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Harvest Gold Kicks Off Drilling at Mosseau, Launches Urban-Barry Till Program, and Completes Labelle Mag Survey

Investing 6 Mins Read

(TheNewswire)

Vancouver, British Columbia / August 14, 2025 ‑ TheNewswire – Harvest Gold Corporation (TSXV: HVG) (‘ Harvest Gold ‘ or the ‘ Company ‘) is pleased to provide an update on exploration activities across its 100%-owned Quebec properties, all located in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt within the Urban-Barry area. The Company has mobilized a diamond drill to commence drilling at its Mosseau property, initiated a property-wide till sampling program at its Urban-Barry project, and completed a high-resolution airborne magnetic survey over the LaBelle property and recently acquired claims southeast of Mosseau .

Rick Mark, President and CEO of Harvest Gold states: ‘We are all very excited to be advancing exploration on all three of our Urban-Barry area properties, simultaneously. This includes our much-anticipated 5000 meter diamond drilling program at Mosseau and an extensive first time geochemistry examination at the large Urban-Barry property. And, we have now completed a first time look at another sizable property, Labelle, through an airborne geophysics program that is continuous with the very revealing mag survey done last year on Mosseau.’

Diamond Drilling at Mosseau

The diamond drill is expected to be mobilized this week to the Mosseau property. Phase I of the planned 5,000-metre diamond drilling program at Mosseau follows an extensive compilation of regional data, a high-resolution magnetic survey, and encouraging results from the soil sampling program and reconnaissance mapping and prospecting programs. Drilling will focus on high-priority targets in the northern portion of the property, which hosts numerous historical gold showings, as well as in the Central area where recent geophysical and geochemical surveys have identified several quality targets for gold mineralization (Figures 2 and 3).

Till Sampling at Urban-Barry

Harvest Gold has also commenced fieldwork at its 19 km-long Urban-Barry property, which averages 4 km in width. Limited prospecting and mapping were conducted last summer; however, due to some reasonably extensive overburden, the Company determined that a till sampling survey would be the most effective tool to evaluate the property’s gold potential. The survey is being conducted by IOS Services Géoscientifiques and consists of NW-SE oriented sampling lines spaced 1,000–1,500 metres apart, perpendicular to the dominant ice-flow direction, with individual samples collected every 250–300 metres. A total of 145 samples are planned (Figure 4).

Magnetic Survey at LaBelle

This week, the Company completed a high-resolution airborne magnetic survey over the LaBelle property and newly staked claims, at a 50-metre line spacing totaling 1,368 line-kilometres (Figure 5). Conducted by Novatem Airborne Geophysics, the survey covers an area with minimal historical exploration, but is interpreted from government regional magnetic data to be the southeast extension of the mineralized corridor hosting known mineralization at Mosseau.

These programs are designed to expand the Company’s exploration pipeline and support future drill targeting across its broad Quebec project portfolio.

About Harvest Gold Corporation

Harvest Gold is focused on exploring for near surface gold deposits and copper-gold porphyry deposits in politically stable mining jurisdictions. Harvest Gold’s board of directors, management team and technical advisors have collective geological and financing experience exceeding 400 years.

Harvest Gold has three active gold projects focused in the Urban Barry area, totalling 377 claims covering 20,016.87 ha , located approximately 45-70 km west of Gold Fields Limited’s – Windfall Deposit (Figure 1).

Harvest Gold acknowledges that the Mosseau Gold Project straddles the Eeyou Istchee-James Bay and Abitibi territories.  Harvest Gold is committed to developing positive and mutually beneficial relationships based on respect and transparency with local Indigenous communities.

Harvest Gold’s three properties, Mosseau, Urban-Barry and LaBelle, together cover over 50 km of favorable strike along mineralized shear zones.


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Figure 1: Project Location: Urban-Barry Greenstone Belt


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Figure 2: Magnetic Domains across the Northern and Central Target Areas of Mosseau


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Figure 3: Drill targets on the Mosseau property (magnetics)


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Figure 4: Till Sampling program in progress on the Urban-Barry Property


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Figure 5:  Recently completed airborne magnetic survey lines on the LaBelle and Mosseau (2025) and airborne magnetic results of Mosseau (2024)

Qualified Person Statement

All scientific and technical information in this news release has been prepared and approved by Louis Martin, P.Geo., Technical Advisor to the Company and considered a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Rick Mark
President and CEO
Harvest Gold Corporation

For more information please contact:

Rick Mark or Jan Urata
@ 604.737.2303 or info@harvestgoldcorp.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed ‘forward looking statements’. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that Harvest Gold expects to occur, are forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words ‘expects’, ‘plans’, ‘anticipates’, ‘believes’, ‘intends’, ‘estimates’, ‘projects’, ‘potential’ and similar expressions, or that events or conditions ‘will’, ‘would’, ‘may’, ‘could’ or ‘should’ occur.

Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company’s management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

News Provided by TheNewsWire via QuoteMedia

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Investing

Allied Critical Metals Closes First Tranche of Oversubscribed Non-Brokered Private Placement and Upsize to $5m of the Offering

Investing 6 Mins Read

Allied Critical Metals Inc. (CSE: ACM,OTC:ACMIF) (OTCQB: ACMIF) (FSE: 0VJ0) (‘Allied’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce it has closed the first tranche (the ‘First Tranche’) of the previously announced non-brokered private placement offering (the ‘Offering’) of 14,996,986 units of the Company (the ‘Units’ and, each, a ‘Unit’) at a price of $0.30 per Unit raising gross proceeds $4,499,095.80. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company (a ‘Share’) and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole common share purchase warrant, a ‘Warrant’). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one additional Share (each a ‘Warrant Share’) at a price of $0.40 per Warrant Share and will be exercisable for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance.

The Company further announces that it has increased the size of the Offering to raise combined gross proceeds (including the First Tranche) of up to $5,000,000 in aggregate. The Company expects to close a final tranche of the Offering on or about August 18, 2025 (the ‘Final Tranche‘).

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for ongoing exploration and development activities on the Borralha Tungsten Project and Vila Verde Tungsten Project and for additional working capital.

The Offering is subject to approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the ‘CSE‘), and all Units and securities of the Company issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a four month hold period from the date of issuance. The Offering will not result in the creation of a new insider or control person of the Company.

The Company paid finder’s fees of $310,386.30 in cash and 1,034,621 Finders Warrants (as defined below) in connection with the First Tranche of the Offering to eligible finders in accordance with policies of the CSE and applicable securities laws comprised of (i) a cash commission of up to 7% of the gross proceeds of the First Tranche, and (ii) a number of finders warrants (‘Finders Warrants‘), equal to up to 7% of the number of Units issued under the Offering with each Finders Warrant exercisable for one additional Unit of the Company for a period of 24 months at $0.30 per Unit from the date of issuance.

The Company may also pay finder’s fees in connection with the Final Tranche of the Offering to eligible finders in accordance with policies of the CSE and applicable securities laws consisting of (i) a cash commission of up to 7% of the gross proceeds of the Final Tranche, and (ii) a number of Finders Warrants equal to up to 7% of the number of Units issued under the Final Tranche.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the 1933 Act or under any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, as amended, and applicable state securities laws.

About Allied Critical Metals Inc.

Allied Critical Metals Inc. (CSE: ACM,OTC:ACMIF) (OTCQB: ACMIF) (FSE: 0VJ0) is a Canadian-based mining company focused on the expansion and revitalization of its 100% owned past producing Borralha Tungsten Project and the Vila Verde Tungsten Project in northern Portugal. Tungsten has been designated a critical metal by the United States and other western countries, as they are aggressively seeking friendly sources of this unique metal. Currently, China, Russia and North Korea represent approximately 86% of the total global supply and reserves. The tungsten market is estimated to be valued at approximately USD $5 to $6 billion and it is used in a variety of industries such as defense, automotive, manufacturing, electronics, and energy.

Please visit our website at www.alliedcritical.com.

Also visit us at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/allied-critical-metals-inc
X: https://x.com/@alliedcritical/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliedcriticalmetals/

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Per: ‘Roy Bonnell’

Roy Bonnell
Chief Executive Officer and Director

Contact Information

For further information or investor relations inquiries, please contact:
Dave Burwell, Vice President, Corporate Development
Tel: 403 410 7907 | Toll Free: 1-888-221-0915
Email: daveb@alliedcritical.com

The Canadian Stock Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains ‘forward-looking statements’, including with respect to the use of proceeds. Wherever possible, words such as ‘may’, ‘would’, ‘could’, ‘should’, ‘will’, ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘plan’, ‘expect’, ‘intend’, ‘estimate’, ‘potential for’ and similar expressions have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations of the Company’s management for future growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, without limitation, those listed in the Company’s Listing Statement and other filings made by the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities (which may be viewed under the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca). Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the proposed timeline and use of proceeds for exploration and development of the Company’s mineral projects as described in the Company’s Listing Statement, news releases, and corporate presentations. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results, performance or achievements may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. These factors should be considered carefully, and prospective investors should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking statements and reference should also be made to the Company’s Listing Statement dated April 23, 2025 and news release dated May 16, 2025, and the documents incorporated by reference therein, filed under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca for a description of additional risk factors. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to revise forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/262558

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

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Investing

Gold Majors Ride Price Surge to Strong Q2 Earnings

Investing 4 Mins Read

The world’s top gold producers delivered a string of robust second-quarter results, buoyed by record prices and resilient operations as investors continue to seek refuge in the yellow metal amid growing economic uncertainty.

With spot gold trading above US$3,400 per troy ounce, just shy of its April all-time high of US$3,448.50, the world’s largest gold producers posted higher earnings and stronger cash flow in their recent Q2 results.

Below is a breakdown of how a few major players fared in Q2.

Barrick nearly doubles profit margins

Barrick Mining (TSX:ABX,NYSE:B) formerly Barrick Gold, reported a 97 percent year-on-year jump in net income to US$1.25 billion for the quarter, compared to US$634 million a year earlier.

Earnings per share rose to US$0.47 while operating cash flow in the first half reached US$2.5 billion, up 32 percent from 2024. Free cash flow more than doubled to US$770 million, supported by higher commodity prices.

Gold production climbed 5 percent from the first quarter, while copper output surged 34 percent, led by strong performance at Zambia’s Lumwana mine. Nevada Gold Mines boosted output by 11 percent, while Pueblo Viejo in the Dominican Republic posted a 28 percent increase as expansion work in the site advanced.

“From the ramp-up at Goldrush to the progress at Pueblo Viejo, Lumwana and Reko Diq, not to mention the transformational potential of Fourmile, we’re demonstrating the strength and depth of our portfolio,” president and chief executive Mark Bristow said in the recent Q2 report.

The company also recently agreed to sell its Alturas Project in Chile to a Boroo subsidiary for US$50 million upfront plus a royalty, with proceeds earmarked for funding future ventures

Kinross outpaces gold price gains

Kinross Gold Corporation (TSX:K,NYSE:KGC) posted record attributable free cash flow of US$646.6 million in the second quarter, alongside operating cash flow of US$992.4 million. Adjusted net earnings jumped to US$541 million from US$174.7 million a year earlier.

Further, the company achieved a 21 percent margin increase from the first quarter, outpacing the 15 percent rise in gold prices over the same period.

“Our portfolio of mines continued to perform well during the quarter contributing to a strong first half of the year and positioning us well to achieve our full-year guidance,” CEO J. Paul Rollinson said.

Kinross said that it expects to produce 2 million gold-equivalent ounces in 2025 at an average production cost of US$1,120 per ounce.

Paracatu in Brazil was the company’s top-producing asset, while Tasiast in Mauritania began mining the Fennec satellite deposit. US-based Bald Mountain also reported higher output at lower costs.

The company also advanced key projects, including its Great Bear exploration program in Ontario, engineering work at Round Mountain Phase X in Nevada, and drilling at the Curlew Basin project in Washington.

Agnico Eagle delivers, shares gain

Agnico Eagle’s (TSX:AEM,NYSE:AEM) operational consistency and cost control helped drive a six-day share price rally, culminating in a 10.06 percent gain over the past week.

In the second quarter, the company produced 866,029 ounces of gold, maintaining full-year guidance of 3.3 to 3.5 million ounces. Adjusted earnings per share came in at US$1.94, prompting analysts to raise 2025 profit forecasts by US$0.70 to US$6.94.

Analysts cited the company’s steady performance despite rising unit costs, noting its appeal as a defensive play in the sector. Bank of America raised its price target to US$173 due to rising optimism about the firm’s growth prospects.

Newmont rides sector momentum

Newmont (TSX:NGT,NYSE:NEM) posted higher sales and net income for the quarter while authorizing a new share repurchase program and declaring a quarterly dividend.

The miner also renewed a key lease in Ghana. Shares rose 36 percent over the last quarter, outpacing the US Metals and Mining industry’s 24.1 percent return.

The performance came despite a drop in the company’s gold production. Rather, Newmont underscored the role of shareholder returns and strategic asset moves in supporting investor sentiment. Over the past three years, Newmont has delivered a total shareholder return of 63.75 percent.

Gold outlook: Gold shines during volatility

The sector’s strong quarter unfolded against a favorable macro backdrop.

Gold, which has gained about 30 percent year-to-date, has been buoyed by safe-haven flows. The metal’s latest rally began after spot prices dipped to US$3,311.80 in early August, then climbed back above US$3,418 by the first week of August..

The Federal Reserve cut rates by a full percentage point in late 2024 but has held steady this year, citing the need for more data on how tariffs affect inflation. Lower rates generally enhance gold’s appeal by reducing the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets..

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Politics

Armenia and Azerbaijan leaders seek to ease Russian and Iranian concerns after US-brokered peace deal

Politics 5 Mins Read

The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan brushed off any threat of backlash from neighboring powers Iran and Russia following a U.S.-brokered peace accord – an agreement hailed as the start of a new era, ending more than three decades of war and hostility in the South Caucasus.

In exclusive Fox News Digital interviews, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev both praised President Donald Trump and his envoy for their role in brokering the framework agreement. They emphasized that the deal, which promised increased regional economic integration and political cooperation, is not directed at any third party – and may actually provide strategic advantages to Moscow and Tehran.

‘This is not a zero-sum game,’ Pashinyan said. The agreement ‘contains quite tangible benefits for Iran and for Russia as well.’

‘Iran would have access through railway from the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea and Russia and Iran will have opportunity to have a railway connection between the two countries.’

Russia – a long-standing ally of Armenia and a presence in the region through its border guards – welcomed peace but sent a warning about U.S. involvement. Its foreign ministry described the accord as ‘positive,’ expressing hope for stability in the Caucasus, but warned that foreign involvement should complement, not complicate, the peace process. 

The ministry emphasized that regional solutions should include neighbors like Russia, Iran and Turkey, and cautioned against repeating the pitfalls of Western-led interventions in the Middle East.

Aliyev echoed Pashinyan’s remarks and declined to see U.S. diplomatic involvement as a provocation toward Moscow. 

‘It will be very difficult for any country – whether far away or in our region – to say something bad about today’s agreement,’ he told Fox News Digital.’We’ve taken the final step toward peace.’ 

He added: ‘It’s not against anyone. It’s a connectivity project which will be one of the most important parts of international transportation.’

At the heart of the pact is the planned Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) – a roughly 27-mile transit route linking mainland Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave, passing through Armenian territory. Armenia has granted the U.S. exclusive development rights via a 99‑year lease, allowing for infrastructure projects such as roads, rail lines, pipelines, fiber optics and possibly power transmission, aimed at opening new trade and transit paths in the region.

This bold move shifts regional dynamics, offering Washington a powerful strategic foothold while bypassing traditional Russian and Iranian routes.

Iran, in contrast, has responded with hostility. 

Ali Akbar Velayati, a key advisor to Iran’s supreme leader, warned of serious consequences if the ‘Zangezur Corridor’ – as Iran calls the route – is enacted, asserting that it ‘will not become a passage owned by Trump, but rather a graveyard for Trump’s mercenaries,’ according to the semi-official news agency Tasnim.

Iran has even signaled readiness to use military means to block the route. 

Domestically, Pashinyan faces opposition. Armenian nationalists, already fierce critics of any deal with Azerbaijan, view the agreement as a betrayal. The Republican Party of Armenia has declared that Pashinyan lacks the mandate to sign such a treaty, demanding full transparency and an end to concessions made under external pressure.

Pashinyan, however, is undeterred. He said the accord could transform Armenia’s investment climate and attract foreign capital. 

‘We expect to have some criticism, and that’s part of democracy,’ he told Fox News Digital. ‘But we are confident we made the right decision.’ 

Once the dominant power in the South Caucasus, Russia is losing its grip. The war in Ukraine, mounting sanctions and resource strains have depleted its regional influence, enabling the U.S., Turkey and the European Union to expand their diplomatic reach.

Relations with Azerbaijan particularly soured following the December 2024 downing of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243. Aliyev accused Moscow of accidentally shooting the passenger jet with Russian air defenses during operations against Ukrainian drones, killing 38 people. 

Aliyev told Fox News Digital he didn’t believe the incident was an intentional attack by Russian leadership, but demanded a formal admission of guilt, punishment for those responsible and full compensation – moves Russia has resisted, apologizing only vaguely for what they called a’tragic incident.’

And amid political divisions, Pashinyan finds himself in a conflict with one of the country’s most respected institutions  – the Armenian Apostolic Church, where figures like Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan have led public protests against Pashinyan’s decision to return border villages to Azerbaijan.

On June 25, authorities arrested Galstanyan, a leading figure in the church and of the ‘Sacred Struggle’ opposition movement, accusing him of orchestrating a terrorist plot to overthrow the government. Armenia’s Investigative Committee alleged he had recruited more than 1,000 former police and military personnel to stage bombings, disrupt power grids and paralyze transportation networks. 

Pashinyan assured that the judiciary system acted independently of his government and ‘in full accordance with the law of Armenia, respecting all the rights of all people.’

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

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Politics

American history won’t be displayed ‘in a woke manner’ at Smithsonian, Trump says

Politics 4 Mins Read

Smithsonian museums must represent the U.S. in a ‘fair’ manner and portray both the good and the bad of American history, according to President Donald Trump. 

Trump made his comments after the White House sent a letter to the Smithsonian Tuesday unveiling plans to conduct a review of its museums and exhibits in preparation for the 250th birthday of the United States in 2026.

‘We want the museums to treat our country fairly,’ Trump told reporters Thursday. ‘We want their museums to talk about the history of our country in a fair manner, not in a woke manner or in a racist manner, which is what many of them, not all of them, but many of them are doing.’ 

‘Our museums have an obligation to represent what happened in our country over the years. Good and bad,’ Trump said. ‘But what happened over the years in an accurate way.’ 

The Smithsonian told Fox News Digital it was reviewing the Trump administration’s letter and would work with the White House, Congress and its governing Board of Regents moving forward. 

‘The Smithsonian’s work is grounded in a deep commitment to scholarly excellence, rigorous research and the accurate, factual presentation of history,’ the Smithsonian said in a statement. 

Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff, weighed in on the matter earlier Thursday, saying left-wing activists had ‘obscenely defaced’ the museum. 

‘The Smithsonian is supposed to be a global symbol of American strength, culture and prestige,’ Miller posted to X Thursday. ‘A place for families and children to celebrate American history and greatness. Instead, the exhibits have clearly been taken over by leftwing activists who have used the Smithsonian as yet one platform to endlessly bash America and rewrite / erase our magnificent story.

‘These activists have obscenely defaced this beloved institution,’ Miller added. ‘The Trump Administration will proudly and diligently restore the patriotic glory of America and ensure the Smithsonian is a place that once more inspires love and devotion to this nation, especially among our youngest citizens.’

The White House’s initial letter to the Smithsonian Tuesday said the review would evaluate social media, exhibition text and educational materials. This would be done to ‘assess tone, historical framing, and alignment with American ideals,’ the letter said. 

‘This initiative aims to ensure alignment with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions,’ the letter said.

The review will focus on the following museums: the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Portrait Gallery and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.

Trump has taken previous steps to alter what content is shown in the Smithsonian museums and signed an executive order in March that placed Vice President JD Vance in charge of overseeing the removal of programs or exhibits that ‘degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race, or promote programs or ideologies inconsistent with Federal law and policy.’ 

Vance has already moved to shake things up at the Smithsonian. 

Artist Amy Sherald canceled an exhibit scheduled to arrive at the Smithsonian in September that included a portrait of a transgender Statue of Liberty at the National Portrait Gallery after Vance claimed the show featured woke and divisive content, Fox News Digital first reported. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

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Business

Ulta and Target will end deal for in-store beauty shops next year

Business 4 Mins Read

Ulta Beauty and Target said Thursday that they have decided to end a deal that opened makeup and beauty shops in hundreds of Target’s stores.

Shares of Target fell about 2% in early trading, while Ulta’s stock slid about 1%.

In a news release, the companies said the partnership — which also added some of Ulta’s merchandise to Target’s website — will end in August 2026. Target had added more than 600 Ulta Beauty shops to its stores since 2021, according to a company spokesperson. That’s nearly a third of Target’s 1,981 U.S. stores.

Ulta Beauty at Target shops carried a smaller and rotating assortment of the merchandise at the beauty retailer’s own stores. They were staffed by Target’s employees.

The loss of the popular beauty retailer’s products could be another blow to Target as it tries to woo back both shoppers and investors. Target’s annual sales have been roughly flat for four years and it expects sales to decline this fiscal year. Shares of the company are worth less than half of what the were back in 2021, when they hit an all-time closing high of $266.39. It also has faced backlash over both its Pride collection and its rollback of key diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Store traffic for Target has declined year over year nearly every week from the week of Jan. 27, days after the company’s DEI announcement, through the week of Aug. 4, according to Placer.ai, an analytics firm that uses anonymized data from mobile devices to estimate overall visits to locations. Target traffic had been up weekly year over year in the four weeks before Jan. 27.

The only exceptions to that trend were the two weeks on either side of Easter, when traffic rose less than 1% year over year, the firm’s data showed.

On earnings calls and in investor presentations, leaders of the Minneapolis-based company had touted Ulta’s shops and its trendy beauty brands as a way to drive store traffic.

At a investor presentation in New York City in March, CEO Brian Cornell highlighted beauty as a growth category for Target and cited it as reason for confidence in Target’s long-term business. He said the company had gained market share in beauty and its sales in the category rose by nearly 7% in the fiscal year that ended in early February.

Target’s CEO Brian Cornell, 66, is expected to depart the company soon. The longtime Target leader renewed his contract for approximately three years in September 2022 after the board scrapped its retirement age of 65.

David Bellinger, an analyst for Mizuho Securities who covers retailers, said in an equity research note on Thursday that Target’s “messy in-store operations” as well as issues with retail theft and insufficient staffing at stores likely contributed to the companies ending their partnership.

“Overall, we see losing the Ulta shop-in-shop relationship as a negative development and something else Target’s next CEO will have to grapple with,” he wrote.

In a statement on Thursday, Target Chief Commercial Officer Rick Gomez said the discounter is “proud of our shared success with Ulta Beauty and the experience we’ve delivered together.”

“We look forward to what’s ahead and remain committed to offering the beauty experience consumers have come to expect from Target — one centered on an exciting mix of beauty brands with continuous newness, all at an unbeatable value,” he said.

In a statement, Ulta’s Chief Retail Officer Amiee Bayer-Thomas described the Target deal as “one of many unique ways we have brought the power of beauty to guests nationwide.”

“As we continue to execute our Ulta Beauty Unleashed plans, we’re confident our wide-ranging assortment, expert services and inspiring in-store experiences will reinforce our leadership in beauty and define the next chapter of our brand,” she said.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

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Business

The CEO in chief: How Trump is getting what he wants from big business

Business 2 Mins Read

For years, conservative groups and corporate leaders argued that the U.S. government would be better if it were run like a business.

For President Donald Trump, who has controlled his own businesses for decades, that looks like taking an increasingly active role in individual corporations’ affairs, from manufacturing to media to tech firms.

And corporations are meeting the demands of a president who is more freely exerting his powers than he did the last time he was in office. At Trump’s urging, Coca-Cola said it would produce a version of its namesake soda with U.S.-grown cane sugar. Paramount paid millions to settle allegations Trump levied against CBS’ venerated “60 Minutes.” Two major semiconductor makers agreed to give the government a cut of their sales in China. The CEO of Intel met with Trump soon after the president called on him to resign.

“It’s so much different than the first term,” said a Republican lobbyist whose firm represents several Fortune 500 companies, who spoke on condition of anonymity to speak candidly. “He’s just acting like a businessman. In his first term, I think he was trying to cosplay as a politician. He’s more comfortable in his own skin, too. He can explain deals better.”

Trump’s role represents a break with past administrations that may have been unwilling or unable, politically, to bring similar pressure to bear on businesses. In the past, small-government conservatives once accused previous Democratic administrations of attempting to “pick winners and losers” by trying to regulate industries. Trump today stands downstream of a bolder right-wing movement that calls for enhanced state intervention in corporate affairs.

Trump has said the corporate concessions are intended to boost the U.S. economy.

And the White House, in a statement, reinforced the idea that Trump’s involved approach to private-sector dealings is a key part of his economic agenda.

“Cooled inflation, trillions in new investments, historic trade deals, and hundreds of billions in tariff revenue prove how President Trump’s hands-on leadership is paving the way towards a new Golden Age for America,” White House spokesperson Kush Desai said.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

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