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Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Time to pay up: Toughest crackdown on late payments in a generation unveiled in plan to back small businesses

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Time to pay up: Toughest crackdown on late payments in a generation unveiled in plan to back small businesses

    UK Government unveils its Small Business Plan to support SMEs across the country

    • Government to tackle late payments with the most significant legislative reforms in 25 years – an issue that costs the UK economy £11bn a year and shuts down 38 businesses every day
    • UK set to have the toughest late payments laws in the G7 as part of reforms to back small businesses and unlock growth as part of the Plan for Change
    • New £4bn finance boost including 69,000 Start-Up Loans to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and small business owners

    Small businesses across the UK will benefit from the most comprehensive support package in a generation, as the government launches a bold new plan to give small businesses the tools to thrive and drive economic growth as part of its Plan for Change.

    Small and medium sized firms employ 60% of the country’s workforce and generate £2.8 trillion in turnover. However, for too long, the odds have been stacked against small businesses.

    From tradespeople and shopkeepers to start-up founders and family-run firms, too many work hard but don’t get the backing they deserve – held back by late payments and not getting the financial backing they need within a wider system that hasn’t worked in their favour.

    That’s why the Government is taking serious action to back small businesses and give them the tools they need to grow. This builds on the solid foundation of certainty and stability this government has already delivered—through the trade deals we’ve secured, four interest rate cuts, and a long-term industrial and trade strategy that’s helping businesses plan ahead with confidence.

    At the heart of the plan is a the most significant package of reforms in a generation to tackle late payments, with plans to introduce the toughest laws on late payments in the G7.

    Late payments are one of the biggest barriers to small business growth —causing cashflow problems that stop firms from scaling up and investing in their future. Every day, hardworking businesses close their doors because they aren’t paid on time.

    The new laws are set to give stronger powers to the Small Business Commissioner to empower them to wield fines, worth potentially millions of pounds, against the biggest firms who persistently choose to pay their suppliers late.

    The Small Business Commissioner will be given new powers to carry out spot checks and enforce a 30-day invoice verification period to speed up resolutions to disputes. The upcoming legislation will also introduce maximum payment terms of 60 days, reducing to 45 days, giving firms certainty they’ll be paid on time.

    Audit committees, under the proposals, will also be legally required to scrutinise payment practices at board level, placing greater pressure on large firms to show they’re treating small suppliers fairly backed by mandatory interest charges for those who pay late.

    These changes will also save small businesses valuable time, freeing up hours currently spent chasing overdue invoices so they can focus on growing their business instead. Taken together, this will help ensure businesses are paid on time and end the scourge of late payments which costs the UK economy £11bn per year and closes down 38 UK businesses every day.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    “From builders and electricians to freelance designers and manufacturers—too many hardworking people are being forced to spend precious hours chasing payments instead of doing what they do best – growing their businesses.

    “It’s unfair, it’s exhausting, and it’s holding Britain back. So, our message is clear: it’s time to pay up.

    “Through our Small Business Plan, we’re not only tackling the scourge of late payments once and for all, but we’re giving small business owners the backing and stability they need for their business to thrive, driving growth across the country through our Plan for Change.”

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:   

    “This country is home to some of the brightest entrepreneurs and innovative businesses in the world, and we want to unleash their full potential by giving them back time and money to do what they do best – growing our local economies.

    “Our Small Business plan – the first in over a decade –  is slashing unnecessary admin costs, making it easier for businesses to set up shop and giving SMEs the financial backing they need.

    “This is our Plan for Change in action, putting more money in people’s pockets, boosting local communities and ensuring Britain is a great place to do business and thrive.”

    Small Business Minister Gareth Thomas said:

    “I want the UK to be the best place in the world to start a business, grow and succeed – and that’s why we’ve taken bold steps today. 

    “Too many small firms go under each year because they aren’t paid on time – that is completely unacceptable.

    “I hear all too often about businesses who just don’t have the cash needed to start up or grow. Today, we’ve announced measures as part of our Plan for Change to tackle all of those issues and beyond. This is the government listening to businesses, working with them, and delivering real change.”

    Policy Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Tina McKenzie, said:

    “Making sure businesses are paid on time, that our high streets thrive, and creating conditions in which everyone can start and succeed in business are crucial priorities for small businesses, communities and the economy. It’s very welcome that the Prime Minister has today made them his Government’s priorities.

     “I’m pleased that FSB and the Government have been able to work in lockstep on the bold and ambitious measures needed to tackle the scourge of late payment through legislation, and other pro-growth, pro-small business measures.

    “Today’s plan is an encouraging commitment from the Government to take the side of small businesses in the great growth challenge ahead.”

    Charlie Shaw, owner of Flock and Herd butchers in Peckham said:

    “We’re proud to pay every supplier on time and once we receive an invoice, so it’s fantastic to see the government put the Small Business Plan into place tackling the big issue of late payments.

    “We believe this is a fair and honest way to conduct business. It gives us a clear and current understanding of how our business is performing. Our relationships with our suppliers have been amazing and truly beneficial to all parties.” 

    As part of the plan, the government is also tackling another major barrier for small businesses – access to finance. Despite the UK’s world-leading financial services sector, many small firms struggle to secure the funding they need to invest, expand, or even survive.

    To address this, the Government is launching a new £4 billion wave of financial support aimed at boosting growth and supporting more small businesses to start up and grow. This includes a £1bn boost for new businesses, with 69,000 Start-Up Loans and mentoring support to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and small business owners.

    The Government is also going further by delivering a new £3 billion boost to the British Business Bank – raising the total guarantee to £5 billion – to help lenders offer more small business loans through the ‘ENABLE programme’. Under the scheme, the BBB provides a government-backed guarantee to help lenders feel safer when lending to smaller or newer businesses, enabling them to offer better loan terms including with lower interest.

    These measures aim to break down long-standing barriers that have made it harder for small businesses to access the funding they need to get off the ground by making finance and loans more accessible, affordable, and fair.

    Accelerating SME growth by just 1 percentage point per year, could deliver £320bn to the UK economy by 2030. All of these measures announced today back small businesses to the hilt and build on action already taken by this government to create the conditions for businesses to thrive:

    • Slashing of red tape to boost the hospitality and arts sector through hospitality zones and licensing reforms following the Licensing Taskforce co-chaired with Nick Mackenzie, Greene King CEO
    • High Street Rental Auctions to fill vacant high street premises
    • A revamped Board of Trade to get more small firms exporting around the world
    • The new Business Growth Service to ensure SMEs have access to key support
    • We’ve set out that we intend to introduce permanently lower business rates multipliers for the hard-hit retail, hospitality and leisure sector. 

    Notes to editors

    Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder, Small Business Britain, said:

    “I am thrilled to see the Small Business Plan launched today, putting the nation’s smallest businesses at the heart of Government strategy where it should be. These job creators and economy builders will benefit from a huge boost to funding through the British Business Bank, a boost to skills, support for high streets and a long hoped for legislative backing for getting paid on time. We will not see economic growth without small business growth, so I am eager to get on and help the Government deliver on this agenda – and help small businesses regardless of their background start, grow and thrive.”

    Simon Groom, CEO of MagnifyB, said: 

    “MagnifyB welcomes the UK Government’s action to tackle late payments, which will give small businesses the cash flow stability they need to thrive. Alongside this, there is a clear need to provide micro and small businesses with far more than just a repository of information, including a practical digital toolset to strengthen their operations and improve their chances of long-term success. We hope that the new Small Business Commissioner can be instrumental in bringing together ideas and championing the initiatives needed to make this support a reality.”

    Julianne Ponan MBE, Founder of Creative Nature, a small business that exports top 14 Allergen Free Baking Mixes and Snacks to 16 countries, said:

    “I’m delighted to see the government’s new SME Strategy recognising the critical role small businesses play both at home and globally. From tackling late payments to simplifying access to growth advice and support, these measures are a lifeline for SMEs like mine who often face disproportionate challenges with limited resources. I’m especially encouraged by the commitment to reduce administrative burdens by 25% and improve access to finance both are major barriers to growth for underrepresented founders, including women and ethnic minority entrepreneurs. The focus on revitalising the high street, digital skills, and exporting support shows that the government is listening to the needs of small businesses.”

    • The full plan will be published later this morning on Gov.uk We have launched a public consultation to seek views on our proposed legislative measures to ensure companies pay their suppliers quickly and on time. Please go to GOV.UK for details of the proposed measures.
    • Today’s announcement builds on the foundation of the government putting the public finances on a sustainable path – providing long-term direction, stability, and confidence for small businesses to thrive. This has paid off – interest rates have been cut four times in the last 12 months and in the first three months of 2025, Britain was the fastest growing economy in the G7.
    • The Government has also extended 40% business rates relief for 250,000 firms until April 2026 protected bills from inflation, and ensured over 700,000 properties pay no rates at all. This is creating a fairer business rates system to protect the high street, support investment, and level the playing field as we intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties from next year.
    • This has included 865,000 small businesses being protected from the NICs rise because of the Employment Allowance increase to £10500, whilst 700,000 small business properties do not pay business rates at all because of Small Business Rates Relief. Corporation tax has been capped at 25% – the lowest headline rate of Corporate Tax in the G7 – for the duration of parliament.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Update 306 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

    The IAEA team based at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) carried out independent measurements today to confirm that there had been no increase in radiation levels at the site, contrary to some social media posts overnight, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

    Using IAEA monitoring equipment, the team members measured only normal levels during a site walkdown. Their measurements confirmed other data collected separately at the site, as well as information provided by the plant itself.

    “The team took immediate action after becoming aware of these social media reports, enabling us to provide assurances that radiation levels remained unchanged. Once again, this shows the importance of the IAEA’s presence at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant and Ukraine’s other nuclear power sites. Thanks to this presence, we can provide timely, factual and impartial technical information to the public about nuclear safety and security in Ukraine,” Director General Grossi said.

    The general nuclear safety situation at the ZNPP remains precarious, however, with the plant continuing to rely on one single power line for the electricity it needs to cool its reactors and for other essential nuclear safety and security functions. Before the conflict, it had access to 10 external power lines.

    In addition, the IAEA team reported hearing military activities almost every day over the past week, at different distances from the site, which is located on the frontline.

    Earlier this week, the team members performed a walkdown of a turbine hall of one reactor unit where they were once again denied access to the western part of the hall.

    The IAEA teams present at Ukraine’s operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) — Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs – and the Chornobyl NPP site reported hearing air raid alarms nearly every day over the past week. At Khmelnytskyy, the team had to shelter twice on 28 July.

    Three of Ukraine’s nine operating reactor units continued to be in shutdown for refuelling and maintenance, including work on some of the off-site power lines.

    As part of the IAEA’s comprehensive assistance programme to support nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, the Slavutych City Hospital this week received mobile radiography equipment and the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center and Hydrometeorological organizations of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine received laboratory equipment. These deliveries were funded by Australia, the European Union and Norway.  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Canada: Statement by Prime Minister Carney on Canada’s recognition of a Palestinian state

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    “Canada has long been committed to a two-state solution – an independent, viable, and sovereign Palestinian state living side by side with the State of Israel in peace and security.

    For decades, it was hoped that this outcome would be achieved as part of a peace process built around a negotiated settlement between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority.

    Regrettably, this approach is no longer tenable. Prospects for a two-state solution have been steadily and gravely eroded, including by:

    • The pervasive threat of Hamas terrorism to Israel and its people, culminating in the heinous terrorist attack of October 7, 2023, and Hamas’ longstanding violent rejection of Israel’s right to exist and a two-state solution.
    • The accelerated settlement building across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, while settler violence against Palestinians has soared.
    • Actions such as the E1 Settlement Plan and this month’s vote by the Knesset calling for the annexation of the West Bank.
    • The ongoing failure by the Israeli government to prevent the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian disaster in Gaza, with impeded access to food and other essential humanitarian supplies.

    The deepening suffering of civilians leaves no room for delay in co-ordinated international action to support peace, security, and the dignity of all human life. Preserving a two-state solution means standing with all people who choose peace over violence or terrorism, and honouring their innate desire for the peaceful co-existence of Israeli and Palestinian states as the only roadmap for a secure and prosperous future.

    For these reasons, Canada intends to recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025.

    This intention is predicated on the Palestinian Authority’s commitment to much-needed reforms, including the commitments by Palestinian Authority President Abbas to fundamentally reform its governance, to hold general elections in 2026 in which Hamas can play no part, and to demilitarize the Palestinian state. Canada will increase its efforts in supporting strong, democratic governance in Palestine and the contributions of its people to a more peaceful and hopeful future.

    We reiterate that Hamas must immediately release all hostages taken in the horrific terrorist attack of October 7; that Hamas must disarm; and that Hamas must play no role in the future governance of Palestine. Canada will always steadfastly support Israel’s existence as an independent state in the Middle East living in peace and security. Any path to lasting peace for Israel also requires a viable and stable Palestinian state, and one that recognizes Israel’s inalienable right to security and peace.

    Canada has already committed over $340 million in humanitarian aid to address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. We are further committing $30 million in new funding to help address the needs of Palestinian civilians, and providing an additional $10 million to support the Palestinian Authority’s role in stabilizing and governing the West Bank. We are working with our allies to deliver immediate assistance to those in dire need.

    We will intensify our efforts with our international partners to develop a credible peace plan that establishes governance and security arrangements for Palestine and ensures the delivery of humanitarian aid at the necessary scale to Gaza. Canada will be a constructive partner in building a just, meaningful, and lasting peace in the region, and a future that respects the dignity, security, and aspirations of all Palestinians and Israelis.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Tonko Demands DHS Restore Funding for UAlbany Mesonet Weather Detection Program

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Paul Tonko (Capital Region New York)

    ALBANY, NY — Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), along with Representatives John Mannion (NY-22) and Joe Morelle (NY-25) today sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem urging the Trump Administration reverse its decision to terminate funding for the Exploiting Mesonet for Emergency Preparedness and Response to Weather Extremes (EMPOWER) project.

    In 2023, the DHS awarded the University at Albany $3 million for this grant project to improve emergency management and deliver accurate, real-time forecasting for severe weather. But, earlier this month, that funding was abruptly terminated.

    “Developed in partnership between DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate and the University at Albany, EMPOWER is exactly the kind of forward-looking, science-based emergency management program our nation needs as extreme weather, and natural disasters grow more frequent, intense, and deadly,” the lawmakers write.

    The letter continues, “At the core of EMPOWER’s success is the New York State Mesonet, a state-of-the-art network of 127 weather stations that supplements National Weather Service observations. This is a moment that demands leadership and bold investment in resilience. In just the past few weeks, catastrophic flooding in Texas and record-setting heat across the country have underscored the urgency of strengthening our preparedness. Cutting off funding for a proven emergency response program amid an escalating climate crisis is not just short-sighted, it is dangerous.

    “The stakes are simply too high to abandon tools and technologies that can help save lives.”

    For years, Tonko has worked to strengthen and support the nation’s weather preparedness. Last Congress, he introduced the bipartisan National Mesonet Authorization Act alongside Representative Stephanie Bice (R-OK), legislation that would increase the overall coverage and accuracy of our current National Mesonet program.

    Earlier this month, UAlbany sent a letter inviting DHS Secretary Noem to visit the campus and tour their facilities to lean more about how the university’s essential research supports DHS’s work and mission. UAlbany also sent a letter to the New York congressional delegation requesting support from members in helping to reinstate a $3 million DHS research grant.

    The full letter to DHS Secretary Noem can be found HERE or below:

    Dear Secretary Noem,

    We write to express our strong objection to the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to terminate funding for the Exploiting Mesonets for Emergency Preparedness and Response to Weather Extremes (EMPOWER) project. This action not only undermines years of progress in public safety and emergency preparedness, but it also puts lives at risk. We ask you to reverse this decision and reinstate the $3 million grant supporting this initiative without delay.

    Developed in partnership between DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate and the University at Albany, EMPOWER is exactly the kind of forward-looking, science-based emergency management program our nation needs as extreme weather, and natural disasters grow more frequent, intense, and deadly. It provides emergency managers and first responders with real[1]time, localized data to improve decision-making and response times, giving communities a better chance to prepare for and withstand extreme weather events.

    At the core of EMPOWER’s success is the New York State Mesonet, a state-of-the-art network of 127 weather stations that supplements National Weather Service observations. The Mesonet fills gaps in our national monitoring infrastructure and provides the high-resolution, real-time data that emergency response systems increasingly depend on.

    This is a moment that demands leadership and bold investment in resilience. In just the past few weeks, catastrophic flooding in Texas and record-setting heat across the country have underscored the urgency of strengthening our preparedness. Cutting off funding for a proven emergency response program amid an escalating climate crisis is not just short-sighted, it is dangerous.

    For a modest federal investment, EMPOWER is delivering high-impact results. This administration has emphasized the importance of supporting state and local partners in disaster preparedness EMPOWER embodies that collaboration, demonstrating how strategic partnerships between federal science agencies, academia, and state governments can produce innovative, life-saving solutions.

    We urge you to reinstate full funding for the EMPOWER initiative and ensure that the University at Albany and its partners can continue advancing this critical work. The stakes are simply too high to abandon tools and technologies that can help save lives.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Killing weeds and wildings for economic growth

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Tourism and rural businesses will benefit from Government action to eradicate invasive weeds from popular landscapes including progressing the development of world-leading early detection technology, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. 

    The Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai is New Zealand’s biggest tourism provider – conservation tourism is worth $3.4 billion a year – but the ongoing protection of our iconic landscapes is facing significant financial and environmental challenges,” Mr Potaka says.

    “Tourism is a key part of our plan to grow the economy to create jobs, lift wages and help Kiwis get ahead. Through the International Visitor Levy (IVL), we’re providing $10 million over the next three years to ensure our popular mountains, parks, and islands, remain beautiful for years to come.

    “Locations include Abel Tasman, Aoraki / Mt Cook, Tongariro, Stewart Island, Mackenzie Basin, Molesworth, and Te Paki and North Cape / Otou near Cape Reinga.

    “In Aotearoa New Zealand, nearly two million hectares are affected by wilding pines. Without intervention, these trees can spread at a rate of five per cent per year. The cost of this to New Zealand’s nature, productivity and economy can grow exponentially over time. 

