A $750,000 investment into Iwi and community led biodiversity protection at Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park will benefit the environment and sustainable tourism, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.
“We’re backing much-needed protection for one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most unique conservation parks and southern-most kauri habitats through work to eradicate destructive wild goats, contributing to a healthier and scenic visitor experience near Tauranga,” Mr Potaka says.
“Browsing animals, like wild goats affect forest regeneration significantly, and are considered a potential spreader of kauri dieback through soil they carry.
“This funding from the International Visitor Levy will enable contractors and Iwi/hapū professional pest animal control teams developed through the Kaimai Mamaku Restoration Project to carry out ground and aerialhunting over three years.
“We must protect the precious flora and fauna at this park. The park marks the northern limit of plants such as kāmahi, red and silver beech, and the southern limit of kauri, making the forest precious and unique for its diverse ecosystem. It is also home to various native species, including kōkako, pekapeka, and Hochstetter’s frog, kākā, kiwi, and kārearea.”
Mr Potaka says that in addition to conserving nature, the investment delivers tourism, recreation and economic benefits for the area.
“It’s a natural gateway between Auckland and Rotorua and has many tracks including family friendly walks, significant heritage sites, huts, camping, hunting and mountain biking.
“This work will also mean that visitors will be able experience the lush, thriving ecosystems that they expect to see in Aotearoa New Zealand.
“From the gold mining history of Karangahake Gorge in the north, down almost to tourism-hotspot Rotorua in the south, Kaimai Mamaku is steeped in history and culture.
“It’s a great place for people to get outdoors, with over 360 kilometres of walking tracks and numerous hunting opportunities, and I encourage people to get to the park to enjoy the unique, beautiful nature that Aotearoa New Zealand is so loved for.”
Note to editor
The funding comes from the 2024/25 biodiversity portion of the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. Priorities for these investments are focused on restoring unique wildlife and supporting thriving landscapes in National Parks and visitor sites.
A Budget poll lays bare how deeply unpopular the Government’s decision to scrap pay equity rules under urgency has become.
ThePost/Freshwater Strategy Polltoday shows many New Zealanders oppose the Government axing pay equity claims and making it harder to push for new claims – nearly four out of ten opposed the decision and just over four out of ten said the move damaged their confidence in the Government’s commitment to gender equality.
“The Government decided to scrap pay equity for women to pay for tax cuts for business in this year’s budget – New Zealanders are seeing that plain and simple and they don’t like it,” said Fleur Fitzsimons National Secretary Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“This was wage theft and no amount of spin by the Government has convinced many New Zealanders who see the move done under urgency for what is – a betrayal that impacts wives, mothers, daughters and their families.
“It was morally wrong to cancel women’s claims for pay equity without telling New Zealanders during the election or even in government, and without a democratic select committee process, but it’s not too late for the Government to do the right thing by women.
“This outrageous decision will keep damaging the Government – the PSA calls on the Government to settle the 33 claims it scrapped and restore the pay equity process.
“That will help over 150,000 women get the wage increase they need and deserve and many New Zealanders clearly agree.
“Pay equity is also critical to help many deal with the cost of living which still worries New Zealanders. The poll shows a majority don’t think the Budget will help reduce pressures on the household budget from rising prices.
“What’s more nearly two thirds worry the Government’s spending cuts will damage the public services they rely on. This is what the PSA warned all along.
“The poll should be a wake-up call. New Zealanders are clearly telling the Government it is taking the country in the wrong direction, and is failing women and households. Restoring pay equity and public services would be a start.”
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahiis Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
The Israeli assault launched against Iran shortly before dawn on Friday, 13/6/2025, targeted three levels:
First: The military command-and-control system, including senior army and Revolutionary Guard leadership;
Second: The core infrastructure of Iran’s nuclear program—particularly nuclear stations and reactors, as well as missile and drone launch bases;
Third: The qualitative level, represented by senior nuclear scientists involved in Iran’s nuclear project. This multi-phase assault—carried out in five waves at the time of writing—sought to deliver a severe preemptive strike against the nuclear program, disrupt command and control systems, and disable key elements of Iran’s deterrent capability. With the confirmed assassination of Iran’s Chief of Staff, the head of the Revolutionary Guard, several top-tier military and Guard commanders, along with a number of nuclear scientists, and with direct damage inflicted on the targeted nuclear reactors, Israel began celebrating its achievement, even as anticipation mounted over Iran’s potential response. This article, written just hours after the attack, offers only a preliminary reading of the assault.
Netanyahu, who named this assault Operation Rising Lion, described it as a pivotal moment in Israel’s conflict history and a necessary measure to confront the “existential” threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program and to secure Israel’s safety. He obtained unanimous approval from the security cabinet for the attack. Israeli sources justified the offensive by stating that intelligence had recently detected an acceleration in Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons capabilities, claiming Iran was nearing the “point of no return.” Reports by international inspectors also indicated that Iran possesses enough material to produce 9 nuclear bombs, an assertion Netanyahu emphasized in his speech.
The Israeli aggression aligns with Netanyahu’s long-term security vision, which ext
Aotearoa New Zealand’s premier Climate Change and Business Conference returns in 2025, bringing together global and local leaders to accelerate climate action and business innovation.
The conference is taking place on 8-9 September at the Viaduct Events Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. This year’s theme Ambition. Accountability. Action. promises to inspire and challenge business to take meaningful steps toward addressing the impacts of climate change.
Chief Executive of the Sustainable Business Council (SBC), Mike Burrell, says this year’s conference theme is timely and critical, given the increasingly complex geopolitical environment businesses are navigating.
“Forward thinking businesses recognise the focus on climate action must remain. The science has never been more urgent or clear – we must continue to pursue better business for a better world, and this year’s conference reflects the need for that ambition to now meet action.”
The two day-event will offer a unique opportunity to learn from global and domestic leaders and changemakers across business, government, iwi, media and civil society, who are turning climate strategies into solutions and real-world impact.
The 2025 international speaking line-up includes:
–Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, MP: Vanuatu’s Minister for Climate Change Adaptation, Energy, Environment, Meteorology, Geo-Hazards and Disaster Management.
–Prof. Elizabeth Robinson: Acting Dean of the London School of Economics’ Global School of Sustainability.
–Lord Adair Turner: Chair of the Energy Transitions Commission (a global coalition of companies, NGOs and experts working to achieve a net zero economy by 2040).
Environmental Defence Society (EDS) Chief Executive Gary Taylor says, “The conference brings together visionaries and leaders in the climate space at a time when serious engagement is needed more urgently than ever, given the profound changes taking place globally.”
“This event is about having challenging conversations, tackling the gnarliest of climate issues facing our country, and driving real and meaningful change.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in more than 30 different plenary, workshops and breakout sessions, all designed to equip business leaders with the tools and insights needed to lead out on climate.
Genesis CEO and Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC) Steering Group Convenor Malcolm Johns says, “As business leaders we are facing a variety of pressures and shifting geopolitical dynamics, but it is imperative that we stay the course, remain focused and maintain our momentum on climate action.”
“This conference underscores the continuing role business has to play in this journey, and provides a critical platform for leaders to connect, innovate and lead the charge toward securing a resilient net-zero economy.”
Delivered in partnership between the Environmental Defence Society (EDS), the Sustainable Business Council (SBC) and Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC), the Climate Change and Business Conference is Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading and longest running climate and business event.
More than 650 people attended the 2024 event in person and online.
The 2025 event is supported by Foundation Sponsors Westpac NZ and Beca.
Te Arateatea Trust is successfully bridging traditional Māori healing practices with mainstream healthcare, offering an inclusive, holistic health service, particularly for expectant and new mothers.
The organisation operates Te Ara Teatea, a Whare Hauora (health clinic) established in response to community needs, with an additional focus on training practitioners in rongoā Māori, the traditional Māori system of healing. Rongoā Māori is a holistic approach that interconnects physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing, along with rongoā rākau (herbal remedies), mirimiri and romiromi (physical therapies), and spiritual healing practices.
Trust Founder Ruatau Perez [Ngāi Tuhoe, Ngāpuhi] says this integration offers a more complete approach to wellbeing, addressing the whole person rather than just physical symptoms. “It’s quite empowering seeing how the two modalities are slowly coming together – the traditional and the mainstream way of health. When you support the spiritual health, the mental and the psychological health as well as the physical, and understand the interconnected relationship between people and the natural environment, it’s really empowering.”
Based in Woolston, Ōtautahi, the organisation provides services ranging from injury rehabilitation to Corrections work, and support for fertility and pregnancy, including vulnerable young women who might not otherwise engage in ante- and post-natal care. A key component is their Oriori mentoring programme, which supports young mothers and their pēpi while training community members and staff in traditional practices.
Danielle O’Halloran-Thyne, who received mentoring through the Oriori programme to specialise as a hapūtanga (pregnancy) practitioner in rongoā Māori, says the programme creates a safe learning environment for practitioners. “Our services aim to provide one of the alternatives that complements other forms of healthcare that can really uplift the mana of the wahine and allow them to feel that it is a time of empowerment for them, not just a hard time. The resurgence of rongoā Māori and the acknowledgement that yes it does assist, that’s a game changer for access to rongoā Māori, so that people can feel it’s normal. What Te Arateatea is holding for us as practitioners is a really safe space to learn and grow and be part of that resurgence.”
Juliette, who has been with the hapūtanga (pregnancy) programme for three years, says the clinic offers a warm, welcoming healing environment. “They helped me through the pregnancy side of things – the joys that come up through pregnancy but also the emotional side. It has helped a lot of us accept what happened because it is out of your control and sometimes it’s hard to acknowledge those things. It has helped me to see the journey in a positive light. It’s such a good, calm space. I recommend it to everyone.”
This integration of traditional practices with modern healthcare addresses various needs identified in the Waitangi Tribunal Hauora report, including isolation, lack of family support, and poverty. With funding from Rātā and other partners, these services are available at no cost to mothers who may not be able to access support during pregnancy and after birth, removing financial barriers.
“The funding from Rātā has really been incredible in helping us to really get it out into the community so that people can access these services that they may not otherwise have been able to access,” says Ruatau. “It’s great to see the benefits of these two approaches working together to provide better care for our whānau.”
Te Arateatea Trust is supported through Rātā Foundation’sStrategic Health Pou(funding priority), which aims to remove barriers to mental health support and enable access to diverse support options, including rongoā and innovative locally based solutions.
Rātā Chief Executive Leighton Evans says the key focus of this funding area is to ensure people in need get the right support when they need it. “We want individuals, families and whānau to thrive so they can participate positively in the community. A key part of this is being able to access support and services in a way that is comfortable and familiar, and aligned with community, culture and identity.
“Providing support to organisations such as Te Arateatea Trust enables them to focus on their effectiveness and extend the impact they have in communities of need. Their focus on training the next generation of healers, and preserving traditional healing knowledge, also aligns with our focus on helping organisations to grow their capacity for intergenerational benefit.”
A Virginia man was sentenced today in Alexandia for his attempt to carry out a mass shooting at a Haymarket, Virginia church, for carrying a gun during that attempt, and for transmitting threats over the internet. Rui Jiang, 36, of Fairfax, Virginia, was sentenced to 25 years in prison and five years of supervised release. Jiang was previously convicted by a jury in March 2025.
According to evidence presented at trial, Jiang began posting online threats against the Park Valley Church on the evening of Sept. 23, 2023, which made clear his intention to kill congregants. The next morning, police searched for Jiang in response to a concerned citizen’s call. Officers located Jiang at the church while Sunday services were underway. Jiang was armed with a semiautomatic handgun, two magazines of ammunition, and two knives. He had additional ammunition, knives, and a canister of bear spray in his nearby car. During a search of Jiang’s apartment, police discovered copies of a manifesto, signed by Jiang, which read in part, “I am here deny (sic) the love lives blessed by God to these lucky men, by taking out these men . . .To the families of those men about to be slain – I am sorry for what I have done and about to do (sic).”
“This was the closest of calls. But for the determination of a concerned citizen; the exceptional police work by the Anne Arundel, Fairfax, and Prince William County Police Departments; and the steadfast vigilance of the church security team, this would have ended in unimaginable tragedy,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will relentlessly investigate and prosecute attacks on our nation’s houses of worship.”
“The freedom to worship without fear is one of the bedrock principles of our Nation,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Rui Jiang set out to violate that principle by entering a church during a religious service armed with the intent to murder innocent parishioners. This unspeakable act, only thwarted by brave law enforcement officers and civilians, has no place in our Republic and will always be a priority of my office.”
“The church shooting that was thwarted because of the vigilance of concerned citizens is a reminder that when communities and law enforcement agencies work together, we can prevent targeted acts of violence.” said Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen of the FBI Washington Field Office.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, with substantial assistance from the Prince William County and Fairfax County Police Departments. The Anne Arundel County Police Department also assisted. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas A. Durham and Troy A. Edwards Jr., for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Kyle Boynton of the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.
A twelve-count indictment was unsealed today in the Eastern District of Virginia charging nine members of the Eastside Rollin’ 20s Crips (RTC) violent street gang with crimes including a drug conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, firearms offenses, and a racketeering conspiracy involving murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, conspiring to distribute large quantities of pressed fentanyl pills, narcotics trafficking, identity fraud, and the illegal use and straw purchasing of firearms.
According to the indictment, the RTC is a subunit or “set” of the Crips national street gang. The indictment alleges RTC members and associates committed numerous violent acts on behalf of the RTC, including a June 2022 murder in Alexandria, Virginia; a July 2021 attempted shooting of several individuals in the District of Columbia; an August 2021 armed robbery and pistol whipping of an individual in Hollywood, Florida; and a January 2021 attempted murder of two individuals in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. To finance and promote the RTC’s criminal activities, the indictment alleges that RTC members and associates obtained and distributed multi-kilogram quantities of pressed fentanyl pills. The indictment also alleges that, as part of the gang’s criminal activity, the RTC recruited children and encouraged them to commit crimes on behalf of the gang, including acts of violence and drug trafficking.
“As alleged, RTC members unleashed a wave of violence across three states and the District of Columbia, extending down the East Coast to Florida,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Their commission of brutal, indiscriminate acts over perceived slights on social media reflects a particularly dangerous form of gang activity. The Criminal Division remains firmly committed to prosecuting menacing gangs and ensuring the safety of our communities.”
“The offenses alleged in this indictment represent the spectrum of danger presented by nationwide criminal enterprises,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Any of these elements alone – from violence to illegal drugs to identity theft – is enough to destroy communities and lives, and these organizations employ them without compunction. Through coordination with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we are determined to eradicate criminal gangs and protect our citizens from the detriment they bring.”
“DEA is committed to protecting Americans by investigating and taking down major violators of drug laws who operate within the United States and around the world,” said Special Agent in Charge Ibrar Mian of the DEA Washington Field Division. “As demonstrated by today’s indictment, drug trafficking, firearms, and violence are undeniably connected, which is why we continue to address these threats with the full force of the federal government. The tenacious and hard-working men and women of DEA are combatting the illicit manufacture and distribution of drugs, removing illicit firearms from American streets, helping to put public threats in jail, and restoring safety in our communities.”
“Today’s announcement indicates a significant step towards making it even more clear that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with our partner agencies are committed to protecting our communities from violent crime,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the ATF Washington Field Division. “There just isn’t a place for criminal behavior in our neighborhoods. Although this is very early on in the judicial process, we remain optimistic that all of those involved will be held accountable for their actions.”
If convicted, the defendants face penalties including: up to life in prison or the death penalty for murder in aid of racketeering and use of a firearm during a crime of violence causing death; up to life in prison for racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and use of a firearm during or in relation to drug trafficking; up to 25 years in prison for straw purchasing of firearms; up to 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; and up to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Virginia State Police; and Arlington County Police Department are investigating the case with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia; United States Postal Inspection Service; FBI; Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI); U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Fairfax County Police Department; Prince William County Police Department; Prince William County’s Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney; Prince William County Parks and Recreation; United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina; Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office; Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office; Stafford County Sherriff’s Office; Manassas Park Police Department; George Mason University Police Department; Chesterfield County Police Department; Del City, OK, Police Department; Valley Brook, OK, Police Department; Tonto Apache Police Department; Sumter County, SC, Sheriff’s Office; Hollywood, FL, Police Department; Nash County, NC, Sheriff’s Office; Winston-Salem, NC, Police Department; and Nebraska State Patrol.
Trial Attorney César S. Rivera-Giraud of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edgardo J. Rodriguez and Ryan B. Bredemeier for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs), which identify, disrupt, and dismantle the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States, using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
An indictment is merely an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
ALEM, Oregon— This weekend kicks off the official summer camping season, but the work to prepare Oregon’s more than 250 state parks and campgrounds has been going all year long.
Behind the scenes, park rangers have moved mountains of sand, cleared thousands of downed trees and repaired roofs, bridges and trails around the state to keep parks well maintained and ready for visitors.
Visitors might think that parks stay pristine because they look just like they left them, but maintaining beautiful landscapes in some of Oregon’s harshest climates takes some work:
Cape Lookout State Park cleared more than 1.5 million pounds of sand after winter winds buried one camp loop in six-inch drifts. The park is not alone. Many coastal parks must dig out campsites, sidewalks and parking lots after the winter season.
Devil’s Lake State Recreation Area removed a dump truck load of slime, algae, branches, leaves and trash, which coated the campground when the lake receded. The lake floods every year, and rangers clean up the muck left behind.
In the Mountain Region and other areas where it freezes, rangers reinstall plumbing components and restart the plumbing to the campgrounds, buildings and picnic shelters, which includes restarting water to thousands of campsite spigots.
At Fall Creek State Recreation Area east of Eugene, rangers cleared eight dump truck loads of fir needles, cones, branches and debris to make the roads passable at Winberry Park when it reopened this spring.
Nehalem Bay State Park cleared nearly 180 downed trees in one winter storm alone. Parks across the state repaired winter storm damage, including clearing downed trees, repairing roads, fixing roofs and mending bridges.
In the Columbia River Gorge, parks cleared thousands of pounds of woody debris from paved trails and created wood chips to spread around trees and shrubs.
Overall, Oregon State Parks rangers spend nearly 800,000 hours a year cleaning bathrooms, building and repairing trails and bridges, fixing old and new pipes and wiring, keeping parks safe, preserving Oregon’s history and natural resources and sharing knowledge on everything from mushrooms to the night sky.
“Rangers work tirelessly to keep these landscapes beautiful and accessible for the approximately 56 million visits each year at Oregon State Parks. We’re thankful for the work they do every day,” said Oregon Governor Tina Kotek.
Oregon State Parks welcome as many as 17,000 guests on the busiest nights, which means moving a city roughly the size of Canby in and out of campgrounds on almost a daily basis statewide.
“Oregon State Parks are like small cities. They run sewer, water and electrical systems; maintain roads and structures, all while managing campgrounds. When one system goes down, our staff manage the necessary emergency repairs to keep parks open. I’m proud of the work they do to keep parks safe, welcoming and ready for everyone to enjoy,” said Oregon Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Sumption.
Help rangers this season by following all safety signs and barriers; staying on trail and checking campfire restrictions in advance at stateparks.oregon.gov. Interested in what rangers do? Check out the Oregon State Parks episode of “Odd Jobs” by SAIF Corporation at https://youtu.be/NUqCmEe38Uw?feature=shared
At UConn Health, leadership means more than holding a title, it means driving change, advocating for others, and setting a standard of excellence across the entire organization. This year, one of our own has been recognized for doing just that. Dr. Scott Allen, Chief Medical Officer, has been named a 2025 Connecticut Hospital Association Healthcare Hero an honor that reflects his decades-long commitment to patient safety, clinical quality, and compassionate care.
