President Volodymyr Zelensky says that territory remains the “most difficult” issue in the ongoing peace talks to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. Vladimir Putin says the Trump administration’s controversial 28-point plan “could serve as the basis for a final peace settlement.” He continues to insist that Ukraine withdraw from the parts of the Donbas region it still holds. Ukraine has so far refused to cede the territory, despite coming under pressure from Washington. Though the most recent meeting between Russian and U.S. negotiators failed to resolve the impasse, both Kyiv and Moscow appear to be shifting their positions to focus on territory as their main red line. Using maps, graphs, and military theory, Meduza analyzes where each side stands and what it might take to end the war. 

Six months ago, after serving five years behind bars, Belarusian opposition figure Siarhei Tsikhanouski walked free. He emerged from the fervor of 2020 — when he was a popular political blogger preparing a run for the presidency — into the far bleaker landscape of 2025. Now reunited with his family in exile, Tsikhanouski finds himself cast as the “first gentleman” beside his wife, Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. When Tsikhanouski was arrested, Tsikhanouskaya was a stay-at-home mother who entered the presidential race in his stead. By the time he was freed, she had become the central figure of Belarus’s democratic movement, with a full advisory team and extensive ties across the West. As Tsikhanouski searches for his own political footing, he has repeatedly criticized his wife’s office in public. Here’s the latest chapter in their uneasy political relationship.

The European Union plans to add Russia to its list of countries with a high risk of money laundering and terrorist financing, Politico reported this week. Once official, the decision will exacerbate Russia’s international pariah status, jeopardizing investment and trade flows that emerged in response to Western sanctions against Moscow after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Meduza spoke with anti-corruption expert Ilya Shumanov to understand what Russia’s inclusion on the E.U.’s blacklist will mean for the Kremlin, Russian businesses, and ordinary citizens.

2025.12.05

I do love it when a plan comes together. 

Torr Metals (TSXV:TMET) set out to drill the Bertha target at its Kolos Copper-Gold Project with the goal of identifying potential supergene mineralization, analogous to that found at the producing New Afton copper-gold mine, located 28 kilometers north-northeast of Kolos.

It turns out they’ve done that, and with 6,000 additional meters left to drill at Bertha, they’re not finished yet. 

Continue reading Torr Metals successfully outlines large supergene system at Bertha target, Kolos Copper-Gold Project in southern BC – Richard Mills at Ahead of the Herd.

2025.12.04

Until fairly recently, it’s been difficult for junior resource companies to raise funds for exploration. That has changed with the incredible run-up in precious metals prices this year, with silver doubling year to date, bettering gold’s +60% YTD performance, and on Monday hitting a fresh record-high $59 an ounce.

Source: Trading Economics

Money is again flowing into the sector, and a great example is Mercado Minerals’ (CSE:MERC) oversubscribed private placement.

Continue reading Mercado closes CAD$5.598 million private placement; Vizsla Silver becomes strategic shareholder at Ahead of the Herd.

From SprottMoney

Strong physical and futures demand has combined to create a short squeeze that has driven the silver price to new all-time highs. This is great, and we should enjoy the ride! That said, we need to address some of the misinformation being spewed on X as rationale for further gains. 

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Continue reading To Counter the Silver Hype at Ahead of the Herd.