    “I’ve announced an extra $3 million to the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme, led by Biosecurity New Zealand, for important control work in the Molesworth and Mackenzie Basin areas. This builds on significant previous IVL investments to urgently tackle wilding conifers across Canterbury, Marlborough, Otago and on Rangitoto in the Hauraki Gulf.

    “A further $7.45 million will go towards managing other significant weeds. For example in Rakiura, Abel Tasman, Te Paki, and North Cape/Otou, such as marram, spartina, and pampas grasses that affect natural dune and estuary ecosystems, and our coastal scenery.

    “When it comes to tackling invasive weeds, taking early action is essential. IVL funding will also go towards the development and rollout of an innovative, smart software tool to detect weeds when they first invade. 

    Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard highlighted the annual boost in funding to combat wilding pines, which threaten farmland, water catchments, and native biodiversity, while increasing the risk of wildfires.

    “The Government is focused on protecting the productive heart of our economy – our rural communities. That’s why there has been significant investment into the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme, including an extra $2 million announced in Budget and annual $10 million baseline funding. 

    “Since 2016, the Government has committed more than $150 million to the fight to contain and control the spread of wilding pines, alongside more than $33 million contributed by partners and communities.” 

    “This year’s investment continues to support the people doing the work alongside Government – regional councils, Iwi, farmers, researchers, and volunteers, whose combined effort has pushed back some of the worst infestations and protected key landscapes,” says Mr Hoggard.

    Notes to editor: The funding covers work across the next three years (2025 –2028) and comes from money raised under the new $100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy rate. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Heritage tourism boost to support local economies

    Source: New Zealand Government

    A $4.5 million investment to develop tourism at places with unique cultural heritage will help create jobs and boost incomes in rural economies, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. 

    “This investment over the next three years from the International Visitor Levy will expand Tohu Whenua experiences to more regions with Manawatū-Whanganui and Murihiku Southland next,” Mr Potaka says.

    “Tohu Whenua is a tourism and regional economic development programme that helps create jobs, boost incomes, and connect visitors to places with unique cultural heritage. 

    “Sites which received Tohu Whenua status previously have seen increases of up to 150 per cent in visitation in their first year in the programme.

    “Expansion of the programme across more regions will support high-quality authentic visitor experiences with enhanced storytelling, information and facilities.

    “Recently added sites include Kate Sheppard House, and Kaikōura Peninsula in Canterbury. They joined others including the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Te Ana Ngāi Tahu Māori Rock Art Centre in Timaru, and Historic Hayes in Otago.

    “DOC is responsible for over 15,000 heritage places across New Zealand, from pā to whaling stations, light houses, WWII defences and mining relics. Tourism to these places is estimated to be worth around $1.3 billion per year.

    “I encourage everyone to look out for Tohu Whenua sites around Aotearoa New Zealand. These offer rich stories, variety and cultural exchange, encouraging visitors to stay longer in a region and delve deeper. In turn, they support local economies by spending more on attractions, accommodation, hospitality and retail.”

    Notes to editor:

    Tohu Whenua is a partnership between Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and DOC, with support from Te Puni Kōkiri, Manatū Taonga — Ministry for Culture & Heritage and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

    Tohu Whenua currently includes 39 sites. Many of these are in public conservation areas. Launched in 2016, the programme is successfully operating in four regions:

    Northland Te Tai Tokerau (9 sites)
    Otago (12 sites)
    West Coast Te Tai Poutini (7 sites)
    Canterbury Waitaha (11 sites launched in June 2025). 

    The programme is working towards nation-wide coverage and will be rolling out to Manawatū-Whanganui and Murihiku Southland next. 

    Figures for Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga properties show the increase in visitors in the first year of becoming a Tohu Whenua site: 

    Clendon House                                          61% increase
    Pompallier Mission and Printery        35% increase
    Māngungu Mission                                    156% increase
    Waitangi Treaty Grounds                        7% increase
    Historic Hayes                                            10% increase 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Strengthening sustainable tourism at iconic sites

    Source: New Zealand Government

    A $17.5 million investment into strengthening sustainable tourism at some of the country’s most popular natural attractions will support jobs and incomes for regional economies, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.

    “Our beautiful Conservation lands are one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s biggest drawcards, attracting $3.4 billion into our economy from tourism a year. However, the ongoing protection of our landscapes is facing financial and environmental challenges. 

    “$13.6 million over three years will improve visitor planning and management at the beautiful Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, Piopiotahi Milford Sound and Matiu / Somes Island on Wellington’s doorstep.

    “This investment ensures the conservation areas and facilities that attract tourists to our regions continues to deliver on its promise of stunning nature.

    “This includes more dedicated staff at visitor centres during peak times. It means more summer rangers to look after facilities, share information about the outdoors, wildlife and history and ensure people are visiting responsibly. 

    “$3.9 million over two years will go to improving service and management of some of New Zealand’s popular Great Walks and Department of Conservation campsites.

    “As well as offering so much to New Zealanders, public conservation lands and water support around 2,000 tourism concessions. For example, there are currently more than 560 active guiding permits.

    “Conservation areas, tracks and facilities are also vital for local economies right across the country, like Mautohe Cathedral Cove on the Coromandel Peninsula, and Tuatapere in Southland.

    “Tourism is a crucial part of the Government’s focus on economic growth, with domestic and international tourism expenditure at $44.4 billion and supporting more than 300,000 jobs.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Stronger accountability for your rates

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Key metrics published today show how much councils are spending and what they are spending it on, which has a direct impact on your rates, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says.

    “We know it is really tough out there and the cost of living is the biggest worry for households. Councils need to show they are wisely spending ratepayers’ hard-earned money.

    “Ratepayers place immense trust in their local councils who make key decisions on local infrastructure, fiscal management, and how their community operates on a day-to-day basis on their behalf.

    “Some ratepayers are getting more and more fed up with rising rates hitting pockets harder than ever. This isn’t fair during a cost-of-living crisis where many Kiwis are doing it tough. It is important that ratepayers can see how their council is performing and what it is delivering for their community.

    “That’s why the Government is putting clear facts and figures directly into the hands of ratepayers. When ratepayers know more about how their council is performing and where their money is going, they can engage more effectively and ask the tough questions.

    “For instance, communities can now compare how much their council spends on core essentials like infrastructure and see whether their rates are going up more than average.

    “We have been clear that we want to see councils get back to basics, focusing on delivering essential services and infrastructure, improving local decision-making, and supporting their communities through the cost of living – not adding to it.

    “Releasing these performance metrics aligns with our commitment to lifting the performance of local government. It is an opportunity for councils that are focused on their core functions to highlight their efficiency and value to their communities.”

    The Government is also actively exploring a rates capping system.

    “Given the current pressures on households, the degree of rates increases is a massive worry. We’re actively exploring a rates capping system to ensure councils are spending ratepayers’ money responsibly,” Mr Watts says.

    The metrics include information on council demographics, rates revenue, debt, staffing and expenditure, with benchmarking based on groupings of similar councils.

    As an annual publication, the information will be developed over time to paint a fuller picture of council performance across New Zealand.

    This year’s council profiles and group comparison tables are available on https://www.dia.govt.nz/local-government-performance-metrics.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Marines Mobilize Without Delay: Shift from Exercise to Crisis Response

    Source: United States Marines

    U.S. Marines postured around the globe serve as America’s rapid crisis response force, ready to meet the Nation’s needs at a moment’s notice. On July 26 Marine Corps readiness was on display, when U.S. Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363, operating under Marine Rotational Force–Darwin, deployed four MV-22B Ospreys more than 1,950 nautical miles from Darwin, Australia, to Clark Air Base, Philippines.

    MIL Security OSI –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Euronet and CoreCard Announce Merger Agreement to Unlock Global Opportunities in Credit Card Issuing and Processing

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEAWOOD, Kan. and NORCROSS, Ga., July 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Euronet (NASDAQ: EEFT), a global leader in payments processing and cross-border transactions, and CoreCard Corporation (NYSE: CCRD), a leading provider of innovative credit technology solutions and processing services to the financial technology and services market, today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement for Euronet to acquire CoreCard in a stock-for-stock merger transaction that values CoreCard at approximately $248 million, or $30 per share of CoreCard common stock. The exchange ratio and other terms of the transaction are described below.

    The proposed transaction marks a pivotal step in accelerating Euronet’s strategic goal of a more diversified, future-ready revenue mix, that is anchored in scalable, modern platforms designed for the next generation of digital financial services across the globe.

    Acquisition to Add a Proven Credit Card Platform and Marquee Clients to Fuel Euronet’s Growth Strategy

    CoreCard’s platform is proven and trusted by some of the most respected names in finance and technology, and has been instrumental in launching one of the most successful co-branded credit card offerings in U.S. history in partnership with Goldman Sachs. This credibility, combined with CoreCard’s deep expertise in credit products, positions Euronet to compete in a sizeable market traditionally dominated by a few legacy providers.

    The CoreCard modern architecture enables faster deployment, easier integrations, and the flexibility to support rapid innovation, which are key advantages in today’s world of payments, where banks and fintechs are looking to embed financial experiences in their customer journeys. This has enabled CoreCard to support diverse, bespoke use cases for fintech innovators such as Cardless, who has recently been chosen as the partner for the Coinbase credit card.

    “More than a product expansion, this acquisition will be a catalyst for long-term growth, and we expect it to be accretive in the first full year post close,” said Michael J. Brown, Euronet’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “By integrating CoreCard’s platform with our own Ren architecture and global distribution network, we will be positioned to become a leading modern card issuer and innovation partner for the next generation of digital finance. This acquisition is a natural extension of our strategy to invest in scalable, high-margin businesses that align with long-term market trends. We also value and respect the work of CoreCard’s employees, who we are eager to welcome to Euronet, and we look forward to their contributions to our company in the future.”

    “Joining Euronet marks an exciting new chapter for CoreCard,” said Leland Strange, CEO of CoreCard. “Our team has built a modern, resilient credit card processing platform that serves some of the largest companies and financial institutions in the world. We’re excited to bring our capabilities to a global stage. We have spent a lot of time and diligence over the last year exploring the right ‘fit’ for what our team has built over many years, and we believe this is a great outcome for the team and our shareholders. We are joining with a company that has also been built on a strong foundation over many years that has kept a strong team and customer-focused culture with a focus on innovation.”

    Time and Approvals

    The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of both Euronet and CoreCard, and is expected to close in late 2025, subject to approval by CoreCard shareholders and the satisfaction of certain other customary closing conditions, including the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.

    Transaction Details

    Under the terms of the merger agreement, each share of CoreCard common stock will be exchanged for a number of shares of Euronet common stock equal to an exchange ratio between 0.2783 and 0.3142, calculated as $30 divided by the volume weighted average share price of Euronet common stock over the 15-trading day period ending on and including the second to last trading day prior to the closing date (the “Final Euronet Stock Price”), subject to a floor of $95.48 per share and a ceiling of $107.80 per share. CoreCard shareholders will receive 0.3142 Euronet shares for each of their CoreCard shares if the Final Euronet Stock Price is at or below $95.48, and 0.2783 Euronet shares for each of their CoreCard shares if the Final Euronet Stock Price is at or above $107.80.

    Advisors

    Stinson LLP is acting as outside counsel to Euronet. Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP is acting as outside counsel to CoreCard. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, a Stifel Company, provided certain financial advice to the board of directors of CoreCard.

    About CoreCard

    CoreCard Corporation (NYSE: CCRD) provides a modern card issuing platform built for the future of global transactions in an embedded digital world. Dedicated to continual technological innovation in the ever-evolving payments industry backed by decades of deep expertise in credit card offerings, CoreCard helps customers conceptualize, implement, and manage all aspects of their issuing card programs. Keenly focused on steady, sustainable growth, CoreCard has earned the trust of some of the largest companies and financial institutions in the world, providing truly real-time transactions via their proven, reliable platform operating on private on-premise and leading cloud technology infrastructure.

    About Euronet

    A global leader in payments processing and cross-border transactions, Euronet moves money in all the ways consumers and businesses depend upon. This includes money transfers, credit/debit processing, ATMs, point-of-sale services, branded payments, currency exchange and more. With products and services in more than 200 countries and territories provided through its own brand and branded business segments, Euronet and its financial technologies and networks make participation in the global economy easier, faster and more secure for everyone. Visit the company’s website at www.euronetworldwide.com. 

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This communication contains “forward-looking statements” within the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements and other forward-looking statements in this document by words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “can,” “could,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “predict,” “project,” “future,” “potential,” “intend,” “plan,” “assume,” “believe,” “forecast,” “look,” “build,” “focus,” “create,” “work,” “continue,” “target,” “poised,” “advance,” “drive,” “aim,” “forecast,” “approach,” “seek,” “schedule,” “position,” “pursue,” “progress,” “budget,” “outlook,” “trend,” “guidance,” “commit,” “on track,” “objective,” “goal,” “strategy,” “opportunity,” “ambitions,” “aspire” and similar expressions, and variations or negative of such terms or other variations thereof. Words and terms of similar substance used in connection with any discussion of future plans, actions, or events identify forward-looking statements.

    Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, such statements regarding the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement’), dated as of July 30, 2025, by and among CoreCard, Euronet and Genesis Merger Sub Inc. (the “Transaction”), including the expected timing of the closing of the Transaction; future financial and operating results; benefits and synergies of the Transaction; future opportunities for the combined company; the conversion of equity interests contemplated by the Merger Agreement; the issuance of common stock of Euronet contemplated by the Merger Agreement; the expected filing by Euronet with the SEC of the Registration Statement and the proxy statement/prospectus; the ability of the parties to complete the proposed Transaction considering the various closing conditions and any other statements about future expectations that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All such forward-looking statements are based upon current plans, estimates, expectations and ambitions that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond the control of Euronet and CoreCard, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the Transaction, including the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required governmental and regulatory approvals of the Transaction; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the definitive agreement; the possibility that CoreCard’s shareholders may not approve the Transaction; the risk that the parties may not be able to satisfy the conditions to the Transaction in a timely manner or at all; risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the Transaction; the risk that any announcements relating to the Transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of Euronet’s common stock; the risk that the Transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the parties’ business relationships and business generally, including the ability of CoreCard or Euronet to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with their suppliers and customers, and on their operating results and businesses generally; the risk of unforeseen or unknown liabilities; customer, shareholder, regulatory and other stakeholder approvals and support; the risk of potential litigation relating to the Transaction that could be instituted against CoreCard or its directors and/or officers; the risk associated with third party contracts containing material consent, anti-assignment, transfer or other provisions that may be related to the Transaction which are not waived or otherwise satisfactorily resolved; the risk of rating agency actions and Euronet’s ability to access short- and long-term debt markets on a timely and affordable basis; the risk of various events that could disrupt operations, including: conditions in world financial markets and general economic conditions; inflation; the war in Ukraine and the related economic sanctions; and military conflicts in the Middle East.

    These risks, as well as other risks related to the proposed Transaction, will be described in the Registration Statement that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed Transaction. While the list of factors presented here and the list of factors to be presented in the Registration Statement are considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Additional factors that may affect future results are contained in each company’s filings with the SEC, including each company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as it may be updated from time to time by quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, all of which are available at the SEC’s website http://www.sec.gov. Euronet regularly posts important information to the investor relations section of its website. Any forward-looking statements made in this release speak only as of the date of this release. Except as may be required by law, neither Euronet nor CoreCard intends to update these forward-looking statements and undertakes no duty to any person to provide any such update under any circumstances.

    Important Information for Investors and Stockholders

    In connection with the proposed transaction, Euronet plans to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”), which will include a proxy statement of CoreCard that also constitutes a prospectus of Euronet, and any other documents in connection with the transaction. After the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to the holders of common stock of CoreCard. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF CORECARD AND EURONET ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTION WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT EURONET, CORECARD, THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. The registration statement and proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed by Euronet or CoreCard with the SEC, when filed, will be available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, investors and stockholders may obtain free copies of documents that are filed or will be filed with the SEC by Euronet, including the registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus, on Euronet’s website at https://ir.euronetworldwide.com/for-investors, and may obtain free copies of documents that are filed or will be filed with the SEC by CoreCard, including the proxy statement/prospectus, on CoreCard’s website at https://investors.CoreCard.com/. The information included on, or accessible through, Euronet’s or CoreCard’s website is not incorporated by reference into this press release.

    No Offer or Solicitation

    This press release is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to appropriate registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

    Participants in the Solicitation

    Euronet and CoreCard and their respective directors, executive officers and other employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from CoreCard’s shareholders in connection with the proposed Transaction. A description of participants’ direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the proposed Transaction when it is filed with the SEC. Information regarding Euronet’s directors and executive officers is contained in the definitive proxy statement, dated April 4, 2025, for its 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, and in Euronet’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. Information regarding CoreCard’s directors and executive officers is contained in CoreCard’s definitive proxy statement, dated April 14, 2025, for its 2025 annual meeting of shareholders, and CoreCard’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. Additional information regarding ownership of Euronet’s securities by its directors and executive officers, and of ownership of CoreCard’s securities by its directors and executive officers, is included in each such person’s SEC filings on Forms 3 and 4. These documents and the other SEC filings described in this paragraph may be obtained free of charge as described above under the heading “Important Information for Investors and Stockholders.”

    The MIL Network –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Update 306 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

    The IAEA team based at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) carried out independent measurements today to confirm that there had been no increase in radiation levels at the site, contrary to some social media posts overnight, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

    Using IAEA monitoring equipment, the team members measured only normal levels during a site walkdown. Their measurements confirmed other data collected separately at the site, as well as information provided by the plant itself.

    “The team took immediate action after becoming aware of these social media reports, enabling us to provide assurances that radiation levels remained unchanged. Once again, this shows the importance of the IAEA’s presence at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant and Ukraine’s other nuclear power sites. Thanks to this presence, we can provide timely, factual and impartial technical information to the public about nuclear safety and security in Ukraine,” Director General Grossi said.

    The general nuclear safety situation at the ZNPP remains precarious, however, with the plant continuing to rely on one single power line for the electricity it needs to cool its reactors and for other essential nuclear safety and security functions. Before the conflict, it had access to 10 external power lines.

    In addition, the IAEA team reported hearing military activities almost every day over the past week, at different distances from the site, which is located on the frontline.

    Earlier this week, the team members performed a walkdown of a turbine hall of one reactor unit where they were once again denied access to the western part of the hall.

