Canada

Canada will set up a sovereign wealth fund with an initial endowment of C$25 billion to invest in major domestic projects, Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters.

Canada's housing market slump, the longest in recent decades, is straining household spending even as a record high domestic stock market generates hundreds of billions of dollars of increased wealth.

Canada's fiscal update on Tuesday is likely to show the budget deficit improved and revenues rose in the last fiscal year but gains from higher oil prices were largely offset by weak consumer spending and new spending measures, economists said.

Canada and Alberta are expected to strike a deal in the next two weeks that will increase the price on carbon for the province's industrial emitters, two sources with knowledge of the talks said, but a broader agreement to tackle oil sands greenhouse gases and green-light a new crude oil export pipeline remains elusive.

Abitibi Metals Corp. (CSE:AMQ) (OTCQB:AMQFF), a Québec-focused mineral exploration company advancing the B26 polymetallic deposit, has announced a non-brokered financing of up to C$30.75 million that is expected to bring in Discovery Silver Corp. as a new strategic shareholder.

If the offering closes as planned, Discovery is expected to acquire approximately 9.9% of Abitibi's issued and outstanding common shares on a non-diluted basis, giving Abitibi not only a major new source of capital, but also a strategic investor with sector experience as the company continues advancing B26 and evaluating broader growth opportunities.

In connection with the closing, Abitibi and Discovery are also expected to enter into a participation agreement that, subject to certain conditions, would grant Discovery certain financing participation rights and other customary investor rights, allowing it to maintain its ownership position over time.

Abitibi President and Chief Executive Officer Jonathon Deluce described the investment as a strong endorsement of the progress and potential of the B26 Deposit. He also pointed to Discovery's track record of generating shareholder returns through disciplined exploration, operational execution, and early identification of high-quality opportunities.

According to Deluce, that technical and industry experience could be valuable as Abitibi continues to advance exploration and development at B26 while also pursuing growth across its existing portfolio and through potential acquisitions.

Alvopetro Energy Ltd. (TSXV: ALV) (OTCQX: ALVOF) announces that the arbitral tribunal (the "Tribunal") before the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce ("ICC") has found in favour of Alvopetro's request to give effectiveness to the decision of the independent expert (the "Expert") appointed by Alvopetro and our third-party partner (the "Partner") in connection with the redetermination of working interests in the unitized area which includes Alvopetro's Caburé natural gas field (the "Unit").

Background

Alvopetro's interest in the Unit is governed by a Unit Operating Agreement ("UOA") and our working interest is subject to periodic redeterminations. The first redetermination commenced in 2023, and the parties engaged the Expert to evaluate each party's interpretation of the respective working interests. On April 4, 2024, Alvopetro and our Partner received the Expert's decision wherein the Expert found in favour of Alvopetro, increasing Alvopetro's working interest in the Unit from 49.1% to 56.2%. Alvopetro's Partner filed a notice of dispute with respect to the Expert's decision, seeking to stay the redetermination procedure. Alvopetro subsequently filed a request for emergency arbitration before the ICC seeking to make the Expert decision effective starting on June 1, 2024, as provided for in the UOA. On May 10, 2024, Alvopetro received the order of the emergency arbitrator wherein the arbitrator found in favour of Alvopetro, making the Expert decision effective June 1, 2024. On August 1, 2025, the order of the emergency arbitrator was upheld by the Tribunal, until the issuance of the final order.

Tribunal Final Decision

On April 27, 2026, Alvopetro received the final order (the "Final Order") of the Tribunal. Pursuant to the Final Order, the Tribunal found in favour of Alvopetro stating that the decision of the Expert is final, valid, and effective, definitively binding the Parties, pursuant to the UOA and maintaining Alvopetro's 56.2% working interest in the Unit.

Aurania Resources Ltd. (TSXV: ARU) (OTCQB: AUIAF) (FSE: 20Q) announce that it has entered into a definitive option agreement (the "Agreement") dated April 27, 2026 (the "Execution Date") with St-Georges Eco-Mining Corp ("St-Georges") (CSE: SX), a Canadian incorporated mineral exploration company and its wholly owned subsidiary Iceland Resources ehf ("IR"), an Icelandic incorporated precious metals exploration company to work collaboratively to define and execute a phased exploration program aimed at advancing the Thormodsdalur gold project ("Thor's Valley" or the "Project"), towards initial modern resource definition. The Thor's Valley project is held by IR and is located approximately 20 kilometres east of Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland.

