admin – Page 27 – True Market Story

Investor Insight

In the current strong market dynamic for uranium, Skyharbour Resources is a compelling investment opportunity driven by its large portfolio of exploration assets in Canada’s most prolific uranium district in the Athabasca Basin.

Overview

Nuclear energy is a key driver in the transition to net zero, offering clean, reliable, and secure power to meet global electricity demand, which is expected to grow by 50 percent in 2040.

Skyharbour Resources (TSXV:SYH,OTCQX :SYHBF,FWB:SC1P) is strategically positioned to support this growing demand through its high-grade uraniumprojects. As a leading uranium exploration company, Skyharbour partners with industry stakeholders to advance projects that contribute to the secure and sustainable energy future nuclear power promises.

Skyharbour has launched its winter drill program at the Russell Lake uranium project, initiating its planned 16,000–18,000 metre campaign across 35–45 holes at its co-flagship Russell Lake and Moore projects. A total of 11,000 to 12,000 metres will be drilled at Russell Lake, along with an additional 5,000 to 6,000 metres at Moore Lake in 2025. This initial phase at Russell will focus on exploring the project’s significant upside potential, leveraging its widespread uranium mineralization and favorable geology for large, high-grade Athabasca Basin uranium deposits.

Company Highlights

Skyharbour Resources is a junior mining company with an extensive portfolio of uranium exploration projects in Canada’s Athabasca Basin. They comprise 37 uranium projects, totaling over 616,000 hectares.
The Athabasca Basin is the world’s most prolific uranium jurisdiction, boasting uranium grades averaging over 10-20 times higher than those found elsewhere.
The company employs a multi-faceted strategy of focused mineral exploration at its core projects (Russell and Moore) while utilizing the prospect generator model to advance its secondary projects with strategic partners.
The company’s co-flagship Moore project is an advanced-stage uranium exploration asset featuring high-grade uranium mineralization at the Maverick Zone. Previous drilling has returned results of 6 percent U3O8 over 5.9 meters, with a notable intercept of 20.8 percent U3O8 over 1.5 meters, at a vertical depth of 265 meters.
Adjacent to the Moore project is Skyharbour’s second core project, the Russell Lake uranium project, wherein Skyharbour has completed the acquisition of 57.7 percent interest from Rio Tinto. The Russell Lake uranium project is a large, advanced-stage uranium exploration property totaling 73,314 hectares.
The 2024 winter drill program at the Russell Lake uranium project led to a new discovery of high-grade, sandstone-hosted mineralization up to 2.99 percent U3O8 intersected over 0.5 meters.
Skyharbour has commenced its 2025 winter drill program at the Russell Lake uranium project with plans to complete an initial 5,000-metre diamond drilling program in 10 to 12 holes at the project
Fully-funded for combined drilling of 16-18,000m in 35-45 drill holes across Russell and Moore Lake Projects
15-16,000 metres of additional drilling funded by partner companies at other projects in the Skyharbour’s prospect generator business including 6-7,000m of drilling by strategic partner Orano at the Preston project
Management intends to continue building the prospect generator business by offering projects to partners who will fund the exploration and provide cash/stock to Skyharbour for an ownership interest in the projects; Skyharbour typically retains minority interests in the projects and equity holdings in the partners.
The increasing focus on nuclear energy by governments globally to achieve decarbonization goals bodes well for uranium prices. Skyharbour, with key uranium assets in a top mining jurisdiction, stands to benefit from this shift in the global energy mix.

Flagship Projects

The Moore Project

This project covers an area of 35,705 hectares, located in the eastern Athabasca Basin near existing infrastructure with known high-grade uranium mineralization and significant discovery potential. Skyharbour acquired the project from Denison Mines (TSX:DML), a large strategic shareholder of the company. The project can be easily accessed year-round via winter and ice roads, streamlining logistics and reducing expenses. During the summer months, a significant portion of the property remains accessible as well. The property has been the subject of extensive historic exploration with over $50 million in expenditures, and over 140,000 meters of diamond drilling completed historically.

Moore hosts high-grade uranium mineralization at the Maverick zones. Over the past few years, Skyharbour Resources has conducted diamond drilling programs, resulting in the intersection of high-grade uranium mineralization in numerous drill holes along the 4.7-kilometer-long Maverick structural corridor. Some of the high-grade intercepts include:

Hole ML-199 which intersected 20.8 percent U3O8 over 1.5 meters at 264 meters,
Hole ML-202 from the Maverick East Zone which intersected 9.12 percent U3O8 over 1.4 meters at 278 meters.
Hole ML20-09 which intersected 0.72 percent U3O8 over 17.5 meters from 271.5 meters to 289.0 meters, including 1 percent U3O8 over 10.0 meters represents the longest continuous drill intercept of uranium mineralization discovered to date at the project.
Drill hole ML-61 returned 4.03 percent eU3O8 over 10 meters;
Drill hole ML -55 encountered high-grade mineralization, returning 5.14 percent U3O8 over 6.2 meters
Drill hole ML -47 intersected 4.01 percent U3O8 over 4.7 meters

Merely 50 percent of the total 4.7-kilometer promising Maverick corridor has undergone systematic drilling, indicating significant discovery potential both along its length and within the underlying basement rocks at depth. Skyharbour completed a 2024 winter drill program which consisted of 2,800m of drilling at the project which focused on infill/expansion drilling at the Main Maverick Zone. Assay results from the program intersected 5 metres of 4.61 percent U3O8 from a relatively shallow downhole depth of 265.5 metres to 270.5 metres including 10.19 percent U3O8 over 1 metre at the Main Maverick Zone from hole ML24-08. The Company recently received the remaining assay results from its late 2024 diamond drilling program, which totaled 2,759 metres in nine holes. Of the nine holes, four holes (ML24-10 to -12 and ML24-18) focused on the Main Maverick Zone and five holes (ML24-13 to -17) on the Maverick East Zone.

The primary objective of the summer program was to extend and expand the boundaries of the Main Maverick and Maverick East Zones with all but one hole successfully intersecting uranium mineralization. Drill hole ML24-15 which intersected 6.4 m of 1.50% U3O8 successfully expands the Maverick East zone over 40 metres along strike to the northeast with more drilling warranted in the area.

Skyharbour is planning for an additional, fully-funded 4,500 – 5,000 metres of drilling at the Main Maverick and Maverick East Zones to further expand, characterize and define the extents of the mineralized zones.

Apart from the Maverick Zone, diamond drilling in various other target areas has encountered multiple conductors linked with notable structural disturbances, robust alteration, and anomalous concentrations of uranium and associated pathfinder elements.

Russell Lake Uranium Project

The Russell Lake project is a large, advanced-stage uranium exploration property spanning 73,314 hectares, strategically positioned between Cameco’s Key Lake and McArthur River projects. Skyharbour has completed its earn-in requirements for an option agreement with Rio Tinto and has now acquired 57.7 percent ownership interest in the Russell Lake project.

The project is adjacent to Denison’s Wheeler River project and Skyharbour’s Moore uranium project. It is supported by excellent infrastructure in terms of highway access as well as high-voltage power lines. The project has undergone a significant amount of historical exploration which includes over 95,000 meters of drilling in over 220 drill holes. The exploration identified numerous prospective target areas and several high-grade uranium showings as well as drill hole intercepts.

The property hosts several noteworthy exploration targets, including the Grayling Zone, the M-Zone Extension target, the Little Man Lake target, the Christie Lake target, and the Fox Lake Trail target. Skyharbour completed a 19-hole drilling program totaling 9,595 meters in three phases in 2023. The initial drilling phase encompassed 3,662 meters across eight completed holes at the Grayling Zone, followed by a second phase involving four holes totaling 2,730 meters drilled at the Fox Lake Trail Zone. The third drilling phase involved 3,203 meters across seven holes targeting additional areas within the Grayling Zone.

Drilling at Russell in 2024 was completed in two separate phases with a total of 3,094 metres drilled in six holes. Phase One of drilling resulted in the best intercept of uranium mineralization historically on the property from hole RSL24-02, which returned a 2.5 metre wide intercept of 0.721 percent U3O8 at a relatively shallow depth of 338.1 metres, including 2.99 percent U3O8 over 0.5 metres at 339.6 metres just above the unconformity in the sandstone. The second phase of drilling was recently completed which totalled approximately 4,500 metres, with assays pending.

Skyharbour has recently commenced its 2025 drilling program at the Russell Lake project with a first phase consisting of approximately 5,000 metres to follow up on notable recent exploration success and to test new targets developed by the geological team. The focus for this phase of drilling will be on the Fork and Sphinx targets within the broader Grayling target area, as well as the M-Zone Extension target and the Fox Lake Trail target. This initial winter program will consist of 10 to 12 drill holes, with most of the targets being road accessible and near the exploration camp, bringing the drill costs down.

Prospect Generator Strategy

In addition to being a high-grade uranium exploration and early stage development company, Skyharbour utilizes a prospect generator strategy by bringing in partner companies to acquire interests in some of our secondary projects by funding exploration at these projects and making cash and share payments to Skyharbour over a period of time. This model allows the Company to focus efforts and capital at our core projects which include the Moore Lake and Russell Lake Projects, while having our JV and option partner companies fund and advance our secondary projects.

Skyharbour partner companies include Orano Canada, Azincourt Energy, Thunderbird Resources, Basin Uranium Corp., North Shore Uranium and Terra Clean Energy, advancing the Preston, East Preston, Hook Lake, Mann Lake, Falcon and South Falcon East Projects, respectively. More recently, three new earn-in option agreements have been signed with UraEx Resources at the South Dufferin and Bolt Projects, Hatchet Uranium at the Highway Project, and Mustang Energy at the 914W Project, bringing the total partner companies to nine. Skyharbour now has option agreements that total over CAD $36 million in exploration expenditures, over $20 million in stock being issued and $14 million in cash payments coming into Skyharbour, assuming that these partner companies complete their full earn-ins at their respective projects.

Furthermore, Skyharbour’s project portfolio is bolstered by several other 100% owned projects scattered throughout the Athabasca Basin that they can look to option/JV or sell to grow their robust model.

Management Team

Jordan Trimble – President and CEO

With a background in entrepreneurship, Jordan Trimble has held various positions in the resource industry, focusing on management, corporate finance, strategy, shareholder communications, business development, and capital raising with multiple companies. Prior to his role at Skyharbour, he was the corporate development manager at Bayfield Ventures, a gold company with projects in Ontario. Bayfield Ventures was subsequently acquired by New Gold (TSX:NGD) in 2014. Throughout his career, Trimble has established and assisted in the management of numerous public and private enterprises. He has played a pivotal role in securing significant capital for mining companies, leveraging his extensive network of institutional and retail investors.

Jim Pettit – Chairman of the Board

Jim Pettit currently serves as a director on the boards of various public resource companies, drawing from over 30 years of experience in the industry. His expertise lies in finance, corporate governance, management and compliance, particularly in the early-stage development of both private and public enterprises. Over the past three decades, he has primarily focused on the resource sector. Previously, he served as chairman and CEO of Bayfield Ventures, which was acquired by New Gold in 2014.

David Cates – Director

David Cates currently serves as the president and CEO of Denison Mines (TSX:DML). Before assuming the role of president and CEO, Cates was the vice-president of finance, tax, and chief financial officer at Denison. In his capacity as CFO, he played a pivotal role in the company’s mergers and acquisitions activities, including spearheading the acquisition of Rockgate Capital and International Enexco. Cates joined Denison in 2008, initially serving as director of taxation before he was appointed CFO. Prior to joining Denison, he held positions at Kinross Gold and PwC with a focus on the resource industry.

Joseph Gallucci – Director

Joseph Gallucci was previously a senior manager at a leading Canadian accounting firm. He possesses more than two decades of expertise in investment banking and equity research, specializing in mining, base metals, precious metals, and bulk commodities worldwide. He serves as a senior capital markets executive and corporate director. Presently, Gallucci is the managing director and head of investment banking at Laurentian Bank Securities, where he assumes responsibility for overseeing the entire investment banking practice.

Brady Rak – VP of Business Development

Brady Rak is a seasoned investment professional who has focussed on the Canadian capital markets over his 13-year career at several independent broker dealers including Ventum Financial, Salman Partners and Union Securities. As a registered investment advisor in the private client division of Ventum Financial, Brady has been involved in advising high-net-worth and corporate clients, structuring transactions, raising capital and navigating global market sentiment. Brady graduated from Northwood University with a BBA in Management and holds his Options license.

Serdar Donmez – Vice-president of Exploration

A recognized geoscientist with decades of experience in uranium exploration and development, Serdar Donmez has played an active role in numerous grassroots and advanced uranium exploration projects in northern Saskatchewan and Zambia. Donmez has an engineering degree in geology and is a registered professional geoscientist with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan. During his 17-year tenure at Denison Mines, Donmez was pivotal in advancing numerous uranium exploration and development projects. He was involved in various capacities with the Phoenix and Gryphon uranium deposits on Denison’s Wheeler River project, from initial discovery to the completion of the feasibility study in 2023. As resource geology manager, he was integral to the development of mineral resource estimates and NI 43-101 technical reports for several advanced exploration projects in the Athabasca Basin. Additionally, he was part of a team exploring the application of in-situ recovery mining techniques for high-grade uranium deposits in the Athabasca Basin.

Dave Billard – Head Consulting Geologist

Dave Billard is a geologist with over 35 years of experience in exploration and development, focusing on uranium, gold and base metals in western Canada and the western US. He served as chief operating officer, vice-president of exploration, and director for JNR Resources before its acquisition by Denison Mines. He played a crucial role in the discovery of JNR’s Maverick and Fraser Lakes B zones. Earlier in his career, he contributed to the discovery and development of several significant gold deposits in northern Saskatchewan. Prior to joining JNR, Billard worked as a geological consultant specializing in uranium exploration in the Athabasca Basin. He also spent over 12 years with Cameco Corporation.

Christine McKechnie – Senior Project Geologist

Christine McKechnie is a geologist with a specialization in uranium deposits, particularly those hosted in the basement and associated with unconformities in the Athabasca Basin and its vicinity. Throughout her career, she has worked with various companies such as Claude Resources, JNR Resources, CanAlaska Uranium and Cameco, engaging in gold and uranium exploration activities. She completed her B.Sc. (High Honors) in 2008 from the University of Saskatchewan and completed a M.Sc. thesis on the Fraser Lakes Zone B deposit at the Falcon Point project. She also received the 2015 CIM Barlow Medal for Best Geological Paper.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

11 Mins Read

Top 5 Canadian Nickel Stocks of 2025

Nickel prices have experienced much volatility in the past few years due to uncertainty on both the demand and supply sides.

This trend has continued into 2025, and is expected to remain for the year. While this environment has been tough, some nickel stocks are still thriving amid the ongoing uncertainty.

Supply is expected to outflank demand over the short term, but the longer-term outlook for the metal is strong. Demand from the electric vehicle (EV) industry is one reason nickel’s outlook looks bright further into the future.

Battery nickel demand is poised to triple by 2030, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.

“Mid and high level performance EVs will be the primary driver of battery nickel demand growth in the coming years, particularly in Western markets,” said Jorge Uzcategui, senior nickel analyst at the firm. “There will be growth in China, but it won’t be as pronounced as in ex-China markets.”