    The IAEA teams present at Ukraine’s operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) — Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs – and the Chornobyl NPP site reported hearing air raid alarms nearly every day over the past week. At Khmelnytskyy, the team had to shelter twice on 28 July.

    Three of Ukraine’s nine operating reactor units continued to be in shutdown for refuelling and maintenance, including work on some of the off-site power lines.

    As part of the IAEA’s comprehensive assistance programme to support nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, the Slavutych City Hospital this week received mobile radiography equipment and the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center and Hydrometeorological organizations of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine received laboratory equipment. These deliveries were funded by Australia, the European Union and Norway.  

    MIL OSI NGO –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Australia: Fast food, screens, and no greens: A recipe for teen health trouble

    Source:

    31 July 2025

    When a cheeseburger costs less than a punnet of strawberries, it’s clear the odds are stacked against healthy choices – especially for teenagers.

    Now, new research from the University of South Australia shows that it’s not just unhealthy eating habits affecting teens, but an alarming clustering of poor lifestyle choices that’s putting the majority of teenagers at serious risk of preventable diseases later in life.

    In a study of more than 293,770 teenagers aged 12-17 – from 73 countries, across five world Health Organization (WHO) regions – researchers assessed habit clustering, including exercise, healthy food consumption and screen time, finding that:

    • 85% did not get enough exercise
    • 80% did not eat enough fruit and vegetables
    • 50% regularly consumed fast food
    • 39% had too many soft drinks
    • 32% spent excessive time on screens.

    Overall, more than 92.5% of teenagers reported two or more unhealthy behaviours, which puts them at increased risk of developing chronic diseases like obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

    Specifically, 7% of teenagers reported one unhealthy behaviour; 30% of teenagers had two; 36.5% had three; 21.5% had four; and 4.5% had five unhealthy behaviours. Across all WHO regions, less than 1% of teenagers exhibited no unhealthy behaviours.

    It’s timely research in light of the South Australian government’s new ’LiveLighter’ campaign to tackle obesity.

    Lead researcher, UniSA’s Dr Ming Li, says behaviours that are set up in teenage years lay the groundwork for behaviours in adulthood.

    “The teenage years are a critical window for growth and development – physically, mentally, and emotionally – and they set the foundation for long-term health,” Dr Li says.

    “But with junk food so readily available, and physical activity often replaced by screen time, more teens are picking up multiple unhealthy habits that could lead to serious health issues down the track.”

    The study found distinct differences between regions. Teenagers in higher-income countries – including the Americas and Eastern Mediterranean – were more likely to report a higher number of unhealthy behaviours, with 13% of teenagers in these regions recording all five risk factors.

    While Australian data was not specifically assessed, Dr Ling says that Australian teenagers would likely report multiple unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, skin to those seen in other high-income countries.

    Dr Li says these trends are driven by broader societal shifts.

    “Some of what we see comes down to rapid urbanisation, sedentary school environments, and limited access to safe recreational spaces, particularly in low- and middle-income countries,” Dr Li says.

    “On top of this, taste preferences, household income, and limited availability of fresh produce – especially in disadvantaged areas – make healthy choices harder to access and maintain.”

    While the study reports multiple unhealthy lifestyle behaviours for most teenagers, it also finds some protective factors that can help.

    “When teenagers have supportive families and a supportive peer group, their risk of having four or more unhealthy behaviours reduces by 16% and 4% respectively,” Dr Li says “Similarly, food-secure households also reduce risk by 9%.”

    Dr Li says the findings point to the urgent need for tailored, multilevel strategies that go beyond individual choices to address social and environmental conditions.

    “It’s clear we need systemic action – better school-based physical activity programs, urban design that gives teens access to green spaces, policies that make healthy food affordable, and limits on junk food marketing to children,” Dr Li says.

    “Ultimately, good health needs to be an easier, more accessible choice – not one that requires privilege, planning, and willpower.”

    …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

    Contact for interview:  Dr Ming Li E: Ming.Li@unisa.edu.au
    Media contact: Annabel Mansfield M: +61 479 182 489 E: Annabel.Mansfield@unisa.edu.au

    MIL OSI News –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Update 306 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    The IAEA team based at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) carried out independent measurements today to confirm that there had been no increase in radiation levels at the site, contrary to some social media posts overnight, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

    Using IAEA monitoring equipment, the team members measured only normal levels during a site walkdown. Their measurements confirmed other data collected separately at the site, as well as information provided by the plant itself.

    “The team took immediate action after becoming aware of these social media reports, enabling us to provide assurances that radiation levels remained unchanged. Once again, this shows the importance of the IAEA’s presence at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant and Ukraine’s other nuclear power sites. Thanks to this presence, we can provide timely, factual and impartial technical information to the public about nuclear safety and security in Ukraine,” Director General Grossi said.

    The general nuclear safety situation at the ZNPP remains precarious, however, with the plant continuing to rely on one single power line for the electricity it needs to cool its reactors and for other essential nuclear safety and security functions. Before the conflict, it had access to 10 external power lines.

    In addition, the IAEA team reported hearing military activities almost every day over the past week, at different distances from the site, which is located on the frontline.

    Earlier this week, the team members performed a walkdown of a turbine hall of one reactor unit where they were once again denied access to the western part of the hall.

    The IAEA teams present at Ukraine’s operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) — Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs – and the Chornobyl NPP site reported hearing air raid alarms nearly every day over the past week. At Khmelnytskyy, the team had to shelter twice on 28 July.

    Three of Ukraine’s nine operating reactor units continued to be in shutdown for refuelling and maintenance, including work on some of the off-site power lines.

    As part of the IAEA’s comprehensive assistance programme to support nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, the Slavutych City Hospital this week received mobile radiography equipment and the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center and Hydrometeorological organizations of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine received laboratory equipment. These deliveries were funded by Australia, the European Union and Norway.  

    MIL Security OSI –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Colleagues Call for Expansion of Humanitarian Aid in Gaza and Resumption of Efforts to Secure a Ceasefire

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined a broad group of 39 senators, led by U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), in expressing unified alarm about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling for the large-scale expansion of humanitarian aid, and urging the Trump administration to resume diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire agreement, bring the hostages home, and end the war.

    “The acute humanitarian crisis in Gaza is […] unsustainable and worsens by the day,” wrote the senators. “Hunger and malnutrition are widespread, and, alarmingly, deaths due to starvation, especially among children, are increasing. The ‘Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’ has failed to address the deepening humanitarian crisis and contributed to an unacceptable and mounting civilian death toll around the organization’s sites. To prevent the situation from getting even worse, we urge you to advocate for a large-scale expansion of humanitarian assistance.”

    The letter, sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, emphasizes that a diplomatic pathway exists to end the war, bring home Israeli hostages, ensure Hamas can no longer pose a serious military threat to Israel, and achieve a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

    The senators also affirmed their opposition to the permanent forced displacement of the Palestinian people, which would be contrary to international humanitarian law and a sustainable and lasting peace.

    “We ask that the Administration make this clear as it seeks an end to the war,” the senators concluded. “We stand in strong support of diplomatic efforts to return all hostages, end the fighting in Gaza, and bring humanitarian relief for the safety and prosperity of the Israeli and the Palestinian people.”

    The full text of the letter can be found here.

    Senator Cortez Masto has consistently supported Israel’s right to defend itself and has strongly advocated for a two-state solution to end the decades of violence in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Following Hamas’s terrorist attack on October 7th, 2023, she called on President Biden to do everything in his power to bring home the hostages and deliver vital humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians. She also urged the Biden administration to crack down on the financing of international terrorist organizations, including Iran’s state sponsorship of terrorism.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen Delivers Remarks Outlining Devastating Impacts If Affordable Care Act Premium Tax Credits Expire: “The Clock is Ticking.”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

     

    **Click HERE to watch Shaheen’s remarks at a Senate press conference on the need to make permanent the premium tax credits that millions of Americans rely on for affordable health care coverage**

    (Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), lead of the bicameral Health Care Affordability Act to permanently extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, delivered remarks alongside her Senate colleagues about the consequences of allowing the vital tax credits to expire at the end of this year. In her remarks, Shaheen argued that refusing to extend the credits will raise prices and take away health care from families who need the help at a time when many are already struggling with high costs. Click HERE to watch the Senator’s full remarks.

    Remarks as delivered:

    I want to speak just to the enhanced premium tax credits that are going to expire at the end of this year. Because what did not happen when our Republican majority passed the reconciliation bill is, they did not extend those premium tax credits.

    And refusing to extend these highly-effective tax credits means that health care coverage is being actively taken away from families who really need the help. It means raising costs for millions of Americans at a moment when they’re already struggling with increased costs.

    And that pain, as Senator Wyden said, is being felt almost immediately. Because insurance companies are looking at having to submit their rates, and they are increasing their rates.

    Premiums will increase for 20 million Americans. A typical family of four would see a ten-thousand-dollar increase when those premium tax credits go away, and a typical 60-year-old couple would see a seventeen-thousand-dollar increase.

    So, think about that. Parents, grandparents are going to see a seventeen-thousand-dollar increase.

    And because of those costs, Americans are gonna lose their health care coverage. The non-partisan data shows us that four million Americans will lose their health care, more than a million of them suffer from a chronic illness. So if they don’t have health insurance, who’s gonna pay for that coverage to make sure they get their treatment? Well, everybody’s gonna pay for it.

    And that’s on top of the unprecedented health care cuts to Medicaid that were passed in that bill.

    I heard from one of my constituents, Jen in North Conway, New Hampshire. North Conway is a small community in the eastern part of New Hampshire. Her story, I think, shows just how important these tax credits are.

    Because Jen was diagnosed with leukemia. She started getting chemotherapy to treat it. And she was able to, because of the Family and Medical Leave Act, she was able to take time off from her job for three months. But then, because FMLA ended, she lost her job. And when she lost her job, she lost her health coverage.

    Her husband had to act as her caregiver, but then he had to get back to work. And his employer did not provide health insurance.

    But the way Jen was able to continue her chemotherapy was because she and her husband were able to afford health insurance under the Affordable Care Act because of those premium tax credits.

    They lowered Jen’s premiums by seven hundred dollars per month and they allowed her to continue her chemo treatments.

    Look, when the reconciliation bill was debated and we saw the tax breaks for the wealthiest and the big corporations, a lot of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle didn’t think seven hundred dollars a month was very much money.

    But I can tell you, for Jen and her husband, seven hundred dollars savings each month – eight thousand dollars a year – is the difference between being able to continue to have the health care they need, to continue putting food on the table, continue to pay their rent and losing all of that.

    But most important, the tax credits were there when she needed them – when she got sick and could no longer work.

    The clock is ticking.

    We first introduced the legislation on this issue back in 2019.

    We’ve succeeded in securing temporary extensions that have helped fuel record enrollment in the Affordable Care Act.

    But we’re approaching another deadline and we need to take action now to permanently extend those tax credits and to end the back-and-forth every year so people know they can count on them.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: New Hampshire Congressional Delegation Marks 60th Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), alongside U.S. Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), released the following statement marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid:

    “On this momentous 60th year of Medicare and Medicaid, we should be recognizing the success of these two programs in helping Granite Staters access and afford life-saving health care. Instead, families, older adults, people living with disabilities and health care providers across New Hampshire are bracing for disaster as the largest cuts to health care in American history take effect.

    “Under Congressional Republicans’ and President Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Betrayal’ tens of thousands of Granite Staters are going to have their health care ripped away, thousands more are going to face higher costs and too many rural hospitals and nursing homes are going to be forced to close their doors. All to help fund deficit-exploding tax giveaways for the wealthiest Americans.

    “We need to do everything possible to defend against these attacks on the health and economic security of our constituents. And instead of raising costs for families, Congressional Republicans should be working to lower costs for families. That includes fighting to preserve Medicare and Medicaid to ensure that 60 years from now, these programs are still helping Granite Staters access necessary and often life-saving care.”

    Under the “Big Beautiful Betrayal” that was recently signed into law by President Trump, health care costs are expected to skyrocket while more than 15 million Americans are expected to lose health care coverage—including approximately 46,000 Granite Staters—due to cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Committee Advances Senator Hassan’s Legislation to Speed Up FDA’s Sunscreen Approval Process

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan

    HELP Committee Also Advances Additional Hassan-Led Bills

    WASHINGTON – The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee unanimously voted today to advance a package that includes the SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act, bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) to modernize the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s process for reviewing and approving new sunscreens. The FDA has not approved a new sunscreen active ingredient since 1999, while other countries, such as France and South Korea, have innovative sunscreen products on the market that often use newer, more effective UV filters. The SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act would require the FDA to improve its outdated approval process and will help American consumers access more effective sun protection options that have been safely used in other countries for years.

    “As Granite Staters head outside and enjoy summer, Congress needs to remove the outdated barriers that prevent Americans from being able to use modern sunscreen products,” said Senator Hassan. “This commonsense bipartisan legislation will modernize the FDA’s approval process to allow American manufacturers to make more up-to-date, effective sunscreens that people are already using safely around the world. I am pleased to see this important measure advance, and I will continue working to get this bill signed into law.”

    As part of the bipartisan package, the HELP Committee also advanced the bipartisan Prescription-to-OTC Process Act, led by Senators Hassan and Husted (R-Ohio), which directs the FDA to communicate more clearly with the health industry about the process and standards for switching medications from prescription to over-the-counter marketing. In addition, the committee voted unanimously to advance Senator Hassan’s Advocate for Employee Ownership Act, which establishes an Advocate for Employee Ownership position at the Department of Labor to promote and improve access to employee stock ownership plans, or ESOPs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins Introduces Circuit Court Nominee Joshua Dunlap of Scarborough at Judiciary Committee Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins

    Click HERE for a full-resolution image

    Click HERE to watch and HERE to download video of Senator Collins introducing Mr. Dunlap

    Washington, D.C. – Today, at a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Susan Collins introduced Joshua Dunlap of Scarborough, Maine, who has been nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

    Mr. Dunlap grew up in Vassalboro, Maine, and is currently a partner in the litigation group of Pierce Atwood LLP, in Portland, where he co-chairs the firm’s Appellate & Amici division. He has practiced at Pierce Atwood for over fifteen years, handling substantial civil litigation matters in both appellate and trial courts. He also chairs the Maine Appellate Rules Committee, to which he was appointed by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. Prior to his work at Pierce Atwood, Mr. Dunlap clerked for the Honorable Paul J. Kelly, Jr., of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Mr. Dunlap graduated first in his class from Notre Dame Law School. He came to Washington for his hearing with several members of his family, including his parents, wife, and children.

    Senator Collins:

    “Chairman Grassley, Ranking Member Durbin, members of this committee, I’m pleased to appear before this distinguished committee today to wholeheartedly support Joshua Dunlap’s nomination to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. 

    “Josh grew up in Vassalboro, Maine and now lives in Scarborough with his wife, Sydney, and their three children. If you look in back of me, you will see his three children, his wife, his parents, and numerous other members of his family. In fact, 20 of them, who are so proud of his nomination that they’ve made the trip to Washington. Josh graduated first in his class from Notre Dame Law School, where he received the law school’s highest honor, awarded to the student with the most distinguished academic record. He then clerked for Judge Paul Kelly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. 

    “In 2009, Josh joined the very well-respected law firm Pierce Atwood in Portland, Maine. During his 16 years at the firm, he has specialized in complex civil litigation matters and currently serves as co-chair of the firm’s Appellate & Amicus division. Josh is admitted to practice in multiple U.S. Courts of Appeal and before the U.S. Supreme Court. He has also assisted special masters in three original jurisdiction proceedings before the U.S. Supreme Court. Finally, Josh also chairs the Maine Appellate Rules Committee to which he was appointed by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. This impressive experience, coupled with his extraordinary intelligence and integrity, makes Josh exceptionally well-qualified for a seat on the First Circuit. His substantial appellate litigation experience will bring a practitioner’s perspective to the court. 

    “The committee has already received many compelling letters of support for this nominee, and I would like to highlight a couple of them. A diverse group of faculty and alumni of Notre Dame Law School who taught Josh or studied alongside him have praised his, “respect for differing views” and “deep appreciation for the rule of law.” A letter signed by 19 leading Maine attorneys, who described themselves as having a broad spectrum of political views and legal philosophies, wrote that Josh has all the qualities the finest judge’s exhibit; he is hardworking, courteous and judicial in temperament, very smart, and of sterling character with a commitment to fairness and the rule of law. 

    “Mr. Chairman, before I conclude, I would like to thank Judge William Kayatta, whom Josh has been nominated to replace, for his outstanding service to the First Circuit. I joined in recommending him to President Obama, and had the honor of introducing Judge Kayatta to this committee. Now, it is my honor to recommend Josh, who actually worked with Judge Kayatta early in his tenure at Pierce Atwood, to this committee. I am confident that, if confirmed, Josh will serve Maine and the nation extraordinarily well in this critical role. 

    “For these reasons, I urge the committee to support his nomination, and I appreciate this opportunity to introduce him to the committee.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins Advocates for Kay Hagan Tick Act as Bill Unanimously Advances out of Committee

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins

    Click HERE for a full-resolution image

    Click HERE to watch and HERE to download video of Senator Collins’ remarks

    Washington, D.C. – Today, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee unanimously approved the reauthorization of the bipartisan Kay Hagan Tick Act. The bill now advances to the Senate floor for consideration by the full body. At the hearing, U.S. Senator Susan Collins spoke in support of advancing the reauthorization of her landmark legislation, which she coauthored with Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), that became law in 2019. The Kay Hagan Tick Act strengthened the federal effort to confront the escalating incidence of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Confirmed cases of Lyme disease reached a record number in Maine – 3,218 – last year.

    Senators Collins and Smith named their bill in honor of former Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) who passed away on October 28th, 2019, due to complications of the tick-borne disease known as the Powassan virus. Senator Angus King (I-ME) and a bipartisan group of 13 other Senators have cosponsored the legislation.

    Senator Collins: 

    “I authored the original Tick Act in 2019 with Senator Tina Smith. Our bipartisan legislation strengthened federal efforts to confront the escalating incidents of Lyme disease and other vector borne illnesses. Our bill is named after our former colleague, Senator Kay Hagan, who passed away in October 2019 from complications of the deadly tick-borne disease known as the Powassan virus. It is my hope that reauthorizing the Tick Act will help to prevent further tragedies. 

