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Brightstar Resources Limited (ASX: BTR) (Brightstar or Company) provides the following update on the proposed acquisition of 100% of the fully paid ordinary shares and options in Aurumin Limited (Aurumin) by Brightstar by way of Court-approved share scheme of arrangement (Share Scheme) and option scheme of arrangement (Option Scheme, together the Schemes) under Part 5.1 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

Unless otherwise specified, capitalised terms used in this announcement have the same meaning as given in Aurumin’s Scheme Booklet dated 9 October 2025 (Scheme Booklet).

RESULTS OF THE SECOND COURT HEARING

Brightstar is pleased to announce that the Supreme Court of Western Australia (Court) has made orders approving the Schemes under which Brightstar will acquire 100% of the shares of Aurumin and all Aurumin options will be cancelled in exchange for new Brightstar options.

Aurumin intends to lodge an office copy of the Court’s orders with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) on Friday, 21 November 2025, at which time the Schemes will become legally effective. Aurumin expects that the ASX will suspend Aurumin shares from trading on the ASX with effect from the close of trading on Friday, 21 November 2025.

SANDSTONE PROJECT UPDATE

Brightstar and Aurumin currently have six drilling rigs operating in Sandstone, targeting material Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) growth and infill drilling key deposits to enable an increase in confidence classification
Post implementation, the consolidated MRE at Sandstone increases to 2.4Moz @ 1.5g/t Au (pro forma basis with Aurumin)¹, with the group total MRE increasing to 3.9Moz @ 1.5g/t Au
A Mineral Resource upgrade for Sandstone is targeted for release in 1H CY26 following significant exploration drilling over the past 12 months (+70,000m completed to date)
Workstreams proceed on the consolidated Pre-Feasibility Study, with mining engineering, metallurgical, geotechnical, approvals and permitting activities continuing apace to fast-track the eventual development of the Sandstone Gold Project (targeted for FID in 2H CY27)
The successful development of Sandstone, in conjunction with the near-term production expansion of Brightstar’s Menzies-Laverton asset base, underpins Brightstar’s aspirational production target of +200,000oz pa.

Brightstar’s Managing Director, Alex Rovira, commented:

“We are delighted to see the overwhelming support from Aurumin securityholders for the Schemes. This is the first time in over a decade the Sandstone Greenstone Belt has been consolidated under one ownership, with production last occurring in Sandstone when the gold price was less than A$1,000/oz.

Despite the limited systematic exploration history as a result of the fragmented ownership, upon completion of the Schemes, Brightstar will emerge with a Mineral Resource of approximately 2.4Moz @ 1.5g/t at the Sandstone Gold Project that is largely constrained within the top 150m from surface. Notably, we see significant potential for Mineral Resource growth following the ~70,000m of drilling already completed in Sandstone by Brightstar, with a targeted ~120,000m of drilling planned for completion prior to the Pre- Feasibility Study targeted for release in mid-2026.

In our view, the Sandstone district potentially represents one of the largest undeveloped gold projects in the WA goldfields in the hands of a junior/emerging company, with the potential for a multi-decade mine life across both open pit and underground operations.

The development of our Menzies, Laverton, and Sandstone Gold Projects is central to delivering on our vision and positioning Brightstar as an emerging mid-tier Western Australian gold producer.”

Click here for the full ASX Release

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3 Mins Read

Barrick Faces Activist Pressure After Elliott Takes Major Stake

Elliott Investment Management has reportedly taken a large stake in Barrick Mining (TSX:ABX,NYSE:B), the Financial Times reported on Tuesday (November 18), adding activist pressure to the gold producer, which is already dealing with escalating operational problems and a leadership shakeup.

The moves comes just weeks after the abrupt September exit of former CEO Mark Bristow, and as Barrick’s new chief executive, Mark Hill, begins overhauling the company’s regional structure.

In an internal memo seen by Bloomberg, Hill said Barrick will fold its Pueblo Viejo mine in the Dominican Republic into its North American division and merge its Latin America and Asia Pacific operations to improve performance.

Elliott’s investment also comes during a challenging phase for Barrick.

The company has been hit by rising costs at key North American assets and the loss of its most profitable operation, the Loulo-Gounkoto mine in Mali, after the military junta seized control earlier this year.

The dispute, which was tied to Mali’s new mining tax code, resulted in 3 metric tons of gold being taken by the state and the detention of four Barrick employees. The asset loss also triggered a roughly US$1 billion writeoff.

The setbacks have left Barrick trailing behind its peers despite a powerful gold price rally. Company shares are up 117 percent in the past year, compared with an average 130 percent gain among major rivals.

Barrick’s performance has company executives weighing their options.

As mentioned, a split into two companies is being considered. Four people told Reuters that this could involve one firm focused on North America and another holding assets in Africa and Asia. Another option would involve selling Barrick’s Africa portfolio outright, along with the Reko Diq project in Pakistan once financing is secured.

Barrick is also trying to resolve its dispute with Mali before pursuing a sale of that operation.

Investors have pushed similar ideas before, but were stifled due to the company’s North American footprint.

The company’s core US asset is Nevada Gold Mines, which it operates in partnership with Newmont (NYSE:NEM,ASX:NEM), and the sentiment has been that “there is not much of value” in Barrick’s remaining mines.

Bloomberg reported last month that Newmont was looking at whether a transaction could give it control of the Nevada operations it shares with Barrick, but discussions have not advanced since then.

Elliott, meanwhile, has a long record of targeting miners, including Anglo American (LSE:AAL,OTCQX:AAUKF) and Kinross Gold (TSX:K,NYSE:KGC), and often pushes for structural changes.

For Barrick, the challenge now is stabilizing its operations, while deciding how far to go with strategic restructuring in today’s historically high gold price environment.