As for Canada, nickel is listed as a top priority in the government’s Critical Minerals Strategy. The country is the world’s fourth largest producer of nickel, with much of its production coming from mines in Ontario’s Sudbury Basin, including Vale’s (NYSE:VALE) Sudbury operation and Glencore’s (LSE:GLEN,OTC Pink:GLCNF) Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations.

Many Canadian-listed resource companies also have important projects in the United States. While the US is only the 9th largest nickel producing country, the metal is listed on the nation’s Critical Minerals List and the government is keen on increasing its domestic production of nickel even if it means funding projects operated by Canadian nickel companies.

Against that backdrop, how have Canadian nickel stocks performed in 2025? Below are the top nickel stocks in Canada on the TSX, TSXV and CSE by share price performance so far this year.

All year-to-date and share price data was obtained on July 21, 2025, using TradingView’s stock screener. Canadian nickel stocks with market caps above C$10 million at that time were considered.

1. Talon Metals (TSX:TLO)

Year-to-date gain: 205.88 percent
Market cap: C$239.45 million
Share price: C$0.26

Talon Metals is focused on developing high-grade nickel resources for the US domestic battery supply chain. The company has partnered with mining giant Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO) on the Tamarack nickel-copper project located in Minnesota, US. Talon has an earn-in right to acquire up to 60 percent of Tamarack and currently owns 51 percent.

An environmental review process is underway for the proposed Tamarack underground mine. The company plans to process ore from the mine at a proposed battery mineral processing facility in North Dakota. Talon has said it intends to initiate the permitting process for the processing facility in 2025.

Talon has a six year offtake deal with Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) set to commence once Tamarack enters commercial production, for a total of 75,000 metric tons, or 165 million pounds, of nickel concentrate, as well as cobalt and iron by-products, from Tamarack once it’s in commercial production.

The company is also the operator of the Boulderdash nickel-copper discovery and numerous high-grade nickel-copper prospects in Michigan, which it optioned to Lundin Mining (TSX:LUN,OTC Pink:LUNMF) in early March.

Talon has made multiple significant discoveries at Tamarack in 2025 that supported its share price. In late March, the company announced a significant massive sulfide discovery at Tamarack with an intercept measuring over 8.25 meters logged as 95 percent sulfide content.

After starting Q2 at C$0.12, Talon’s share price took off in earnest after the May 12 news of another massive sulfide discovery with this one measuring a cumulative 34.9 meters over 47.33 meters in total length starting at a depth of 762.34 meters — the thickest in the project’s history.

On June 5, Talon reported record assays from the new discovery at Tamarack, with the 34.9 meter intercept grading 57.76 percent copper equivalent or 28.88 percent nickel equivalent. Later that month, the company completed a C$41 million financing, with proceeds to be used to advance Tamarack.

After climbing through Q2, Talon shares hit a year-to-date high of C$0.28 on July 2.

2. Homeland Nickel (TSXV:SHL,OTCQB:SRCGF)

Year-to-date gain: 140 percent
Market cap: C$13.38 million
Share price: C$0.06

Homeland Nickel has a portfolio of nickel projects in Oregon, US: Red Flat, Cleopatra, Eight Dollar Mountain and Shamrock. Previously named Spruce Ridge Resources, the company changed its name in mid-2024 in a vertical amalgamation after acquiring Homeland Nickel, which owned the Red Flat and Cleopatra nickel projects.

Benton Resources (TSXV:BEX) completed an earn-in agreement for a 70 percent interest in Homeland’s Great Burnt copper and South Pond gold projects in Newfoundland, Canada, last year.

In addition, the company holds investments in mining companies with nickel projects, including Benton Resources Canada Nickel Company (TSXV:CNC,OTCQX:CNIKF), Noble Mineral Exploration (TSXV:NOB,OTCQB:NLPXF) and.

Shares in Homeland Nickel reached their year-to-date high of C$0.07 a few times this year between March 18 to April 16.

In early April, the company released an exploration update for its properties. At its Oregon nickel properties, a bulk sample program is being planned at Red Flats, an exploration program is planned for this year at Shamrock and a sampling program was upcoming at Eight Dollar Mountain.

On July 17, Homeland shared results from its Eight Dollar Mountain sampling program, with assays indicating the presence of nickel laterite in values ranging from 0.21 percent to 2.21 percent nickel with an average of 0.67 percent nickel across 56 samples.

3. Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSXV:PGE)

Year-to-date gain: 91.67 percent
Market cap: C$53.61 million
Share price: C$0.23

Stillwater Critical Minerals’ flagship asset is its Stillwater West polymetallic project in Montana, US. In addition to the platinum-group elements, copper, cobalt and gold resources identified on the property, a January 2023 inferred mineral resource estimate on Stillwater West shows it has the largest nickel resource in an active US mining district.

In late March, the company reported multiple large-scale magmatic sulfide targets following analysis of a property-wide third-party MobileMtm magneto-telluric geophysical survey completed in late 2024.

The data from the survey was also used to build a new 3D geological model of the lower Stillwater Igneous Complex that the company used to further prioritize targets at Stillwater West for its 2025 drill campaign.

Stillwater Critical Minerals’ share price reached a year-to-date high of C$0.28 on June 2.

Drill rigs were mobilized in mid-June for the company’s 2025 drill program Stillwater West project, which aims to expand drill-defined high-grade sulfide mineralization in its advanced project areas and test priority targets identified with its earlier geophysical survey. The campaign will be conducted in collaboration with Glencore and technical partners ALS GoldSpot.

Stillwater competed a C$7 million financing in mid-July.

4. Magna Mining (TSXV:NICU)

Year-to-date gain: 32.96 percent
Market cap: C$345.71 million
Share price: C$1.80

Magna Mining is a base metals exploration and development company based in Sudbury, Ontario. The company’s key assets are the Crean Hill project and the formerly producing Levack and Shakespeare mines. In July, Magna also recently acquired a portfolio of projects including past-producing assets from NorthX Nickel (CSE:NIX).

Shakespeare is a past-producing nickel, copper and platinum-group metals mine with major permits in place. The property hosts an indicated open-pit resource of 16.51 million metric tons at 0.56 percent nickel equivalent. Crean Hill also hosts a past-producing mine that produced the same resources.

Magna’s share price started off the year at C$1.42, and gradually climbed throughout the following weeks to reach a year-to-date high of C$1.84 on February 5.

Its share price was supported by continued positive updates on its acquisition of a portfolio of base metals assets in the Sudbury Basin, including the producing McCreedy West copper-nickel mine, through a share purchase agreement with a subsidiary of KGHM Polska Miedz (FWB:KGHA). The company closed the deal at the end of February.

Magna was included in the 2025 TSX Venture 50 list, which was released in mid-February, and closed a C$33.5 million private placement in early March.

The Ontario government awarded Magna C$500,000 in funding for the Crean Hill project in late June from the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund.

At Levack, the company reported significant drill results in July, highlighting a 2.9 meter interval of high-grade mineralization that included a 0.6 meter interval grading 2.6 percent copper, 8.1 percent nickel and 17.8 grams per metric ton combined platinum, palladium and gold.

5. Power Metallic Mines (TSXV:PNPN)

Year-to-date gain: 23.85 percent
Market cap: C$303.04 million
Share price: C$1.35

Power Metallic Mines, formerly Power Nickel, is developing its 80 percent owned Nisk polymetallic property near Nemaska in Québec, Canada, which hosts high-grade nickel, copper, platinum, palladium, gold and silver mineralization.

The company was recognized as one of 2024’s top 50 performers on the TSX Venture Exchange, ranking as the top mining company and fourth overall company due to its 365 percent share price appreciation for the year.