    “The incidence of tick-borne diseases has exploded in the past 20 years. Maine reached a new Lyme disease record last year with 3218 reported cases. This is more than double the number of cases reported in Maine just five years ago. I’m encouraged that we’ve made progress in the five years since this bill was first introduced, for example, a clinical trial for Lyme disease vaccine for people is underway right now at Maine Health’s Institute for Research. Reauthorizing the Tick Act would allow crucial developments such as the development of a vaccine to continue. 

    “The Tick Act uses a three-pronged approach to address Lyme and other tick and vector borne diseases. This approach consists of first, implementing HHS’s national strategy to combat vector borne disease. Second, reauthorizing funding for the CDC’s four Centers of Excellence in vector borne disease. And third, reauthorizing grants to state and local health departments to assist them in bolstering their public health infrastructure. 

    “I want to thank Senator Smith for partnering with me, as well as our 14 bipartisan co-sponsors, including members of this committee, Senators Marshall, Hassan, Hawley, Hickenlooper and Banks. Again, Mr. Chairman, I’m very grateful for your including this on the markup agenda, and I’m delighted that we’re going to report the bill today”

    +++

    In addition to Senators Collins, Smith, and King, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Jim Banks (R-IN), Peter Welch (D-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), John Hickenlooper (D-CO).

    The complete text of the legislation can be read here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin Calls for Large-Scale Increase of Humanitarian Aid in Gaza and Diplomatic Efforts to End the War

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined 43 of her Senate colleagues to express unified alarm about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, call for the large-scale expansion of humanitarian aid, and urge the Trump Administration to resume diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire agreement and end the war.

    “The acute humanitarian crisis in Gaza is also unsustainable and worsens by the day. Hunger and malnutrition are widespread, and, alarmingly, deaths due to starvation, especially among children, are increasing,” the Senators wrote in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff. “The ‘Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’ has failed to address the deepening humanitarian crisis and contributed to an unacceptable and mounting civilian death toll around the organization’s sites. To prevent the situation from getting even worse, we urge you to advocate for a large-scale expansion of humanitarian assistance.”

    The letter underscores the remaining viable pathway that would end the war, bring home Israeli hostages, ensure Hamas can no longer pose a serious military threat to Israel, and achieve a diplomatic resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

    The Senators also affirm their opposition to the permanent forced displacement of the Palestinian people, which would be contrary to international humanitarian law and a sustainable and lasting peace.

    “We ask that the Administration make this clear as it seeks an end to the war,” the Senators wrote. “We stand in strong support of diplomatic efforts to return all hostages, end the fighting in Gaza, and bring humanitarian relief for the safety and prosperity of the Israeli and the Palestinian people.”

    The letter was led by U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and co-signed by 39 other Senators in addition to Senator Baldwin.

    The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

    Dear Secretary Rubio and Special Envoy Witkoff:

    With recent efforts to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas being unsuccessful, the situation in Gaza remains perilous. Efforts to secure an agreement are as critical and urgent as ever and we urge the resumption of good-faith talks as quickly as possible. While we appreciate that additional aid is beginning to enter Gaza, the humanitarian situation remains dire. Yet there still remains a viable pathway to end this war, bring home Israeli hostages, and achieve a diplomatic resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

    The Israeli hostages, held in Gaza by Hamas since their brutal attack on Israel on October 7th, have suffered far too long, as have their families. It is imperative that those still living be brought home as soon as possible, before more perish as the war drags on. And it is essential that the remains of those presumed killed – including Americans Omer Neutra and Itay Chen – be reunited with their loved ones. After many months of despair, it is long past time to bring all of the hostages home.

    The acute humanitarian crisis in Gaza is also unsustainable and worsens by the day. Hunger and malnutrition are widespread, and, alarmingly, deaths due to starvation, especially among children, are increasing. The “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation” has failed to address the deepening humanitarian crisis and contributed to an unacceptable and mounting civilian death toll around the organization’s sites. To prevent the situation from getting even worse, we urge you to advocate for a large-scale expansion of humanitarian assistance and services throughout the Gaza Strip, including through the use of experienced multilateral bodies and NGOs that can get life-saving aid directly to those in need and prevent diversion.

    Beyond a negotiated ceasefire, a permanent end to this war will also require an end to Hamas rule in Gaza and ensuring that Hamas can no longer pose a serious military threat to Israel. We reaffirm our strong support for continued U.S.-led diplomacy with Israel, Palestinian leaders, and other partners in the Middle East in pursuit of the long-term goal of a negotiated two-state solution with Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in lasting peace, security, dignity, and mutual recognition.

    Finally, we write to underscore our strong opposition to the permanent forced displacement of the Palestinian people. This would be antithetical to international humanitarian law, to a sustainable end to this war that prioritizes the long-term safety and security of Israelis and Palestinians alike, to achieving a lasting peace in the Middle East, and expanding the Abraham Accords. We ask that the Administration make this clear as it seeks an end to the war.

    We stand in strong support of diplomatic efforts to return all hostages, end the fighting in Gaza, and bring humanitarian relief for the safety and prosperity of the Israeli and the Palestinian people.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin, Capito, Hassan Lead Bipartisan Bill to Deliver First Responders with Training and Tools to Prevent Overdose Deaths

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced the Safe Response Act, bipartisan legislation to reauthorize a grant program that allows states, local government entities, and Tribes to train and provide resources to first responders to respond to drug overdoses.

    “The opioid crisis has left thousands of families across Wisconsin with an empty seat at the dinner table. As we start to turn the tide on this epidemic, we need to double down on what is working and ensure communities have the tools they need to reverse overdoses and poisonings,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m proud to back this bipartisan bill to ensure first responders have the training they need to use lifesaving tools like Narcan and protect Wisconsin families from the heartbreak of losing a loved one too soon.”

    “West Virginians know all too well the devastation and heartbreak drug overdoses cause in our communities. That’s why it is essential Congress provides the resources and training our first responders need to administer life-saving overdose reversal drugs and keep themselves safe in the process. I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing this legislation that will equip our first responders with the necessary tools to save more lives,” said Senator Capito.

    “Fire fighters, paramedics, police officers, and other first responders are on the frontlines fighting the opioid epidemic and we must keep working to ensure that they have the resources and support that they need,” said Senator Hassan. “This bipartisan legislation will help to ensure that more first responders in New Hampshire and across the country have access to training on how to use overdose reversal drugs like naloxone to save more lives.”

    According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there were 80,391 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2024. Of those, over 50,000 overdose deaths were due to opioids, including fentanyl. This marked a sharp decline from the previous year — a decrease of 26.9% from the 110,037 deaths estimated in 2023 – in part due to the availability of opioid reversal drugs like naloxone.

    The 2018 SUPPORT Act included a grant program to provide funding for states, local government entities, Indian Tribes, and tribal organizations to train and provide resources to first responders to respond to an overdose. The Safe Response Act would reauthorize this grant program, included as part of the bipartisan SUPPORT Act, providing $57 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for grants to first responders and those in key community sectors to respond to overdoses. Grants may be used to:

    • Ensure that first responders and other members of key community sectors have the knowledge and training to utilize overdose reversal devices or administer overdose reversal medications, such as naloxone;
    • Provide technical assistance and training about how first responders and other members of key community sectors, such as first SUD treatment providers and emergency medical service agencies, can better protect themselves in the event of exposure to such drugs;
    • Establish processes, protocols, and mechanisms for referral to appropriate treatment, which may include an outreach coordinator or team to connect individuals receiving opioid overdose reversal drugs to follow-up services; and
    • Educate first responders and members of key community sectors about the need to follow standard safe operating procedures in instances of exposure to fentanyl, carfentanil, and other dangerous and illicit drugs.

    Senator Baldwin’s Safe Response Act has garnered strong support from local, state, and national public safety leaders and organizations, including the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association, Racine Police Chief Alexander Ramirez, Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski, Kenosha Fire Chief Daniel Tilton, Green Bay Metro Fire Chief Matthew Knott, Rock County Sheriff Curt Fell, Kenosha City Administrator and former Kenosha Chief of Police John Morrissey, Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly, Waukesha Fire Chief Robert Goplin, Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse (MAPDA), Big Cities Health Coalition, National Association of Police Organizations, National Council of Urban Indian Health, and Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO).

    “As Chief of the Milwaukee Fire Department, I know firsthand the importance of supporting our first responders with critical training and resources to prevent overdose deaths. We recognize the importance of the Safe Response Act as substance misuse and overdose continue to significantly impact our local communities,” said Aaron Lipski, Chief of the Milwaukee Fire Department and Chair of RISE – Drug-Free MKE. “Thank you, Senator Baldwin, for your dedication to the ongoing efforts of helping those in the community with substance use issues to receive the best possible immediate and follow-up care through training and valuable resources to present a positive outcome for all involved.”

    “The reauthorization of the Safe Response Act is a smart and necessary allocation of funds. As someone who spent decades in law enforcement and now serves in city leadership, I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is for our first responders to have the right tools, training, and resources,” said John W. Morrissey, Kenosha City Administrator and former Kenosha Police Chief. “The increased funding—from $36 to $57 million annually—will make a real difference for communities like Kenosha. I fully support this legislation and urge Congress to move it forward.”

    “The opioid epidemic is not an abstract concept for local communities in Wisconsin. We are on the frontlines and need the resources to respond to this public health crisis. Senator Baldwin’s leadership on the Safe Response Act is deeply appreciated. This is an important tool to support first responders and our residents,” said Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway.

    “As Fire Chief of the Green Bay Metro Fire Department, I’m proud to support Senator Baldwin’s Safe Response Act. Every day, our firefighters and paramedics witness the impact that the opioid and fentanyl crisis has on our community. This legislation will give first responders the training and resources they need to save lives and stay safe while doing it,” said Matthew Knott, Chief of the Green Bay Metro Fire Department.

    A one-pager on this legislation is available here. Full text of this legislation is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Applications open for 2026 On Farm Support Science Scholarships | NZ Government

    Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

    A scholarship programme run by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has started producing the next generation of on-farm advisers to support farmers and growers.

    Ffion White was one of the inaugural recipients of the On Farm Support science scholarship and is now an intern with Ballance Agri-Nutrients in the Manawatū-Whanganui region.

    “I’m getting to work on-farm alongside Ballance’s nutrient specialists. My role is about helping farmers improve their soil, grow better quality pasture and crops, and become more productive and profitable,” Ms White says.

    “The scholarship was hugely beneficial. I had a mentor from MPI’s On Farm Support team who invited me to industry field days and events. It helped me meet people in the sector which came in handy when I started looking for a job.”

    Ms White, who completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Massey University, is one of 4 scholarship recipients who have secured primary industry advisory roles. Another is Nerissa Edwards, who now works as a farm consultant with Feilding-based KS Agri.

    “Every day is different. I find it hugely rewarding working with farmers to create individual plans to drive improvements in on-farm efficiency, profitability, and sustainability,” Ms Edwards says.

    “The scholarship enabled me to build connections within the advisory sector. That led to a 6-month internship with KS Agri and eventually a role as a consultant.”

    MPI launched the On Farm Support science scholarships in 2023. MPI’s director of On Farm Support, Vanessa Winning, says applications are now open for next year’s scholarships.

    “Six scholarships, worth a total of $30,000, are on offer for the 2026 academic year to tertiary students enrolled in relevant agriculture, horticulture, science, or viticulture degrees,” Ms Winning says.

    “We’re seeking applications from students who have a genuine interest in pursuing a career in either the agriculture, horticulture, or viticulture advisory sector. Applicants must have completed their first year of study.”

    Ms Winning says there’s strong demand for on-farm advice backed by science and analysis that can support producers to adapt and improve business performance.

    “MPI is backing initiatives that support farmers and growers to sustainably boost productivity and profitability, helping to achieve the Government’s goal of doubling the value of exports by 2034,” Ms Winning says.

    Applications for the scholarships close on 15 September 2025.

    Find out more about the scholarships and eligibility criteria

    For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

    For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Indicio and Black Mountain Investment Group Partner to Modernize KYC and Digital Identity Verification for Exchanges, Banks, and Law Firms

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Salt Lake City, Utah, July 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Today, Indicio and Black Mountain Investment Group (“BMIG”) announced a strategic partnership to revolutionize KYC and identity verification processes for the financial and legal industries. 
    This partnership combines Indicio’s market-leading decentralized identity and authenticated biometric technology with Black Mountain’s expertise in business solutions to create a much-needed bridge between traditional and decentralized finance that delivers scalable, fraud-resistant technologies for institutions operating in increasingly global and regulated markets.
    Global regulatory changes are accelerating growth in the cross-border asset ecosystem and fueling the evolution of decentralized finance (DeFi). Indicio and Black Mountain have developed proprietary technology that allows for a new, decentralized approach to verify investor, institution, and asset identities. This KYC is critical to scaling transactions in secure, fraud-resistant, and compliant ways. 
    Indicio developed the most powerful decentralized digital identity solution in the marketplace by incorporating authenticated biometrics in Verifiable Credentials trust-anchored to a blockchain with real encryption. This significantly increases the level of identity assurance for remote onboarding, KYC, and digital transactions- which can now be performed more rapidly and reliably than ever before by investors and institutions through the use of this technology. 
    “Indicio has developed an architectural approach to digital identity that meets the rapidly evolving needs of conventional and decentralized finance around KYC, account access, and digital asset management,” said Heather Dahl, CEO of Indicio. “We’re really excited to work with Black Mountain Investment Group to advance secure, seamless, decentralized trust for global financial transactions.”
    “Trusted digital identity verification is a serious catalyst for advancing the digital transformation of and unlocking liquidity in global finance,” remarks Elijah Levine, CEO of BMIG. “It’s all too often that you work with the biggest and best banks and exchanges and they still operate on outdated and cumbersome KYC verification standards that are also often restricted to US-based financial transactions. When we saw the work that Indicio has been doing with biometric authentication and tamper-proof digital credentials in travel, not only did we want to invest immediately in their main business, but we also recognized that their tech is shockingly translatable to the finance industry.” 
    “We see a path towards rapid scale and believe that this technology should be implemented immediately across the biggest and best institutions in global finance for their own internal protection and liability purposes, outside of the efficiencies and liquidity that will be immediately unlocked. This partnership is centered around delivering innovative solutions that integrate the very latest technology into the rapidly expanding market of secure, privacy-preserving global asset transfers.”
    About Indicio
    Indicio is a global leader in Verifiable Credentials, decentralized identity, and digital trust infrastructure. From powering national identity pilots to enabling seamless international travel, Indicio helps governments and businesses build data and identity systems that are secure, privacy-preserving, and interoperable across borders and industries.
    About Black Mountain Investment Group

    Black Mountain Investment Group (“BMIG”) is a technology-driven back-office platform and entrepreneurial ecosystem designed to power the next generation of funds and businesses. BMIG provides operational support, strategic insight, and scalable infrastructure, empowering organizations to navigate growth and innovation at the intersection of traditional and decentralized finance.

    Elijah Levine
    hello@blackmountainig.com
    blackmountainig.com 
    Indicio.tech   

    The MIL Network –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Abacus Global Management Announces Successful Completion of Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ORLANDO, Fla., July 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Abacus Global Management, Inc. (“Abacus” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ABL), a leader in the alternative asset management space, today announced the completion of its previously announced exchange offer (the “Offer”) and consent solicitation (the “Consent Solicitation”) relating to its (i) outstanding public warrants (the “public warrants”) and (ii) outstanding private placement warrants (the “private placement warrants” and, together with the public warrants, the “warrants”) to purchase shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“common stock”). The Company’s common stock and public warrants are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (the “Nasdaq”) under the symbols “ABL” and “ABLLW,” respectively. The Company issued 4,183,160 shares of common stock in exchange for the warrants tendered in the Offer.

    On July 30, 2025, the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company entered into the related amendment to the warrant agreement governing the warrants (the “Warrant Amendment”). Pursuant to the Warrant Amendment, the Company has exercised its right to exchange each warrant that is outstanding upon the closing of the Offer for 0.207 shares of common stock per warrant, which is a ratio 10% less than the exchange ratio applicable to the Offer (the “Post-Offer Exchange”). The Company has fixed the date for the Post-Offer Exchange as August 14, 2025.

    As a result of the completion of the Offer and the Post-Offer Exchange, no warrants will remain outstanding. Accordingly, the public warrants are expected to be suspended from trading on the Nasdaq as of the close of business on August 14, 2025, and will be delisted. The shares of common stock will continue to be listed and trade on the Nasdaq under the symbol “ABL.” Following completion of the Offer, there are approximately 102,050,981 shares of common stock outstanding (an increase of approximately 4% from prior to the closing of the Offer), and following completion of the Post-Offer Exchange there will be approximately 102,555,154 shares of common stock outstanding (an increase of approximately 5% from prior to the closing of the Offer and the Post-Offer Exchange).

    The Company engaged SG Americas Securities, LLC as the dealer manager for the Offer and Consent Solicitation, D.F. King & Co., Inc. as the information agent for the Offer and Consent Solicitation, and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company served as the exchange agent for the Offer and Consent Solicitation.

    About Abacus

    Abacus Global Management (NASDAQ: ABL) is a leading financial services company specializing in alternative asset management, data-driven wealth solutions, technology innovations, and institutional services. With a focus on longevity-based assets and personalized financial planning, Abacus leverages proprietary data analytics and decades of industry expertise to deliver innovative solutions that optimize financial outcomes for individuals and institutions worldwide.

    Contacts:

    Investor Relations
    Robert F. Phillips – SVP Investor Relations and Corporate Affairs rob@abacusgm.com
    (321) 290-1198

    David Jackson – Managing Director of Investor Relations david@abacusgm.com
    (321) 299-0716

    Abacus Global Management Public Relations
    press@abacusgm.com

    The MIL Network –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Gran Tierra Energy Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2025 Results & Another Quarter of Record Production

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Achieved Record Total Company Average Quarterly Production of 47,196 boepd
    • Funds Flow From Operations(1)of $54 million, Adjusted EBITDA(1)of $77 million and Return to Free Cash Flow
    • Signed Mandate Letter for Funding of Up to $200 Million
    • Entered into Binding Agreement to Exit the UK North Sea
    • Achieved Company Record Total of 32 Million Hours Without a Lost Time Injury
    • Recorded Operating Costs per boe of $13.42 for the Quarter – the Lowest Since The First Quarter of 2022

    CALGARY, Alberta, July 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (“Gran Tierra” or the “Company”) (NYSE American:GTE) (TSX:GTE) (LSE: GTE) announced the Company’s financial and operating results for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 (the “Quarter”) and provided an operational update. All dollar amounts are in United States (“U.S.”) dollars and all production volumes are on an average working interest before royalties (“WI”) basis unless otherwise indicated. Production is expressed in barrels (“bbl”) of oil equivalent (“boe”) per day (“boepd” or “boe/d”) and are based on WI sales before royalties. For per boe amounts based on net after royalty (“NAR”) production, see Gran Tierra’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed July 30, 2025.

