Locksley Resources (LKY:AU) has announced Locksley Produces High Grade Antimony Concentrate
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Providence Gold Mines (TSXV:PHD,OTC:PRRVF) gives investors a unique chance to participate in a fully permitted California gold project with near-term exploration upside and a clear path to production. Backed by a strong geological setting, lean capital structure, and experienced leadership, Providence is well positioned to create shareholder value in a rising gold market.
The company is advancing its flagship La Dama de Oro project, a fully permitted, turnkey gold property with the rare combination of near-term production potential and significant exploration upside.
Providence has entered into an option agreement to acquire 100 percent of the La Dama de Oro gold property, a historic mine located in California’s Silver Mountain Mining District. The project sits within the Eastern California La Dama de Oro Shear Zone, a highly prospective setting for structurally controlled, low-sulfidation epithermal gold-silver vein systems. Hosting a 6,000-foot strike vein system, open along strike and at depth, La Dama de Oro offers significant exploration upside through modern techniques. Channel sampling, soil geochemistry, and geophysics are set to commence, with an NI 43-101 technical report recently completed.
Project Highlights
- Geology: Multi-phase quartz veining and hydrothermal alteration along the La Dama de Oro Fault, with veins up to 4.5 feet wide, open along strike.
- Exploration stage: Early-stage exploration supported by an NI 43-101 technical report confirming strong potential, though no current resource estimate is defined.
- Fully permitted: Turnkey project with EPA, water, and mill site permits secured, plus an approved exploration program—including bulk sampling—positioning it for rapid advancement toward production.
- Option agreement: Providence can earn 100 percent ownership over four years by issuing 4.5 million shares and committing $770,000 in exploration expenditures.
Company Highlights
- Fully permitted, turnkey project: La Dama de Oro gold property in California has secured EPA, water and mill site permits, enabling rapid execution toward potential production.
- Near-term cash flow focus: Strategy to move into production rather than remain solely an explorer.
- Scale Potential: Modern exploration potential; never been systematically drilled or scientifically evaluated.
- Low-sulfide, simple processing: Crushing, grinding, gravity separation process; avoids more complex/expensive methods.
- Exploration plan: Underground channel samples, soil geochemistry and geophysics to fast-track targeting.
- Compelling geology and location: Within the Eastern California Shear Zone/San Andreas structural corridor; historical production area.
- Tight capital structure: 63 million shares outstanding (as of October 2025) and limited debt, minimizing dilution risk for investors
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The oil market struggled in Q3 as prices continued to soften under mounting supply pressure.
Following moderate gains in H1, prices contracted through Q3, ending the quarter lower than their July 1 start positions.
Brent crude started the period at US$67.10 per barrel and finished at US$65.90, a 1.7 percent decline. Similarly, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) entered the 90 day session at US$65.55 per barrel, slipping to US$62.33 by September 30.
In its recently released energy, oil and gas report for the third quarter, Deloitte attributes the summer price slump to rising global oil inventories and OPEC+ easing production cuts sooner than expected.
“OPEC+ recently announced a 137 million barrels per day (MMbbl/d) production quota increase for October, beginning the reversal of 1.65 MMbbl/d of voluntary cuts that were originally set to stay in place through 2026,” it reads.
Supply has also exceeded demand in the US by 1.6 MMbbl/d between May and August, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), fueling projections of further stock builds for the remainder of the year.
“We expect inventory builds will average 2.1 MMbbl/d in the second half of 2025 and will remain elevated through 2026, putting significant downward pressure on oil prices,” the EIA notes in its September short-term energy forecast.
WTI price performance, December 31, 2024, to October 6, 2025.
Oil prices under pressure amid rising inventories, sluggish demand
Such gains are unusual for the shoulder season, when demand typically dips to around 103 million to 104 million barrels per day, compared to 106 million in summer and winter, Schachter pointed out.
On the flip side, global oil demand in the third quarter remained subdued, with growth projections of approximately 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) for both 2025 and 2026, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
This marks a significant slowdown compared to the 2.8 percent growth observed in 2024.
The IEA attributes this deceleration to factors such as high interest rates, economic uncertainties and structural shifts in energy consumption patterns. Looking ahead, the organization projects a modest rebound in global oil demand, with an anticipated increase of 700,000 bpd in 2026. However, this growth is contingent upon factors such as economic stabilization, energy policy developments, and potential shifts in global trade dynamics.
“Demand is weaker. Inventories are high, OPEC is raising production, and so we have all of that, and we think that we’re going to see WTI below US$60,” said Schachter, adding that he expects to see WTI values sink to the US$56 to US$59 range in the fourth quarter.
Geopolitical tensions drive oil price volatility
Much of the oil price volatility exhibited in the third quarter was driven by geopolitical factors, according to Igor Isaev, Doctor of Technical Sciences, and head of Mind Money’s Analytics Center.
‘Prices have swung sharply, driven by a complex interplay of geopolitical flashpoints, punitive trade policies and structural changes in supply dynamics. From Tehran to Texas, the forces shaping global energy are no longer cyclical — they’ve become groundbreaking, unveiling symptoms of a broader recalibration of energy security and sovereignty.”
