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Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI: JIADE LIMITED Receives Nasdaq Notification Letter Regarding Minimum Bid Price Deficiency

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Chengdu, China , Dec. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — JIADE LIMITED (Nasdaq: JDZG) (the “Company”), a company that specializes in providing one-stop comprehensive education supporting services to adult education institutions, today announced that the Company received a  letter (the “Notification Letter”) from the Listing Qualifications Department of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) on December 17, 2024, notifying the Company that it is not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement set forth in the Nasdaq Listing Rules for continued listing on the Nasdaq. 

    Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) requires listed securities to maintain a minimum bid price of US$1.00 per share, and Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A) provides that a failure to meet the minimum bid price requirement exists if the deficiency continues for a period of 30 consecutive business days. Based on the closing bid price of the Company’s ordinary shares for the 30 consecutive business days from November 4, 2024 to December 16, 2024, the Company no longer meets the minimum bid price requirement.

    The Notification Letter does not impact the Company’s listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market at this time. In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company has been provided 180 calendar days, or until June 16, 2025, to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). To regain compliance, the Company’s ordinary shares must have a closing bid price of at least US$1.00 for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days. In the event the Company does not regain compliance by June 16, 2025, the Company may be eligible for additional time to regain compliance or may face delisting.

    The Company’s business operations are not affected by the receipt of the Notification Letter. The Company intends to monitor the closing bid price of its ordinary shares and may, if appropriate, consider implementing available options, including, but not limited to, implementing a reverse share split of its outstanding ordinary shares, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement under the Nasdaq Listing Rules. 

    About JIADE LIMITED

    JIADE LIMITED specializes in providing one-stop comprehensive education supporting services to adult education institutions, through a wide spectrum of software platform and auxiliary solutions, to meet the evolving needs of its customers in the rapidly changing adult education industry. The Company’s services are primarily offered through the Kebiao Technology Educational Administration Platform (the “KB Platform”), which facilitates streamlined information and data management throughout the teaching cycle of adult education services, from pre-enrollment to post-graduation. The KB Platform supports a broad range of functions, such as enrollment consultation, student information collection, enrollment status management, learning progress management, grade inquiry, and graduation management. The Company also provides auxiliary solutions to adult education institutions, which encompass teaching support services throughout the entire teaching cycle and related exam administration services.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “approximates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may”, or other similar expressions in this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

    For more information, please contact:

    JIADE LIMITED
    Investor Relations Department
    Email: kebiao@sckbkj.com

    The MIL Network –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray, Rep. Smith, Rep. Jayapal Call for U.S. Led Investigation Into the Death of Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), and U.S. Representatives Adam Smith (D, WA-09) and Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07), released the following joint statement urging the Biden Administration to immediately launch an investigation into the fatal shooting of U.S. Citizen Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi in the West Bank:

    “On September 6, Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi was fatally shot in the West Bank while she was peacefully participating in a demonstration against Israeli settlements in the Palestinian village of Beita. Since then, we have requested an independent, thorough, credible, and transparent investigation into what happened that day to both better understand the circumstances of her death and ensure that if any laws were broken those who were responsible are held to account.

    “This week, Ms. Eygi’s family came to D.C. to discuss the challenges they’ve faced and the questions they still have about what happened. The lack of answers they have received is unacceptable.

    “We call on Israel to complete their investigation and release their report on the cause of her death. Secretary Blinken must insist on the release of any Israeli investigation results. We also continue to urge the U.S. Department of Justice to initiate an independent, U.S.-led investigation into Ms. Eygi’s death. If the Justice Department isn’t going to investigate, then the State Department should release their own findings and seek accountability.

    “Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government have exacerbated tensions in the West Bank with their promotion of rapid Israeli settlement expansion. This dangerous situation in the West Bank has claimed the lives of far too many civilians, including Ms. Eygi.

    “We applaud the sanctions that President Biden has imposed thus far on extremist Israeli settlers, including the settler organization Amana. Clearly, more must be done. The policies of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government undermine the viability of a Palestinian state and Israel’s security, violate the rights of Palestinians living in the West Bank, and put the region at even greater risk of further destabilization.

    “It is time for the Biden Administration to thoroughly investigate the shooting of Ms. Eygi.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Completes the First Review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement for Togo

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    December 20, 2024

    • The IMF Executive Board completed today the first review under the ECF-arrangement for Togo, allowing the authorities to draw the equivalent of about US$57.4 million (SDR 44.0 million). The Executive Board approved the 42-month ECF-arrangement in March 2024.
    • Togo’s growth performance has remained robust, and inflation is moderating. The medium-term outlook is broadly favorable, with continued robust growth but also elevated risks.
    • Togo has continued to advance its reform agenda, and the program is on track. Policy priorities are to (i) make growth more inclusive while strengthening debt sustainability, and (ii) implement structural reforms to support growth and limit financial sector and associated fiscal risks.

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the first review of the ECF-arrangement for Togo. The Board’s decision enables the immediate disbursement of SDR 44.0 million (about US$ 58.7 million), which will be used for budget support. The ECF-arrangement provides overall financing of SDR 293.60 million (about US$ 390 million).

    The IMF approved the ECF-arrangement on March 1st, 2024 (see Press Release No. 24/64) to help the authorities address the legacies of the shocks seen since 2020, notably the COVID-pandemic and the increase in global food and fuel prices. The Togolese authorities were able to lessen these shocks’ impacts on the Togolese economy and population. However, this resulted in an increase in fiscal deficits and debt. The IMF-supported government program aims to (i) make growth more inclusive while strengthening debt sustainability, and (ii) implement structural reforms to support growth and limit financial sector and associated fiscal risks.

    The medium-term outlook is broadly favorable, with continued robust growth. Economic growth reached an estimated 5.6 percent in 2023 and is projected at 5.3 percent in 2024-25 and around 5.5 percent per year thereafter according to IMF staff projections, barring major adverse shocks. Headline inflation eased to 3.3 percent in October 2024 and core inflation (which excludes the prices of food and transport) to 2.2 percent (annual averages).

    However, the outlook is subject to high risks. In particular, terrorist attacks in the country’s North continues unabated and appears to be intensifying, putting pressure on spending. The authorities are contending with the challenging trade-offs between fiscal consolidation to lower the debt burden and the need to maintain robust growth in the context of limited fiscal space.

    Implementation of the program is on track. The authorities have met all end-June quantitative performance criteria, and prospects for meeting the quantitative targets for the rest of the year are favorable. The authorities also have met two out of the four due structural benchmarks, and there are prospects for the authorities to deliver at a later stage on the limited elements that have led to the missing of two benchmarks. Further, prospects for meeting the two end-December benchmarks are good. Finally, the authorities have made good progress on the reform of the remaining state-owned bank.

    At the conclusion of the Executive Board’s discussion, Mr. Bo Li, Deputy Managing Director, and Acting Chair, made the following statement: 

    “The Togolese authorities have shown strong implementation of the program supported under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). The authorities have met all quantitative targets despite security challenges and tight financing conditions, and they have progressed on structural reforms to strengthen revenue mobilization, inclusion, and public financial management. 

    “Togo’s outlook is subject to elevated risks, broadly as at the program request in March 2024, while security conditions have deteriorated. In line with this, the design of the program as conceived at the outset remains broadly appropriate, and the authorities should continue to implement the program with determination to place the country on the path of strong and sustainable growth.   

    “In the area of fiscal policies, the authorities should continue to aim to address debt vulnerabilities in a context of regional vulnerabilities while supporting growth and enhancing inclusion. For this, it will be important to implement the agreed fiscal anchor by limiting fiscal deficits to 3 percent of GDP from 2025 onwards, continue to raise tax revenue while making taxation more efficient, and implement structural reforms to enhance the efficiency of spending and make the social safety net more effective and efficient. 

    “It will also be essential to continue efforts to strengthen governance. The authorities’ recent request for an IMF Governance Diagnostic is welcome, as is their commitment to strengthening beneficial ownership declarations for companies benefiting from public procurement contracts. On the financial sector, the authorities should continue the reform of the remaining public bank by bringing the bank’s capital in line with regulatory requirements and reforming its operations to ensure its stability and profitability. Efforts to strengthen the AML/CFT framework will also be important.

    Togo: Selected Economic and Financial Indicators, 2020–29

     

    2020

    2021

    2022

    2023

    2024

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

     

    Estimates

    Projections

     

    (Percentage change, unless otherwise indicated)

    Real GDP

    2.0

    6.0

    5.8

    5.6

    5.3

    5.3

    5.5

    5.5

    5.5

    5.5

    Real GDP per capita

    -0.4

    3.5

    3.3

    3.1

    2.8

    2.8

    3.0

    3.0

    3.0

    3.0

    GDP deflator

    1.8

    2.5

    3.7

    2.9

    2.2

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    Consumer price index (average)

    1.8

    4.5

    7.6

    5.3

    3.3

    2.3

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    GDP (CFAF billions)

    4253

    4621

    5069

    5507

    5927

    6366

    6850

    7371

    7932

    8536

    Exchange rate CFAF/US$ (annual average level)

    575

    554

    622

    606

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    Real effective exchange rate (appreciation = –)

    -2.0

    -1.4

    2.3

    -5.4

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    Terms of trade (deterioration = –)

    -1.4

    6.6

    23.3

    3.4

    0.9

    -1.7

    -0.8

    1.4

    1.3

    0.4

       

    Monetary survey

    (Percentage change of beginning-of-period broad money)

      Net foreign assets

    14.1

    5.6

    -0.6

    6.2

    4.9

    -0.1

    3.0

    2.8

    2.2

    2.2

      Net credit to government

    -1.6

    -0.3

    8.0

    0.2

    -2.9

    1.0

    1.2

    2.0

    0.2

    0.2

      Credit to nongovernment sector

    0.2

    6.0

    10.7

    1.5

    7.3

    6.5

    4.4

    4.6

    4.9

    4.8

      Broad money (M2)

    11.4

    12.3

    14.9

    8.5

    8.8

    7.4

    7.6

    7.6

    7.6

    7.6

      Velocity (GDP/end-of-period M2)

    2.1

    2.1

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

     

    Investment and savings

     

      Gross domestic investment

    21.4

    23.4

    25.9

    28.0

    25.7

    24.2

    25.0

    25.9

    26.7

    27.2

       Government

    9.3

    8.2

    9.7

    11.5

    9.0

    7.1

    7.7

    8.4

    8.9

    9.4

       Nongovernment

    12.1

    15.2

    16.2

    16.5

    16.7

    17.1

    17.3

    17.5

    17.8

    17.8

      Gross national savings

    21.1

    21.2

    22.5

    25.1

    22.7

    21.2

    22.4

    23.7

    24.7

    25.2

       Government

    2.2

    3.6

    1.4

    4.8

    4.1

    4.1

    4.7

    5.4

    5.8

    6.4

       Nongovernment

    18.9

    17.6

    21.0

    20.3

    18.6

    17.1

    17.7

    18.3

    18.9

    18.8

     

    Government budget

     

      Total revenue and grants

    16.6

    17.1

    17.6

    19.8

    18.8

    18.6

    19.1

    19.5

    19.9

    20.3

       Revenue

    14.1

    15.3

    15.1

    16.8

    16.6

    17.1

    17.6

    18.1

    18.5

    19.1

        Tax revenue

    12.5

    14.0

    13.9

    14.8

    15.2

    15.7

    16.2

    16.7

    17.2

    17.7

      Expenditure and net lending (excl. banking sector operation)

    23.7

    21.8

    26.0

    26.6

    23.7

    21.6

    22.0

    22.6

    22.9

    23.3

      Overall primary balance (commitment basis, incl. grants)

    -4.7

    -2.5

    -5.9

    -3.9

    -3.7

    -0.5

    -0.6

    -0.8

    -1.0

    -1.1

      Overall balance (commitment basis, incl. grants, excl. banking sector operations)

    -7.0

    -4.7

    -8.3

    -6.7

    -4.9

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

      Overall balance (commitment basis, incl. grants)

    -7.0

    -4.7

    -8.3

    -6.7

    -6.4

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

      Overall primary balance (cash basis, incl. grants)

    -4.7

    -3.4

    -5.9

    -3.9

    -3.7

    -0.5

    -0.6

    -0.8

    -1.0

    -1.1

      Overall balance (cash basis, incl. grants, excl. banking sector operations)

    -7.1

    -5.6

    -8.3

    -6.7

    -4.9

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

      Overall balance (cash basis, incl. grants)

    -7.1

    -5.6

    -8.3

    -6.7

    -6.4

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

     

    External sector

     

    Current account balance

    -0.3

    -2.2

    -3.5

    -2.9

    -3.0

    -2.9

    -2.6

    -2.2

    -2.0

    -2.0

       Exports (goods and services)

    23.3

    23.7

    26.6

    25.5

    25.7

    25.6

    26.0

    26.2

    26.2

    26.1

       Imports (goods and services)

    -32.3

    -34.0

    -38.8

    -36.2

    -35.4

    -34.4

    -33.9

    -33.7

    -33.5

    -33.5

    External public debt1

    27.6

    27.3

    26.2

    25.9

    29.5

    29.0

    29.9

    30.6

    30.8

    30.4

    External public debt service (percent of exports)1

    6.9

    5.2

    8.3

    8.2

    8.4

    15.5

    9.2

    8.3

    7.2

    6.5

    Domestic public debt2

    34.6

    37.6

    41.2

    42.1

    40.2

    39.1

    36.6

    34.3

    32.3

    31.4

    Total public debt3

    62.2

    64.9

    67.4

    68.0

    69.7

    68.2

    66.4

    64.8

    63.1

    61.8

    Total public debt (excluding SOEs)4

    60.1

    63.0

    65.8

    66.6

    68.6

    67.2

    65.6

    64.1

    62.5

    61.3

    Present value of total public debt3

    …

    …

    …

    60.6

    60.7

    57.7

    54.5

    51.5

    48.8

    47.1

    Sources: Togolese authorities and IMF staff estimates and projections.

     

    1 Includes state-owned enterprise external debt.

    2 Includes domestic arrears and state-owned enterprise domestic debt.

    3 Includes domestic arrears and state-owned enterprise debt.

    4 Includes domestic arrears.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Kwabena Akuamoah-Boateng

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    @IMFSpokesperson

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2024/12/20/pr24494-togo-imf-exec-board-completes-first-rev-ecf-arrangement

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Finward Bancorp Announces Fourth Quarter Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Munster, Ind., Dec. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Finward Bancorp (Nasdaq: FNWD) (the “Bancorp” or “Finward”), the holding company for Peoples Bank (the “Bank”), today announced that on December 20, 2024 the Board of Directors of Finward declared a dividend of $0.12 per share on Finward’s common stock payable on February 3, 2025 to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 21, 2025.

    About Finward Bancorp

    Finward Bancorp is a locally managed and independent financial holding company headquartered in Munster, Indiana, whose activities are primarily limited to holding the stock of Peoples Bank. Peoples Bank provides a wide range of personal, business, electronic and wealth management financial services from its 26 locations in Lake and Porter Counties in Northwest Indiana and the Chicagoland area. Finward Bancorp’s common stock is quoted on The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC under the symbol FNWD. The website ibankpeoples.com provides information on Peoples Bank’s products and services, and Finward Bancorp’s investor relations.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This Current Report on Form 8-K may contain forward-looking statements regarding the financial performance, business prospects, growth, and operating strategies of Finward. For these statements, Finward claims the protections of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this communication should be considered in conjunction with the other information available about Finward, including the information in the filings Finward makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Forward-looking statements provide current expectations or forecasts of future events and are not guarantees of future performance. The forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by using words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will” and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance.

    Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include: the Bank’s ability to demonstrate compliance with the terms of the previously disclosed consent order and memorandum of understanding entered into between the Bank and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and Indiana Department of Financial Institutions (“DFI”), or to demonstrate compliance to the satisfaction of the FDIC and/or DFI within prescribed time frames; the Bank’s agreement under the memorandum of understanding to refrain from paying cash dividends without prior regulatory approval; changes in asset quality and credit risk; the inability to sustain revenue and earnings growth; changes in interest rates and capital markets; inflation; customer acceptance of Finward’s products and services; customer borrowing, repayment, investment, and deposit practices; customer disintermediation; the introduction, withdrawal, success, and timing of business initiatives; competitive conditions; the inability to realize cost savings or revenues or to implement integration plans and other consequences associated with mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures; economic conditions; and the impact, extent, and timing of technological changes, capital management activities, and other actions of the Federal Reserve Board and legislative and regulatory actions and reforms. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are discussed in Finward’s reports (such as the Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K) filed with the SEC and available at the SEC’s Internet website (www.sec.gov). All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning Finward or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Except as required by law, Finward does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statement is made.

    In addition to the above factors, we also caution that the actual amounts and timing of any future common stock dividends or share repurchases will be subject to various factors, including our capital position, financial performance, capital impacts of strategic initiatives, market conditions, and regulatory and accounting considerations, as well as any other factors that our Board of Directors deems relevant in making such a determination. Therefore, there can be no assurance that we will repurchase shares or pay any dividends to the holders of our common stock, or as to the amount of any such repurchases or dividends.

    ###

    The MIL Network –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Purpose Investments Inc. Announces 2024 Final Annual Income and Capital Gains Distributions For Purpose Mutual Fund Trusts with December 15, 2024 Tax Year-End

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Dec. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Purpose Investments Inc. (“Purpose”) today announced the final annual distributions of income and capital gains for its open-end exchange-traded funds structured as mutual fund trusts (the “Funds”) with a December 15, 2024 tax year-end. The distributions represent income earned and capital gains realized by the Funds during the year.

    Details of the per unit distribution amounts are as follows:

    Final Annual Distributions of Income

    Purpose Mutual Fund Trusts Ticker Symbol Exchange Final Annual Income Distribution Per Unit NAV per Unit as of
    Dec 19, 2024
    Final Distribution (% of Dec 19, 2024 NAV) Distribution Type
    (Cash or Notional)
    Purpose Global Flexible Credit Fund – ETF Units FLX TSX  $ 0.1800 $ 7.37 2.44 % Cash
    Purpose Global Flexible Credit Fund – ETF Non-Currency Hedged Units FLX.B TSX $ 0.2250 $ 9.19 2.45 % Cash
    Purpose Global Flexible Credit Fund – ETF Non-Currency Hedged USD Units FLX.U TSX US $ 0.1500

    US $ 6.16

    2.44 % Cash

    ETF Series unitholders of record at the close of business on December 31, 2024 will receive the 2024 annual income distributions on January 7, 2025. The ex-distribution date for the 2024 annual income distributions will be December 31, 2024. Purpose expects to announce the final year-end notional distribution of income for Purpose Specialty Lending Trust on or about January 24, 2025, if necessary.

    Final Annual Capital Gains – Notional Distributions

    Purpose Mutual Fund Trusts Ticker Symbol Exchange Final Annual Capital Gain Distribution Per Unit NAV per Unit as of Dec 19, 2024 Final Distribution (% of Dec 19, 2024 NAV) Distribution Type
    (Cash or Notional)
    Berkshire Hathaway (BRK) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Units BRKY Cboe Canada $ 0.5200 $ 26.44 1.97 % Notional
    Alphabet (GOOGL) Yield Shares Purpose ETF
    – ETF Units
    YGOG Cboe Canada $ 0.3050 $ 36.22 0.84 % Notional
    Purpose Bitcoin Yield ETF – ETF Units BTCY TSX $ 0.7150 $ 8.72 8.20 % Notional
    Purpose Bitcoin Yield ETF – ETF Non-Currency Hedged Units BTCY.B TSX $ 0.8800 $ 10.69 8.23 % Notional
    Purpose Bitcoin Yield ETF – ETF Non-Currency Hedged USD Units BTCY.U TSX US $ 0.6950

    US $ 8.47

    8.20 % Notional
    Purpose Ether Yield ETF – ETF Units ETHY TSX $ 0.3730 $ 3.92 9.51 % Notional
    Purpose Ether Yield ETF – ETF Non-Currency Hedged Units ETHY.B TSX $ 0.4950 $ 5.21 9.49 % Notional
    Purpose Ether Yield ETF – ETF Non-Currency Hedged USD Units ETHY.U TSX US $ 0.3650

    US $ 3.84

    9.50 % Notional

    The annual capital gains distributions for the funds listed in table above will be paid as notional distributions. With a notional distribution, the units issued from the distribution are immediately consolidated with the units held prior to the distribution. The number of units held after the distribution is therefore identical to the number of units held before the distribution.

    Purpose confirms that the notional capital gain distributions will be applied to ETF holders of record as at the close of business on December 23, 2024. The ex-distribution date for the notional capital gain distributions will be December 23, 2024.