Ongoing work at the Nisk project has generated positive news flow for Power Metallic in 2025. After starting the year at C$1.07, the company’s share price climbed to C$1.49 by January 30 following two key announcements.

First, the company released drill results from a 2024 fall campaign at Nisk’s Lion zone and said it was starting a winter 2025 drill campaign at the site. Shortly after, it announced the discovery of Tiger, a new find located 700 meters east of the Lion zone; it said it would target Tiger during winter drilling.

From there, Power Metallic shares jumped more than 26 percent to reach C$1.88 on February 6, its year-to-date high. This followed further drill results out the 2024 fall campaign, with notable assays further demonstrating the high-grade nature of the mineralization.

Other notable news supporting the company’s share price in Q1 included the closing of a C$50 million private placement and plans to scale up the 2025 winter drill campaign from three to six rigs in the second quarter. Additionally, further results from the 2024 fall campaign expanded the Lion zone with the deepest assayed intersection to date, plus initial nickel-copper assays from the new Tiger zone.

While its share price trended downwards through mid-May, it began moving back up in the second half of Q2, during which time the company expanded the Nisk and Lion deposit areas with the acquisition of 167 square kilometers of claims from Li-FT Power (TSXV:LIFT,OTCQX:LIFFF).

In July, Power Metallic announced that its summer to fall drilling program was well underway, with four drill rigs targeting the Lion, Tiger and Nisk deposits.

FAQs for nickel investing

How to invest in nickel?

There are a variety of ways to invest in nickel, but stocks and exchange-traded products are the most common. Nickel-focused companies can be found globally on various exchanges, and through the use of a broker or a service such as an app, investors can purchase companies and products that match their investing outlook.

Before buying a nickel stock, potential investors should take time to research the companies they’re considering; they should also decide how many shares will be purchased, and what price they are willing to pay. With many options on the market, it’s critical to complete due diligence before making any investment decisions.

Nickel stocks like those mentioned above could be a good option for investors interested in the space. Experienced investors can also look at nickel futures.

What is nickel used for?

Nickel has a variety of applications, including stainless steel, coins and lithium-ion batteries. Its main use is an alloy material for products such as stainless steel, and it is also used for plating metals to reduce corrosion. As for coins, its uses include the 5 cent coin, named the nickel, in the US and Canada; the US nickel is made up of 25 percent nickel and 75 percent copper, while Canada’s nickel has nickel plating that makes up 2 percent of its composition.

Nickel is also used in certain lithium-ion battery compositions, bringing demand from sectors like electric vehicles and energy storage systems.

Where is nickel mined?

The world’s top nickel-producing countries are primarily in Asia: Indonesia, the Philippines and Russia make up the top three. Rounding out the top five are Canada and China. Indonesia’s production stands far ahead of the rest of the pack, with 2024 output of 2.2 million metric tons compared to the Philippines’ 330,000 metric tons and Canada’s 190,000 metric tons.

Significant nickel miners include Norilsk Nickel (MCX:GMKN), Nickel Asia, BHP (ASX:BHP,NYSE:BHP,LSE:BHP) and Glencore.

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

5 Mins Read

Stallion Uranium Announces Update to Previously Announced Technology Licensing Agreement

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

Stallion Uranium Corp. (the ‘ Company ‘ or ‘ Stallion ‘ ) ( TSX-V: STUD ; OTCQB: STLNF ; FSE: FE0 ) further to its news release of July 8 th 2025, the Company provides certain updates in respect of its technology licensing agreement dated July 7 th 2025 (the ‘ Technology Licensing Agreement ‘), amongst the Company and Matthew J. Mason (the ‘ Lessor ‘). The Lessor holds the exclusive license to certain proprietary technology and know-how that can be used to assist in area prioritization selection for the purposes of exploration for minerals (the ‘ Technology ‘), which was developed by an arm’s length Ph.D. geologist (the ‘ Licensor ‘).

In particular, the Lessor obtained its license in the Technology pursuant to the terms of a binding term sheet dated February 6 ^th , 2025, amongst the Lessor and the Licensor (the ‘ Underlying Agreement ‘). Pursuant to the terms of the Underlying Agreement, the Lessor’s license in the Technology shall be for a period of 2 years. In connection with the grant of the license to the Lessor from the Licensor, the Lessor and the Licensor shall form an unincorporated joint-venture whereby the Licensor shall contribute the Technology, and the Lessor shall contribute funding and marking expertise to collaboratively advance the development of the Technology. As of the date hereof, the Licensor has advanced funds of GBP280,000 pursuant to the Underlying Agreement.

Furthermore, the 3,750,000 common shares of the Company payable to the Lessor pursuant to the Technology Licensing Agreement shall be subject to a tier 2 value escrow agreement, with 10% of the escrowed securities being releasable at the time of the Final TSX-V Bulletin, and 15% of the escrowed securities being releasable every six months thereafter until released in full.

For more information regarding the Technology Licensing Agreement and the Technology, please refer to the Company’s news release of July 8 ^th , 2025.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities. None of the securities issued pursuant to the Technology License Agreement have been, or will be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, or any state securities laws.

About Stallion Uranium Corp.:

Stallion Uranium is working to ‘Fuel the Future with Uranium’ through the exploration of roughly 1,700 sq/km in the Athabasca Basin, home to the largest high-grade uranium deposits in the world. The company, with JV partner Atha Energy holds the largest contiguous project in the Western Athabasca Basin adjacent to multiple high-grade discovery zones.

Our leadership and advisory teams are comprised of uranium and precious metals exploration experts with the capital markets experience and the technical talent for acquiring and exploring early-stage properties. For more information visit stallionuranium.com .

On Behalf of the Board of Stallion Uranium Corp.:

Matthew Schwab
CEO and Director

Corporate Office:
700 – 838 West Hastings Street,
Vancouver, British Columbia,
V6C 0A6

T: 604-551-2360
info@stallionuranium.com

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

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, ‘forward-looking statements’) that relate to the Company’s current expectations and views of future events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as ‘will likely result’, ‘are expected to’, ‘expects’, ‘will continue’, ‘is anticipated’, ‘anticipates’, ‘believes’, ‘estimated’, ‘intends’, ‘plans’, ‘forecast’, ‘projection’, ‘strategy’, ‘objective’ and ‘outlook’) are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this material change report should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date they are made.

Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement .

News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

7 Mins Read

Silver Crown Announces Amendment

(TheNewswire)

TORONTO, ON TheNewswire – August 1, 2025 Silver Crown Royalties Inc. ( Cboe: SCRI,OTC:SLCRF; OTCQX: SLCRF; FRA: QS0) ( ‘Silver Crown’ ‘SCRi’ or the ‘Company’ ) is pleased to announce it has executed an amendment (the ‘ Amendment ‘) to its silver royalty agreement originally dated December 13, 2024 (the ‘Agreement’ ) with PPX Mining Corp. ( TSXV: PPX; BVL: PPX) ( ‘PPX’ ) with respect to a silver royalty (‘ Silver Royalty ‘) on the Igor Project. The Amendment changes the capital deployment structure of the second tranche of the purchase price for the Silver Royalty (the ‘ Second Tranche Payment ‘) and the commencement date of the quarterly minimum Silver Royalty payments under the Agreement (the ‘ Minimum Royalty Payments ‘).

The Second Tranche Payment, originally set at US$1,470,000 and payable on or before August 6, 2025, has now been divided into two payments, with Silver Crown paying US$833,000 of the Second Tranche Payment to PPX today and with the remaining US$637,000 of the Second Tranche Payment now being due on or before December 31, 2025. Additionally, the commencement date for the Minimum Royalty Payments has been deferred from October 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, subject to earlier commencement upon the startup of metallurgical operations at the Beneficiation Plant.