This prestigious award recognizes the extraordinary contributions of healthcare professionals who go above and beyond to make a difference in their organizations and communities. Each year, one individual from every hospital in Connecticut is selected for this honor and this year Dr. Allen represents John Dempsey Hospital.
Dr. Allen joined UConn Health in 1994 as an assistant professor of medicine and medical educator. He quickly became an integral part of the Primary Care Internal Medicine Residency (PCIMR) program and held several leadership roles over the years. In 2009, he partnered with then-Chief Nursing Officer Ann Marie Capo to establish UConn Health’s Department of Quality, serving as Medical Director of Clinical Effectiveness and Patient Safety, as well as Patient Safety Officer for John Dempsey Hospital.
In 2018, Dr. Allen was named UConn Health’s first Chief Quality Officer. While continuing in that role, he was appointed Interim Chief Medical Officer in July 2019 and officially assumed the permanent CMO role in July 2021.
In his nomination, a colleague wrote:
“He understands that the culture of suppressing emotions and being stoic can be harmful to well-being—and that staff well-being is critical to patient satisfaction and outcomes. When it takes courage to challenge the status quo, that is our definition of a hero. And when that happens in healthcare, that is the definition of a healthcare hero. Dr. Scott Allen works every day to challenge the status quo, and that’s why he is John Dempsey’s Healthcare Hero.”
As part of the statewide celebration, Governor Ned Lamont offered the following recognition:
“This award celebrates your exceptional leadership and professional accomplishments in healthcare. Through your dedicated work, you have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary service to your organization, your community, and the State of Connecticut. Therefore, I, Ned Lamont, Governor of the State of Connecticut, on this 17th day ofJune 2025, officially convey honor and recognition upon Dr. ScottAllen.
Congratulations Dr. Allen on this well-deserved honor.
CALGARY, Alberta, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Condor Energies Inc. (“Condor” or the “Company”) (TSX: CDR), a Canadian based, internationally focused energy transition company with active operations in Central Asia is pleased to provide an update.
UZBEKISTAN
Production for June has averaged 11,350 boepd to date which is slightly above the first quarter of 2025 average of 11,179 boepd. Production rates in the second quarter of 2025 have been partially restricted due to unplanned downstream infrastructure maintenance at non-Company operated facilities and recent workovers that were focused on data gathering to enhance geologic and reservoir modeling for the upcoming drilling campaign. The resulting second quarter production to-date is 10,332 boepd. Well workover activities have since returned to production-add opportunities and the downstream facilities are fully operational.
A drilling rig is scheduled to mobilize in July 2025 and begin a multi-well drilling campaign that will target numerous play types within a diverse prospect inventory. A combination of vertical, horizontal and Uzbekistan’s first multi-lateral wells will penetrate under-developed reservoirs in the existing fields. In addition to penetrating the currently producing Jurassic Carbonates, the first well will be a vertical well drilled to the basement rocks to evaluate the deeper under-explored Jurassic Clastics and the potential for a fractured basement play type. The second well is intended to be a horizontal well with up to a 1500-meter lateral section. Wells are planned to be completed with modern stimulation techniques to further increase production rates.
The Company has also installed and commissioned four in-field flowline water separation systems to remove produced fluids at the field gathering network rather than at the production facilities. This reduces flowline pressure that can lead to higher reservoir flow rates. A fifth in-field flowline unit is being installed and expected to be commissioned in early July 2025. Engineering design work is also ongoing for field compression that could further boost production rates.
KAZAKHSTAN
As previously disclosed, the Company has purchased its first modular LNG facility (the “First Facility”) which is capable of producing 48,000 gallons (80 MT) of LNG per day. Fabrication of the First Facility is on track to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2025 and begin LNG production in the second quarter of 2026. The LNG off-taker agreement is expected to be executed shortly.
ABOUT CONDOR ENERGIES INC
Condor Energies Inc is a TSX-listed energy transition company that is uniquely positioned on the doorstep of European and Asian markets with three distinct first-mover energy security initiatives: increasing natural gas and condensate production from its existing fields in Uzbekistan; an ongoing project to construct and operate Central Asia’s first LNG ‘lower carbon fuel’ diesel substitution facility in Kazakhstan; and a separate initiative to develop and produce critical minerals from brines in Kazakhstan. Condor has already built a strong foundation for reserves, production and cashflow growth while also striving to minimize its environmental footprint.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this news release constitute forward-looking statements under applicable securities legislation. Such statements are generally identifiable by the terminology used, such as “anticipate”, “appear”, “believe”, “intend”, “expect”, “plan”, “estimate”, “budget”, “outlook”, “scheduled”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “in the process of” or other similar wording. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, information concerning: the timing and ability of well workovers to increase production; the timing and ability to mobilize the drilling rig; the timing and ability to execute a multi-well drilling campaign and the timing and ability to target multiple play types; the timing and ability to evaluate the deeper Jurassic Clastic zones; the timing and ability to penetrate basement rocks and the timing and ability of the basement rocks to be a fractured prospective basement play type; the timing and ability to implement modern stimulation techniques to increase production rates; the timing and ability of the in-field flowline separators to reduce pressure and lead to higher flow rates; the timing and ability to commission the fifth in-field flowline separator; the timing and ability of field compression to boost production rates; the timing and ability of the First Facility to produce 48,000 gallons (80 MT) of LNG per day; the timing and ability to complete fabrication of the First Facility and begin LNG production; the timing and ability to execute an LNG off-taker agreement; and the timing and ability to fund the various planned activities.
ABBREVIATIONS
The following is a summary of abbreviations used in this news release:
boepd
Barrels of oil equivalent per day*
LNG
Liquefied Natural Gas
MT
Metric tonnes
* Barrels of oil equivalent (“boe”) are derived by converting gas to oil in the ratio of six thousand standard cubic feet (“Mscf”) of gas to one barrel of oil based on an energy conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. Given the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6 Mscf to 1 barrel, utilizing a conversion ratio at 6 Mscf to 1 barrel may be misleading as an indication of value, particularly if used in isolation.
The TSX does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
For further information, please contact Don Streu, President and CEO or Sandy Quilty, Vice President of Finance and CFO at 403-201-9694.
Congressman Keith Self (R-TX) earned The Institute for Legislative Analysis’ Champion of Limited Government Award for his impeccable voting record rooted in the limited government principles found in the U.S. Constitution.
With this award, Congressman Self has been recognized as one of the top 100 members in Congress most committed to preserving Americans’ God-given rights and defending the Constitution.
“The Constitution is the greatest political document ever written. We must do everything in our power to defend it against tyranny,” Congressman Keith Self said. “It is an honor to receive this award, and I will continue to protect the limited government principles our great nation was founded on. The people of Texas’ 3rd Congressional District – and all Americans – deserve no less.”
“The Institute for Legislative Analysis is proud to recognize Congressman Keith Self with our Champion of Limited Government Award, honoring his outstanding voting record—one of the most consistently aligned with the limited government principles enshrined in the U.S. Constitution,” ILA CEO Ryan McGowan said. “Congressman Self also earned an A+ on ILA’s new district-based grading system, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the issues and values his constituents entrusted him to defend in our nation’s capital. We commend Congressman Self for his tireless dedication to keeping the American Dream alive and thriving for all Americans.”
Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Resident Commissioner for Puerto Rico Pablo José Hernández (D-P.R.) led 19 Members of Congress in a letter to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright calling on the Trump Administration to reverse its decision to redirect funding from the Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund. In 2022, Congress approved $1 billion for the fund to improve the resilience of the Puerto Rican electric grid.
“We write to express our deep concern regarding the Department of Energy’s (DOE) decision to redirect funding from the Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund away from providing the most vulnerable citizens of Puerto Rico with backup power,” wrote the Members. “As you know, these congressionally appropriated funds were intended to provide solar and battery storage at residential communities and health centers across the island. DOE has claimed that the funds will now be deployed to ‘support practical fixes that offer a faster, more impactful solution to the current crisis.’ We, however, remain greatly concerned that the people of Puerto Rico are being used as pawns in President Trump’s attack on clean energy, and fail to see a justification for this action.”
“The long-term recovery process of Puerto Rico’s electric grid has been marked by significant challenges, including recurring power outages that continue to impact the daily lives of Puerto Ricans, with one as recently as this past April,” continued the Members. “We are concerned that redirecting this funding would restart the allocation process, delaying timely and needed resources to medically vulnerable populations. In addition, the legal justification for this “reallocation” of funds, with seeming disregard to congressional intent, remains unclear.”
Read the full letter here. Additional signatories to the letter include Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Representatives Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.-13), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.-02), Tim Kennedy (D-N.Y.-26), Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.-14), Nellie Pou (D-N.J.-09), Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.-15), and Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.-07).
The first and only Latina elected to the U.S. Senate, Senator Cortez Masto is committed to raising awareness about the needs of people in Puerto Rico. She has supported federal relief for Puerto Rico in the aftermath of devastating natural disasters and has pressed FEMA on their preparedness plans to protect Puerto Rico and the U.S. Islands during hurricane season. She has also previously introduced the Puerto Rico Status Act, legislation establishing a process for the people of Puerto Rico to determine the future of the island’s political status.
Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
FTP for TV stations of her remarks is availablehere.
“This legislation cuts through unnecessary government obstacles and allows our businesses to grow at a sustainable pace. It is essential to ensure businesses can efficiently continue to build and expand in Nevada, including at the Apex Industrial Park, [which] will bring new jobs to North Las Vegas and will continue to strengthen our economy.”
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) passed her Apex Area Technical Corrections Act, legislation to create thousands of new jobs at North Las Vegas’ Apex Industrial Park. Under the legislation, new and existing businesses at Apex would be allowed to expand their operations without going through an outdated and burdensome permitting process for basic utilities and infrastructure. The legislation, also introduced by Congressman Steven Horsford (D-Nev.-04), passed the House of Representatives earlier this year. This bill now goes to the President’s desk for signature.
