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Australia, US Pen Rare Earth Metals Deal in Albanese-Trump Meeting

Investing 3 Mins Read

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump signed a rare earths deal during their meeting at the White House on Monday (October 20).

The meeting was set to focus on critical minerals and rare earths, with Albanese telling Bloomberg on Sunday (October 19) that it would also be an opportunity to “consolidate and strengthen” the Australia-US relationship.

According to insiders, the deal had been in the works for five months.

During the meeting, Trump said he “never had any doubts” about the countries’ bond, adding that “there’s never been anybody better.” For his part, Albanese described the deal as an US$8.5 billion pipeline ‘that we have ready to go.’

The signing happened after opening remarks from Trump, during which the US president called the deal a “key objective” in reducing reliance on China. “Within a year, we’ll have critical minerals and rare earths that you won’t know what to do with them,” Trump said, adding, ‘They’ll be worth about two dollars.’

China currently holds the world’s largest rare earths reserves and is the top producer by far, but Australia has been highlighted as a key player as trade tensions between the US and China ramp up.

The country is home to some of the most significant rare earths operations globally, such as Lynas Rare Earths’ (ASX:LYC,OTC Pink:LYSDY) Mount Weld mine, and Arafura Rare Earths’ (ASX:ARU,OTC Pink:ARAFF) Nolans project.

Last week, several companies, such as Nova Minerals (ASX:NVA,NASDAQ:NVA), were invited to brief the Australian government on key projects prior to the country’s meeting with the US.

Nova was instructed to include an overview of its flagship Estelle gold project, including the key minerals identified, planned expansion activities and the company’s engagement with US government agencies.

The same goes for Resolution Minerals (ASX:RML,OTCQB:RLMLF), which was invited for a briefer on its Idaho-based Horse Heaven gold-antimony-tungsten project.

Both Nova and Resolution were among the top-gaining mining stocks on the ASX last week.

Trump supports Biden-era AUKUS deal

Albanese and Trump also discussed the AUKUS submarine deal, a multibillion-dollar agreement between Australia, the UK and the US, which is geared at boosting security in the Indo-Pacific region.

When asked whether AUKUS is meant to be a “deterrent” for China, Trump answered yes. However, he also said he doesn’t think that will be needed as the US military is the best in the world.

‘We’re going to get along great with China,’ he said.

AUKUS is worth around US$239 billion, or AU$368 billion, over 30 years.

Starting in 2032, Australia plans to buy three Virginia-class submarines from the US, with the option to get two more. These will fill the gap while the UK and Australia develop a new submarine model. Trump also said the US is working on building more submarines for Australia and is going to expedite submarine exports to the country.

Australia is expected to receive the first of the new submarines in the early 2040s.

Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Cleantech Market Update: Q3 2025 in Review

Investing 7 Mins Read

The cleantech sector experienced a dynamic third quarter, with predictions of volatility coming to fruition.

While global investment in renewable energy is strong, notable pullbacks in US spending and regulatory challenges under the Trump administration have clouded the near-term cleantech outlook. Electric vehicle (EV) sales showed mixed trends, with a rush observed ahead of the phase-out of American federal tax incentives at the end of September.

The quarter was also marked by several major mergers, funding rounds and technological developments.

Regulatory currents and investment flows shape cleantech market

The third quarter began with important cleantech policy signals and shifts in industry strategy.

Although global capital flows into renewables reached a record US$386 billion in H1 2025, according to data analyzed by BloombergNEF, a steep 36 percent year-on-year drop in US renewable project spending reflects investor uncertainty in response to changing policy conditions and the expiration of tax incentives.

Regulatory headwinds took center stage as the US Environmental Protection Agency under Lee Zeldin sought to overturn the agency’s scientific findings on greenhouse gases, stirring debate on climate regulatory directions.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s Department of the Interior moved to halt the planned US$6 billion Maryland offshore wind project, and paused work on Orsted’s (CPH: ORSTED,OTC Pink:DNNGY) Rhode Island offshore wind farm, triggering market pushback and state-level efforts to resume construction.

A judge later allowed the continuation of construction on the Rhode Island wind farm amid legal challenges.

While offshore wind faced setbacks from regulatory halts and legal challenges, the US solar sector demonstrated resilience, experiencing a notable 25 percent increase in corporate M&A activity in H1.

That increase was highlighted by Brookfield Renewable Partners’ (NYSE:BEP) US$2.8 billion acquisition of Duke Energy’s (NYSE:DUK) solar assets, as well as FlexGen’s purchase of Powin.

During Climate Week NYC, power giant Constellation Energy (NASDAQ:CEG) CEO Joseph Dominguez noted the potential for consolidation in the renewables sector. Despite federal tax credit phase-outs, wind and solar are supported by over 30 state-level programs, creating evolving investment opportunities for well-capitalized companies.

Adding to this insight, former US Vice President Al Gore emphasized the need to reconsider nuclear power as artificial intelligence (AI) electricity demand grows. While skeptical about the high costs of small modular reactors, Gore sees fusion power as promising, but probably farther off than some optimists predict.

He acknowledged that green hydrogen sentiment is overly optimistic, noting that its “bubble has burst” due to slow cost declines, although it retains promise for heavy industry uses like low-emissions steel production.

Aside from that, Gore referred to direct air capture as “overhyped” and not a “safe bet,” while calling deep geothermal “properly hyped,” but with uncertain commercial timelines.

At the same time, US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright indicated that an overhaul of permitting processes would expedite energy infrastructure projects facing intense opposition; however, the government shutdown, now heading into its third week, has created significant uncertainty and will likely lead to further delays.

Despite perceived setbacks, Q3 brought private sector investment in scalable clean infrastructure. Investors increasingly backed cleantech initiatives focused on transformative growth and digital infrastructure aligned with the evolving energy transition. Notable financing rounds went toward low-carbon data centers and battery storage. Investments like climate fintech firm Eventual’s US$7.5 million in seed funding also hint at growing investor interest.

These cleantech sector developments highlight a complex landscape where regulatory challenges in the US coexist with ongoing innovation and investment momentum, setting the stage for a critical period of adjustment and opportunity in the renewable energy sector, both above and below the American border.

In an interview with the Globe and Mail, Jigar Shah, former director of the Loans Program Office in the US Department of Energy, said Canadian cleantech firms have an opportunity to fill the void left in the industry by the US, but that decisive action is required to prevent companies from seeking out other jurisdictions.

Twists and turns in the EV race

The third quarter marked a pivotal period for the EV market.

Cox Automotive forecast in September that EV sales would hit a record of 409,000 units in Q3, in line with previous estimates that predicted a surge as buyers rushed in before the end of the US federal EV tax credit.

Automakers Ford Motor (NASDAQ:F), General Motors (NYSE:GM) and Hyundai Motor (KRX:005380,OTC Pink:HYMTF), all of which have extended EV discounts to after the expiration of the tax credit, reported record EV sales in Q3, with Ford’s EV sales rising over 30 percent, and GM’s EV sales more than doubling thanks to a diverse product lineup under the Chevrolet and Cadillac brands. Hyundai showed a 13 percent year-on-year increase, driven by EV sales.

In September, Ford announced a multibillion-dollar investment in American EV manufacturing facilities to pioneer a novel, efficient assembly process, aiming for a 2027 launch of a competitively priced midsize electric pickup.

Tesla’s (NASDAQ:TSLA) third quarter deliveries also hit a record, with estimates showing about 149,500 units, slightly higher compared to the 143,535 units reported in the second quarter. However, Cox Automotive’s numbers show that the company’s US market share has been steadily decreasing, slipping to 38 percent in August.

CEO Elon Musk said that the company will devote more of its resources to developing AI-driven autonomy going forward. Its robotaxi program officially launched this quarter, with initial testing beginning on July 1. The company reportedly experienced three crashes on its first day, underscoring ongoing technical hurdles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has since launched another investigation into Tesla vehicles’ full self-driving technology, its second this year, after regulators received more than 50 reports of traffic violations and crashes.

Tesla also revealed its long-awaited more affordable EV models at the start of the fourth quarter. They were met with with cautious optimism by market participants. Investors will be carefully watching how these new models fare against intense price competition from domestic and foreign EV manufacturers.

Meanwhile, Tesla’s position in China continues to face pressure, with domestic manufacturer BYD Company (OTC Pink:BYDDF) surging ahead with a substantial lead. BYD delivered 582,500 pure EVs in the third quarter, nearly doubling Tesla’s China sales, which rebounded thanks to sales of the new Model Y L.

Advances in autonomous vehicle partnerships also progressed during the the third quarter, with Lyft (NASDAQ:LYFT) and Waymo collaborating on robotaxi services announced for launch next year in Nashville.

Waymo has moved to expand its user base by launching a new enterprise product, Waymo for Business, offering subsidized employee or event rides in its robotaxis in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix.

Facing rising competition, Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER) said it plans to integrate autonomous vehicles alongside human drivers, partnering with Nuro and Lucid Group (NASDAQ:LCID) in a three part deal, with Uber purchasing 20,000 Lucid electric robotaxis over six years alongside licensing fees for Nuro’s self-driving technology.

Under the terms of the agreement, Uber will acquire minority stakes in both companies. The first robotaxis are expected to launch in a major US city next year.

Cleantech forecast for 2025

Q4 will be pivotal as the cleantech sector adjusts to the withdrawal of key federal incentives in the US, such as the rooftop solar tax credit, set to expire on December 31, and grapples with regulatory uncertainties.

