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July 22, 2025 TheNewswire – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada JZR Gold Inc. (TSXV:  JZR) (the ‘ Company ‘ or ‘ JZR ‘) is pleased to announce that it has completed its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the ‘ Offering ‘) of units (each, a ‘ Unit ‘) at a price of $0.30 per Unit. Pursuant to the Offering, which was announced on July 11, 2025, the Company has issued 6,000,000 Units for aggregate gross proceeds of CAD$1,800,000. The Company also wishes to announce that, due to investor interest, the Offering was increased from $1,500,000 to $1,800,000.

 

  Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a ‘S   hare   ‘) and one common share purchase warrant (each, a ‘   Warrant   ‘). Each Warrant is exercisable into one additional Share (each, a ‘   Warrant Share   ‘) at a price of $0.40 per Warrant Share for a period of two (2) years from the date of issuance, subject to acceleration. The Warrants are subject to an acceleration provision whereby, in the event that the volume weighted average trading price of the Company’s common shares traded on TSX Venture Exchange (the ‘   Exchange   ‘), or any other stock exchange on which the Company’s common shares are then listed, is equal to or greater than $0.75 for a period of 10 consecutive trading days, the Company shall have the right to accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants by giving written notice to the holders of the Warrants that the Warrants will expire on the date that is not less than 30 days from the date that notice is provided by the Company to the Warrant holders. The Company did not pay any finder’s fees in closing this Offering.  

 

  The Units, Shares, Warrants, and Warrant Shares are collectively referred to as the ‘   Securities   ‘. The Securities are subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of Closing.  

 

  The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to fund operations of the fully constructed 800 tonne-per-day gravimetric mill, as well as future exploration work on the Vila Nova Gold project located in Amapa State, Brazil, and for general working capital purposes. JZR has been advised by its Joint Venture Royalty Agreement partner, ECO Mining Oil & Gaz Drilling and Exploration Ltda. (EIRELI) (‘ECO’), that the Mill is fully operational, but ECO is completing a few minor improvements to the Mill to improve operational efficiency. There will be further updates regarding operations in the immediate future.  

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Robert Klenk

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

  rob@jzrgold.com  

 

Forward-Looking Information

 

  This press release contains certain ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information in this press release includes all statements that are not historical facts, including, without limitation, statements with respect to the details of the Offering, including the proposed size, timing and the expected use of proceeds and the receipt of regulatory approval for the Offering; the testing and anticipated commencement of operation of the Mill. Forward-looking information reflects the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. These factors include, but are not limited to:   the Company may not complete the Offering; the Offering may not be approved by the TSX Venture Exchange;   risks associated with the business of the Company; the Mill may not commence operating once testing has been completed, or at all; business and economic conditions in the mineral exploration industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; changes in commodity prices; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; risks related to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions; risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with the specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters); risks related to adverse weather conditions; political risk and social unrest; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; and   other risk factors as detailed from time to time in the Company’s continuous disclosure documents filed with the Canadian securities regulators.  The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement.  The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable securities laws.  

 

  Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.  

 

  None of the securities of JZR have been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the ‘U.S. Securities Act’), or any state securities law, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or ‘U.S. persons’ (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) absent registration or an exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy in the United States nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.  

 

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES.

 

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

 

 

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(TheNewswire)

 

      

   
                 

 

  NOT   INTENDED   FOR   DISTRIBUTION   TO   UNITED   STATES   NEWS   WIRE   SERVICES   OR   FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES  

 

VANCOUVER, BC TheNewswire – July 22, 2025 Heritage Mining Ltd. (CSE: HML FRA: Y66) (‘ Heritage ‘ or the ‘ Company ‘) is pleased to announce a non-brokered offering of up to 18,187,725 units (the ‘ LIFE Offering ‘) for gross proceeds of up to C$636,570 with a lead order from a strategic investor of ~C$450,000. The Company is also pleased to announce it has entered into an asset purchase agreement with Advanced Gold Exploration Inc. to acquire a 75% interest in the Melba Mine (a former past producer from early-mid 1900’s) which, subject to the satisfaction of conditions precedent and due diligence, will facilitate the Company’s entrance into the Kirkland Lake Gold District. The Company also provides an exploration update on its Drayton-Black Lake and Contact Bay projects.

 

  July 2025 Corporate Update Highlights  

 

  •  

    LIFE Offering announced with a lead order from a strategic investor totaling ~C$450,000.

     

  •   

  July 2025 Exploration Update Highlights  

 

  •  

    Drilling at Drayton-Black Lake (‘ DBL ‘) – Zone 3 Extension confirms gold mineralization in a broad quartz vein structure as initially reported in Heritage’s press release dated May 15, 2025.

     

    •  

      DBL – Zone 3 Extension drilling intersected multiple zones of locally anomalous gold mineralization in drill hole HML25-011 associated with a 46m wide quartz zone, including 0.95 g/t Au over 1m from 237.00m; and

       

    •  

    •  

        Zone 3 Extension drill hole HML25-012 tested a different magnetic lineament at the periphery at the Lake of the Bays Batholith and the contact zone of this batholithic body.  Two n arrow zones of up to 0.43 g/t Au over 1m were intersected.

       

    •  

  •  

  •  

    Drilling at Contact Bay is completed. A total of 10 holes for 2,726m were drilled with assays pending.

     

    •  

      Drill holes locally intersected narrow quartz sulfide veins and visible gold was observed on one drill hole RGN25-004 (Figure 4).

       

    •  

  •  

  ‘We are pleased to welcome a new strategic shareholder, who aligns with Heritage’s view that systematic active exploration across all properties is the key driver. We look forward to generating value to all stakeholders.  

 

  The proposed Melba Mine acquisition (pending due diligence) offers the Company exposure to the well-known mining camp (Kirkland Lake and Timmins). We look forward to applying our active systemic exploration approach to this area in short order post-acquisition.  

 

  Although assays remain pending from Zone 3 Extension at DBL and Contact Bay we appreciate the technical success and confirmation of anomalous gold in a new area never before prospected in the Sioux Lookout Area. This is the broadest quartz vein ever intersected within the Sioux Lookout District and warrants further drilling and evaluation along strike.’   Commented Peter Schloo, President CEO, and Director of Heritage

 

  2025 Corporate Update  

 

The Company has concurrently filed an offering document in respect of the LIFE Offering (the ‘ Offering Document ‘) on its profile on SEDAR+. The following is a brief summary of the terms of the LIFE Offering but investors should review the Offering Document in detail prior to making an investment decision:

 

  Offering:  

 

A non- brokered ‘best-efforts basis’ private placement financing of up to 18,187,725 units (the ‘ LIFE   Offering ‘) for gross proceeds of up to $635,570 for units of the Company (each, a ‘ Unit ‘) at a price of $0.035 per Unit, with each Unit being comprised of one (1) common share of the Company (each a ‘ Common Share ‘) and one (1) common share purchase warrant   (a ‘ Warrant ‘) granting the holder the right to purchase one (1) additional Common Share of the Company (a ‘ Warrant   Share ‘) at a price of $0.05 at any time on or before 36 months from the Closing Date (as defined herein), which securities shall be offered pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions (‘ NI 45-106 ‘).

 

  Offering Price:  

 

The Offered Securities shall be offered at the price of $0.035 per Unit.

 

  Offering Amount:  

 

The maximum offering amount under the LIFE Offering shall be for aggregate proceeds of $636,570, assuming full subscription pursuant to the LIFE Offering and the full exercise of the Broker’s Units (as defined below). There is no minimum offering amount pursuant to the LIFE Offering .  

 

The maximum number of securities issuable under the LIFE Offering consists of an aggregate of up to 18,187,725 Units for gross proceeds of up to $636,570.

