Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday praised President Donald Trump as the ‘greatest friend’ Israel has ever had, as Hamas released the last 20 living hostages under the new peace deal.
‘No American president has ever done more for Israel,’ Netanyahu said. ‘It ain’t even close.’
He thanked Trump for ‘standing up for Israel’ at the United Nations, recognizing Israel’s rights in the West Bank — or the Judea and Samaria — and withdrawing from the ‘disastrous’ Iran nuclear deal.
‘Thank you for supporting Operation Rising Lion and for your bold decision to launch Operation Midnight Hammer,’ Netanyahu said, referring to the June strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites. ‘Boy, you got to hear this — this is the most fitting name ever given to a military operation, because a little after midnight, you really hammered them.’
Netanyahu announced that he has nominated Trump to be the first non-Israeli recipient of the Israel Prize, which he described as the nation’s ‘highest award.’
During his own speech, Trump said of Netanyahu with a smile, ‘He’s not easy — not the easiest guy to deal with — but that’s what makes him great.’
After Hamas terrorists attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 1,200 people and taking around 240 hostages, which resulted in two years of fighting in Gaza and left tens of thousands estimated dead, Israel and Hamas agreed to a breakthrough peace deal last week after months of mediation by Trump administration officials.
The prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas began Monday, with Hamas releasing the final 20 living hostages in exchange for Israel freeing 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The release was part of a sweeping 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the conflict and rebuilding Gaza. So far, only four of the 28 presumed dead hostages have been returned.
Under the agreement, Israel halted military operations and withdrew to pre-defined lines while preparations began for a complete hostage exchange. Hamas members who renounce violence will be granted amnesty or safe passage, while those who continue resistance will be excluded from Gaza’s future governance.
Humanitarian aid — including critical supplies, infrastructure repair, and medical support — will flow freely into Gaza under the supervision of the United Nations, the Red Crescent, and other neutral organizations.
Gaza’s governance will transition to a technocratic Palestinian committee overseen by an international ‘Board of Peace’ chaired by Trump, alongside former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and other global leaders. This body will manage Gaza’s redevelopment until a reformed Palestinian Authority is prepared to take control.
A Trump-led economic development plan will seek to attract international investment and transform Gaza into a ‘thriving modern miracle city,’ supported by a special economic zone with preferential trade terms. The plan promises that no residents will be forced to leave Gaza, emphasizing voluntary participation in rebuilding efforts.
Security arrangements include the creation of a U.S.-led International Stabilization Force (ISF) to train Palestinian police, secure borders, and oversee disarmament. Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza but will gradually withdraw as security milestones are met. Regional partners, including Egypt and Jordan, will help ensure compliance and prevent the resurgence of militant threats.
Thousands of U.S.-bound packages shipped by UPS are trapped at hubs across the country, unable to clear the maze of new customs requirements imposed by the Trump administration.
As packages flagged for customs issues pile up in UPS warehouses, the company told NBC News it has begun “disposing of” some shipments.
Frustrated UPS customers describe waiting for weeks and trying to make sense of scores of conflicting tracking updates from the world’s largest courier.
“I’ve never seen anything like this before,” Matthew Wasserbach, brokerage manager of Express Customs Clearance, said of the UPS backlog. “It’s totally unprecedented.”
Wasserbach’s New York City-based shipping services firm helps clients move shipments through customs. He said the company has seen a spike in inquiries for help with UPS customs clearance.
A Boeing 747 operated by UPS on the tarmac at Louisville International Airport in Kentucky during a winter storm on Feb. 3, 2022.Luke Sharrett / Bloomberg via Getty Images file
More than two dozen people who are waiting for their UPS packages explained the circumstances of their shipments to NBC News.
They described shipments of tea, telescopes, luxury glassware, musical instruments and more — some worth tens of thousands of dollars — all in limbo or perhaps gone.
Others have deep sentimental value: notebooks, diplomas and even engagement rings.
The frustration has exploded online, with customers sharing horror stories on Reddit of missing skin care products, art and collectibles.
They are confused and angry, and they want answers.
“It’s almost impossible to get through to anybody to figure out what is happening,” said Ashley Freberg, who said she is missing several boxes she shipped via UPS from England in September.
“Are my packages actually being destroyed or not?”
Freberg’s boxes of journals, records and books were shipped on Sept. 18, according to tracking documents she shared with NBC News.
Over the next two weeks, she received two separate notifications from UPS that her personal mementos had not cleared customs and as a result had been “disposed of” by UPS.
Then, on Oct. 1, a UPS tracking update appeared for her packages, saying they were on the way. The tracking updates Freberg showed NBC News for that shipment revealed it was the most recent update she had received.
UPS transport jets wait to be loaded with packages at UPS Worldport in Louisville, Ky., on April 27, 2021.Timothy D. Easley / AP file
While sentimental value is impossible to measure, other customers fear they will not be able to recover financially if their goods were destroyed.
Tea importer Lauren Purvis of Portland, Oregon, said five shipments from Japan, mostly containing matcha green tea and collectively worth more than $127,000, were all sent via UPS over the last few weeks and arrived at UPS’ international package processing hub in Louisville, Kentucky. Purvis has yet to receive any of the shipments, only a flurry of conflicting tracking updates from UPS.
A series of notifications for one shipment, which she shared with NBC News, said that the shipment had not cleared customs and that UPS had disposed of it.
But a subsequent tracking update said the shipment had cleared customs and was on the way.
“We know how to properly document and pay for our packages,” Purvis said. “There should be zero reason that a properly documented and paid-for package would be set to be disposed of.”