Aurania's President and CEO, Dr. Keith Barron commented, "After visiting the project area and personally reviewing the archived drill core, the Thor's Valley project represents a compelling opportunity with strong exploration upside. By formalizing our collaboration with St-Georges, we are positioning ourselves to unlock the potential of an under-explored geological district. Thor's Valley displays all the key signatures of a robust epithermal gold system, supported by a history of documented high-grade mineralization and a suite of compelling structural targets that remain largely untested by modern exploration methods. This Agreement allows Aurania to deploy its technical expertise toward a highly prospective gold project. We look forward to progressing this Project with discipline, technical rigour, and a strong commitment to unlocking its full potential."

Comment from Thordis Bjork Sigurbjornsdottir, CEO of Iceland Resources: "This is an important partnership for Iceland Resources, and we are pleased to welcome Aurania Resources Ltd. as a partner on the Thormodsdalur project. Over the past several years, we have engaged in discussions with several groups with the objective of identifying a partner with the right technical experience and approach for this type of epithermal gold system. We believe Aurania brings that combination, supported by relevant experience in advancing high-grade epithermal discoveries. We look forward to working together to advance Thormodsdalur in a disciplined and value-focused manner."

Arya Resources Ltd. (TSXV: RBZ) a significant new gold discovery at its Wedge Lake Gold Project in Saskatchewan's La Ronge Gold Belt, following the receipt of preliminary high-grade assay results from drill hole AR26-16. The Company previously reported a broad interval of sulphidized iron formation from the drill hole on March 2, 2026. The Company has officially named this high-priority area the Triplet Zone.

Preliminary Assay Highlights - Triplet Zone (Drill hole AR26-16)

CEO Commentary

"The assays from AR26-16 could be a major transformation for the Wedge Lake Project," stated Rasool Mohammad, CEO of Arya Resources. "By naming this the Triplet Zone, we are recognizing a major new gold discovery that was previously unknown at depth. Intersecting a broad 35-metre mineralized envelope validates our objective to find broader and more intensely altered systems."

Peter Deacon, Director of Arya Resources, commented, "We are very excited to find this new discovery on our first drill hole at deeper depths. This new zone shows a lot of potential, and we look forward to continuing our fully-funded drilling program.”

Barrick Mining Corp. (TSX: ABX) said Wessel Hamman will serve as the chief financial officer of the new company that will hold its North American assets following its IPO. Tim Cribb will serve as the chief operating officer, the company added. The planned IPO aims to sharpen operational focus and the value of Barrick's North American mines, which produced about 2 million ounces of gold attributable to the company in 2025, while giving the business standalone leadership and flexibility. Earlier this year, Barrick's current interim CEO Mark Hill was named as North American unit's chief executive and president. The new entity, to be called North American Barrick, will include Carlin, Cortez and Turquoise Ridge operations in the Nevada Gold Mines complex, which is the largest gold-producing region in the world.
 

BluEnergies Ltd. (TSXV: BLU) announce that its common shares are now eligible for electronic clearing and settlement in the United States through the Depository Trust Company ("DTC").

A subsidiary of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), DTC handles electronic clearing and settlement for publicly traded companies. DTC eligibility is expected to simplify the trading of the Company's shares, making it more efficient for investors and brokers, and enhance liquidity in the United States. With DTC eligibility, the Company's shares can now be traded across a wider network of brokerage firms, accelerating the settlement process and improving access for a broader range of investors.

"Obtaining DTC eligibility marks an important step in expanding BLU's investor base and enhancing accessibility for shareholders," said Craig Steinke, Chief Executive Officer of BLU. "For investors, DTC eligibility is a key milestone that streamlines electronic trading and supports improved liquidity, which is especially important as we advance the development of our assets in the Harper Basin, Liberia and Gulf of America and continue to build long-term value across our portfolio."

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bluenergies-announces-dtc-eligibility-engagement-of-market-maker-and-initiation-of-research-coverage-302753799.html

Canamera Energy Metals Corp. (CSE: EMET) (OTCQB: EMETF) (FSE: 4LF0) announce the filing of an independent National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") technical report (the "Technical Report") on the Schryburt Lake rare earth element ("REE") and niobium project (the "Project" or "Schryburt Lake") located in the Patricia Mining Division of northwestern Ontario, which Technical Report recommends a robust Phase 1 exploration program at the Project, including the recommendation for a 1,500-metre, nine-hole diamond drilling program across multiple priority target areas at the Schryburt Lake Carbonatite Complex (the "SLCC"). The Technical Report - effective April 15, 2026, authored by J Garry Clark, P.Geo., of Clark Exploration Consulting Inc., an independent Qualified Person (the "Independent QP") as defined under NI 43-101, and available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca - provides the first comprehensive technical assessment of the Project under Canamera's option.

"The Technical Report gives Canamera a rigorous, independently reviewed foundation for advancing Schryburt Lake - the first under our option - and recommends a clearly defined Phase 1 drill program," said Brad Brodeur, Chief Executive Officer of Canamera Energy Metals Corp. "Schryburt Lake is a rare and genuinely underexplored carbonatite system in one of Canada's most active mining districts, and we believe it offers our shareholders the potential of differentiated exposure to permanent-magnet rare earths and niobium at a time of intense strategic focus on Western critical mineral supply chains.”

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294540

Deep Sea Minerals Corp. (CSE: SEAS) (OTCQB: DSEAF) (FSE: X450) a subsea mineral exploration and development company focused on advancing critical mineral opportunities from the deep ocean, is pleased to share key takeaways following its participation in the Deep Sea Mining Summit 2026, held April 22 -- 23, 2026, in London, United Kingdom.

The summit convened a diverse group of industry leaders, legal experts, and technology innovators, with speakers from organizations including Roland Berger, Impossible Metals, Vinson & Elkins, and Matrix Chambers, alongside research institutions such as SAMS and UCL.

Deep Sea Minerals Corp.'s Chief Executive Officer, James Deckelman, was among the featured speakers, contributing to discussions on responsible seabed resource development and the evolving role of critical minerals in the global energy transition.

Greenridge Exploration Inc. (CSE: GXP | OTC: GXPLF | FRA: HW3),  announce the commencement of a ground geophysical program (the "Program") at its Carpenter Lake Uranium Project ("Carpenter Lake", or the "Property"), located on the southern margin of the Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Axiom Exploration Group Ltd. of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, has mobilized a gravity geophysical crew to the Property to survey selected target areas along the Cable Bay Shear Zone (the "CBSZ"), a major structural feature that bisects the Property.

Russell Starr, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, "The 2026 gravity survey is designed to provide detailed geophysical data over what we consider to be priority uranium target areas at Carpenter Lake. We believe the addition of high-resolution gravity data to our database will greatly add to the definition of follow-up drilling to our inaugural 2025 drilling program.”

Honey Badger Silver Inc. (TSXV: TUF) (OTCQB: HBEIF) (FSE: 1QA) (Tradegate: 1QA) announce that it has closed its previously announced acquisition of all the issued and outstanding shares of Canadian Zinc Corporation ("CZC"), from Resource Capital Fund VI L.P. ("RCF"), the owner of the Prairie Creek Project ("PC Silver Project", "Prairie Creek" or the "Project") (the "Acquisition"). The Company is also pleased to announce the satisfaction of the escrow release conditions relating to the brokered private placement offering of 71,875,000 subscription receipts of the Company ("SubscriptionReceipts") at a price of $0.16 per Subscription Receipt (the "OfferingPrice") for aggregate gross proceeds of $11,500,000 (the "Offering"), which was completed on April 15, 2026.

Chad Williams, Executive Chairman of Honey Badger, commented, "Closing the PC Silver Project acquisition marks a defining moment for Honey Badger. We have secured 100% control of one of the highest-grade, fully permitted silver assets in the world, with a clear path to production in a tier-one jurisdiction. Our immediate focus is on advancing development in a disciplined manner, while leveraging our capital markets expertise to optimize financing to unlock maximum value for our shareholders. Seeking to add to the project's mineral inventory is also a priority. We believe Prairie Creek positions Honey Badger as a differentiated vehicle for investors seeking meaningful exposure to silver.” To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294458

Lithium Africa Corp. (TSXV: LAF) (FSE: 6MQ) announce the appointment of Dr. Thomas Benson to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Dr. Benson is an internationally recognized lithium geologist who has served as a Geological Advisor to Lithium Africa since 2023, contributing to project identification, acquisition, and exploration strategy across the Company's portfolio. He currently serves as Vice President, Global Exploration at Lithium Argentina AG, where he leads exploration across major lithium assets in Argentina, including the producing Cauchari-Olaroz project and the Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes development project, both joint ventures with Ganfeng Lithium.