As Isaev explained, while these forces aren’t new, they have been especially impactful amid heightened global strife.
“At the heart of recent volatility lies a familiar trio: tariffs, conflict and fragility. US-China trade tensions have resurfaced in the form of targeted energy tariffs, while carbon border adjustments in Europe have added further complexities to global flows,” the expert explained. “Meanwhile, geopolitical instability in Iran, Venezuela, Russia and parts of Africa continues to inject a risk premium into every barrel.”
Despite all the market turbulence, Isaev noted that one steady factor persists — US shale’s balancing act. Once the industry’s great disruptor, shale now serves more as a pressure valve during supply crunches than a growth engine.
However its flexibility is waning. Higher interest rates, escalating service costs and maturing geology, particularly in the Permian Basin, have shifted producers’ focus from expansion to efficiency, he said.
“Its role heading into 2026 will be stabilizing, but not leading.”
For Schachter, the weak price environment falls below the incentive price for US shale producers.
Currently, shale production remains resilient, hitting 13.5 million barrels per day the first week of October, up 200,000 barrels from last year, he said. Producers continue to tap high-quality, tier-one reserves using advanced techniques like longer-reach, multi-leg wells and improved completions, keeping some operations profitable even at US$61.
Oil and gas M&A volume slows, but values surge
As uncertainty abounds companies continue to shy away from deal making. An August report from Wood Mackenzie notes that deal activity in 2025 is down 10 percent, to only 85 sector wide by mid-August.
“The number of deals has been declining progressively since 2022, making this the seventh consecutive half-year drop, with volumes now well below the ten-year average,” the firm’s analysis reads.
Despite the volume decline, values are on the rise.
“At US$71 billion, the overall value of disclosed deals was higher than the half-year average for the last five years, and a huge 80% higher than the unusually low total for the previous half year,” the report continues.
One of the largest deals announced during the quarter was Crescent Energy’s (NYSE:CRGY) acquisition of Vital Energy (TSXV:VUX,NYSE:VTLE), an all-stock deal valued at US$3.1 billion.
The deal will birth one of the 10 largest independent oil and gas producers in the US. The combined company will operate across major basins, including the Eagle Ford, Permian and Uinta.
Although deal volumes have retracted, both Isaev and Schachter anticipate majors heading to market in an effort to bolster their market share.
“M&A activity in North America is likely to accelerate,” said Isaev. “Consolidation will be driven not by land grabs, but by strategic repositioning — especially in LNG, CCS and low-carbon petrochemicals. I expect deals prioritizing operational efficiency, reserve quality and transition alignment over immediate revenue effect.”
For Schachter, majors play a pivotal role in securing today’s oil supply, as well as in funding the innovation for future oil production. “You’re always going to see the big boys go after the medium boys,” he said. “Once you find a good asset, you want to control more and more of it, so you buy other people up. So I think consolidation will be there.”
He went on to note that new technology will open up more plays offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.
“We haven’t really talked a lot about discoveries in the Gulf of Mexico for a long time; I think there will be new technology that will be applied to drilling,’ Schachter commented.
Accessing these offshore assets will not be cheap, as he estimates the wells there could cost upwards of US$50 million wells compared to under US$10 million for an onshore well.
“So that’s going to require the big boys to do that. But the prizes can be there, as we found with Guyana,” said Schachter, pointing to the Caribbean nation’s growth from no output to over 600,000 barrels per day currently.
Gas demand weakens as LNG expansion fuels potential Asian growth
After a sharp rebound in 2024, global natural gas demand slowed notably in the first half of 2025 as high prices, tight supply and economic uncertainty curbed consumption.
That was particularly true in Asia, where both China and India posted year-on-year declines.
Starting the third quarter at US$3.43 per million British thermal units, natural gas values contracted through July and August sinking to a year-to-date low of US$2.73 on August 20, 2025.
Values have since regained lost ground ending the three month period in the US$3.35 range.
Natural gas price performance, December 31, 2024, to October 6, 2025.
As noted in the IEA’s Q3 gas market report, Europe’s LNG imports are on track to hit record highs this year, driven by storage needs and reduced Russian pipeline flows.
Meanwhile, China’s imports are falling amid weaker demand and competition for cargoes, and ongoing geopolitical tensions, including the Israel-Iran conflict, have added volatility and uncertainty to an already fragile market.
Isaev underscored the importance of geography and regional tensions in relation to the gas market.
“In the natural gas arena, the pivot is predominantly geographic. European demand has somewhat rebounded, driven by colder winters and a continued retreat from Russian pipeline gas,’ he said.
Asia, by contrast, has seen softer industrial demand and increased reliance on domestic coal. For Canadian and US producers, this shift presents a strategic opening,” Isaev continued.
He went on to explain that LNG export infrastructure expansion, from BC to the US Gulf Coast, and long-term contracts with European buyers are “becoming geopolitical tools as much as commercial deals.”
While Schachter sees moderate European demand growth due to sluggish economic expansion, the longer-term surge is expected from Asia. As he pointed out, countries such as Japan, South Korea, China and Vietnam, which lack domestic reserves, will increasingly import LNG from sources like Australia, Papua New Guinea, the Gulf Coast and Canada.
‘And prices (in Asia) might be US$11 to US$12 compared to US$3.50 in the US,” said Schachter.
Looking ahead, the EIA forecasts that LNG supply growth is expected to surge in 2026 — led by new output from the US, Canada and Qatar — easing market pressures and potentially reigniting demand across Asia.
Oil and gas market forecast for Q4
Moving into the rest of 2025 and early 2026, Schacter warned that weather remains a key wildcard for energy markets.
He recommended watching whether winter will be mild or unusually cold, as Arctic fronts could spike oil and natural gas prices. Early forecasts, including those from the Farmers’ Almanac, suggest a colder-than-normal winter, though factors like El Niño could influence outcomes and add further uncertainty.
The oil and gas sector veteran, who will be hosting his annual Catch the Energy conference in Calgary in mid-October, also cautioned that global geopolitical risks remain a key market driver. Any disruptions in strategic chokepoints like the straits of Malacca or Hormuz, which could block crude shipments, have the potential to push oil prices higher.
‘And if we do, that’s going to be very, very good for the industry.”
Isaev pointed to OPEC+ tactical production, US shale prioritizing capital discipline over output growth, and LNG shipments to Europe and Japan being increasingly influenced by geopolitical dynamics, as key trends to watch.
“When you factor in the ongoing tensions in the Middle East and West Africa, along with the regulatory shifts surrounding carbon pricing and exploration permits, it’s evident that 2025 isn’t just going to be volatile — it’s a year for strategic realignment,” he said. “The advantage will go to those who can skillfully navigate this complexity, foresee critical turning points and invest their capital with both accuracy and creativity.”
Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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Thanks to exchange-traded funds (ETFs), investors don’t have to be tied to one specific stock. When it comes to biotech ETFs, they give sector participants exposure to many biotech companies via one vehicle.
ETFs are a popular choice as they allow investors to enter the market more safely compared to investing in standalone stocks. A key advantage is that even if one company in the ETF takes a hit, the impact will be less direct.
All other figures were also current as of that date. Read on to learn more about these investment vehicles.
1. ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (ARCA:SBIO)
AUM: US$95.57 million
Launched in December 2014, the ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF tracks small- and mid-cap biotech stocks that have one or more drugs in either Phase II or Phase III US FDA clinical trials. Its holdings must have a market cap between US$200 million and US$5 billion.
There are 102 holdings in this biotech fund, with about 40 percent being small- and micro-cap stocks. Its top holdings include Cytokinetics (NASDAQ:CYTK) at a weight of 3.62 percent, Merus (NASDAQ:MRUS) at 3.51 percent and Avidity Biosciences (NASDAQ:RNA) at 3.43 percent.
2. Tema Oncology ETF (NASDAQ:CANC)
AUM: US$82.42 million
The Tema Oncology ETF provides exposure to biotech companies operating in the oncology industry. Launched in August 2023, it includes companies developing a range of cancer treatments, including CAR-T cell therapies and bispecific antibodies.
There are 51 holdings in this biotechnology fund, of which just over half are small- to mid-cap stocks. Among its top holdings are Revolution Medicines (NASDAQ:RVMD) at a weight of 6.29 percent, Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) at 5.47 percent and Genmab (NASDAQ:GMAB) at 5.32 percent.
3. Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bear 3x Shares (ARCA:LABD)
AUM: US$78.98 million
The Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bear 3x Shares ETF is designed to provide three times the daily return of the inverse of the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index, meaning that the ETF rises in value when the index falls and falls in value when the index rises. Leveraged inverse ETFs are designed for short-term trading and are not suitable for holding long-term. They also carry a high degree of risk as they can be significantly affected by market volatility.
Unlike the other ETFs on this list, LABD achieves its investment objective through holding financial contracts such as futures rather than holding individual stocks.
4. ProShares Ultra NASDAQ Biotechnology (NASDAQ:BIB)
AUM: US$62.42 million
The ProShares Ultra NASDAQ Biotechnology ETF, launched in April 2010, is leveraged to offer twice daily long exposure to the broad-based NASDAQ Biotechnology Index, making it an ideal choice “for investors with a bullish short-term outlook for biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies.” However, analysts also advise investors with a low risk tolerance or a buy-and-hold strategy against investing in this fund due to its unique nature.
Of the 260 holdings in this ETF, the top biotech stocks are Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:VRTX) at a 5.05 percent weight, Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) at 5.01 percent and Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) at 4.93 percent.
5. Tema Heart and Health ETF (NASDAQ:HRTS)
AUM: US$51.68 million
Launched in November 2023, the Tema GLP-1 Obesity and Cardiometabolic ETF tracks biotech stocks with a focus on diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases. The fund was renamed on March 25 from Tema Cardiovascular and Metabolic ETF, and again on June 27 from the GLP-1 Obesity and Cardiometabolic ETF.