Offshore wind projects face legal and administrative hurdles that may reshape regional renewable energy development.

Meanwhile, emerging areas of the cleantech market — such as advanced nuclear and climate fintech — offer promising growth paths, but require coordinated policy and investment frameworks. Reflecting this challenge, 11 states are collaborating to accelerate the development of advanced nuclear energy within their borders, seeking to create a strong and credible demand signal by coordinating commitments and dividing financial risks.

In autonomous vehicle innovation, Amazon’s (NASDAQ:AMZN) self-driving car subsidiary Zoox is seeking broader regulatory approval to operate up to 2,500 cars without traditional human controls.

If approved, Zoox would be able to conduct a first-of-its-kind paid commercial robotaxi service.

The US Department of Transportation plans to propose rules in spring 2026 to modernize vehicle safety standards for automated driving systems, including relaxing requirements tied to manual controls.

Forward-looking industry voices suggest cautious optimism, emphasizing the critical role of innovation, policy clarity and market adaptation in sustaining cleantech momentum into 2026.

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Top 5 Canadian Silver Stocks of 2025

Investing 11 Mins Read

Silver’s performance in 2025 is drawing attention to silver-mining companies as investors look to gain exposure to the metal’s success.

During Q3 2025, the silver price closed in on all-time highs, reaching a quarterly high of US$46.92 per ounce on September 29. Since that time, silver has soared even higher, breaking the US$50 mark and setting a new all-time high silver price of US$52.64 on October 13.

The price has seen firm support from fundamentals, as silver continues to experience structural supply deficits, while industrial silver demand remains near record levels. Investment demand is also rising as investors return to the market, seeking a more affordable safe-haven alternative to gold.

How has silver’s price movement benefited Canadian silver stocks on the TSX, TSXV and CSE? The five companies listed below have seen the best performances since the start of the year.

Data was gathered using TradingView’s stock screener on October 13, 2025, and all companies listed had market caps over C$10 million at that time.

1. Santacruz Silver (TSXV:SCZ)

Year-to-date gain: 765.45 percent
Market cap: C$866.79 million
Share price: C$2.38

Santacruz Silver is an Americas-focused silver producer with operations in Bolivia and Mexico. Its producing assets include a 45 percent stake in the Bolivar and Porco mines, which it shares with the Bolivian government, and a 100 percent ownership of the Caballo Blanco Group mines in Bolivia, along with the Zimapan mine in Mexico.

In its Q2 2025 results, Santacruz reported silver production of 1.42 million ounces from the mines, as well as silver equivalent production of 3.55 million ounces, which includes its zinc, lead and copper production.

In addition to its producing assets, Santacruz also owns the greenfield Soracaya project, an 8,325 hectare land package located in Potosi, Bolivia. According to an August 2024 technical report, the site hosts an inferred resource of 34.5 million ounces of silver derived from 4.14 million metric tons of ore with an average grade of 260 g/t.

In October 2021, Santacruz acquired Glencore’s (LSE:GLEN,OTC Pink:GLCNF) 45 percent stake in the Bolivar and Porco mines and a 100 percent interest in the Soracaya project. Under the terms of the deal, Santacruz made an initial payment of US$20 million and was obligated to make an additional US$90 million over a four-year period from the closing of the transaction. Glencore also retained a 1.5 percent net smelter return.

The pair amended the deal in October 2024, giving Santacruz the option to either pay off the US$80 million base purchase price through annual US$10 million installments or to accelerate the repayment by paying US$40 million by November 2025. The deal also includes additional terms such as monthly payments to Glencore contingent on zinc pricing benchmarks.

Santacruz chose the accelerated option through a structured payment plan, allowing it to satisfy the base purchase price of the properties while saving US$40 million compared to the annual installment option. On September 4, the company announced that it had made its fourth and fifth payments, completing all payments to Glencore.

The most recent news for the Soracaya project was announced on October 7, when Santacruz stated that it was initiating development activities and would be applying for a full production permit.

Shares in Santacruz reached a year-to-date high of C$2.79 on September 29.

2. Andean Precious Metals (TSX:APM)

Year-to-date gain: 563.48 percent
Market cap: C$1.14 billion
Share price: C$7.63

Andean Precious Metals is a precious metals company with a pair of operating assets in the Americas.

Its primary silver-producing operation is the San Bartolomé facility in the Potosi Department of Bolivia. The onsite processing facility has an annual ore capacity of 1.8 million metric tons. The company has transitioned from conventional mining and is processing feed from both its low-cost fines deposit facility and third-party ore purchases.

Its other producing asset is the Golden Queen mine in Kern County, California, US. It hosts a 12,000 metric tons per day cyanide heap leach and a Merrill-Crowe processing facility. A mineral reserve statement showed a measured and indicated silver resource of 11.24 million ounces from 41.81 million metric tons at an average grade of 8.37 g/t silver. The company acquired Golden Queen from Auvergne Umbrella in November 2023 for total consideration of US$15 million.

On June 2, Andean announced it entered into an exclusive, long-term agreement with the Bolivian state-owned mining company Corporacion Minera de Bolivia to acquire up to 7 million metric tons of oxide ore from mining concessions in Bolivia.

The ore is located within a 250 kilometer radius of the processing facility at its San Bartolomé operation, where it will process the ore. Under the terms of the 10 year agreement, Andean will immediately receive an initial 250,000 metric tons of ore, with the remaining to be delivered in tranches of 50,000 metric tons.

On July 17, Andean released its Q2 operating results. During the first half of the year, it produced 2.04 million ounces of silver across its operations, toward the upper end of its guidance of 1.84 million to 2.16 million ounces. It also noted that it anticipates further ramp-up at both its mines in the second half of the year.

In its Q2 financial results released on August 12, the company reported an increase in net income for the first half of the year to US$32.02 million, compared to US$9.31 million during the first half of 2024.

Shares in Andean Precious Metals reached a year-to-date high of C$8.83 on October 1.

3. Avino Silver & Gold Mines (TSX:ASM)

Year-to-date gain: 455.12 percent
Market cap: C$1.06 billion
Share price: C$7.05

Avino Silver & Gold Mines is a precious metals miner with two primary silver assets: the producing Avino silver mine and the neighboring La Preciosa project in Durango, Mexico.

The Avino mine is capable of processing 2,500 metric tons of ore per day, and according to its FY24 report released on January 21 the mine produced 1.1 million ounces of silver, 7,477 ounces of gold and 6.2 million pounds of copper last year. Overall, the company saw broad production increases with silver rising 19 percent, gold rising 2 percent and copper increasing 17 percent year over year.

In addition to its Avino mining operation, Avino is working to advance its La Preciosa project toward the production stage. The site covers 1,134 hectares, and according to a February 2023 resource estimate, hosts a measured and indicated resource of 98.59 million ounces of silver and 189,190 ounces of gold.

In a January 15 update, Avino announced it had received all necessary permits for mining at La Preciosa and begun underground development at La Preciosa. It is now developing a 350 meter mine access and haulage decline. The company said the first phase at the site is expected to cost less than C$5 million, which will be funded from cash reserves.

In Avino’s Q2 financial report released on August 13, the company noted that work was progressing at the site according to plan, with blasting and construction of the San Fernando main access decline underway. It added that a new jumbo drill was working on the ramp towards intercepting the Gloria and Abundancia veins.

On the production and finance side, the company reported improved cost-per-ounce metrics, with cash costs per silver equivalent payable ounce decreasing 7 percent to US$15.11 and all-in-sustaining costs decreasing 8 percent to US$20.93. It also reported a 50 percent year-over-year increase in revenue during the quarter to US$40.64 million, from US$27.18 million during the same period in 2024.

Avino indicated silver production of 549,300 ounces in the first half of 2025, an increase of 1 percent over H1 2024, and 283,619 silver ounces in Q2 alone, a decrease of 3 percent over Q2 2024.

Avino shares reached a year-to-date high of C$7.60 on October 3.

4. Capitan Silver (TSXV:CAPT)

Year-to-date gain: 404.76 percent
Market cap: C$181.29 million
Share price: C$1.59

Capitan Silver is an explorer focused on advancing silver and gold projects in Durango, Mexico. The company’s flagship asset is the 100 percent owned Cruz de Plata project in the heart of Mexico’s historic Peñoles Mining District. The region is known for hosting significant silver mineralization and historic mining.

The Cruz de Plata project encompasses two historic silver mines — Jesús Maria and San Rafael — and the El Capitan oxide gold deposit.

According to a 2020 technical report, the Jesús Maria deposit hosts an inferred resource of 15.16 million ounces of contained silver and 26,000 ounces of gold from 7.57 million metric tons of ore with average grades of 62.3 g/t silver and 0.12 g/t gold.

El Capitan hosts an inferred resource of 1.83 million ounces of silver and 305,000 ounces of gold from 20.72 million metric tons of ore grading 2.8 g/t and 0.46 g/t respectively.

Capitan Silver has made a series of strategic acquisitions during the second and third quarters.

On June 11, the company completed the purchase of a 2 percent net smelter royalty in place at Cruz de Plata from Exploraciones del Altiplano and eliminated the royalty. Total costs incurred by Capitan were US$1 million.

Then, on August 22, the company executed a definitive agreement to acquire a strategic land package surrounding its Cruz de Plata property from Fresnillo (LSE:FRES,OTC Pink:FNLPF) for total cash consideration of US$4 million. The transaction was initially announced in June.

The new parcel consists of seven mineral concessions covering 2,171.4 hectares. It increases Capitan’s total holdings in the area by 85 percent and the surface expression of the silver-gold trend by 1.2 kilometers to the east.

Capitan’s most recent news from Cruz de Plata came on October 1, when the company reported it identified six priority targets and is advancing them a drill-ready stage. It also increased the total length of known veins containing silver mineralization from 7 kilometers to 20 kilometers.

As for the exploration program at the site, the company expanded its Phase 1 drill program by 50 percent to 15,000 meters, and is expecting a property-wide geophysical survey to be completed during the first quarter of 2026.

Shares in Capitan reached a year-to-date high of C$1.85 on September 22.

5. Americas Gold and Silver (TSX:USA)

Year-to-date gain: 312.14 percent
Market cap: C$1.59 billion
Share price: C$5.77

Americas Gold and Silver is a US and Mexico-focused precious metals producer. The company is one of the US’ largest primary silver miners.

Its primary operations consist of the Galena Complex in Idaho, US, and the Cosala Operations in Sinaloa, Mexico.

The Galena complex operates in the Silver Valley, a historic mining district that is home to Bunker Hill, Sunshine and Lucky Friday mines.

Americas Gold and Silver is currently working on a two phase plan to increase efficiency at the mine’s No. 3 shaft. On September 16, the company announced it completed the first phase, upgrading the hoisting capacity from 40 tons to 80 tons per hour of material movement.

It also said that Phase 2 upgrades are scheduled to begin before the end of 2025, including upgrades to the hoist pads, the installation of a hoist control console and the deployment of an antenna system in the shaft that will support upgrades to automation.

The Cosala operations in Sinaloa comprise 67 mining concessions spanning 19,385 hectares and include the Los Braceros processing facility, the San Rafael mine, and the EC120 development project.

The company is currently transitioning its operations away from San Rafael to the EC120 orebody, aiming to bring EC120 into production by the end of 2025. While San Rafael contains higher levels of zinc and lead, EC120 hosts higher grades of silver and copper.

In its second quarter results released on August 11, Americas Gold and Silver reported a 36 percent year-over-year increase in consolidated silver production during the quarter to 689,000 ounces, with zinc and lead by-products bringing its production to 839,000 silver equivalent ounces.

Despite the increase in production, the company noted a 19 percent decrease in revenue at US$27 million versus US$33.2 million during Q2 2024. It attributed the revenue decline to lower production and byproduct revenue from zinc and lead sales as it transitioned away from San Rafael.

Shares in Americas reached a year-to-date high of C$6.02 on October 8.

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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‘It’s a joke’: White House dismisses ‘No Kings’ protests, while Nancy Pelosi rips crown in defiance

Politics 4 Mins Read

While President Donald Trump and his administration brushed off the ‘No Kings’ nationwide protests rebuking the president over the weekend, Democrats lauded the protesters for standing up for democracy. 

The protest marked at least the second time ‘No Kings’ rallies have been organized across the country in major cities, including Washington, New York City and Los Angeles, since Trump took office for the second time, and organizers claim the protests are in opposition to his authoritarian policies. 

Meanwhile, Trump pushed back on the description of ‘king,’ as he and other Republicans poked fun at the millions participating in the rallies. 

‘I’m not a king,’ Trump told reporters Sunday on Air Force One. ‘I work my ass off to make our country great. That’s all it is. I’m not a king at all.’

Trump also characterized the protests as inconsequential, and said that those who participated didn’t accurately reflect the people who make up the U.S. 

‘The demonstrations were very small, very ineffective and the people were whacked out,’ Trump said Sunday. ‘When you look at those people, those are not representative of the people of our country.’

Despite Trump’s rejection of being labeled a king, the official White House social media accounts previously posted an image in February of Trump wearing a crown with a caption claiming ‘long live the king.’ Trump also reposted an AI-generated video that Vice President JD Vance originally shared, depicting Trump placing a crown on his head and drawing a sword. 

Additionally, Trump shared another AI-generated video of him donning a crown in a fighter jet over New York City, unloading what appeared to be feces on the protesters. 

Meanwhile, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., said that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. needed a distraction from the government shutdown that started Oct. 1, although Johnson did admit that the protests turned out to be a ‘violent-free, free speech exercise.’ 

‘They needed a stunt,’ Johnson said in an interview with ABC Sunday. ‘They needed a show. Chuck Schumer has — needs cover right now. He’s closed the government down because he needs political cover, and this was a part of it.’

However, Democrats said the protests were an opportunity to stand up for democracy. For example, Schumer said that there are ‘no dictators’ in the U.S., and that ‘we won’t allow Trump to keep eroding our democracy.’ 

‘Dictators evolve when good people of all different beliefs and backgrounds stay silent,’ Schumer said in a social media post on Saturday. ‘This No Kings Day says we will not stay silent.’

Additionally, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi shared a video clip of her dismantling a plastic crown, appearing to harken back to when she ripped Trump’s State of the Union address in 2020. 

‘We’re gonna tear up the crown!’ Pelosi said in the brief clip, which she shared on social media with the caption: ‘No crown. #NoKings!’ 

Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., also weighed in, claiming ‘we said ‘hell no’ to kings, and reminded the nation and the world what patriotism looks like.’ 

‘From our nation’s capitol to cities across California, millions stood shoulder to shoulder to say that our democracy is worth fighting for, that our voices will not be silent, and that we will not sit back and let a wannabe king take our freedoms,’ Schiff said Saturday to accompany several photos of himself at the protest in Washington. ‘Proud to stand with you.’ 

Additionally, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said the protests were reflective of the democratic process in the U.S. 

‘This is what democracy looks like!’ Murray said in a Saturday social media post. ‘We use our voices and our votes. NO KINGS IN AMERICA!’

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

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Trump breaks ground on massive White House ballroom project with private funding from ‘patriots’

Politics 3 Mins Read

President Donald Trump announced on Monday that construction has begun on a new, privately funded White House Ballroom – a long-envisioned addition designed to host state visits and large gatherings – as part of a modernization of the East Wing.

‘I am pleased to announce that ground has been broken on the White House grounds to build the new, big, beautiful White House Ballroom,’ Trump said on Truth Social. ‘Completely separate from the White House itself, the East Wing is being fully modernized as part of this process, and will be more beautiful than ever when it is complete!

‘For more than 150 years, every President has dreamt about having a Ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, State Visits, etc. I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway — with zero cost to the American Taxpayer!’ he continued. ‘The White House Ballroom is being privately funded by many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly. This Ballroom will be happily used for Generations to come!’

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a briefing in July that the construction of the estimated $200 million new ballroom would begin in September and be ‘completed long before the end of President Trump’s term.’

Her announcement came after a similar gesture earlier this year, when Trump personally financed the installation of two 88-foot American flags flanking the White House, each reportedly costing about $50,000.

‘The White House is currently unable to host major functions honoring world leaders in other countries without having to install a large and unsightly tent approximately 100 yards away from the main building’s entrance,’ Leavitt said at the time, adding the new ballroom will be ‘a much needed and exquisite addition.’

She also said the United States Secret Service will provide the necessary security enhancements and modifications during the construction.

The project is intended to provide a dedicated space for hosting official events, state dinners and large ceremonial gatherings.

The new 90,000-square-foot addition will accommodate approximately 650 seated guests and will stay true to the classical design of the White House.

The White House does not have a formal ballroom, and the new ballroom will take the place of the current East Wing of the White House.

Trump chose McCrery Architects to design the project, with Clark Construction overseeing the build and AECOM providing engineering support.

Fox News Digital’s Amanda Macias contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

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Trump’s Operation Warp Speed sparks GOP call for Nobel Peace Prize after ceasefire snub

Politics 3 Mins Read

A pair of Senate Republicans plan to nominate President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in fast-tracking the production and distribution of vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., plan to introduce a resolution that would formally nominate Trump for the prize for launching Operation Warp Speed at the onset of the pandemic in 2020.

The executive action saw a large-scale collaboration among multiple federal agencies and private companies to fast-track the research, development and distribution of vaccines during the pandemic, and was funded by billions from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. 

The lawmakers’ push comes after Trump expressed his desire to win the Peace Prize for his involvement in striking a deal between Israel and Hamas, and shortly after the prize committee passed over him. It’s also the most recent in a string of nomination pushes from congressional Republicans. 

Both Cassidy and Barrasso, who were doctors before becoming legislators, lauded the massive mobilization effort and credited Operation Warp Speed for saving millions of lives during the pandemic.

‘When Americans needed a vaccine in record time to stop a once-in-a-generation pandemic, President Trump delivered,’ Cassidy said. ‘The Nobel Prize has been given for a lot less. He should receive the next one!’

Barrasso contended that Operation Warp Speed would ‘not have been possible without President Trump’s bold leadership.’

‘He bent an infamously slow bureaucracy to his will to bring a vaccine to market in under a year. Operation Warp Speed saved millions of lives in the United States and millions more lives around the world. President Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for his life-saving achievement,’ he said.

Other congressional Republicans have sought to nominate Trump for the award for varying achievements this year, including his involvement in striking a deal to see the end of the Israel-Hamas War. 

And Dr. Mehmet Oz, who Trump tapped as administrator for the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services, argued the president should win the prize for Operation Warp Speed, which he called a ‘a massive success for our country.’ 

But their push to nominate Trump for his role in vaccine development comes after both lawmakers sparred with Human Health and Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., during a Senate hearing last month following turmoil at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and questions over his stance on vaccines.

Cassidy pressed Kennedy during his appearance before the Senate Finance Committee in September, where the HHS Secretary agreed that Trump should win the prize for Operation Warp Speed.

‘Absolutely, senator,’ Kennedy said.

However, at the time, Cassidy questioned Kennedy’s actions against vaccines prior to his role as HHS Secretary — and while leading the agency — that appeared to counter his support for Operation Warp Speed.

Kennedy countered that he began litigating against former President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates and not against Trump’s push with Operation Warp Speed.

‘First of all, the reason that Operation Warp Speed was genius is it did something nobody ever [had] done — I don’t think any president but President Trump could do it — it got the vaccine to market that was perfectly matched to the virus at that time,’ Kennedy said. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

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GOP gubernatorial hopeful predicts shutdown fight will haunt Dems in critical elections

Politics 3 Mins Read

A House Republican exploring higher office is predicting the ongoing government shutdown will make the 2026 midterm field a more difficult one for Democrats.

‘Once all the dust settles, I think people will think, ‘Why did the Democrats shut it down? What was their reason? What did they get out of it?’’ Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, told Fox News Digital.

‘And I think once this all passes over the next two, three months, I think people will think, like, ‘Shame on all these partisan antics the government did and shame on [Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.] for going down this path, having no idea of how to get it reopened.’

Feenstra is expected to announce a run for Iowa governor, having already started gathering endorsements and creating a ‘Feenstra for Governor’ website.

He’s also one of the vast majority of House Republicans who voted to pass the GOP’s government funding bill on Sept. 19.

It was a seven-week extension of fiscal year (FY) 2025 federal funding levels called a continuing resolution (CR), aimed at giving congressional negotiators more time to strike a longer-term deal on FY2026 spending.

But in the Senate, where at least several Democrats are needed to reach the 60-vote threshold to break a filibuster, progress has stalled.

Senate Democrats have tanked the bill in the upper chamber 11 times since the House passed it.

Three members of the Senate Democratic caucus have been voting with Republicans, but under the current tally, at least five more are needed to hold a final vote on the bill.

Democrats are demanding that any funding bill be paired with significant concessions on healthcare, specifically an extension of Obamacare subsidies that were enhanced during the COVID-19 pandemic, which are set to expire at the end of this year.

‘I think it affects people up and down the ticket, because you have the Democrats … who say, ‘Schumer is right.’ You have these liberal progressives that no matter what happens, they just want to spend more money, and they want to make sure illegal immigrants get healthcare,’ Feenstra said.

‘It’s very concerning, I think once people understand that, I think it could have a really catastrophic effect on Democrats next election cycle,’ he said.

Democrats have called GOP accusations that they want to restore healthcare for illegal immigrants a lie. A counter-proposal for a CR introduced by Democrats last month would eliminate healthcare changes in Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act, some of which are aimed at keeping certain noncitizens from accessing government-funded healthcare.

Feenstra also criticized Democrats’ counter-proposal because it would eliminate a new $50 billion rural hospital fund established in Republicans’ policy bill.

‘Everybody’s really worried about our healthcare. There’s $50 billion in the ‘big, beautiful bill,’ [President Donald Trump’s] big, beautiful bill, to help critical access hospitals in the Midwest and in Iowa. That’s in jeopardy right now,’ Feenstra said.

‘So there’s a lot of concern right now in rural Iowa. And everybody understands that you’ve got to get the government open so that we can negotiate and figure this out.’

The Iowa Republican, whose district skews heavily rural, said he was also worried about critical programs for farmers that are endangered by the shutdown.

‘This is really affecting the farm community over in the Midwest,’ he said.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

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Politics

Biden ‘rang the bell’ after completing radiation therapy for prostate cancer

Politics 2 Mins Read

Former President Joe Biden completed a round of radiation treatment for his aggressive form of prostate cancer on Monday.

Biden had been undergoing treatment at Penn Medicine Radiation Oncology in Philadelphia for several weeks. The former president’s daughter, Ashley Biden, hailed the milestone in a post on social media.

‘Rung the bell! Thank you to the incredible doctors, nurses, and staff at Penn Medicine. We are so grateful!’ she wrote on Instagram.

‘He rang the bell today,’ Biden spokeswoman Kelly Scully confirmed, according to CBS News.

‘Dad has been so damn brave throughout his treatment. Grateful,’ Ashley wrote in a follow-up post.