    Message to Shareholders

    Gary Guidry, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gran Tierra, commented: “Gran Tierra delivered record-setting production this quarter, reflecting the strength of our diversified portfolio and consistent operational execution across Colombia, Ecuador, and Canada.

    In Ecuador, we are building on the momentum of our Iguana Block discoveries with the planned drilling of two high-impact exploration wells in the Charapa Block later this year. In Colombia, the successful development drilling at Costayaco and Cohembi, along with the strong early waterflood response in Cohembi’s north area, underscores the ongoing potential of our core assets and validates our disciplined approach to reservoir management. In Acordionero, our proactive waterflood management, surface facility upgrades, pump upsizes and ongoing improvement in electrical submersible pump run lives continue to mitigate base decline.

    In Canada, our Montney and Clearwater assets are delivering encouraging results, with three gross-wells (1.2 net) brought on stream in the Quarter, outperforming expectations. These outcomes further reinforce our strategy of disciplined capital allocation and balanced growth as we focus on generating long-term value for our stakeholders.

    We continue to optimize our portfolio with the signed disposition of the UK North Sea assets, which is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025.”

    Operational Update:

    • Safety: Since 2022, Gran Tierra has achieved a record of 32 million person-hours equating to more than 3 years without a lost time injury.
    • Ecuador
      • Building on the successful discoveries in the Iguana Block during the first quarter of 2025, civil works are currently underway to support the drilling of the final two wells under Gran Tierra’s exploration commitments in the country. These wells are planned for the Charapa Block in the Conejo prospect, with drilling expected to commence toward the end of the third quarter of 2025.
    • Colombia
      • Gran Tierra successfully drilled the first of three development wells planned for 2025 in the northern area of the Costayaco field. The Costayaco-63 well was perforated in four productive sands, stimulated, and placed on immediate production. The well is currently producing ~800 bbls of oil per day (“bopd”) with a 48% watercut compared to an average field watercut of 92%. In July, the second well—Costayaco-64—was drilled, stimulated and completed. The well is currently producing ~1,300 bopd with a 13% watercut. The final well, Costayaco-65, was spud on July 20, 2025 and is scheduled to be brought on production in August 2025.
      • During the Quarter the remaining two wells of the 2025 five well Cohembi program were brought onto production. The average drilling cost of the five wells was ~$3.0 million per well, representing a 47% reduction from the prior operator’s average last five wells drilled in 2017/18. As part of the program and to support pressure, water injection began on May 30, 2025. A strong waterflood response and increase of greater than 2,600 bopd gross across the northern part of the field has been observed and continues to improve.
      • The Cristobal well in LLA-85 was drilled below budget to total depth (“TD”) and abandoned, fulfilling all the commitments on the block.
      • In Acordionero, production in the Quarter averaged ~14,200 bopd compared to ~13,800 bopd in the first quarter of 2025 (the “Prior Quarter”). Increases in base production were achieved by increasing total fluid production through planned electrical submersible pump upsizes, additional surface injection capacity allowing for continued growth of total fluid production and water injection. Record highs were achieved in both total fluid production (~89,400 bbls/day) and water injection (~85,000 bbls/day) during the Quarter.
    • Canada
      • In the Simonette, the first two (1.0 net) Lower Montney wells were completed successfully and brought on stream on April 5, 2025. Results from both wells are currently out-performing management’s current type curves. The third Montney well was spud on June 29, 2025 and reached TD on July 18, 2025. The fourth Montney well was spud on July 22, 2025 and is expected to reach total depth in the first half of August.

    Enhanced Liquidity:

    • Gran Tierra is pleased to announce it has signed a mandate letter with a syndicate of banks for a $200 million prepayment facility backed by crude oil deliveries. The Company is progressing toward full documentation, with closing expected in the third quarter of 2025 and funding anticipated shortly thereafter. The facility is structured to enhance financial flexibility, support long-term capital planning, and optimize the Company’s debt maturity profile. Further details of the prepayment will be announced in due course once final terms are agreed upon.
    • Separately, Gran Tierra recently completed the semi-annual redetermination of its Canadian credit facility, with lenders confirming an unchanged borrowing base of C$100 million. This outcome reflects the continued strength and stability of the Company’s Canadian asset base. The facility provides C$50 million in available commitments, comprised of a C$35 million syndicated facility and a C$15 million operating facility with a maturity date of October 31, 2026. The next redetermination is scheduled on or before November 30, 2025.
    • Gran Tierra also employs a disciplined, risk-managed hedging strategy designed to protect cash flow, support capital planning, and enhance financial stability across commodity cycles. The Company utilizes a diversified mix of oil and gas hedges that provide downside protection while preserving upside exposure. This proactive approach contributed to a $14 million derivative hedging gain booked during the Quarter. The Company also maintains a rolling 12-month hedging program to further mitigate volatility:
      • South American Oil Hedges (Brent): For the second half of 2025, Gran Tierra has hedged approximately 50% of its South American oil production with a weighted average floor of $63.16 per barrel and a ceiling of $76.50 per barrel. For the first half of 2026 the Company has hedged approximately 33% of its South American oil production with a weighted average floor of $61.67 per barrel and a ceiling of $75.58.
      • Canadian Oil Hedges (West Texas Intermediate): For the second half of 2025, Gran Tierra has hedged approximately 60% of its Canadian oil production with a weighted average floor of $61.67 per barrel and a ceiling of $72.37 per barrel. For the first half of 2026 the Company has hedged approximately 50% of its Canadian oil production with a weighted average floor of $56.82 per barrel and a ceiling of $72.01.
      • Canadian Gas Hedges (AECO): For the second half of 2025, Gran Tierra has hedged approximately 40% of its Canadian gas production with a weighted average floor of $2.82 per GJ and a ceiling of $2.96 per GJ.
      • FX Hedges (COP to USD): Starting in April 2025, Gran Tierra entered into a 12-month, $10 million per month hedging program for the COP to USD exchange rate. The hedges have a floor of 4,430 and a ceiling of 4,705.

    Key Highlights of the Quarter:

    • Production: Gran Tierra’s total average WI production was 47,196 boepd, which was 44% higher than the second quarter of 2024 due to the production from the Canadian operations acquired on October 31, 2024 and positive exploration well drilling results in Ecuador. Total average WI production was 1% higher than the Prior Quarter as a result of successful drilling in Simonette, Cohembi infill drilling and waterflood management, strong Acordionero performance and continued exploration success in Ecuador from the Iguana wells. Working interest sales in the Quarter decreased to 45,727 boepd primarily due to the deferral of 143,730 barrels of Ecuador oil production, which were held in inventory at the end of June and subsequently sold in July.
    • Net Income (Loss): Gran Tierra incurred a net loss of $13 million, compared to a net loss of $19 million in the Prior Quarter and net income of $36 million in the second quarter of 2024.
    • Adjusted EBITDA(1): Adjusted EBITDA(1) was $77 million compared to $85 million in the Prior Quarter and $103 million in the second quarter of 2024. Twelve-month trailing net debt(1) to adjusted EBITDA(1) was 2.3 times (only accounts for eight months of Canadian operations adjusted EBITDA) and the Company continues to have a long-term target ratio of 1.0 times.
    • Funds Flow from Operations(1): Funds flow from operations(1) was $54 million ($1.53 per share), up 17% from the second quarter of 2024 and down 3% from the Prior Quarter. Brent price decreased by 11% per bbl compared to the Prior Quarter and our cash netback(1) decreased by 1% illustrating the resiliency of the portfolio.
    • Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities: Net cash provided by operating activities was $35 million ($0.98 per share), down 53% from the Prior Quarter and down 53% from the second quarter of 2024.
    • Cash and Debt: As of June 30, 2025, the Company had a cash balance of $61 million, total debt of $807 million and net debt(1) of $746 million. During the Quarter, the Company drew a total of $45 million on its credit facilities to fund capital expenditures. There were significant capital expenditures in the first quarter, amounting to approximately 40% of budgeted capital expenditures for the year, which were paid in the Quarter resulting in the Company drawing on its credit facilities. We currently forecast the facilities to have a zero balance by the end of the year. In addition to the $61 million cash on hand as of June 30, 2025, the Company currently has approximately $112 million in credit and lending facilities with $47 million drawn as of June 30, 2025.
    • Share Buybacks: Gran Tierra repurchased 239,754 shares of common stock during the Quarter. From January 1, 2023, to July 28, 2025, the Company repurchased approximately 5.2 million shares, or 15% of shares issued and outstanding on January 1, 2023.

    Additional Key Financial Metrics:

    • Capital Expenditures: Capital expenditures were $51 million during the Quarter which were lower than the $95 million in the Prior Quarter and lower than $61 million in the second quarter of 2024. During the Quarter the majority of capital expenditures were incurred in Colombia on Cohembi drilling and infrastructure.
    • Oil, Natural Gas and Natural Gas Liquids (“NGL”) Sales: Gran Tierra generated sales of $152 million, down 8% from the second quarter of 2024 primarily as a result of a 22% decrease in Brent pricing, partially offset by 43% higher sales volumes due to higher production and lower Castilla, Oriente, and Vasconia oil differentials. Oil sales decreased 11% from the Prior Quarter primarily due to an 11% decrease in Brent price, partially offset by lower Castilla, Oriente, and Vasconia oil differentials.
    • South American Quality and Transportation Discounts: The Company’s quality and transportation discounts in South America per bbl were lower during the Quarter at $10.30, compared to $11.58 in the Prior Quarter and $12.79 in the second quarter of 2024. The Castilla oil differential per bbl tightened to $4.73, down from $5.34 in the Prior Quarter and $8.21 in the second quarter of 2024 (Castilla is the benchmark for the Company’s Middle Magdalena Valley Basin oil production). The Vasconia differential per bbl tightened to $1.71, down from $2.27 in the Prior Quarter, and $4.00 in the second quarter of 2024. The Ecuadorian benchmark, Oriente, per bbl was $7.26, down from $7.65 in the Prior Quarter and $8.38 in the second quarter of 2024. The current(2) differentials are approximately $4.38 per bbl for Castilla, $1.38 per bbl for Vasconia, and $7.64 per bbl for Oriente.
    • Operating Expenses: On a per boe basis, operating expenses decreased by 17% when compared to the second quarter of 2024 and 16% when compared to the Prior Quarter, primarily due to lower workover activities and lower lifting costs associated with inventory build-up in Ecuador, power generation, and equipment rentals. This was the lowest operating expense per boe achieved since the first quarter of 2022. Total operating expenses decreased by 17% to $56 million, compared to the Prior Quarter, largely driven by lower workover activities and reduced lifting costs related to power generation, equipment rental, and inventory fluctuation in Ecuador. Compared to the second quarter of 2024, total operating expenses increased by 19% from $47 million, primarily due to the addition of Canadian operations and the ramp-up of activity in Ecuador. The increase in total operating costs is commensurate with the 44% increase in production.
    • Transportation Expenses: The Company’s transportation expenses increased by 10% to $8 million, compared to the Prior Quarter’s transportation expenses of $7 million as a result of incremental sales volumes transported by Canadian operations resulting in higher tolls. When compared to the second quarter of 2024 transportation expenses increased from $6 million due to new Canadian operations, higher sales volumes transported in Ecuador, partially offset by lower sales volumes transported in Colombia.
    • Operating Netback(1)(3): The Company’s operating netback(1)(3) was $21.39 per boe, down 6% from the Prior Quarter and down 45% from the second quarter of 2024, primarily as a result of a decrease in oil pricing. The decrease from the second quarter of 2024 is a result in the change in the Company’s production mix with the addition of the Canadian assets.
    • General and Administrative (“G&A”) Expenses: G&A expenses before stock-based compensation were $3.48 per boe, up from $2.86 per boe in the Prior Quarter, due to the timing of certain annual corporate expenses. G&A expenses before stock-based compensation were down from $3.77 per boe, compared to the second quarter of 2024 as a result of higher sales volumes from the inclusion of Canadian operations in the Quarter.
    • Cash Netback(1): Cash netback(1) per boe decreased to $12.95, compared to $13.04 in the Prior Quarter, primarily as a result of lower operating netback(1) and were offset by lower current income tax expense and positive cash settlement on derivative instruments. Compared to one year ago, cash netback(1) per boe decreased by $2.90 from $15.85 per boe as a result of lower operating netback(1) while being offset by lower current tax expense.

    Financial and Operational Highlights (all amounts in $000s, except per share and boe amounts)

    Consolidated Financial Data Three Months Ended June 30,   Three Months Ended March 31,   Six Months Ended June 30,
      2025 2024   2025   2025 2024
                   
    Net (Loss) Income $(12,741) $36,371   $(19,280)   $(32,021) $36,293
    Per Share – Basic and Diluted $(0.36) $1.16   $(0.54)   $(0.90) $1.15
                   
    Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Sales $152,481 $165,609   $170,533   $323,014 $323,186
    Operating Expenses (55,855) (47,035)   (67,354)   (123,209) (95,501)
    Transportation Expenses (7,618) (5,690)   (6,911)   (14,529) (10,274)
    Operating Netback (1)(3) $89,008 $112,884   $96,268   $185,276 $217,411
                   
    G&A Expenses Before Stock-Based Compensation $14,460 $10,967   $12,143   $26,603 $21,749
    G&A Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Recovery) 546 6,160   (517)   29 9,521
    G&A Expenses, Including Stock Based Compensation $15,006 $17,127   $11,626   $26,632 $31,270
                   
    Adjusted EBITDA (1) $76,987 $103,004   $85,162   $162,149 $197,796
                   
    EBITDA (1) $84,908 $101,187   $79,710   $164,618 $193,078
                   
    Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities $34,677 $73,233   $73,230   $107,907 $134,060
                   
    Funds Flow from Operations (1) $53,906 $46,167   $55,344   $109,250 $120,474
                   
    Capital Expenditures (Before Changes in Working Capital) $51,170 $61,273   $94,727   $145,897 $116,604
                   
    Free Cash Flow (1) $2,736 $(15,106)   $(39,383)   $(36,647) $3,870
                   
    Average Daily Production (boe/d)              
    WI Production Before Royalties 47,196 32,776   46,647   46,923 32,509
    Royalties (7,396) (6,774)   (8,084)   (7,738) (6,586)
    Production NAR 39,800 26,002   38,563   39,185 25,923
    Decrease (Increase) in Inventory (1,469) (811)   461   (509) (288)
    Sales 38,331 25,191   39,024   38,676 25,635
    Royalties, % of WI Production Before Royalties 16% 21%   17%   16% 20%
                   
    Cash Netback ($/boe )(1)              
    Average Realized Price before Royalties 43.71 72.24   48.55   46.14 69.27
    Royalties (7.07) (15.31)   (8.33)   (7.69) (14.16)
    Average Realized Price 36.64 56.93   40.22   38.45 55.11
    Transportation Expenses (1.83) (1.96)   (1.63)   (1.73) (1.75)
    Average Realized Price Net of Transportation Expenses 34.81 54.97   38.59   36.72 53.36
    Operating Expenses (13.42) (16.17)   (15.89)   (14.67) (16.29)
    Operating Netback (1)(3) 21.39 38.80   22.70   22.05 37.07
    G&A Expenses Before Stock-Based Compensation (3.48) (3.77)   (2.86)   (3.17) (3.71)
    Realized Foreign Exchange (Loss) Gain (0.14) 0.37   (0.51)   (0.33) (0.06)
    Cash Settlement on Derivative Instruments 0.39 —   0.10   0.25 —
    Interest Expense, Excluding Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs (4.87) (5.38)   (4.58)   (4.72) (5.24)
    Interest Income 0.06 0.35   0.10   0.08 0.29
    Other Gain 0.09 —   —   0.04 —
    Net Lease Payments 0.04 0.02   0.04   0.04 0.07
    Current Income Tax Expense (0.53) (14.54)   (1.95)   (1.25) (7.88)
    Cash Netback (1) $12.95 $15.85   $13.04   $12.99 $20.54
                   
    Share Information (000s)              
    Common Stock Outstanding, End of Period 35,289 31,022   35,524   35,289 31,022
    Weighted Average Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding – Basic and Diluted 35,335 31,282   35,777   35,555 31,547
    South American Operational Information Three Months Ended June 30,   Three Months Ended March 31,   Six Months Ended June 30,
      2025 2024   2025   2025 2024
    Operating Netback (1)(3)              
    Oil Sales $118,187 $165,609   $138,671   $256,858 $323,186
    Operating Expenses (42,554) (47,035)   (50,827)   (93,381) (95,501)
    Transportation Expenses (4,176) (5,690)   (4,304)   (8,480) (10,274)
    Operating Netback (1)(3) $71,457 $112,884   $83,540   $154,997 $217,411
                   
    Capital Expenditures (Before Changes in Working Capital) $49,327 $60,806   $64,984   $114,311 $116,137
                   
    Average Daily Production (boe/d)              
    WI Production Before Royalties 29,700 32,776   29,686   29,693 32,509
    Royalties (5,209) (6,774)   (5,844)   (5,525) (6,586)
    Production NAR 24,491 26,002   23,842   24,168 25,923
    Decrease (Increase) in Inventory (1,469) (811)   461   (509) (288)
    Sales 23,022 25,191   24,303   23,659 25,635
    Royalties, % of WI Production Before Royalties 18% 21%   20%   19% 20%
                   
    Operating Netback ($/boe) (1)(3)              
    Brent $66.71 $85.03   $74.98   $70.81 $83.42
    Quality and Transportation Discount (10.30) (12.79)   (11.58)   (10.82) (14.15)
    Royalties (10.41) (15.31)   (12.29)   (11.36) (14.16)
    Average Realized Price 46.00 56.93   51.11   48.63 55.11
    Transportation Expenses (1.63) (1.96)   (1.59)   (1.61) (1.75)
    Average Realized Price Net of Transportation Expenses 44.37 54.97   49.52   47.02 53.36
    Operating Expenses (16.56) (16.17)   (18.73)   (17.68) (16.29)
    Operating Netback (1)(3) $27.81 $38.80   $30.79   $29.34 $37.07
    Canadian Operational Information (4) Three Months Ended June 30,   Three Months Ended March 31,   Six Months Ended June 30,
      2025 2024   2025   2025 2024
    Operating Netback (1)(3)              
    Oil Sales $23,196 $—   $21,269   $44,465 $—
    Natural Gas Sales 6,894 —   7,561   14,455 —
    NGL Sales 6,364 —   7,997   14,361 —
    Royalties (2,158) —   (4,966)   (7,124) —
    Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Sales After Royalties $34,296 $—   $31,861   $66,157 $—
    Operating Expenses (13,301) —   (16,527)   (29,828) —
    Transportation Expenses (3,442) —   (2,607)   (6,049) —
    Operating Netback (1)(3) $17,553 $—   $12,727   $30,280 $—
                   
    Capital Expenditures (Before Changes in Working Capital) $1,796 $—   $29,360   $31,156 $—
                   
    Average Daily Production              
    Crude Oil (bbl/d) 4,335 —   3,623   3,981 —
    Natural Gas (mcf/d) 50,124 —   49,860   49,992 —
    NGLs (bbl/d) 4,807 —   5,029   4,917 —
    WI Production Before Royalties (boe/d) 17,496 —   16,961   17,230 —
    Royalties (boe/d) (2,187) —   (2,240)   (2,213) —
    Production NAR (boe/d) 15,309 —   14,721   15,017 —
    Sales (boe/d) 15,309 —   14,721   15,017 —
    Royalties, % of WI Production Before Royalties 13% —%   13%   13% —%
                   
    Benchmark Prices              
    West Texas Intermediate ($/bbl) 63.81 80.82   71.47   67.60 78.95
    AECO Natural Gas Price (C$/GJ) 1.60 1.12   2.05   1.82 1.74
                   
    Average Realized Price              
    Crude Oil ($/bbl) 58.80 —   65.23   61.71 —
    Natural Gas ($/mcf) 1.51 —   1.69   1.60 —
    NGLs ($/bbl) 14.55 —   17.67   16.14 —
                   
    Operating Netback ($/boe) (1)(3)              
    Average Realized Price $22.90 $—   $24.12   $23.50 $—
    Royalties (1.36) —   (3.25)   (2.28) —
    Transportation Expenses (2.16) —   (1.71)   (1.94) —
    Operating Expenses (8.35) —   (10.83)   (9.56) —
    Operating Netback (1)(3) $11.03 $—   $8.33   $9.72 $—


    (1) Funds flow from operations, operating netback, net debt, cash netback, earnings before interest, taxes and depletion, depreciation and accretion (“DD&A”) (“EBITDA”) and EBITDA adjusted for non-cash lease expense, lease payments, foreign exchange gains or losses, stock-based compensation expense, other gains or losses, transaction costs and financial instruments gains or losses (“Adjusted EBITDA”), cash flow and free cash flow are non-GAAP measures and do not have standardized meanings under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Cash flow refers to funds flow from operations. Free cash flow refers to funds flow from operations less capital expenditures. Refer to “Non-GAAP Measures” in this press release for descriptions of these non-GAAP measures and, where applicable, reconciliations to the most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

    (2) Gran Tierra’s third quarter-to-date 2025 total average differentials and average production are for the period from July 1 to July 30, 2025.
    (3) Operating netback as presented is defined as oil sales less operating and transportation expenses. See the table titled Financial and Operational Highlights above for the components of consolidated operating netback and corresponding reconciliation.
    (4) Gran Tierra entered Canada with the acquisition of i3 Energy which closed October 31, 2024, therefore no comparative data is provided for the corresponding periods of 2024.


    Conference Call Information:

    Gran Tierra will host its second quarter 2025 results conference call on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Mountain Time, 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Interested parties may access the conference call by registering at the following link: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BId33e377f2b494c3c95a7fbd1df59627e. The call will also be available via webcast at www.grantierra.com.

    Corporate Presentation:

    Gran Tierra’s Corporate Presentation has been updated and is available on the Company website at www.grantierra.com.

    Contact Information

    For investor and media inquiries please contact:

    Gary Guidry
    President & Chief Executive Officer

    Ryan Ellson
    Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    +1-403-265-3221

    info@grantierra.com

    About Gran Tierra Energy Inc.

    Gran Tierra Energy Inc., together with its subsidiaries is an independent international energy company currently focused on oil and natural gas exploration and production in Canada, Colombia and Ecuador. The Company is currently developing its existing portfolio of assets in Canada, Colombia and Ecuador and will continue to pursue additional new growth opportunities that would further strengthen the Company’s portfolio. The Company’s common stock trades on the NYSE American, the Toronto Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GTE. Additional information concerning Gran Tierra is available at www.grantierra.com. Except to the extent expressly stated otherwise, information on the Company’s website or accessible from our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into and should not be considered part of this press release. Investor inquiries may be directed to info@grantierra.com or (403) 265-3221.

    Gran Tierra’s Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) filings are available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company’s Canadian securities regulatory filings are available on SEDAR+ at http://www.sedarplus.ca and UK regulatory filings are available on the National Storage Mechanism website at https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism.

    Forward Looking Statements and Legal Advisories:

    This press release contains opinions, forecasts, projections, and other statements about future events or results that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and financial outlook and forward looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release regarding our business strategy, plans and objectives of our management for future operations, capital spending plans and benefits of the changes in our capital program or expenditures, our liquidity and financial condition, and those statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “expect,” “plan,” “can,” “will,” “should,” “guidance,” “forecast,” “budget,” “estimate,” “signal,” “progress”, “anticipates” and “believes,” derivations thereof and similar terms identify forward-looking statements. In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, this press release contains forward-looking statements regarding: : the Company’s expectations regarding committed funding (including but not limited to the signing of a mandate for prepayment structure backed by crude oil deliveries), liquidity and its leverage ratio target, the Company’s plans regarding strategic investments, acquisitions, dispositions, synergies, and growth, the Company’s drilling program and capital expenditures and the Company’s expectations of commodity prices, exploration and production trends and its positioning for 2025. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect several material factors and expectations and assumptions of Gran Tierra including, without limitation, that Gran Tierra will continue to conduct its operations in a manner consistent with its current expectations, pricing and cost estimates (including with respect to commodity pricing and exchange rates), the general continuance of assumed operational, regulatory and industry conditions in Canada, Colombia and Ecuador, and the ability of Gran Tierra to execute its business and operational plans in the manner currently planned.

    Among the important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to: our ability to successfully integrate the assets and operations of i3 Energy Plc (“i3Energy”) and realize the anticipated benefits and operating synergies expected from the 2024 acquisition of i3 Energy; certain of our operations are located in South America and unexpected problems can arise due to guerilla activity, strikes, local blockades or protests; technical difficulties and operational difficulties may arise which impact the production, transport or sale of our products; other disruptions to local operations; global health events; global and regional changes in the demand, supply, prices, differentials or other market conditions affecting oil and gas, including inflation and changes resulting from actual or anticipated tariffs and trade policies, global health crises, geopolitical events, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, or from the imposition or lifting of crude oil production quotas or other actions that might be imposed by OPEC and other producing countries and the resulting company or third-party actions in response to such changes; changes in commodity prices, including volatility or a prolonged decline in these prices relative to historical or future expected levels; the risk that current global economic and credit conditions may impact oil prices and oil consumption more than we currently predict, which could cause further modification of our strategy and capital spending program; prices and markets for oil and natural gas are unpredictable and volatile; the effect of hedges; the accuracy of productive capacity of any particular field; geographic, political and weather conditions can impact the production, transport or sale of our products; our ability to execute our business plan, which may include acquisitions, and realize expected benefits from current or future initiatives; the risk that unexpected delays and difficulties in developing currently owned properties may occur; the ability to replace reserves and production and develop and manage reserves on an economically viable basis; the accuracy of testing and production results and seismic data, pricing and cost estimates (including with respect to commodity pricing and exchange rates); the risk profile of planned exploration activities; the effects of drilling down-dip; the effects of waterflood and multi-stage fracture stimulation operations; the extent and effect of delivery disruptions, equipment performance and costs; actions by third parties; the timely receipt of regulatory or other required approvals for our operating activities; the failure of exploratory drilling to result in commercial wells; unexpected delays due to the limited availability of drilling equipment and personnel; volatility or declines in the trading price of our common stock or bonds; the risk that we do not receive the anticipated benefits of government programs, including government tax refunds; our ability to access debt or equity capital markets from time to time to raise additional capital, increase liquidity, fund acquisitions or refinance debt; the risk that we are unable to successfully negotiate final terms and close an anticipated prepayment structure backed by crude oil deliveries, our ability to comply with financial covenants in our indentures and make borrowings under our credit agreements; and the risk factors detailed from time to time in Gran Tierra’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, under the caption “Risk Factors” in Gran Tierra’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed February 24, 2025 and its other filings with the SEC. These filings are available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on certain assumptions made by Gran Tierra based on management’s experience and other factors believed to be appropriate. Gran Tierra believes these assumptions to be reasonable at this time, but the forward-looking statements are subject to risk and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Gran Tierra’s control, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied or expressed by the forward looking statements. The risk that the assumptions on which the 2025 outlook are based prove incorrect may increase the later the period to which the outlook relates. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the fact that this press release remains available does not constitute a representation by Gran Tierra that Gran Tierra believes these forward-looking statements continue to be true as of any subsequent date. Actual results may vary materially from the expected results expressed in forward-looking statements. Gran Tierra disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. In addition, historical, current and forward-looking sustainability-related statements may be based on standards for measuring progress that are still developing, internal controls and processes that continue to evolve, and assumptions that are subject to change in the future.

    The forecasts of expected liquidity to address bond amortization in the fourth quarter of 2026 and that Gran Tierra’s credit facilities would have a zero balance by the end of the year may be considered to be future-oriented financial information or a financial outlook for the purposes of applicable Canadian securities laws. Financial outlook and future-oriented financial information contained in this press release about prospective financial performance, financial position or cash flows are provided to give the reader a better understanding of the potential future performance of the Company in certain areas and are based on assumptions about future events, including economic conditions and proposed courses of action, based on management’s assessment of the relevant information currently available, and to become available in the future. In particular, this press release contains projected operational and financial information for the end of 2025 and the fourth quarter of 2026. These projections contain forward-looking statements and are based on a number of material assumptions and factors set out above. Actual results may differ significantly from the projections presented herein. The actual results of Gran Tierra’s operations for any period could vary from the amounts set forth in these projections, and such variations may be material. See above for a discussion of the risks that could cause actual results to vary. The future-oriented financial information and financial outlooks contained in this press release have been approved by management as of the date of this press release. Readers are cautioned that any such financial outlook and future-oriented financial information contained herein should not be used for purposes other than those for which it is disclosed herein. The Company and its management believe that the prospective financial information has been prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting management’s best estimates and judgments, and represent, to the best of management’s knowledge and opinion, the Company’s expected course of action. However, because this information is highly subjective, it should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results.

    Non-GAAP Measures

    This press release includes non-GAAP financial measures as further described herein. These non-GAAP measures do not have a standardized meaning under GAAP. Investors are cautioned that these measures should not be construed as alternatives to net income or loss, cash flow from operating activities or other measures of financial performance as determined in accordance with GAAP. Gran Tierra’s method of calculating these measures may differ from other companies and, accordingly, they may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. Each non-GAAP financial measure is presented along with the corresponding GAAP measure so as to not imply that more emphasis should be placed on the non-GAAP measure.

    Operating netback, as presented, is defined as oil sales less operating and transportation expenses. See the table entitled Financial and Operational Highlights above for the components of consolidated operating netback and corresponding reconciliation.

    Cash netback as presented is defined as net income or loss adjusted for DD&A expenses, deferred tax expense or recovery, stock-based compensation expense or recovery, amortization of debt issuance costs, non-cash lease expense, lease payments, unrealized foreign exchange gain or loss, other gain or loss and unrealized derivative instruments gain or loss. Management believes that operating netback and cash netback are useful supplemental measures for investors to analyze financial performance and provide an indication of the results generated by Gran Tierra’s principal business activities prior to the consideration of other income and expenses. A reconciliation from net income or loss to cash netback is as follows:

      Three Months Ended June 30,   Three Months Ended March 31,   Six Months Ended June 30,
    Cash Netback – (Non-GAAP) Measure ($000s)   2025     2024       2025       2025     2024  
    Net (Loss) Income $ (12,741 ) $ 36,371     $ (19,280 )   $ (32,021 ) $ 36,293  
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss or income to cash netback              
    DD&A expenses   68,635     55,490       72,202       140,837     111,640  
    Deferred tax expense (recovery)   2,453     (51,361 )     (4,712 )     (2,259 )   (37,882 )
    Stock-based compensation expense (recovery)   546     6,160       (517 )     29     9,521  
    Amortization of debt issuance costs   4,082     2,760       3,833       7,915     6,066  
    Non-cash lease expense   1,725     1,381       1,736       3,461     2,794  
    Lease payments   (1,545 )   (1,311 )     (1,567 )     (3,112 )   (2,369 )
    Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain)   3,114     (3,323 )     1,687       4,801     (5,589 )
    Other loss   38     —       52       90     —  
    Unrealized derivative instrument (gain) loss   (12,401 )   —       1,910       (10,491 )   —  
    Cash netback $ 53,906   $ 46,167     $ 55,344     $ 109,250   $ 120,474  

    EBITDA, as presented, is defined as net income or loss adjusted for DD&A expenses, interest expense and income tax expense or recovery. Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, is defined as EBITDA adjusted for non-cash lease expense, lease payments, foreign exchange gain or loss, stock-based compensation expense or recovery, other gain or loss and unrealized derivative instruments gain or loss. Management uses this supplemental measure to analyze performance and income generated by our principal business activities prior to the consideration of how non-cash items affect that income, and believes that this financial measure is useful supplemental information for investors to analyze our performance and our financial results. A reconciliation from net income or loss to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA is as follows:

      Three Months Ended June 30,   Three Months Ended March 31,   Six Months Ended June 30,   Twelve Month Trailing June 30,
    EBITDA – (Non-GAAP) Measure ($000s)   2025     2024       2025       2025     2024       2025  
    Net (Loss) Income $ (12,741 ) $ 36,371     $ (19,280 )   $ (32,021 ) $ 36,293     $ (65,098 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss or income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA                  
    DD&A expenses   68,635     55,490       72,202       140,837     111,640       259,816  
    Interest expense   24,366     18,398       23,235       47,601     36,822       91,245  
    Income tax expense (recovery)   4,648     (9,072 )     3,553       8,201     8,323       41,267  
    EBITDA $ 84,908   $ 101,187     $ 79,710     $ 164,618   $ 193,078     $ 327,230  
    Non-cash lease expense   1,725     1,381       1,736       3,461     2,794       6,590  
    Lease payments   (1,545 )   (1,311 )     (1,567 )     (3,112 )   (2,369 )     (5,778 )
    Foreign exchange loss (gain)   3,716     (4,413 )     3,838       7,554     (5,228 )     3,974  
    Stock-based compensation expense (recovery)   546     6,160       (517 )     29     9,521       215  
    Other loss   38     —       52       90     —       90  
    Unrealized derivative instrument (gain) loss   (12,401 )   —       1,910       (10,491 )   —       (7,117 )
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 76,987   $ 103,004     $ 85,162     $ 162,149   $ 197,796     $ 325,204  

    Funds flow from operations, as presented, is defined as net income or loss adjusted for DD&A expenses, deferred tax expense or recovery, stock-based compensation expense or recovery, amortization of debt issuance costs, non-cash lease expense, lease payments, unrealized foreign exchange gain or loss, other gain or loss and unrealized gain or loss on derivative instruments. Management uses this financial measure to analyze performance and income or loss generated by our principal business activities prior to the consideration of how non-cash items affect that income or loss, and believes that this financial measure is also useful supplemental information for investors to analyze performance and our financial results. Free cash flow, as presented, is defined as funds flow from operations adjusted for capital expenditures. Management uses this financial measure to analyze cash flow generated by our principal business activities after capital requirements and believes that this financial measure is also useful supplemental information for investors to analyze performance and our financial results. A reconciliation from net income or loss to both funds flow from operations and free cash flow is as follows:

      Three Months Ended June 30,   Three Months Ended March 31,   Six Months Ended June 30,   Twelve Month Trailing June 30,
    Funds Flow From Operations – (Non-GAAP) Measure ($000s)   2025     2024       2025       2025     2024       2025  
    Net (Loss) Income $ (12,741 ) $ 36,371     $ (19,280 )   $ (32,021 ) $ 36,293     $ (65,098 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss or income to funds flow from operations                  
    DD&A expenses   68,635     55,490       72,202       140,837     111,640       259,816  
    Deferred tax expense (recovery)   2,453     (51,361 )     (4,712 )     (2,259 )   (37,882 )     7,735  
    Stock-based compensation expense (recovery)   546     6,160       (517 )     29     9,521       215  
    Amortization of debt issuance costs   4,082     2,760       3,833       7,915     6,066       14,767  
    Non-cash lease expense   1,725     1,381       1,736       3,461     2,794       6,590  
    Lease payments   (1,545 )   (1,311 )     (1,567 )     (3,112 )   (2,369 )     (5,778 )
    Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain)   3,114     (3,323 )     1,687       4,801     (5,589 )     2,497  
    Other loss   38     —       52       90     —       90  
    Unrealized derivative instrument (gain) loss   (12,401 )   —       1,910       (10,491 )   —       (7,117 )
    Funds flow from operations $ 53,906   $ 46,167     $ 55,344     $ 109,250   $ 120,474     $ 213,717  
    Capital expenditures $ 51,170   $ 61,273     $ 94,727     $ 145,897   $ 116,604     $ 285,471  
    Free cash flow $ 2,736   $ (15,106 )   $ (39,383 )   $ (36,647 ) $ 3,870     $ (71,754 )

    Net debt as of June 30, 2025, was $746 million, calculated using the sum of the aggregate principal amount of 7.75% Senior Notes, 9.50% Senior Notes outstanding and amount drawn on credit facilities, excluding deferred financing fees, totaling $807 million, less cash and cash equivalents of $61 million. Management believes that net debt is a useful supplemental measure for management and investors in order to evaluate the financial sustainability of the Company’s business and leverage. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is total debt.

    Presentation of Oil and Gas Information

    Boes have been converted on the basis of six thousand cubic feet (“Mcf”) natural gas to 1 boe of oil. Boes may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of 6 Mcf: 1 boe is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. In addition, given that the value ratio based on the current price of oil as compared with natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalent of six to one, utilizing a boe conversion ratio of 6 Mcf: 1 boe would be misleading as an indication of value.

    References to a formation where evidence of hydrocarbons has been encountered is not necessarily an indicator that hydrocarbons will be recoverable in commercial quantities or in any estimated volume. Gran Tierra’s reported production is a mix of light crude oil and medium heavy crude oil, tight oil, conventional natural gas, shale gas and natural gas liquids for which there is no precise breakdown since the Company’s sales volumes typically represent blends of more than one product type. Well test results should be considered as preliminary and not necessarily indicative of long-term performance or of ultimate recovery. Well log interpretations indicating oil and gas accumulations are not necessarily indicative of future production or ultimate recovery. If it is indicated that a pressure transient analysis or well-test interpretation has not been carried out, any data disclosed in that respect should be considered preliminary until such analysis has been completed. References to thickness of “oil pay” or of a formation where evidence of hydrocarbons has been encountered is not necessarily an indicator that hydrocarbons will be recoverable in commercial quantities or in any estimated volume.

    This press release contains certain oil and gas metrics, including operating netback and cash netback, which do not have standardized meanings or standard methods of calculation and therefore such measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies and should not be used to make comparisons. These metrics are calculated as described in this press release and management believes that they are useful supplemental measures for the reasons described in this press release.

    Such metrics have been included herein to provide readers with additional measures to evaluate the Company’s performance; however, such measures are not reliable indicators of the future performance of the Company and future performance may not compare to the performance in previous periods.

    The MIL Network –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Silicon Motion Announces Results for the Period Ended June 30, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Business Highlights

    • Second quarter of 2025 sales increased 19% Q/Q and decreased 6% Y/Y
      • SSD controller sales: 2Q of 2025 increased 0% to 5% Q/Q and decreased 15% to 20% Y/Y
      • eMMC+UFS controller sales: 2Q of 2025 increased 40% to 45% Q/Q and increased 10% to 15% Y/Y
      • SSD solutions sales: 2Q of 2025 increased 0% to 5% Q/Q and decreased 45% to 50% Y/Y

    Financial Highlights

      2Q 2025 GAAP 2Q 2025 Non-GAAP*
     • Net sales $198.7 million (+19% Q/Q, -6% Y/Y) $198.7 million (+19% Q/Q, -6% Y/Y)
     • Gross margin 47.7% 47.7%
     • Operating margin 11.2% 12.8%
     • Earnings per diluted ADS $0.49 $0.69

    *  Please see supplemental reconciliations of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) to all non-GAAP financial measures mentioned herein towards the end of this news release.

    TAIPEI, Taiwan and MILPITAS, Calif., July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Silicon Motion Technology Corporation (NasdaqGS: SIMO) (“Silicon Motion,” the “Company” or “we”) today announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2025. For the second quarter of 2025, net sales (GAAP) increased sequentially to $198.7 million from $166.5 million in the first quarter of 2025. Net income (GAAP) decreased to $16.3 million, or $0.49 per diluted American depositary share (“ADS”) (GAAP), from net income (GAAP) of $19.5 million, or $0.58 per diluted ADS (GAAP), in the first quarter of 2025.

    For the second quarter of 2025, net income (non-GAAP) increased to $23.0 million, or $0.69 per diluted ADS (non-GAAP), from net income (non-GAAP) of $20.3 million, or $0.60 per diluted ADS (non-GAAP), in the first quarter of 2025.

    All financial numbers are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.

    Second Quarter of 2025 Review
    “We experienced a strong recovery in our business during the second quarter of 2025 and delivered revenue well above our previously provided range,” stated Wallace Kou, President and CEO of Silicon Motion. “Our industry leading PCIe5 client SSD controller sales grew more than 75% quarter-over-quarter as AI-at-the-edge PCs are beginning to gain market traction and as white box AI server makers continue to leverage mainstream hardware components. Our eMMC and UFS products experienced strong growth during the second quarter of 2025, primarily driven by better-than-anticipated smartphone sales and market share gains. We are benefiting from increased product and market diversification and we believe that we are better positioned to deliver long-term, sustainable growth due to our expanding portfolio of leading consumer, enterprise, automotive, industrial and storage solutions.”

    Key Financial Results

    (in millions, except percentages and per ADS amounts) GAAP Non-GAAP
    2Q 2025 1Q 2025 2Q 2024 2Q 2025 1Q 2025 2Q 2024
    Revenue $198.7 $166.5 $210.7 $198.7 $166.5 $210.7
    Gross profit
       Percent of revenue
    $94.7
    47.7%
    $78.4
    47.1%
    $96.8
    45.9%
    $94.7
    47.7%
    $78.4
    47.1%
    $96.8
    46.0%
    Operating expenses $72.4 $68.6 $66.0 $69.3 $63.6 $62.1
    Operating income
       Percent of revenue
    $22.3
    11.2%
    $9.8
    5.9%
    $30.7
    14.6%
    $25.3
    12.8%
    $14.9
    8.9%
    $34.7
    16.5%
    Earnings per diluted ADS $0.49 $0.58 $0.91 $0.69 $0.60 $0.96


    Other Financial Information

    (in millions) 2Q 2025 1Q 2025 2Q 2024
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—end of period $282.3 $331.7 $343.6
    Routine capital expenditures $7.4 $7.0 $6.3
    Dividend payments $16.7 $17.0 $16.8
    Share repurchases — $24.3 —

    During the second quarter of 2025, we had $15.6 million of capital expenditures, including $7.4 million for the routine purchases of testing equipment, software, design tools and other items, and $8.2 million for building construction and improvements in Hsinchu, Taiwan.

    Returning Value to Shareholders

    On October 28, 2024, our Board of Directors declared a $2.00 per ADS annual cash dividend to be paid in quarterly installments of $0.50 per ADS. On May 22, 2025, we paid $16.7 million to Silicon Motion shareholders as the third installment of the annual cash dividend.

    On February 6, 2025, we announced that our Board of Directors had authorized a new program for the Company to repurchase up to $50 million of our ADSs over a six-month period. In the second quarter of 2025, we did not repurchase any of our ADSs.

    Business Outlook
    “Our diversification strategy is expanding our market opportunities as we continue to invest in new products and markets. In 2025, we are benefitting from the introduction of several new products including our leading 6nm, 8-channel PCIe5 client SSD controller, our new eMMC and UFS controllers, and our MicroSD controller that is selling alongside the Nintendo Switch 2. In the second half of the year, we expect to further benefit from the initial ramp of our new 6nm, 4-channel PCIe5 client SSD controller targeting the mass market in late 2025, our first MonTitan enterprise/AI-class product, and our boot drive storage products for DPU network accelerators for the greater SSD data storage ecosystem. We expect to ramp each of these products to scale in 2026 with our customers. Additionally, we continue to experience significant design win activity and demand for our leading automotive portfolio, and we expect to benefit from a mix shift to higher ASP products moving forward as customers shift to our growing portfolio of full solutions. We expect a stronger second half of the year, and we continue to target a revenue run rate of $1 billion for 2025 as we exit the year,” stated Mr. Kou.

    For the third quarter of 2025, management expects:

    ($ in millions, except percentages) GAAP Non-GAAP Adjustment Non-GAAP
    Revenue $219 to $228
    +10% to 15% Q/Q
    — $219 to $228
    +10% to 15% Q/Q
    Gross margin 48.0% to 49.0% Approximately $0.1* 48.0% to 49.0%
    Operating margin 8.9% to 11.5% Approximately $6.5 to $7.5** 12.3% to 14.3%

    * Projected gross margin (non-GAAP) excludes $0.1 million of stock-based compensation.
    ** Projected operating margin (non-GAAP) excludes $6.5 million to $7.5 million of stock-based compensation and dispute related expenses.

    Conference Call & Webcast:

    The Company’s management team will conduct a conference call at 8:00 am Eastern Time on July 31, 2025.

    Conference Call Details
    Participants must register in advance to join the conference call using the link provided below. Conference access information (including dial-in information and a unique access PIN) will be provided in the email received upon registration.

    Participant Online Registration:
    https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI9e8eb8a4d35743cfa957757c6a1207e2

    A webcast of the call will be available on the Company’s website at www.siliconmotion.com.

    Discussion of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    To supplement the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial results calculated in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), the Company discloses certain non-GAAP financial measures that exclude stock-based compensation and other items, including gross profit (non-GAAP), gross margin (non-GAAP), operating expenses (non-GAAP), operating profit (non-GAAP), operating margin (non-GAAP), non-operating income (expense) (non-GAAP), net income (non-GAAP), and earnings per diluted ADS (non-GAAP). These non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with or an alternative to GAAP and may be different from similarly-titled non-GAAP measures used by other companies. We believe that these non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all the amounts associated with the Company’s results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP and that these measures should only be used to evaluate the Company’s results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the most directly comparable GAAP measure. We compensate for the limitations of our non-GAAP financial measures by relying upon GAAP results to gain a complete picture of our performance.

    Our non-GAAP financial measures are provided to enhance the user’s overall understanding of our current financial performance and our prospects for the future. Specifically, we believe the non-GAAP results provide useful information to both management and investors as these non-GAAP results exclude certain expenses, gains and losses that we believe are not indicative of our core operating results and because they are consistent with the financial models and estimates published by many analysts who follow the Company. We use non-GAAP measures to evaluate the operating performance of our business, for comparison with our forecasts, and for benchmarking our performance externally against our competitors. Also, when evaluating potential acquisitions, we exclude the items described below from our consideration of the target’s performance and valuation. Since we find these measures to be useful, we believe that our investors benefit from seeing the results from management’s perspective in addition to seeing our GAAP results. We believe that these non-GAAP measures, when read in conjunction with the Company’s GAAP financials, provide useful information to investors by offering:

    • the ability to make more meaningful period-to-period comparisons of the Company’s on-going operating results;
    • the ability to better identify trends in the Company’s underlying business and perform related trend analysis;
    • a better understanding of how management plans and measures the Company’s underlying business; and
    • an easier way to compare the Company’s operating results against analyst financial models and operating results of our competitors that supplement their GAAP results with non-GAAP financial measures.

    The following are explanations of each of the adjustments that we incorporate into our non-GAAP measures, as well as the reasons for excluding each of these individual items in our reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures:

    Stock-based compensation expense consists of non-cash charges related to the fair value of restricted stock units awarded to employees. The Company believes that the exclusion of these non-cash charges provides for more accurate comparisons of our operating results to our peer companies due to the varying available valuation methodologies, subjective assumptions and the variety of award types. In addition, the Company believes it is useful to investors to understand the specific impact of share-based compensation on its operating results.

    Restructuring charges relate to the restructuring of our underperforming product lines, principally the write-down of NAND flash, embedded DRAM and SSD inventory valuation and severance payments. 

    Dispute related expenses consist of legal, consultant, other fees and resolution related to the dispute.

    Foreign exchange loss (gain) consists of translation gains and/or losses of non-US$ denominated current assets and current liabilities, as well as certain other balance sheet items, which result from the appreciation or depreciation of non-US$ currencies against the US$. We do not use financial instruments to manage the impact on our operations from changes in foreign exchange rates, and because our operations are subject to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, we therefore exclude foreign exchange gains and losses when presenting non-GAAP financial measures.

    Realized/Unrealized loss (gain) on investments relates to the disposal and net change in fair value of long-term investments.

    Silicon Motion Technology Corporation
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    (in thousands, except percentages and per ADS data, unaudited)
           
      For Three Months Ended   For the Six Months Ended
      Jun. 30,   Mar. 31,   Jun. 30,   Jun. 30,   Jun. 30,
      2024    2025    2025    2024    2025 
      ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)
    Net sales   210,670       166,492       198,675       399,981       365,167  
    Cost of sales   113,893       88,125       103,988       218,084       192,113  
    Gross profit   96,777       78,367       94,687       181,897       173,054  
    Operating expenses                  
    Research & development   50,788       55,026       58,147       105,180       113,173  
    Sales & marketing   6,777       7,115       7,093       13,081       14,208  
    General & administrative   7,215       6,460       7,118       13,689       13,578  
    Loss from settlement of litigation   1,250       –       –       1,250       –  
    Operating income   30,747       9,766       22,329       48,697       32,095  
    Non-operating income (expense)                  
    Interest income, net   4,175       2,929       2,706       7,241       5,635  
    Foreign exchange gain (loss), net   245       373       (3,302 )     833       (2,929 )
    Realized/Unrealized gain(loss) on investments   1,855       3,296       (1,051 )     247       2,245  
    Others, net   –       –       1       –       1  
    Subtotal   6,275       6,598       (1,646 )     8,321       4,952  
    Income before income tax   37,022       16,364       20,683       57,018       37,047  
    Income tax expense (benefit)   6,201       (3,099 )     4,372       10,181       1,273  
    Net income   30,821       19,463       16,311       46,837       35,774  
                       
    Earnings per basic ADS   0.92       0.58       0.49       1.39       1.06  
    Earnings per diluted ADS   0.91       0.58       0.49       1.39       1.06  
                       
    Margin Analysis:                  
    Gross margin   45.9 %     47.1 %     47.7 %     45.5 %     47.4 %
    Operating margin   14.6 %     5.9 %     11.2 %     12.2 %     8.8 %
    Net margin   14.6 %     11.7 %     8.2 %     11.7 %     9.8 %
                       
    Additional Data:                  
    Weighted avg. ADS equivalents   33,684       33,634       33,557       33,596       33,596  
    Diluted ADS equivalents   33,697       33,827       33,562       33,687       33,681  
                                           
    Silicon Motion Technology Corporation
    Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Results
    (in thousands, except percentages and per ADS data, unaudited)
           
      For Three Months Ended   For the Six Months Ended
      Jun. 30,   Mar. 31,   Jun. 30,   Jun. 30,   Jun. 30,
      2024       2025       2025       2024       2025  
    ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)
    Gross profit (GAAP)   96,777       78,367       94,687       181,897       173,054  
    Gross margin (GAAP)   45.9 %     47.1 %     47.7 %     45.5 %     47.4 %
    Stock-based compensation (A)   14       73       –       86       73  
    Restructuring charges   46       –       –       46       –  
    Gross profit (non-GAAP)   96,837       78,440       94,687       182,029       173,127  
    Gross margin (non-GAAP)   46.0 %     47.1 %     47.7 %     45.5 %     47.4 %
                       
    Operating expenses (GAAP)   66,030       68,601       72,358       133,200       140,959  
    Stock-based compensation (A)   (371 )     (4,738 )     (175 )     (3,464 )     (4,913 )
    Dispute related expenses   (3,527 )     (277 )     (2,841 )     (5,059 )     (3,118 )
    Operating expenses (non-GAAP)   62,132       63,586       69,342       124,677       132,928  
                       
    Operating profit (GAAP)   30,747       9,766       22,329       48,697       32,095  
    Operating margin (GAAP)   14.6 %     5.9 %     11.2 %     12.2 %     8.8 %
    Total adjustments to operating profit   3,958       5,088       3,016       8,655       8,104  
    Operating profit (non-GAAP)   34,705       14,854       25,345       57,352       40,199  
    Operating margin (non-GAAP)   16.5 %     8.9 %     12.8 %     14.3 %     11.0 %
                       
    Non-operating income (expense) (GAAP)   6,275       6,598       (1,646 )     8,321       4,952  
    Foreign exchange loss (gain), net   (245 )     (373 )     3,302       (833 )     2,929  
    Unrealized holding loss (gain) on investments   (1,855 )     (3,296 )     1,051       (247 )     (2,245 )
                       
    Non-operating income (expense) (non-GAAP)   4,175       2,929       2,707       7,241       5,636  
                       
    Net income (GAAP)   30,821       19,463       16,311       46,837       35,774  
    Total pre-tax impact of non-GAAP adjustments   1,858       1,419       7,369       7,575       8,788  
    Income tax impact of non-GAAP adjustments   (218 )     (610 )     (670 )     (365 )     (1,280 )
    Net income (non-GAAP)   32,461       20,272       23,010       54,047       43,282  
                       
    Earnings per diluted ADS (GAAP) $ 0.91     $ 0.58     $ 0.49     $ 1.39     $ 1.06  
    Earnings per diluted ADS (non-GAAP) $ 0.96     $ 0.60     $ 0.69     $ 1.60     $ 1.28  
                       
    Shares used in computing earnings per diluted ADS (GAAP)   33,697       33,827       33,562       33,687       33,681  
    Non-GAAP adjustments   18       20       18       23       33  
    Shares used in computing earnings per diluted ADS (non-GAAP)   33,715       33,847       33,580       33,710       33,714  
                       
    (A)Excludes stock-based compensation as follows:                  
    Cost of sales   14       73       –       86       73  
    Research & development   94       3,003       55       2,237       3,058  
    Sales & marketing   173       862       79       520       941  
    General & administrative   104       873       41       707       914  
                                           

                  

    Silicon Motion Technology Corporation
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (In thousands, unaudited)
                           
        Jun. 30,       Mar. 31,       Jun. 30,  
        2024       2025       2025  
        ($)       ($)       ($)  
    Cash and cash equivalents   289,175       275,140       208,043  
    Accounts receivable (net)   191,692       206,693       220,924  
    Inventories   240,811       180,903       208,005  
    Refundable deposits – current   51,036       53,015       70,308  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   31,460       32,102       68,040  
    Total current assets   804,174       747,853       775,320  
    Long-term investments   17,301       20,636       19,620  
    Property and equipment (net)   179,550       193,603       208,826  
    Other assets   29,121       29,310       29,997  
    Total assets   1,030,146       991,402       1,033,763  
                           
    Accounts payable   36,411       23,048       37,455  
    Income tax payable   14,103       14,782       17,370  
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   134,947       130,277       134,377  
    Total current liabilities   185,461       168,107       189,202  
    Other liabilities   60,182       50,968       55,620  
    Total liabilities   245,643       219,075       244,822  
    Shareholders’ equity   784,503       772,327       788,941  
    Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity   1,030,146       991,402       1,033,763  
                           
    Silicon Motion Technology Corporation
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    (in thousands, unaudited)
           
      For Three Months Ended   For the Six Months Ended
      Jun. 30,   Mar. 31,   Jun. 30,   Jun. 30,   Jun. 30,
        2024       2025       2025       2024       2025  
      ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)
    Net income   30,821       19,463       16,311       46,837       35,774  
    Depreciation & amortization   5,802       7,225       7,445       11,411       14,670  
    Stock-based compensation   385       4,811       175       3,550       4,986  
    Investment losses (gain) & disposals   (1,855 )     (3,309 )     1,053       (247 )     (2,256 )
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities   (13,660 )     22,082       (42,258 )     (32,246 )     (20,176 )
    Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   21,493       50,272       (17,274 )     29,305       32,998  
                       
    Purchase of property & equipment   (10,427 )     (11,661 )     (15,551 )     (21,176 )     (27,212 )
    Proceeds from disposal of properties   –       13       –       –       13  
    Net cash used in investing activities   (10,427 )     (11,648 )     (15,551 )     (21,176 )     (27,199 )
                       
    Dividend payments   (16,820 )     (16,956 )     (16,746 )     (33,629 )     (33,702 )
    Share repurchases   –       (24,291 )     (21 )     –       (24,312 )
    Net cash used in financing activities   (16,820 )     (41,247 )     (16,767 )     (33,629 )     (58,014 )
                       
    Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents & restricted cash   (5,754 )     (2,623 )     (49,592 )     (25,500 )     (52,215 )
    Effect of foreign exchange changes   86       37       124       121       161  
    Cash, cash equivalents & restricted cash—beginning of period   349,279       334,333       331,747       368,990       334,333  
    Cash, cash equivalents & restricted cash—end of period   343,611       331,747       282,279       343,611       282,279  
                       

    About Silicon Motion:

    We are the global leader in supplying NAND flash controllers for solid state storage devices. We supply more SSD controllers than any other company in the world for servers, PCs and other client devices and are the leading merchant supplier of eMMC and UFS embedded storage controllers used in smartphones, IoT devices and other applications.  We also supply customized high-performance hyperscale data center and specialized industrial and automotive SSD solutions. Our customers include most of the NAND flash vendors, storage device module makers and leading OEMs.  For further information on Silicon Motion, visit us at www.siliconmotion.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements:
    This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although such statements are based on our own information and information from other sources we believe to be reliable, you should not place undue reliance on them. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual market trends or our actual results of operations, financial condition or business prospects may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the unpredictable volume and timing of customer orders, which are not fixed by contract but vary on a purchase order basis; the loss of one or more key customers or the significant reduction, postponement, rescheduling or cancellation of orders from one or more customers; general economic conditions or conditions in the semiconductor or consumer electronics markets; the impact of inflation on our business and customer’s businesses and any effect this has on economic activity in the markets in which we operate; the functionalities and performance of our information technology (“IT”) systems, which are subject to cybersecurity threats and which support our critical operational activities, and any breaches of our IT systems or those of our customers, suppliers, partners and providers of third-party licensed technology; the effects on our business and our customer’s business taking into account the ongoing U.S.-China tariffs and trade disputes; the uncertainties associated with any future global or regional pandemic; the continuing tensions between Taiwan and China, including enhanced military activities; decreases in the overall average selling prices of our products; changes in the relative sales mix of our products; changes in our cost of finished goods; supply chain disruptions that have affected us and our industry as well as other industries on a global basis; the payment, or non-payment, of cash dividends in the future at the discretion of our Board of Directors and any announced planned increases in such dividends; changes in our cost of finished goods; the availability, pricing, and timeliness of delivery of other components and raw materials used in the products we sell given the current raw material supply shortages being experienced in our industry; our customers’ sales outlook, purchasing patterns, and inventory adjustments based on consumer demands and general economic conditions; any potential impairment charges that may be incurred related to businesses previously acquired or divested in the future; our ability to successfully develop, introduce, and sell new or enhanced products in a timely manner; and the timing of new product announcements or introductions by us or by our competitors. For additional discussion of these risks and uncertainties and other factors, please see the documents we file from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2025. Other than as required under the securities laws, we do not intend, and do not undertake any obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release.

    The MIL Network –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-Evening Report: Just as NZ began collecting meaningful data on rainbow communities, census changes threaten their visibility

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lori Leigh, Research Fellow in Public Health, University of Otago

    Getty Images

    New Zealand’s 2023 census was the first to collect data on gender identity and sexual orientation, showing one in 20 adults identify as LGBTQIA+.

    But just as reports from this more inclusive census are being released, Minister of Statistics Shane Reti announced a change to existing administrative data collected by government departments as part of their normal business, scrapping a 150-year history of the census.

    Currently, there are no sources of administrative data that include adequate rainbow demographic markers such as sexual orientation, gender, transgender experience or variations of sex characteristics.

    Without high-quality data, the policy reforms needed to address underserved and historically marginalised populations become harder to make. How can we create evidence-based policy with no evidence?

    A snapshot of homelessness in rainbow communities

    The slogan of the 2023 census was “tatau tātou – all of us count”.

    Rainbow communities had been invisible in the census since its inception in 1851. The 2023 Census was a watershed moment, born out of decades of determined activism and advocacy from the community.

    For us, as housing and homelessness researchers, it was particularly important to finally have whole-of-population data about rates of homelessness among LGBTQIA+ communities. Data on housing showed rainbow communities pay higher rents, live in mouldier housing and move more frequently than non-rainbow communities.

    Adding LGBTQIA+ data to the census meant we were the first country in the world to have such data on the housing experiences of these communities. We were applauded internationally by colleagues who have long been wanting similar homelessness and rainbow data from their own national censuses.

    This data will be a great advocacy tool, but it is bittersweet that we will never have such information again.

    History of advocacy

    There is a nearly 50-year history of various community movements, from boycotts to activism, chronicling the queer struggle to be appropriately counted in the census.

    In 1981, a group of Wellington lesbians held a “dykecott” of the New Zealand census to protest their exclusion. This included sending blank census forms to the Human Rights Commission with various explanations essentially saying “no rights, no responsibilities.”

    Then, in the 1990s, the Wellington City Council’s lesbian and gay advisory group came together to lobby Stats NZ about the need for inclusive census data. In 1996, census forms were changed to be able to count same-sex partners.

    In 2002, the former editor of the New Zealand LGBTQIA+ magazine Express Victor van Wetering went so far as to lodge a formal complaint against Stats NZ, stating the agency was in clear breach of the Human Rights Act. He alleged it was failing to meet its statutory requirements.

    Stats NZ’s present and historical stance towards sexual orientation data amounts to a consistent denial that any imperative exists for it to develop a statistical picture of our queer communities. This statistical invisibility deprives queer communities of knowledge and power.

    Advocacy continued throughout the 2000s and 2010s, and in 2018, Stats NZ released their statistical standards for measuring sexual orientation. The possibility of inclusive census data started to become more of a reality.

    The decision to halt the census as we know it means there will be no longitudinal comparative data for rainbow communities. Just as the community has been allowed out of the statistical closet, people will be put back in.

    It had long been argued that accuracy of rainbow data would improve over subsequent censuses. Now we will never know what developments might have emerged.

    A short-lived win

    Community advocates and the Human Rights Commission continued to raise the lack of rainbow data collection at the population level.

    In 2020, the Human Rights Commission released a report which found New Zealand’s data collection processes fail to accurately count the country’s rainbow community members.

    Stats NZ had already started significant work to evaluate and update their sex and gender identity standards. Weeks after the report, the agency committed to what would become the 2023 census. Rainbow community groups applauded, felt finally listened to and called the shift a major win.

    After decades of advocacy, rainbow populations were finally counted in the 2023 Census.
    Instagram/Insideoutkoaro, CC BY-SA

    This sense of pride continues as reports and data are released from the census.

    Research and survey data consistently show rainbow communities in Aotearoa New Zealand experience multiple forms of discrimination. This includes violence, family rejection, bullying and social exclusion.

    These experiences contribute to disproportionately high rates of serious negative outcomes such as suicidality, health inequities, homelessness and substance use. Despite this, we continue to lack data comparing the experiences of rainbow communities with those of the general population.

    As a result, health and social disparities affecting LGBTQIA+ people are systematically under-recognised in government strategies and across health and social service systems. Efforts to address these inequities are also frequently under-resourced and inadequately prioritised.

    Former government statistician Len Cook said:

    There is no time over the past 50 years when the scope and quality of population statistics has been of such importance in public life in Aotearoa New Zealand as now.

    Scrapping the census is a cost-cutting exercise. But what is the real cost of losing data and which communities will disproportionately bear this cost? The decision renders LGBTQIA+ people, once again, invisible.

    Lori Leigh is affiliated with the Trans Health Research Network, Kawe Mahara Queer Archives Aotearoa and receives funding from MBIE’s Endeavour Fund programme as part of their work for the University of Otago, Wellington.

    Brodie Fraser is affiliated with the Trans Health Research Network and currently funded by two MBIE Endeavour Fund programmes, and has previously been funded by the Health Research Council and the University of Otago.

    – ref. Just as NZ began collecting meaningful data on rainbow communities, census changes threaten their visibility – https://theconversation.com/just-as-nz-began-collecting-meaningful-data-on-rainbow-communities-census-changes-threaten-their-visibility-261753

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Economy – US Fed holds rates steady – but September cut now in focus: deVere CEO

    Source: deVere Group

    July 30 2025 – The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady today, but the next step is increasingly clear. A cut is coming in September, and investors should be preparing now, predicts the CEO of one of the world’s largest independent financial organizations.

    “The decision to hold was expected, but it doesn’t shift the path. The Fed has likely just bought itself eight more weeks before a pivot,” says Nigel Green, CEO of global financial advisory giant deVere Group.

    “We now expect that by September, the underlying softness in the economy will make a cut not just justified, but necessary.”

    The Fed kept the benchmark rate in its target range of 4.25% to 4.50%, where it has sat since December.

    But what was notable this time wasn’t the decision, it was the dissent.

    “When key policymakers start breaking ranks, it tells you the consensus is cracking. The economy is changing faster than the narrative.”

    The headline GDP figure – 3.0% annualized growth in the second quarter – painted a picture of strength.

    However, the internals tell a different story. Imports plunged, flattering the overall print, while core domestic demand slowed sharply.

    “The GDP number looked impressive at first glance, but it’s built on a shrinking trade gap. That’s not the foundation of enduring growth. Beneath it, private consumption and business investment are both showing signs of fatigue,” notes Nigel Green.

    Consumer spending, while still positive, decelerated from the previous quarter. Americans are becoming more selective, more cautious – a shift that matters for investors trying to assess which parts of the market remain resilient.

    “We’re seeing a transition in behavior. People aren’t panicking, but they’re hesitating. They’re thinking harder about how and where to spend. This shift will ripple across sectors, and smart investors will adjust early.”

    With inflation continuing to ease, the Fed has room to move – and the broader economic signals are now pointing in the same direction.

    “The case for cutting isn’t built on fear, it’s built on realism. Growth isn’t reversing, but it is thinning out. The Fed has always said it’s data-driven, and the data is evolving.”

    The deVere Group chief executive believes today’s pause gives investors a crucial window.

    “This is the moment to recheck exposure, stress test assumptions, and reweight toward high-quality, globally diversified assets. If you’re waiting for the official pivot to reposition, you may already be behind.”

    Markets may respond positively in the short term to the Fed’s steady hand, but that optimism could narrow once investors process the nuances of slowing demand and uneven sector performance.

    “There’s a difference between momentum and endurance. Right now, we’re seeing the tail end of stimulus-driven resilience, but not a broad-based expansion. Positioning based on the headline alone is a mistake.”

    deVere is advising clients to look beyond the binary of rate hikes or cuts, and to focus instead on portfolio durability in a world where growth is steady but no longer abundant.

    “It would appear that we’re entering a new phase of lower inflation, lower growth, and soon, lower rates. This rewards forward-thinking strategy over reaction.”

    As central bankers weigh the incoming data and investors digest the mixed signals, it seems that September is shaping up to be a decisive month.

    “Today’s decision keeps the Fed in wait-and-see mode – but the waiting won’t last much longer. We expect the first cut in September. Now is the time to prepare for it.”

    deVere Group is one of the world’s largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients.  It has a network of offices around the world, more than 80,000 clients, and $14bn under advisement.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy champions resolution encouraging NATO members to meet their five percent defense spending commitments

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON – Senator John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today introduced a resolution urging North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries to fulfill their commitments to spend five percent of their GDP on defense. He emphasizes the importance of sincerity in fulfilling these obligations, noting that some countries, such as Spain, have refused to meet the five percent commitment, demanding a carveout. Spain struggled to even meet their two percent defense spending target. All NATO members must take this commitment seriously to strengthen our collective security. 

    “NATO is one of the greatest defensive alliances in all of human history. My resolution commends our allies for their commitment to allocate five percent of their GDP to our shared defense and strongly encourages them to fulfill their promises in good faith. If we want to deter our adversaries, we need real investments in our defense, not bridges that have little, if anything, to do with national security,” said Kennedy.

    Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) cosponsored the bill.

    “Now more than ever, the New Axis of Evil is threatening the security of free nations, and every NATO member country needs to spend their fair share to keep our adversaries from accomplishing their goals. Our resolution urges all NATO members to fulfill their obligation to spend 5% of GDP on defense and address the security risks we are facing,” said Blackburn.

    “It’s past time for NATO members to pony up. It’s not the job of the American taxpayers to pay to defend the entire world. Thank God for President Trump who is finally standing up for American taxpayers and fighting to put America First,” said Tuberville.

    “NATO members agree: Deterrence is more important now than at any time in recent memory. The axis of aggressors is watching, hoping the West underestimates its threats. I am grateful for the Hague Summit Declaration’s spending commitment, and I will continue pressing member nations to follow through on their word. The free world can achieve peace through collective strength,” said Wicker.

    “Conflicts in Europe and the Middle East and tensions in the Indo-Pacific threaten our global stability and security. It’s critical for NATO nations to honor their commitments on national defense, ensuring military readiness within the NATO alliance,” said Cornyn.

    Kennedy also penned an op-ed in Newsweek, arguing that Congress needs to hold NATO member countries to their five percent defense spending commitments.

    Background:

    • The Trump Administration secured a historic win by encouraging NATO member countries to move toward spending 5 percent of their GDP on collective defense. 
    • However, the Hague Summit Declaration allows countries to evade their commitments in two ways: (1) by not specifying that all allies must meet the five percent requirement, and (2) by permitting 1.5 percent of the total to include spending that is only loosely related to defense.  
    • Spain has recently said that it will not be meeting the five-percent commitment. Italy has said it may include a bridge to Sicily as part of its non-traditional defense total.

    The resolution:

    • Congratulates President Trump and NATO leadership on this historic agreement.
    • Strongly urges NATO leadership to compel its members to adhere to the five percent commitment.
    • Calls on NATO allies to ensure their non-traditional defense expenditures are legitimate defense spending.

    The full text of the resolution is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Homeland Security Committee unanimously passes Kennedy, Peters bill to end government payments to deceased Americans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) today unanimously voted to advance Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Sen. Gary Peters’ (D-Mich.) Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act, which would save hard-earned taxpayer money by curbing erroneous payments to individuals who have passed away.

    Kennedy’s original bipartisan legislation set up key provisions to save federal taxpayer dollars by curbing erroneous government payments to individuals for a temporary three-year period, and this new Kennedy-Peters bill would make the temporary provisions permanent. The original bill is expected to save at least $330 million from 2024 to 2026.

    “Today’s unanimous Senate Homeland Security Committee vote to pass my Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act is a major win for every American worried about waste, fraud, and abuse in our federal budget. There’s no reason hardworking Americans should have to pay for the government’s mistaken payments to dead people. I look forward to the full Senate passing our bill right away,” said Kennedy.

    “This bill would help save millions of taxpayer dollars by ensuring that the Social Security Administration can permanently share important data with the Treasury’s Do Not Pay system, preventing wrongful payments to deceased individuals. I have long supported this legislation because I believe it is a vital step in safeguarding taxpayer dollars and ensuring the integrity of our payment systems,” said Peters.

    In January 2025, the Treasury Department announced that it recovered $31 million in fraud and improper payments during the first five months of the implementation of Kennedy’s Stopping Improper Payments to Deceased People Act, in which the Social Security Administration shared its Death Master File with the Treasury Department to avoid erroneous payments temporarily.

    The Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act would permanently amend the Social Security Act to allow the Social Security Administration to share the Death Master File – a record of deceased individuals – with the Treasury Department’s Do Not Pay system. This change would rein in the government’s ability to make improper payments to deceased people in the future.

    The bill would also allow the Treasury’s Do Not Pay working system to compare death information from the Social Security Administration with personal information from other federal entities and to share this information with any paying or administering agency that is authorized to use the Do Not Pay system. 

    Background: 

    Kennedy has championed the cause of saving billions of dollars in taxpayer money by ending improper payments to deceased Americans in recent years:

    • In December 2024, Kennedy urged his colleagues to save taxpayer dollars and support the Ending Improper Payments to Deceased Americans Act on the Senate floor.
    • In May 2024, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs unanimously passed Kennedy’s Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act. 
    • Kennedy’s Stopping Improper Payments to Deceased People Act became law in December 2020. The bill mandates the sharing of the Social Security Administration’s Death Master File with the Department of the Treasury’s Do Not Pay working system within three years after enactment. The three-year exchange runs from December 27, 2023, to December 27, 2026.
    • In 2021, Kennedy wrote this op-ed sounding the alarm on the government’s sending more than $1 billion to deceased Americans.
    • In 2019, Kennedy questioned U.S. Government Accountability Office Comptroller General Hon. Gene L. Dodaro about improper payments sent to deceased people. 

    Full bill text is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025
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