There are 47 holdings in this biotechnology fund, with about 75 percent being large-cap stocks and 22 percent mid-cap. About three-quarters of its holdings are based in the US. Its top biotech holdings are Eli Lilly and Company at a 8.47 percent weight, AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) at 4.39 percent and Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) at 4.58 percent.
Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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Canada One Mining (TSXV:CONE, OTC:COMCF, FSE:AU31) is an emerging explorer focused on the Quesnel porphyry belt, one of Canada’s most prolific critical mineral districts. Its flagship Copper Dome project, adjacent to the 45,000 t/day Copper Mountain mine (702 Mt at 0.24 percent copper, 0.09 grams per ton gold, 0.72 grams per ton silver), offers brownfield porphyry copper potential with strong discovery upside.
The flagship Copper Dome project is a 12,800-hectare, 100-percent-owned land package located just 1.5 km south of Hudbay Minerals’ Copper Mountain mine and 18 km from Princeton, British Columbia. With year-round road access, grid power, water supply, and nearby services, the project requires no camp or helicopter support and sits within a three-hour drive of Vancouver.
Positioned in the lower Quesnel porphyry belt—one of Canada’s most prolific porphyry copper districts—Copper Dome offers compelling exploration potential. Backed by a fully permitted, five-year drill program, the project is poised to deliver near-term results and game-changing catalysts.
Company Highlights
- Flagship Copper Project in Tier-1 Jurisdiction: 12,800 ha Copper Dome land package, adjacent to Hudbay’s Copper Mountain mine, one of Canada’s most prominent copper operations.
- Discovery Thesis: Porphyry cluster-style deposit potential; Copper Mountain deposit analogs average ~150 to 200 Mt.
- Logistics Advantage: Year-round access, no camp/helicopters; 3 to 3.5 hrs from Vancouver; pine-beetle-thinned cover aids access.
- Technical Uplift: Transitioning to four-acid digestion (industry standard) vs. the historical three-acid will, on average, return materially high metal values especially where minerals are more resistant to dissolution.
- Near-term Catalysts: Five-year drill permits in place; upcoming geophysics, geochemistry and drill programs across multiple porphyry copper/gold zones.
- Multiple Assets in Canada: In addition to Copper Dome, Canada One’s other exploration assets include the historical small-scale, past-producing Goldrop property and the Zeus gold project.
- Valuation Upside: Market cap just below C$3 million provides significant leverage to discovery and exploration success.
- Capital Strategy: Management will not finance below $0.10; interim self-funding to minimize dilution.
- Experienced Leadership: Management team is supported by resource veterans such as Dave Anthony, head of the company’s advisory board, past COO of Barrick Africa and current CEO of Assante Gold Corporation (TSX:ASE) with a $1.7 billion market capitalization.
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Investor Insight
Metro Mining is one of the few pure-play upstream bauxite companies globally listed on a stock exchange. As a direct exposure to the aluminum sector, Metro offers investors a unique opportunity to benefit from rising global demand driven by industrial applications and growth areas such as electrification, batteries, renewable energy, and lightweight transportation solutions.
Overview
Metro Mining (ASX:MMI) is a low-cost, high-grade Australian bauxite producer with its 100-percent-owned Bauxite Hills mine located 95 km north of Weipa on the Skardon River, Queensland. The mine forms part of a tenement package covering ~1,900 sq km.
Bauxite Hills Mine
As at 31 December 2024, Bauxite Hills contained 114.4 Mt of ore reserves, supporting an ~11-year mine life, with additional mineral resources extending mine life by roughly five years.
Following the infrastructure expansion commissioned in late 2023, the operation is ramping up production during 2025 and remains on track to deliver 6.5 to 7 WMtpa by year end. This positions Metro as one of the lowest-cost global bauxite producers.
The aluminum sector continues to see rising demand growth of around 3 to 4 percent annually, supported by EV manufacturing, renewable energy infrastructure, battery production and lightweight transportation. Market conditions have been strengthened by instability in Guinea, where government actions and weather disruptions have curtailed exports, creating supply uncertainty and reinforcing the importance of reliable Australian producers.
Company Highlights
- Metro Mining’s flagship asset, the Bauxite Hills mine (BHM) in Skardon River, located 95 km north of Weipa in Cape York Peninsula Queensland, benefits from proximity to Asian markets, short haul distances, and a highly scalable, low-cost marine transportation system, ensuring industry-leading operating margins.
- Production ramp-up continuing in 2025 following infrastructure expansion in late 2023. August 2025 shipments reached 753,101 WMT, up 6 percent year-on-year, with year-to-date production of 3.4 Mt, keeping the company on track for its 6.5 to 7 million WMT per annum CY2025 target.
- Targeting a delivered bauxite cost below US$30 per dry ton CIF China, positioning the company firmly within the lowest quartile of global producers.
- End of Q2 2025: Cash balance of AU$28.7 million, secured debt of US$56.6 million, and full-year hedged position at 0.63 US$:A$.
- Ore reserves of 77.7 Mt underpinning ~11 years of mine life, with additional mineral resources providing ~five more years
- Metro Mining maintains robust environmental and social governance, evidenced by receiving the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies’ 2024 Environment Award.
Key Project
Bauxite Hills Mine (Queensland, Australia)
Metro Mining’s flagship asset, the Bauxite Hills mine, is located on the Skardon River, about 95 kilometres north of Weipa in Queensland. The mine is underpinned by 114.4 Mt of ore reserves as at 31 December 2024, providing approximately 11 years of production, with further Mineral Resources extending mine life by around five years.
Bauxite Hills is a straightforward, low-cost DSO operation. The orebody requires no blasting, with only ~0.5 metres of overburden to remove, and short average haul distances of nine kilometres. Ore is screened to below 100 millimetres and hauled to the barge loading facility, where it is transported via tugs and barges to offshore transhippers for loading onto Capesize vessels bound for Asian markets. This efficient marine logistics chain enables Metro to remain in the lowest quartile of global cost producers.
Production continues to build steadily. In Q2 2025, the mine shipped a record 1.9 Mt, generating site EBITDA of AU$54 million and a margin of AU$32 per tonne. In August 2025, shipments reached 753,101 tonnes, a six percent increase from the prior year, with 3.4 Mt shipped year-to-date, putting the mine firmly on track to meet its 2025 target of 6.5 to 7 Mt.
Metro has established offtake agreements with leading global alumina and aluminum producers, including Chalco, Emirates Global Aluminium, Xinfa Aluminium and Shandong Lubei Chemical. To support growth beyond 2025, debottlenecking and optimisation studies are underway to enable potential expansion to 8 Mtpa beyond 2026.
The company is also advancing exploration in surrounding lateritic bauxite terraces. Drilling campaigns are planned across EPM 27611, EPM 16755, EPM 25879 and EPM 26982 during the second half of 2025, with approximately 150 holes scheduled.
In addition, Bauxite Hills hosts a significant kaolin deposit beneath the bauxite ore. Metro is progressing a feasibility study to assess extraction potential, market strategies and product testing, with applications in ceramics, paper, paints and industrial uses.
Management Team
Simon Wensley – CEO and Managing Director
Simon Wensley is a proven industry leader with extensive experience in mining operations and strategic growth. He spent 20 years at Rio Tinto in various operational, project and leadership roles across commodities, including iron ore, industrial minerals, bauxite, alumina, coal and uranium.
Douglas Ritchie – Non-Executive Chair
Douglas Ritchie brings more than 40 years’ experience in resources, previously holding senior leadership roles at Rio Tinto, including CEO of Rio Tinto Coal Australia, chief executive of the Energy Product Group, and group executive of strategy.
Nathan Quinlin – CFO
Nathan Quinlin is experienced in financial strategy and cost optimization, previously serving as finance and commercial manager at Glencore’s CSA mine, managing finance, risk management and life-of-mine planning.
Gary Battensby – General Manager and Site Senior Executive
Gary Battensby has extensive experience in managing large-scale metalliferous mining operations, budget control and regulatory compliance. He previously oversaw teams of up to 350 staff and operations with substantial CAPEX and operational responsibilities.
Vincenzo De Falco – General Manager, Marine Supply & Logistics
With over 15 years of global experience in the shipping and maritime industry, including at IMC and Louis Dreyfus Armateurs, Vincenzo De Falco is leading the Metro Marine Team to manage BHM transhipping logistics, including new Floating Crane Terminal (Ikamba) as well as Tug Mandang.
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The newly formed media corporation Paramount Skydance has acquired The Free Press, an online news and commentary outlet co-founded by Bari Weiss, who will join CBS News as editor-in-chief.
Weiss launched The Free Press in 2021 with her wife, Nellie Bowles, and her sister, Suzy Weiss. They have presented the publication as a heterodox alternative to the legacy news media and a bulwark against “ideological narratives,” particularly on the political left.
The acquisition is one of Skydance chief David Ellison’s most significant early moves to reshape the news unit at Paramount, which he acquired in a blockbuster $8 billion deal earlier this year.
In seeking federal approval of the merger, Skydance vowed to embrace “diverse viewpoints” and represent “the varied ideological perspectives of American viewers.” The company also pledged to install an ombudsman at the nearly 100-year-old CBS News operation.
“This partnership allows our ethos of fearless, independent journalism to reach an enormous, diverse, and influential audience,” Weiss said in a news release. “We honor the extraordinary legacy of CBS News by committing ourselves to a singular mission: building the most trusted news organization of the 21st Century.”
The Free Press has roughly 1.5 million subscribers on Substack, with more than 170,000 of them paid, according to Paramount Skydance. The Financial Times estimated that the publication generates more than $15 million in annual subscription revenue. NBC News has not independently verified that figure.
“Bari is a proven champion of independent, principled journalism, and I am confident her entrepreneurial drive and editorial vision will invigorate CBS News,” Ellison said in a statement. “This move is part of Paramount’s bigger vision to modernize content and the way it connects — directly and passionately — to audiences around the world.”
The acquisition talks between Ellison and Weiss were first reported in late June by Status, a media industry newsletter. Ellison is the son of billionaire tech mogul Larry Ellison, the co-founder of the software firm Oracle.
Weiss co-founded The Free Press after quitting the opinion section of The New York Times. In a resignation letter that was published online, Weiss decried what she characterized as the “illiberal environment” at the newspaper.
The Free Press earned wide attention in April 2024 after it published an essay from Uri Berliner, a senior business editor at National Public Radio who accused his employer of organizing around a “progressive worldview.” Berliner then resigned from NPR and joined The Free Press.
The publication’s regular stable of columnists includes Tyler Cowen, an economist and podcaster; Matthew Continetti, the author of a book about the evolution of American conservatism; and Niall Ferguson, a British-American historian.
CBS News has repeatedly found itself in the national spotlight in recent months. President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit last year against Paramount accusing “60 Minutes” of deceptively editing an interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
CBS denied the claim. Paramount settled Trump’s lawsuit for $16 million.
The Federal Communications Commission is still investigating whether CBS engaged in “news distortion.” The commission is chaired by Brendan Carr, who was appointed by Trump at the start of his second term.
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Hydrogen Utopia International PLC (LSE: HUI), a company pioneering non-recyclable waste-to-hydrogen systems, is delighted to announce that it has entered into a Binding Outline Agreement with BPODash LLC (‘BPOD’), a U.S.-based developer of advanced AI-powered monitoring and predictive analytics for industrial operations.
BPOD offers a cloud-based platform that connects operational and business data across industrial sites. The technology gives plant operators a clear, real-time view of everything from feedstock intake to final off-take, while using AI to spot potential issues early, predict performance, and guide smarter decisions. The result is reduced downtime, improved efficiency, and stronger profitability.
BPOD’s platform, built by industry veterans with deep expertise in plasma gasification, anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, and incineration, has been specifically designed for the complex environments of renewable and waste-to-energy facilities. Its’ artificial intelligence tools consolidate operational and business data across entire plants, forecasting performance, preventing downtime, and maximising efficiency. The system is supported by 24/7/365 monitoring and integrates seamlessly with existing plant controls and enterprise software, providing a single intelligent layer for operators and executives.
The Binding Outline Agreement proposes to give HUI exclusive rights to integrate BPOD’s technology into its waste-to-hydrogen projects across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) once a Definitive Agreement has been reached. This combination is expected to enable HUI’s facilities not only to convert waste into clean hydrogen but also to operate as digitally optimised, AI-driven plants with real-time oversight and predictive decision-making capabilities.
As AI and data technologies continue to expand at unprecedented speed, the energy demand behind this digital revolution has become one of the most pressing global challenges. Clean, scalable hydrogen is also increasingly recognised as the fuel that could power the growth of the AI economy without adding to the carbon burden. Through this partnership, HUI intends to demonstrate how AI-enabled operations can be incorporated into hydrogen production to deliver energy and digital resilience sustainably in one of the world’s most forward-looking markets.
The Definitive Agreement is expected to be executed within 180 days.
Richard Fish is a director and shareholder of HUI and a director and shareholder of BPODash LLP. The terms of the Binding Outline Agreement have been reviewed by the Directors of HUI with Richard Fish having recused himself from the Board’s consideration of the matter.
Aleksandra Binkowska, CEO of Hydrogen Utopia International PLC, commented:
‘Artificial intelligence is transforming industries worldwide, but its extraordinary energy demands require equally extraordinary solutions. Hydrogen is that solution, the clean enabler of the AI economy. By combining BPODash’s predictive analytics with HUI’s waste-to-hydrogen systems, we are creating facilities that are not only sustainable but also intelligent, efficient, and future-proof. This is a unique opportunity to place hydrogen at the heart of both the energy transition and the digital revolution.’
Richard Fish, Director of Hydrogen Utopia International PLC, commented: ‘Partnering with BPODash enables Hydrogen Utopia to unlock the full potential of our operational data. Their AI-driven platform gives us the clarity and control needed to optimize plant performance, reduce downtime, and sharpen our margins-critical steps toward our focus on delivering hydrogen at less than $2 per kilogram. This is not just digital transformation; it’s strategic acceleration.’
Yuri Verbowski and Darrell Hill, CoFounders, BPODash, commented: ‘BPODash is pleased to collaborate with HUI on this groundbreaking initiative. AI delivers its best results when guided by real expertise, and this partnership combines cutting edge analytics with seasoned industry specialists. Together, we’ll ensure every insight is actionable, every prediction reliable, and every plant optimized for the realities of hydrogen production. HUI’s projects in MENA are an ideal fit for our technology. As AI’s energy demand accelerates, we’ll demonstrate how expert guided, digitally optimized hydrogen plants deliver real time intelligence, resilience, and a lower carbon footprint.’
For further information, please contact:
Hydrogen Utopia International PLC
Aleksandra Binkowska
+44 20 3811 8770
Alfred Henry Corporate Finance Limited (LSE Corporate Adviser)
Nick Michaels/Maya Klein Wassink
+44 20 8064 4056
Novum Securities Limited (Broker)
Jon Belliss/Colin Rowbury
+44 20 7399 9400
Capital Plus Partners Limited (Broker)
Dominic Berger
+44 7799888544
About Hydrogen Utopia International PLC
HUI aims to become one of the leading new European companies specialising in converting non-recyclable mixed waste plastic into hydrogen and other carbon-free fuels, new materials or distributed renewable heat.
A HUI facility uses non-recyclable mixed waste plastic as feedstock and turns it into syngas from which new products and energy can be produced. HUI anticipates that its revenues will be derived from a variety of sources, dependent upon location and configuration of the HUI facilities, including the sale of syngas, hydrogen and other gases, electricity and heat sales, and the payment to it of fees for a given quantity of non-recyclable mixed waste plastic received at a HUI facility.
HUI will target areas where there is significant private sector interest or potential, financial backing is accessible and or where substantial EU and/or government funded sources of grants and loans are or may be available. The global increase in fossil fuel-based energy prices reinforces the need for alternative, price competitive energy sources, which HUI’s business model can provide.
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African Discovery Group (OTC:AFDG) (‘AFDG‘ or the ‘Company‘) has signed a term sheet to acquire the Butembo Copper exploration license in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by acquiring 100% of the shares of SOCIETE GRABIN MINING SAS (the ‘Transaction‘). With this proposed acquisition, AFDG aims to create a combined copper company built to deliver value creation for the next century. Congo has an estimated $24 trillion worth of mineral wealth, according to the World Bank.
First standalone Congolese company in the United States
As part of the renewed strategic alliance and vision between the United States and the DRC to promote strategic minerals, the USA-DRC Economic Forum will be hosted in Washington DC in October, in follow-up to a successful investment hosted by President Trump of the United States and President Tshisekedi of DRC in August in Washington.
Massad Boulos, US Senior Advisor for Africa to President Trump recently stated, ‘I look forward to working with President Félix Tshisekedi and his team to build a deeper relationship that benefits the Congolese and American people, and to stimulate American private sector investment in the DRC, particularly in the mining sector, with the shared goal of contributing to the prosperity of both our countries.’ United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio further stressed the importance of protecting U.S. strategic interests in critical minerals, which are important for the tech sector, and bringing stability to the region. Reports indicate his involvement in DRC’s peace process was seen as using U.S. influence in the minerals trade to facilitate U.S. access to critical minerals. President Trump has further stated ‘Our partnership (with the DRC) would provide the U.S. with a strategic advantage by securing critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium, copper and tantalum from the Democratic Republic of Congo. U.S. companies are ready to step up and are eager to invest. But for them to succeed, they need transparency, predictable governance, and a stronger enabling environment in the DRC.’ At the time of the closing of the transaction, the combined company will become the first stand-alone DRC company to be publicly traded in the United States.
DRC’s copper production is among the largest in the world, with the DRC concentrating 65% of newly announced copper reserves identified worldwide in 2023, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. Numerous highly valued copper companies have recognized DRC’s copper potential including Ivanhoe Mining Limited, one of DRC’s largest copper companies, Glencore, and the emerging entity of Kobold, a Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates based mining exploration startup. Copper’s demand is predicated on numerous items, including artificial intelligence related infrastructure build, telecommunications and building materials, amongst others.
The new management that will drive value creation are driven by Andrew Groves, whose previous strategic exits in resources on the African continent include: Founder and CEO of CAMEC PLC, a cobalt and copper producer in the DRC that sold to ENRC for a billion dollar exit, Founder and CEO of African Platinum PLC, that sold to Impala Platinum for $900mm, and the founder of Central African Gold that sold to New Dawn for $300mm. Aldo Cesano, who intends to join the Board of Directors of the company, brings over 40 years of experience in mining and logistics development across the DRC, Zimbabwe and Southern Africa. Andrew’s team will succeed as management in entirety post close of Transaction.
The stock-based transaction will create a copper exploration company, with a focus on creating value around Africa and DRC specifically focused on under explored basins of copper. On closing of the Transaction, the Company is expected to change corporate name, domicile, and trading symbol to reflect the nature of the new operations, and apply for an uplisting to the NASDAQ exchange, subject to regulatory approval. As part of the closing of the transaction, AFDG is expected to issue shares to SOCIETE GRABIN MINING SAS. The Transaction is expected to result in the existing AFDG shareholders retaining a minority ownership of the Company. AFDG is aiming to close the Transaction in Q4 2025, subject to due diligence and financing contingency.
On August 27, 2025, the United States government added copper to its draft list of strategic metals. According to veteran energy historian Daniel Yergin,’ only one metal represents the linchpin of the energy transition away from fossil fuels, with copper as that fundamental mineral that’s required for all aspects of the energy transition, including electric vehicles and batteries, charging infrastructure and the wires that comprise the grid itself, require more copper than the technologies used to produce energy from fossil fuels’. Current estimates that copper supply needs to double by 2035 — from the current 25 million metric tons per year to a record 50 million metric tons per year. The International Energy Agency (IEA) expects the supply-demand disparity to persist until 2050.
While the east of the DRC is relatively unexplored, prior to the independence of Zaire the Belgian’s had planned on building rail infrastructure from Kisangani to Goma, Bukavu and Bunia to export copper, tungsten, tin and other minerals and agricultural products from the region, plans that adjusted post independence. Traditionally, large mining companies have focused on Katanga province for copper and cobalt, given proximity to export markets and Southern African ports. Logistics are a key component to the project in the Eastern DRC, with the Consortium of Toha and Bulongo Logistics starting works on the Kisangani to Bukavu route via Lubutu (Asphalt road) towards the end of 2025. The consortium will fund the construction from 60% of the proceeds from the Kolwezi to Solwezi toll road project with a new border at Kasabinda, which should be completed by third quarter of 2026.
AFDG Chairman and Founder, Alan Kessler, who is expected to retain a role as a Director of the company post close of transaction, stated, ‘We are highly enthusiastic to move forward with such a promising Transaction for our company and our shareholders. Numerous tailwinds are expected to drive dramatic value creation, in conjunction with a high correlation to gold price at an all-time high and an easing US Federal reserve, Artificial Intelligence related infrastructure build, meets the energy transition, finds an emerging DRC. The confluence and timing of all of these global factors on the demand side, and constrained supply, ensures the highly promising nature of this opportunity.’
EAS Advisors LLC have been appointed as the corporate advisor for the Company on the Transaction.
About Butembo Copper Project
Butembo is a near surface, low strip, Tier one exploration opportunity, located near the Ruwenzori mountain location of Uganda’s biggest copper mine (Kilembe with 4 million tons of verified reserves), located only 50km from the Ugandan border with verified access to rail. The High-grade copper samples thus far have returned 18% Copper assays, which if maintained at production would rank amongst the highest globally.
About African Discovery Group
African Discovery Group, Inc., is a Delaware corporation, dedicated to the development of the African continent. AFDG’s wholly-owned subsidiary, ADG Subsidiary Corp., is a Delaware corporation (‘ADG’). AFDG’s primary businesses from which it intends to generate revenues in the future, include agriculture/sustainability, power, media, strategic minerals, and finance sectors on the African continent. The Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, is committed to all aspects of environmental, social and governance issues in its business.
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The Trump administration is exploring a potential equity stake in Critical Metals (NASDAQ:CRML), a US-listed company developing Greenland’s massive Tanbreez rare earths deposit, people familiar with the discussions told Reuters.
This isn’t the White House’s first foray in the critical minerals space, as the President has been adamant about building domestic supply chains for in demand metals and minerals.
“Hundreds of companies are approaching us trying to get the administration to invest in their critical minerals projects,” according to a senior Trump administration official.
While nothing has been confirmed yet, the report acknowledged ongoing talks about a possible investment, which three sources said could stem from a conversion of a pending US$50 million Defense Production Act grant application into an equity position.
Rare earth elements, prized for their powerful magnetic properties, are indispensable for technologies ranging from electric vehicle motors and wind turbines to missile guidance systems.
With China currently dominating the mining and processing of these materials, the US has increasingly sought to diversify its supply chain by backing projects at home and abroad.
Critical Metals, which last year acquired the Tanbreez project for US$5 million in cash and US$211 million in stock, applied for the federal grant in June.
The discussions in recent weeks have centered on turning that request into a government stake worth roughly 8 percent, though the final figure and the deal itself remains uncertain.
The company has not publicly commented on the negotiations and did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Earlier this month, the administration finalized an arrangement to take a 5 percent stake in Lithium Americas (TSX:LAC,NYSE:LAC) through warrants issued by the US Department of Energy (DOE) as part of a US$2.23 billion loan package for the Thacker Pass lithium project in Nevada.
The Greenland proposal represents a complementary push: rather than expanding domestic mining, it would give Washington a stake in one of the world’s most strategically located and largest mineral deposits outside China.
Tanbreez, situated in southern Greenland, is believed to contain a rich mix of rare earths and other critical elements used in magnets, batteries, and high-performance alloys.
Markets responded swiftly to the news. Shares of Critical Metals surged nearly 53 percent in premarket trading Monday following Reuters’ initial report of Washington’s interest, reaching their highest levels since the company’s public listing.
Critical Metals separately announced that it had raised US$35 million from an unnamed institutional investor to advance Tanbreez’s development, while also restating its financial results for the six months ended December 2024 and 2023.
Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, has become an emerging focal point of geopolitical and resource competition in the Arctic. Its vast mineral and hydrocarbon potential, combined with its proximity to North America and Europe, makes it strategically significant for both economic and security reasons.
The Trump administration’s growing focus on Greenlandic resources also coincides with private-sector activity in the region.
Last month, New York-based Pelican Acquisition (NASDAQ: PELI) announced a merger agreement with Greenland Exploration and March GL to form the Greenland Energy Company (NASDAQ:GLND), which will pursue oil and gas exploration in East Greenland’s Jameson Land Basin.
As the Trump administration considers reallocating up to US$2 billion from the CHIPS and Science Act to fund critical minerals projects, analysts see these developments as a sign that the US is deepening its commitment to securing supply chains from the Arctic.
If the Greenland deal proceeds, it would not just revive the territory’s mining ambitions but also mark one of the most symbolic extensions yet of Trump’s long-standing interest in the Arctic frontier.
Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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