Senator Cortez Masto introduced her Apex legislation to help the industrial park grow and create jobs in the Las Vegas Valley and has toured the site, speaking to workers there. She has also worked across the board to strengthen and diversify Nevada’s economy and create new jobs by passing legislation to upgrade American infrastructure, support Nevada’s manufacturing industry, and invest in Nevada’s booming clean-energy economy.
Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, today questioned U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in his first appearance before the Committee since being confirmed to lead the Pentagon in January. As violence escalates in the Middle East and President Trump weighs U.S. involvement, Secretary Hegseth did nothing to reassure the American public that men and women deployed in the Middle East, as well as Americans living abroad, would be protected if the President decides to enter the United States into active hostilities. Following concerns she heard from partners abroad at the Paris Air Show, Shaheen pressed Hegseth on the importance of international agreements like AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom and U.S.)—which Secretary Hegseth has placed under review—to efforts key to deterring China. Shaheen additionally secured commitment from Secretary Hegseth to raise hiring delays at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to quickly get public shipyard workers onboarded into the jobs they’ve been hired to do that are integral to national security. Clickhereto watch the Shaheen’s full remarks and questions.
Key Quotes from Shaheen:
On the escalation of violence in the Middle East, Shaheen said: “I understand that we have 40,000 troops deployed in the region, many of whom are in range of Iranian missiles. And it’s been reported that the president is being asked to consider providing the bunker-buster bomb that is required to be carried only by the B-2 bomber and would require a U.S. pilot. That raises real concerns about what retaliation might mean for the safety and stability of the entire region, and our troops and Americans who are in the region.”
On hiring delays at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard that have been unaddressed by the Secretary, Shaheen said: “Last week, Mr. Secretary, […] you reaffirmed the need for an exemption for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to your hiring freeze. […] I’d like to ask you again, because we have not yet heard anything from you or from the Office of Personnel Management about how they’re responding to this. DoD has told us that the Office of Personnel Management needs to review every single new hire, one by one at a time when we need 550 people every year just to keep up with the Navy’s demand for maintenance and on its nuclear submarines. So will you commit to talking to OPM on this issue?”
On the importance of international agreements, Shaheen said: “Six of us on this committee just returned from the largest air show in the world. […] And one of the concerns that I heard from many of the companies that I talked to was about the potential to partner with our allies and partners for innovation, for co-production, and one concern I heard was about the proposed review of the AUKUS agreement. That’s after the Australian government has already contributed half a $1 billion to our submarine industrial base. And American and UK shipbuilders have made capital investments to support the increased demand. So do you disagree with the position that President Trump has taken about AUKUS, that we should move forward? And what is the review expected to produce?”
Shaheen pressed Hegseth during a Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing last week on the impacts of the administration’s tariffs on steel and aluminum on the defense industrial base, supply chain lead times and our overall military readiness. In a letter to Secretary Hegseth last month, Shaheen raised concerns about how the President’s trade war harms defense supply chains and ultimately weakens America’s military readiness. The Senator expressed how tariffs on imports will increase prices for the Department of Defense’s defense acquisitions – harming its purchasing power and further raising costs on small businesses.
Citing national security concerns and a lack of qualifications on the Senate floor, Shaheen announced in January that Hegseth would be the first nominee for Secretary of Defense that she opposed since joining the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee in 2011.
Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
(Washington, DC) – After co-leading a bipartisan Congressional delegation to the Paris Air Show, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) wrote an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal warning that President Trump’s trade policy threatens American national defense and global alliances. In her piece, Shaheen argues that the president’s tariff policy threatens our relationships around the globe, exacerbates existing supply chain disruptions and threatens American defense readiness. You can read her op-edhere.
In part, Shaheen writes: “While Beijing closely watches the war in Ukraine, it has also escalated confrontations in the South China Sea and conducted aggressive military exercises over the Taiwan Strait. In the face of these rising threats, our ability to produce and deliver weapons at scale—coordinated with our allies—is more critical than ever.”
Shaheen concludes: “The Trump administration’s trade policies have weakened the alliances we rely on. Congress should reassert our leadership by re-examining its moves and exercising congressional oversight. If we’re going to be ready for the challenges ahead, we must treat American trade policy as a core pillar of American national security.”
The op-ed is available here and in full below:
Trump’s Tariffs Weaken America’s Military
Eighty years ago, the U.S. Army Air Forces staged an exhibition beneath the Eiffel Tower. Thousands of Parisians gathered to admire the B-17 Flying Fortress—an American-built aircraft that helped liberate Europe from Nazi occupation. Primitive by today’s standards, those bombers were the product of a national industrial base operating at full capacity. They were deployed by a trans-Atlantic alliance that shared logistics, intelligence and purpose. That model of coordination is what we need now—but it’s being tested by a trade agenda that favors confrontation over cooperation.
As I co-lead the congressional delegation to this week’s Paris Air Show, the world’s largest defense aerospace expo, I find myself asking: Is the greatest obstacle to America’s security not China or Russia but our own trade policy?
The U.S. defense industry’s capacity to meet the demand for arms was already stretched thin by the Covid pandemic and conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. The Trump administration further disrupted supply chains and increased production costs through more than 50 tariff announcements and a patchwork of shifting duties. The imposition of these tariffs has pressured allies to respond in kind. This cycle worsens supply-chain disruptions, driving up costs and causing delays in defense production.
President Trump imposed 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum earlier this month. Regardless of any exemptions the administration offers, building a modern America-class amphibious assault ship requires 45,000 tons of steel. The net effect of this trade policy will be higher costs across the board, from military aircraft and lightweight armor plating to submarine repairs and shipbuilding.
Tariffs will also affect small, specialized components like those used in jet engines, night vision systems, and landing gear. When I recently met with a New Hampshire company that makes ball bearings for the aerospace industry, executives told me tariffs have driven up their costs and extended their production time—concerns industry leaders echoed in Paris.
These delays and rising costs don’t only slow American readiness; they erode our allies’ trust in the U.S. as a dependable partner. The strain is already evident. Although the F-35 fighter jet is “the pinnacle of aerial combat technology,” in Vice President JD Vance’s words, several North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies have signaled they may reconsider participation in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.
Demand for American-made weapons remains strong, especially from front-line nations like Poland. It is racing to acquire Himars rocket launchers and Abrams tanks. But even as the Trump administration pressures allies to spend more on defense, its trade policies and combative rhetoric are sowing doubt about the reliability of parts, maintenance and pricing. That’s prompting U.S. partners to reassess their long-term defense commitments. President Emmanuel Macron underscored this shift when he said, “My goal is to persuade EU countries that rely on U.S. weapons to choose European alternatives.”
European leaders have legitimate cause for concern, and their increased defense spending reflects it. Vladimir Putin has reoriented Russia’s economy around the war in Ukraine, churning out more than 1,400 Iskander ballistic missiles a year and at one point signing up 1,000 new recruits a day. His effort is backed by North Korea, Iran and, most significantly, China.
While Beijing closely watches the war in Ukraine, it has also escalated confrontations in the South China Sea and conducted aggressive military exercises over the Taiwan Strait. In the face of these rising threats, our ability to produce and deliver weapons at scale—coordinated with allies—is more critical than ever.
The administration argues that reliance on foreign imports undermines American defense readiness and that tariffs will protect U.S. industries. But the defense industrial base has evolved over generations, and restructuring it would take decades—time we simply don’t have.
Russia, China and Iran may feel distant to many Americans. But for those of us with family who served in World War II—or who confront national-security challenges daily in government service—the risks are clear and they are growing.
As the B-17 displayed in Paris that summer of 1945 symbolized a robust industrial base united with steadfast allies, today’s defense readiness depends on a similarly coordinated approach—one that can’t thrive amid tariffs that alienate our closest partners.
We need a smarter, more unified strategy. Tariffs on our closest allies aren’t only damaging our economy, they’re undermining our shared defense readiness. At a minimum, the administration should provide answers on how these tariffs are affecting our defense supply chains. I’ve asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for this information but received no response.
The Trump administration’s trade policies have weakened the alliances we rely on. Congress should reassert our leadership by re-examining its moves and exercising congressional oversight. If we’re going to be ready for the challenges ahead, we must treat American trade policy as a core pillar of American national security.
Last week, Shaheen pressed U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on the impacts of the administration’s tariffs on steel and aluminum on the defense industrial base, supply chain lead times and our overall military readiness. The exchange followed a letter sent to Hegseth in April where Shaheen raised concerns about how the President’s trade war harms defense supply chains and ultimately weakens America’s military readiness. The Senator expressed how tariffs on imports will increase prices for the Department of Defense’s defense acquisitions – harming its purchasing power and further raising costs on small businesses.
Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
(Washington, DC) – During Pride Month, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) reintroduced their Jury Access for Capable Citizens and Equality in Service Selection (ACCESS) Act–bipartisan legislation that would prevent discrimination against LGBTQ+ Americans during the federal jury selection process. The Senators’ bipartisan bill would prohibit discrimination against jurors in federal courts on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
“Serving on a jury is a civic duty that no one should be prevented from fulfilling because of who they are or who they love,” said Senator Shaheen. “It’s preposterous that under current law there are no protections prohibiting discrimination against LGBTQ+ jurors in federal courts and Congress must take action to rectify this injustice.”
“Serving on a jury is a fundamental right and obligation that no individual should be prohibited from fulfilling based on their sexual orientation or gender identity,” said Senator Collins. “I have long worked to fight discrimination, and I am proud to join this effort to help eliminate bias from our judicial system.”
Prior to the start of a trial, potential jurors come to the courtroom and the judge and attorneys begin a process to select who will sit on the jury and determine the facts of a case. The purpose is to arrive at a jury that will be fair and impartial. This process involves asking the jurors questions about themselves and their experiences to discern whether they might harbor prejudices or hold strong opinions that would prevent an objective evaluation of the facts.
The United States Code currently prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin and economic status. However, there is no federal prohibition on discriminating against jurors based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Only seventeen states prohibit exclusion from jury service in state court based on sexual orientation and just twelve protect against discrimination based on gender identity. The Jury ACCESS Act would amend federal statute to include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity,” meaning that striking jurors on that basis would be prohibited under federal law for the first time.
