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Category: Environment

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Duguid to announce federal investments in performing arts in Manitoba and Saskatchewan

    Source: Government of Canada News

    March 11, 2025 – Winnipeg, Manitoba – The Honourable Terry Duguid, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada, on behalf of the honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, will announce federal funding in support of performing arts that will drive economic development across Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

    Date:
    March 21, 2025

    Time:
    11:30 a.m. CT

    Location:
    Royal Winnipeg Ballet
    380 Graham Avenue
    Winnipeg, Manitoba

    Media are welcome to attend.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: BNP Paribas Primary New Issues: POST STAB Notice – No Stab – Seche Environment

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    [20/03/25]

    Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.

    Seche Environment SA

    Post-stabilisation Period Announcement

    NO STABILISATION CARRIED OUT

    [Further to the pre-stabilisation period announcement dated [18/03/2025]] BNP Paribas (contact: Stanford Hartman telephone: 0207 595 8222) hereby gives notice that no stabilisation (within the meaning of Article 3.2(d) of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU/596/2014)) was undertaken by the Stabilisation Manager(s) named below in relation to the offer of the following securities.

    Securities

    Issuer: Seche Environment SA
    Guarantor(s) (if any): N/A
    Aggregate nominal amount: EUR 400,000,000.00
    Description: 4.5% March 2030
    Offer price: 100

    Stabilisation Manager(s)

    Name(s): BNP Paribas/Natixis

    This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction.

    This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The securities referred to above have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. There has not been and will not be a public offer of the securities in the United States.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Smart Bot for the Easy Life: ANTHBOT Introduces Genie, Ushering in a New Era of Effortless Lawn Care

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Singapore , March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — For many homeowners, lawn care is a constant burden—consuming weekends, requiring physical effort, or adding to expenses with professional services. But what if keeping your lawn pristine no longer demanded your time or energy? ANTHBOT is proud to introduce the ANTHBOT Genie, an AI-powered robotic mower that is set to revolutionize lawn care. With advanced automation, precision technology, and seamless operation, Genie transforms lawn care into a fully hands-free experience. No more exhausting afternoons behind a mower, no more uneven patches, no more disrupted weekends. Just a consistently well-kept lawn and more time to enjoy the things that truly matter.

    More Than Just Mowing: How ANTHBOT Genie Transforms Lawn Care
    For homeowners who dream of a perfectly manicured lawn without the hassle, the ANTHBOT Genie delivers a truly hands-free experience. Unlike traditional mowers that require constant supervision, Genie thinks, adapts, and optimizes every aspect of lawn care, ensuring a pristine yard with minimal user effort.

    Intelligent Mowing That Requires No Supervision
    Traditional robotic mowers often leave patchy, uneven cuts, especially in complex yards with tight corners or slopes. ANTHBOT Genie solves this problem with cutting-edge AI technology and ACC automatic mapping. Using AI-powered path planning, Genie intelligently analyzes the lawn’s shape, identifies boundaries, and creates an optimized mowing route that ensures complete coverage—even in hard-to-reach spots.

    Setup is effortless—one tap in the app generates a precise lawn map, with smart boundary recognition adapting to any yard without manual wiring. Genie also optimizes mowing for lawn health, following the 2/3 golden rule (cutting only the top third of the grass) and using rain detection sensors to avoid post-rain damage.

    Reliable Performance in Any Environment
    Weak signals and connectivity issues have long been a challenge for robotic mowers, especially in yards with trees, fences, or buildings. Genie’s Full-Band RTK technology offers 10x the signal strength of standard models, ensuring uninterrupted operation even in difficult environments. Whether navigating a backyard with tall hedges or moving between different mowing zones, Genie stays connected and gets the job done—without human intervention.

    Effortless Navigation on Any Terrain
    Equipped with enhanced wide-tread tires, Genie provides superior traction and grip, allowing it to climb slopes up to 24° with stability and ease. Its low center of gravity further enhances balance, preventing tipping or slipping—even on wet or loose soil. 
    Beyond navigation, Genie ensures a precise and clean cut on any lawn condition. Its titanium-coated stainless steel blades remain sharper for longer, reducing wear and tear while delivering a smooth, even trim without clumps of leftover grass. The self-rotating blade system minimizes impact from hard objects, preventing damage and extending the mower’s lifespan.

    Multi-Layer Obstacle Avoidance for Seamless Operation
    Unlike conventional robotic mowers, ANTHBOT Genie combines AI-powered vision with a 360° collision sensor for uninterrupted mowing.

    Its four high-resolution cameras with a 300° ultra-wide field of view allow Genie to recognize and navigate around obstacles using advanced AI trained on hundreds of thousands of real-world images. When visual detection isn’t possible, the 360° collision sensor acts as a fail-safe—redirecting Genie upon contact to prevent getting stuck.

    A Safer Choice for Pets and Wildlife
    Safety has always been a concern with robotic mowers, especially when it comes to small animals. ANTHBOT Genie eliminates this risk with an AI-driven vision system trained to recognize various hedgehog species and behaviors. If a hedgehog is detected—whether curled up or moving—Genie instantly stops or reroutes, ensuring their safety. Beyond hedgehogs, Genie’s multi-object recognition system identifies birds, nests, and other small animals, adjusting its path in real time to avoid harm.

    Why Homeowners Love Genie: The True Value of AI-Powered Lawn Care
    Genie fundamentally changes how homeowners interact with their outdoor spaces, providing time, freedom, and a consistently perfect lawn with zero effort.

    • Reclaim Time: Genie runs autonomously, letting homeowners spend time on what truly matters—whether that’s relaxing, spending time with family, or simply enjoying a perfectly maintained lawn.
    • A Lawn That Always Looks Its Best: Genie solves this by using AI-driven precision cutting, mowing at the optimal frequency based on grass growth patterns, weather conditions, and seasonal changes. 
    • Seamless User Experience: The plug-and-play setup, intuitive mobile app, and real-time tracking make Genie accessible to everyone, regardless of technical expertise.
    • Long-Term Savings: With no need for gasoline, costly repairs, or professional upkeep, it offers a one-time investment for a lifetime of effortless lawn care. 

    Redefining Lawn Care: A Future of Effortless, Intelligent Living
    As AI-driven home automation continues to reshape modern living, robotic solutions like Genie are not just about convenience—they redefine how people interact with their outdoor spaces. By eliminating the manual labor traditionally associated with lawn care, Genie gives homeowners more time to relax, more time to spend with loved ones, and more time to enjoy their outdoor environments without the burden of maintenance.

    ANTHBOT Genie is more than a robotic mower; it is a glimpse into a future where technology works seamlessly in the background, allowing people to focus on what truly matters.

    Smarter Lawn Care Starts Here

    The ANTHBOT Genie is an AI-powered lawn care assistant that delivers effortless, precise, and adaptive mowing. Now is the great moment to upgrade to AI-driven lawn care.

    As part of ANTHBOT’s anniversary celebration, homeowners can enjoy exclusive limited-time savings on ANTHBOT Genie.

    • Standard Kit for Just $1 (Regular Value $437)
    • Premium Kit for Only $10 (Regular Value $557)

    View the details:

    US ANTHBOT Anniversary website

    DE ANTHBOT Anniversary website

    From March 19th, 17:00 CET to April 19th, 18:00 CEST, visit the ANTHBOT official website to explore a smarter way to care for your lawn.

    Check out the Official Facebook and YouTube for more tailored information.

    With the right technology handling the work, you can spend less time mowing and more time enjoying the moments that matter.

    About ANTHBOT

    ANTHBOT is a global leader in smart yard robotics, committed to its mission: “Smart Bot for the Easy Life.” By integrating advanced robotics with AI, the company pioneers innovative solutions for a smart, convenient lifestyle.

    With a strong focus on R&D, ANTHBOT develops proprietary AI algorithms, enhancing seamless software-hardware integration and building a solid competitive edge in robotics and AI.

    As an AI robotics expert, ANTHBOT delivers efficient and intelligent service robots to households worldwide, bringing innovation and transformation for smart home industry.

    Contact: pr@anthbot.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Homes in the district to benefit from £8m energy efficiency boost

    Source: City of Canterbury

    Home  »  Latest News   »   Homes in the district to benefit from £8m energy efficiency boost

    The energy efficiency of hundreds of council homes will be dramatically boosted after Canterbury City Council was awarded £6.6m through the government’s Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund – the biggest payout in Kent.

    The money will add to the £11.25m the council has put aside in its Housing Revenue Account capital budget over the next three years.

    The money will be used to insulate homes and install high-performance windows and doors to keep in the heat and to replace or upgrade heating systems.

    The measures chosen in each property included in the project will be individually-tailored based on assessments which are already underway.

    Welcoming the cash from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNEZ), Cllr Pip Hazelton, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “This huge investment in our council homes will add immeasurably to the quality of life for those people living there.

    “With much less energy wasted, their homes will be warmer and, importantly, their gas and electricity bills will fall meaning they have more money in their pockets.”

    Now the size of the grant has been confirmed by the government, officers are working on a detailed plan for delivering the work.

    On top of this money, the council was also awarded £1.5m as part of the government’s Warm Homes: Local Grant scheme.

    This pot of money is aimed at people on low incomes in privately owned or rented homes whose Energy Performance Certificate is between D and G.

    It could pay for insulation, solar panels or even air source heat pumps.

    Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, Cllr Mel Dawkins, said: “More than £8m in government money dedicated to making people’s homes more energy efficient, less carbon hungry and cheaper to run has to be embraced.

    “It represents a significant step on our journey to creating a net zero district for everyone.

    “But this is where the hard work begins – our plans added to the money received now needs to turn into action on the ground.”

    Arrangements are currently being put in place to administer the Warm Homes: Local Grants scheme and the council will publicise the fact applications are open.

    Published: 20 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Our new study indicates maternal exposure to relatively low fluoride levels may affect intelligence in children

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Maria Kippler, Associate Professor, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet

    Alena Matrosova/Shutterstock

    Fluoride occurs naturally in drinking water, especially well water, but the concentrations are generally low in public water supplies. In some countries, such as the US, Canada, UK, Australia and Ireland, fluoride is commonly added to the public water supply at around 0.7mg per litre to prevent tooth decay. The World Health Organization guideline for fluoride in drinking water is 1.5mg per litre.

    Given the concern that fluoride in drinking water might affect children’s intelligence, the addition of this mineral to drinking water has become controversial. Consensus among researchers about the precise nature of the link between fluoridation and intelligence is lacking and the existing evidence is widely debated.

    The US National Toxicology Program’s, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, most recent evaluation states with moderate confidence that higher fluoride exposure (above the World Health Organization guideline) is consistently associated with decreased child intelligence, while they conclude that more research is needed to understand the effects at lower fluoride exposure levels.



    Read more:
    Fluoride: very high levels in water associated with cognitive impairment in children

    A new study my colleagues and I conducted found that relatively low exposure to fluoride during the foetal stage (as a result of the mother’s exposure to fluoride) or in the child’s early years may affect their intelligence.

    For the study, which was published in Environmental Health Perspectives, we followed 500 mothers and their children in rural Bangladesh, where fluoride occurs naturally in the drinking water, to investigate the link between early life exposure to fluoride and children’s intelligence.

    Psychologists evaluated the children’s cognitive abilities at five and ten years of age, using standard IQ tests. The exposure to fluoride in the mothers during pregnancy and children at five and ten years of age was determined by measuring the concentrations in urine samples. Urine samples reflect the continuing exposure from all sources, such as drinking water, food and dental products (such as toothpaste and mouthwash). Urine samples are the most accurate way of determining fluoride exposure in people.

    Increasing urinary concentrations of fluoride in pregnant women were linked to decreasing intelligence in their children at five and ten. Even the lowest fluoride concentrations were associated with decreases in the children’s cognition. The average maternal urinary fluoride concentration was 0.63mg per litre, with the vast majority of concentrations falling between 0.26 and 1.4mg per litre.

    The children’s average urinary fluoride concentrations at five and ten years of age (0.62 and 0.66mg per litre, respectively) were similar to those of their mothers during pregnancy.

    Among children who had more than 0.72mg per litre of fluoride in their urine by age ten, increasing urinary fluoride concentrations were associated with lower intelligence. In children with less fluoride in their urine, there were no consistent associations with their intelligence. So childhood exposure seemed to be less detrimental than the exposure during early foetal development.

    Out of the cognitive abilities measured, associations of both maternal and child urinary fluoride concentrations were most pronounced with nonverbal reasoning and verbal abilities. There were no consistent differences between boys and girls.

    We didn’t find a link between fluoride concentrations in the urine of the five-year-olds and their intelligence. This could be due to the shorter exposure time or that urinary fluoride concentrations aren’t as reliable in younger children owing to greater variations in how much fluoride is taken up and stored in the body, particularly in the bones.

    As well as the children’s urinary fluoride concentration, the fluoride concentrations in drinking water were measured at the age of ten for a random subset of the studied children. The average was 0.20mg per litre, which is well below the WHO guideline value for fluoride in drinking water.

    The concentrations in drinking water tracked with the concentrations in urine, confirming that water is a main source of exposure. Still, we couldn’t exclude the possibility that there were contributions from other sources. Fluoride in toothpaste is important for preventing tooth decay, but it’s important to encourage small children not to swallow the toothpaste during brushing.

    Limitations

    A limitation of our study is that we measured fluoride only in one urine sample at each time point. As a large fraction of the absorbed fluoride is excreted in some hours, one measurement may give uncertain levels for the individual. However, as the exposure largely comes from water it can be assumed that the intake is rather constant over time.

    Another limitation is that the intelligence tests that were used have not been standardised for the Bangladeshi population. As a result, we did not convert the results to IQ scores (with an average of 100) that can be compared across populations.

    Our findings support previous well-designed studies from Canada and Mexico, where exposure levels obtained below the existing WHO guideline for fluoride in drinking water were associated with impaired cognitive development.

    Similar findings were recently provided when combining multiple studies from several countries. It was noted that at low exposure levels, findings with cognitive development were more conclusive among studies estimating fluoride exposure via urine than among studies that relied on concentrations in drinking water only. This highlights that imprecise estimation of the exposure can lead to difficulties in assessing the true impact on cognitive development.

    Taken together, the concern about the effect of fluoride on children’s intelligence at low exposure levels is further strengthened by our study. In particular exposure during foetal development, but also prolonged childhood exposure seems to be of concern.

    Still, as this is an observational study, no firm conclusions can be drawn about causalities. There is still a need for more well-designed research studies on low-level fluoride exposure and cognitive development, in combination with experimental studies to determine the possible molecular mechanisms driving it. Collectively, this will create a robust basis for reviewing fluoride health risks and thresholds for drinking water, foods, and dental care products, especially for children.

    Maria Kippler receives funding from Swedish Research Council and the Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning.

    – ref. Our new study indicates maternal exposure to relatively low fluoride levels may affect intelligence in children – https://theconversation.com/our-new-study-indicates-maternal-exposure-to-relatively-low-fluoride-levels-may-affect-intelligence-in-children-251193

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Environment Agency and Oxford City Council act on Government calls to unlock growth

    Source: City of Oxford

    The Environment Agency and Oxford City Council have acted on Government calls to unlock growth.

    • Partnership unlocks 18,000 new homes whilst ensuring high standards of environmental protection
    • A new solution to development follows Government calls to unlock growth
    • Environment Agency won’t seek a planning condition and Oxford City Council can now determine planning applications with benefit of increased confidence in, and oversight of, waste water treatment scheme

    A partnership between the Environment Agency and Oxford City Council has secured the infrastructure needed to allow the development of around 18,000 new homes in and around Oxford, delivering change in the area in line with the Government’s ambition to unlock growth.

    The move follows Government calls for growth-boosting measures and the delivery of homes and investment for local communities. It could form the blueprint to unlock a number of projects around the country where the right wastewater infrastructure is needed before development can go ahead.

    The EA had previously challenged planning applications for new housing over concerns about sewage treatment capacity which posed a risk to water quality if developments had gone ahead as planned.

    Following a rigorous process to find a solution to unlock the new homes, the EA, Oxford City Council and Thames Water have now agreed a scheme which can provide the capacity needed at the Sewage Treatment Works to allow for the occupation of development from 2027, in line with local plans.

    Technical experts at the EA have ensured that Thames Water has now presented a clear, fully costed and funded programme of work, providing the confidence and certainty that water quality will be protected and communities in the area will have the water services they need, while allowing projected growth to come forward.

    The EA will shortly be writing to Oxford City Council and other affected Local Planning Authorities with their revised advice.

    “After a rigorous process, we have secured the water services and environmental protections which communities in Oxford need to thrive in their new homes. Oxford City Council now have everything they need to decide if the development goes ahead.

    “The Environment Agency believes that protecting the environment and sustainable development can go hand in hand, now and into the future. This kind of powerful partnership working is exactly what’s needed to unlock homes and jobs whilst protecting nature.”

