the Company has made certain assumptions. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information and statements are the following: the inability of the Company, Eros and MAS Gold to integrate successfully such that the anticipated benefits of the Transaction are realized; the inability to realize synergies and cost savings at the times, and to the extent, anticipated; the inability of the Company, Eros or MAS Gold to obtain the necessary regulatory, stock exchange, shareholder and other approvals which may be required for the Transaction; the inability of the Company to close the Transaction on the terms and timing described herein, or at all; the inability of the Company to work effectively with strategic partners and any changes to key personnel; inability of the combined company to successfully complete a private placement or other financing upon completion of the Transaction; and material adverse changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets. These risks are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect the Company and/or the combined company; however, these factors should be considered carefully. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information or forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. The impact of any one assumption, risk, uncertainty, or other factor on a particular forward-looking statement cannot be determined with certainty because they are interdependent and the combined company’s future decisions and actions will depend on management’s assessment of all information at the relevant time. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and forward-looking statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.On Monday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre treated reporters to 25 minutes of the most Orwellian gaslighting ever heard. The spectacle occurred aboard Air Force One, where Jean-Pierre — commonly known as KJP — struggled to answer serious questions from reporters who sounded deeply skeptical both of President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, , and of the dubious explanations advanced in defense of said pardon. KJP, one of the least impressive press secretaries in White House history, found herself under severe moral and intellectual duress. And who could blame her? After all, the president tasked her with defending the indefensible. The remarkable sequence of questions — nearly two-dozen in all — began when a reporter noted that the president had publicly pledged not to pardon his son. The press secretary herself had often . “Could those statements now be seen as lies?” the reporter asked. KJP’s response almost defies belief. “First of all, one of the things that the president always believes is to be truthful to the American people,” she said. “That is something that he always truly believes.” In short, she offered a platitude that no reasonable person would find credible under the circumstances. Then, without adding substance, she simply rephrased the same platitude. Later, the press secretary gave what sounded like an honest answer before inexplicably contradicting herself within seconds. “Do you think this would have happened if [Vice President Kamala] hadn’t lost the election?” a reporter asked. “Look, I’m not gonna — I’m not gonna get into — into the election. It is a ‘no.’ I can answer that,” KJP replied. Then, when the reporter sought clarification, the press secretary backtracked. “I can speak to where we are today. And so I can’t speak to hypotheticals here,” KJP said only moments after speaking to the hypothetical in question. Throughout the astonishing series of exchanges, KJP repeatedly insisted that respected the justice system but issued the pardon because he believed that his political opponents had unfairly singled out his son for political persecution. Fortunately, reporters pressed KJP on that incredible contradiction. “He’s saying his own Justice Department is broken, Karine,” one reporter rightly observed. The press secretary then read from the president’s official statement on the pardon, but the reporter sounded unpersuaded. “So how deep is the rot?” the same reporter asked. “How many selective prosecutions are there at the DOJ?” chose to ignore the contradiction by insisting that she could only speak to “this particular case.” “Two things could be true,” she later insisted. “The president does believe in the justice system and the Department of Justice. And he also believes that his son was singled out politically.” That impossible-sounding statement seemed not to convince the reporters. In fact, ten excruciating minutes later they returned to the issue of the contradiction. “I don’t see how you can have it both ways,” a reporter said. KJP gave the same impossible-sounding response. “I don’t think it’s a contradiction. I don’t. Two things could be true. You can believe in the Department of Justice system. And you could also believe that the process was infected politically,” she said. Finally, the reporters seemed to unnerve the press secretary when they began asking about privilege. In other words, why should less fortunate Americans conclude that the did right by pardoning his son? Do all Americans, regardless of means, not deserve the same treatment? “For the past five minutes I’ve been talking about why — there was a political — political — infection on this particular case is because it was Hunter Biden,” KJP stammered, undoubtedly knowing in her gut that the “privilege” question had no good answer. Readers with a high tolerance for dishonesty may listen to audio of the exchanges in the YouTube video below. KJP’s pardon-related comments began around the 17:10 mark and continued until approximately the 42:00 mark. To their credit, the reporters recognized gaslighting in this case and pressed the issue. More than once, KJP crumbled under the pressure. In short, the press secretary resorted to platitudes and contradictions because she had nothing else to offer. indefensible pardon made certain of that. We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. .
A Complete Unknown is James Mangold’s second music biopic after the Joaquin Phoenix-starring Walk the Line , which spanned decades to unravel the myth of Johnny Cash. This time, the director takes a more intimate approach, following a young Bob Dylan (played by Timothée Chalamet) from his first arrival in New York in 1961 to his infamous electric performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. Mangold and co-writer Jay Cocks highlight some of the earliest figures in Dylan lore, including Pete Seeger (Edward Norton), Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro), and, in a funny crossing of the beams, Johnny Cash (this time played by Boyd Holbrook) — early supporters whom, after Newport ‘65, Dylan mostly leaves behind. The film is based on Elijah Wald’s 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric!: Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night that Split the Sixties . The book depicts (and, some fans would argue, simplifies) the beginnings of Dylan’s early career as a battle between Seeger’s warm yet strict traditionalism — Norton plays Seeger as a Mister Rogers type with a banjo — and Dylan’s desire for uncompromising commercial and artistic success, with Newport ’65 as their breaking point. A Complete Unknown is most interested in this father-versus-son-like struggle, and it puts us in the shoes of café, theater, and festival audiences hearing classics like “Masters of War” and “Blowin’ in the Wind” for the first time. It’s a good biopic with great moments, the best moments happening when everyone is silent and lets Dylan play. Mangold doesn’t play it completely straight though. In a recent Rolling Stone cover story, Mangold revealed that Dylan told him to insert one totally made-up anecdote into the film. It’s an eye-rolling decision for fact-checkers — we have a guess below on what Dylan told Mangold to add — yet it’s one that feels on-brand for an artist with such a deliberately strained relationship with the truth. Using Wald’s book as a guide, let’s break down what’s fact and what’s fiction in A Complete Unknown . We first see Chalamet’s Bob Dylan hitchhiking with his guitar from New Jersey into New York. He then walks around Greenwich Village asking strangers the location of Greystone Hospital, where a sick Woody Guthrie (Scoot McNairy) is staying. An unnamed bar patron (played by Joe Tippett, credited as Dave Van Ronk) confirms that Greystone is back in New Jersey. The real Dylan did come to New York to find Guthrie at Greystone, though these opening scenes make his search and his meeting with Ronk feel like they took place in one afternoon. There are some reports that Dylan even first traveled to Guthrie’s family home in Queens before going back to Jersey. Ronk was also an important influence on Dylan and the rest of the Village folk scene; Ronk’s 2005 memoir, co-written by Wald, was the basis for The Coen Brothers’ 2013 film Inside Llewyn Davis . Seeger’s introduction in the film is based on a real event. As detailed in Wald’s book, in 1961, Seeger went on trial after being subpoenaed by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) which accused him of Communist-friendly activities. As he does in the film, Seeger countered the allegations in court by asking the judge if he could perform some folk songs that expressed his views, which the judge denied. The real Seeger was also found guilty of contempt of Congress. Norton’s Seeger performs this Woody Guthrie classic on the courthouse steps with the press singing along after he was found guilty. “This Land is Your Land” might be one of American folk’s most beloved songs. It also has a controversial backstory , with its earliest lyrics including verses about hunger and private property as a direct response to the patriotic schmaltz of Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America.” Those original verses were taken out of later recordings. In the film, Dylan, guitar in hand, comes upon Guthrie’s hospital room already occupied by Seeger. The shy Dylan plays “Song for Woody,” impressing both musicians. Seeger takes the young artist under his wing, even driving Dylan to his upstate New York cabin to spend the night with his family. The real Dylan would often visit and play songs for Guthrie at Greystone, who was suffering from Huntington’s disease, and Seeger did become a quick supporter of Dylan. Wald doesn’t mention what would otherwise be a significant evening in the young Dylan’s life. This is a candidate for the totally made-up moment that Dylan wanted Mangold to add into A Complete Unknown . The real Seeger did at least build an upstate cabin with his wife Toshi (Eriko Hatsune). No. However, this scene quickly introduces us to many key real-life figures who had a tremendous impact on Dylan. This show was likely inspired by his 1961 performance at the fabled Gerde’s Folk City, famously reviewed by Robert Shelton in the New York Times . That review caught the attention of Columbia Records’s John Hammond, who would sign Dylan. (According to Wald, Shelton also wrote the liner notes for Dylan’s debut LP under the pseudonym Stacey Williams.) The real Grossman, a frequent goer to Gerde’s Folk City who promoted Baez and became aware of Dylan after his Columbia signing, became his manager in 1962. Yes! Dylan tells his girlfriend Sylvie Russo (Elle Fanning’s character, based on the real-life Suzie Rotolo) this self-made fable that the real Dylan told to strangers. Tall tales like these served to hide the truth that Dylan was a normal middle-class Minnesota kid who grew up loving rock ‘n’ roll and blues before switching to folk. Dylan also told strangers that he grew up in New Mexico, ran away from home several times, had already met Guthrie while traveling through California, and that he learned slide guitar from a one-eyed Black musician named Wigglefoot. Dylan tells Baez about Wigglefoot in the film, to which she says he’s full of shit. A memorable scene in A Complete Unknown finds Dylan alone watching the October 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis unfold on TV. After looking through his neighbors’ windows and seeing everyone’s terrified faces also glued to their TVs, Dylan performs “Masters of War” at a nearby club. Baez finds her way into the audience and is immediately won over. In real life, according to Wald, Dylan wrote “Masters of War” during a month-long visit to London and took most of its inspiration from the Appalachian folk standard “Nottamum Town.” But the Cuban Missile Crisis did weigh heavy on Dylan, with Wald reporting that he wrote to Rotolo feeling like “the maniacs were really going to do it this time” and he was now “waiting for the world to end” and to “die quick and not have to put up with radiation.” Cash and Dylan indeed had a real-life bromance. Mangold depicts Cash in both Walk the Line and A Complete Unknown as nervy mysteries always on the edge of a breakdown, though Boyd Holbrook plays him as more mischievous and good-humored compared to the brooding Joaquin Phoenix. Both versions of Cash are smitten by Dylan’s music. The exact contents of the letters are hard to verify, but Cash and Dylan did write to each other. The real Cash also defended Dylan’s decision to move away from explicit protest songs by writing to the pages of the influential folk magazine Broadside . “Don’t bad-mouth him, till you hear him,” wrote Cash. “He’s almost brand new ... SHUT UP! ... AND LET HIM SING!” A curious change made by A Complete Unknown was to cast Elle Fanning not as Suze Rotolo, Dylan’s real-life girlfriend who appears on the cover of The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan , but as Sylvie Russo, a fictional depiction of Rotolo who shares her general backstory, looks, and characteristics. It’s an interesting decision, considering that every other major character goes by their real name. According to Rolling Stone , Bob Dylan himself requested of Mangold that Rotolo’s name be changed. In the film, Dylan and Russo’s meet-cute happens during a Riverside Church show where we are also introduced to musicologist Alan Lomax (Norbert Leo Butz). Their meeting turns into a fictional night-long date involving Russo bringing Dylan up to speed on the politics and activism of early ‘60s Greenwich Village. The two also go to a screening of the 1942 Bette Davis film Now, Voyager . It’s unclear if the real-life Dylan and Rotolo saw this movie together, but its double-cigarette scene comes back in a touching moment at the film’s end. The real Rotolo did spend half a year in Italy, but according to Wald, Dylan and Baez officially debuted as a real-life couple later during their duet at Newport ’63. In the film, the two first get together the night Dylan performs “Masters of War,” while Russo is in Italy. Their tense yet fictional morning after — Dylan compares Baez’s songs to oil paintings at the dentist’s office, Baez calls him an asshole — followed by their near-perfect duet on an early draft of “Blowin’ in the Wind” sums up their real love-hate relationship. By 1965, the pair’s relationship has soured, and during one of their shows, Dylan wanders away from the microphone and refuses to play his biggest hits, claiming that his guitar broke. This frustrates the crowd and Baez, who gladly plays Dylan’s hits without him. In reality, the duo did not fight on stage, though these shows were indeed tense. “The kids were calling out to him to do the songs that meant something to them,” says Baez in Wald’s book. “[Dylan] didn’t care.” Dylan agreed. “The only thing that dragged me when I played with [Baez] was that the audience was just such a morgue,” he said. “It was like playing in a funeral parlor.” The scenes set at Newport ’64 depict the peak of the folk revival, now on the verge of larger mainstream attention thanks to Dylan, who in the film performs “The Times They Are A-Changin’” and enjoys an impromptu Johnny Cash electric performance. Here, too, the film collects anecdotes and smashes them together as if everything happened in one afternoon. Dylan did not actually play “The Times They Are A-Changin,’” but Cash did play an electric set at Newport ’64; his appearance cleans up the frequent misconception that Dylan was the first artist to use electric instruments at Newport. A Complete Unknown places a lot of emphasis on the influence of Bob Neuwirth (Will Harrison), a musician who in real life became Dylan’s close friend and road manager. In the film, Neuwirth acts as a sort of angel (or depending on who you talk to, devil) on the shoulders of Dylan, who has begun to feel burned out from all his friends and fans asking him to keep playing and rewriting “Blowin’ in the Wind.” Neuwirth encourages him to not worry about what others think of him. How they met, however, was not as dramatic as what’s depicted in A Complete Unknown . In the film, the two meet in an elevator after Dylan storms out of a tense party with his new girlfriend Becka (played by Laura Kariuki), with Neuwirth inviting Dylan to his show and Dylan attending and enjoying a show without anyone recognizing him ... until someone recognizes him, and Dylan must escape, getting punched on the way out. It’s a good story that visualizes how Dylan felt trapped by his early success, but it didn’t really happen. Maybe this is another moment the real Dylan suggested for the film? In the film, we occasionally see Dylan in the studio recording some of his albums, most notably Highway 61 Revisited . The police whistle acts not unlike the feather from Forrest Gump : A recurring sign that pushes Dylan along toward his eventual decision to shake up the formula and trade folk for rock ‘n’ roll. In reality, the whistle came from musician Al Kooper. “At the time, I wore that police whistle around my neck like a necklace,” Kooper told Rolling Stone in 2016. “I would use it in certain situations, mostly relating to drugs — my sense of humor at the time. When we were recording the song, it just sounded great to me. I took the necklace and put it around Bob’s neck and said, ‘Play this instead of the harmonica.’ And there you go.” Kooper indeed was a late addition to the Highway 61 Revisited sessions and was told by the producer to switch from guitar to organ. As it happened in real life, by happy accident, Kooper came up with the riff that pushes “Like a Rolling Stone” into the atmosphere — the rare time in the film when we see Dylan smile. The film shows Kooper coming up with the riff on his first try; in real life, the final version took two rehearsals and four takes. If A Complete Unknown paints Seeger as a complicated father figure to Dylan, musicologist Lomax becomes the film’s villain, the ultra-traditionalist most opposed to Dylan performing his new electric songs at the folk festival. The real Lomax was quite the folk purist, yet according to Wald, there’s no evidence that he demanded Dylan to not come to Newport with an electric guitar. In the film, Norton comes to Dylan’s hotel room to confront him about whether or not he’ll perform electric. This is Norton’s chance to deliver his Oscar reel speech — Seeger’s final attempt to get Dylan to return to playing traditional folk music, which Grossman likens to Seeger’s desperate plea to keep pushing candles, while Dylan has moved on to selling lightbulbs. (There’s no evidence that this specific argument took place, though.) Immediately after Dylan’s tense moment with Seeger, Dylan walks out to find a loaded Cash trying (failing) to back his car out of a parking lot. An artist not unfamiliar with fans and critics telling him how he should sound, Cash encourages Dylan to not let other people tell him what to play. It’s Holbrook’s own Oscar-bait moment ... except the real Cash was not at Newport ’65. The film’s climax is an extended cut of Dylan performing “Maggie’s Farm,” “Phantom Engineer” (an early version of what eventually became “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, it Takes a Train to Cry”), and “Like a Rolling Stone,” followed by a solo acoustic encore of “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue,” the set that changed his life and rock history. This is also the hardest scene to fact-check. In his book, Wald admits to the challenge of trying to parse through what happened during Dylan’s set and what has grown into myth. In the film, chunks of the audience are cheering, jeering, or crying, in joy or frustration regarding Dylan’s decision to trade folk for rock music, or because of the poor sound quality. Grossman and Lomax get into a fistfight over the sound. A frustrated Seeger spots an axe and stomps over to cut the power before his wife stops him. Cash hands a distraught Dylan an acoustic guitar so that he can finish his set. It’s a lot. We can confirm a few things. Seeger did not use an axe on anything, but he later recalled that he wished he had an axe to chop the sound cables due to how uncomfortably loud it sounded. Grossman and Lomax did get in a fight, but that happened earlier in the festival when The Paul Butterfield Blues Band played their own abnormally loud electric set to Lomax’s frustration. By all accounts, Dylan and his band did not play well, their fumbling of the songs overshadowed by the sheer distorted volume. Later, members of Dylan’s band admitted that they were practicing these songs for the first time together during soundcheck. And Dylan played an additional song after “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue”: “Mr. Tambourine Man.” Yes ... but not at Newport ’65. In what is the film’s most obvious smudging of real events, the exchange between the “Judas!” fan and Dylan responding by telling his band to “I don’t believe you ... Play loud” is a near beat-by-beat recreation of Dylan’s real-life infamous 1966 Free Trade Hall show, forever preserved in The Bootleg Series Vol 4: Bob Dylan Live 1966, The “Royal Albert Hall” Concert .