    Final Annual Capital Gains – Cash Distributions

    Purpose Mutual Fund Trusts Ticker Symbol Exchange Final Annual Capital Gain Distribution Per Unit NAV per Unit as of Dec 19, 2024 Final Distribution (% of Dec 19, 2024 NAV) Distribution Type
    (Cash or Notional)
    Purpose Active Balanced Fund – ETF Units PABF TSX $ 0.5800 $ 23.47 2.47 % Cash
    Purpose Active Conservative Fund – ETF Units PACF TSX $ 0.2900 $ 22.94 1.26 % Cash
    Purpose Active Growth Fund – ETF Units PAGF TSX $ 0.3750 $ 24.48 1.53 % Cash

    The respective unitholders of record on December 31, 2024 for the funds listed in the table above will receive the 2024 annual cash distributions on January 7, 2025. The ex-dividend date for the 2024 annual distributions for these ETFs (Purpose Active Balanced Fund – ETF Units, Purpose Active Growth Fund – ETF Units, and Purpose Active Conservative Fund – ETF Units) will be December 31, 2024.

    The actual breakdown of taxable amounts of reinvested and cash distributions for 2024 tax year, including tax factor allocations, will be reported to the brokers through CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. in early 2025.

    As an update to the press release issued on November 27, 2024, Purpose confirms that Apple (AAPL) Yield Shares Purpose ETF, Amazon (AMZN) Yield Shares Purpose ETF, NVIDIA (NVDA) Yield Shares Purpose ETF, and Microsoft (MSFT) Yield Shares Purpose ETF will not declare a special annual distribution in 2024.

    Purpose expects to announce the final year-end distributions for Purpose High Interest Savings Fund – ETF Units, Purpose US Cash Fund – ETF Units, Purpose Cash Management Fund – ETF Units, and Purpose USD Cash Management Fund – ETF Units on or about December 31, 2024, if necessary.

    Purpose expects to announce the final annual capital gain distributions for Purpose Fund Corp. and Big Banc Split Corp. on or about January 24, 2025, if necessary. Shareholders of record on January 30, 2025 will receive the annual capital gains distributions on February 5, 2025, and such capital gains will be applicable for the 2025 tax year. The final year-end capital gains distributions for these funds will be paid in cash. Purpose confirms that Purpose Mutual Funds Limited funds will not declare annual capital gain distributions for the 2024 tax year.

    About Purpose Investments

    Purpose Investments is an asset management company with more than $21 billion under management. Purpose Investments has an unrelenting focus on client-centric innovation, and offers a range of managed and quantitative investment products. Purpose Investments is led by well-known entrepreneur Som Seif and is a division of Purpose Unlimited, an independent technology-driven financial services company.

    For further information please contact:
    Keera Hart
    Keera.Hart@kaiserpartners.com
    905-580-1257

    Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investment fund investments. Please read the prospectus and other disclosure documents before investing. Investment funds are not covered by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government deposit insurer. There can be no assurance that the full amount of your investment in a fund will be returned to you. If the securities are purchased or sold on a stock exchange, you may pay more or receive less than the current net asset value. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

    This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy the securities referred to herein. This press release is not for dissemination in the United States or for distribution to US news wire services.

    The MIL Network –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: IMF Executive Board Completes the First Review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement for Togo

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    December 20, 2024

    • The IMF Executive Board completed today the first review under the ECF-arrangement for Togo, allowing the authorities to draw the equivalent of about US$57.4 million (SDR 44.0 million). The Executive Board approved the 42-month ECF-arrangement in March 2024.
    • Togo’s growth performance has remained robust, and inflation is moderating. The medium-term outlook is broadly favorable, with continued robust growth but also elevated risks.
    • Togo has continued to advance its reform agenda, and the program is on track. Policy priorities are to (i) make growth more inclusive while strengthening debt sustainability, and (ii) implement structural reforms to support growth and limit financial sector and associated fiscal risks.

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the first review of the ECF-arrangement for Togo. The Board’s decision enables the immediate disbursement of SDR 44.0 million (about US$ 58.7 million), which will be used for budget support. The ECF-arrangement provides overall financing of SDR 293.60 million (about US$ 390 million).

    The IMF approved the ECF-arrangement on March 1st, 2024 (see Press Release No. 24/64) to help the authorities address the legacies of the shocks seen since 2020, notably the COVID-pandemic and the increase in global food and fuel prices. The Togolese authorities were able to lessen these shocks’ impacts on the Togolese economy and population. However, this resulted in an increase in fiscal deficits and debt. The IMF-supported government program aims to (i) make growth more inclusive while strengthening debt sustainability, and (ii) implement structural reforms to support growth and limit financial sector and associated fiscal risks.

    The medium-term outlook is broadly favorable, with continued robust growth. Economic growth reached an estimated 5.6 percent in 2023 and is projected at 5.3 percent in 2024-25 and around 5.5 percent per year thereafter according to IMF staff projections, barring major adverse shocks. Headline inflation eased to 3.3 percent in October 2024 and core inflation (which excludes the prices of food and transport) to 2.2 percent (annual averages).

    However, the outlook is subject to high risks. In particular, terrorist attacks in the country’s North continues unabated and appears to be intensifying, putting pressure on spending. The authorities are contending with the challenging trade-offs between fiscal consolidation to lower the debt burden and the need to maintain robust growth in the context of limited fiscal space.

    Implementation of the program is on track. The authorities have met all end-June quantitative performance criteria, and prospects for meeting the quantitative targets for the rest of the year are favorable. The authorities also have met two out of the four due structural benchmarks, and there are prospects for the authorities to deliver at a later stage on the limited elements that have led to the missing of two benchmarks. Further, prospects for meeting the two end-December benchmarks are good. Finally, the authorities have made good progress on the reform of the remaining state-owned bank.

    At the conclusion of the Executive Board’s discussion, Mr. Bo Li, Deputy Managing Director, and Acting Chair, made the following statement: 

    “The Togolese authorities have shown strong implementation of the program supported under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). The authorities have met all quantitative targets despite security challenges and tight financing conditions, and they have progressed on structural reforms to strengthen revenue mobilization, inclusion, and public financial management. 

    “Togo’s outlook is subject to elevated risks, broadly as at the program request in March 2024, while security conditions have deteriorated. In line with this, the design of the program as conceived at the outset remains broadly appropriate, and the authorities should continue to implement the program with determination to place the country on the path of strong and sustainable growth.   

    “In the area of fiscal policies, the authorities should continue to aim to address debt vulnerabilities in a context of regional vulnerabilities while supporting growth and enhancing inclusion. For this, it will be important to implement the agreed fiscal anchor by limiting fiscal deficits to 3 percent of GDP from 2025 onwards, continue to raise tax revenue while making taxation more efficient, and implement structural reforms to enhance the efficiency of spending and make the social safety net more effective and efficient. 

    “It will also be essential to continue efforts to strengthen governance. The authorities’ recent request for an IMF Governance Diagnostic is welcome, as is their commitment to strengthening beneficial ownership declarations for companies benefiting from public procurement contracts. On the financial sector, the authorities should continue the reform of the remaining public bank by bringing the bank’s capital in line with regulatory requirements and reforming its operations to ensure its stability and profitability. Efforts to strengthen the AML/CFT framework will also be important.

    Togo: Selected Economic and Financial Indicators, 2020–29

     

    2020

    2021

    2022

    2023

    2024

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

     

    Estimates

    Projections

     

    (Percentage change, unless otherwise indicated)

    Real GDP

    2.0

    6.0

    5.8

    5.6

    5.3

    5.3

    5.5

    5.5

    5.5

    5.5

    Real GDP per capita

    -0.4

    3.5

    3.3

    3.1

    2.8

    2.8

    3.0

    3.0

    3.0

    3.0

    GDP deflator

    1.8

    2.5

    3.7

    2.9

    2.2

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    Consumer price index (average)

    1.8

    4.5

    7.6

    5.3

    3.3

    2.3

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    GDP (CFAF billions)

    4253

    4621

    5069

    5507

    5927

    6366

    6850

    7371

    7932

    8536

    Exchange rate CFAF/US$ (annual average level)

    575

    554

    622

    606

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    Real effective exchange rate (appreciation = –)

    -2.0

    -1.4

    2.3

    -5.4

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    …

    Terms of trade (deterioration = –)

    -1.4

    6.6

    23.3

    3.4

    0.9

    -1.7

    -0.8

    1.4

    1.3

    0.4

       

    Monetary survey

    (Percentage change of beginning-of-period broad money)

      Net foreign assets

    14.1

    5.6

    -0.6

    6.2

    4.9

    -0.1

    3.0

    2.8

    2.2

    2.2

      Net credit to government

    -1.6

    -0.3

    8.0

    0.2

    -2.9

    1.0

    1.2

    2.0

    0.2

    0.2

      Credit to nongovernment sector

    0.2

    6.0

    10.7

    1.5

    7.3

    6.5

    4.4

    4.6

    4.9

    4.8

      Broad money (M2)

    11.4

    12.3

    14.9

    8.5

    8.8

    7.4

    7.6

    7.6

    7.6

    7.6

      Velocity (GDP/end-of-period M2)

    2.1

    2.1

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

    2.0

     

    Investment and savings

     

      Gross domestic investment

    21.4

    23.4

    25.9

    28.0

    25.7

    24.2

    25.0

    25.9

    26.7

    27.2

       Government

    9.3

    8.2

    9.7

    11.5

    9.0

    7.1

    7.7

    8.4

    8.9

    9.4

       Nongovernment

    12.1

    15.2

    16.2

    16.5

    16.7

    17.1

    17.3

    17.5

    17.8

    17.8

      Gross national savings

    21.1

    21.2

    22.5

    25.1

    22.7

    21.2

    22.4

    23.7

    24.7

    25.2

       Government

    2.2

    3.6

    1.4

    4.8

    4.1

    4.1

    4.7

    5.4

    5.8

    6.4

       Nongovernment

    18.9

    17.6

    21.0

    20.3

    18.6

    17.1

    17.7

    18.3

    18.9

    18.8

     

    Government budget

     

      Total revenue and grants

    16.6

    17.1

    17.6

    19.8

    18.8

    18.6

    19.1

    19.5

    19.9

    20.3

       Revenue

    14.1

    15.3

    15.1

    16.8

    16.6

    17.1

    17.6

    18.1

    18.5

    19.1

        Tax revenue

    12.5

    14.0

    13.9

    14.8

    15.2

    15.7

    16.2

    16.7

    17.2

    17.7

      Expenditure and net lending (excl. banking sector operation)

    23.7

    21.8

    26.0

    26.6

    23.7

    21.6

    22.0

    22.6

    22.9

    23.3

      Overall primary balance (commitment basis, incl. grants)

    -4.7

    -2.5

    -5.9

    -3.9

    -3.7

    -0.5

    -0.6

    -0.8

    -1.0

    -1.1

      Overall balance (commitment basis, incl. grants, excl. banking sector operations)

    -7.0

    -4.7

    -8.3

    -6.7

    -4.9

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

      Overall balance (commitment basis, incl. grants)

    -7.0

    -4.7

    -8.3

    -6.7

    -6.4

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

      Overall primary balance (cash basis, incl. grants)

    -4.7

    -3.4

    -5.9

    -3.9

    -3.7

    -0.5

    -0.6

    -0.8

    -1.0

    -1.1

      Overall balance (cash basis, incl. grants, excl. banking sector operations)

    -7.1

    -5.6

    -8.3

    -6.7

    -4.9

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

      Overall balance (cash basis, incl. grants)

    -7.1

    -5.6

    -8.3

    -6.7

    -6.4

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

    -3.0

     

    External sector

     

    Current account balance

    -0.3

    -2.2

    -3.5

    -2.9

    -3.0

    -2.9

    -2.6

    -2.2

    -2.0

    -2.0

       Exports (goods and services)

    23.3

    23.7

    26.6

    25.5

    25.7

    25.6

    26.0

    26.2

    26.2

    26.1

       Imports (goods and services)

    -32.3

    -34.0

    -38.8

    -36.2

    -35.4

    -34.4

    -33.9

    -33.7

    -33.5

    -33.5

    External public debt1

    27.6

    27.3

    26.2

    25.9

    29.5

    29.0

    29.9

    30.6

    30.8

    30.4

    External public debt service (percent of exports)1

    6.9

    5.2

    8.3

    8.2

    8.4

    15.5

    9.2

    8.3

    7.2

    6.5

    Domestic public debt2

    34.6

    37.6

    41.2

    42.1

    40.2

    39.1

    36.6

    34.3

    32.3

    31.4

    Total public debt3

    62.2

    64.9

    67.4

    68.0

    69.7

    68.2

    66.4

    64.8

    63.1

    61.8

    Total public debt (excluding SOEs)4

    60.1

    63.0

    65.8

    66.6

    68.6

    67.2

    65.6

    64.1

    62.5

    61.3

    Present value of total public debt3

    …

    …

    …

    60.6

    60.7

    57.7

    54.5

    51.5

    48.8

    47.1

    Sources: Togolese authorities and IMF staff estimates and projections.

     

    1 Includes state-owned enterprise external debt.

    2 Includes domestic arrears and state-owned enterprise domestic debt.

    3 Includes domestic arrears and state-owned enterprise debt.

    4 Includes domestic arrears.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Kwabena Akuamoah-Boateng

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    @IMFSpokesperson

    MIL OSI Economics –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: The Gambia: IMF Executive Board Completes the Second Review Under the Extended Credit Facility

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    December 20, 2024

    • The IMF Executive Board completed today the second review under The Gambia’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement, enabling the immediate disbursement of about US$10.8 million to help meet financing needs and bolster inclusive, sustainable growth.
    • Economic recovery is strengthening, and inflation is gradually decreasing, although the pace remains slow. The country remains vulnerable to global shocks.
    • Program performance has been affected by fiscal pressures and delays in reform implementation, but the authorities remain committed to overall program targets. Steadfast implementation of the policy and reform agenda will be essential to safeguard macroeconomic gains and debt sustainability.

    Washington, DC – December 20, 2024: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed today the second review under The Gambia’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement, approved by the IMF Executive Board on January 12, 2024, in the amount of SDR74.64 million (about US$97.3 million). The completion of the review allows for the immediate disbursement of SDR 8.29 million (about US$10.8 million), bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to about SDR 24.87 million (US$32.4 million).

    The economic recovery in The Gambia is strengthening. Real GDP growth is expected to reach 5.8 percent in 2024, supported by a broad-based rebound in economic activity. In particular, tourist arrivals are recovering and nearing pre-pandemic levels, while remittance inflows remain strong. Headline inflation has decreased significantly from a peak of 18.5 percent in September 2023, although energy prices led to a small uptick in inflation to 10 percent in October 2024.

    While the authorities remain committed to the objectives set out in the program and revenue collection has been strong, spending pressures from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit and emergency support to the public utility company NAWEC have weighed on fiscal balances. The new foreign exchange policy is working well, and international reserves exceeded targets by the end of September.  

    Based on the strength of the macroeconomic program, growth is projected at 5.9 percent in 2025 and around 5 percent in the medium term, though risks remain from global conflicts, commodity price shocks, and fluctuations in tourism and remittance flows. Steadfast implementation of the policy and reform agenda will be essential to safeguard macroeconomic gains and debt sustainability.

    Following the Executive Board’s discussion, Deputy Managing Director Bo Li issued the following statement:

    “The Gambia’s economic recovery is strengthening while inflation has trended down. Program implementation was mixed, reflecting broadly satisfactory adherence to quantitative performance criteria and indicative targets but delays in implementing structural benchmarks. The authorities remain committed to their reform agenda, despite global economic headwinds. 

    “Continued commitment to fiscal consolidation is critical to reduce fiscal risks and preserve debt sustainability. Finalizing and implementing the Domestic Revenue Mobilization Strategy will help secure consolidation gains and lower reliance on costly domestic and external financing. Improving the structure of expenditures will help maintain social services and space for growth-enhancing capital expenditures. Strengthening public financial management, including by preventing domestic arrears accumulation, and improving the performance of state-owned enterprises will help contain fiscal risks. To reduce debt vulnerabilities, it is crucial to adhere to the agreed fiscal targets, focus on grants and concessional loans, limit fiscal risks from PPPs, and implement a strong medium-term fiscal framework.

    “The Central Bank of The Gambia has appropriately maintained its tight monetary policy stance and is encouraged to remain vigilant and data dependent to ensure that inflation converges to the central bank’s medium-term target. The foreign exchange market has performed well following the introduction of the new foreign exchange policy. Going forward, the central bank is encouraged to continue pursuing an exchange rate that fully reflects market forces. The central bank’s commitment to cease financial support to public entities is welcome to prevent risks to its balance sheet.

    “Progress with structural reforms will be essential, including to enhance governance and further improve the business environment to promote private sector development and job creation. The publication of the action plan for the implementation of the recommendations of the governance diagnostic report as a prior action for this review was an important milestone. Adopting strong climate-related policies including through a possible RSF arrangement will be essential to build The Gambia’s resilience to climate risks.” 

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Julie Ziegler

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    @IMFSpokesperson

    MIL OSI Economics –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Gambia: IMF Executive Board Completes the Second Review Under the Extended Credit Facility

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    December 20, 2024

    • The IMF Executive Board completed today the second review under The Gambia’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement, enabling the immediate disbursement of about US$10.8 million to help meet financing needs and bolster inclusive, sustainable growth.
    • Economic recovery is strengthening, and inflation is gradually decreasing, although the pace remains slow. The country remains vulnerable to global shocks.
    • Program performance has been affected by fiscal pressures and delays in reform implementation, but the authorities remain committed to overall program targets. Steadfast implementation of the policy and reform agenda will be essential to safeguard macroeconomic gains and debt sustainability.

    Washington, DC – December 20, 2024: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed today the second review under The Gambia’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement, approved by the IMF Executive Board on January 12, 2024, in the amount of SDR74.64 million (about US$97.3 million). The completion of the review allows for the immediate disbursement of SDR 8.29 million (about US$10.8 million), bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to about SDR 24.87 million (US$32.4 million).

    The economic recovery in The Gambia is strengthening. Real GDP growth is expected to reach 5.8 percent in 2024, supported by a broad-based rebound in economic activity. In particular, tourist arrivals are recovering and nearing pre-pandemic levels, while remittance inflows remain strong. Headline inflation has decreased significantly from a peak of 18.5 percent in September 2023, although energy prices led to a small uptick in inflation to 10 percent in October 2024.

    While the authorities remain committed to the objectives set out in the program and revenue collection has been strong, spending pressures from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit and emergency support to the public utility company NAWEC have weighed on fiscal balances. The new foreign exchange policy is working well, and international reserves exceeded targets by the end of September.  

    Based on the strength of the macroeconomic program, growth is projected at 5.9 percent in 2025 and around 5 percent in the medium term, though risks remain from global conflicts, commodity price shocks, and fluctuations in tourism and remittance flows. Steadfast implementation of the policy and reform agenda will be essential to safeguard macroeconomic gains and debt sustainability.

    Following the Executive Board’s discussion, Deputy Managing Director Bo Li issued the following statement:

    “The Gambia’s economic recovery is strengthening while inflation has trended down. Program implementation was mixed, reflecting broadly satisfactory adherence to quantitative performance criteria and indicative targets but delays in implementing structural benchmarks. The authorities remain committed to their reform agenda, despite global economic headwinds. 

    “Continued commitment to fiscal consolidation is critical to reduce fiscal risks and preserve debt sustainability. Finalizing and implementing the Domestic Revenue Mobilization Strategy will help secure consolidation gains and lower reliance on costly domestic and external financing. Improving the structure of expenditures will help maintain social services and space for growth-enhancing capital expenditures. Strengthening public financial management, including by preventing domestic arrears accumulation, and improving the performance of state-owned enterprises will help contain fiscal risks. To reduce debt vulnerabilities, it is crucial to adhere to the agreed fiscal targets, focus on grants and concessional loans, limit fiscal risks from PPPs, and implement a strong medium-term fiscal framework.

    “The Central Bank of The Gambia has appropriately maintained its tight monetary policy stance and is encouraged to remain vigilant and data dependent to ensure that inflation converges to the central bank’s medium-term target. The foreign exchange market has performed well following the introduction of the new foreign exchange policy. Going forward, the central bank is encouraged to continue pursuing an exchange rate that fully reflects market forces. The central bank’s commitment to cease financial support to public entities is welcome to prevent risks to its balance sheet.

    “Progress with structural reforms will be essential, including to enhance governance and further improve the business environment to promote private sector development and job creation. The publication of the action plan for the implementation of the recommendations of the governance diagnostic report as a prior action for this review was an important milestone. Adopting strong climate-related policies including through a possible RSF arrangement will be essential to build The Gambia’s resilience to climate risks.” 

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Julie Ziegler

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    @IMFSpokesperson

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2024/12/20/pr24496-gambia-imf-executive-board-completes-2nd-review-under-ecf

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Pathwizz Redefines Trust in Digital Transactions with Award-Winning Support and Verified Platforms ‘Wizz Support’

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, UK, Dec. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pathwizz launched Wizz Support which set a new standard for guiding internet shoppers from advertisements to reliable products and services by focusing on secure account activation, platform verification, and exceptional customer service. Since its founding in 2020, Pathwizz has been the trusted middleman helping businesses and buyers connect seamlessly.

    Whether helping clients open accounts or ensuring they connect with trusted platforms, Wizz Support eliminates the guesswork, allowing users to focus on what matters: growing their businesses and accessing quality services. For more information visit their website: https://pathwizz.com/support

    Connecting Buyers Across Every Industry

    Wizz Support serves clients from diverse industries—including finance, AI, education, and e-commerce—matching them with verified, trustworthy platforms. Every vendor Wizz Support works with undergoes an extensive verification process, ensuring reliability and eliminating the risks of online fraud.

    This level of diligence provides peace of mind to customers, businesses, and advertisers alike. By acting as the bridge between buyers and trusted companies, Pathwizz creates secure, efficient pathways for account setup and activation, saving time and preventing potential headaches.

    “Our role is to ensure every client connects with a platform they can trust, ” says Yan W, the New-Accounts department manager. “Whether it’s activating accounts, opening accounts, or onboarding services, we verify each vendor to create a seamless, fraud-free experience for our clients. “

    Award-Winning Support That Goes the Extra Mile

    What truly sets Wizz Support apart is its award-winning support team. Known for their professionalism and dedication, the support team assists clients with everything from account onboarding to technical troubleshooting. Their focus is on making each interaction as smooth and stress-free as possible.

    “Our team works with clients every step of the way, ” shares a company spokesperson. “Whether someone is trying to activate their account or encountering a minor issue, we’re there to ensure the process is simple, fast, and reliable. It’s that personal touch that has earned us the trust of businesses and customers worldwide. “

    Built on Trust, Committed to Excellence

    Over the years, Wizz Support has built a reputation for transparency and reliability. By providing secure account services and serving as a middleman that rigorously verifies platforms, Pathwizz has become the go-to solution for businesses looking to connect with customers and shoppers who value safety in online transactions.

    The company’s focus on fraud prevention and quality control gives clients the confidence to take the next step, whether that’s activating their account or exploring new opportunities online.

    Looking Ahead: A Future Built on Innovation and Trust

    As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Wizz Support remains committed to innovation and excellence. The company’s vision is to further expand its services, ensuring that businesses and buyers continue to benefit from trustworthy connections and seamless processes.

    From account activation to platform verification, Pathwizz has become synonymous with trust and reliability. Whether you’re a business looking for new opportunities or a shopper seeking peace of mind, Pathwizz is here to guide you every step of the way.

    Wizz Support: Trusted connections. Seamless onboarding. Exceptional support.

    Media Contact

    Company: Pathwizz

    Contact: Yan Wizz | Dato Wizz

    Email: Office@pathwizz.com

    Website: https://pathwizz.com/support

    SOURCE: Pathwizz

    The MIL Network –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Complete ban on bee killing pesticides moves forward

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    • Government sets out plans to end the use of toxic neonicotinoid pesticides that threaten vital pollinators

    A bee on a purple flower

    • Important step forward in delivering on election commitment to safeguarding bees, butterflies and the wider environment  

    A complete ban on use of bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides has moved a step closer today (Saturday 21 December), as the government sets out its plans to deliver a key election pledge.   

    Despite being banned from general use in the UK, the last government authorised the use of neonicotinoids every year for the last four years in England via a process known as emergency authorisation.     

    Neonicotinoids are extremely toxic to pollinators. Even at doses that are not directly fatal to bees they can cause cognitive problems impacting foraging abilities and the productivity of hives. The chemicals can also persist in the soil creating a further risk to bees.  

    Bees and other pollinators are crucial to the agricultural economy with the economic benefits of pollination to crop production in the UK estimated at £500 million annually.  

    The Government has set out its next steps, including identifying legislative options that would legally prevent the future use of three specific neonicotinoids – clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam – entirely, taking full account of the importance of pollinators. 

    Environment Minister Emma Hardy said:    

    “We are delivering on our promise to ban toxic bee-killing pesticides and ending the long-term decline of our wildlife.  

    “A healthy environment is vital to our food and economic security. Protecting bees by stopping the use of damaging neonicotinoids is an important step in supporting the long-term health of our environment and waterways, and our farming sector.”     

    The move comes ahead of the publication of a new UK National Action Plan (NAP), which will set how pesticides can be used sustainably.  

    Ensuring that our food production is sustainable is key to the long-term health of the agricultural sector, as well as the nation’s food security. The Government’s Plan for Change is built on the strong foundation of a stable economy.  

    The Government commitment to farmers remains steadfast and we are fully committed to supporting farmers to protect their crops in more sustainable ways. There has already been progress in this space, including research into new virus-resistant varieties of sugar beet and new alternative pesticide sprays, and we will continue to support this work. 

    The announcement today builds on the swift action the Government has taken to recover nature more widely. This includes committing to a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan and new delivery plans to meet targets on air quality, the circular economy and water. In the first few months of this government, legislation was introduced to put failing water companies under special measures to curb pollution in our waterways and a Flood Resilience Taskforce was introduced to speed up the creation of nature-based solutions, like planting trees to protect communities against the impact of extreme weather.    

    NOTES TO EDITORS:   

    • The legal requirements for emergency authorisations have not changed today and any applications for 2025 will be considered under the law as it stands.   

    • The Neonicotinoids Policy Statement applies to England only.

    • The UK Government will look to work with the devolved governments to seek a shared and consistent way forward.   

    • £5 billion was set aside in the Budget for farming over two years, including the single biggest amount of money ever allocated for sustainable food production and nature recovery.

    • The full Neonicotinoids Policy Statement can be found here

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    Published 21 December 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Virturo Elite Club: Unlock Exclusive Wealth-Building Opportunities for High-Net-Worth Individuals

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, UK, Dec. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Virturo announced that through its Elite Club, it offers personalized wealth-building strategies that maximize returns, optimize tax efficiency, and protect assets against inflation, all while ensuring investments align with long-term goals. For those who hold significant wealth, traditional investments like stocks, bonds, and real estate might seem secure, but inflation poses a silent threat to their lasting worth. Over the years, these investments have provided steady returns of 3-5%, yet many high-net-worth individuals are now seeking ways to boost returns without taking on excessive risk.

    Addressing Inflation: Diversify Beyond Traditional Investments

    Many affluent individuals have portfolios that are heavily reliant on traditional investments, which often yield moderate returns in the range of 3-5%. While these returns may have seemed sufficient in the past, inflation can diminish their purchasing power over time, leaving investors searching for better growth opportunities.

    Virturo understands this challenge. The platform provides access to  HYPERLINK “https://virturo.com/”alternative investments—such as cryptocurrencies, high-growth stocks, and real estate funds—that have the potential for higher returns while maintaining strategic risk management. Virturo’s investment strategies are designed to outpace inflation and deliver superior returns, giving investors the tools to protect and grow wealth in an uncertain economic environment.

    Revitalize Dormant Assets and Achieve Greater Growth

    Many wealthy individuals have underutilized or dormant assets—such as low-interest savings or stagnant equities—that fail to keep pace with inflation. Virturo specializes in helping investors revitalize these dormant assets and transform them into high-performing investments. By leveraging advanced technologies and a team of financial experts, Virturo ensures that assets work harder, providing higher returns than traditional investment vehicles while keeping risk manageable.

    Optimizing Portfolios with Tax-Efficient Investments in the UK and Netherlands

    Whether clients are in the UK or the Netherlands, Virturo offers expert guidance on structuring investments in the most tax-efficient manner. UK clients benefit from ISAs, which allow for tax-free growth, while Dutch clients have access to options like the belastingvrije beleggingsrekening (tax-free investment accounts) and pensioenbeleggingen (pension investments). These options enable investors to grow wealth while minimizing tax liabilities—critical for protecting returns in the face of inflation.

    Why Virturo’s Elite Club is the Ultimate Investment Solution

    Virturo’s Elite Club offers numerous advantages for affluent investors:

    • Diversified Investment Opportunities: Access to cryptocurrencies, high-growth equities, real estate funds, and more, helping clients diversify away from traditional investments with low returns.
    • Inflation-Proof Strategies: Virturo provides inflation-resistant strategies that protect wealth, ensuring investments continue to grow at a pace that outstrips inflation.
    • Tax-Efficient Growth: Whether in the UK or the Netherlands, Virturo helps clients invest in tax-efficient vehicles, such as ISAs or belastingvrije beleggingsrekening, to maximize returns and minimize tax burdens.
    • Revitalizing Dormant Assets: Unlock the potential of underperforming assets, turning them into high-growth investments with the help of Virturo’s expert guidance.
    • Comprehensive Wealth Management: Elite Club members receive personalized financial strategies, ensuring portfolios are optimized for both growth and risk management.
    • Sustainable and Impactful Investments: Align wealth-building efforts with values through impact investing, allowing clients to grow wealth while supporting sustainability initiatives.

    Join Virturo’s Elite Club Today

    For wealthy individuals looking to expand and diversify portfolios, Virturo’s Elite Club offers exclusive access to high-return, inflation-beating investments. With expert guidance, personalized service, and access to a wide range of tax-efficient options, Virturo ensures that wealth is protected against inflation and continues to grow—while maintaining an appropriate level of risk.

    Investors ready to secure their financial future can experience the benefits of wealth management that truly works. Virturo’s Elite Club provides an unparalleled opportunity to unlock the full potential of investments.

    Media Contact

    Company: Virturo

    Contact: Media Team

    Email: support@virturo.com

    Website: https://virturo.com/

    SOURCE: Virturo

    The MIL Network –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: $TOCKHOLDER ALERT: The M&A Class Action Firm Is Investigating the Merger – PWOD, CARA, NURO, VOXX

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Dec. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Monteverde & Associates PC (the “M&A Class Action Firm”), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm by ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. We are headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and are investigating:

    • Penns Woods Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: PWOD), relating to the proposed merger with Northwest Bancshares, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, Penns Woods shareholders will be entitled to receive 2.385 shares of Northwest common stock for each share of Penns Woods common stock they own.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/penns-woods-bancorp-inc-pwod/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Cara Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CARA), relating to the proposed merger with Tvardi Therapeutics, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, Cara Therapeutics stockholders are expected to own approximately 17.0% of the combined company.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/cara-therapeutics-inc-cara/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • NeuroMetrix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NURO), relating to the proposed merger with electroCore, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, shareholders of NeuroMetrix will be entitled to receive the equivalent of the balance of NeuroMetrix’s net cash at the closing of the transaction, estimated to be $9 million in the aggregate.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/neurometrix-inc-nuro/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • VOXX International Corporation (NASDAQ: VOXX), relating to the proposed merger with Gentex Corporation. Under the terms of the agreement, Gentex will acquire all issued and outstanding shares of VOXX common stock not already owned by Gentex for a purchase price of $7.50 per share.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/voxx-international-corporation-voxx/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE THE SAME. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask:

    1. Do you file class actions and go to Court?
    2. When was the last time you recovered money for shareholders?
    3. What cases did you recover money in and how much?

    About Monteverde & Associates PC

    Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholders…and we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. 

    No company, director or officer is above the law. If you own common stock in any of the above listed companies and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.

    Contact:
    Juan Monteverde, Esq.
    MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC
    The Empire State Building
    350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4740
    New York, NY 10118
    United States of America
    jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com
    Tel: (212) 971-1341

    Attorney Advertising. (C) 2024 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (www.monteverdelaw.com).  Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

    The MIL Network –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Immutable Holdings Announces Voting Results for Its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Dec. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Immutable Holdings Inc. (NEO:HOLD) (“Immutable Holdings” or the “Corporation”), a publicly-traded blockchain holding company, is pleased to announce the voting results of its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders that was held on December 20, 2024 (the “Meeting”).

    Election of Directors

    Each of the nominees for election as directors listed in the Corporation’s management information circular dated November 12, 2024 (the “Circular”) were elected as directors of the Corporation for the ensuing year or until their successors are elected or appointed.

    Reappointment of Auditors

    At the Meeting, shareholders also approved the reappointment of Richter LLP as auditors of the Corporation for the ensuing year, as well as the authorization of the directors of the Corporation to fix the auditors’ remuneration and the terms of their engagement.

    For further details regarding the matters considered at the Meeting, please refer to the Circular, which can be found under Immutable’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    About Immutable Holdings Inc.

    Immutable Holdings is a collection of businesses within the digital assets ecosystem on a mission to build businesses and products that increase the awareness, access, and adoption of digital assets. Founded by Jordan Fried, a founding team member of multibillion dollar Hedera Hashgraph network, Immutable Holdings already boasts tens of millions under management and a portfolio of businesses and brands built on the blockchain ecosystem, including NFT.com, Coffee and Crypto, Immutable Asset Management, and 1-800-Bitcoin. For further information regarding Immutable Holdings, visit https://immutableholdings.com/ and see the Corporation’s disclosure documents on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    For media inquiries and further information, contact:

    Jordan Fried, Founder & CEO
    Email: info@immutableholdings.com

    Melyssa Charlton, CFO
    Email: info@immutableholdings.com

    Billy Baxter, Head of Corporate Development & Operations
    Email: info@immutableholdings.com

    CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

    This news release contains certain statements which constitute forward-looking statements or information under applicable Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking statements are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the Corporation’s control, which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, changes to applicable laws or the regulatory sphere in which the Corporation operates, general economic and capital markets conditions, stock market volatility and the other risks disclosed in the Corporation’s annual information form dated March 28, 2024 and other disclosure documents available on the Corporation’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The foregoing is not an exhaustive list of factors that may affect the Corporation’s forward-looking statements. Other risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Corporation and/or not specifically referenced herein could also cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in its forward-looking statements.

    Although the Corporation believes that the forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, they are based on factors and assumptions, based on currently available information, concerning future events, which may prove to be inaccurate. As such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, as no assurance can be provided as to future plans, operations, results, levels of activity or achievements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by applicable law, the Corporation does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    The MIL Network –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UN Disarmament Chief Calls Out ‘Unacceptable Levels’ of Civilian Fatalities in Ukraine, as Security Council Debates Western Arms Supplies to Kyiv, Moscow’s Ongoing Attacks

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Meeting again today to discuss Western arms supplies to Ukraine, the Security Council heard that civilians there continue to be killed and injured by a panoply of deadly munitions, while the organ’s members alternately urged a diplomatic end to the violence and condemned Moscow’s initial — and continued — aggression.

    “More than 1,000 days have passed since the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched on 24 February 2022 in violation of the UN Charter and of international law,” observed Izumi Nakamitsu, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs.  Since the Council last met on this topic on 31 October, the world has continued to witness “unacceptable levels” of civilian deaths and injuries, she noted, also spotlighting Moscow’s “systematic and deliberate” targeting of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

    Transfers of arms and ammunition, and the provision of other forms of military assistance to Ukraine’s Armed Forces, have also continued, she said.  Additionally, there have been reports of States transferring — or planning to transfer — weapons and ammunition to the Russian Federation.  Further reports refer to an increase in military cooperation between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation, including troop deployment by the former into the latter’s Kursk region.

    “I urge all concerned to refrain from any steps that may lead to further spillover and intensification of the conflict, as well as any further harm to civilians,” she said, citing reports by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) of over 12,340 civilians killed — and more than 27,836 injured — between 24 February 2022 and 30 November 2024.  She also noted reports of cross-border strikes by Ukraine inside the Russian Federation – with some reportedly resulting in damage to civilian objects.

    Expressing particular concern over the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, the use and transfer of cluster munitions and recent announcements regarding the transfer of non-persistent anti-personnel landmines, she called on States to abide by their international obligations and become parties to disarmament treaties “as a matter of priority”.  Further, universal participation in arms-control instruments is essential to prevent the diversion of conventional arms and to regulate the international arms trade.

    Concluding, she reiterated the Secretary-General’s call for “a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in Ukraine, consistent with the UN Charter”.

    United States’ Speaker:  Permanent Council Member Violating UN Charter

    “This document has meaning,” stressed the representative of the United States, Council President for December, as he took the floor in his national capacity.  For 80 years — “through thick and thin”, he noted — the Council has worked to uphold the Charter’s principles and to oppose territorial conquest.  Now, today, one of the organ’s permanent members is openly, unashamedly violating the Charter, as well as Council resolutions — that it voted for — to prevent a rogue nation from acquiring nuclear weapons.

    He went on to detail Beijing’s continued supply of dual-use items to Moscow’s war-industrial base, stating that China “telegraphs tacit approval for Russia’s war” by doing so.  “Russia listens only to strength and action — something we collectively lacked when Russia invaded Crimea, and when it invaded Georgia before that,” he noted, adding:  “Appeasement didn’t work then, and it won’t work now.”  Therefore, the United States and its partners will continue supporting both Ukraine and the UN Charter.

    Russian Federation’s Speaker:  Ukraine ‘Gold Mine’ for Military-industrial Complex of ‘Anglo-Saxon Countries’

    Meanwhile, the representative of the Russian Federation said that there would have been no war “if the United States had not supported the coup d’état in Kyiv in 2014” and had not “made Ukraine into anti-Russia”.  Noting that Ukraine has become a “gold mine” for the military-industrial complex of “Anglo-Saxon countries”, he said that half of all weapons sales went to 41 United States corporations.  In 2023, the revenue of 100 major weapons manufacturers reached $632 billion, he added.

    “It would be naïve to think that these unprincipled traders will give up on their huge profits for the benefit of the helpless Ukrainians,” he emphasized.  Further, he said that the Pentagon had to admit that the whereabouts of more than half of the Javelin and Stinger missiles sent to Ukraine were unknown, highlighting the corruption that “accompanies Western supplies”.  He concluded:  “My advice to all of those who are hoping that military activities will stop:  don’t have any illusions about the real intent of the comedian Zelenskyy.  We never had them.”

    Ukraine’s Speaker:  Kyiv Strikes Legitimate Military Targets on Its Occupied Territory and in Russian Federation

    “Ukraine never wanted this war and — more than any country across the globe — Ukraine wants the war to end,” stressed that country’s representative.  Noting that the Russian Federation again prefaced today’s meeting “with air terror against Ukrainian cities”, he described Moscow’s behaviour as:  “A — plan a strike; B — call a Security Council meeting; C — carry out a strike; D — call a meeting to complain about Western weapons supplies”.  This correlation has been registered in at least 18 cases, he emphasized.

    Against this backdrop, Ukraine strikes legitimate military targets on its occupied territories and in the Russian Federation, he went on to say, stressing that “it is more than easy” for Moscow to stop the war it launched.  Instead, Russian Federation President Vladimir V. Putin called for a “high-tech duel” between his country and the West, in which Moscow would strike Kyiv with medium-range ballistic missiles while Western missile-defence systems would attempt to protect it.  “Yesterday’s revelations from Putin leave no room for doubt:  his regime must be neutralized as soon as possible,” he urged.

    Council Members Weigh In

    Throughout the meeting, several Council members also pointed out that it was Moscow who originated the war.  “It is quite clear that this conflict began with Russia’s invasion of a neighbouring country in violation of the UN Charter,” stressed the representative of the Republic of Korea.  “Today’s meeting on the issue of weapons transfers to Ukraine is irrelevant,” he added, underscoring:  “The world knows the difference between an aggressor and a victim.”  He also expressed concern over the future of the “illegal coalition” between Moscow and Pyongyang, which is internationalizing the conflict.

    Similarly, Japan’s representative — noting today’s “shamefully familiar topic” — underscored that “there is only one aggressor in this conflict”.  The Russian Federation launched this unprovoked war of aggression, and that country is the one systematically violating international law.  Also expressing concern over Moscow’s military cooperation with Pyongyang and Tehran, he stressed:  “We must focus on Russia’s violations of international law and not fall prey to its disinformation or malicious tactics.”

    Echoing that was France’s delegate, who said that today’s “umpteenth meeting” on arms transfers requested by the Russian Federation was merely “a smokescreen to mask” its treatment of Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence.  “There is one aggressor:  Russia,” he underscored.  Moscow can choose to cease its aggression at any time without harming its own security, but Ukraine’s right to defend itself includes striking Russian Federation military targets.

    “Every country has an inalienable right to defend itself in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter,” observed Slovenia’s representative, adding:  “By extension, every country has the right to procure the means to defend themselves.”  As others, he said that “it is worth pointing to the source of inconsistencies with international law during this war — it is Russia that illegally invaded Ukraine”.  Also expressing concern over the extent of mine use in Ukraine, he stressed that these weapons will “pose a threat to the civilian population for years to come”.

    Ukraine Most Mined Country in the World 

    On that, Guyana’s delegate observed that Ukraine is now considered “the most-mined country in the world”, as potentially 23 per cent of its land is at risk of contamination with likely clearing costs of over $34 billion.  Emphasizing that such weapons “have no place in our world”, she called on all States transferring weapons and ammunition into the conflict area to do so within the existing international legal framework — including Council resolutions – and with adequate controls in place to prevent their irregular transfer. 

    In that vein, Mozambique’s delegate called on weapons-exporting States to refrain from transferring arms where risks of human-rights violations or breaches of international humanitarian law exist.  Similarly, recipient States must ensure that the arms transferred are used in a manner consistent with applicable international legal instruments and are not diverted or transferred to other destinations.  Ecuador’s representative concurred, urging States to act responsibly at every stage of the chain of transfer to prevent the diversion or misuse of arms.

    Algeria’s representative, citing the use of modern medium- and long-range missiles in Ukrainian and Russian Federation territory, called on both parties to ensure that these weapons do not fall into the hands of criminals, terrorists or extremist groups — who often use such weapons against defenceless civilians.  Adding to that, the representative of Sierra Leone urged all parties to “refrain from further escalation in pursuit of the option of winning battles at all costs”.  For his part, the representative of Malta stressed:  “The people of Ukraine deserve better.  The people of Russia deserve better.  Both nations deserve a peaceful future.”

    “Weapons may help win a war, but cannot bring about lasting peace,” observed China’s representative, recalling that Beijing has called on the parties to cease hostilities and restore peace for the past three years.  “The United States is the only country that has chosen to turn a blind eye to China’s efforts,” he said, adding that one country’s security cannot be achieved at the expense of another’s.  He also expressed hope that the United States will abandon the “zero-sum mentality of the cold war”.

    Switzerland’s representative, meanwhile, noted that today’s meeting was one of approximately 70 so far dedicated to Ukraine.  “And, for the seventieth time, I repeat that Russia must immediately withdraw its troops from the entire territory of Ukraine,” she said, adding:  “This repetition is important, however; we cannot — and must not — normalize what has happened in Ukraine.”

    “This Christmas, I suggest the Russian delegation reads How Much Land Does a Man Need? by Leo Tolstoy,” said the representative of the United Kingdom.  Noting that this is a story about a man who — in his greed to acquire more and more land — exhausts himself and dies, he said that the man is then buried in a six-foot grave — “which is all the land he ends up with”.  “The moral is quite clear,” he observed, adding: “The Russians would do well to heed the wisdom of their forebears.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 10% rise in non-local firms hailed

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    According to the latest annual survey jointly conducted by Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Census & Statistics Department, this year Hong Kong hosted 9,960 firms with parent companies located outside of the city, a record high number and a 10% increase on the previous year. Meanwhile, the number of people employed by such firms reached nearly 500,000, an increase of 5% year on year.

    Speaking to news.gov.hk, Director-General of Investment Promotion Alpha Lau said the figures demonstrate that Hong Kong’s business environment has fully regained its strong growth momentum following the COVID-19 pandemic. 

    She highlighted that due to uncertainty in the global economic situation, many companies are taking a cautious approach to expansion, but added that the latest numbers indicate Hong Kong is a pragmatic choice of location as it remains a very good place to do business.

    “Facts speak louder than words. Companies expand their business here and use Hong Kong as a springboard to enter into Mainland China, into Asia, or for Chinese companies to go out and expand into the rest of the world.”

    Analysed by parent company location, the top five sources of firms from outside Hong Kong are Mainland China (2,620), Japan (1,430), the US (1,390), the UK (720) and Singapore (520).

    Moreover, the top 10 locations all recorded increases in 2024. These include traditional markets in the Americas and Europe, as well as Asian markets.

    Notably, the number of regional headquarters in Hong Kong increased to 1,410, representing a 5.5% rise.

    These impressive figures not only reflect Hong Kong’s attractiveness but also indicate that InvestHK’s efforts to draw investment to the city are bearing fruit.

    As of November, InvestHK had assisted over 500 companies in setting up or expanding their operations in Hong Kong in 2024, an increase of more than 50% year on year. 

    Companies that have established their headquarters in Hong Kong believe that the city’s advantages as a hub for capital, talent and technology are self-evident.

    KN Group Hong Kong Treasury Centre General Manager Lucas Kong highlighted that the city maintains its status as one of the world’s leading financial centres, boasting a mature and open financial market environment.

    “As a fintech company leveraging artificial intelligence in the financial sector, establishing our headquarters in Hong Kong significantly facilitates the expansion of our international operations,” he explained.

    Mr Kong also stressed that the robust economic incentives provided by the Hong Kong Government have been instrumental both in attracting businesses and fostering technological innovation.

    He added that while the company’s expansion has led to its liquidity structure becoming more decentralised, resulting in increased management costs, establishing a global corporate treasury centre in Hong Kong has allowed the business to centralise fund management and allocation, thereby reducing costs and enhancing efficiency.

    “This move is made possible by Hong Kong’s transparent and open business ecosystem, coupled with its favourable tax regime.”

    Many family offices are also zeroing in on Hong Kong as the Government’s various high-value talent attraction schemes make the city an enticing choice for such operations.

    One example of such a firm is the family office Glory, which engages in insurance and trusts.

    Glory’s Global CEO, Gao Yang, explained that while it operates in both Hong Kong and Singapore, many of its clients favour Hong Kong, due to the Government’s introduction of a range of flexible and practical talent admission polices for Chinese high-net-worth individuals. She said these initiatives provide a variety of pathways, enhancing Hong Kong’s appeal as a premier financial hub.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: China’s financial institutions report 8% growth in total assets

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A file photo shows the headquarters of the People’s Bank of China in Beijing, capital of China. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Total assets of China’s financial institutions had risen to 489.15 trillion yuan (about $68.03 trillion) by the end of third quarter this year, according to data released by the country’s central bank on Friday.

    The figure represented a year-on-year increase of 8%, said the People’s Bank of China.

    Of the total, the assets of the banking sector reached 439.52 trillion yuan, up 7.3% year on year, while the assets of securities institutions rose 8.7% year on year to 14.64 trillion yuan.

    The insurance sector’s assets jumped 18.3% year on year to 35 trillion yuan, the data showed.

    The liabilities of the financial institutions totaled 446.51 trillion yuan, up 8% year on year, according to central bank.

    MIL OSI China News –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: China solicits opinions on tax-related information rules concerning internet platform companies

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A File photo shows Meituan delivery personnel packaging the food in Jinan, capital city of east China’s Shandong province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Chinese authorities on Friday began soliciting public opinions on rules to regulate internet platform companies’ submission of tax-related information about businesses and employees on their platforms.

    The rules aim to promote the healthy and orderly development of the country’s platform economy, according to the State Taxation Administration and the State Administration for Market Regulation, which jointly drafted the rules.

    MIL OSI China News –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Andrei Rudskoy took part in a meeting chaired by Russian Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    On January 23, a meeting on the participation of universities in ensuring technological leadership and developing engineering education was held at the Saint Petersburg State Marine Technical University under the chairmanship of Nikolai Patrushev, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation. The meeting was addressed by the Rector of SPbPU, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrei Rudskoy.

    The meeting was attended by the governors of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Education, university rectors and heads of companies in the shipbuilding and related industries. The participants examined issues related to the role of universities in the formation of a system of research, development and production of high-tech products.

    Aide to the President of Russia, Chairman of the Russian Maritime Board Nikolay Patrushev noted in his speech that in order to achieve technological sovereignty and technological superiority, the domestic industry needs to reduce the timeframes for developing and implementing new technologies in production, as well as eliminate problems associated with the specifics of certification processes. He emphasized the importance of developing various technical and technological areas, including the production of low- and medium-speed engines, robotics and instrumentation.

    Nikolay Patrushev also touched upon the issue of training highly qualified engineering personnel. He emphasized that increasing the number of scientists, researchers and engineers in the total number of workforces is a key factor for achieving technological sovereignty.

    In turn, the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Valery Falkov, presented the results of monitoring the quality of admission to HSE universities and reported on the growth of interest in engineering education in recent years.

    Rector of SPbPU, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrey Rudskoy presented the model of “Qualified Partnership” in his report. He noted that the university, regularly performing R&D, generates new knowledge. At the next stage, due to the introduction of digital platforms in the performance of R&D, knowledge is accumulated and competencies are formed.

    Effective actions based on knowledge and technology allow us to form a scientific and technological reserve on a systemic basis, which characterizes a qualified performer. A breakthrough, in fact, an exit to another level of development, is associated with the formulation of frontier engineering tasks by a qualified customer. This is how globally competitive market products are created – this is what real innovations consist of. Particular attention is paid to the transfer of knowledge through a new educational model with variable terms of basic educational programs, – Andrey Rudskoy emphasized.

    Andrey Ivanovich drew the attention of the audience to the fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin set the task of creating a new model of education based on the foundations of the domestic system, which is distinguished by an optimal ratio of fundamentality and practical orientation of training. Mathematics and physics are of key importance, allowing the formation of logical thinking in schoolchildren, a scientific view of the world and creating the basis for future fundamental training in any field of activity.

    Andrey Ivanovich noted that today the task of ensuring technological leadership is becoming vital for Russia. It is necessary to create a reliable foundation – well-prepared applicants to engineering universities. To this end, the standards of the current advanced level of studying mathematics and physics should become mandatory in secondary school.

    It is obvious that the need for mathematics and science teachers in schools will increase significantly, and this requires prompt decisions. In 2024, we launched a joint project of SPbPU and the Herzen State Pedagogical University to combine the competencies of the two universities in training physics teachers within the framework of a network educational program. The participation of the Polytechnic University in this program contributed to the development of specialized competencies of future physics teachers, including through the use of the material base of SPbPU. And this year, we are launching a unique master’s program with the assignment of two qualifications in the areas of training “Applied Mathematics and Physics” and “Pedagogical Education”, which will help compensate for the shortage of physics and mathematics teachers, – said Andrey Rudskoy.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Crowd safety management measures and special traffic arrangements for Lunar New Year fireworks display

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Police will implement crowd safety management measures and special traffic arrangements on both sides of Victoria Harbour on January 30 (Thursday) to facilitate the public to watch the Lunar New Year fireworks display.
     
    Kowloon
    ——-
     
    Crowd safety management measures in Tsim Sha Tsui
    ————————————————-
     
         Police will implement crowd safety management measures in Yau Tsim District and Hung Hom Waterfront Promenade, including pedestrianising roads at Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom Waterfront Promenade in phases.
     
         Depending on the prevailing crowd situation, Police will implement safety measures within the pedestrianised area including the closure of pedestrian subways and putting up barriers. One-way flow will be applied on overcrowded footbridges and in the vicinity of the waterfront promenade. If necessary, restrictions on access to MTR stations will be put into force by the MTR Corporation.
     
         The Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the vicinity of the Clock Tower, and the Avenue of Stars are known to be popular gathering and vantage points. If these areas are saturated, the crowd will be diverted to other areas.
     
         At present, there are some construction works at West Kowloon Cultural District. The contractors have erected hoardings and barriers to seal off the area concerned with relevant notices displayed. Members of the public are urged not to enter these construction sites nor climb or lean against the barriers.
     
         Members of the public should follow the instructions given by Police officers and take heed of Police signage and broadcasts at scene.
     
    Special traffic arrangements
    —————————-
     
         The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented by phases, until the crowd has dispersed and the roads are safe for re-opening:
     
    A. Road closure
     
         The following roads will be closed, except for vehicles with permit:
     
    Phase I (from 5pm onwards)
     
    – Salisbury Road and Salisbury Road Underpass between Cheong Wan Road and Kowloon Park Drive;
    – Hung Hom Bypass between Salisbury Road and Metropolis Drive;
    – Hung Hom Bypass between Salisbury Road and Hung Hom Road;
    – Chatham Road South between Granville Road and Salisbury Road;
    – Southbound Chatham Road South between Cheong Wan Road and Granville Road, except for franchised buses and green minibuses (GMBs);
    – Granville Road between Chatham Road South and Science Museum Road, except for franchised buses and GMBs;
    – Canton Road between Gateway Boulevard and Salisbury Road;
    – Southbound Kowloon Park Drive between Gateway Boulevard and Salisbury Road;
    – Northbound Nathan Road between Austin Road and Salisbury Road;
    – Southbound Nathan Road between Granville Road and Salisbury Road;
    – Carnarvon Road between Granville Road and Nathan Road;
    – Hong Wan Path;
    – Mody Lane;
    – Mody Road;
    – Mody Square;
    – Granville Square;
    – Minden Row;
    – Hanoi Road;
    – Bristol Avenue;
    – Minden Avenue;
    – Blenheim Avenue;
    – Hart Avenue;
    – Prat Avenue;
    – Humphreys Avenue;
    – Cameron Road;
    – Cameron Lane;
    – Hau Fuk Street;
    – Middle Road;
    – Peking Road;
    – Lock Road;
    – Hankow Road;
    – Ashley Road;
    – Ichang Street; and
    – Haiphong Road.
     
         During the above road closure period, the following traffic diversions will be implemented:
     
    – Traffic along southbound Hung Hom Road will be directed from Hung Hom Bypass to Cheong Tung Road South roundabout;
    – Traffic along eastbound Metropolis Drive cannot turn right to southbound Hung Hom Bypass;
    – Traffic along southbound Hung Hom Bypass must turn right to westbound Metropolis Drive;
    – Traffic along westbound Cheong Wan Road leading to Chatham Road South must turn right to northbound Chatham Road South or go straight to westbound Austin Road, except for franchised buses and GMBs;
    – Franchised buses and GMBs along southbound Chatham Road South must turn left to eastbound Granville Road;
    – Franchised buses along southbound Nathan Road must turn right to westbound Public Square Street or westbound Jordan Road;
    – Traffic along westbound Jordan Road cannot turn left to southbound Canton Road;
    – Traffic along southbound Canton Road must make a U-turn to northbound Canton Road outside China Hong Kong City;
    – Traffic along northbound Kowloon Park Drive cannot turn left to southbound Canton Road;
    – Traffic along eastbound Salisbury Road must turn left to northbound Kowloon Park Drive;
    – Traffic along northbound Kowloon Park Drive cannot turn right to Peking Road;
    – Granville Road between Nathan Road and Carnarvon Road will be re-routed to one-way eastbound, while traffic along southbound Nathan Road will be instructed to turn left to eastbound Granville Road;
    – Traffic along Science Museum Road cannot turn to Mody Road and Granville Road;
    – Traffic along southbound Salisbury Road near Hong Chong Road will be diverted to Tsim Sha Tsui East; and
    – Traffic along eastbound Granville Road near Chatham Road South must turn left to northbound Chatham Road South.
     
    Phase II (from 5.30pm onwards)
     
    – Northbound Kowloon Park Drive between Salisbury Road and Gateway Boulevard; and
    – Salisbury Road between Canton Road and Kowloon Park Drive.
     
    Phase III (from 6pm onwards)
     
    – Museum Drive;
    – Cultural Drive;
    – The slip road of eastbound Austin Road West at-grade leading to westbound Austin Road West near The Harbourside;
    – The slip road of westbound Austin Road West at-grade leading to eastbound Austin Road West near Xiqu Centre; and
    – The left lane of westbound Austin Road West leading to Austin Road West roundabout.
     
         During the above road closure period, traffic along southbound Nga Cheung Road cannot enter Museum Drive.
     
    Phase IV (from 7.45pm onwards)
     
    – Nga Cheung Road between Jordan Road and Austin Road West;
    – Canton Road between Austin Road West and Kowloon Park Drive;
    – Nathan Road between Jordan Road and Austin Road;
    – Eastbound Bowring Street between Pilkem Street and Nathan Road;
    – Tak Shing Street between Tak Hing Street and Nathan Road;
    – Southbound Nathan Road between Austin Road and Granville Road;
    – Pine Tree Hill Road;
    – Hillwood Road;
    – Carnarvon Road between Kimberley Road and Granville Road;
    – Shun Yee Street;
    – Granville Circuit;
    – Northbound Chatham Road South between Observatory Road and Granville Road;
    – Kimberley Road between Nathan Road and Observatory Road;
    – Kimberley Street; and
    – Granville Road between Nathan Road and Chatham Road South.
     
         During the above road closure period, the following traffic diversions will be implemented:
     
    – Traffic along southbound Nathan Road must turn right to westbound Jordan Road;
    – Traffic along westbound Jordan Road cannot turn left to southbound Nathan Road;
    – Traffic along westbound Austin Road and southbound Cox’s Road cannot turn to Pine Tree Hill Road;
    – Traffic along Observatory Road cannot turn left to westbound Kimberley Street;
    – Traffic along northbound Pilkem Street cannot turn right to eastbound Bowring Street;
    – Traffic along eastbound Bowring Street will be diverted via northbound Pilkem Street;
    – Traffic along southbound Canton Road will be directed to eastbound Austin Road or westbound Austin Road West;
    – Traffic along eastbound Austin Road West cannot turn right to southbound Canton Road;
    – Traffic along westbound Jordan Road heading for Nga Cheung Road will be directed to Kowloon Station Public Transport Interchange;
    – Traffic along westbound Austin Road West will be diverted to northbound Nga Cheung Road elevated road; and
    – Traffic along southbound Nga Cheung Road will be directed to eastbound Austin Road West.
     
    Contingency plan
     
         If necessary, the following roads will be closed:
     
    – Hung Luen Road between Wa Shun Street and Hung Lok Road;
    – Oi King Street; and
    – Kin Wan Street.
     
         During the above road closure period, the following traffic diversions will be implemented:
     
    – Traffic along southbound Hung Luen Road must turn left to eastbound Wa Shun Street;
    – Traffic along westbound Wa Shun Street must turn right to eastbound Hung Luen Road;
    – Traffic along southbound Hung Lok Road cannot turn left to eastbound Hung Luen Road; and
    – Traffic along eastbound Hung Luen Road must turn left to northbound Hung Lok Road.
     
    B. Suspension of bus termini
     
         The Tsim Sha Tsui East (Mody Road) Bus Terminus will be suspended from 5pm.
     
         The Star Ferry Bus Terminus will be suspended from 5.30pm.

         The China Hong Kong City Bus Terminus will be suspended from 7pm.
     
    C. Suspension of parking spaces
     
         All on-street parking spaces, metered parking spaces and motorcycle parking spaces within the closed areas will be suspended from noon to 3am of the following day.
     
    D. Suspension of car parks
     
         During the implementation of the special traffic arrangements, vehicles cannot enter or leave the car parks within the closed road area in Tsim Sha Tsui and West Kowloon Cultural District from 5pm and 6pm respectively, until the roads are safe for re-opening.
     
    Hong Kong Island
    —————-
     
    A. Road closure
     
         Expo Drive East at the north of Expo Drive outside Golden Bauhinia Square, including the pick-up and drop-off areas, will be closed from 3pm.
     
         The following roads will be closed from 5.30pm:
     
    Central District
    —————-
    – Man Kwong Street;
    – Man Fai Street;
    – Man Yiu Street between Man Kwong Street and Man Po Street; and
    – Unnamed Road near Lung Wo Road outside General Post Office metered parking spaces.
     
    Central – Wan Chai Bypass
    ————————-
    – The slip road linking eastbound Central – Wan Chai Bypass to Expo Drive;
    – The slip road linking Lung Wo Road to eastbound Central – Wan Chai Bypass; and
    – The slip road linking westbound Central – Wan Chai Bypass to Lung Wo Road.
     
    Wan Chai
    ——–
    – Eastbound Fenwick Pier Street;
    – Lung King Street;
    – Eastbound Harbour Road;
    – Expo Drive;
    – Expo Drive Central;
    – Expo Drive East;
    – Lung Wo Road between Lung Hop Street and Fleming Road;
    – Lung Tat Path;
    – Convention Avenue;
    – Fleming Road flyover;
    – Fleming Road between Expo Drive East and Harbour Road;
    – Northbound Tonnochy Road between Harbour Road and Hung Hing Road;
    – Southbound Tonnochy Road between Hung Hing Road and Gloucester Road;
    – Marsh Road between Gloucester Road and Hung Hing Road;
    – Marsh Road flyover;
    – Hung Hing Road;
    – Hung Hing Road flyover;
    – Wan Shing Street;
    – Wan Ying Street; and
    – The slip road leading from eastbound Victoria Park Road to Causeway Bay Promenade.
     
         The following roads will be closed from 6.45pm:
     
    Central District
    —————-
    – Yiu Sing Street;
    – Lung Wo Road between Man Yiu Street and Lung Hop Street;
    – Tim Wa Avenue;
    – Legislative Council Road;
    – Tim Mei Avenue;
    – Lung Wui Road;
    – Lung Hop Street;
    – Unnamed road between Harcourt Road and Performing Arts Avenue;
    – Performing Arts Avenue; and
    – Edinburgh Place.
     
    Wan Chai
    ——–
    – Tonnochy Road flyover;
    – Northbound Tonnochy Road between Gloucester Road and Harbour Road;
    – Harbour Drive;
    – Westbound Harbour Road;
    – Northbound Fleming Road between Gloucester Road and Harbour Road;
    – Fenwick Pier Street flyover;
    – Westbound Fenwick Pier Street; and
    – Fenwick Street between Harbour Road and Gloucester Road.
     
    Eastern District
    —————-
    – Watson Road;
    – King Ming Road;
    – Hing Fat Street northward of Whitfield Road;
    – Whitfield Road; and
    – Electric Road between Watson Road and Gordon Road.
     
         The following roads will be closed from 7.45pm:
     
    Central District
    —————-
    – Man Yiu Street between Man Cheung Street and Man Po Street;
    – Man Po Street; and
    – Finance Street between Man Yiu Street and Man Po Street.
     
    Wan Chai
    ——–
    – Lockhart Road and Jaffe Road between Percival Street and Luard Road;
    – Southbound Luard Road between Gloucester Road and Hennessy Road;
    – O’Brien Road;
    – Fleming Road between Jaffe Road and Hennessy Road; and
    – Stewart Road, Tonnochy Road, Marsh Road, Canal Road West and Canal Road East between Gloucester Road and Hennessy Road.
     
    Eastern District (except for franchised buses)
    ———————————————-
    – Westbound Island Eastern Corridor (IEC) between Victoria Park Road and Man Hong Street;
    – The slip roads leading from Healthy Street Central and Tong Shui Road to westbound IEC;
    – The entrance of westbound Central – Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel from IEC.
     
    B. Traffic diversions
     
         In connection with the road closure as mentioned above, the following traffic diversions will be implemented:
     
         From 5.30pm:
     
         Rumsey Street between Chung Kong Road and Connaught Road Central will be re-routed to one-way southbound.
     
         From 7.45pm:
     
    – Traffic along westbound IEC will be diverted via Man Hong Street;
    – Traffic along slip road of Tong Shui Road heading for westbound IEC will be diverted via Wharf Road; and
    – Traffic along eastbound Connaught Road West flyover will be diverted via Finance Street.
     
    C. Suspension of parking spaces
     
         All on-street parking spaces, metered parking spaces and motorcycle parking spaces within the above closed areas will be suspended from 10am, until the roads are safe for re-opening.
     
    D. Suspension of bus termini and public transport interchange
     
         Exhibition Centre Station Public Transport Interchange and Central Ferry Piers Bus Terminus will be suspended from 4.30pm.
     
         Causeway Bay (Whitfield Road) Bus Terminus will be suspended from 6pm.
     
    E. Suspension of car parks
     
         Vehicles parked in car parks within the above closed areas in North Point, Wan Chai and Central District will not be permitted to enter or leave during the road closure period.
     
         If necessary, the car parks on westbound Gloucester Road between Paterson Street and Percival Street will be closed without prior notice.
     
         Police will continue to enforce traffic regulations during the Lunar New Year period. All vehicles parked illegally during the implementation of the above special traffic arrangements will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing. 
     
         Actual implementation of traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the areas. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience, and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.      

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Discusses Increasing Support for Ag Community in Confirmation Hearing with Brooke Rollins 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) questioned Brooke Rollins, President Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) during her confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (Ag). During the hearing, Senator Tuberville asked about Rollins’ plans to bolster global competitiveness of the American agriculture industry, improve federal forest management, and increase support for natural disaster assistance programs.
    As Alabama’s voice on the Senate Ag Committee, Senator Tuberville is committed to ensuring Alabama’s farmers, foresters, and producers have a seat at the table in the Trump administration.
    Excerpts from Senator Tuberville’s remarks can be found below, and his full remarks can be viewed on YouTube or Rumble.

    TUBERVILLE OPENING REMARKS
    TUBERVILLE: “Mrs. Rollins, who would have ever known? Thirty years ago, I’m a young coach at Texas A&M, and you’re Student Body President.”
    ROLLINS: “That’s true.”
    TUBERVILLE: “First time we ever met.”
    ROLLINS: “And we sat next to each other in lots of meetings. That’s exactly right.”
    TUBERVILLE: “And look where we’re at now, huh?”
    ROLLINS: “I know, I know. It’s an amazing thing.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Congratulations. Congratulations.”
    ROLLINS: “Thank you, sir. Thank you.”
    ON ROLLINS’ PLANS TO BOLSTER COMMODITY PRICES
    TUBERVILLE: “You’re going to be awesome. But I don’t want to sugar coat this because my farmers back home are hurting.”
    ROLLINS: “Yes sir.”
    TUBERVILLE: “We’re in trouble. Our farmers are in trouble. Small farmers [are] selling right and left. I’ve got a bill on the floor—actually I dropped it yesterday—about keeping foreign adversaries from buying our farmland. We’re selling it right and left. But I don’t blame them because they can’t make a profit.”
    ROLLINS: “Mhm.” 
    TUBERVILLE: “Row croppers in my state of Alabama are really getting killed. Cotton farmers last year—the input cost was about $400 an acre. They might of got a $100 an acre out of their crop last year. That’s the reason we had to do a supplemental right before Christmas. My phone was ringing off the wall. We have got to help our farmers, but they hate handouts. I’ll tell you that right now—they hate it because they want to do their own work. So I’m glad you understand that—being from Texas, you understand it.” 
    ROLLINS: “Yes sir. Yes sir.”
    TUBERVILLE: “It is a dire problem. And it’s not going to get fixed overnight. I’m looking forward to seeing who your team is going to be around you. […]
    So, we have to get input costs down. That’s not your job. Six, seven years ago, a cotton picker cost six or seven hundred thousand [dollars] in Alabama. Today, it’s $1.5 million.”
    ROLLINS: “Yes sir.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Fertilizer’s gone sky high after the Ukraine war. I mean, it’s embarrassing to where we’ve got. There’s a $45-billion-trade deficit in ag. $45 billion. And the only way that we can get commodity prices back up is handle that trade deficit though, that being said, we need dialogue. If confirmed, will you commit on doing dialogue with President Trump and the people around ag to get our farmers an opportunity to have a better price for their crop?”
    ROLLINS: “Yes, I will, Senator. I so look forward to that. I think one of the things I read recently that only 43% of our ag producers are net-income positive. That is unsustainable. We have to find a better way and it can’t come always through government subsidies. We’ve got to expand the market, we’ve got to figure out input costs. One of President Trump’s top priorities was food inflation. Well, this comes before food inflation because this itself will drive the cost of food down if we do our jobs and if we’re able to produce for our ag community the way that, Coach, I believe that we can working together.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Yeah, what we don’t want to happen is what’s happened to our drug industry. You know, we found in COVID, we look around [thinking] how do we keep people, get people healthy, and all the drugs are made in China. We’re going to end up in the same situation if we don’t wake up and smell the roses. It’s going to happen. Again, people are selling right and left and you can’t blame them. Our small farms are going to end up being corporations like the packing houses. We only got what, like three companies now that are meat packers—and one of them’s owned by China. We’re headed in a direction of unknowns, and it’s going to take leadership from your office back on the right track.”
    ON ROLLINS’ PLAN TO IMPROVE FEDERAL FORESTS
    TUBERVILLE: “Our forest industry in my state—$36 billion a year [in economic benefits]. With the USDA Forest Service under your purview, what priorities do you have for the health of our forests across the country? Not just in Alabama, but we have to continue that to make sure we have healthy wood because it is something that we’re very proud of.”
    ROLLINS: “I know that’s really important to Alabama and many of the other states that are represented here and across the United States Senate. My commitment is to hire an “A++” team. We’ve already announced our Undersecretary Mike Boren for this position. I have great faith in his leadership. He is a businessman, and I think bringing to the table—hopefully with a quick confirmation process from all of you—he will bring to the table a team that will take our great firefighters in the forest service and hopefully, realign and reorganize in a way that makes the forest service—including forest management—more productive, more efficient, more effective, so that we don’t have the issues that we’ve had in these last number of years and especially for our great producers in your state and other states.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Key word: forest management—[two key] words. We’ve got to manage our forests, do it the right way. The American people across the country that are not in this business don’t—they shouldn’t have to pay for the mistakes that we make.”
    ROLLINS: “Correct.”
    TUBERVILLE: “We’re broke. We’re $36 trillion in debt, and it’s getting worse every day. We’re printing $80,000 a second, by the way, and we can’t sustain that. [The] government is way too big.”
    ON GIVING SWIFT, FAIR, NATURAL DISASTER RELIEF TO FARMERS
    TUBERVILLE: “Disaster relief. Disaster relief. If we’ve had problems with tornadoes or floods or whatever in my state, it takes at least three years at times to get any kind of disaster relief. Three years. And you know as well as I do, farmers borrow money from banks for a crop, and those bankers are looking around going, ‘Where’s our money?’ ‘Well, we’re waiting for disaster relief.’ The bankers shouldn’t have to deal with that, nor should the farmers. But, I think there has to be a better plan for that at the end of the day. And again, I’m throwing all your problems out to you, probably don’t want to hear that, but we got a lot of problems that need to be fixed.”
    ROLLINS: “Well Senator—Coach—I believe that you and I have had a conversation with our Commander in Chief, and the fact that it is taking three years to get relief will be unacceptable to him. It is unacceptable to me, and I look forward to working with you to ensure that we do better—much much better than that.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you. Good luck.”
    ROLLINS: “Thank you, sir. Thank you.”
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Gran Tierra Energy Inc. Announces 2025 Guidance and Operations Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • 2025 Capital Expenditure Budget of $240-280 Million and Expected 2025 Cash Flow1of $260-300 Million
    • 2025 Capital Program Includes 10-14 Development Wells and 6-8 High Impact Exploration Wells
    • Forecast 2025 Production of 47,000-53,000 BOEPD, Representing at the Midpoint, an Increase of 44% from 2024
    • Forecast 2025 Free Cash Flow2of $90 Million Before Exploration, $20 Million After Exploration in Base Case
    • Plan to Allocate Up To 50% of After Exploration Free Cash Flow to Share Buybacks
    • Achieved Total Company Production for 2024 of 34,710 BOEPD, an Increase of 6% from 2023

    CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (“Gran Tierra” or the “Company”) (NYSE American:GTE)(TSX:GTE)(LSE:GTE) today announced its 2025 capital budget, production guidance and operational update. All dollar amounts are in United States dollars and all production volumes are on a working interest before royalties basis and are expressed in barrels of oil equivalent (“boe”) per day (“BOEPD”), unless otherwise stated.

    Message to Shareholders

    Gary Guidry, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gran Tierra, commented: “Following up on a strong 2024, which included a very successful exploration campaign and a new country entry into Canada, we are looking forward to our 2025 development and exploration program. Our 2025 budget, which is expected to be fully funded by Cash Flow1, takes a balanced, returns-focused approach to capital allocation while focusing on portfolio longevity. At the midpoint of the Base Case, our production guidance of 50,000 BOEPD represents an increase of 44% from the 34,710 BOEPD 2024 total company production achieved in 2024.

    We plan to focus on profitably growing reserves and production across our Colombian, Ecuadorian and Canadian assets, pursue high impact exploration throughout our portfolio, and invest in facility and infrastructure projects to maximize the long-term value of our assets. This year’s budget would fulfil our exploration commitments in Ecuador which were a result of obtaining the lands back in 2019. Since 2021 we have drilled 10 exploration wells, had 9 discoveries and shot 238 kilometers of 3D seismic in Ecuador. This year, we expect to drill four exploration wells in Ecuador and two to three wells to further appraise our exciting discoveries. We have also planned a very active capital program in the Suroriente block including drilling 5-7 wells, investing in a gas-to-power project, and significant facility investment to increase fluid handling due to increased production and water injection. We forecast spending approximately $60-$80 million in Suroriente, which would fulfil a material component of our $123 million commitment associated with obtaining the 20-year extension. In addition, we plan on drilling a further two to four high impact exploration wells in Colombia. The exploration program and Suroriente capital program represent approximately $135 million of this year’s capital program. After the fulfilment of commitments in 2025, we expect 2026 and beyond to be focused on exploiting our extensive asset base, including anticipated development of our recent discoveries, drilling on our extensive Canadian landholdings and optimizing our assets under waterflood.

    We believe Gran Tierra is strongly positioned with a low base decline, a robust portfolio of conventional and unconventional oil and gas assets, and a high-impact exploration program. As we continue to profitably advance our operational and financial goals, we remain deeply committed to the well-being of our employees and the communities where we operate, recognizing their essential role in our success.”

    Key Highlights:

    2025 Guidance:

    • Gran Tierra is forecasting the following ranges for the Company’s 2025 budget:
     2025 Budget Low Case Base Case High Case
     Brent Oil Price ($/bbl) 65.00 75.00 85.00
     WTI Oil Price ($/bbl) 61.00 71.00 81.00
     AECO Natural Gas Price ($CAD/thousand cubic feet) 2.00 2.50 3.50
     Production (BOEPD) 47,000-53,000 47,000-53,000 47,000-53,000
     Operating Netback3 ($ million) 330-370 430-470 510-550
     EBITDA4 ($ million) 300-340 380-420 460-500
     Cash Flow1 ($ million) 200-240 260-300 300-340
     Capital Expenditures ($ million) 200-240 240-280 240-280
     Free Cash Flow2 ($ million) – 20 60
     Number of Development Wells (gross) 8-12 10-14 10-14
     Number of Exploration Wells (gross) 6 6-8 6-8
     Budgeted Costs Costs per BOE ($/boe)
     Lifting 12.00-14.00
     Workovers 1.50-2.50
     Transportation 1.00-2.00
     General and Administration 2.00-3.00
     Interest 4.00-4.50
     Current Tax 2.00-3.00

    * Budgeted royalties as a percentage of total revenue were approximately 19% in the base case

    • 2025 Base Capital Program: Building on a successful capital campaign in 2024, Gran Tierra plans to continue to execute on its strategy of delivering value by seeking to add new reserves, investing in facility and infrastructure projects to maximize recovery and minimize cost, and providing future growth through exploration. Gran Tierra forecasts spending approximately 55% of its capital program in Colombia, 30% in Ecuador, and 15% in Canada, respectively.
    Category Capital ($ million) Key Activities
    Colombia Development 105-120 Suroriente (47% W.I.): Drill 5-7 gross development wells;
    facility expansion, gas-to-power generation upgrades and
    social investment in the area
    Acordionero (100% W.I.): Investment facility expansion
    activities, gas-to-power generation upgrades and injector
    conversions
    Ecuador Development 35-45 Chanangue/Charapa (100% W.I.): Drill 2-3 appraisal wells
    Canada Development 35-45 Simonette (50% W.I.): Drill 5 gross development wells
    Nisku (100% W.I.): Drill 1 development well
    Exploration 65-70 Ecuador: Drill 4 exploration wells
    Colombia: Drill 2 to 4 exploration wells
     
    • Development: Gran Tierra expects to drill a total of 10 to 14 net development wells in its 2025 capital program, including: 
      • Suroriente: The Company plans to drill 5-7 gross development wells in the Cohembi oil field located in the Southern Putumayo Basin of Colombia. In addition to development drilling, Gran Tierra is also planning facility expansion, gas-to-power generation upgrades, and continued social investment in the area. With the planned investments in 2025, production and reserves are expected to significantly increase in 2026 and beyond.
      • Acordionero: The Company plans to focus on the optimization of the field through continued waterflood expansion activities, including facility expansions, workovers (ESP upsizes and injector conversions) and gas-to-power generation upgrades. These expenditures are expected to reduce unit costs while maintaining production by offsetting natural declines and increasing overall recovery. The Company is planning an active development drilling program in 2026.
      • Chanangue: The Company plans to continue its appraisal program on the highly prospective Arawana/Zabaleta productive trend in Ecuador by drilling 2-3 appraisal wells.
      • Simonette: Gran Tierra plans to drill 2.5 net wells at Simonette targeting two-layer co-development of the Lower and Middle Montney offering improved capital efficiency and lower proportionate infrastructure spending.
    • Exploration: Approximately 20-30% of the Company’s 2025 capital program is expected to be allocated to high impact exploration activities and the drilling of 6 to 8 exploration wells in Colombia and Ecuador in the Base and High Case. Gran Tierra’s 2025 exploration drilling is planned to follow up on the encouraging results from the Company’s 2024 exploration program while meeting all its Ecuador exploration commitments. The Company continues to focus its exploration program on short-cycle time, near-field prospects in proven basins with access to transportation infrastructure.
    • Fully Funded Capital Program Generating Free Cash Flow2: Gran Tierra’s mid-point Base Case 2025 capital budget of $260 million is expected to be fully funded from the Base Case 2025 mid-point Cash Flow1 forecast of $280 million, based on an assumed average $75.00/bbl Brent oil price, $71.00/bbl WTI oil price, and CAD$2.50/thousand cubic feet AECO natural gas price. Gran Tierra remains focused on generating Free Cash Flow2, ongoing net debt5 reduction and shareholder returns via share buybacks.
    • Share Buybacks: During 2025, Gran Tierra plans to allocate up to approximately 50% of its Free Cash Flow after exploration to share buybacks in the Base Case. During 2024, the Company repurchased approximately 6.7% of its outstanding shares.

    Gran Tierra’s Commitment to Go “Beyond Compliance” with Safe and Sustainable Operations

    • 2024 was the Company’s safest year in company history, with a total of 27.8 million person-hours without a Lost Time Injury (LTI), and a Total Recordable Case Frequency (TRCF) of 0.03, which places Gran Tierra within the top quartile in safety performance in the Americas.

    Operations Update

    • 2024 Production
      • Gran Tierra achieved total company average production in 2024 of approximately 34,710 BOEPD, an increase of 6% from 2023 and 13% from 2022.
    • Ecuador
      • Chanangue Block: Gran Tierra has completed its first horizontal well drilled in Ecuador, the Zabaleta Oeste well. The well drilled through 700 feet of pay in the Basal Tena formation and has yielded promising results, confirming the area’s potential for horizontal development. The well continues to clean-up and we anticipate the clean-up will take longer than what is expected for a vertical well. Encouragingly, the well encountered good porosity sands, validating our geologic and reservoir models and confirming the extent of the Basal Tena sands within the Chanangue Block.
      • Iguana Block: Following the drilling of the Zabaleta Oeste well, the rig is currently being mobilized over to the Iguana Block to drill the first exploration well of 2025.
    • Canada
      • Simonette: The development plan with our new Joint Venture partner, Logan Energy, has commenced with the first two wells being drilled. Both wells are planned to be stimulated by the end of the first quarter or the beginning of the second quarter of 2025.
      • Central: Gran Tierra has drilled a well in the Nisku play with a horizontal lateral length of over 3,000 meters; testing is planned to commence in February 2025.
      • Clearwater: Gran Tierra has drilled 5 new wells in the Clearwater at East Dawson and Walrus. The Clearwater program has confirmed the quality of our acreage in the Clearwater play. These wells are expected to come onstream in late January 2025.
    • Colombia
      • Suroriente Block: A rig is currently being mobilized to the Cohembi North pad, with first production expected by the end of the first quarter of 2025.

    1“Cash Flow” refers to line item “net cash provided by operating activities” under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”).
    2“Free Cash Flow” is a non-GAAP measure and does not have a standardized meaning under GAAP. Free Cash Flow is defined as “net cash provided by operating activities” less capital expenditures. Refer to “Non-GAAP Measures” in this press release. Forecast 2025 free cash flow of $80 million “before exploration” is equal to the Base Case midpoint cash flow of $280 million less the Base Case midpoint total capital of $260 million, with Base Case midpoint exploration-only capital of approximately $70 million added back. Forecast 2025 Free Cash Flow of $20 million “after exploration” is equal to the Base Case midpoint cash flow of $280 million less the Base Case midpoint total capital of $260 million. Free Cash Flows in the table above are the midpoints of the ranges of cash flows less the midpoints of the ranges of total capital expenditures for each oil price scenario.
    3“Operating netback” is a non-GAAP measures and does not have standardized meaning under GAAP. Refer to “Non-GAAP Measures” in this press release.
    4Earnings before interest, taxes and depletion, depreciation and accretion (“EBITDA”) is a non-GAAP measure and does not have a standardized meaning under GAAP. Refer to “Non-GAAP Measures” in this press release.
    5Net debt is defined as GAAP total debt before deferred financing fees less cash.

    Contact Information

    For investor and media inquiries please contact:

    Gary Guidry
    President & Chief Executive Officer

    Ryan Ellson
    Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    +1-403-265-3221

    info@grantierra.com

    About Gran Tierra Energy Inc.

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

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

    Forward-Looking Statements and Advisories

    This press release contains opinions, forecasts, projections, and other statements about future events or results that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and financial outlook and forward looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements, which can be identified by such terms as “expect”, “plan”, “can,” “will,” “should,” “guidance,” “forecast,” “signal,” “measures taken to” and “believes”, derivations thereof and similar terms identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the Company’s capital budget amount and uses; the Company’s strategies related to exploration, drilling and operation activities; expectations regarding reservoir prospects and production amounts; future well results (including initial oil and natural gas production rates and productive capacity based on past performance); expected future net cash provided by operating activities (described in this press release as “cash flow”), free cash flow, operating netback, EBITDA and certain associated metrics; anticipated capital expenditures, including the location and impact of capital expenditures; operating and general and administrative costs; production guidance for 2025; and the Company’s expectations as to debt repayment, share repurchases and its positioning for 2025 and beyond. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect several material factors and expectations and assumptions of Gran Tierra including, without limitation, that Gran Tierra will continue to conduct its operations in a manner consistent with its current expectations, the ability of Gran Tierra to successfully integrate the assets and operations of i3 Energy or realize the anticipated benefits and operating synergies expected from the acquisition of i3 Energy, the accuracy of testing and production results and seismic data, pricing and cost estimates (including with respect to commodity pricing and exchange rates), and the general continuance of current or, where applicable, assumed operational, regulatory and industry conditions in Canada, Colombia and Ecuador and areas of potential expansion, and the ability of Gran Tierra to execute its business and operational plans in the manner currently planned. Gran Tierra believes the material factors, expectations and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable at this time, but no assurance can be given that these factors, expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct. 

    Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements in this press release are: certain of Gran Tierra’s operations are located in South America and unexpected problems can arise due to guerilla activity, strikes, local blockades or protests; technical difficulties and operational difficulties may arise which impact the production, transport or sale of Gran Tierra’s products; other disruptions to local operations; global and regional changes in the demand, supply, prices, differentials or other market conditions affecting oil and gas, including inflation and changes resulting from a global health crisis, geopolitical events, including the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Gaza region, or from the imposition or lifting of crude oil production quotas or other actions that might be imposed by OPEC and other producing countries and resulting company or third-party actions in response to such changes; changes in commodity prices, including volatility or a prolonged decline in these prices relative to historical or future expected levels; the risk that current global economic and credit conditions may impact oil and natural gas prices and oil and natural gas consumption more than Gran Tierra currently predicts, which could cause Gran Tierra to further modify its strategy and capital spending program; prices and markets for oil and natural gas are unpredictable and volatile; the effect of hedges; the accuracy of productive capacity of any particular field; geographic, political and weather conditions can impact the production, transport or sale of Gran Tierra’s products; the ability of Gran Tierra to execute its business plan, which may include acquisitions, and realize expected benefits from current or future initiatives; the risk that unexpected delays and difficulties in developing currently owned properties may occur; the ability to replace reserves and production and develop and manage reserves on an economically viable basis; the accuracy of testing and production results and seismic data, pricing and cost estimates (including with respect to commodity pricing and exchange rates); the risk profile of planned exploration activities; the effects of drilling down-dip; the effects of waterflood and multi-stage fracture stimulation operations; the extent and effect of delivery disruptions, equipment performance and costs; actions by third parties; the timely receipt of regulatory or other required approvals for Gran Tierra’s operating activities; the failure of exploratory drilling to result in commercial wells; unexpected delays due to the limited availability of drilling equipment and personnel; volatility or declines in the trading price of Gran Tierra’s common stock or bonds; the risk that Gran Tierra does not receive the anticipated benefits of government programs, including government tax refunds; Gran Tierra’s ability to comply with financial covenants in its credit agreement and indentures and make borrowings under its credit agreement; and the risk factors detailed from time to time in Gran Tierra’s periodic reports filed with the SEC, including, without limitation, under the caption “Risk Factors” in Gran Tierra’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed on February 20, 2024 and its other filings with the SEC. These filings are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Guidance is uncertain, particularly when given over extended periods of time, and results may be materially different. Although the current capital spending program and long term strategy of Gran Tierra is based upon the current expectations of the management of Gran Tierra, should any one of a number of issues arise, Gran Tierra may find it necessary to alter its business strategy and/or capital spending program and there can be no assurance as at the date of this press release as to how those funds may be reallocated or strategy changed and how that would impact Gran Tierra’s results of operations and financing position. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the fact that this press release remains available does not constitute a representation by Gran Tierra that Gran Tierra believes these forward-looking statements continue to be true as of any subsequent date. Actual results may vary materially from the expected results expressed in forward-looking statements. Gran Tierra disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. Gran Tierra’s forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

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

    Presentation of Oil and Gas Information

    This press release contains certain oil and gas metrics, including operating netback, which do not have standardized meanings or standard methods of calculation and therefore such measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies and should not be used to make comparisons. Such metrics are calculated as described in this press release and have been included herein to provide readers with additional measures to evaluate the Company’s performance; however, such measures are not reliable indicators of the future performance of the Company and future performance may not compare to the performance in previous periods.

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

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

    Non-GAAP Measures

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

    Gran Tierra is unable to provide forward-looking net income, net cash provided by operating activities, and oil and gas sales, the GAAP measures most directly comparable to the non-GAAP measures EBITDA, free cash flow and operating netback, respectively, due to the impracticality of quantifying certain components required by GAAP as a result of the inherent volatility in the value of certain financial instruments held by the Company and the inability to quantify the effectiveness of commodity price derivatives used to manage the variability in cash flows associated with the forecasted sale of its oil and natural gas production and changes in commodity prices.

    Operating netback as presented is defined as projected 2025 oil and gas sales less projected 2025 operating and transportation expenses. The most directly comparable GAAP measures are oil and gas sales and oil and gas sales price, respectively. Management believes that operating netback is useful supplemental measures for management and investors to analyze financial performance and provides an indication of the results generated by our principal business activities prior to the consideration of other income and expenses. Gran Tierra is unable to provide a quantitative reconciliation of either forward-looking operating netback to its most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measure because management cannot reliably predict certain of the necessary components of such forward-looking GAAP measures.

    EBITDA as presented is defined as projected 2025 net income adjusted for DD&A expenses, interest expense and income tax expense or recovery. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is net income. Management uses this financial measure to analyze performance and income or loss generated by our principal business activities prior to the consideration of how non-cash items affect that income, and believes that this financial measure is also useful supplemental information for investors to analyze performance and our financial results. Gran Tierra is unable to provide a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking EBITDA to its most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measure because management cannot reliably predict certain of the necessary components of such forward-looking GAAP measure.

    Free cash flow as presented is defined as GAAP projected “net cash provided by operating activities” less projected 2025 capital spending. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is net cash provided by operating activities. Management believes that free cash flow is a useful supplemental measure for management and investors to in order to evaluate the financial sustainability of the Company’s business. Gran Tierra is unable to provide a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking free cash flow to its most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measure because management cannot reliably predict certain of the necessary components of such forward-looking GAAP measure.

    The MIL Network –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: South Plains Financial, Inc. Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LUBBOCK, Texas, Jan. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — South Plains Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPFI) (“South Plains”), the parent company of City Bank, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share of common stock. The dividend is payable on February 18, 2025 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 3, 2025.

    About South Plains Financial, Inc.

    South Plains is the bank holding company for City Bank, a Texas state-chartered bank headquartered in Lubbock, Texas. City Bank is one of the largest independent banks in West Texas and has additional banking operations in the Dallas, El Paso, Greater Houston, the Permian Basin, and College Station, Texas markets, and the Ruidoso, New Mexico market. South Plains provides a wide range of commercial and consumer financial services to small and medium-sized businesses and individuals in its market areas. Its principal business activities include commercial and retail banking, along with investment, trust and mortgage services. Please visit https://www.spfi.bank for more information.

    Contact: Mikella Newsom, Chief Risk Officer and Secretary
      investors@city.bank
      (866) 771-3347
       

    Source: South Plains Financial, Inc.

    The MIL Network –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy, Daines champion bill to stop small business tax hike, protect Tax Cuts and Jobs Act deductions

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today joined Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) in introducing the Main Street Tax Certainty Act to make permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act 199A deductions for small businesses.

    “More than 230,000 small businesses in Louisiana will face tax hikes if the deductions we passed in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expire. The Main Street Tax Certainty Act will help make sure that the backbone of America’s economy continues to provide good-paying jobs to our communities,” said Kennedy. 

    “As the son of a contractor, I’ve seen firsthand the hard work it takes to keep a small business flourishing—especially as Americans are still grappling with the effects of Joe Biden’s inflation. It’s absolutely crucial that we pass this legislation to prevent a 20 percent tax increase for hardworking Montanans and I’ll keep fighting for ways to support Montana small businesses, which provide the majority of jobs in our state,” said Daines.

    In 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act became law. The law, under section 199A, provides a special tax deduction for millions of America’s small businesses. The 199A deductions are set to expire on Dec. 31, 2025 unless Congress acts.

    Most businesses in the U.S. are considered “pass-through,” which means their income flows through the business onto the owners or members. These profits are taxed as individual income rather than at the corporate rate. The Main Street Tax Certainty Act would permanently provide a 20% tax deduction for pass-through businesses, including sole-proprietorships, S-Corporations, partnerships and limited liability corporations.

    Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Jim Banks (R-Ind.) also cosponsored the legislation.

    The full text of the legislation is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Nations: ‘A Generation Has Been Traumatized’, Says Humanitarian Affairs Chief, Briefing Security Council on Plight of Children in Gaza

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Meeting a week after a ceasefire paused the war in Gaza, after it raged for almost 470 days, the Security Council discussed the plight of children, with speakers calling for their needs to be prioritized, through the rebuilding of educational infrastructure, the provision of psychosocial support and ensuring a surge of humanitarian aid to the Strip.

    “A generation has been traumatized,” Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, told the Council, pointing to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) finding that 1 million children need mental health and psychosocial support for depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Nonetheless, today’s briefing marks “one of the rare times we are able to highlight positive developments”, he said, with the ceasefire providing a reprieve from relentless hostilities for Palestinians; allowing Israeli hostages and imprisoned Palestinians to be reunited with their families; and allowing a surge in life-saving humanitarian aid into Gaza.  “Children have been killed, starved and frozen to death,” he said, adding:  “Some died before their first breath — perishing with their mothers in childbirth.”  Citing conservative estimates indicating that over 17,000 children are without their families in Gaza, he stated that an estimated 150,000 pregnant women and new mothers are now in desperate need of health services.

    Outlining the UN and its partners’ stepped-up response across the Gaza Strip in recent days to meet the needs of 2 million people across Gaza, he said they were enabled by improved operating conditions, including safe, unobstructed humanitarian access, the absence of hostilities and the almost complete cessation of criminal looting. Such operations included the provision of life-saving services; delivering food parcels and flour and working to reopen bakeries; and distributing fuel to ensure that critical services, such as healthcare and water pumping, can run on back-up generators, he said, underscoring: “At the centre of this, as always, is United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).”

    He went on to express alarm over the situation in the West Bank, where record-high levels of casualties, displacement and access restrictions witnessed since October 2023 have intensified since the announcement of the ceasefire.  Voicing alarm over attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian villages and an ongoing military operation in Jenin causing death and displacement, he urged the Council to ensure the ceasefire is maintained and to ensure that international law is respected across the Occupied Palestinian Territory of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.  Restrictions on critical humanitarian items must be lifted, including items considered to be “dual use”, and there must be accountability for atrocities.  Underscoring the need to ensure humanitarian operations are well-funded, with the 2025 Flash Appeal in need of $4.07 billion to meet the needs of 3 million people in Gaza and the West Bank, he stressed:  “The children of Gaza are not collateral damage”, but deserving of security, education and hope.  “They tell us that the world was not there for them through this war.  We must be there for them now.”

    The Council also heard from Bisan Nateel, from Tamer Institute for Community Education, an organization that helps Palestinian children express themselves through artistic activities, who recounted the “very simple dreams” expressed in drawings by the children she worked with, who “dreamed of going back to school, of playing with friends, and of not hearing constant shelling”.  Instead, she said, they were told to go to the safe place in south Gaza, through a “so-called safe corridor” where their lives were under threat, forced to see bodies along the road, forced to walk as snipers targeted them.  “They arrived unable to say a word about the horrific sights seen in their displacement journey, to a safe area that was targeted,” she said.  Displaying a drawing by a child named Gazi when he was in al-Mawasi refugee camp, in which he drew himself feeling well-fed, at home with his father, she said:  “But Gazi lost his life, along with his father, when their tent was attacked.” Also citing the case of a 12-year-old girl in north Gaza, who saw the remains of relatives “torn to pieces” outside her tent, she said that amidst the horror and violence, the children of the Strip forgot “what it means to live, to be human”.

    Throughout the conflict, she recalled awaiting news of Security Council meetings on the radio, hoping for a ceasefire that would end the massacres.  “Every day we lost our friends, loved ones, our homes and lives,” she said, recalling the death of her friend Mohammed, alongside the children he was drawing and playing with at Al-Maamadani Hospital.  “We used to walk down the streets, not knowing if we would live or die, always waiting for the moment the Council would announce a ceasefire, and end the violations against the Palestinian people, including their right to life, violated during 470 days of continuous attack against Gaza,” she stressed.  She voiced hope that Gazans’ “right to life” will he restored, and that children can go back to school, to play, to draw and to sing; to being “normal children in a normal environment, not surrounded by soldiers, and hearing weapons”.  In Gaza, “we do not know how life looks like in the outside world,” she said, adding:  “We have lost a lot in this war and I hope we will not lose more.”

    …

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Employee Of Real Estate Investment Firm Indicted For Investment Fraud Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, N.J. – The former Vice President of Project Management for National Realty Investment Advisors (“NRIA”) has been indicted for his role in an investment fraud scheme and for misappropriating approximately $2.3 million from victim investors, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced today.

    Ivel Turner, 51, of Newark, Delaware, was indicted by a federal grand jury with eight counts of wire fraud and one count of securities fraud.  He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sharon A. King in Camden federal court and was released on a $100,000 unsecured appearance bond and other conditions.  His arraignment is scheduled for February 4, 2025 before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton.

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

    Turner was previously employed as Vice President of Project Management for NRIA, which held itself out as a real estate investment management fund with over $1.25 billion in assets under management. NRIA promised investors guaranteed returns of at least 12 percent per year for a period of five years, a full return of their investments, and monthly distributions of between six and ten percent of their original investments.  Turner had access to NRIA’s PPM, which made many such representations pertaining to NRIA’s purported returns on investment and distributions.

    In April 2020, while still employed at NRIA, Turner incorporated Oasis Realty Investment Group (“ORIG”).  Turner, through ORIG, solicited real estate investors to purchase, finance, and co-develop residential units in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere.  Turner used NRIA as a model for ORIG.

    To induce investors to invest and continue to invest in ORIG, Turner made material misrepresentations and omissions related to, among other things: (a) ORIG’s financial position; (b) the manner in which Turner used investor money; and (c) Turner’s role at ORIG.  Turner also falsely represented to the victim investors that substantially all of ORIG’s proceeds would be used for real estate investment purposes, but instead, Turner misused hundreds of thousands of dollars of investor money on personal expenses, including luxury retail purchases, several vehicles, international travel, and a down payment on his residence.

    The wire fraud charges each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.  The securities fraud charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of up to $5,000,000.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Terence G. Reilly, with the investigation leading to the indictment.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shontae D. Gray of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

    The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    ###

    Defense counsel: Rubin M. Sinins, Esq., Springfield, New Jersey

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: India- And New Jersey-Based Jeweler Sentenced To 30 Months Incarceration For Multimillion Dollar International Trade Fraud Scheme And Unlicensed Money Transmitting

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, NJ. –  An India- and New Jersey-based man who operated jewelry companies in New York City’s Diamond District was sentenced to 30 months incarceration for spearheading a scheme to illegally evade customs duties for more than $13.5 million of jewelry imports into the United States and for illegally processing more than $10.3 million through an unlicensed money transmitting business, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced.

    Monishkumar Kirankumar Doshi Shah, a/k/a “Monish Doshi Shah” (Shah), 40, of Mumbai, India and Jersey City, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas to a two-count Information charging him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and operating and aiding and abetting the operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business. Judge Salas imposed the sentence in Newark federal court and remanded Shah to begin serving his sentence.

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

    From in or around December 2019 through in or around April 2022, Shah engaged in a scheme to evade duties for shipments of jewelry from Turkey and India to the United States. Shah would ship and/or instruct his co-conspirators to ship goods from Turkey or India—which would have been subject to an approximately 5.5% duty if shipped directly to the United States—to one of Shah’s companies in South Korea. Shah’s co-conspirators in South Korea would change the labels on the jewelry to state that they were from South Korea instead of Turkey or India, and then ship them to Shah or his customers in the United States, thereby unlawfully evading the duty. Shah would also make and instruct his customers to make fake invoices and packing lists to make it look like Shah’s South Korean companies were actually ordering jewelry from Turkey or India. Shah also instructed a third-party shipping company to provide false information to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) concerning the origin of the jewelry. During the scheme, Shah shipped approximately $13.5 million of jewelry from South Korea to the United States without paying the appropriate duty.

    In addition, from in or around July 2020 through in or around November 2021, Shah owned and/or operated numerous jewelry companies in New York City’s Diamond District, including MKore LLC, MKore USA Inc, and Vruman Corp. Shah used these entities to conduct more than $10.3 million in illegal financial transactions for customers—including converting cash to checks or wire transfers. Shah would also collect cash from customers and use other individuals’ jewelry companies to convert the cash into wires or checks. At times, Shah and other members of the money transmitting business moved hundreds of thousands of dollars in a single day. In exchange for their services, certain members of the money transmitting business charged a fee. None of Shah’s or his associates’ companies were registered as money transmitting businesses with New York, New Jersey, or the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

    In addition to the prison term, Judge Salas ordered restitution in the amount of $742,500 for the wire fraud scheme and forfeiture in the amount of $11,126,982.33 for the wire fraud and unlicensed money transmitting schemes.  In addition, the Court imposed a two-year term of supervised release.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna credited special agents and task force officers of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer Piovesan in Newark; special agents with Homeland Security Investigations New York, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker; special agents with Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas; and special agents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Port of New York/Newark, under the direction of Acting Port Director Jeffrey R. Greene, with the investigation leading to today’s sentence. He also thanked U.S. Customs and Border Protection in New York; Homeland Security Investigations in Seoul, South Korea; the Korea Customs Service in South Korea; the Seoul Customs Special Investigation Office in South Korea; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in Paterson; the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department; the Morristown Police Department; the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General; and the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) for their assistance in the investigation.

    This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles 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 https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Olta Bejleri of the Economic Crimes Unit and Marko Pesce, Deputy Chief of the Bank Integrity, Money Laundering, and Recovery Unit in Newark.

                                                     ###

    Defense Attorney: Rahul Agarwal, Esq.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Amtrak Employee Admits Participating In $11 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, N.J. – An Amtrak employee admitted participating in a health care fraud scheme to defraud Amtrak, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced.

    Rodolfo Rivera, 41, of Clayton, Delaware, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court to an Indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit health care fraud. The Indictment also charges nine other co-conspirators in connection with the scheme: Kevin Frink, 53, of Willingboro, New Jersey; Quinton Johnson, 53, of Irvington, New Jersey; David McBrien, 36, of Levittown, Pennsylvania; Gregory Richardson, 35, of Roosevelt, New York; Michael Toal, 35, of Hazlet, New Jersey; Damany Walker, 41, of Irvington, New Jersey; Timothy Bogen, 59, of Hamden, Connecticut; Dion Jacob, 50, of Brooklyn, New York; and David Lonergan, 64, of Rockaway Park, New York.

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

    From January 2019 through June 2022, Rivera and his co-conspirators—who were also Amtrak employees—engaged in a scheme to obtain cash kickbacks from health care providers in return for their agreement to allow their health insurance plan to be billed for services that were never provided and were not medically necessary. As a result of the fraudulent claims submitted on behalf of Rivera, his dependent, and other Amtrak employees that he recruited into the scheme, the Amtrak health care plan paid over $2 million in reimbursements. In total, as a result of the conspiracy, the Amtrak health care plan paid over $11 million in fraudulent claims associated with providers connected to the scheme.

    Rivera received thousands of dollars in cash kickbacks from health care providers in return for his participation in the scheme, including from Punson Figueroa, an acupuncturist, and Michael DeNicola, a podiatrist. Figueroa previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and was sentenced on September 24, 2024 to 34 months in prison. DeNicola previously pleaded guilty on June 29, 2022 to conspiracy to commit health care fraud, among other offenses. His sentencing remains pending.

    The health care fraud conspiracy charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Rivera’s sentencing is scheduled for June 26, 2025.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna credited special agents of the Amtrak Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Waters, the Amtrak Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Samuel Dotson, and special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III in New York, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica R. Ecker and Katherine M. Romano of the Health Care Fraud Unit, and Senior Trial Counsel Barbara Ward of the Bank Integrity, Recovery, and Money Laundering Unit, in Newark.

    The charge and allegations contained in the Indictment against Frink, Johnson, McBrien, Richardson, Toal, Walker, Bogen, Jacob, and Lonergan, are merely accusations, and they are each presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

                                                                 ###

    Defense counsel: Dennis S. Cleary, Esq.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: $HAREHOLDER ALERT: The M&A Class Action Firm Urges Stockholders of ZUO, BERY, AMCR, AUB to Act Now

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Monteverde & Associates PC (the “M&A Class Action Firm”), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm by ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. We are headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and are investigating:

    • Zuora Inc. (NYSE: ZUO), relating to its proposed merger with Silver Lake Group, L.C.C. Under the terms of the agreement, all ZUO shares will be automatically converted into the right to receive $10.00 in cash per share.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for February 13, 2025.

    Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/zuora-inc/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Berry Global Group, Inc. (NYSE: BERY), relating to the proposed merger with AMCOR plc. Under the terms of the agreement, Berry shareholders will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 7.25 Amcor shares for each Berry share held upon closing, resulting in Amcor and Berry shareholders owning approximately 63% and 37% of the combined company, respectively.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for February 25, 2025.

    Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/berry-global-group-inc-bery/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • AMCOR plc (NYSE: AMCR), relating to the proposed merger with Berry Global Group, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, Berry shareholders will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 7.25 Amcor shares for each Berry share held upon closing, resulting in Amcor and Berry shareholders owning approximately 63% and 37% of the combined company, respectively.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for February 25, 2025.

    Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/amcor-plc-amcr/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp. (NYSE: AUB), relating to a proposed merger with Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, all Sandy Spring shares will automatically be converted into the right to receive 0.900 shares of AUB, and cash in lieu of fractional shares.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for February 5, 2025.

    Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/atlantic-union-bankshares-corp/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE THE SAME. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask:

    1. Do you file class actions and go to Court?
    2. When was the last time you recovered money for shareholders?
    3. What cases did you recover money in and how much?

    About Monteverde & Associates PC

    Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholders…and we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. 

    No company, director or officer is above the law. If you own common stock in any of the above listed companies and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.

    Contact:
    Juan Monteverde, Esq.
    MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC
    The Empire State Building
    350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4740
    New York, NY 10118
    United States of America
    jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com
    Tel: (212) 971-1341

    Attorney Advertising. (C) 2024 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (www.monteverdelaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

    The MIL Network –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Gran Tierra Energy Inc. Reports Robust Reserves Replacement and Record High Reserves

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Sixth Consecutive Year of 1P Total Reserves Growth Resulting in Highest Total Reserves in Company History
    • Delivered 702% 1P and 1,249% 2P Reserves Replacement Including Recent Acquisition
    • Total Liquids 1P and 2P Reserves Increased to 128 and 217 Million Barrels of Oil Equivalent with 1P and 2P Reserve Life Index increasing to 10 and 17 Years, Respectively
    • Added Total Reserves of 89 MMBOE 1P, 159 MMBOE 2P and 191 MMBOE 3P
    • Net Present Value Before Tax Discounted at 10% of $2.0 Billion (1P), $3.2 Billion (2P), and $4.5 Billion (3P)
    • Net Asset Value per Share of $35.24 Before Tax and $19.53 After Tax (1P), and $71.16 Before Tax and $41.05 After Tax (2P)
    • Strong Finding, Development & Acquisition Costs of $4.49 (1P), $2.52 (2P) and $2.10 (3P), Excluding Changes in Future Development Costs

    CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (“Gran Tierra” or the “Company”) (NYSE American:GTE)(TSX:GTE)(LSE:GTE), an independent international energy company focused on oil and natural gas exploration and production in Canada, Colombia and Ecuador, today announced the Company’s 2024 year-end reserves as evaluated by the Company’s independent qualified reserves evaluator McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd. (“McDaniel”) in a report with an effective date of December 31, 2024 (the “GTE McDaniel Reserves Report”).

    All dollar amounts are in United States (“U.S.”) dollars and all reserves and production volumes are on a working interest before royalties (“WI”) basis (net). Reserves are expressed in barrels (“bbl”), bbl of oil equivalent (“boe”) or million boe (“MMBOE”), while production is expressed in boe per day (“BOEPD”), unless otherwise indicated. The following reserves categories are discussed in this press release: Proved Developed Producing (“PDP”), Proved (“1P”), 1P plus Probable (“2P”) and 2P plus Possible (“3P”).

    Gary Guidry, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gran Tierra, commented: “2024 was another strong year underpinned by multiple exploration discoveries in Ecuador, continued success in managing our Colombian assets, and our new country entry into Canada. The organic and inorganic portfolio growth creates a future runway of highly economic development opportunities in proven plays with access to infrastructure. Gran Tierra’s entry into Canada fits our corporate strategy of focusing on proven hydrocarbon basins which have access to established infrastructure and competitive fiscal regimes. Furthermore, with the addition of Canada, Gran Tierra is well positioned for long-term commodity cycles with approximately 20% of its production, 23% 1P reserves and 26% 2P reserves now attributed to conventional natural gas and shale gas.

    We continue to generate shareholder value through focusing on portfolio longevity and executing on our mandate of growing cash flow and reserves, while maintaining low decline rates through production, development and enhanced oil recovery techniques. Gran Tierra has assembled a diversified, high-quality asset base across multiple attractive jurisdictions and combined with our management team’s strong track record of accretive acquisitions and value creation, we look forward to a successful 2025.

    The success of 2024 is reflected in yet another year of over 100% reserve replacement on a Proved basis. Gran Tierra achieved strong 702% (1P), 1,249% (2P) and 1,500% (3P) reserves replacement through exploration success in Colombia and Ecuador and our entry into Canada. This success resulted in record highs for the Company’s year-end 1P, 2P and 3P oil and gas reserves.”

    *See the below tables for the definitions of net asset values per share.

    Highlights

    2024 Year-End Reserves and Values

    Before Tax (as of December 31, 2024) Units 1P 2P 3P
    Reserves MMBOE 167   293   385  
    Net Present Value at 10% Discount (“NPV10”) $ million 1,950   3,242   4,517  
    Net Debt1 $ million (682 ) (682 ) (682 )
    Net Asset Value (NPV10 less Net Debt) (“NAV”) $ million 1,268   2,560   3,835  
    Outstanding Shares million 35.97   35.97   35.97  
    NAV per Share $/share 35.24   71.16   106.62  
    After Tax (as of December 31, 2024) Units 1P 2P 3P
    Reserves MMBOE 167   293   385  
    NPV10 $ million 1,385   2,159   2,930  
    Net Debt1 $ million (682 ) (682 ) (682 )
    NAV $ million 703   1,477   2,248  
    Outstanding Shares million 35.97   35.97   35.97  
    NAV per Share $/share 19.53   41.05   62.48  

    1Based on estimated unaudited 2024 year-end Net Debt of $682 million comprised of Senior Notes of $787 million (gross) less cash and cash equivalents of $104 million, prepared in accordance with GAAP.

    • As of December 31, 2024, Gran Tierra achieved:
      • Before Tax NAV of $1.3 billion (1P), $2.6 billion (2P), and $3.8 billion (3P)
      • After Tax NAV of $0.7 billion (1P), $1.5 billion (2P), and $2.2 billion (3P)
      • Strong reserves replacement ratios* of:
        • 702% 1P, with 1P reserves additions of 89 MMBOE
        • 1,249% 2P, with 2P reserves additions of 159 MMBOE
        • 1,500% 3P, with 3P reserves additions of 191 MMBOE
      • Finding, development and acquisition costs (“FD&A”), including change in future development costs (“FDC”), on a per boe basis of $9.74 (1P), $8.11 (2P) and $6.92 (3P).
      • FD&A costs excluding change in FDC, on a per boe basis of $4.49 (1P), $2.52 (2P) and $2.10 (3P).
    • Canada now represents 46% of 1P and 51% of 2P reserves compared to Gran Tierra’s total reserves.
    • FDC are forecast by McDaniel to be $1,029 million for 1P reserves and $1,809 million for 2P reserves. Gran Tierra’s 2025 base case mid-point guidance for cash flow** of $280 million is equivalent to 27% of such 1P FDC and 15% of 2P FDC, which highlights the Company’s potential ability to fund future development capital. Increases in FDC relative to 2023 year-end reflect that the GTE McDaniel Reserves Report now assigns Gran Tierra 227 Proved Undeveloped future drilling locations (up from 95 at 2023 year-end) and 441 Proved plus Probable Undeveloped future drilling locations (up from 147 at 2023 year-end).

    *The reserve replacement ratios were calculated based on an annualized production figure based on November and December for Canada plus Colombia and Ecuador actual production, in each case, for the fourth quarter of 2024. The total production rate was 46,619 BOEPD.
    ** “Cash flow” refers to GAAP line item “net cash provided by operating activities”. Gran Tierra’s 2025 base case guidance is based on a forecast 2025 average Brent oil price of $75/bbl. See Gran Tierra’s press release dated January 23, 2025 for additional information regarding cash flow guidance referred to herein. This forecast price used in Gran Tierra’s forecast is lower than the 2025 McDaniel Brent price forecast.

    GTE McDaniel Reserves Report

    All reserves values, future net revenue and ancillary information contained in this press release have been prepared by McDaniel and calculated in compliance with Canadian National Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities (“NI 51-101”) and the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook (“COGEH”) and derived from the GTE McDaniel Reserves Report, unless otherwise expressly stated.

    Future Net Revenue

    Future net revenue reflects McDaniel’s forecast of revenue estimated using forecast prices and costs, arising from the anticipated development and production of reserves, after the deduction of royalties, operating costs, development costs and abandonment and reclamation costs but before consideration of indirect costs such as administrative, overhead and other miscellaneous expenses. The estimate of future net revenue below does not necessarily represent fair market value.

    Consolidated Properties at December 31, 2024
    Proved (1P) Total Future Net Revenue ($ million)
    Forecast Prices and Costs
      Sales Revenue Total Royalties Operating Costs Future Development Capital Abandonment and Reclamation Costs Future Net Revenue Before Future Taxes Future Taxes Future Net Revenue After Future Taxes*
    2025-2029
    (5 Years)
    5,139 (981 ) (1,385 ) (1,025 ) (27 ) 1,721 (491 ) 1,230
    Remainder 3,617 (578 ) (1,549 ) (4 ) (377 ) 1,109 (370 ) 739
    Total (Undiscounted) 8,756 (1,559 ) (2,934 ) (1,029 ) (404 ) 2,830 (861 ) 1,969
    Total (Discounted @ 10%)           1,950 (565 ) 1,385
    Consolidated Properties at December 31, 2024
    Proved Plus Probable (2P) Total Future Net Revenue ($ million)
    Forecast Prices and Costs
    Years Sales Revenue Total Royalties Operating Costs Future Development Capital Abandonment and Reclamation Costs Future Net Revenue Before Future Taxes Future Taxes Future Net Revenue After Future Taxes*
    2025-2029
    (5 Years)
    6,620 (1,297 ) (1,583 ) (1,438 ) (25 ) 2,277 (791 ) 1,486
    Remainder 8,685 (1,529 ) (2,967 ) (371 ) (420 ) 3,398 (1,082 ) 2,316
    Total (Undiscounted) 15,305 (2,826 ) (4,550 ) (1,809 ) (445 ) 5,675 (1,873 ) 3,802
    Total (Discounted @ 10%)           3,242 (1,083 ) 2,159
    Consolidated Properties at December 31, 2024
    Proved Plus Probable Plus Possible (3P) Total Future Net Revenue ($ million)
    Forecast Prices and Costs
    Years Sales Revenue Total Royalties Operating Costs Future Development Capital Abandonment and Reclamation Costs Future Net Revenue Before Future Taxes Future Taxes Future Net Revenue After Future Taxes*
    2025-2029
    (5 Years)
    7,490 (1,467 ) (1,672 ) (1,563 ) (25 ) 2,763 (1,015 ) 1,748
    Remainder 13,422 (2,598 ) (4,106 ) (519 ) (439 ) 5,760 (1,907 ) 3,853
    Total (Undiscounted) 20,912 (4,065 ) (5,778 ) (2,082 ) (464 ) 8,523 (2,922 ) 5,601
    Total (Discounted @ 10%)           4,517 (1,587 ) 2,930

    *The after-tax future net revenue of the Company’s oil and gas properties reflects the tax burden on the properties on a stand-alone basis. It does not consider the corporate tax situation, or tax planning. It does not provide an estimate of the value at the Company level which may be significantly different. The Company’s financial statements, when available for the year ended December 31, 2024, should be consulted for information at the Company level.

    Total Company WI Reserves

    The following table summarizes Gran Tierra’s NI 51-101 and COGEH compliant reserves in aggregate for Colombia, Ecuador and Canada derived from the GTE McDaniel Reserves Report calculated using forecast oil and gas prices and costs.

      Light and Medium Crude Oil Heavy Crude Oil Tight Oil Conventional Natural Gas Shale Gas Natural Gas Liquids 2024 Year-End
    Reserves Category Mbbl* Mbbl* Mbbl* MMcf** MMcf** Mbbl* Mboe***
    Proved Developed Producing 25,539 20,631 329 123,192 2,302 14,464 81,877
    Proved Developed Non-Producing 1,864 1,256 18 5,769 47 746 4,852
    Proved Undeveloped 26,529 22,491 3,040 81,541 16,785 11,476 79,923
    Total Proved 53,932 44,378 3,387 210,502 19,134 26,686 166,652
    Total Probable 30,480 27,532 6,092 196,621 32,869 24,036 126,388
    Total Proved plus Probable 84,412 71,910 9,479 407,123 52,003 50,722 293,040
    Total Possible 27,606 29,916 2,848 99,333 14,506 12,317 91,659
    Total Proved plus Probable plus Possible 112,018 101,826 12,327 506,456 66,509 63,039 384,699

    *Mbbl (thousand bbl of oil).
    **MMcf (million cubic feet).
    ***Mboe (thousand boe).

    Net Present Value Summary

    Gran Tierra’s reserves were evaluated using the average of three independent qualified reserves evaluators’ commodity price forecasts at January 1, 2025 (McDaniel, Sproule and GLJ). See “Forecast Prices” for more information. It should not be assumed that the net present value of cash flow estimated by McDaniel represents the fair market value of Gran Tierra’s reserves.

    Total Company Discount Rate
    ($ millions) 0% 5% 10% 15% 20%
    Before Tax          
    Proved Developed Producing 1,288,263 1,269,021 1,143,703 1,032,260 941,153
    Proved Developed Non-Producing 119,025 98,908 84,070 72,745 63,864
    Proved Undeveloped 1,422,638 1,002,220 722,242 527,670 387,664
    Total Proved 2,829,926 2,370,149 1,950,015 1,632,675 1,392,681
    Total Probable 2,842,656 1,852,742 1,292,189 945,677 717,447
    Total Proved plus Probable 5,672,582 4,222,891 3,242,204 2,578,352 2,110,128
    Total Possible 2,848,360 1,835,802 1,274,763 931,210 706,630
    Total Proved plus Probable plus Possible 8,520,942 6,058,693 4,516,967 3,509,562 2,816,758
    After Tax          
    Proved Developed Producing 984,109 1,012,837 921,809 835,838 764,272
    Proved Developed Non-Producing 82,049 67,860 57,418 49,460 43,223
    Proved Undeveloped 902,725 603,616 405,947 269,984 173,307
    Total Proved 1,968,883 1,684,313 1,385,174 1,155,282 980,802
    Total Probable 1,831,204 1,148,223 773,804 548,846 404,333
    Total Proved plus Probable 3,800,087 2,832,536 2,158,978 1,704,128 1,385,135
    Total Possible 1,799,304 1,130,855 770,970 554,619 415,175
    Total Proved plus Probable plus Possible 5,599,391 3,963,391 2,929,948 2,258,747 1,800,310

    Reserve Life Index (Years)

      December 31, 2024*    
    Total Proved 10    
    Total Proved plus Probable 17    
    Total Proved plus Probable plus Possible 23    

    * Calculated using an annualized WI production figure based on November and December 2024 for Canada plus Colombia and Ecuador actual average WI production, in each case, for the fourth quarter of 2024. The total production rate was 46,619 BOEPD.

    Future Development Costs

    FDC reflects McDaniel’s best estimate of what it will cost to bring the Proved Undeveloped and Probable Undeveloped reserves on production. Changes in forecast FDC occur annually as a result of development activities, acquisition and disposition activities, and changes in capital cost estimates based on improvements in well design and performance, as well as changes in service costs. FDC for 2P reserves increased to $1,809 million at year-end 2024 from $923 million at year-end 2023. The increase in FDC in 2024 was predominantly attributed to the acquisition of i3 Energy plc in 2024.

    ($ millions) Total Proved Total Proved Plus Probable Total Proved Plus Probable Plus Possible
    2025 141 147 153
    2026 343 379 387
    2027 291 380 388
    2028 135 311 358
    2029 115 221 277
    Remainder 4 371 519
    Total (undiscounted) 1,029 1,809 2,082
    ($ millions) Proved Proved plus Probable Proved plus Probable plus Possible
    Acordionero 175 175 175
    Chaza Block (Costayaco & Moqueta) 138 163 163
    Suroriente 130 213 292
    Ecuador 212 331 428
    Canada – Central 179 378 378
    Canada – Simonette 106 238 238
    Other 89 311 408
    Total FDC Costs (undiscounted) 1,029 1,809 2,082

    Finding, Development and Acquisition Costs

    Reserves (Mboe)   Year Ended December 31, 2024
    Proved Developed Producing 81,877
    Total Proved   166,653
    Total Proved plus Probable   293,041
    Total Proved plus Probable plus Possible   384,700
    Capital Expenditures ($000s)  
    – including acquired properties 400,532

    Finding, Development and Acquisition Costs, Excluding FDC*

    Year Ended December 31, 2024
    Proved Developed Producing    
    Reserve Additions (Mboe)   50,933
    FD&A Costs ($/boe)   7.87

    Finding, Development and Acquisition Costs, Including FDC*

    Year Ended December 31, 2024
    Proved Developed Producing    
    Change in FDC ($000s)   18,319
    Reserve Additions (Mboe)   50,933
    FD&A Costs ($/boe)   8.23

    Finding, Development and Acquisition Costs, Excluding FDC*

    Year Ended December 31, 2024
    Total Proved    
    Reserve Additions (Mboe)   89,210
    FD&A Costs ($/boe)   4.49

    Finding, Development and Acquisition Costs, Including FDC*

    Year Ended December 31, 2024
    Total Proved    
    Change in FDC ($000s)   468,518
    Reserve Additions (Mboe)   89,210
    FD&A Costs ($/boe)   9.74

    Finding, Development and Acquisition Costs, Excluding FDC*

    Year Ended December 31, 2024
    Total Proved plus Probable    
    Reserve Additions (Mboe)   158,662
    FD&A Costs ($/boe)   2.52

    Finding, Development and Acquisition Costs, Including FDC*

    Year Ended December 31, 2024
    Total Proved plus Probable    
    Change in FDC ($000s)   886,720
    Reserve Additions (Mboe)   158,662
    FD&A Costs ($/boe)   8.11

    Finding, Development and Acquisition Costs, Excluding FDC*

    Year Ended December 31, 2024
    Total Proved plus Probable plus Possible  
    Reserve Additions (Mboe)   190,562
    FD&A Costs ($/boe)   2.10

    Finding, Development and Acquisition Costs, Including FDC*

    Year Ended December 31, 2024
    Total Proved plus Probable plus Possible  
    Change in FDC ($000s)   917,617
    Reserve Additions (Mboe)   190,562
    FD&A Costs ($/boe)   6.92

    *In all cases, the FD&A number is calculated by dividing the identified capital expenditures by the applicable reserves additions both before and after changes in FDC costs. Both FD&A costs take into account reserves revisions during the year on a per boe basis. The aggregate of the exploration and development costs incurred in the financial year and the changes during that year in estimated future development costs may not reflect the total FD&A costs related to reserves additions for that year.

    Forecast Prices

    The pricing assumptions used in estimating NI 51-101 and COGEH compliant reserves data disclosed above with respect to net present values of future net revenue are set forth below. The price forecasts are based on an average of three independent qualified reserves evaluators’ commodity price forecasts at January 1, 2025 (McDaniel, Sproule and GLJ). All three of these companies are independent qualified reserves evaluators and auditors pursuant to NI 51-101.

      Brent Crude Oil WTI Crude Oil Alberta AECO Gas Foreign Exchange Rate
    Year $US/bbl $US/bbl $CAD/MMBtu $US/$CAD
      January 1, 2025 January 1, 2025 January 1, 2025 January 1, 2025
    2025 $75.58 $71.58 $2.36 0.712
    2026 $78.51 $74.48 $3.33 0.728
    2027 $79.89 $75.81 $3.48 0.743
    2028 $81.82 $77.66 $3.69 0.743
    2029 $83.46 $79.22 $3.76 0.743

    Contact Information

    For investor and media inquiries please contact:

    Gary Guidry, Chief Executive Officer
    Ryan Ellson, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
    +1-403-265-3221
    info@grantierra.com

    About Gran Tierra Energy Inc.

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

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

    FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS ADVISORY

    This press release contains opinions, forecasts, projections, and other statements about future events or results that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and financial outlook and forward looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”), which can be identified by such terms as “expect,” “plan,” “can,” “will,” “should,” “guidance,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “signal,” “progress” and “believes,” derivations thereof and similar terms identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the Company’s expectations regarding its anticipated benefits of its recent acquisition of i3 Energy plc (“i3 Energy”), estimated quantities and net present values of reserves, capital program, and ability to fund the Company’s exploration program over a period of time, statements about the Company’s financial and performance targets and other forecasts or expectations regarding, or dependent on, the Company’s business outlook for 2025 and beyond, capital spending plans and any benefits of the changes in our capital program or expenditures, well performance, production, the restart of production and workover activity, future development costs, infrastructure schedules, waterflood impacts and plans, growth of referenced reserves, forecast prices, five-year expected oil sales and cash flow and net revenue, estimated recovery factors, liquidity and access to capital, the Company’s strategies and results thereof, the Company’s expectations regarding organic and inorganic growth opportunities, the Company’s operations including planned operations and developments, disruptions to operations and the decline in industry conditions, and expectations regarding environmental commitments.

    The forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect several material factors and expectations and assumptions of Gran Tierra including, without limitation, that Gran Tierra will continue to conduct its operations in a manner consistent with its current expectations, the ability of Gran Tierra to successfully integrate the assets and operations of i3 Energy or realize the anticipated benefits and operating synergies expected from the acquisition of i3 Energy, the accuracy of testing and production results and seismic data, pricing and cost estimates (including with respect to commodity pricing and exchange rates), rig availability, the effects of drilling down-dip, the effects of waterflood and multi-stage fracture stimulation operations, the extent and effect of delivery disruptions, and the general continuance of current or, where applicable, assumed operational, regulatory and industry conditions in Canada, Colombia and Ecuador and areas of potential expansion, and the ability of Gran Tierra to execute its business and operational plans in the manner currently planned. Gran Tierra believes the material factors, expectations and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable at this time, but no assurance can be given that these factors, expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct.

    Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements in this press release are: certain of Gran Tierra’s operations are located in South America and unexpected problems can arise due to guerilla activity, strikes, local blockades or protests; technical difficulties and operational difficulties may arise which impact the production, transport or sale of Gran Tierra’s products; other disruptions to local operations; global and regional changes in the demand, supply, prices, differentials or other market conditions affecting oil and natural gas, including inflation and changes resulting from a global health crisis, geopolitical events, including the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Gaza region, or from the imposition or lifting of crude oil production quotas or other actions that might be imposed by OPEC and other producing countries and resulting company or third-party actions in response to such changes; changes in commodity prices, including volatility or a prolonged decline in these prices relative to historical or future expected levels; the risk that current global economic and credit conditions may impact oil and natural prices and oil and natural gas consumption more than Gran Tierra currently predicts, which could cause Gran Tierra to further modify its strategy and capital spending program; prices and markets for oil and natural gas are unpredictable and volatile; the effect of hedges, the accuracy of productive capacity of any particular field; geographic, political and weather conditions can impact the production, transport or sale of Gran Tierra’s products; the ability of Gran Tierra to execute its business plan, which may include acquisitions, and realize expected benefits from current or future initiatives; the risk that unexpected delays and difficulties in developing currently owned properties may occur; the ability to replace reserves and production and develop and manage reserves on an economically viable basis; the accuracy of testing and production results and seismic data, pricing and cost estimates (including with respect to commodity pricing and exchange rates); the risk profile of planned exploration activities; the effects of drilling down-dip; the effects of waterflood and multi-stage fracture stimulation operations; the extent and effect of delivery disruptions, equipment performance and costs; actions by third parties; the timely receipt of regulatory or other required approvals for Gran Tierra’s operating activities; the failure of exploratory drilling to result in commercial wells; unexpected delays due to the limited availability of drilling equipment and personnel; volatility or declines in the trading price of Gran Tierra’s common stock or bonds; the risk that Gran Tierra does not receive the anticipated benefits of government programs, including government tax refunds; Gran Tierra’s ability to comply with financial covenants in its credit agreement and indentures and make borrowings under its credit agreement; and the risk factors detailed from time to time in Gran Tierra’s periodic reports filed with the SEC, including, without limitation, under the caption “Risk Factors” in Gran Tierra’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed on February 20, 2024 and its other filings with the SEC. These filings are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

    Statements relating to “reserves” are also deemed to be forward-looking statements, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, including that the reserves described can be profitably produced in the future.

    Guidance is uncertain, particularly when given over extended periods of time, and results may be materially different. Although the current capital spending program and long term strategy of Gran Tierra is based upon the current expectations of the management of Gran Tierra, should any one of a number of issues arise, Gran Tierra may find it necessary to alter its business strategy and/or capital spending program and there can be no assurance as at the date of this press release as to how those funds may be reallocated or strategy changed and how that would impact Gran Tierra’s results of operations and financing position. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the fact that this press release remains available does not constitute a representation by Gran Tierra that Gran Tierra believes these forward-looking statements continue to be true as of any subsequent date. Actual results may vary materially from the expected results expressed in forward-looking statements. Gran Tierra disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. Gran Tierra’s forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

    The estimates of future net revenue, cash flow and certain expenses may be considered to be future-oriented financial information or a financial outlook for the purposes of applicable Canadian securities laws. Financial outlook and future-oriented financial information contained in this press release about prospective financial performance, financial position or cash flows are provided to give the reader a better understanding of the potential future performance of the Company in certain areas and are based on assumptions about future events, including economic conditions and proposed courses of action, based on management’s assessment of the relevant information currently available, and to become available in the future. In particular, this press release contains projected operational and financial information for 2025 2025 and for the next five years to allow readers to assess the Company’s ability to fund its programs. These projections contain forward-looking statements and are based on a number of material assumptions and factors set out above. Actual results may differ significantly from the projections presented herein. The actual results of Gran Tierra’s operations for any period could vary from the amounts set forth in these projections, and such variations may be material. See above for a discussion of the risks that could cause actual results to vary. The future-oriented financial information and financial outlooks contained in this press release have been approved by management as of the date of this press release. Readers are cautioned that any such financial outlook and future-oriented financial information contained herein should not be used for purposes other than those for which it is disclosed herein. The Company and its management believe that the prospective financial information has been prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting management’s best estimates and judgments, and represent, to the best of management’s knowledge and opinion, the Company’s expected course of action. However, because this information is highly subjective, it should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results. See Gran Tierra’s press release dated January 23, 2025 for additional information regarding cash flow guidance referred to herein.

    Non-GAAP Measures

    This press release includes non-GAAP measures which do not have a standardized meaning under GAAP. Investors are cautioned that these measures should not be construed as alternatives to oil and natural gas sales, net income or loss or other measures of financial performance as determined in accordance with GAAP. Gran Tierra’s method of calculating these measures may differ from other companies and, accordingly, they may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies.

    Net Debt as presented as at December 31, 2024 is comprised of $787 million (gross) of senior notes outstanding less cash and cash equivalents of $104 million, prepared in accordance with GAAP. Management believes that Net Debt is a useful supplemental measure for management and investors to in order to evaluate the financial sustainability of the Company’s business and leverage. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is total debt.

    Unaudited Financial Information

    Certain financial and operating results included in this press release, including debt, cash equivalents, capital expenditures, and production information, are based on unaudited estimated results. These estimated results are subject to change upon completion of the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, and changes could be material. Gran Tierra anticipates filing its audited financial statements and related management’s discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024 on or before February 26, 2025.

    DISCLOSURE OF OIL AND GAS INFORMATION

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

    All reserves values, future net revenue and ancillary information contained in this press release have been prepared by McDaniel and are derived from the GTE McDaniel Reserves Report, unless otherwise expressly stated. Any reserves values or related information contained in this press release as of a date other than December 31, 2024 has an effective date of December 31 of the applicable year and is derived from a report prepared by Gran Tierra’s independent qualified reserves evaluator as of such date, and additional information regarding such estimate or information can be found in Gran Tierra’s applicable Statement of Reserves Data and Other Oil and Gas Information on Form 51-101F1 filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

    Estimates of net present value and future net revenue contained herein do not necessarily represent fair market value. Estimates of reserves and future net revenue for individual properties may not reflect the same level of confidence as estimates of reserves and future net revenue for all properties, due to the effect of aggregation. There is no assurance that the forecast price and cost assumptions applied by McDaniel in evaluating Gran Tierra’s reserves and future net revenue will be attained and variances could be material.

    All evaluations of future net revenue contained in the GTE McDaniel Reserves Report are after the deduction of royalties, operating costs, development costs, production costs and abandonment and reclamation costs but before consideration of indirect costs such as administrative, overhead and other miscellaneous expenses. It should not be assumed that the estimates of future net revenues presented in this press release represent the fair market value of the reserves. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of crude oil reserves and the future cash flows attributed to such reserves. The reserve and associated cash flow information set forth in the GTE McDaniel Reserves Report are estimates only and there is no guarantee that the estimated reserves will be recovered. Actual reserves may be greater than or less than the estimates provided therein.

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

    Definitions

    Proved reserves are those reserves that can be estimated with a high degree of certainty to be recoverable. It is likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the estimated proved reserves.

    Probable reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves. It is equally likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than the sum of the estimated proved plus probable reserves.

    Possible reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than Probable reserves. It is unlikely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than the sum of the estimated proved plus probable plus possible reserves. There is a 10% probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of Proved plus Probable plus Possible reserves.

    Developed producing reserves are those reserves that are expected to be recovered from completion intervals open at the time of the estimate. These reserves may be currently producing or, if shut-in, they must have previously been on production, and the date of resumption of production must be known with reasonable certainty.

    Developed non-producing reserves are those reserves that either have not been on production or have previously been on production but are shut-in and the date of resumption of production is unknown.

    Undeveloped reserves are those reserves expected to be recovered from known accumulations where a significant expenditure (e.g., when compared to the cost of drilling a well) is required to render them capable of production. They must fully meet the requirements of the reserves category (proved, probable, possible) to which they are assigned.

    Certain terms used in this press release but not defined are defined in NI 51-101, CSA Staff Notice 51-324 – Revised Glossary to NI 51-101, Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities (“CSA Staff Notice 51-324”) and/or the COGEH and, unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the same meanings herein as in NI 51-101, CSA Staff Notice 51-324 and the COGEH, as the case may be.

    Oil and Gas Metrics

    This press release contains a number of oil and gas metrics, including NAV per share, FD&A costs, reserve life index and reserves replacement, which do not have standardized meanings or standard methods of calculation and therefore such measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies and should not be used to make comparisons. Such metrics have been included herein to provide readers with additional measures to evaluate the Company’s performance; however, such measures are not reliable indicators of the future performance of the Company and future performance may not compare to the performance in previous periods.

    • NAV per share is calculated as NPV10 (before or after tax, as applicable) of the applicable reserves category minus estimated Net Debt, divided by the number of shares of Gran Tierra’s common stock issued and outstanding. Management uses NAV per share as a measure of the relative change of Gran Tierra’s net asset value over its outstanding common stock over a period of time.
    • FD&A costs are calculated as estimated exploration and development capital expenditures, including acquisitions and dispositions, divided by the applicable reserves additions both before and after changes in FDC costs. The calculation of FD&A costs incorporates the change in FDC required to bring proved undeveloped and developed reserves into production. The aggregate of the exploration and development costs incurred in the financial year and the changes during that year in estimated FDC may not reflect the total FD&A costs related to reserves additions for that year. Management uses FD&A costs per boe as a measure of its ability to execute its capital program and of its asset quality.
    • Reserve life index is calculated as reserves in the referenced category divided by the referenced estimated production. Management uses this measure to determine how long the booked reserves will last at current production rates if no further reserves were added.
    • Reserves replacement is calculated as reserves in the referenced category divided by estimated referenced production. Management uses this measure to determine the relative change of its reserve base over a period of time.

    Disclosure of Reserve Information and Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors

    Unless expressly stated otherwise, all estimates of proved, probable and possible reserves and related future net revenue disclosed in this press release have been prepared in accordance with NI 51-101. Estimates of reserves and future net revenue made in accordance with NI 51-101 will differ from corresponding estimates prepared in accordance with applicable SEC rules and disclosure requirements of the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), and those differences may be material. NI 51-101, for example, requires disclosure of reserves and related future net revenue estimates based on forecast prices and costs, whereas SEC and FASB standards require that reserves and related future net revenue be estimated using average prices for the previous 12 months. In addition, NI 51-101 permits the presentation of reserves estimates on a “company gross” basis, representing Gran Tierra’s working interest share before deduction of royalties, whereas SEC and FASB standards require the presentation of net reserve estimates after the deduction of royalties and similar payments. There are also differences in the technical reserves estimation standards applicable under NI 51-101 and, pursuant thereto, the COGEH, and those applicable under SEC and FASB requirements.

    In addition to being a reporting issuer in certain Canadian jurisdictions, Gran Tierra is a registrant with the SEC and subject to domestic issuer reporting requirements under U.S. federal securities law, including with respect to the disclosure of reserves and other oil and gas information in accordance with U.S. federal securities law and applicable SEC rules and regulations (collectively, “SEC requirements”). Disclosure of such information in accordance with SEC requirements is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other reports and materials filed with or furnished to the SEC and, as applicable, Canadian securities regulatory authorities. The SEC permits oil and gas companies that are subject to domestic issuer reporting requirements under U.S. federal securities law, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only estimated proved, probable and possible reserves that meet the SEC’s definitions of such terms. Gran Tierra has disclosed estimated proved, probable and possible reserves in its filings with the SEC. In addition, Gran Tierra prepares its financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, which require that the notes to its annual financial statements include supplementary disclosure in respect of the Company’s oil and gas activities, including estimates of its proved oil and gas reserves and a standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil and gas reserve quantities. This supplementary financial statement disclosure is presented in accordance with FASB requirements, which align with corresponding SEC requirements concerning reserves estimation and reporting.

    Proved reserves are reserves which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible from a given date forward from known reservoirs under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expires, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain. Probable reserves are reserves that are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves but which, together with proved reserves, are as likely as not to be recovered. Estimates of probable reserves which may potentially be recoverable through additional drilling or recovery techniques are by nature more uncertain than estimates of proved reserves and accordingly are subject to substantially greater risk of not actually being realized by us. Possible reserves are reserves that are less certain to be recovered than probable reserves. Estimates of possible reserves are also inherently imprecise. Estimates of probable and possible reserves are also continually subject to revisions based on production history, results of additional exploration and development, price changes, and other factors.

    The Company believes that the presentation of NPV10 is useful to investors because it presents (i) relative monetary significance of its oil and natural gas properties regardless of tax structure and (ii) relative size and value of its reserves to other companies. The Company also uses this measure when assessing the potential return on investment related to its oil and natural gas properties. NPV10 and the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows do not purport to present the fair value of the Company’s oil and gas reserves. The Company has not provided a reconciliation of NPV10 to the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows because it is impracticable to do so.

    Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosures and risk factors in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in the other reports and filings with the SEC, available from the Company’s offices or website. These reports can also be obtained from the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

    The MIL Network –

    January 27, 2025
  • MIL-Evening Report: Al Jazeera says correspondent’s arrest latest bid to gag Jenin coverage

    Pacific Media Watch

    The Al Jazeera Network has condemned the arrest of its occupied West Bank correspondent by Palestinian security services as a bid by the Israeli occupation to “block media coverage” of the military attack on Jenin.

    Israeli soldiers have killed at least 12 Palestinians in the three-day military assault that has rendered the refugee camp “nearly uninhabitable” and forced displacement of more than 2000 people. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said the Jenin operation was a “flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and human rights”.

    Al Jazeera said in a broadcast statement that the arrest of its occupied West Bank correspondent Muhammad al-Atrash by the Palestinian Authority (PA) could only be explained as “an attempt to block the media coverage of the occupation’s attack in Jenin”.

    We’re following with concern the arrest of journalist Mohammed Al-Atrash by the Palestinian security forces in connection with his work at Al Jazeera and call for his immediate release./1 pic.twitter.com/M2ZcEoWqJl

    — Al-Haq الحق (@alhaq_org) January 23, 2025

    “The arbitrary actions of the Palestinian Authority are unfortunately identical to the occupation’s targeting of the Al Jazeera Network,” it said.

    “We value the positions and voices that stand in solidarity and defend colleague Muhammad al-Atrash and the freedom of the press.”

    The network said the journalist was brought before a court in Hebron after being arrested yesterday while covering the events in Jenin “simply for doing his professional duty as a journalist”.

    “We confirm that these practices will not hinder our ongoing professional coverage of the facts unfolding in the West Bank,” Al Jazeera’s statement added.

    The Israeli occupation has been targeting Al Jazeera for months in an attempt to gag its reporting.

    Calling for al-Atrash’s immediate release, the al-Haq organisation (Protecting and Promoting Human Rights & the Rule of Law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory) said in a statement: “Freedom of opinion and expression cannot be guaranteed without ensuring freedom of the press.”

    Rage over AJ ban
    Earlier this month journalists expressed outrage and confusion about the PA’s decision to shut down the Al Jazeera office in the occupied West Bank after the Israeli government had earlier banned the Al Jazeera broadcasting network’s operation within Israel.

    “Shutting down a major outlet like Al Jazeera is a crime against journalism,” said freelance journalist Ikhlas al-Qarnawi.

    Also earlier this month, award-winning Palestinian journalist Daoud Kuttab criticised the Israeli government for targeting journalists and attempting to “cover up” the assassination of five Palestinian journalists last month.

    He said a December 26 press statement by the Israeli army attempted to “justify a war crime”.

    “It unabashedly admitted that the military incinerated five Palestinian journalists in a clearly marked press vehicle outside al-Awda Hospital in the Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip,” Kuttab said in an op-ed article.

    Many Western publications had quoted the Israeli army statement as if it was an objective position and “not propaganda whitewashing a war crime”, he wrote.

    “They failed to clarify to their audiences that attacking journalists, including journalists who may be accused of promoting ‘propaganda’, is a war crime — all journalists are protected under international humanitarian law, regardless of whether armies like their reporting or not.”

    Israel not only refuses to recognise any Palestinian media worker as being protected, but it also bars foreign journalists from entering Gaza.

    “It has been truly disturbing that the international media has done little to protest this ban,” wrote Kuttab.

    “Except for one petition signed by 60 media outlets over the summer, the international media has not followed up consistently on such demands over 15 months.”

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    January 27, 2025
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