At least a half-dozen people described an emotional seesaw they were put through by weeks of contradictory UPS tracking updates about their shipments. The updates, they said, compounded the stress of not knowing what had really happened to their possessions.
A UPS Boeing 767 aircraft taxis at San Diego International Airport, in San Diego, Calif., August 15, 2025.Kevin Carter / Getty Images file
AJ, a Boston man who asked that NBC News use only his initials to protect his privacy, said he shipped a package from Japan via UPS on Sept. 12 including Japanese language books, a pillow and a backpack.
After it sat in Louisville for nearly two weeks, AJ got a tracking update on Sept. 26, one of several that he shared with NBC News. “We’re sorry, your package did not clear customs and has been removed from the UPS network. Per customs guidelines, it has been destroyed. Please contact the sender for more information,” it read.
UPS tracking updates for a package shipped from Japan to the United States.Obtained by NBC News
Three days later, on Sept. 29, he received another, and this one read: “On the Way. Import Scan, Louisville, KY, United States.” For a moment, it appeared as though AJ’s shipment might have been found.
But less than 24 hours after his hopes were raised, another tracking update arrived: “We’re sorry,” it began. It was the same notice that his package had “been destroyed” that he had received on the 26th.
Two minutes later, he got his final update: “Unable to Deliver. Package cannot clear due to customs delay or missing info. Attempt to contact sender made. Package has been disposed of.”
International shipping was thrown into chaos after the long-standing “de minimis” tariff exemption for low-value packages ended on Aug. 29.
Packages with values of $800 or less, which were previously allowed to enter the United States duty-free, are now subject to a range of tariffs and fees.
They include hundreds of country-specific rates, or President Donald Trump’s so-called reciprocal tariffs, as well as new levies on certain products and materials.
President Donald Trump holds a chart as he speaks about reciprocal tariffs at a ‘Make America Wealthy Again’ event at the White House on April 2.Brendan Smialowski / AFP – Getty Images file
The result is that international shipping to the United States today is far more complex and costly than it was even two months ago.
The sweeping changes have caught private individuals and veteran exporters alike in a customs conundrum.
It is difficult to know the exact number of the packages that are stuck in UPS customs purgatory. Shipping companies guard their delivery data closely.
UPS reported to investors that in 2023, its international service delivered around 3.2 million packages per day.
This week, the company told NBC News that it is clearing more than 90% of the packages it handles through customs on the first day.
The rest of the packages, or less than 10%, require more time to clear customs and need to be held until they do. That could easily mean that thousands of UPS packages every day are not clearing customs on their first try.
In a statement to NBC News, UPS said it is doing its best to get all packages to their destinations while abiding by the new customs requirements.
“Because of changes to U.S. import regulations, we are seeing many packages that are unable to clear customs due to missing or incomplete information about the shipment required for customs clearance,” it said.
UPS said it makes several attempts to get any missing information and clear delayed shipments, contacting shippers three times.
“In cases where we cannot obtain the necessary information to clear the package, there are two options,” it said.
“First, the package can be returned to the original shipper at their expense. Second, if the customer does not respond and the package cannot be cleared for delivery, disposing of the shipment is in compliance with U.S. customs regulations. We continue to work to bridge the gap of understanding tied to the new requirements and, as always, remain committed to serving our customers.”
A conveyor belt carries envelopes and small packages past UPS workers to their destinations at Worldport on Nov. 20, 2015.Patrick Semansky / AP, file
NBC News asked UPS precisely what it does with packages when it tells customers their shipments have been unable to clear customs and have been “disposed of.” It would not say.
On Sept. 27, a shipper in Stockholm received a formal notification from UPS that two packages her glassware company sent to the United States — which failed to clear customs — would be destroyed.
“We are sorry, but due to these circumstances and the perishable nature of the contents, we are now required to proceed with destruction of the shipment in accordance with regulatory guidelines,” UPS told Anni Cernea in an email she shared with NBC News.
The email continued, “There is no need to contact our call center for further information or to attempt to clear this shipment.”
Cernea said, “It’s just outrageous that they can dispose of products like this without approval from either the sender or recipient.”
From now on, Cernea said, she plans to ship her products via UPS rival FedEx.
Cernea’s decision to switch carriers hints at the worst-case scenario for UPS, which is that people could abandon the company. It is a potential crisis for the roughly $70 billion company.
The company’s stock price is already down more than 30% this year, which analysts attribute to a mix of tariffs, competition and shifting shopping habits.
As she awaits her missing journals and diplomas from England, Freberg is looking ahead to the biggest shipping months of the year.
“I can’t even imagine how bad the holidays are going to be, because that’s a time where loads of people are shipping stuff overseas,” she said.
“If it doesn’t get solved soon, I can only see it becoming an even bigger issue.”
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino is poised to play an even larger role in President Donald Trump’s administration, the president announced Sunday.
Trump says Scavino, in addition to his current role, will now lead the White House Presidential Personnel Office. The office was previously held by Sergio Gor, who is now transitioning to become the U.S. Ambassador to India.
‘I am pleased to announce that the great Dan Scavino, in addition to remaining Deputy Chief of Staff of the Trump Administration, will head the White House Presidential Personnel Office, replacing Sergio Gor, who did a wonderful job in that position, and will now become the Ambassador to India,’ Trump wrote on Truth Social.
‘Dan will be responsible for the selection and appointment of almost all positions in government, a very big and important position. Congratulations Dan, you will do a fantastic job!’ he added.
Scavino’s new appointment comes as the Trump administration is in a pitched fight with Democrats to define the cause of the ongoing government shutdown.
Trump allies have pointed to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s refusal to work with Republicans.
The president also sought to mitigate damage on Saturday by ordering War Secretary Pete Hegseth to make sure military service members get paid next week, regardless of the shutdown.
‘Chuck Schumer recently said, ‘Every day gets better’ during their Radical Left Shutdown,’ Trump wrote on Truth Social. ‘I DISAGREE! If nothing is done, because of ‘Leader’ Chuck Schumer and the Democrats, our Brave Troops will miss the paychecks they are rightfully due on October 15th.’
He said he directed Hegseth ‘to use all available funds to get our Troops PAID on October 15th. We have identified funds to do this, and Secretary Hegseth will use them to PAY OUR TROOPS.’
The government shut down on Oct. 1, after Democrats and Republicans failed to pass a spending bill to fund the government, with Democrats concerned expiring Affordable Care Act tax cuts could raise premiums and that Medicaid cuts could leave people without coverage.
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.
Saga Metals Corp. (‘SAGA’ or the ‘Company’) (TSXV: SAGA,OTC:SAGMF) (OTCQB: SAGMF) (FSE: 20H), a North American exploration company focused on critical minerals, is pleased to announce the closing of its previously announced non-brokered private placement pursuant to which the Company raised aggregate gross proceeds of C$2,988,024.64 (the ‘ Offering ‘).
Pursuant to the Offering, the Company issued (i) 7,100,088 flow-through common share units of the Company (the ‘ FT Units ‘) at C$0.28 per FT Unit for gross proceeds of C$1,988,024.64, and (ii) 4,000,000 hard dollar common share units of the Company (the ‘ HD Units ‘, and together with the FT Units, the ‘ Securities ‘) at C$0.25 per HD Unit for gross proceeds of C$1,000,000.
Financing Overview:
Each FT Unit consists of one flow-through common share as defined in subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the ‘ Tax Act ‘), and one-half of one transferable common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a ‘ Warrant ‘). Each Warrant will entitle its holder to purchase one common share in the capital of the Company (a ‘ Warrant Share ‘) at a price of C$0.50 until October 10, 2027. The Warrant Shares underlying the FT Units will not qualify as ‘flow-through shares’ under the Tax Act.
Each HD Unit consists of one common share and one-half of one Warrant. Each whole Warrant will entitle its holder to purchase one Warrant Share at a price of C$0.50 until October 10, 2027.
Each of the Warrants will be subject to the right of the Company to accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants to a date that is 30 days following dissemination of a news release announcing such acceleration if, at any time, after October 10, 2025 (the ‘ Closing Date ‘), the closing price of the Company’s common shares equals or exceeds C$0.75 for a period of ten consecutive trading days on the TSX Venture Exchange (the ‘ Exchange ‘).
All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a hold period of four months and one day following the Closing Date pursuant to applicable securities laws, expiring February 11, 2026.
The Company paid cash finder’s fees in the aggregate amount of $130,003 and issued an aggregate of 478,204 finder’s warrants in connection with the Offering. Each finder’s warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $0.50 per share for a period of 24 months from the Closing Date.
The gross proceeds from the FT Units will be used by the Company for ‘Canadian exploration expenses’ that are ‘flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures’ (as such terms are defined in the Tax Act) on the Company’s Canadian mineral resource properties. The net proceeds of the HD Units will be used by the Company for administrative and general working capital, which may include investor relations activities.
The securities of SAGA have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the ‘ U.S. Securities Act ‘), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold, within the United States, unless exemptions from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws are available.
No securities regulatory authority has reviewed or approved of the contents of this news release. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of SAGA in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
Marketing Services Agreement with Capitaliz.
The Company further reports that it has entered into a digital marketing services agreement effective as of October 13, 2025 (the ‘ Capitaliz Agreement ‘) with 1123963 B.C. Ltd. D.B.A. Capitaliz (‘ Capitaliz ‘). Pursuant to the Capitaliz Agreement, Capitaliz will, among other things, provide the Company with certain marketing services to expand investor awareness of the Company’s business and to communicate with the investment community (the ‘ Capitaliz Services ‘). The Capitaliz Services will be provided by Capitaliz over a three-month term. The Capitaliz Agreement may be terminated at any time by either party with 30 days’ notice.
Capitaliz is a content-driven digital marketing agency that connects public companies with social media influencers across all major social media platforms, leveraging a creator network that reaches over 100 million subscribers.
The Capitaliz Services will include, among other things: (i) multimedia content creation and syndication, including the production and distribution of editorial video content; (ii) targeted traffic generation through a combination of pay-per-click advertising, social media marketing, native advertising, search engine optimization, email campaigns, and retargeting strategies; and (iii) strategic social media amplification of campaign content across platforms such as Investorhub and YouTube; and (iv) expanded distribution through established relationships with financial media platforms. In consideration of the Capitaliz Services, and pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Capitaliz Agreement, the Company has agreed to pay Capitaliz a fee of C$200,000 (plus applicable taxes) over a three-month term, which will be paid using the Company’s available working capital.
The Capitaliz Services will be rendered primarily online through a variety of news and investment community communications channels. Jeff Leslie, the principal of Capitaliz – located at 704 – 595 Howe Street, Box 35, Vancouver, BC, V6C 2T5 – will be involved in conducting the Capitaliz Services. Capitaliz and Mr. Leslie do not have any interest, directly or indirectly, in the Company or its securities, or any right or intent to acquire such an interest. The terms and conditions of the Capitaliz Agreement remain subject to approval of the Exchange.
Online Marketing Agreement with i2i Marketing Group, LLC.
In addition, the Company reports that it entered into an online marketing agreement (the ‘ i2i Agreement ‘) with i2i Marketing Group, LLC (‘ i2i ‘). Pursuant to the i2i Agreement, i2i will, among other things, provide the Company with corporate marketing and investor awareness services, including, but not limited to, content creation management, author sourcing, project management and media distribution (the ‘ i2i Services ‘). The i2i Services will be provided by i2i pursuant to an initial US$250,000 budget, which will be paid using the Company’s available working capital, and may continue on a month-to-month basis thereafter until the i2i Agreement is terminated. The i2i Agreement may be terminated by either party upon 10 days’ advance written notice to the other party during the contract term.
The i2i Services will be rendered primarily online through a variety of news and investment community communications channels. Joe Grubb and Kailyn White, principals of i2i will be providing services on behalf of i2i, which has an office located at 1107 Key Plaza #222 Key West, FL 33040. i2i, Mr. Grubb, and Ms. White do not have any interest, directly or indirectly, in the Company or its securities, or any right or intent to acquire such an interest.
The terms and conditions of the i2i Agreement remain subject to approval of the Exchange.
About Saga Metals Corp.
Saga Metals Corp. is a North American mining company focused on the exploration and discovery of a diversified suite of critical minerals that support the global transition to green energy. The Radar Titanium Project comprises 24,175 hectares and entirely encloses the Dykes River intrusive complex, mapped at 160 km² on the surface near Cartwright, Labrador. Exploration to date, including a 2,200m drill program, has confirmed a large and mineralized layered mafic intrusion hosting vanadiferous titanomagnetite (VTM) with strong grades of titanium and vanadium.
The Double Mer Uranium Project, also in Labrador, covers 25,600 hectares featuring uranium radiometrics that highlight an 18km east-west trend, with a confirmed 14km section producing samples as high as 0.428% U 3 O 8 and uranium uranophane was identified in several areas of highest radiometric response (2024 Double Mer Technical Report).
Additionally, SAGA owns the Legacy Lithium Property in Quebec’s Eeyou Istchee James Bay region. This project, developed in partnership with Rio Tinto, has been expanded through the acquisition of the Amirault Lithium Project. Together, these properties cover 65,849 hectares and share significant geological continuity with other major players in the area, including Rio Tinto, Winsome Resources, Azimut Exploration, and Loyal Metals.
With a portfolio that spans key minerals crucial to the green energy transition, SAGA is strategically positioned to play an essential role in the clean energy future.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Disclaimer
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as ‘will’, ‘may’, ‘should’, ‘anticipates’, ‘expects’, ‘believes’, and similar expressions or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management’s expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things, the Offering, including the expected use of proceeds from the Offering, the receipt of the Capitaliz Services and the i2i Services, and the terms of the Capitaliz Agreement and the i2i Agreement. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, environmental risks, limitations on insurance coverage, inherent risks and uncertainties involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, particularly given the early-stage nature of the Company’s assets, and the risks detailed in the Company’s continuous disclosure filings with securities regulations from time to time, available under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements only as expressly required by applicable law.
The government shutdown is poised to enter a third week, and Democrats still appear to be struggling in the search for a cohesive messaging strategy.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., received a barrage of GOP-led attacks on Thursday after he told Punchbowl News, ‘Every day gets better for us’ in reference to the shutdown dragging on.
Meanwhile, House Democrats’ group selfie taken on Sept. 29, just before the shutdown, received criticism from both sides of the aisle. Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., who’s become a fierce critic of the GOP since leaving office, wrote on X, ‘These selfie things need to stop guys. Honestly, the democrats were great at social media but social media moved on from them. The kitschy, goofy ‘choose your fighter’ type stuff needs to stop.’
Democrats have been fighting to center the discussion on healthcare, and their argument that any deal to reopen the federal government must at least include an extension of COVID-19 pandemic-era enhanced Obamacare subsidies that are set to expire at the end of this year.
And while polls show that Americans overwhelmingly do support extending the subsidies, surveys taken of the government shutdown have been more mixed, with a significant number of Americans blaming both parties.
A new Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Wednesday showed 67% of Americans believe Republicans deserve ‘a fair amount or a great deal of blame’ for the shutdown, compared to 63% for Democrats.
A New York Times/Siena poll taken on the eve of the shutdown showed that Democrats had a similarly thin edge over the GOP in the shutdown fight, but that 65% of people did not believe Democrats should shut down the government if their demands were not met.
‘Democrats keep choosing the wrong fights, including the shutdown fight. At best, the shutdown will give them a political draw where the public will blame both parties,’ Julian Epstein, a former Democratic staffer for the House Judiciary Committee, told Fox News Digital.
‘But they will not get a game change out of this conflict, and the risk for them is the longer it goes on, the public will see it’s the Democrats who are narcissistically voting to shut down the government after losing the election.’
During an appearance on ‘Real Time With Bill Maher’ earlier this month, CNN political commentator and former Obama administration appointee Van Jones said Democrats ‘do the wrong thing at the wrong time for the right reason.’
Jones said he was in favor of extending the Obamacare subsidies but argued that it may have been folly for his party to pick that fight over the shutdown before people even got notice of their premiums potentially rising.
‘I get it, the base is upset … ’Please do something, do anything,’ but the ‘something’ probably shouldn’t be throwing a bunch of people out of work in the federal government and crushing the American government’s ability to function right before the pain was about to start,’ he said.
And it’s not yet clear if Democrats have an agreed-upon roadmap for how to navigate the shutdown yet.
Late last week, just before Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced that the House would be out of session for another week while Republicans’ funding bill stalled in the Senate, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., unequivocally told Fox News Digital that ‘yes,’ he would call all House Democrats back to Washington to draw a contrast between the two sides.
He walked that back somewhat on Monday, however. When asked by Fox News Digital if he would still call the full caucus back, Jeffries said, ‘We have a caucus meeting at 6 p.m. today. We’ll have a House Democratic Caucus leadership meeting, that’s the full leadership, tomorrow. And I expect a strong presence of House Democrats throughout here in Washington.’
What he did not specify, however, was that the 6 p.m. caucus meeting was virtual.
At another press conference this week, Jeffries called a one-year Obamacare subsidy extension compromise bill ‘laughable’ despite it getting support from 11 members of his own Democratic caucus.
He walked those comments back again, ‘If anything is presented to us, of course, the caucus will consider it in good faith.’
But Republicans have also garnered their share of public criticism for shutdown messaging as well.
President Donald Trump’s aggressive rhetoric on federal employee layoffs put congressional Republicans in a difficult position earlier this month, though Trump has since softened his language and not yet carried out those firings.
The White House’s depiction of Jeffries in a sombrero on multiple occasions has also been panned as racist by critics.
Mike Nellis, a Democratic strategist and founder of campaign consulting firm Authentic, said Democrats were doing the right thing in focusing on health care while criticizing Republicans’ messaging.
‘I think that focusing on the health care subsidies, which are undeniably popular, has been a really smart thing for Democrats to do,’ Nellis told Fox News Digital.
‘I think that the Republicans have played right into their worst tendencies on this, which is, much of their messaging is aggressively online-focused. The sombrero stuff is mildly funny. But then they went all in on it, and they don’t have a good answer to the health care subsidies.’
Nellis also argued that Republicans’ touting of a ‘landslide’ electoral victory has set them up for a larger share of the blame.
‘When you create the conditions where you talked about the mandate that you have and the government shuts down on your watch, you’re responsible for the government shutdown,’ he said.
Still, he said he would grade Democrats with a ‘B, B minus’ on their messaging, adding that it’s ‘not perfect.’
‘Maybe the answer is … Republicans are losing the shutdown fight, rather than Democrats are winning it,’ Nellis said. ‘But I mean, I just think we’ve got a lot more right than a lot more wrong, which is the first time you can say that in quite a while.’
HONG KONG — China outlined new curbs on exports of rare earths and related technologies on Thursday, extending controls over use of the elements critical for many high-tech and military products ahead of a meeting in about three weeks between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
The regulations announced by the Ministry of Commerce require foreign companies to get special approval to export items that contain even small traces of rare earths elements sourced from China. These critical minerals are needed in a broad range of products, from jet engines, radar systems and electric vehicles to consumer electronics including laptops and phones.
Beijing will also impose permitting requirements on exports of technologies related to rare earths mining, smelting, recycling and magnet-making, it said.
China accounts for nearly 70% of the world’s rare earths mining. It also controls roughly 90% of global rare earths processing. Access to such materials is a key point of contention in trade talks between Washington and Beijing.
As Trump has raised tariffs on imports of many products from China, Beijing has doubled down on controls on the strategically vital minerals, raising concerns over potential shortages for manufacturers in the U.S. and elsewhere.
It was not immediately clear how China plans to enforce the new policies overseas.
During a cabinet meeting Thursday, Trump said he had yet to be briefed on the new rules but suggested that the U.S. could stop buying Chinese goods. “We import from China massive amounts,” Trump said. “Maybe we’ll have to stop doing that.”
Neha Mukherjee, a rare earths analyst at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, called the new export controls “a strategic move by China that mirror some of Washington’s new chip export rules.
“Most rare earth magnet manufacturers in the U.S., Japan and elsewhere remain heavily dependent on rare earths from China, so these restrictions will force some difficult decisions — especially for any company involved in military uses of rare earths because most of those export licenses are expected to be denied, he said.
“The message is clear: if the U.S. and its allies want supply chain security, they must build independent value chains from mine to magnet,” Mukherjee said.
The new restrictions are to “better safeguard national security” and to stop uses in “sensitive fields such as the military” that stem from rare earths processed or sourced from China or from its related technologies, the Commerce Ministry said.
It said some unnamed “overseas bodies and individuals” had transferred rare earths elements and technologies from China abroad for military or other sensitive uses which caused “significant damage” to its national security.
The new curbs were announced just weeks ahead of an expected meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in South Korea, that begins at the end of this month.
“Rare earths will continue to be a key part of negotiations for Washington and Beijing,” George Chen, a partner at The Asia Group, said in an emailed comment. “Both sides want more stability but there will be still a lot of noises before the two leaders, President Trump and Xi, can make a final deal next year when they meet. Those noises are all negotiation tactics.”
These new restrictions will likely prompt additional government and private investments in developing a mine-to-magnet supply chain outside of China. Mukherjee said that $520 million of investments in the American rare earths industry were announced just in the second quarter with most of that coming from the government.
And there is some progress already being made with American magnet maker Noveon announcing an agreement with Lynas Rare Earths this week to secure a supply of rare earths outside of China from Lynas’ mine in Australia, and MP Materials preparing to begin producing magnets later this year at its new plant in Texas that uses rare earths from the only U.S. mine that it operates in California.
In July, the U.S. Defense Department agreed to invest $400 million in shares of the Las Vegas company, establish a floor for the price of key elements, and ensure that all of the magnets made at a new plant in the first 10 years are purchased.
An MP Materials spokesperson said China’s action “reinforces the need for forward-leaning U.S. industrial policy. Building resilient supply chains is a matter of economic and national security.”
Wade Senti, president of the U.S. permanent magnet company AML, said it’s time to innovate.
“The game of chess that China is playing underscores the importance of developing innovation that changes the game and puts the United States in leading position,” Senti said.
Nazak Nikakhtar, a former Commerce Department undersecretary, said the new restrictions are “a significant development and escalation” by extending controls to related technology and equipment and to sectors like chipmakers. “This should be a wake-up call to the U.S. government that we need to invest in and appropriate more to domestic capabilities. Both are critical to rebuild America’s rare earths industrial base,” she said.
In April, Chinese authorities imposed export curbs on seven rare earth elements shortly after Trump unveiled his steep tariffs on many trading partners including China.
While supplies remain uncertain, China approved some permits for rare earth exports in June and said it was speeding up its approval processes.
Oil prices weakened in Q3 as global supply outpaced demand and inventories swelled.
Brent crude fell 1.7 percent to end the quarter at US$65.90 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate dropped to US$62.33. Deloitte’s latest energy report attributes the decline to rising stockpiles and OPEC+’s early decision to unwind production cuts, adding 1.37 million barrels per day in October.
The US Energy Information Administration noted supply exceeded demand by 1.6 million barrels per day between May and August, pointing to continued stock builds ahead.
“OPEC+ discipline is still somewhat unpredictable — its production signals are becoming more tactical rather than structural,” Isaev wrote. “On the other hand, US shale is adjusting to price signals with a focus on capital restraint instead of just ramping up volume. LNG shipments to Europe and Japan are turning into geopolitical tools, not just simple commercial agreements.”
As for how that could affect energy stocks, he stated, ‘The advantage will go to those (companies) who can skillfully navigate this complexity, foresee critical turning points, and invest their capital with both accuracy and creativity.’
Despite the market volatility, the five top-performing oil and gas stocks on the TSX and TSXV have seen share price growth over Q3 2025. All year-to-date performance and share price data was obtained on October 9, 2025, using TradingView’s stock screener, and oil and gas companies with market caps above C$10 million at that time were considered.
Falcon Oil & Gas is an international oil and gas company specializing in the exploration and development of unconventional oil and gas assets, with interests in assets in Australia, South Africa and Hungary.
The company has a 22.5 percent interest in the Beetaloo joint venture, with Tamboran Resources (NYSE:TBN,ASX:TBN) owning the remainder.
On September 30, Falcon announced it entered into a definitive agreement to be wholly acquired by joint venture partner Tamboran. The combination will create a company with roughly 2.9 million net prospective acres across Australia’s Beetaloo Basin and a projected market cap of US$500 million.
The deal is expected to close in Q1 2026.
Falcon’s share price spiked to a year-to-date high of C$0.21 on October 1.
Calgary-based Imperial Oil is a prominent Canadian energy company involved in the exploration, production, refining and marketing of petroleum products. With a history spanning over 140 years, Imperial operates diverse assets across Canada, including oil sands, conventional crude oil and natural gas assets.
In early August, Imperial released its Q2 2025 results, reporting net income of C$949 million, down from C$1.29 billion in Q1, as weaker upstream realizations and downstream margin capture weighed on results.
Despite lower earnings, the company posted its strongest Q2 upstream production in over three decades, averaging 427,000 barrels of oil equivalent (boe/d), led by record output at Kearl. Refinery capacity utilization averaged 87 percent amid major turnaround work
During the quarter, Imperial also launched Canada’s largest renewable diesel facility, located in Alberta, and returned C$367 million to shareholders through dividends.
Shares of Imperial climbed through much of Q2 and Q3, and reached a year-to-date high of C$130.94 on September 16.
Athabasca Oil is focused on developing thermal and light oil assets within Alberta’s Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. The company has established a substantial land base with high-quality resources. Its light oil operations are managed through its private subsidiary, Duvernay Energy, in which the company holds a 70 percent equity interest.
On July 24, Athabasca Oil reported its Q2 2025 results, highlighted by steady production and continued shareholder returns. The company produced an average of 39,088 boe/d, up 4 percent year-over-year. It generated C$127.6 million in adjusted funds flow during the quarter, down from C$165.75 in Q2 2024.
Capital spending totaled C$73 million, largely directed to expanding the company’s cornerstone Leismer project.
Additionally, Athabasca has repurchased 24 million shares year-to-date, reinforcing its “commitment to returning all thermal oil free cash flow to shareholders in 2025.” Its free cash flow from the segment totaled C$66 million in Q2.
A modest uptick in benchmark crude prices supported a stock bump for Athabasca Oil during the second week of October. Shares reached a year-to-date high of C$7.18 on October 8.
Headquartered in Calgary, Parex Resources is a Colombia-focused oil and gas producer with six oil-producing assets and one non-operational asset.
Parex’s Q2 results, released on July 30, highlighted an average output rate of 42,542 boe/d, with July production rising to 44,450 boe/d. The company said it is on track to meet its full-year guidance of 43,000 to 47,000 boe/d.
Parex also announced a third quarter dividend of C$0.385 per share.
‘As we enter the second half of the year, strong near-field exploration results in the Southern Llanos, combined with the ramp-up in development drilling, are expected to drive a steady step-up in production through year-end,’ the company stated.
On October 1, the company shared a production update, reporting it averaged 44,000 boe/d in Q3.
Shares of Parex climbed throughout the Q3 to a year-to-date high of C$19.68 on September 25.
MEG Energy is an energy company solely focused on in-situ thermal oil production in the southern Athabasca oil region of Alberta, Canada. Utilizing innovative enhanced oil recovery projects, including steam-assisted gravity drainage extraction methods, the company aims to increase oil recovery responsibly while reducing carbon emissions.
In May, Strathcona Resources (TSX:SCR) made an unsolicited C$4.1 billion offer for MEG, a move company executives at MEG quickly denounced. In a subsequent press release shared on June 16, MEG called the offer “inadequate, opportunistic, and NOT in the best interests of MEG or its shareholders.”
In mid-September MEG again urged shareholders to reject a revised offer from Strathcona and instead consider an August offer from Cenovus Energy (TSX:CVE).
On October 8, MEG announced that Cenovus increased its bid to C$8.6 billion, and again suggested shareholders accept the offer.
Following the increased bid, Shares of MEG rose to a year-to-date high of C$30.50 on October 9.
Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Senate Republicans are taking a hands-off approach to threats from White House budget chief Russ Vought, arguing that his pressure on Senate Democrats to reopen the government, for now, is warranted.
Away from the gridlock on Capitol Hill, Vought, who is the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has made moves to pressure Senate Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to reopen the government.
Before the shutdown started earlier this month, the OMB released a memo to government agencies instructing mass firings beyond the typical furloughs of nonessential employees during government shutdowns. He has since withheld nearly $30 billion in infrastructure funding to blue states and cities.
And earlier this week, a memo circulated around the White House that suggested that furloughed employees would not receive back pay when the government reopened — a move that runs counter to a law signed by President Donald Trump in 2019.
‘We heard earlier, right at the beginning of the shutdown, that we may see some terminations, some firings within the department,’ Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, told Fox News Digital. ‘We saw a lot of big numbers kind of thrown around, and they haven’t materialized, which I think is good, but certainly what it does, it’s very unsettling.’
The administration’s latest actions come as conversations on a path out of the shutdown have been ongoing. For now, Republicans don’t believe that Vought’s moves are undercutting those talks.
Sen. John Hoeven. R-N.D., told Fox News Digital that Vought was what Vought ‘thinks probably helps push Democrats to come to the table and open the government back up.’
‘I mean, that’s for him to decide,’ he said. ‘What I’m looking to do is to try to talk to enough Democrats, and I hope that between reaching out to them and pressure they get from back home, we can get the government open and back to work on these things.’
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told Fox News Digital that the administration was ‘going to do what they’re going to do, and they’ve got to manage this, and they’re going to manage it according to their priorities.’
‘I think they’re trying to be sensitive to discussions up here that might be productive,’ Thune said. ‘But, you know, as of right now, it’s like I said before, all this stuff is just kind of window dressing until we fundamentally get down to the issue about, are we going to open up the government or not?
‘And I think when all those issues go away, these guys, the things that the White House is talking about doing or hinting that they might do, become unnecessary,’ he continued.
Senate Democrats are demanding a deal extending expiring Obamacare subsidies, and won’t provide the votes needed to reopen the government unless they get more than a guarantee to tackle the issue.
Thune and Senate Republicans are adamant that they will negotiate on extending the tax credits, with reforms baked in, only after the government reopens. And so far, as the stalemate has dragged on, neither Vought nor the administration have taken action on their threats of mass firings or back pay.
‘Right now it’s fine,’ Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., told Fox News Digital. ‘If he starts taking Draconian sorts of actions, then I think it creates a more difficult scenario for us. It puts us further away from what he wants to get accomplished, too.’
Still, Senate Democrats have not taken kindly to his overtures.
Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., told Fox News Digital that there was ‘no question’ Vought was hurting ongoing talks between the parties.
‘Russ Vought is basically acting like a bomb thrower, and bomb throwers are never helpful in negotiations,’ he said.
Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Wednesday (October 8) as of 9:00 p.m. UTC.
Get the latest insights on Bitcoin, Ether and altcoins, along with a round-up of key cryptocurrency market news.
Bitcoin and Ether price update
Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$123,495, up by 1.5 percent in 24 hours. The cryptocurrency’s lowest valuation of the day was US$121,829, and its highest was US$124,072.
Bitcoin price performance, October 8, 2025.
Chart via TradingView.
Despite retreating to around US$121,000 on Tuesday (October 7), Bitcoin on-chain data and a rising relative strength index still indicate strong momentum and accumulation, with resistance near US$135,000 and support around US$113,300. Analysts believe the crypto market is transitioning from a speculative phase to a “maturity phase,” where institutional strategies and asset allocation will drive price discovery rather than retail hype.
A new report from CF Benchmarks forecasts that Bitcoin could climb another 20 percent to reach US$148,500 by the end of 2025, while the number of crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is expected to double to 80.
The report also projects that stablecoins could hit US$500 billion in circulation.
Various macro factors are shaping this bullish narrative for the sector. Market uncertainty tied to US President Donald Trump’s economic and fiscal policies, his ongoing tension with the Federal Reserve and uncertainty surrounding the ongoing government shutdown have spurred what analysts describe as a “debasement trade.” Investors seeking protection from currency risk are turning to traditional hedges like gold, and increasingly to Bitcoin.
The Fed’s recent interest rate cut has provided additional support for risk assets. CF Benchmarks expects two more reductions by the end of the year, bringing rates closer to the 3.25 percent level.
Despite inflation concerns, analysts argue that Bitcoin remains undervalued, sitting at the lower end of its estimated fair-value range between US$85,000 and US$212,000. According to trader Ted Pillows, if Bitcoin manages to hold the US$120,000 area, it could mark the beginning of a reversal phase and signal renewed bullish momentum.
By Wednesday afternoon, Bitcoin had steadied near US$123,400, recovering some losses, with ETF inflows continuing to boost institutional confidence. The total market cap of cryptocurrencies currently stands at around US$4.3 trillion, per CoinGecko, while the circulating value of stablecoins has already surpassed $300 billion.
Ether (ETH) also slid after last week’s rally, but has since recovered some of its losses. It was up by 0.7 percent over 24 hours to US$4,518.05. Ether’s lowest valuation on Wednesday was US$4,441.20, and its highest was US$4,544.36.
Altcoin price update
Solana (SOL) was priced at US$229.20, an increase of 1.6 percent over the last 24 hours and its highest valuation of the day. Its lowest valuation on Wednesday was US$220.04.
XRP was trading for US$2.91, up by 3.2 percent over the last 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$2.86, and its highest was US$2.92.
Crypto derivatives and market indicators
Total Bitcoin futures open interest was at US$98.85 billion, an increase of roughly 0.84 percent in the last four hours.
Ether open interest stood at US$60.24 billion, down by 0.07 percent in four hours.
Bitcoin liquidations were at US$34.01 million over four hours, primarily forcing long positions to close, which could lead to selling pressure. Ether liquidations totaled US$25.18 million, with the majority being short positions.
Fear and Greed Index snapshot
CMC’s Crypto Fear & Greed Index climbed into high neutral territory after dipping to fear during the last week of September. The index currently stands around 55, inching closer to greed.
CMC Crypto Fear and Greed Index, Bitcoin price and Bitcoin volume.
Chart via CoinMarketCap.
Today’s crypto news to know
JPMorgan says stablecoins could add US$1.4 trillion in dollar demand by 2027
A new JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) research note estimates that global stablecoin adoption could generate up to US$1.4 trillion in additional demand for US dollars within the next two years, according to Reuters.
The bank’s analysts argue that as foreign investors and corporations increasingly hold dollar-pegged stablecoins, they will effectively strengthen the greenback’s global position. The report projects that the stablecoin market could reach US$2 trillion in a high-end scenario, up from roughly US$260 billion today.
With 99 percent of stablecoins pegged 1:1 to the US dollar, JPMorgan says expansion will translate directly into higher dollar-denominated reserves. The findings counter fears that digital currencies could accelerate “de-dollarization” by offering alternatives to the US financial system.
ICE to invest US$2 billion in Polymarket
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the owner of the New York Stock Exchange, is making a major bet on crypto-powered prediction markets. The company announced plans to invest up to US$2 billion in Polymarket, valuing the blockchain-based betting platform at about US$8 billion, a sharp rise from its US$1 billion valuation just two months ago.
Polymarket has gained prominence for its political, sports and entertainment wagers, including high-profile bets on the US presidential race. The deal will allow ICE to distribute Polymarket’s market data globally, signaling a push to integrate event-based contracts into mainstream finance. Founder Shayne Coplan said in a press release that the investment “marks a major step in bringing prediction markets into the financial mainstream.”
The firm is also working to re-enter the US market after acquiring a small derivatives exchange earlier this year.
BNY Mellon to explore tokenized deposits
BNY Mellon, the world’s largest custodian bank, is reportedly exploring tokenized deposits to enable instant, 24/7 fund transfers for clients, aiming to overcome limitations in legacy systems. Carl Slabicki, executive platform owner for Treasury Services, stated that this initiative is part of an effort to upgrade real-time and cross-border payments. The goal is to move a portion of BNY’s US$2.5 trillion daily payment flow onto the blockchain.
Slabicki highlighted that tokenized deposits help banks overcome technology constraints, facilitating the movement of deposits and payments within their own ecosystems and eventually across the broader market.
S&P Global to launch new crypto ecosystem index
The S&P Global, in partnership with Dinari, is creating a new investment index that will bring together both cryptocurrencies and publicly traded blockchain-related companies into a single benchmark called the S&P Digital Markets 50 Index. The index will include 15 cryptocurrencies and 35 public companies in the sector.
No single component will exceed 5 percent. Major companies like Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR), Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:COIN) and Riot Platforms (NASDAQ:RIOT) are expected to be included.
Dinari plans to issue a tokenized version of the index, known as a “dShare,” which would allow investors to gain direct exposure. The investable version is expected to launch by the end of 2025.
Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, a staunch supporter of Israel, congratulated President Donald Trump on Wednesday shortly after the commander in chief announced in a Truth Social post that Hamas and Israel agreed to phase one of a peace plan.
Fetterman said that he and the president are both unflinchingly committed to the U.S. ally.
‘I congratulate @POTUS on this historic peace plan that releases all the hostages. Now, enduring peace in the region is possible. Our parties are different but we have a shared ironclad commitment to Israel and its people,’ the senator noted on X while including a screenshot of Trump’s Truth Social post.
Israel launched a war effort in the wake of the heinous Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack in which terrorists committed atrocities including murder, rape and kidnapping.
Trump, who has been brokering a peace deal, declared in a Truth Social post on Wednesday, ‘I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan. This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace.
‘All Parties will be treated fairly! This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!’ the president added.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and others have said Trump should receive the Nobel Peace Prize for the deal, but GOP Rep. Randy Fine argued that the award would be insufficient if lasting peace is obtained, instead suggesting that presidential term limits should be abolished.
‘The Nobel Peace Prize isn’t enough. If every living hostage is returned and lasting peace in the Middle East is secured, we should repeal the 22nd Amendment and thank the Lord for every day @realdonaldtrump can be our President. There will never be another one like him,’ he said in a post on X.