Cosponsors of the bill include U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Peter Welch (D-VT), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Chris Coons (D-DE).
Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
WASHINGTON –Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Vice Chairman Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today released the following statement:
“Once again, the Trump administration is flouting the law and ignoring its own national security findings about the risks posed by a PRC-controlled TikTok. An executive order can’t sidestep the law, but that’s exactly what the president is trying to do.”
Uzbekistan’s economic performance has remained strong, with robust growth, narrowing consolidated fiscal and current account deficits, and ample international reserves.
Despite elevated external uncertainty, growth is projected to stay robust amid ongoing reforms and strong remittances, while inflation is expected to moderate under tight macroeconomic and macroprudential policies.
The priorities ahead are to cement macro-financial stability and continue with the economic reform agenda to reduce the state’s footprint while fostering private sector-led and inclusive growth.
Washington, DC: On June 16, 2025, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the Article IV Consultation for the Republic of Uzbekistan.[1] The authorities have consented to the publication of the Staff Report prepared for this consultation.[2]
Uzbekistan’s economic performance has remained strong. Real GDP growth stood at 6.5 percent in 2024, underpinned by robust domestic demand, and remained buoyant at 6.8 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025. Inflation had trended downward through end-April 2024 but rose to 10.6 percent year-on-year in May 2024 that saw the implementation of needed energy price reform. By end-April 2025, it has only marginally eased to 10.1 percent. The current account deficit narrowed by 2.6 percentage points of GDP to about 5.0 percent in 2024, driven by strong remittances, rapidly growing non-gold exports, favorable commodity prices, and the unwinding of a one-off spike in imports in 2023. International reserves have remained ample. The consolidated fiscal deficit narrowed by 1.7 percentage points of GDP to 3.2 percent of GDP in 2024, largely on the back of growth-friendly expenditure measures, although borrowing and spending from the broader public sector were higher than anticipated.
The outlook remains broadly positive. Despite heightened global trade policy uncertainty, real GDP growth is projected to remain robust under the baseline, at close to 6 percent this year and next, supported by sustained strength in private consumption, investment, and advancement of structural reforms. The latter, continued tight monetary and macroprudential policies, and solidified fiscal discipline are expected to reduce inflation to the Central Bank of Uzbekistan’s (CBU) 5 percent target by end-2027. The external current account deficit is foreseen to stay at or slightly below 5 percent over 2025-26 while international reserves are expected to remain adequate, at 9.2 months of imports by end-2026.
Downside risks to the outlook include prolonged and deeper trade policy shocks, more volatile commodity prices, tighter external financing, and contingent liabilities from state-owned enterprises and banks, and public-private partnerships. On the upside, opportunities stem from faster implementation of structural reforms, stronger inflows of income and capital, and favorable commodity prices.
Executive Directors agreed with the thrust of the staff appraisal. They welcomed Uzbekistan’s positive economic outlook amid continued progress in the transition to a market-oriented economy. Directors noted, however, that significant vulnerabilities persist, including from the still large state footprint in the economy and rising external uncertainty. Against this background, they emphasized the importance of sustaining the momentum in structural and institutional reforms, supported by Fund technical assistance, to entrench macroeconomic stability and maintain robust and resilient growth.
Directors commended the authorities for the significant fiscal consolidation achieved. They broadly called for reversing the decline in the tax-to-GDP ratio and improving expenditure efficiency to create fiscal space for priority social and development needs. Directors stressed the importance of adhering to external borrowing limits and avoiding government spending procyclicality in response to high gold prices to support inflation reduction. They also advised improving monitoring and management of fiscal risks from SOEs and public-private partnerships and further strengthening PFM and fiscal transparency.
Directors welcomed the commitment of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan (CBU) to reduce inflation. They agreed that monetary policy should remain data driven and be tightened further if core inflation or inflation expectations do not decline. Directors encouraged the CBU to continue strengthening communication and monetary policy transmission. They also recommended adopting greater exchange rate flexibility and implementing outstanding safeguards recommendations to strengthen central bank governance and independence.
Directors called for enhancing bank supervision and regulation to safeguard financial stability, while reducing the state’s role in the financial sector. In this regard, they recommended bolstering the commercial orientation of state banks and their corporate governance, phasing out directed and preferential lending, and expediting and expanding privatization efforts. Directors also advised the authorities to strengthen asset classification, NPL reporting and resolution, and the regulatory, supervisory, crisis management, and AML/CFT frameworks following the recommendations of the country’s first Financial Sector Assessment Program. Additional macroprudential measures could help mitigate risks from rapid growth in microcredit.
Directors encouraged deepening and accelerating structural reforms. While welcoming the progress with WTO accession and energy sector reform, they emphasized that it will be essential to complete price and trade liberalization, phase out support to SOEs, and accelerate privatizations while carrying them out in line with international best practices. Directors called on the authorities to make further progress in governance reforms, including improvements in transparency and accountability and the approval of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy. Closing data gaps and improving data quality remain priorities.
It is expected that the next Article IV consultation with Uzbekistan will be held on the standard 12-month cycle.
Exchange rate (in sums per U.S. dollar; end of period)
11,225
12,339
12,920
…
…
Real effective exchange rate
(ave, 2015 =100, decline = depreciation)
61.8
58.8
55.4
…
…
Government finance
(Percent of GDP)
Consolidated budget revenues
28.8
26.7
26.5
26.3
26.4
Consolidated budget expenditures
32.3
31.6
29.7
29.3
29.4
Consolidated budget balance
-3.5
-4.9
-3.2
-3.0
-3.0
Adjusted revenues 3/
27.7
25.9
25.5
25.3
25.5
Adjusted expenditures 3/
31.3
29.9
27.8
27.3
27.8
Adjusted fiscal balance
-3.7
-4.0
-2.3
-2.0
-2.3
Policy-based lending
-0.1
0.9
0.9
1.0
0.7
Overall fiscal balance 3/
-3.5
-4.9
-3.2
-3.0
-3.0
Public debt
30.5
32.2
32.6
33.3
33.2
Money and credit
(Percent Change)
Reserve money
31.4
4.9
9.5
9.2
8.8
Broad money
30.2
12.2
30.6
19.4
16.3
Credit to the economy
21.4
23.2
4.0
19.3
16.0
Sources: Country authorities; and IMF staff estimates.
1/ Incorporates latest revision to national accounts data, which raised the average nominal GDP for 2017-2023 by about 11 percent.
2/ The CPI projection incorporates the effect of the announced increases in energy prices in 2024 and 2025.
3/ IMF staff adjusts budget revenues and expenditures for financing operations, such as equity injections, policy lending, and privatization of state enterprises. The overall fiscal balance until 2021 is more negative than the consolidated budget balance as the latter excluded privatization receipts. Since 2022, there is no difference as the authorities started including all privatization receipts as financing.
[1] Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.
[2] Under the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, publication of documents that pertain to member countries is voluntary and requires the member consent. The staff report will be shortly published on the www.imf.org/Uzbekistan page.
[3] At the conclusion of the discussion, the Managing Director, as Chair of the Board, summarizes the views of Executive Directors, and this summary is transmitted to the country’s authorities. An explanation of any qualifiers used in summings up can be found here: http://www.IMF.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm.
Headline: Recycling Week 2025: Identify Opportunities and Lead the Change
Recycling Week 2025 (20–26 October) is New Zealand’s largest waste minimisation and recycling education campaign. This year’s theme, “Identify Opportunities,” empowers businesses, schools, and councils to reduce waste, improve recycling habits, and take action toward a more sustainable New Zealand. Free resources available for all registered participants.
Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Note: The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports. SEL7
URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 437 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 450 PM EDT Wed Jun 18 2025
The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of Southeast Indiana Northern Kentucky Southwest Ohio
* Effective this Wednesday afternoon and evening from 450 PM until 1000 PM EDT.
* Primary threats include… Scattered damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts to 75 mph possible Isolated large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible A tornado or two possible
SUMMARY…A fast moving line of thunderstorms over Indiana will track eastward this afternoon and evening. Damaging winds along the leading edge of the storms is the primary risk.
The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 70 statute miles east and west of a line from 55 miles northwest of Columbus OH to 45 miles south of Cincinnati OH. For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU7).
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce tornadoes.
&&
OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 432…WW 433…WW 434…WW 435…WW 436…
AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to 1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 65 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector 26035.
…Hart
Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas. SAW7 WW 437 SEVERE TSTM IN KY OH 182050Z – 190200Z AXIS..70 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE.. 55NW CMH/COLUMBUS OH/ – 45S LUK/CINCINNATI OH/ ..AVIATION COORDS.. 60NM E/W /25NE ROD – 37SSE CVG/ HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..65 KNOTS. MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 26035.
LAT…LON 40558229 38438313 38438571 40558495
THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS FOR WOU7.
Watch 437 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.
Note: Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes
Probability of 2 or more tornadoes
Low (20%)
Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes
Low (5%)
Wind
Probability of 10 or more severe wind events
High (70%)
Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots
Mod (30%)
Hail
Probability of 10 or more severe hail events
Mod (30%)
Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches
Low (20%)
Combined Severe Hail/Wind
Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events
High (90%)
For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.
WASHINGTON— U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright testified today before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on the Department of Energy’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request.
Earlier this month, Secretary Wright testified before the U.S. House Energy Subcommittee to outline the department’s FY2026 request. He also appeared last month before both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittees on Energy and Water Development to outline department priorities and provide a comprehensive overview of the budget.
The FY2026 Budget delivers on President Trump’s directive to restore American energy dominance, unleash every American energy advantage, and bring commonsense back to Washington. It returns non-defense discretionary spending to the most disciplined levels since 2017 and redirects over $15 billion away from the Green New Scam— a reckless Biden-era agenda that drives up costs, weakens reliability, and undermines U.S. energy strength. The department remains committed to being responsible stewards of American taxpayer dollars while protecting the affordable, abundant, and reliable energy our nation depends on. For more details, view the budget toplines here.
