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Asian markets made a bright start to 2026 on Friday but volumes were thin with Tokyo and Shanghai still closed as investors awaited fresh direction from Wall Street.

Norman Powell scored a game-high 36 points and the Miami Heat took their fourth consecutive NBA victory with a 118-112 triumph at Eastern Conference leader Detroit on Thursday.

Investigators raced on Friday to identify the victims of a fire that ripped through a bar in the Swiss Alps town of Crans-Montana, turning a New Year's celebration into one of the country's worst tragedies.

With captain Achraf Hakimi hardly featuring during the Africa Cup of Nations group stage as he recovers from injury, Ayoub El Kaabi has emerged as the hero of the tournament so far for the host country.

The transfer window for Premier League clubs is open with sides ready to splash out to win the title, secure a place in next season's Champions League or just survive in the lucrative English top flight.

President Nicolas Maduro Thursday dodged a question about an alleged US attack on a dock in Venezuela but said he was open to cooperation with Washington after weeks of American military pressure.

Seven-time major singles champion Venus Williams was handed a wildcard to the Australian Open aged 45 on Friday, becoming the oldest woman ever to play at the season-opening Grand Slam.

US President Donald Trump blamed aspirin for large bruises on his hand and denied falling asleep while attending public meetings in an interview with The Wall Street Journal published Thursday.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's wardrobe is more than a statement of style; it has become known as a canvass for her political message of advancing women's and Indigenous rights.

For years, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia projected geopolitical and economic power across the Gulf and beyond, seemingly in tandem.

Former Australian Test batsman Damien Martyn is showing "positive signs" after being hospitalised in an induced coma with meningitis, ex-teammate Adam Gilchrist said.

The North Korean leader's daughter Kim Ju Ae has made her first visit to a mausoleum housing her grandfather and great-grandfather, state media images showed Friday, further solidifying her place as her father's successor.

The deadly fire that ripped through a crowded bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana raises numerous questions.

Dozens were killed and over 100 injured when a fire ripped through a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana early Thursday as young revellers rang in the New Year.

Usman Khawaja said Friday he will retire from international cricket after the fifth and Ashes clash against England, leaving a legacy as Australia's first Muslim Test cricketer while lashing out at perceived "racial stereotyping" during his 15-year career.

News Release Highlights:Battery X Metals has advanced the development of its next-generation, patent-pending lithium-ion battery rebalancing platform by completing a high-resolution 3D scan of a Tesla Model 3 battery pack, representing an initial step toward expanding compatibility with the #1 selling electric vehicle brand in the United States.The completed high-resolution 3D scan provides the foundational digital reference required to design custom adaptor and connector solutions for the Company's next-generation rebalancing machine, supporting a compatibility strategy across high-volume electric vehicle platforms as millions of EVs approach out-of-warranty status over the coming decade.The advancement supports Battery X Metals' long-term commercialization strategy focused on extending EV battery remaining lifespan, reducing total cost of ownership, and addressing the global market for battery diagnostics, rebalancing, and lifecycle-extension technologies as electric vehicle adoption continues to accelerate.

TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / January 2, 2026 / Pinetree Capital Ltd. (TSX:PNP) ("Pinetree" or the "Company") today announced that the Company's Chief Investment Officer, Shezad Okhai, returned to Pinetree effective January 1, 2026. Mr. Okhai had been on a leave of absence since April 28, 2025, serving as the interim Chief Executive Officer of Bravura Solutions Limited, one of Pinetree's investees.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA / ACCESS Newswire / January 2, 2026 / ATHA Energy Corp. (TSXV:SASK)(FRA:X5U)(OTCQB:SASKF) ("ATHA" or the "Company") announces the grant of an aggregate of 10,150,000 incentive stock options ("Options") and 1,300,000 restricted share units ("RSUs") to certain eligible participants, including certain directors and officers of the Company, under the Company's equity incentive plan (the "Plan"). One-third of the Options shall vest on the date of issuance thereof, one-third of the Options shall vest on the six-month anniversary of the date of issuance thereof, and the remaining one-third of the Options shall vest on the twelve-month anniversary of the date of issuance thereof. Upon vesting, each Option shall be exercisable to acquire one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") for a period of five years from the date of issuance thereof at an exercise price of $0.61. Each RSU, which shall vest on the twelve-month anniversary of the date of issuance thereof, shall entitle the holder thereof to the issuance of one Common Share upon redemption thereof.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / January 2, 2026 / Jaguar Health, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAGX) ("Jaguar") today announced that it received notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) on January 1, 2026 that the company has been awarded a $240,000 grant. Canalevia-CA1 is currently conditionally approved for chemotherapy-induced diarrhea (CID) in dogs. The grant will support Jaguar's ongoing study for the treatment of CID in dogs.

Leading Groups Team Up to Bridge Sound Money Policy and Thought Leadership

Sound Money Defense League working to restore the longstanding sales tax exemption

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 2, 2026 / Metallic Minerals Corp. (TSX.V:MMG)(OTCQB:MMNGF)(FSE:9MM1) ("Metallic" or the "Company") is issuing this news release in response to investor inquiries regarding recent movements in the Company's share price. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any undisclosed material change or company-specific development that would account for recent market activity.

Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States.

GOLDEN, CO / ACCESS Newswire / January 2, 2026 / Golden Minerals Company ("Golden Minerals," "Golden" or the "Company") (OTCQB:AUMN)(TSX:AUMN) announced that it has completed the sale of its wholly owned Mexican subsidiaries, Servicios Velardeña S.A. de C.V. and GMC Equipos S.A. de C.V., to a privately held Mexican group. The transaction was completed on December 30, 2025, for total consideration of approximately US$65,000.

2025 Highlights:Exploration and Drilling Breakthroughs: Achieved record high-grade gold and silver intercepts through core and RC drilling, expanded mineralization targets with new discoveries in the North and South Blocks, and conducted airborne surveys to identify untapped potential across the 22 km² project area.Permitting and Development Milestones: Secured critical permits for drilling, extraction, and a 10-year pilot mine facility with 50,000-tonne capacity, enabling trenching, infrastructure setup, and progression toward near-term production.Corporate and Strategic Advancements: Strengthened the team with key appointments, secured significant funding to support ongoing growth and shareholder value, and further secured interest from multiple producers in the region through advanced discussions and due diligence visits.

Thomas Frank said the "boring Tottenham" taunts from his own club's fans were understandable after they were held to a dour 0-0 draw by Brentford on Thursday.

Pep Guardiola admitted Manchester City paid the price for their sloppy finishing in a 0-0 draw against Sunderland that dealt a major blow to their title hopes on Thursday.

Hundreds gathered in silence in the freezing night in Crans-Montana on Thursday evening, laying flowers and lighting candles to remember those killed and injured in a horrific blaze as they celebrated the New Year.

Victor Wembanyama will miss San Antonio's NBA game on Friday at Indiana after suffering a hyper-extended left knee in a Spurs victory over New York, according to multiple reports on Thursday.

Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro left a hospital Thursday to return to prison and resume serving a 27-year sentence for plotting a coup.

Manchester City trail Arsenal by four points at the top of the Premier League after failing to end Sunderland's unbeaten home record in a 0-0 draw on Thursday, while Liverpool were also held by Leeds.

Manchester City's Premier League title challenge suffered a major setback as they were held to a 0-0 draw against Sunderland on Thursday.