 

  Closing   Date: The closing of the LIFE Offering (the ‘ Closing   Date ‘) is expected to take place on or about July 31, 2025.

 

  Fees and Commissions  

 

Cash fee and broker warrants, as detailed below.

 

  Cash Fee: The Company will pay cash fees equal to 7.0% of gross proceeds raised in respect of the Offering.

 

  Broker Units:   The Company will issue broker units (each a ‘ Broker Unit ‘) equal to 7% of the Units sold under the Offering at an exercise price equal to $0.035 per Broker Unit, with each Broker Unit consisting of one (1) Common Share and one (1) Broker Warrant, with each Broker Warrant granting the holder the right to purchase one (1) additional Common Share of the Company (each, a ‘ Warrant   Share ‘).  

 

  Melba Asset Purchase Agreement Summary:  

 

   Purchase Price  

 

      

  1.  

      Heritage shall issue the Vendor Common Shares having a deemed value of C$350,000   Consideration   Shares   ‘)   at   a price per Consideration Share equal to the closing price of the Common Shares in the capital of Heritage on the trading day preceding the Closing Date and subject to the following release schedule (which the Vendor hereby agrees will be reflected in restrictive legends applied to the certificates representing the Consideration Shares):  

     

  2.  

  (a)   25% of the Consideration Shares released on Closing Date;  

 

  (b)   25% of the Consideration Shares released on the date that is 90 days after the Closing Date;  

 

  (c)   25% of the Consideration Shares released on the date that is 180 days after the Closing Date; and  

 

  (d)   25% of the Consideration Shares released on the date that is 270 days after the Closing Date.

 

  Closing of the acquisition is subject to customary conditions precedent for a transaction of this nature, including the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange.  

 

  Melba Mine Property Description  

 

The Melba Mine is located in Northwestern, Ontario, Canada Southwest of Matheson Ontario (Figure One) approximately seven kilometres west off the King’s Highway 11, on the section of highway travelling from Kirkland Lake to Cochrane. The Melba Mine is located on the west central part of Ontario close to the Ontario and Quebec border. It’s fortunate the location of the Melba Property lies within the central hub of over 100 years of mining activities, including active mining operations within the Abitibi Greenstone Belt.  

 

The claim package includes single cell mining claims spanning 1,522.70 hectares and one mining lease.

 

  Property Geology  

 

  The governing element of structure appears to be a contact between dioritic greenstone to the south and argillaceous greywacke to the north. The contact trends north 50-60 degrees west and dips northward. Whether the greywacke is part of a synclinal trough of sediments that are younger than the greenstone or whether it is part of a sedimentary band belonging to the greenstone series is an unknown factor at present. The greywacke is cut by dikes of porphyry that run parallel to the contact. The main gold bearing vein, usually described as the ‘Blue Vein’, also runs parallel to the contact but lies within the sediments. It strikes north 55 degrees west   and dips northward 55 degrees. It is accompanied by shearing and alteration, also by a pattern of cross fracturing that has produced faulting in the main vein and has led to the development of irregular veins in the adjacent rocks. The main vein is displaced 60 feet (18.2 metres) northward near the shaft and other displacements have been found underground. The picture resembles that of the sedimentary belt in the Beatty-Munro area. Numerous feldspar porphyry, diorite and basic syenite dikes were intersected by the drilling. Overall, a significant amount of the drill core showed alteration, some highly, while carbonate stringers were numerous and visible gold was noted in drill core.  

 

    
Click Image To View Full Size
 

 

Figure 1: Property Map – Melba Mine   

 

  2025 Exploration Update  

 

Assays were delayed due to operational issues at the lab and core shack facilities; corrective measures have been implemented, and normal operations are expected to resume shortly.

 

  Discussion of Results  

 

DBL – Zone 3 Extension

 

  The 2025 drill program at Zone 3 Extension targeted granite-hosted mineralised quartz-vein structures that were first observed in the HML Zone 3 drilling program of August 2024 (Figure 3).  The recently completed program comprised 4 holes for a total 1105.5m targeting a northeast-southwest trending magnetic lineament.  Drilling is considered a technical success with two ( HML25-011 and 013 )   of the four holes intersecting a well-developed quartz vein structure, including drill hole HML25-013 that intersected a 74m wide vein structure (true width unknown).  Assays received for HML25-010, 011 and 012, with assays pending for HML25-013 & 014.

 

Assays for HML25-010 & 011 confirm locally elevated gold values in the vein structure, with the best intersection of 0.95g/t gold over 1 meter in drill hole HML25-011 (Figure 2). Although gold mineralization is low grade, significant exploration potential remains along strike of this well-defined linear mag feature, and   further drilling is proposed to test this ‘mega-quartz vein structure’.  

 

  HML25-011 Highlights:  

 

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    0.07 g/t Au over 5.5m from 212.50m to 217.00m

     

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      Including 0.27g/t Au from 213.47m

       

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  •  

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    0.95 g/t Au over 1m from 237.00m (within Quartz Vein Zone)

     

  •  

    
Click Image To View Full Size
 

 

Figure 2: HML25-011 Box 56 – Yellow Box indicates from 237.00m to 238.00m

 

    
Click Image To View Full Size
 

 

  Figure 3: Showing the completed and proposed holes testing the northeast-southwest trending magnetic lineament  

 

  Contact Bay Rognon Mine Area  

 

  The 2025 drill program at Contact Bay is completed, targeting a mineralised quartz-vein structure that was historically mined in the early 1900’s.  The recently completed program comprised 10 holes for a total 2726.0m. The geology comprises metavolcanic rocks cut by granitoid batholiths and gabbroic sills and stocks.  The metavolcanic rocks are locally cut by cm-scale quartz-sulphide veins and drill hole RGN25-004 intersected visible gold in a quartz-pyrite vein (Figure 4).  Assays are pending for all holes.

 

    
Click Image To View Full Size
 

 

  Figure 4: Showing the magnetic map for the Contact Bay Rognon Mine area and an image of the visible gold intersected in RGN25-004.

 

  Conclusion  

 

Although some assays remain pending, the Company believes additional drilling is warranted to test along this major quartz vein structure along strike.   The Company has proposed an additional 10 holes to test along a 2km strike length of the magnetic lineament (Figure 3).

 

  Qualified Person  

 

  Stephen Hughes P. Geo, Strategic Advisor for the Company, serves as a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has reviewed the scientific and technical information in this news release, approving the disclosure herein.  

 

  Technical Program  

 

  Heritage Mining adheres to a strict QA/QC protocol for handling, sampling, sample transportation and analyses.  Chain-of-custody protocols are designed to ensure security of samples until their delivery at the laboratory.  

 

   

 

  Sampling, Sub-sampling, and Laboratory Analysis for Heritage Mining Drayton Black Lake Project All drilling at the Drayton Black Lake project recovers NQ core. Drill core is systematically split in half using a diamond saw. A qualified geologist examines the drill core, marking intervals for sampling and indicating the cutting line. Sample lengths are typically 1.0 metre, adjusted to a minimum length of 0.5 metre as necessary to respect lithological and/or mineralogical contacts and to isolate narrow veins or structures that may contain higher-grade mineralization.  

 

  Technicians saw the core along the cutting lines determined by the geologist. One half of the core is retained as a witness sample, while the other half is submitted for analysis. Individual sample bags are securely sealed   and placed into sealed bags, which are then clearly marked with their contents.  

 

  Heritage Mining submits samples for gold determination by PhotonAssay to ALS Canada Ltd. (‘   ALS   ‘). ALS operates under a commercial contract with Heritage Mining.  

 

  Drill core samples are shipped to ALS for sample preparation at their facilities in Thunderbay Ontario. ALS is an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited laboratory for the PhotonAssay method in addition to a variety of diverse metal determination methods.  

 

  Analytical Procedures  

 

  The ALS procedure for PhotonAssay involves lab applying preparation codes LOG-21 (sample logging via barcode), CRU-31 (fine crushing so that 70% passes through a 2mm screen) and SPL-32a (rotary splitting of a representative ~500g subsample)  followed by analytical code Au-PA01 which is a non-destructive gold analysis method using high-energy X-rays with a gold detection range from 0.03 ppm to 350ppm.  

 

  After gold assays are returned, Heritage then may choose to perform multi-element assays on selected samples based on the gold results. In these cases, sample preparation codes FND-05 (locate and use remaining crushed material from Au-PA01) and PUL-32m (pulverization so that >85% passes 75 µm screen) are then applied followed by analytical code ME-MS61 (multi-element ICP-MS analysis for base metals, pathfinder elements, lithophile elements and rare earth elements).  

 

  ________________________________________  

 

  Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC)  

 

  The drill program design, QA/QC, and interpretation of results are performed by qualified persons employing a rigorous QA/QC program consistent with industry best practices. Standards and blanks account for a minimum of 10% of the samples, in addition to the laboratories’ internal quality assurance programs.  

 

  Quality Control data are meticulously evaluated upon receipt from the laboratories for any failures. Appropriate corrective action is taken if assay results for standards and blanks fall outside allowed tolerances. All results disclosed by Heritage Mining have successfully passed the Company’s stringent quality control protocols.  

 

  The Company does not recognize any factors of drilling, sampling, or recovery that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the assay data disclosed. The assay data disclosed in this press release have been verified by the Company’s Qualified Person against the original assay certificates.  

 

  Heritage Mining notes that it has not completed any economic evaluations of its Drayton-Black Lake Project, and the project does not currently have any resources or reserves.  

 

  ABOUT   HERITAGE   MINING   LTD.  

 

The Company is a Canadian mineral exploration company advancing its two high grade gold-silver-copper projects in Northwestern Ontario. The Drayton-Black Lake and the Contact Bay projects are located near Sioux Lookout in the underexplored Eagle-Wabigoon-Manitou Greenstone Belt . Both projects benefit from a wealth of historic data, excellent site access and logistical support from the local community.

 

For further information, please contact:  

 

  Heritage   Mining   Ltd.  

 

Peter Schloo, CPA, CA, CFA

 

President, CEO and Director

 

Phone: (905) 505-0918

 

Email:   peter@heritagemining.ca   

 

  FORWARD-LOOKING   STATEMENTS  

 

This news release contains certain statements that constitute forward looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events of the Company. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as ‘seek’, ‘anticipate’, ‘plan’, ‘continue’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘forecast’, ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘project’, ‘predict’, ‘potential’, ‘targeting’, ‘intend’, ‘could’, ‘might’, ‘should’, ‘believe’, ‘outlook’ and similar expressions are not statements of historical fact and may be forward looking information. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements.

 

Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risks include, among others, the inherent risk of the mining industry; adverse economic and market developments; the risk that the Company will not be successful in completing additional acquisitions; risks relating to the estimation of mineral resources; the possibility that the Company’s estimated burn rate may be higher than anticipated; risks of unexpected cost increases; risks of labour shortages; risks relating to exploration and development activities; risks relating to future prices of mineral resources; risks related to work site accidents, risks related to geological uncertainties and variations; risks related to government and community support of the Company’s projects; risks related to global pandemics and other risks related to the mining industry. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward‐looking information should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update any forward‐looking information except as required by law.  

 

This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities of the Company in Canada, the United States, or any other jurisdiction. Any such offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein will be made only pursuant to subscription documentation between the Company and prospective purchasers. Any such offering will be made in reliance upon exemptions from the prospectus and registration requirements under applicable securities laws, pursuant to a subscription agreement to be entered into by the Company and prospective investors.

 

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

 

 

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Sarama Resources Ltd. (“Sarama” or the “Company”) (ASX:SRR, TSX- V:SWA) is pleased to advise that it has completed the previously announced acquisition (the “Transaction”) of a majority interest(1) in the under-explored, belt-scale 420km² Mt Venn Project (the “Project”)(2), located in the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia.

This follows Sarama’s acquisition of a majority interest(3) in the nearby Cosmo Gold Project in December 2024. Together, these acquisitions create a 1,000km² landholding covering two well-positioned and underexplored greenstone belts in the Laverton Gold District, an area which is known for prolific gold endowment and significant recent discoveries (refer Figure 1).

Highlights

  • Completion of Transaction for Sarama to acquire a majority interest(1) in, and control of, the Mt Venn Gold Project in Western Australia
  • Located in the prolific Laverton Gold District, 35km from the producing Gruyere Gold Mine and less than 20km
  • from Gold Road’s Golden Highway Deposit
  • Project covers 420km² and features a favourable litho-structural setting, primarily in greenstone rocks
  • Includes regional shear zone of ~50km strike length and 1-3km width extending full length of greenstone belt
  • Advanced gold targets generated through historical exploration, including broad drill-defined gold mineralisation
  • Creates 1,000km² exploration position in the Laverton Gold District, capturing 100km of strike length
  • Mt Venn is 40km from Sarama’s Cosmo Project(3) that is target-rich and hosts approximately 45km strike of gold trends up to 1.8km in width(6).
  • Initial exploration to be advanced by the recent equity raise of A$2.7M

Sarama’s Executive Chairman, Andrew Dinning commented:

“We are very pleased to have completed the acquisition of a majority interest in the Mt Venn Project, significantly expanding our footprint in the Laverton Gold District and consolidating a 1,000km² landholding with strong discovery potential, in a region that has delivered multiple high-quality gold deposits, including the nearby Gruyere Deposit.

Mt Venn lies just 40km from our Cosmo Gold Project(3), with both showing strong gold anomalism. Cosmo hosts approximately 45km of mineralised gold trends up to 1.8km wide(6), while Mt Venn’s soil sampling, historic workings, early drilling, and polymetallic nature highlight potential for a large-scale mineralized system. We see considerable exploration upside across both projects and with compelling targets already identified, we look forward to unlocking their value through focused and systematic exploration.”

Click here for the full ASX Release

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The cannabis market has faced unexpected challenges in 2025, despite initial optimism for rescheduling in the US. 

While US federal regulatory uncertainty and banking remain persistent, companies are shifting focus to match changes in consumer behavior. The growing popularity of edibles and rising interest in cannabis-infused beverages reflect evolving demand in a persevering industry.

Cannabis companies in the sector continue to move forward and develop their offerings, and with potential catalysts ahead, some investors are interested in getting involved. Looking at the key players is often a good place to get started, so this list of US and Canadian cannabis stocks covers the companies with the largest presence in two major cannabis ETFs.

This list of the biggest publicly traded cannabis companies was put together based on the top-weighted cannabis stocks included in the AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF (ARCA:MSOS) and the Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF (TSX:HMMJ) as of July 16, 2025. Share price information for the companies was accurate as of that time.

US cannabis market

Cannabis is federally illegal in the US, but state market openings have allowed some operators to thrive. Typically these firms set up vertically integrated businesses with a focus on branded products, retail networks and licenses.

While these companies have adapted to regulatory challenges, they have much to gain from country-level reform in the US, and are eager to see more welcoming federal laws that will allow their businesses to develop further.

Top cannabis stocks in the AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF

The AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF provides exposure to public companies exclusively operating within the US cannabis industry. By investing in companies that are working in states with clear guidelines, MSOS gives investors a way to be more selective about the types of cannabis companies they’re investing in.

1. Green Thumb Industries (CSE:GTII,OTCQX:GTBIF)

ETF weight: 32.06 percent
Market cap: US$1.36 billion
Share price: US$5.72

Green Thumb Industries is a multi-state operator (MSO) with headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.

The company is involved in the entire process of the industry, from cultivating and producing cannabis products to selling them in its own retail stores, of which there are many across the United States. Green Thumb Industries owns a portfolio of well-known cannabis brands like Rythm, Beboe, Dogwalkers, Incredibles and Doctor Solomon’s.

2. Trulieve Cannabis (CSE:TRUL,OTCQX:TCNNF)

ETF weight: 22.59 percent
Market cap: US$781.51 million
Share price: US$4.09

Trulieve is another major player in the cannabis industry, with a strong focus on medical cannabis. The company offers a diverse selection of cannabis products, including flower, pre-rolls, concentrates, edibles, topicals and more.

Vertically integrated, Trulieve Cannabis has a dominant market share in its home state of Florida, as well as in Arizona and Pennsylvania. In June 2024, the company opened its 200th dispensary in the United States.

3. Curaleaf Holdings (TSX:CURA,OTCQX:CURLF)

ETF weight: 15.37 percent
Market cap: US$764.16 million
Share price: US$1.00

Curaleaf Holdings has a significant presence in the US cannabis market, with around 150 dispensaries and several cultivation centers across 17 states. The company is also continuing its expansion into the European cannabis sector, where it already has a strong presence. Curaleaf has a wide range of brands covering a variety of cannabis product types, including flower, vapes, edibles and hemp-derived THC beverages.

4. Glass House Brands (CBOE:GLAS.A.U,OTC Pink:GHBWF)

ETF weight: 7.32 percent
Market cap: US$269.57 million
Share price: US$5.40

Glass House Brands is a vertically integrated cannabis company with a focus on the California market. The company is has placed an emphasis on sustainable practices at its large-scale cultivation facility in Camarillo, California. Glass House Brands is also a major producer and wholesaler of cannabis biomass and cannabis oil to other manufacturers and extractors in the industry.

Glass House offers a diverse range of cannabis products through its various brands and retail operations, including edibles and wellness products under its Mama Sue Wellness brand.

5. Cresco Labs (CSE:CL,OTCQX:CRLBF)

ETF weight: 5.53 percent
Market cap: US$235.9 million
Share price: US$0.53

Cresco Labs is a vertically integrated multi-state cannabis operator in the United States. A leading US cannabis company, it is known for its strong brands like Cresco, High Supply and Good News.

Cresco Labs controls its supply chain from cultivation to retail, offering a wide range of products. While it has its own stores, it focuses heavily on wholesale, getting its products into dispensaries across the country.

Canadian cannabis market

In 2018, Canada became the first G7 nation to legalize adult-use cannabis and create its own streamlined program regulated by both federal and provincial powers. Since then, companies working in the country have faced ups and downs in dealing with tight marketing rules, high tax rates and ongoing competition with the unregulated market.

Top cannabis stocks in the Global X Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF

The Global X Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF was the first cannabis ETF available in Canada, and it holds a variety of publicly traded companies involved in cannabis, along with several non-flower companies.

While HMMJ does not invest in US-based multi-state operators, it does have exposure to the US market through Canadian companies that have interests in the US cannabis industry. Overall, HMMJ is designed to give investors broad exposure to the cannabis industry, with a particular focus on North American companies.

1. Jazz Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:JAZZ)

ETF weight: 16.47 percent
Market cap: US$7.02 billion
Share price: US$116.08

Jazz Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing medicines for people with serious diseases, often with limited or no other options. They have a diverse portfolio of products in areas like sleep disorders, cancer and epilepsy.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals’ cannabis business stems from their 2021 acquisition of GW Pharmaceuticals and its epilepsy medicine Epidiolex for a whopping US$7.2 billion. This made big waves as it was one of the largest moves by a traditional pharmaceutical company into the cannabis space.

2. Cronos Group (NASDAQ:CRON,TSX:CRON)

ETF weight: 13.14 percent
Market cap: US$774.69 million
Share price: US$2.01

Cronos Group is the Canada-based company behind the Spinach, Peace Naturals and Lord Jones cannabis brands. In Canada, Cronos’ Spinach brand is in the top three for retail sales in the flower and edible categories.

The company also has a presence in Israel and Germany with its brand Peace Naturals. In late 2023, the company re-entered the German medical cannabis market through its partnership with a German medical cannabis company called Cansativa Group. Cronos serves the Israeli market through its subsidiary Cronos Israel.

3. Innovative Industrial Properties (NYSE:IIPR)

ETF weight: 11.28 percent
Market cap: US$1.51 billion
Share price: US$53.99

Innovative Industrial Properties is a real estate investment trust that provides specialized real estate opportunities for cannabis companies in 19 states. Its properties mostly consist of processing plants, greenhouses and warehouses, with retail spaces making up a small percentage of its portfolio.

The firm has provided long-term absolute net lease agreements to some of the cannabis industry’s biggest names, including Green Thumb, TILT Holdings (NEO:TILT,OTCQB:TLLTF), Ascend Wellness (CSE:AAWH.U,OTCQX:AAWH) and Curaleaf. The company’s sale-leaseback program has helped cannabis companies access a source of capital, a much-needed workaround in the US where there are fewer traditional financing options.

4. Scotts Miracle-Gro Co (NYSE:SMG)

ETF weight: 10.74 percent
Market cap: US$3.92 billion
Share price: US$67.92

Scotts Miracle-Gro is a leader in lawn and garden products, but its involvement in the cannabis industry comes through its Hawthorne Gardening Company subsidiary. Hawthorne is an ancillary provider, supplying essential hydroponic and indoor growing equipment, nutrients, lighting and environmental control systems for large-scale cannabis production.

5. SNDL (NASDAQ:SNDL)

ETF weight: 7.8 percent
Market cap: US$383.4 million
Share price: US$1.49

SNDL, formerly known as Sundial Growers, is the largest private-sector liquor and cannabis retailer on the Canadian market. They cultivate and sell cannabis products under various brands, including Top Leaf, Sundial Cannabis, Palmetto and more. They focus on premium indoor cultivation and have a strong presence in the Canadian market.

SNDL has faced financial challenges in the past, but in Q1 2025 the company’s cannabis business revenue grew year-over-year for the 13th consecutive quarter. The company has continued to make strategic investments in 2025.

FAQs for investing in cannabis

Are cannabis stocks worth investing in?

Each investor will have to think and act for themselves to manage their own risk exposure, but it’s no secret that cannabis stocks have taken a beating for some time now. While financial experts point to the long-term upside of US operators as more state markets expand, the stock market has not been kind to these names lately.

Are cannabis stocks considered a high- or low-risk investment?

Cannabis investments are extremely young in the grand scheme of the investment universe. There is an exciting and refreshing element to these stocks, but the market has always been characterized by volatility and unpredictability.

While wild, spontaneous swings in the open market have become less common, cannabis stocks are often moved — both positively and negatively — by big pieces of market news or legalization updates.

Why do people buy cannabis stocks?

Investors may choose to get exposure to the cannabis market as a way to participate in the development of a new drug market with consumer packaged goods capabilities. Some participants are bullish on the industry’s long-term outlook and expect more welcoming laws in the US and across the world to provide upward momentum.

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

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Perth, Australia (ABN Newswire) – Altech Batteries Limited (ASX:ATC,OTC:ALTHF) (FRA:A3Y) (OTCMKTS:ALTHF) is pleased to announce an update on funding of the CERENERGY(R) sodium-chloride solid-state battery project in Saxony, Germany.

DEBT PROCESS

As previously mentioned, Altech has engaged ten commercial banks and two venture debt funds in the first round of financing discussions, receiving largely positive initial feedback. Based on this feedback, the Company has selected a preferred financial institution- a European bank with a proven track record in providing debt funding for technology-driven projects, particularly those within the innovation sector.

Although the mandate has not yet been formally executed, Altech intends to make an official announcement once this step is complete.

Meanwhile, the bank’s commercial and technical teams have been diligently conducting a comprehensive review of the Cerenergy projects and its technology. The technical due diligence process is critical for ensuring that the project meets the bank’s financing and risk criteria. As part of this process the onsite Altech experts are in detailed discussions with the bank’s representative. The banks have visited Dresden and the Fraunhofer testing facilities and visit Hermsdorf, Germany where the prototype production is located in the coming weeks, which will be a key step in concluding the technical evaluation.

In parallel with these efforts, Altech is progressing discussions for securing a federal government guarantee, which would further strengthen its ability to secure the necessary debt funding for the project. Officials from the Ministry of Finance have already been briefed on the initiative, and the due diligence process for the application is actively underway. This federal guarantee will serve as an underwriter and therewith derisk any debt funding for the project substantially.

EQUITY FUNDING

In parallel with ongoing debt financing efforts, the Group has engaged several equity advisers to assist in securing the equity component of the project’s funding package. As part of this strategy, Altech plans to divest a minority interest in the project to one or two strategic investors. This partial divestment is intended to attract investors who can contribute not only capital, but also strategic value, aligning with the CERENERGY(R) project’s long-term goals of growth and sustainability.

The Group on one hand is specifically targeting large utility companies, data centre operators, investment funds, and corporations that are deeply committed to the green energy transition and on the other hand industrial partners with access and know-how and resources relevant to Cerenergy battery production, implementation or market access. These potential partners are seen as ideal due to their strong alignment with the project’s sustainable energy focus and their ability to provide significant financial support. Progress in equity discussions has been promising, with several Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) signed, enabling deeper engagement with prospective investors. Additionally, draft term sheets have been circulated to interested parties, outlining the key terms and conditions for investment. These documents provide a foundation for negotiations and facilitate more detailed discussions around the equity stake and partnership structure.

The decision to divest part of the project is strategically aimed at easing the Company’s financial burden while bringing in experienced partners who can contribute to the project’s success. By securing both equity and debt financing, Altech aims to finalize the full funding package, ensuring the timely construction and commissioning of the CERENERGY(R) battery plant. Moving forward, the focus will be on advancing these discussions and converting interest into formal commitments, which are critical for the project’s progression.

GRANT APPLICATIONS

Altech has been actively applying for various grants offered by the State of Saxony, Federal Government of Germany, and the European Union. The State of Saxony and Brandenburg, along with the European Union, offer substantial support for renewable energy projects, including grants aimed at converting lignite coal to renewable energy sources. These grants are part of broader efforts to transition regions dependent on fossil fuels toward sustainable energy solutions. Altech’s site, located in these areas, stands to benefit from various funding programs designed to support clean energy projects, including EU grants for energy transformation and innovation. Altech has applied for several of these grants to advance its CERENERGY(R) project, securing essential financial backing for technology development, high-tech industries, expert employment and infrastructure upgrades.

OFFTAKE ARRANGEMENTS

Altech has secured three key Offtake Letters of Intent (LOIs) for 100% of its CERENERGY(R) production.

1. Zweckverband Industriepark Schwarze Pumpe (ZISP): An agreement was signed on 13 September 2024 for ZISP to purchase 30 MWh of energy storage capacity annually, consisting of 1MWh GridPacks, for the first five years of production. The purchase is contingent on performance tests and battery specifications meeting customer requirements.

2. Referenzkraftwerk Lausitz GmbH (RefLau): A second LOI was executed with RefLau, a joint venture between Enertrag SE and Energiequelle GmbH. RefLau will buy 30 MWh of CERENERGY(R) storage n the first year, increasing to 32 MWh annually for the next four years. Additionally, Altech will purchase green electricity for its planned production plant.

3. Axsol GmbH: A third LOI was signed with Axsol, a leading renewable energy solutions provider. Axsol will exclusively distribute CERENERGY(R) batteries to the Western defense industry, facilitating early market entry and sales. These agreements are crucial for financing and advancing the CERENERGY(R) project.

 

About Altech Batteries Ltd:  

Altech Batteries Limited (ASX:ATC,OTC:ALTHF) (FRA:A3Y) is a specialty battery technology company that has a joint venture agreement with world leading German battery institute Fraunhofer IKTS (‘Fraunhofer’) to commercialise the revolutionary CERENERGY(R) Sodium Alumina Solid State (SAS) Battery. CERENERGY(R) batteries are the game-changing alternative to lithium-ion batteries. CERENERGY(R) batteries are fire and explosion-proof; have a life span of more than 15 years and operate in extreme cold and desert climates. The battery technology uses table salt and is lithium-free; cobalt-free; graphite-free; and copper-free, eliminating exposure to critical metal price rises and supply chain concerns.

The joint venture is commercialising its CERENERGY(R) battery, with plans to construct a 100MWh production facility on Altech’s land in Saxony, Germany. The facility intends to produce CERENERGY(R) battery modules to provide grid storage solutions to the market.

 

 

Source:
Altech Batteries Ltd

 

 

Contact:
Corporate
Iggy Tan
Managing Director
Altech Batteries Limited
Tel: +61-8-6168-1555
Email: info@altechgroup.com

Martin Stein
Chief Financial Officer
Altech Batteries Limited
Tel: +61-8-6168-1555
Email: info@altechgroup.com

 

 

News Provided by ABN Newswire via QuoteMedia

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George Clooney is keeping quiet after Hunter Biden unleashed a string of vulgar attacks on the Hollywood actor.

Hunter, 55, accused Clooney, 64, of turning on his father, former President Joe Biden, and helping lead the charge to push him out of the 2024 race. 

‘I love George Clooney’s movies, but I don’t really give a s— what he thinks about who should be the nominee for the Democratic Party,’ Hunter said on the ‘At Our Table’ podcast. 

‘I was about to say I really like George Clooney as an actor, but the truth of the matter is, the truth is, I’ll be honest, I really don’t like George Clooney as an actor or as a person.’

Hunter recalled tensions between Clooney and his father behind the scenes at an event prior to the election.

‘George Clooney, before that event … literally threatened to pull out of the event — how many times? Five, six times? Over and over again, saying that he was so upset because my dad refused to recognize the arrest warrant for Netanyahu,’ Hunter said as he referred to the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu.

Hunter claimed Clooney’s behavior at the event was distant and alleged the actor only stayed for five minutes, spoke to no one except Barack Obama and ignored the rest of the crowd.

‘Literally, I was whispering in [Biden’s] ear saying, ‘Dad, f— him.’ … You got to be kidding me because I was so mad,’ Hunter added. ‘And he claims in his arrogance that my dad, the president of the United States, didn’t know who the actor was.’

Reps for Clooney did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. 

Clooney has yet to comment publicly on Hunter’s comments, even as the president’s son continues his media blitz.

In a separate appearance with Andrew Callaghan on his ‘Channel 5’ podcast over the weekend, Hunter’s criticism of Clooney escalated into a full-blown, hourslong meltdown accusing the ‘Ocean’s 11’ star of sabotaging his father’s re-election effort.

Hunter said the alleged move was made with ‘the blessing’ of former President Obama and his cohorts.

‘F— him! F— him and f— everybody around him,’ Hunter said bluntly. ‘I don’t have to be f—ing nice. No. 1, I agree with Quentin Tarantino. George Clooney is not a f—ing actor. He is a f—ing, I don’t know what he is. He’s a brand.’

The former president’s son’s rage emerged as they discussed Clooney’s infamous New York Times op-ed, which was published days after his father’s widely criticized debate performance. 

Clooney called for Biden to step aside as the Democratic nominee at the time. 

‘It’s devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fundraiser was not the Joe ‘big f—ing deal’ Biden of 2010. He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020,’ Clooney wrote. ‘He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate.’

Clooney’s statement appeared to trigger a furious response from Hunter, who blasted the actor for spreading what he called false claims about his father’s mental health. 

‘Why do I have to f—ing listen to you?’ Hunter asked during the podcast. ‘What do you have to do with f—ing anything?… What right do you have to step on a man who’s given 52 years of his f—ing life to the service of this country and decide that you, George Clooney, are going to take out basically a full-page ad in the f—ing New York Times to undermine the president?’

Biden withdrew from the race July 21, 2024, and was replaced on the Democratic ticket by Kamala Harris.

Hunter also noted Clooney was friends with former President Obama and only published his essay with the ‘blessing of the Obama team.’ 

‘You know what George Clooney did? Because he sat down with, I guess, because he was given a blessing by the Obama team, the Obama people and whoever else,’ he said. 

In April, Clooney spoke with CNN’s Jake Tapper about writing the op-ed, saying it was his ‘civic duty.’

‘It was a civic duty because I found that people on my side of the street — you know, I’m a Democrat in Kentucky, so I get it. When I saw people on my side of the street not telling the truth, I thought that was time to … some people [are mad], sure. That’s OK, you know. Listen, the idea of freedom of speech is you can’t demand freedom of speech and then say, ‘But don’t say bad things about me,‘’ Clooney said.

While on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ in February, Clooney spoke about Harris losing to Donald Trump in the presidential election. 

‘I was raised a Democrat in Kentucky … and you know I’ve lost a lot of elections. … You know, this is democracy and this is how it works,’ he said.

‘It didn’t work out. That’s what happens. It’s part of democracy. … And, you know, there’s people that agree and people who disagree, and most of us still like each other. We’re all gonna get through it.’

Clooney spoke about President Trump again in April during an interview with Patti LuPone for Variety’s ‘Actors on Actors: Broadway.’

‘He’s charismatic. There’s no taking that away from him. He’s a television star. But eventually we’ll find our better angels. We have every other time,’ he said.

‘If you’re a Democrat, we have to find some people to represent us better, who have a sense of humor and who have a sense of purpose. I think we’ll get the House back in a year and a half, and I think that’ll be a check and balance on power.’

Earlier this year, Clooney was thrust into the spotlight as questions about his family’s future in the U.S. under President Trump’s administration arose.

Clooney’s wife, Amal, is an international human rights lawyer born in Lebanon and raised in the U.K., and she holds legal credentials in both Britain and the United States. 

Amal reportedly gave legal advice in a war crimes case against Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the war in Gaza, according to the Financial Times.

A Trump executive order claimed the court ‘engaged in illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel. The ICC has, without a legitimate basis, asserted jurisdiction over and opened preliminary investigations concerning personnel of the United States and certain of its allies, including Israel, and has further abused its power by issuing baseless arrest warrants targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.

‘The United States will impose tangible and significant consequences on those responsible for the ICC’s transgressions, some of which may include the blocking of property and assets, as well as the suspension of entry into the United States of ICC officials, employees, and agents, as well as their immediate family members.’ 

Clooney proposed to Amal in April 2014, and the couple married five months later in Venice, Italy. In 2017, the Clooneys welcomed twins Alexander and Ella.  

Fox News Digital’s Tracy Wright contributed to this report.

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In a damning new report, researchers reveal how China came to control over 80% of the critical raw battery materials needed for defense technology — posing an urgent national security threat.

Through lax permitting processes, weak environmental standards, and aggressive state-led interventions, China has come to dominate global supplies of graphite, cobalt, manganese, and the battery anode and cathode materials that power advanced defense systems.

‘Batteries will be one of the bullets of future wars,’ the report’s authors warn, citing their essential role in drones, handheld radios, autonomous submersibles, and emerging capabilities like lasers and directed energy weapons.

According to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has weaponized global battery infrastructure through a combination of state subsidies, forced intellectual property transfers, and predatory pricing practices.

China didn’t just rely on low-cost tactics — it also used its financial muscle abroad. Over the past two decades, at least 26 state-backed banks have pumped roughly $57 billion into mining and processing projects in Africa, Latin America, and beyond. These investments, often structured through joint ventures and special-purpose vehicles, gave Chinese firms controlling stakes in mineral mining, the report said. 

Through its Belt and Road Initiative, China has leveraged influence in resource-rich developing nations, securing control over massive critical mineral deposits. Today, it processes approximately 65% of the world’s lithium, 85% of graphite, 70% of cathodes, 85% of anodes, and a staggering 97% of anode active materials.

Beyond powering drones, handheld radios, and electric vehicles, lithium is critical in strategic military systems: lithium-ion batteries are used in grid support for bases and emerging directed-energy weapons.

Moreover, Beijing has begun weaponizing export controls: since 2023, it has tightened restrictions on processed graphite, gallium, and germanium — later adding antimony, tungsten, and rare earths to the roster. These measures curb exports via a licensing regime and broad bans on exports to the U.S., signaling a clear geopolitical leverage too, according to the report. 

Both lithium and graphite are essential for modern nuclear weapons. Cobalt alloys are used in jet engines, naval turbines, electronics connectors, and sensors capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, vibration, and radiation-making. 

While American and allied reserves of lithium — both brine and hard rock — are being tapped, with new projects in North and South Carolina targeting domestic spodumene processing, the report claims U.S. mineral mining and refining are not advancing quickly enough to meet national security demands.

Permitting obstacles account for roughly 40% of all delays in mining projects, the report notes, with processing operations facing similarly cumbersome constraints.

Chinese subsidies ‘dwarf’ those available to U.S. firms, and include tax exemptions, direct manufacturing grants, and ultra-low-interest loans, the report said. 

U.S. firms are now accelerating investment in domestic alternatives to China’s lithium. With new Trump administration initiatives aimed at incentivizing critical mineral development—and forecasts projecting the U.S. lithium market to grow by roughly 500% over the next five years — American companies are beginning to build out processing capacity on home soil. 

Piedmont Lithium is developing a lithium hydroxide facility in North Carolina to process spodumene concentrate from its U.S. deposits, while Albemarle recently announced plans for a new lithium processing plant in Chester County, South Carolina. Both projects are designed to feed a fast-growing domestic battery ecosystem and reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains.

But to become globally competitive, the report argues, the U.S. must take a far more proactive approach, including incentivizing private-sector investment, streamlining federal permitting, establishing a national critical minerals stockpile, building technical talent pipelines, creating special economic zones, and developing robust domestic processing infrastructure.

The authors also stress the importance of ally-shoring, recommending diplomatic coordination with trusted partners — similar to prior U.S. efforts involving Ukraine, Greenland, and the DRC in rare-earth sourcing — to construct resilient supply chains beyond China’s reach.

‘Despite China’s control of the battery supply chain, this is a time of great vulnerability for Beijing, while the United States and its core allies remain strong,’ the report concludes. 

‘It is time for new guardrails, muscular statecraft, and a unified international response to non-market manipulation. Building critical supply chains that are independent of China’s coercive economic practices can help unleash a wave of cooperation among free-market nations that will lift up both established allies and emerging market partners and turn the tide against China’s parasitic economic model.’

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The Senate narrowly voted to move forward with considering the nomination of former Trump lawyer Emil Bove to a federal court of appeals on Tuesday.

The 50-48 vote saw one Republican break ranks and vote against his nomination, while Democrats have done everything in their power to slow down the nomination. Bove, who currently works at the Justice Department, is nominated to serve on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Democrats have argued that Bove, a former defense attorney for President Donald Trump, is unfit for the role, pointing to allegations that he proposed behind closed doors that the Trump administration could simply ignore judicial orders. Bove denies those allegations.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, voted with Republicans to move forward but said in a statement that she will oppose Bove’s confirmation on a final vote. Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski was the lone Republican to vote against moving forward with Bove’s nomination.

‘We have to have judges who will adhere to the rule of law and the Constitution and do so regardless of what their personal views may be,’ Collins said in a statement. ‘Mr. Bove’s political profile and some of the actions he has taken in his leadership roles at the Department of Justice cause me to conclude he would not serve as an impartial jurist.’

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee stormed out of the meeting where the committee approved Bove last week.

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., attempted to push for more debate time, but Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, pushed forward with the vote.

‘What are you afraid of?’ Booker erupted, after Grassley tried to speak over him and hold the vote. ‘Debating this [nomination], putting things on the record — Dear God,’ he said, ‘that’s what we are here for.’

 ‘What are they saying to you,’ he said, referring to the Trump administration, ‘that is making you do something to violate the decorum, the decency and the respect of this committee to at least hear each other out?’

Booker ended the sharp exchange with Grassley by saying simply, ‘This is wrong, sir, and I join with my colleagues in leaving,’ before streaming out of the committee room.

It comes as Trump administration officials have taken aim at ‘activist’ judges they argue are blocking the president’s agenda and preventing him from enacting his sweeping policy goals, including the administration’s crackdown on border security and immigration.

Fox News’ Breanne Deppisch and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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The intelligence community did not have any direct information that Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted to help elect Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election, but, at the ‘unusual’ direction of then-President Barack Obama, published ‘potentially biased’ or ‘implausible’ intelligence suggesting otherwise, the House Intelligence Committee found.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declassified a report prepared by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence back in 2020.

The report, which was based on an investigation launched by former House Intelligence Community Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., was dated Sept. 18, 2020. At the time of the publication of the report, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., was the chairman of the committee.

The report has never before been released to the public, and instead, has remained highly classified within the intelligence community.

Fox News Digital obtained the unredacted and fully-sourced limited-access investigation report that was drafted and stored in a limited-access vault at CIA Headquarters.

The committee focused on the creation of the Intelligence Community Assessment of 2017, in which then-CIA Director John Brennan pushed for the inclusion of the now-discredited anti-Trump dossier, despite knowing it was based largely on ‘internet rumor,’ as Fox News Digital previously reported.

According to the report, the ICA was a ‘high-profile product ordered by the President, directed by senior IC agency heads, and created by just five CIA analysts, using one principal drafter.’

‘Production of the ICA was subject to unusual directives from the President and senior political appointees, and particularly DCIA,’ the report states. ‘The draft was not properly coordinated within CIA or the IC, ensuring it would be published without significant challenges to its conclusions.’

The committee found that the five CIA analysts and drafter ‘rushed’ the ICA’s production ‘in order to publish two weeks before President-elect Trump was sworn-in.’

‘Hurried coordination and limited access to the draft reduced opportunities for the IC to discover misquoting of sources and other tradecraft concerns,’ the report states.

The report states that Brennan ‘ordered the post-election publication of 15 reports containing previously collected but unpublished intelligence, three of which were substandard—containing information that was unclear, of uncertain origin, potentially biased, or implausible—and those became foundational sources for the ICA judgements that Putin preferred Trump over Clinton.’

‘The ICA misrepresented these reports as reliable, without mentioning their significant underlying flaws,’ the committee found.

‘One scant, unclear, and unverifiable fragment of a sentence from one of the substandard reports constitutes the only classified information cited to suggest Putin ‘aspired’ to help Trump win,’ the report states, adding that the ICA ‘ignored or selectively quoted reliable intelligence reports that challenged-and in some cases undermined—judgments that Putin sought to elect Trump.’

The report also states that the ICA ‘failed to consider plausible alternative explanations of Putin’s intentions indicated by reliable intelligence and observed Russian actions.’

The committee also found that two senior CIA officers warned Brennan that ‘we don’t have direct information that Putin wanted to get Trump elected.’

Despite those warnings, the Obama administration moved to publish the ICA.

The ICA ‘did not cite any report where Putin directly indicated helping Trump win was the objective.’

The ICA, according to the report, excluded ‘significant intelligence’ and ‘ignored or selectively quoted’ reliable intelligence in an effort to push the Russia narrative.

The report also includes intelligence from a longtime Putin confidant who explained to investigators that ‘Putin told him he did not care who won the election,’ and that Putin ‘had often outlined the weaknesses of both major candidates.’

The report also states that the ICA committed context showing that the claim that Putin preferred Trump was ‘implausible—if not ridiculous.’

The committee also found that the ICA suppressed intelligence that showed that Russia was actually planning for a Hillary Clinton victory because ‘they knew where [she] stood’ and believed Russia ‘could work with her.’

The committee also noted that the ICA ‘did not address why Putin chose not to leak more discrediting material on Clinton,’ even as polls tightened in the final weeks of the election.’

The committee also found that the ICA suppressed intelligence showing that Putin was ‘not only demonstrating a clear lack of concern for Trump’s election fate,’ but also indicated ‘that he preferred to see Secretary Clinton elected, knowing she would be a more vulnerable President.’

The declassification of the report comes just days after Gabbard declassified and released documents that included ‘overwhelming evidence’ that demonstrated how, after President Donald Trump won the 2016 election against Hillary Clinton, then-President Barack Obama and his national security team laid the groundwork for what would be the yearslong Trump–Russia collusion probe.

Meanwhile, Fox News Digital, in 2020, exclusively obtained the declassified transcripts from Obama-era national security officials’ closed-door testimonies before the House Intelligence Committee, in which those officials testified that they had no ’empirical evidence’ of a conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 election, but continued to publicly push the ‘narrative’ of collusion.

The House Intelligence Committee, in 2017, conducted depositions of top Obama intelligence officials, including Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, National Security Advisor Susan Rice and Attorney General Loretta Lynch, among others.

The officials’ responses in the transcripts of those interviews align with the results of former Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation – which found no evidence of criminal coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia in 2016, while not reaching a determination on obstruction of justice.

The transcripts, from 2017 and 2018, revealed top Obama officials were questioned by House Intelligence Committee lawmakers and investigators about whether they had or had seen evidence of such collusion, coordination or conspiracy – the issue that drove the FBI’s initial case and later the special counsel probe.

‘I never saw any direct empirical evidence that the Trump campaign or someone in it was plotting/conspiring with the Russians to meddle with the election,’ Clapper testified in 2017. ‘That’s not to say that there weren’t concerns about the evidence we were seeing, anecdotal evidence…. But I do not recall any instance where I had direct evidence.’

Lynch also said she did ‘not recall that being briefed up to me.’

‘I can’t say that it existed or not,’ Lynch said, referring to evidence of collusion, conspiracy or coordination.

But Clapper and Lynch, and Vice President Joe Biden, were present in the Oval Office on July 28, 2016, when Brennan briefed Obama and Comey on intelligence he’d received from one of Hillary Clinton’s campaign foreign policy advisors ‘to vilify Donald Trump by stirring up a scandal claiming interference by the Russian security service.’ 

‘We’re getting additional insight into Russian activities from (REDACTED),’ Brennan’s handwritten notes, exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital in October 2020, read. ‘CITE (summarizing) alleged approved by Hillary Clinton a proposal from one of her foreign policy advisers to vilify Donald Trump by stirring up a scandal claiming interference by the Russian security service.’

Meanwhile, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, according to the transcript of her interview to the House Intelligence Committee, was asked whether she had or saw any evidence of collusion or conspiracy.

Power replied: ‘I am not in possession of anything – I am not in possession and didn’t read or absorb information that came from out of the intelligence community.’

When asked again, she said: ‘I am not.’

Rice was asked the same question.

‘To the best of my recollection, there wasn’t anything smoking, but there were some things that gave me pause,’ she said, according to her transcribed interview, in response to whether she had any evidence of conspiracy. ‘I don’t recall intelligence that I would consider evidence to that effect that I saw… conspiracy prior to my departure.’

When asked whether she had any evidence of ‘coordination,’ Rice replied: ‘I don’t recall any intelligence or evidence to that effect.’

When asked about collusion, Rice replied: ‘Same answer.’

Former Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes was asked the same question during his House Intelligence interview.

‘I wouldn’t have received any information on any criminal or counterintelligence investigations into what the Trump campaign was doing, so I would not have seen that information,’ Rhodes said.

When pressed again, he said: ‘I saw indications of potential coordination, but I did not see, you know, the specific evidence of the actions of the Trump campaign.’

Meanwhile, former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe was not asked that specific question but rather questions about the accuracy and legitimacy of the unverified anti-Trump dossier compiled by ex-British intelligence officer Christopher Steele.

McCabe was asked during his interview in 2017 what was the most ‘damning or important piece of evidence in the dossier that’ he ‘now knows is true.’

McCabe replied: ‘We have not been able to prove the accuracy of all the information.’

‘You don’t know if it’s true or not?’ a House investigator asked, to which McCabe replied: ‘That’s correct.’

After Trump’s 2016 victory and during the presidential transition period, Comey briefed Trump on the now-infamous anti-Trump dossier, containing salacious allegations of purported coordination between Trump and the Russian government. Brennan was present for that briefing, which took place at Trump Tower in New York City in January 2017.

The dossier was authored by Steele. It was funded by Clinton’s presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee through the law firm Perkins Coie.

But Brennan and Comey knew of intelligence suggesting Clinton, during the campaign, was stirring up a plan to tie Trump to Russia, documents claim. It is unclear whether the intelligence community, at the time, knew that the dossier was paid for by Clinton and the DNC.

Brennan and Comey are now under FBI criminal investigation related to their activities connected to the Russia probe, after a criminal referral was sent by CIA Director John Ratcliffe to FBI Director Kash Patel.

Gabbard also sent the DOJ criminal referrals for those involved in the effort to create ‘manufactured’ and ‘politicized’ intelligence that led to the spreading of the Trump-Russia collusion narrative.

The Obama-era officials have been mum on the new revelations, but a spokesman for Obama on Tuesday made a rare public statement.

‘Out of respect for the office of the presidency, our office does not normally dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House with a response,’ Obama spokesman Patrick Rodenbush said in a statement. ‘But these claims are outrageous enough to merit one.’ 

‘These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction,’ Obama’s spokesman continued. ‘Nothing in the document issued last week undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not successfully manipulate any votes.’

He added: ‘These findings were affirmed in a 2020 report by the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee, led by then-Chairman Marco Rubio.’ 

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From drone swarms to gene-edited soldiers, the United States and China are racing to integrate artificial intelligence into nearly every facet of their war machines — and a potential conflict over Taiwan may be the world’s first real test of who holds the technological edge.

For millennia, victory in war was determined by manpower, firepower and the grit of battlefield commanders. However, in this ongoing technological revolution, algorithms and autonomy may matter more than conventional arms. 

‘War will come down to who has the best AI,’ said Arnie Bellini, a tech entrepreneur and defense investor, in an interview with Fox News Digital. 

U.S. planners now consider Taiwan the likely locus of a 21st-century great power conflict. Though America doesn’t formally ally with Taiwan, it has steadily armed the island and shifted its forces to focus on the Indo-Pacific. 

The Pentagon is responding with urgency, and nowhere is that transformation more visible than in the U.S. Army’s sweeping AI overhaul. 

The Army goes all-in: $36 billion AI investment

Under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s leadership, the Army has launched a $36 billion modernization initiative aimed directly at countering China in the Indo-Pacific.

By 2026, each of its 10 active combat divisions will be equipped with roughly 1,000 drones, dramatically shifting the battlefield from crewed helicopters to autonomous systems.

Army leaders highlight that legacy weapons and bureaucratic lag are incompatible with future warfare. The new push includes AI-assisted command-and-control, real-world testing under challenging conditions in places like the Philippines and a rapid feedback model to keep doctrine updated.

Stopping wars before they start: Cyber + AI fusion

Beyond hardware, AI may prove most powerful in prevention. Bellini believes U.S. cyber espionage, combined with AI, could strike preemptively. ‘The United States is the very best at cyber espionage and cyber warfare… once you combine [that] with AI, you can stop a war before it even happens.’

This could involve infiltrating Chinese naval systems via cyber-AI tools and neutralizing threats before ships ever set sail.

Biotech on the battlefield: From medics to gene editing

AI isn’t just about machines — it’s changing biology too. The U.S. military is exploring AI-driven trauma care, synthetic blood and regenerative medicine to save lives.

However, China may be pushing the envelope further. ‘China has been one of the more forward-leaning countries in using biotech within its military,’ defense strategist Jack Burnham said. ‘In military hospitals, there is significant research on gene editing … some of this might be dual-use.’

Reports from intelligence chiefs and former DNI John Ratcliffe suggest China may be experimenting with gene-edited soldiers, raising alarms about the ethical gray zone of AI-biotech integration.

Will robots fight battles?

‘The future of warfare is not going to be with people,’ Bellini predicted. ‘It’s going to be robots. It’s going to be drones. And it’s the synchronization.’

Tesla is developing its ‘Optimus’ robot, he noted, complete with an AI-optimized ‘brain’ to complete chores that are ‘dangerous, repetitive and boring’ in warehouses, homes and even hazardous facilities like nuclear plants.

CEO Elon Musk has spoken out against using Optimus as a ‘killer robot,’ but still, foreign adversaries worry about the potential for dual use. 

China has imposed export restrictions on the rare-earth magnets needed for Optimus actuators, specifically requesting assurances that the units won’t be used for military purposes.

War-gaming for tomorrow’s conflict

U.S. forces are already simulating this future in AI-enhanced war games. Through these exercises, commanders learn to operate at AI pace — modeling logistics, battlefield flows, and adversaries at an unprecedented scale.

‘AI is really good at modeling logistics… visualizing and integrating vast quantities of data… [creating] a more immersive experience at a much larger scale,’ Burnham said.

‘These AI opponents are like intelligent enemies you’re playing against in a war game,’ explained Dr. Randall Hill, executive director of the University of Southern California’s Institute for Creative Technologies. ‘It’s important to train not just with AI but also about AI — so soldiers understand where to trust it and where its limits are.’

Hill’s team is developing tools like PAL3, a personalized AI teaching assistant for military trainees that adapts to individual learning speeds. ‘It’s about helping both humans and machines understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses,’ he said.

Ethical concerns: Who keeps a human in the loop?

The U.S. insists on a ‘human-in-the-loop’ for lethal AI decisions — but China may not, experts warn.

‘Here in the U.S., we are focused on ethical and legal decisions on the battlefield… our adversaries… might not be as worried about keeping a human in the loop,’ said RJ Blake, a former defense official.

Hill echoed this concern, emphasizing the need for AI systems to be interpretable and stress-tested rigorously.

‘We need protocols aligned with American values,’ he said. ‘The AI must be explainable and capable of justifying its conclusions — and humans must recognize when those systems are outside their trained boundaries.’

A new era of warfare

As AI redefines warfare — from cyber and command systems to autonomous weapons and biotech — it’s not just a war machine being built. It’s a system of systems, blending digital, physical and biological domains.

Should Beijing move against Taiwan, the battlefield may no longer be measured in tanks or missiles — but in algorithms, networks and gene sequences.

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