NewzIntel.com

Category: Natural Disasters

  • MIL-OSI Security: Guam Meth Trafficker Sentenced to 135-Months in Federal Prison

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Hagåtña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant Gavin Domingo Alimurong, age 27, from Dededo, Guam was sentenced to 135-months imprisonment.  He was charged in the U.S. District Court of Guam with Conspiracy to Distribute Fifty or More Grams of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)(viii) and 846. Alimurong also forfeited four vehicles, jewelry, luxury bags, and $350,164 in cash.  The Court also ordered five years of supervised release and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.  In addition, defendants convicted of a federal drug offense may no longer qualify for certain federal benefits.

    Between July 2019 and July 2022, Alimurong conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in Guam. He obtained methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy through the dark web, converting U.S. currency into Bitcoin to pay for drugs shipped to Guam via the U.S. Postal Service. In December 2021, Guam Police Department investigated a domestic violence incident involving Alimurong.  During searches of his residence and vehicle, law enforcement seized 594 grams of methamphetamine and 401 grams of cocaine, in addition to pharmaceuticals including oxycodone, alprazolam, and amphetamine pills.  Police also seized glass pipes, a pill crusher, a digital scale, plastic zip-top bags, a money counter, a postal stamp printer, and various luxury items.  Officers also recovered a firearm, ammunition, and $93,124 in cash.

    A search of a storage locker revealed an additional $257,040 in U.S. currency from illegal drug sales. Western Union records indicated that Alimurong wired $103,165 to multiple individuals in China, Vietnam, Bolivia, Colombia, Laos, and the United States.

    “Law enforcement removed a prolific drug dealer from the streets of Guam,” stated United States Attorney Anderson.  “Drug defendants, such as Alimurong, face more than a substantial term of imprisonment.  We will also take any property earned from or facilitating drug trafficking.  I applaud our multi-agency partners that continue to protect our communities from this dangerous activity.”

    “Drug trafficking will not be tolerated in our communities,” said Anthony Chrysanthis, Deputy Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division, which oversees Guam. “We will vigorously pursue all criminals who flood our streets with their poison and ensure they face the full force of the law.”

    “The defendant in this case callously chased profits with no concern for the impact and harm he brought to public safety,” said Homeland Security Investigations Hawaii Special Agent in Charge Lucy Cabral-DeArmas.  “HSI and its partners in law enforcement will aggressively investigate, disrupt, and dismantle the transnational flow of illegal drugs and ensure those that choose to traffic them are held accountable for the harm they bring to the communities of Guam.”

    “You will lose your freedom and the unlawful proceeds or your crime if you try to exploit the U.S. mail to traffic dangerous controlled substances,” said U.S. Postal Inspection Service San Francisco Division Inspector in Charge Stephen Sherwood. “I would like to thank our federal partners, and our task force partners with Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency, the Guam Police Department, and the Guam Army National Guard Counter Drug Program for helping keep methamphetamine out of the mail and out of our communities.”

    “Drugs and guns are a losing combination,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais. “Mr. Alimurong’s actions put the community in great harm and was only exacerbated by his possession of firearms.  Because of his actions, this sentence is well deserved.” 

    The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strategic Initiative. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.

    The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Guam Police Department, with support from Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Guam Police Department Special Investigations Section, and the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency.

    Assistant United States Attorney Rosetta L. San Nicolas prosecuted the case in the District of Guam.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Sues FEMA for Cutting Bipartisan Funding for Natural Disasters

    Source: US State of New York

    EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today joined a coalition of 19 other states in suing the Trump administration over its deadly decision to illegally shut down the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) bipartisan Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which has supported critical infrastructure to protect communities from disasters before they happen. Since the 1990s, FEMA has provided billions of dollars to state and local governments to support infrastructure improvements to prepare for natural disasters. These funds have been proven to save lives, protect property, and reduce the cost of rebuilding after a disaster strikes. While BRIC has received bipartisan support and funded projects in all 50 states, the administration abruptly and illegally terminated the program earlier this year, jeopardizing billions of dollars intended to help communities prepare for disasters nationwide. With this lawsuit, Attorney General James and the coalition are seeking a court order to stop the termination of the BRIC program and prevent the administration from illegally reallocating its funds.

    “This administration’s decision to slash billions of dollars that protect our communities from floods, wildfires, and other disasters puts millions of New Yorkers at risk,” said Attorney General James. “New Yorkers depend on quality roads, floodwalls, and other vital infrastructure to keep them safe when disaster strikes. This administration has no authority to cut this program that has helped save countless lives, and I will continue to fight to ensure New York gets the support we need to prepare for dangerous natural disasters.”

    The BRIC program provides financial and technical assistance to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to implement new measures that protect communities from natural disasters. The program’s grants cover up to 75 percent of a project’s costs, and can rise to 90 percent for small rural communities, making them a critical lifeline. BRIC funding supports the construction of evacuation shelters and flood walls, protections for water and power infrastructure, and improvements to roads and bridges. Over the past four years, FEMA has selected nearly 2,000 projects from every corner of the country to receive roughly $4.5 billion in funding. Due to the unique threats they face, coastal communities have received the largest allocations over the past four years, with New York among the states receiving the most BRIC funding. 

    New York has 38 BRIC projects throughout the state totaling over $380 million that are all in jeopardy as a result of the termination of the program. New York City, which is particularly vulnerable to flooding, is expecting to receive BRIC funds for 19 different projects. This includes $50 million for the Central Harlem Cloudburst Flood Mitigation Project, which is designed to provide flood protection measures to over 45,000 city residents vulnerable to flash flooding of the Harlem River. 

    Multiple studies have shown that BRIC funds more than pay for themselves by preventing costly damage during disasters. Each dollar spent on mitigation saves an average of $6 in post-disaster costs, with some investments saving even more. BRIC program funds have helped avoid over $150 billion in costs and saved lives in communities throughout the country.

    Despite the program’s success and longtime bipartisan support, the Trump administration unlawfully terminated the program in April 2025, diverting over $4 billion out of FEMA’s pre-disaster mitigation fund and into funds for post-disaster grants. This abrupt termination has jeopardized critical projects throughout the country. Communities have been forced to delay, scale back, or cancel hundreds of projects that depend on BRIC funding. Projects that have been in development for years, and in which communities have already spent millions of dollars for planning, permitting, and environmental review are now threatened. As a result, Americans across the country face a higher risk of harm from natural disasters.

    Attorney General James and the coalition argue that the abrupt termination of BRIC is unconstitutional and illegal. Congress has written into law that disaster preparedness is a core part of FEMA’s mission and has appropriated funds for BRIC. Congress has also specified that the executive branch cannot alter this mission or reduce FEMA’s ability to carry out any of its core functions unless the law changes. FEMA also cannot refuse to spend congressionally appropriated funds in violation of the Constitution. In addition, Attorney General James and the coalition argue that President Trump’s FEMA administrator and his successor, who carried out BRIC’s termination, were not lawfully appointed to run FEMA and lack the authority to shut down the program.

    With this lawsuit, Attorney General James and the coalition are seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent the Trump Administration from spending BRIC funds on other purposes and a permanent injunction to reverse the termination of the BRIC program and require the restoration of these critical funds to the communities relying on them.

    Joining Attorney General James in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the governor of Pennsylvania.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Sues FEMA for Cutting Bipartisan Funding for Natural Disasters

    Source: US State of New York

    EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today joined a coalition of 19 other states in suing the Trump administration over its deadly decision to illegally shut down the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) bipartisan Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which has supported critical infrastructure to protect communities from disasters before they happen. Since the 1990s, FEMA has provided billions of dollars to state and local governments to support infrastructure improvements to prepare for natural disasters. These funds have been proven to save lives, protect property, and reduce the cost of rebuilding after a disaster strikes. While BRIC has received bipartisan support and funded projects in all 50 states, the administration abruptly and illegally terminated the program earlier this year, jeopardizing billions of dollars intended to help communities prepare for disasters nationwide. With this lawsuit, Attorney General James and the coalition are seeking a court order to stop the termination of the BRIC program and prevent the administration from illegally reallocating its funds.

    “This administration’s decision to slash billions of dollars that protect our communities from floods, wildfires, and other disasters puts millions of New Yorkers at risk,” said Attorney General James. “New Yorkers depend on quality roads, floodwalls, and other vital infrastructure to keep them safe when disaster strikes. This administration has no authority to cut this program that has helped save countless lives, and I will continue to fight to ensure New York gets the support we need to prepare for dangerous natural disasters.”

    The BRIC program provides financial and technical assistance to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to implement new measures that protect communities from natural disasters. The program’s grants cover up to 75 percent of a project’s costs, and can rise to 90 percent for small rural communities, making them a critical lifeline. BRIC funding supports the construction of evacuation shelters and flood walls, protections for water and power infrastructure, and improvements to roads and bridges. Over the past four years, FEMA has selected nearly 2,000 projects from every corner of the country to receive roughly $4.5 billion in funding. Due to the unique threats they face, coastal communities have received the largest allocations over the past four years, with New York among the states receiving the most BRIC funding. 

    New York has 38 BRIC projects throughout the state totaling over $380 million that are all in jeopardy as a result of the termination of the program. New York City, which is particularly vulnerable to flooding, is expecting to receive BRIC funds for 19 different projects. This includes $50 million for the Central Harlem Cloudburst Flood Mitigation Project, which is designed to provide flood protection measures to over 45,000 city residents vulnerable to flash flooding of the Harlem River. 

    Multiple studies have shown that BRIC funds more than pay for themselves by preventing costly damage during disasters. Each dollar spent on mitigation saves an average of $6 in post-disaster costs, with some investments saving even more. BRIC program funds have helped avoid over $150 billion in costs and saved lives in communities throughout the country.

    Despite the program’s success and longtime bipartisan support, the Trump administration unlawfully terminated the program in April 2025, diverting over $4 billion out of FEMA’s pre-disaster mitigation fund and into funds for post-disaster grants. This abrupt termination has jeopardized critical projects throughout the country. Communities have been forced to delay, scale back, or cancel hundreds of projects that depend on BRIC funding. Projects that have been in development for years, and in which communities have already spent millions of dollars for planning, permitting, and environmental review are now threatened. As a result, Americans across the country face a higher risk of harm from natural disasters.

    Attorney General James and the coalition argue that the abrupt termination of BRIC is unconstitutional and illegal. Congress has written into law that disaster preparedness is a core part of FEMA’s mission and has appropriated funds for BRIC. Congress has also specified that the executive branch cannot alter this mission or reduce FEMA’s ability to carry out any of its core functions unless the law changes. FEMA also cannot refuse to spend congressionally appropriated funds in violation of the Constitution. In addition, Attorney General James and the coalition argue that President Trump’s FEMA administrator and his successor, who carried out BRIC’s termination, were not lawfully appointed to run FEMA and lack the authority to shut down the program.

    With this lawsuit, Attorney General James and the coalition are seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent the Trump Administration from spending BRIC funds on other purposes and a permanent injunction to reverse the termination of the BRIC program and require the restoration of these critical funds to the communities relying on them.

    Joining Attorney General James in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the governor of Pennsylvania.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Sues Trump Administration for Illegally Shutting Down Longstanding Disaster Prevention Program

    Source: US State of California

    Over a billion in funding potentially at stake for California projects to address flooding, wildfires, landslides, drought, and earthquakes

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today filed a lawsuit challenging the unlawful termination of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program. Since 2020, FEMA has made billions of dollars available under the BRIC program to prepare for and mitigate the risks from disasters before they happen. From flooding to wildfires to landslides to earthquakes, California is uniquely at risk from natural disasters and the largest beneficiary of this program; already, it has been awarded tens of millions of dollars, and if the program continues, could receive over a billion more for projects that FEMA had selected for grant funding. In today’s lawsuit, Attorney General Bonta, alongside a coalition of 19 other states, asks the court to compel FEMA to reverse the unlawful termination of the BRIC program so that communities across the country can protect themselves from natural disasters before they strike.  

    “Nearly thirty years ago, both Democrats and Republicans in Congress recognized a simple fact: Preparing for disasters, instead of just reacting to them, saves money and lives,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Yet in the name of cutting waste, fraud, and abuse, President Trump and his lackeys have once again jeopardized public safety with their indiscriminate slashing of pre-disaster mitigation funding. We’re taking them to court – not because we want to, but because we have to. As we continue to build a climate resilient California, we deserve a federal government that is a partner, not a roadblock in our efforts – and that’s exactly what Congress intended.” 

    Across five Presidential administrations, Congress and FEMA have worked together to provide funding through FEMA’s pre-disaster mitigation program so that communities across the nation can invest in projects that reduce harm from natural disasters. The rationale is simple: by proactively fortifying our communities against disasters before they strike, rather than just responding afterward, we will reduce injuries, save lives, protect property, and, ultimately, save money that would otherwise be spent on post-disaster costs. 

    Given the program’s effectiveness in protecting both people and pocketbooks, it is little surprise that it has had broad bipartisan support. The bill codifying the program passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 415–2 and passed the Senate by unanimous consent before President Bill Clinton signed it. More recently, during President Trump’s first term, a bipartisan group of legislators overwhelmingly passed a bill by a vote of 398–23 in the House and 93–6 in the Senate that provided the program with an additional funding stream. And in 2021, Congress invested another $1 billion in the program through the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

    In California, projects that have been awarded funding include: 

    • A project in City of Rancho Palos Verdes to reduce geologic landslide movement that threatens most of the City’s residents and infrastructure, including a major arterial roadway that provides community and emergency access, sanitation sewer lines located along this roadway, electric and communication lines, potable water lines, and gas lines. Without this project, landslide movement will continue to threaten critical infrastructure, damage homes and property, and endanger lives. 
    • A project in the City of Sacramento to mitigate flooding of five major interchanges, 3.9 miles of a major interstate highway, a runway at an airport, surface streets, 27,000 housing units, and more. Among other things, the project would have improved floodwall sections, improved levee sections, and relocated a pump station. 
    • A project in Kern County to seismically retrofit the Kern Valley Healthcare District’s hospital that provides acute care and emergency medical services to a remote population in the mid-northern region of the Kern River Valley area. Unless seismically retrofitted, the hospital may soon need to close. This would force hundreds of thousands of Californians to seek services at hospitals over two hours away. 

    In Texas, where heavy rains turned into devastating floods earlier this month, FEMA was set to provide hundreds of million in federal funding for pre-disaster mitigation projects, including for several flood mitigation projects.

    All that changed when Cameron Hamilton, who the Trump Administration unlawfully installed to act as FEMA’s Administrator, suddenly shut down the program. His unilateral decision to shutter the nation’s largest, most popular, and most cost-effective pre-disaster mitigation program is illegal. Neither Cameron Hamilton nor his successor, David Richardson, were lawfully appointed or qualified to run FEMA, as required by the Constitution’s Appointments Clause and statutory requirements. Their purported termination of the BRIC program flatly contravenes Congress’s decision to continue to fund it, in violation of the U.S. Constitution and Congress’s power of the purse. In their lawsuit filed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Attorney General Bonta and a coalition urge the court to reverse FEMA’s unlawful decision to shut down this program – before the devastating impact of this loss of funding results in permanent damage to our communities.  

    Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well as the state of Pennsylvania, in filing the lawsuit.  

    A copy of the lawsuit will be available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Sues Trump Administration for Illegally Shutting Down Longstanding Disaster Prevention Program

    Source: US State of California

    Over a billion in funding potentially at stake for California projects to address flooding, wildfires, landslides, drought, and earthquakes

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today filed a lawsuit challenging the unlawful termination of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program. Since 2020, FEMA has made billions of dollars available under the BRIC program to prepare for and mitigate the risks from disasters before they happen. From flooding to wildfires to landslides to earthquakes, California is uniquely at risk from natural disasters and the largest beneficiary of this program; already, it has been awarded tens of millions of dollars, and if the program continues, could receive over a billion more for projects that FEMA had selected for grant funding. In today’s lawsuit, Attorney General Bonta, alongside a coalition of 19 other states, asks the court to compel FEMA to reverse the unlawful termination of the BRIC program so that communities across the country can protect themselves from natural disasters before they strike.  

    “Nearly thirty years ago, both Democrats and Republicans in Congress recognized a simple fact: Preparing for disasters, instead of just reacting to them, saves money and lives,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Yet in the name of cutting waste, fraud, and abuse, President Trump and his lackeys have once again jeopardized public safety with their indiscriminate slashing of pre-disaster mitigation funding. We’re taking them to court – not because we want to, but because we have to. As we continue to build a climate resilient California, we deserve a federal government that is a partner, not a roadblock in our efforts – and that’s exactly what Congress intended.” 

    Across five Presidential administrations, Congress and FEMA have worked together to provide funding through FEMA’s pre-disaster mitigation program so that communities across the nation can invest in projects that reduce harm from natural disasters. The rationale is simple: by proactively fortifying our communities against disasters before they strike, rather than just responding afterward, we will reduce injuries, save lives, protect property, and, ultimately, save money that would otherwise be spent on post-disaster costs. 

    Given the program’s effectiveness in protecting both people and pocketbooks, it is little surprise that it has had broad bipartisan support. The bill codifying the program passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 415–2 and passed the Senate by unanimous consent before President Bill Clinton signed it. More recently, during President Trump’s first term, a bipartisan group of legislators overwhelmingly passed a bill by a vote of 398–23 in the House and 93–6 in the Senate that provided the program with an additional funding stream. And in 2021, Congress invested another $1 billion in the program through the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

    In California, projects that have been awarded funding include: 

    • A project in City of Rancho Palos Verdes to reduce geologic landslide movement that threatens most of the City’s residents and infrastructure, including a major arterial roadway that provides community and emergency access, sanitation sewer lines located along this roadway, electric and communication lines, potable water lines, and gas lines. Without this project, landslide movement will continue to threaten critical infrastructure, damage homes and property, and endanger lives. 
    • A project in the City of Sacramento to mitigate flooding of five major interchanges, 3.9 miles of a major interstate highway, a runway at an airport, surface streets, 27,000 housing units, and more. Among other things, the project would have improved floodwall sections, improved levee sections, and relocated a pump station. 
    • A project in Kern County to seismically retrofit the Kern Valley Healthcare District’s hospital that provides acute care and emergency medical services to a remote population in the mid-northern region of the Kern River Valley area. Unless seismically retrofitted, the hospital may soon need to close. This would force hundreds of thousands of Californians to seek services at hospitals over two hours away. 

    In Texas, where heavy rains turned into devastating floods earlier this month, FEMA was set to provide hundreds of million in federal funding for pre-disaster mitigation projects, including for several flood mitigation projects.

    All that changed when Cameron Hamilton, who the Trump Administration unlawfully installed to act as FEMA’s Administrator, suddenly shut down the program. His unilateral decision to shutter the nation’s largest, most popular, and most cost-effective pre-disaster mitigation program is illegal. Neither Cameron Hamilton nor his successor, David Richardson, were lawfully appointed or qualified to run FEMA, as required by the Constitution’s Appointments Clause and statutory requirements. Their purported termination of the BRIC program flatly contravenes Congress’s decision to continue to fund it, in violation of the U.S. Constitution and Congress’s power of the purse. In their lawsuit filed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Attorney General Bonta and a coalition urge the court to reverse FEMA’s unlawful decision to shut down this program – before the devastating impact of this loss of funding results in permanent damage to our communities.  

    Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well as the state of Pennsylvania, in filing the lawsuit.  

    A copy of the lawsuit will be available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ showcases Donald Trump’s penchant for visual cruelty

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Marycarmen Lara Villanueva, PhD Candidate, Department of Social Justice Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

    The United States government recently announced the opening of a massive immigrant detention facility built deep within the Florida Everglades that’s been dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a media briefing that “there is only one road leading in … and the only way out is a one-way flight.”

    For some taking in her remarks, the moment felt dystopian. According to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, the facility is surrounded by swamps and alligators and is equipped with more than 200 security cameras, 8,500 metres of barbed wire and a security force of 400 personnel.

    Accounts from some of the first detainees at the facility have shed light on the inhumane conditions. They’ve described limited access to water and fresh air, saying they received only one meal a day and that the lights are on 24/7.

    Apparently designed to be an immigration deterrence and a display of cruelty, Alligator Alcatraz is much more than infrastructure. It is visual policy aimed to stage terror as a message while making Trump’s authoritarian and fascist politics a material reality.

    Contributing to this fascist visual apparatus, AI-generated images of alligators wearing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) hats have circulated widely on social media. Some have questioned whether these images were satire or state propaganda.

    A screenshot of a June 2025 Homeland Security post on X, formerly Twitter.

    Surveillance, migration, debilitation

    In a moment of growing right-wing rhetoric and support for anti-immigrant violence, understanding how visual regimes operate, and what they attempt to normalize, is important.



    Read more:
    Nearly 54% of extreme conservatives say the federal government should use violence to stop illegal immigration

    Surveillance and deterrence technologies used along the U.S.–Mexico border for decades were intentionally designed to restrict the movement of undocumented migrants. According to Human Rights Watch, this has resulted in more than 10,000 deaths.

    Since 1994, U.S. Border Patrol has been accused of directing migrants away from urban crossings along the southern border, intentionally funnelling them into harsh and inhospitable terrain like the Sonora Desert.

    The desert serves as a deterrent to prevent immigrants from reaching their destiny. American theorist Jasbir Puar’s concept of debility is useful in making sense of the strategic process whereby the state works not to kill, but to weaken, as a form of slow violence that wears people down over time. The desired outcome is deterrence.

    On the southern U.S. border, severe dehydration and kidney failure can be outcomes of this debilitating process, potentially resulting in disability or death.

    Infrastructures of violence

    Sarah Lopez, a built environment historian and migration scholar in the U.S., describes the architecture of migrant immobilization as existing on a continuum with prison design. She’s highlighted the increasingly punitive conditions of immigration detention facilities, such as small dark cells or the absence of natural light.

    French architect and writer Léopold Lambert explains that architecture isn’t just about buildings, but about how space is used to organize and control people. He coined and developed the term weaponized architecture to describe how spaces are designed to serve the political goals of those in power.

    Colonialism, capitalism and modernity are closely connected, and architecture has played a key role in making them possible. Alligator Alcatraz sits at the intersection of all three, intentionally created to invoke danger and isolation. In other words, it’s cruel by design.

