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What Sector Rotation Says About the Market Cycle Right Now

Stock 1 Min Read

Where are we in the market cycle? In this video, Julius reviews the sector rotation and asset class performance from the past 2-3 weeks to provide an objective take on where we stand in the current market cycle. Using his signature Relative Rotation Graphs (RRG), he uncovers shifts in momentum and leadership across sectors and asset classes.

This video was originally published on May 15, 2025. Click on the icon above to view on our dedicated page for Julius.

Past videos from Julius can be found here.

#StayAlert, -Julius

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Investing

Westport Publishes Annual General and Special Meeting Results

Investing 2 Mins Read

Westport Fuel Systems Inc. (‘Westport’ or the ‘Company’) (TSX:WPRT Nasdaq:WPRT), today held its Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders (the ‘Meeting’) in a virtual format. Shareholders approved all resolutions presented at the meeting including the election of all nominated directors for the ensuing year, the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s auditors for the fiscal year, the advisory vote on executive compensation, and the sale of Westport Fuel Systems Italia S.r.l in accordance with the terms of the sale and purchase agreement dated as of March 30, 2025.

A summary of the results are as follows:

Resolution Outcome
of Vote 		Percentage of
Votes For 		Percentage of
Votes
Withheld/Against
Election of Directors
Michele Buchignani Approved 81.22% 18.78%
Anthony Guglielmin Approved 87.16% 12.84%
Daniel M. Hancock Approved 61.47% 38.53%
Daniel Sceli Approved 91.10% 8.90%
Karl-Viktor Schaller Approved 61.28% 38.72%
Eileen Wheatman Approved 81.43% 18.57%
Appointment of Auditors Approved 93.83% 6.17%
Executive Compensation
(Advisory Vote) Agree 52.87% 47.13%
Sale of Westport Fuel Systems Italia S.r.l Approved 83.38% 16.62%


About Westport Fuel Systems

At Westport Fuel Systems, we are driving innovation to power a cleaner tomorrow. We are a leading supplier of advanced fuel delivery components and systems for clean, low-carbon fuels such as natural gas, renewable natural gas, propane, and hydrogen to the global transportation industry. Our technology delivers the performance and fuel efficiency required by transportation applications and the environmental benefits that address climate change and urban air quality challenges. Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, with operations in Europe, Asia, North America, and South America, we serve our customers in approximately 70 countries with leading global transportation brands. At Westport Fuel Systems, we think ahead. For more information, visit www.wfsinc.com .

Investor Inquiries:
Investor Relations
T: +1 604-718-2046
E: invest@wfsinc.com

News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia

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Top 10 Gold Reserves by Country

Investing 11 Mins Read

Gold is one of the most important metals on the planet. For millennia it has been used in jewelry, art and currency, capturing the collective imagination as a thing of wonder. Gold’s association with royalty and wealth has inspired explorers and treasure hunters alike, who put themselves at risk for a chance to strike it rich.

Today, gold’s hold on us as a precious metal is no less powerful. Still used for jewelry and as a store of wealth, the metal also has a variety of modern industrial and electronic applications.

Even though gold seems to be everywhere, in reality it’s a finite resource. Only 244,000 metric tons of gold have ever been mined, and two-thirds of that has been extracted since 1950. Comparing that amount to the more than 700 million metric tons of copper that have been pulled from the ground provides an idea of how precious a resource gold truly is.

For investors interested in the yellow metal and the companies that mine it, it’s important to understand global gold reserves. This data can provide critical information on the long-term viability of supply and which countries have room to grow.

Data for this article comes from the most recent Mineral Commodity Summary from the US Geological Survey as well as Mining Data Online (MDO).

Although gold is often measured and discussed in ounces, the USGS uses metric tons for its gold data, so this article will contain a mix of the two measurements. For perspective, 1 metric ton of gold is equal to 35,274 ounces and worth US$116 million at a price of US$3,300 per gold ounce.

According to the US Geological Survey, identified economic gold reserves currently stand at 64,000 metric tons globally. This is a significant jump from 59,000 metric tons in the previous report, with reserves for many countries revised to the upside. Read on to learn about the top 10 gold reserves by country.

1. Australia

Gold reserves: 12,000 metric tons

The sixth largest country by land area, Australia is tied for the most gold reserves of any nation at 12,000 metric tons, with over 60 percent of its gold deposits located in Western Australia.

The mining nation is also one of the top producers of gold, digging up 290 metric tons of the metal in 2024.

Australia is home to many large gold mines, including Newmont’s (TSX:NGT,NYSE:NEM,ASX:NEM) Boddington and Cadia Valley operations, which produced 590,000 ounces and 464,000 respectively in 2024. It also hosts the Tropicana mine, a joint venture between AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU) and Regis Resources (ASX:RRL,OTC Pink:RGRNF) that produced 426,000 ounces of gold.

1. Russia

Gold reserves: 12,000 metric tons

Russia has the largest land area of any country, and unsurprisingly is now tied for the top country for gold reserves, boasting an impressive 12,000 metric tons of gold. Its reserves were raised from 11,100 in 2023, but they mark an even more sizeable increase from the 6,800 metric tons of reserves reported for 2022.

Additionally, Russia’s gold output remained steady in 2024 with 310 MT extracted. Russia has several large gold mines, but none are more prolific than Polyus’ (MCX:PLZL) Olimpiada mine in the Krasnoyarsk Krai region of Siberia. According to the company’s most recent data, the mine produced 1.48 million ounces in 2024.

Russian gold is having difficulties reaching most markets following the country’s invasion of Ukraine. The London Bullion Market Association halted trading and removed Russian refiners from its accredited list in March 2022. However, a significant portion of the metal was exported to the United Arab Emirates following the sanctions, according to Reuters, and Russian gold has also made its way into the country’s stockpiles.

3. South Africa

Gold reserves: 5,000 metric tons

South Africa remains a powerhouse in terms of global gold reserves, and the country’s Witwatersrand Basin is among the top gold jurisdictions in the world.

Although South Africa remains comfortably in the top three countries for reserves with 5,000 metric tons, the country has lost some of its luster when it comes to production. At the turn of the century, South Africa was the top gold-producing country, with 431 metric tons extracted in 2000. The country’s output has slowly fallen in the decades since though, and has hit all-time lows in recent years — South Africa produced just 100 metric tons of gold in 2024.

One reason for lowered production is decreasing gold grades, which have led miners operating in the country to move to greater depths. In fact, eight of South Africa’s gold mines are among the world’s 10 deepest mines for any commodity, with AngloGold Ashanti’s (NYSE:AU,JSE:ANG) Mponeng gold mine topping the list at 2.4 kilometers to over 4 kilometers below surface. This has made industrial mining operations prohibitively expensive and more dangerous.

Harder to reach resources and high electricity costs have resulted in limited investment in exploration as companies looked to lower cost projects in other countries like Australia and Canada.

4. Indonesia

Gold reserves: 3,600 metric tons

Indonesia is home to 3,600 metric tons of gold reserves. The country jumped significantly from 2023, adding more than 1,000 metric tons to its reserves and climbing to number four on our list.

Indonesia is home to the Grasberg complex, one of the world’s largest gold operations and host to 23.9 million recoverable gold ounces. Operated by Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX), Grasberg includes several underground mines and the Kucing Liar deposit, which is currently being developed.

Once Kucing Liar is operational, Freeport expects it to deliver an additional 520,000 ounces of gold per year for 6 million total ounces between 2029 and 2041.

5. Canada

Gold reserves: 3,200 metric tons

Canada’s gold reserves total 3,200 metric tons, up 900 metric tons in the latest USGS report. Its gold reserves had previously remained constant since 2012 at 2,300 metric tons. The country has more than doubled its gold output in that time, jumping from 97 metric tons in 2012 to 200 metric tons in 2024.

Canada has a rich history of gold mining since the metal was first discovered in Québec in the early 1800s. Mining operations can now be found across Canada, but more than 70 percent of the country’s gold is produced in Ontario and Québec. Other significant producers are BC with 9 percent, the Yukon with 4 percent and Manitoba with 2 percent.

Canada has a number of very large gold mines, the largest of which is Agnico Eagle Mines’ (TSX:AEM,NYSE:AEM) Canadian Malartic Complex in Québec. The mine produced 689,000 ounces of gold in 2023 and hosts proven and probable reserves of 7.92 million ounces.

Because of its well-established natural resource sector, Canada is leading the way in sustainable initiatives to protect the environment and communities. The Mining Association of Canada’s Toward Sustainable Mining initiative has been adopted by organizations around the world, including those in Finland, Brazil and the Philippines.

6. China

Gold reserves: 3,100 metric tons

China’s importance as a gold miner has been growing over recent years and made significant gains, moving from number nine on our list with 1,900 metric tons in 2022, to number six with 3,100 metric tons in 2024. Additionally, China’s gold output ranks first overall globally with 380 metric tons of gold last year.

China’s gold-mining industry is dominated by state-owned operators. Some of the largest companies include Zijin Mining Group (HKEX:2899), which owns the Shanxi mine, the largest gold mine in the Shanxi province. The mine produced 107,700 ounces of gold in 2024.

Another of China’s largest companies is China Gold International Resources (TSX:CGG,HKEX:2099), which owns a 96.5 percent stake in the Chang Shan Hao gold mine located in Inner Mongolia, one of China’s largest gold mines. Chang Shan Hao produced 108,188 ounces of gold last year.

In addition to its high gold reserves and production, China also has a strong impact on the gold market through significant purchases by the People’s Bank of China in recent years. As of April 2025, the Chinese central bank holds an estimated 2,280 metric tons of gold.

7. United States

Gold reserves: 3,000 metric tons

Gold reserves in the US have remained steady at 3,000 metric tons since 2012. The country is home to well-developed infrastructure, highly experienced companies and an advanced workforce. However, over the last decade, production and refinement of the yellow metal in the US has been in decline, dropping from 230 metric tons in 2012 to 160 metric tons in 2024.

The largest gold-mining assets in the US are all owned by Nevada Gold Mines, a joint venture between Barrick Gold (TSX:ABX,NYSE:GOLD) and Newmont, and consist of Turquoise Ridge, the Cortez Complex and the Carlin Complex. Between them, the mines produced 3.03 million ounces of gold in 2023.

8. Peru

Gold reserves: 2,500 metric tons

Gold has been an important part of Peru’s economy for centuries. The country has a well-documented mining industry, and it ranks as one of the top nations in the world when it comes to gold reserves. Its gold reserves peaked in 2022 with 2,900 metric tons before falling to 2,300 metric tons in 2023. Peru’s gold reserves were back up slightly in this report, helping it to land at number eight on our list with 2,500 metric tons.

Peru’s gold production has remained consistent over the past two years at 100 metric tons.

Large players make up the bulk of Peru’s gold industry, with major miner Newmont leading the way at Yanacocha, the biggest gold mine in Peru. In 2024, output from the mine reached 354,000 ounces of gold, a significant jump from 2023’s 276,000 ounces.

There are also artisanal operations in the country, along with operations being run by criminal organizations. While environmental concerns are common in the mining industry, illegal and small-scale gold miners often employ mercury during the extraction process, which is very damaging to the environment.

To counteract illegal mining operations, the Peruvian government instituted Operation Mercury in 2019, which involved military interventions at illegal mine sites and the destruction of mining operations. For small-scale and artisanal mining, programs such as the Fairmined Ecological Gold certification exist to encourage environmentally friendly mining methods by introducing premium prices for gold that meets particular requirements. This also allows gold buyers to identify gold from legal operations that reduce the use of toxic treatments like mercury during the extraction process.

9. Brazil

Gold reserves: 2,400 metric tons

Home to the first modern gold rush over 300 years ago, Brazil currently has 2,400 metric tons of economic gold reserves. Brazil has an undeniable history with the precious metal, although its extracted only 70 metric tons in 2024.

The largest gold mine in Brazil is AngloGold Ashanti’s AGA Mineracao Operaation in Minas Gerais. In 2024, the mine produced 271,000 ounces of gold. New production also came online last year. G Mining Ventures (TSX:GMIN,OTCQX:GMINF) declared commercial production at its Tocantinzinho mine in September 2024, and the mine produced 63,566 ounces of gold by the year’s end.

Much like Peru, gold mining in Brazil has a darker side as well. Illegal operators, many of which have found their into mining through social media sites like YouTube and TikTok, are impacting both sensitive rainforest ecosystems and local Indigenous communities. Despite government crackdowns, new operations continue to pop up throughout the Amazon.

10. Kazakhstan

Gold reserves: 2,300 metric tons

Kazakhstan’s gold reserves total 2,300 metric tons, up a sizeable 1,300 metric tons compared to the prior year, a big enough boost to break into this top 10 gold reserve list.

The jump is owed to a significant increase in exploration, which saw 23 new deposits, including 20 metric tons of gold, added to the country’s subsoil registry. Launched in 2023, the registry has helped to streamline the exploration process and allowed modern technology to be applied to historical data sets.

Kazakhstan’s largest gold-mining operation is the Altyntau Kokshetau mine, owned by mining giant Glencore (LSE:GLEN,OTC Pink:GLCNF).

In its 2024 production report, Glencore stated that it produced 603,000 ounces of gold across all its Kazakhstan assets, the majority of which came from the Altyntau Kokshetau mine.

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

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Investing

Trump Admin Fast Tracks Anfield’s Velvet-Wood Uranium Project in Push for US Energy Independence

Investing 4 Mins Read

The US Department of the Interior announced on Monday (May 12) that it will fast track environmental permitting for Anfield Energy’s (TSXV:AEC,OTCQB:ANLDF) Velvet-Wood uranium project in Utah

The decision slashes what would typically be a years-long review process down to just 14 days, and makes Velvet-Wood the first uranium project to be expedited under a January 20 statement from President Donald Trump. In it, he declares a national energy emergency and emphasizes the importance of restoring American energy independence.

This week’s decision signals what Anfield calls “a decisive shift in federal support for domestic nuclear fuel supply.”

The Velvet-Wood project, located in San Juan County, Utah, is expected to produce uranium used for both civilian nuclear energy and defense applications, as well as vanadium, a strategic metal used in batteries and high-strength alloys.

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum characterized the move as part of an urgent federal response to what he said is “an alarming energy emergency” created by the “climate extremist policies” of the previous administration.

“President Trump and his administration are responding with speed and strength to solve this crisis,” he said. “The expedited mining project review represents exactly the kind of decisive action we need to secure our energy future.”

Anfield acquired Velvet-Wood, which is currently on care and maintenance, from Uranium One in 2015.

The asset sits on the site of a previously active operation. Between 1979 and 1984, Atlas Minerals extracted approximately 400,000 metric tons of ore from the Velvet deposit, recovering around 4,000,000 pounds of U3O8. If approved, the revived project would disturb only three acres of new surface area, according to the interior department.

‘As a past-producing uranium and vanadium mine with a small environmental footprint, Velvet-Wood is well- suited for this accelerated review,’ said Anfield CEO Corey Dias.

He added that the company aims ‘to play a meaningful role in rebuilding America’s domestic uranium and vanadium supply chain and reducing reliance on imports from Russia and China.”

The company also owns the Shootaring Canyon uranium mill in Utah, which it plans to restart. The facility, described as one of only three licensed, permitted and constructed conventional uranium mills in the country, would convert uranium ore into uranium concentrate bound for nuclear fuel production.

Uranium market sentiment turning a corner?

After a rocky start to 2025, the uranium market is showing signs of renewed strength and resilience.

According to Sprott Asset Management’s latest uranium report, the U3O8 spot price rose by 5.4 percent in April, climbing to US$67.70 per pound from a March low of US$63.20. The price recovery continued into early May, with the spot price briefly touching US$70, a nearly 10 percent gain from 2025 lows.

This rebound has renewed investor confidence and appears to signal the beginning of a steadier climb, underpinned by tight supply conditions, resurgent utility activity and greater clarity around US trade and tariff policy.

The uranium term price, which remains steady at US$80, continues to reflect strong long-term fundamentals. This persistent premium over spot pricing has re-energized the uranium carry trade — where traders purchase spot uranium for future delivery under term contracts — helping to support spot prices and inject fresh liquidity into the market.

A major contributor to the uranium market’s renewed confidence has been improved policy visibility in the US.

The Trump administration’s decision to pause the implementation of its new reciprocal tariffs for 90 days provided utilities with the breathing room needed to resume contracting.

Although uranium was excluded from the initial tariff package, it remains part of an ongoing Section 232 investigation into critical minerals, a move that Sprott believes elevates uranium’s strategic profile.

As for the long-term outlook, uranium’s bullish case is also being bolstered by growing power demands from artificial intelligence and data centers. In April, Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) announced funding for three new nuclear projects, each with at least 600 megawatts of planned capacity.

These moves align with a broader US Department of Energy strategy that includes identifying 16 federal sites for co-locating data centers and new energy infrastructure.

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

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Investing

Crypto Market Recap: Coinbase to Join S&P 500, Robinhood Eyes Canadian Crypto Boom

Investing 6 Mins Read

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Wednesday (May 14) as of 6:00 p.m. UTC.

Get the latest insights on Bitcoin, Ethereum and altcoins, along with a round-up of key cryptocurrency market news.

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$103,243 as markets closed, down 1 percent in 24 hours. The day’s range for the cryptocurrency has seen a low of US$102,964 and a high of US$104,836.

Bitcoin performance, May 14, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

Ethereum’s (ETH) price has stabilized since surging after the May 7 Pectra upgrade. ETH has increased by over 44 percent since last week and is up 57.2 percent month-on-month. It finished Wednesday at US$2,586.72, a 1 percent decrease over 24 hours. The day’s range saw a low of US$2,571.87 and a high of US$2,708.81.

Altcoin price update

  • Solana (SOL) closed at US$175.53, down 1.6 percent over 24 hours. SOL experienced a low of US$174.64 and a high of US$184.05.
  • XRP is trading at US$2.54, reflecting a slight 0.3 percent decrease over 24 hours. The cryptocurrency reached a daily low of US$2.63 and a high of US$2.55.
  • Sui (SUI) is priced at US$3.92, showing a decreaseof 2.6 percent over the past 24 hours. It achieved a daily low of US$3.88 and a high of US$4.08.
  • Cardano (ADA) is trading at US$0.7991, down 2.7 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest price of the day was US$0.7939, and it reached a high of US$0.8354.

Today’s crypto news to know

Strategy’s Bitcoin binge draws shock and skepticism

A new Financial Times documentary has reignited scrutiny over Strategy’s (NASDAQ:MSTR) high-risk Bitcoin accumulation strategy, which has transformed the software firm into a de facto Bitcoin investment vehicle.

The company has acquired over 568,000 BTC since 2020, funding the purchases through repeated stock sales and convertible bond issuances totaling over US$12 billion.

Insider Jeff Walton, a former reinsurance broker turned Strategy advocate, has called the firm’s capital-raising feat “insane,” highlighting how it raised the equivalent of US$100 million 120 times in just 50 days.

Critics also warn that the model’s success is contingent on sustained Bitcoin price growth; any prolonged downturn could unravel investor confidence and the firm’s market cap. Meanwhile, supporters argue the move is a master stroke in capital deployment, leveraging valuation premiums to secure more digital assets without diluting core equity value.

Strategy Chair Michael Saylor claims the firm’s balance sheet is “bulletproof,” stating that even a 90 percent Bitcoin drop held for half a decade would not destabilize the company.

Perplexity and PayPal team up to automate AI shopping

Artificial intelligence search startup Perplexity has entered into a partnership with payments giant PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) to enable seamless purchases directly within its chat interface.

Starting this summer in the US, users of Perplexity Pro will be able to book travel, buy tickets or purchase goods through a single query — without manually inputting payment information. Transactions will be processed behind the scenes using PayPal or Venmo, streamlining everything from checkout to invoicing while eliminating the need for passwords.

The companies are calling the deal a major leap for “agentic commerce.” The partnership is expected to integrate Perplexity’s tools into PayPal’s 430 million active accounts, dramatically expanding the reach of both platforms.

Backed by tech titans like Jeff Bezos, Nvidia, and SoftBank, Perplexity is also reportedly in talks to raise US$500 million in fresh capital at a US$14 billion valuation, showing investor confidence in the model.

Coinbase to join S&P 500

Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:COIN) will officially join the S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX) on May 19, replacing Discover Financial Services following its acquisition by Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF).

Shares of Coinbase surged 24 percent on the news, marking its largest single-day rally since November 2016. Analysts say inclusion in the S&P 500 not only legitimizes Coinbase’s role in the financial system, but could also drive as much as US$16 billion in fresh inflows from passive index funds, according to Bernstein.

The stock has also drawn new bullish forecasts, with Oppenheimer raising its target price to US$293 while maintaining an ‘outperform’ rating. This development comes on the heels of Coinbase’s strong first quarter earnings report, which beat earnings per share expectations, but slightly missed on revenue.

Coinbase recently announced plans to acquire crypto derivatives exchange Deribit for US$2.9 billion, a deal that represents the largest acquisition in the industry to date.

Thailand to issue US$150 million worth of digital investment tokens

Thailand’s finance ministry announced it will issue 5 billion baht (US$150 million) worth of blockchain-based “G-Tokens” within the next two months as part of the government’s borrowing strategy. The issuance follows cabinet approval, and will function as a market test to gauge public appetite for blockchain-based debt instruments.

Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said the tokens will offer higher returns than traditional bank deposits, which currently yield between 1.25 and 1.5 percent — below the central bank’s 1.75 percent policy rate.

Retail investors will be able to participate with relatively small capital as the government aims to democratize access to high-yield investment tools. The initiative reflects growing enthusiasm within Thailand for blockchain innovation; last year, the country exempted crypto earnings from taxation and expanded stablecoin trading on local exchanges.

Robinhood to buy WonderFi for US$179 million

Robinhood Markets (NASDAQ:HOOD)has agreed to acquire Canadian crypto firm WonderFi (TSX:WNDR,OTCQB:WONDF) in an all-cash deal worth C$250 million (US$179 million).

WonderFi operates Bitbuy and Coinsquare — two of Canada’s largest registered crypto exchanges — with more than C$2.1 billion (US$1.5 billion) in assets under custody. The deal, expected to close in the second half of the year, marks Robinhood’s third major crypto acquisition following its purchases of Bitstamp and TradePMR in the past year.

WonderFi’s recent history has been tumultuous: its CEO Dean Skurka was kidnapped last year in a US$1 million ransom plot that ultimately cost the company US$3.6 billion in damages and security upgrades.

Canada Crypto Week in full swing in Toronto

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

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Gabbard says Comey should be ‘put behind bars’ after picture allegedly ‘issuing a call to assassinate’ Trump

Politics 3 Mins Read

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said ex-FBI Director James Comey should be ‘put behind bars’ for a post he made on Instagram on Thursday allegedly ‘issuing a call to assassinate [President Donald Trump.]’

Earlier on Thursday, Comey shared a picture on Instagram with seashells formed in the numbers ’86 47.’ To some, the number ’86’ is a call sign for murdering or getting rid of someone or something and ’47’ is typically used to refer to the 47th President of the United States.

‘Cool shell formation on my beach walk…,’ Comey wrote in the caption of the picture, which has since been deleted.

Gabbard made the comments on ‘Jesse Watters Primetime’ Thursday night after Comey said he wasn’t aware that the number ’86’ stands for some sort of violence.

‘I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message,’ Comey said after deleting the initial picture. ‘I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence. It never occurred to me but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down.’ 

Gabbard said Comey and his people ‘need to be held to account according to the law’ regardless of why he said he posted the picture.

‘The rule of law says people like him who issue direct threats against the POTUS, essentially issuing a call to assassinate him, must be held accountable under the law,’ Gabbard said, adding that she thinks he should be in jail.

The national intelligence director said Comey’s post has her ‘very concerned for [the president’s life.]’

‘I’m very concerned for the president’s life; we’ve already seen assassination attempts. I’m very concerned for his life and James Comey, in my view, should be held accountable and put behind bars for this,’ she said.

Gabbard also said Comey has a lot of influence and that there are ‘people who take [him] very seriously.’

Shortly after Comey removed the post, Fox News Digital learned from a Secret Service source that the agency was aware of the incident and agents are being sent to investigate and interview Comey.

The White House also condemned Comey’s actions, with White House deputy chief of staff and Cabinet Secretary Taylor Budowich calling his post ‘deeply concerning.’

‘While President Trump is currently on an international trip to the Middle East, the former FBI Director puts out what can clearly be interpreted as ‘a hit’ on the sitting President of the United States — a message etched in the sand,’ Budowich wrote on X. ‘This is deeply concerning to all of us and is being taken seriously.’

Comey, who led the FBI during Trump’s first term before he was fired from the spot, had no comment when reached by Fox News Digital earlier on Thursday.

Fox News Digital’s Alec Schemmel and David Spunt contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

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Trump takes well-earned victory lap for Middle East peace triumphs

Politics 4 Mins Read
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Eight years ago, during the first few days of President Donald Trump’s first term, I joined his other senior advisers in the White House Situation Room to discuss our approach to Saudia Arabia, which was then in the midst of an internal power struggle. Should we work with the older generation of Saudi leaders, with whom the U.S. has done business with for decades? Or would we take a chance on the younger generation, who were untested, but are committed to massive social and economic change.  

Jared Kushner made the case for the new leaders, especially Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). Kushner argued they would take Saudi Arabia in a different direction — away from the religiously and socially conservative, insular, extremist-tolerant older generation of their grandparents – and build a modern, tolerant and open society, with rights for women.  

They wanted to diversify the Saudi economy beyond its reliance on oil and create a modern nation focused on technology, investment and infrastructure. They would stand against Islamic extremism and work with us to destroy terrorist movements. They were open to the idea of peace with Israel as the foundation of a wilder peace in the Middle East.  

The choice was Trump’s, and one of his first major foreign policy decisions. He would continue his rock-solid support of Israel, but he took a bet on the younger generation of Sunni Arab leaders. He withdrew from President Barack Obama’s flawed nuclear weapons deal with Iran, believing that the road to Middle East peace went through Riyadh and Israel, not Tehran. 

This week’s trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE was Trump’s victory lap. His big bet in 2017 paid off. He could say with great pride, ‘Before our eyes, a new generation of leaders is transcending the ancient conflicts and tired divisions of the past, and forging a future where the Middle East is defined by commerce, not chaos; where it exports technology, not terrorism; and where people of different nations, religions, and creeds are building cities together — not bombing each other out of existence.’ 

The Gulf Arab nations, led by Saudi Arabia, have accomplished extraordinary things in the last eight years, despite the cold shoulder given them during the Biden administration. They were crucial in destroying ISIS and other Islamist extremist movements. They played a major behind-the-scenes role in the Abraham Accords between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and then Morocco. While not yet a formal signatory to the Abraham Accords, Saudi Arabia is well on its way. 

The Saudis, along with the other Gulf Arab leaders, have now urged Trump to open a dialogue with the new leaders of Syria. He has taken another bet on peace during this trip, and is dropping crippling sanctions on Syria, to give them a ‘chance at greatness.’ If Trump is right, Syria will no longer be a scourge of the region it has been for decades; using chemical weapons on its own people, hosting extremist groups bent on spreading death and destruction, and welcoming in Russian influence. 

Perhaps most important of all, Trump has put a stake in the heart of American interventionist foreign policy pursued by both political parties for the last 20 years. We will no longer fight forever wars in the Middle East in a futile attempt to force them into the American mold. We will no longer give nations ‘lectures on how to live or how to govern their own affairs.’  

As Trump said in his first address to the United Nations General Assembly in 2017, ‘We do not expect diverse countries to share the same cultures, traditions, or even systems of government. But we do expect all nations to uphold these two core sovereign duties: to respect the interests of their own people and the rights of every other sovereign nation… 

‘In America, we do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone, but rather to let it shine as an example for everyone to watch.’  

Our policy is Peace through Strength – which encompasses all forms of our strength, not just our military strength.  

What better way to honor the spirit of our own founding 250 years ago, than to encourage other ‘sovereign nations let their people take ownership of the future and control their own destiny.’ 

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Snoop Dogg fires back at critics calling him a ‘sellout’ after Trump inauguration performance

Politics 6 Mins Read
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Snoop Dogg is ready to respond to all the ‘sellout’ comments he’s received after his Crypto Ball performance during President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January.

During a recent appearance on ‘The Breakfast Club,’ the legendary rapper addressed the criticism he’s received since his performance and announced that his new music is a direct response to the haters.

When asked if he’s bothered by the negative feedback, Snoop Dogg said he isn’t because he believes his performance was for a good cause.

‘I DJ’ed at the Crypto Ball for what, 30 minutes?’ he said.

‘Made a whole bunch of money, made a lot of relationships to help out the inner city and the community and teach financial literacy and crypto in a space that it don’t exist. 

‘Made a whole bunch of money, made a lot of relationships to help out the inner city and the community and teach financial literacy and crypto in a space that it don’t exist.’

— Snoop Dogg

‘That’s 30 minutes. [For] 30 years, Snoop Dogg been doing great things for the community, building, showing up, standing up for the people, making it happen, being all I can be,’ he continued. 

Snoop made it clear his performance was not a Trump endorsement.

‘Even if I would have done it for him and hung out with him and took a picture with him, can’t none of you motherf—ers tell me what I can and can’t do. 

‘But I’m not a politician. I don’t represent the Republican Party. I don’t represent the Democratic Party. I represent the motherf—ing Gangster Party period point blank, and G s— we don’t explain s—, so that’s why I didn’t explain. That’s why I didn’t go into detail when motherf—ers was trying to cancel me and say he a sellout,’ he said.

The rapper shared some examples of comments he received online after his inauguration performance.

Snoop Dogg said, ‘I would post s—, and I see motherf—ers like, ‘Oh he a sellout.’ You know what I would do? Jump right in their DM with a video, ‘You b—- a– … What’s happening … I’m Snoop Dogg … what you want to do?’ And guess what they would do? ‘Oh, man, I’m just a fan man. I’m sorry.’ Yeah … you got me f—ed up … I jump all off in your s— … and talk to you face to face.

‘The things that I do in real life should matter to you more, not what I do when I’m deejaying or making music or doing this and that,’ he said, before adding that people should be asking, ‘What is he like as a real person?’

Snoop Dogg’s album, ‘Iz it a Crime?’ was released May 15 and is his direct response to the criticism he’s received over the past few months, he told ‘The Breakfast Club.’

 
 
 
 
 
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Snoop Dogg’s representatives did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Shortly after Trump’s big day, the ‘Gin and Juice’ rapper shared a video of himself giving a blunt response to the backlash.

Snoop, 53, was listening to gospel music as he appeared to be smoking marijuana in a car. 

‘It’s Sunday. I got gospel in my heart,’ he said in the video clip posted on Instagram. ‘For all the hate I’m going to answer with love, I love too much.’

‘Get your life right, stop worrying about mine. I’m cool. I’m together. Still a Black man. Still 100% Black. All out ’til you ball out or ’til you fall out.’

‘The Next Episode’ rapper additionally spoke out about how he has previously dealt with negative responses after his pre-inauguration performance.

‘You ‘gon deal with hate when you get to the top, no matter who you are. … Me, personally, I answer it with success and love. That’s my answer to any hate and negativity that comes my way, ’cause it’s the strongest force that can beat it,’ he shared on the ‘R&B Money Podcast’ in January.

Snoop performed at the Crypto Ball event and played fan favorites from Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believin’’ to Bob Marley’s ‘Three Little Birds (Don’t Worry About a Thing).’ He also performed a few of his own hits, including, ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot.’

The ‘Young, Wild and Free’ rapper performed after he recently changed his tune about President Trump. 

Years after Snoop appeared on ‘The Apprentice‘ in 2007 and delivered laughs during a Trump roast in 2011, he called Trump a clown and mocked him in a music video. In his video for his song ‘Lavender’ in 2017, Snoop depicted Trump as a clown and shot the president in the head. 

In 2020, during an appearance on Big Boy’s radio show, Snoop argued Trump shouldn’t be in office. 

‘I ain’t never voted a day in my life, but this year I think I’m going to get out and vote because I can’t stand to see this punk in office one more year,’ the rapper said on ‘Big Boy’s Neighborhood on Real 92.3.’

Snoop explained he didn’t believe he was allowed to vote at the time due to his criminal record. Snoop was convicted of a felony in 1990 and 2007.

However, after a long history of condemning the President and his supporters, Snoop praised Trump in January 2024.

‘Donald Trump? … He ain’t done nothing wrong to me. He has done only great things for me. He pardoned Michael Harris,’ Snoop told The Sunday Times.

‘So, I have nothing but love and respect for Donald Trump.’

Michael ‘Harry-O’ Harris, an associate of Death Row Records co-founder Suge Knight and the founder of the label’s parent company, Godfather Entertainment, was pardoned in 2021 as one of Trump’s final decisions before leaving office for the first time. Snoop Dogg was famously signed by the label only to leave later in his career. Snoop acquired Death Row Records in 2022. 

Harris was imprisoned on charges of conspiracy and attempted murder for over three decades. Snoop Dogg praised Trump at the time for his commutation of Harris.

Fox News Digital’s Stephanie Giang-Paunon contributed to this report.

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Trump says US has given Iran proposal for nuclear deal

Politics 2 Mins Read

President Donald Trump said Friday that the U.S. has given Iran a proposal for a nuclear deal.

‘Yeah they have a proposal, but more importantly, they know they have to move quickly or something bad, something bad is going to happen,’ Trump said.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned this week that the United States is facing a critical moment with Iran to curb its efforts to develop a nuclear weapon and limit its uranium enrichment.

U.S. and Iranian officials have held four rounds of talks, primarily in Oman, since Trump took office to address Tehran’s nuclear program.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, often referred to as the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, noted in a March report that Iran’s stockpile of 60% enriched uranium had alarmingly grown from 182 kg to 275 kg, approximately 401 pounds to 606 pounds, in early 2025.

‘Once you’re at 60, you’re 90% of the way there. You are, in essence, a threshold nuclear weapons state, which is what Iran basically has become,’ Rubio said Thursday on ‘Hannity’.

‘They are at the threshold of a nuclear weapon. If they decided to do so, they could do so very quickly. If they stockpile enough of that 60 percent enriched, they could very quickly turn it into 90 and weaponize it. That’s the danger we face right now. That’s the urgency here,’ he said.

The president also said Thursday in the United Arab Emirates that the U.S. and Iran have ‘sort of’ agreed to terms on a nuclear deal.

‘Iran has sort of agreed to the terms. They’re not going to make — I call it, in a friendly way — nuclear dust,’ Trump told reporters. ‘We’re not going to be making any nuclear dust in Iran.’

Congressional Republicans are urging Trump to remain committed to a hardline Iran strategy, calling for the complete dismantlement of the regime’s nuclear enrichment capabilities in a letter that drew wide support. 

Fox News Digital’s Ashley Carnahan and Christina Shaw contributed to this report.

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