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

3 Mins Read

Australia’s Gina Rinehart Now Top MP Materials Shareholder

Gina Rinehart, owner and CEO of private Australian mining company Hancock Prospecting, has become the largest shareholder of rare earths company MP Materials (NYSE:MP).

Rinehart’s stake in MP, which she owns via Hancock, now stands at 8.4 percent.

According to Bloomberg, Hancock added 1 million shares to its MP position in the third quarter. After MP’s share price doubled during the period, it became the top holding in Hancock’s portfolio.

MP owns and runs the Mountain Pass rare earths mine in San Bernardino County, California. The mine was revived by MP in 2017 and achieved first rare earths concentrate production in 2018.

In 2024, the company produced a record 45,455 metric tons of rare earth oxides in concentrate, as well as 1,294 metric tons of neodymium-praeseodymium (NdPr) oxide, also a record amount.

Mountain Pass is currently the only operating rare earths mine in the US, and is gaining attention as the US seeks to establish a rare earths supply chain outside of China. In July, the US Department of Defense (DoD) agreed to buy US$400 million worth of preferred stock in the company, a move that MP called a ‘transformational public-private partnership.’

On Wednesday (November 19), MP deepened its DoD relationship with a partnership to establish a joint venture with Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden); together they will develop a rare earths refinery in Saudi Arabia.

‘This agreement will be beneficial to MP and our industry, and it further aligns U.S. and Saudi interests,’ said James Litinsky, MP’s founder, chair and CEO, in a press release shared by the company that day.

‘The formation of the joint venture also underscores MP Materials’ role as an American national champion, and it demonstrates how our fully integrated platform can project U.S. industrial capability abroad.’

Earlier this year, the Trump administration said Dateline Resources’ (ASX:DTR,OTCQB:DTREF) Colosseum mine, located 10 kilometres from Mountain Pass, could continue operations under its existing mine plan.

A bankable feasibility study is currently being completed for Colosseum, and is due for completion in early 2026.

Rinehart’s rare earths investments

Rinehart is the wealthiest person in Australia, holding a net worth of US$23.9 billion.

According to Forbes’ 100 billionaires list, she was the 61st richest person globally as of March 7, 2025.

Besides MP, she is also the largest shareholder of Arafura Rare Earths (ASX:ARU,OTC Pink:ARAFF), with Hancock’s first investment in that company tracing back to December 2022.

On October 29, Arafura said it was conducting a AU$475 million financing to further advance its Nolans project. Nolans is expected to eventually supply approximately 4 percent of the world’s NdPr oxide.

Arafura said Hancock committed AU$125 million to the placement, bringing its stake in the firm to 15.7 percent.

Hancock also holds an interest in Lynas Rare Earths (ASX:LYC,OTCQX:LYSDY), with Rinehart raising her stake in the company to 8.21 percent in January via the purchase of about 10 million shares.

In 2023, Hancock Prospecting was reported to back Brazilian Rare Earths (ASX:BRE,OTCQX:BRELY) before it went public, taking a 5.85 percent stake. Brazilian Rare Earths listed on the ASX in December 2023.

Through Hancock, Rinehart also holds investments in lithium, copper and many more commodities. Click here to read about her mining investments and work in the sector.

Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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7 Mins Read

Standard Uranium

Investor Insight

Standard Uranium offers high-grade uranium discovery potential in the Athabasca Basin. With a fully funded drill program scheduled for spring 2026 at its flagship Davidson River project, and joint ventures on other highly prospective projects, the company provides investors early stage exposure to the emerging nuclear energy market.

Overview

Standard Uranium (TSXV:STND,USOTC:STTDF,FRA:9SU0) is a uranium exploration and project generation company focused on advancing high-grade uranium discoveries within the world-famous Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan, Canada.

With a mission to “supply the fuel for a clean energy future,” Standard Uranium is focused on discovering and developing basement-hosted and unconformity-related uranium deposits that can power the growth of nuclear energy. Its dual-track model combines aggressive exploration at its flagship Davidson River project with a robust project generator platform, advancing multiple projects through partnerships while generating non-dilutive cash flow in operator fees, share payments, and royalties.

With 13 projects totaling more than 235,000 acres, Standard Uranium offers investors exposure to both immediate discovery catalysts and long-term portfolio value. Its leadership team brings deep geological expertise and operational experience across the Athabasca Basin, complemented by disciplined capital management.

As global governments reaffirm nuclear energy’s role in achieving net-zero targets, Standard Uranium is positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for secure, high-grade uranium supply from Canada.

Company Highlights

Flagship Davidson River Project: Large-scale, high-priority exploration asset in the southwest Athabasca Basin, along trend from NexGen’s Arrow and Paladin Energy’s Triple R uranium deposits, positioned for a significant uranium discovery.
Extensive Portfolio in the Athabasca Basin: Over 235,000 acres (95,000+ hectares) across 13 projects in Canada’s premier uranium district, including active joint ventures at Sun Dog, Corvo, and Rocas.
Project Generator Model: Leverages strategic partnerships to fund exploration and generate cash flow while retaining upside through 25 percent ownership and a 2.5 percent net smelter return (NSR) royalty on joint-venture projects.
Fully Funded for Davidson River Drill Campaign: Financing completed to support 8,000 to 10,000 meters of drilling at Davidson River, planned for spring 2026.
Rocas Drill Program: The first-ever drill program to be conducted on Rocas will commence in winter 2026, comprising approximately 1,800 metres.
Corvo Drill Program: A skid-assisted diamond drill program totalling approximately 3,000 metres is planned for winter 2026, which will mark the first drill program on the Project in more than 40 years.
Riding the Nuclear Power Renaissance: Positioned to benefit from global decarbonization trends and a long-term rise in uranium demand.
Proven Team: Led by experienced geologists and exploration professionals with a track record of discoveries in the Athabasca Basin.