It is common practice for cancer treatment centers to have patients ring a bell when they complete a round of radiation treatment. It serves as both a mark of progress for the patient and a form of encouragement for other patients undergoing treatment in the facility.

It is unclear whether Biden will need to undergo further rounds of radiation therapy.

Biden announced his diagnosis with prostate cancer in May, saying it had already metastasized and spread to his bones. The announcement redoubled concerns that the White House was not being forthright about Biden’s health during his time in office.

Biden also underwent surgery Sept. 4 to remove cancerous skin cells through a procedure known as Mohs surgery.

During his presidency, Biden had a cancerous skin lesion removed from his chest, the White House previously said. Former White House physician Kevin O’Connor noted in February 2023 that a biopsy of skin tissue taken during a health assessment revealed cancerous cells, all of which were successfully removed.

Fox News’ Bonny Chu contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

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Business

Customers sue sneaker company On over shoes that cause ‘noisy and embarrassing squeak’

Business 3 Mins Read

Customers of the athletic shoe company On have filed a class action lawsuit alleging that some of the brand’s sneakers squeak embarrassingly loudly when they walk.

The class action suit, filed in the U.S. district court in Portland — where On’s U.S. headquarters is located — on October 9, targets On’s shoes made with ‘CloudTec’ technology. A hallmark of many of the brand’s styles, ‘CloudTec’ is composed of differently shaped holes that cover the external and bottom surfaces of the shoes, according to the lawsuit.

At least 11 of On’s sneaker styles are referenced in the lawsuit, including the Cloud 5 and Cloud 6, CloudMonster, and Cloudrunner, among others.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A representative for On said the company does not comment on ongoing legal matters.

According to the lawsuit, ‘CloudTec’ was created to ‘provide cushioned support when wearers land.’ But according to plaintiffs, the technology ‘rubs together’ when wearers walk or run, ‘causing a noisy and embarrassing squeak with each and every step.’

The lawsuit, however, admits that while the squeaky shoes are ‘seemingly inconsequential,’ the company has allegedly refused to provide refunds to those who are unhappy with their sneakers, leaving customers with ‘no relief after buying almost $200 shoes they can no longer wear without their doing significant DIY modifications to the shoe.’

‘No reasonable consumer would purchase Defendant’s shoes — or pay as much for them as they did — knowing each step creates an audible and noticeable squeak,’ the lawsuit states.

Nurses and those who are on their feet all day ‘bear the brunt of this defect,’ the suit argues, which allegedly causes ‘issues for consumers in their daily lives.’

According to the lawsuit, complaints about the squeaking have been widespread and documented on TikTok and Reddit, where customers share ‘DIY’ remedies for the noisy shoes, including rubbing coconut oil on the soles or sprinkling baby powder inside the sneaker.

The lawsuit alleges the company is aware of its squeaky sneakers, but its warranty does not cover reports of noisy soles as On characterizes them as ‘normal wear and tear,’ and has stated in online comments that ‘squeaking isn’t currently classified as a production defect.’

The lawsuit also alleges that the company can better make its products to avoid squeakiness, but that On has ‘done nothing’ to remedy the issue.

Plaintiffs allege they have suffered an ‘ascertainable loss’ due to fraudulent business practices and a ‘deceptive marketing scheme,’ and are seeking ‘compensatory, statutory, and punitive damages’ as well as refunds on their squeaky sneakers.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

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Investing

Gold Fields Completes AU$3.7 Billion Acquisition of Gold Road

Investing 2 Mins Read

Gold Fields (NYSE:GFI) has completed its AU$3.7 billion purchase of Gold Road Resources.

Gold Road rejected Gold Fields’ first acquisition proposal in March, saying it undervalued the company.

Following negotiations between the two parties, Gold Fields, through its wholly owned entity Gruyere Holdings, entered into a scheme implementation deed with Gold Road on May 5. Under the AU$3.7 billion deal, the companies agreed that Gold Road shareholders would receive fixed cash consideration of AU$2.52 per share.

‘The Scheme provides Gold Road shareholders with an opportunity to realise certain value for their Gold Road shares at a compelling premium,” said Gold Road Managing Director and CEO Duncan Gibbs at the time.

“This offer price represents a material premium to the undisturbed share price prior to the initial Gold Fields’ proposal and a material premium to longer term trading levels,’ he added.

Under the deal, Gold Fields will gain a 100 percent interest in the Gruyere project in Western Australia.

Gruyere, which the companies previously worked on together as a joint venture, currently holds an open-pit mineral resource of 6.04 million ounces, and ore reserves of 3.67 million ounces.

Its average annual gold production stands at at 350,000 ounces.

According to Gold Fields, all Gold Road shares are now owned by Gruyere Holdings. Following the scheme’s implementation, Gold Road is expected to apply to delist from the Australian Securities Exchange.

Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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