Secretary Wright’s opening remarks:
Thank you, Chairman Lee, Ranking Member Heinrich, and Members of the Committee, it is an honor to appear before you today as Secretary of Energy to discuss the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget request for the Department of Energy.
Under President Trump’s leadership, our priorities for the Department are clear—to achieve American energy dominance, bolster our national security, meet our Cold War legacy cleanup commitments and unleash historic innovation, including AI, for our nation and world.
We are driven by a bedrock conviction that an affordable, reliable, secure energy supply is the foundation of a strong and prosperous nation. When America leads in energy, we lead in prosperity, security and human flourishing.
We are committed to advancing our critical missions while cutting red tape, increasing efficiency, and ensuring we are better stewards of taxpayer dollars.
The President’s FY26 budget will ensure taxpayer resources are allocated appropriately and cost-effectively. We will invest DOE’s resources in technologies and sources that support affordable, reliable, and secure energy and provide a return on investment for the American taxpayers. DOE has several tools at its disposal that can advance these emerging energy technologies, and I thank the committee for their leadership in establishing a new “Energy Dominance Financing Program” for DOE’s Loan Program Office as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill. This will enable DOE to return to its core mission of supporting projects that are most critical to America’s energy security while maintaining responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars—something DOE failed to do in the previous administration.
It is deeply concerning how many billions of dollars were rushed out the door without proper due diligence in the final days of the Biden administration. DOE is undertaking a thorough review of financial assistance that identifies waste of taxpayer dollars, protects America’s national security and advances President Trump’s commitment to unleash American energy dominance. As a result, we recently announced the termination of 24 projects totaling over $3.7 billion in taxpayer-funded financial assistance. These projects failed to meet the economic, national security or energy security standards necessary to sustain DOE’s investment, and the taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize them.
Instead, we are advancing a policy of energy addition—fully leveraging affordable, reliable and secure resources that have powered our country for generations. The United States is blessed with an abundance of coal, oil, and natural gas, and our Administration is committed to using them to meet growing energy needs of the American people.
Every one of these resources was unleashed through the world-changing power of American innovation. Our National Labs are the engine that drives research and development to expand our energy dominance. We will prioritize research that supports true technological breakthroughs and maintains America’s global competitiveness.
America must play a leading role commercialization of reliable, safe and secure nuclear energy, and we are taking steps to accelerate innovation in this sector. DOE is working to advance the rapid deployment of next-generation nuclear technology, including small modular reactors.
I am proud to report that we have officially ended the previous administration’s reckless pause on LNG export permits and have returned to regular order for reviewing and approving new permits. DOE will also work to replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve—a national asset that protects our security in times of crisis—and I want to thank this committee for prioritizing funding to refill the SPR in the One Big Beautiful Bill.
We are advancing President Trump’s pledge to lower the cost of living and expand choice by rightsizing DOE’s approach to home efficiency standards and regulations. Under the President’s direction, we’ve begun slashing more than 47 regulations as part of the largest deregulatory effort in history. These actions are projected to save the American people approximately $11 billion while restoring consumer freedom and lowering costs.
The responsible stewardship and modernization of the nation’s nuclear weapons systems is paramount for this Administration. DOE is focused on addressing critical upgrades for the U.S. nuclear stockpile and maintaining our engine powerhouses for submarines and aircraft carriers. Both tasks will become even more crucial in the next few years.
Our nuclear innovation as a nation began with the Manhattan Project, and the next Manhattan Project is clearly AI. DOE has a significant role to play in driving AI innovation for scientific discovery and national security. Our agency has world-class high-performance computing capabilities, including four of the world’s top ten supercomputers.
Harnessing our energy potential to power global AI leadership while meeting growing demand will be the challenge of our time. But America doesn’t back down from big challenges or big builds.
As Secretary of Energy, I am honored by the responsibility to help meet the American people’s growing energy needs and lead the world in energy development. I appreciated the opportunity to work with many of you on this committee to unlock America’s full energy potential and drive down costs for families with the One Big Beautiful Bill, and I look forward to continuing to work together to achieve President Trump’s energy dominance agenda.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify before the committee today.
WASHINGTON— The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the start of a new pilot program to expedite the testing of advanced nuclear reactor designs under DOE authority outside of the national laboratories. In accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order, Reforming Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy,DOE issued a Request for Application (RFA) and is seeking qualified U.S. reactor companies interested in constructing and operating their test reactors outside of the national laboratories using the DOE authorization process. Today’s action represents an important step toward streamlining nuclear reactor testing and ensuring at least three reactors achieve criticality by July 4, 2026.
“For too long, the federal government has stymied the development and deployment of advanced civil nuclear reactors in the United States,” said Energy Secretary Chris Wright. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are expediting the development of next-generation nuclear technologies and giving American innovators a new path forward to advance their designs, propelling our economic prosperity and bolstering our national security.”
President Trump is committed to re-establishing the United States as a global leader in nuclear energy and securing a reliable, diversified, and affordable energy supply to drive American prosperity and technological advancement. The new reactor pilot program will help to unleash American nuclear energy capabilities, support U.S. jobs and strengthen American innovation.
The pilot program builds on current efforts to demonstrate advanced reactors on DOE sites through microreactor testbeds and other projects led by the Department of Defense and private industry. It is specifically designed to foster research and development of nuclear reactors and not demonstrate reactors for commercial suitability. Seeking DOE authorization provided under the Atomic Energy Act will help unlock private funding and provide a fast-tracked approach to enable future commercial licensing activities for potential applicants.
DOE will consider advanced reactors that have a reasonable chance to operate by the July 4, 2026 deadline. Applicants will be responsible for all costs associated with designing, manufacturing, constructing, operating, and decommissioning each test reactor. Moreover, applicants will be competitively selected based on a set of criteria, including technological readiness, site evaluations, financial viability, and a detailed plan to achieving criticality.
Initial applications are due by July 21, 2025, with subsequent applications allowed on a rolling basis. DOE will sponsor an Industry Day event on June 25, 2025, which will include virtual and in-person attendance. Registration is required and additional information may be found on the FedConnect listing for the RFA.
. Pillen Appoints Doele as District Court Judge in the Fifth Judicial District
LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of Jason S. Doele of Norfolk as district court judge in the Fifth Judicial District. That district consists of Boone, Butler, Colfax, Hamilton, Merrick, Nance, Platte, Polk, Saunders, Seward, and York counties.
Doele has been a partner in the law firm of Stratton, DeLay, Doele, Carlson, Stover & Stratton in Norfolk since Feb. 2010. Before that, He was with the firm of Jewell, Collins, DeLay, Gray and Flood, also in Norfolk.
Doele is licensed to practice in both Nebraska and South Dakota. He has held a variety of positions with the Nebraska State Bar Association and served on a variety of committees. Doele is also a member of the Madison County Bar Association where he previously served as president. He is a board member of Faith Regional Health Services and the Lutheran Community Hospital Board. He continues to assist as a mock trial coach through the Nebraska State Bar Foundation.
Doele attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and earned his juris doctor from the University of South Dakota School of Law.
The vacancy in the Fifth Judicial District was due to the appointment of Justice Jason M. Bergevin to the Nebraska Supreme Court.
HAMILTON, N.J., June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Bank (the “Bank”) (NASDAQ: FRBA) today announced the closing of a $35.0 million private placement of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes. The Bank plans to use the proceeds to redeem its outstanding $30.0 million of subordinated notes and for general corporate purposes.
The notes have a maturity date of June 30, 2035, and carry a fixed rate of interest of 7.125% for the first five years. Thereafter, the notes will pay interest at a floating rate, reset quarterly, equal to the then current three-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 343 basis points. The notes may be redeemed at the option of the Bank, without penalty, on or after June 30, 2030. The notes have been structured to qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes.
President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick L. Ryan discussed the offering: “We are pleased to announce the successful completion of our subordinated debt offering. This new capital will allow us to retire our existing subordinated notes at a lower interest rate and enhance our capital base to support our continued growth without the dilutive impact of issuing additional shares of common stock. Furthermore, the tax-deductible nature of the instrument, combined with low interest rate, makes the overall cost of capital quite attractive.”
Piper Sandler & Co. served as sole placement agent for the private offering. First Bank was advised by Luse Gorman, PC and Piper Sandler & Co. was advised by Silver, Freedman, Taff & Tiernan LLP.
About First Bank First Bank is a New Jersey state-chartered bank with 27 full-service branches in Cinnaminson, Delanco, Denville, Ewing, Fairfield, Flemington, Hamilton, Lawrence, Monroe, Pennington, Randolph, Somerset, Trenton, Williamstown, Morristown and Summit, New Jersey, Doylestown, Trevose, Warminster, West Chester, Paoli, Malvern, Coventry, Devon, Lionville, Media, Pennsylvania, and Palm Beach, Florida. With $3.88 billion in assets as of March 31, 2025, First Bank offers a traditional range of deposit and loan products to individuals and businesses mainly throughout the New York City to Philadelphia corridor. First Bank’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market exchange under the symbol “FRBA”.
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, either expressed or implied, which are provided to assist the reader in understanding anticipated future financial performance. These statements involve certain risks, uncertainties, estimates and assumptions made by management, which are subject to factors beyond First Bank’s control and could impede its ability to achieve these goals. These factors include those listed under Item 1A-Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2024 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31 2025, many of which are out of our control. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if First Bank’s underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what First Bank anticipates. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements.
Contact Andrew Hibshman, Chief Financial Officer (609) 643-0058, andrew.hibshman@firstbanknj.com
HAMILTON, N.J., June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Bank (the “Bank”) (NASDAQ: FRBA) today announced the closing of a $35.0 million private placement of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes. The Bank plans to use the proceeds to redeem its outstanding $30.0 million of subordinated notes and for general corporate purposes.
The notes have a maturity date of June 30, 2035, and carry a fixed rate of interest of 7.125% for the first five years. Thereafter, the notes will pay interest at a floating rate, reset quarterly, equal to the then current three-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 343 basis points. The notes may be redeemed at the option of the Bank, without penalty, on or after June 30, 2030. The notes have been structured to qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes.
President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick L. Ryan discussed the offering: “We are pleased to announce the successful completion of our subordinated debt offering. This new capital will allow us to retire our existing subordinated notes at a lower interest rate and enhance our capital base to support our continued growth without the dilutive impact of issuing additional shares of common stock. Furthermore, the tax-deductible nature of the instrument, combined with low interest rate, makes the overall cost of capital quite attractive.”
Piper Sandler & Co. served as sole placement agent for the private offering. First Bank was advised by Luse Gorman, PC and Piper Sandler & Co. was advised by Silver, Freedman, Taff & Tiernan LLP.
About First Bank First Bank is a New Jersey state-chartered bank with 27 full-service branches in Cinnaminson, Delanco, Denville, Ewing, Fairfield, Flemington, Hamilton, Lawrence, Monroe, Pennington, Randolph, Somerset, Trenton, Williamstown, Morristown and Summit, New Jersey, Doylestown, Trevose, Warminster, West Chester, Paoli, Malvern, Coventry, Devon, Lionville, Media, Pennsylvania, and Palm Beach, Florida. With $3.88 billion in assets as of March 31, 2025, First Bank offers a traditional range of deposit and loan products to individuals and businesses mainly throughout the New York City to Philadelphia corridor. First Bank’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market exchange under the symbol “FRBA”.
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, either expressed or implied, which are provided to assist the reader in understanding anticipated future financial performance. These statements involve certain risks, uncertainties, estimates and assumptions made by management, which are subject to factors beyond First Bank’s control and could impede its ability to achieve these goals. These factors include those listed under Item 1A-Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2024 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31 2025, many of which are out of our control. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if First Bank’s underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what First Bank anticipates. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements.
Contact Andrew Hibshman, Chief Financial Officer (609) 643-0058, andrew.hibshman@firstbanknj.com
Greenwich, CT, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. and Fynancial, Inc. were jointly awarded Best in Show at Wealth Management EDGE 2025 in Boca Raton, FL for Fyn, an agentic AI powered assistant for financial advisors.
Fyn, launched this month in a JV between AI Risk and Fynancial simplifies day-to-day advisor workflows by combining firm data, client activity, and platform integrations into one intelligent command center.
Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc., a firm specializing in AI governance, risk, compliance, and cybersecurity (GRCC), partnered with Fynancial to build out the AI agents for Fyn and operate within a robust safety framework that includes permission-based access, hallucination filtering, agent testing, and role-based control over sensitive data. AI Risk has a patent pending on AI GRCC – a governance, risk, compliance and cybersecurity platform specifically for Gen AI.
Reflecting on the award, Alec Crawford, CEO and Co-Founder of Artificial Intelligence Risk Inc., notes, “I am so proud of the team effort between Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. and Fynancial. Winning shows not just the power of our agentic AI platform to help financial advisors, but also the necessity of having AI governance, risk, compliance, and cyber security at the heart of enterprise AI. That’s what we do.”
About Artificial Intelligence Risk Artificial Intelligence Risk (AI Risk, Inc.) is the leader in AI governance, risk, compliance, and cybersecurity (AI GRCC) software, offering the first comprehensive advanced platform for generative-AI safety, security, and regulatory compliance. Founded in 2023 by Alec Crawford, Frank Fitzgerald and Joe McMann, AI Risk’s team has decades of experience in artificial intelligence, financial services, risk management, and compliance. The company focuses on rapid (one hour) private cloud deployment and strict data confidentiality, enabling secure and regulatory-compliant use of AI and generative-AI technologies for high-risk organizations across the globe. For more information, please visit aicrisk.com.
AboutFynancial Fynancial is a mobile-first digital experience platform that redefines how advisors and clients connect. Fully white-labeled and integrated across an RIA’s existing tech stack, Fynancial enables secure messaging, real-time meeting scheduling, document sharing, and personalized push notifications, all through a firm-branded app. By centralizing communication and integrating with platforms like Orion, Tamarac, Addepar, and Black Diamond, Fynancial delivers a seamless, high-engagement experience that helps advisors scale trust, drive referrals, and modernize client service.
Greenwich, CT, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. and Fynancial, Inc. were jointly awarded Best in Show at Wealth Management EDGE 2025 in Boca Raton, FL for Fyn, an agentic AI powered assistant for financial advisors.
Fyn, launched this month in a JV between AI Risk and Fynancial simplifies day-to-day advisor workflows by combining firm data, client activity, and platform integrations into one intelligent command center.
Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc., a firm specializing in AI governance, risk, compliance, and cybersecurity (GRCC), partnered with Fynancial to build out the AI agents for Fyn and operate within a robust safety framework that includes permission-based access, hallucination filtering, agent testing, and role-based control over sensitive data. AI Risk has a patent pending on AI GRCC – a governance, risk, compliance and cybersecurity platform specifically for Gen AI.
Reflecting on the award, Alec Crawford, CEO and Co-Founder of Artificial Intelligence Risk Inc., notes, “I am so proud of the team effort between Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. and Fynancial. Winning shows not just the power of our agentic AI platform to help financial advisors, but also the necessity of having AI governance, risk, compliance, and cyber security at the heart of enterprise AI. That’s what we do.”
About Artificial Intelligence Risk Artificial Intelligence Risk (AI Risk, Inc.) is the leader in AI governance, risk, compliance, and cybersecurity (AI GRCC) software, offering the first comprehensive advanced platform for generative-AI safety, security, and regulatory compliance. Founded in 2023 by Alec Crawford, Frank Fitzgerald and Joe McMann, AI Risk’s team has decades of experience in artificial intelligence, financial services, risk management, and compliance. The company focuses on rapid (one hour) private cloud deployment and strict data confidentiality, enabling secure and regulatory-compliant use of AI and generative-AI technologies for high-risk organizations across the globe. For more information, please visit aicrisk.com.
AboutFynancial Fynancial is a mobile-first digital experience platform that redefines how advisors and clients connect. Fully white-labeled and integrated across an RIA’s existing tech stack, Fynancial enables secure messaging, real-time meeting scheduling, document sharing, and personalized push notifications, all through a firm-branded app. By centralizing communication and integrating with platforms like Orion, Tamarac, Addepar, and Black Diamond, Fynancial delivers a seamless, high-engagement experience that helps advisors scale trust, drive referrals, and modernize client service.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend album cover has fans divided.
Carpenter poses on all fours, her glossy blond hair grasped by a male figure cropped from the frame. Her wide-eyed expression intensifies an ambiguous performance of subservience, tapping into a visual language tied to female objectification, from classic pin-up imagery to contemporary pop culture.
The emotionally loaded image plays on her hyper-feminine, tongue-in-cheek pop star persona, forcing us to question where irony ends and objectification begins.
Is it satire, or self-degradation?
Up for debate
At first glance, the cover seems like just another stylised, provocative pop image. It delivers what we’ve come to expect: a bold, ironic twist on the exaggerated Juno-style pose she reinvents on stage.
To some fans, it’s clever satire: a pop star reclaiming and amplifying her image to mock industry norms. Satire uses exaggeration, irony, or humour to critique power structures – and Carpenter’s pose walks that tightrope.
To others it crosses a line, reinforcing regressive attitudes about women’s sexuality and drawing criticism from domestic violence advocates.
The debate reflects our unresolved discomfort about gender, power and control. There is a tension between Carpenter’s ironic persona and the submissive pose, creating uncertainty for the viewer.
We can use psychology to better understand this dichotomy.
The schema violation
This mismatch between expectation and perception is a schema violation.
A schema is a mental shortcut: a template built from experience and unspoken rules that helps us make sense of the world and predict what to expect. When something breaks that pattern, it’s called a schema violation.
Carpenter’s brand is cheeky, self-aware irony – so when she adopts a pose steeped in submission and hyper-femininity as in this album image, it feels off.
That can trigger cognitive dissonance: the mental tension we feel when two ideas (here, empowerment and obedience) don’t align.
To resolve the conflict, some fans reinterpret the image as feminist sarcasm. Others reject it, fearing it panders to outdated, dangerous norms.
Both reactions reflect our emotional and ideological investments in who Carpenter is or should be.
Exploring confirmation bias
Part of this conflicted reaction is driven by confirmation bias: our tendency to filter information to support what we already believe.
Fans who see Carpenter as witty and empowered interpret the image as intentionally ironic. Others – more sceptical of the industry’s history of exploiting female sexuality – view it as a throwback to damaging norms.
Either way, our interpretations often reflect more about ourselves than about Carpenter’s intent.
When her image contradicts both her public persona and our social values, it creates a gap between what we think is right and what we want to be right. So, we try to explain it away, by either defending the image or criticising it.
Satire and scandal
Carpenter’s cover follows a long tradition of female artists whose work straddles satire and scandal, complicating public reception.
Madonna’s Like a Prayer drew outrage for mixing religion with sexual imagery. Yet it positioned her as a provocateur – a woman resisting the lack of agency that so often defines sexualised media.
Miley Cyrus’ Bangerz era shocked fans with a bold shift from Hannah Montana innocence to hypersexualised rebellion, challenging the narrow roles women in pop culture are confined to.
These women, like Carpenter, force us to confront our own discomfort with women who won’t stay in one lane.
Performer and provocateur
Audience reaction is also shaped by emotional investment in Carpenter’s persona. Through carefully curated social media, interviews and lyrics, fans build intimate narratives forming parasocial relationships – one-sided emotional bonds with celebrities.
When an image contradicts that imagined persona, it can feel jarring, even like betrayal.
Audiences often expect idols to be empowering but not polarising, sexy but safe, to challenge norms – but only in ways that affirm our own values.
Carpenter’s image breaks that implicit contract, which creates discomfort for some viewers.
Carpenter’s cover raises uncomfortable but necessary questions about how much freedom female artists have to be both critical and complicit. Can they play with society and play along, to be both performer and provocateur?
This highlights the double bind many women face in media and popular culture. Female artists are expected to both subvert and satisfy; to entertain without offending; empower without alienating. The burden to be palatable and provocative is one male artists rarely face.
It’s what we make of it
Is Carpenter undermining herself or subverting the system? Perhaps both. Or perhaps the image isn’t the message: our reaction is.
The image forces us to confront not only our perception of Sabrina Carpenter but also our cultural discomfort with women who defy neat categorisation. Satire demands interpretation, especially when it comes from women addressing sex or power.
More than provocation, Carpenter’s cover mirrors our cultural struggle to accept women who defy simple labels of satire or submission. The image can reflect broader social ideals and tensions projected onto public figures.
What we see says more about our assumptions than her intent. Understanding those reactions doesn’t kill the fun – it deepens it.
Katrina Muller-Townsend does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend album cover has fans divided.
Carpenter poses on all fours, her glossy blond hair grasped by a male figure cropped from the frame. Her wide-eyed expression intensifies an ambiguous performance of subservience, tapping into a visual language tied to female objectification, from classic pin-up imagery to contemporary pop culture.
The emotionally loaded image plays on her hyper-feminine, tongue-in-cheek pop star persona, forcing us to question where irony ends and objectification begins.
Is it satire, or self-degradation?
Up for debate
At first glance, the cover seems like just another stylised, provocative pop image. It delivers what we’ve come to expect: a bold, ironic twist on the exaggerated Juno-style pose she reinvents on stage.
To some fans, it’s clever satire: a pop star reclaiming and amplifying her image to mock industry norms. Satire uses exaggeration, irony, or humour to critique power structures – and Carpenter’s pose walks that tightrope.
To others it crosses a line, reinforcing regressive attitudes about women’s sexuality and drawing criticism from domestic violence advocates.
The debate reflects our unresolved discomfort about gender, power and control. There is a tension between Carpenter’s ironic persona and the submissive pose, creating uncertainty for the viewer.
We can use psychology to better understand this dichotomy.
The schema violation
This mismatch between expectation and perception is a schema violation.
A schema is a mental shortcut: a template built from experience and unspoken rules that helps us make sense of the world and predict what to expect. When something breaks that pattern, it’s called a schema violation.
Carpenter’s brand is cheeky, self-aware irony – so when she adopts a pose steeped in submission and hyper-femininity as in this album image, it feels off.
That can trigger cognitive dissonance: the mental tension we feel when two ideas (here, empowerment and obedience) don’t align.
To resolve the conflict, some fans reinterpret the image as feminist sarcasm. Others reject it, fearing it panders to outdated, dangerous norms.
Both reactions reflect our emotional and ideological investments in who Carpenter is or should be.
Exploring confirmation bias
Part of this conflicted reaction is driven by confirmation bias: our tendency to filter information to support what we already believe.
Fans who see Carpenter as witty and empowered interpret the image as intentionally ironic. Others – more sceptical of the industry’s history of exploiting female sexuality – view it as a throwback to damaging norms.
Either way, our interpretations often reflect more about ourselves than about Carpenter’s intent.
When her image contradicts both her public persona and our social values, it creates a gap between what we think is right and what we want to be right. So, we try to explain it away, by either defending the image or criticising it.
Satire and scandal
Carpenter’s cover follows a long tradition of female artists whose work straddles satire and scandal, complicating public reception.
Madonna’s Like a Prayer drew outrage for mixing religion with sexual imagery. Yet it positioned her as a provocateur – a woman resisting the lack of agency that so often defines sexualised media.
Miley Cyrus’ Bangerz era shocked fans with a bold shift from Hannah Montana innocence to hypersexualised rebellion, challenging the narrow roles women in pop culture are confined to.
These women, like Carpenter, force us to confront our own discomfort with women who won’t stay in one lane.
Performer and provocateur
Audience reaction is also shaped by emotional investment in Carpenter’s persona. Through carefully curated social media, interviews and lyrics, fans build intimate narratives forming parasocial relationships – one-sided emotional bonds with celebrities.
When an image contradicts that imagined persona, it can feel jarring, even like betrayal.
Audiences often expect idols to be empowering but not polarising, sexy but safe, to challenge norms – but only in ways that affirm our own values.
Carpenter’s image breaks that implicit contract, which creates discomfort for some viewers.
Carpenter’s cover raises uncomfortable but necessary questions about how much freedom female artists have to be both critical and complicit. Can they play with society and play along, to be both performer and provocateur?
This highlights the double bind many women face in media and popular culture. Female artists are expected to both subvert and satisfy; to entertain without offending; empower without alienating. The burden to be palatable and provocative is one male artists rarely face.
It’s what we make of it
Is Carpenter undermining herself or subverting the system? Perhaps both. Or perhaps the image isn’t the message: our reaction is.
The image forces us to confront not only our perception of Sabrina Carpenter but also our cultural discomfort with women who defy neat categorisation. Satire demands interpretation, especially when it comes from women addressing sex or power.
More than provocation, Carpenter’s cover mirrors our cultural struggle to accept women who defy simple labels of satire or submission. The image can reflect broader social ideals and tensions projected onto public figures.
What we see says more about our assumptions than her intent. Understanding those reactions doesn’t kill the fun – it deepens it.
Katrina Muller-Townsend does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Australia’s productivity is flatlining, posting the worst vitals we’ve seen in 60 years.
Politicians and chief executives are prescribing artificial intelligence (AI) like it’s the new penicillin – a wonder drug with almost magical healing powers. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and the Productivity Commission all see AI as a key part of the plan to cure Australia’s productivity ills, with estimates that automation and AI could add A$600 billion to Australia’s annual economy.
Unfortunately, AI is no panacea. It’s more like physiotherapy after major surgery: it only delivers if you put in the effort, follow the program and work with experts who know which muscles to strengthen and when.
AI projects have high fail rates
AI is a broad suite of tools and techniques, of which generative AI such as ChatGPT is just the latest iteration. When implemented well, AI can undoubtedly lift productivity across a wide variety of applications. Unilever’s legal team reports generative AI tools save its lawyers 30 minutes daily on document review and contract analysis.
Other AI applications can deliver life-saving results at even greater efficiency. In a German study, AI-supported mammography screening reduced radiologists’ reading time by 43% for examinations tagged as normal, while improving cancer detection rates.
The federal government is focused on improving productivity. In this five-part series, we’ve asked leading experts what that means for the economy, what’s holding us back and their best ideas for reform.
But the hard truth is that AI-driven productivity gains like these depend on both smart implementation and trusted adoption. Organisations that skip the tough part – such as staff engagement, training and good governance – often find the promised benefits never materialise.
The numbers back this up: some 80% of AI projects end up failing, twice the rate of traditional IT projects. Only one in four executives in a global survey report meaningful returns on their AI investments.
We shouldn’t really be surprised. Other general-purpose technologies, such as electricity and earlier digital technologies followed a similar path. US economist Robert Solow famously said: “You can see the computer age everywhere but in the productivity statistics.”
Workers don’t trust the technology
Like the early days of the internet in the 1990s, the success of AI relies on adoption and trust. Without trust, uptake stalls and the benefits evaporate.
That’s a big challenge in Australia, where public trust and optimism in AI remains comparatively low. Why? Australians also report lower levels of AI use, training and confidence. And people are less likely to trust what they don’t understand.
Closing that trust gap means involving workers from the start. By listening to worker concerns and identifying existing pain points in processes, companies can deploy AI systems that help, rather than sideline employees.
Conversely, when workers aren’t meaningfully involved, things don’t go well.
Take Klarna. The Swedish fintech volunteered to be the generative AI platform OpenAI’s “favourite guinea pig”. It slashed jobs and claimed to have automated the equivalent of 700 employees. But
CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski now admits the shift to AI hurt customer service, forcing the company to rehire humans.
Similarly, Duolingo recently faced a user backlash when it replaced 10% of contractors with AI.
These aren’t isolated cases. Some 55% of UK executives who replaced workers with AI later regretted it. In the rush to automate, workers are often seen as expendable.
This attitude to AI leads to what US economists Daron Acemoglu and Pascual Restrepro call “so-so automation”, where technology displaces workers without delivering meaningful productivity gains.
Rather than trying to replace staff with AI, organisations should be deeply engaging with them. Engaging workers can dramatically boost the AI’s return on investment.
Like other general-purpose technologies, getting the most out of AI means transforming the way we work. And the data show companies that engage workers in organisational transformations are nine times more likely to succeed.
The companies that are unlocking the benefit of AI understand it works best when it amplifies human capability, rather than replacing it. Workers still know things that algorithms don’t. They deeply understand the practical realities of their jobs, which is crucial for designing AI systems that actually get things done.
Designing better solutions
Our own research confirms this. Australian workers feel AI is being imposed on them without adequate consultation or training. This not only creates resistance to adoption but also means organisations are missing the experience of the people who actually do the work.
Our most recent report shows worker engagement strengthens competitive advantage and profitability, and leads to better AI solutions rooted in workers’ problems and needs. When workers are involved in deciding how AI is used, the solutions are better designed, more effective and more widely adopted.
Australia’s new Industry and Innovation Minister, Tim Ayres, recognises this. In a recent speech he emphasised the need to work “cooperatively with workers and their unions” on tech adoption.
It’s a promising place to start. If AI is going to be an effective treatment for Australia’s productivity challenge, then workers must be an essential part of the recovery team.
Llewellyn Spink receives funding from the Minderoo Foundation as part of the Human Technology Institute’s AI Corporate Governance Program. HTI is funded by a wide variety of academic, corporate and philanthropic partners.
Nicholas Davis receives funding from the Minderoo Foundation as part of the Human Technology Institute’s AI Corporate Governance Program. HTI is funded by a wide variety of academic, corporate and philanthropic partners.