    As Leavitt put it, the facility is “isolated and surrounded by dangerous wildlife and unforgiving terrain.” The Trump administration has essentially transformed land into infrastructure and migrants into disposable threats.

    Terrorizing the marginalized

    State-sanctioned “unforgiving terrains” are not new, and the use of alligators to terrorize people of colour isn’t new either.

    The grotesque history of Black children being used as “alligator bait” in Jim Crow-era imagery is well-documented.

    So when Trump publicly fantasized about alligators eating immigrants trying to escape the new detention centre, it came as no surprise to those familiar with the long racist visual history linking alligators to representations of Black people.

    This logic is redeployed in the form of a racial terror that is made visible, marketable and even humorous in mainstream political discourse.

    Visuality and migration

    “Visuality” is a key term in the field of visual and cultural studies, originally coined by Scottish historian Thomas Carlyle and reintroduced in the early 2000s by American cultural theorist Nicholas Mirzoeff. It can be understood as the socially, historically and culturally constructed ways of seeing and understanding the visual world.

    Visual systems have historically been used to justify western imperial and colonial rule by controlling how people see and understand the world.

    While Alligator Alcatraz is a brand-new detention facility, it draws from a longer visual and spatial history of domination.

    The AI-generated images of alligators wearing ICE hats can be seen as part of a broader visual system that makes racialized violence seem normal, justified and even funny. In this absurd transformation, the alligator is reimagined as a legitimate symbol of border enforcement.

    Migrant death by water

    The spectacle of Alligator Alcatraz, with its swampy inhospitable landscape, cannot be divorced from the long visual history of migrant death by water that’s relied on the circulation of images to provoke outrage — and sometimes state action.

    Examples include the iconic image of Aylan Kurdi, the Syrian child whose lifeless body washed ashore in Turkey in 2015, and the devastating photo of Oscar Alberto Martínez Ramírez and his two-year-old daughter who both drowned crossing the Rio Grande in 2019.

    These images sparked global concern, but they also reinforced the idea that migrant lives only matter when they end in death — as if borders only become visible when they cause deaths.

    Alligator Alcatraz was built in eight days. The fact that a detention camp — or what some have called a concentration camp — can be assembled almost overnight, while basic human needs like clean drinking water or emergency warning systems go unmet for years, speaks volumes about where political will and government priorities lie.

    Marycarmen Lara Villanueva 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. ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ showcases Donald Trump’s penchant for visual cruelty – https://theconversation.com/alligator-alcatraz-showcases-donald-trumps-penchant-for-visual-cruelty-260566

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Springfield Man Sentenced to 95 Months for Illegally Possessing Firearm

    Source: US FBI

    SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for unlawfully possessing a firearm.

    Michael G. Caldwell, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Stephen R. Bough to 95 months in federal prison without parole, to be followed by three years of supervised release.

    Caldwell pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a felon on Aug. 29, 2024.

    On April 2, 2024, officers with the Springfield Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a Dodge Charger driven by Caldwell. As the Charger slowed to pull over, officers observed Caldwell making furtive movements and reaching near the center console.

    The officers removed Caldwell from the vehicle and Caldwell physically resisted arrested. After a brief struggle, the officers were ultimately able to detain him. When detectives searched the Charger, they found a Ruger pistol between the center console and front passenger seat. Officers also seized $1,610 in cash from Caldwell.

    The Ruger pistol linked Caldwell to a shooting that occurred in the Springfield, Missouri area, on March 21, 2024, in that the shell casings from that shooting were a presumptive match to the shell casings from the Ruger seized from Caldwell. In addition, cell site data from a cell phone seized from Caldwell on April 2, 2024, confirmed that Caldwell’s cell phone was at the shooting.   

    Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who is convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Caldwell has prior felony convictions for robbery, possession of a controlled substance, and delivery of a controlled substance.

    This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Wan. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.

    Project Safe Neighborhoods

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Southwest Missouri Man Sentenced for Unlawful Possession of Stolen Firearm

    Source: US FBI

    SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Bolivar, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for unlawfully possessing a firearm.

    Timothy E. Parker, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Stephen R. Bough to 48 months in federal prison without parole, to be followed by three years of supervised release.

    On Sept. 25, 2024, Parker pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    On Sept. 23, 2023, deputies with the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a U-Haul that Parker was driving. Instead of stopping, Parker initially fled the area.  Eventually, Parker pulled the vehicle over and when contacted and searched, the deputies located a loaded Taurus G3C pistol concealed in a chest sling holster. Deputies also seized a backpack belonging to Parker that contained a 50-round box of ammunition, a Kydex style gun holster, a lock picking set, and 2.42 grams of methamphetamine during the stop. Police records indicated that the pistol and holster had been reported as stolen earlier that month.

    Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who is convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Parker has prior felony convictions for property damage, forgery, burglary, driving stolen motor vehicles, and resisting arrest.

    This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

    Project Safe Neighborhoods

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Zonal pricing is dead – here’s how the UK should change its electricity system instead

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Cassandra Etter-Wenzel, DPhil Candidate in Energy Policy, University of Oxford

    Marcin Rogozinski/Shutterstock

    The UK government has decided against setting different prices for electricity based on the locations of consumers.

    Zonal pricing would have categorised Britain into distinct zones, each with wholesale electricity prices that reflect how much power is generated locally, and how much demand there is for it. It would have raised prices in areas with lots of demand but low generation, like London, and lowered them where supply outstrips demand, such as in the turbine-rich Scottish Highlands.

    This might have caused an immediate increase in the energy bills of already vulnerable households in some high-demand, low-generation areas, such as Tower Hamlets in London and Blackpool in north-west England.

    But the idea was to encourage the construction of renewable energy to meet high demand in higher-priced zones, and prompt big electricity consumers to move to where electricity is cheaper. It was also intended to ease the need for new infrastructure to transmit electricity over long distances, like pylons. Australia, Norway and several EU nations already use this method.

    The ultimate goal of zonal pricing was to make the price of electricity more accurately reflect generation and transmission costs. However, one thing has significantly inflated electricity prices in recent years, which this pricing method wouldn’t have addressed on its own: gas.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    Gas is expensive, even more so since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Britain’s electricity system operator brings power plants onto the system to meet demand in order of the lowest to highest marginal costs.

    The point at which supply meets demand forms the wholesale price of electricity. Renewable sources, like wind and solar, have zero or very low marginal costs. But most of the time the wholesale price is set by gas plants, because they can readily fill a gap in supply but have high and erratic marginal costs (largely tied to what they pay for fuel).

    We need another, cheaper technology to set the wholesale price of electricity. Batteries, which can store electricity over several hours, and options capable of storing energy for longer, such as compressed air and low-carbon hydrogen, could be just the thing.

    The idea is simple: batteries can be charged at times when there is a lot of surplus electricity generation (on a bright, windy day, for example) and discharge it at times of peak demand (or when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow). This would entail grid operators (and ultimately, consumers) not having to pay gas plants to fire up when renewable generation cannot meet the shortfall.

    Unfortunately, batteries comprised just 6% of Britain’s total electricity capacity in 2024. Investment in energy storage has lagged behind what the government forecasts is necessary to meet its 2030 clean power goals, but it is at least increasing.

    Research shows that the more money that is invested in batteries, the more associated costs come down. If used instead of gas to stabilise the grid, energy storage could significantly lower the wholesale cost of the UK’s energy over time, and with the right balance of policies, household bills too. This would require subsidies to cover some of the cost of making and installing batteries, and planning mandates to build new renewables alongside new batteries.

    Affordable and fair

    The government could also try alternatives to zonal pricing. Wholesale electricity prices could reflect the “strike” price in renewable energy contracts. This is the price at which developers have agreed to build clean electricity generation projects, like wind farms. This would mean that gas no longer sets the wholesale price, but stable, predictable prices agreed years in advance, which would help to regulate the retail costs consumers pay.

    Solar arrays installed on farmland in Devon, southern England.
    Pjhpix/Shutterstock

    These types of reforms can help set efficient energy prices, which the government usually talks about as the price needed to encourage investment in new energy technologies. But just because prices are efficient, it doesn’t mean they’re fair. Some households struggle to afford their energy bills even when markets are working efficiently. So, when prices change to encourage cleaner energy, it can hit them harder.

    The government should implement new policies and expand eligibility for existing measures to take the burden off energy-poor households. These include social tariffs, which offer discounted rates to vulnerable consumers, and discounts for blocks of electricity use when renewables are generating a lot of it.

    Transition funds could help poorer households meet bills, while schemes to encourage home insulation and other improvements could see more homes with rooftop solar panels and battery storage.

    This support, combined with increasing investment in energy storage and renewables, will lower the wholesale price of electricity over time – and make energy more affordable (and fair) for everyone.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Anupama Sen has previously received funding from the Quadrature Climate Foundation and Children’s Investment Fund Foundation.

    Cassandra Etter-Wenzel and Sam Fankhauser do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Zonal pricing is dead – here’s how the UK should change its electricity system instead – https://theconversation.com/zonal-pricing-is-dead-heres-how-the-uk-should-change-its-electricity-system-instead-260985

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Enough of passing the buck, enough of the delay, enough of the bloodshed

    Source: Oxfam –

    In response to the EU’s foreign affairs ministers meeting to discuss the list of options for political action against Israel, Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam’s Policy Lead in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Gaza, said:  

    “Every day that passes without real action means more death and destruction. Yet, once again, Europe is kicking the can down the road.  

    “The recent aid deal may have been a step, but, in reality, it is mere breadcrumbs. Aid alone cannot stop this catastrophe. We cannot continue to watch children killed and say ‘we are making progress’. We cannot watch food rot in aid trucks while people starve and say ‘this is working.’ 

    “The EU cannot continue to maintain full ties with a government it acknowledges may be violating EU human rights principles, while offering humanitarian aid with one hand and enabling impunity with the other. 

    “We do not need another cautious statement nor another backroom deal. We need real leadership and decisive action. Enough of passing the buck. Enough of the delay. Enough of the bloodshed.”  

    EU foreign affairs ministers met today for the Foreign Affairs Council. At the meeting, EU Foreign Affairs Chief, Kaja Kallas, presented a list of options to EU foreign affairs ministers including the full or partial suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.    

    The EU is Israel’s biggest trading partner.   

    Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement states “Relations between the Parties, as well as all the provisions of the Agreement itself, shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy and constitutes an essential element of this Agreement.” Israel’s well-documented violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank, violate Article 2.     

    On Thursday, the EU and Israel agreed on steps that include “the substantial increase of daily trucks for food and non-food items to enter Gaza, the opening of several other crossing points in both the northern and southern areas; the reopening of the Jordanian and Egyptian aid routes” among other items.    

    Beyond suspending this agreement, Oxfam is calling for a permanent ceasefire, safe and unhindered humanitarian aid, an end to illegal Israeli occupation and a halt in all arm sales and transfers to Israel while there is a risk they are used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian or human rights law.      

    Jade Tenwick | Brussels, Belgium | jade.tenwick@oxfam.org | mobile +32 473 56 22 60 | Personal (WhatsApp only) +32 484 81 22 94            

    For more information on our work and to see our latest press releases, please visit oxfam.org/eu.         
        
    For updates, follow us on Twitter, BlueSky and LinkedIn.          

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: California farmers identify a hot new cash crop: Solar power

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Jacob Stid, Ph.D. student in Hydrogeology, Michigan State University

    This dairy farm in California’s Central Valley has installed solar panels on a portion of its land. George Rose/Getty Images

    Imagine that you own a small, 20-acre farm in California’s Central Valley. You and your family have cultivated this land for decades, but drought, increasing costs and decreasing water availability are making each year more difficult.

    Now imagine that a solar-electricity developer approaches you and presents three options:

    • You can lease the developer 10 acres of otherwise productive cropland, on which the developer will build an array of solar panels and sell electricity to the local power company.
    • You can select 1 or 2 acres of your land on which to build and operate your own solar array, using some electricity for your farm and selling the rest to the utility.
    • Or you can keep going as you have been, hoping your farm can somehow survive.

    Thousands of farmers across the country, including in the Central Valley, are choosing one of the first two options. A 2022 survey by the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that roughly 117,000 U.S. farm operations have some type of solar device. Our own work has identified over 6,500 solar arrays currently located on U.S. farmland.

    Our study of nearly 1,000 solar arrays built on 10,000 acres of the Central Valley over the past two decades found that solar power and farming are complementing each other in farmers’ business operations. As a result, farmers are making and saving more money while using less water – helping them keep their land and livelihood.

    A hotter, drier and more built-up future

    Perhaps nowhere in the U.S. is farmland more valuable or more productive than California’s Central Valley. The region grows a vast array of crops, including nearly all of the nation’s production of almonds, olives and sweet rice. Using less than 1% of all farmland in the country, the Central Valley supplies a quarter of the nation’s food, including 40% of its fruits, nuts and other fresh foods.

    The food, fuel and fiber that these farms produce are a bedrock of the nation’s economy, food system and way of life.

    But decades of intense cultivation, urban development and climate change are squeezing farmers. Water is limited, and getting more so: A state law passed in 2014 requires farmers to further reduce their water usage by the mid-2040s.

    California’s Central Valley is some of the most productive cropland in the country.
    Citizen of the Planet/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    The trade-offs of installing solar on agricultural land

    When the solar arrays we studied were installed, California state solar energy policy and incentives gave farm landowners new ways to diversify their income by either leasing their land for solar arrays or building their own.

    There was an obvious trade-off: Turning land used for crops to land used for solar usually means losing agricultural production. We estimated that over the 25-year life of the solar arrays, this land would have produced enough food to feed 86,000 people a year, assuming they eat 2,000 calories a day.

    There was an obvious benefit, too, of clean energy: These arrays produced enough renewable electricity to power 470,000 U.S. households every year.

    But the result we were hoping to identify and measure was the economic effect of shifting that land from agricultural farming to solar farming. We found that farmers who installed solar were dramatically better off than those who did not.

    They were better off in two ways, the first being financially. All the farmers, whether they owned their own arrays or leased their land to others, saved money on seeds, fertilizer and other costs associated with growing and harvesting crops. They also earned money from leasing the land, offsetting farm energy bills, and selling their excess electricity.

    Farmers who owned their own arrays had to pay for the panels, equipment and installation, and maintenance. But even after covering those costs, their savings and earnings added up to US$50,000 per acre of profits every year, 25 times the amount they would have earned by planting that acre.

    Farmers who leased their land made much less money but still avoided costs for irrigation water and operations on that part of their farm, gaining $1,100 per acre per year – with no up-front costs.

    The farmers also conserved water, which in turn supported compliance with the state’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act water use reduction requirements. Most of the solar arrays were installed on land that had previously been irrigated. We calculated that turning off irrigation on this land saved enough water every year to supply about 27 million people with drinking water or irrigate 7,500 acres of orchards. Following solar array installation, some farmers also fallowed surrounding land, perhaps enabled by the new stable income stream, which further reduced water use.

    Irrigation is key to cropland productivity in California’s Central Valley. Covering some land with solar panels eliminates the need for irrigation of that area, saving water for other uses elsewhere.
    Citizen of the Planet/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    Changes to food and energy production

    Farmers in the Central Valley and elsewhere are now cultivating both food and energy. This shift can offer long-term security for farmland owners, particularly for those who install and run their own arrays.

    Recent estimates suggest that converting between 1.1% and 2.4% of the country’s farmland to solar arrays would, along with other clean energy sources, generate enough electricity to eliminate the nation’s need for fossil fuel power plants.

    Though many crops are part of a global market that can adjust to changes in supply, losing this farmland could affect the availability of some crops. Fortunately, farmers and landowners are finding new ways to protect farmland and food security while supporting clean energy.

    One such approach is agrivoltaics, where farmers install solar designed for grazing livestock or growing crops beneath the panels. Solar can also be sited on less productive farmland or on farmland that is used for biofuels rather than food production.

    Even in these areas, arrays can be designed and managed to benefit local agriculture and natural ecosystems. With thoughtful design, siting and management, solar can give back to the land and the ecosystems it touches.

    Farms are much more than the land they occupy and the goods they produce. Farms are run by people with families, whose well-being depends on essential and variable resources such as water, fertilizer, fuel, electricity and crop sales. Farmers often borrow money during the planting season in hopes of making enough at harvest time to pay off the debt and keep a little profit.

    Installing solar on their land can give farmers a diversified income, help them save water, and reduce the risk of bad years. That can make solar an asset to farming, not a threat to the food supply.

    Jacob Stid works for Michigan State University. Funding for this work came from the US Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture program and the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Michigan State University. He also receives funding from the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research.

    Annick Anctil receives funding from NSF and USDA.

    Anthony Kendall receives funding from the USDA, NASA, the NSF, and the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research. He is an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, and serves on the nonprofit board of the FLOW Water Advocates.

    – ref. California farmers identify a hot new cash crop: Solar power – https://theconversation.com/california-farmers-identify-a-hot-new-cash-crop-solar-power-259653

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI: Plumas Bancorp Reports Second Quarter 2025 Earnings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RENO, Nev., July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Plumas Bancorp (Nasdaq:PLBC), the parent company of Plumas Bank, today announced earnings during the second quarter of 2025 of $6.3 million or $1.07 per share, a decrease of $465 thousand from $6.8 million or $1.15 per share during the second quarter of 2024. Diluted earnings per share decreased to $1.05 per share during the three months ended June 30, 2025 down from $1.14 per share during the quarter ended June 30, 2024.

    Return on average assets was 1.56% during the current quarter, down from 1.67% during the second quarter of 2024. Return on average equity decreased to 13.4% for the three months ended June 30, 2025, down from 17.1% during the second quarter of 2024.

    Net interest income decreased by $222 thousand from $18.4 million during the three months ended June 30, 2024, to $18.2 million during the current quarter. The provision for credit losses decreased from $925 thousand during the second quarter of 2024 to $860 thousand during the current quarter.

    Non-interest income increased by $159 thousand from $2.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2024 to $2.4 million during the second quarter of 2025.

    Non-interest expense increased by $616 thousand from $10.4 million during the second quarter of 2024 to $11.0 million during the current quarter. Of this amount, $481 thousand relates to costs associated with our acquisition of Cornerstone Community Bancorp. We signed a definitive agreement to acquire Cornerstone Community Bancorp on January 28, 2025 and we completed the merger on July 1, 2025. Merger transaction costs that facilitate the merger are not deductible for income tax purposes. Of the $481 thousand in merger related costs, $239 thousand is estimated to be not deductible for state and federal income tax.

    The provision for income taxes decreased by $149 thousand from $2.5 million, 26.9% of pre-tax income, during the three months ended June 30, 2024 to $2.4 million, or 27.1% of pre-tax income, during the current quarter.

    For the six months ended June 30, 2025, the Company reported net income of $13.5 million or $2.28 per share, an increase of $461 thousand from $13.0 million or $2.21 per share earned during the six months ended June 30, 2024. Earnings per diluted share increased to $2.25 during the six months ended June 30, 2025, up $0.06 from $2.19 during the first six months of 2024.     

    Return on average assets was 1.67% during the six months ended June 30, 2025, up from 1.61% during the first half of 2024. Return on average equity decreased to 14.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2025, down from 16.7% during the first half of 2024.

    Net interest income increased by $860 thousand from $35.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2024, to $36.7 million during the current period. The provision for credit losses decreased from $1.7 million during the first half of 2024 to $1.1 million during the current period.

    Non-interest income increased by $1.2 million from $4.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2024 to $5.5 million during the first half of 2025 related primarily to a legal settlement totaling $1.1 million. This settlement related to the Dixie Fire which swept through the town of Greenville, California in August of 2021. The fire caused severe damage to the Greenville area, including the telecommunications infrastructure which adversely affected our ability to service our customers in this area during the last few years.

    Non-interest expense increased by $1.7 million from $20.8 million during the first half of 2024 to $22.5 million during the current period. Of this amount, $1.1 million relates to costs associated with our pending acquisition of Cornerstone Community Bancorp. Of the $1.1 million in merger related costs, $801 thousand is estimated to be not deductible for state and federal income tax.

    The provision for income taxes increased by $583 thousand from $4.6 million, or 26.2% of pre-tax income, during the six months ended June 30, 2024 to $5.2 million, or 27.8% of pre-tax income, during the current period.

    Balance Sheet Highlights
    June 30, 2025 compared to June 30, 2024

    • Gross loans increased by $21 million, or 2%, to $1.0 billion.
    • Total deposits increased by $62 million, or 5%, to $1.4 billion.
    • Borrowings decreased by $105 million, or 88% to $15 million.
    • Total equity increased by $28 million, or 17%, to $193 million.
    • Book value per share increased by $4.53, or 16%, to $32.54.

    President’s Comments

    Andrew J. Ryback, director, president, and chief executive officer of Plumas Bancorp and Plumas Bank, announced, “The third quarter of 2025 began with a major development for Plumas; we successfully completed our acquisitions of Cornerstone Community Bank and Bancorp, expanding our presence in California’s northern Sacramento Valley. We are thrilled to have Ken Robison, formerly a director at Cornerstone, join the boards of Plumas Bancorp and Bank. We also welcome Matt Moseley, former President and CEO of Cornerstone Community Bank, to the executive team as Market President. Their extensive leadership experience and market knowledge will be instrumental in the ongoing success of our combined organization.”

    Ryback continued, “Beyond the acquisition, we have also been focused on internal advancements. We are expanding our treasury management services to provide comprehensive, personalized banking solutions with enhanced security features. Simultaneously, we have gained efficiency in our lending process through on-going refinements to our lending platforms and department structures.”

    Ryback concluded, “We extend a warm welcome to the clients, employees, and shareholders of Cornerstone. We look forward to providing long-term value to our expanded shareholders, clients, team members, and communities.”

    Loans, Deposits, Investments and Cash

    Gross loans increased by $21 million, or 2%, from $997 million at June 30, 2024, to $1.0 billion at June 30, 2025. Increases in loans included $85 million in commercial real estate loans and $3 million in equity lines of credit; these items were partially offset by decreases of $29 million in automobile loans, $27 million in construction loans, $10 million in agricultural loans and $1 million in residential real estate loans.

    On   June 30, 2025, approximately 78% of the Company’s loan portfolio was comprised of variable rate loans. The rates of interest charged on variable rate loans are set at specific increments in relation to the Company’s lending rate or other indexes such as the published prime interest rate or U.S. Treasury rates and vary with changes in these indexes. The frequency at which variable rate loans reprice can vary from one day to several years. Most of our commercial real estate portfolio reprices every five years. Approximately 76% of the variable rate loans are indexed to the five year T-Bill rate and reprice every five years. Loans indexed to the prime interest rate were approximately 21% of the Company’s variable rate loan portfolio; these loans reprice within one day to three months of a change in the prime rate.

    Total deposits increased by $62 million to $1.4 billion at June 30, 2025 from $1.3 billion at June 30, 2024. The increase in deposits includes increases of $67 million in money market accounts and $29 million in time deposits. Partially offsetting these increases were decreases of $2 million in demand deposits and $32 million in savings deposits. We attribute much of the increase in money market accounts to higher rate public entity deposits. At June 30, 2025, 49% of the Company’s deposits were in the form of non-interest-bearing demand deposits. The Company had no brokered deposits at June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024.

    Total investment securities decreased by $5 million from $445 million at June 30, 2024, to $440 million at June 30, 2025. The Bank’s investment security portfolio consists of debt securities issued by US Government agencies, US Government sponsored agencies and municipalities. Cash and due from banks decreased by $31 million from $110 million at June 30, 2024, to $79 million at June 30, 2025.

    Asset Quality

    Nonperforming assets (which are comprised of nonperforming loans, other real estate owned (“OREO”) and repossessed vehicle holdings) at June 30, 2025 were $13.7 million, up from $9.1 million at June 30, 2024. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets increased to 0.84% at June 30, 2025 up from 0.56% at June 30, 2024. OREO decreased by $50 thousand from $141 thousand at June 30, 2024 to $91 thousand at June 30, 2025. Nonperforming loans were $13.6 million at June 30, 2025 and $9.0 million at June 30, 2024. Nonaccrual loans totaled $13.6 million at June 30, 2025 and $2.5 million at June 30, 2024. At June 30, 2025 there were no loans 90 days or more past due that were not on nonaccrual. The difference between the $2.5 million in nonaccrual loans at June 30, 2024 and the $9 million in nonperforming loans in 2024 were loans that were over 90 days past due, but not on nonaccrual. Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans increased to 1.34% at June 30, 2025, up from 0.90% at June 30, 2024. The increase in nonperforming loans is related to one agricultural loan relationship of 15 loans totaling $9.9 million. The borrower on these loans was unable to meet his commitments under modified loan agreements and therefore during the quarter we placed the loans on nonaccrual status. Interest reversed on these loans during the current quarter totaled $344 thousand and specific loan loss reserves totaling $931 thousand were applied against the loans.

    During the first half of 2025 we recorded a provision for credit losses of $1.1 million consisting of a provision for credit losses on loans of $1.1 million and a decrease in the reserve for unfunded commitments of $40 thousand. The $1.1 million mostly relates to the specific loan loss reserves noted in the previous paragraph. This compares to a provision for credit losses of $1.7 million consisting of a provision for credit losses on loans of $1.8 million and a decrease in the reserve for unfunded commitments of $79 thousand during the six months ended June 30, 2024.

    Net charge-offs totaled $137 thousand and $610 thousand during the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The allowance for credit losses totaled $14.2 million at June 30, 2025 and $14.1 million at June 30, 2024. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.39% and 1.41% at June 30, 2025 and 2024.

    The following tables present the activity in the allowance for credit losses and the reserve for unfunded commitments during the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 (in thousands).

    Allowance for Credit Losses   June 30, 2025     June 30, 2024
    Balance, beginning of period $ 13,196     $ 12,867  
    Provision charged to operations   1,150       1,825  
    Losses charged to allowance   (506 )     (1,010 )
    Recoveries                                   369       400  
    Balance, end of period $     14,209     $     14,082  
    Reserve for Unfunded
    Commitments    		  

    June 30, 2025

    		    

    June 30, 2024
    Balance, beginning of period $                                620     $ 799  
    Provision charged to operations   (40 )     (79 )
    Balance, end of period $                                 580     $ 720  

    Shareholders’ Equity

    Total shareholders’ equity increased by $27.9 million from $165.2 million at June 30, 2024, to $193.1 million at June 30, 2025. The $27.9 million includes earnings during the twelve-month period totaling $29.1 million, a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $4.4 million and restricted stock and stock option activity totaling $1.1 million. These items were partially offset by the payment of cash dividends totaling $6.7 million.

    Bank Term Funding Program (BTFP)

    At June 30, 2024, the Company had outstanding borrowings under BTFP totaling $105 million. All BTFP borrowings were paid off during 2024. Interest expense recognized on the BTFP borrowings for the three and six-months ended June 30, 2024, was $1.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively.

    Liquidity

    The Company manages its liquidity to provide the ability to generate funds to support asset growth, meet deposit withdrawals (both anticipated and unanticipated), fund customers’ borrowing needs and satisfy maturity of short-term borrowings. The Company’s liquidity needs are managed using assets or liabilities, or both. On the asset side, in addition to cash and due from banks, the Company maintains an investment portfolio which includes unpledged U.S. Government-sponsored agency securities that are classified as available-for-sale. On the liability side, liquidity needs are managed by offering competitive rates on deposit products and the use of established credit lines.

    The Company is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLB) and can borrow up to $255 million from the FHLB secured by commercial and residential mortgage loans with carrying values totaling $439 million. The Company is also eligible to borrow at the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) Discount Window. At June 30, 2025, the Company could borrow up to $98 million at the Discount Window secured by investment securities with a fair value of $101 million. In addition to its FHLB borrowing line and the Discount Window, the Company has unsecured short-term borrowing agreements with two of its correspondent banks in the amounts of $50 million and $20 million. There were no outstanding borrowings to the FHLB, FRB Discount Window or the correspondent banks at June 30, 2025 and 2024.

    Customer deposits are the Company’s primary source of funds. Total deposits increased by $62 million to $1.4 billion at June 30, 2025 from $1.3 billion at June 30, 2024. Deposits are held in various forms with varying maturities. The Company estimates that it has approximately $516 million in uninsured deposits which include uninsured deposits of Plumas Bancorp. Of this amount, $206 million represents deposits that are collateralized such as deposits of states, municipalities and tribal accounts.

    The Company’s securities portfolio, Discount Window advances, FHLB advances, and cash and due from banks serve as the primary sources of liquidity, providing adequate funding for loans during periods of high loan demand. During periods of decreased lending, funds obtained from the maturing or sale of investments, loan payments, and new deposits are invested in short-term earning assets, such as cash held at the FRB and investment securities, to serve as a source of funding for future loan growth. Management believes that the Company’s available sources of funds, including borrowings, will provide adequate liquidity for its operations in the near future.

    Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin – Three Months Ended June 30, 2025

    Net interest income was $18.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, a decrease of $222 thousand from the same period in 2024. The decrease in net interest income includes a decrease of $527 thousand in interest income partially offset by a decrease of $305 thousand in interest expense. Interest and fees on loans increased by $200 thousand related to growth in the loan portfolio partially offset by a decline in yield.

    Average loan balances increased by $39 million, while the average yield on these loans decreased by 18 basis points from 6.32% during the second quarter of 2024 to 6.14% during the current quarter. Of the 18 basis points decrease, 13 basis points relate to the reversal of $344 thousand in interest previously described under “Asset Quality” The average prime interest rate decreased from 8.5% during the second quarter of 2024 to 7.5% during the current quarter. Approximately 16% of the Company’s loans are tied to the prime interest rate and most of these reprice within one to three months with a change in prime. Additionally, during the second quarter of 2024 we recovered $316 thousand in interest on loans that were classified as nonaccrual and which were paid off in full during the quarter which elevated loan yield during the 2024 quarter. The effect of these items was partially offset by an increase in average yield on the bank’s fixed rate portfolio which includes growth in fixed rate SBA loans which totaled $75 million at June 30, 2025, and $62 million at June 30, 2024. The weighted average rate earned on this portfolio at June 30, 2025, was 8.3%. The Bank is also benefiting from the repricing of a portion of our Commercial Real Estate loans. Most of these loans are indexed to the 5-year Treasury note and reprice every five years.

    Interest on investment securities decreased by $30 thousand as yield on these securities decreased slightly from 4.11% during the 2024 quarter to 4.08% during the current quarter and average investment securities declined from $444 million during the three months ended June 30, 2024 to $442 million during the current quarter.

    Interest on cash balances decreased by $697 thousand related to a decline in average balance of $42 million and a decrease in average rate paid on cash balances of 104 basis points from 5.51% during the second quarter of 2024 to 4.47% during the current quarter. This decline in yield was mostly related to a decline in rate paid on balances held at the FRB. The average rate earned on FRB balances decreased from 5.40% during the second quarter of 2024 to 4.40% during the current quarter.

    Interest expense decreased by $305 thousand, related to the repayment of the BTFP borrowings as discussed earlier. The average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities decreased from 1.44% during the 2024 quarter to 1.33% in 2025 related to the decrease in these borrowings.

    Interest paid on deposits increased by $968 thousand and is broken down by product type as follows: money market accounts – $815 thousand, savings deposits – $83 thousand and time deposits $70 thousand. The increase in interest paid on money market accounts mostly relates to an increase in public entity balances and the rate earned on these balances. During the second half of 2024 and continuing into 2025, we have offered a premium money market rate on large balances of public entities in our service area, matching the rate they could earn from the California local agency investment fund. This has led to the significant increase in balances and rate paid on money market accounts. The average balance of money market accounts during the current quarter was $288 million, an increase of $72 million from $216 million during the three months ended June 30, 2024. The average rate paid on money market accounts increased 92 basis points to 1.79%. The increase in interest on savings accounts was driven by an increase in the average rate paid of 12 basis points to 34 basis points. The increase in interest on time deposits includes an increase in average balance of $23 million partially offset by a decline in average rate paid of 33 basis points to 2.53% as promotional time deposits issued in 2024 matured. Many of these promotional time deposits were renewed at lower rates. The average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits increased from 0.84% during the second quarter of 2024 to 1.30% during the current quarter. The average balance of interest-bearing deposits increased from $633 million during the three months ended June 30, 2024 to $705 million during the quarter.

    Net interest margin for the three months ended June 30, 2025 decreased 6 basis points to 4.83%, down from 4.89% for the same period in 2024. Excluding the $344 thousand in interest reversed described earlier, net interest margin for the three months ended June 30, 2025 would have been 4.93%.

    Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin – Six Months Ended June 30, 2025

    Net interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2025 was $36.7 million, an increase of $860 thousand from the $35.9 million earned during the same period in 2024. The increase in net interest income includes an increase of $36 thousand in interest income and a reduction in interest expense of $824 thousand.

    Interest and fees on loans increased by $1.0 million related to an increase in average balance partially offset by a decline in yield. The average balance of loans during the six months ended June 30, 2025 was $1.0 billion, an increase of $44 million from $972 million during the same period in 2024. The average yield on loans decreased by 6 basis points from 6.21% during the first six months of 2024 to 6.15% during the current period.

    Interest on investment securities increased by $84 thousand related to an increase in yield of 21 basis points to 4.10% partially offset by a decline in average balance. The increase in investment yields is consistent with the increase in market rates and the restructuring of the investment portfolio in February of 2024. Average investment securities declined from $462 million during the six months ended June 30, 2024 to $443 million during the current period.

    Interest on cash balances declined by $1.1 million related to both a decline in balance and a decline in yield. The rate earned on cash balances declined by 104 basis points to 4.5% and the average balance declined from $81.8 million during the first six months of 2024 to $53.8 million during the current period.

    Related to a $2.5 million decline in interest on BTFP borrowings partially offset by an increase in interest bearing deposits and an increase in the cost of these deposits, interest expense decreased from $5.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2024 to $4.5 million during the current period. The average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities decreased from 1.39% during the 2024 period to 1.24% in 2025.

    Interest paid on deposits increased by $1.7 million and is broken down by product type as follows: money market accounts – $1.6 million and savings deposits – $109 thousand. The average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits increased from 0.79% during the six months ended June 30, 2024 to 1.21% during the current period. Average interest-bearing deposits totaled $698 million during the first half of 2025 an increase of $62 million from $636 million during the first half of 2024.

    Net interest margin for the six months ended June 30, 2025 increased 13 basis points to 4.89%, up from 4.76% for the same period in 2024.

    Non-Interest Income/Expense – Three Months Ended June 30, 2025

    Non-interest income increased by $159 thousand to $2.4 million during the current quarter. The largest increase was related to a $184 thousand adjustment to the value of our stock holdings in one of our correspondent banks.

    During the three months ended June 30, 2025, total non-interest expense increased by $616 thousand from $10.4 million during the second quarter of 2024 to $11.0 million during the current quarter. The largest components of this increase were merger related expenses of $481 thousand and salary and benefit expense of $270 thousand. The increase in salary and benefit expense includes an increase in salary expense of $216 thousand related primarily to merit and promotional salary increases. A decrease in deferred loan origination fees of $144 thousand was offset by a decline in commission expense of $180 thousand. Both items mostly relate to a decline in SBA loan production during the comparison quarters.

    Non-Interest Income/Expense – Six Months Ended June 30, 2025

    During the six months ended June 30, 2025, non-interest income totaled $5.6 million, an increase of $1.2 million from the six months ended June 30, 2024. The largest component of this increase was a legal settlement totaling $1.1 million related to the Dixie Fire in August of 2021.

    During the six months ended June 30, 2025, total non-interest expense increased by $1.7 million from $20.8 million during the first half of 2024 to $22.5 million during the current period. The largest components of this increase were merger related expenses of $1.1 million, salary and benefit expenses of $784 thousand and occupancy and equipment expenses of $425 thousand. The increase in salary and benefit expense included an increase in salary expense of $484 thousand related primarily to merit and promotional salary increases. A decrease in deferred loan origination fees of $257 thousand was offset by a decline in commission expense of $317 thousand. Both items mostly relate to a decline in SBA loan production during the comparison periods. The increase in occupancy and equipment expense mostly relates to an increase in rent expense of $374 thousand related to the February 2024 sales/leaseback transaction. Partially offsetting these increases in expense were several reductions in non-interest expense the largest of which was a reduction in professional fees of $320 thousand. Included in professional fees during the six months ended June 30, 2024 were legal expenses totaling $188 thousand related to a litigation matter that was settled in the second half of 2024.

    Plumas Bancorp is headquartered in Reno, Nevada. Plumas Bancorp’s principal subsidiary is Plumas Bank, which was founded in 1980. Plumas Bank is a full-service community bank headquartered in Quincy, California. The bank operates nineteen branches: seventeen located in the California counties of Butte, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sutter and Tehama and two branches located in Nevada in the counties of Carson City and Washoe. The bank also operates two loan production offices located in Auburn, California and Klamath Falls, Oregon. Plumas Bank offers a wide range of financial and investment services to consumers and businesses and has received nationwide Preferred Lender status with the United States Small Business Administration. For more information on Plumas Bancorp and Plumas Bank, please visit our website at www.plumasbank.com.

    This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and Plumas Bancorp intends for such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Future events are difficult to predict, and the expectations described above are necessarily subject to risk and uncertainty that may cause actual results to differ materially and adversely.

    Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or “may.” These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, nor should they be relied upon as representing management’s views as of any subsequent date. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those presented, either expressed or implied, in this news release. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the Company’s ability to successfully execute its business plans and achieve its objectives; changes in general economic and financial market conditions, either nationally or locally in areas in which the Company conducts its operations; changes in interest rates; continuing consolidation in the financial services industry; new litigation or changes in existing litigation; increased competitive challenges and expanding product and pricing pressures among financial institutions; legislation or regulatory changes which adversely affect the Company’s operations or business; loss of key personnel; and changes in accounting policies or procedures as may be required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other regulatory agencies.

    Contact: Jamie Huynh
    Investor Relations
    Plumas Bancorp
    5525 Kietzke Lane Ste. 100
    Reno, NV 89511
    775.786.0907 x8908
    investorrelations@plumasbank.com

    PLUMAS BANCORP
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (In thousands)
    (Unaudited)
      As of June 30,        
      2025   2024   Dollar
    Change    		   Percentage
    Change
    ASSETS              
    Cash and due from banks $ 79,266   $ 109,852   $ (30,586)   (27.8)%
    Investment securities 439,676   445,132   (5,456)   (1.2)%
    Loans, net of allowance for credit losses 1,006,873   986,517   20,356   2.1%
    Premises and equipment, net 12,065   12,868   (803)   (6.2)%
    Right-of-use assets 23,912   24,975   (1,063)   (4.3)%
    Bank owned life insurance 16,736   16,310   426   2.6%
    Real estate acquired through foreclosure 91   141   (50)   (35.5)%
    Goodwill 5,502   5,502   –   0.0%
    Accrued interest receivable and other assets 44,396   40,800   3,596   8.8%
    Total assets $ 1,628,517   $ 1,642,097   $ (13,580)   (0.8)%
                   
    LIABILITIES AND              
       SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  
    Deposits $ 1,366,827   $ 1,304,587   $ 62,240   4.8%
    Accrued interest payable and other liabilities 53,611   52,355   1,256   2.4%
    Borrowings 15,000   120,000   (105,000)   (87.5)%
    Total liabilities 1,435,438   1,476,942   (41,504)   (2.8)%
    Common stock 29,803   28,656   1,147   4.0%
    Retained earnings 183,954   161,608   22,346   13.8%
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net (20,678)   (25,109)   4,431   17.6%
    Shareholders’ equity 193,079   165,155   27,924   16.9%
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 1,628,517   $ 1,642,097   $ (13,580)   (0.8)%
                   
                   
    PLUMAS BANCORP
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (In thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)
                   
    FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2025   2024   Dollar
    Change    		   Percentage
    Change
                   
    Interest income $ 20,633   $ 21,160   $ (527)   (2.5)%
    Interest expense 2,450   2,755   (305)   (11.1)%
    Net interest income before provision for credit losses 18,183   18,405   (222)   (1.2)%
    Provision for credit losses 860   925   (65)   (7.0)%
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses 17,323   17,480   (157)   (0.9)%
    Non-interest income 2,361   2,202   159   7.2%
    Non-interest expense 11,012   10,396   616   5.9%
    Income before income taxes 8,672   9,286   (614)   (6.6)%
    Provision for income taxes 2,351   2,500   (149)   (6.0)%
    Net income $ 6,321   $ 6,786   $ (465)   (6.9)%
                   
    Basic earnings per share $ 1.07   $ 1.15   $ (0.08)   (7.0)%
    Diluted earnings per share $ 1.05   $ 1.14   $ (0.09)   (7.9)%
                   
    PLUMAS BANCORP
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (In thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)
              Dollar   Percentage
    FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2025   2024   Change   Change
                   
    Interest income $ 41,223   $ 41,187   $ 36   0.1%
    Interest expense 4,501   5,325   (824)   (15.5)%
    Net interest income before provision for credit losses 36,722   35,862   860   2.4%
    Provision for credit losses 1,110   1,746   (636)   (36.4)%
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses 35,612   34,116   1,496   4.4%
    Non-interest income 5,574   4,342   1,232   28.4%
    Non-interest expense 22,477   20,793   1,684   8.1%
    Income before income taxes 18,709   17,665   1,044   5.9%
    Provision for income taxes 5,208   4,625   583   12.6%
    Net income $ 13,501   $ 13,040   $ 461   3.5%
                   
    Basic earnings per share $ 2.28   $ 2.21   $ 0.07   3.2%
    Diluted earnings per share $ 2.25   $ 2.19   $ 0.06   2.7%
             
    PLUMAS BANCORP
    SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)
                       
      Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
      6/30/2025   3/31/2025   6/30/2024   6/30/2025   6/30/2024
    EARNINGS PER SHARE                  
    Basic earnings per share $ 1.07     $ 1.21     $ 1.15     $ 2.28     $ 2.21  
    Diluted earnings per share $ 1.05     $ 1.20     $ 1.14     $ 2.25     $ 2.19  
    Weighted average shares outstanding   5,929       5,911       5,896       5,920       5,892  
    Weighted average diluted shares outstanding   6,006       6,002       5,946       6,006       5,946  
    Cash dividends paid per share 1 $ 0.30     $ 0.30     $ 0.27     $ 0.60     $ 0.54  
                       
    PERFORMANCE RATIOS (annualized for the three months)            
    Return on average assets   1.56 %   1.79 %   1.67 %   1.67 %     1.61 %
    Return on average equity   13.4 %   16.0 %   17.1 %   14.7 %     16.7 %
    Yield on earning assets   5.48 %   5.50 %   5.62 %   5.49 %     5.46 %
    Rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities   1.33 %   1.14 %   1.44 %   1.24 %     1.39 %
    Net interest margin   4.83 %   4.95 %   4.89 %   4.89 %     4.76 %
    Noninterest income to average assets   0.58 %   0.80 %   0.54 %   0.69 %     0.54 %
    Noninterest expense to average assets   2.72 %   2.85 %   2.56 %   2.79 %     2.57 %
    Efficiency ratio 2   53.6 %   52.7 %   50.4 %   53.1 %     51.7 %
                       
      6/30/2025   3/31/2025   6/30/2024   12/31/2024   12/31/2023
    CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS AND DATA                  
    Allowance for credit losses $ 14,209     $ 13,319     $ 14,082     $ 13,196     $ 12,867  
    Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans   1.39 %     1.32 %     1.41 %     1.30 %     1.34 %
    Nonperforming loans $ 13,652     $ 3,686     $ 8,974     $ 4,105     $ 4,820  
    Nonperforming assets $ 13,747     $ 3,787     $ 9,148     $ 4,307     $ 5,315  
    Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans   1.34 %     0.36 %     0.90 %     0.40 %     0.50 %
    Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets   0.84 %     0.23 %     0.56 %     0.27 %     0.33 %
    Year-to-date net charge-offs $ 137     $ 127     $ 610     $ 1,046     $ 954  
    Year-to-date net charge-offs as a percentage of average   0.03 %     0.05 %     0.13 %   0.11 %     0.10 %
    loans (annualized)      
                       
    CAPITAL AND OTHER DATA                  
    Common shares outstanding at end of period   5,934       5,922       5,896       5,903       5,872  
    Shareholders’ equity $ 193,079     $ 187,603     $ 165,155     $ 177,899     $ 147,317  
    Book value per common share $ 32.54     $ 31.68     $ 28.01     $ 30.14     $ 25.09  
    Tangible common equity3 $ 186,874     $ 181,354     $ 158,763     $ 171,606     $ 140,823  
    Tangible book value per common share4 $ 31.49     $ 30.62     $ 26.93     $ 29.07     $ 23.98  
    Tangible common equity to total assets   11.5 %     11.1 %     9.7 %     10.6 %     8.7 %
    Gross loans to deposits   74.7 %     73.6 %     76.4 %     74.1 %     71.9 %
                       
    PLUMAS BANK REGULATORY CAPITAL RATIOS              
    Tier 1 Leverage Ratio   12.7 %     12.3 %     11.3 %     11.9 %     10.8 %
    Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio   17.9 %     17.8 %     16.4 %     17.3 %     15.7 %
    Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio   17.9 %     17.8 %     16.4 %     17.3 %     15.7 %
    Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio   19.2 %     19.0 %     17.6 %     18.5 %     16.9 %
    (1) The Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share on February 17, 2025, May 15, 2025 and a quarterly cash dividend of $0.27 per share on February 15, 2024, May 15, 2024, August 15, 2024 and November 15, 2024 and a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share on February 15, 2023, May 15, 2023 , August 15, 2023 and November 15, 2023.
    (2) Efficiency ratio is defined as noninterest expense divided by total revenue (net interest income and total noninterest income).   
    (3) Tangible common equity is defined as common equity less core deposit intangibles and goodwill.      
    (4) Tangible common book value per share is defined as tangible common equity divided by common shares outstanding.    
    PLUMAS BANCORP
    SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)
                             
    The following table presents for the three-month periods indicated the distribution of consolidated average assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity.
                             
        For the Three Months Ended   For the Three Months Ended
        6/30/2025   6/30/2024
        Average       Yield/   Average       Yield/
        Balance   Interest   Rate   Balance   Interest   Rate
    Interest-earning assets:                        
    Loans (2) (3)   $ 1,020,004   $ 15,612   6.14 %   $ 980,723   $ 15,412   6.32 %
    Investment securities     369,624     3,913   4.25 %     367,841     3,932   4.30 %
    Non-taxable investment securities (1)     72,719     591   3.26 %     76,275     602   3.17 %
    Interest-bearing deposits     46,368     517   4.47 %     88,607     1,214   5.51 %
    Total interest-earning assets     1,508,715     20,633   5.48 %     1,513,446     21,160   5.62 %
    Cash and due from banks     26,880             26,859        
    Other assets     87,117             90,092        
    Total assets   $ 1,622,712           $ 1,630,397        
                             
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                        
    Money market deposits     287,707     1,283   1.79 %     215,614     468   0.87 %
    Savings deposits     298,989     257   0.34 %     322,919     174   0.22 %
    Time deposits     118,057     744   2.53 %     94,684     674   2.86 %
    Total deposits     704,753     2,284   1.30 %     633,217     1,316   0.84 %
    Borrowings     15,000     146   3.90 %     120,000     1,431   4.80 %
    Other interest-bearing liabilities     17,265     20   0.46 %     16,809     8   0.19 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities     737,018     2,450   1.33 %     770,026     2,755   1.44 %
    Non-interest-bearing deposits     659,554             663,094        
    Other liabilities     37,112             37,794        
    Shareholders’ equity     189,028             159,483        
    Total liabilities & equity   $ 1,622,712           $ 1,630,397        
    Cost of funding interest-earning assets (4)           0.65 %           0.73 %
    Net interest income and margin (5)       $ 18,183   4.83 %       $ 18,405   4.89 %
                             
    (1) Not computed on a tax-equivalent basis.            
    (2) Average nonaccrual loan balances of $4.1 million for 2025 and $4.2 million for 2024 are included in average loan balances for computational purposes.  
    (3) Net costs included in loan interest income for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 were $196 thousand and $338 thousand, respectively.  
    (4) Total annualized interest expense divided by the average balance of total earning assets.        
    (5) Annualized net interest income divided by the average balance of total earning assets.        
    PLUMAS BANCORP
    SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)
                             
    The following table presents for the six-month periods indicated the distribution of consolidated average assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity.
                             
        For the Six Months Ended   For the Six Months Ended
        6/30/2025   6/30/2024
        Average       Yield/   Average       Yield/
        Balance   Interest   Rate   Balance   Interest   Rate
    Interest-earning assets:                        
    Loans (2) (3)   $ 1,016,008   $ 31,008   6.15 %   $ 972,427   $ 30,005   6.21 %
    Investment securities     369,376     7,840   4.28 %     369,815     7,537   4.10 %
    Non-taxable investment securities (1)     73,795     1,174   3.21 %     92,225     1,393   3.04 %
    Interest-bearing deposits     53,845     1,201   4.50 %     81,807     2,252   5.54 %
    Total interest-earning assets     1,513,024     41,223   5.49 %     1,516,274     41,187   5.46 %
    Cash and due from banks     26,679             26,722        
    Other assets     86,732             85,300        
    Total assets   $ 1,626,435           $ 1,628,296        
                             
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                        
    Money market deposits     283,469     2,429   1.73 %     213,399     844   0.80 %
    Savings deposits     311,151     463   0.30 %     329,242     354   0.22 %
    Time deposits     103,304     1,288   2.51 %     93,092     1,304   2.82 %
    Total deposits     697,924     4,180   1.21 %     635,733     2,502   0.79 %
    Borrowings     15,000     290   3.90 %     117,170     2,798   4.80 %
    Other interest-bearing liabilities     19,216     31   0.33 %     19,260     25   0.26 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities     732,140     4,501   1.24 %     772,163     5,325   1.39 %
    Non-interest-bearing deposits     670,961             668,441        
    Other liabilities     37,602             31,118        
    Shareholders’ equity     185,732             156,574        
    Total liabilities & equity   $ 1,626,435           $ 1,628,296        
    Cost of funding interest-earning assets (4)           0.60 %           0.70 %
    Net interest income and margin (5)       $ 36,722   4.89 %       $ 35,862   4.76 %
                             
    (1) Not computed on a tax-equivalent basis.            
    (2) Average nonaccrual loan balances of $3.9 million for 2025 and $4.8 million for 2024 are included in average loan balances for computational purposes.  
    (3) Net costs included in loan interest income for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 were $471 thousand and $682 thousand, respectively.  
    (4) Total annualized interest expense divided by the average balance of total earning assets.        
    (5) Annualized net interest income divided by the average balance of total earning assets.        
    PLUMAS BANCORP
    SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)
                   
    The following table presents the components of non-interest income for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2025 and 2024.
                   
      For the Three Months Ended        
      June 30,        
        2025     2024   Dollar
    Change    		   Percentage
    Change
    Interchange income $ 784   $ 782     2     0.3 %
    Service charges on deposit accounts   781     743     38     5.1 %
    Loan servicing fees   148     186     (38 )   (20.4 )%
    FHLB Dividends   135     136     (1 )   (0.7 )%
    Earnings on life insurance policies   108     104     4     3.8 %
    Other   405     251     154     61.4 %
    Total non-interest income $ 2,361   $ 2,202   $ 159     7.2 %
                   
    The following table presents the components of non-interest expense for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2025 and 2024.
                   
      For the Three Months Ended        
      June 30,        
        2025     2024   Dollar
    Change    		   Percentage
    Change
    Salaries and employee benefits $ 5,553   $ 5,283   $ 270     5.1 %
    Occupancy and equipment   2,050     1,949     101     5.2 %
    Outside service fees   1,160     1,184     (24 )   (2.0 )%
    Merger and acquisition expenses   481     –     481     100.0 %
    Advertising and shareholder relations   273     214     59     27.6 %
    Armored car and courier   224     220     4     1.8 %
    Professional fees   219     329     (110 )   (33.4 )%
    Business development   188     210     (22 )   (10.5 )%
    Deposit insurance   180     185     (5 )   (2.7 )%
    Director compensation and expense   155     199     (44 )   (22.1 )%
    Telephone and data communication   124     204     (80 )   (39.2 )%
    Loan collection expenses   51     117     (66 )   (56.4 )%
    Amortization of Core Deposit Intangible   44     51     (7 )   (13.7 )%
    Other   310     251     59     23.5 %
    Total non-interest expense $ 11,012   $ 10,396   $ 616     5.9 %
                   
    PLUMAS BANCORP
    SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)
                   
    The following table presents the components of non-interest income for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2025 and 2024.
                   
      For the Six Months Ended        
      June 30,        
        2025     2024     Dollar
    Change    		   Percentage
    Change
    Service charges on deposit accounts $ 1,486   $ 1,458     $ 28     1.9 %
    Interchange income   1,474     1,522       (48 )   (3.2 )%
    Loan servicing fees   334     388       (54 )   (13.9 )%
    FHLB Dividends   272     273       (1 )   (0.4 )%
    Earnings on life insurance policies   217     200       17     8.5 %
    Gain (loss) on sale of investment securities   3     (19,826 )     19,829     (100.0 )%
    Gain on sale of buildings   –     19,854       (19,854 )   (100.0 )%
    Other   1,788     473       1,315     278.0 %
    Total non-interest income $ 5,574   $ 4,342     $ 1,232     28.4 %
                   
    The following table presents the components of non-interest expense for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2025 and 2024.
                   
      For the Six Months Ended        
      June 30,        
        2025     2024     Dollar
    Change    		   Percentage
    Change
    Salaries and employee benefits $ 11,433   $ 10,649     $ 784     7.4 %
    Occupancy and equipment   4,064     3,639       425     11.7 %
    Outside service fees   2,424     2,316       108     4.7 %
    Merger and acquisition expenses   1,050     –       1,050     100.0 %
    Advertising and shareholder relations   535     458       77     16.8 %
    Professional fees   448     768       (320 )   (41.7 )%
    Armored car and courier   441     422       19     4.5 %
    Deposit insurance   362     372       (10 )   (2.7 )%
    Business development   355     363       (8 )   (2.2 )%
    Director compensation and expense   321     366       (45 )   (12.3 )%
    Telephone and data communication   298     426       (128 )   (30.0 )%
    Loan collection expenses   122     221       (99 )   (44.8 )%
    Amortization of Core Deposit Intangible   87     102       (15 )   (14.7 )%
    Other   537     691       (154 )   (22.3 )%
    Total non-interest expense $ 22,477   $ 20,793     $ 1,684     8.1 %
                   
    PLUMAS BANCORP
    SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)
                     
    The following table shows the distribution of loans by type at June 30, 2025 and 2024.
                     
            Percent of       Percent of
            Loans in Each       Loans in Each
        Balance at End Category to   Balance at End Category to
        of Period   Total Loans   of Period   Total Loans
        6/30/25   6/30/25   6/30/24   6/30/24
    Commercial   $ 81,118   8.0 %   $ 81,170   8.1 %
    Agricultural     113,850   11.2 %     123,661   12.4 %
    Real estate – residential     11,053   1.1 %     11,755   1.2 %
    Real estate – commercial     673,129   66.1 %     588,332   59.0 %
    Real estate – construction & land     40,798   4.0 %     67,960   6.8 %
    Equity Lines of Credit     41,620   4.1 %     38,446   3.9 %
    Auto     51,487   5.1 %     80,751   8.1 %
    Other     4,791   0.4 %     5,259   0.5 %
    Total Gross Loans   $ 1,017,846   100 %   $ 997,334   100 %
                     
    The following table shows the distribution of Commercial Real Estate loans at June 30, 2025 and 2024.
                     
            Percent of       Percent of
            Loans in Each       Loans in Each
        Balance at End Category to   Balance at End Category to
        of Period   Total Loans   of Period   Total Loans
        6/30/25   6/30/25   6/30/24   6/30/24
    Owner occupied   $ 294,765   43.8 %   $ 240,346   40.9 %
    Investor     378,364   56.2 %     347,986   59.1 %
    Total real estate – commercial   $ 673,129   100 %   $ 588,332   100 %
                     
                     
    The following table shows the distribution of deposits by type at June 30, 2025 and 2024.
                     
            Percent of       Percent of
            Deposits in Each     Deposits in Each
        Balance at End Category to   Balance at End Category to
        of Period   Total Deposits   of Period   Total Deposits
        6/30/25   6/30/25   6/30/24   6/30/24
    Non-interest bearing   $ 668,086   48.9 %   $ 670,652   51.4 %
    Money Market     281,516   20.6 %     214,063   16.4 %
    Savings     290,440   21.2 %     322,081   24.7 %
    Time     126,785   9.3 %     97,791   7.5 %
    Total Deposits   $ 1,366,827   100 %   $ 1,304,587   100 %
                     

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Plumas Bancorp Reports Second Quarter 2025 Earnings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RENO, Nev., July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Plumas Bancorp (Nasdaq:PLBC), the parent company of Plumas Bank, today announced earnings during the second quarter of 2025 of $6.3 million or $1.07 per share, a decrease of $465 thousand from $6.8 million or $1.15 per share during the second quarter of 2024. Diluted earnings per share decreased to $1.05 per share during the three months ended June 30, 2025 down from $1.14 per share during the quarter ended June 30, 2024.

    Return on average assets was 1.56% during the current quarter, down from 1.67% during the second quarter of 2024. Return on average equity decreased to 13.4% for the three months ended June 30, 2025, down from 17.1% during the second quarter of 2024.

    Net interest income decreased by $222 thousand from $18.4 million during the three months ended June 30, 2024, to $18.2 million during the current quarter. The provision for credit losses decreased from $925 thousand during the second quarter of 2024 to $860 thousand during the current quarter.

    Non-interest income increased by $159 thousand from $2.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2024 to $2.4 million during the second quarter of 2025.

    Non-interest expense increased by $616 thousand from $10.4 million during the second quarter of 2024 to $11.0 million during the current quarter. Of this amount, $481 thousand relates to costs associated with our acquisition of Cornerstone Community Bancorp. We signed a definitive agreement to acquire Cornerstone Community Bancorp on January 28, 2025 and we completed the merger on July 1, 2025. Merger transaction costs that facilitate the merger are not deductible for income tax purposes. Of the $481 thousand in merger related costs, $239 thousand is estimated to be not deductible for state and federal income tax.

    The provision for income taxes decreased by $149 thousand from $2.5 million, 26.9% of pre-tax income, during the three months ended June 30, 2024 to $2.4 million, or 27.1% of pre-tax income, during the current quarter.

    For the six months ended June 30, 2025, the Company reported net income of $13.5 million or $2.28 per share, an increase of $461 thousand from $13.0 million or $2.21 per share earned during the six months ended June 30, 2024. Earnings per diluted share increased to $2.25 during the six months ended June 30, 2025, up $0.06 from $2.19 during the first six months of 2024.     

    Return on average assets was 1.67% during the six months ended June 30, 2025, up from 1.61% during the first half of 2024. Return on average equity decreased to 14.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2025, down from 16.7% during the first half of 2024.

    Net interest income increased by $860 thousand from $35.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2024, to $36.7 million during the current period. The provision for credit losses decreased from $1.7 million during the first half of 2024 to $1.1 million during the current period.

    Non-interest income increased by $1.2 million from $4.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2024 to $5.5 million during the first half of 2025 related primarily to a legal settlement totaling $1.1 million. This settlement related to the Dixie Fire which swept through the town of Greenville, California in August of 2021. The fire caused severe damage to the Greenville area, including the telecommunications infrastructure which adversely affected our ability to service our customers in this area during the last few years.

    Non-interest expense increased by $1.7 million from $20.8 million during the first half of 2024 to $22.5 million during the current period. Of this amount, $1.1 million relates to costs associated with our pending acquisition of Cornerstone Community Bancorp. Of the $1.1 million in merger related costs, $801 thousand is estimated to be not deductible for state and federal income tax.

    The provision for income taxes increased by $583 thousand from $4.6 million, or 26.2% of pre-tax income, during the six months ended June 30, 2024 to $5.2 million, or 27.8% of pre-tax income, during the current period.

    Balance Sheet Highlights
    June 30, 2025 compared to June 30, 2024

    • Gross loans increased by $21 million, or 2%, to $1.0 billion.
    • Total deposits increased by $62 million, or 5%, to $1.4 billion.
    • Borrowings decreased by $105 million, or 88% to $15 million.
    • Total equity increased by $28 million, or 17%, to $193 million.
    • Book value per share increased by $4.53, or 16%, to $32.54.

    President’s Comments

    Andrew J. Ryback, director, president, and chief executive officer of Plumas Bancorp and Plumas Bank, announced, “The third quarter of 2025 began with a major development for Plumas; we successfully completed our acquisitions of Cornerstone Community Bank and Bancorp, expanding our presence in California’s northern Sacramento Valley. We are thrilled to have Ken Robison, formerly a director at Cornerstone, join the boards of Plumas Bancorp and Bank. We also welcome Matt Moseley, former President and CEO of Cornerstone Community Bank, to the executive team as Market President. Their extensive leadership experience and market knowledge will be instrumental in the ongoing success of our combined organization.”

    Ryback continued, “Beyond the acquisition, we have also been focused on internal advancements. We are expanding our treasury management services to provide comprehensive, personalized banking solutions with enhanced security features. Simultaneously, we have gained efficiency in our lending process through on-going refinements to our lending platforms and department structures.”

    Ryback concluded, “We extend a warm welcome to the clients, employees, and shareholders of Cornerstone. We look forward to providing long-term value to our expanded shareholders, clients, team members, and communities.”

    Loans, Deposits, Investments and Cash

    Gross loans increased by $21 million, or 2%, from $997 million at June 30, 2024, to $1.0 billion at June 30, 2025. Increases in loans included $85 million in commercial real estate loans and $3 million in equity lines of credit; these items were partially offset by decreases of $29 million in automobile loans, $27 million in construction loans, $10 million in agricultural loans and $1 million in residential real estate loans.

    On   June 30, 2025, approximately 78% of the Company’s loan portfolio was comprised of variable rate loans. The rates of interest charged on variable rate loans are set at specific increments in relation to the Company’s lending rate or other indexes such as the published prime interest rate or U.S. Treasury rates and vary with changes in these indexes. The frequency at which variable rate loans reprice can vary from one day to several years. Most of our commercial real estate portfolio reprices every five years. Approximately 76% of the variable rate loans are indexed to the five year T-Bill rate and reprice every five years. Loans indexed to the prime interest rate were approximately 21% of the Company’s variable rate loan portfolio; these loans reprice within one day to three months of a change in the prime rate.

    Total deposits increased by $62 million to $1.4 billion at June 30, 2025 from $1.3 billion at June 30, 2024. The increase in deposits includes increases of $67 million in money market accounts and $29 million in time deposits. Partially offsetting these increases were decreases of $2 million in demand deposits and $32 million in savings deposits. We attribute much of the increase in money market accounts to higher rate public entity deposits. At June 30, 2025, 49% of the Company’s deposits were in the form of non-interest-bearing demand deposits. The Company had no brokered deposits at June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024.

    Total investment securities decreased by $5 million from $445 million at June 30, 2024, to $440 million at June 30, 2025. The Bank’s investment security portfolio consists of debt securities issued by US Government agencies, US Government sponsored agencies and municipalities. Cash and due from banks decreased by $31 million from $110 million at June 30, 2024, to $79 million at June 30, 2025.

    Asset Quality

    Nonperforming assets (which are comprised of nonperforming loans, other real estate owned (“OREO”) and repossessed vehicle holdings) at June 30, 2025 were $13.7 million, up from $9.1 million at June 30, 2024. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets increased to 0.84% at June 30, 2025 up from 0.56% at June 30, 2024. OREO decreased by $50 thousand from $141 thousand at June 30, 2024 to $91 thousand at June 30, 2025. Nonperforming loans were $13.6 million at June 30, 2025 and $9.0 million at June 30, 2024. Nonaccrual loans totaled $13.6 million at June 30, 2025 and $2.5 million at June 30, 2024. At June 30, 2025 there were no loans 90 days or more past due that were not on nonaccrual. The difference between the $2.5 million in nonaccrual loans at June 30, 2024 and the $9 million in nonperforming loans in 2024 were loans that were over 90 days past due, but not on nonaccrual. Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans increased to 1.34% at June 30, 2025, up from 0.90% at June 30, 2024. The increase in nonperforming loans is related to one agricultural loan relationship of 15 loans totaling $9.9 million. The borrower on these loans was unable to meet his commitments under modified loan agreements and therefore during the quarter we placed the loans on nonaccrual status. Interest reversed on these loans during the current quarter totaled $344 thousand and specific loan loss reserves totaling $931 thousand were applied against the loans.

    During the first half of 2025 we recorded a provision for credit losses of $1.1 million consisting of a provision for credit losses on loans of $1.1 million and a decrease in the reserve for unfunded commitments of $40 thousand. The $1.1 million mostly relates to the specific loan loss reserves noted in the previous paragraph. This compares to a provision for credit losses of $1.7 million consisting of a provision for credit losses on loans of $1.8 million and a decrease in the reserve for unfunded commitments of $79 thousand during the six months ended June 30, 2024.

    Net charge-offs totaled $137 thousand and $610 thousand during the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The allowance for credit losses totaled $14.2 million at June 30, 2025 and $14.1 million at June 30, 2024. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.39% and 1.41% at June 30, 2025 and 2024.

    The following tables present the activity in the allowance for credit losses and the reserve for unfunded commitments during the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 (in thousands).

    Allowance for Credit Losses   June 30, 2025     June 30, 2024
    Balance, beginning of period $ 13,196     $ 12,867  
    Provision charged to operations   1,150       1,825  
    Losses charged to allowance   (506 )     (1,010 )
    Recoveries                                   369       400  
    Balance, end of period $     14,209     $     14,082  
    Reserve for Unfunded
    Commitments    		  

    June 30, 2025

    		    

    June 30, 2024
    Balance, beginning of period $                                620     $ 799  
    Provision charged to operations   (40 )     (79 )
    Balance, end of period $                                 580     $ 720  

    Shareholders’ Equity

    Total shareholders’ equity increased by $27.9 million from $165.2 million at June 30, 2024, to $193.1 million at June 30, 2025. The $27.9 million includes earnings during the twelve-month period totaling $29.1 million, a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $4.4 million and restricted stock and stock option activity totaling $1.1 million. These items were partially offset by the payment of cash dividends totaling $6.7 million.