Key Projects

Davidson River Project

Located in the southwest Athabasca Basin, approximately 25 kilometres west of NexGen’s Arrow deposit and Paladin Energy’s Triple R deposit, the Davidson River project spans 30,737 hectares across 10 contiguous mineral claims. The property lies along the same structural trends that hosts these globally significant discoveries.

To date, Standard Uranium has drilled 16,561 metres across 39 holes, intersecting wide, graphitic-sulphidic shear zones, structural deformation, and alteration features characteristic of high-grade basement uranium systems. Recent multiphysics and machine learning-assisted surveys conducted in partnership with Fleet Space Technologies and GoldSpot Discoveries have provided new three-dimensional imaging of subsurface structures, identifying refined targets along the Warrior, Bronco and Thunderbird corridors.

The company is preparing for an 8,000 to 10,000-meter diamond drill campaign scheduled for spring 2026, marking its most comprehensive program to date. With modern targeting data and strong geological indicators, Davidson River represents the company’s clearest path to a transformational discovery in the southwest Athabasca Basin.

Sun Dog Project (JV)

Located in the northwestern Athabasca Basin near Uranium City, the Sun Dog project consists of nine mineral claims totaling 19,603 hectares. This highly prospective property sits in a historically productive uranium district that remains underexplored by modern methods.

Surface sampling has identified several uranium-rich showings, including modern grab samples returning grades up to 3.58 percent U₃O₈. The project’s targets are associated with structural intersections and alteration zones consistent with basement-hosted and unconformity-related uranium systems.

Standard Uranium has partnered with Aero Energy, under a three-year earn-in agreement, allowing Aero to acquire up to a 100 percent interest in the project. The partnership structure ensures ongoing advancement at Sun Dog with Standard Uranium retaining a 2.5 percent NSR royalty, providing continued exposure to discovery success without direct funding requirements.

Corvo Project (JV)

The Corvo project in the eastern Athabasca Basin covers 12,265 hectares and represents one of Standard Uranium’s most promising partner-funded assets. The project lies along three major magnetic low and EM conductor trends extending for nearly 29 kilometres of prospective strike length.

The project is currently being advanced under a joint venture with Aventis Energy, which is funding exploration work through a three-year earn-in agreement. Standard retains a 25 percent ownership interest and a 2.5 percent NSR, while acting as operator during the earn-in phase.

Historical drilling and sampling have confirmed uranium mineralization, including the “Manhattan” showing, where modern surface grab samples collected by the company in 2025 returned assays up to 8.10 percent U3O8. These results highlight the property’s potential to host near-surface, high-grade uranium deposits.

Rocas Project (JV)

The Rocas project, located in the southeastern Athabasca Basin region, lies approximately 75 km southwest of the Key Lake mine and mill and covers 4,002 hectares along a 7.5-km northeast-trending magnetic low and EM conductor corridor.

Surface exploration has confirmed uranium mineralization at outcrop, with historical grab samples grading up to 0.5 percent U₃O₈ across nearly 900 metres of strike length. Historical surveys have also identified lakebed geochemical anomalies and structural features that indicate potential zones of hydrothermal alteration, ideal settings for basement-hosted uranium deposits.

In 2025, Standard Uranium executed an option agreement with Collective Metals, granting the partner 75 percent earn-in over three years in exchange for staged cash payments, share issuances, and $4.5 million in exploration spending. Standard retains a 25 percent ownership interest and a 2.5 percent NSR, while acting as operator during the earn-in phase.

Eastern Athabasca Exploration Projects

Beyond its flagship and joint-venture assets, Standard Uranium holds eight additional exploration-stage properties across the eastern Athabasca Basin, including Ascent, Canary, Atlantic, Cable Bay, Ox Lake, Umbra, Brown Lake and Sable. Together, these projects cover over 43,000 hectares of highly prospective ground along established uranium trends near recent discoveries by Denison Mines and IsoEnergy.

These projects represent the company’s pipeline of future partnerships and discovery opportunities, ensuring consistent exploration activity across the Basin.

Management Team

Jon Bey – Chairman, CEO, and Director

Jon Bey is a capital markets executive with over two decades of experience in the junior exploration industry. Bey has explored for uranium, gold, silver, diamonds and oil and gas in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa. He has public company experience across several sectors and with companies listed on the TSX, TSXV, CSE and LSE exchanges. Bey is the chairman of Ophir Metals and the founder and managing director of the Steel Rose Group of companies.

Sean Hillacre – President & VP Exploration

Sean Hillacre has over a decade of experience as an economic geologist in the Athabasca Basin uranium district, including five years at NexGen Energy as part of the technical team progressing the Arrow uranium deposit toward production. A high-energy, results oriented geoscientist, Hillacre brings a unique and balanced background integrating academic geoscience with industry experience, along with a comprehensive understanding of project development.

Vivien Chang – Chief Financial Officer

Vivien Chuang is a chartered professional accountant (BC, Canada) with more than 15 years of experience in the resource and mining sector. She was a former CFO of Azincourt Energy, BluEnergies, Muzhu Mining, and Northern Empire Resources, K2 Gold Corporation and Chakana Copper (formerly Remo Resources). Currently, she is VP Finance of Jasper Management and Advisory and president of VC Consulting, which provides CFO and other financial accounting and compliance services to a number of companies.

Neil McCallum – Lead Technical Director

Neil McCallum has over 15 years of experience primarily in North American mineral deposit exploration, with a focus on targeting and discovery of unconformity-related uranium deposits. He is currently a project manager at Edmonton-based Dahrouge Geological Consulting. McCallum has managed and conducted uranium exploration in and around the Athabasca Basin and other jurisdictions for multiple companies.

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4 Mins Read

Deion alludes to issues ‘behind the curtains’ with Shedeur in Cleveland

Shedeur Sanders is expected to make his first NFL start for the Cleveland Browns after an injury to the starting quarterback.
Deion Sanders expressed fondness for the Browns’ injured starting quarterback, Dillon Gabriel.
The coach alluded to behind-the-scenes challenges his son has faced this season with the Browns.

Colorado football coach Deion Sanders said Nov. 18 that he didn’t know yet if he’d make it to Las Vegas to watch his son Shedeur’s first expected start as an NFL quarterback. But Sanders also said he likes quarterback Dillon Gabriel − Shedeur’s teammate with the Cleveland Browns − and knows what’s been going on ‘behind the curtains’ this season in Cleveland.

‘I think a lesser man would have crumbled,’ Deion Sanders said of his son at his weekly news conference in Boulder.

Shedeur Sanders, a rookie with the Browns, came off the bench in a 23-16 loss against Baltimore Nov. 16 after Gabriel, the starting quarterback, suffered a concussion. Gabriel is expected to miss the Brown’s Nov. 23 game, putting Shedeur in the spotlight against the Las Vegas Raiders.

“Haven’t made that decision as of yet,” Deion Sanders said Tuesday about going to Las Vegas. “I’m so focused on what we have at hand. I’m not thinking about that, although I just got off the phone with him a minute ago.”

Sanders’ Colorado team hosts Arizona State in a 8 p.m. game Nov. 22. His team is 3-7 this year and often practices on Sundays.

Deion Sanders said he’s fond of Dillon Gabriel

The father said he was “in tears” after learning in his office in Boulder that his son finally saw his first action in a regular-season game last Sunday. He said he predicted to Shedeur beforehand that he would play against the Ravens.

“I thought the Ravens would have played better early on to provoke him getting in,” Sanders said Tuesday. “I didn’t want him to get in by the injury because I’m fond of Dillon, and I want him to be successful as well. But I didn’t want that to happen.”

Deion Sanders alludes to issues ‘behind the curtains’

Shedeur Sanders came back from a fractured back that he suffered at Colorado in 2023 and entered the NFL draft in April as a projected first-round pick. But then he fell all the way to the fifth round and Cleveland, which also drafted Gabriel in the third round. Fans of Sanders have questioned why the Browns didn’t give him a better chance until Sunday, when he completed 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards with an interception against the Ravens.

“I was happy for him just getting the opportunity and running on that field because I know the fight behind the fight,” Deion Sanders said. “Yeah, if I could say that modestly. I know what’s been transpiring behind the curtains, and I’m just proud of him, because he’s not just saying the right things, he’s doing and living the right things. That’s just who he is.”

Deion Sanders said ‘a lesser man would have crumbled’

The father said he’s been providing advice to Shedeur and is even trying to “buy a house together” with him. He said he’s proud of him.

“Thank God that God prepared him for everything he’s dealing with,” Deion Sanders said. “I mean, I think a lesser man would have crumbled. But he’s been built for this, and who else is built for the adversity like he is? Like, going into the NFL? I don’t think it’s too many quarterbacks that have (been) built like that for the adverse situations and not having the best of things to happen around him.”

Follow Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

(This story was updated with new information.)

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

4 Mins Read

Deion Sanders’ son Shilo facing new lawsuit over alleged unpaid bills

A law firm is suing former Colorado football player Shilo Sanders for over $164,000 in unpaid legal bills.
The unpaid fees are for services related to a personal injury lawsuit and his subsequent bankruptcy filing.
This new lawsuit is separate from his pending bankruptcy case, where he also faces a claim of violating bankruptcy law.

Former Colorado football standout Shilo Sanders is facing more legal trouble, this time from a law firm that says he owes the firm more than $164,000 in unpaid bills and interest.

The firm Barnes & Thornburg LLP filed a lawsuit Nov. 17 against Sanders, son of Colorado coach Deion Sanders. It seeks a judgment for what Shilo Sanders allegedly owes for services the firm provided to him related to his other legal issues — a personal injury lawsuit he faced in Dallas that eventually led him to file for bankruptcy in October 2023.

The firm “delivered the legal services and incurred the costs reflected in the Invoices between May 1, 2024 and August 26, 2024 based on the Agreement,” an employee for the firm said in a written declaration filed in federal court in Dallas. “Mr. Sanders, however, failed to pay the amounts reflected the Invoices presented to him, and has not tendered payment in response to Plaintiff’s efforts to obtain payment on the outstanding Invoices. The total of the Invoices that Mr. Sanders currently owes Plaintiff is $164,285.55, including $10,967.91 in interest for the services provided and costs incurred.”

How does this relate to Shilo Sanders’ bankruptcy case?

The new lawsuit is not part of Shilo Sanders’ pending bankruptcy case, but it was filed by a firm that provided legal services to him “in connection with his personal injury matter and his bankruptcy proceedings,’ according to the complaint obtained by USA TODAY Sports.

The complaint against Sanders says in August 2024 Sanders was informed the attorney responsible for his matters was moving to a new law firm and Sanders would remain responsible for any outstanding account balance with respect to those matters. Sanders then terminated Barnes & Thornburg’s representation and moved it to the new firm of that attorney, according to the complaint.

Dallas attorney Victor Vital represents Sanders and announced a move from Barnes & Thornburg to a new firm, Haynes Boone, in August 2024.

Vital didn’t return a message seeking comment.

How did Shilo Sanders end up in bankruptcy?

Shilo Sanders, 25, filed for bankruptcy in an effort to discharge more than $11 million debt — almost all of which is owed to one man, John Darjean, a former security guard at his school in Dallas. Darjean filed a personal injury lawsuit against Sanders in 2016, accusing Sanders of causing him permanent and severe injuries when he tried to confiscate his phone at school in 2015, when Shilo was 15.

Shilo Sanders claimed in pretrial proceedings that he acted in self-defense. But when the case went to trial in 2022, Shilo didn’t show up for it, leading to a default judgment against him of more than $11 million. When Darjean moved to collect on that judgment, Shilo filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in hopes of getting it discharged. But Darjean is fighting his attempt to discharge it. Last month, the trustee in the bankruptcy case also filed suit against Shilo, claiming Sanders violated bankruptcy law by making unauthorized transfers of approximately $250,000.

Sanders is the middle son of Deion Sanders and has pursued other interests since he was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier this year as an undrafted free agent. Last year, he helped lead Colorado to a 9-4 season. His younger brother Shedeur is set to make his first NFL start on Sunday as quarterback of the Cleveland Browns.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

4 Mins Read

Oklahoma rises, Alabama falls in new College Football Playoff rankings

The third College Football Playoff ranking release of the season had some certainty and some mystery when it was unveiled Tuesday, Nov. 18,

There were no surprises among the top three teams. Ohio State retains the No. 1 spot it has held since the initial rankings. Right behind the Buckeyes is No. 2 Indiana with the unbeaten conference rivals on a collision to play in the Big Ten title game.

Texas A&M, the other team in the Bowl Subdivision without a loss, held down its place at No. 3. But that wasn’t assured until the Aggies pulled off a historic comeback to beat South Carolina in Week 12.

The changes came after the leading trio. Georgia – fresh off an impressive defeat of Texas – improved one spot followed by a likewise gain by Big 12 leader Texas Tech.

The back half of the top 10 saw an overhaul with Alabama falling from No. 4 after Oklahoma took down the Crimson Tide last weekend. The Sooners gained three positions to slot in at No. 8 slot behind Oregon and Mississippi. Wins against Missouri and LSU should secure a first-round home game.

Alabama dropped to 10th and Notre Dame held on to the ninth spot. The Fighting Irish have games ahead against Syracuse and Stanford. The Crimson Tide occupy the last at-large spot and face Auburn in two weeks.

Sitting just on the outside of the field are No. 11 Brigham Young followed by Utah and Miami, the top ACC team.

There was also twist in the competition between the teams in Group of Five conferences. South Florida – the only team from those leagues ranked last week – fell from No. 24 after a loss to Navy. Moving into the rankings from the G5 is Tulane at No. 24. The highest-ranked champion from those conferences is guaranteed a spot in the field.

The ranking is the third of six releases by the committee. The next two be Tuesday after Week 13 and Week 14. The final release that will set the College Football Playoff field is on Sunday, Dec. 7.

CFP rankings Top 25

Ohio State (10-0)
Indiana (11-0)
Texas A&M (10-0)
Georgia (9-1)
Texas Tech (10-1)
Mississippi (10-1)
Oregon (9-1)
Oklahoma (8-2)
Notre Dame (8-2)
Alabama (8-2)
Brigham Young (9-1)
Utah (8-2)
Miami (8-2)
Vanderbilt (8-2)
Southern California (8-2)
Georgia Tech (9-1)
Texas (7-3)
Michigan (8-2)
Virginia (9-2)
Tennessee (7-3)
Illinois (7-3)
Missouri (7-3)
Houston (8-2)
Tulane (8-2)
Arizona State (7-3)

How the College Football Playoff would look based on rankings

First round

No. 12 Tulane at No. 5 Texas Tech

No. 11 Miami at No. 6 Mississippi

No. 10 Alabama at No. 7 Oregon

No. 9 Notre Dame at No. 8 Oklahoma

Quarterfinals

No. 4 Georgia vs. Tulane-Texas Tech winner

No. 3 Texas A&M vs. Miami-Mississippi winner

No. 2 Indiana vs. Alabama-Oregon winner

No. 1 Ohio State vs. Notre Dame-Oklahoma winner

What is the College Football Playoff schedule?

The schedule for first-round games taking place on campus sites will see No. 5 hosting No. 12, No. 6 facing No. 11, No. 7 meeting No. 10 and No. 8 squaring off with No. 9.

Winners of those games will advance to the quarterfinals with the Cotton Bowl hosting its matchup on Dec. 31. The other three games of the round will be played Jan. 1 with the Orange Bowl starting the day followed by the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl. The Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl will host the semifinals on Jan. 8 and Jan. 9, respectively.

The championship game will be played on Jan. 19 in Miami Gardens, Florida, at Hard Rock Stadium.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

5 Mins Read

Kentucky vs Michigan State basketball score: Spartans rout Wildcats

Kentucky and Michigan State are two of the most consistently successful programs in men’s college basketball, with a slew of conference titles and Final Four appearances to their name over the past 25 years (to say nothing of a pair of national championships, one for each program).

On Tuesday, as they do once every three years around this time in November, the Wildcats and Spartans squared off, with one of them looking much more the part of a top-20 team than their opponent.

Watch Kentucky vs. Michigan State basketball live with Fubo (free trial)

Behind 20 points from Jaxon Kohler and 13 assists from Jeremiah Fears Jr., No. 18 Michigan State rolled past No. 13 Kentucky 83-66 at the Champions Classic in Madison Square Garden in New York on Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Coach Tom Izzo’s team shot 50% from the field and 3-point range. After entering the night with just 13 made baskets from beyond the arc across their first three games this season, the Spartans drained 11 3s in the victory. Kentucky, meanwhile, shot just 35.1% overall and 23.3% from 3 (on 30 attempts). Otega Oweh led the way with 12 points for the Wildcats, who were playing without injured starters Jayden Quaintance and Jaland Lowe.

Michigan State’s win was keyed by an 18-2 run in the first half that turned a 3-point deficit into a 13-point advantage. The Spartans led by as many as 24 in the second half and led Kentucky for 34:19 of a possible 40 minutes.

USA TODAY Sports provided the live score, updates and highlights from Michigan State’s win. Here are the highlights:

Kentucky vs Michigan State live score

This section will be updated throughout the game.

Kentucky vs Michigan State live updates

This section will be updated throughout the game.

