Originally published at: Silver Refinery Depletes Stock for First Time in History, BlackRock Buying Up Utilities – Peak Prosperity
Economy
India’s largest precious metals refinery, MMTC-Pamp India Pvt., depleted its silver stock for the first time in its history last week, reportedly due to heightened demand during the Diwali festival and a shift toward silver purchases influenced by social media trends on its price ratio to gold. Premiums over global prices in India reportedly surged above $1 per ounce, leading buyers to deplete supplies from China and London vaults. In London, where global silver prices are set, inventories held in exchange-traded funds left limited free float metal, estimated below 150 million ounces by early October, resulting in borrowing costs reaching 200% annualized and some banks halting trades. Global silver demand has exceeded mine and recycled supply by 678 million ounces since 2021, driven in part by the solar industry’s use in photovoltaic cells, with ETF inflows adding over 100 million ounces this year and shipments of 200 million ounces to New York amid tariff concerns. Some analysts contend the disruptions may be short-term, influenced more by speculative demand than a fundamental supply deficit.
The United States and Australia signed a minerals agreement on Monday, committing more than $1 billion each within six months to develop an $8.5 billion pipeline of joint mining and processing projects for rare earths and critical minerals used in electric vehicles, semiconductors, and defense applications. The deal responds to China’s dominance in these materials, following Beijing’s tightened export controls on rare earths and metals such as gallium, germanium, and antimony. Stocks of companies including Arafura Rare Earths Ltd. rose up to 29%, VHM Ltd. increased 30%, Northern Minerals Ltd. gained 19%, and Alcoa Corp. climbed 9.6%. Additionally, Texas is reportedly becoming a hub for rare earth and lithium extraction, with major oil companies such as Chevron, Halliburton, and Exxon pursuing projects in the Smackover Formation, where Smackover Lithium reported some of North America’s richest lithium fluids. Federal support includes $225 million from the Department of Energy for TerraVolta’s refinery near Texarkana and nearly $300 million from the Defense Department for processing rare metals like samarium on the Gulf Coast. Additional efforts involve recovering minerals from industrial waste in Houston and the Permian Basin, as well as a planned mine near El Paso for rare earth elements used in magnets. The U.S. currently operates one lithium mine in Nevada and one refinery on the Texas Gulf Coast, as part of broader initiatives to reduce reliance on China for materials essential to advanced manufacturing and national security. Environmental advocates have highlighted potential risks to local water resources and ecosystems from intensified mining operations.
Health
A study has linked the rise in childhood peanut allergies to guidelines from the early 2000s that advised avoiding peanuts in high-risk infants; this recommendation was later revised after evidence showed that early introduction could prevent allergies. Other researchers point to possible contributing factors, including changes in food processing and environmental exposures.
For the first time, more children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 worldwide are obese than underweight, with 188 million obese compared to 180 million underweight, according to UNICEF data. Over 420 million children overall are overweight, while 370 million are underweight; nearly half of the underweight children are under age five and affected by stunting or wasting from inadequate nutrition. The shift is associated with rising consumption of ultra-processed, sugary foods replacing fruits, vegetables, and proteins, along with food company marketing; 60% of adolescents aged 15 to 19 consume at least one sweet item daily, with higher rates in regions such as Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North Africa, and East Asia. In the 5- to 9-year-old group, obesity has exceeded severe underweight since 2019. Industry groups emphasize the role of education and lifestyle choices in addressing obesity alongside regulatory efforts.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is distributing millions of oral rabies vaccine baits across rural areas in states including Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia this month, using planes, helicopters, and vehicles to deliver genetically engineered vaccines containing live Raboryl vRG virus. The program, which began in some areas in August or September, aims to reduce wildlife rabies risks to domestic animals and humans. One initiative covers 634,000 baits in parts of North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia; others include 410,000 in western North Carolina and northern Georgia, 690,000 in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, and 718,000 in northeast and central Alabama. The baits, coated in fishmeal attractants within plastic sachets or cubes, have been deployed annually. A 2019 study noted the vaccine’s potential to shed in animals for weeks and infect non-target species, though the USDA advises washing hands if contacted and notes that dogs may ingest them. USDA officials report the initiative has successfully lowered rabies incidence in wildlife populations over time.
Energy
Private equity firms BlackRock and Blackstone have acquired stakes in several U.S. utilities, including a 20% share in Northern Indiana Public Service Company for $2.1 billion in January 2024 and full ownership of the Potomac Energy Center in Virginia for $1 billion in January 2025. Other purchases include the Hilltop Energy Center in Pennsylvania for $1 billion last month and a majority stake in Superior Water, Light and Power in Wisconsin through a subsidiary. These investments, totaling billions of dollars, are intended to expand infrastructure for artificial intelligence data centers amid rising energy demands. Regulators and consumers have expressed concerns about potential increases in power bills and reduced local control. Supporters of the deals maintain that such private investments can enhance grid efficiency and support growing energy needs from technology sectors.
Across the pond, European Union energy ministers have endorsed a proposal to phase out Russian gas imports by 2028, beginning with the termination of pipeline and liquefied natural gas contracts by January 1, 2026. Existing agreements may extend to June 17, 2026, and long-term contracts until January 1, 2028. Landlocked member states such as Hungary and Slovakia will receive flexibility due to limited alternatives. Member states importing Russian gas or oil must submit national diversification plans. The EU has reduced Russian pipeline gas imports from 39% in early 2021 to 13% in mid-2025, while LNG imports from Russia have tripled but represent a smaller share overall, as supplies from the United States, Qatar, and Norway have quadrupled. Officials from Hungary and Slovakia have voiced concerns that the timeline may overlook their geographic constraints and the costs of rapid diversification.
Canadian Politics
The British Columbia Supreme Court ruled in Cowichan Tribes v. Canada that the Cowichan Tribes hold Aboriginal title to approximately 800 acres in Richmond, a suburb of Metro Vancouver, including areas with private properties, along with a right to fish for food. The 863-page decision, from what is described as the longest trial in Canadian history, recognizes constitutional protections for Indigenous ownership and use of the territory, which the tribes historically occupied for seasonal fishing villages before mid-19th-century displacement. The City of Richmond notified affected property owners of potential impacts to their titles and scheduled an information session for October 28, 2025. Both the provincial government and the city plan to appeal, while the tribes have stated they have no intent to displace residents. Some observers have raised concerns about broader implications for land titles across British Columbia and potentially the country. Indigenous representatives view the decision as an important acknowledgment of historical rights and a step toward reconciliation.
US Politics
A recent poll shows that 49% of American voters support designating Antifa as a terrorist organization, 30% oppose it, and 21% are unsure. Support differs by party affiliation, with 80% of Democrats opposing the designation. The poll reflects divisions in public opinion on the group’s reported involvement in protests and unrest in various cities. Critics of the designation argue it could infringe on free speech and potentially target legitimate protest activities.
Sources
Only 49% of Americans Support Labeling Antifa a Terrorist Organization, Poll Finds
Only 49% of Americans Support Designating Antifa a Terrorist Organization
Source | Submitted by Rodster
BlackRock and Blackstone’s Stealthy Power Grab: Seizing America’s Grid Under the AI Pretext
BlackRock and Blackstone are quietly seizing control of America’s power grid—while telling the public it’s all for AI.
Source | Submitted by Friedrichs_teeth
Rare Earth Stocks Surge on US-Australia Deal to Break China’s Critical Minerals Stranglehold
In about a year from now, we’ll have so much critical minerals and rare earths that you won’t know what to do with them,
EU Aims to End Russian Gas Imports by 2028, Sparing Landlocked Holdouts
European Union energy ministers think they’ll be able to phase out the import of Russian gas by 2028
Texas Pivots from Oil to Lithium: Rare Earths Boom Ignites New Industrial Frontier
Major oil companies are drilling in East Texas again, but not for oil. This time, they’re after lithium for batteries and other rare elements.
Silver Shortage Shocker: India’s Top Refinery Runs Dry, London Market in Chaos
The silver market is broken.
BC Court Grants Aboriginal Title to Private Properties in Richmond, Igniting Fears of Nationwide Land Title Upheaval
‘I think it potentially could dismantle the land title system, certainly in our province, with ramifications across the country.’
Study Links Surge in Peanut Allergies to Flawed Expert Guidelines
Spike In Childhood Peanut Allergies Was Caused By So-Called ‘Expert’ Advice, Study Confirms
Global Milestone: More Obese Children Than Underweight Worldwide for the First Time
For the first time ever, more children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 worldwide are obese than underweight.
USDA Airdrops Millions of Live, Genetically Engineered Rabies Vaccine Baits Across America Without Public Consent
Planes and helicopters are dropping millions of live, genetically engineered rabies “vaccine baits” across America—without public notice or consent.
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: The Washington Post, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Financial Times, CBC News, Fox News, and USDA APHIS.