In accordance with the terms of the Agreement as amended by the Amendment, the payment of the first US$833,000 of the Second Tranche Payment today increased Silver Royalty payable to SCRi to the cash equivalent of 5.1% of the silver produced at the Igor Project (to an aggregate 11.1%), and the total payable silver ounces under the Silver Royalty increased by 76,500 ounces (to an aggregate total of 166,500 ounces). Upon payment of the remaining US$637,000 of the Second Tranche Payment on or before December 31, 2025, the Silver Royalty will further increase by 3.9% of the cash equivalent of the silver produced at the Igor Project (to a total of 15%), and the total payable silver ounces under the Silver Royalty will increase by an additional 58,500 ounces (to an aggregate total of 225,000 ounces) as contemplated by the Agreement.

Peter Bures, Silver Crown’s CEO, stated, ‘Increasing our royalty to 11.1% of the cash equivalent of the silver produced at Igor 4 (up from 6% in the first half of the year) is expected to be instrumental to our revenue growth in the immediate term. Amending the Second Tranche Payment offers flexibility to our partners as they continue to develop their infrastructure and presents an opportunity for SCRI to deploy capital in a more advantageous manner for shareholders. Furthermore, adjusting the Minimum Royalty Payments to a more advantageous timeline enables for any fine tuning during the initial phase of the Beneficiation Plant’s operation. We emphasize that the overall transaction terms remain unchanged per the Agreement: SCRI is still expected to receive the cash equivalent of 225,000 silver ounces over the next four years, of which approximately the cash equivalent of 1,600 silver ounces have already been delivered and will now be delivered at an increased rate.

ABOUT Silver Crown Royalties INC.

Founded by industry veterans, Silver Crown Royalties ( Cboe: SCRI | OTCQX: SLCRF | BF: QS0 ) is a publicly traded, silver royalty company. Silver Crown (SCRi) currently has four silver royalties of which three are revenue-generating. Its business model presents investors with precious metals exposure that allows for a natural hedge against currency devaluation while minimizing the negative impact of cost inflation associated with production. SCRi endeavors to minimize the economic impact on mining projects while maximizing returns for shareholders. For further information, please contact:

Silver Crown Royalties Inc.

Peter Bures, Chairman and CEO

Telephone: (416) 481-1744

Email: pbures@silvercrownroyalties.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains certain ‘forward looking statements’ and certain ‘forward-looking information’ as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘should’, ‘expect’, ‘intend’, ‘estimate’, ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘continue’, ‘plans’ or similar terminology. The forward-looking information contained herein is provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements and information include, but are not limited to, SCRi anticipates that Elk Gold will pay this residual amount owing on or before March 31, 2025. Forward-looking statements and information are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that, while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual actions, events or results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: the impact of general business and economic conditions; the absence of control over mining operations from which SCRi will purchase gold and other metals or from which it will receive royalty payments and risks related to those mining operations, including risks related to international operations, government and environmental regulation, delays in mine construction and operations, actual results of mining and current exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; accidents, equipment breakdowns, title matters, labor disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions in operations; SCRi’s ability to enter into definitive agreements and close proposed royalty transactions; the inherent uncertainties related to the valuations ascribed by SCRi to its royalty interests; problems inherent to the marketability of gold and other metals; the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; industry conditions, including fluctuations in the price of the primary commodities mined at such operations, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and fluctuations in interest rates; government entities interpreting existing tax legislation or enacting new tax legislation in a way which adversely affects SCRi; stock market volatility; regulatory restrictions; liability, competition, the potential impact of epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises on SCRi’s business, operations and financial condition, loss of key employees. SCRi has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. SCRi undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management’s best judgment based on information currently available.

This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities of the Company in Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction. Any such offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein will be made only pursuant to subscription documentation between the Company and prospective purchasers. Any such offering will be made in reliance upon exemptions from the prospectus and registration requirements under applicable securities laws, pursuant to a subscription agreement to be entered into by the Company and prospective investors. 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, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

CBOE CANADA DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

News Provided by TheNewsWire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

2 Mins Read

Ontario cancels internet deal with Musk’s Starlink as part of U.S. tariff fight

The Canadian province of Ontario has canceled a C$100 million ($68.12 million) satellite high-speed internet contract with Elon Musk’s company Starlink, following through with a vow by the province’s premier to cut ties in retaliation for U.S. tariffs imposed on Canada.

Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s minister of energy and mines, confirmed the cancellation of the contract for internet services at an unrelated news conference in Toronto on Wednesday. Lecce, who oversees broadband connectivity in Canada’s most populous province, didn’t say how much the termination would cost.

“I can confirm that the premier has fulfilled his word, which is to cancel that contract because of the very reasons he cited in the past,” Lecce said. “We are standing up for Canada.”

Under the terms of the deal, which Ontario signed last November, Starlink was to provide high-speed internet access to 15,000 eligible homes and businesses in more remote communities.

In February, Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatened to end the agreement with Starlink in response to U.S. President Donald Trump imposing tariffs on Canadian goods. He later postponed the cancellation after Trump agreed to a 30-day pause on tariffs.

SpaceX, Starlink’s parent, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Musk headed Trump’s drive to shrink the federal government and was a close ally before falling out with the president.

Canada and the U.S. are working on negotiating a trade deal by August 1, the date Trump is threatening to impose a 35% tariff on all Canadian goods not covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.

Earlier this week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said talks were at an intense phase while reiterating that a deal that would remove all U.S. tariffs was unlikely.

Lecce said Ontario has taken other measures against the U.S., including restricting the ability of U.S. companies to bid on provincial government contracts, removing U.S.-made alcoholic beverages from store shelves and working to decouple the province’s energy sector from the U.S.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

4 Mins Read

Apple crushes Wall Street expectations as iPhone sales soar

SAN FRANCISCO — Apple on Thursday reported sales and profit that far surpassed expectations, showing that its efforts to re-route its sprawling global supply chain away from U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war have so far succeeded.

Apple said it earned $94.04 billion in revenue for its fiscal third quarter ended June 28, up nearly 10% from a year earlier and beating analyst expectations of $89.54 billion, according to LSEG data. Its earnings per share of $1.57 per share topped expectations of $1.43 per share.

Sales of iPhones, the Cupertino, California, company’s best-selling product, were up 13.5% to $44.58 billion, beating analyst expectations of $40.22 billion.

Apple has been shifting production of products bound for the U.S., sourcing iPhones from India and other products such as Macs and Apple Watches from Vietnam. Still, the company had warned investors that U.S. tariffs could cost it $900 million in the fiscal third quarter, and it trimmed its annual share buyback program by $10 billion, a move analysts viewed as helping to free up cash to remain nimble in uncertain times.

The ultimate tariffs many Apple products could face remain in flux, and many of its products are currently exempt. Sales in its Americas segment, which includes the U.S. and could face tariff impacts, rose 9.3% to $41.2 billion.

In an interview with Reuters, Apple CEO Tim Cook said the company set seasonal records for upgrades of iPhones, Macs, and Apple Watches. He said Apple estimates about 1 percentage point of its 9.6% of sales growth in the quarter was attributable to customers making purchases ahead of potential tariffs.

“We saw evidence in the early part of the quarter, specifically, of some pull-ahead related to the tariff announcements,” Cook told Reuters, though he also said the active user base for iPhones hit a record high in all geographies.

The U.S. is still negotiating with both China and India, with Trump saying India could face 25% tariffs as early as Friday. However, analysts said India could still retain cost advantages for Apple in the longer term.