Michigan State vs Kentucky highlights

FINAL: Michigan State 83, Kentucky 66

The Spartans dominate for the game’s final 30 minutes, earning an 83-66 win against Kentucky in the Champions Classic. The big stars for coach Tom Izzo’s squad were Jaxon Kohler, who had a game-high 20 points, and Jeremiah Fears Jr., who had a game-high 13 assists and controlled the game from the tip to the final buzzer.

Michigan State pushes lead back to 20

Just when Kentucky started to make it a game, Michigan State reasserts itself, going on a 6-0 run to push its lead to 20, its largest advantage of the game, with 5:03 left. That should just about do it here.

Jaxon Kohler is up to 20 points for the Spartans.

Kentucky cuts Michigan State lead to 10

The Wildcats aren’t going quietly into the Midtown Manhattan night. On the heels of a 7-0 run, Kentucky has Michigan State’s lead down to 10 with 10:55 remaining after it had gotten as large as 19 in the second half.

Halftime: Michigan State 44, Kentucky 27

The Spartans dominate the first 20 minutes of play, going into halftime with a 17-point lead over Kentucky. Michigan State shoots 51.5% from the field and 53.8% from 3-point range. Kentucky, on the other hand, is shooting just 27.6% overall and 26.7% from 3 despite getting some good looks.

The Wildcats trailed Louisville by 20 in the second half last Tuesday before cutting the deficit down to four. We’ll see if they have a similar run in them tonight.

Michigan State stretches lead over Kentucky to double digits

Tom Izzo’s Spartans are still rolling offensively, shooting 55.2% from the field and 58.3% from 3-point range to take a 40-25 lead over Kentucky with 3:08 remaining in the first half. Jaxon Kohler leads the way with 12 points while making five of his six shots, including both of his 3s.

Michigan State continues 3-point tear vs Kentucky

After a hot start beyond the arc, Michigan State hasn’t really cooled down. The Spartans have made five of their nine 3-pointers thus far to take a 25-19 lead on Kentucky without about eight minutes left in the first half.

The Spartans had made just 13 total 3s in their first three games this season.

Collin Chandler gives Kentucky early lead vs Michigan State

Whew, what a start in the Big Apple. The Wildcats and Spartans are playing at a frenetic pace that likely favors Mark Pope’s squad given its strengths and tendencies. Kentucky has a 17-14 lead at the first media timeout of the firth half, with Collin Chandler leading the way with seven points and two rebounds.

Michigan State made four of its first five 3-pointers and has gotten eight points from Jaxon Kohler.

Michigan State basketball starters vs Kentucky

Here’s the starting five Michigan State is going with against Kentucky in the Champions Classic:

G Jeremy Fears Jr.
G Trey Fort
F Jaxon Kohler
F Coen Carr
C Carson Cooper

Kentucky basketball starters vs Michigan State

Here’s the lineup Kentucky will roll out against Michigan State in the Champions Classic:

G Otega Oweh
G Denzel Aberdeen
G Collin Chandler
F Brandon Garrison
F Mouhamed Dioubate

Jaland Lowe injury update

Kentucky point guard Jaland Lowe will miss the Wildcats’ Champions Classic game against Michigan State while he deals with a lingering shoulder injury, with coach Mark Pope passing along the news to CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander Tuesday afternoon.

Kentucky vs Michigan State start time today

Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 18
Location: Madison Square Garden (New York)

What TV channel is Kentucky vs Michigan State basketball today?

TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)

Kentucky vs Michigan State predictions, picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Spread: Kentucky (-4.5)
Over/under: 153.5
Moneyline: Kentucky -210 | Michigan State +170

Prediction: Kentucky 82, Michigan State 77

Even without two of their best players, the Wildcats should have enough firepower to outscore a Spartans offense that ranks outside the top 50 nationally in efficiency thus far.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

6 Mins Read

USMNT stuns South American power in impressive performance

The U.S. men’s national team closed out the year with a bang on Tuesday, Nov. 18, hammering Uruguay, 5-1, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men stunned the South American power with four first-half goals, as Sebastian Berhalter, a brace from Alex Freeman and Diego Luna set the USMNT on its way.

After a stunning bicycle kick goal from Giorgian de Arrascaeta just before halftime, the USMNT added one more from substitute Tanner Tessmann. The Lyon man’s goal came just minutes after Rodrigo Bentancur was shown a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Berhalter.

The USMNT closed out the year with wins in four of five games as it continues to build momentum toward the 2026 World Cup.

As a reminder, here’s the Pro Soccer Wire player rating scale:

1: Abysmal. Literally any member of our staff would have been able to play at this level.
6: Adequate. This is our base score.
10: Transcendent, era-defining performance. This is Carli Lloyd vs. Japan in the 2015 World Cup final.

GK: Matt Freese – 5.5

Perhaps the lone sour note of the night for the U.S., Freese made an error late in the first half to ruin the clean sheet. His attempt to claim a high ball in the box was fumbled, allowing Uruguay to gain possession and score. With 12 straight starts, it’s likely still his job to lose, but his grasp on the spot could have loosened a bit after this error.

RB: Alex Freeman – 9

It was a star-making performance from the young fullback. He did it all on the night. In the attack, he scored two goals. His first was a nice, measured header off a corner kick.

His second was a work of art as he knifed through several defenders and finished clinically. It was a moment of magic that you wouldn’t expect from a defender. Defensively, he didn’t have any noticeable mistakes. It was as good a performance as you’ll see from a full-back. He has certainly given Pochettino a lot to think about going forward.

LCB: Mark McKenzie – 7

McKenzie has a solid showing defensively. While not as active as his center back partner, he really didn’t put a foot wrong defensively.

RCB: Auston Trusty – 7.5

Trusty seemed to be everywhere in the U.S. defensive area. He was credited with five clearances. Any time Uruguay tried to send service into their attacking area, he seemed to be there to put out the fire.

LB: John Tolkin – 6.5

A competent shift for the left back. He was clean on the ball and didn’t make many defensive mistakes. While he didn’t get as involved in the attack as his full-back counterpart, that really isn’t his role in the team.

CM: Aidan Morris – 7

While Morris didn’t have any spectacular moments like many of his teammates did, he was a force in the midfield. He was controlled and poised on the ball in possession, while being tenacious in the tackle when needed. He won possession for his side many times and helped set the tempo.

CM: Sebastian Berhalter – 8.5

A fantastic showing from the young midfielder who scored a banger for his first international goal. He continued to prove his value to the team on set pieces, setting up the second goal of the game with a corner kick. He remains a question mark in the run of play, but there’s no doubt that he’s an asset to the team with his dead ball abilities. If his name shows up on the final World Cup roster, his set piece prowess will be a huge reason why.

CM: Timothy Tillman – 7

Recorded an assist to Diego Luna to finish off the first half. He was once again tidy on the ball and able to pick out a forward pass. It’s unclear where he falls on the depth chart, but you can certainly add him to the list of capable midfielders for Pochettino to consider.

RW: Sergiño Dest – 7

Playing as an out-and-out attacker, Dest was his usual lively self. There aren’t many defenders in the world who want to see him coming at them one-on-one. He was credited with an assist and was a constant danger on the right flank. No matter the position, he has to be on the field to create chaos with his silky skills on the ball.

FW: Haji Wright – 6

It was a quiet night for the big striker with all the action happening around him. His hold-up play was hit or miss, while his off-the-ball runs were helping create gaps for his teammates to exploit. It wasn’t a bad night by any means, just an unspectacular one.

LW: Diego Luna – 7

It was one of the last chances for Luna to make his case for the World Cup squad, and he found the back of the net. His finish was clinical to wrap up a dream first half for the team. Other than the goal, he wasn’t overly influential in the attack. He was more of a passenger than a driving force, but a goal certainly won’t hurt his case for a roster spot come 2026.

Sub: Folarin Balogun – 5

Balogun had one or two chances to help score or create a goal after coming on, but failed to take advantage. It would be harsh to criticize him too much, considering he came into a lopsided match.

Sub: Gio Reyna – 7

Just minutes after coming off the bench, he set up Tessmann for a goal with a sublime pass from midfield. He continues to prove he’s one of the best players in the player pool.

Sub: Tanner Tessmann – 7

Scored his first international goal minutes after coming onto the field. It was a very nice headed finish after an even better run into the box. Coming off a very good performance on Saturday, he has to be creeping up the depth chart.

Sub: Brenden Aaronson – 5

Got a quick run out but didn’t have much influence on the match after coming on. His energy off the bench is an asset that could be utilized in the future.

Sub: Max Arfsten – 5

Didn’t have much to do other than see out the result. He wasn’t as adventurous going forward as he usually is, but that’s to be expecting considering the scenario he entered in.

Sub: Cristian Roldan – NR

A late sub who played two minutes.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

9 Mins Read

Top 10 Gold ETFs in 2025

Gold exchange-traded funds, or gold ETFs, have risen in popularity among investors who want precious metals exposure.

ETFs are similar to mutual funds in that they track assets such as stocks, bonds, currencies or commodities; a key difference is that ETFs can be bought and sold on exchanges, making them widely accessible. They provide considerable flexibility in implementing various investment strategies and in building investment portfolios.

Like other ETFs, gold ETFs are traded in the same manner as individual stocks, meaning that investing in the gold ETF market is similar to trading a stock on an exchange.

There are two main types of gold ETFs: those that track the gold price and those that hold investments in gold companies.

ETFs that follow the gold price give investors access to the yellow metal by holding either physical gold bullion or gold futures contracts. It is important to keep in mind that investing in the majority of gold ETFs does not allow investors to own any physical gold — in general, even a gold ETF that tracks physical gold cannot be redeemed for actual gold, although there are a few exceptions to that.

One more thing to keep in mind is that gold ETFs that hold physical gold are taxed as collectibles in the US, giving them a higher maximum capital gains rate, which is worth noting for investors in the highest tax bracket.

The other type of gold ETF invests in gold companies, providing exposure to gold mining, development and exploration stocks, as well as gold royalty stocks.

Read on to learn about the benefits of adding gold ETFs to your portfolio, the five largest gold ETFs by total assets and five top gold miner ETFs.

What are the benefits of gold ETFs?

Gold ETFs are fairly common today, and are a good choice for investors who want to invest in precious metals without trading gold futures or owning physical gold, such as gold coins or bars.

But gold ETFs are often considered a lower-risk investment, as they have a number of benefits for market participants and can open up a portfolio to diversification.

For example, physical gold is known for being a hedge against economic and political uncertainty, and owning shares of a gold ETF that offers exposure to the gold spot price provides investors with this same security without the hassle of buying and storing the yellow metal.

Since gold tends to rise when the US dollar is weak, purchasing a gold ETF could balance out any investment that has the potential to decline when the greenback does. Conversely, selling gold ETF holdings can be beneficial when the US dollar is making gains.

Gold ETFs that track gold companies give investors exposure to multiple companies in the space rather than having to choose specific stocks. This is an appealing option for those who want exposure to the sector without carrying the risks of investing in an individual stock.

Gold ETFs as a whole also offer security in that they are managed by yellow metal experts, so there is a better chance of making a profit than going it alone. Of course, it is important to keep in mind that, despite their less risky nature, gold ETFs are still affected by the rise and fall of the gold price.

Mutual funds are often compared to ETFs, but due to the fact that mutual funds can only be bought or sold at the close of the trading day, gold ETFs become more beneficial as they can be traded whenever the stock market is open, meaning movement is more liquid and not tied down by end-of-day trades.

Top 5 spot gold ETFs

The five gold ETFs below offer investors exposure to the spot price of gold by holding gold bullion. These options may be worth considering when it comes to getting exposure to the yellow metal’s price movements.

According to ETFdb.com, these gold ETFs were the largest gold ETFs by total assets as of November 13, 2025. The five largest gold ETFs all track the gold price.

1. SPDR Gold Shares (ARCA:GLD)

Total assets under management: US$139.14 billion
Unit price: US$380.58

The SPDR Gold Shares tracks the spot price of gold bullion and is determined by market forces in the 24 hour, over-the-counter market for gold. This market accounts for most global gold trade, and any quoted prices available to ETF investors reflect the latest available information.

Physical bullion comprises 100 percent of the ETF’s holdings, and its expense ratio is 0.4 percent. It offers investors a way to invest in gold that is much less costly than purchasing, storing and insuring bars or coins.

2. iShares Gold Trust (ARCA:IAU)

Total assets under management: US$64.22 billion
Unit price: US$79.04

Like the SPDR Gold Trust, the iShares Gold Trust ETF aims to track the spot price of gold bullion. Its expense ratio is 0.25 percent, and its holdings are allocated entirely to physical gold bullion. The aim is for the trust’s value to reflect the performance of the price of gold.

The physical gold the trust holds is in vaults in locations including New York, US; Toronto, Canada; and London, UK. Investors can purchase and sell shares through a traditional brokerage account throughout the trading day.

3. SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (ARCA:GLDM)

Total assets under management: US$23.33 billion
Unit price: US$81.89

The SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust offers investors one of the lowest available expense ratios for a US-listed ETF backed by physical gold at 0.1 percent. This ETF represents fractional, undivided beneficial ownership interests in the trust, which holds only physical gold bullion and, from time to time, cash.

4. Abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (ARCA:SGOL)

Total assets under management: US$6.95 billion
Unit price: US$39.43

The abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF aims to have its shares reflect the performance of the gold bullion price, minus the trust’s operating expenses, by holding 100 percent physical gold bars. This gold ETF has an expense ratio of 0.17 percent.

The gold backing the fund comes only in the form of London Good Delivery gold bullion bars refined on or after January 1, 2012, and held in secure vaults in London.

5. iShares Gold Trust Micro (ARCA:IAUM)

Total assets under management: US$5.52 billion
Unit price: US$41.84

The iShares Gold Trust Micro ETP is the lowest-cost physically backed gold ETP on the market with an expense ratio of just 0.09 percent. The fund is designed to provide exposure to the day-to-day movement of the price of gold bullion. The underlying gold bars are held in vaults.

Top 5 gold mining ETFs

These five gold stock ETFs are designed for investors looking to gain exposure to gold miners without the risk of holding individual gold stocks.

1. VanEck Gold Miners ETF (ARCA:GDX)

Total assets under management: US$23.89 billion
Unit price: US$79.18

The VanEck Gold Miners ETF provides investors with exposure to the largest global gold producers and royalty companies involved in the precious metals space and has an expense ratio of 0.51 percent. Nearly 90 percent of its holdings have market caps above US$5 billion.

This ETF’s top holdings include Agnico Eagle Mines (TSX:AEM,NYSE:AEM) with a weight of 7.9 percent, Newmont (NYSE:NEM,ASX:NEM) with 7.15 percent and AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU,JSE:ANG) with 5.71 percent.

Holdings are rebalanced quarterly with qualified companies having a market cap greater than US$150 million, US$1 million in average daily trading volume and a minimum of 250,000 shares traded per month.

2. VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (ARCA:GDXJ)

Total assets under management: US$8.66 billion
Unit price: US$101.24

Similar to the GDX above, the VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF provides investors with exposure to gold equities; however, it has a stronger focus on smaller gold mining companies and junior stocks, which carry higher risk, but also offer greater potential returns.

Its top holdings include Pan American Silver (TSX:PAAS) with a weight of 6.45 percent, Equinox Gold (TSX:EQX,NYSEAMERICAN:EQX) with 6.39 percent and Alamos Gold (TSX:AGI,NYSE:AGI) with 5.75 percent.

Holdings are reviewed in March and September, and rebalanced quarterly, with qualifications matching those for the VanEck Gold Miners ETF. Like the GDX, the GDXJ has an expense ratio of 0.51 percent.

3. iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF (Nasdaq:RING)

Total assets under management: US$2.63 billion
Unit price: US$67.87

BlackRock’s (NYSE:BLK) iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF provides investors with exposure to a diverse portfolio of global gold mining companies within the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) index and charges an expense ratio of 0.39 percent.

Top holdings in the fund include Newmont with a weight of 15.85 percent, Agnico Eagle with 13.33 percent and Barrick Mining (TSX:ABX,NYSE:B) with 8.92 percent.

4. Sprott Gold Miners ETF (ARCA:SGDM)

Total assets under management: US$611.45 million
Unit price: US$64.64

The Sprott (TSX:SII,NYSE:SII) Gold Miners ETF is an investment product designed to deliver returns that track the Solactive Gold Miners Custom Factors Index, which follows major gold equities listed on Canadian and US exchanges. The ETF is rebalanced quarterly and has a total operating expense of 0.5 percent.

Top holdings in the fund include Agnico Eagle with a weight of 12.41 percent, Newmont with 8.92 percent and Wheaton Precious Metals (TSX:WPM,NYSE:WPM) with 7.83 percent.

5. Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF (ARCA:SDGJ)

Total assets under management: US$280.97 million
Unit price: US$76.56

The Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF has also been designed to provide results tied to its underlying index, in this case, the Solactive Junior Gold Miners Custom Factors Index, which tracks companies with a market capitalization between US$200 million and US$3 billion.

The ETF is rebalanced semi-annually in March and September and carries a total management fee of 0.5 percent.

Top holdings in the fund include Bellevue Gold (ASX:BGL,OTC Pink:BELGF) with a weight of 5.04 percent, Novagold Resources (NYSE:NG) with 5.03 percent and Turk Altin Isletmeleri with 4.94 percent.

Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, currently hold a direct investment in Equinox Gold.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com