Star Metro - News from Calgary, Canada, USA and around the world

From natural cosmetics to oil and gas distribution, Ivory Coast is betting on champion firms that emerged from 15 years of economic growth to carry its development plan forward to 2030.

An aging ferry carrying more than 100 people capsized off the coast of Guyana, with 67 saved and rescue teams searching for the rest, officials said Sunday.

Thousands of ecstatic Spanish fans in Madrid bellowed out the Queen song "We are the Champions" following Spain's victory in the World Cup final on Sunday.

Spain won their second World Cup on Sunday, collecting the trophy from US President Donald Trump after Ferran Torres' extra-time strike broke the stubborn resistance of Lionel Messi's Argentina.

New violence shook the Middle East early Monday as the United States announced another wave of attacks on Iran, Kuwait said it was intercepting drones and Tehran's Revolutionary Guards claimed to have hit an "enemy command centre" in Syria.

Nervous excitement and rowdy cheers turned into anguished groans, nailbiting tension and tears, as Argentines' hope of yet another epic comeback led by Lionel Messi in the World Cup fizzled out against Spain.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni admitted Spain were the better team following his team's 1-0 extra-time defeat in the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday.

Joint Management Committee approves approximately C$11 million in additional funding as Lofdal enters major metallurgical execution phase supporting downstream rare earth processing in Namibia.

TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / July 20, 2026 / Grid Metals Corp. (TSXV:GRDM)(OTCQB:MSMGF) ("Grid" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has entered into a definitive joint venture agreement (the "JV Agreement") with Avenir Minerals Limited ("Avenir"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, to form a joint venture for the Company's Falcon West Cesium Property ("Falcon West" or the "Property") located in southeastern Manitoba, Canada. Avenir brings world-class mine development and operating experience to the joint venture. The objective of the joint venture is to advance Falcon West through to resource estimation, development and production.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

ESTES PARK, CO / ACCESS Newswire / July 20, 2026 / Taranis Resources Inc. ("Taranis" or the "Company") (TSX.V:TRO)(OTCQB:TNREF) has commenced exploration activities on its 6,400 Ha Thor project, which covers a large portion of the past-producing Silver Cup Mining District.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA AND VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / July 20, 2026 / Sarama Resources Ltd. ("Sarama" or the "Company") (TSXV:SWA)(ASX:SRR) refers to its announcement of 11 April 2025 ("Announcement") regarding:

Patent expands intellectual property protection in one of the world's largest cartilage repair marketsGelrinC is a cell-free hydrogel delivered in a single ~10-minute procedure eliminating the need for cell harvesting, lab processing, and surgeries-potentially setting a new standard of care for knee cartilage repair

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / July 20, 2026 / Hillcrest Energy Technologies Ltd. (CSE:HEAT)(OTCQB:HLRTF)(FRA:7HI) ("Hillcrest" or the "Company") today announced the release of a Company-authored technical paper, "Simplified 800V Power Supply Architecture for 99%+ Efficient Data Centers".

Nearly 1000 students gather in Ohio for one of the largest liberty-focused college-aged conferences in the country

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / July 20, 2026 / Alset AI Ventures Inc. (TSXV:GPUS)(OTCQB:GPUSF)(FSE:1R60, WKN:A40M0J) ("Alset AI" or the "Company"), an artificial intelligence ("AI") venture company advancing innovation through strategic investment and cloud computing solutions, is pleased to provide an update to its previously-announced loan transaction with Mr. Randy Gilling (the "Lender") in the principal amount of up to $3,000,000 (the "Transaction"). Further to its press release dated April 24, 2026 (the "April 24 Release"), as of the date hereof, the Lender has advanced $695,000 to the Company in two Tranches closed on February 24, 2026 and April 2, 2026. As further described in the April 24 Release, the Company was required to submit, and has submitted, a new application to the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") for approval to complete additional tranches (each, a "Tranche") pursuant to the Transaction.

CALGARY, AB / ACCESS Newswire / July 20, 2026 / Bocana Resources Corp. (TSXV:BOCA)(Frankfurt:VC1) ("Bocana" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a proposed transaction pursuant to which a newly formed entity controlled by London Gold that is expected to be listed on the U.S. Nasdaq Exchange ("NewCo") will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company (which for certainty shall include the underlying assets and intellectual property of the Company), in a transaction to be undertaken together with London Gold LLC ("London Gold") (Bocana and London Gold, together, the "Parties") (the "Proposed Transaction"). It is anticipated that NewCo will be listed on the U.S. Nasdaq Exchange prior to completion of the acquisition of the Company, subject to satisfaction of applicable listing requirements and regulatory approvals.

Companies Bring Joint Strike Missile Weapon System to Leading Uncrewed Platform

Concludes 6-Year U.S. and U.K. Governmental and Industry Collaboration

(NYSE AMERICAN:CMCL)(AIM:CMCL)(VFEX:CMCL)

US President Donald Trump grabbed a share of the spotlight at the World Cup final on Sunday, staying on stage with winners Spain as they lifted the trophy after beating Argentina.

Kylian Mbappe became the first player to win the World Cup Golden Boot twice after Lionel Messi failed to add to his tally in Sunday's final.

Argentina's Enzo Fernandez on Sunday joined the hall of shame of those players sent off in a World Cup final.

Lionel Messi could have ended all debate over who is the greatest player of all time by winning another World Cup with Argentina on Sunday, but he was left in tears following Spain's 1-0 win.

The Oklahoma City Thunder sent guard Lugentz Dort to Atlanta while the Hawks moved 2024 top overall NBA Draft pick Zaccharie Risacher to Dallas in a three-team swap on Sunday.

Kylian Mbappe won the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot on Sunday after Lionel Messi failed to add to his tally in the final in New Jersey.

Ferran Torres scored an extra-time winner as Spain defeated holders Argentina 1-0 to win the World Cup on Sunday and shatter Lionel Messi's dreams of a triumphant farewell to football's greatest stage.

Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the game on Sunday as Spain beat 10-man Argentina 1-0 after extra-time to win their second World Cup.

Harry Brook lauded coach Brendon McCullum for his role in England's first one-day international series victory over India since 2018 following an entertaining 27-run win at Lord's on Sunday.

US President Donald Trump basked in the spotlight at the World Cup final on Sunday -- despite briefly getting booed by the crowd as he appeared on screen.