Carl Esprey, Executive Chair of Lithium Africa, commented: "Dr. Benson is a strong addition to our Board and brings a rare combination of technical credibility, strategic judgment and direct experience advancing world-class lithium assets. He has also worked alongside Ganfeng across multiple joint ventures at both the technical and commercial levels, which makes him particularly well positioned to help guide Lithium Africa as we continue to advance our exploration portfolio across Africa."

Dr. Thomas Benson commented: "I am grateful for the opportunity to continue helping the Lithium Africa team evaluate, acquire, and explore for lithium across the continent. Africa is one of the most exciting frontiers in lithium exploration today, and I am pleased to join the Board at this stage of the Company's growth."

NurExone Biologic Inc. (TSXV: NRX) (OTCQB: NRXBF) (FSE: J90) a biopharmaceutical company developing exosome-based regenerative therapies for central nervous system injuries, is pleased to announce that a patent covering the “Production of extracellular vesicles from stem cells” has been granted by IP Australia.

The patent, Australian Patent No. 2020303456, was granted on April 23, 2026 and is held by Technion Research and Development Foundation Limited. The patent relates to technology licensed exclusively to NurExone and is expected to remain in force until June 10, 2040, subject to the payment of applicable fees.

“Consistency is one of the most important value drivers in biomanufacturing,” said Dr. Lior Shaltiel, CEO of NurExone. “This patent grant supports our strategy to protect core technologies enabling the scalable, reproducible production of high-quality exosomes required for therapeutic development. As we take steps to build manufacturing capacity, including our recently announced LOI with U.S.-based BioXtek, we are also working in parallel to protect the technologies to support scalable and reliable exosome production.”

The patent further expands NurExone’s international patent family covering the production of extracellular vesicles from stem cells. It follows previously announced patent grants in Israel and the United States, with additional applications currently under examination in other jurisdictions. This development reflects the Company’s strategy to secure broad, strategically aligned intellectual property protection across key commercial, regulatory, and manufacturing markets in support of its exosome biomanufacturing technology.

PTX Metals Inc. (TSXV: PTX) announce that it has increased the size of its previously announced non-brokered private placement of flow-through shares from up to $3,750,000 to up to $4,750,000. The size of the offering of units remains unchanged at up to $2,000,000. The Company anticipates completing the offering by the end of the month.

As set forth in its press release dated April 6, 2026, the Company offering flow-through common shares ("FT Shares") at a price of $0.125 per FT Share and units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.11 per Unit. Each Unit will consist of one (1) common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one (1/2) common share purchase warrant (each whole such share purchase warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable to acquire one (1) additional Common Share (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.18 for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance. No fractional Warrant Shares will be issued, and no cash or other consideration will be paid in lieu of fractional shares. The Warrants will be subject to an acceleration provision, whereby the Company may accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants if the closing price of the Company's Common Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") is at or above $0.40 for more than twenty (20) consecutive trading days, in accordance with the terms of the Warrants. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294400

Québec Innovative Materials Corp. (CSE: QIMC) (OTCQB: QIMCF) (FSE: 7FJ) announce that it has completed its previously announced "bought deal" private placement offering (the "Offering") pursuant to which the Company issued 19,167,050 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of C$0.90 per Unit (the "Issue Price") for aggregate gross proceeds of C$17,250,345 including the full exercise of the Underwriter's (as defined herein) over-allotment option. The Offering was led by Research Capital Corporation as the sole underwriter and sole bookrunner (the "Underwriter").

Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share of the Company at an exercise price of C$1.30 at any time until April 27, 2029, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for exploration and evaluation of the Company's existing hydrogen and helium projects and for general working capital purposes. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294349

Scorpio Gold Corp.(TSXV: SGN) (OTCQB: SRCRF) (FSE: RY9) announce results from three step-out holes of the Phase Two drill program at the Manhattan District Project ("Manhattan"), Nevada, USA: 26MN-064 through 26MN-066, see Figure 1. The results are tabulated in Table 1 and discussed below. Scorpio Gold has drilled 75 drill holes to date from its Phase Two diamond drilling program, 25MN-011 through 25MN-045, 26MN-046 through 26MN-085, for a grand total of 21,706 m. With the results herein, Scorpio Gold has reported assays on 56 of these (25MN-011 through 25MN-045 and 26MN-046 through 26MN-066), totalling 18,231 m, and assays are pending from 15 holes (26MN-067 through 26MN-085), totalling 3,475 m. The pending results will be reported as they become available. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294523

Sego Resources Inc. (TSXV: SGZ) announce the 3 hole 2,000 m drill program is now underway on the Miner Mountain Project, located north of Princeton, British Columbia.

The drilling started north of the Cuba Zone to cross the Quintana 2009 Titan 24 inverted chargeability anomaly. A percussion drill program in 2013 intersected disseminated pyrite, sericite-chlorite-carbonates alteration assemblages and returned minor Cu values. The broad flat area is covered in glacial till and the hole will be inclined 50°at azimuth 020°.

Two holes are planned in the Southern Gold Zone area. A deep inclined hole north of the Southern Gold Zone where Cu-Au mineralization and sporadic soil Cu-Au at surface might represent porphyry Cu-Au mineralization reflected by a 200 to 300 meter deep inverted chargeability anomaly from Quantec Geoscience, Titan 24 Survey in 2009. Additional IP lines are planned to define the 2009 survey and extend the survey to the south and west of the inverted chargeability anomaly at the edge of the 2009 survey.

A shallow hole is planned east of the Southern Gold Zone to test below Cu-Au mineralization noted at surface and several % disseminated pyrite over 14 meters was intersected at the end of the 64-meter hole AX core (~1.2") drilled by "Climax Copper Co." in 1963 but not analysed for Cu or Au.

Drill results of a recent drill program in the Southern Gold Zone returned up to 100 m of 0.626 gpt Au (News Release, April 13, 2026). Sego plans to submit the entire Southern Gold Zone drill database to SRK Canada to identify a maiden inferred resource calculation.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294370

Silicon Metals Corp. (CSE: SI) (OTC Pink: SLCND) (FSE: X6U0) announce that it intends to issue up to 4,444,444 units (the "Offering") at a price per unit of $0.135 (each, a "Unit"). The Units will consist of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"), with each Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one common share at an exercise price of $0.175 for a period of 24 months. The terms of the Warrants will also include an accelerator provision whereby, if the price of the common shares on the CSE closes at $0.60 or higher for a period of ten (10) consecutive trading days, the Company may accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants to thirty (30) days from the acceleration trigger.

The Company intends to use the aggregate proceeds of the Offering for advancement and development of the Company's properties, as well as for general working capital purposes. Finders' fees may be payable in connection with the Offering in accordance with the policies of the CSE.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day after the date of issuance, as set out in National Instrument 45‐102 – Resale of Securities. please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294291

Silver North Resources Ltd.(TSXV: SNAG, OTCQB: TARSF, Frankfurt: I90), announce that a SkyTEM312 airborne geophysical survey has been completed at the Company’s flagship Haldane Silver Project in the historic Keno Hill Silver District, Yukon.

“We eagerly anticipate the receipt of the final data from this survey so we can incorporate it into our 2026 program planning,” commented Jason Weber, President & CEO. “With much of the drillhole location planning well underway, we anticipate that the data collected will aid in prioritizing the order in which we carry out this year’s program as well as revealing new target areas for follow-up work.”

Silver North contracted SkyTEM Canada Inc. (“SkyTEM”) to conduct a SkyTEM312 survey over the Haldane project. The survey consisted of 100 metre spaced flight lines with 1,000 metre spaced tie lines for a total of 944 line-kilometres of survey, collecting both magnetics and time domain electro-magnetic data.

Silver North Retains Full Interest in Tim Silver Property, Yukon

Silver North has received written notice from Coeur Mining that Coeur intends to terminate the Tim Property Option Agreement as of May 24, 2026. The termination of the Tim Option reflects Coeur’s renewed focus on the Silvertip Mine itself.

“On behalf of Silver North, I would like to thank Coeur and the Coeur Silvertip team for the high quality of work that was conducted at Tim and we wish them the best in their progress at Silvertip,” stated Jason Weber, President and CEO. “Coeur’s work led to the identification that a CRD mineralizing system had been active at Tim, and we feel that there remains excellent potential to find economic concentrations of mineralization. We believe that with the upcoming airborne geophysical survey at our adjacent Veronica Property, we can amalgamate our exploration approach for the two properties.”

Southern Energy Corp. (TSXV: SOU)(AIM: SOUC) , an established producer with natural gas and light oil assets in Mississippi, announces its fourth quarter and year end December 31, 2025 financial and operating results. Selected financial and operational information is outlined below and should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis (the "MD&A") for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2025, as well as the Company's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2025, (the "AIF"), all of which are available on the Company's website at www.southernenergycorp.com and have been filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Stallion Uranium Corp.(TSXV: STUD; OTCQB: STLNF; FSE: B76) announce the successful recommencement of drilling operations at its Moonlite Project in the Athabasca Basin, northern Saskatchewan, and to provide shareholders with an update on the April 1, 2026 incident.

Drilling Update:

Drilling has now recommenced at the Moonlite Project. To date, the Company has completed approximately 1,900 metres of the planned 4,000-metre Phase 1 diamond drill program. Every drill hole completed so far has intersected significant alteration and structure.

The first completed drill hole (ML26-001A) successfully intersected multiple fault zones in both the sandstone and basement rocks. This included two wide fault zones (approximately 66 to 109 metres) in the sandstone exhibiting strong quartz dissolution, brecciation, and broken core. In the basement, a significant graphitic fault zone was encountered, associated with strong to locally massive clay alteration. This zone is interpreted to represent the primary conductive source identified in the Company’s geophysical datasets.

Darren Slugoski, Vice President Exploration, said, “The consistent intersection of significant alteration and structural features in every hole drilled is highly encouraging for uranium exploration in the Athabasca Basin. We are observing key indicators for uranium mineralization, including sandstone bleaching and dissolution, clay alteration, brecciation, and faulting. These elements often serve as pathways and traps for uranium-bearing fluids in the basin, and we look forward to advancing the program with refined targeting informed by real-time results.”

Verses AI Inc. (CBOE:VERS) (OTCQB: VRSSF), a cognitive computing company specializing in next-generation agentic software systems, today announced an additional expansion and extension of its relationship with Prodigii AI, LLC (“Prodigii”), an enterprise AI infrastructure company focused on decision intelligence and intelligent resource orchestration.

The agreement represents an important next step in VERSES’ enterprise commercialization strategy, designed to accelerate the development and deployment of its technology into scalable, repeatable revenue.

Under the agreement, Prodigii will license VERSES’ product Genius™ to provide services for its customers alongside access to the world’s first “digital brain”, the AXIOM model. The Prodigii agreement is expected to unlock opportunities in financial services and insurance, cybersecurity, smart manufacturing, energy, healthcare and energy among other verticals.

“We are excited to execute this deal with our long-term Beta Partner Prodigii,” said David T. Scott, VERSES interim CEO. “This agreement will enable Prodigii to effectively compete for contracts in the finance and cybersecurity sectors. It also validates our go to market strategy to generate revenues through a combination of direct contracts with enterprise customers and in partnership with channel partners.”

VVT Med Inc. (TSXV: VVTM) a leader in next-generation, minimally invasive, non-thermal, and non-tumescent ("NT-NT") solutions for venous disease, is pleased to announce that it has entered into its largest European distribution agreement to date, a strategic exclusive distribution partnership with Uber Ros S.p.A. ("Uber Ros") for the commercialization of its ScleroSafe(R) system in Italy, Vatican City and the Republic of San Marino (the "Territory").

Under the terms of the agreement, signed on April 9th, 2026, Uber Ros will serve as the Company's exclusive distributor in the Territory. The five-year agreement represents approximately CAD $2.3 million in potential revenue to the Company, based on agreed minimum purchase commitments, with a portion structured under a pay-or-buy mechanism that provides a defined level of commercial commitment from the distributor, subject to the terms of the agreement.

Italy is a significant and strategically important healthcare market, with a well-established network of vascular and phlebology specialists. The partnership with Uber Ros enables VVT Med to access this market through an experienced and committed local commercial partner, supporting physician education and product adoption across the Territory.

West Point Gold Corp. (TSXV: WPG) (OTCQB: WPGCF) (FSE: LRA0) announce step-out drill results from the high-grade Northeast ("NE") Tyro Zone at its flagship Gold Chain Project in Arizona. Grades continue to remain strong as evidenced in hole GC26-140, where an 18.3 metre ("m") interval grading 6.05 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold ("Au") was returned. Holes reported herein represent step-outs of up to 140m to the northeast of previously reported results. High-grade mineralization intersected has now increased the volume of mineralization by adding over 100m along strike and 100m to depth. The high-grade NE Tyro Zone has a strike extent of over 400m and projects to greater than 300m depth while still remaining open in all directions. To date, 17,536m of the ongoing drill program at the Gold Chain project has been completed. Results are pending from the Tyro Main Zone, NE Tyro, Bull 8 and Black Dyke targets, representing 29 holes (5,424m).

"The continued expansion of the high-grade zone at NE Tyro bodes well for the maiden resource. Additionally, as this zone expands towards the Frisco Graben, it increases the probability of the Frisco Graben hosting a gold deposit. It appears that the consistency of grade and structure, both along strike and at depth, suggests that we are unlikely to close off this zone with the planned maiden resource later this year. We continue to be on track to complete the ongoing 20,000m drill program at Gold Chain in Q2 this year and have results pending from multiple zones, including the depth extensions of Tyro and two step-out targets," stated Derek Macpherson, President and CEO.

COMPANIES RESULTS
ARC Resources Ltd: Expected Q1 earnings of 73 Canadian cents per share
Aecon Group Inc: Expected Q1 loss of 22 Canadian cents per share
First Quantum Minerals Ltd: Expected Q1 earnings of 7 cents per share
Toromont Industries Ltd: Expected Q1 earnings of C$1.09 per share

World Markets

US

US Futures are lower in early trading as concerns mounted that the U.S.-Iran impasse could keep oil prices elevated for longer. Consequently, gold slipped to a three-week low, as markets weighed inflation risks and interest-rate concerns ahead of a slew of central bank decisions. This includes the Federal Open Market Committee two-day meeting on interest rates, starting today.

Alphabet Inc: Google joined a growing list of technology firms to sign a deal with the U.S. Department of Defense to use its artificial intelligence models for classified work, The Information reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. The agreement allows the Pentagon to use Google's AI for “any lawful government purpose”, the report added, putting it alongside OpenAI and Elon Musk's xAI, which also have deals to supply AI models for classified use. Classified networks are used to handle a wide range of sensitive work, including mission planning and weapons targeting. Separately, the Australian government said that Meta, Alphabet's Google and TikTok could face multimillion-dollar charges if they did not negotiate deals to pay local media outlets for news on their platforms.

Cadence Design Systems Inc: The company raised its full-year revenue forecast on Monday, betting that sustained, heavy investment in specialized artificial intelligence processors will continue to drive demand for its chip-design tools. Demand for Cadence's electronic design automation (EDA) software and hardware has surged as chipmakers and tech giants like Google and Amazon design increasingly complex systems-on-a-chip (SoCs) and AI accelerators. Cadence is one of the dominant players in the EDA industry, providing the essential software and hardware used to design and verify semiconductors and electronic systems. Its customers include leading AI-chip manufacturer Nvidia and Apple, among others.

Centene Corp: The company raised its 2026 adjusted profit forecast, as the health insurer expects to gain from its efforts to rein in elevated costs that have pummeled the sector for more than two years.  The company also raised its annual revenue forecast, sending its shares up 1.24% to $44.04 in premarket trading. Centene's medical loss ratio, the percentage of premiums spent on medical care, was 87.3% in the first quarter. Analysts had expected the company to report a ratio of 89.42%, according to LSEG data. The company now sees 2026 adjusted profit above $3.40, compared with its previous expectations of more than $3. Analysts expected a profit of $3.02 per share.

Chevron Corp: The company is likely to close a deal for the sale of its 50% stake in Singapore Refining and other regional assets to Japan's top refiner Eneos in May, two sources familiar with the matter said. The U.S. major had been expected to complete the deal, valued at $1 billion or more, in the first quarter, Reuters reported earlier, but the timeline has since been pushed back slightly following a major energy supply disruption caused by the U.S.-Iran war. Chevron and Eneos declined to comment. Morgan Stanley, which has been appointed by Chevron to handle the sale also declined to comment. Both parties are reassessing some terms in the deal, including crude procurement for the refinery and offtake agreements for refined products, two other sources said.

General Motors Co: The company posted a 22% rise in first-quarter core profit and lifted its full-year earnings forecast, bolstered by a resilient U.S. car market and an expected tariff refund. The Detroit automaker reported earnings before interest and taxes of $4.3 billion, or $3.70 per share, which beat analysts’ estimate of $2.62, according to LSEG data. GM raised its 2026 profit outlook by $500 million, which is the same amount it expects to get back in refunds stemming from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down some of the Trump administration's tariffs. It now expects full-year core profit to be $13.5 billion to $15.5 billion.  

Palantir Technologies Inc: Germany's armed forces do not plan to award contracts to U.S. data analytics and defence software company Palantir for now, a leading military officer told the Handelsblatt newspaper. "I don't see that happening at all at the moment," Thomas Daum, in charge of the German military's cyber defence, was quoted as saying in the paper's Tuesday edition. "As much as we are interested in the functionality for our own database, it is simply inconceivable at the moment to grant industry staff access to the national database," said Daum.

Spotify Technology SA: The company forecast second-quarter earnings and premium subscribers below Wall Street estimates, a sign of slowing growth for the Swedish streaming giant in its major markets of Europe and North America. Investors closely monitor the company's profitability after price hikes and cost-cutting efforts in recent years amid its growing focus on adding artificial intelligence features to improve discovery and engagement. Spotify expects operating income of 630 million euros ($736.41 million) for the second quarter, below LSEG-compiled analysts' average estimate of 684 million euros. That sharply contrasted with Spotify's record operating income of 715 million euros in the first quarter, helped by lower payroll taxes. It beat estimates of 681.6 million euros.

Universal Health Services Inc: The hospital operator on Monday beat Wall Street estimates for first-quarter profit and revenue on resilient demand for medical care across its hospital segments, led by behavioral health. With the Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire this year, hospitals are expected to see fewer elective procedures, preventive visits and diagnostic tests, while facing higher costs to care for a growing number of uninsured patients. The company reported an adjusted profit of $5.62 per share for the first quarter, beating analysts' estimates of $5.41 per share, according to data compiled by LSEG. During the quarter, net revenue rose 9.6% to $4.5 billion, from $4.10 billion in the same quarter last year, beating estimates of $4.39 billion.

United Parcel Service Inc: The company reported a 28% drop in quarterly adjusted profit, as it scaled back deliveries for top client Amazon.com to focus on higher-margin shipments for healthcare and data center companies. Shares of the company dropped in pre-market trading after Atlanta-based UPS reported adjusted net income of $1.07 per share for the three months ended March 31, compared with $1.49 per share a year earlier. Quarterly revenue at the world's largest parcel delivery firm also dropped 1.6% to $21.2 billion. The company, however, maintained its forecast of a 1.2% rise in 2026 revenue and an adjusted operating margin of about 9.6%.

ECONOMIC DATA
0900 Monthly home price MM for Feb: Prior 0.001
0900 Monthly home price YY for Feb: Prior 0.016
0900 Monthly Home Price Index for Feb: Prior 441
0900 Case-Shiller 20 MM SA for Feb: Expected 0.20%; Prior 0.20%
0900 Case-Shiller 20 MM NSA for Feb: Prior -0.001
0900 Case-Shiller 20 YY NSA for Feb: Expected 1.10%; Prior 1.20%
1000 Consumer Confidence for April: Expected 89; Prior 91.8

Europe / Asia

Source (but not limited to) AP, CNBC, Dow Jones, Financial Post, Financial Times, Globe & Mail, KITCO, LSEG, Thomson Reuters, Refinitiv.