Tariffs are only one of Apple’s challenges. The company faces competition from rivals such as Samsung in a tough market for premium-priced mobile phones. On the software front, Apple faces challenges from Alphabet, which is quickly weaving AI features into its competing Android operating system.

Apple has delayed the release of an AI-enriched version of Siri, its virtual assistant, but Cook said the company is “making good progress on a personalized Siri.” He also said Apple, which has thus far not engaged in the massive capital expenditures of its Big Tech rivals to pursue AI, is “significantly growing” its investments in artificial intelligence.

“Apple has always been about taking the most advanced technologies and making them easy to use and accessible for everyone, and that’s at the heart of our AI strategy,” Cook said.

Apple faces regulatory rulings in Europe that threaten to undermine its lucrative App Store business. Apple said sales from its services business, which includes the App Store as well as music and cloud storage, were $27.42 billion, topping analyst expectations of $26.8 billion.

Sales of wearables such as AirPods and Apple Watches were $7.4 billion, missing estimates of $7.82 billion. Mac sales of $8.05 billion beat expectations of $7.26 billion, while iPads hit $6.58 billion in sales, missing expectations of $7.24 billion.

In Greater China, where Apple has faced long delays in approval to introduce AI features on its devices, sales were $15.37 billion, up from a year ago and above expectations of $15.12 billion, according to a survey of five analysts from data firm Visible Alpha.

Apple said gross margins were 46.5%, beating analyst expectations of 45.9%, according to LSEG estimates.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

6 Mins Read

Lynx down Liberty in Finals rematch: Highlights

The Minnesota Lynx got the best of the New York Liberty in their first matchup of the season.

The Lynx defeated the defending champion Liberty 100-93 in Minneapolis on Wednesday in a rematch of the 2024 WNBA Finals, which the Liberty won in five games over the Lynx. Although Minnesota forward Napheesa Collier said Wednesday’s victory over New York is ‘just a regular season win,’ guard Courtney Williams admitted that the Lynx had a ‘chip on our shoulder’ following the Finals loss.

‘Every time we play them, we try to come out and stomp them,’ said Williams, who matched her career high in assists (13), in addition to recording nine rebounds and six points. ‘Neither one of us is going to lay down.’

The Lynx shot 49.3% from the field and knocked down a season-high 15 3-pointers. Collier recorded her sixth double-double of the season, finishing with 30 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, two assists and one steal. Collier is now tied with the Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson for the most 30-point games this season.

The Liberty made things interesting down the stretch and went on an 11-0 run to come within four points of the Lynx with 1:02 remaining in the game. Collier responded with a driving layup that resulted in an and-one opportunity after she was fouled. Chants of ‘MVP’ rang out across Target Center as Collier knocked down the free throw to put the Lynx back up by seven points.

‘The score was close. We needed a bucket, so I tried to go out there and get it,’ she said. ‘It’s just a regular-season win for us. … We let what happened last season go. This is a new season.’

The Liberty’s losing streak extends to three games, their first of that length since 2022. Sabrina Ionescu finished with a game-high 31 points and five rebounds in the losing effort, while Marine Johannes had 14 points. The Liberty were without Breanna Stewart (right leg), Nyara Sabally (right knee) and Kennedy Burke (right calf) due to injury.

Here’s a recap of the 2024 WNBA Finals rematch on Wednesday:

Lynx vs. Liberty highlights

End of Q3: Lynx 68, Liberty 62

Minnesota’s backcourt is heating up. Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride went 3-of-14 from the field and 2-of-5 from 3 in the first half, but the duo started to knock down some shots in the third quarter. Williams connected on her first field goal of the night with 5:57 remaining, prompting an emphatic reaction. She’s closing in on a double-double with four points, 10 assists (which ties her season high) and seven rebounds.

‘I just want to affect the game. Right now I can’t throw a rock in the ocean … but I still got to do things to help us win,’ Williams told ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the third quarter. Napheesa Collier has a game-high 22 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. McBride added 16 points, five assists and two rebounds.

The Liberty closed the third quarter on a 7-0 run to come within six points of the Lynx heading into the fourth quarter. Sabrina Ionescu has a team-high 17 points and three rebounds, while Marine Johannes added 11 points and four rebounds. Leonie Fiebich has been held to six points, shooting 2-of-7 from the field and 0-of-3 from 3.

Halftime: Lynx 51, Liberty 42

MV-Phee is on display. Lynx forward Napheesa Collier scored 13 of her game-high 19 points in the second quarter, helping the Lynx take their largest lead of the game at halftime, 51-42. In fact, Collier scored the last 11 points of the half for the Lynx. She added four rebounds, two blocks and one assist to her stat line.

Alanna Smith added 12 points and four rebounds for the Lynx, shooting a perfect 5-of-5 from the field and 2-of-2 from 3. Courtney Williams has turned in a defensive masterclass, with four rebounds, one block and one steal. The All-Star point guard is scoreless so far, shooting 0-of-7 from the field but has eight assists.

Sabrina Ionescu and Natasha Cloud each have 10 points for the Liberty.

Breanna Stewart injury update: Is Stewart playing vs. Lynx?

Stewart was ruled out of Wednesday’s matchup with a bone bruise in her right knee, Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello confirmed ahead of the matchup. Stewart suffered the injury less than four minutes into the Liberty’s 101-99 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on July 26. She appeared to suffer a non-contact injury as she ran up the court in transition. Brondello said Stewart avoided ligament damage, but added the Liberty will be cautious and put no timetable on her return.

End of Q1: Liberty 24, Lynx 24

We are all square after one quarter. The Liberty led by as many as eight points in the first quarter, but the Lynx went on a 7-0 run to tie things up.

Marine Johannes leads the Liberty with a game-high eight points, while Sabrina Ionescu added six points. New York is collectively shooting 62.5% from the field and 3-of-7 from 3.

The Lynx’s Alanna Smith hasn’t missed so far. She’s up to a team-high seven points, shooting 3-of-3 from the field and 1-of-1 from 3. Napheesa Collier added six points and Jessica Shepard has six off the bench. The Lynx are shooting 52.6% from the field, 3-of-6 from 3 and are out-rebounding the Liberty, 9-6.

‘Pay The Players’ signs on display

The crowd is rocking at Target Center for the 2024 WNBA Finals rematch between the Lynx and Liberty and the fans have something to say. Multiple spectators held ‘Pay the Players’ signs on Wednesday as WNBA stars continue to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement with the league before the current contract expires at the end of the 2025 season.

The message went mainstream at the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis, when Team Caitlin Clark and Team Napheesa Collier donned matching pregame shirts that read, ‘Pay Us What You Owe Us.’ After Collier was named the MVP of the WNBA All-Star Game, the crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse chanted ‘Pay them!’

What time is the New York Liberty vs. Minnesota Lynx?

The Minnesota Lynx will host the New York Liberty at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday, July 30 at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

How to watch New York Liberty vs. Minnesota Lynx: TV, stream

Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Target Center (Minneapolis)
TV channel: ESPN
Streaming: The ESPN App

New York Liberty starting lineup

Minnesota Lynx starting lineups

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

7 Mins Read

Messi assists on two goals as Inter Miami wins its Leagues Cup opener

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Lionel Messi raised his arms up in the air to celebrate once VAR confirmed his game-winning assist, hugging Luis Suarez and his new Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul.

Then, Messi made sure to give a piece of his mind to opposing player Matías Cóccaro after their testy Leagues Cup tournament opener.

Messi had two assists in his first match after his MLS All-Star Game suspension, Telasco Segovia (58’) and Marcelo Weigandt (90’+6’) scored goals, and Inter Miami beat Liga MX side Atlas 2-1 during their match on Wednesday, July 30.

“The other day they didn’t let me play, and today I noticed it, especially in the first set. But, well, the important thing is that we won.” Messi said of his endurance in an interview with Apple TV after the match.

Messi received a pass from longtime teammate Luis Suarez, then dropped it off to Weigandt, who scored in the final minute of the match.

The fireworks erupted inside Chase Stadium, but players quickly had their celebrations interrupted as referees initially ruled the play offsides. They continued celebrating when VAR confirmed the score.

“These are memories that will stay with you forever, in your mind and in your heart. And you have to enjoy them,” Weingandt said of his game-winning goal assisted by Messi.

Added Inter Miami’s Benjamin Cremaschi: “We had a lot of faith that he was onside. So, when that moment came, we were super excited. We’re happy about getting that goal.”

Inter Miami became the first MLS club to defeat a Liga MX side in regulation during the first phase of the Leagues Cup tournament, after Liga MX won five out of the first six matches and outscored MLS teams 14-7 overall one day earlier.

Despite the matches being played between MLS and Liga MX teams, they are competing to finish atop their respective league tables to advance to the knockout stage.

“I don’t know how the teams that played today did, but yesterday, the American teams here hadn’t won. And for us, winning today was important to gain an advantage because we’re competing against each other,” Messi said.

Like the game-winning goal, Messi creatively set up the first score of the match with help from another longtime teammate.

Messi saw a shot he missed off a defender rolling in front of Sergio Busquets, and quickly pointed into the penalty area for Busquets to pass him the ball. Busquets was already delivering the pass Messi wanted.

It was a feisty affair between both sides. The game started with Messi getting gut-checked by Atlas’ Sergio Hernández in the 6^th minute.

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano and Atlas coach Gonzalo Pineda were arguing with each other at midfield in the 35th minute as strong contests led to testy moments between both teams.

Rivaldo Lozano scored in the 80^th minute for Atlas to tie the match, and nearly force a penalty shootout if the game ended tied in regulation.

In the closing minutes, Messi delivered again.

De Paul, one of Messi’s closest friends who also won the World Cup in 2022, made his Inter Miami debut without practicing after his P1 Visa and international transfer certificate were approved before the match. He seamlessly fit in.

“The team could have sealed the win earlier and not had to go to the last minute. But hey, winning at the last minute adds spice, so we’re happy,” De Paul told Apple TV after the match.

Inter Miami vs. Atlas highlights

Inter Miami 2, Atlas 1: Marcelo Weigandt nets winner in stoppage time

Inter Miami avoided a penalty shootout the final moments of stoppage time, when Marcelo Weigandt scored the winner.

Lionel Messi assisted on the goal.

Inter Miami 1, Atlas 1: Rivaldo Lozano goal ties the match

Inter Miami finds itself 10 minutes away from a penalty shootout, instead of victory. Rivaldo Lozano scored in the 80^th minute for Atlas to tie this Leagues Cup match. If the match is tied at regulation, both sides will settle the score with a penalty shootout instead of playing extra time.

Inter Miami 1, Atlas 0: Segovia scores goal on Messi assist

Sergio Busquets found Lionel Messi sneaking behind the defense, and Messi dropped off a pass to Telasco Segovia as the Atlas goalie narrowed in on him.

Goal, Segovia. It’s 1-0 Inter Miami in the 58^th minute.

Busquets found himself with possession after Messi swung and missed on a shot that hit a defender. When Messi saw Busquets with the ball, he pointed toward the penalty area for Busquets to pass it. Segovia patiently delivered the finish.

Inter Miami 0, Atlas 0: Halftime update

Luis Suarez hit the crossbar on the final play of a scoreless first half that was feisty between both sides.
Messi was gut-checked by Atlas’ Sergio Hernández in the 6^th minute, setting the early tone.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano and Atlas coach Gonzalo Pineda were arguing face to face with each other in the 35th minute as strong contests led to testy moments between both teams.
Messi fired a shot in the 44th minute directly into a defender, as Inter Miami had just one shot on goal in the first half.

Inter Miami 0, Atlas 0: Goalie Rocco Rios-Novo has stellar save

Inter Miami 0, Atlas 0: Tadeo Allende misses shot on goal

Inter Miami 0, Atlas 0: Jordi Alba offside after pass from Messi

Is Messi playing tonight?

Yes, Messi is playing tonight. Rodrigo De Paul will also start in his Inter Miami debut.

Inter Miami starting lineup vs. Atlas

What time does Inter Miami vs. Atlas match begin?

The match begins 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina).

How to watch Inter Miami vs. Atlas live stream link?

The match will be available on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.

Watch Leagues Cup games on MLS Season Pass

Messi has another busy week with time off

Messi should be refreshed after his All-Star Game absence on July 23, and his suspension in Inter Miami’s scoreless draw with FC Cincinnati on July 26. Messi and his wife were on the Coldplay kiss cam during a Miami concert on July 27.

“Let’s hope he’s super motivated,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said of Messi, adding the suspension had a “silver lining” of “mandatory rest after many consecutive games.”

“I think, in a way, the break was good for him. And well, to start this new marathon of games we’re going to have ahead of us with the Leagues Cup and then the MLS, it’s good for him to be a little fresher.”

Inter Miami vs. Atlas prediction

Inter Miami 4, Atlas 1: Lionel Messi scores two goals and assists another in a dominant return to action after his All-Star Game suspension. — Safid Deen

Inter Miami vs. Atlas betting odds

Here are the betting odds, according to BetMGM.

Inter Miami: -300
Draw: +400
Atlas: +525
Over/under: 3.5

Inter Miami upcoming schedule

Aug. 2: Inter Miami vs. Necaxa, 7 p.m. ET (Leagues Cup)
Aug. 6: Inter Miami vs. Pumas, 7:30 p.m. ET (Leagues Cup)
Aug. 10: Orlando City vs. Inter Miami, 8 p.m. (MLS regular season)
Aug. 16: Inter Miami vs. LA Galaxy, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
Aug. 23: D.C. United vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)

USA TODAY Sports’ 48-page special edition commemorates 30 years of Major League Soccer, from its best players to key milestones and championship dynasties to what exciting steps are next with the World Cup ahead. Order your copy today!

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

4 Mins Read

Indiana Fever win again without Caitlin Clark: Highlights

Aari McDonald and the Indiana Fever rallied after a slow start to beat the Phoenix Mercury 107-101 on Wednesday night.

McDonald had a career-high 27 points in the victory, shooting 7-for-11 from the field and 3-for-4 from the 3-point line. She was also a perfect 10-for-10 at the free-throw line.

She brought a different mentality into the game that helped keep Indiana competitive in the first half.

‘It was all about confidence,’ McDonald said during her postgame interview on the ESPN broadcast. ‘I didn’t like the way I had been playing recently. … Tonight I was just in an attack mentality.’

Aliyah Boston contributed to the win with 22 points and 12 rebounds.

With the victory, the Fever have now won three straight games and improved to 15-12 overall. The Mercury fell to 16-10 on the season.

Alyssa Thomas produced a monster double-double for the Mercury with a game-high 32 points and 15 rebounds in the loss.

Here is how things played out between the Mercury and Fever on Wednesday:

Fever vs. Mercury highlights:

Fever vs Mercury final score

The Fever bounced back after a slow start to beat the Mercury 107-101.

Alyssa Thomas scored a game-high 32 points and had 15 rebounds for the Mercury in the loss. Kahleah Copper added 22 points while Sami Whitcomb had 18 points and three assists off the bench.

Fever vs Mercury score: End of Q3

The Fever managed to hold a two-point lead after three quarters of play.

Aari McDonald has a game-high 23 points and three assists for Indiana. Damiris Dantas has produced 12 points and three rebounds off the bench. Aylssa Thomas has a team-high 20 points along with eight rebounds and six assists for the Mercury. Kahleah Copper has 17 points.

Fever vs Mercury score: End of Q2

The Fever battled back in the second quarter to take a 55-50 lead against the Mercury.

Indiana outscored Phoenix 35-20 to overcome a 10-point deficit at the end first quarter and take the lead into the locker room at halftime.

Aari McDonald had 17 points and two assists for the Fever. Sydney Colson and Kelsey Mitchell each had eight points.

Alyssa Thomas had 14 points and six rebounds for the Mercury. Kaleah Copper added 12 points.

Fever vs Mercury score: End of Q1

The Mercury finished out the first quarter with a 30-20 lead against the Fever.

Alyssa Thomas had eight points, four rebounds and two assists for the Mercury. Satou Sabally added six points and three rebounds.

Aari McDonald had a team-high five points and an assist for the Fever in the opening quarter.

What jerseys are the Indiana Fever wearing?

The Indiana Fever are wearing its ‘Strange Things’ themed jerseys on Wednesday.

The team has worn the jersey for back-to-back games.

The Fever brought back the jerseys as part of its collaboration with Netflix, which initially began with the debut of the jerseys in 2021.

‘Stranger Things’ is a popular series that’s exclusive to the streaming platform. The show, set in a fictional town in Indiana, will enter its fifth and final season later this year.

Fever’s starting lineup vs. Mercury

Aari McDonald, Kelsey Mitchell, Sophie Cunningham, Natasha Howard and Aliyah Boston make up the Fever’s starting lineup for tonight’s game against the Mercury.

Mercury’s starting lineup vs. Fever

Monique Akoa Makani, Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas, Natasha Mack and Kahleah Copper will start for the Mercury in tonight’s road game against the Fever.

Will Caitlin Clark play against Mercury?

Caitlin Clark was officially ruled out for Wednesday’s game against the Phoenix Mercury.

It will be her fifth consecutive game missed due to a right groin injury. The second-year player sought another opinion from doctors and was said to have ‘no additional injuries or damage,’ according to the Fever.

There’s no timetable available for her return.

What time is the Phoenix Mercury vs. Indiana Fever game?

The Indiana Fever will host the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday, July 30 at 7 p.m. ET at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN3 and Merc+.

How to watch Phoenix Mercury vs. Indiana Fever: TV, stream

Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, IN)
Streaming: ESPN3, Merc+

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

6 Mins Read

MLB trade deadline: What are odds of top players getting moved?

There are less than 24 hours remaining before the MLB trade deadline, and after all of the posturing and gamesmanship, everyone must show their cards by 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 31 to find out who was bluffing and who was actually sincere.

There hasn’t been a single marquee player on the trade market who has been moved, and perhaps by the time the deadline ends and the musical chairs stop, some will still be wearing the same uniform.

Here are the top 10 players on the trade market with the odds (please no wagering) of them actually getting moved:

1. Eugenio Suárez, 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks

UPDATE: The Diamondbacks agreed to trade Suárez to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for three prospects.

Suárez, who leads all third basemen with 36 homers and 87 RBI, is easily the top prize among all position players. The D-backs have been frustrated that they’re not getting overwhelmed with offers. Teams like the New York Yankees (Ryan McMahon) and Cincinnati Reds (Ke’Bryan Hayes) have pivoted to others, while the Philadelphia Phillies have declined to pay the freight. The Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs are the leading candidates to land him.

2. Sandy Alcantara, SP, Miami Marlins

Just when it looked like the Marlins would have to wait until the winter to move him after his struggles, he finally is starting to look like one of the game’s premier pitchers again with 12 shutout innings in his last two starts. The beauty of Alcantara is that if you trade for him, you get him for three playoffs races. He’s under control through 2027, with a $17 million contract in 2026 and a $21 million club option in 2027. The Marlins also realize they can simply hang onto him and trade him in the winter or at next year’s deadline.

Odds he’ll be traded: 70%

3. MacKenzie Gore, SP, Washington Nationals

The Nationals certainly don’t want to move the 26-year-old. He’s 4-11 with a 3.80 ERA, but they still believe he’ll be a star, with 144 strikeouts in 117 23 innings, and walking a a career-low 3.4 per nine innings. Yet, with everyone starving for pitching, the Nationals say they have no choice but to listen. If someone grossly overpays, they’ve got no choice but to trade him to accelerate their rebuild.

Odds he’ll be traded: 15%

4. Dylan Cease, SP, San Diego Padres

The Padres have been shopping Cease for about a month, and still haven’t received the return they wanted. Cease, 3-10, 4.79 ERA, is the second-best pitcher on the market behind only Alcantara, with his 98 mph fastball, 92 mph fastball and 153 strikeouts in 118 1/3 innings. Yet, for the Padres to trade him, they need quality players in return who can help this year’s team. The balance has been tough to find, with teams like the Houston Astros trying to strike the right balance.

Odds he’ll be traded: 50%

5. David Bednar, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Bednar has been a model of consistency for the Pirates, pitching in 23 consecutive games without giving up a run. He has 17 saves with a 2.37 ERA, while striking out 12.1 batters per inning. He also is under team control through 2026.

Odds he’ll be traded: 80%

6. Ryan Helsley, RP, St. Louis Cardinals

UPDATE: The Cardinals traded Helsley to the Mets in exchange for prospects Jesus Baez, Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt.

Helsley hasn’t been as dominant as a year ago when he saved an MLB-leading 48 games, but he still is a top commodity with 26 saves and a 3.00 ERA this season. The Cardinals could have traded him last winter, but wanted to wait until the trade deadline, believing his value would be higher. They are right. It is higher.

7. Merrill Kelly, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks

He doesn’t light up the radar gun, doesn’t strike out 10 batters a game and will be 37 years old in October, but he’s one of the most dependable starters on the block. Kelly, a ground-ball pitcher, is 9-6 with a 3.28 ERA, with 121 strikeouts in 128.2 innings. The D-backs don’t have to move him, and will likely give him a qualifying offer, but will take what they can get at the deadline.

Odds he’ll be traded: 80%

8, Zac Gallen, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks

Gallen, who has had three top-10 Cy Young award finishes, picked a lousy time to have the worst season of his career in his walk year. Gallen is 7-12 with a 5.60 ERA, having trouble with his control this year. Yet, he’s healthy. He’s durable. He’ll only be 30 on Sunday. And, oh yeah, he’s 3-0 with a 0.92 ERA against the Yankees and Mets this season.

Odds he’ll be traded: 90%

9. Luis Robert Jr., CF, Chicago White Sox

Certainly, the numbers don’t lie. He has underachieved, hitting .206 with 11 homers and 43 RBI. He is injury prone, playing more than 100 games only once in his career. And there’s no guarantee he’ll stay healthy for the pennant stretch. Yet, he’s supremely talented, is an outstanding defensive player, and can create havoc on the basepaths with his career-high 26 stolen bases in 87 games. If he performs well, teams can have pick up his $20 million club option in 2026 and 2027. But despite reports the White Sox will hang onto him if they don’t get a top 10 prospect, the truth is that they have no intention of picking up his option for next season.

Odds he’ll be traded: 99.9%

10. Carlos Correa, SS, Minnesota Twins

The Astros, fearing that third baseman Isaac Paredes will be out the rest of the season, recently reached out to the Minnesota Twins to check on their desperation level to unload the remainder of the $103.5 million on Carlos Correa’s contract. The answer? They’d love to have the salary relief, but they’re not about to eat half of his contract just to move him. They’re just fine keeping him through the duration of his contract. And Correa has made it clear to friends that he’s either playing for the Twins or Astros, but no one else.

Odds he’ll be traded: 10%

Follow Bob Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY