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TSX-V: WLR 
Frankfurt: 6YL

 CMC Metals Ltd. (TSXV: CMB) (Frankfurt: ZM5P) (‘CMC’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce that it has settled and extinguished $77,600 of outstanding debt (the ‘Debt’) through the issuance of common shares of the Company (the ‘Shares’).

In accordance with the settlement of debt (the ‘Debt Settlement‘), the Company will issue 405,714 common shares to one non-arm’s length creditor of the Company (the ‘Non-Arm’s Length Creditor‘) and 333,333 common shares to one arm’s length creditor (the ‘Arm’s Length Creditor‘) at a deemed price of $0.105 per Share. The Company has entered into administrative and professional services agreements provided between the periods of April to August 2025, inclusive, with the Non-Arm’s Length Creditor for services provided and services agreements for the period April to October 2025, inclusive with the Arm’s Length Creditor.

The Company chose to settle and extinguish the Debt through the issuance of Shares to preserve cash and improve the Company’s balance sheet. The Debt Settlement is subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange (the ‘TSXV‘). No new insiders will be created, nor will any change of control occur as a result of the issuance of the Shares.

The shares issued are subject to a four month hold period, which will expire on a date that is four months and one day from the date of issuance.

As certain insiders are party to the Agreement for $35,000 or 333,333 shares, it may be considered a ‘related party transaction’ under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (‘MI 61-101’) and the TSXV. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the formal valuation and the minority shareholder approval requirements of MI-61-101 contained in section 5.5 (a) and Section 5.7 (1)(a) as the fair market value of the common shares being issued to insiders in connection with the Service Shares does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101.

Kevin Brewer, President and CEO of Walker Lane Resources Ltd. noted ‘We have significantly reduced our debt load, and minimized operating costs and expenditures, to deal with the challenges our sector has faced in 2024. The participation of my own company and a primary service company is testimony to the belief of myself and the Board that WLR has significant opportunities to enhance shareholder value in the near future.’

About Walker Lane Resources Ltd.

Walker Lane Resources Ltd. is a growth-stage exploration company focused on the exploration of high-grade gold, silver and polymetallic deposits in the Walker Lane Gold Trend District in Nevada and the Rancheria Silver District in Yukon/B.C. and other property assets in Yukon. The Company intends to initiate an aggressive exploration program to advance the Tule Canyon (Walker Lane, Nevada) and Amy (Rancheria Silver District, B.C.) projects through drilling programs with the aim of achieving resource definition in the near future.

On behalf of the Board:
‘Kevin Brewer’
Kevin Brewer, President, CEO and Director
Walker Lane Resources Ltd.

Cautionary and Forward Looking Statements

This press release and related figures, contain certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements as defined in applicable securities laws (collectively referred to as forward-looking statements). These statements relate to future events or our future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words ‘anticipate’, ‘plans’, ‘continue’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘project’, ‘predict’, ‘potential’, ‘should’, ‘believe’ ‘targeted’, ‘can’, ‘anticipates’, ‘intends’, ‘likely’, ‘should’, ‘could’ or grammatical variations thereof and similar expressions is intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this presentation. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning: our strategy and priorities including certain statements included in this presentation are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, including statements regarding the Tule Canyon, Cambridge, Silver Mountain, and Shamrock Properties in Nevada (USA), and its properties including Silverknife and Amy properties in British Columbia, the Silver Hart, Blue Heaven and Logjam properties in Yukon and the Bridal Veil property in Newfoundland and Labrador all of which now comprise the mineral property assets of WLR. WLR has assumed other assets of CMC Metals Ltd. including common share holdings of North Bay Resources Inc. (OTC-US: NBRI) and all conditions and agreements pertaining to the sale of the Bishop mill gold processing facility and remain subject to the condition of the option of the Silverknife property with Coeur Mining Inc. (TSX:CDE). These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to the Company and assumptions the Company believes are reasonable. The Company has made various assumptions, including, among others, that: the historical information related to the Company’s properties is reliable; the Company’s operations are not disrupted or delayed by unusual geological or technical problems; the Company has the ability to explore the Company’s properties; the Company will be able to raise any necessary additional capital on reasonable terms to execute its business plan; the Company’s current corporate activities will proceed as expected; general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner; and budgeted costs and expenditures are and will continue to be accurate.

Actual results and developments may differ materially from results and developments discussed in the forward-looking statements as they are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties, including: public health threats; fluctuations in metals prices, price of consumed commodities and currency markets; future profitability of mining operations; access to personnel; results of exploration and development activities, accuracy of technical information; risks related to ownership of properties; risks related to mining operations; risks related to mineral resource figures being estimates based on interpretations and assumptions which may result in less mineral production under actual conditions than is currently anticipated; the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles; environmental and other regulatory risks; changes in operating expenses; changes in general market and industry conditions; changes in legal or regulatory requirements; other risk factors set out in this presentation; and other risk factors set out in the Company’s public disclosure documents. Although the Company has attempted to identify significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other risks that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are beyond the Company’s control. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurances that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences or benefits to, or effect on, the Company.

The information contained in this presentation is derived from management of the Company and otherwise from publicly available information and does not purport to contain all of the information that an investor may desire to have in evaluating the Company. The information has not been independently verified, may prove to be imprecise, and is subject to material updating, revision and further amendment. While management is not aware of any misstatements regarding any industry data presented herein, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made or given by or on behalf of the Company as to the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the information or opinions contained in this presentation and no responsibility or liability is accepted by any person for such information or opinions. The forward-looking statements and information in this presentation speak only as of the date of this presentation and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by applicable law. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, prospective investors should not read forward-looking information as guarantees of future performance or results and should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Nothing in this presentation is, or should be relied upon as, a promise or representation as to the future. To the extent any forward-looking statement in this presentation constitutes ‘future-oriented financial information’ or ‘financial outlooks’ within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, such information is being provided to demonstrate the anticipated market penetration and the reader is cautioned that this information may not be appropriate for any other purpose and the reader should not place undue reliance on such future-oriented financial information and financial outlooks. Future-oriented financial information and financial outlooks, as with forward-looking statements generally, are, without limitation, based on the assumptions and subject to the risks set out above. The Company’s actual financial position and results of operations may differ materially from management’s current expectations and, as a result, the Company’s revenue and expenses. The Company’s financial projections were not prepared with a view toward compliance with published guidelines of International Financial Reporting Standards and have not been examined, reviewed or compiled by the Company’s accountants or auditors. The Company’s financial projections represent management’s estimates as of the dates indicated thereon.

SOURCE Walker Lane Resources Ltd

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Gareth Soloway of VerifiedInvesting.com shares his outlook for gold, silver and Bitcoin.

For gold, he outlines two different scenarios — a breakout to US$5,000 per ounce, potentially early in 2026, or a pullback to the US$3,500 to US$3,600 level.

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Skyharbour Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SYH ) (OTCQX: SYHBF ) (Frankfurt: SC1P ) (‘Skyharbour’, ‘SYH’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce the closing of the definitive repurchase agreement (the ‘Strategic Agreement’) with Denison Mines Corp. (‘Denison’ or ‘DML’), whereby Denison has acquired an initial project interest in Skyharbour’s Russell Lake Uranium Project (‘Russell’ or the ‘Project’) and the parties have entered into four separate joint venture agreements on various claims making up Russell (the ‘Transaction’). The Project is strategically located in the central portion of the Eastern Athabasca Basin of northern Saskatchewan, with access to regional infrastructure, including an exploration camp, all-weather road and powerline.

Russell Lake Project Location Map:
http://www.skyharbourltd.com/_resources/images/2025-11-14%20SKY-RussellLake-Updated.jpg

Highlights:

  • Strategic Agreement represents combined total project consideration of up to CAD $61.5 million consisting of cash payments to Skyharbour totalling $10.0 million, additional consideration of $8.0 million payable in cash and shares before year end, and expenditures and cash payments totalling up to $43.5 million for Denison to acquire between a 20% and 70% ownership interest over seven years in the claims making up Russell, with Skyharbour owning the remaining interests.
  • Denison (TSX: DML; NYSE American: DNN), a leading uranium mining company with a market capitalization of over $3 billion, is developing the Wheeler River Project (‘Wheeler River’), which shares a 55 kilometre border with Russell. Denison is an existing, large corporate shareholder of Skyharbour and now joins the Company as a strategic, active, funding partner at Russell.
  • The Project has been divided into four different joint ventures, including Russell Lake (‘RL’), Getty East, Wheeler North, and the Wheeler River Inlier Claims, of which Skyharbour will retain initial ownership interests of 80%, 70%, 51%, and 30%, respectively. Denison can then earn up to a 70% interest in the Wheeler North and Getty East properties through option agreements.
  • The geological teams of Denison and Skyharbour have begun working cooperatively to advance and unlock value across the joint ventures, employing top-tier exploration and development expertise in the region.
  • Denison has committed to a minimum of $4 million in exploration expenditures over the first two years at Wheeler North and Getty East combined, as well as agreeing to fund to maintain its pro-rata 20% participation interest in the RL claims through 2029 up until such time that total exploration expenditures on the property reach $10 million.
  • Skyharbour will remain operator with an 80% ownership interest at the RL claims comprising over 53,192 hectares of the original 73,314 hectare Russell Lake Project. The Company will also act as operator during the first earn-in at Getty East with Denison sole funding the exploration in order to fulfill the earn-in option criteria.
  • Skyharbour is well funded going into 2026 with over $11 million in the treasury. The Company will also generate revenue from its operator fee at the McGowan Lake exploration camp at the Project, as well as from cash and share payments from other option earn-in partner companies.
  • Skyharbour will continue to directly advance its high-grade Moore Uranium project as well as the RL claims at Russell, while partner companies fund exploration at some of the Company’s other projects.

Reorganization of the Russell Lake Project:
https://www.skyharbourltd.com/_resources/images/Russell-Map-New.jpg

Jordan Trimble, President and CEO of Skyharbour, stated: ‘We are thrilled to close this major transaction for Skyharbour, and to embark on the next chapter of exploration at Russell with a multi-billion dollar strategic partner and large shareholder in Denison Mines. With up to $61.5 million in combined project consideration contemplated, we are confident that this strategic agreement will expedite the discovery process at the Project while minimizing equity dilution for our shareholders. Based on initial technical meetings and strategy sessions with Denison, we are excited about the combined exploration options for the near term. Russell is one of the more prospective exploration projects in the Athabasca Basin proximal to existing and developing mines including Denison’s Pheonix deposit at Wheeler River. Denison will also be able to provide considerable insight and experience as we jointly advance Russell. Lastly, we now enter the new year with a healthy treasury of over $11 million to fund our exploration efforts and corporate activities through 2026 while various partner companies fund exploration at numerous other projects in our portfolio.’

David Cates, President and CEO of Denison, further commented: ‘As Denison nears receipt of final regulatory approvals for the Phoenix In-Situ Recovery mine proposed for our flagship Wheeler River property, we are also making measured investments in our project pipeline – including our next development assets and high-potential exploration properties. Given its proximity to Wheeler River, Denison has had an interest in adding Russell to our property portfolio for much of my nearly two decades with the Company. This transaction achieves that objective by providing Denison with the opportunity to lead and participate in exploration efforts across four newly created joint ventures, which are designed to drive collaboration between Denison and Skyharbour’s technical teams. We are excited to build on our long-standing relationship with Skyharbour and accelerate the evaluation of this exceptional package of highly prospective ground.’

Transaction Details:

The consideration payment consisted of a $10.0 million cash payment, with $2.0 million paid upon execution of the Strategic Agreement and $8.0 million paid upon closing of the Strategic Agreement. An additional $8.0 million is payable in cash and shares by Denison on or before December 31 st , 2025 with a minimum of $2.0 million payable in cash.

It is anticipated that Denison will also be making use of the current exploration camp at McGowan Lake on the Project, which will continue to be operated by Skyharbour, and an administrative fee will be payable by Denison to Skyharbour. The claims comprising Russell are subject to various existing underlying royalties to other parties.

Skyharbour has received conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange for closing. The issuance of shares by Denison to Skyharbour remains subject to appliable exchange approvals.

Summary of Initial Joint Ventures:

Upon closing of the Strategic Agreement, Denison has earned an initial project interest in each of the four new Russell exploration projects including a 49% interest in the Wheeler North claims, a 20% interest in the RL claims, a 30% interest in the Getty East claims, and a 70% interest in the Wheeler River Inlier claims.

  1. Wheeler North (51% SYH, 49% DML ; subject to additional earn-in options ) : The claims marked in yellow in the accompanying map represent 16,409 hectares over eight claims. The claims host some of the exploration targets located proximal to Wheeler River, including the Grayling and Fork Zones. Upon closing of the Transaction, Denison will have the option to increase its interest in Wheeler North to a 70% interest in these claims and Denison will become the operator of Wheeler North as described in more detail below.
  2. Russell Lake or RL (80% SYH, 20% DML) : The claims marked in pink in the accompanying map represent 53,192 hectares over 16 claims. These claims are located north and west of Skyharbour’s Moore Project and host numerous exploration target areas including Christie Lake, NE Russell, Blue Steel, Taylor Bay, South Russell, and Kowalchuk Lake. In order to maintain its initial interest in RL, Denison has agreed to fund its pro rata share of up to a maximum of C$10.0 million in total project expenditures. Skyharbour will remain operator of RL.
  3. Wheeler River Inliers (30% SYH, 70% DML) . The claims marked in blue in the accompanying map represent 608 hectares over two claims. These are inlier claims within Denison’s Wheeler River project hosting the West Russell and C-Block exploration target areas. DML will become operator of the Wheeler River Inliers.
  4. Getty East (70% SYH, 30% DML ; subject to additional earn-in options ) . The claim marked in green in the accompanying map representing 3,105 hectares is host to the Little Man Lake exploration prospect. The claim borders Cameco’s Cree Zimmer property which holds its Key Lake operations to the south. Upon the closing of the Transaction, Skyharbour remains operator of Getty East; however, Denison has the option to become the operator and acquire up to a 70% interest in this joint venture as described in more detail below.

Denison Earn-In Options:

The Earn-In Option Agreements grant Denison an option to earn additional interests in Wheeler North and Getty East.

Wheeler North Earn-In Option :

Under the terms of the Wheeler North Earn-In Option Agreement, Denison may acquire up to a 70% interest in Wheeler North. The option agreement contains two (2) phases, as summarized below:

Phase 1: To earn an additional 11% interest in Wheeler North (increasing Denison’s ownership to 60%), Denison must:

  • Incur $10.0 million in exploration expenditures at Wheeler North within 48 months of Closing, of which $2.5 million in exploration expenditures must be completed within 24 months of Closing, and
  • Make a cash payment in the amount of $1.5 million to Skyharbour within 48 months of Closing.

Phase 2: To earn an additional 10% interest (increasing Denison’s ownership to 70%) in Wheeler North, Denison must complete the requirements of Phase 1, plus the following:

  • Incur an additional $15.0 million in exploration expenditures at Wheeler North within 7 years of Closing, and
  • Make a further cash payment in the amount of $2.0 million to Skyharbour within 7 years of Closing.

Getty East Earn-In Option Agreement:

Under the terms of the Getty East Option Agreement, Denison may acquire up to a 70% interest in Getty East. The option agreement contains two (2) phases, as summarized below:

Phase 1: To earn an additional 19% interest in Getty East (increasing Denison’s ownership to 49%), Denison must incur $5.0 million in exploration expenditures at Getty East within 48 months of Closing, of which $1.5 million must be completed within the first 24 months of Closing.

Phase 2: To earn an additional 21% interest in Getty East (increasing Denison’s ownership to 70%), Denison must complete the requirements of Phase 1, plus incur an additional $10 million in exploration expenditures within 7 years of Closing. Upon completion of the Phase 2 earn-in option criteria, Denison will have the option to become the operator in this joint venture.

Russell Lake Uranium Project Overview:

The Russell Lake Project is a large, advanced-stage uranium exploration property totalling 73,314 hectares strategically located between Cameco’s Key Lake and McArthur River Projects, and adjoining Denison’s Wheeler River Project to the west and Skyharbour’s Moore Uranium Project to the east. The northern extension of Highway 914 between Key Lake and McArthur River runs through the western extent of the property and greatly enhances accessibility, while a high-voltage powerline is situated alongside this road.

Skyharbour’s New 80% Owned RL Project:

The claims making up the RL Project constitute over seventy percent of the original Russell project area and will continue to be explored by Skyharbour as the operator and 80% owner. Denison will acquire a 20% interest and has agreed to fund to maintain its pro-rata participation interest in the RL claims through December 31 st , 2029, or until such time that total expenditures on the properties have reached $10 million.

The RL claims have numerous highly prospective targets that Skyharbour will continue to advance. The Christie Lake target area contains basement-hosted uranium mineralization with historical drilling returning 0.17% U 3 O 8 over 0.4 metres at 436.4 metres depth in hole CL-10-03, hosted within a strongly hematized breccia. A prospective clay altered basement fault system runs throughout this area.

The Blue Steel target area comprises graphitic metasediments that were last drilled in 2008. The full extent of the graphitic corridor remains unknown and completely untested. Historical geophysics indicate potential faulting along this corridor, highlighting it as a priority area for follow-up work using modern geophysical methods to refine drill targets.

The Kowalchuk area, situated within the southern Russell claims, is another prospective area on the RL claims, with multiple inferred structural trends passing through it. This area has seen only limited modern geophysical coverage to date.

In addition to the aforementioned target areas, there are many kilometres of untested EM conductors on the RL claims underlain by rocks of low magnetic intensity, suggestive of the presence of prospective graphitic meta-pelitic basement lithologies typical of Athabasca-style uranium systems. With limited modern exploration conducted over the past 12 years, the RL claims remain underexplored and highly prospective for both expanding known mineralized zones and making new discoveries.

Advisors and Counsel:

Haywood Securities Inc. acted as financial advisor to Skyharbour in connection with the Transaction, and AFG Law LLP and DuMoulin Black LLP are acting as legal counsel to Skyharbour.

Qualified Person:

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed and approved by Serdar Donmez, P.Geo., VP of Exploration for Skyharbour as well as a Qualified Person.

About Skyharbour Resources Ltd.:

Skyharbour holds an extensive portfolio of uranium exploration projects in Canada’s Athabasca Basin and is well positioned to benefit from improving uranium market fundamentals with interest in thirty-seven projects covering over 616,000 hectares (over 1.5 million acres) of land. Skyharbour has acquired from Denison Mines, a large strategic shareholder of the Company, a 100% interest in the Moore Uranium Project, which is located 15 kilometres east of Denison’s Wheeler River project and 39 kilometres south of Cameco’s McArthur River uranium mine. Moore is an advanced-stage uranium exploration property with high-grade uranium mineralization in several zones at the Maverick Corridor. Adjacent to the Moore Project is the Russell Lake Uranium Project, which hosts widespread uranium mineralization in drill intercepts over a large property area with exploration upside potential. The Company is actively advancing these projects through exploration and drilling programs.

Skyharbour also has joint ventures with industry leaders Denison Mines, Orano Canada Inc., Azincourt Energy, and Thunderbird Resources at the Russell, Preston, East Preston, and Hook Lake Projects, respectively. The Company also has several active earn-in option partners, including CSE-listed Basin Uranium Corp. at the Mann Lake Uranium Project; TSX-V listed North Shore Uranium at the Falcon Project; UraEx Resources at the South Dufferin and Bolt Projects; Hatchet Uranium at the Highway Project; CSE-listed Mustang Energy at the 914W Project; and TSX-V listed Terra Clean Energy at the South Falcon East Project.

In aggregate, Skyharbour has now signed earn-in option agreements with partners that total to potentially over $76 million in partner-funded exploration expenditures and over $42 million in cash and share payments coming into Skyharbour, assuming that these partner companies complete their entire earn-ins at the respective projects.

Skyharbour’s goal is to maximize shareholder value through new mineral discoveries, committed long-term partnerships, and the advancement of exploration projects in geopolitically favourable jurisdictions.

Skyharbour’s Uranium Project Map in the Athabasca Basin:
https://skyharbourltd.com/_resources/maps/SKY-SaskProject-Locator-2025-12-08.jpg

To find out more about Skyharbour Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SYH) visit the Company’s website at www.skyharbourltd.com .

Skyharbour Resources Ltd.

‘Jordan Trimble’

Jordan Trimble
President and CEO

For further information contact myself or:
Nicholas Coltura
Corporate Communications Manager
Skyharbour Resources Ltd.
Telephone: 604-558-5847
Toll Free: 800-567-8181
Facsimile: 604-687-3119
Email: info@skyharbourltd.com

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be ‘forward-looking statements’. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that management of the Company expects, are forward-looking statements.  Although management believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, exploration and development successes, regulatory approvals including TSXV approval, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see the public filings of the Company at www.sedarplus.ca for further information.

 

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In the early contest, the Old Dominion heads down to the Sunshine State to meet an opponent from the American playing much closer to home. In the nightcap down on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, it will be a bowl newcomer challenging one of the Sun Belt postseason regular Louisiana-Lafayette.

For what it’s worth, both games managed to pair opponents with matching records. That doesn’t guarantee an even contest, of course, but we can hope. Here are the particulars.

Cure Bowl: Old Dominion vs. South Florida

Time/TV: 5 p.m. ET, ESPN, in Orlando, Fla.

Why watch: This first of several contests at Camping World Stadium kicks things off as the home-state Bulls, a Top 25 squad at times this season, square off with the Monarchs, who are seeking their first bowl victory since 2016. Both teams will be led by backup QBs. South Florida’s Byrum Brown is likely NFL bound but will serve as a student coach, handing the reins to journeyman Gaston Moore. Old Dominion’s Colton Joseph is in the portal, but equally dynamic freshman Quinn Henicle will direct the attack. Names to know on the defensive side include Monarchs DB Jerome Carter and Bulls LB Mac Harris.

Why it could disappoint: Though both squads have 9-3 records, the Bulls enter as favorites after negotiating a more challenging slate in an overall stronger conference. Brown’s absence could serve as an equalizer, but the Monarchs still figure to be at a depth disadvantage.

68 Ventures Bowl: Delaware vs. Louisiana-Lafayette

Time/TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, in in Mobile, Ala.

Why watch: The Blue Hens, long-time powers of the Championship Subdivision, needed just one year at this level to qualify for a bowl game. They’ll take on the Ragin’ Cajuns, who are usually in the Sun Belt championship mix but struggled through the first half of the season in 2025. Leading the way for Louisiana-Lafayette is dual-threat QB Lunch Winfield, not his given name but a fitting moniker as he feasts on opposing defenses. RBs Bill Davis and Zylan Perry lend plenty of ground support. Delaware counters with QB Nick Minicucci, who isn’t as explosive but still has 10 rushing scores to go with his 22 TD passes. His primary targets are WRs Sean Wilson and Kyre Duplessis.

Why it could disappoint: The Hens are still new to the FBS landscape, and they were on the short end of a blowout or two. This shouldn’t be a mismatch of that magnitude, but the Ragin’ Cajuns won their last four games to get here and will therefore arrive with a high degree of confidence.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Fresh off helping Inter Miami win its first MLS Cup, Lionel Messi wasted no time getting back to work.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion spent the last few days on a four-city trip in India for a series of promotional events branded as Lionel Messi’s G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025.

While in India visiting Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi, Messi was scheduled to make on-pitch appearances, attend concerts and youth football clinics, go to a padel tournament and launch charitable initiatives. There was no expectation that Messi would play in a competitive match, given he’s just come off a grueling championship campaign with Inter Miami and could play in the 2026 World Cup this summer (though, he has yet to formally commit to Argentina’s repeat bid).

So, seems simple enough, right?

Well … not so much. During Messi’s appearance on the first stop of the tour in Kolkata on Dec. 13, things got out of hand.

What happened in Kolkata?

Fans ripped up seats and threw those and other objects onto the pitch at the Salt Lake stadium. There were security breaches and fans running on the pitch. The event’s chief organiser, Satadru Dutta, was detained by police.

‘I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium,’ Mamata Banerjee, chief minister of West Bengal (India), wrote on X. ‘I sincerely apologize to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident.’

They did manage to unveil a 70-foot statue of Messi in Kolkata.

Why were fans in Kolkata so upset?

Well, despite no promise of Messi playing any sort of soccer, his appearance did not satisfy the fans who paid to get into the Salt Lake stadium to get a glimpse of the soccer G.O.A.T.

According to reports in the Indian media, Messi walked around the field waving to the fans, but was closely surrounded by a large group of people and left 20 minutes after arrival. Messi’s lap around the stadium was cut short due to security concerns.

Mayhem ensued when the fans realized they’d hardly see the soccer icon.

‘Absolutely terrible event,’ a fan told ANI. ‘(Messi) came for just 10 minutes. All the leaders and ministers surrounded him.

‘We couldn’t see anything. He didn’t take a single kick or a single penalty. He came for 10 minutes and left. So much money, emotions, and time wasted. We couldn’t see anything.’

Anything else happen during Messi’s other three stops in India?

There was no chaos at the final three stops of Lionel Messi’s G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025 in Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.

Events in those three locations — featuring Messi and his Inter Miami teammates, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul — went ahead without issues. The three players — fresh off an MLS Cup win — walked around the field occasionally kicking a ball into the packed stands, and engaged in kickabouts with local children.

Why was Messi on a tour so shortly after winning MLS Cup?

Like, why isn’t Messi hanging out on a South Florida beach relaxing and basking in the glory of leading a team that was a figment of David Beckham’s imagination a decade ago to a league championship?

(Insert money bag emoji here.)

Messi is in the twilight of his illustrious career — one that has him top of mind in any ‘greatest ever’ conversations — and at 38 years old, the window of opportunity to capitalize on his playing days is closing. In October, Messi signed a three-year contract extension with Inter Miami that runs through 2028. He’ll be in his 40s when that contract expires.

Anger over Messi tours is not new

Remember in early 2024 when Inter Miami went on an international tour during the preseason that included stops in Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Japan? Who could forget?

Let’s just start this by saying that no MLS club should be going on a hyped-up global preseason tour. ‘Work in progress’ is a nice way of describing the state of most Major League Soccer teams’ rosters in the weeks leading up to the regular-season openers.

In a development that should have been anticipated, Inter Miami’s preseason tour did not go according to plan.

Inter Miami’s stop in Saudi Arabia was, well, less than encouraging. After a 4-3 loss to Al Hilal, Messi and Co. were clobbered 6-0 by Al Nassr, the club of Cristiano Ronaldo, who didn’t play in the game.

But Messi picked up a knock — ‘hamstring discomfort’ — and only came into the Al Nassr match as a late-game substitute. At Inter Miami’s next stop on the tour in Hong Kong, Messi did not play and the soccer G.O.A.T., his teammates and Beckham were serenaded with boos.

On the final leg of the preseason tour, Messi came on as a substitute again in a 0-0 draw against Vissel Kobe in Japan.

The 2024 MLS season went well for Messi, who won the first of two consecutive MVP awards and Inter Miami won the Supporters’ Shield.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said he was “still processing” former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore’s firing and arrest when asked by reporters on Friday, Dec. 12. Since then, Harbaugh’s had a few days to assess the situation, and he’s even communicated with Moore.

While appearing on “The Dan Patrick Show”, Harbaugh revealed that he’s texted with Moore since his arrest.

“It’s a tragedy. The worst days of his life,” Harbaugh responded when asked about Moore’s spirits. “Keep it together and take care of your family. That’s the message. And getting spiritual guidance is really critical.”

Moore was arrested Dec. 10 in the immediate hours after his dismissal from Michigan and placed in custody at the Washtenaw County Jail in Michigan as part of what police called an assault investigation. According to court documents released Dec. 12, Moore faces criminal allegations of felony third-degree home invasion, misdemeanor stalking-domestic relationship, and misdemeanor breaking and entering.

Harbaugh originally hired Moore as Michigan’s tight ends coach in 2018. Under Harbaugh, Moore moved up the ladder to co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach in 2021. He was then the sole title-holder of the Wolverines’ offensive coordinator role in 2023.

Moore replaced Harbaugh as Michigan’s head coach in 2024 when Harbaugh accepted the Chargers’ head coaching position.

Although Harbaugh said he’s communicated with Moore via text, the coach said his focus remains on the Chargers and the team’s upcoming Week 16 road game against the Dallas Cowboys.

“I still don’t have my head wrapped around it. It’s a tragedy, and just praying for all concerned,” Harbaugh said. “I love my alma mater, I love Michigan and I love the Chargers, too. I would be doing a disservice if I wasn’t putting all my focus on this game. This is the most important game for us.”

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

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  • Strong quarterback performances from Bo Nix and C.J. Stroud have further elevated the Broncos and Texans into Super Bowl contention.
  • The Patriots dropped four spots after a loss to the Bills, highlighting their struggles against winning opponents.
  • Green Bay’s Super Bowl hopes may be in jeopardy following a season-ending ACL tear for DE Micah Parsons.

NFL power rankings entering Week 16 of the 2025 season (previous rank in parentheses):

3. Denver Broncos (5): Will the real Bo Nix please stand up? But if that was you Sunday against Green Bay, then the Broncos are truly a legitimate Super Bowl threat.

4. Houston Texans (6): Will the real C.J. Stroud please stand up? But if that was you Sunday against Arizona, then the Texans are truly a legitimate Super Bowl threat.

5. Buffalo Bills (7): What was more important last weekend − their defeat of New England (keeping Buffalo’s AFC East title hopes alive), or Kansas City’s loss (removing a massive impediment on the Bills’ path to Super Bowl 60)?

6. New England Patriots (2): The loss to Buffalo with a division crown on the line was a reminder that this is a young and inexperienced team, and one that’s only beaten a single opponent this season that currently has a winning record … though it was the Bills.

7. Green Bay Packers (4): Will the loss of DE Micah Parsons to an ACL tear have a bigger impact on the Pack’s defense or its collective psyche?

9. San Francisco 49ers (10): For all the (belated) focus on the Rams and Seahawks, it’s easy to forget that the lurking Niners could yet slip past both and wind up as the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed.

11. Los Angeles Chargers (12): Jim Harbaugh took the 49ers to the Super Bowl in his second year coaching them. But no way he replicates that trick with Bolts. Right?

13. Detroit Lions (8): A team this good and fun to watch? Notre Dame is definitely going to cry foul if the committee leaves the Lions out of the playoff field.

15. Baltimore Ravens (19): They won a football game 24-0 and didn’t have possession for even 21 minutes? No wonder we thought this team could win the Super Bowl.

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20): They’ve just gotten a lot of (expletive) players like WR Mike Evans back in the (expletive) lineup. We still feel fairly confident (expletive) Baker Mayfield and Co. can win the (expletive) NFC South for a fifth straight time.

17. Carolina Panthers (14): Getting swept by the Saints could quite literally ruin their season.

18. Indianapolis Colts (22): You’re telling us they’re about to host a Monday night game in their ‘Indiana Nights’ uniforms with 44-year-old Philip Rivers at the controls, but there’s no NFL script? The jig’s up.

21. Kansas City Chiefs (16): They’re shockingly in their Gardner Minshew Era … which may determine whether they want to go back to their Carson Wentz Era in 2026.

22. Miami Dolphins (21): When did ‘Tank for Tua’ become ‘Tank with Tua during a nationally televised game’? (In coach Mike McDaniel’s defense, he had a rationale for slow-playing the fourth quarter − figuring a recovered onside kick was needed regardless of circumstances. But the team’s lack of urgency wasn’t a great look at an urgent moment of its now officially lost season.)

23. Atlanta Falcons (30): TE Kyle Pitts has been their best player not named Bijan Robinson since Thanksgiving. But does it matter if it requires QB Kirk Cousins to unlock the pending free agent?

25. Arizona Cardinals (23): TE Trey McBride and WR Michael Wilson are the only NFL players with at least 40 receptions since Week 11 (both have 44 during that span). Despite all their efforts, the Cards are 0-5 during that stretch.

29. New York Jets (27): The defense has zero interceptions this season. And one fired coordinator. Coincidence?

31. Cleveland Browns (28): This week, let’s give Shedeur the wristband with three TD pass plays on it, not three picks.

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An investigation has been opened into the burglary of New York Liberty All-Star Sabrina Ionescu’s home, the latest in a string of high-profile break-ins targeting athletes.

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday that officers responded to the Los Angeles home around 8:15 p.m. ET Monday evening after two suspects smashed through a rear glass door to gain entry into the residence. The suspects later fled in a vehicle with stolen property, authorities added.

The authorities didn’t identify what was stolen, but ESPN reported several handbags worth more than $60,000 were taken from the home Ionescu shares with her husband, former NFL offensive lineman Hroniss Grasu.

Neither Ionescu or Grasu were home at the time of the burglary. No arrests have been made so far.

Ionescu is not the first athlete to deal with a home break-in. A number of professional athletes have faced similar incidents recently, including Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic and Oklahoma City Thunder MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Most recently, Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ home was burglarized on Nov. 16 while he was making his NFL debut against the Baltimore Ravens.

The FBI issued a formal warning to professional leagues in December 2024 about organized groups conducting a string of burglaries.

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2025 was a watershed year for gold, which set new highs as its safe-haven appeal increased.

As global uncertainty intensified, the metal began to receive mainstream attention as a standout asset.

With the year set to mark one of gold’s strongest annual performances in decades, it’s a fitting moment to look back and revisit our most popular gold news stories of 2025.

Read on to see what caught our audience’s attention over the last 12 months.

1. Germany, Italy Face Pressure to Repatriate US$245 Billion in Gold as Trust in US Custody Wavers

Publish date: June 24, 2025

In June, growing distrust in US custodianship of foreign gold reserves and political uncertainty linked to the Trump administration put pressure on Germany and Italy to repatriate their foreign bullion.

At the time, both countries collectively held more than US$245 billion in gold reserves at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and local political leaders were raising concerns that the US had become a less neutral custodian.

German taxpayer advocates warned that increasing political influence over the US Federal Reserve could jeopardize access to foreign-owned bullion. Similar concerns surfaced in Italy, where critics argued that continuing to store gold abroad posed a strategic risk during a period of heightened geopolitical tension.

Germany repatriated 674 metric tons of gold from 2013 to 2017, but 37 percent of its reserves remain in New York.

2. What Does the GDX Index Change Mean for Gold Investors?

Publish date: September 19, 2025

In September, the world’s largest gold-mining stock exchange-traded fund (ETF) — the US$20.5 billion VanEck Gold Miners ETF (ARCA:GDX) — underwent a major structural overhaul.

VanEck transitioned GDX from the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index to the MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index, ending a benchmark relationship in place since 2004.

The switch adopted free-float market-cap rules that exclude locked-up or government-held shares, aligning the fund with index standards commonly used in broader equity markets.

3. Barrick’s Bristow Steps Down Following Hemlo Sale and Mali Challenges

Publish date: September 29, 2025

Barrick Mining (TSX:ABX,NYSE:B) went through a major leadership transition this year after CEO Mark Bristow unexpectedly left the company following nearly seven years at the helm.

Bristow, who had led the company since the 2019 merger with Randgold Resources, stepped down amid strategic disagreements with Barrick Chair John Thornton and a year marked by operational challenges, including ongoing legal and political challenges in Mali, where its Loulo-Gounkoto complex is located.

Bristow’s departure also came shortly after Barrick finalized a US$1.09 billion sale of its Hemlo mine in Ontario, formally marking its exit from primary Canadian gold production to concentrate on higher-margin international operations.

Chief Operating Officer Mark Hill assumed interim CEO responsibilities as the board initiated a global search for a successor. Hill previously oversaw Barrick’s Latin America and Asia-Pacific operations, and played a key role in the company’s initial decision to explore the Fourmile gold project in Nevada.

4. Mali Enforces Gold Seizure at Barrick’s Loulo-Gounkoto Mine

Publish date: January 13, 2025

Barrick’s tensions with Mali’s military government intensified at the start of 2025 after authorities seized gold shipments from the firm’s Loulo-Gounkoto mine, which accounts for roughly 14 percent of its annual production.

At the time, officials claimed Barrick owed more than US$500 million in unpaid taxes and state dividends under a revised mining code implemented in 2023. Detentions and legal threats against local staff heightened the conflict further, and the government reportedly intercepted approximately 3 metric tons of bullion.

The year-long dispute reached a conclusion on November 24, when Barrick confirmed a settlement with the Malian government that restores full control over the Loulo-Gounkoto mine.

Under the terms, the company was to pay 244 billion CFA francs (US$430 million), with 144 billion CFA francs due within six days of signing and an additional 50 billion CFA francs applied through VAT credit offsets.

In exchange, Mali was to drop all charges against Barrick, lift state control of Loulo-Gounkoto, release four detained employees and renew the company’s mining permit for another decade.

The agreement also requires Barrick to comply with Mali’s 2023 mining code — the same legislation that triggered the original confrontation.

5. Navigating Uncertainty: How Trump’s Tariffs Are Affecting the Gold Market

Publish date: August 27, 2025

US trade policy sparked gold market turbulence after confusion surrounding import tariffs, including whether Swiss-refined 1 kilogram and 100 ounce bars would be subject to rates near 39 percent. Traders rushed to secure physical imports amid the uncertainty, widening spreads between New York futures and London spot benchmarks.

The volatility eased only after US officials clarified their position.

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

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US President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing a major shift in federal drug policy that would relax decades-old restrictions on cannabis, potentially injecting new life into the industry.

Six people familiar with the discussions told the Washington Post that Trump is preparing an executive order directing federal agencies to pursue the reclassification of cannabis from a Schedule I substance to Schedule III.

The effort, still under internal review, was the focus of a December 10 phone call between Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, several of the sources said. Joining the call were cannabis industry executives, Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Mehmet Oz, administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the meeting publicly.

Johnson reportedly expressed skepticism and laid out several studies and data points opposing rescheduling, but by the end of the call, Trump appeared inclined to proceed. However, the sources emphasized that no final decision has been made and that he could still change course; this was later confirmed by another White House official.

Reclassification would shift cannabis from Schedule I status — reserved for substances deemed to have high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use — to Schedule III, which includes Tylenol with codeine and certain steroids.

The shift would not legalize recreational use under federal law, but would remove some of the most onerous constraints faced by medical researchers and by companies operating legally in dozens of states.

“This would be the biggest reform in federal cannabis policy since marijuana was made a Schedule I drug in the 1970s,” said Shane Pennington, a DC attorney who represents companies involved in rescheduling litigation.

He noted that while Trump cannot unilaterally change the drug schedule, he can instruct the Department of Justice to bypass a pending administrative hearing and finalize the rule.

The political backdrop has shifted sharply in recent years. Cannabis is legal for medical use in most states and for recreational use in 24, and has become a multibillion-dollar industry. Both Democrats and Republicans have expressed interest in rescheduling even as broader legalization remains deeply contested at the federal level.

For cannabis businesses, reclassification would be economically transformative.

Current tax rules prohibit companies that sell Schedule I substances from deducting ordinary business expenses, a barrier that industry representatives have long described as crushing.

“This monumental change will have a massive, positive effect on thousands of state-legal cannabis businesses around the country,” said Brian Vicente, founding partner at Vicente. “Rescheduling releases cannabis businesses from the crippling tax burden they have been shackled with and allows these businesses to grow and prosper.”

Policy advocates say the move would eliminate a central pillar of the federal government’s 50 year prohibition regime, while also highlighting how much work remains.

“This is the beginning of a new era of public health policy,” said Shawn Hauser, also a partner at Vicente.

She called the directive “a long-overdue acknowledgment of marijuana’s medical value and safety,” while warning that rescheduling alone will not resolve broader regulatory inconsistencies or criminal justice disparities.

Trump, who said in August that he was “looking at reclassification,” inherited a stalled proposal originally launched by then-President Joe Biden that recommended moving cannabis to Schedule III.

Rescheduling’s origins trace back to October 2022, when Biden instructed the Department of Health and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to review whether the current classification for cannabis is scientifically justified.

Health officials concluded in 2023 that it is not, prompting the DEA to propose shifting cannabis to Schedule III in early 2024. The proposed rule has been frozen since March 2025.

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

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