    Philip Duffy, Chief Executive at the Environment Agency

    “I am delighted that the joint working between Oxford City Council and the EA has got us to this point. This is a great example of collaborative working to help solve a major issue for the city and the surrounding area.

    “We look forward to receiving the EA’s letter, so we can determine our next steps as Local Planning Authority and work at pace to unlock the growth and new homes currently stalled across the city.”

    Councillor Susan Brown, Leader Oxford City Council

    “This Government is determined to go further and faster to kickstart economic growth through our Plan for Change and put more money in people’s pockets. This work to unlock housing and commercial development in Oxford is just the kind of action that will unleash the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and grow our economy.”

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves

    Notes to Editors

    • Ahead of a full upgrade in 2031, Thames Water will introduce an interim scheme in 2027 to provide wastewater capacity. The scheme has been reviewed and modelled by the Environment Agency, who will use their regulatory grip, working alongside Defra and Oxford City Council to ensure that Thames Water deliver against the agreed timeline.
    • Oxford City Council, as lead planning authority, will now make the final planning decision to determine if the proposed development goes ahead.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s phone call with Putin fails to deliver a full ceasefire – here’s what could happen next

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham

    After more than two hours on the phone on Tuesday, March 17, the US president, Donald Trump, and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, agreed only to confidence-building measures, not a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. The two leaders came away from the call having agreed on a limited prisoner exchange, a suspension of attacks on energy infrastructure, and the creation of working groups to explore further steps towards a ceasefire and ultimately a peace agreement, a proposal which Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky has since agreed to in his call with the US president.

    A less charitable way of looking at the outcome of the second call between the two presidents since Trump returned to the White House would be that the ball is now back in America’s court. Putin made it crystal clear to Trump that he is not (yet) in the mood for any compromise.

    This is hardly surprising given recent events.

    The US has pressured Ukraine mercilessly into accepting a proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, which Trump hoped Russia would also agree to. But apart from a vague statement by Trump that he might consider sanctions against Russia, he has so far seemed unwilling to contemplate putting any meaningful equivalent pressure on Putin.

    Sign up to receive our weekly World Affairs Briefing newsletter from The Conversation UK. Every Thursday we’ll bring you expert analysis of the big stories in international relations.

    On the ground, Russia has gained the upper hand in the Kursk region where Ukrainian troops have ceded most of the territory they captured after a surprise offensive last summer. Once Putin’s forces, assisted by thousands of North Korean soldiers, have succeeded in driving the Ukrainians out of Russia, Kyiv will have lost its most valuable bargaining chip in negotiations with Moscow.

    Meanwhile, Russia has also made further gains on the frontlines inside Ukraine especially in parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. These are two of the four regions (the other two are Donetsk and Luhansk) that Putin has claimed for Russia in their entirety since sham referendums in September 2022, despite not yet having full control of them.

    If Russia were to capture yet more Ukrainian territory, Putin would probably find it even easier to convince Trump that his demands are reasonable. The fact that Trump already hinted at a “dividing of assets”, including the nuclear power plant at Zaporizhzhia – Europe’s largest before its forced shutdown in September 2022 – is a worrying indication of how far the Russian president has already pushed the envelope.

    Ukraine war: territory occupied by Russia as at March 18 2025.
    Institute for the Study of War

    But a deal solely between Russia and the US is not going to work. In that sense, time is not only on Putin’s side but also on Zelensky’s.

    The Russian readout of the call between the two presidents claimed that they had discussed “the complete cessation of foreign military assistance and the provision of intelligence information to Kyiv” as a key condition for moving forward – something that Trump subsequently denied in an interview with Fox. This means that, for now, Kyiv is likely to continue to receive US aid.

    Europe at the ready

    Perhaps more importantly in the long term, Europe is also doubling down on support for Ukraine. While Trump and Putin were discussing a carve-up of Ukraine over the phone, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, left no doubt on where the EU stands.

    In a speech at the Royal Danish Military Academy foreshadowing the publication of the commission’s Readiness 2030 white paper on bolstering European defences, she recommitted to developing European “capabilities to have credible deterrence” against a hostile Russia.

    A few hours later, the German parliament passed a multi-billion Euro package that loosens the country’s tight borrowing rules to enable massive investments in defence. This follows announcements of increased defence elsewhere on the continent, including in the UK, Poland, and by the EU itself.

    Meanwhile, the UK and France are leading efforts to assemble a coalition of the willing to help Ukraine. Representatives of the 30-member group gathered in London on March 15 for further talks.

    Afterwards, the UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, released a statement saying that Ukraine’s western partners “will keep increasing the pressure on Russia, keep the military aid flowing to Ukraine and keep tightening the restrictions on Russia’s economy”.

    Undoubtedly, these measures would be more effective if they had Washington’s full buy-in – but they send a strong signal to both the Kremlin and the White House that Ukraine is not alone in its fight against Russia’s continuing aggression.

    Putin’s options

    Putin, meanwhile, may have time on his side in the short term – but he should take note of this. Russian manpower and firepower may dwarf that of Ukraine, but it would be no match for a Ukraine backed by such a coalition of the willing.

    Putin’s apparent plan to drag Trump into the minutiae of negotiating a comprehensive deal may eventually backfire in more ways than one. For a start, really detailed discussions will test the US president’s notoriously short attention span.

    But this will also buy time for Ukraine and its supporters to strengthen Kyiv’s position in future negotiations. And it will continue to strain – but not immediately break – Russia’s economy.

    For now, Trump’s efforts to end the war in Ukraine have stalled. He is attempting to broker a complex ceasefire deal that involves separate agreements with Kyiv and Moscow, pressure on Nato allies, and an attempt to drive a wedge between Russia and China. It’s not clear how this will succeed or indeed where it will end.

    The only certainty is that they are not bringing a just and stable peace for Ukraine any closer.

    Stefan Wolff is a past recipient of grant funding from the Natural Environment Research Council of the UK, the United States Institute of Peace, the Economic and Social Research Council of the UK, the British Academy, the NATO Science for Peace Programme, the EU Framework Programmes 6 and 7 and Horizon 2020, as well as the EU’s Jean Monnet Programme. He is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of the Political Studies Association of the UK and a Senior Research Fellow at the Foreign Policy Centre in London.

    Tetyana Malyarenko does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Trump’s phone call with Putin fails to deliver a full ceasefire – here’s what could happen next – https://theconversation.com/trumps-phone-call-with-putin-fails-to-deliver-a-full-ceasefire-heres-what-could-happen-next-252417

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Atlantic sturgeon were fished almost to extinction − ancient DNA reveals how Chesapeake Bay population changed over centuries

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Natalia Przelomska, Research Associate in Archaeogenomics, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution

    Sturgeon can be several hundred pounds each. cezars/E+ via Getty Images

    Sturgeons are one of the oldest groups of fishes. Sporting an armor of five rows of bony, modified scales called dermal scutes and a sharklike tail fin, this group of several-hundred-pound beasts has survived for approximately 160 million years. Because their physical appearance has changed very little over time, supported by a slow rate of evolution, sturgeon have been called living fossils.

    Despite their survival through several geological time periods, many present-day sturgeon species are at threat of extinction, with 17 of 27 species listed as “critically endangered.”

    Conservation practitioners such as the Virginia Commonwealth University monitoring team are working hard to support recovery of Atlantic sturgeon in the Chesapeake Bay area. But it’s not clear what baseline population level people should strive toward restoring. How do today’s sturgeon populations compare with those of the past?

    VCU monitoring team releases an adult Atlantic sturgeon back into the estuary.
    Matt Balazik

    We are a molecular anthropologist and a biodiversity scientist who focus on species that people rely on for subsistence. We study the evolution, population health and resilience of these species over time to better understand humans’ interaction with their environments and the sustainability of food systems.

    For our recent sturgeon project, we joined forces with fisheries conservation biologist Matt Balazik, who conducts on-the-ground monitoring of Atlantic sturgeon, and Torben Rick, a specialist in North American coastal zooarchaeology. Together, we wanted to look into the past and see how much sturgeon populations have changed, focusing on the James River in Virginia. A more nuanced understanding of the past could help conservationists better plan for the future.

    Sturgeon loomed large for millennia

    In North America, sturgeon have played important subsistence and cultural roles in Native communities, which marked the seasons by the fishes’ behavioral patterns. Large summertime aggregations of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in the Great Lakes area inspired one folk name for the August full moon – the sturgeon moon. Woodland Era pottery remnants at archaeological sites from as long as 2,000 years ago show that the fall and springtime runs of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) upstream were celebrated with feasting.

    Archaeologists uncover bony scutes – modified scales that resemble armor for the living fish – in places where people relied on sturgeon for subsistence.
    Logan Kistler and Natalia Przelomska

    Archaeological finds of sturgeon remains support that early colonial settlers in North America, notably those who established Jamestown in the Chesapeake Bay area in 1607, also prized these fish. When Captain John Smith was leading Jamestown, he wrote “there was more sturgeon here than could be devoured by dog or man.” The fish may have helped the survival of this fortress-colony that was both stricken with drought and fostering turbulent relationships with the Native inhabitants.

    This abundance is in stark contrast to today, when sightings of migrating fish are sparse. Exploitation during the past 300 years was the key driver of Atlantic sturgeon decline. Demand for caviar drove the relentless fishing pressure throughout the 19th century. The Chesapeake was the second-most exploited sturgeon fishery on the Eastern Seaboard up until the early 20th century, when the fish became scarce.

    Conservation biologists capture the massive fish for monitoring purposes, which includes clipping a tiny part of the fin for DNA analysis.
    Matt Balazik

    At that point, local protection regulations were established, but only in 1998 was a moratorium on harvesting these fish declared. Meanwhile, abundance of Atlantic sturgeon remained very low, which can be explained in part by their lifespan. Short-lived fish such as herring and shad can recover population numbers much faster than Atlantic sturgeon, which live for up to 60 years and take a long time to reach reproductive age – up to around 12 years for males and as many as 28 years for females.

    To help manage and restore an endangered species, conservation biologists tend to split the population into groups based on ranges. The Chesapeake Bay is one of five “distinct population segments” the U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in 2012 created for Atlantic sturgeon.

    Since then, conservationists have pioneered genetic studies on Atlantic sturgeon, demonstrating through the power of DNA that natal river – where an individual fish is born – and season of spawning are both important for distinguishing subpopulations within each regional group. Scientists have also described genetic diversity in Atlantic sturgeon; more genetic variety suggests they have more capacity to adapt when facing new, potentially challenging conditions.

    The study focused on Atlantic sturgeon from the Chesapeake Bay region, past and present. The four archaeological sites included are highlighted.
    Przelomska NAS et al., Proc. R. Soc. B 291: 20241145, CC BY

    Sturgeon DNA, then and now

    Archaeological remains are a direct source of data on genetic diversity in the past. We can analyze the genetic makeup of sturgeons that lived hundreds of years ago, before intense overfishing depleted their numbers. Then we can compare that baseline with today’s genetic diversity.

    The James River was a great case study for testing out this approach, which we call an archaeogenomics time series. Having obtained information on the archaeology of the Chesapeake region from our collaborator Leslie Reeder-Myers, we sampled remains of sturgeon – their scutes and spines – at a precolonial-era site where people lived from about 200 C.E. to about 900 C.E. We also sampled from important colonial sites Jamestown (1607-1610) and Williamsburg (1720-1775). And we complemented that data from the past with tiny clips from the fins of present-day, live fish that Balazik and his team sampled during monitoring surveys.

    Scientists separate Atlantic sturgeon scute fragments from larger collections of zooarchaeological remains, to then work on the scutes in a lab dedicated to studying ancient DNA.
    Torben Rick and Natalia Przelomska

    DNA tends to get physically broken up and biochemically damaged with age. So we relied on special protocols in a lab dedicated to studying ancient DNA to minimize the risk of contamination and enhance our chances of successfully collecting genetic material from these sturgeon.

    Atlantic sturgeon have 122 chromosomes of nuclear DNA – over five times as many as people do. We focused on a few genetic regions, just enough to get an idea of the James River population groupings and how genetically distinct they are from one another.

    We were not surprised to see that fall-spawning and spring-spawning groups were genetically distinct. What stood out, though, was how starkly different they were, which is something that can happen when a population’s numbers drop to near-extinction levels.

    We also looked at the fishes’ mitochondrial DNA, a compact molecule that is easier to obtain ancient DNA from compared with the nuclear chromosomes. With our collaborator Audrey Lin, we used the mitochondrial DNA to confirm our hypothesis that the fish from archaeological sites were more genetically diverse than present-day Atlantic sturgeon.

    Strikingly, we discovered that mitochondrial DNA did not always group the fish by season or even by their natal river. This was unexpected, because Atlantic sturgeon tend to return to their natal rivers for breeding. Our interpretation of this genetic finding is that over very long timescales – many thousands of years – changes in the global climate and in local ecosystems would have driven a given sturgeon population to migrate into a new river system, and possibly at a later stage back to its original one. This notion is supported by other recent documentation of fish occasionally migrating over long distances and mixing with new groups.

    Our study used archaeology, history and ecology together to describe the decline of Atlantic sturgeon. Based on the diminished genetic diversity we measured, we estimate that the Atlantic sturgeon populations we studied are about a fifth of what they were before colonial settlement. Less genetic variability means these smaller populations have less potential to adapt to changing conditions. Our findings will help conservationists plan into the future for the continued recovery of these living fossils.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Atlantic sturgeon were fished almost to extinction − ancient DNA reveals how Chesapeake Bay population changed over centuries – https://theconversation.com/atlantic-sturgeon-were-fished-almost-to-extinction-ancient-dna-reveals-how-chesapeake-bay-population-changed-over-centuries-241104

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Patrushev: Among the priority tasks of Roshydromet is deepening integration with other departments

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    March 20, 2025

    Dmitry Patrushev spoke at a meeting of the Roshydromet board “On the activities of Roshydromet in 2024 and tasks for 2025.”

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev spoke at a meeting of the Roshydromet board “On the activities of Roshydromet in 2024 and tasks for 2025”. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that many areas depend on the timeliness and accuracy of Roshydromet information, so it is necessary to constantly build up competencies, improving the quality of forecasting.

    “Over the years of its work, Roshydromet has built a multifunctional structure that combines human, scientific and technological potential. As a result, today the federal service is among the top five in the world. Such recognition from the professional community is very significant. You are truly implementing unique projects that have no analogues. Among your priority tasks for 2025 and for the future should be deepening integration with other departments and taking into account their needs when forming forecasts. The ability to quickly respond to adverse natural phenomena – including floods, fires, abnormal precipitation or drought – is a matter of ensuring the safety of the population and the stable functioning of the economy,” said Dmitry Patrushev.

    Speaking about the development of the Strategy for Activities in the Field of Hydrometeorology for the Period up to 2036, the Deputy Prime Minister recommended involving experts from the maximum number of industries interested in forecasts.

    In addition, according to the Deputy Prime Minister, digitalization provides opportunities for the development of interdepartmental dialogue. Roshydromet operates more than 85 software products, and a single platform of industry services is also being created.

    Dmitry Patrushev emphasized the importance of continuing the modernization of the state monitoring network. The relevant measures were previously included in the national project “Ecology”, and individual areas are included in the new national project “Ecological Well-being”.

    “The improvement of your observation methods should be based as much as possible on your own scientific and practical base. Roshydromet is quite active in this area. In particular, the ice-resistant self-propelled platform “North Pole” was built at the Admiralty Shipyards using federal funds. This is one of the unique projects that has no analogues in the world. In 2024, the first drifting Arctic polar expedition was completed on its basis, and now the platform is on its second expedition. It will provide an opportunity to obtain additional data on territories that have never been surveyed by Russian scientists before,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

    In 2025, specialists from the Russian Antarctic expedition have already completely moved to the new wintering complex of the Vostok station in Antarctica. The station is equipped with the most modern equipment, thanks to which polar explorers can work comfortably, fully providing scientific research in Antarctica. In October last year, the vessel Ivan Frolov was laid down. It should become the world’s largest scientific expedition vessel for Antarctica.

    In 2024, six meteorological satellites were launched, bringing the total to 20. In 2025, preparations are planned for flight tests of several more spacecraft.

    Roshydromet, as part of the implementation of the order of the President of Russia, has created a state system of instrumental monitoring of permafrost. Thanks to this, it has become possible for the first time to monitor its dynamics.

    Dmitry Patrushev particularly noted that, on the instructions of the President of Russia, 24 billion rubles will be allocated to increase the salaries of Roshydromet employees in the coming years, and a separate “road map” is being developed to create a system of high-quality personnel training on the instructions of the Government. Its implementation will lead to an increase in enrollment in specialized educational institutions and will help the industry to train real professionals.

    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 –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Plantation initiatives provide job opportunities 

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has announced initiatives that will significantly contribute to the sustainable management of South Africa’s plantations while creating employment opportunities.

    Through such initiatives, 1461 workers have been employed through the Expanded Public Works Programme, providing the communities within these plantations much-needed work opportunities in Category B and C plantations located in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

    “These initiatives reflect our unwavering commitment to sustainable forestry management practices and dedication to fostering economic opportunities in communities across these regions,” George said on Thursday.

    The first initiative is the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s (DFFE) commitment to planting 1 800 hectares annually. 

    It’s part of the department’s strategy to reduce temporary unplanted areas, enhance productivity, and contribute to fibre security in South Africa.

    “By addressing temporary unplanted areas, we envision that our efforts will not only strengthen the forestry sector but will also stimulate economic growth in surrounding communities through job creation and other socio-economic benefits.

    “The department remains committed to promoting the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s plantations while ensuring tangible benefits for communities living near these forestry areas,” the Minister said.

    The second initiative, also linked to the sustainable management of plantations, is the maintenance of land through strategic silvicultural 1 practices in plantations where the target has increased from 2 100 to 6 500 hectares from the 2025/26 financial year. 
    This represents an increase of over 200%.

    These silvicultural activities, which include fire risk reduction, pest and disease management, timber quality improvement, and enhanced accessibility within compartments, are essential to ensuring the long-term sustainability and productivity of these plantations.’

    By implementing these measures, the department aims to improve the value of standing timber, safeguard plantation ecosystems, and support the broader forestry industry. 

    These efforts will also stimulate rural economic growth in surrounding communities through job creation and the protection of vital natural resources. –SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces appointments 3.19.25

    Source: US State of California 2

    Mar 19, 2025

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

    Emily Warren, of Orinda, has been appointed Deputy Secretary for Innovative Mobility Solutions at the California State Transportation Agency. Warren has been an Advisory Venture Parter at Fontinalis Partners, LLC since 2019. She was Head of Public Policy at EverCharge from 2023 to 2024. Warren was Head of Public Policy at Embark Trucks from 2022 to 2023. Warren was Senior Manager of Public Policy at Amazon from 2021 to 2022. She was Senior Policy Advisor at NelsonNygaard Consulting Associates from 2020 to 2021. Warren was Senior Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Lime from 2018 to 2019. She held several roles at Lyft from 2012 to 2019, including Senior Director of Transportation Policy, Director of Transportation Policy, Director of Community Relations, Director of Community Engagement, and Community Manager. Warren was a Municipal Financial Consultant at Public Financial Management from 2011 to 2012. She was Assistant Director of External Affairs for the University of Pennsylvania from 2009 to 2010. Warren is a member of the National Center of Sustainable Transportation Leadership Council and the University of California, Los Angeles Institute of Transportation Studies Advisory Board. She earned a Master of Public Administration degree in Public Finance from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Critical Gender Studies from the University of California, San Diego. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $176,004. Warren is a Democrat.

    Eva Spiegel, of Davis, has been appointed Deputy Director of Communications at the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Spiegel was Senior Communications Specialist at Kearns & West from 2021 to 2025. She was Founder and Principal of Spiegel Communications from 2019 to 2021. Spiegel was Director of Communications for the League of California Cities from 2007 to 2019. She was Director of Broadcast Operations and Special Projects at the American Communications Foundation from 1995 to 2006. Spiegel earned a Master of Arts degree in Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts from California State University, San Francisco, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science for the University of California, Davis. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $150,000. Spiegel is a Democrat.

    Suzy Shuster, of Beverly Hills, has been appointed to the California Film Commission. Shuster has been Co-Host and Executive Producer of Women’s Sports Now on RokuChannel since 2025, Co-Host of the What the Football Podcast since 2023, and Guest Host on The Rich Eisen Show since 2014. Shuster was a Host/Reporter for University of Southern California Trojans Pregame Show on ESPN 710 from 2003 to 2009. Shuster was a reporter for ABC Sports from 2003 to 2006. She was a Reporter for the NBA on TNT from 2004 to 2006. Shuster was a Reporter/Host of Fox Sports Net and Fox Sports West from 2000 to 2002. She was a Producer for Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel from 1988 to 1999. Shuster was a Producer for ESPN’s SportsCenter from 1997 to 1999. She is a member of the Board of Hillel at Columbia. Shuster earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Art History from Columbia University. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Shuster is a Democrat.

    Thomas “Tom” Huntington, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the State Park and Recreation Commission. Huntington has been a Consultant in Non-Profit Organization and Foundation Management since 2013. He was the Western Regional Development Director for the Environmental Defense Fund from 1985 to 2013. Huntington was a River Protection Campaign Coordinator and the Executive Director for the Friends of the River Foundation from 1977 to 1984. He was the Regional Manager and River Guide at OARS Inc. Adventure Travel from 1974 to 1984. Huntington earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Teaching from the University of Oregon. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Huntington is a Democrat.

    Press Releases, Recent News

    Recent news

    Mar 19, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring March 2025, as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below: PROCLAMATIONCalifornia is proud to join states around the…

    Mar 19, 2025

    News What you need to know: In the first two months of 2025, California National Guard’s Counter Drug Task Force has seized 1,045 pounds of illicit fentanyl with a street valuation of $6.8 million. SACRAMENTO – Continuing an enhanced focus in 2025 to combat the…

    Mar 19, 2025

    News What you need to know: 51 projects — including 46 independent features — will generate nearly $580 million in economic activity and employ over 6,490 cast and crew thanks to California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program. HOLLYWOOD — Governor Newsom today…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Orezone Gold Reports Record Revenue and Net Income for 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE, OTCQX: ORZCF) (“Orezone” or “Company”) is pleased to report its operational and financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024, and its 2025 guidance.   All dollar amounts are in USD unless otherwise indicated and abbreviation “M” means million.

    Highlights

    • Q4-2024 gold production of 36,502 oz, a 37% increase from the previous quarter.  
    • 2024 gold production of 118,746 oz, exceeding the mid-point of guidance.
    • AISC per oz sold of $1,273 for Q4-2024 and $1,447 for 2024.
    • Record revenue of $283.5M from the sale of 118,697 gold oz at an average realized price of $2,384 per oz in 2024. Gold sales remain unhedged to rising gold prices.
    • 2024 Adjusted EBITDA of $117.2M, Net Income attributable to Orezone shareholders of $55.7M and Earnings per Share attributable to Orezone shareholders of $0.14 and $0.13 on a basic and diluted basis, respectively.
    • Liquidity of $103.2M at year-end with cash of $74.0M and undrawn debt of $29.2M available to finance 2025 growth plans.
    • Stage 1 of hard rock expansion progress continues with first gold on track for Q4-2025.
    • Advancing work towards a secondary listing on the Australian Securities Exchange in mid-2025.

    Patrick Downey, President and CEO, commented “Strong Q4-2024 gold production of 36,502 oz helped deliver another record year for revenue of $283.5 million and net income of $64.1 million while meeting annual production guidance for a second consecutive year. Importantly, Orezone commenced construction of its hard rock expansion in the second half of 2024, a main step towards sustained production growth and setting the foundation for a transformational 2025 where we expect to pour first gold on this brownfield expansion in Q4-2025. First stage of the hard rock expansion is expected to increase the Company’s annual gold production to 170,000 – 185,000 oz in 2026.

    With continued strong gold prices and the closing of recent financings, the Company is well-placed to make further strategic investments in its Bomboré Mine by undertaking additional discovery-focused exploration on high potential targets and evaluating an accelerated start to the second stage of the hard rock expansion which would further increase annual gold production to 220,000 – 250,000 oz.

    The accomplishments achieved in 2024 is a testament to the strength of our team underpinned by the support of our community and government partners, and new and existing shareholders. We remain steadfast in our goal of creating lasting value for all stakeholders.”

    Highlights for Fourth Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2024 and Significant Subsequent Events

    (All mine site figures on a 100% basis)   Q4-2024 Q4-2023 FY2024 FY2023
    Operating Performance          
    Gold production oz 36,502 33,916 118,746 141,425
    Gold sales oz 34,833 33,782 118,697 139,696
    Average realized gold price $/oz 2,632 1,986 2,384 1,940
    Cash costs per gold ounce sold1 $/oz 1,077 1,083 1,233 972
    All-in sustaining costs1 (“AISC”) per gold ounce sold $/oz 1,273 1,246 1,447 1,127
    Financial Performance          
    Revenue $000s 91,837 67,580 283,517 271,491
    Earnings from mine operations $000s 45,321 16,108 117,710 97,150
    Net income attributable to shareholders of Orezone1 $000s 30,091 4,012 55,711 43,146
    Net income per common share attributable to shareholders of Orezone          
    Basic $ 0.06 0.01 0.14 0.12
    Diluted $ 0.06 0.01 0.13 0.12
    EBITDA1 $000s 48,139 15,308 128,307 108,418
    Adjusted EBITDA1 $000s 45,058 26,702 117,233 120,036
    Adjusted earnings attributable to shareholders of Orezone1 $000s 27,550 14,267 45,977 53,665
    Adjusted earnings per share attributable to shareholders of Orezone1 $ 0.06 0.04 0.11 0.15
    Cash and Cash Flow Data          
    Operating cash flow before changes in working capital $000s 52,520 28,167 98,444 123,029
    Operating cash flow $000s 28,020 13,891 57,697 79,950
    Free cash flow1 $000s 12,543 682 11,725 36,172
    Cash, end of period $000s 74,021 19,483 74,021 19,483

    1 Cash costs, AISC, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted earnings, Adjusted earnings per share, and Free cash flow are non-IFRS measures. See “Non-IFRS Measures” section below for additional information.

    Full Year 2024 Highlights

    • Outstanding Safety Performance: 5.4M hours worked without a lost-time injury and a low total recordable injury frequency rate of 0.75.
    • Strong Liquidity: Available liquidity of $103.2M at year-end with $74.0M in cash and XOF 17.5 billion ($29.2M) available to be drawn on the Phase II debt facility with Coris Bank International (“Coris Bank”). The Company is well-funded to carry out its 2025 growth plans including the completion of stage 1 of the Phase II hard rock expansion and a minimum 20,000 m diamond drilling exploration program.    
    • Gold Production Guidance Achieved: Gold production of 118,746 oz which exceeded the mid-point of guidance, marking the second consecutive year that the Bomboré Mine has met production guidance since the start up of operations.
    • AISC Per Oz Within Updated Guidance: AISC per oz of $1,447 was within the updated guidance range with operating costs impacted by higher-than-anticipated government royalties and power costs. Relative to original guidance, government royalties were $31 per oz higher due to a better realized gold price and power costs were $57 per oz higher from lower-than-normal grid availability due to regional power issues in the H1-2024. These two cost overrun contributors were both out of the Company’s control and if their cost impacts were removed, original AISC guidance of $1,300 per oz to $1,375 per oz would have been met.
    • Record Annual Revenue: Revenue of $283.5M from the sale of 118,697 gold oz at a realized gold price of $2,384 per oz. The Company’s gold sales remain unhedged to rising gold prices.
    • Record EBITDA, Net Income, and Earnings Per Share: Reported record EBITDA of $128.3M and net income attributable to Orezone shareholders of $55.7M, primarily driven by a 23% increase in the realized gold price from the prior year. Net income per share attributable to Orezone shareholders was a record $0.14 per share on a basic basis and $0.13 per share on a diluted basis.
    • Continued Free Cash Flow Generation: Generated free cash flow of $11.7M with cash flow from operating activities totalling $98.4M after deducting taxes paid of $26.2M but before changes in non-cash working capital. Non-cash working capital increased by $40.7M primarily from the build-up of VAT receivables and long-term ore stockpiles. Cash flow used in investing activities totalled $46.0M as capital expenditures remained elevated as the Company executes on its growth initiatives including the Phase II hard rock expansion.
    • Phase II Hard Rock Expansion on Track for First Gold in 2025: The Company’s Board approved a positive construction decision on stage 1 of the Phase II hard rock expansion on July 10, 2024 after the Company had secured $105M in binding debt and equity commitments described below for the construction. Under stage 1, a 2.5M tonnes per annum (“tpa”) process plant will be built to recover gold from hard rock mineral reserves which is expected to increase future production levels by 50% to over 170,000 oz per annum. First gold for stage 1 of the Phase II expansion remains on track for Q4-2025 with commercial production expected shortly thereafter in early 2026.
    • Phase I Debt Reduced, Bridge Loan Repaid, and Phase II Expansion Financing Secured: Principal repayments totalling XOF 24.0 billion ($39.3M) were made on the Company’s senior borrowings with Coris Bank, including the extinguishment of the XOF 12.0 billion ($19.8M) bridge loan. On August 8, 2024, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement for net proceeds of C$64.8M ($47.3M) with a new cornerstone investor, Nioko Resources Corporation (“Nioko”), a leading West African investment group. On December 19, 2024, the Company successfully upsized its senior debt facility with Coris Bank through a new term loan for XOF 35.0 billion ($58.3M) (“Phase II Term Loan”) to be drawn in multiple tranches as construction progresses. The Company made its first drawdown of XOF 17.5 billion ($27.9M) on the Phase II Term Loan in December 2024.
    • Multi-year Exploration Drill Program Initiated: In August 2024, the Company initiated a multi-year discovery focused drill program with an initial 30,000 m of drilling designed to test the broader size and scale of the Bomboré mineralized system. Initial results from drilling at the North Zone intercepted mineralization 240 m below the current reserve pit limit, including 1.67 g/t gold over 46.00 m, demonstrating the continuity and robustness of the mineralized system at depth, both in terms of grade and overall width (see October 10, 2024 news release).

    Q4-2024 Highlights

    • Gold Production: Quarterly gold production of 36,502 oz increased 37% from Q3-2024 as a result of record plant throughput and improved head grades. Mining extended to Siga East and Siga South pits for a full quarter which contributed a greater blend of soft oxide ore at higher grades to the mill feed.
    • AISC Per Oz: AISC per oz sold was $1,273 per oz, a 23% decrease from Q3-2024, driven mainly by improved gold production as a result of higher grades and better plant throughput.
    • EBITDA, Net Income, and Earnings Per Share: Reported EBITDA of $48.1M and net income attributable to Orezone shareholders of $30.1M. Net income per share attributable to Orezone shareholders was $0.06 per share on both a basic and diluted basis.
    • Free Cash Flow: Generated free cash flow of $12.5M with cash flow from operating activities totalling $52.5M after deducting taxes paid of $6.3M but before changes in non-cash working capital. Cash flow used in investing activities totalled $15.5M as expenditures for the Phase II hard rock expansion began to ramp up.

    Events Subsequent to 2024 Year-End

    • Bought Deal Offering: On March 13, 2025, the Company closed on a public offering of common shares on a bought deal basis with Canaccord Genuity Corp. (“Canaccord”) pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell 42,683,000 common shares at a price of C$0.82 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of C$35,000,060. Net proceeds from the offering will be used to conduct early works for stage 2 of the Phase II hard rock expansion and for additional exploration. Under stage 2, processing capacity of the hard rock plant will double from the 2.5Mtpa design in stage 1 to 5.0Mtpa after completion of stage 2.
    • Over-allotment Exercise: Canaccord has exercised its over-allotment in full on the bought deal offering and has agreed to purchase an additional 6,402,450 common shares at a price of C$0.82 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of C$5,250,009. The purchase of shares from the over-allotment closed on March 19, 2025.
    • Private Placement with Nioko: The Company has announced that Nioko intends to acquire, on a non-brokered private placement basis, for 10,719,659 additional common shares at a price of C$0.82 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of C$8,790,121 to maintain its 19.9% share ownership (before the over-allotment exercise). Closing of this private placement is subject to approval of the TSX and is anticipated to occur in late March 2025.
    • Intention to List on the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”): The Company intends to pursue a secondary listing on the ASX by mid-2025, subject to market conditions and the satisfaction of ASX listing requirements as announced in its February 23, 2025 press release. The Company believes a dual listing on the ASX will increase trading liquidity and allow it to access a deeper pool of investors, including specialist mining focused funds.

    2024 Performance and 2025 Guidance

    2024 Performance Compared Against Guidance

    Bomboré Mine (100% basis) Unit Original
    FY2024 Guidance    		 Revised
    FY2024 Guidance4    		 FY2024
    Actuals
    Gold production Au oz 110,000 – 125,000 Unchanged  118,746
    All-In Sustaining Costs123 $/oz Au sold $1,300 – $1,375 $1,400 – $1,475 $1,447
    Sustaining capital12 $M $14 – $15 Unchanged $16.0
    Growth capital – non Phase II Expansion12 $M $16 – $17 Unchanged $17.6
    Growth capital – Phase II Expansion early works12 $M No guidance provided $3.6 $3.6
    Growth capital – Phase II Expansion12 $M No guidance provided $15.0 – $18.0 $15.3
    1. Non-IFRS measures. See “Non-IFRS Measures” section below for additional information.
    2. Foreign exchange rates used to forecast cost metrics include XOF/USD of 600 and CAD/USD of 1.30.
    3. Government royalties of $160/oz included in original AISC guidance based on an assumed gold price of $2,000 per oz. Government royalties of $200/oz were estimated in the revised AISC guidance from a better gold price realized.
    4. Revised guidance details presented in Q3-2024 MD&A.

    2025 Guidance

    Bomboré Mine (100% basis) Unit FY2025 Guidance
    Gold production Au oz 115,000 – 130,000
    All-In Sustaining Costs123 $/oz Au sold $1,400 – $1,500
    Sustaining capital12 $M $9 – $10
    Growth capital (excluding Phase II Expansion)12 $M $44 – $51
    Growth capital – Stage 1 of Phase II Expansion12 $M $75 – $80
    1. Non-IFRS measure. See “Non-IFRS Measures” section below for additional information.
    2. Foreign exchange rates used to forecast cost metrics include XOF/USD of 600 and CAD/USD of 1.35.
    3. Government royalties included in AISC guidance based on an assumed gold price of $2,600 per oz.

    Gold production in 2025 is forecasted to range between 115,000 to 130,000 oz, with the highest production expected in the fourth quarter from the scheduled start-up of the Phase II hard rock plant. Projected gold production from hard rock reserves is between 5,000 to 10,000 oz with actual production dependent on the timing and ramp-up of the new hard rock circuit. Gold production from the existing Phase I oxide plant is guided between 110,000 to 120,000 oz, similar to that achieved in 2024.

    Mining will be concentrated within three main pits delivering most of the direct feed ore with the H pit in the North Zone, and the Siga East and Siga South pits in the South Zone. The 2025 mine plan calls for 22.4M tonnes to be mined by the mining contractor at a strip ratio of approximately 1.8.   The mining contractor placed new excavators, dump trucks, and support equipment into service in November 2024 and is organizing to mobilize additional equipment to site later this year in preparation for the start-up of hard rock mining.

    AISC in 2025 is expected to range between $1,400 to $1,500 per oz sold. AISC per oz is expected to be comparable to 2024 with a small decrease in head grades, an increased strip ratio, and greater government royalties from a higher assumed gold price offset by lower sustaining capital, higher grid utilization, and higher plant throughput from fewer power interruptions and enhanced maintenance practices.

    Sustaining capital is budgeted to fall within the range of $9M to $10M with expenditures directed towards the completion of tailings storage facility (“TSF”) stage 4 lift, extension of the main haul road and perimeter fencing at the southern end of the mining permit, and other capital improvements to the process plant, camp, and mine support equipment and facilities.

    Growth capital is expected to range between $119M to $131M on four major growth projects:

    No. Growth Capital Description Unit FY2025 Guidance
    I. Phase II Hard Rock Expansion – Stage 1 $M $75 – $80
    II. Permanent Back-up Diesel Power Plant $M $22 – $24
    III. TSF Footprint Expansion – Cell 2 $M $11 – $13
    IV. Resettlement Action Plan (“RAP”) $M $11 – $14
      Growth Capital Total $M $119 – $131
           
      Phase II Hard Rock Expansion – Stage 2 $M No guidance provided

    The Company has reserved guidance on 2025 expenditures for stage 2 of the Phase II hard rock expansion until the Company’s Board of Directors has issued a final investment decision to proceed with stage 2 expected later this year. Stage 2 would increase annual gold production to 220,000 – 250,000 oz.  

    I.      Phase II Hard Rock Expansion – Stage 1

    A new 2.5Mtpa hard rock plant to process fresh and lower transition ore is currently under construction and once completed, will operate in tandem with the existing Phase I oxide plant. The current flowsheet for stage 1 of this brownfield expansion consists of a primary jaw crusher, an 18-hour crushed ore stockpile, a single stage 9MW SAG mill, hydrocyclones, and a carbon-in-leach (“CIL”) circuit consisting of five 15.8 m diameter leach tanks. Loaded carbon will be treated in the shared gold recovery circuit, producing gold doré bars from the existing gold room. Tailings from the CIL circuit will be pumped into the expanded tailings facility.

    The Company completed a comprehensive review of the construction progress and costing as part of its annual budgeting exercise for 2025. From this review, schedule to first gold remains in Q4-2025 with a project budget of $90M – $95M with $75M – $80M forecasted in 2025.

    II.      Permanent Back-Up Diesel Power Plant

    A new diesel power plant will be installed to provide continuous power to both the Phase I oxide plant and Phase II hard rock plant when the national grid is unavailable or unable to provide stable power.

    Following a competitive tender, the Company awarded the engineering, supply, installation, and commissioning of this new power plant to Africa Power Services (“APS”). APS will supply 18 Caterpillar diesel gensets with 1.8MW rated capacity each that will function as back-up units to the grid to meet the 18MW to 20MW load demand of both processing circuits. This new power plant is scheduled for final commissioning in October 2025 and will replace the APS genset rentals that are currently providing power on a back-up basis.

    III.      TSF Footprint Expansion – Cell 2

    The TSF starter dam over the Cell 1 footprint was completed prior to the start of processing operations in 2022. Lifts of the Cell 1 embankment walls have been completed each year to add storage to hold the volume of tailings expected to be generated by the mine for the upcoming year. The stage 4 lift is currently in progress and is slated for completion in June 2025 with costs captured under sustaining capital.

    To optimize costs of future tailings lifts and to meet the higher annual storage requirements from the Phase II hard rock expansion, work to expand the TSF footprint southwards into Cell 2 will begin in 2025 and continue into 2026, and include the HDPE lining of the Cell 2 basin and installation of underdrainage to improve water recovery and dam stability. Cell 2 will cover the ultimate TSF footprint and is designed to ensure that future annual lifts will provide sufficient storage of tailings generated each year by the combined oxide and expanded stage 2 (5Mtpa) hard rock operations.

    IV.      Resettlement Action Plan – Phases II, III, and IV

    RAP Phases II and III commenced in 2023 and will see the construction of three new resettlement communities (MV3, MV2, and BV2) to help relocate households occupying areas within the southern half of the Bomboré mining permit. Both MV3 and MV2 were successfully completed in 2024 followed by the start of BV2 construction in late 2024.

    RAP Phase IV was presented as part of the Environment Social Impact Assessment (“ESIA”) submitted by the Company in 2024 to expand the current mining permit by an additional 5.56 km2.

    Construction costs of $8.0M to $10.0M are forecasted in 2025 to complete the remaining construction of BV2 by October 2025 and for the anticipated start of RAP Phase IV construction in Q4-2025. RAP costs of $3.0M to $4.0M are estimated for compensation, consultants, relocation allowances, and livelihood restoration programs.

    Revenue Protection Program for 2025

    The Company has implemented a low-cost revenue protection program for approximately half of its forecasted gold production in 2025 by purchasing 60,000 oz of put options with a strike price of $2,300 per oz at a cost of $0.8M. These options were acquired in November 2024 from a leading Canadian chartered bank and are structured as a monthly program of 5,000 oz options with option expiries at each month-end.

    The purchase of put options allows the Company to secure margin on its gold sales should gold prices fall significantly while retaining full upside to rising gold prices. The Company invested in these put options due to the large capital programs planned for 2025.

    Bomboré Gold Mine, Burkina Faso (100% Basis)

    Operating Highlights   Q4-2024   Q4-2023   FY2024 FY2023  
    Safety          
    Lost-time injuries frequency rate per 1M hrs 0.00   0.00   0.00 0.00  
    Personnel-hours worked 000s hours 1,326   1,301   5,366 4,394  
    Mining Physicals          
    Ore tonnes mined tonnes 2,063,262   2,883,006   7,889,973 9,247,175  
    Waste tonnes mined tonnes 2,655,783   3,048,669   11,921,398 11,237,079  
    Total tonnes mined tonnes 4,719,045   5,931,675   19,811,370 20,484,254  
    Strip ratio waste:ore 1.29   1.06   1.51 1.22  
    Processing Physicals          
    Ore tonnes milled tonnes 1,652,844   1,449,769   5,928,599 5,749,163  
    Head grade milled Au g/t 0.77   0.82   0.71 0.85  
    Recovery rate % 89.1   88.9   88.2 90.4  
    Gold produced Au oz 36,502   33,916   118,746 141,425  
    Unit Cash Cost          
    Mining cost per tonne $/tonne 3.50   3.05   3.49 3.01  
    Mining cost per ore tonne processed $/tonne 7.37   6.31   8.44 6.77  
    Processing cost $/tonne 7.00   10.84   8.27 10.14  
    Site general and admin (“G&A”) cost $/tonne 4.07   4.85   3.90 3.95  
    Cash cost per ore1tonne processed $/tonne 18.44   22.00   20.61 20.86  
    Cash Costs and AISC Details          
    Mining cost (net of stockpile movements) $000s 12,174   9,146   50,008 38,932  
    Processing cost $000s 11,563   15,719   49,049 58,285  
    Site G&A cost $000s 6,719   7,036   23,124 22,707  
    Refining and transport cost $000s 193   141   497 519  
    Government royalty cost $000s 7,512   5,163   22,739 17,508  
    Gold inventory movements $000s (647 ) (606 ) 892 (2,190 )
    Cash costs on a sales basis $000s 37,514   36,599   146,309 135,761  
    Sustaining capital $000s 4,245   3,558   15,997 14,002  
    Sustaining leases $000s 73   73   292 301  
    Corporate G&A cost $000s 2,511   1,874   9,154 7,325  
    All-In Sustaining Costs1on a sales basis $000s 44,343   42,104   171,752 157,389  
    Gold sold Au oz 34,833   33,782   118,697 139,696  
    Cash costs per gold ounce sold1 $/oz 1,077   1,083   1,233 972  
    All-In Sustaining Costs per gold ounce sold1 $/oz 1,273   1,246   1,447 1,127  

    1 Non-IFRS measure. See “Non-IFRS Measures” section below for additional details.

    Bomboré Production Results

    Q4-2024 vs Q4-2023

    Gold production in Q4-2024 was 36,502 oz, an increase of 8% from the 33,916 oz produced in Q4-2023. The higher gold production is attributable to a 14% increase in plant throughput offset by a 6% decrease in head grades.

    The better head grades in Q4-2023 were from the sequencing of higher-grade pits in earlier periods of the mine plan and greater ore release from more tonnes mined allowing for the stockpiling of lower-grade ore. More tonnes were mined in Q4-2023 as a second mining contractor was utilized to assist with mining volumes.

    Plant throughput of 1.65M tonnes in Q4-2024 hit a new quarterly record as processing operations benefitted from higher hourly throughput, greater blend of soft oxide ore, and less maintenance. Improvements to hourly plant throughput were successfully instituted in July 2024 by increasing the mill power and reducing residence time in the CIL circuit with only a minor effect to recovery rates. Mining at the new Siga East and Siga South pits for a full quarter in Q4-2024 resulted in the release of more tonnes of softer oxide ore while completion of all scheduled major plant maintenance in earlier quarters of the year combined with high grid availability resulted in less plant downtime.

    2024 vs 2023

    Gold production in 2024 was 118,746 oz, a decline of 16% from the 141,425 oz produced in 2023. The lower gold production is attributable to a 16% decrease in head grades and a 2% decrease in plant recoveries, partially offset by a 3% increase in plant throughput.

    Head grades in 2023 were higher from the sequencing of higher-grade pits in earlier periods of the mine plan and the processing of high-grade stockpiles accumulated during the Phase I construction, with such stockpiles being fully depleted by June 2023.

    Plant recoveries were lower in 2024 as a direct result of lower head grades, a greater blend of transition ore, and less residence in the CIL circuit.

    Plant throughput was higher in 2024 from the operating procedures followed in the H2-2024 to maximize hourly plant throughput.

    Bomboré Operating Costs

    Q4-2024 vs Q4-2023

    AISC per gold oz sold in Q4-2024 was $1,273, a 2% increase from $1,246 per oz sold in Q4-2023. The higher AISC is the result of: (a) lower head grades; (b) greater per oz royalty costs from a 33% increase in the realized gold price ($2,632/oz vs $1,986/oz) coupled with higher royalty rates that took effect in October 2023; and (c) increased mining costs attributable to deeper pits, drill-and-blast associated with harder transition ore, and higher strip ratio. This cost increase was partially offset by a reduction in power costs from the switch to lower-cost grid power in February 2024 (92% grid utilization in Q4-2024) and from a 14% jump in plant throughput resulting in economies for fixed costs.

    Cash cost per ore tonne processed in Q4-2024 was $18.44 per tonne, a decrease of 16% from $22.00 per tonne in Q4-2023, as a result of the use of lower-cost grid power and a 14% increase in plant throughput positively impacting unit cost for processing ($7.00/tonne vs $10.84/tonne) and site G&A ($4.07/tonne vs $4.85/tonne), partially offset by a 17% increase in mining costs per ore tonne processed ($7.37/tonne vs $6.31/tonne) attributable to higher strip ratio and unit mining cost.

    Mining cost per tonne has increased in Q4-2024 when compared to Q4-2023 ($3.50/tonne vs $3.05/tonne) as lower benches in the pits in the Northern Zone are mined resulting in longer hauls and more transition material that requires some drill-and-blast prior to excavation and greater rehandle prior to feeding into the dump pocket on the ROM pad combined with more grade control drilling for the new Siga pits.

    Processing costs per ore tonne decreased in Q4-2024 when compared to Q4-2023 ($7.00/tonne vs $10.84/tonne) mainly from the continuing cost benefit of utilizing grid power which has lowered power cost from $5.57/tonne in Q4-2023 to $2.39/tonne in Q4-2024, a drop of $3.18/tonne. Grid performance remained reliable and steady in Q4-2024 with 92% utilization, consistent with utilization in Q3-2024, and a significant improvement from Q2-2024 when grid utilization was 34% as issues with the supply system in Ghana and Côte D’Ivoire temporarily reduced power export into Burkina Faso.

    2024 vs 2023

    AISC per gold oz sold in 2024 was $1,447, a 28% increase from $1,127 per oz sold in 2023. The higher AISC is primarily the result of a 16% decline in head grades, higher government royalties from a better realized gold price and higher royalty rates, higher strip ratio and unit cost for mining, and moderate increases in sustaining capital and corporate G&A, partially offset by a reduction in processing costs from the switch to grid power as the primary power source in February 2024.

    Bomboré Growth Capital Projects

    Grid Power Connection

    The powerline to connect Bomboré to Burkina Faso’s national energy grid was successfully energized in February 2024. As of December 31, 2024, the Company has incurred costs of $19.9M, of which $0.2M was incurred in Q4-2024 and $1.6M in 2024. The Company plans to make minor upgrades to the grid connection in 2025 by installing equipment and software that will reduce the quantity of reactive power and hence, surcharges imposed by SONABEL, the state-owned electricity company of Burkina Faso.

    RAP Phases II and III

    Construction of MV3 and MV2 resettlement sites and the relocation of families to their new homes at these sites were completed in 2024. Construction on the BV2 resettlement site commenced in Q4-2024. Compensation payments to affected residents for loss of land, crops, trees, and private structures were also made in the year.

    As of December 31, 2024, the Company has incurred project-to-date costs of $26.5M for RAP Phases II and III, of which $4.3M was incurred in Q4-2024 and $16.0M in 2024.

    Phase II Hard Rock Expansion

    First gold remains on schedule and costs are trending in line with the most recent control budget. The concentrated scope of this expansion when compared to a greenfield project significantly reduces schedule and budget risks with start-up to benefit from the well-established mining, processing, and maintenance teams already on site.

    Construction of stage 1 of Phase II hard rock expansion was officially approved by the Company’s Board in early July 2024. To maintain first gold by Q4-2025, the Company undertook early work activities in H1-2024 which included front-end engineering and design, geotechnical investigations, additional office and camp accommodations, 18MW SAG mill order placement (subsequently cancelled), and bulk earthworks on the new plant layout.

    Lycopodium Minerals Canada (“Lycopodium”) was awarded the engineering and procurement contract and was chosen for their successful track record of designing and constructing numerous gold plants in West Africa, including the Company’s oxide plant that is currently in operations and exceeding nameplate design.

    Progress and milestones achieved on the expansion in 2024 include:

    • Engineering and drafting progress stood at 52% and ahead of plan. All bulk quantities, including concrete, structural steel, and platework, remain in line with budget.
    • Procurement was at 82% of total supply value with all long lead equipment ordered, including a 9MW SAG mill.
    • Early mobilization of concrete contractor with first concrete pour completed in November, three months ahead of schedule.
    • Tender of the structural, mechanical, and piping (“SMP”) contract with contract awarded shortly after year-end.

    All major site installation contracts (concrete, SMP, electrical and instrumentation, and mill installation) have been awarded to the same contractors that successfully delivered on the Phase I oxide construction.

    As of December 31, 2024, the Company has incurred $15.3M in costs for the Phase II hard rock expansion exclusive of the $3.6M spent on early work activities in 2024.

    NON-IFRS MEASURES

    The Company has included certain terms or performance measures commonly used in the mining industry that is not defined under IFRS, including “cash costs”, “AISC”, “EBITDA”, “adjusted EBITDA”, “adjusted earnings”, “adjusted earnings per share”, and “free cash flow”. Non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore, they may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company uses such measures to provide additional information and they should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. For a complete description of how the Company calculates such measures and reconciliation of certain measures to IFRS terms, refer to “Non-IFRS Measures” in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024 which is incorporated by reference herein.

    CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST

    The consolidated financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis are available at www.orezone.com and on the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Orezone will host a conference call and audio webcast to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2024 results on March 20, 2025:

    Webcast
    Date:    Thursday, March 20, 2025
    Time:    8:00 am Pacific time (11:00 am Eastern time)
    Please register for the webcast here:  Orezone 2024 Year-End Results and 2025 Guidance

    Conference Call 
    Toll-free in U.S. and Canada: 1-800-715-9871
    International callers: +646-307-1963
    Event ID: 9731374

    QUALIFIED PERSONS

    The scientific and technical information in this news release was reviewed and approved by Mr. Rob Henderson, P. Eng, Vice-President of Technical Services and Mr. Dale Tweed, P. Eng., Vice-President of Engineering, both of whom are Qualified Persons as defined under NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

    ABOUT OREZONE GOLD CORPORATION

    Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE OTCQX: ORZCF) is a West African gold producer engaged in mining, developing, and exploring its 90%-owned flagship Bomboré Gold Mine in Burkina Faso. The Company completed construction of its oxide only process plant in August 2022 and achieved commercial production on its oxide operations on December 1, 2022. The Company is expanding operations and gold production by constructing stage 1 of a Phase II hard rock plant that is expected to materially increase annual and life-of-mine gold production from the processing of hard rock mineral reserves.   Orezone is led by an experienced team focused on social responsibility and sustainability with a proven track record in project construction and operations, financings, capital markets, and M&A.   

    The technical report entitled Bomboré Phase II Expansion, Definitive Feasibility Study is available on SEDAR+ and the Company’s website.

    Patrick Downey
    President and Chief Executive Officer

    Kevin MacKenzie
    Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations

    Tel: 1 778 945 8977
    info@orezone.com / www.orezone.com

    For further information please contact Orezone at +1 (778) 945-8977 or visit the Company’s website at www.orezone.com.

    The Toronto Stock Exchange neither approves nor disapproves the information contained in this news release.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains certain information that constitutes “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian Securities laws and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws (together, “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as “plan”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “potential”, “possible” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may”, “will”, “could”, or “should” occur, and include, amongst other statements, the Phase II hard rock expansion will increase annual gold production and is expected to pour first gold in Q4-2025.

    All forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, terrorist or other violent attacks, the failure of parties to contracts to honour contractual commitments, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, accidents and equipment breakdowns, political risk, unanticipated changes in key management personnel, the spread of diseases, epidemics and pandemics diseases, market or business conditions, the failure of exploration programs, including drilling programs, to deliver anticipated results and the failure of ongoing and uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, and other factors described in the Company’s most recent annual information form and management’s discussion and analysis filed on SEDAR+ on www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

    Forward-looking statements are based on the applicable assumptions and factors management considers reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information available to management at such time. These assumptions and factors include, but are not limited to, assumptions and factors related to the Company’s ability to carry on current and future operations, including: development and exploration activities; the timing, extent, duration and economic viability of such operations, including any mineral resources or reserves identified thereby; the accuracy and reliability of estimates, projections, forecasts, studies and assessments; the Company’s ability to meet or achieve estimates, projections and forecasts; the availability and cost of inputs; the price and market for outputs, including gold; foreign exchange rates; taxation levels; the timely receipt of necessary approvals or permits; the ability to meet current and future obligations; the ability to obtain timely financing on reasonable terms when required; the current and future social, economic and political conditions; and other assumptions and factors generally associated with the mining industry.

    Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Aberdeen among knowledge exchange award winners The University of Aberdeen were among the winners at the 10th Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards on 19 March.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Winners at the 10th Scottish Knowledge Exchange AwardsThe University of Aberdeen were among the winners at the 10th Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards on 19 March.
    The University, along with partners Vertebrate Antibodies-EpitogenX Ltd, picked up the Powerful Partnership award for their work developing AI-powered diagnostics using Epitogen® technology to detect autoimmune and infectious diseases.
    The internationally recognised collaboration was praised by organisers for yielding “world-first solutions, fostering global recognition, creating skilled talent, and driving economic and health advancements.”
    Read more about this collaborative project
    The event held at the Edinburgh Futures Institute brought together Scotland’s rich ecosystem of talent to celebrate transformational collaborations between businesses, communities, universities, colleges, and research institutes which are solving industry challenges, improving productivity, advancing research and supporting Scotland’s ambition to be one of the most innovative small nations in the world.
    Developments in renewable energy, mental health, medicine and food and drink scooped awards across 10 categories.
    Business Minister Richard Lochhead said: “It was good to see the full breadth of academic and business-led innovation on show at Interface’s annual awards.
    “It demonstrated why our expertise in so many sectors is revered around the world, from renewable energy and health technology, to food and drink.
    “Scotland has been at the forefront of many of the world’s most impactful innovations, from the MRI Scanner and penicillin to televisions and telephones. Yet, by combining research and business, so many new and exciting Scottish breakthroughs are just on the horizon and that is something we should all champion.”
    Amelia Whitelaw, Director of Interface, which organises the Awards, said: “The Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards celebrate successful partnerships where knowledge is shared to create new solutions. The nominees and winners we are celebrating exemplify how collaboration drives valuable advancements. These partnerships have led to the development of new technologies, products, and services that contribute to economic progress and societal benefit. Their innovations are not only transforming Scotland but also have the potential to make a global impact.”
    The in full:
    Innovation of the Year – sponsored by HGF Ltd
    SolarSub Ltd, in collaboration with the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) at the University of Strathclyde, for refining the design of a solar panel cooling system, optimising it for manufacturing and scalability. Additionally, in partnership with Heriot-Watt University, the technology underwent rigorous field trials to evaluate its performance under extreme heat conditions, ensuring its robustness and efficacy.
    Innovator of the Future – sponsored by Highlands and Islands Enterprise
    Joint winners: Dr Dayi Zhang and Matthew Gibson
    Dr Dayi Zhang, Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate working with the University of Strathclyde and Inspectahire Instrument Co. Ltd for developing a portable, non-invasive ultrasonic device that revolutionises whisky cask monitoring. Designed for Scotland’s iconic whisky industry, the device enhances safety, reduces costs, and minimises carbon emissions, aligning with net zero goals. This innovation preserves cultural heritage while driving environmental progress and local economic growth.
    Matthew Gibson, KTP Associate working with the University of Strathclyde and Ailsa Reliability Solutions Ltd, is creating the next generation of data-driven condition monitoring solutions for the oil and gas sector. This project is developing the Vision© reliability platform and has demonstrated reduced machine downtime and energy waste, in pursuit of net zero and sustainable engineering processes.
    Inward Investment Impact – sponsored by International Social Enterprise Observatory

    Canon Medical Research Europe and the University of Edinburgh for bringing new AI Innovation and thinking to the heart of the business. The relationship contributed to increased inward investment and headcount in Canon Edinburgh as well as new collaborative research funding opportunities in the research and translation of Causal AI.
    Knowledge Exchange Champion – sponsored by Knowledge Exchange UK
    Winner: Professor John Bachtler
    Professor John Bachtler has transformed Scotland’s regional policy knowledge exchange through 40 years of leadership at the European Policies Research Centre at the University of Strathclyde. He advanced policy innovation via networks such as EoRPA and IQ-Net, linking Scotland with European policy frameworks. His strategic insights, mentoring, and impactful KE collaborations strengthened regional development policy, inspired future leaders, and enhanced Scotland’s European policy influence.
    Highly Commended: Dr Andrea Rodriguez and Dr Bryan McCann
    Dr Andrea Rodriguez, the University of Dundee, for sustaining engagement and impact on non-academic audiences by co-designing an international knowledge exchange programme on youth homelessness. Helping Young People Feel at Home took a multi-agency approach, involving critical thinking and dialogue with young people in Scotland and Brazil to improve service provision and professional practices.
    Dr Bryan McCann, Glasgow Caledonian University, has championed knowledge exchange throughout his academic career, establishing several strategic partnerships within the physical activity and mental health sectors. These partnerships have facilitated innovative and high-quality student placements, generated income for impactful knowledge exchange programmes, and contributed to health and wellbeing across Scotland.
    Knowledge Exchange Heroes – team and individual – sponsored by Azets Ltd
    Individual
    Susan Armstrong, KE Lead at Glasgow Caledonian University, has been instrumental in transforming the knowledge exchange landscape at the university through her strategic and collaborative approach. Her efforts, dedication, and unwavering support have significantly advanced the university’s KE initiatives, benefiting both the academic community and industry partners.
    Team
    The Scottish Centre for Food Development and Innovation (SCFDI) at Queen Margaret University has for 10 years championed KE in the food and drink sector in Scotland. They have developed progressive models for industry/academia KE career pathways, supported an impressive SME client portfolio and attracted increasing attention from global food companies and retailers.
    Making a Social Difference
    Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) and Glasgow Caledonian University are collaborating to review, redesign and deliver SAMH’s Psychological Wellbeing services. Through partnership SAMH and GCU have developed the Time for You service, supporting mental health of thousands of members of the public via immediate access to free mental health support, delivered by GCU Trainee Psychologists.
    Making an Environmental Difference
    Renewable Parts Ltd and the University of Strathclyde’s collaboration applies circular economy principles within the wind turbine decommissioning process, promoting the refurbishment and remanufacturing of high-integrity, high-value parts within the wind energy sector, instead of being recycled and returned to raw materials or, worse still, landfill. This circularity approach will have a significant impact on the UK economy and net-zero targets.
    Multiparty Collaboration
    Winner:
    Medical Device Manufacturing Centre (MDMC) – Heriot-Watt University, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Glasgow, the University of Dundee, Robert Gordon University and over 170 medical device companies, to develop and commercialise innovative medical devices.
    Highly Commended:
    The Underwater Intervention for Offshore Renewable Energies (UNITE) project, a partnership between The National Robotarium, Heriot-Watt University, Imperial College London, Frontier Robotics and Fugro, is developing advanced AI and autonomous systems for undertaking remote inspections of offshore wind farms to offer a safe, efficient and sustainable solution for global energy providers.
    Place-based Impact sponsored by Business Gateway
    Winner:
    Digital Dairy Chain – Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), the University of Strathclyde, the University of the West of Scotland, First Milk, Lactalis, NMR, SmartSTEMs, Kendal Nutricare, CENSIS and Cows & Co, is transforming the dairy sector across the South and West of Scotland and Cumbria. This partnership is driving innovation, enhancing productivity, and stimulating job creation, contributing to sustained economic growth in the region.
    Highly Commended:
    Control of Sheep Scab – Moredun Research Institute, Lewis and Harris Sheep Producers Association, The Old Mill Veterinary Practice, Scottish Government, The Crofters of Lewis & Harris, Lewis Crofters, Neil Fell Mobile Dipping Ltd, Zoetis Animal Health Ltd and Bimeda Ltd has developed a community-led approach to prevent and control sheep scab. This project demonstrates how a coordinated, collaborative effort can effectively prevent disease, improve sheep welfare and productivity, and rekindle a strong sense of community.
    Powerful Partnership sponsored by Skillfluence
    Vertebrate Antibodies-EpitogenX Ltd and the University of Aberdeen have developed transformative AI-powered diagnostics leveraging the innovative Epitogen® recombinant technology for diagnosing autoimmune and infectious diseases. This long-term collaboration has yielded world-first solutions, fostering global recognition, creating skilled talent, and driving economic and health advancements.
    Join the conversation on X at #SKEAwards and LinkedIn at @Interface.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Jury delivers verdict finding Greenpeace entities liable for more than US$660 million in Energy Transfer SLAPP trial

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Free speech and right to protest on the line in the United States 

    Mandan, North Dakota — A Morton County jury of nine reached a verdict in Energy Transfer’s meritless lawsuit against Greenpeace entities in the US (Greenpeace Inc, Greenpeace Fund), and Greenpeace International, finding the entities liable for more than US$660 million, today. Big Oil Bullies around the world will continue to try to silence free speech and peaceful protest, but the fight against Energy Transfer’s meritless SLAPP lawsuit is not over. 

    “We are witnessing a disastrous return to the reckless behaviour that fuelled the climate crisis, deepened environmental racism, and put fossil fuel profits over public health and a liveable planet. The previous Trump administration spent four years dismantling protections for clean air, water, and Indigenous sovereignty, and now along with its allies wants to finish the job by silencing protest. We will not back down. We will not be silenced,” said Mads Christensen, Greenpeace International Executive Director.  

    “This case should alarm everyone, no matter their political inclinations,” said Sushma Raman, Interim Executive Director Greenpeace Inc, Greenpeace Fund. “It’s part of a renewed push by corporations to weaponise our courts to silence dissent. We should all be concerned about the future of the First Amendment, and lawsuits like this aimed at destroying our rights to peaceful protest and free speech. These rights are critical for any work toward ensuring justice – and that’s why we will continue fighting back together, in solidarity. While Big Oil bullies can try to stop a single group, they can’t stop a movement.”

    Energy Transfer’s lawsuits are clear-cut examples of SLAPPs — lawsuits attempting to bury nonprofits and activists in legal fees, push them towards bankruptcy and ultimately silence dissent.[1] Big Oil companies Shell, Total, and ENI have also filed SLAPPs against Greenpeace entities in recent years.[2] A couple of these cases have been successfully stopped in their tracks. This includes Greenpeace France successfully defeating TotalEnergies’ SLAPP on 28 March 2024, and Greenpeace UK and Greenpeace International forcing Shell to back down from its SLAPP on 10 December 2024.

    “Energy Transfer hasn’t heard the last of us in this fight. We’re just getting started with our anti-SLAPP lawsuit against Energy Transfer’s attacks on free speech and peaceful protest. We will see Energy Transfer in court this July in the Netherlands. We will not back down. We will not be silenced,” said Greenpeace International General Counsel Kristin Casper.

    In February 2024, GPI initiated the first test of the European Union’s anti-SLAPP Directive by filing a lawsuit in Dutch court against ET.[3] GPI seeks to recover all damages and costs it has suffered as a result of ET’s back-to-back, meritless lawsuits demanding hundreds of millions of dollars against GPI and the Greenpeace organisations in the US. 

    — ENDS —

    Photos and Videos can be accessed from the Greenpeace Media Library.

    Notes:

    1. ET’s first lawsuit was filed in federal court under the RICO Act – the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a US federal statute designed to prosecute mob activity. The case was dismissed, with the judge stating the evidence fell “far short” of what was needed to establish a RICO enterprise. The federal court did not decide on the state law so ET promptly filed a new case in a North Dakota state court with these and other state law claims.
    2. A report by the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) documented 1049 SLAPP suits in Europe in the period 2010-2023, with 166 lawsuits initiated in 2023.
    3. Greenpeace International files lawsuit against Energy Transfer in first use of EU anti-SLAPP Directive

    Contacts:

    Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 (0)20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), [email protected]

    Join the Greenpeace SLAPP Trial WhatsApp Group for our latest updates

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: ‘New evidence has emerged’: Greenpeace requests revision of North West Shelf assessment criteria

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    PERTH, 20 MARCH 2025 – Greenpeace Australia Pacific has asked Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to reconsider the criteria used to assess Woodside’s North West Shelf Extension because significant new impacts have emerged since the original 2019 decision.

    “We’re calling on the Environment Minister to assess Woodside’s North West Shelf Extension with all of the facts in front of her—including new evidence showing this project could devastate our environment, particularly Scott Reef,” said Joe Rafalowicz, Head of Climate and Energy, Greenpeace Australia Pacific. 

    “Like thousands of other individuals and community groups, Greenpeace has been participating in this assessment since at least 2022. 

    “While the 2019 decision to assess the North West Shelf Extension only focused on the project’s potential impact on national heritage values, new evidence has since emerged about the consequences of Woodside’s plans to drill for gas beside, and dump carbon near, the irreplaceable Scott Reef. 

    “Australians expect their elected representatives to make decisions following due process, independent of pressure from vested interests, and based on the best evidence. 

    “To properly assess the serious risk of extending the life of Woodside’s gas processing facility, it is essential that the Environment Minister gives due regard to all available evidence. 

    “Woodside plans to fuel its North West Shelf gas facility out to 2070 by drilling up to 50 gas wells near Scott Reef as part of its proposed Browse project. Recent statements from Woodside confirm that Browse and the North West Shelf Extension are directly linked—making Browse dependent on the North West Shelf Extension approval to be viable.

    “Woodside also plans to take the carbon pollution from drilling for gas and inject it deep under the ocean into massive underground aquifers. The carbon is supposed to stay there for over 1000 years. However, carbon capture storage is an unproven technology at scale, with a track record of overpromising and underdelivering.

    “Woodside’s reckless plans risk threatened species like Green Sea Turtles and Pygmy Blue Whales, while also jeopardising fragile coral reef habitats with noise, light pollution, and the potential for oil spills.”

    “Given the clear possibility of adverse impacts on threatened species, migratory species and the Commonwealth marine environment, we are requesting the Minister to expand the assessment criteria to accurately consider the full picture of real-world impacts that approving the North West Shelf Extension will have. 

    “The assessment criteria originally set in 2019 are too narrow for an informed assessment of the project’s impacts.

    —ENDS—

    Note to editors:

    • Greenpeace’s full reconsideration request can be found here. 
    • Images for media use can be found here. 

    For more information or to arrange an interview please contact Vai Shah on 0452 290 082 or [email protected].

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: “A blatant injustice”: Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s response to Energy Transfer lawsuit

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    In response to the verdict in Energy Transfer’s suit against Greenpeace International and Greenpeace US entities, the following lines can be attributed to Greenpeace Australia Pacific General Counsel Katrina Bullock:

    “The $660 million North Dakota case against Greenpeace International and Greenpeace US entities is a blatant Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) brought by a fossil fuel giant. SLAPPs are a corporate weapon designed to strangle public debate. They’re not about justice — they’re about silencing dissent, draining environmental defenders of time, money, and energy until they have no choice but to stop fighting. It’s an abuse of the legal system to shield powerful polluters from accountability. 

    “It’s no wonder eminent US lawyer Marty Garbus has labelled it the most unfair trial he has witnessed in his six decades of legal practice. Distinguished legal experts who acted as Independent Trial Monitors collectively noted that ‘the jury verdict against Greenpeace in North Dakota reflects a deeply flawed trial with multiple due process violations that denied Greenpeace the ability to present anything close to a full defence’. 

    “A jury with close ties to the fossil fuel industry, a judge permitting defamatory and prejudicial attacks on Greenpeace, and a blatant refusal for court transparency — this trial was a blatant injustice.”

    In a domestic context, Ms Bullock added:

    “In Australia, opposition leader Peter Dutton has announced that a coalition government would introduce legislation based on these same racketeering laws that have been used against peaceful environmental groups in the US. Dutton’s proposal to introduce US-style RICO laws raises serious concerns. While his office claims it’s aimed at tackling organised crime in the construction sector, we’ve seen in the US how these laws have been weaponised to target charities and grassroots groups who engage in peaceful protest activities. We must be extremely wary of laws that could criminalise our ability to protect our environment and our communities.”

    Greenpeace unequivocally disagrees with the verdict and refuses to be silenced. Greenpeace US entities will appeal.

    “Greenpeace is not scared of SLAPPs, and where big oil companies might think we will back down, we won’t. Greenpeace rises in the face of injustice.

    “Greenpeace Australia Pacific is an autonomous legal entity and is not a party to the lawsuit. While this verdict won’t have any programmatic or financial impacts for Greenpeace Australia Pacific, it is united in solidarity with Greenpeace US and Greenpeace International against this intimidation lawsuit and in the need for anti-SLAPP legislation.”

    — ENDS —

    Greenpeace International’s press release can be found here.

    Photos and Videos can be accessed from the Greenpeace Media Library and photos of Katrina and from the Australia-Pacific region can be found here.

    Contacts:

    Greenpeace Australia Pacific Communications: Kimberley Bernard on +61 407 581 404 or [email protected]

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: ‘Dump the bill, not the Skate’: Albanese goes all out for wildlife extinction

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    SYDNEY, 20 MARCH 2025 — Greenpeace Australia Pacific has slammed the Albanese Government for seeking to weaken Australia’s national nature laws in order to prop up polluting and environmentally harmful industries, and urged the Albanese government to dump a proposed bill scheduled for debate next week. 

    The EPBC Amendment (Reconsiderations) Bill is scheduled for debate in the House of Representatives next Tuesday and in the Senate on Wednesday. Media reports indicate the proposed legislation aims to curtail the ability of third parties to request lawful reconsideration of the scope of environmental impacts of major projects.

    “The move has been designed to shield the Tasmanian salmon industry from environmental scrutiny over its impact on the critically endangered Maugean skate but could have far-reaching consequences beyond this,” said Glenn Walker, Head of Nature at Greenpeace Australia Pacific

    “With this Bill, the Albanese Government appears to have turned its back on its promise to end species extinctions.

    “Australia has one of the worst rates of wildlife extinction in the world. Animals like the Maugean skate are hurtling towards extinction due to government inaction and free passes for polluting and harmful industries. Even the koala is listed as endangered in Queensland and New South Wales; that’s how severe the problem is.”

    “The Albanese Government promised to end extinctions and protect Australia’s wildlife through law reform. Instead, they are signing the extinction warrant for the Maugean skate.

    “Australia urgently needs strong, new nature laws that will end the extinction crisis and an independent watchdog to enforce them. We urge the Albanese Government to dump the Bill, not the skate, and get on with delivering this. It’s critical that the government give an ironclad guarantee that this will be delivered within the first 12 months of government if reelected this year.”

    —ENDS—

    For more information or to arrange an interview please contact Vai Shah at 0452 290 082 / [email protected]

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Energy Transfer lawsuit verdict

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    © Stephanie Keith / Greenpeace

    The jury has officially reached a verdict in our trial against Big Oil company Energy Transfer’s meritless lawsuit.

    This verdict is not the end of this case. Although a jury of nine people in North Dakota has decided that Greenpeace entities are liable for over $660 million in damages, this isn’t over.

    We’re going to appeal. And we’re prepared to fight this all the way to victory. 

    We absolutely believe in our legal defense. We believe the law is fully on our side. We believe in what we did at Standing Rock, and that ultimately we will prevail against this meritless lawsuit.

    Before we discuss next steps, let’s acknowledge that this is a dark moment in United States history. And let’s talk about what “victory” actually means.

    We’ve fought Energy Transfer’s lawsuits for more than seven years. Every step of the way, we’ve emphasized that these types of lawsuits —  intended to silence and shut down critics — are part of a growing national attack on our First Amendment rights. 

    The truth is, “victory” doesn’t just mean defeating this specific lawsuit. It means that no other organization or individual has to defend themselves against this type of attack.

    This lawsuit was designed to scare and divide our movement. Instead, the opposite has happened — in the last year alone, more than 350,000 individuals around the world and more than 430 organizations representing millions of people have spoken out against it.

    Thankfully, we’ve never been lonely in this fight. It’s entirely thanks to Greenpeace supporters that we’ve had the resources to fight back for more than seven years without ever slowing down our work campaigning for a green and peaceful future.

    Greenpeace USA was founded on nonviolent direct action and peaceful protest over 50 years ago, and we’ve exercised our right to peacefully expose environmental harm ever since. Energy Transfer chose to target three Greenpeace entities because of what our history represents.

    We are simply a community of people who share a set of values, and our community is part of a larger global movement. No courtroom or judgement can stop that movement.

    As we’ve long said: we will not be silenced, and our movement will endure.

    On Thursday, March 20th, you can join us on Zoom where we’ll be discussing this verdict and sharing more about the next steps — RSVP here.

    For now, we’ll leave you with this quote from Standing Rock Grassroots member Waniya Locke, published last month in The New York Times: 

    “When you look back at history, they always try to wipe us out.”

    Beyond just attempting to diminish every American’s free speech rights, this lawsuit attempts to erase Indigenous leadership. It’s an attack on Indigenous sovereignty, and a racist attempt to rewrite the actual history of the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. 

    More than seven years later, we remain deeply proud of what we did to support that Indigenous-led resistance. We own everything we did, because what we did was simply living our values.

    With your support, we will continue living those values for many years to come.

    Energy Transfer is trying to silence our movement.

    Donate to the Warrior Defense Fund to help us fight back.

    Give now

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Jury delivers verdict finding Greenpeace entities liable for more than $660 million in Energy Transfer SLAPP trial

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Free speech and right to protest on the line in the United States

    Mandan, North Dakota — A Morton County jury of nine reached a verdict in Energy Transfer’s meritless lawsuit against Greenpeace entities in the US (Greenpeace Inc, Greenpeace Fund), and Greenpeace International, finding the entities liable for more than US$660 million, today. Big Oil Bullies around the world will continue to try to silence free speech and peaceful protest, but the fight against Energy Transfer’s meritless SLAPP lawsuit is not over. 

    “This case should alarm everyone, no matter their political inclinations,” said Sushma Raman, Interim Executive Director Greenpeace Inc, Greenpeace Fund. “It’s part of a renewed push by corporations to weaponize our courts to silence dissent. We should all be concerned about the future of the First Amendment, and lawsuits like this aimed at destroying our rights to peaceful protest and free speech. These rights are critical for any work toward ensuring justice – and that’s why we will continue fighting back together, in solidarity. While Big Oil bullies can try to stop a single group, they can’t stop a movement.”

    “We are witnessing a disastrous return to the reckless behaviour that fuelled the climate crisis, deepened environmental racism, and put fossil fuel profits over public health and a liveable planet. The previous Trump administration spent four years dismantling protections for clean air, water, and Indigenous sovereignty, and now along with its allies wants to finish the job by silencing protest. We will not back down. We will not be silenced,” said Mads Christensen, Greenpeace International Executive Director. 

    In this case, Energy Transfer has maintained their entirely false claims that Greenpeace organized the #NoDAPL resistance at Standing Rock, an allegation rooted in racism in its erasure of the Indigenous leadership in North Dakota.

    “What we saw over these three weeks was Energy Transfer’s blatant disregard for the voices of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe,” said Deepa Padmanabha, Senior Legal Advisor, Greenpeace USA. “And while they also tried to distort the truth about Greenpeace’s role in the protests, we instead reaffirmed our unwavering commitment to non-violence in every action we take. To be clear, Greenpeace’s story is not the story of Standing Rock. Our story is how an organization like Greenpeace USA can support critical fights to protect communities most impacted by the climate crisis, as well as continued attacks on Indigenous sovereignty.”

    This lawsuit is one of the largest Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) cases ever filed. These are meritless lawsuits meant to silence or bankrupt opponents – which is why most U.S. states and several countries have put legal protections in place to protect advocates. But in North Dakota – and 15 other states – no anti-SLAPP statutes exist.

    Greenpeace entities will continue fighting back against this case, including by appealing to the North Dakota Supreme Court. 

    In February 2024, Greenpeace International initiated the first test of the European Union’s anti-SLAPP Directive by filing a lawsuit in Dutch court against ET. GPI seeks to recover damages and costs it has suffered as a result of ET’s back-to-back, meritless lawsuits demanding hundreds of millions of dollars against GPI and the Greenpeace organisations in the US.“Energy Transfer hasn’t heard the last of us in this fight. We’re just getting started with our anti-SLAPP lawsuit against Energy Transfer’s attacks on free speech and peaceful protest,” said Kristin Casper, Greenpeace International General Counsel. “We will see Energy Transfer in court this July in the Netherlands.”

    CONTACT: Madison Carter, Greenpeace USA Senior Communications Specialist, [email protected]

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘Declare your city genocide free’ – lessons from NZ’s nuclear-free movement

    COMMENTARY: By Eugene Doyle

    Today I attended a demonstration outside both Aotearoa New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Israeli Embassy in Wellington.

    The day before, the Israelis had blown apart 174 children in Gaza in a surprise attack that announced the next phase of the genocide.

    About 174 Wellingtonians turned up to a quickly-called protest: they are the best of us — the best of Wellington.

    In 2023, the City made me an Absolutely Positively Wellingtonian for service across a number of fronts (water infrastructure, conservation, coastal resilience, community organising) but nothing I have done compares with the importance of standing up for the victims of US-Israeli violence.

    What more can we do?  And then it crossed my mind: “Declare Wellington Genocide Free”.  And if Wellington could, why not other cities?

    Wellington started nuclear-free drive
     The nuclear-free campaign, led by Wellington back in the 1980s, is a template worth reviving.

    Wellington became the first city in New Zealand — and the first capital in the world — to declare itself nuclear free in 1982.  It followed the excellent example of Missoula, Montana, USA, the first city in the world to do so, in 1978.

    These were tumultuous times. I vividly remember heading into Wellington harbour on a small yacht, part of a peace flotilla made up of kayakers, yachties and wind surfers that tried to stop the USS Texas from berthing. It won that battle that day but we won the war.

    This was the decade which saw the French government’s terrorist bomb attack on a Greenpeace ship in Auckland harbour to intimidate the anti-nuclear movement.

    Also, 2025 is the 40th anniversary of the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior and the death of Fernando Pereira. Little Island Press will be reissuing a new edition of my friend David Robie’s book Eyes of Fire later this year. It tells the incredible story of the final voyage of the Rainbow Warrior.

    “Eyes of Fire: the Last Voyage of the Rainbow Warrior” . . . a new book on nuclear-free activism on its way. Image: Little Island Press

    Standing up to bullies
     Labour under David Lange successfully campaigned and won the 1984 elections on a nuclear-free platform which promised to ban nuclear ships from our waters.

    This was a time when we had a government that had the backbone to act independently of the US. Yes, we had a grumpy relationship with the Yanks for a while and we were booted out of ANZUS — surely a cause for celebration in contrast to today when our government is little more than a finger puppet for Team Genocide.

    In response to bullying from Australia and the US, David Lange said at the time:  “It is the price we are prepared to pay.”

    With Wellington in the lead, nuclear-free had moved over the course of a decade from a fringe peace movement to the mainstream and eventually to become government policy.

    The New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act 1987 was passed and remains a cornerstone of our foreign policy.

    New Zealand took a stand that showed strong opposition to out-of-control militarism, the risks of nuclear war, and strong support for the international movement to step back from nuclear weapons.

    It was a powerful statement of our independence as a nation and a rejection of foreign dominance. It also reduced the risk of contamination in case of a nuclear accident aboard a vessel (remember this was the same decade as the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Ukraine).

    The nuclear-free campaign and Palestine
     Each of those points have similarities with the Palestinian cause today and should act as inspiration for cities to mobilise and build national solidarity with the Palestinians.

    To my knowledge, no city has ever successfully expelled an Israeli Embassy but Wellington could take a powerful first step by doing this, and declare the capital genocide-free.  We need to wake our country — and the Western world — out of the moral torpor it finds itself in; yawning its way through the monstrous crimes being perpetrated by our “friends and allies”.

    Shun Israel until it stops genocide
     No city should suffer the moral stain of hosting an embassy representing the racist, genocidal state of Israel.

    Wellington should lead the country to support South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), end all trade with Israel, and end all intelligence and military cooperation with Israel for the duration of its genocidal onslaught.  Other cities should follow suit.

    Declare your city Nuclear and Genocide Free.

    Eugene Doyle is a writer based in Wellington. He has written extensively on the Middle East, as well as peace and security issues in the Asia Pacific region. He hosts the public policy platform solidarity.co.nz and is a frequent contributor to Asia Pacific Report.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Nuclear free Pacific – back to the future, Earthwise talks to David Robie

    Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. –

    Pacific Media Watch

    Earthwise presenters Lois and Martin Griffiths of Plains FM96.9 radio talk to Dr David Robie, editor of Asia Pacific Report, about heightened global fears of nuclear war as tensions have mounted since US President Donald Trump has returned to power.

    Dr Robie reminds us that New Zealanders once actively opposed nuclear testing in the Pacific.

    That spirit, that active opposition to nuclear testing, and to nuclear war must be revived.

    This is very timely as the Rainbow Warrior 3 is currently visiting the Marshall Islands this month to mark 40 years since the original RW took part in the relocation of Rongelap Islanders who suffered from US nuclear tests in the 1950s.

    After that humanitarian mission, the Rainbow Warrior was subsequently bombed by French secret agents in Auckland Harbour on 10 July 1985 shortly before it was due to sail to Moruroa Atoll to protest against nuclear testing.

    A new edition of Dr Robie’s book Eyes of Fire The Last Voyage of the Rainbow Warrior will be released this July. The Eyes of Fire microsite is here.

    Lois opens up by saying: “I fear that we live in disturbing times. I fear the possibility of nuclear war, I always have.

    “I remember the Cuban missiles crisis, a scary time. I remember campaigns for nuclear disarmament. Hopes that the United Nations could lead to a world of peace and justice.

    “Yet today one hears from our media, for world leaders . . . ‘No, no no. There will always be tyrants who want to destroy us and our democratic allies . . . more and bigger, deadlier weapons are needed to protect us . . .”

    Listen to the programme . . .


    Nuclear free Pacific . . . back to the future.    Video/audio: Plains FM96.9

    Broadcast: Plains Radio FM96.9

    Interviewee: Dr David Robie, deputy chair of the Asia Pacific Media Network (APMN) and a semiretired professor of Pacific journalism. He founded the Pacific Media Centre.
    Interviewers: Lois and Martin Griffiths, Earthwise programme

    Date: 14 March 2025 (27min), broadcast March 17.

    Youtube: Café Pacific: https://www.youtube.com/@cafepacific2023

    https://plainsfm.org.nz/

    Café Pacific: https://davidrobie.nz/

    This article was first published on Café Pacific.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Schiff Invite EPA Head Zeldin to South Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.), along with Representatives Scott Peters (D-Calif.-50) and Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52), invited Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin to visit San Diego’s South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBITWP) to see firsthand the ongoing environmental and public health consequences of the cross-border Tijuana River sewage crisis on local communities.
    Administrator Zeldin recently expressed concern about the flow of sewage flowing across the border, posting about a briefing he received on the crisis and pushing Mexico to “honor its commitments to control this pollution and sewage.” The lawmakers wrote to ensure new EPA leadership fully understands the scope of this environmental catastrophe and their role in addressing the environmental and public health harms it causes.
    “As you know, decades of underinvestment in cross-border wastewater infrastructure have led to the flow of untreated sewage into San Diego,” wrote the lawmakers. “EPA served as an important advocate for this issue in the last Trump Administration and we hope the agency will continue to do so once again.”
    “Researchers have recently discovered that toxins and bacteria from the Tijuana River can be aerosolized, unveiling additional potential risks to the air quality in our communities. EPA, working with the International Boundary and Water Commission, will play a critical role in addressing these issues and helping the region recover from decades of pollution and environmental degradation,” continued the lawmakers.
    Since 2018, more than 100 billion gallons of toxic sewage, trash, and unmanaged stormwater have flowed across the United States-Mexico border into the Tijuana River Valley and neighboring communities, forcing long-lasting beach closures and causing harmful impacts on public health, the environment, and water quality. U.S. military personnel, border patrol agents, and the local economy have also suffered harmful impacts from airborne and waterborne transboundary sewage flows. In 2023, sewage flowed across the border at the highest volume in a quarter century, exceeding 44 billion gallons.
    The SBIWTP project broke ground in October 2024, and over the next five years, the SBIWTP will double in capacity, reducing transboundary flows by 90 percent. Importantly, Mexico’s rehabilitated San Antonio de los Buenos wastewater treatment plant is expected to be fully operational by Spring 2025, further reducing flows to California communities. 
    Senator Padilla has prioritized addressing the Tijuana River pollution crisis since he first came to the Senate. In response to a request from Padilla and the San Diego Congressional delegation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) opened an investigation into the public health impacts of air pollution caused by the ongoing Tijuana River transboundary pollution crisis. Senator Padilla and the delegation also recently secured a $200 million authorization for the Tijuana River Valley Watershed and San Diego County through the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 to help address the ongoing transboundary sewage crisis through stormwater conveyance, environmental and ecosystem restoration, and water quality protection projects. They also delivered over $103 million in additional funding for the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) in the bipartisan FY 2024 appropriations package. Padilla previously successfully secured language in the FY 2023 appropriations package to allow the EPA to unlock $300 million previously secured in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement to the IBWC for water infrastructure projects. Last year, Padilla and Representatives Peters and Vargas announced bicameral legislation to help combat the Tijuana River sewage pollution crisis.
    Full text of the letter is available here and below:
    Dear Administrator Zeldin,
    We would like to invite you to visit the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP) in the Tijuana River Valley and appreciate your interest in addressing the cross-border sewage crisis.
    As you know, decades of underinvestment in cross-border wastewater infrastructure have led to the flow of untreated sewage into San Diego. Since 2018, more than 100 billion gallons of toxic sewage, trash, and unmanaged stormwater have flowed across the United States-Mexico border into the Tijuana River Valley and neighboring communities, forcing long-lasting beach closures and negatively impacting the local economy, environment, and health of U.S. military and Homeland Security personnel. EPA served as an important advocate for this issue in the last Trump Administration and we hope the agency will continue to do so once again.
    While this wastewater pollution crisis is not new, it has intensified over the past two years. Researchers have recently discovered that toxins and bacteria from the Tijuana River can be aerosolized, unveiling additional potential risks to the air quality in our communities. EPA, working with the International Boundary and Water Commission, will play a critical role in addressing these issues and helping the region recover from decades of pollution and environmental degradation.
    We look forward to working with you on this important issue, and we hope to host you at SBIWTP so you can see first-hand the challenges confronting our region. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Murchison Green Hydrogen Project given a headstart

    Source: Australian Renewable Energy Agency

    Overview

    • Category

      News

    • Date

      20 March 2025

    • Classification

      Hydrogen energy

    The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced the first recipient from its Hydrogen Headstart Program, with $814 million in funding allocated under round 1 to Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners’ (CIP) 1,500 MW Murchison Green Hydrogen Project in Western Australia.

    ARENA CEO, Darren Miller said Australia has immense potential when it comes to hydrogen projects, however, many projects face challenges due to the current gap between the market price for renewable hydrogen and production costs.

    “At the time it was announced, Hydrogen Headstart was the largest government investment in Australia’s developing renewable hydrogen industry. ARENA’s support will help Australia’s first large-scale projects get to financial close and deliver on Australia’s promise as a provider of clean energy to decarbonise industry in Australia and globally,” Mr Miller said.

    “The Hydrogen Headstart Program commits funding to bridge the current commercial gap in the form of a production credit, meaning funding is only provided once projects are constructed and operational.”

    “Enabling hydrogen projects through Hydrogen Headstart is essential to ensure our economic prosperity as the world transitions to cleaner forms of energy especially in hard to abate sectors such as ammonia, iron and alumina.”

    “CIP’s Murchison project is an example of how we can leverage Australia’s high quality solar and wind resources to produce low-cost renewable hydrogen and ammonia at scale, increasing export opportunities and embedding Australia as a key enabler of global decarbonisation,” Mr Miller said.

    Hydrogen Headstart recipient Murchison must now satisfy a number of development conditions and achieve commercial operations before the funding is released. Funding under the program is paid based on production volumes over a 10-year operating period.

    To date, ARENA has provided over $370 million to 65 renewable hydrogen projects from early-stage research to deployment projects.

    According to analysis by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), Australia’s hydrogen industry could unlock over $50 billion in additional private sector investment and create up to 16,000 new jobs by 2030.

    Murchison Green Hydrogen CEO, Shohan Seneviratne said: “CIP is honoured to receive Hydrogen Headstart funding, which reinforces our shared vision with the Australian Government to establish a leading green hydrogen industry in Australia. We are committed to contributing to Australia’s green hydrogen ambitions by creating local jobs, supporting skills development and sharing project benefits with local communities, including First Nations.”

    “We appreciate the support from the Australian Government, Minister Bowen, and ARENA and commend their leadership, vision and collaboration to make Murchison and the Australian hydrogen industry a reality.”

    Further information concerning Hydrogen Headstart Round 1 outcomes will be announced in due course.

    Murchison Green Hydrogen project summary:

    The Murchison Green Hydrogen project is being developed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners through its Energy Transition Fund I (ETF I), with the project team based locally in Perth. Murchison involves large-scale production of renewable hydrogen and ammonia in the Mid West of Western Australia. The project will be located approximately 15 km north of the coastal town of Kalbarri and will include up to 1.5 GW of electrolysis and 3,600 tonnes per day of Haber-Bosch ammonia production capacity. The facility will operate completely off-grid, powered by approximately 1.2 GW of solar photovoltaic and approximately 1.7 GW of onshore wind new build generation with a 600 MW /1,200 MWh battery energy storage system and water sustainably sourced through a new desalination facility. Renewable ammonia is expected to be exported to support global decarbonisation.

    CIP’s ETF I is the world’s largest dedicated renewable hydrogen fund with approximately AUD 5 billion available for investment in decarbonising hard-to-abate industries such as steel-making, co-firing, chemical production, agriculture and transportation.

    To find out more, visit: murchisonrenewables.com.au

    ARENA media contact:

    media@arena.gov.au

    Download this media release (PDF 143KB)

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen Tours Furniture Manufacturer in Lisbon to Discuss Energy Efficiency Upgrades, Visits Mount Cabot Maple in Lancaster During Maple Month

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Lancaster, NH) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies, toured DCI Furniture in Lisbon to learn more about how the business is using federal funding to make energy efficiency upgrades. Later, Shaheen visited Mount Cabot Maple in Lancaster to celebrate Maple Month and hear about the challenges facing the Granite State’s maple industry. Photos from today’s events can be found here.

    In Lisbon, Shaheen visited DCI Furniture, a family-owned furniture manufacturing company, to learn more about how the business is using federal funding to install a new combined heat and power system that uses wood waste for fuel. The project will improve energy efficiency, decrease costs and reduce emissions at the facility.

    “Efficiency is the cheapest, fastest way to meet our energy needs, and DCI Furniture is a poster child for thinking about energy in a smart way,” said Senator Shaheen. “I was pleased to see firsthand how DCI is using federal funding that I’ve championed to make energy efficiency upgrades that will save money, reduce emissions and benefit the local forest-based economy—it’s just the kind of made-in-New Hampshire project we need to see more of.”

    The project has been awarded funding through programs Shaheen champions, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Energy for America Program, the U.S. Forest Service’s Community Wood Grant program and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. Shaheen was a lead negotiator of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which made huge investments in energy efficiency, including $550 million for Industrial Research and Assessment Centers and assistance for small- and medium-sized manufacturers to implement efficiency upgrades based upon her longstanding bipartisan legislation with former U.S. Senator Rob Portman. Shaheen also helped introduce legislation to enhance the Forest Service’s Community Wood  Grant program that is providing funding for this project. 

    Later in Lancaster, Shaheen visited Mount Cabot Maple to hear more about how the farm has benefitted from federal funding from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and underscore the challenges facing the Granite State’s maple industry in the wake of the Trump Administration’s tariffs on Canada and Mexico and federal funding freeze.

    “Our maple syrup producers are an integral and delicious part of New Hampshire’s identity,” said Senator Shaheen. “It was great to visit Mount Cabot Maple today during Maple Month to tour the farm and learn more about how this North Country staple is weathering the impacts of Trump’s funding chaos and tariffs on Canada.”

    Shaheen co-leads the Market Access, Promotion and Landowner Education Support for Your Regionally Underserved Producers (MAPLE SYRUP) Act with Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) to extend and expand the federal maple support program, which supports the U.S. maple syrup industry through research and education, natural resource sustainability and the marketing of maple syrup and maple-sap products.

    Shaheen has also been outspoken against the Trump Administration’s reckless tariffs on Canada and Mexico and chaotic funding freeze and cuts. Recently, Shaheen forced a vote in the Senate on her Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes on Imported Goods Act to limit the President’s ability to levy sweeping tariffs that increase costs for American consumers and families. Shaheen has also hosted a series of roundtables and discussions with Granite Staters to better understand and highlight the direct consequences of the Trump administration’s funding chaos and uncertainty. Following the Trump administration’s decision to freeze grants and loans disbursed by the federal government in January, Shaheen immediately condemned the move and spoke on the Senate floor against the decision to freeze federal grants and loans that families, seniors and small businesses rely on for critical, often life-saving services. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Court Sentences Hino Motors Ltd., a Toyota Subsidiary, and Imposes Over $1.6B in Penalties for Emissions Fraud Scheme

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    Note: View plea agreement here. View criminal information here.

    Today, U.S. District Court Judge Mark A. Goldsmith for the Eastern District of Michigan accepted Hino Motors, Ltd.’s guilty plea to a one-count criminal information charging it with having engaged in a multi-year criminal conspiracy to defraud both the U.S. government and American consumers and illicitly smuggle goods into the country. Judge Goldsmith also sentenced Hino, a Toyota subsidiary, to pay a criminal fine of $521.76 million, serve a five-year term of probation — during which it is prohibited from importing any diesel engines it has manufactured into the United States — and implement a comprehensive compliance and ethics program and reporting structure. The court also entered a $1.087 billion forfeiture money judgment against the company.

    According to court records, between 2010 and 2019, Hino Motors, Ltd. engineers submitted and caused to be submitted false applications for engine certification approvals in violation of the federal Clean Air Act. Hino Motors, Ltd. engineers regularly altered emission test data, conducted tests improperly and fabricated data without conducting any underlying tests. The engineers also submitted fraudulent carbon dioxide emissions test data, which resulted in false fuel consumption values being calculated for its engines, and failed to disclose software functions that could adversely affect engines’ emission control systems. As a result of the fraud, Hino Motors, Ltd. imported and sold over 105,000 non-conforming engines between 2010 and 2022. These engines were primarily installed in heavy-duty trucks manufactured and sold by Hino nationwide.

    “Hino unlawfully imported over 105,000 engines that did not comply with U.S. emissions standards and lied about what it was doing. Hino’s criminal conduct gave it an unfair business advantage over other law-abiding companies, including American companies, and generated over $1 billion in gross proceeds,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “We are committed to upholding the rule of law by prosecuting fraud and enforcing our Clean Air Act emissions standards.”

    “Our office is steadfast in its commitment to holding corporate actors accountable when they lie to government regulators, illicitly smuggle goods into our county, and then fraudulently sell those goods to American consumers,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Julie Beck for the Eastern District of Michigan.

    “Hino falsely certified compliance with the Clean Air Act so that it could profit off Americans by sending illegal, polluting engines into the United States,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Jeffrey Hall for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Today’s plea and sentencing demonstrates that companies who intentionally evade our nation’s environmental laws, including by fabricating data to feign compliance with those laws, deserve punishment and will be held criminally accountable.”

    “By pleading guilty, Hino Motors, Ltd. has admitted to orchestrating a deliberate and years-long fraud scheme that put profit over principle,” said Acting Assistant Director James C. Barnacle Jr. of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division “It doesn’t matter how complex the scheme is, the FBI is committed to holding individuals and organizations responsible for their actions.”

    Special agents of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and FBI’s Detroit Field Office investigated the criminal case.

    Senior Trial Attorney Banumathi Rangarajan of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew J. Yahkind for the Eastern District of Michigan handled the criminal prosecution. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gjon Juncaj handled the criminal forfeiture matters. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Environment – NZ dairy linked to deforestation inside Attenborough orangutan documentary wildlife reserve – Greenpeace

    Source: Greenpeace

    Greenpeace Aotearoa says that New Zealand dairy has been linked to deforestation inside the wildlife reserve featured in David Attenborough’s orangutan documentary, Secret Lives of Orangutans.
    The organisation says that it is deeply concerned by news that two companies exporting to New Zealand have been sourcing palm kernel from a mill known to be buying products grown illegally inside the Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve as recently as September 2024.
    The reserve is home to highly endangered species including Sumatran tigers and orangutans.
    Greenpeace Aotearoa spokesperson Sinéad Deighton-O’Flynn says, “The Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve is a biodiversity hotspot and the last refuge of the critically endangered Sumatran orangutan. It’s a disgrace that New Zealand dairy has any part in its destruction.”
    “Every year, the New Zealand dairy industry, led by Fonterra spends millions of dollars on palm kernel that comes from the destruction of once thriving rainforests.”
    New Zealand is the world’s biggest importer of palm kernel, importing nearly 2 million tonnes every year from Southeast Asia. Palm kernel is used as a supplementary feed for dairy cattle.
    A 2024 investigation by Rainforest Action Network found that there are 653 hectares of illegal oil palm plantations operating in the Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve, 453 hectares of which are productive, meaning that illegal palm oil and palm kernel from these plantations is already being sold.
    Between 2023-2024, Apical and Musim Mas, two major palm kernel expeller (PKE) exporters to New Zealand, purchased palm kernel from PT. Global Sawit Semesta, a mill known to have traded palm products grown within the wildlife reserve.
    “New Zealand dairy is marketed as clean, green and grass-fed, but this is just simply not true. Fonterra’s own grass-fed standard allows for its cows’ diets to be made up of 20% palm kernel,” says Deighton-O’Flynn.
    “Fonterra’s butter and milk powder is contaminated with this blood-soaked animal feed and its executives are ignoring the severity of the issue.”
    “Fonterra has tried to avoid accountability on illegal palm kernel in its supply chain, by claiming that its suppliers have “no deforestation, no peat and no exploitation” policies, but it is abundantly clear that these policies aren’t working. The rainforest is still being destroyed at an alarming rate,” says Deighton-O’Flynn.
    “Palm kernel supply chains are incredibly murky. It is virtually impossible for Fonterra to guarantee that its supply chains are not linked to rainforest destruction, so Greenpeace is calling on Fonterra to completely phase out the use of palm kernel on all of its farms.”
    “New Zealanders should not have to worry about whether the butter they’re spreading on their toast is tainted by the killing of orangutans in Southeast Asia.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Women Champion Environmental Justice, Biodiversity, Commission Hears

    Source: United Nations 4

    In an interactive dialogue on environmental conservation, protection and rehabilitation, the Commission on the Status of Women today heard from speakers who called on Governments to bridge the gap between policy and practice and empower Indigenous women and other marginalized groups in a world where progress is “being slashed by anti-rights actors that are in the league with fossil-fuel industries and tech billionaires”.

    The Commission’s two-week annual session has centered on accelerating the implementation of the Platform for Action adopted at the 1995 World Conference on Women in Beijing, where world leaders pledged to achieve gender equality and uphold women’s rights.  Today’s panel discussion centred on cultivating a coordinated response to the triple planetary crisis — climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution — while emphasizing the need to reinvigorate efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  Another dialogue was held on peaceful and inclusive societies.

    Lorena Aguilar, Executive Director at Kaschak Institute for Social Justice for Women and Girls at Binghamton University in New York, said that the discussion will centre on the key barriers Indigenous women face in securing land and resource rights, exploring how Governments and non-State actors, including academia, civil society and international organizations, can more effectively support Indigenous communities in overcoming these challenges.  Speakers will also examine the disconnect between policy and practice, particularly the obstacles preventing young women from pursuing education and careers in fields that foster their meaningful participation in the green and blue economies.  Looking ahead to 2030, she said, the dialogue will showcase best practices and scalable strategies that align the Beijing Platform for Action with the SDGs, advancing gender-responsive climate and environmental action.

    Exclusion of Women from Green, Blue Economies

    Manasiti Omar, Founder and Executive Director of Spring of the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands, said that, as a young Indigenous woman who has personally encountered the barriers hindering young women’s participation in the green and blue economies, she knows that the promise of a just transition will remain unfulfilled if powerful obstacles persist.  Too often, young women especially those from Indigenous, rural and marginalized communities struggle to access education, employment and leadership opportunities in climate and environmental action.  “The reality is a system designed to exclude young women,” she said.  On paper, many Governments have policies promoting environmental education, technical training and gender inclusion, yet these commitments rarely translate into real, tangible opportunities.  Structural inequalities, financial constraints, cultural biases and a lack of mentorship or institutional support create layers of exclusion that prevent young women from fully engaging in the green and blue economies.  It is important to dismantle these barriers, bridge the gap between policy and practice, and create pathways that empower young women to lead in climate and environmental action.  “I have seen first hand that, when young women are given the right opportunities, we don’t just participate, we transform entire communities, but we cannot do it alone,” she said.

    Need to Address Structural Inequalities

    Astrid Puentes Riaño, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, said that she is the first woman to serve as a UN Rapporteur and the first person from the Global South in this role, covering not only the environment, but also climate, toxins and water.  “This is the kind of changes, of course, that we need,” she added.  However, true progress isn’t about checking boxes; it requires a systematic and sustained approach to breaking barriers that have historically excluded women, particularly those from marginalized and Indigenous communities.  Looking ahead to 2030 and beyond, she said it is essential to ensure that policies promoting gender inclusion in environmental governance translate into real opportunities.  This means addressing structural inequalities, ensuring access to education and leadership roles, and creating pathways for women to actively participate in shaping climate and environmental action.  The need for expertise-driven, inclusive leadership is more critical than ever, and only by dismantling these barriers can truly create a just and sustainable future.  “Women and girls in marginalized situations are not only victims; we are also key actors for change,” she stressed.

    Hopes Slashed by Anti-Rights Actors

    “I am angry at what is happening in the world today,” said Sascha Gabizon, Executive Director of Women Engage for a Common Future and Co-Facilitator of the Women’s Major Group on SDGs.  She recalled working in Beijing at the fourth World Conference on Women 30 years ago.  “We had so much hope that we could make this world a better place,” she added, emphasizing:  “But, unfortunately, our work is being slashed by anti-rights actors that are in the league with fossil-fuel industries and tech billionaires that are clearly only interested in their own profit.”   Authoritarian regimes are trying to silence and criminalize climate activists and women environmental rights defenders.  In the Caucasus, where she works, the Government has rolled back gender equality laws and institutions and silenced feminist and civil society organizations through what they call foreign agent laws, a tactic which is spreading also now in other countries.  Half of the CO2 emissions come from only 36 fossil-fuel corporations annually, she noted.  Each year, $700 billion go into subsidies for fossil fuels.  “That is where we should be cutting,” she said, adding that “billionaires produce more carbon in 90 minutes than each of you in your entire life”.  She urged the need to continue to mobilize and collectively organize, to engage in policy processes, “to claim our seats, to go on strikes, to go onto the streets and to implement gender just solutions on the ground”.

    Solar Farming

    Valbona Mazreku, Founder and Director of Milieukontakt Albania, said that integrating gender-responsive policies into climate adaptation is crucial.  Over 50 per cent of rural women in Albania are engaged in agriculture, yet they have limited access to resources and technology, and “only 8 per cent of agricultural land is owned by women”, restricting their ability to make sustainable land-use decisions.  Highlighting the high cost of water, she said her organization worked with a group of farmers from a small village in south-east Albania to develop Piskova Solar Farming, a renewable energy cooperative.  It also created a curriculum on renewable energy aimed at young people “to influence women’s career aspirations in the energy sector”, she said.  Noting that the organization’s trainers and experts are women, she said:  “We not only break down gender stereotypes, but also prepare the next generation for participation in the green economy.”  Women should not just be seen as victims of climate change, but as key agents of change, she said, calling on UN-Women to partner with local organizations.

    Fisherwomen ‘Guardians of Local Biodiversity’

    Yuli Velásquez, Director of the Federation of Artisanal, Environmental and Tourist Fishermen of Santander, Colombia, speaking via video, said that, while her fishing community is male dominated, it is the fisherwomen of the Federation who serve as guardians of local biodiversity.  They are on the front lines of fighting for environmental justice, she said, highlighting several examples, including their work gathering evidence about water pollution in the Magdalene River.  Highlighting the crucial role of “community water monitoring”, she said:  “We are now learning how to do so with technical tools and instruments,” to facilitate this data-collection.  Women in her community who spoke out against corruption have received threats. “We have spoken out robustly,” she said, but due to prevailing impunity, the cases are often closed.  This demonstrates the need for stronger State institutions to ensure investigation and prosecution of crimes against social and environmental activists.

    __________

    * The 16th meeting was not covered.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Protecting Alberta from unconstitutional federal overreach

    [. The Critical Infrastructure Defence Amendment Act, 2025, would make amendments to the CIDA to update the definition of essential infrastructure to include facilities where oil and gas production and emission data and records are held, as well as the two-kilometre-deep border zone north of the Alberta-United States border.

    “Our government will continue using every tool we can to defend the best interests of Albertans, our economy, and our industry. These amendments would further assert Alberta’s exclusive provincial jurisdiction to develop its natural resources and ensure our southern border remains secure. We will not tolerate the continuous and unconstitutional overreaches made by the federal government. Alberta will continue its pursuit of doubling our oil and gas production to meet the growing global demand for energy and we will not let Ottawa stand in the way of our province’s future prosperity.”

    Danielle Smith, Premier

    “Whether securing our border or calling on the federal government to scrap its harmful, job-killing emissions cap, our government will always prioritize public safety and defend Alberta’s interests. These amendments will ensure we have the necessary tools to protect our economy, industry and economic prosperity right now and in the years to come.

    Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Attorney General

    Updating the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act to include facilities where oil and gas production and emission data and records are held will help protect Alberta’s economy and the province’s ability to continue producing responsible energy to meet the world’s growing demands. These amendments are in line with the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act motion, passed in December 2024, which stated that all emissions data be exclusively owned by the province, and if the federal government’s proposed emissions cap is found to be unconstitutional, federal enforcement officers would have no reason to conduct emissions cap inspections or collect data.

    “This production cap will kill tens of thousands of jobs and devastate Alberta’s economy, all while global emissions rise. Protecting Alberta’s emissions data is part of our plan to defend our province if the proposed cap ever becomes law. We will never let the federal Liberal government sacrifice Alberta’s prosperity for their extreme ideological agenda.”

    Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas

    The Critical Infrastructure Defence Act protects essential infrastructure by creating offences under the act for trespassing, interfering with operations or causing damage. Proposed amendments would also explicitly state the act applies to the federal government.

    As part of government’s efforts to strengthen security in the area near the international border, a two-kilometre-deep border zone north of the entire Alberta-United States border was designated as essential infrastructure in the Critical Infrastructure Defence Regulation in January 2025. These legislative changes would further enshrine this in legislation.

    “The proposed amendments are vital to increasing border security along Alberta’s southern USA border. Let this be a message to all potential traffickers, especially those who traffic deadly fentanyl, that Alberta’s southern border is secure. Anyone caught trespassing in the red zone, interfering with, or damaging essential infrastructure, and those who do not have a lawful right to be on the essential infrastructure will be arrested.”

    Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services

    The Critical Infrastructure Amendment Act will combine the definition of essential infrastructure in one place by including the two-kilometre border zone, as designated in the regulation, into the act. These changes would help protect Alberta’s economy, industry and prosperity and ensure peace officers have the tools needed to strengthen security in the area near the international border.

    Related information

    • Bill 45: Critical Infrastructure Defence Amendment Act, 2025

    Related news

    • Protecting Alberta’s economic future from Ottawa (Nov. 26, 2024)

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference
    • Listen to the news conference

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Four-day Symposium ‘India 2047: Building a Climate Resilient Future’ kick starts in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    Four-day Symposium ‘India 2047: Building a Climate Resilient Future’ kick starts in New Delhi

    Important to maintain Growth and Accelerating Welfare while addressing Adaptation Challenges: Vice Chairperson (NITI Aayog), Shri Suman Bery

    Need to scale up South-South and Triangular Cooperation to ensure ‘Climate Resilience for All’: MoS (EFCC) Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh

    Posted On: 19 MAR 2025 6:36PM by PIB Delhi

    The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute and The Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at Harvard University, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, are organizing a symposium, ‘India 2047: Building a Climate-Resilient Future’. The four-day symposium started today at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, beginning with the convening of stakeholders from Union Government, State Governments, scientists, researchers, industry experts, civil society representatives and other relevant stakeholders to deliberate on India’s climate adaptation and resilience priorities as the Nation aspires to be Viksit Bharat by 2047.

    The Inaugural Session on Day-1 was presided over by Shri Suman Bery, Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog and Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh. Other dignitaries gracing the occasion included Shri Tarun Kapoor, Adviser to the Prime Minister of India, Mr. James H. Stock, Vice Provost of Harvard University and Mr. Tarun Khanna, Director of The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute.

    In his address, Shri Suman Bery, emphasized the need for India-centric adaptation strategies. He highlighted the importance of maintaining growth and accelerating welfare while addressing adaptation challenges. He called for flexibility in programme design, particularly in governance dimension, which remains largely unexplored. He stressed the need to empower both the people and the communities. Additionally, he underscored the significance of documenting case studies and fostering intellectual exchange within South Asia.

    Stressing on the critical need for stronger adaptation measures across all sectors, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh stated, “India has consistently led climate advocacy for the Global South, ensuring at international climate policies are fair and inclusive. As we move forward, it is crucial to scale up adaptation efforts and ensure that the most vulnerable communities have access to the resources and technologies they need to build resilience”. While India has made significant strides in mitigation through ambitious renewable energy goals and emission intensity reduction commitments, he emphasized that adaptation and resilience remains essential to safeguarding livelihoods, ecosystems, and infrastructure from the impacts of climate change.

    The Minister further highlighted the crucial role of climate finance in supporting adaptation initiatives. He stressed that financial resources must be significantly scaled up to meet the needs of vulnerable communities and ensure effective adaptation measures. He underscored the need for innovative financing mechanisms, including blended finance, risk-sharing frameworks, and greater private sector engagement, to complement public finance in driving adaptation efforts. Additionally, the Minister pointed out that adaptation investments must directly benefit those on the frontlines of climate change – farmers, small businesses, and coastal communities. He stated that by strengthening financial instruments such as green bonds, climate-resilient infrastructure funds and concessional financing, India aims to create a sustainable and equitable climate finance ecosystem. “India believes that international climate action must be built on trust, transparency, and equitable growth. We must scale up South-South and Triangular Cooperation to ensure climate resilience for all, accelerate innovation in clean energy transitions, and empower local communities through decentralized governance and ecosystem-based solutions,” the Minister concluded.

    Addressing the gathering, Shri Tarun Kapoor emphasized practical climate change solutions that ensure resource flows to individuals and affordable food security. He stressed the importance of delivering forecasts, technology and knowledge where needed. Earlier, in his welcome remarks, Secretary (MoEFCC), Shri Tanmay Kumar, set the tone for the symposium, emphasizing the need for actionable solutions related to adaptation. He said, “This Symposium is not just about identifying challenges – it is about coming together of experts, policy makers, academia, scientists, civil society and communities in developing adaptation strategies that are grounded in research, responsive to local needs, cost effective and scalable for long-term resilience. He highlighted that India’s adaptation strategy is to be built on a foundation of scientific evidence, cross-sectoral integration, and strong institutional frameworks.

    In a video address, Mr. Alan M. Garber, President of Harvard University, highlighted the role of The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute as a hub connecting Harvard with India. He introduced The Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability, aimed at developing durable and effective climate solutions. Mr. James H. Stock, Vice Provost of Harvard University, underscored the university’s mission of teaching and research, with interdisciplinary teams working on climate solutions. He emphasized learning from local partners to address climate challenges. Mr. Tarun Khanna, Director of The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute, spoke about the importance of synergizing traditional knowledge and advanced knowledge systems.

    Over the period of four days, the symposium will address four key themes that are central to India’s adaptation priorities – climate science and its implications for agriculture and water security, health risks associated with climate change, labor productivity and workforce adaptation, and resilience in the built environment. High-level plenaries, expert roundtables, and technical sessions will explore sector-specific challenges and identify best practices for mainstreaming adaptation across policies and programmes.

    The intersection of climate resilience and governance remains a crucial area of focus, with an emphasis on ensuring that adaptation measures are effectively implemented across all levels. Strengthening institutional capacity and fostering coordination among stakeholders will play a pivotal role in translating policies into tangible actions that protect communities, economy, and ecosystems from climate risks. The insights from this symposium could also contribute to the India’s first National Adaptation Plan (NAP) which is under preparation, for which the National Level Stakeholder Workshop was organized by the MoEFCC on 18th March, 2025. Deliberations will help shape evidence-based policy recommendations that integrate climate adaptation into development planning, safeguarding livelihoods, critical infrastructure, and economic stability.

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    VM

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: North India’s first Nuclear project coming up in Haryana in a small town called Gorakhpur,

    Source: Government of India (2)

    North India’s first Nuclear project coming up in Haryana in a small town called Gorakhpur,

    Jaitapur Nuclear Plant to Contribute 10% of India’s 100 GW Clean Energy Goal Dr. Jitendra Singh in Lok Sabha

    Environmental Concerns Over Jaitapur Addressed, Project on Track

    In a significant policy shift, the government is also opening the nuclear energy sector to private participation to accelerate expansion.

    Posted On: 19 MAR 2025 5:01PM by PIB Delhi

    North India’s first Nuclear project is coming up in Haryana in a small town called Gorakhpur.

    This was revealed by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh while reaffirming the government’s commitment to the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project, calling it a critical step toward India’s clean energy future.

    Responding to concerns raised in the Lok Sabha, Dr. Jitendra Singh clarified that environmental clearance for the project is under renewal and that necessary safeguards are in place to address ecological and safety concerns.

     Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that the government remains confident in the safety of the project despite objections from conservation groups and concerns about its location in a seismic zone. He stated that concerns about risks to marine life and local livelihoods have been raised repeatedly, and every time, the government has “tried to allay all these apprehensions that there is no such risk to the marine life, the fisheries, or the people living around, there are ample number of evidence-based studies to prove that.” He further clarified that the environmental clearance had expired in December 2022 due to procedural delays, not because of any new environmental objections. “If there were very serious environmental hazards or any apprehension or evidence, then we would not have got the environment clearance even earlier,” he explained.

    Tracing the project’s timeline, the Minister explained that while initial approvals were given in 2008, delays occurred due to shifts in agreements with French stakeholders. With technical agreements now finalized, discussions are ongoing to settle commercial terms with the French side. The Jaitapur plant, once operational, will house six nuclear reactors, each with a capacity of 1,730 MW, totaling 10,380 MW—accounting for 10% of India’s 100 GW nuclear energy target by 2047.

    Addressing concerns about nuclear liability, Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that India’s Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) framework provides clear safeguards. The primary responsibility rests with the operator, and an insurance pool of ₹1,500 crore has been set up, with additional commitments from the government if required. Furthermore, India has aligned with global compensation mechanisms to ensure financial security in case of an incident.

    In a significant policy shift, the government is also opening the nuclear energy sector to private participation to accelerate expansion. Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the upcoming Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Plant in Haryana, marking India’s first nuclear project in North India, as part of this broader vision.

    With India aiming for net-zero emissions by 2070, the Jaitapur project is expected to play a crucial role in achieving the country’s clean energy ambitions while strengthening its position as a leader in nuclear technology.

     

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    NKR/PSM

     

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –