Category: Politics

MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Grigorenko: The number of inspections is at a historical minimum.

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Reducing the number of inspections while maintaining the level of security, confirming the effectiveness of the risk-oriented approach and new digital tools for remote control – the Government presented a report on the state of the state and municipal control system in the Russian Federation to the State Duma and the Federation Council.

The State Duma and the Federation Council reviewed the Government’s annual report on state control (supervision) and municipal control in the Russian Federation for 2024.

“The government is consistently improving the control and supervisory sphere in Russia. We have abandoned unnecessary inspections and are introducing digital forms of control. This allows us to reduce the administrative burden on businesses and remain on guard of the rights of our citizens. Now the number of inspections is at a historical minimum: in 2024, there were fewer of them than in the COVID-19 year of 2020,” commented Deputy Prime Minister – Chief of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko.

According to the data presented, during the reporting period, the number of inspections decreased by 8.2% compared to 2023 and by more than 23% compared to 2020, when temporary restrictions related to the pandemic were in effect. Thus, in 2024, about 312 thousand inspections were carried out, in 2023 – 340 thousand, in 2020 – 408 thousand.

It is important that, despite the multiple reduction in the number of inspections, the overall level of safety is maintained. This became possible due to the introduction of a risk-oriented approach, including inspections by regulatory authorities based on the triggering of risk indicators.

Traditionally, risk indicator checks are among the most effective. In 2024, their effectiveness was 87.3%. For comparison, in 2023, this figure was 76.6%.

Special attention in 2024 was paid to the development of digitalization and the introduction of remote forms of control. An experiment was conducted on remote inspections of companies using the Inspector mobile application. Since this year, the use of the mobile application has been enshrined in law.

Another digital tool is also growing in popularity: the pre-trial appeal service on the public services portal. It enables entrepreneurs to challenge decisions of regulatory bodies without resorting to legal procedures and proceedings. In 2024, more than 7.5 thousand complaints were received from businesses, and the number of petitions more than doubled. These appeals serve as feedback for the Government on the quality of the state’s control and supervisory function.

The Government also receives feedback from citizens through various surveys. Thus, in 2024, RANEPA conducted a survey among citizens on the level of protection of legally protected assets. The survey is conducted on those risks that are controlled by control bodies operating within the framework of the Law on Control. According to the survey results, the level of protection is growing.

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 –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Introduces Legislation to Require ICE Officers to Display Clear Identification
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

July 14, 2025

Oregon senator also joins 13 Democrats in a letter to DHS requesting information about ICE’s use of unidentified plainclothes agents

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said today he has introduced new legislation prohibiting immigration enforcement officers from concealing their identity during enforcement actions in public.

Under the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda, Department of Homeland Security officers have engaged in public enforcement operations while concealing their identities with unmarked tactical gear and face coverings. Without visible badges, names, or insignia, the public often can’t confirm whether the federal officers are interacting with legitimate government officials. This lack of transparency endangers public safety by causing widespread confusion and fear, especially in communities already subject to heightened immigration scrutiny. It also creates an opportunity for people to impersonate immigration enforcement that can make high-stress situations worse.

“Trump letting masked immigration agents in plain clothes abduct people from public spaces is straight out of an authoritarian playbook,” Wyden said. “These public abductions are sowing fear and distrust into the hearts of our communities. We must ensure federal agents have visible identification on display to bring back transparency, maintain public trust, and start repairing America’s broken immigration system.”

The Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement (VISIBLE) Act of 2025 would strengthen oversight, transparency, and accountability for the Trump administration’s reign of terror on immigrant communities across Oregon and the nation.

Specifically, the VISIBLE Act would:
- Require immigration enforcement officers — including DHS personnel such as Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, federal agents detailed to immigration operations, and deputized state or local officers — to display clearly legible identification, including their agency name or initials and either their name or badge number, in a manner that remains visible and unobscured by tactical gear or clothing.
- Prohibits non-medical face coverings, such as masks or balaclavas, which obscure identity or facial visibility, with exceptions for environmental hazards or covert operations.
- Requires Homeland Security to establish disciplinary procedures for violations, report annually to Congress on compliance, and investigate complaints through its Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.
The bill does not apply to covert or non-public operations, nor does it prohibit face coverings when necessary for officer safety. It also does not apply to enforcement actions conducted solely under criminal authority.

Along with Wyden, the legislation is led by Senators Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Alex Padilla, D-Calif., and is cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawai’i, Patty Murray, D-Wash., Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., Tina Smith, D-Minn., Gary Peters, D-Mich., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Peter Welch, D-Vt.

The bill is endorsed by the ACLU and Public Counsel.

A one-page summary of the bill is here.

Full text of the bill is here.

Wyden also joined 13 Democratic senators in a letter criticizing ICE for engaging in unnecessary, cruel enforcement activities — including raids on courthouses and restaurants. In the letter, the senators requested information from the agency on its mask and uniform policies and tactics designed to sow fear and chaos. Allowing masked, plainclothes officers to engage in public raids creates situations where bad actors can commit crimes while claiming to be ICE agents.

In addition to Wyden and Padilla, the letter was signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawai’i, Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Patty Murray, D-Wash., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Tina Smith, D-Minn., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., and Peter Welch, D-Vt.

A full text of the letter is here.
MIL OSI USA News –
July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Alexey Khersontsev: the effectiveness of supervisory measures demonstrates steady growth

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) – Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

State Secretary – Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia Alexey Khersontsev presented the main provisions of the Consolidated Report on State Control (Supervision) and Municipal Control in the Russian Federation for 2024 to the State Duma and the Federation Council. The activities are carried out under the supervision of Deputy Chairman – Chief of Staff of the Government of the Russian Federation Dmitry Grigorenko.

“The government is consistently improving the control and supervision sphere in Russia. We have abandoned unnecessary inspections and are introducing digital forms of control. This allows us to reduce the administrative burden on businesses and remain on guard of the rights of our citizens. Now the number of inspections is at a historical minimum: in 2024, there were fewer of them than in the COVID-19 year of 2020,” commented Dmitry Grigorenko.

According to Alexey Khersontsev, large-scale changes have occurred over several years of reform of control (supervisory) activities. The transformations, based on the introduction of a risk-oriented approach, revision of inspection planning, digitalization of control processes and strengthening of the role of preventive measures, affected all levels of government bodies – from federal to municipal.

“2024 has become an important stage in the development of these transformations. Throughout the entire period, comprehensive work was carried out to reduce the number of excessive inspections, increase the transparency of supervision and reduce the administrative burden on entrepreneurs. At the same time, the key priority remained maintaining the necessary level of protection of citizens’ rights and ensuring the sustainability of the economic system,” said Oleksiy Khersontsev.

The main trend of the past year was the reduction of control (supervisory) activities. Compared to 2023, their number decreased by 8.2% and by more than 23% compared to 2020. This was achieved by enshrining the principle of priority inspections only for high and extremely high risk categories. That is, only those organizations and enterprises are inspected where there is a risk of harm to the life and health of citizens or harm to the environment.

At the same time, a quarter of all inspections were carried out on small and medium-sized businesses. Of these, 75% concerned microenterprises, and most often, inspectors visited retail and catering facilities.

“This is explained by the high social significance of these areas and the need for constant quality control of products and services,” emphasized Alexey Khersontsev.

According to the Deputy Minister, the effectiveness of inspections based on risk indicators is growing — 87.3% in 2024 (76.6% in 2023). This is accompanied by the development of new indicators, the number of which has increased almost threefold compared to 2022: in 2024, their number reached 542. When developing them, the opinion of businesses participating in specialized working groups of the Analytical Center under the Government of the Russian Federation is taken into account.

Preventive visits have also proven their effectiveness, and their number in 2024 approached 1.2 million. Their assessment by the business community is perceived positively, emphasized Alexey Khersontsev. At the same time, the popularity of the pre-trial appeal service is growing. Last year, more than 3.5 thousand complaints were received from businesses, which is 45% more than the year before. 484 decisions were appealed in court, almost every fifth was overturned. At the same time, the legislation provides for the possibility of appealing both the decisions of inspectors and the assigned risk category.

“The growth in efficiency and effectiveness in terms of key indicators of control (supervisory) activities indicates an increase in the accuracy of inspection planning and the quality of analytical work of control bodies,” Alexey Khersontsev particularly noted, adding that the country’s population feels this security and, according to RANEPA surveys, this level of security is the highest compared to previous years.

The consolidated report also presents a rating of control bodies and subjects of the Russian Federation by the number of inspections. Roszdravnadzor became the leader in 2024, and the top 5 regions included St. Petersburg, Sevastopol, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug and Moscow Oblast.

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 –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Senate Democrats Press Trump Administration on Weaponizing Immigration Court Hearings to Deport Immigrants

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined a group of 22 Senate Democrats led by Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) pressing the Trump administration on its recent initiatives to weaponize immigration court hearings to arrest and deport immigrants who are trying to follow the law and showing up for their legitimate court cases.

In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons, the Senators condemned these actions as an affront to due process and a distraction from going after violent criminals.

The senators began by expressing concern over recent reporting of the Trump administration’s inhumane initiatives, writing: “We are extremely concerned by reports of a recent initiative to arrest and detain noncitizens at their immigration court hearings, and in many cases, dismiss their immigration cases without advance notice and while hiding the government’s intent to arrest them […] These actions prevent noncitizens from having their fair day in court and raise serious legal and due process concerns. They also make clear that this Administration is not targeting the worst criminals and threats to public safety, instead redirecting staff and resources away from drug trafficking and human trafficking and towards these operations targeting noncriminal immigrants who are following the law and showing up for their day in court.”

The Senators concluded by articulating the horrible situation this puts hardworking immigrants who are trying to follow the law in, before making a series of information requests, writing: “These actions also place noncitizens in an impossible position. If noncitizens who fear arrest do not attend their immigration court hearing, they may receive an in absentia removal order that will newly subject them to swift detention and removal. If they do attend, they risk arrest, detention, and a swift deportation, possibly to South Sudan, Libya, or El Salvador—countries they may have no connection to. This manipulation of existing laws to enact this Administration’s mass deportation agenda is creating chaos in our immigration system while doing nothing to make our communities safer.”

The full text of the letter can be found here.

The first and only Latina senator, Senator Cortez Masto has consistently supported immigrant communities in Nevada, calling on both administrations to protect TPS holders and other immigrants, as well as leading commonsense legislation to fix our broken immigration system. She has worked to pass meaningful immigration reform that balances critical border security measures with a path to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, and essential workers.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Antisemitism plan fails on a number of fronts – a contentious definition of hate is just the start

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Louise Chappell, Scientia Professor, UNSW Sydney

The antisemitism strategy presented to the Albanese government has attracted considerable – and wholly justifed – criticism.

Produced by Jillian Segal, the special envoy to combat antisemitism, the blueprint falls short in a range of areas essential to good public policy. This is due to its biased arguments, weak evidence and recommendation overreach.

There is also the adoption of a contentious definition of antisemitism which has been criticised for conflating disapproval of Israel with anti-Jewish prejudice.

Alternative definition

The strategy uses the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, manifestations of which could include criticising the state of Israel.

However, this definition is contentious – so much so that its original author, Kenneth Stern, has rejected it as a tool for regulating antisemitism due its potential to be weaponised to silence free speech.

Other widely used definitions are unacknowledged in the report. These include the Jerusalem Declaration, which attempts to strike a better balance between antisemitism and freedom of speech, including criticism of Israel and Zionism.

As the declaration notes:

hostility to Israel could be an expression of an antisemitic animus, or it could be a reaction to a human rights violation, or it could be the emotion that a Palestinian person feels on account of their experience at the hands of the state.

Biased Argument

The report presents a clear and consistent argument: antisemitism has been on the rise in Australia, especially since the Hamas attacks in October 2023. It is particularly obvious in universities and cultural institutions.

Antisemitism is an insidious form of prejudice and hatred which is destructive not only to the Jewish community, but to the very fabric of Australian society. It requires a community-wide response to stamp it out.

The report is underpinned by Segal’s principled aspiration to ensure “all Australians, including Jewish Australians, can live with dignity, fairness, safety and mutual respect”.

But there are multiple problems with how this argument is presented.

First, it is sweeping in its application. A good example is the claim antisemitism “has become ingrained and normalised within academia and the cultural space”.

No explanation is given to what these terms mean, or what these practices entail. Without such qualifiers, readers could easily be misguided in thinking the problem is more pronounced than it actually is.

Weak evidence

The report provides alarming statistics about the rise in reported cases of antisemitism in Australia, including a claimed 316% spike in the 12 months to October 2024.

It pays particular attention to antisemitism in the university sector, quoting a survey by the Australasian Union of Jewish Students, which noted more than 60% of Jewish students who experienced antisemitism felt unsupported by their institutions.

No doubt there has been a surge in antisemitic hatred, but there are significant problems with how evidence for it is presented in the report. Segal fails to
produce a single citation, which makes it impossible to access the data and assess its veracity.

Baseline figures, details about who collated the data, the investigation of incidents and their resolution, are all missing.

The report also misquotes an important source.

It states “in February 2025, ASIO Director General Mike Burgess declared antisemitism is Australia’s leading threat to life”.

In fact, what Burgess actually said was:

In terms of threats to life, it’s my agency’s number one priority because of the weight of incidents we’re seeing play out in this country.

There are subtle yet important differences in these two statements, which need to be carefully parsed when dealing with such a serious issue.

Gaza ignored

Also problematic is the singular focus on extremist ideologies as the reason for the rise in antisemitism.

In doing so, the strategy omits a compelling fact: the recent upsurge is likely linked to Israel’s war on Gaza which has resulted in mass Palestinian civilian casualties over the past 20 months.

As international law expert Ben Saul argues:

People did not just inexplicably and without context decide to become more antisemitic in that period. [It was fuelled by] fury at Israel’s profound violations of international law in Gaza.

Furthermore, while Segal claims to be focused on mutual respect, she fails to acknowledge other groups that face similar forms of racism and discrimination, including Australia’s Indigenous peoples and Islamic communities.

In doing so, the report appears to be seeking special treatment for the Australian Jewish community.

Recommendation overreach

Much of the negative reaction to the report has rightly been focused on its far-reaching punitive recommendations, which have been described as Trumpian.

Many are directed towards the education sector, including threatened cuts to school and university funding, and extending the capacity to terminate staff who engage in “antisemitic” behaviours.

Segal envisages creating a “university report card” to adjudicate on universities that are failing the standard, presumably set against her preferred antisemitism definition.

The media and the cultural sector more broadly are also in Segal’s headlights, with recommendations to establish herself as a media monitor to ensure “fair and balanced reporting”. Charitable institutions deemed to be supporting antisemitism would lose their tax-deduction status.

These highly controversial measures are an overreach of the envoy’s terms of reference.

Segal’s mandate specifies her role is as an advisor to government, not a regulator. By taking such a drastic approach, the antisemitism strategy risks stoking further social division.

The government, which is considering the recommendations, must proceed very cautiously.

Louise Chappell receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

– ref. Antisemitism plan fails on a number of fronts – a contentious definition of hate is just the start – https://theconversation.com/antisemitism-plan-fails-on-a-number-of-fronts-a-contentious-definition-of-hate-is-just-the-start-261082

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: How one global health org protects lives, prepares for the toughest scenarios: Gavi CEO

Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

How does the CEO of an organization brought in to help respond to fast-moving health crises like Mpox and other infectious diseases plan for the unexpected? Sania Nishtar heads up Gavi – The Vaccine Alliance, an organization that has helped vaccinate over one billion children in the world’s poorest countries and prevent more than 18 million deaths worldwide. Sania talks to us about the planning, mindsets, technologies and scenario planning her team uses to be ready for any emergency. She explains the importance of securing ‘crystal clarity’ in advance for what its expected to deliver and how that helps the organization prepare for a range of circumstances and efficiently coordinate with governments and other global organizations when time is of the essence. This organization was launched at Davos 25 years ago and she shares what what’s needed for global health security and strengthened public health systems now and in months and years ahead.

This interview was recorded in January 2025 at the Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

About this episode:
Gavi: https://www.gavi.org/

Transcript: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/sania-nishtar-gavi-preparation-global-health

Related podcasts:
What most people get wrong about progress: Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2IJjZs4E7A&t=51s

We’re ‘losing the war’ on modern slavery: What leaders can do – HPE’s John Schultz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlXggC3o08I&t=1s

The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/
Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/
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Flipboard ► https://flipboard.com/@WEF

#WorldEconomicForum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2xYpxNICUQ

MIL OSI Video –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: ICE Employee Attacked by Rioters After Congressman Doxes Him to Mob at California Marijuana Facility
Source: US Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) was among the mob of rioters who attacked federal immigration authorities as they executed a criminal search warrant at a marijuana facility. Rep. Carbajal doxed an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employee, who was subsequently attacked by rioters and sent to the emergency room.

Images of injury inflicted on ICE employee after being doxed by Rep. Carbajal

During the enforcement operation in Carpinteria, California, Rep. Carbajal spoke to an ICE Public Affairs Specialist, who gave the congressman his business card. The congressman then showed the ICE employee’s business card to the mob, making a target out of him. The employee was subsequently attacked, with lacerations to his left hand due to a rock being thrown at him. The employee had to go to the emergency room and get stitches for his injury.

When ICE announced his actions led to an ICE employee’s injuries, the congressman deflected from his own actions by claiming oversight and falsely labeled the crowd as “peaceful protesters.” He did not address the injuries the ICE employee sustained as a result of his actions. Unfortunately, this is just another case of Democratic lawmakers labeling political stunts as oversight while they endanger the safety of ICE personnel.

“The actions by Representative Carbajal are downright un-American. He dares to claim that his actions were simply congressional oversight, but doxing ICE personnel and inciting a mob of rioters to attack law enforcement is NOT oversight—it’s abominable.” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “His actions sent an ICE employee to the emergency room. It’s no wonder that ICE agents are facing a 700% increase in assaults when radical members of Congress like Salud Carbajal and LaMonica McIver are openly encouraging and leading their supporters in assaulting law enforcement.”

This operation led to the arrest of 361 illegal aliens and the rescue of 14 migrant children who were victims of potential exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking. During the enforcement operation, officers were surrounded by a mob of 500 rioters who threw rocks and other objects at law enforcement and their vehicles.

Furthermore, several of the illegal aliens arrested at the facilities had extensive criminal records, including:
- Rape
- Kidnapping
- Serial burglary
- Attempted rape
- Attempted child molestation
- DUI
- Hit-and-run
The investigation into immigration and potential child labor violations is ongoing. Information will be released as it becomes available.

# # #

MIL Security OSI –
July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: ICE Employee Attacked by Rioters After Congressman Doxes Him to Mob at California Marijuana Facility
Source: US Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) was among the mob of rioters who attacked federal immigration authorities as they executed a criminal search warrant at a marijuana facility. Rep. Carbajal doxed an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employee, who was subsequently attacked by rioters and sent to the emergency room.

Images of injury inflicted on ICE employee after being doxed by Rep. Carbajal

During the enforcement operation in Carpinteria, California, Rep. Carbajal spoke to an ICE Public Affairs Specialist, who gave the congressman his business card. The congressman then showed the ICE employee’s business card to the mob, making a target out of him. The employee was subsequently attacked, with lacerations to his left hand due to a rock being thrown at him. The employee had to go to the emergency room and get stitches for his injury.

When ICE announced his actions led to an ICE employee’s injuries, the congressman deflected from his own actions by claiming oversight and falsely labeled the crowd as “peaceful protesters.” He did not address the injuries the ICE employee sustained as a result of his actions. Unfortunately, this is just another case of Democratic lawmakers labeling political stunts as oversight while they endanger the safety of ICE personnel.

“The actions by Representative Carbajal are downright un-American. He dares to claim that his actions were simply congressional oversight, but doxing ICE personnel and inciting a mob of rioters to attack law enforcement is NOT oversight—it’s abominable.” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “His actions sent an ICE employee to the emergency room. It’s no wonder that ICE agents are facing a 700% increase in assaults when radical members of Congress like Salud Carbajal and LaMonica McIver are openly encouraging and leading their supporters in assaulting law enforcement.”

This operation led to the arrest of 361 illegal aliens and the rescue of 14 migrant children who were victims of potential exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking. During the enforcement operation, officers were surrounded by a mob of 500 rioters who threw rocks and other objects at law enforcement and their vehicles.

Furthermore, several of the illegal aliens arrested at the facilities had extensive criminal records, including:
- Rape
- Kidnapping
- Serial burglary
- Attempted rape
- Attempted child molestation
- DUI
- Hit-and-run
The investigation into immigration and potential child labor violations is ongoing. Information will be released as it becomes available.

# # #

MIL Security OSI –
July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI: Rivalry Reports Q1 2025 Results Highlighting Strengthened Unit Economics, Operating Leverage, and Strategic Progress
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TORONTO, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rivalry Corp. (the “Company” or “Rivalry”) (TSXV: RVLY), an internationally regulated sports betting and media company, today announced financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025 (“Q1 2025”). All dollar figures are quoted in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

Q1 2025 was the first full quarter operating under Rivalry’s restructured model, following a company-wide transformation that began in Q4 2024. This included a strategic shift toward high-value users, deep cost rationalization, significant product upgrades, and tighter execution across every layer of the business. The result is a streamlined, modernized operating model with materially improved performance and long-term leverage.

“This quarter marks the full emergence of Rivalry 2.0 – leaner, sharper, and structurally stronger,” said Steven Salz, Co-Founder and CEO of Rivalry. “We’ve rebuilt the foundation of the business around high-efficiency acquisition, high-value users, and a proprietary product – and we’re already seeing the impact. Rivalry today is not just a leaner version of itself – it’s a fundamentally different company built for scalability.”

Key Highlights
- Net revenue of $1.3 million, consistent with the preliminary results announced on April 16, 2025. While temporary sportsbook margin variance impacted topline outcomes, underlying KPIs continued to improve and validate the strength of Rivalry’s rebuilt model.
- Operating expenses decreased 58% year-over-year to $4 million in Q1 2025, down from $9.6 million in Q1 2024.
- Net loss reduced by 43% to $3.0 million in Q1 2025 from $5.2 million in the prior-year quarter.
- A meaningful portion of Q1 expenses were non-recurring or non-operational in nature, including annual audit costs, regulatory fees, and legacy payables from prior periods. The Company’s adjusted marketing spend during the quarter was approximately $175,000, materially lower than the reported figure due to these factors.
- Average Customer Acquisition Cost payback across H1 2025 was approximately 1.5 months, reflecting improved funnel conversion, higher player value, and stronger retention – all achieved under constrained spend conditions.
- Q2 2025 set new all-time records across key user economics¹:
  - Net revenue per player increased 49% versus Q1 2025, and was 210% higher than the historical average prior to the Q4 2024 transformation.
  - Wagers per player rose 7% quarter-over-quarter, and nearly 300% above the pre-rebuild average.
  - Average monthly deposits per player in Q1 2025 were over 175% higher than the historical average. In Q2 2025, this increased a further 28%.
  - Monthly deposit frequency per player in Q1 2025 was up 115% over the historical average, and rose another 22% in Q2 2025.
- Ongoing improvements in VIP identification, segmentation, and servicing, driven by Rivalry’s proprietary Business Intelligence (“BI”) tools and Customer Relationship Management (“CRM”) infrastructure, further contributed to gains in deposit behavior and overall player value.
These improvements reflect the effectiveness of Rivalry’s strategic overhaul – including product modernization, in-house BI tooling, optimized segmentation, and CRM systems that support higher-value customer behavior and lifecycle retention.

Streamlined Operations

Rivalry’s breakeven net revenue is now approximately $600,000 USD per month, down from more than $2 million USD per month a year ago, based on current run rate operating expenses, with further cost optimizations planned in Q3 2025. The rebuilt business is operating on a structurally lower fixed-cost base with proven user economics and performance-ready infrastructure.

“We’ve created an operating model that is not only lean and disciplined, but also high-leverage,” Salz added. “This is a structurally better business than it was a year ago. The team is tighter, the product is stronger, and the KPIs are outperforming – all with limited capital deployment. The engine is rebuilt.”

Strategic Review & Outlook

Rivalry is actively exploring strategic alternatives aimed at maximizing shareholder value. As part of this ongoing process, the Company is also evaluating non-dilutive capital options as part of broader strategic initiatives to accelerate growth. These are intended to complement the broader review and enable Rivalry to fully capitalize on the performance capacity of its rebuilt model.

As the Company progresses into H2 2025, key initiatives include:
- Deployment of a new promo engine, enabling more dynamic and cost-efficient bonus structures.
- Casino-led engagement mechanics, including lootboxes, missions, and summer campaigns to drive offseason activation.
- Geographic reactivations and enhanced CRM, focused on high-value player segmentation and deeper lifecycle engagement.
- Further operating cost reductions in Q3 2025, aimed at lowering the breakeven point and increasing flexibility.
Rivalry’s transformation over the past three quarters has positioned the business with a distinct set of structural advantages: a deeply aligned and experienced team, proprietary technology and BI systems, strong regulatory licenses in Ontario and the Isle of Man, and a globally recognized brand with demonstrated reach. These strengths now form the basis of a highly scalable and differentiated operator in the global online gambling market.

“Rivalry today is a high-performance engine – structurally rebuilt, road-tested, and positioned to scale,” said Salz. “We’re focused on unlocking the next chapter of growth, and the strategic review process is designed to support that path.”

About Rivalry

Rivalry Corp. wholly owns and operates Rivalry Limited, a leading sport betting and media company offering fully regulated online wagering on esports, traditional sports, and casino for the digital generation. Based in Toronto, Rivalry operates a global team in more than 20 countries and growing. Rivalry Limited has held an Isle of Man license since 2018, considered one of the premier online gambling jurisdictions, as well as an internet gaming registration in Ontario, and is currently in the process of obtaining additional country licenses. With world class creative execution and brand positioning in online culture, a native crypto token, and demonstrated market leadership among digital-first users Rivalry is shaping the future of online gambling for a generation born on the internet.

No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Company Contact:
Steven Salz, Co-founder & CEO
ss@rivalry.com

Investor Contact:
investors@rivalry.com

Financial Outlook

This news release contains a financial outlook within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. The financial outlook has been prepared by management of the Company to provide an outlook for key user economics for the three month period ending June 30, 2025 and may not be appropriate for any other purpose. Preliminary and unaudited financial results are subject to customary financial statement procedures. Actual results could be affected by subsequent events or determinations. The financial outlook has been prepared based on a number of assumptions including the assumptions discussed under the heading “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements”. The actual results of the Company’s operations for any period will likely vary from the amounts set forth in these projections and such variations may be material. The Company and its management believe that the financial outlook has been prepared on a reasonable basis. However, because this information is highly subjective and subject to numerous risks, including the risks discussed under the heading “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward- Looking Information and Statements”, it should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (“forward-looking statements”). All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “achieve”, “could”, “believe”, “plan”, “intend”, “objective”, “continuous”, “ongoing”, “estimate”, “outlook”, “expect”, “project” and similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes or that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the impact of the Company’s strategic overhaul across its cost base, product, player strategy, and operational structure on its operating results, key user economics for the three months ending June 30, 2025 and the results of the Company’s ongoing strategic review.

Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management of the Company at the date the statements are made based on information then available to the Company. Various factors and assumptions are applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to and involve a number of known and unknown, variables, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause the Company’s actual performance and results to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include regulatory or political change such as changes in applicable laws and regulations; the ability to obtain and maintain required licenses; the esports and sports betting industry being a heavily regulated industry; the complex and evolving regulatory environment for the online gaming and online gambling industry; the success of esports and other betting products are not guaranteed; changes in public perception of the esports and online gambling industry; failure to retain or add customers; the Company having a limited operating history; negative cash flow from operations and the Company’s ability to operate as a going concern; operational risks; cybersecurity risks; reliance on management; reliance on third parties and third-party networks; exchange rate risks; risks related to cryptocurrency transactions; risk of intellectual property infringement or invalid claims; the effect of capital market conditions and other factors on capital availability; competition, including from more established or better financed competitors; and general economic, market and business conditions. For additional risks, please see the Company’s management’s discussion and analysis for the 12 months ended December 31, 2024 under the heading “Risk Factors”, and other disclosure documents available on the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

No assurance can be given that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

_________________________
^¹ These preliminary user economics represent forward-looking information. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements” and “Financial Outlook”.

The MIL Network –
July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI: Rivalry Reports Q1 2025 Results Highlighting Strengthened Unit Economics, Operating Leverage, and Strategic Progress
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TORONTO, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rivalry Corp. (the “Company” or “Rivalry”) (TSXV: RVLY), an internationally regulated sports betting and media company, today announced financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025 (“Q1 2025”). All dollar figures are quoted in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

Q1 2025 was the first full quarter operating under Rivalry’s restructured model, following a company-wide transformation that began in Q4 2024. This included a strategic shift toward high-value users, deep cost rationalization, significant product upgrades, and tighter execution across every layer of the business. The result is a streamlined, modernized operating model with materially improved performance and long-term leverage.

“This quarter marks the full emergence of Rivalry 2.0 – leaner, sharper, and structurally stronger,” said Steven Salz, Co-Founder and CEO of Rivalry. “We’ve rebuilt the foundation of the business around high-efficiency acquisition, high-value users, and a proprietary product – and we’re already seeing the impact. Rivalry today is not just a leaner version of itself – it’s a fundamentally different company built for scalability.”

Key Highlights
- Net revenue of $1.3 million, consistent with the preliminary results announced on April 16, 2025. While temporary sportsbook margin variance impacted topline outcomes, underlying KPIs continued to improve and validate the strength of Rivalry’s rebuilt model.
- Operating expenses decreased 58% year-over-year to $4 million in Q1 2025, down from $9.6 million in Q1 2024.
- Net loss reduced by 43% to $3.0 million in Q1 2025 from $5.2 million in the prior-year quarter.
- A meaningful portion of Q1 expenses were non-recurring or non-operational in nature, including annual audit costs, regulatory fees, and legacy payables from prior periods. The Company’s adjusted marketing spend during the quarter was approximately $175,000, materially lower than the reported figure due to these factors.
- Average Customer Acquisition Cost payback across H1 2025 was approximately 1.5 months, reflecting improved funnel conversion, higher player value, and stronger retention – all achieved under constrained spend conditions.
- Q2 2025 set new all-time records across key user economics¹:
  - Net revenue per player increased 49% versus Q1 2025, and was 210% higher than the historical average prior to the Q4 2024 transformation.
  - Wagers per player rose 7% quarter-over-quarter, and nearly 300% above the pre-rebuild average.
  - Average monthly deposits per player in Q1 2025 were over 175% higher than the historical average. In Q2 2025, this increased a further 28%.
  - Monthly deposit frequency per player in Q1 2025 was up 115% over the historical average, and rose another 22% in Q2 2025.
- Ongoing improvements in VIP identification, segmentation, and servicing, driven by Rivalry’s proprietary Business Intelligence (“BI”) tools and Customer Relationship Management (“CRM”) infrastructure, further contributed to gains in deposit behavior and overall player value.
These improvements reflect the effectiveness of Rivalry’s strategic overhaul – including product modernization, in-house BI tooling, optimized segmentation, and CRM systems that support higher-value customer behavior and lifecycle retention.

Streamlined Operations

Rivalry’s breakeven net revenue is now approximately $600,000 USD per month, down from more than $2 million USD per month a year ago, based on current run rate operating expenses, with further cost optimizations planned in Q3 2025. The rebuilt business is operating on a structurally lower fixed-cost base with proven user economics and performance-ready infrastructure.

“We’ve created an operating model that is not only lean and disciplined, but also high-leverage,” Salz added. “This is a structurally better business than it was a year ago. The team is tighter, the product is stronger, and the KPIs are outperforming – all with limited capital deployment. The engine is rebuilt.”

Strategic Review & Outlook

Rivalry is actively exploring strategic alternatives aimed at maximizing shareholder value. As part of this ongoing process, the Company is also evaluating non-dilutive capital options as part of broader strategic initiatives to accelerate growth. These are intended to complement the broader review and enable Rivalry to fully capitalize on the performance capacity of its rebuilt model.

As the Company progresses into H2 2025, key initiatives include:
- Deployment of a new promo engine, enabling more dynamic and cost-efficient bonus structures.
- Casino-led engagement mechanics, including lootboxes, missions, and summer campaigns to drive offseason activation.
- Geographic reactivations and enhanced CRM, focused on high-value player segmentation and deeper lifecycle engagement.
- Further operating cost reductions in Q3 2025, aimed at lowering the breakeven point and increasing flexibility.
Rivalry’s transformation over the past three quarters has positioned the business with a distinct set of structural advantages: a deeply aligned and experienced team, proprietary technology and BI systems, strong regulatory licenses in Ontario and the Isle of Man, and a globally recognized brand with demonstrated reach. These strengths now form the basis of a highly scalable and differentiated operator in the global online gambling market.

“Rivalry today is a high-performance engine – structurally rebuilt, road-tested, and positioned to scale,” said Salz. “We’re focused on unlocking the next chapter of growth, and the strategic review process is designed to support that path.”

About Rivalry

Rivalry Corp. wholly owns and operates Rivalry Limited, a leading sport betting and media company offering fully regulated online wagering on esports, traditional sports, and casino for the digital generation. Based in Toronto, Rivalry operates a global team in more than 20 countries and growing. Rivalry Limited has held an Isle of Man license since 2018, considered one of the premier online gambling jurisdictions, as well as an internet gaming registration in Ontario, and is currently in the process of obtaining additional country licenses. With world class creative execution and brand positioning in online culture, a native crypto token, and demonstrated market leadership among digital-first users Rivalry is shaping the future of online gambling for a generation born on the internet.

No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Company Contact:
Steven Salz, Co-founder & CEO
ss@rivalry.com

Investor Contact:
investors@rivalry.com

Financial Outlook

This news release contains a financial outlook within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. The financial outlook has been prepared by management of the Company to provide an outlook for key user economics for the three month period ending June 30, 2025 and may not be appropriate for any other purpose. Preliminary and unaudited financial results are subject to customary financial statement procedures. Actual results could be affected by subsequent events or determinations. The financial outlook has been prepared based on a number of assumptions including the assumptions discussed under the heading “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements”. The actual results of the Company’s operations for any period will likely vary from the amounts set forth in these projections and such variations may be material. The Company and its management believe that the financial outlook has been prepared on a reasonable basis. However, because this information is highly subjective and subject to numerous risks, including the risks discussed under the heading “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward- Looking Information and Statements”, it should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (“forward-looking statements”). All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “achieve”, “could”, “believe”, “plan”, “intend”, “objective”, “continuous”, “ongoing”, “estimate”, “outlook”, “expect”, “project” and similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes or that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the impact of the Company’s strategic overhaul across its cost base, product, player strategy, and operational structure on its operating results, key user economics for the three months ending June 30, 2025 and the results of the Company’s ongoing strategic review.

Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management of the Company at the date the statements are made based on information then available to the Company. Various factors and assumptions are applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to and involve a number of known and unknown, variables, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause the Company’s actual performance and results to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include regulatory or political change such as changes in applicable laws and regulations; the ability to obtain and maintain required licenses; the esports and sports betting industry being a heavily regulated industry; the complex and evolving regulatory environment for the online gaming and online gambling industry; the success of esports and other betting products are not guaranteed; changes in public perception of the esports and online gambling industry; failure to retain or add customers; the Company having a limited operating history; negative cash flow from operations and the Company’s ability to operate as a going concern; operational risks; cybersecurity risks; reliance on management; reliance on third parties and third-party networks; exchange rate risks; risks related to cryptocurrency transactions; risk of intellectual property infringement or invalid claims; the effect of capital market conditions and other factors on capital availability; competition, including from more established or better financed competitors; and general economic, market and business conditions. For additional risks, please see the Company’s management’s discussion and analysis for the 12 months ended December 31, 2024 under the heading “Risk Factors”, and other disclosure documents available on the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

No assurance can be given that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

_________________________
^¹ These preliminary user economics represent forward-looking information. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements” and “Financial Outlook”.

The MIL Network –
July 15, 2025

MIL-OSI: PrairieSky Announces Second Quarter 2025 Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

CALGARY, Alberta, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

PrairieSky Royalty Ltd. (“PrairieSky” or the “Company”) (TSX: PSK) is pleased to announce its second quarter operating and financial results for the period ended June 30, 2025.

Second Quarter Highlights:

Record oil royalty production of 14,376 barrels per day, an 8% increase over Q2 2024⁽¹⁾. Total royalty production averaged 26,457 BOE per day, a 4% increase over Q2 2024.
Revenues totaled $123.6 million for Q2 2025⁽¹⁾ comprised of royalty production revenue of $111.2 million and other revenue of $12.4 million, including bonus consideration of $8.5 million earned on entering into 47 new leasing arrangements primarily focused on the Duvernay light oil play.
Funds from operations totaled $96.7 million or $0.41 per share, a decrease of 9% from Q2 2024 as record oil royalty production volumes, narrowed heavy and light oil price differentials and a weaker Canadian dollar were offset by lower benchmark US$ WTI pricing.
Declared a second quarter dividend of $61.2 million ($0.26 per share), representing a payout ratio of 63%.
Purchased and cancelled 84,020 common shares under the Company’s normal course issuer bid (“NCIB”) for $2.0 million.
Completed acquisitions for $6.5 million, primarily of non-producing gross overriding royalty interests targeting Mannville oil.
Net debt totaled $242.0 million as at June 30, 2025, a decrease of $16.8 million from March 31, 2025.

President’s Message

Oil royalty production volumes reached a record 14,376 barrels per day in Q2 2025, an 8% increase over Q2 2024, bringing year-to-date oil royalty production to 13,941 barrels per day. We continue to see growth in our heavy oil portfolio with the Clearwater and Mannville Stack⁽²⁾ approaching 25% of oil royalty production as third-party operators continue to execute on their drilling programs in these plays. Multilateral horizontal drilling reached a record 52% of spuds (61 wells) in the quarter which included 47 wells in the Clearwater. Year-to-date activity has been particularly strong in the Duvernay with 30 wells spud compared to 33 spud in all of 2024. We expect to see initial royalty production from multiple Duvernay wells in the West Shale Basin⁽²⁾ in the third quarter and this level of third-party activity to continue to drive annual oil royalty production growth.

Funds from operations totaled $96.7 million ($0.41 per share) in the quarter driven by strong royalty production volumes of 26,457 BOE per day which generated royalty revenue of $111.2 million, 93% attributed to oil and NGL. Oil royalty production revenue totaled $95.7 million, a 14% decrease from Q2 2024, with lower US$ WTI benchmark pricing offsetting record oil royalty production volumes of 14,376 barrels per day, narrowed light and heavy oil differentials and a weaker Canadian dollar. Natural gas royalty production volumes averaged 58.4 MMcf per day in the quarter, earning $7.9 million in royalty revenue which represented an 80% increase over Q2 2024. The increase in natural gas royalty production revenue was primarily due to improved benchmark pricing with daily AECO index pricing averaging $1.69 per Mcf in the quarter, an increase of 43% over Q2 2024. NGL royalty production averaged 2,348 barrels per day, an increase of 2% from Q2 2024 and generated total NGL royalty production revenue of $7.6 million in the quarter. It was a strong quarter for other revenues which totaled $12.4 million, including bonus consideration of $8.5 million earned on entering into 47 new leases with 37 separate counterparties.

PrairieSky declared a dividend of $0.26 per share or $61.2 million in the quarter with a resulting payout ratio of 63%. Excess funds from operations after payment of the dividend were allocated to the acquisition of $6.5 million of incremental royalty interests focused on non-producing gross overriding royalty interests targeting Mannville heavy oil targets and share repurchases. The NCIB remains an important part of our long-term capital allocation strategy to create value for shareholders. During the quarter, 84,020 common shares were repurchased and cancelled with an incremental $11.0 million⁽³⁾ allocated to share repurchases to be settled subsequent to June 30, 2025. PrairieSky exited the quarter with net debt of $242.0 million at June 30, 2025. Subsequent to Q2 2025, PrairieSky exercised the accordion feature of its unsecured, covenant-based credit facility with the existing syndicate of Canadian banks, increasing the commitment of lenders by $250 million, bringing the aggregate credit limit available to PrairieSky to $600 million. There were no other amendments made to the credit facility. The expanded facility provides increased liquidity and financial flexibility moving forward.

Thank you to our staff for their hard work in the quarter and our shareholders for their continued support.

Andrew Phillips, President & CEO

ACTIVITY ON PRAIRIESKY’S ROYALTY PROPERTIES

Third-party operators spud 117 wells on PrairieSky’s royalty acreage at an average royalty rate of 4.8%, as compared to the 115 wells spud in Q2 2024 at an average royalty rate of 6.6%. Drilling activity generally slows in the second quarter across the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin as a result of spring break-up. Spuds were comprised of 74 wells on gross overriding royalty acreage, 33 wells on fee lands and 10 unit wells. There were a total of 113 oil wells (97% of wells) spud during the quarter which included 47 Clearwater wells, 17 Mannville light and heavy oil wells, 13 Duvernay wells, 11 Viking wells, 11 Mississippian wells and 14 additional oil wells across Alberta and Saskatchewan. There were 3 Mannville natural gas wells and 1 Duvernay natural gas well spud in Q2 2025.

NOTES AND REFERENCES

(1)	In this press release, the financial reporting periods are referred to as follows: “Q2 2025”, “the quarter” or the “the second quarter” refers to the three months ended June 30, 2025; “Q2 2024” refers to the three months ended June 30, 2024.
(2)	For further details on the “Mannville Stack” and “West Shale Basin”, we refer you to PrairieSky’s most recent Corporate Presentation contained on PrairieSky’s website at www.prairiesky.com.
(3)	Included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities at June 30, 2025 is $11.0 million related to common share repurchases of which $1.0 million related to common share repurchases that were pending settlement at June 30, 2025 and the remaining $10.0 million related to a provision for share repurchases under the Company’s automatic share purchase plan with an independent broker.

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, terms used in this press release but not defined above are as defined in in the Company’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024 which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and PrairieSky’s website at www.prairiesky.com.

FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL INFORMATION

The following table summarizes select operational and financial information of the Company for the periods noted. All dollar amounts are stated in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

A full version of PrairieSky’s management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) and unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2025 are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and PrairieSky’s website at www.prairiesky.com.

	Three months ended						Six months ended
	June 30		March 31		June 30		June 30		June 30
($ millions, except $ per share or as otherwise noted)	2025		2025		2024		2025		2024
FINANCIAL
Royalty production revenue	111.2		119.9		125.5		231.1		238.7
Other revenue	12.4		8.2		10.1		20.6		17.6
Revenues	123.6		128.1		135.6		251.7		256.3

Funds from operations	96.7		85.8		106.1		182.5		189.1
Per share – basic and diluted⁽¹⁾	0.41		0.36		0.44		0.77		0.79

Net earnings	56.3		58.4		60.3		114.7		107.8
Per share – basic and diluted⁽¹⁾	0.24		0.25		0.25		0.48		0.45

Dividends declared⁽²⁾	61.2		61.2		59.7		122.4		119.4
Per share	0.26		0.26		0.25		0.52		0.50

Dividend payout ratio⁽³⁾	63%		71%		56%		67%		63%

Acquisitions⁽⁴⁾	6.5		63.6		12.3		70.1		21.1
Net debt⁽⁵⁾	242.0		258.8		174.6		242.0		174.6
Common share repurchases, inclusive of all costs	2.0		91.8		–		93.8		–

Shares outstanding (millions)
Shares outstanding at period end	235.5		235.5		239.0		235.5		239.0
Weighted average – basic and diluted	235.5		238.3		239.0		236.9		239.0

OPERATIONAL
Royalty production volumes
Crude oil (bbls/d)	14,376		13,502		13,312		13,941		13,227
NGL (bbls/d)	2,348		2,520		2,308		2,433		2,421
Natural gas (MMcf/d)	58.4		55.9		58.2		57.1		60.1
Royalty Production (BOE/d)⁽⁶⁾	26,457		25,339		25,320		25,891		25,665

Realized pricing
Crude oil ($/bbl)	73.16		83.16		91.75		77.98		84.51
NGL ($/bbl)	35.47		44.51		47.20		40.13		45.62
Natural gas ($/Mcf)	1.50		1.73		0.84		1.61		1.38
Total ($/BOE)⁽⁶⁾	46.19		52.58		54.47		49.31		51.10

Operating netback per BOE ($)⁽⁷⁾	43.04		42.85		51.39		42.95		45.43

Funds from operations per BOE ($)	40.16		37.62		46.05		38.94		40.48

Oil price benchmarks
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) (US$/bbl)	63.76		71.39		80.57		67.59		78.76
Edmonton light sweet ($/bbl)	84.24		95.20		105.16		89.78		98.66
Western Canadian Select (WCS) crude oil differential to WTI (US$/bbl)	(10.27	)	(12.67	)	(13.60	)	(11.47	)	(16.47	)

Natural gas price benchmarks
AECO Monthly Index ($/Mcf)	2.07		2.02		1.44		2.05		1.74
AECO Daily Index ($/Mcf)	1.69		2.16		1.18		1.93		1.84

Foreign exchange rate (US$/CAD$)	0.7228		0.6976		0.7315		0.7096		0.7364

(1)	Funds from operations and net earnings per share are calculated using the weighted average number of basic and diluted common shares outstanding.
(2)	A dividend of $0.26 per share was declared on June 3, 2025. The dividend will be paid on July 15, 2025 to shareholders of record as at June 30, 2025.
(3)	Dividend payout ratio is defined under the “Non-GAAP Measures and Ratios” section of this press release.
(4)	Excluding right-of-use asset additions.
(5)	See Note 12 “Capital Management” in the interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 and Note 13 “Capital Management” in the interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.
(6)	See “Conversions of Natural Gas to BOE”.
(7)	Operating netback per BOE is defined under the “Non-GAAP Measures and Ratios” section of this press release.

CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS

A conference call to discuss the results will be held for the investment community on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, beginning at 6:30 a.m. MST (8:30 a.m. EST). To participate in the conference call, you are asked to register at one of the links provided below. Details regarding the call will be provided to you upon registration.

Live call participant registration
URL: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI4b3e791d098f4a4c844ea1427370d036

Live webcast participant registration (listen in only)
URL: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/5a4q5q2j

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release includes certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) which may include, but are not limited to PrairieSky’s future plans, current expectations and views of future operations and contains forward-looking statements that the Company believes allow readers to better understand the Company’s business and prospects. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words “expect”, “expected to”, “anticipate”, “continue”, “estimate”, “objective”, “ongoing”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “should”, “could”, “likely”, “believe”, “plans”, “intends”, “strategy” and similar expressions (including negative variations) are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, our expectations with respect to PrairieSky’s business and growth strategy and trajectory, including the expectation of receiving royalty production from multiple royalty interest wells in the West Shale Basin in the third quarter; management’s expectation that the level of third-party activity on PrairieSky’s royalty lands will continue to drive annual royalty production growth; and PrairieSky’s expectations to execute on the NCIB as part of our long-term capital allocation strategy to create value for shareholders.

With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this press release, PrairieSky has made several assumptions including those described in detail in our MD&A and the Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024. Readers and investors are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such forward-looking statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. PrairieSky’s actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. PrairieSky can give no assurance that any of the events anticipated will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits the Company will derive from them.

By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond PrairieSky’s control, including but not limited to the impact of general economic conditions including inflation, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, lack of or access to sufficient pipeline capacity, currency fluctuations, interest rates, imprecision of reserve estimates, competitive factors impacting royalty rates, environmental risks, taxation, regulation, changes in tax or other legislation, competition from other industry participants, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management, stock market volatility, political and geopolitical instability, the risks and impacts of tariffs imposed between Canada and the United States (and other countries) or other restrictive trade measures, retaliatory or countermeasures implemented by such governments affecting trade between Canada and the United States (and other countries), including the potential introduction of regulatory barriers to trade and the effect on the demand and/or market price for commodities, inaccurate expectations for industry drilling levels on our royalty lands and the Company’s ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources. In addition, PrairieSky is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties in relation to acquisitions. These risks and uncertainties include risks relating to the potential for disputes to arise with counterparties, and limited ability to recover indemnification under certain agreements. The foregoing and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions are described in more detail in PrairieSky’s MD&A and the Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024 under the headings “Risk Management” and “Risk Factors”, respectively, each of which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and PrairieSky’s website at www.prairiesky.com.

Further, any forward-looking statement is made only as of the date of this press release, and PrairieSky undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by applicable securities laws. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for PrairieSky to predict all of these factors or to assess, in advance, the impact of each such factor on PrairieSky’s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

CONVERSIONS OF NATURAL GAS TO BOE

To provide a single unit of production for analytical purposes, natural gas production and reserves volumes are converted mathematically to equivalent barrels of oil (BOE). PrairieSky uses the industry-accepted standard conversion of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil (6 Mcf = 1 bbl). The 6:1 BOE ratio is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip. It does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead and is not based on either energy content or current prices. While the BOE ratio is useful for comparative measures and observing trends, it does not accurately reflect individual product values and might be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. As well, given that the value ratio, based on the current price of crude oil to natural gas, is significantly different from the 6:1 energy equivalency ratio, using a 6:1 conversion ratio may be misleading as an indication of value.

NON-GAAP MEASURES AND RATIOS

Certain measures and ratios in this press release do not have any standardized meaning as prescribed by IFRS and, therefore, are considered non-GAAP measures and ratios. These measures and ratios may not be comparable to similar measures and ratios presented by other issuers. These measures and ratios are commonly used in the oil and natural gas industry and by PrairieSky to provide potential investors with additional information regarding the Company’s liquidity and its ability to generate funds to conduct its business. Non-GAAP measures and ratios include operating netback per BOE and dividend payout ratio. Management’s use of these measures and ratios is discussed further below. Further information can be found in the Non-GAAP Measures and Ratios section of PrairieSky’s MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 and PrairieSky’s MD&A for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

“Operating netback per BOE” represents the cash margin for products sold on a BOE basis. Operating netback per BOE is calculated by dividing the operating netback (royalty production revenue less production and mineral taxes and cash administrative expenses) by the average daily production volumes for the period. Operating netback per BOE is used to assess the cash generating and operating performance per unit of product sold and the comparability of the underlying performance between years. Operating netback per BOE measures are commonly used in the oil and natural gas industry to assess performance comparability. Refer to the Operating Results table starting on page 6 of PrairieSky’s MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 and page 6 of PrairieSky’s MD&A for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

	Three months ended						Six months ended
	June 30		March 31		June 30		June 30		June 30
($ millions)	2025		2025		2024		2025		2024
Cash from operating activities	90.3		90.7		99.3		181.0		179.0
Other revenue	(12.4	)	(8.2	)	(10.1	)	(20.6	)	(17.6	)
Amortization of debt issuance costs	(0.1	)	(0.1	)	(0.1	)	(0.2	)	(0.2	)
Finance expense	3.0		2.9		3.5		5.9		7.2
Current tax expense	16.5		17.3		19.0		33.8		33.7
Interest on lease obligation	(0.1	)	–		–		(0.1	)	–
Net change in non-cash working capital	6.4		(4.9	)	6.8		1.5		10.1
Operating netback	103.6		97.7		118.4		201.3		212.2

“Operating Margin” represents operating netback as a percentage of royalty production revenue. Management uses this measure to demonstrate the comparability between the Company and production and exploration companies in the oil and natural gas industry as it shows net revenue generation from operations.

	Three months ended			Six months ended
	June 30	March 31	June 30	June 30	June 30
($ millions)	2025	2025	2024	2025	2024
Royalty production revenue	111.2	119.9	125.5	231.1	238.7
Operating netback	103.6	97.7	118.4	201.3	212.2
Operating margin	93%	81%	94%	87%	89%

“Dividend payout ratio” is calculated as dividends declared as a percentage of funds from operations. Payout ratio is used by dividend paying companies to assess dividend levels in relation to the funds generated and used in operating activities.

	Three months ended			Six months ended
	June 30	March 31	June 30	June 30	June 30
($ millions, except otherwise noted)	2025	2025	2024	2025	2024
Funds from operations	96.7	85.8	106.1	182.5	189.1
Dividends declared	61.2	61.2	59.7	122.4	119.4
Dividend payout ratio	63%	71%	56%	67%	63%

ABOUT PRAIRIESKY ROYALTY LTD.

PrairieSky is a royalty company, generating royalty production revenues as oil and natural gas are produced from its properties. PrairieSky has a diverse portfolio of properties that have a long history of generating funds from operations and that represent the largest and most consolidated independently-owned fee simple mineral title position in Canada. PrairieSky’s common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol PSK.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Andrew M. Phillips
President & Chief Executive Officer
PrairieSky Royalty Ltd.
(587) 293-4005

Michael T. Murphy
Vice-President, Geosciences & Capital Markets
PrairieSky Royalty Ltd.
(587) 293-4056

Investor Relations
(587) 293-4000
www.prairiesky.com

Pamela P. Kazeil
Senior Vice-President, Finance & Chief Financial
Officer
PrairieSky Royalty Ltd.
(587) 293-4089

PDF available: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/36ee4b7d-4f4e-42d9-a2fb-c3c005d65436

The MIL Network –

July 15, 2025

MIL-OSI: PrairieSky Announces Second Quarter 2025 Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

CALGARY, Alberta, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

PrairieSky Royalty Ltd. (“PrairieSky” or the “Company”) (TSX: PSK) is pleased to announce its second quarter operating and financial results for the period ended June 30, 2025.

Second Quarter Highlights:

Record oil royalty production of 14,376 barrels per day, an 8% increase over Q2 2024⁽¹⁾. Total royalty production averaged 26,457 BOE per day, a 4% increase over Q2 2024.
Revenues totaled $123.6 million for Q2 2025⁽¹⁾ comprised of royalty production revenue of $111.2 million and other revenue of $12.4 million, including bonus consideration of $8.5 million earned on entering into 47 new leasing arrangements primarily focused on the Duvernay light oil play.
Funds from operations totaled $96.7 million or $0.41 per share, a decrease of 9% from Q2 2024 as record oil royalty production volumes, narrowed heavy and light oil price differentials and a weaker Canadian dollar were offset by lower benchmark US$ WTI pricing.
Declared a second quarter dividend of $61.2 million ($0.26 per share), representing a payout ratio of 63%.
Purchased and cancelled 84,020 common shares under the Company’s normal course issuer bid (“NCIB”) for $2.0 million.
Completed acquisitions for $6.5 million, primarily of non-producing gross overriding royalty interests targeting Mannville oil.
Net debt totaled $242.0 million as at June 30, 2025, a decrease of $16.8 million from March 31, 2025.

President’s Message

Thank you to our staff for their hard work in the quarter and our shareholders for their continued support.

Andrew Phillips, President & CEO

ACTIVITY ON PRAIRIESKY’S ROYALTY PROPERTIES

NOTES AND REFERENCES

(1)	In this press release, the financial reporting periods are referred to as follows: “Q2 2025”, “the quarter” or the “the second quarter” refers to the three months ended June 30, 2025; “Q2 2024” refers to the three months ended June 30, 2024.
(2)	For further details on the “Mannville Stack” and “West Shale Basin”, we refer you to PrairieSky’s most recent Corporate Presentation contained on PrairieSky’s website at www.prairiesky.com.
(3)	Included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities at June 30, 2025 is $11.0 million related to common share repurchases of which $1.0 million related to common share repurchases that were pending settlement at June 30, 2025 and the remaining $10.0 million related to a provision for share repurchases under the Company’s automatic share purchase plan with an independent broker.

FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL INFORMATION

The following table summarizes select operational and financial information of the Company for the periods noted. All dollar amounts are stated in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

	Three months ended						Six months ended
	June 30		March 31		June 30		June 30		June 30
($ millions, except $ per share or as otherwise noted)	2025		2025		2024		2025		2024
FINANCIAL
Royalty production revenue	111.2		119.9		125.5		231.1		238.7
Other revenue	12.4		8.2		10.1		20.6		17.6
Revenues	123.6		128.1		135.6		251.7		256.3

Funds from operations	96.7		85.8		106.1		182.5		189.1
Per share – basic and diluted⁽¹⁾	0.41		0.36		0.44		0.77		0.79

Net earnings	56.3		58.4		60.3		114.7		107.8
Per share – basic and diluted⁽¹⁾	0.24		0.25		0.25		0.48		0.45

Dividends declared⁽²⁾	61.2		61.2		59.7		122.4		119.4
Per share	0.26		0.26		0.25		0.52		0.50

Dividend payout ratio⁽³⁾	63%		71%		56%		67%		63%

Acquisitions⁽⁴⁾	6.5		63.6		12.3		70.1		21.1
Net debt⁽⁵⁾	242.0		258.8		174.6		242.0		174.6
Common share repurchases, inclusive of all costs	2.0		91.8		–		93.8		–

Shares outstanding (millions)
Shares outstanding at period end	235.5		235.5		239.0		235.5		239.0
Weighted average – basic and diluted	235.5		238.3		239.0		236.9		239.0

OPERATIONAL
Royalty production volumes
Crude oil (bbls/d)	14,376		13,502		13,312		13,941		13,227
NGL (bbls/d)	2,348		2,520		2,308		2,433		2,421
Natural gas (MMcf/d)	58.4		55.9		58.2		57.1		60.1
Royalty Production (BOE/d)⁽⁶⁾	26,457		25,339		25,320		25,891		25,665

Realized pricing
Crude oil ($/bbl)	73.16		83.16		91.75		77.98		84.51
NGL ($/bbl)	35.47		44.51		47.20		40.13		45.62
Natural gas ($/Mcf)	1.50		1.73		0.84		1.61		1.38
Total ($/BOE)⁽⁶⁾	46.19		52.58		54.47		49.31		51.10

Operating netback per BOE ($)⁽⁷⁾	43.04		42.85		51.39		42.95		45.43

Funds from operations per BOE ($)	40.16		37.62		46.05		38.94		40.48

Oil price benchmarks
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) (US$/bbl)	63.76		71.39		80.57		67.59		78.76
Edmonton light sweet ($/bbl)	84.24		95.20		105.16		89.78		98.66
Western Canadian Select (WCS) crude oil differential to WTI (US$/bbl)	(10.27	)	(12.67	)	(13.60	)	(11.47	)	(16.47	)

Natural gas price benchmarks
AECO Monthly Index ($/Mcf)	2.07		2.02		1.44		2.05		1.74
AECO Daily Index ($/Mcf)	1.69		2.16		1.18		1.93		1.84

Foreign exchange rate (US$/CAD$)	0.7228		0.6976		0.7315		0.7096		0.7364

(1)	Funds from operations and net earnings per share are calculated using the weighted average number of basic and diluted common shares outstanding.
(2)	A dividend of $0.26 per share was declared on June 3, 2025. The dividend will be paid on July 15, 2025 to shareholders of record as at June 30, 2025.
(3)	Dividend payout ratio is defined under the “Non-GAAP Measures and Ratios” section of this press release.
(4)	Excluding right-of-use asset additions.
(5)	See Note 12 “Capital Management” in the interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 and Note 13 “Capital Management” in the interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.
(6)	See “Conversions of Natural Gas to BOE”.
(7)	Operating netback per BOE is defined under the “Non-GAAP Measures and Ratios” section of this press release.

CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS

Live call participant registration
URL: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI4b3e791d098f4a4c844ea1427370d036

Live webcast participant registration (listen in only)
URL: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/5a4q5q2j

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

CONVERSIONS OF NATURAL GAS TO BOE

NON-GAAP MEASURES AND RATIOS

	Three months ended						Six months ended
	June 30		March 31		June 30		June 30		June 30
($ millions)	2025		2025		2024		2025		2024
Cash from operating activities	90.3		90.7		99.3		181.0		179.0
Other revenue	(12.4	)	(8.2	)	(10.1	)	(20.6	)	(17.6	)
Amortization of debt issuance costs	(0.1	)	(0.1	)	(0.1	)	(0.2	)	(0.2	)
Finance expense	3.0		2.9		3.5		5.9		7.2
Current tax expense	16.5		17.3		19.0		33.8		33.7
Interest on lease obligation	(0.1	)	–		–		(0.1	)	–
Net change in non-cash working capital	6.4		(4.9	)	6.8		1.5		10.1
Operating netback	103.6		97.7		118.4		201.3		212.2

	Three months ended			Six months ended
	June 30	March 31	June 30	June 30	June 30
($ millions)	2025	2025	2024	2025	2024
Royalty production revenue	111.2	119.9	125.5	231.1	238.7
Operating netback	103.6	97.7	118.4	201.3	212.2
Operating margin	93%	81%	94%	87%	89%

	Three months ended			Six months ended
	June 30	March 31	June 30	June 30	June 30
($ millions, except otherwise noted)	2025	2025	2024	2025	2024
Funds from operations	96.7	85.8	106.1	182.5	189.1
Dividends declared	61.2	61.2	59.7	122.4	119.4
Dividend payout ratio	63%	71%	56%	67%	63%

ABOUT PRAIRIESKY ROYALTY LTD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Andrew M. Phillips
President & Chief Executive Officer
PrairieSky Royalty Ltd.
(587) 293-4005

Michael T. Murphy
Vice-President, Geosciences & Capital Markets
PrairieSky Royalty Ltd.
(587) 293-4056

Investor Relations
(587) 293-4000
www.prairiesky.com

Pamela P. Kazeil
Senior Vice-President, Finance & Chief Financial
Officer
PrairieSky Royalty Ltd.
(587) 293-4089

PDF available: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/36ee4b7d-4f4e-42d9-a2fb-c3c005d65436

The MIL Network –

July 15, 2025

MIL-OSI: VisionWave Technologies Inc. and Bannix Acquisition Corp. Complete Business Combination

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

VisionWave Holdings Inc. to Commence Trading on Nasdaq Under Ticker “VWAV”

VisionWave Technologies Inc. and Bannix Acquisition Corp. Have Closed the Business Combination on July 14, 2025

VisionWave Holdings Inc. Shares of Common Stock and Warrants Will Begin Trading on Nasdaq on July 15, 2025, Under Ticker Symbols “VWAV” and “VWAVW,” Respectively

WILMINGTON, Del., July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — VisionWave Technologies Inc. (“VisionWave Technologies”), a defense development company focused on integrating advanced artificial intelligence and autonomous solutions across air, ground, and sea domains ranging from high-resolution radars and advanced vision systems to radio frequency sensing technologies seeking to redefine operational efficiency and precision for military and homeland security applications worldwide, today announced the successful completion of its business combination (the “Business Combination”) with Bannix Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: BNIX) (“BNIX”), a special purpose acquisition company, resulting in each of VisionWave Technologies and BNIX becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of VisionWave Holdings Inc. (“VisionWave Holdings” or the “Combined Company”). On July 15, 2025, VisionWave Holdings shares of common stock will commence trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the trading symbol “VWAV” and its warrants will trade on under the trading symbol “VWAVW.”

“Completing the Business Combination and having our shares listed on the Nasdaq Global Market is a significant achievement for the VisionWave team, and we are grateful to our employees and partners who have supported us on this journey as we begin our next chapter as we seek to develop new and cutting technologies in the defense sector,” said Douglas Davis, Executive Chairman of VisionWave Holdings. “We believe this milestone will provide us with the tools to develop our technology and implement our business plan. We are excited to continue to seek building value for all stakeholders.” “This is a defining moment for VisionWave,” said Noam Kenig, Chief Executive Officer of VisionWave Holdings. “As we enter the public markets, our focus is on accelerating innovation in defense-grade AI systems, pursuing strategic global partnerships, and delivering on contracts that will shape the next generation of military technologies. I’m honored to lead the company into this exciting new chapter.”

Advisors

Fleming PLLC served as legal counsel to BNIX.

Law Office of Robert M. Yaspan served as legal counsel to VisionWave Technologies.

RBSM LLP served as the Auditor to VisionWave Holdings.

Donohoe Advisory Associate, LLC served as Listing Advisor to VisionWave Holdings.

Marula Capital Group a registered FINRA advisor provided the Fairness Opinion to the Business Combination.

I-Bankers Securities, Inc., the underwriter in the original IPO.

About VisionWave Holdings Inc.

VisionWave Holdings Inc. is at the forefront of revolutionizing defense capabilities by integrating advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous solutions across air, ground, and sea domains. Its state-of-the-art innovations— ranging from high-resolution radars and advanced vision systems to radio frequency (RF) sensing technologies are seeking to redefine operational efficiency and precision for military and homeland security applications worldwide. From tactical ground vehicles to precision weapon control systems, VisionWave leads the development of reliable, high-performance technologies that transform defense strategies and deliver superior results, even in the most challenging environments. With headquarters in the U.S. and strategic partnerships in Canada and the United Arab Emigrants, VisionWave is uniquely positioned to serve global markets, offering cutting-edge defense solutions that address the evolving needs of security forces across the world.

For more corporate and product information, please visit our website https://www.visionwave.tech.

About Bannix Acquisition Corp.

Bannix Acquisition Corp. is a blank check company, also commonly referred to as a Special Purpose Acquisition Company, or SPAC, formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target” or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements also include, but are not limited to, statements regarding projections, estimates and forecasts of revenue and other financial and performance metrics, projections of market opportunity and expectations, the estimated implied enterprise value of the Combined Company, VisionWave Holdings’ ability to scale and grow its business, the advantages and expected growth of the Combined Company, the Combined Company’s ability to source and retain talent, and the cash position of the Combined Company following closing of the Business Combination, as applicable. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of BNIX’s and VisionWave Technologies’ management and are not predictions of actual performance.

These statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although each of BNIX, VisionWave Technologies and VisionWave Holdings believes that it has a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this press release, each of BNIX, VisionWave Technologies and VisionWave Holdings cautions you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known and projections of the future, which are inherently uncertain. In addition, there are risks and uncertainties described in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus mailed to BNIX stockholders, and filed by the Combined Company with the SEC and other documents filed by the Combined Company or BNIX from time to time with the SEC. These filings may identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. BNIX, VisionWave Technologies and VisionWave Holdings cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this press release will prove to be accurate. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among others, the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, costs related to the Business Combination, the risk that the Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations as a result of the announcement and consummation of the Business Combination, the outcome of any potential litigation, government or regulatory proceedings, and other risks and uncertainties, including those to be included under the heading “Risk Factors” in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus mailed to BNIX stockholders, and those included under the heading “Risk Factors” in the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, of BNIX and in its subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the SEC. There may be additional risks that BNIX, VisionWave Technologies and VisionWave Holdings presently do not know or that the parties currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. The forward-looking statements in this press release represent the views of BNIX, VisionWave Technologies and VisionWave Holdings as of the date of this press release. Subsequent events and developments may cause those views to change. However, while BNIX, VisionWave Technologies and VisionWave Holdings may update these forward-looking statements in the future, there is no current intention to do so, except to the extent required by applicable law. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing the views of BNIX, VisionWave Technologies and VisionWave Holdings as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Except as may be required by law, BNIX, VisionWave Technologies and VisionWave Holdings do not undertake any duty to update these forward-looking statements.

VisionWave Holdings Investor Relations:

Douglas Davis, Executive Chairman of the Board
(302) 305-4790
doug.davis@bannixacquisition.com

The MIL Network –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Tunisia: United Nations (UN) experts alarmed by deteriorating human rights situation of lawyers

Source: APO

.

UN experts* today expressed alarm at the situation of lawyers in Tunisia, noting a serious deterioration in the last year.

“Targeting legal professionals solely for performing their role in the justice system or exercising their freedom of expression poses a direct threat to the integrity and fairness of legal proceedings in Tunisia and could jeopardise the right to a fair trial,” the experts said.

The experts noted that lawyer Ahmed Souab was arrested on 21 April 2025, following critical comments made publicly about the recent trial of several opposition figures. Souab was defending some of the clients who were sentenced to lengthy prison terms for charges characterised as “conspiracy against State security”. Lawyer Sonia Dahmani was reportedly violently detained at the premises of the Tunisian Bar Association by masked men in May 2024 and is facing five criminal cases all initiated under Decree-Law 2022-54 on “cybercrime” before the Tunis First Instance Court solely for stating her opinion publicly. Dahmani was sentenced in January 2025 to 18 months in prison for her comments in a TV show, and this June, she received an additional two-year prison sentence.

The experts also deplored other reported cases of legal professionals in the country who have been criminally accused, and even sentenced to long prison terms, solely for defending their clients and for expressing their opinion publicly such as Dalila Msaddak, Islem Hamza, Ayachi Hamami, Ghazi Chaouachi, Mehdi Zagrouba, and Lazhar Akremi.

“The measures taken directly interfere with the independence of the legal profession, undermining the ability of lawyers to represent their clients,” the experts said. “They appear designed to ensure critics of the Executive are silenced.”

The experts stressed that free exercise of the legal profession contributes to ensuring access to justice, oversight of State power, protection of due process and fair trial rights.

“We call on Tunisia to comply with international standards providing that lawyers should be able to carry out all their professional duties without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference. They should not face prosecution or administrative, economic or other sanctions for any action taken in accordance with recognised professional duties, standards and ethics,” they said. “Like all human beings, lawyers are entitled to freedom of expression and opinion.”

The experts have been in contact with the Government of Tunisia regarding their concerns.

*The experts: Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of expression and opinion.

The Experts are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent of any government or organisation and serve in their individual capacity.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

MIL OSI Africa –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa: Human Settlements Committee Receives Update on Petitions With Varying Degrees of Satisfaction

Source: APO

.

The Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements has received updates from the Department of Human Settlements, the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements, and the City of Johannesburg, City of Tshwane and City of Cape Town on various petitions the committee is considering and has highlighted mixed reactions to the reports. The committee remains of the view that all stakeholders must not rest on their laurels in bringing finality to the petitions.

SLOVO PARK INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS UPGRADING

The committee welcomed the progress made by both the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements and the City of Johannesburg, including the completion of the electrification of households. Also, the committee welcomed the appointment of Joburg Water for the installation of water and sewage infrastructure. The committee has highlighted that in the context of the history of the promises made to the residents of Slovo Park, the movement is welcomed, albeit long overdue.

The committee also welcomed the collaboration between the City of Johannesburg and the provincial department to achieve the medium and long-term interventions planned for the area. The committee has also urged all stakeholders to expedite procurement and other related processes to ensure the achievement of targets.

Also, the committee welcomed the assurance that community engagements and sharing of information with residents have been enhanced to ensure a free flow of information between the government and the people. “The issue of stakeholder engagement is critical to allay fears and eliminate any flare-up of protests. It is critical that as new developments arise and some impediments delay projects, people are informed,” said Mr Nocks Seabi, the Chairperson of the committee.

MAWIGA PETITION

Members of the committee were disappointed with the slow response to finding solutions to the petitioners’ challenges. While the committee acknowledged that there is progress with sites identified and agreed to by two petitioners, the fact that the building of top structures will only commence next year is concerning. Despite this, the committee called for clear monitoring of the progress to ensure that timelines are adhered to, especially in the context of the length of time it has taken to get to this point.

The MAWIGA (Mabopane, Winterveld and Ga-Rankuwa petitioners) submitted a petition alleging maladministration against the City of Tshwane and North West Housing Corporation officials for illegally selling and transferring their properties without their consent.

The committee has called on the City of Tshwane and the Gauteng Provincial Government to expedite the processes to obtain the clearance certificate on the identified land for Mr Mere. The committee has mandated the city to provide regular progress reports on processes to obtain the clearance certificate.

With regards to the North West Provincial Government, the committee is concerned that the Rustenburg Municipality does not have the appetite to approve a house on the military veteran’s quantum on the site identified because the site is on prime land. The committee has called on the department to heighten engagement to ensure that an alternative site is found and that Mr Kgasoe is engaged to ascertain that he agrees with the site.

Despite these challenges, the committee noted that commendable work has been done to resolve the petitions.

New Mandela Square (Western Cape)

The committee has welcomed commendable progress in achieving the project milestones promised to the committee. Despite this, the committee has called for mechanisms to ensure that the implementation of the projects is not hampered by inter-departmental dependencies, such as the procurement of private land and installation of bulk services.

The committee is cognisant that in most cases, projects are affected by delays from varying spheres of government and has called for proactive measures to ensure that this does not hamper progress.

The committee remains committed to receiving regular reports to ensure the resolution of the various petitions being considered by the committee.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM meeting with Prime Minister Fiala of the Czech Republic: 14 July 2025
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

PM meeting with Prime Minister Fiala of the Czech Republic: 14 July 2025

The Prime Minister welcomed the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, to Downing Street this afternoon.
The Prime Minister welcomed the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, to Downing Street this afternoon.

The leaders began by reflecting on the close relationship between the two countries, including across defence, trade and energy security.

Both agreed that there were plenty of opportunities to be even more ambitious, which was emphasised by the signing of a civil nuclear memorandum of understanding today.

The agreement would allow both countries to harness the potential of nuclear power and the related technology to drive prosperity, energy security and highly skilled jobs, the leaders agreed.

The Prime Minister also thanked Prime Minister Fiala for the Czech Republic’s strong support for Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian aggression, and the leaders reflected on the strength of solidarity for Ukraine through the Coalition of the Willing.

Both looked forward to speaking again soon.

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Updates to this page

Published 14 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Security Council Sanctions Committee Concerning South Sudan Discusses Expert Panel’s Final Report

Source: United Nations 4

On 1 July 2025, the Panel of Experts on South Sudan briefed the members of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2206 (2015), in connection with the Panel’s final report submitted in pursuance of paragraph 18 of resolution 2731 (2024).

During the briefing, the Coordinator provided an overview of the findings and recommendations contained in the Panel’s report, noting inter alia the current volatile political and security situation in South Sudan, including serious clashes between the armed forces of the principal signatories to the peace agreement, as well as the ongoing humanitarian and economic crises.

Following the Coordinator’s presentation, members of the Committee asked questions and exchanged views regarding the findings and recommendations contained in the final report.

For information media. Not an official record.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Tribunal Initiates Inquiry—Cast Iron Soil Pipe from China

Source: Government of Canada News (2)

Ottawa, Ontario, July 14, 2025—The Canadian International Trade Tribunal today initiated a preliminary injury inquiry into a complaint by Canada Pipe Company ULC, d/b/a Bibby‑Ste‑Croix, of Sainte-Croix, Quebec, that it has suffered injury as a result of the dumping and subsidizing of cast iron soil pipe from China. The Tribunal’s inquiry is conducted pursuant to the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA) as a result of the initiation of dumping and subsidizing investigations by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

On September 9, 2025, the Tribunal will determine whether there is a reasonable indication that the alleged dumping and subsidizing have caused injury or retardation, or are threatening to cause injury, as these words are defined in SIMA. If so, the CBSA will continue its investigations and, by September 24, 2025, will make preliminary determinations. If these preliminary determinations indicate that there has been dumping or subsidizing, the CBSA will then continue its investigations and, concurrently, the Tribunal will initiate a final injury inquiry.

The Tribunal is an independent quasi‑judicial body that reports to Parliament through the Minister of Finance. It hears cases on dumped and subsidized imports, safeguard complaints, complaints about federal government procurement and appeals of customs and excise tax rulings. When requested by the federal government, the Tribunal also provides advice on other economic, trade and tariff matters.

Any interested person, association or government that wishes to participate in the Tribunal’s inquiry may do so by filing a Form I—Notice of Participation.

MIL OSI Canada News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Simpson Cosponsors Resolution to Solemnly Mark the One-Year Anniversary of the Attempted Assassination of President Trump

Source: US State of Idaho

Rep. Simpson Cosponsors Resolution to Solemnly Mark the One-Year Anniversary of the Attempted Assassination of President Trump

Washington, July 14, 2025

WASHINGTON—Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson cosponsored a resolution solemnly marking the one-year anniversary of the attempted assassination of President Donald J. Trump, condemning the multiple attempts against the President’s life, condemning those who incite violence against political officials, and honoring the victims of the shooting. This resolution is sponsored by Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Republican Study Committee Chairman Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX).
“Last year—July 13th, 2024—was a tragic day for our nation,” said Rep. Simpson. “It was a day that we thought would unify us Americans and stand together to condemn political violence. Unfortunately, from that day forward, we have continued to see hateful and evil rhetoric that has further incited political violence. There is no room for this violence in our country, and we must condemn it in all forms, regardless of political affiliation. President Trump demonstrated leadership and heroism on that solemn day. God bless him, God bless Corey Comperatore’s family, and God bless the Secret Service and law enforcement who selflessly threw themselves in harm’s way to protect the President.”
Rep. Simpson is an original cosponsor of this important resolution. The full text is available here.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 15, 2025

MIL-OSI Security: Environmental Crimes Bulletin – June 2025

Source: United States Attorneys General 7

View All Environmental Crimes Bulletins

In This Issue:

Cases by District/Circuit

District/Circuit	Case Name	Conduct/Statute(s)
7^th Circuit Court of Appeals	United States v. Clark	Conspiracy; False Statement; Mail Fraud; Obstruction
District of Alaska	United States v. Matanuska Diesel, LLC, et al.	Emissions Tampering; Clean Air Act; Conspiracy
Central District of California	United States v. Isidoro Chaparro Sanchez, et al.	Cockfighting; Animal Welfare Act
Southern District of California	United States v. Juandaniel Medina	Exotic Bird Smuggling
	United States v. Dumitru Cicai	Pesticide Smuggling
	United States v. Jose Manuel Valenzuela	Refrigerant Smuggling; Failure to Present Tanks for Inspection
Middle District of Georgia	United States v. Brandon Baker, et al.	Dogfighting; Animal Welfare Act; Conspiracy
District of Idaho	United States v. Jerrod R. Farr, et al.	Big Game Outfitter; Lacey Act
Eastern District of Missouri	United States v. All Out Diesel, et al.	Emissions Tampering; Clean Air Act; Conspiracy
District of Montana	United States v. Hollis G. Hale, et al.	Sheep Hunting; Endangered Species Act; Lacey Act
District of New Jersey	United States v. Angela Amponsa	Unregistered Pesticide Sales; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
Southern District of Ohio	United States v. Katrina D. Favret, et al.	Animal Crush Videos; PACT Act; Conspiracy
Southern District of Ohio	United States v. Fabcon Precast LLC	Employee Death; Occupational Safety and Health Act
Eastern District of Pennsylvania	United States v. Matthew Caroluzzi, et al.	Emissions Tampering; Clean Air Act; Conspiracy
Western District of Pennsylvania	United States v. Erie Coke Corporation, et al.	Air Emissions; Clean Air Act; Conspiracy
District of South Carolina	United States v. Shaylynn Kolwyck-Peterson	Chimpanzee Sale; Lacey Act
District of South Carolina	United States v. Bhagavan “Doc” Antle, et al.	Wildlife Trafficking; Conspiracy; Money Laundering
Southern District of Texas	United States v. Jose Daniel Santiago-Mendoza, et al.	Illegal Fishing; Lacey Act
Western District of Texas	United States v. Paul Jacob Elliott Sommers	Reptile Smuggling
District of Wyoming	United States v. Mark Orchard, et al.	Oily Waste Discharges; Depredation of Government Property

DECISIONS

United States v. Clark

Nos. 24-1320, 24-1321
2025 WL 1635508 (7^th Cir., June 10, 2025)

On June 10, 2025, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion affirming Derrick Clark’s conviction on all counts, affirming Shawn Mesner’s fraud conviction, and vacating Mesner’s conspiracy conviction.

Both defendants worked at Didion Milling (“Didion”). In May 2017, a corn mill operated by Didion exploded due to combustible dust, killing five workers and seriously injuring 14 others. Clark was convicted at trial of conspiracy, falsifying an environmental compliance certification, falsifying environmental compliance records, and obstructing an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigation by providing false and misleading testimony. Mesner was convicted at trial of fraud and conspiracy, each relating to his role in falsifying records regarding the mill’s sanitation program.

The Seventh Circuit first held that the district court did not err in admitting another Didion employee’s inconsistent prior sworn statement. The court found that the statement was made under oath and that the trial judge did not need to review it line-by-line to assess its inconsistency with the witness’s in-court testimony. The court also rejected Clark’s sufficiency-of-the-evidence challenges to his convictions for making false entries in Didion’s Clean Air Act compliance certification (18 U.S.C. § 1519) and aiding and abetting the use of falsified baghouse logs, which were within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s jurisdiction (18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(3)).

Next, the court affirmed Clark’s conspiracy conviction (18 U.S.C § 371), holding that the jury instructions adequately informed the jury that the object of the conspiracy must be a federal offense and that the jury must be unanimous. The court emphasized that the special verdict form further alleviated any confusion. The court also held that Clark’s conviction for making false statements (18 U.S.C. § 1505) did not depend on the constitutionality of the underlying OSHA regulation, and thus it declined to weigh in on the regulation’s validity. Finally, in a footnote, the court dismissed Clark’s assertion of erroneous evidentiary rulings and cumulative error.

As for Mesner, the court first vacated Mesner’s conspiracy conviction because the government dismissed the substantive count underlying that conviction at the close of evidence and the district court never instructed the jury on it. The Seventh Circuit thus “decline[d] to uphold a conviction premised on a count that the government dismissed, and on which the court never instructed the jury.” But the court affirmed Mesner’s conviction for fraud conspiracy (18 U.S.C. §§ 1341, 1343, 1349), relying in part on the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Kousisis v. United States. The court held that the indictment “easily” satisfied the standard for sufficiency, properly identified money as the “object” of the conspiracy, and sufficiently alleged that Mesner and Didion misrepresented an essential element of the bargain to Didion’s customers.

The court also concluded that there was sufficient evidence for the jury to convict on this count, rejecting Mesner’s argument that Ciminelli v. United States foreclosed his conviction or that the government needed to introduce the contracts between Didion and its customers to prove materiality. The court concluded that a jury could reasonably find – based on witness testimony and documentary evidence – that the accuracy of Didion’s sanitation logbook was material to the bargain between Didion and its customers.

Recently Charged

United States v. Matthew Caroluzzi, et al.

No. 2:25-CR-00239 (Eastern District of Pennsylvania)
ECS Senior Trial Attorney RJ Powers
Former ECS Attorney Ron Sarachan
AUSA Sarah Solow

On June 3, 2025, prosecutors charged Matthew Caroluzzi and his business, Matt’s Heavy Duty Mobile Diagnostics and Truck Repair & Heavy Towing (“Matt’s HD”) with conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act (CAA) (18 U.S.C. § 371), and nine substantive CAA counts (18 U.S.C. § 371; 42 U.S.C. § 7413(c)(2)(C)).

Caroluzzi owns and operates Matt’s HD, located in Sellersville, Pennsylvania. The company conducts repairs on large semi-trucks and provides a 24/7 towing service. His customers also travelled from out-of-state locations, including New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland

The defendants tampered with and rendered inaccurate monitoring devices and methods required to be maintained under the CAA, that is, on-board and diagnostic emission monitoring devices on diesel trucks. Caroluzzi removed physical emissions control components and altered vehicles’ on-board computers. With assistance from his mechanics, Caroluzzi conducted emissions “deletes” at the shop, on the road, and at other diesel repair shops. Over the course of the conspiracy, Caroluzzi charged customers between $1,000 and $3,000 for his services, and performed deletes on more than 700 diesel-powered trucks.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation.

United States v. Juandaniel Medina

No. 25-mj-03169 (Southern District of California)
AUSA Evangeline Dech

On June 10, 2025, prosecutors charged Juandaniel Medina with smuggling endangered exotic birds (16 U.S.C. §§ 1538(c), 1540(b); 18 U.S.C. § 545). Medina is the third person in recent weeks authorities have detained for attempting to smuggle protected birds, including red-lored Amazon parrots. All seven birds in this case are alive and under quarantine.

On May 26, 2025, authorities detained Medina at the San Ysidro Port of Entry after discovering seven live Amazon parrots in a cardboard box on the passenger floorboard. Medina was the driver and registered owner of the vehicle. He admitted paying $700 cash for the parrots with the intention of breeding and/or reselling them in the United States. All Amazon parrot species are listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

Smuggled birds that are not subject to quarantine can prove dangerous as they may carry and spread Avian influenza (bird flu) and other diseases. Bird flu is highly contagious and can cause flu-like symptoms, respiratory illness, pneumonia, and death in humans and other birds, including those housed on poultry farms.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.

Photo of parrot found in box in defendant’s vehicle following his arrest, from press release.

United States v. Katrina D. Favret, et al.

No. 2:25-CR-00071 (Southern District of Ohio)
ECS Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman
ECS Trial Attorney Mark Romley
AUSA Nicole Pakiz
ECS Paralegal Gabriella Leaming

On June 11, 2025, a court unsealed an indictment charging two individuals for their involvement with online groups dedicated to creating and distributing videos depicting acts of extreme violence and sexual abuse against monkeys.

The indictment states that Katrina D. Favret and Robert M. Craig conspired with previously charged defendant Ronald P. Bedra to create and distribute so-called “animal crush videos” (18 U.S.C. § 371). Favret is also charged with creating and with distributing animal crush videos (18 U.S.C. §§ 48(a)(2), 48(a)(3)).

According to court documents, the defendants conspired with others to create and distribute videos depicting acts of sadistic violence against juvenile and adult monkeys. The conspirators used encrypted chat applications to direct money to individuals in Indonesia willing to commit the requested acts of torture on camera.

Eleven other individuals were charged with similar violations in an indictment unsealed in May (United States v. Ernest Chavez, et al.).

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement conducted the investigation.

Guilty Pleas

United States v. Mark Orchard, et al.

No. 2:23-CR-00166 (District of Wyoming)
AUSA Kerry Jacobson
SAUSA Richard Baird

On June 9, 2025, Mark Orchard pleaded guilty to Depredation of Government Property (18 U.S.C. § 1361). Co-defendant Darwin Crawford entered a similar plea on May 30, 2025. Crawford and Orchard are scheduled for sentencing on August 18 and 22, 2025, respectively.

Contractors Crawford and Orchard worked as field operation managers who oversaw field operations for an energy company. A Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming State Chief Ranger received information that contractors were dumping waste on well pads leased from the BLM. The waste had been generated from oil-water separators and maintenance operations performed on produced water storage tanks. Well pads are areas approved by the BLM for the drilling of gas or oil wells pursuant to approved plans and conditions.

The defendants instructed other crew members to “dig a hole and dump stuff from the junk tank” into the pit, and to backfill the hole. The affected area is known as the East Echo Springs Saltwater disposal facility (Echo Springs), located in Carbon County, Wyoming. Echo Springs was only permitted for the disposal of produced water, a byproduct of oil and gas extraction, through injection deep into the ground. The site was not permitted for burying solid oil waste. Approximately 10 barrels of this oil waste material was buried at the direction of the defendants.

Soil samples taken by investigators of this buried material showed levels of total petroleum hydrocarbons at 15,200 ppm, 16,100 ppm, and 11,000 ppm. In comparison, an uncontaminated soil sample at the site measured a total petroleum hydrocarbon level of 18 ppm.

Orchard and Crawford admitted they signed off on daily work tickets and invoices for this and other work they directed.

The Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation.

United States v. Jose Daniel Santiago-Mendoza, et al.

No. 1:25-CR-00305 (Southern District of Texas)
AUSA William Hagen

On June 9, 2025, Jose Daniel Santiago-Mendoza pleaded guilty to violating the Lacey Act for unlawfully transporting fish taken from the Gulf of America. Co-defendants Jesus David Luna-Martinez and Jesus Roberto Morales-Amador previously pleaded guilty to the same charge (16 U.S.C. § 3372(a)(1)). Miguel Angel Ramirez-Vidal is scheduled for trial to begin on July 14, 2025.

On April 17, 2025, the defendants attempted to transport and export roughly 315 kilograms of red snapper illegally taken from U.S. waters to sell in Mexico. Authorities observed the crew’s panga-style fishing vessel in the Gulf of America, seven miles north of the U.S.-Mexico maritime boundary line and 21 miles east of South Padre Island. The defendants’ fishing vessel was unmarked and unregistered. It was not flying the flag of any nation and operating without running lights. The defendants were using more than four thousand yards of heavy nylon fishing line and 1,200 fishing hooks. None of the crew members possessed a permit to fish in U.S. waters nor did any hold a quota for red snapper.

Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the South Padre Island Police Department conducted the joint investigation.

Illegally taken Red Snapper and Gear.

United States v. Angela Amponsa

No. 2:25-mj-01106 (District of New Jersey)
ECS Senior Trial Attorney RJ Powers
RCEC Jason Garelick

On June 10, 2025, Angela Amponsa pleaded guilty to violating the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. §§ 136j(a)(l)(A),136l(b)(l)(B)). Sentencing is scheduled for October 14, 2025.

Amponsa owned the New Jersey African Caribbean Market in Hamilton, New Jersey. On two separate occasions, she knowingly sold the pesticides Sniper DDVP and Spri Gone to an undercover Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) agent. These products are not EPA-registered.

Authorities executed a federal search warrant at the market and seized approximately 1,100 bottles of unregistered pesticides. When questioned by authorities, Amponsa admitted that she sold unregistered pesticides knowing they were illegal in the U.S.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation.

United States v. Shaylynn Kolwyck-Peterson

No. 4:25-CR-00699 (District of South Carolina)
ECS Senior Trial Attorney Patrick Duggan

On June 10, 2025, Shaylynn Kolwyck-Peterson pleaded guilty to a one-count information charging her with a felony Lacey Act false labeling violation (16 U.S.C. §§ 3372 (d)(2), 3373(d)(3)(A)). The charge stems from her sale of a chimpanzee to Doc Antle in South Carolina. Sentencing has not been scheduled.

Sunshine Zoological Preserve, LLC, is a private for-profit roadside zoo in North Florida owned and managed by the Kolwyck family. Sunshine Zoological is believed to be the only facility in the U.S. breeding chimpanzees for private/non-scientific purposes.

Shaylynn Kolwyck drove a newborn chimpanzee to Doc Antle in South Carolina, where Antle paid her $200,000. She then called Antle to offer another juvenile chimpanzee, and Antle paid her an additional $200,000 in cash for it.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service obtained paperwork for both sales, which falsely listed the sales as non-commercial intrastate “transfers” from Sunshine Zoological in Florida to Antle’s South Carolina facility.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement conducted the investigation.

United States v. Paul Jacob Elliott Sommers

No. 3:24-CR-01659 (Western District of Texas)
ECS Senior Trial Attorney Gary Donner
ECS Trial Attorney Leigh Rendé
ECS Law Clerk Amanda Backer

On June 10, 2025, Paul Jacob Elliott Sommers pleaded guilty to smuggling wildlife into the United States (18 U.S.C. § 545).

As part of an investigation into illegal wildlife trafficking from Mexico into the U.S., authorities uncovered Mexico-based reptile suppliers who trafficked wildlife to U.S. based-customers. Over a period of four years, Sommers purchased wildlife from Mexico and coordinated with others to capture and transport the animals across the El Paso border. Sommers then sold the animals to customers in the U.S.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement conducted the investigation.

United States v. Dumitru Cicai

No. 3:25-CR-02276 (Southern District of California)
AUSA Emily Allen

On June 10, 2025, Dumitru Cicai pleaded guilty to smuggling (18 U.S.C. § 545). Sentencing is scheduled for August 28, 2025.

On March 31, 2025, Cicai was caught smuggling 24 one-liter bottles of Taktic pesticide into the United States. As he drove into the United States at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, Cicai told the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) primary inspection officer that he had nothing to declare. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the primary officer discovered multiple pieces of natural wood branches in the vehicle’s trunk and large bottles concealed in black bags.

When questioned by the secondary CBP officer, Cicai said he only had wood to declare, nothing else. Upon closer inspection, officers found 24 bottles of pesticide labeled “Taktic.”

Taktic contains the active ingredient amitraz at an emulsifiable concentration of 12.5 percent. Under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations, amitraz in this form is a cancelled and unregistered pesticide in the United States.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.

United States v. Isidoro Chaparro Sanchez, et al.

No. 5:24-CR-00209 (Central District of California)
AUSA Corey Burleson
AUSA Dennis Mitchell

On June 16, 2025, Cirilo Esquivel Alcantar pleaded guilty to operating cockfighting events in San Bernardino County and sponsoring and exhibiting roosters in an animal fighting venture (7 U.S.C. § 2156(a)(1)). Alcantar, the fifth and final defendant to plead guilty in this case, is scheduled for sentencing on October 6, 2025.

Between May 2023 and July 2024, Alcantar, along with Luis Octavio Angulo, Sergio Jimenez Maldonado, Eva Anilu Pastor Uriostegui, and Isidoro Chaparro Sanchez organized and facilitated cockfighting events in Muscoy, California. The defendants held events on Sundays during the cockfighting “season.” Individuals brought roosters to fight, often drawing more than 100 spectators to each event.

Attendees paid $20 to park at a different location nearly one mile away from the event location. They were then shuttled to the cockfighting location, where they paid another fee – usually $40 – to enter the arena where the fights took place. Attendees could also place bets on the cockfights and participate in a raffle.

Cockfighters paid a fee to enter their roosters into fights ($1,000 for four roosters) with several fights scheduled for the day. Before the fights, a sharp blade, known as a “gaff,” was often attached to each rooster’s leg. At times, the fights ended in the death of one or both roosters.

Sanchez, Angulo, Uriostegui, and Maldanado pleaded guilty to conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 371). They are respectively scheduled for sentencing on August 18^th, August 25^th, September 9^th, and October 6, 2025.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation.

United States v. Erie Coke Corporation, et al.

No. 1:22-CR-00023 (Western District of Pennsylvania)
AUSA Nicole Vasquez Schmitt
AUSA Michael L. Ivory

On June 17, 2025, Erie Coke Corporation (ECC) pleaded guilty to conspiracy and to a Clean Air Act Title V (CAA) violation for knowingly emitting unburned or raw coke oven gas, a hazardous air pollutant, in violation of its permit (18 U.S.C. § 371; 42 U.S.C. § 7413(c)(1)). Sentencing is scheduled for October 7, 2025.

ECC owned a coke manufacturing plant in Erie, Pennsylvania. The facility was located along Lake Erie, adjacent to the inlet to Presque Isle Bay. A number of private residences, public facilities, and several schools were nearby.

Turning coal into coke generates a variety of pollutants, including volatile gases such as benzene, toluene, and xylene, as well as particulate matter. The facility operated under a CAA Title V permit issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This permit prohibited the company from emitting coke oven gas into the outdoor air without burning the gas first. The company also used a Continuous Opacity Monitor (COM) to measure its opacity levels, another way to monitor particulate matter emissions. Authorities required ECC to install the COM as part of a state enforcement action. The company previously violated its Title V permit and state air pollution laws, including exceeding opacity levels from the coke oven battery stack. As a result, ECC implemented additional remedial measures to reduce emissions to resolve an EPA civil enforcement action.

However, ECC and employees continued to violate the CAA by, among other things, removing caps on heating flues atop the coke oven batteries to allow combustion gases to vent directly into the air and bypassing the plant’s environmental monitoring system. ECC then submitted emissions monitoring data to regulators each quarter that underrepresented the number of emissions.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation.

United States v. Jerrod R. Farr, et al.

No. 4:24-CR-00061 (District of Idaho)
AUSA Justin Paskett

On June 23, 2025, Jerrod Farr pleaded guilty to violating the Lacey Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 3372(a)(1), 3373(d)(2)). Sentencing is scheduled for September 15, 2025. Co-defendant Michael T. Scott remains charged in a six- count indictment with violating the Lacey Act, providing false or fictitious information to a Forest Service officer, and conducting work activity without a special-use authorization (16 U.S.C. §§ 551, 3372(a)(1), 3373(d)(2)).

Farr owned and operated White Cloud Outfitters (WCO), a commercial outfitting and guiding business. Farr sold and facilitated Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep hunts in an area of the Salmon-Challis National Forest that is closed to commercial guiding. Working as a licensed guide for WCO, Scott illegally guided those hunts.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game conducted the investigation.

United States v. Matanuska Diesel, LLC, et al.

No. 3:23-CR-00109 (District of Alaska)
AUSA Jennifer Ivers
RCEC Karla Perrin

On June 30, 2025, Matanuska Diesel, LLC, and company owner Mackenzie Spurlock pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Air Act for removing air pollution control equipment and tampering with federally mandated monitoring devices on diesel vehicles (42 U.S.C. § 7413(c)(2)(C)).

Between July 2020 and June 2022, Matanuska Diesel and Spurlock removed air pollution control equipment and tampered with federally mandated monitoring devices on diesel vehicles. The process of removing emissions control systems and reprogramming a vehicle’s onboard diagnostic system is known as “deleting” and “tuning.” These unlawful modifications result in a significant increase in pollutants emitted by the vehicle. The defendants tampered with approximately nine trucks, charging between $1,200 and $5,000 per vehicle for those services.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation.

Sentencings

United States v. Brandon Baker, et al.

No. 1:24-CR-00005 (Middle District of Georgia)
ECS Senior Trial Attorney Ethan Eddy
ECS Trial Attorney Leigh Rende
AUSA Leah McEwen
ECS Law Clerk Amanda Backer

On June 4 and 5, 2025, a court sentenced Brandon Baker and Marvin Pulley, III. Baker will serve 20 months’ incarceration followed by two years of supervised release. Baker also will pay $13,307 in restitution. Pulley will serve 30 months’ incarceration and three years of supervised release. Pulley will pay $33,887 in restitution. They were the final defendants involved in this large-scale dog fighting event.

On April 24, 2022, the defendants held a dog fight in Donalsonville, Georgia, that authorities disrupted while in progress. The defendants brought 24 pit bull-type dogs to fight in a series of matches over that weekend.

The participants used their cars to store dogs who had fought, as well as those awaiting their turn in the fighting pit. Dogs found in cars bore recent injuries and scars. Additional dogs were kept on chains on the property. Law enforcement rescued 27 dogs, including a badly injured dog that later died from its injuries.

On May 13 and 14, 2025, the court imposed sentences ranging from probation to 100 months of incarceration on 11 co-defendants. All were ordered to pay restitution to the U.S. Marshall’s Service for the costs of caring for the seized animals.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General and the Seminole County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation, with assistance from the Bay County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office.

United States v. All Out Diesel, et al.

No. 4:24-CR-00626 (Eastern District of Missouri)
AUSA Dianna Edwards

On June 6, 2025, a court sentenced All Out Diesel, LLC, and company owner Joseph Easter, to pay a $100,000 fine. The company is jointly liable for the fine and will complete a three-year term of probation, while Easter will complete a five-year term of probation. Both pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Air Act (CAA) for illegally tampering with a federally mandated monitoring device (42 U.S.C. § 7413(c)(2)(C)).

Truck owners who have removed (or “deleted”) their vehicle’s factory-installed emission control devices need devices that carry electronic files/software coding (”tunes”) designed to override the vehicle’s original computer programming. All Out Diesel custom altered tunes and sold them throughout the United States. The defendants’ tunes enabled deleted trucks to operate without emission control devices.

The defendants knowingly falsified, tampered with, and rendered inaccurate at least 75 monitoring devices that were required to be maintained under the CAA.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation.

United States v. Fabcon Precast LLC

No. 2:25-CR-00020 (Southern District of Ohio)
ECS Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman

On June 9, 2025, a court sentenced Fabcon Precast LLC (“Fabcon”) to pay a $500,000 fine, complete a two-year term of probation and enact a Safety Compliance Plan. Fabcon pleaded guilty to willfully violating the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) causing the death of an employee (29 U.S.C. § 666(e)).

Fabcon operates several facilities in the United States, including one in Grove City, Ohio, that manufactures precast concrete panels. At Fabcon, employees known as batch operators were responsible for the operation and cleaning of the facility’s only concrete mixer. Concrete was discharged from the bottom of the mixer through a pneumatic door. By design, the mixer had an exhaust valve that released the pneumatic energy powering the discharge door, rendering it inoperable.

On the day of the incident, batch operator Zachary Ledbetter was on duty when the discharge door failed to close after releasing a batch of concrete. Some months before the incident, the handle that operated the exhaust valve broke off and was not replaced. Because the valve was broken, Ledbetter could not perform the proper procedure to make the door safe to work around. When he attempted to free the door it closed on his head, trapping him. Ledbetter was transported to a hospital where he died five days later.

The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation.

United States v. Jose Manuel Valenzuela

No. 3:24-CR-01037 (Southern District of California)
ECS Assistant Chief Stephen Da Ponte
AUSA Laura Sambataro

On June 10, 2025, a court sentenced Jose Manuel Valenzuela to complete a three-year term of probation and pay $7,399 in restitution. Valenzuela pleaded guilty to intentionally failing to present refrigerant tanks for inspection (19 U.S.C. §§ 1433, 1436).

On April 22, 2024, Valenzuela, an HVAC technician, attempted to enter the United States from Mexico without declaring four 24-pound tanks of 404A refrigerant (hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants) that were in his vehicle.

Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation.

United States v. Bhagavan “Doc” Antle, et al.

No. 4:22-CR-00580 (District of South Carolina)
ECS Senior Trial Attorney Patrick Duggan
AUSA Derek A. Shoemake
AUSA Amy Bower
ECS Paralegal Jillian Grubb

On June 10, 2025, a court sentenced Andrew Sawyer to complete a two-year term of probation to include 240 days of home confinement. Sawyer will also forfeit a chimpanzee to the Center for Great Apes, located in Wauchula, Florida. Jason Clay was sentenced to serve four months incarceration, followed by 120 days of home confinement and one year of supervised release. Clay will pay a $4,000 fine into the Lacey Act Reward Fund. On July 8, 2025, Bhagavan “Doc” Antle was sentenced to 12 months in prison and ordered to pay a $55,000 fine, serve three years of supervised release, and forfeit three chimpanzees and more than $197,000.

Antle owned and operated The Institute for Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S.), also known as the Myrtle Beach Safari. The Myrtle Beach Safari is a 50-acre tropical wildlife preserve in Myrtle Beach. Sawyer worked with Antle, and Clay owned and operated the Franklin Drive Thru Safari, a for-profit corporation that also housed captive exotic species and sold tours.

Antle and Clay illegally trafficked in wildlife (including lemurs, cheetahs, and a chimpanzee) and falsified records in violation of the Endangered Species Act and the Lacey Act. Additionally, Antle and Sawyer laundered more than $500,000 in cash derived from an operation to smuggle illegal immigrants across the Mexican border into the United States. Antle further planned to conceal the cash he received by inflating tourist numbers at the Myrtle Beach Safari. All three pleaded guilty to conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 371).

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement conducted the investigation.

United States v. Hollis G. Hale, et al.

Nos. 4:25-CR-00018, 4:24-CR-00006 (District of Montana)
ECS Senior Trial Attorney Patrick Duggan
ECS Trial Attorney Sarah Brown
AUSA Jeff Starnes

On June 11, 2025, a court sentenced Hollis G. Hale to pay a $35,000 fine, complete a four-year term of probation, and perform 100 hours of community service. Hale pleaded guilty to violating the Lacey Act and the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 1538(a)(1)(G), 3372(d)(2), 3373(d)(3)(B)). Hale conspired with Jack Schubarth to create giant hybrid sheep for captive hunting. Schubarth smuggled Marco Polo argali sheep parts from Kyrgyzstan into the United States. This protected species of sheep, native to high elevations in the Pamir region of Central Asia, is considered the largest in the world.

Hale facilitated the purchase and interstate transport of twelve hybrid Marco Polo Argali sheep from Schubarth and falsely identified 43 species of sheep on a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. Hale falsified these documents, knowing these sheep are prohibited in Montana. Schubarth was sentenced in September 2024 to six months’ incarceration, followed by three years’ supervised release.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement and the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks conducted the investigation.

View All Environmental Crimes Bulletins

MIL Security OSI –

July 15, 2025

MIL-OSI Submissions: ABC’s and CBS’s settlements with Trump are a dangerous step toward the commander in chief becoming the editor-in-chief

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Michael J. Socolow, Professor of Communication and Journalism, University of Maine

Will settlements by news companies with President Donald Trump turn journalists into puppets? MARHARYTA MARKO/iStock Getty Images Plus

It was a surrender widely foreseen. For months, rumors abounded that Paramount would eventually settle the seemingly frivolous lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump concerning editorial decisions in the production of a CBS interview with Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in 2024.

On July 2, 2025, those rumors proved true: The settlement between Paramount and Trump’s legal team resulted in CBS’s parent company agreeing to pay $16 million to the future Donald Trump Library – the $16 million included Trump’s legal fees – in exchange for ending the lawsuit. Despite the opinion of many media law scholars and practicing attorneys who considered the lawsuit meritless, Shari Redstone, the largest shareholder of Paramount, yielded to Trump.

Redstone had been trying to sell Paramount to Skydance Media since July 2024, but the transaction was delayed by issues involving government approval.

Specifically, when the Trump administration assumed power in January 2025, the new Federal Communications Commission had no legal obligation to facilitate, without scrutiny, the transfer of the CBS network’s broadcast licenses for its owned-and-operated TV stations to new ownership.

The FCC, under newly installed Republican Chairman Brendan Carr, was fully aware of the issues in the legal conflict between Trump and CBS at the time Paramount needed FCC approval for the license transfers. Without a settlement, the Paramount-Skydance deal remained in jeopardy.

Until it wasn’t.

At that point, Paramount joined Disney in implicitly apologizing for journalism produced by their TV news divisions.

Earlier in 2025, Disney had settled a different Trump lawsuit with ABC News in exchange for a $15 million donation to the future Trump Library. That lawsuit involved a dispute over the wording of the actions for which Trump was found liable in a civil lawsuit brought by E. Jean Carroll.

GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump said the CBS interview with Democratic nominee Kamala Harris was ‘fraudulent interference with an election.’

It’s not certain what the ABC and CBS settlements portend, but many are predicting they will produce a “chilling effect” within the network news divisions. Such an outcome would arise from fear of new litigation, and it would install a form of internal self-censorship that would influence network journalists when deciding whether the pursuit of investigative stories involving the Trump administration would be worth the risk.

Trump has apparently succeeded where earlier presidents failed.

Presidential pressure

From Jimmy Carter trying to get CBS anchor Walter Cronkite to stop ending his evening newscasts with the number of days American hostages were being held in Iran to Richard Nixon’s administration threatening the broadcast licenses of The Washington Post’s TV stations to weaken Watergate reporting, previous presidents sought to apply editorial pressure on broadcast journalists.

But in the cases of Carter and Nixon, it didn’t work. The broadcast networks’ focus on both Watergate and the Iran hostage crisis remained unrelenting.

Nor were Nixon and Carter the first presidents seeking to influence, and possibly control, network news.

President Lyndon Johnson, who owned local TV and radio stations in Austin, Texas, regularly complained to his old friend, CBS President Frank Stanton, about what he perceived as biased TV coverage. Johnson was so furious with the CBS and NBC reporting from Vietnam, he once argued that their newscasts seemed “controlled by the Vietcong.”

Yet none of these earlier presidents won millions from the corporations that aired ethical news reporting in the public interest.

Before Trump, these conflicts mostly occurred backstage and informally, allowing the broadcasters to sidestep the damage to their credibility should any surrender to White House administrations be made public. In a “Reporter’s Notebook” on the CBS Evening News the night of the Trump settlement, anchor John Dickerson summarized the new dilemma succinctly: “Can you hold power to account when you’ve paid it millions? Can an audience trust you when it thinks you’ve traded away that trust?”

“The audience will decide that,” Dickerson continued, concluding: “Our job is to show up to honor what we witness on behalf of the people we witness it for.”

During the Iran hostage crisis, CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite ended every broadcast with the number of days the hostages had been held captive.

Holding power to account

There’s an adage in TV news: “You’re only as good as your last show.”

Soon, SkyDance Media will assume control over the Paramount properties, and the new CBS will be on the airwaves.

When the licenses for KCBS in Los Angeles, WCBS in New York and the other CBS-owned-and-operated stations are transferred, we’ll learn the long-term legacy of corporate capitulation. But for now, it remains too early to judge tomorrow’s newscasts.

As a scholar of broadcast journalism and a former broadcast journalist, I recommend evaluating programs like “60 Minutes” and the “CBS Evening News” on the record they will compile over the next three years – and the record they compiled over the past 50. The same goes for “ABC World News Tonight” and other ABC News programs.

A major complicating factor for the Paramount-Skydance deal was the fact that “60 Minutes” has, over the past six months, broken major scoops embarrassing to the Trump administration, which led to additional scrutiny by its corporate ownership. Judged by its reporting in the first half of 2025, “60 Minutes” has upheld its record of critical and independent reporting in the public interest.

If audience members want to see ethical, independent and professional broadcast journalism that holds power to account, then it’s the audience’s responsibility to tune it in. The only way to learn the consequences of these settlements is by watching future programming rather than dismissing it beforehand.

The journalists working at ABC News and CBS News understand the legacy of their organizations, and they are also aware of how their owners have cast suspicion on the news divisions’ professionalism and credibility. As Dickerson asserted, they plan to “show up” regardless of the stain, and I’d bet they’re more motivated to redeem their reputations than we expect.

I don’t think reporters, editors and producers plan to let Donald Trump become their editor-in-chief over the next three years. But we’ll only know by watching.

Michael Socolow’s father, Sanford Socolow, worked for CBS News from 1956 to 1988.

– ref. ABC’s and CBS’s settlements with Trump are a dangerous step toward the commander in chief becoming the editor-in-chief – https://theconversation.com/abcs-and-cbss-settlements-with-trump-are-a-dangerous-step-toward-the-commander-in-chief-becoming-the-editor-in-chief-261006

MIL OSI –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: World News in Brief: Inter-ethnic violence in Syria, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, global information security

Source: United Nations 2

The violence erupted two days after a Druze merchant was abducted on the highway to Damascus.

The incident marks the latest episode of sectarian bloodshed in Syria, where fears among minority groups have surged since Islamist rebels toppled former dictator Bashar al-Assad in December and installed a new caretaker Government, which is gaining increasing international recognition.

Those targeted include the Druze sect, an offshoot of Shia Islam.

UN voices ‘deep concern’

On Monday, UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, Najat Rochdi, expressed “deep concern” over these reports and urged authorities and stakeholders to “take immediate steps to protect civilians, restore calm and prevent incitement.”

She also underscored the need for inclusion, trust-building and meaningful dialogue to advance a credible and inclusive political transition in Syria.

UN human rights chief says ‘wisdom’ of Indigenous Peoples needed in climate change, digital policy upgrades

The UN human rights chief spoke at a high-level political forum on the rights of Indigenous Peoples on Monday.

Underscoring how crucial such forums are to advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples, Volker Türk highlighted developments in Colombia, Finland and Guatemala that have given them more self-determination.

But despite these advances, violations against Indigenous Peoples’ rights continue.

Many still lack formal land recognition, while mining activity, deforestation and large-scale agricultural development often cause environmental destruction.

Indigenous Peoples also experience immense discrimination and face the brunt of climate chaos, Mr. Türk stressed.

Toll on activists

Furthermore, data from the human rights office reveals that 26 per cent of rights activists killed in 2023 and 2024 were Indigenous, largely in the Americas.

Additionally, states are using AI in ways that harm Indigenous Peoples through surveillance, data exploitation and exclusion from decision-making. Türk thus called for human rights-based approaches that uphold Indigenous data sovereignty and self-determination.

The High Commissioner also called for future policies on climate, digital technologies and other areas to “reflect the wisdom and experience of Indigenous Peoples.”

“This is not only essential to respect and fulfil the human rights of Indigenous Peoples,” he concluded. “There is growing recognition that the ideas and approaches of Indigenous Peoples hold important lessons for all of us.”

Guterres welcomes step forward in securing digital technology worldwide

The UN chief Antonio Guterres on Monday, welcomed the adoption by consensus of the UN Open Ended Working Group on Information and Communication Technologies.

It was established in 2020 with a five-year mandate to promote regular institutional dialogue and initiatives focused on keeping digital technologies safe and secure.

The Secretary-General welcomed the Final Report of 10 July, which summed up the past five years of negotiations, said a statement issued by his Spokesperson.

It reflects shared views on current and emerging threats, responsible government policies, international law, norms and efforts such as confidence-building and capacity development.

Call for cooperation

It also establishes a permanent mechanism to continue discussions about responsible State behaviour in the use of information and communications technologies, which the Secretary General particularly appreciated.

“The Secretary-General now calls upon all States to work together through the Global Mechanism to tackle digital risks and ensure these technologies are leveraged for good,” the statement said.

The Secretary General congratulated the group on its accomplishments, saying the consensus adoption “demonstrates that even in the most challenging international security environment, collective action is still possible.”

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Security Council renews UN’s Haiti mission amid spiralling crises

Source: United Nations 2

By adopting resolution 2785, the Council renewed the authorization of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), reaffirming support for a Haitian-led solution to the island nation’s overlapping crises.

The decision comes as armed gangs maintain their grip on most of the capital, Port-au-Prince, with over 1.3 million people displaced and more than 4,000 killed in the first half of 2025 alone, according to UN figures.

Conditions have deteriorated dramatically amid growing food insecurity and the erosion of public institutions. Of particular concern is the safety of women and girls, with a sharp rise in reports of sexual violence since the start of the year – including rape, gang rape, and sexual enslavement.

Time is running out

The Security Council also “expressed its intention to consider, without delay” the recommendations by the Secretary-General on possible future roles for the UN in sustaining security and stability in Haiti.

In February, António Guterres presented the Council with a range of options.

“Each new wave of criminal attacks against the communities and institutions of Haiti is a distressing sign that time is running out,” the UN chief said in a letter.

He urged Member States to support the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which the Council authorized in October 2023 to assist Haiti’s national police in tackling gang violence and restoring order. He also emphasized that international efforts to improve security must be matched by national progress toward resolving the political crisis.

Several Council members voiced willingness to engage on the Secretary-General’s proposals. The Chinese representative, for instance, said Beijing was open to working with others to chart a constructive way forward.

“With regard to how to improve the situation in Haiti, including how to respond to the Secretary-General’s recommendations, we are ready to have candid communication with all parties, explore viable solutions and seek the broadest possible consensus,” said Geng Shuang, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the UN.

UN Photo/Mark Garten

Security Council adopts resolution extending the mandate of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) during the meeting on the question concerning Haiti.

Mission critical

The Council’s action was welcomed by Haiti’s Ambassador, who underscored the political and security stakes ahead of a critical 2026 transition timeline.

“This extension should help Haitian authorities undertake a real, genuine political dialogue, to strengthen good governance, bolster security and bring about justice and promote human rights,” said Pierre Ericq Pierre, Permanent Representative to the UN.

He also expressed his Government’s expectation that the UN mission will support implementation of the national roadmap, including constitutional reforms and elections.

Emphasizing national ownership, he added: “BINUH must work as part of a holistic plan to support Haitian authorities in confronting the grave crisis shaking the country to its core.”

The United States, which led negotiations on the resolution alongside Panama, stressed the urgency of political progress and called on international partners to increase support.

“Less than one year remains on the Transitional Presidential Council’s planned roadmap for the restoration of democratic institutions,” said Ambassador Dorothy Shea, acting representative.

“Supporting the security of elections and the participation of all sectors of society is key to sustainable political progress in Haiti. Without BINUH, realizing the vision of a stronger, more resilient society would be less likely.”

New mission leadership

Council members also welcomed Carlos G. Ruiz Massieu, appointed as the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of BINUH, succeeding María Isabel Salvador.

Mr. Ruiz Massieu, who currently leads the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, brings decades of diplomatic and political experience, including in peace negotiations and institution-building.

The UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) – a special political mission – was established in 2019 to advise and support Haitian authorities on political dialogue, justice, human rights and governance.

It succeeded a series of UN peacekeeping and political missions on the island, dating back to 1993, including the large-scale MINUSTAH operation, which wrapped up in 2017 after 13 years.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: July 14th, 2025 Heinrich Announces Committee Passage of Over $12.5 Million for New Mexico
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

Investments Heinrich championed fully fund SNAP & WIC, increase funding for the Southwest Border Commission, support Tribes & farmers, provide rental assistance, & more

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced the bipartisan Senate Appropriations Committee passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies Bill. With Committee approval of this bill, Heinrich secured support for over $12.5 million for New Mexico, including over $7.73 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for eight local projects between this bill and its House-companion bill.

“This Appropriations bill isn’t perfect but after tough negotiations and bipartisan compromise, I was able to get the best deal for New Mexico and advocate for federal resources that deliver for working families,” said Heinrich, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “This legislation will provide rental assistance for working families, expand economic opportunities in Tribal and border communities, assist American farmers produce healthy food, and fully fund SNAP, WIC, and the School Lunch program to keep healthy food on the table and push back against Trump’s cuts to these vital nutrition programs. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will always fight for investments that put New Mexico families first, strengthen our middle class, and grow our economy.”

As Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee, Heinrich also announced the bipartisan Senate Appropriations Committee passage of the Legislative Branch FY26 Appropriations Bill.

Next, the two bills passed out of the Appropriations Committee will be considered by the full United States Senate.

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies Key Points and Highlights

Congressionally Directed Spending

Heinrich successfully included $3.63 million in investments for the following 6 local projects in the bill:
- $1,575,000 for HELP New Mexico, Inc. to renovate classroom spaces to expand early childhood services in Luna County.
- $750,000 for the Truchas Volunteer Fire Department to purchase and equip a new fire pump apparatus.
- $467,000 for the New Mexico State University to conduct research using low power electricity to manage weeds in perennial crops.
- $375,000 for the Village of Questa to purchase and fully equip a wildland fire engine.
- $275,000 for Conservation Legacy to renovate and repair a Zuni Pueblo building for the Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps’ permanent location and as a community resource.
- $193,000 for the Gila Regional Medical Center to upgrade and replace aging and failing hospital utility systems.
Heinrich and U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) successfully included $2.1 million for the following 2 projects:
- $1,100,000 for Rio Arriba County to purchase radios and repeater towers for Rio Arriba County Volunteer Fire Departments to facilitate communications when firefighters are on duty.
- $1,000,000 for the Pueblo of Isleta Department of Education to construct the Isleta Learning Center.
Heinrich also successfully worked with his colleagues in the N.M. Delegation to include $2 million for the following 2 projects in the House-companion bill:
- $1,000,000 for the Town of Mesilla to plan, design, and construct phase 3 of a town hall complex, which will include public safety facilities, a board room, and the historic Mesilla Museum.
- $1,000,000 for San Juan County to purchase a new ladder truck.
Nutrition Assistance
- WIC: The bill fully funds the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which serves nearly 7 million women and children nationwide, including nearly 45,000 in New Mexico — by providing $8.2 billion for the program, a $603 million increase over Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). This increase will ensure that all eligible participants can continue to rely on the essential nutrition assistance and support provided by WIC. The bill also continues full funding for additional fruit and vegetable benefits.
- SNAP: The bill fully funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to serve an estimated 42 million people per month, including nearly 500,000 New Mexicans — and does not include restrictive new policy riders. While fully funding SNAP is critically important, this does not reverse the cuts to SNAP included in Trump and Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill that will result in thousands of New Mexicans losing critical food assistance and put hundreds of millions of dollars worth of new unfunded mandates on the state of New Mexico.
- Child Nutrition: The bill fully funds Child Nutrition Programs — like the School Lunch program, school breakfast program, and Summer EBT program — to ensure schools can continue to serve healthy meals to all eligible children. In 2026, this funding will help serve an estimated 5 billion lunches and 2.7 billion breakfasts to kids across the country.
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program – The bill rejects the Trump Administration’s budget proposal to eliminate this program’s funding and provides $425 million so that the program can continue to provide supplemental food to low-income Senior citizens.
Rental Assistance: The bill provides $1.715 billion for rental assistance — an increase of $73 million over FY25 — to help ensure Americans living in rural areas have access to safe and affordable housing. The bill also includes $1 billion in Single Family Direct Loans to help more low-income families and first-time home buyers get mortgages.

Economic Development: The bill includes a $2.5 million investment in the Southwest Border Commission (SBRC), a $500,000 increase over FY25, which supports economic and community development in southern New Mexico. Heinrich successfully secured the first-ever congressional investments to finally allow the SBRC to jump-start and expand its operations. The SBRC is one of eight authorized federal regional commissions and authorities.

Tribal Communities: The bill provides $235 million for the Food Distribution on Indian Reservation Program (FDPIR) and $3 million for a FDPIR pilot program that allows Tribes participating in FDPIR to purchase traditional food from small Tribal producers.

The bill also provides $700,000 for processing and federal inspection of Tribal bison, which will help support Tribal food sovereignty by enabling Tribes to include bison raised on their own lands to be included in federal nutrition programs like school meals.

Additionally, bill provides $5.1 million for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Office of Tribal Relations, which is responsible for government-to-government relations between USDA and Tribal governments.

Conservation and Wildlife: Heinrich successfully fought for the inclusion of a modified version of his USDA Staff and Field Offices Preservation amendment. This amendment would require the USDA to notify and seek approval from the Senate and House Appropriations Committee to close Natural Resources Conservation Service or Rural Development field offices or to permanently relocate any field-based employees of those agencies that would result in an office with 2 or fewer employees.

The bill rejects the Administration’s senseless proposal to eliminate all discretionary funding for Conservation Technical Assistance, which is the bedrock of Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) mission and a vital tool for farmers and ranchers. Instead, the bill provides $949 million, a $37.7 million increase over FY25, for conservation programs, including $52 million for NRCS Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations and$10 million for the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative.

The bill further provides $5 million to support non-lethal strategies to reduce wildlife-livestock conflict and includes direction to expand the Migratory Big Game and Working Lands for Wildlife Initiatives, a long-time Heinrich priority. Finally, the bill includes $22.5 million in funding for research and management of Chronic Wasting Disease, which funds the program created by Heinrich’s Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act, passed into law in 2023.

Agriculture Research: This bill fully funds agriculture research and provides a $81 million increase over FY25 for the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). Additionally, the bill continues to support Climate Hubs and the Long-term Agroecosystems Research (LTAR) Network, including the Climate Hub and LTAR collaboration between the New Mexico State University (NMSU) and the ARS Experimental Station in Las Cruces. This bill also includes funding for important research in Agrivoltaics being conducted by ARS in collaboration with NMSU.

Small Farms and Local Food Systems: The bill includes $6 million for the Office of Urban Agriculture, which is focused on providing technical assistance and risk management tools to urban and innovative forms of food production in New Mexico. Albuquerque is home to one of the USDA’s Urban Service Centers. The bill also includes $20 million for the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), which supports the development, coordination, and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer marketing; local and regional food markets and enterprises; and value-added agricultural products.

Food Safety: The bill provides $1.226 billion for the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), an increase of $12 million over FY25. This funding will help ensure FSIS can continue its vital work protecting America’s food supply without being forced to reduce its staffing levels, which would jeopardize food safety and exacerbate supply chain delays. The bill includes $399 million for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, including $65 million for addressing the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak.

Promoting Competition: The bill provides nearly $33 million for enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act to promote competition and prevent unfair or deceptive practices and monopolies. The bill further provides an additional $2 million in funding for a pilot Bison Production and Marketing Grant Program within the Agriculture Marketing Service to expand markets for private and Tribal bison producers, following Heinrich’s creation of this program in the FY24 Agriculture Appropriations Bill.

International Food Aid: The bill provides $1.5 billion for the Food for Peace Program and $240 million for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. This funding is necessary to save lives around the world and reduce conflict.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA): The bill provides $7.015 billion in total funding for the FDA, which includes $3.535 billion in discretionary funding — a $10 million increase over FY25 — rejecting the president’s budget request, which sought to slash the FDA’s discretionary funding by over $400 million in FY26. The bill provides $2.4 billion for the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, $625 million for the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, and $77 million for the National Center for Toxicological Research. The bill also provides $689 million for the Center for Tobacco Products for activities — including inspections, investigations, and federal task force coordination — related to the presence of unauthorized, illicit e-cigarettes.

Additionally, Heinrich filed the following amendments to amend the Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill:
1. USDA Staff and Field Offices Preservation: This amendment would prohibit the closing of the Natural Resource Conservation, Farm Service Agency, and Rural Development field offices and relocation of staff. This amendment was adopted as part of the Manager’s Package.
1. Local Food and School Food Purchasing Assistance: This amendment would reestablish the Local Food for Schools and Child Care Cooperative Agreement (LFSCC) and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement program (LFPA), which were created in 2022 to supply local and regionally produced foods to schools, childcare facilities, and food banks with a priority for working with underserved producers and small farms. Unfortunately, this amendment was not adopted.
1. Funding All Obligated and Awarded Projects: This amendment would prevent the USDA Secretary from spending any appropriated funding until the Secretary unfreezes funding for all previous awards and contracts for farmers and organizations assisting farmers. Unfortunately, this amendment was not adopted.
1. Re-affirming science-based medical product approvals: This amendment re-affirms the FDA’s authority to approve drugs based solely on its safety and efficacy through scientific evaluation of the medical product and not on political bases. Unfortunately, this amendment was not adopted.
Legislative Branch Key Points and Highlights

As Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee, Heinrich successfully negotiated the bipartisan FY26 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill, which provides $7,125,000,000 to support essential legislative operations and oversight activities, including the U.S. Senate, Capitol Police, Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service, Congressional Budget Office, Architect of the Capitol, and other key legislative agencies. It preserves robust funding for the Government Accountability Office, which is crucial for protecting taxpayer dollars, promoting government efficiency, and providing rigorous, nonpartisan oversight that builds public trust.

Additionally, the bill strengthens Congress’s capacity to serve constituents, supports the recruitment and retention of Capitol Police officers, and invests in the nonpartisan institutions that deliver critical analysis, transparency, and accountability. Finally, in this polarized environment, the bill provides funding to bolster the safety of Senators, Representatives, staff, and visitors to the Capitol Complex.

“While the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill is the smallest in terms of overall funding, it is one of the most important, because it upholds Congress’s role as a coequal branch of government. At a time when maintaining checks and balances is more important than ever, this bill ensures that Congress can effectively serve the American people and hold the executive branch accountable,”said Heinrich, Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee.
MIL OSI USA News –
July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Murray, Durbin, Kelly, Padilla, Senate Democrats Press Trump Administration on Weaponizing Immigrant Court Hearings to Trap, Arrest, Deport Migrants

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

KUOW: ICE agents at Seattle courthouse arrest people whose deportation hearings are dismissed

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and a group of 20 Senate Democrats in pressing the Trump administration on its recent initiatives to weaponize immigration court hearings as an inhumane trap to arrest immigrants who are just trying to follow the law by terminating their immigration court cases and deporting them without adequate due process.

In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons, the senators condemned these actions as an affront to due process.

The senators began by expressing concern over recent reporting of the Trump administration’s inhumane initiatives, writing: “We are extremely concerned by reports of a recent initiative to arrest and detain noncitizens at their immigration court hearings, and in many cases, dismiss their immigration cases without advance notice and while hiding the government’s intent to arrest them … These actions prevent noncitizens from having their fair day in court and raise serious legal and due process concerns. They also make clear that this Administration is not targeting the worst criminals and threats to public safety, instead redirecting staff and resources away from drug trafficking and human trafficking and towards these operations targeting noncriminal immigrants who are following the law and showing up for their day in court.”

The senators then admonished the misuse of expedited removal (ER) as part of the Trump administration’s efforts, writing: “ER historically has applied only to a noncitizen who ‘is arriving in the United States’ and certain other noncitizens apprehended close to the border less than 14 days after arrival in the United States … ICE is now expanding the application of ER to noncitizens in the interior of the United States who have developed significant ties to the United States, including by lawfully working and attending school. Arresting law-abiding individuals and placing them in ER deprives them of the opportunity to have their fair day in court with the due process protections in immigration court proceedings.”

The senators then underscored the insincerity and misleading nature of ICE’s intentions outside these hearings, writing: “Nevertheless, we understand that ICE attorneys have been instructed to look for immigration court cases that can be dismissed and then orally request, without prior notice, that removal proceedings be dismissed or the Notice to Appear be withdrawn. ICE often did not inform immigration judges or the noncitizens that the purpose of their request was not relief from removal, but instead that ICE intended to arrest and place the individual in fast-track removal without a hearing … Because noncitizens did not understand the purpose of their dismissal, they did not, through counsel or otherwise, have an opportunity to take steps to oppose the ICE attorneys’ motions to terminate or withdraw.”

The senators then raised serious due process concerns, citing recent Supreme Court arguments, writing: “The U.S. Supreme Court recently stated, ‘[w]e have long held that no person shall be removed from the United States without opportunity, at some time, to be heard. Due process requires notice that is reasonably calculated, under all the circumstances, to apprise interested parties and that affords[s] a reasonable time …to make an appearance.’ Here, it appears that the ICE attorneys are being told to dismiss immigration cases and place noncitizens in expedited removal. At the same time, immigration judges are being told that they may dismiss such cases without any briefing or opportunity to respond. In addition, often noncitizens have not been notified of the purpose of their dismissal, in order to respond or contest the dismissal of their immigration cases, or the placement of their case into expedited removal. Taken together, these actions raise serious due process concerns.”

The senators concluded by articulating the horrible situation this puts immigrants in with no benefit to our country, before making a series of information requests, writing: “These actions also place noncitizens in an impossible position. If noncitizens who fear arrest do not attend their immigration court hearing, they may receive an in absentia removal order that will newly subject them to swift detention and removal. If they do attend, they risk arrest, detention, and a swift deportation, possibly to South Sudan, Libya, or El Salvador—countries they may have no connection to. This manipulation of existing laws to enact this Administration’s mass deportation agenda is creating chaos in our immigration system while doing nothing to make our communities safer.”

In addition to Murray, Durbin, Kelly, and Padilla, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

For a PDF version of the letter, click HERE.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Kelly, Padilla, Senate Democrats Press Trump Administration on Weaponizing Immigration Court Hearings to Trap, Arrest, Deport Immigrants

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

July 11, 2025

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) led a group of 21 Senate Democrats in pressing the Trump Administration on its recent initiatives to weaponize immigration court hearings as an inhumane trap to arrest immigrants who are just trying to follow the law by terminating their immigration court cases and deporting them without adequate due process.

In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons, the Senators condemned these actions as an affront to due process.

The Senators began by expressing concern over recent reporting of the Trump Administration’s inhumane initiatives, writing: “We are extremely concerned by reports of a recent initiative to arrest and detain noncitizens at their immigration court hearings, and in many cases, dismiss their immigration cases without advance notice and while hiding the government’s intent to arrest them … These actions prevent noncitizens from having their fair day in court and raise serious legal and due process concerns. They also make clear that this Administration is not targeting the worst criminals and threats to public safety, instead redirecting staff and resources away from drug trafficking and human trafficking and towards these operations targeting noncriminal immigrants who are following the law and showing up for their day in court.”

The Senators then admonished the misuse of expedited removal (ER) as part of the Trump Administration’s efforts, writing: “ER historically has applied only to a noncitizen who ‘is arriving in the United States’ and certain other noncitizens apprehended close to the border less than 14 days after arrival in the United States … ICE is now expanding the application of ER to noncitizens in the interior of the United States who have developed significant ties to the United States, including by lawfully working and attending school. Arresting law-abiding individuals and placing them in ER deprives them of the opportunity to have their fair day in court with the due process protections in immigration court proceedings.”

The Senators then underscored the insincerity and misleading nature of ICE’s intentions outside these hearings, writing: “Nevertheless, we understand that ICE attorneys have been instructed to look for immigration court cases that can be dismissed and then orally request, without prior notice, that removal proceedings be dismissed or the Notice to Appear be withdrawn. ICE often did not inform immigration judges or the noncitizens that the purpose of their request was not relief from removal, but instead that ICE intended to arrest and place the individual in fast-track removal without a hearing … Because noncitizens did not understand the purpose of their dismissal, they did not, through counsel or otherwise, have an opportunity to take steps to oppose the ICE attorneys’ motions to terminate or withdraw.”

The Senators then raised serious due process concerns, citing recent Supreme Court arguments, writing: “The U.S. Supreme Court recently stated, ‘[w]e have long held that no person shall be removed from the United States without opportunity, at some time, to be heard. Due process requires notice that is reasonably calculated, under all the circumstances, to apprise interested parties and that affords[s] a reasonable time …to make an appearance.’ Here, it appears that the ICE attorneys are being told to dismiss immigration cases and place noncitizens in expedited removal. At the same time, immigration judges are being told that they may dismiss such cases without any briefing or opportunity to respond. In addition, often noncitizens have not been notified of the purpose of their dismissal, in order to respond or contest the dismissal of their immigration cases, or the placement of their case into expedited removal. Taken together, these actions raise serious due process concerns.”

The Senators concluded by articulating the horrible situation this puts immigrants in with no benefit to our country, before making a series of information requests, writing: “These actions also place noncitizens in an impossible position. If noncitizens who fear arrest do not attend their immigration court hearing, they may receive an in absentia removal order that will newly subject them to swift detention and removal. If they do attend, they risk arrest, detention, and a swift deportation, possibly to South Sudan, Libya, or El Salvador—countries they may have no connection to. This manipulation of existing laws to enact this Administration’s mass deportation agenda is creating chaos in our immigration system while doing nothing to make our communities safer.”

In addition to Durbin, Kelly, and Padilla, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

For a PDF version of the letter, click here.

-30-

MIL OSI USA News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: Sea Breeze 25-2 Concludes Showcasing Unified Mine Warfare Capabilities off UK Coast

Source: United States Navy

PORTLAND PORT, England – Exercise Sea Breeze 25-2 officially concluded following two weeks of multinational mine countermeasure operations in the waters off the United Kingdom’s southern coast July 11, 2025.

Exercise Sea Breeze 25-2 officially concluded following two weeks of multinational mine countermeasure operations in the waters off the United Kingdom’s southern coast July 11, 2025. Naval forces from 14 nations, including NATO allies and partners, demonstrated coordination and enhanced interoperability in a dynamic maritime environment.

From June 30 to July 11, participating forces from Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Greece, Latvia, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States conducted joint mine hunting operations, dive and salvage missions, explosive ordnance disposal, and the deployment of cutting-edge robotic and autonomous systems (RAS).

The culminating demonstration showcased a unified application of these capabilities, reinforcing the collective strength and cohesion of participating nations in high-intensity, multi-domain scenarios.

“The U.S. Navy’s mission is to keep the seas open. Mines restrict that. Our MCM force is small, so we rely heavily on partners and allies. These exercises ensure we can interoperate and conduct mine countermeasure operations together,” said Capt. William Williams, the commodore of Mine Countermeasures Group 6.

At the center of the exercise was a fully integrated, combined headquarters that executed advanced staff planning, targeting operations, and command-and-control across a coalition force. The inclusion of RAS, electronic warfare integration, and real-time situational awareness significantly expanded the participating nations’ capacity to operate across domains.

This year, Exercise Sea Breeze 2025 occurred in two iterations, Sea Breeze 25-1 and 25-2. The first iteration, Sea Breeze 25-1, was hosted by the Romanian Armed Forces at Smardan Range, Romania, June 1-20, 2025.

Since 1997, Exercise Sea Breeze has brought together Black Sea nations, NATO Allies and partners together to train and operate with NATO members in the pursuit of building increased capabilities. Exercise Sea Breeze 2025 is an annual multinational maritime exercise, involving sea, land, and air components co-hosted by the United States and Ukraine to enhance interoperability and capability among participating forces.

Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allies, international partners, and other U.S. government departments and agencies to advance U.S. national interests, security, and stability in Europe and Africa.

MIL Security OSI –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Deputy Secretary-General’s remarks at the opening of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2025 [as prepared for delivery]

Source: United Nations secretary general

In 2015, the world made a landmark commitment to achieve sustainable development and ensure that no one is left behind.

The 2030 Agenda built on previous decades of development efforts and carried forward the vision and lessons of the Millenium Development Goals.

It framed the Sustainable Development Goals around a paradigm shift that integrates the three core dimensions of sustainable development — economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability — and underscored the vital role of effective governance and strong institutions.

It carried a promise to everyone, everywhere, to live in dignity, on a safe and healthy planet.

Today, a decade later, we meet again as the world grapples with conflicts and deepening geopolitical tensions.

The fabric of multilateralism is fading, and the SDGs seem out of reach. Hard-won development gains are at serious risk, as a multitude of challenges, exacerbated by the chronic shortfall in adequate financing.

Alarmingly, half of the world’s poorest countries have yet to return to their pre-pandemic income levels.

Inequalities have amplified.

Trade tensions are escalating.

The climate crisis is worsening.

Democracy is under threat.

And the debt crisis continues to tighten its grip on the world’s poorest countries.

The situation is truly sobering.

Yet, the latest data show that while progress on SDGs has been uneven and limited, there is reason for hope.

Social protection and health systems are expanding, especially in middle-income countries, where they are reaching more people.

More mothers are surviving childbirth, and more children are living beyond their fifth birthday.

Education access is broadening, creating new pathways for young people.

The number of girls who are in school and studying STEM subjects is higher than ever before.

Countries are investing in better data and technology, for policies to reach the furthest behind.

There are promised investments in digital connectivity and clean energy, to serve those in the most remote areas.

Meanwhile, the world has united behind an ambitious global agreement to confront deep-seated structural challenges and unlock faster, more inclusive progress.

The Pact for the Future, adopted last September, builds on existing reforms and commitments and charts a bold way forward to revive multilateralism and collective action, anchored in peace, solidarity and cooperation.

The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development renewed our commitment to deliver on the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, take forward debt solutions, and tackle the international financial architecture.

The Ocean Conference in Nice generated important consensus on critical issues, from marine protected areas to plastic pollution, illegal fishing and maritime security.

The 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (Beijing+30) and the 25th anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, reignited political drive for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

And there are many more opportunities this year to push our agenda forward:

The Second Stocktake of the UN Food System Summit.

The Second World Summit on Social Development.

The Biennial Summit on Finance.

COP 30, and ahead of that, new, updated and economy-wide Nationally Determined Contributions to get our climate goals back on track.

Excellencies,

We must build on these achievements. Make the most of the momentum and drive action – particularly through this High-Level Political Forum.

We are under pressure because the truth is: expectations are high, trust is eroding and crises are deepening, as we strive to deliver on our promise of the 2030 Agenda.

This Forum is an important opportunity to reflect, exchange and course correct.

It is our space to amplify the momentum, share lessons and good practice, deepen partnerships, and reignite our collective ambition to fulfill the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Over the coming days, we must reflect honestly and constructively on progress. Particularly on:

SDG3 on health and wellbeing, SDG5 on gender equality and women’s empowerment, SDG8 on decent work and economic growth, SDG14 on life below water, and SDG 17 on partnerships and means of implementation – this all with human rights at the centre of everything we do and hope to achieve.

And we must focus on the theme of this year’s meeting: “Inclusive solutions, based in science- and evidence,” and take heed of key findings of the Secretary-General’s Report on the SDGs.

We need solutions that address persistent challenges.

That can be adapted and applied across diverse contexts.

And that improve the lives of billions of people who are left behind:

The 800 million people living in extreme poverty…

The 2.2 billion people without safe drinking water…

The 2.3 billion suffering food insecurity…

The 3.4 billion without safely managed sanitation…

And the countless women, Indigenous Peoples, smallholder farmers, and other marginalized groups unable to access formal health and protection systems.

Excellencies,

This Forum will also welcome the tenth set of voluntary national reviews, or VNRs. They present a temperature check of every country’s journey.

Since 2016, a total of 190 countries have conducted close to 400 VNRs.

This voluntary national exercise has been almost universally adopted:

A heartening sign of commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs…

And evidence that the SDGs are now deeply woven into national plans, policies, and monitoring frameworks.

These reviews are powerful roadmaps to achieve the SDGs and mobilize all stakeholders.

Across regions, we have seen civil society’s engagement deepen – driving progress nationally and locally.

VNRs have helped build knowledge and data and offered practical pathways to dismantle structural barriers that hold us back.

Over the past decade, they have inspired action through inclusive, scalable approaches, grounded in local realities.

I look forward to the 37 VNR presentations at this Forum,

And I encourage other countries to engage and foster a meaningful exchange of experiences.

Excellencies, Friends,

It is up to all of us to build on our successes, and make this Forum count.

We have come far. And have even further to go.

But we have much further to go if we are to honor the promise of the SDGs.

The pathway to 2030 is narrowing.

And the decisions we take now – where we invest, what we prioritize, and where we reform – will shape development trajectories for decades to come.

With five years to go, the Secretary-General’s UN80 initiative marks a historic step to build on recent reforms and ensure that the United Nations remains a trusted, agile partner, ready to tackle today’s challenges and tomorrow’s uncertainties, and drive our collective push for the 2030 Agenda nationally, regionally and globally.

Thank you.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Defense Contractor Berg Co. Agrees to Pay $3.3M to Resolve Allegations of Causing Fraudulent Bids

Source: United States Attorneys General

Berg Companies Inc. (Berg) has agreed to pay $3.3 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting, or causing the submission of, false claims under prime vendor contracts with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), which the Department of Defense (DoD) uses to purchase goods and services.

Berg, based in Spokane, Washington, manufactures rigid wall shelters and sells them to the federal government, including through various prime vendor programs. In September 2019, Berg was acquired by Hunter Defense Technologies, Inc., which is a defense contractor that is based in Solon, Ohio.

Berg was a vendor to Noble Sales Co. Inc. doing business as Noble Supply & Logistics (Noble), which is a Boston-based prime contractor to DLA for Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO) contracts for the European Command. Under the MRO contracts, the DoD can place orders for goods and services through Noble. Noble is then required to solicit bids from two independently competing vendors for transactions below $25,000 and from three independently competing vendors for transactions at or above $25,000. According to DLA, MRO contracts are “a partnership aimed at achieving infrastructure savings, inventory cost reductions and favorable product pricing through leveraged buying.”

Pursuant to the settlement agreement, Berg admitted that, from 2019 to 2021, Berg coordinated with Noble and two other Noble vendors to submit inflated quotes for Berg-made rigid wall shelters so that the other vendors would win the awards at inflated prices. In the first scheme, Berg admitted that it coordinated and submitted inflated quotes on two solicitations for the sale of 10 Berg-made rigid wall shelters that Noble awarded to a New Mexico-based vendor. In the second scheme, Berg admitted that it coordinated and submitted inflated quotes on 26 solicitations for the purchase of 29 Berg-made rigid wall shelters that Noble awarded to a Florida-based vendor. As a result of these schemes, the United States contends that the requirements were not competed as required by the prime vendor contract and the military customers were overcharged for the Berg-made rigid wall shelters.

“Bid rigging of this type inhibits competition on the products and on prices, thereby creating the risk that the government is purchasing inferior products at exorbitant prices,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This settlement reinforces the Department’s commitment in using the FCA to pursue anti-competitive fraud.”

“As evidenced in this settlement agreement, these contractors manipulated and undermined the fair and open bidding process designed to save our military and taxpayers money,” said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley for the District of Massachusetts. “We commend Berg for cooperating with the government to resolve this matter and taking responsibility for this conduct. As this settlement demonstrates, not only will my Office continue to use the False Claims Act to help root out fraud, waste and abuse involving taxpayer funds, but it will reward those that accept responsibility and cooperate with the government.”

“Collusion in government contracting erodes public trust, distorts fair competition, and drives up costs for taxpayers and service members,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison for the District of New Mexico. “Such conduct undermines the integrity of the procurement process and betrays the public’s expectation that government funds will be used responsibly. This resolution demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting taxpayer dollars, ensuring a level playing field for all businesses, and holding accountable those who seek to profit by manipulating federal contracting. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to defend the integrity of government procurement and safeguard the interests of the American people.”

“Today’s settlement announcement demonstrates the commitment of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), along with our law enforcement partners, to aggressively pursue those who undermine the integrity of the DoD contracting process,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Chad Gosch of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, DCIS Southwest Field Office. “DCIS will use all available resources to hold accountable those who betray the trust of the American taxpayer by corrupting the DoD procurement system for personal gain.”

“GSA OIG will continue to work with its investigative partners to hold government contractors accountable for concealing relevant information that may affect the award or performance of government contracts,” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph Dattoria of the U.S. General Services Administration, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Division.

Berg cooperated with the government in this matter. As part of the settlement, Berg acknowledged and accepted responsibility for the facts that form the basis of this settlement.

This settlement resolves claims brought against Berg under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the FCA, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government when they believe that a defendant has submitted false claims for government funds and to receive a share of the recovery. The settlement in this case provides for the whistleblowers, Mark G. Davis and Andrew G. Gunn, to receive a $561,000 share of the recovery. Davis is a U.S. Army veteran and former salesperson for one of the sub-vendors involved in the conspiracy allegation. Gunn is the managing director of a United Kingdom company that manufacturers storage equipment for United States military customers and sold its equipment through this prime vendor’s MRO contracts. The remainder of the matter remains under seal.

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the United States Attorney’s Offices for the District of New Mexico and District of Massachusetts, with assistance from the Defense Criminal Investigative Services, the Army Criminal Investigation Division, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and the General Services Administration Office of Inspector General.

The matter was handled by Trial Attorney Samson Asiyanbi of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Cunniff of the District of New Mexico, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey Ross and Brian LaMacchia of the District of Massachusetts.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

MIL Security OSI –

July 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Joins Trilateral Chiefs of Defense in South Korea

Source: United States Navy

SEOUL, South Korea — Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited South Korea on July 11, 2025, where he joined senior U.S., Japanese and South Korean military and government officials to underscore the criticality of trilateral military cooperation for addressing security challenges on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific.

MIL Security OSI –

July 15, 2025

Category: Politics

Oregon senator also joins 13 Democrats in a letter to DHS requesting information about ICE’s use of unidentified plainclothes agents

Alternative definition

Biased Argument

Weak evidence

Gaza ignored

Recommendation overreach

PM meeting with Prime Minister Fiala of the Czech Republic: 14 July 2025

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In This Issue:

Presidential pressure

Holding power to account

UN voices ‘deep concern’

UN human rights chief says ‘wisdom’ of Indigenous Peoples needed in climate change, digital policy upgrades

Toll on activists

Guterres welcomes step forward in securing digital technology worldwide

Call for cooperation

Time is running out

Mission critical

New mission leadership