    Bank Term Funding Program (BTFP)

    At June 30, 2024, the Company had outstanding borrowings under BTFP totaling $105 million. All BTFP borrowings were paid off during 2024. Interest expense recognized on the BTFP borrowings for the three and six-months ended June 30, 2024, was $1.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively.

    Liquidity

    The Company manages its liquidity to provide the ability to generate funds to support asset growth, meet deposit withdrawals (both anticipated and unanticipated), fund customers’ borrowing needs and satisfy maturity of short-term borrowings. The Company’s liquidity needs are managed using assets or liabilities, or both. On the asset side, in addition to cash and due from banks, the Company maintains an investment portfolio which includes unpledged U.S. Government-sponsored agency securities that are classified as available-for-sale. On the liability side, liquidity needs are managed by offering competitive rates on deposit products and the use of established credit lines.

    The Company is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLB) and can borrow up to $255 million from the FHLB secured by commercial and residential mortgage loans with carrying values totaling $439 million. The Company is also eligible to borrow at the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) Discount Window. At June 30, 2025, the Company could borrow up to $98 million at the Discount Window secured by investment securities with a fair value of $101 million. In addition to its FHLB borrowing line and the Discount Window, the Company has unsecured short-term borrowing agreements with two of its correspondent banks in the amounts of $50 million and $20 million. There were no outstanding borrowings to the FHLB, FRB Discount Window or the correspondent banks at June 30, 2025 and 2024.

    Customer deposits are the Company’s primary source of funds. Total deposits increased by $62 million to $1.4 billion at June 30, 2025 from $1.3 billion at June 30, 2024. Deposits are held in various forms with varying maturities. The Company estimates that it has approximately $516 million in uninsured deposits which include uninsured deposits of Plumas Bancorp. Of this amount, $206 million represents deposits that are collateralized such as deposits of states, municipalities and tribal accounts.

    The Company’s securities portfolio, Discount Window advances, FHLB advances, and cash and due from banks serve as the primary sources of liquidity, providing adequate funding for loans during periods of high loan demand. During periods of decreased lending, funds obtained from the maturing or sale of investments, loan payments, and new deposits are invested in short-term earning assets, such as cash held at the FRB and investment securities, to serve as a source of funding for future loan growth. Management believes that the Company’s available sources of funds, including borrowings, will provide adequate liquidity for its operations in the near future.

    Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin – Three Months Ended June 30, 2025

    Net interest income was $18.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, a decrease of $222 thousand from the same period in 2024. The decrease in net interest income includes a decrease of $527 thousand in interest income partially offset by a decrease of $305 thousand in interest expense. Interest and fees on loans increased by $200 thousand related to growth in the loan portfolio partially offset by a decline in yield.

    Average loan balances increased by $39 million, while the average yield on these loans decreased by 18 basis points from 6.32% during the second quarter of 2024 to 6.14% during the current quarter. Of the 18 basis points decrease, 13 basis points relate to the reversal of $344 thousand in interest previously described under “Asset Quality” The average prime interest rate decreased from 8.5% during the second quarter of 2024 to 7.5% during the current quarter. Approximately 16% of the Company’s loans are tied to the prime interest rate and most of these reprice within one to three months with a change in prime. Additionally, during the second quarter of 2024 we recovered $316 thousand in interest on loans that were classified as nonaccrual and which were paid off in full during the quarter which elevated loan yield during the 2024 quarter. The effect of these items was partially offset by an increase in average yield on the bank’s fixed rate portfolio which includes growth in fixed rate SBA loans which totaled $75 million at June 30, 2025, and $62 million at June 30, 2024. The weighted average rate earned on this portfolio at June 30, 2025, was 8.3%. The Bank is also benefiting from the repricing of a portion of our Commercial Real Estate loans. Most of these loans are indexed to the 5-year Treasury note and reprice every five years.

    Interest on investment securities decreased by $30 thousand as yield on these securities decreased slightly from 4.11% during the 2024 quarter to 4.08% during the current quarter and average investment securities declined from $444 million during the three months ended June 30, 2024 to $442 million during the current quarter.

    Interest on cash balances decreased by $697 thousand related to a decline in average balance of $42 million and a decrease in average rate paid on cash balances of 104 basis points from 5.51% during the second quarter of 2024 to 4.47% during the current quarter. This decline in yield was mostly related to a decline in rate paid on balances held at the FRB. The average rate earned on FRB balances decreased from 5.40% during the second quarter of 2024 to 4.40% during the current quarter.

    Interest expense decreased by $305 thousand, related to the repayment of the BTFP borrowings as discussed earlier. The average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities decreased from 1.44% during the 2024 quarter to 1.33% in 2025 related to the decrease in these borrowings.

    Interest paid on deposits increased by $968 thousand and is broken down by product type as follows: money market accounts – $815 thousand, savings deposits – $83 thousand and time deposits $70 thousand. The increase in interest paid on money market accounts mostly relates to an increase in public entity balances and the rate earned on these balances. During the second half of 2024 and continuing into 2025, we have offered a premium money market rate on large balances of public entities in our service area, matching the rate they could earn from the California local agency investment fund. This has led to the significant increase in balances and rate paid on money market accounts. The average balance of money market accounts during the current quarter was $288 million, an increase of $72 million from $216 million during the three months ended June 30, 2024. The average rate paid on money market accounts increased 92 basis points to 1.79%. The increase in interest on savings accounts was driven by an increase in the average rate paid of 12 basis points to 34 basis points. The increase in interest on time deposits includes an increase in average balance of $23 million partially offset by a decline in average rate paid of 33 basis points to 2.53% as promotional time deposits issued in 2024 matured. Many of these promotional time deposits were renewed at lower rates. The average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits increased from 0.84% during the second quarter of 2024 to 1.30% during the current quarter. The average balance of interest-bearing deposits increased from $633 million during the three months ended June 30, 2024 to $705 million during the quarter.

    Net interest margin for the three months ended June 30, 2025 decreased 6 basis points to 4.83%, down from 4.89% for the same period in 2024. Excluding the $344 thousand in interest reversed described earlier, net interest margin for the three months ended June 30, 2025 would have been 4.93%.

    Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin – Six Months Ended June 30, 2025

    Net interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2025 was $36.7 million, an increase of $860 thousand from the $35.9 million earned during the same period in 2024. The increase in net interest income includes an increase of $36 thousand in interest income and a reduction in interest expense of $824 thousand.

    Interest and fees on loans increased by $1.0 million related to an increase in average balance partially offset by a decline in yield. The average balance of loans during the six months ended June 30, 2025 was $1.0 billion, an increase of $44 million from $972 million during the same period in 2024. The average yield on loans decreased by 6 basis points from 6.21% during the first six months of 2024 to 6.15% during the current period.

    Interest on investment securities increased by $84 thousand related to an increase in yield of 21 basis points to 4.10% partially offset by a decline in average balance. The increase in investment yields is consistent with the increase in market rates and the restructuring of the investment portfolio in February of 2024. Average investment securities declined from $462 million during the six months ended June 30, 2024 to $443 million during the current period.

    Interest on cash balances declined by $1.1 million related to both a decline in balance and a decline in yield. The rate earned on cash balances declined by 104 basis points to 4.5% and the average balance declined from $81.8 million during the first six months of 2024 to $53.8 million during the current period.

    Related to a $2.5 million decline in interest on BTFP borrowings partially offset by an increase in interest bearing deposits and an increase in the cost of these deposits, interest expense decreased from $5.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2024 to $4.5 million during the current period. The average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities decreased from 1.39% during the 2024 period to 1.24% in 2025.

    Interest paid on deposits increased by $1.7 million and is broken down by product type as follows: money market accounts – $1.6 million and savings deposits – $109 thousand. The average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits increased from 0.79% during the six months ended June 30, 2024 to 1.21% during the current period. Average interest-bearing deposits totaled $698 million during the first half of 2025 an increase of $62 million from $636 million during the first half of 2024.

    Net interest margin for the six months ended June 30, 2025 increased 13 basis points to 4.89%, up from 4.76% for the same period in 2024.

    Non-Interest Income/Expense – Three Months Ended June 30, 2025

    Non-interest income increased by $159 thousand to $2.4 million during the current quarter. The largest increase was related to a $184 thousand adjustment to the value of our stock holdings in one of our correspondent banks.

    During the three months ended June 30, 2025, total non-interest expense increased by $616 thousand from $10.4 million during the second quarter of 2024 to $11.0 million during the current quarter. The largest components of this increase were merger related expenses of $481 thousand and salary and benefit expense of $270 thousand. The increase in salary and benefit expense includes an increase in salary expense of $216 thousand related primarily to merit and promotional salary increases. A decrease in deferred loan origination fees of $144 thousand was offset by a decline in commission expense of $180 thousand. Both items mostly relate to a decline in SBA loan production during the comparison quarters.

    Non-Interest Income/Expense – Six Months Ended June 30, 2025

    During the six months ended June 30, 2025, non-interest income totaled $5.6 million, an increase of $1.2 million from the six months ended June 30, 2024. The largest component of this increase was a legal settlement totaling $1.1 million related to the Dixie Fire in August of 2021.

    During the six months ended June 30, 2025, total non-interest expense increased by $1.7 million from $20.8 million during the first half of 2024 to $22.5 million during the current period. The largest components of this increase were merger related expenses of $1.1 million, salary and benefit expenses of $784 thousand and occupancy and equipment expenses of $425 thousand. The increase in salary and benefit expense included an increase in salary expense of $484 thousand related primarily to merit and promotional salary increases. A decrease in deferred loan origination fees of $257 thousand was offset by a decline in commission expense of $317 thousand. Both items mostly relate to a decline in SBA loan production during the comparison periods. The increase in occupancy and equipment expense mostly relates to an increase in rent expense of $374 thousand related to the February 2024 sales/leaseback transaction. Partially offsetting these increases in expense were several reductions in non-interest expense the largest of which was a reduction in professional fees of $320 thousand. Included in professional fees during the six months ended June 30, 2024 were legal expenses totaling $188 thousand related to a litigation matter that was settled in the second half of 2024.

    Plumas Bancorp is headquartered in Reno, Nevada. Plumas Bancorp’s principal subsidiary is Plumas Bank, which was founded in 1980. Plumas Bank is a full-service community bank headquartered in Quincy, California. The bank operates nineteen branches: seventeen located in the California counties of Butte, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sutter and Tehama and two branches located in Nevada in the counties of Carson City and Washoe. The bank also operates two loan production offices located in Auburn, California and Klamath Falls, Oregon. Plumas Bank offers a wide range of financial and investment services to consumers and businesses and has received nationwide Preferred Lender status with the United States Small Business Administration. For more information on Plumas Bancorp and Plumas Bank, please visit our website at www.plumasbank.com.

    This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and Plumas Bancorp intends for such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Future events are difficult to predict, and the expectations described above are necessarily subject to risk and uncertainty that may cause actual results to differ materially and adversely.

    Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or “may.” These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, nor should they be relied upon as representing management’s views as of any subsequent date. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those presented, either expressed or implied, in this news release. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the Company’s ability to successfully execute its business plans and achieve its objectives; changes in general economic and financial market conditions, either nationally or locally in areas in which the Company conducts its operations; changes in interest rates; continuing consolidation in the financial services industry; new litigation or changes in existing litigation; increased competitive challenges and expanding product and pricing pressures among financial institutions; legislation or regulatory changes which adversely affect the Company’s operations or business; loss of key personnel; and changes in accounting policies or procedures as may be required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other regulatory agencies.

    Contact: Jamie Huynh
    Investor Relations
    Plumas Bancorp
    5525 Kietzke Lane Ste. 100
    Reno, NV 89511
    775.786.0907 x8908
    investorrelations@plumasbank.com

    PLUMAS BANCORP
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (In thousands)
    (Unaudited)
      As of June 30,        
      2025   2024   Dollar
    Change    		   Percentage
    Change
    ASSETS              
    Cash and due from banks $ 79,266   $ 109,852   $ (30,586)   (27.8)%
    Investment securities 439,676   445,132   (5,456)   (1.2)%
    Loans, net of allowance for credit losses 1,006,873   986,517   20,356   2.1%
    Premises and equipment, net 12,065   12,868   (803)   (6.2)%
    Right-of-use assets 23,912   24,975   (1,063)   (4.3)%
    Bank owned life insurance 16,736   16,310   426   2.6%
    Real estate acquired through foreclosure 91   141   (50)   (35.5)%
    Goodwill 5,502   5,502   –   0.0%
    Accrued interest receivable and other assets 44,396   40,800   3,596   8.8%
    Total assets $ 1,628,517   $ 1,642,097   $ (13,580)   (0.8)%
                   
    LIABILITIES AND              
       SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  
    Deposits $ 1,366,827   $ 1,304,587   $ 62,240   4.8%
    Accrued interest payable and other liabilities 53,611   52,355   1,256   2.4%
    Borrowings 15,000   120,000   (105,000)   (87.5)%
    Total liabilities 1,435,438   1,476,942   (41,504)   (2.8)%
    Common stock 29,803   28,656   1,147   4.0%
    Retained earnings 183,954   161,608   22,346   13.8%
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net (20,678)   (25,109)   4,431   17.6%
    Shareholders’ equity 193,079   165,155   27,924   16.9%
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 1,628,517   $ 1,642,097   $ (13,580)   (0.8)%
                   
                   
    PLUMAS BANCORP
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (In thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)
                   
    FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2025   2024   Dollar
    Change    		   Percentage
    Change
                   
    Interest income $ 20,633   $ 21,160   $ (527)   (2.5)%
    Interest expense 2,450   2,755   (305)   (11.1)%
    Net interest income before provision for credit losses 18,183   18,405   (222)   (1.2)%
    Provision for credit losses 860   925   (65)   (7.0)%
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses 17,323   17,480   (157)   (0.9)%
    Non-interest income 2,361   2,202   159   7.2%
    Non-interest expense 11,012   10,396   616   5.9%
    Income before income taxes 8,672   9,286   (614)   (6.6)%
    Provision for income taxes 2,351   2,500   (149)   (6.0)%
    Net income $ 6,321   $ 6,786   $ (465)   (6.9)%
                   
    Basic earnings per share $ 1.07   $ 1.15   $ (0.08)   (7.0)%
    Diluted earnings per share $ 1.05   $ 1.14   $ (0.09)   (7.9)%
                   
    PLUMAS BANCORP
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (In thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)
              Dollar   Percentage
    FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2025   2024   Change   Change
                   
    Interest income $ 41,223   $ 41,187   $ 36   0.1%
    Interest expense 4,501   5,325   (824)   (15.5)%
    Net interest income before provision for credit losses 36,722   35,862   860   2.4%
    Provision for credit losses 1,110   1,746   (636)   (36.4)%
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses 35,612   34,116   1,496   4.4%
    Non-interest income 5,574   4,342   1,232   28.4%
    Non-interest expense 22,477   20,793   1,684   8.1%
    Income before income taxes 18,709   17,665   1,044   5.9%
    Provision for income taxes 5,208   4,625   583   12.6%
    Net income $ 13,501   $ 13,040   $ 461   3.5%
                   
    Basic earnings per share $ 2.28   $ 2.21   $ 0.07   3.2%
    Diluted earnings per share $ 2.25   $ 2.19   $ 0.06   2.7%
             
    PLUMAS BANCORP
    SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)
                       
      Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
      6/30/2025   3/31/2025   6/30/2024   6/30/2025   6/30/2024
    EARNINGS PER SHARE                  
    Basic earnings per share $ 1.07     $ 1.21     $ 1.15     $ 2.28     $ 2.21  
    Diluted earnings per share $ 1.05     $ 1.20     $ 1.14     $ 2.25     $ 2.19  
    Weighted average shares outstanding   5,929       5,911       5,896       5,920       5,892  
    Weighted average diluted shares outstanding   6,006       6,002       5,946       6,006       5,946  
    Cash dividends paid per share 1 $ 0.30     $ 0.30     $ 0.27     $ 0.60     $ 0.54  
                       
    PERFORMANCE RATIOS (annualized for the three months)            
    Return on average assets   1.56 %   1.79 %   1.67 %   1.67 %     1.61 %
    Return on average equity   13.4 %   16.0 %   17.1 %   14.7 %     16.7 %
    Yield on earning assets   5.48 %   5.50 %   5.62 %   5.49 %     5.46 %
    Rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities   1.33 %   1.14 %   1.44 %   1.24 %     1.39 %
    Net interest margin   4.83 %   4.95 %   4.89 %   4.89 %     4.76 %
    Noninterest income to average assets   0.58 %   0.80 %   0.54 %   0.69 %     0.54 %
    Noninterest expense to average assets   2.72 %   2.85 %   2.56 %   2.79 %     2.57 %
    Efficiency ratio 2   53.6 %   52.7 %   50.4 %   53.1 %     51.7 %
                       
      6/30/2025   3/31/2025   6/30/2024   12/31/2024   12/31/2023
    CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS AND DATA                  
    Allowance for credit losses $ 14,209     $ 13,319     $ 14,082     $ 13,196     $ 12,867  
    Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans   1.39 %     1.32 %     1.41 %     1.30 %     1.34 %
    Nonperforming loans $ 13,652     $ 3,686     $ 8,974     $ 4,105     $ 4,820  
    Nonperforming assets $ 13,747     $ 3,787     $ 9,148     $ 4,307     $ 5,315  
    Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans   1.34 %     0.36 %     0.90 %     0.40 %     0.50 %
    Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets   0.84 %     0.23 %     0.56 %     0.27 %     0.33 %
    Year-to-date net charge-offs $ 137     $ 127     $ 610     $ 1,046     $ 954  
    Year-to-date net charge-offs as a percentage of average   0.03 %     0.05 %     0.13 %   0.11 %     0.10 %
    loans (annualized)      
                       
    CAPITAL AND OTHER DATA                  
    Common shares outstanding at end of period   5,934       5,922       5,896       5,903       5,872  
    Shareholders’ equity $ 193,079     $ 187,603     $ 165,155     $ 177,899     $ 147,317  
    Book value per common share $ 32.54     $ 31.68     $ 28.01     $ 30.14     $ 25.09  
    Tangible common equity3 $ 186,874     $ 181,354     $ 158,763     $ 171,606     $ 140,823  
    Tangible book value per common share4 $ 31.49     $ 30.62     $ 26.93     $ 29.07     $ 23.98  
    Tangible common equity to total assets   11.5 %     11.1 %     9.7 %     10.6 %     8.7 %
    Gross loans to deposits   74.7 %     73.6 %     76.4 %     74.1 %     71.9 %
                       
    PLUMAS BANK REGULATORY CAPITAL RATIOS              
    Tier 1 Leverage Ratio   12.7 %     12.3 %     11.3 %     11.9 %     10.8 %
    Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio   17.9 %     17.8 %     16.4 %     17.3 %     15.7 %
    Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio   17.9 %     17.8 %     16.4 %     17.3 %     15.7 %
    Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio   19.2 %     19.0 %     17.6 %     18.5 %     16.9 %
    (1) The Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share on February 17, 2025, May 15, 2025 and a quarterly cash dividend of $0.27 per share on February 15, 2024, May 15, 2024, August 15, 2024 and November 15, 2024 and a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share on February 15, 2023, May 15, 2023 , August 15, 2023 and November 15, 2023.
    (2) Efficiency ratio is defined as noninterest expense divided by total revenue (net interest income and total noninterest income).   
    (3) Tangible common equity is defined as common equity less core deposit intangibles and goodwill.      
    (4) Tangible common book value per share is defined as tangible common equity divided by common shares outstanding.    
    PLUMAS BANCORP
    SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)
                             
    The following table presents for the three-month periods indicated the distribution of consolidated average assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity.
                             
        For the Three Months Ended   For the Three Months Ended
        6/30/2025   6/30/2024
        Average       Yield/   Average       Yield/
        Balance   Interest   Rate   Balance   Interest   Rate
    Interest-earning assets:                        
    Loans (2) (3)   $ 1,020,004   $ 15,612   6.14 %   $ 980,723   $ 15,412   6.32 %
    Investment securities     369,624     3,913   4.25 %     367,841     3,932   4.30 %
    Non-taxable investment securities (1)     72,719     591   3.26 %     76,275     602   3.17 %
    Interest-bearing deposits     46,368     517   4.47 %     88,607     1,214   5.51 %
    Total interest-earning assets     1,508,715     20,633   5.48 %     1,513,446     21,160   5.62 %
    Cash and due from banks     26,880             26,859        
    Other assets     87,117             90,092        
    Total assets   $ 1,622,712           $ 1,630,397        
                             
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                        
    Money market deposits     287,707     1,283   1.79 %     215,614     468   0.87 %
    Savings deposits     298,989     257   0.34 %     322,919     174   0.22 %
    Time deposits     118,057     744   2.53 %     94,684     674   2.86 %
    Total deposits     704,753     2,284   1.30 %     633,217     1,316   0.84 %
    Borrowings     15,000     146   3.90 %     120,000     1,431   4.80 %
    Other interest-bearing liabilities     17,265     20   0.46 %     16,809     8   0.19 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities     737,018     2,450   1.33 %     770,026     2,755   1.44 %
    Non-interest-bearing deposits     659,554             663,094        
    Other liabilities     37,112             37,794        
    Shareholders’ equity     189,028             159,483        
    Total liabilities & equity   $ 1,622,712           $ 1,630,397        
    Cost of funding interest-earning assets (4)           0.65 %           0.73 %
    Net interest income and margin (5)       $ 18,183   4.83 %       $ 18,405   4.89 %
                             
    (1) Not computed on a tax-equivalent basis.            
    (2) Average nonaccrual loan balances of $4.1 million for 2025 and $4.2 million for 2024 are included in average loan balances for computational purposes.  
    (3) Net costs included in loan interest income for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 were $196 thousand and $338 thousand, respectively.  
    (4) Total annualized interest expense divided by the average balance of total earning assets.        
    (5) Annualized net interest income divided by the average balance of total earning assets.        
    PLUMAS BANCORP
    SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)
                             
    The following table presents for the six-month periods indicated the distribution of consolidated average assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity.
                             
        For the Six Months Ended   For the Six Months Ended
        6/30/2025   6/30/2024
        Average       Yield/   Average       Yield/
        Balance   Interest   Rate   Balance   Interest   Rate
    Interest-earning assets:                        
    Loans (2) (3)   $ 1,016,008   $ 31,008   6.15 %   $ 972,427   $ 30,005   6.21 %
    Investment securities     369,376     7,840   4.28 %     369,815     7,537   4.10 %
    Non-taxable investment securities (1)     73,795     1,174   3.21 %     92,225     1,393   3.04 %
    Interest-bearing deposits     53,845     1,201   4.50 %     81,807     2,252   5.54 %
    Total interest-earning assets     1,513,024     41,223   5.49 %     1,516,274     41,187   5.46 %
    Cash and due from banks     26,679             26,722        
    Other assets     86,732             85,300        
    Total assets   $ 1,626,435           $ 1,628,296        
                             
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                        
    Money market deposits     283,469     2,429   1.73 %     213,399     844   0.80 %
    Savings deposits     311,151     463   0.30 %     329,242     354   0.22 %
    Time deposits     103,304     1,288   2.51 %     93,092     1,304   2.82 %
    Total deposits     697,924     4,180   1.21 %     635,733     2,502   0.79 %
    Borrowings     15,000     290   3.90 %     117,170     2,798   4.80 %
    Other interest-bearing liabilities     19,216     31   0.33 %     19,260     25   0.26 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities     732,140     4,501   1.24 %     772,163     5,325   1.39 %
    Non-interest-bearing deposits     670,961             668,441        
    Other liabilities     37,602             31,118        
    Shareholders’ equity     185,732             156,574        
    Total liabilities & equity   $ 1,626,435           $ 1,628,296        
    Cost of funding interest-earning assets (4)           0.60 %           0.70 %
    Net interest income and margin (5)       $ 36,722   4.89 %       $ 35,862   4.76 %
                             
    (1) Not computed on a tax-equivalent basis.            
    (2) Average nonaccrual loan balances of $3.9 million for 2025 and $4.8 million for 2024 are included in average loan balances for computational purposes.  
    (3) Net costs included in loan interest income for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 were $471 thousand and $682 thousand, respectively.  
    (4) Total annualized interest expense divided by the average balance of total earning assets.        
    (5) Annualized net interest income divided by the average balance of total earning assets.        
    PLUMAS BANCORP
    SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)
                   
    The following table presents the components of non-interest income for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2025 and 2024.
                   
      For the Three Months Ended        
      June 30,        
        2025     2024   Dollar
    Change    		   Percentage
    Change
    Interchange income $ 784   $ 782     2     0.3 %
    Service charges on deposit accounts   781     743     38     5.1 %
    Loan servicing fees   148     186     (38 )   (20.4 )%
    FHLB Dividends   135     136     (1 )   (0.7 )%
    Earnings on life insurance policies   108     104     4     3.8 %
    Other   405     251     154     61.4 %
    Total non-interest income $ 2,361   $ 2,202   $ 159     7.2 %
                   
    The following table presents the components of non-interest expense for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2025 and 2024.
                   
      For the Three Months Ended        
      June 30,        
        2025     2024   Dollar
    Change    		   Percentage
    Change
    Salaries and employee benefits $ 5,553   $ 5,283   $ 270     5.1 %
    Occupancy and equipment   2,050     1,949     101     5.2 %
    Outside service fees   1,160     1,184     (24 )   (2.0 )%
    Merger and acquisition expenses   481     –     481     100.0 %
    Advertising and shareholder relations   273     214     59     27.6 %
    Armored car and courier   224     220     4     1.8 %
    Professional fees   219     329     (110 )   (33.4 )%
    Business development   188     210     (22 )   (10.5 )%
    Deposit insurance   180     185     (5 )   (2.7 )%
    Director compensation and expense   155     199     (44 )   (22.1 )%
    Telephone and data communication   124     204     (80 )   (39.2 )%
    Loan collection expenses   51     117     (66 )   (56.4 )%
    Amortization of Core Deposit Intangible   44     51     (7 )   (13.7 )%
    Other   310     251     59     23.5 %
    Total non-interest expense $ 11,012   $ 10,396   $ 616     5.9 %
                   
    PLUMAS BANCORP
    SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)
                   
    The following table presents the components of non-interest income for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2025 and 2024.
                   
      For the Six Months Ended        
      June 30,        
        2025     2024     Dollar
    Change    		   Percentage
    Change
    Service charges on deposit accounts $ 1,486   $ 1,458     $ 28     1.9 %
    Interchange income   1,474     1,522       (48 )   (3.2 )%
    Loan servicing fees   334     388       (54 )   (13.9 )%
    FHLB Dividends   272     273       (1 )   (0.4 )%
    Earnings on life insurance policies   217     200       17     8.5 %
    Gain (loss) on sale of investment securities   3     (19,826 )     19,829     (100.0 )%
    Gain on sale of buildings   –     19,854       (19,854 )   (100.0 )%
    Other   1,788     473       1,315     278.0 %
    Total non-interest income $ 5,574   $ 4,342     $ 1,232     28.4 %
                   
    The following table presents the components of non-interest expense for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2025 and 2024.
                   
      For the Six Months Ended        
      June 30,        
        2025     2024     Dollar
    Change    		   Percentage
    Change
    Salaries and employee benefits $ 11,433   $ 10,649     $ 784     7.4 %
    Occupancy and equipment   4,064     3,639       425     11.7 %
    Outside service fees   2,424     2,316       108     4.7 %
    Merger and acquisition expenses   1,050     –       1,050     100.0 %
    Advertising and shareholder relations   535     458       77     16.8 %
    Professional fees   448     768       (320 )   (41.7 )%
    Armored car and courier   441     422       19     4.5 %
    Deposit insurance   362     372       (10 )   (2.7 )%
    Business development   355     363       (8 )   (2.2 )%
    Director compensation and expense   321     366       (45 )   (12.3 )%
    Telephone and data communication   298     426       (128 )   (30.0 )%
    Loan collection expenses   122     221       (99 )   (44.8 )%
    Amortization of Core Deposit Intangible   87     102       (15 )   (14.7 )%
    Other   537     691       (154 )   (22.3 )%
    Total non-interest expense $ 22,477   $ 20,793     $ 1,684     8.1 %
                   
    PLUMAS BANCORP
    SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)
                     
    The following table shows the distribution of loans by type at June 30, 2025 and 2024.
                     
            Percent of       Percent of
            Loans in Each       Loans in Each
        Balance at End Category to   Balance at End Category to
        of Period   Total Loans   of Period   Total Loans
        6/30/25   6/30/25   6/30/24   6/30/24
    Commercial   $ 81,118   8.0 %   $ 81,170   8.1 %
    Agricultural     113,850   11.2 %     123,661   12.4 %
    Real estate – residential     11,053   1.1 %     11,755   1.2 %
    Real estate – commercial     673,129   66.1 %     588,332   59.0 %
    Real estate – construction & land     40,798   4.0 %     67,960   6.8 %
    Equity Lines of Credit     41,620   4.1 %     38,446   3.9 %
    Auto     51,487   5.1 %     80,751   8.1 %
    Other     4,791   0.4 %     5,259   0.5 %
    Total Gross Loans   $ 1,017,846   100 %   $ 997,334   100 %
                     
    The following table shows the distribution of Commercial Real Estate loans at June 30, 2025 and 2024.
                     
            Percent of       Percent of
            Loans in Each       Loans in Each
        Balance at End Category to   Balance at End Category to
        of Period   Total Loans   of Period   Total Loans
        6/30/25   6/30/25   6/30/24   6/30/24
    Owner occupied   $ 294,765   43.8 %   $ 240,346   40.9 %
    Investor     378,364   56.2 %     347,986   59.1 %
    Total real estate – commercial   $ 673,129   100 %   $ 588,332   100 %
                     
                     
    The following table shows the distribution of deposits by type at June 30, 2025 and 2024.
                     
            Percent of       Percent of
            Deposits in Each     Deposits in Each
        Balance at End Category to   Balance at End Category to
        of Period   Total Deposits   of Period   Total Deposits
        6/30/25   6/30/25   6/30/24   6/30/24
    Non-interest bearing   $ 668,086   48.9 %   $ 670,652   51.4 %
    Money Market     281,516   20.6 %     214,063   16.4 %
    Savings     290,440   21.2 %     322,081   24.7 %
    Time     126,785   9.3 %     97,791   7.5 %
    Total Deposits   $ 1,366,827   100 %   $ 1,304,587   100 %
                     

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Student design bureaus: a breeding ground for engineering personnel

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The Polytechnic University held an intensive educational course “Student Design Bureaus as a Tool for Preparing Highly Motivated and Conscious Engineers” for employees of industrial partner companies. Participants discussed how design bureaus help students master real engineering tasks.

    The goal of the intensive course is to introduce representatives of enterprises to the capabilities of SKB, demonstrate examples of successful projects and discuss prospects for joint work on developing the country’s engineering potential. Organizers are representatives of SKB “System Engineering”. The project became the winner in April 2025 competition of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation in the direction of “Student Design Leadership”Several design bureaus and engineering teams of the Polytechnic University are participating in its implementation.

    “To achieve technological leadership by 2030, we must involve young people in solving real engineering problems today, at the training stage. Student design bureaus allow not only to develop skills, but also to form the right professional motivation and awareness in students,” noted Oleg Rozhdestvensky, head of the SPbPU Office of Technological Leadership, on the basis of which the project is being implemented.

    Head of SKB “System Engineering”, Director of the Higher School of Power Engineering Alena Aleshina emphasized that SPbPU SKB is built as a multi-level ecosystem: school KBs – youth KBs – student KBs – employer. This allows us to identify talented children at early stages, support their training and involve them in project activities.

    The participants of the intensive course discussed the development trajectories of student design bureaus at universities, their goals and objectives, as well as the role of an industrial partner in this system. Special attention was paid to how to establish cooperation between an enterprise and SKB SPbPU, how student projects help solve specific problems under the guidance of curators representing companies, and ensure an influx of qualified personnel. The experts also shared examples of successfully implemented projects.

    The presentation session presented the areas of work of SKB “System Engineering”, starting with school design bureaus and ending with the best practices of interaction between industry and the university.

    The project to create a network of school design bureaus is a joint initiative of the Government of St. Petersburg and the Advanced Engineering School “Digital Engineering” of SPbPU (PISH CI). Director of the Center for Continuing Professional Education of PISH CI Sergey Salkutsan said that SHKB is a network of engineering creativity clubs based in schools. Students in grades 8–11, under the guidance of instructors, master engineering skills, work with modern software and solve real problems of industrial companies. The goal is early career guidance for schoolchildren, development of practical competencies and training of future qualified personnel for the industry.

    In the X-Lab Engineering Creativity Laboratory, students learn to combine knowledge from different disciplines when solving practical problems. Senior research fellow at PISh CI Mikhail Zhmailo spoke about the project workshop, which is part of the educational program and combines design, engineering, digital manufacturing, project management, and teamwork.

    Head of the engineering team Polytech Voltage Machine, engineer of the Higher School of Transport IMMiT SPbPU Vsevolod Gaiduk introduced the intensive participants to the team that develops robotic platforms for high cross-country ability and ground electric transport. Polytechnicians create solutions for people with disabilities and for firefighting.

    Arseniy Klyuev, Senior Lecturer at the Higher School of Power Engineering, spoke in more detail about the SKB Power Machines — Polytech. This is a unique educational cluster focused on training personnel for the Power Machines company. The end-to-end training trajectory begins with the school’s engineering classes and continues through youth and student design bureaus, bachelor’s and master’s programs. Senior students are involved in real engineering projects implemented in the interests of the company under the guidance of curators — specialists with experience in implementing R&D from the university and employees of the enterprise. The success of the project is ensured by coordination between the university and the company, effective infrastructure, a motivation system and corporate culture.

    Director of the Higher School of High-Voltage Power Engineering Viktor Belko showed the structure of the Electrical Machines department within the SKB Power Machines — Polytech. For example, the Electrical Insulation Laboratory trains personnel in the context of growing demand for domestic technologies. The main goal is to involve students in research activities from their first years to accumulate practical experience in the field of electrical insulation and electrical machines, which cannot be fully ensured within the framework of traditional educational standards. The center, based on successful experience in fulfilling contracts in the field of electrical engineering and an established research base, interacts with industrial partners and forms flexible teams of students under the supervision of specialists from the university and companies.

    Of particular interest was the practical case of interaction between the Power Machines company and students, starting from the second year, in terms of participation in the educational program. Leading project manager Alexandra Grigorieva presented the areas of work and the results of interaction with SPbPU within the framework of the Power Machines Trajectory, which formed the basis for the advanced training of junior students for further participation in the Power Machines – Polytech SKB. Students gain the opportunity to receive a scholarship, master a working profession and find employment.

    The seminar participants visited the laboratories and workspaces of the SKB “System Engineering” teams and saw the students’ developments. Including a racing car and a solar car of the Polytech North Capital Motorsport engineering racing team, the results of the work of X-Lab and SKB “Unmanned Aviation Systems”, as well as a fire robot of the Polytech Voltage Machine team.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Unusable stocks following the entry into force of the Commission’s proposed legislation on lead ammunition – E-002811/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002811/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Riho Terras (PPE)

    The EC’s proposed legislation on lead ammunition draws a distinction between ‘large-calibre’ (≥ 5.6 mm) and ‘small-calibre’ (

    As lead ammunition cannot simply be discarded or repurposed, mainly on account of its explosive components, after the proposed transitional period of 18 months, producers, sellers and users would be left with significant unusable stocks of lead-based centrefire ammunition.

    Could the Commission explain whether appropriate compensation mechanisms have been considered for affected stakeholders, who would suffer financial losses as a result of being left with unusable stocks of lead-based centrefire ammunition after 18 months?

    Submitted: 9.7.2025

    Last updated: 16 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Cohesion funding: deal on mid-term update responding to new challenges

    Source: European Parliament

    Parliament and Council teams have reached an agreement on new priorities for and modifications to the current cycle of EU cohesion funding.

    Negotiators from Parliament and the Danish Council Presidency have agreed provisionally on a mid-term update to the EU’s current cycle of cohesion policy funding, which aims to reduce regional inequalities through the European Regional Development Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the Just Transition Fund.

    The changes will offer member states and regions more flexibility to channel funds into new objectives, namely defence industrial capabilities and military mobility, water resilience, affordable housing, decarbonisation, strategic technologies, and energy infrastructure. The reform also allows for extra support for EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, highlighting their special needs in a tense geopolitical environment.

    To inject liquidity quickly into the new priorities, it was agreed that this spending can benefit from i.a. co-financing rates 10 percentage points higher than normal and of 20% one-off pre-financing for amounts re-allocated in 2026.


    Investment in civil preparedness and dual-use infrastructure

    MEPs secured several adjustments to the new priorities. According to the agreement, civil preparedness investments will be eligible for support, and dual-use infrastructure (suitable for both civilian and military use) will be prioritised when funding the defence industry and military mobility. When it comes to affordable housing, sustainability of the housing stock will be taken into account, and water resilience priorities will be aligned with the European water resilience strategy, including investments in irrigation and desalination.

    To ensure that cohesion policy maintains its focus on small and medium-sized enterprises and less favoured regions, it was agreed that the strategic technology investments of large companies can only be supported in EU areas with lower-than-average gross domestic product per capita.

    The agreement also includes language on rule of law conditionality, ensuring that funds frozen because of breaches of EU values cannot be reallocated to the new priorities.


    Quote

    After the vote, rapporteur and Committee Chair Dragoș Benea (S&D, Romania) said: “We currently face several uncertainties, and this reform is part of our European response, strengthening our industrial base, technology sector, and sustainable and affordable housing stock. It will also help regions manage their water resources, preventing and responding to floods and droughts, and continue the process of decarbonisation. Today’s agreement ensures that while we adjust cohesion policy to meet the challenges of the moment, it also remains a cornerstone of European integration and solidarity, bridging differences and delivering for all citizens – no matter which region they live in.”


    Background

    In parallel, the Employment and Social Affairs Committee is discussing similar proposals in the context of the European Social Fund +.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Aurora Antrim and Jane Hurst have been reappointed to The Royal Parks, and Bronwyn Hill’s second term extended.

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Aurora Antrim and Jane Hurst have been reappointed to The Royal Parks, and Bronwyn Hill’s second term extended.

    The Secretary of State has reappointed Aurora Antrim and Jane Hurst as Trustees of The Royal Parks and has extended Bronwyn Hill’s second term as Trustee.

    Aurora Antrim

    Reappointed for a 4 year term commencing 14 August 2025 to 13 August 2029.

    Aurora Antrim is an award-winning arts documentary filmmaker who, as Aurora Gunn, spent many years working on The South Bank Show for ITV and Sky making films on subjects ranging from Shakespeare to Tracey Emin to Herbie Hancock.

    Aurora has over 20 years’ experience managing an historic landscape, with a focus on income diversification and sustainability, while overseeing the running of the Glenarm Castle estate in Northern Ireland. Her horticultural experience includes the complete restoration and replanting of an historic walled garden which won, by public vote, the Historic Houses Garden of the Year Award in 2023.

    This is Aurora’s second term on the Board of The Royal Parks where she serves on the HR Committee. She also sits on The Regent’s Park Store Yard Programme Board, responsible for the creation of a brand new garden in The Regent’s Park due to open in 2026.

    Jane Hurst 

    Reappointed for a 4 year term commencing 14 August 2025 to 13 August 2029.

    Jane is a Chartered Accountant and currently CFO of a health tech business. Prior to this she was a partner in KPMG UK with 20 years’ experience of complex restructuring, performance improvement and turnaround. She has worked in a wide range of businesses- from the very large and global to the very small. She has also supported multiple public sector entities undergoing change. 

    Jane has been a trustee at the Royal Parks for four years, she chairs the Audit and Risk Committee and is a member of the Investment Committee.

    Bronwyn Hill CBE

    Second term extended for 9 months from 15 June 2025 to 14 March 2026.

    As Permanent Secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 2011 to 2015, Bronwyn led a complex organisation through transformational change and a series of crises, including the 2012-13 flooding. A CBE for transport services was in recognition of her contribution to national transport strategy, major projects and transport in London. 

    Her interest in the environment and the importance of green spaces for people led to her joining The Royal Parks Board. Bronwyn contributed to its transformation into a successful charity, and on projects like Greenwich Park Revealed which has restored the historic landscape, created a new education space and welcomes more people to events and activities in the park.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    Trustees of The Royal Parks are not remunerated. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Aurora Antrim, Bronwyn Hill and Jane Hurst have not declared any significant political activity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese envoy regrets abuse of UN Security Council resolutions on Houthi attacks in Red Sea

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    UNITED NATIONS, July 16 (Xinhua) — Yemen’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity must be respected, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Geng Shuang said on Tuesday after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

    “China is deeply concerned about this development,” he said, referring to the recent escalation of tensions in the Red Sea in connection with a new round of fighting between Israel and the Houthis in Yemen.

    “We call on the Houthis to respect the navigation rights of commercial vessels of all countries in the Red Sea in accordance with international law, to stop attacks on commercial vessels and to ensure the security of the Red Sea waterways,” he stressed.

    “All parties concerned should exercise calm and restraint and refrain from actions that could further escalate tensions,” Geng Shuang said, adding that the tensions in the Red Sea are an important manifestation of the conflict spilling over from the Gaza Strip.

    A settlement of the problems in the Red Sea and Yemen cannot be achieved without easing tensions and de-escalating the overall situation in the region, the diplomat said.

    The international community must act immediately to achieve an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and fully restore humanitarian access, he said.

    On Tuesday, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2787 by 12 votes in favor, with no votes against and three abstentions (Algeria, China and Russia). The resolution extends until January 15, 2026, the requirement set out in Resolution 2722 for the UN Secretary-General to report monthly to the Security Council on Houthi attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea.

    Since the adoption of Resolution 2722 in January 2024, some countries have taken military action against Yemen, seriously undermining the Yemeni peace process and escalating tensions in the Red Sea, the negative consequences of which continue to this day, Geng Shuang said.

    Resolution 2722 condemns Houthi attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea, demands an immediate end to all such attacks and “takes note of the right of Member States, in accordance with international law, to protect their vessels from attacks, including those that undermine the rights and freedom of navigation.” –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ19: Promoting efficient district governance

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    ​Following is a question by the Hon Chan Yung and a written reply by the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, in the Legislative Council today (July 16):

    Question:

         The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs pointed out during a media interview last month that the District Councils, “the three district committees” (i.e. the Area Committees, the District Fight Crime Committees and the District Fire Safety Committees) and the District Services and Community Care Teams (Care Teams) are the troika of district governance, with clear divisions of work and high levels of collaboration. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) how it will continue to strengthen co-operation among the aforesaid three parties;

    (2) given that the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs mentioned in the aforesaid interview that the scope of work of the Care Teams is under review, of the current progress of the relevant work; and

    (3) whether it will, by drawing on the district governance experiences of the Mainland and Singapore, continue to enhance support in terms of systems, policies and resources, so as to provide more care services for the communities and residents (such as establishing government centres in districts with single-window services from various government departments)?

    Reply:

    President,

         With regards to the member’s question, our reply is as follows:

    (1) Under the improved district governance system, the District Councils (DCs) play the role of complementing and supporting the Government, assisting the Government to gauge public opinions and local sentiments, implement policies and measures, and respond to public aspirations, as well as promoting community involvement activities. The “three district committees” (i.e. the Area Committees, the District Fight Crime Committees and the District Fire Safety Committees) offer advice to the Government according to their respective purviews (e.g. fire prevention, combat crime, etc), and help organise community activities. The District Services and Community Care Teams (Care Teams) are Government-led service teams working in sub-districts to provide people with a wide range of caring and support services, and assist in handling incidents and emergencies. District Officers, as DC Chairmen and Commanders of Care Teams, are responsible for leading the “troika” to collaborate with each other, achieve synergy and provide services to people in need.

    The “troika” are highly integrated. Since April 2024, the Government appointed all incumbent DC members to be members of the “three district committees” with a view to strengthening the connection and collaboration between both sides. DC members also often work with Care Teams to organise various district activities to strengthen community cohesion and allow caring services to reach the community. Each District Office has also established a mechanism to swiftly mobilise and co-ordinate members of the “troika” to assist in handling incidents and emergencies within the district. For example, for the recent drinking water incidents at Queens’ Hill Estate and Shan Lai Court, members of the North DC, members of the “three district committees” and Care Teams conducted over 1 500 home visits over a weekend, set up street booths at each key location to provide residents with the latest water information, and register residents’ requests for assistance and make referrals.

    The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, the Home Affairs Department and District Offices will continue to enhance co-ordination of the DCs, the “three district committees”, Care Teams and other district organisations and groups to collaborate with the Government. We will also keep under review the actual operational experiences and listen to the views of different sectors to continuously improve the collaboration mechanism, so as to enhance the efficacy of district governance.

    (2) and (3) Since the full launch of 452 Care Teams in 18 districts in the third quarter of 2023, Care Teams have been actively engaging and serving residents in the sub-districts. In addition to the swift mobilisation for incidents and emergency responses as mentioned above and caring for the needs of affected individuals, Care Teams also provide caring services to residents in the districts, including visiting or contacting elderly households and other households in need (e.g. households in subdivided flats and chronic patients, etc), establishing connections with them and providing relevant service information, assisting them in applying and setting up appointments for public services. Care Teams also offer home or other support services to those in need (e.g. basic home repairs and cleansing). As at end June 2025, Care Teams have visited about 530 000 elderly households and other households in need, provided about 76 000 times of basic home or other support services, and organised about 38 000 district-level activities, such as free Chinese medicine consultations, vaccination services, mental well-being support programmes, national security and civic education activities. In terms of promoting government policies, Care Teams have been proactively assisting the Government in promoting various policies, such as distributing promotional leaflets for the Department of Health to disseminate messages about disease prevention to the public, collaborating with district Police Community Relations Office to disseminate messages relating to fraud prevention. Besides, Care Teams in 18 districts also participate in the Social Welfare Department’s District Services and Community Care Teams – Scheme on Supporting Elderly and Carers. Through visits or contact with singleton/doubleton elderly households, and carers of elderly persons and persons with disabilities, Care Teams would help identify needy cases and refer them to relevant social welfare units for follow up. They will also assist in referring eligible elderly persons and persons with disabilities to install and use emergency alarm systems.

    The first term of the service agreements for Care Teams in 18 districts will be concluding in September to October this year. With a view to improving the effectiveness of Care Teams’ work in the next term, we are reviewing various aspects of Care Teams. The Government adheres to the principle of “people-oriented and local circumstances suited” when planning and promoting work in districts. Hong Kong has a highly dense population and a diverse community structure. Each district has different demographics, geographical environments, social facilities and residents’ needs. Therefore, while we may draw reference from the governance experience of Mainland China and Singapore, we shall fully take into account the uniqueness of each district in Hong Kong and flexibly adapt the service models in accordance with local conditions and needs.

    As announced in 2024 Policy Address, the Government will regularise Care Teams, and increase funding amount by 50 per cent in the next term of service in support of their work. Building on the established district networks and the foundation of the caring works, Care Teams will continue to strengthen and further extend their services at the district level through the effective use of the additional resources in the next term of service. Looking ahead, we will continue to strengthen the collaboration mechanism among the DCs, the “three district committees” and Care Teams – the “troika” – to comprehensively enhance service effectiveness and continuously improve people’s sense of well-being and fulfilment.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ21: Fire safety of old buildings

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    Following is a question by the Hon Vincent Cheng and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (July 16):
     
    Question:
     
    It has been reported that a No. 3 alarm fire broke out at New Lucky House in Jordan in April last year, resulting in five deaths and 40 injuries of members of the public. This Council subsequently passed the Fire Safety (Buildings) (Amendment) Bill 2024 (the Bill) in December last year to enable the Government to carry out fire safety improvement works for target building owners who fail to comply with the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance, and to increase the penalties imposed on persons who fail to comply with Fire Safety Directions, etc., so as to enhance the fire safety standards of old buildings. However, it is learnt that at present, there are still cases with, among others, public passageways obstructed by miscellaneous articles and smoke stop doors not closed in individual composite buildings and factory buildings. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) given that the Hong Kong Fire Services Department (FSD) indicated in January this year that the authorities had inspected about 1 000 old buildings with higher risk and issued more than 8 600 Fire Hazard Abatement Notices (FHANs), of the percentage of “three-nil buildings” among such buildings, the number of persons prosecuted and convicted, and the reasons why they were prosecuted, with a breakdown by the 18 districts across the territory;
     
    (2) given that the authorities issued FHANs to or took enforcement actions against the non-compliant buildings during the inspections of the buildings mentioned in (1), of the compliance rate of the buildings concerned so far; whether the authorities will further inspect the buildings concerned on a regular basis; if so, of the details;
     
    (3) of the number of old buildings which the authorities will proactively inspect in the coming year;
     
    (4) given that according to the paper submitted by the Government to the Panel on Security of this Council in December last year, the FSD will select 10 to 20 old buildings at the initial stage after the passage of the Bill for the Government to carry out defaulted works, of the number of buildings finally selected by the authorities, as well as their names, and the number of three-nil buildings among such buildings; the progress and estimated costs of the relevant works;
     
    (5) whether the authorities will consider increasing the number of buildings for which defaulted works will be carried out; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

    (6) as it is learnt that although the FSD is inviting some owners of old buildings to participate in the Pilot Scheme on the Internet of Things (IoT) fire detection system (the Scheme) which aims to make use of IoT technology by installing sensors inside flats or in the public areas of buildings, so that in the event of a fire, the sensors will transmit the relevant information directly to the FSD, thereby speeding up the efficiency of the authorities in carrying out fire-fighting operations, only a small number of buildings in each district are invited to participate in the Scheme, of the details of the Scheme and the criteria adopted by the authorities for inviting building owners to participate in the Scheme?

    Reply:

    President,

    Fire safety of buildings is a matter of great concern to the Government. A multi-pronged approach has been taken to improve the fire safety standards of old buildings.

    With regard to law enforcement, the Fire Services Department (FSD) handles fire hazards in buildings (including old buildings) in accordance with the Fire Services Ordinance (Cap. 95). Generally speaking, during the inspections of buildings in respect of fire safety or complaints, if it is discovered that the means of escape are obstructed or locked, the smoke stop doors are left open or defective, the fire service installations or equipment (FSIs) are not in efficient working order or have not undergone annual inspection, etc., the FSD will issue a Fire Hazard Abatement Notice (FHAN) or instigate prosecution against the relevant parties.
     
    Moreover, in respect of legislation, to enhance the fire safety standard of old buildings, the Government enacted the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance (Cap. 572) (the Ordinance) which stipulates that composite and domestic buildings constructed in or before 1987 (target buildings) must be enhanced to meet modern fire protection requirements. Being the enforcement authorities (EAs), the FSD and the Buildings Department (BD) conduct joint inspections of target buildings across the territory in a systematic manner, and in light of the actual condition of the buildings and in accordance with the requirements of the Ordinance, issue Fire Safety Directions (Directions) to the owners or occupiers, specifying the required fire safety improvement works. There are about 14 000 target buildings regulated under the Ordinance. As of end-May 2025, about 11 430 target buildings have been inspected and over 400 000 Directions have been issued. Among those issued Directions, about 40 per cent of them have been complied with or discharged, with the remaining some 60 per cent are being followed-up on. Most of these target buildings are making positive progress in taking forward fire safety improvement works and some are in the early stages showing initial progress in complying with the requirements of the Ordinance. Some other buildings face genuine difficulties in co-ordinating efforts, e.g. some building owners being missing or untraceable, making it impossible to co-ordinate relevant works. For cases lacking progress without reasonable excuse, the EAs will progressively instigate prosecutions against relevant buildings.

    The Government has been proactively providing various kinds of support (including support on financial aspects, co-ordination among owners and technical aspects) to owners of old buildings, assisting them in carrying out fire safety improvement works. To further enhance the fire safety standards of target buildings, amendments were made to the Ordinance, with the relevant Amendment Ordinance came into effect on December 13, 2024, empowering the FSD and the BD to carry out fire safety improvement works for owners who have failed to comply with the requirements of the Ordinance ( defaulted works), and to recover the relevant fees from them upon completion of the works. In addition, the above-mentioned Amendment Ordinance has also introduced different measures with a view to driving owners’ compliance with the requirements of the Ordinance on their own initiative. The FSD and the BD, as the EAs, are proactively implementing the relevant targeted measures.
     
    My reply to the questions raised by the Hon Cheng is as follows:

    (1) In response to the tragic fire at New Lucky House occurred in April 2024, the FSD proactively conducted, under a risk-based principle, about 8 200 inspections against some 1 000 old composite buildings with relatively higher fire risk. A total of 8 661 FHANs were issued during the inspections. The number of FHANs issued to “three-nil buildings”, and the number of successful prosecutions and convictions, are tabulated by District Council districts distribution below –
     

    Districts Of the total of 8 661 FHANs issued by FSD
    The number of FHANs issued to “three-nil buildings” The number of successful prosecutions and convictions
    Islands 0 0
    Central & Western 71 6
    Wan Chai 23 21
    Eastern 101 1
    Southern 16 0
    Kowloon City 169 54
    Kwun Tong 98 14
    Wong Tai Sin 28 2
    Yau Tsim Mong 416 179
    Sham Shui Po 1 074 40
    Tsuen Wan 21 0
    Kwai Tsing 0 0
    Tuen Mun 0 0
    Sha Tin 0 0
    Sai Kung 0 0
    Tai Po 14 2
    North 0 0
    Yuen Long 81 5
    Total 2 112 324

    In respect of the reasons for instigating prosecution, a majority number of cases involved smoke stop door-related irregularities (involving 259 cases), followed by obstruction to means of escape (involving 42 cases) and FSI-related irregularities (involving 23 cases).

    (2) & (3) With respect to the proactive inspections mentioned in (1) above, a total of 8 661 FHANs were issued by the FSD. As of end-June 2025, over 90 per cent of them had been complied with.

    To further step up law enforcement actions against fire hazards in target buildings, the FSD has established the Building Improvement Special Duty Team (known as the Divisional Public Safety Team) in March 2025 in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Territories regions respectively to enhance district-based risk management efforts. In the coming year, the FSD will proactively carry out inspections of 1 800 old buildings, strengthening law enforcement and enhancing fire safety education.

    (4) As far as the implementation of the defaulted works mechanism is concerned, we have established a clear, objective and transparent mechanism to set a threshold and to prioritise defaulted works. During the initial stage of the defaulted works mechanism, a pilot scheme will be implemented by the EAs, under which 10 target buildings have been selected for the Government to carry out defaulted works, among which, more than half of them are “three-nil buildings”. The EAs plan to award works consultancy and contractor contracts in the third quarter of 2025, and it is expected that contractors may commence the works in the fourth quarter of 2025 and the defaulted works for the first building will be completed by mid-2026.  
     
    The EAs are in the procurement process for engaging works consultants and contractors. Therefore, cost of works is yet to be available. Following the completion of investigation and assessment on the defaulted works by the works consultants appointed by the EAs, the EAs may make available to the building owners concerned the initial proposal and preliminary total cost estimate for the defaulted works.
     
    　　As mentioned above, in addition to the introduction of defaulted works, we also introduced different measures in the legislative amendment exercise on the Ordinance, with a view to driving owners’ compliance with the requirements of the Ordinance on their own initiative. One of those measures introduced is on publishing information of Directions, etc. on the EAs’ websites, providing members of the public and prospective buyers with information about the compliance status of target buildings with the Ordinance, further driving owners to carry out fire safety improvement works. To this end, the FSD and the BD have respectively published on their websites (Note) information about Directions or Fire Safety Compliance Orders (FSCOs), etc. (i.e. the address of the building or part to which the Direction/FSCO relates, the serial number, date of issue and compliance status of the Direction and FSCO). This will allow members of the public (including the prospective buyers/tenants of target buildings units) to have better knowledge of the outstanding legal liabilities of the target buildings, thereby encouraging owners to comply with the requirements of the Ordinance.

    (5) When implementing the pilot scheme, the EAs will closely monitor the implementation and execution of the defaulted works mechanism, and maintain close co-ordination with relevant government departments, in order to ensure its effective operation in a sustainable manner. The EAs will decide on the number and schedule of defaulted works per annum after consolidating the experience, taking into account factors such as the industry’s capacity to undertake such works, and formulate long-term and holistic strategies for the mechanism, with a view to assisting owners with genuine difficulties in enhancing the fire protection of old buildings. The EAs expect that defaulted works can be carried out for around 20 to 60 target buildings each year.

    (6) The FSD has long moved with the times and made good use of innovative technologies to enhance operational efficiency and bring convenience and benefits to the public. Looking ahead, the FSD will explore the collaboration with telecommunication service providers to promote smart firefighting, accelerate digital transformation, and explore innovative application of technologies, such as 5G, big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence in rescue, fire prevention and emergency management. This includes exploring the use of IoT technology to transmit data from fire detectors directly to the FSD’s system for early fire detection, etc., the purpose of which is to enhance the fire safety standard of buildings while holistically improving the level of intelligentisation and informatisation in firefighting. The FSD is currently undertaking preliminary preparatory work for implementing the relevant scheme (including considering a basket of factors, such as building age, number of building storeys, and whether it is a “three-nil building”, etc., in order to select suitable buildings for the pilot scheme). As in the cases of implementing other new measures, after exploring the application of the aforesaid technologies for the implementation of the pilot scheme, the FSD will consolidate relevant experience and review the effectiveness for considering the way forward of the relevant initiative.

    Note:
    FSD’s relevant website is at fsdns.hkfsd.gov.hk/en
    BD’s relevant website is at www.bd.gov.hk/en/resources/online-tools/search/index.html

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Crush at Gaza aid site kills at least 20, GHF blames armed agitators

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    At least 20 Palestinians were killed on Wednesday at an aid distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), in what the U.S.-backed group said was a crowd surge instigated by armed agitators.

    The GHF, which is supported by Israel, said 19 people were trampled and one fatally stabbed during the crush at one of its centres in Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

    “We have credible reason to believe that elements within the crowd – armed and affiliated with Hamas – deliberately fomented the unrest,” GHF said in a statement.

    There has been no immediate comment from Hamas.

    Palestinian heath officials told Reuters 21 people had died of suffocation at the site. One medic said lots of people had been crammed into a small space and had been crushed.

    On Tuesday, the U.N. rights office in Geneva said it had recorded at least 875 killings within the past six weeks in the vicinity of aid sites and food convoys in Gaza – the majority of them close to GHF distribution points.

    Most of those deaths were caused by gunfire that locals have blamed on the Israeli military. The military has acknowledged that Palestinian civilians were harmed near aid distribution centres, saying that Israeli forces had been issued new instructions with “lessons learned”.

    The GHF uses private U.S. security and logistics companies to get supplies into Gaza, largely bypassing a U.N.-led system that Israel alleges has let Hamas-led militants loot aid shipments intended for civilians. Hamas denies the accusation.

    The U.N. has called the GHF’s model unsafe and a breach of humanitarian impartiality standards – an allegation GHF has denied.

    Amjad Al-Shawa, director of the Palestinian NGOs Network, accused the GHF on Wednesday of gross mismanagement, saying its lack of crowd control and failure to uphold humanitarian principles had led to chaos and death among desperate civilians.

    “People who flock in their thousands (to GHF sites) are hungry and exhausted, and they get squeezed into narrow places, amid shortages of aid and the absence of organization and discipline by the GHF,” he told Reuters.

    The war in Gaza, triggered in October 2023 by a deadly Hamas attack on Israel, has devastated large swathes of the coastal enclave, displaced almost all of the territory’s population and led to widespread hunger and privation.

    ISRAELI ARMY ROAD

    Earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli military said it had finished paving a new road in southern Gaza separating several towns east of Khan Younis from the rest of the territory in an effort to disrupt Hamas operations.

    Palestinians see the road, which extends Israeli control, as a way to pressure on Hamas in ongoing ceasefire talks, which started on July 6 and are being brokered by Arab mediators Egypt and Qatar with the backing of the United States.

    Palestinian sources close to the negotiations said a breakthrough had not yet been reached on any of the main issues under discussion.

    Hamas said Israel wanted to keep at least 40% of the Gaza Strip under its control as part of any deal, which the group rejected. Hamas has also demanded the dismantlement of the GHF and the reinstatement of a U.N.-led aid delivery mechanism.

    Senior Hamas official Basem Naim said the road showed Israel was not serious about reaching a ceasefire deal.

    “It confirms the occupation’s long-term intentions and plans to remain inside the Strip, not to withdraw, and not to end the war. This contradicts everything it claims at the negotiating table or communicates to mediators,” Naim said in a post on his Facebook page.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the war will end once Hamas is disarmed and removed from Gaza.

    Gaza local health authorities said Israeli military strikes have killed at least 17 people across the enclave on Wednesday.

    Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.

    Almost 1,650 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed as a result of the conflict, including 1,200 killed in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. An estimated 50 Israelis and foreign nationals remain captive in Gaza, including 28 hostages who have been declared dead and whose bodies are being withheld.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Isle of Wight coastal defence schemes get new webpages

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Isle of Wight coastal defence schemes get new webpages

    The new webpages for Yaverland, Shanklin and Ventnor make it easier for communities to stay informed about vital coastal protection work.

    Updates on coastal defence schemes for Ventnor, Shanklin and Yaverland will now be available online

    New webpages filled with information about the coastal defence schemes in Shanklin, Yaverland, and Ventnor have launched.

    These webpages provide easy access to up-to-date information about the schemes, including background details, key documents, engagement updates, and next steps.

    Facilitated by the Environment Agency and Isle of Wight Council, the new webpages make it easier for residents, businesses, and stakeholders to stay informed and involved in the coastal defence planning process by posting their questions and ideas. 

    Earlier this year, a series of community engagement events were held in February and April at locations in Ventnor, Shanklin, and Yaverland.

    Together, these activities captured local views on the urgent need to address coastal risks and gathered ideas for improving the seafronts for residents, businesses, and visitors. 

    More than 400 people attended the in-person events, and over 200 contributed feedback. Key themes in the report include:  

    • A strong community desire for coastal protection that is accessible, attractive, and resilient.  

    • Support for placemaking features such as improved seating, planting, signage, and public art.  

    • Clear interest in staying informed and involved as the scheme progresses.  

    Natasha Dix, service director of Waste, Environment and Planning at the Isle of Wight Council, said:   

    This feedback reflects the deep connection local people have with Ventnor’s coastline, and their clear vision for protection that enhances rather than detracts from what makes this area special.

    Residents have shown they want coastal defences that are not just functional but contribute to the character and accessibility of their seafront.

    David Gaskell, senior project officer for Ventnor at the Environment Agency, said:  

    We’re grateful for the open conversations and creative suggestions shared, and we’re committed to building on this as we move into the next phase of design and planning.

    Moving forwards, the projects are also planning to engage schools to hear from the younger generation who will benefit from the schemes over the next 50 years. 

    You can find the new online information pages here:   

    Ventnor Coastal Defence Scheme

    Shanklin Coastal Defence Scheme 

    Yaverland Coastal Defence Scheme 

    For further information, or to request printed copies or accessible formats, email lottie.begg@environment-agency.gov.uk or call 07880 162137. 

    Background

    • The Isle of Wight coastal defence schemes are a joint initiative between the Environment Agency and Isle of Wight Council. 

    • Community engagement events were held at Shanklin at the Shanklin and Sandown rowing club, in February 2025; at Yaverland, within the Brown’s Golf course venue, in February 2025; and in Ventnor, within Ventnor Exchange, in April 2025. 

    • The aim of the schemes are to mitigate flood and coastal erosion risk, while protecting homes, businesses, infrastructure, and public spaces. 

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Russia rejects Trump’s ultimatum on Ukraine

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Russia on Tuesday rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s 50-day ultimatum to agree to an Ukraine ceasefire, dismissing the threat of “severe tariffs” as unacceptable.

    Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov emphasized that Moscow favors a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine conflict and is ready to negotiate.

    “However, if this is not met with a proper response, if we cannot reach our set goals through diplomacy, then the special military operation will go on,” he continued.

    He said Moscow’s position is unshakable. “We expect Washington and NATO to take this seriously.”

    Trump on Tuesday denied earlier allegations that he encouraged Kiev to strike deep into Russian territory, saying that he isn’t taking sides in the conflict and advised Ukraine “shouldn’t target Moscow” with long-range weapons.

    Just one day before the clarification, Trump said at the Oval Office that the United States will send weapons to Ukraine through NATO, and threatened “severe tariffs” targeting Russia if a ceasefire deal is not reached in 50 days.

    He said some of the first Patriot missile systems could arrive in Ukraine “within days.”

    The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the weapon deliveries as evidence that NATO countries are not interested in peace.

    U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Trump’s reference to 100 percent secondary tariffs meant “economic sanctions.”

    Meanwhile, Ukraine’s parliament on Tuesday voted to extend the country’s wartime status and military mobilization for another 90 days, through Nov. 5. Lawmakers also approved a temporary withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention, an international treaty that prohibits the use of anti-personnel landmines.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/SOUTH KOREA – 10th World Youth Peace Pilgrimage in the Demilitarized Zone: “There can be no world peace without peace on the Korean Peninsula”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Wednesday, 16 July 2025

    Seoul (Agenzia Fides) – “There can be no world peace without peace on the Korean Peninsula”. This is the slogan that young Koreans launched, who gathered in the Demilitarized Zone (a strip of land created in 1953 after the armistice of the Korean War, which serves as a buffer zone and border between the two nations, ed.) for the tenth “Peace Pilgrimage.”This year’s pilgrimage, organized by the Korea Reconciliation Committee of the Archdiocese of Seoul and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, brought together about 40 young people from the south and north of the peninsula, as well as from various other countries around the world.During the four-day pilgrimage, the young people visited several symbolic places that became places of prayer for a few moments. For example, the Odusan Unification Tower offers spectacular views of the Han and Imjin Rivers flowing into the Yellow Sea, and Hwanghae Province of North Korea in the distance.The young pilgrims also visited Imjingak Park on their way to the Jangsan Observatory near Chopyeongdo Island, famous as a migratory bird habitat and surrounded by barbed wire fences surrounding the military training ground. There, they recited St. Francis of Assisi’s “Prayer for Peace,” together, while the gunfire of soldiers training could be heard in the background.The pilgrims moved to Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, where the Cheorwon Peace Observatory is located above the civilian control line and about 2 km from the North Korean border. Then they headed to the “Ice Cream Plateau” also known as Sapseulbong Plateau. Intense fighting and fierce artillery exchanges between the North and South Korean forces happened on this hill during the Korean War. It earned its nickname “Ice Cream Plateau” because the mountain peak looks like a melting ice cream. Here, where the scars of war still linger, young people discussed how to move forward toward peace.The youth cycled to “Open the Moon Café”. Located at the northernmost point of South Korea, near a civilian control zone checkpoint, it is run by young people from the North and who lived in a group home. After the stop, the group headed to the crematorium for UN Troops in Yeoncheon and the military cemetery for North Korean soldiers.”I heard about this North Korean military cemetery, but it was hard to imagine that such a place actually existed. And of course, the people buried here also had parents, families, and a home,” said Joanna Hwang, a mother of three from the North, who was deeply moved that “even though they were enemies, someone took the time to bury and honor the North Korean soldiers.”On the third day of the pilgrimage, participants walked in silence along a 10-kilometer coastal fence path from Nanjeong Reservoir on Ganghwa Island to Gyodongdo Island Manghyangdae Observatory, praying the rosary.On the final day, the apostles of peace offered Sunday Mass with the intention of peace on the Korean Peninsula and around the world. Finally, the participants also shared their experience of the past four days. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 15/7/2025)

    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/SOUTH KOREA – 10th World Youth Peace Pilgrimage in the Demilitarized Zone: “There can be no world peace without peace on the Korean Peninsula”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Wednesday, 16 July 2025

    Seoul (Agenzia Fides) – “There can be no world peace without peace on the Korean Peninsula”. This is the slogan that young Koreans launched, who gathered in the Demilitarized Zone (a strip of land created in 1953 after the armistice of the Korean War, which serves as a buffer zone and border between the two nations, ed.) for the tenth “Peace Pilgrimage.”This year’s pilgrimage, organized by the Korea Reconciliation Committee of the Archdiocese of Seoul and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, brought together about 40 young people from the south and north of the peninsula, as well as from various other countries around the world.During the four-day pilgrimage, the young people visited several symbolic places that became places of prayer for a few moments. For example, the Odusan Unification Tower offers spectacular views of the Han and Imjin Rivers flowing into the Yellow Sea, and Hwanghae Province of North Korea in the distance.The young pilgrims also visited Imjingak Park on their way to the Jangsan Observatory near Chopyeongdo Island, famous as a migratory bird habitat and surrounded by barbed wire fences surrounding the military training ground. There, they recited St. Francis of Assisi’s “Prayer for Peace,” together, while the gunfire of soldiers training could be heard in the background.The pilgrims moved to Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, where the Cheorwon Peace Observatory is located above the civilian control line and about 2 km from the North Korean border. Then they headed to the “Ice Cream Plateau” also known as Sapseulbong Plateau. Intense fighting and fierce artillery exchanges between the North and South Korean forces happened on this hill during the Korean War. It earned its nickname “Ice Cream Plateau” because the mountain peak looks like a melting ice cream. Here, where the scars of war still linger, young people discussed how to move forward toward peace.The youth cycled to “Open the Moon Café”. Located at the northernmost point of South Korea, near a civilian control zone checkpoint, it is run by young people from the North and who lived in a group home. After the stop, the group headed to the crematorium for UN Troops in Yeoncheon and the military cemetery for North Korean soldiers.”I heard about this North Korean military cemetery, but it was hard to imagine that such a place actually existed. And of course, the people buried here also had parents, families, and a home,” said Joanna Hwang, a mother of three from the North, who was deeply moved that “even though they were enemies, someone took the time to bury and honor the North Korean soldiers.”On the third day of the pilgrimage, participants walked in silence along a 10-kilometer coastal fence path from Nanjeong Reservoir on Ganghwa Island to Gyodongdo Island Manghyangdae Observatory, praying the rosary.On the final day, the apostles of peace offered Sunday Mass with the intention of peace on the Korean Peninsula and around the world. Finally, the participants also shared their experience of the past four days. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 15/7/2025)

    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • Heavy rains continue across eastern and southern India amid dual low-pressure systems; Delhi-NCR also gets drenched

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Two well-marked low-pressure areas – one over northwest Rajasthan and its neighbourhood and another over southwest Bihar and adjoining eastern Uttar Pradesh – are currently influencing weather conditions across large parts of India. These systems are likely to sustain heavy to very heavy rainfall over eastern and adjoining central India over the next two days, while persistent wet conditions are predicted for Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu over the next week.

    According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy to extremely heavy rainfall (exceeding 21 cm) was recorded at isolated locations in Uttarakhand, Konkan, and the ghat areas of central Maharashtra.

    Several other regions, including Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Meghalaya, witnessed very heavy rainfall (ranging between 7 and 20 cm).

    Heavy rainfall was also observed in parts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Odisha, eastern Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, western Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Kerala, Coastal and South Interior Karnataka, and Coastal Andhra Pradesh.

    Very heavy rainfall is likely to occur in isolated locations across North India on July 16, affecting Jammu & Kashmir, northern Punjab, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand. This very heavy rainfall trend is also expected to continue over Uttarakhand on July 17, and again from July 20 to 22.

    Eastern Uttar Pradesh can also anticipate very heavy showers on July 16 and 17, with western Uttar Pradesh likely to receive similar rainfall conditions on July 17. Moving to the northern hilly region, the state of Himachal Pradesh is expected to receive heavy rainfall on July 21 and 22. In southern India, specifically Kerala, Mahe, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, rainfall is predicted consistently from July 16 through July 22.

    The weather in Delhi-NCR is currently being influenced by the monsoonal changes, leading to generally cloudy skies and intermittent rain. Looking at the forecast for the coming days, today, July 16, is expected to bring light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms, with temperatures around the seasonal normal, ranging from 32°C to 34°C. Winds from the southeast will be under 15 kmph.

    Forecast for the following day, July 17, suggests very light to light rain with thunderstorms. Temperatures are likely to be slightly below normal, with highs between 32°C and 34°C and lows between 24°C and 26°C. The wind pattern will remain similar, blowing from the southeast at speeds under 16 kmph.

    On July 18, Delhi will continue to experience light rainfall and partly cloudy skies, with temperature ranges remaining consistent. Light northwesterly winds are expected to become dominant.

    By July 19, the rain is likely to ease, giving way to partly cloudy skies. Daytime temperatures are expected to increase slightly to 34°C–36°C. The winds will shift from the southwest in the afternoon, returning to the northwest by evening, with gentle speeds remaining below 12 kmph.

     

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK reaffirms unwavering support for Ukraine and welcomes vital US contribution: UK Statement to the OSCE

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    UK reaffirms unwavering support for Ukraine and welcomes vital US contribution: UK Statement to the OSCE

    UK Military Advisor, Lt Col Joby Rimmer, says the UK, alongside the US and international partners, remains committed to providing the economic, diplomatic, and military tools Ukraine needs to defend itself.

    Madame Chair, the United Kingdom reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine as it continues to defend its people and sovereignty against the Russian government’s escalating campaign of aggression. We remain resolute in our commitment to ensuring Ukraine has the tools and support it needs to prevail – diplomatically, economically, and militarily.

    The urgency of this support was underscored by the most recent Russian attacks. On the night of 11-12 July, Russia launched 597 drones and 26 cruise missiles across Ukraine in a 10-hour assault. The attacks killed at least two civilians and injured over 20 others, with damage reported from Kharkiv to Lviv. Just days earlier, Kyiv endured a combined drone, ballistic, and cruise missile strike that damaged six districts and left multiple civilians injured.

    These attacks mark a grim trend. Eight of the largest attacks of the war have been launched by Russia in the last two months. Russia launched ten times more missile and drone strikes in June 2025 than in June 2024. The impact on civilians has been appalling. According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), June 2025 saw the highest civilian toll since the war began, with 232 killed and 1,343 injured, driven by a surge in long-range missile and drone strikes reaching far beyond the front lines. From December to May, the UN estimates that civilian casualties increased by 37% from the same period the previous year. Even more horrific is the alleged use of drones armed with enhanced warheads containing up to 90kg of metal shrapnel, designed to maximise civilian casualties. As President Zelenskiiy’s aide Andrii Yermak warned, the alleged use of these shrapnel-packed warheads marks an appalling new chapter in the war.

    The growing frequency and intensity of these attacks underscore the urgent need for enhanced air defence support for Ukraine. We welcome President Trump’s decision to enable NATO Allies to purchase US military equipment vital for Ukraine to defend itself and protect civilians, including Patriot systems. The UK is pleased to be co-chairing, with Germany, a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting next week, to ensure that Ukraine gets the military support it needs to defend itself against Russia’s brutal attacks.

    Finally, on 10 July, the United Kingdom was proud to co-chair the fourth meeting of the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ alongside President Macron, bringing together representatives from 38 countries, including over 30 heads of state and government. This gathering was a powerful demonstration of unity and a clear signal to Moscow that our support for Ukraine is enduring, coordinated, and intensifying. We welcome the presence of a US delegation at the meeting for the first time, and President Trump’s announcement that the US will impose sanctions if a peace deal is not reached in 50 days. We call upon the Russian Federation to abandon their maximalist objectives in Ukraine, agree to a full and unconditional ceasefire as Ukraine did five months ago, and engage in meaningful peace talks. Together with our partners we will continue to ratchet up the pressure on Russia until a just and lasting peace is reached.

    The UK will continue to stand firm with our Allies and Partners, to ensure Ukraine’s defence, uphold international law and secure a future of peace and stability in Europe – principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act, including the inviolability of frontiers, territorial integrity of states, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Thank you, Madame Chair.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 July 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Ken Henry urges nature law reform after decades of ‘intergenerational bastardry’

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Phillipa C. McCormack, Future Making Fellow, Environment Institute, University of Adelaide

    Former Treasury Secretary Ken Henry has warned Australia’s global environmental reputation is at risk if the Albanese government fails to reform nature laws this term.

    In his speech to the National Press Club on Wednesday, Henry said reform was needed to restore nature and power the net zero economy.

    Speaking as chair of the Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation, Henry said with “glistening ambition”, Australia can “build an efficient, jobs-rich, globally competitive, high-productivity, low-emissions nature-rich economy”.

    The speech comes at a crucial time for nature law reform in Australia. The new Environment Minister Murray Watt has committed to prioritise reform, after the Albanese government failed to achieve substantial changes to these laws in the last parliament.

    On Wednesday, Henry condemned previous failed attempts to reform the laws. He described delays in improving environmental management as “a wilful act of intergenerational bastardry”.

    The need for fundamental reform

    The Albanese government abandoned efforts to pass important reforms in its first term.

    Environment Minister Murray Watt has committed to achieving reforms within 18 months, acknowledging “our current laws are broken”.

    In his speech on Wednesday, Henry agreed with this sentiment. He described the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act as “a misnomer, if ever there was one”.

    Henry is both a former Treasury Secretary and former chair of National Australia Bank. He also wrote Australia’s most important white paper on tax reform.

    Henry has previously said environmental law reform could be a template for other essential, difficult law reform, such as fixing Australia’s broken tax system.

    He understands Australia’s broken environmental laws. In 2022-23, he led an independent review into nature laws in New South Wales. That review found the laws were failing and would never succeed in their current form.

    At the start of his speech on Wednesday, Henry came close to tears when he acknowledged Greens Senator Sarah Hansen-Young’s support for those who look after injured and orphaned native animals.

    As a bureaucrat in Canberra, Henry also used to rescue injured animals and nurse them back to health.

    Logging and land clearing for development destroys koala habitat.
    Pexels, Pixabay, CC BY

    Big challenges ahead

    As Henry noted on Wednesday, Australia faces enormous challenges. These include the need to rapidly build more housing and triple renewable energy capacity by 2030.

    But before building suburbs, wind farms, transmission lines, mines and roads, projects need to be assessed for their potential to harm the environment.

    Henry on Wednesday called for sweeping changes, drawing on Graeme Samuel’s 2019-20 review of the EPBC Act. The changes include:

    • genuine cooperation across all levels of government, industry and the community
    • high-integrity evidence to inform decision making
    • clear, strong and enforceable standards applied nationwide
    • an independent and trusted decision-maker, in the form of a national Environment Protection Authority
    • a natural capital market, which – if well-designed – could provide a financial incentive for nature restoration and carbon storage in the form of tradable credits.

    Without the reforms, Henry said, Australia would not “retain a shred of credibility” for two global commitments: reaching net zero emissions, and halting and reversing biodiversity loss.

    The net zero commitment is at risk because existing laws are not sufficient to protect carbon sinks, such as forests. The roll out of renewable energy is also being slowed by inefficient approvals processes.

    Henry said the concept of “ecologically sustainable development”, which seeks to balance economic, social, and economic goals, needs serious rethinking. This concept has been the foundation of environment policy in Australia, including the EPBC Act, for the past 30 years.

    Henry wrote the first Intergenerational Report for the federal government in 2002. He has criticised governments for allowing environmental destruction that will leave future generations worse off.

    He has variously described Australia’s failure to steward our natural resources as an intergenerational tragedy, as intergenerational theft, and a wilful act of intergenerational bastardry – claims he repeated on Wednesday.

    Making money grow on trees

    Henry grew up on the Mid North Coast of NSW where his father, a worker in the timber industry, helped log native forests.

    Land clearing is the main threat to Australian biodiversity, and preventing native vegetation loss would also cut greenhouse gas emissions.

    The foundation Henry chairs advocates for the protection and restoration of Australia’s native forests. Henry has previously backed a plan to store carbon in native forests, which would mean trees were protected and not cut down.

    In his Press Club address, Henry lamented ongoing land clearing, poor fire management in remnant forests, and logging of habitat for endangered species such as the koala and the greater glider. He also called for nature laws that enable projects to be delivered in a way that not only protects but also restores nature. For instance, he said carbon credits could help fund the Great Koala National Park proposed for NSW.

    Logging continues in old growth native forest.
    Chris Putnam/Future Publishing via Getty Images

    What’s the Australian government doing?

    Despite Murray Watt’s stated commitment to nature law reform, there are signs the environment may again come off second-best.

    At a recent meeting with key stakeholders, including industry and environment groups, Watt said compromise was needed. He warned environmental protections must come with streamlined project approvals “to improve productivity”.

    Henry on Wednesday acknowledged faster approvals were needed, saying:

    We simply cannot afford slow, opaque, duplicative and contested environmental planning decisions based on poor information mired in administrative complexity.

    But he said faster approvals should not come at a greater cost to nature. In his words:

    with due acknowledgement of the genius of AC/DC, there is no point in building a faster highway to hell.

    Henry said the current parliament has time to put the right policy settings in place. The remedies also enjoy broad stakeholder support. “We’ve had all the reviews we need,” he said. “All of us have had our say. It is now up to parliament. Let’s just get this done.”

    Phillipa C. McCormack receives funding from the Australian Research Council, Natural Hazards Research Australia, the National Environmental Science Program, Green Adelaide and the ACT Government. She is a member of the National Environmental Law Association and affiliated with the Wildlife Crime Research Hub.

    – ref. Ken Henry urges nature law reform after decades of ‘intergenerational bastardry’ – https://theconversation.com/ken-henry-urges-nature-law-reform-after-decades-of-intergenerational-bastardry-261167

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Ken Henry urges nature law reform after decades of ‘intergenerational bastardry’

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Phillipa C. McCormack, Future Making Fellow, Environment Institute, University of Adelaide

    Former Treasury Secretary Ken Henry has warned Australia’s global environmental reputation is at risk if the Albanese government fails to reform nature laws this term.

    In his speech to the National Press Club on Wednesday, Henry said reform was needed to restore nature and power the net zero economy.

    Speaking as chair of the Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation, Henry said with “glistening ambition”, Australia can “build an efficient, jobs-rich, globally competitive, high-productivity, low-emissions nature-rich economy”.

    The speech comes at a crucial time for nature law reform in Australia. The new Environment Minister Murray Watt has committed to prioritise reform, after the Albanese government failed to achieve substantial changes to these laws in the last parliament.

    On Wednesday, Henry condemned previous failed attempts to reform the laws. He described delays in improving environmental management as “a wilful act of intergenerational bastardry”.

    The need for fundamental reform

    The Albanese government abandoned efforts to pass important reforms in its first term.

    Environment Minister Murray Watt has committed to achieving reforms within 18 months, acknowledging “our current laws are broken”.

    In his speech on Wednesday, Henry agreed with this sentiment. He described the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act as “a misnomer, if ever there was one”.

    Henry is both a former Treasury Secretary and former chair of National Australia Bank. He also wrote Australia’s most important white paper on tax reform.

    Henry has previously said environmental law reform could be a template for other essential, difficult law reform, such as fixing Australia’s broken tax system.

    He understands Australia’s broken environmental laws. In 2022-23, he led an independent review into nature laws in New South Wales. That review found the laws were failing and would never succeed in their current form.

    At the start of his speech on Wednesday, Henry came close to tears when he acknowledged Greens Senator Sarah Hansen-Young’s support for those who look after injured and orphaned native animals.

    As a bureaucrat in Canberra, Henry also used to rescue injured animals and nurse them back to health.

    Logging and land clearing for development destroys koala habitat.
    Pexels, Pixabay, CC BY

    Big challenges ahead

    As Henry noted on Wednesday, Australia faces enormous challenges. These include the need to rapidly build more housing and triple renewable energy capacity by 2030.

    But before building suburbs, wind farms, transmission lines, mines and roads, projects need to be assessed for their potential to harm the environment.

    Henry on Wednesday called for sweeping changes, drawing on Graeme Samuel’s 2019-20 review of the EPBC Act. The changes include:

    • genuine cooperation across all levels of government, industry and the community
    • high-integrity evidence to inform decision making
    • clear, strong and enforceable standards applied nationwide
    • an independent and trusted decision-maker, in the form of a national Environment Protection Authority
    • a natural capital market, which – if well-designed – could provide a financial incentive for nature restoration and carbon storage in the form of tradable credits.

    Without the reforms, Henry said, Australia would not “retain a shred of credibility” for two global commitments: reaching net zero emissions, and halting and reversing biodiversity loss.

    The net zero commitment is at risk because existing laws are not sufficient to protect carbon sinks, such as forests. The roll out of renewable energy is also being slowed by inefficient approvals processes.

    Henry said the concept of “ecologically sustainable development”, which seeks to balance economic, social, and economic goals, needs serious rethinking. This concept has been the foundation of environment policy in Australia, including the EPBC Act, for the past 30 years.

    Henry wrote the first Intergenerational Report for the federal government in 2002. He has criticised governments for allowing environmental destruction that will leave future generations worse off.

    He has variously described Australia’s failure to steward our natural resources as an intergenerational tragedy, as intergenerational theft, and a wilful act of intergenerational bastardry – claims he repeated on Wednesday.

    Making money grow on trees

    Henry grew up on the Mid North Coast of NSW where his father, a worker in the timber industry, helped log native forests.

    Land clearing is the main threat to Australian biodiversity, and preventing native vegetation loss would also cut greenhouse gas emissions.

    The foundation Henry chairs advocates for the protection and restoration of Australia’s native forests. Henry has previously backed a plan to store carbon in native forests, which would mean trees were protected and not cut down.

    In his Press Club address, Henry lamented ongoing land clearing, poor fire management in remnant forests, and logging of habitat for endangered species such as the koala and the greater glider. He also called for nature laws that enable projects to be delivered in a way that not only protects but also restores nature. For instance, he said carbon credits could help fund the Great Koala National Park proposed for NSW.

    Logging continues in old growth native forest.
    Chris Putnam/Future Publishing via Getty Images

    What’s the Australian government doing?

    Despite Murray Watt’s stated commitment to nature law reform, there are signs the environment may again come off second-best.

    At a recent meeting with key stakeholders, including industry and environment groups, Watt said compromise was needed. He warned environmental protections must come with streamlined project approvals “to improve productivity”.

    Henry on Wednesday acknowledged faster approvals were needed, saying:

    We simply cannot afford slow, opaque, duplicative and contested environmental planning decisions based on poor information mired in administrative complexity.

    But he said faster approvals should not come at a greater cost to nature. In his words:

    with due acknowledgement of the genius of AC/DC, there is no point in building a faster highway to hell.

    Henry said the current parliament has time to put the right policy settings in place. The remedies also enjoy broad stakeholder support. “We’ve had all the reviews we need,” he said. “All of us have had our say. It is now up to parliament. Let’s just get this done.”

    Phillipa C. McCormack receives funding from the Australian Research Council, Natural Hazards Research Australia, the National Environmental Science Program, Green Adelaide and the ACT Government. She is a member of the National Environmental Law Association and affiliated with the Wildlife Crime Research Hub.

    – ref. Ken Henry urges nature law reform after decades of ‘intergenerational bastardry’ – https://theconversation.com/ken-henry-urges-nature-law-reform-after-decades-of-intergenerational-bastardry-261167

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Four York parks awarded coveted Green Flag Award

    Source: City of York

    Four of City of York Council’s parks have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award after achieving international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

    The council and Friends of Groups – resident organisations who help maintain and improve the parks – are celebrating after receiving a Green Flag Award for Rowntree Park, West Bank Park, Glen Gardens and Clarence Gardens.

    The parks are some of 2,250 in the UK to achieve the award, which is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

    Rowntree Park (pictured) has taken back the award this year, having missed out on applying last year due to the extended flooding in spring.

    Cllr Jenny Kent, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency at City of York Council, said:

    We’re absolutely delighted that four of York’s beautiful parks have received the Green Flag Award.

    It’s a real tribute to the dedication and hard work of our staff, volunteers and local Friends groups who care so passionately for these much-loved green spaces.

    “As well as these awards, we are working towards achieving Green Flag status for Hull Road Park in the future.

    “Spending time outdoors is vital for everyone’s health and wellbeing, and Parks and gardens like these are so important as free places to exercise, meet friends or simply enjoy nature – now more than ever.”

    Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said:

    Congratulations to everyone involved in York who have worked tirelessly to ensure that it achieves the high standards required for the Green Flag Award.

    “Quality parks and green spaces like these make the country a heathier place to live and work in, and a stronger place in which to invest.

    “Crucially all of these parks in York are a vital green space for communities in the city to enjoy nature, and during the ongoing cost of living crisis it is a free and safe space for families to socialise. It also provides important opportunities for local people and visitors to reap the physical and mental health benefits of green space.”

    The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –