Category: Politics

MIL-OSI Security: Florida Man Arrested for Assaulting Law Enforcement with a Weapon and Other Offenses During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

  WASHINGTON — A Florida man was arrested yesterday morning and charged with assaulting law enforcement with a weapon and other counts related to his alleged conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His alleged actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

  Joel Linn O’Donnell, 44, of Clearwater, Florida, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with seven offenses, including assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers with a deadly or dangerous weapon; assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers; obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; and engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon.

  In addition to the felonies, O’Donnell is charged with two misdemeanor offenses of disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and an act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings.

  The FBI arrested O’Donnell December 19, in Clearwater. He made his initial appearance in the Middle District of Florida.

  According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, O’Donnell attended a rally near the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., and afterward, joined a large crowd marching toward the U.S. Capitol building. Once on Capitol grounds, O’Donnell positioned himself at the Lower West Plaza.

  O’Donnell, accompanied by an associate, moved closer to the Capitol building, transitioning from the West Front to the Upper West Terrace. There, he joined a mass of rioters on temporary stadium-style risers as objects were hurled at police officers nearby. The crowd reportedly chanted “TRAITORS!” at law enforcement officers attempting to control the unrest.

  At approximately 4:54 p.m., it is alleged that O’Donnell advanced toward the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, the site of some of the most violent attacks against law enforcement that day, while carrying a large step and two long poles. Moments later, O’Donnell allegedly used these items as weapons, hurling all three of the objects at police officers defending the Tunnel.

  At approximately 5:02 p.m., it is alleged that O’Donnell returned to the police line armed with a baseball bat and repeatedly struck a Metropolitan Police Department officer, hitting the officer’s riot shield. Court documents say that O’Donnell only retreated from the tunnel area after police deployed riot control munitions to disperse the crowd.

  This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

  This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Tampa and Washington Field Offices which identified Gonzalez as AFO (Assault on Federal Officer) BOLO (Be on the Lookout) #352 on its seeking information images. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

  In the 47 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,572 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 590 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

  Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MIL Security OSI –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to Prison for Assaulting Law Enforcement with a Weapon During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

WASHINGTON – A Pennsylvania man was sentenced to prison today after he previously pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement with a weapon during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

Joshua Lee Atwood, 31, of Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 48 months in prison, 36 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution by U.S. District Judge Randolph D. Moss. Atwood previously pleaded guilty to a felony charge of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon.

According to court documents, Atwood traveled from his home in Burgettstown to Washington, D.C., to attend the Jan. 6, 2021, “Stop the Steal” rally on the National Mall. After the rally, Atwood made his way toward the U.S. Capitol building and, by approximately 4:22 p.m., arrived at the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, the site of some of the most violent attacks against law enforcement on January 6th. There, Atwood observed law enforcement officers actively attempting to prevent members of the crowd from entering the building.

At approximately 4:35 p.m., Atwood climbed into the Capitol building through a broken window next to the Tunnel and entered into a Senate room near the Lower West Terrace exterior doors. Atwood exited the building and, by approximately 4:51 p.m., joined the mob gathered around the Tunnel entrance, which law enforcement officers were actively defending. Atwood started throwing several objects at officers in the Tunnel, including a plastic bottle and a metal pole, both of which struck police officers.

Atwood then picked up a wooden pole and used it to forcibly strike at the riot shields of officers in the police line. Atwood then used the pole to strike an officer’s helmet before throwing the pole at the police line. Next, at approximately 4:56 p.m., Atwood drew a canister of pepper spray and continuously sprayed the officers guarding the Tunnel entrance until the canister was depleted. Atwood then threw the canister at police. Atwood then threw additional items at the police, including a baseball bat and a plastic bottle.

Atwood then used a police riot shield to strike at officers guarding the Tunnel, including by thrusting the bottom edge of the shield into the officer’s shields. When striking police with the riot shield, Atwood yelled, “F— off, you guys are all pieces of s—”, and “Everyone of you should be ashamed of yourself. Everyone of you m—f—are pieces of s—. Betraying your country like this, why would you betray your country. Do you love your country, or do you want civil…communist f—.”

Shortly after, Atwood picked up a metal scaffolding pipe and threw it at police. The pipe bounced off a riot shield and struck another officer in the head and neck. Moments later, Atwood picked up a heavy black speaker and threw it toward the group of officers.

The FBI arrested Atwood on April 17, 2024, in Pennsylvania.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania provided valuable assistance.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Pittsburgh and Washington Field Offices. Atwood was listed as BOLO (Be on the Lookout) #229 in the FBI’s seeking information images. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department.

In the 47 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,572 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 590 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

24-cr-0199

MIL Security OSI –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures Agreement With Washoe County To Ensure Polling Place Access To Voters With Disabilities

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

RENO – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada has entered into an agreement with the Washoe County Board of Commissioners to resolve a compliance review that identified numerous physical barriers at polling sites. The agreement resolves the United States’ investigation into Washoe County’s compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by a state or local government in any of its programs or services. The agreement will be in place through the 2026 and 2028 election cycles.

“We must continue to protect the rights of all Nevadans to participate in one of the most fundamental rights we possess, voting rights,” said Sue Fahami, First Assistant United States Attorney, District of Nevada. “That is why we are proud to protect the rights of voters with disabilities to cast their ballot in person, privately, independently and without barriers. We are grateful for Washoe County’s commitment to helping accomplish this mutual goal.”

On June 11, 2024, during Nevada’s primary election, the United States surveyed 10 polling locations in Washoe County. The surveys found a multitude of architectural and equipment barriers both in the exterior of polling sites and inside voting rendering the facilities inaccessible. These physical barriers included obstructions at accessible voting stations, unreachable voting machine controls, missing accessibility signage at parking spaces, surface openings from the public sidewalk to the accessible entrance, gaps and level changes.

As part of the agreement, Washoe County will train poll workers on the County’s obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and how to employ temporary measures if necessary. It will also use the technical assistance of an accessibility expert and an evaluation form for each current and prospective polling place based on ADA architectural standards. Washoe County will also survey polling locations for accessibility throughout the term of the agreement. Importantly, when selecting future polling sites, Washoe County will ensure that new locations are ADA accessible. The United States Attorney’s Office will monitor the agreement and provide technical assistance.

The Washoe County investigation is part of the Department of Justice’s ADA Voting Initiative, which focuses on protecting the voting rights of individuals with disabilities across the country. A hallmark of the ADA Voting Initiative is its collaboration with jurisdictions to increase accessibility at polling places.

The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Ednin D. Martinez.

If you believe you have been discriminated against based on disability, please submit a report www.civilrights.justice.gov. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) or visit www.ada.gov.

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MIL Security OSI –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Man Convicted by Jury for Killing a Woman Retrieving Personal Items from His Girlfriend’s Apartment

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

WASHINGTON – Amard Jefferson, 25, of Ft. Washington, MD, was found guilty by a Superior Court jury of one count of second-degree murder while armed, for the August 2021 murder of 20-year-old Kendall Brown, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Jefferson was also convicted of obstruction of justice for trying to convince his girlfriend to tell authorities that she killed Kendall Brown – not him.

Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt scheduled sentencing for February 14, 2025. Jefferson faces a statutory maximum sentence of 60 years in prison.

According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 4:28 p.m., on August 7, 2021, in the 3000 block of Nelson Place, Southeast, Ms. Brown and two others went to the apartment of Jefferson’s girlfriend to retrieve personal items that one of them left behind after moving out of the apartment. While there, a verbal argument occurred. The defendant, who was not initially involved in the verbal argument, escalated the argument by introducing and reaching for his firearm and threatening the women that he was going to “call his men.” Shortly thereafter, and without cause or justification, the defendant shot Ms. Brown. After locking the decedent into the apartment, the defendant fled with his girlfriend and a minor child. As he fled the crime scene, he stashed the murder weapon — a black 9mm ghost gun – in a drainpipe a few blocks away.. Defendant Jefferson continued his efforts to prevent legal accountability a few days after his arrest when he attempted, through text messages and phone calls from the D.C. Department of Corrections, to convince his girlfriend to affirmatively and falsely take blame for the murder.

This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Kubo and Stephanie Dinan.

Man Convicted by Jury for Killing a Woman Retrieving Personal Items from His Girlfriend’s Apartment

MIL Security OSI –

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

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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

Election of Directors

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

Reappointment of Auditors

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

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

About Immutable Holdings Inc.

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

For media inquiries and further information, contact:

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

Melyssa Charlton, CFO
Email: info@immutableholdings.com

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

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

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

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

The MIL Network –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China urges U.S. to stop illegally occupying Cuba’s territory

Source: China State Council Information Office

The United States needs to immediately stop illegally occupying Cuba’s territory, close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, and pull out of the base at Guantanamo as soon as possible, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks when asked to comment on a related query at a daily press briefing.

It is reported that U.S. Department of Defense recently announced the repatriation of a detainee from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, and 29 detainees remain there. In recent years, successive U.S. administrations have promised multiple times they would close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, but still haven’t acted on it. Despite repeated protests from the Cuban government, the United States has unlawfully occupied part of Guantanamo Bay for over 120 years.

Lin said the United States has long unlawfully occupied part of Guantanamo Bay, and carried out arbitrary detention and used torture to extort confessions at the detention facility there. “What the United States has done severely violates international law and undermines Cuba’s sovereignty and rights and interests.”

The international community, including the UN, has more than once expressed concerns on this issue and asked the United States to close the detention facility there and treat the detainees justly as soon as possible, according to the spokesperson.

The repeated failure of the United States to keep its promise of closing this U.S.-run “concentration camp” will only add another stain to the poor U.S. track record on human rights and expose the emptiness of U.S. commitment to human rights, said the spokesperson.

The detention facility at Guantanamo Bay is Cuba’s protracted wound, and it is a living witness to more than a century of U.S. illegal interference in Cuba, Lin said, adding that the United States, while running massive arbitrary detention at Guantanamo, keeps Cuba on the list of so-called “state sponsor of terrorism.”

“The whole world can see the hypocrisy and double standard in this,” he added.

China firmly supports Cuba in defending its national sovereignty and dignity, and opposes U.S. interference in Cuba’s internal affairs, Lin said, adding that the United States needs to stop the bullying and blockade on Cuba, give the Cuban people’s land back to them, and remove Cuba from the list of “state sponsors of terrorism.”

MIL OSI China News –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Proposes New Regulations to Modernize Foreign Agents Registration Act Administration and Enforcement

Source: US State of Vermont

The Justice Department submitted to the Federal Register yesterday a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to update and clarify regulations issued under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

FARA requires persons in the United States who are acting as agents of foreign principals and engaged in certain specified activities to make periodic public disclosures of their relationship with the foreign principal, as well as activities, receipts, and disbursements in support of those activities. Disclosure of the required information facilitates evaluation by the government and the American people of the activities of such persons in light of their function as foreign agents. The act authorizes the Attorney General to issue regulations, which were last amended in 2007.

The Justice Department’s proposed rule would make changes to key regulations, including those relating to the commercial exemption, the exemption for persons whose activities do not serve predominantly a foreign interest, and the exemption for persons qualified to practice law. The proposed rule also would modernize regulations relating to labeling informational materials in light of the significant technological changes that have occurred since the regulations were last amended more than a decade ago.

In December 2021, the department issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) with 19 questions to solicit comments about regulations on a range of topics, and the proposed rule reflects the department’s careful consideration of views submitted through this process.

An unofficial version of the NPRM is available here; the official version will be published in the Federal Register. Written comments on the NPRM may be submitted within 60 days of its publication in the Federal Register at www.regulations.gov. The NPRM will be followed by final regulations issued later.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Man Sentenced to 18 Year Prison Term For Killing a Man in Southeast Washington

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

WASHINGTON – Antoine Lynch, 38, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for shooting Delonte Maxwell in the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Ave. Southeast in Washington DC, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

The United States Attorney’s Office requested a 26 year sentence which would have been the top of Lynch’s 14-26 year guidelines range. Lynch pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder while armed, on March 22, 2024, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

According to the government’s evidence, Lynch initially got into a verbal dispute with Mr. Maxwell as he was walking by Lynch’s residence. Lynch chased Mr. Maxwell away but when he later heard from a friend that Mr. Maxwell was still in the neighborhood, he left his residence armed with a firearm to find Mr. Maxwell. Accompanied by his friend and Lynch’s young daughter, Lynch found Mr. Maxwell walking along the sidewalk and proceeded to shoot him at point blank range as they passed each other.

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant United States Attorney Kacie Weston, Paralegal Specialist Grazy Rivera, and Victim/Witness Advocate Christina Bloodworth.

Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Ganjei, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

MIL Security OSI –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Proposes New Regulations to Modernize Foreign Agents Registration Act Administration and Enforcement

Source: United States Attorneys General 10

The Justice Department submitted to the Federal Register yesterday a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to update and clarify regulations issued under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

FARA requires persons in the United States who are acting as agents of foreign principals and engaged in certain specified activities to make periodic public disclosures of their relationship with the foreign principal, as well as activities, receipts, and disbursements in support of those activities. Disclosure of the required information facilitates evaluation by the government and the American people of the activities of such persons in light of their function as foreign agents. The act authorizes the Attorney General to issue regulations, which were last amended in 2007.

The Justice Department’s proposed rule would make changes to key regulations, including those relating to the commercial exemption, the exemption for persons whose activities do not serve predominantly a foreign interest, and the exemption for persons qualified to practice law. The proposed rule also would modernize regulations relating to labeling informational materials in light of the significant technological changes that have occurred since the regulations were last amended more than a decade ago.

In December 2021, the department issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) with 19 questions to solicit comments about regulations on a range of topics, and the proposed rule reflects the department’s careful consideration of views submitted through this process.

An unofficial version of the NPRM is available here; the official version will be published in the Federal Register. Written comments on the NPRM may be submitted within 60 days of its publication in the Federal Register at www.regulations.gov. The NPRM will be followed by final regulations issued later.

MIL Security OSI –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Annual buzzword selection highlights changes in China, world

Source: China State Council Information Office 2

People try VR devices during the 11th China (Wuhu) Popularized Science Products Exposition in Wuhu, east China’s Anhui Province, Oct. 21, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
Multiple organizations in China released the most popular Chinese characters and phrases of 2024 on Friday, offering insight into the evolving trends of the country and the world.
The top ten domestic buzzwords feature five Chinese characters for “integration,” “intelligence,” “new,” “safety,” and “stability” as well as the terms of “new-quality productive force,” “Black Myth: Wukong,” “work fatigue,” “low-altitude economy” and “digital transformation.”
These buzzwords refer to various dimensions of China’s domestic society, ranging from its integrated and innovative development powered by new-quality productive forces and digital transformation, to cultural and economic phenomena in 2024 such as video game hit “Black Myth: Wukong” and its burgeoning low-altitude economy including drone deliveries.
The top ten global buzzwords are characters for “election,” “war,” “change,” “turbulence” and “nuclear” and the terms of “Paris Olympics,” “Global South,” “Artificial Intelligence,” “drones” and “Large Language Model.”
The lists were compiled using an algorithm that analyzed a corpus of Chinese characters along with public recommendations, with final results confirmed by experts and researchers.
A closer look at the list of popular buzzwords recommended by the public also presents a more panoramic view of Chinese people’s social psyche over the past year.
Frequently used words such as “say no to mental exhaustion” and “20-minute park life” signify a desire for a relaxed lifestyle amid the quick pace of modern life. Words like “Altay,” a prefecture in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region made ultra-famous by a critically acclaimed TV drama series, and “ancient architecture tour” reveal the popular travel destinations of Chinese people in 2024.
Among the recommendations, which are mostly in Chinese, the English expression of “China Travel” stands out, mirroring the country’s inbound travel boom buoyed by a series of facilitation policies and measures for foreigners.
To welcome international visitors in the post-pandemic era, China has streamlined its visa application process, refined its immigration process to increase efficiency at border-control points, and made its payment services for international travelers more accessible and inclusive, among other efforts.
According to official data, China recorded nearly 29.22 million inbound foreign visits between January and November 2024, up 86.2 percent year on year. Of these, 17.45 million visitors entered the country visa-free, marking a massive 123.3 percent increase from the previous year. Notably, the number of visa-free transit travelers surged by 132.9 percent year on year.
With pride and love, “Beijing Central Axis” is also on the recommendation list as earlier this year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inscribed the “Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital” on its World Heritage List.
The Central Axis runs north to south through the heart of old Beijing and consists of ancient landmarks such as the Bell and Drum Towers, Wanning Bridge, Jingshan Hill, and the Forbidden City.
“The Beijing Central Axis is an important symbol that highlights the outstanding features of Chinese civilization,” said Li Qun, China’s deputy minister of culture and tourism, in an interview.
Having been held for 19 consecutive years, this annual event is jointly organized by the National Language Resources Monitoring and Research Center, the Commercial Press, and other institutions.

MIL OSI China News –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China urges US to stop illegally occupying Cuba’s territory

Source: China State Council Information Office 3

The United States needs to immediately stop illegally occupying Cuba’s territory, close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, and pull out of the base at Guantanamo as soon as possible, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks when asked to comment on a related query at a daily press briefing.

It is reported that U.S. Department of Defense recently announced the repatriation of a detainee from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, and 29 detainees remain there. In recent years, successive U.S. administrations have promised multiple times they would close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, but still haven’t acted on it. Despite repeated protests from the Cuban government, the United States has unlawfully occupied part of Guantanamo Bay for over 120 years.

Lin said the United States has long unlawfully occupied part of Guantanamo Bay, and carried out arbitrary detention and used torture to extort confessions at the detention facility there. “What the United States has done severely violates international law and undermines Cuba’s sovereignty and rights and interests.”

The international community, including the UN, has more than once expressed concerns on this issue and asked the United States to close the detention facility there and treat the detainees justly as soon as possible, according to the spokesperson.

The repeated failure of the United States to keep its promise of closing this U.S.-run “concentration camp” will only add another stain to the poor U.S. track record on human rights and expose the emptiness of U.S. commitment to human rights, said the spokesperson.

The detention facility at Guantanamo Bay is Cuba’s protracted wound, and it is a living witness to more than a century of U.S. illegal interference in Cuba, Lin said, adding that the United States, while running massive arbitrary detention at Guantanamo, keeps Cuba on the list of so-called “state sponsor of terrorism.”

“The whole world can see the hypocrisy and double standard in this,” he added.

China firmly supports Cuba in defending its national sovereignty and dignity, and opposes U.S. interference in Cuba’s internal affairs, Lin said, adding that the United States needs to stop the bullying and blockade on Cuba, give the Cuban people’s land back to them, and remove Cuba from the list of “state sponsors of terrorism.”

MIL OSI China News –

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

US Senate News:

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

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

MIL OSI USA News –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Opinion piece: Australians earn more and keep more of what they earn with Labor’s tax cuts

Source: Australian Treasurer

Exactly a year ago this Saturday, the Prime Minister and I announced a controversial but important decision to provide every Australian taxpayer a tax cut to help with the cost of living.

One year on and I can say without hesitation that it’s the policy I’m proudest of as Treasurer.

Every taxpayer is better off as a result of the decision we took 12 months ago, not just some, and those benefits will be even bigger from July this year.

New numbers just released show there will be even more money on average in the pockets of every taxpayer next financial year.

Fourteen million taxpayers across the country have already received a tax cut under Labor’s plan since July last year.

By the end of this financial year, around 84 per cent of all taxpayers will have received a bigger tax cut compared to Scott Morrison’s proposal from 5 years ago.

And nearly 3 million people earning less than $45,000 who were going to miss out completely under the Liberals and Nationals are getting a tax cut under Labor.

Whether you’re a nurse, a truckie, a teacher or a tradie, Labor’s plan is all about helping you earn more and keep more of what you earn.

New figures show that with higher wages under the Albanese government, chances are your tax cut will be even bigger next financial year.

Due to stronger wages growth under your Labor government, tax cuts will grow from $1,888 this financial year to $1,944 on average next year – putting more money back into workers’ pockets.

It’s a meaningful increase because it shows we’re making welcome progress on the economy after a wasted decade under the Liberals and Nationals.

A truckie earning $72,800 in this financial year, whose income grows to $75,600 in 2025–26, would get a tax cut of $1,569 next financial year compared to $1,499 this financial year.

A nurse earning $72,300 in this financial year, whose income grows to $75,500 in 2025–26, would get a tax cut of $1,567 next year compared to $1,487 this year.

A teacher earning $85,600 in this financial year, whose income grows to $87,800 in 2025–26, would get a tax cut of $1,874 in 2025–26 compared to $1,819 in 2024–25.

We’re giving every Australian taxpayer a tax cut at the same time as we’re getting wages moving again, fighting inflation and creating jobs.

Wages growth has picked up and on average, wages are growing at almost double the rate they were under our predecessors.

Inflation was high and rising under the Liberals, it’s much lower under Labor.

At the election, inflation was 6.1 per cent, it’s now 2.8 per cent.

More than 1.1 million jobs have been created since the election and unemployment has remained low at 4 per cent.

The combination of tax cuts, moderating inflation, wage and employment growth means real household incomes per person are also growing again.

They were going backwards 1.6 per cent when we came to office.

That means Australians are earning more and keeping more under Anthony Albanese and Australian Labor but all of this substantial progress is at risk under Peter Dutton and the Liberals.

The Deputy Liberal leader is on the record saying that if the Coalition wins the next election, they will ‘absolutely’ unwind our tax cuts.

If Peter Dutton and the Coalition really cared about the cost of living, they would have supported our cost‑of‑living relief but they didn’t and they don’t.

They want Australians to work longer for less.

The biggest risk to household budgets, jobs and wages is a Peter Dutton‑led Coalition government.

Only this week we’ve seen Peter Dutton wants to make families worse off to pay for tax breaks for long lunches and golf days for bosses.

The contrast couldn’t be clearer – we’re for tax cuts for workers and energy bill relief for families, they’re for taxpayer funded long lunches and golf days.

The Liberals are all about waste and rorts and Labor is all about responsible economic management and that’s reflected in our decision to give a tax cut to every taxpayer to help with the cost of living.

No matter what you earn or where you live throughout Australia, you deserve your tax cut.

That’s what we’re delivering because of the important decision we took a year ago, and that’s why we’re proud of the even bigger tax cuts you’ll get next financial year.

Our aim in all of this is to find the best way to help ease the cost of living for the biggest number of people in the most responsible way and that’s what we’re doing with tax cuts for every taxpayer, strong and sustainable wages growth and more jobs for more Australians.

MIL OSI News –

January 27, 2025

MIL-OSI: Gran Tierra Energy Inc. Announces 2025 Guidance and Operations Update

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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

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

Message to Shareholders

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

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

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

Key Highlights:

2025 Guidance:

Gran Tierra is forecasting the following ranges for the Company’s 2025 budget:

2025 Budget	Low Case	Base Case	High Case
Brent Oil Price ($/bbl)	65.00	75.00	85.00
WTI Oil Price ($/bbl)	61.00	71.00	81.00
AECO Natural Gas Price ($CAD/thousand cubic feet)	2.00	2.50	3.50
Production (BOEPD)	47,000-53,000	47,000-53,000	47,000-53,000
Operating Netback³ ($ million)	330-370	430-470	510-550
EBITDA⁴ ($ million)	300-340	380-420	460-500
Cash Flow¹ ($ million)	200-240	260-300	300-340
Capital Expenditures ($ million)	200-240	240-280	240-280
Free Cash Flow² ($ million)	–	20	60
Number of Development Wells (gross)	8-12	10-14	10-14
Number of Exploration Wells (gross)	6	6-8	6-8

Budgeted Costs	Costs per BOE ($/boe)
Lifting	12.00-14.00
Workovers	1.50-2.50
Transportation	1.00-2.00
General and Administration	2.00-3.00
Interest	4.00-4.50
Current Tax	2.00-3.00

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

2025 Base Capital Program: Building on a successful capital campaign in 2024, Gran Tierra plans to continue to execute on its strategy of delivering value by seeking to add new reserves, investing in facility and infrastructure projects to maximize recovery and minimize cost, and providing future growth through exploration. Gran Tierra forecasts spending approximately 55% of its capital program in Colombia, 30% in Ecuador, and 15% in Canada, respectively.

Category	Capital ($ million)	Key Activities
Colombia Development	105-120	Suroriente (47% W.I.): Drill 5-7 gross development wells; facility expansion, gas-to-power generation upgrades and social investment in the area Acordionero (100% W.I.): Investment facility expansion activities, gas-to-power generation upgrades and injector conversions
Ecuador Development	35-45	Chanangue/Charapa (100% W.I.): Drill 2-3 appraisal wells
Canada Development	35-45	Simonette (50% W.I.): Drill 5 gross development wells Nisku (100% W.I.): Drill 1 development well
Exploration	65-70	Ecuador: Drill 4 exploration wells Colombia: Drill 2 to 4 exploration wells

Development: Gran Tierra expects to drill a total of 10 to 14 net development wells in its 2025 capital program, including:
- Suroriente: The Company plans to drill 5-7 gross development wells in the Cohembi oil field located in the Southern Putumayo Basin of Colombia. In addition to development drilling, Gran Tierra is also planning facility expansion, gas-to-power generation upgrades, and continued social investment in the area. With the planned investments in 2025, production and reserves are expected to significantly increase in 2026 and beyond.
- Acordionero: The Company plans to focus on the optimization of the field through continued waterflood expansion activities, including facility expansions, workovers (ESP upsizes and injector conversions) and gas-to-power generation upgrades. These expenditures are expected to reduce unit costs while maintaining production by offsetting natural declines and increasing overall recovery. The Company is planning an active development drilling program in 2026.
- Chanangue: The Company plans to continue its appraisal program on the highly prospective Arawana/Zabaleta productive trend in Ecuador by drilling 2-3 appraisal wells.
- Simonette: Gran Tierra plans to drill 2.5 net wells at Simonette targeting two-layer co-development of the Lower and Middle Montney offering improved capital efficiency and lower proportionate infrastructure spending.
Exploration: Approximately 20-30% of the Company’s 2025 capital program is expected to be allocated to high impact exploration activities and the drilling of 6 to 8 exploration wells in Colombia and Ecuador in the Base and High Case. Gran Tierra’s 2025 exploration drilling is planned to follow up on the encouraging results from the Company’s 2024 exploration program while meeting all its Ecuador exploration commitments. The Company continues to focus its exploration program on short-cycle time, near-field prospects in proven basins with access to transportation infrastructure.

Fully Funded Capital Program Generating Free Cash Flow²: Gran Tierra’s mid-point Base Case 2025 capital budget of $260 million is expected to be fully funded from the Base Case 2025 mid-point Cash Flow¹ forecast of $280 million, based on an assumed average $75.00/bbl Brent oil price, $71.00/bbl WTI oil price, and CAD$2.50/thousand cubic feet AECO natural gas price. Gran Tierra remains focused on generating Free Cash Flow², ongoing net debt⁵ reduction and shareholder returns via share buybacks.
Share Buybacks: During 2025, Gran Tierra plans to allocate up to approximately 50% of its Free Cash Flow after exploration to share buybacks in the Base Case. During 2024, the Company repurchased approximately 6.7% of its outstanding shares.

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

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

Operations Update

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

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

Contact Information

For investor and media inquiries please contact:

Gary Guidry
President & Chief Executive Officer

Ryan Ellson
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

+1-403-265-3221

info@grantierra.com

About Gran Tierra Energy Inc.

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

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

Forward-Looking Statements and Advisories

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

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

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

Presentation of Oil and Gas Information

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

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

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

Non-GAAP Measures

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

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

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

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

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

The MIL Network –

January 27, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Risch Introduces Bill to Ban Critical Race Theory in U.S. History and Civics Education

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) introduced today the Protect Equality and Civics Education (PEACE) Act to prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars to promote politically divisive concepts, such as Critical Race Theory, through the U.S. Department of Education’s American History and Civics Education program.

The PEACE Act codifies the Trump administration’s definition of “divisive concepts” as outlined in the 2020 Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping, ensuring our education standards reflect America’s founding principles and reject extreme ideology.

“For too long, the radical left has tried to rewrite American history and indoctrinate future generations with their woke agenda,” said Risch. “My PEACE Act ensures taxpayer dollars are not used to promote Critical Race Theory or subject students to a divisive and misguided political agenda.”

“Teaching children they are inherently ‘bad’ or ‘good’ based on conditions they cannot control is destructive and unproductive,” said Crapo. “Schools should get back to quality education that will allow the next generation of leaders to thrive.”

“It’s disgraceful that the Biden Administration spent the last four years using taxpayer money to force their radical, woke agenda onto our kids. I appreciate the work of my colleagues to put an end to this nonsense so the next generation can learn how to think, instead of what to think, and focus on preparing for success after graduation,” Sheehy said.

“Rather than focusing on the safety and prosperity of our nation, the Biden administration spent the last four years funding and forcing far-left ideology on students across the United States,” said Lummis. “I am proud to join my colleagues to combat this radical agenda in our public schools and focus on quality education.”

MIL OSI USA News –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Joint Statement from Thirteen State Attorneys General: State and Local Law Enforcement Cannot Be Commandeered for Federal Immigration Enforcement

Source: US State of California

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with the attorneys general of New York, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, today issued a joint statement addressing a memorandum from a Trump political appointee at the U.S. Department of Justice addressing state and local involvement in federal immigration enforcement:

“It is well-established—through longstanding Supreme Court precedent—that the U.S. Constitution prevents the federal government from commandeering states to enforce federal laws. While the federal government may use its own resources for federal immigration enforcement, the court ruled in Printz v. United States that the federal government cannot ‘impress into its service—and at no cost to itself—the police officers of the 50 States.’ This balance of power between the federal government and state governments is a touchstone of our American system of federalism.

“Despite what he may say to the contrary, the President cannot unilaterally re-write the Constitution. The President has made troubling threats to weaponize the U.S. Department of Justice’s prosecutorial authority and resources to attack public servants acting in compliance with their state laws, interfering with their ability to build trust with the communities they serve and protect. Right now, these vague threats are just that: empty words on paper. But rest assured, our states will not hesitate to respond if these words become illegal actions.

“As state attorneys general, we have a responsibility to enforce state laws – and we will continue to investigate and prosecute crimes, regardless of immigration status. We will not be distracted by the President’s mass deportation agenda.”

# # #

MIL OSI USA News –

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

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

###

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

MIL Security OSI –

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

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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

###

Defense Attorney: Rahul Agarwal, Esq.

MIL Security OSI –

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

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

###

Defense counsel: Dennis S. Cleary, Esq.

MIL Security OSI –

January 27, 2025

MIL-OSI: Gran Tierra Energy Inc. Reports Robust Reserves Replacement and Record High Reserves

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Highlights

2024 Year-End Reserves and Values

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

After Tax (as of December 31, 2024)	Units	1P		2P		3P
Reserves	MMBOE	167		293		385
NPV10	$ million	1,385		2,159		2,930
Net Debt¹	$ million	(682	)	(682	)	(682	)
NAV	$ million	703		1,477		2,248
Outstanding Shares	million	35.97		35.97		35.97
NAV per Share	$/share	19.53		41.05		62.48

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

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

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

GTE McDaniel Reserves Report

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

Future Net Revenue

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

Consolidated Properties at December 31, 2024
Proved (1P) Total Future Net Revenue ($ million)
Forecast Prices and Costs
	Sales Revenue	Total Royalties		Operating Costs		Future Development Capital		Abandonment and Reclamation Costs		Future Net Revenue Before Future Taxes	Future Taxes		Future Net Revenue After Future Taxes*
2025-2029 (5 Years)	5,139	(981	)	(1,385	)	(1,025	)	(27	)	1,721	(491	)	1,230
Remainder	3,617	(578	)	(1,549	)	(4	)	(377	)	1,109	(370	)	739
Total (Undiscounted)	8,756	(1,559	)	(2,934	)	(1,029	)	(404	)	2,830	(861	)	1,969
Total (Discounted @ 10%)										1,950	(565	)	1,385

Consolidated Properties at December 31, 2024
Proved Plus Probable (2P) Total Future Net Revenue ($ million)
Forecast Prices and Costs
Years	Sales Revenue	Total Royalties		Operating Costs		Future Development Capital		Abandonment and Reclamation Costs		Future Net Revenue Before Future Taxes	Future Taxes		Future Net Revenue After Future Taxes*
2025-2029 (5 Years)	6,620	(1,297	)	(1,583	)	(1,438	)	(25	)	2,277	(791	)	1,486
Remainder	8,685	(1,529	)	(2,967	)	(371	)	(420	)	3,398	(1,082	)	2,316
Total (Undiscounted)	15,305	(2,826	)	(4,550	)	(1,809	)	(445	)	5,675	(1,873	)	3,802
Total (Discounted @ 10%)										3,242	(1,083	)	2,159

Consolidated Properties at December 31, 2024
Proved Plus Probable Plus Possible (3P) Total Future Net Revenue ($ million)
Forecast Prices and Costs
Years	Sales Revenue	Total Royalties		Operating Costs		Future Development Capital		Abandonment and Reclamation Costs		Future Net Revenue Before Future Taxes	Future Taxes		Future Net Revenue After Future Taxes*
2025-2029 (5 Years)	7,490	(1,467	)	(1,672	)	(1,563	)	(25	)	2,763	(1,015	)	1,748
Remainder	13,422	(2,598	)	(4,106	)	(519	)	(439	)	5,760	(1,907	)	3,853
Total (Undiscounted)	20,912	(4,065	)	(5,778	)	(2,082	)	(464	)	8,523	(2,922	)	5,601
Total (Discounted @ 10%)										4,517	(1,587	)	2,930

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

Total Company WI Reserves

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

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

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

Net Present Value Summary

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

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

Reserve Life Index (Years)

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

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

Future Development Costs

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

($ millions)	Total Proved	Total Proved Plus Probable	Total Proved Plus Probable Plus Possible
2025	141	147	153
2026	343	379	387
2027	291	380	388
2028	135	311	358
2029	115	221	277
Remainder	4	371	519
Total (undiscounted)	1,029	1,809	2,082

($ millions)	Proved	Proved plus Probable	Proved plus Probable plus Possible
Acordionero	175	175	175
Chaza Block (Costayaco & Moqueta)	138	163	163
Suroriente	130	213	292
Ecuador	212	331	428
Canada – Central	179	378	378
Canada – Simonette	106	238	238
Other	89	311	408
Total FDC Costs (undiscounted)	1,029	1,809	2,082

Finding, Development and Acquisition Costs

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

Finding, Development and Acquisition Costs, Excluding FDC^*

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

Finding, Development and Acquisition Costs, Including FDC^*

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

Finding, Development and Acquisition Costs, Excluding FDC^*

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

Finding, Development and Acquisition Costs, Including FDC^*

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

Finding, Development and Acquisition Costs, Excluding FDC^*

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

Finding, Development and Acquisition Costs, Including FDC^*

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

Finding, Development and Acquisition Costs, Excluding FDC^*

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

Finding, Development and Acquisition Costs, Including FDC^*

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

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

Forecast Prices

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

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

Contact Information

For investor and media inquiries please contact:

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

About Gran Tierra Energy Inc.

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

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS ADVISORY

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

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

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

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

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

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

Non-GAAP Measures

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

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

Unaudited Financial Information

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

DISCLOSURE OF OIL AND GAS INFORMATION

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

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

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

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

Definitions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oil and Gas Metrics

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The MIL Network –

January 27, 2025

MIL-Evening Report: Al Jazeera says correspondent’s arrest latest bid to gag Jenin coverage

Pacific Media Watch

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Introduces Texan Brooke Rollins at USDA Secretary Nomination Hearing

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced Texan and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary nominee Brooke Rollins at her nomination hearing in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Excerpts from his remarks are below, and video can be found here.
“This one is a no-brainer.”
“I first met Brooke years ago when serving in state government in Texas, but it was when she was the policy director for then-Governor Rick Perry that I began to see what a truly dedicated public servant she was and still is.”
“Brooke’s agricultural roots will serve her well as Secretary of Agriculture to give farmers and producers from the Lone Star State and across the country a clarion voice when it comes to President Trump’s Cabinet.”
“I’ve worked with Brooke in a number of roles and seen her as she’s helped advance bipartisan legislation both in Austin and here in the nation’s capital, and I know she will bring that experience and that temperament to her job at USDA.”
“The Texas A&M football team, of which Brooke is a devoted fan, says their student body is the 12th Man who propels them to victory. I know Brooke is honored to step up now and become the 12th Woman for the farmers and ranchers of America.”

MIL OSI USA News –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Boozman, Sheehy, Van Hollen Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Assist Veterans with Home Ownership

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman
WASHINGTON––U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Tim Sheehy (R-MT) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced the bipartisan VA Home Loan Awareness Act to help more veterans take advantage of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Loan program and achieve home ownership.
The VA Home Loan program offers veterans no down payment, no private mortgage insurance and interest rates that are often lower than rates for conventional FHA loans. Despite these benefits, only 13 percent of veterans access the VA Home Loan program. Among veterans who don’t use the VA Home Loan program, 33 percent say they are not aware of the program.
“By making extra effort to inform veterans of the benefits they have earned, we can help the men and women who have served fulfill the American dream of home ownership,” said Boozman. “The VA Home Loan program has been historically underutilized, and I am pleased to see bipartisan support to increase awareness about its potential to help improve the lives of our veterans and their families.”
“For decades, owning a home has been the bedrock of the American Dream, but too often, those who have put their lives on the line for our country have been hampered by a lack of information from their own government. I’m proud to join Senator Van Hollen and my other colleagues in introducing this commonsense measure to empower our veterans with the knowledge and resources necessary to secure a VA Home Loan and achieve the same dream they fought to defend,” said Sheehy.
“After serving our country in uniform, our veterans deserve the support of a grateful nation. The VA Home Loan Program is one way we provide that support – by helping veterans purchase homes. But far too many of our veterans are unaware of this program and what it has to offer. Our bipartisan bill will help ensure more veterans and their families have the opportunity to use it to achieve their goal of homeownership,” said Van Hollen.
The VA Home Loan Awareness Act will help better inform veterans of opportunities provided by the VA Home Loan program by adding a disclosure to the Uniform Residential Loan Application (URLA) informing veterans they may be eligible for a VA Home Loan, directing applicants to consult their lender for more information about the VA Home Loan program, and instructing the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a review and report to Congress on lenders’ adoption of these URLA updates.
The legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ted Budd (R-NC), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Peter Welch (D-VT), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), John Kennedy (R-LA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).
Click here to read the text of the legislation.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 27, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Trump has fired a major cyber security investigations body. It’s a risky move

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Toby Murray, Professor of Cybersecurity, School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne

Before the end of its first full day of operations, the new Trump administration gutted all advisory panels for the Department of Homeland Security. Among these was the well-respected Cyber Safety Review Board, or CSRB.

While this change hasn’t received as much notice as Trump’s massive announcement about AI, it has potentially significant implications for cyber security. The CSRB is an important source of information for governments and businesses trying to protect themselves from cyber threats.

This change also throws into doubt the board’s current activities. These include an ongoing investigation into the Salt Typhoon cyber attacks which began as early as 2022 and are still keeping cyber defenders busy, attributed to hackers in China.

Salt Typhoon has been described as the “worst telecommunications hack” in US history. Among other activities, the hackers obtained call records data made by high-profile individuals and even the contents of phone calls and text messages. The phones of then presidential nominee Donald Trump were reportedly among those targeted.

What does the Cyber Safety Review Board do?

The board was established three years ago by the Biden administration. Roughly speaking, its job is the cyberspace equivalent of government air traffic investigation bodies such as the US National Transportation Safety Board, or the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

The CSRB investigates major cyber security incidents. Its job is to determine their causes and recommend ways government and businesses can better protect themselves, including on how to prevent similar incidents in future.

Its members include global cyber security luminaries from industry, such as cyber executives from Google and Microsoft, and US government leaders from several departments and agencies concerned with security.

The US CSRB has previously published three major reports. Its first covered the infamous 2021 Log4j vulnerability, described at the time as the “single biggest, most critical vulnerability ever”. (A vulnerability is a weakness in a computer system that cyber criminals can exploit.)

The board’s most recent published investigation involved a very sophisticated hacking campaign that targeted Microsoft’s cloud email services in 2023. As a result, hackers even gained access to the emails of various US government agencies.

Cyber security experts widely consider the CSRB as a positive thing. Late last year, Australia even committed to establish its own version, the Cyber Incident Review Board.

At the time of writing, it’s unclear whether the CSRB will continue – perhaps with different membership – or whether its activities will cease entirely.

Either way, the decision to fire the board’s members has significant security implications. It comes at a moment in history when cyber threats have never been more severe.

What is Salt Typhoon?

The CSRB has been investigating the Salt Typhoon hacking campaign. Salt Typhoon is the name Microsoft assigned to a sophisticated group of hackers believed to be operated by China’s Ministry of State Security. The ministry is somewhat like a combination of an intelligence agency and a secret police service.

Salt Typhoon is best known for hacking into several US telecommunication companies, first reported in August 2024. In December, it came to light Salt Typhoon’s telco hacks may also have impacted countries beyond the US. American, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand authorities also jointly issued public guidance to organisations to help defend against Salt Typhoon.

Salt Typhoon reportedly targeted prominent figures, including political leaders. The hackers’ goal appears to have been to collect intelligence, rather than cause damage.

For example, it has been reported Salt Typhoon collected a list of all phone calls made near Washington DC, which could help them determine who was talking to whom in the US capital.

Salt Typhoon also reportedly obtained a list of phone numbers wiretapped by the US Justice Department. This confirmed the fears of many people opposed to the government’s powers to lawfully wiretap citizens’ phones.

It is unclear why the hackers obtained that information. Some have speculated it would identify which of their own operatives were being monitored by US law enforcement.

To say the Salt Typhoon revelations created waves in government and cyber security circles is putting it mildly. Telecommunications are critical infrastructure, as well as highly valuable targets for intelligence collection.

The idea that foreign spies could burrow so deeply into the communication fabric of the US was unprecedented and disturbing.

In October 2024 the CSRB was tasked with investigating Salt Typhoon’s activities.

An uncertain future

With the board now fired, the future of the Salt Typhoon investigation remains unclear.

A thorough and impartial investigation of the Salt Typhoon hacks, had it been allowed to run, was likely to have delivered highly valuable cyber security lessons. Those lessons are important for both US companies and those in Australia, which have also been the targets of Chinese intelligence collection.

The future of the CSRB itself is now also in question. The board and its overseas equivalents serve a vital role in promoting cyber information-sharing that helps to improve best practices.

It is imperative these bodies are staffed with a diverse collection of impartial experts, able to carry out their work free from government and corporate interference.

It remains to be seen whether dissolving the current CSRB will be a gift to Chinese hackers (as some have claimed), or simply a speed bump in the evolution of the board.

Toby Murray is the Director of the Defence Science Institute, which receives Commonwealth and State government funding. Toby receives research funding from the Australian government and has previously received funding from the US Department of Defense, Facebook and Google.

– ref. Trump has fired a major cyber security investigations body. It’s a risky move – https://theconversation.com/trump-has-fired-a-major-cyber-security-investigations-body-its-a-risky-move-248106

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Senior Chinese official urges further efforts to counter cross-border gambling

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

BEIJING, Jan. 23 — Senior Chinese official Wang Xiaohong on Thursday called for new achievements and breakthroughs to be made in China’s fight against cross-border gambling.

Wang, a member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and state councilor, made the remarks while addressing a national teleconference on anti-cross-border gambling work.

Over recent years, with the country’s ever-improved prevention and control system, once-rampant activities of cross-border gambling have been effectively brought under control, Wang said.

Noting the importance of maintaining a zero-tolerance approach during the fight, Wang called for systemic and comprehensive efforts to address both the symptoms and root causes of cross-border gambling.

He also urged efforts to fully tap into the country’s political and institutional advantages and further strengthen accountability enforcement, mechanism-building and legal guarantees in the fight.

MIL OSI China News –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Johnson, Pro-Life Lawmakers Encourage Trump to Reinstate Life-Affirming Policies

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Ron Johnson
WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined U.S. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and more than 140 members of Congress in issuing a letter that encourages President Trump to reinstate and broaden the life-affirming pro-life policies in the early days of his new administration.
The letter sent to President Trump signed by 36 Senators and 108 Representatives, in addition to encouraging President Trump, also strongly condemned the Biden administration’s unprecedented and illegal pro-abortion policies.
“Over the last four years, President Biden, Vice President Harris, and their administration systematically weaponized the government against the unborn, their mothers and pro-life Americans—doing their very best to erase every trace of life-affirming victories from your first administration,”the lawmakers wrote.
In addition to reasserting adherence to the long-standing policies restricting the use of taxpayer dollars to promote abortion domestically and internationally, the lawmakers also sought the return of Trump anti-discrimination conscience policies, the pardon of peaceful protesters, and the investigation of potential illegal late-term abortion.
The letter encouraged President Trump to seize the opportunity to examine federal programs across the government to maximize their impact for the benefit of pregnant and parenting women and their children, before and after birth, with housing, childcare, transportation, addiction recovery, and life-affirming health care.
“We are grateful that the Trump administration can bring an end to the weaponization of the United States government against pro-life Americans and unborn children,” the lawmakers wrote. “We believe there is a better way forward for our Republic. We are hopeful for a future where women are given real choices and real support: a future that gives pregnant and parenting women the resources they need to embrace life without feeling the pressure to abort their child. We urge you to seek ways to provide this future to all Americans. The life, safety, freedom and health of the millions of Americans, born and unborn, depend on it.”
Sens. Johnson, Hyde-Smith, and Lankford were joined by Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.).
The lawmakers’ letter is endorsed by the American Association of Pro-Life OBGYNs, Americans United for Life, CatholicVote, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Family Research Council, March for Life Action, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Students for Life Action, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and the Vitae Foundation.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Dr. Rand Paul Honors 2025 March for Life, Reintroduces Defund Planned Parenthood Act

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Rand Paul

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 23, 2025
Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, ahead of the 2025 March for Life tomorrow in Washington, D.C., U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) released the following statement honoring the event and reintroduced his Defund Planned Parenthood Act.
“As a physician, I took an oath to do no harm. As a father and grandfather, I’ve witnessed the miracle of life firsthand,” said Dr. Paul. “My commitment to protecting life isn’t just personal, it’s rooted in both science and principle. Life begins at conception, and I’ve spent my time in the Senate fighting to protect the right to life.”
The Defund Planned Parenthood Act would ensure federal tax dollars aren’t going to organizations, like Planned Parenthood, to perform abortions.
The Defund Planned Parenthood Act is cosponsored by Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Ted Budd (R-NC), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Ted Cruz (R-TX).

You can read the bill in its entirety HERE, and watch Dr. Paul’s full message on the 2025 March for Life HERE.
The Defund Planned Parenthood Act is supported by the following organizations:
“Senator Rand Paul’s Defund Planned Parenthood Act is a critical step in the direction of protecting taxpayer dollars from supporting the abortion industry, specifically, Planned Parenthood, our nation’s largest abortion provider. We at March for Life Action will continue to work towards enacting legislation like this bill that is in the best interest of women’s health, protects the most vulnerable unborn child, and seeks to support mother and child,” said Jeanne F. Mancini, President of March for Life Action.
“Sen. Rand Paul’s bill to prohibit federal funding of Planned Parenthood represents a significant effort to enact President Trump’s stated agenda of reducing the role of the federal government on the issue of abortion. As long as taxpayers underwrite the nation’s largest abortion vendor, abortion is federal. In mandates and money, the federal government has acted with prejudice against pro-life people and for abortion. In a completely partisan way, Planned Parenthood also has worked to defeat Republicans to replace them with radical pro-abortion Democrats, who have ensured that the checks keep coming. America’s healthcare dollars should be invested in care that takes care of every patient, in and outside of the womb, and this bill also makes no exceptions for Planned Parenthood, as they should be debarred and defunded as bad actors in the healthcare space. Students for Life Action supports the Defund Planned Parenthood Act and will score both the votes and co-sponsorship of the measure,” said Kristan Hawkins, President of Students for Life of America & Students for Life Action.
“Planned Parenthood is one of our nation’s largest purveyors of abortion and cross-sex hormones. They do not deserve any taxpayer dollars. Thank you to Senator Paul for leading the effort in defunding Planned Parenthood,” said Ryan T. Anderson, PhD, President of the Ethics and Public Policy Center.
“Americans rejected Democrats’ extremist abortion-on-demand and radical gender ideology agenda at the ballot box. The Defund Planned Parenthood Act is an opportunity for conservatives to finally deliver on their decade-old promise to stop taxpayer dollars from funding abortion, and now dangerous experimental medical procedures on minors. Heritage Action commends Senator Paul for spearheading the fight to deliver real results to protect unborn babies, confused children, and their mothers. Senators who believe in the sanctity of life and defending the vulnerable should support and enact this bill,” said Janae Stracke, Vice President of Outreach and Advocacy at Heritage Action.
“Americans should not be forced to fund an organization that profits from killing unborn children. Killing America’s future does nothing to advance the interest of the American people. We are grateful to Dr. Paul for his work to protect American dollars from being used to kill innocent unborn babies,” said Mary Szoch, Director for the Center of Human Dignity, Family Research Council.
“Not a cent of taxpayer dollars should be going to Planned Parenthood. They don’t care about women’s healthcare; they care about making money. And they do it through the murder of innocent babies and preying on vulnerable, confused children. It’s long past time to end the abominable lie that Planned Parenthood needs federal funds in order to function. It’s time to prove that America is a nation that truly cares about women by defunding this organization that has taken advantage of them for decades,” said Penny Nance, CEO and President of Concerned Women for America.
“Senator Rand Paul continues to champion constitutional policies with his vital bill to end federal funding for Planned Parenthood. Taxpayers should not be compelled to fund over $1.5 billion annually for an organization that performs nearly 400,000 abortions each year,” said George Landrith, President of Frontiers of Freedom Institute. “Despite its claims of providing comprehensive healthcare, Planned Parenthood has seen rising abortion numbers and declining other health services. The Hyde Amendment once protected taxpayers from funding abortions—it’s time to reinstate this sensible safeguard. Thank you, Senator Paul, for your principled leadership!”

MIL OSI USA News –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: David Seymour: The State of the Nation in 2025 – Dire States

Source: ACT Party

Delivered by ACT Leader David Seymour the Akarana Event Centre, Ōrākei.

Introduction

Thank you, Brooke, for your kind introduction. I’m biased, but I think you’re the Government’s most quietly effective Minister. Your labour law reforms are making it easier to employ workers and to be employed. Your minimum wage increases are announced early to give business certainty, and relief. You are taking on two of the hardest chestnuts in the workplace – holiday pay and health and safety – by listening to the people affected. You’ve put together an honest Royal Commission on COVID-19, and got wait times down for new passports and Citizenships. All the while you attract growing respect as a hard-working local MP here in Tamaki.

It’s easy to forget Brooke’s 32. She has the biggest future in New Zealand politics.

The only problem with mentioning one ACT MP is they’re all kicking goals with both feet, so you have to mention the lot. Nicole McKee is speeding up the court system, rewriting the entire Arms Act to make New Zealand safer, and reforming anti-money laundering laws so people can business done.

Andrew Hoggard handles the country’s biosecurity, managing would-be outbreaks with steady hands. He is also dealing to Significant Natural Areas that erode farmers’ property rights and correcting the naïve treatment of methane that punishes the whole country.

He’s able to do that in large part because of the work Mark Cameron did, and continues to do. From 2020 onwards he scared the bejesus out of every other party in rural New Zealand. He shifted the whole political spectrum right on the split gas approach, SNAs, and freshwater laws. Now the Government is changing those policies. As Chair of the Primary Production Committee, Mark stays in the headlines championing rural New Zealand every week. He is the definition of an effective MP.

Karen Chhour is the embodiment of ACT values. Her life gives her more excuses than anyone in Parliament, but she makes none, and she accepts none. She is reforming the government department that let her down when she was small. If every New Zealander had Karen’s attitude and values, we’d be a country with no problems.

Perhaps the biggest single policy problem we face is the Resource Management Act. Somone once said you can fill a town hall to stop anything in this country, but you can’t fill a telephone box to get something started. In steps Simon Court who, with Chris Bishop, is designing new resource management laws based on property rights. That’s an ACT policy designed to unleash the latent wealth our country has by letting people develop and use the property they own.

Our new MPs that you helped elect last year are also making their marks. Todd Stephenson has picked up the End of Life Choice baton, with a bill to extend compassion and choice to those who suffer the most: those with long-term, degenerative illnesses. Parmjeet Parmar is one of the hardest working MPs I have seen, and a great chair of the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee. Cam Luxton and Laura McClure speak to a new generation of young parents who want their children to grow up in a free society.

If you gave your Party Vote to ACT last year, you can be proud of the New Zealanders you put in Parliament to represent you. I am proud to lead this team of free thinkers in our House of Representatives, and I think we can all be proud of their efforts.

New Zealand’s origin story: a nation of immigrants

The summer is a good time to think about the state of our nation, and I got to thinking about who we are and how we got here. Whatever troubles we may face today, I couldn’t help coming back to something that unites New Zealand.

Our country at its best is a place that welcomes hopeful people from all over the earth. People with different languages, religions and cultures united by one thing. When you look at the map it jumps out at you. We are the most remote country on Earth. If you’ve never stood at Cape Reinga and looked out to see wide open spaces for 10,000 kilometres, you owe it to yourself just once.

It shows that one thing makes us all different from the rest of the world. No matter when or where you came from, you or your ancestors once travelled farther than anyone to give your children and theirs a better tomorrow.

That is the true Kiwi spirit. Taking a leap into the unknown for a chance at better. Compared with what divides us, our spirit as a nation of pioneers unites us ten times over. Migrating from oppression and poverty for freedom and prosperity is what it means to be Kiwi.

If that bright and optimistic side of our psyche, got half as much time as the whinging, we would all be better off. We would see ourselves as people unafraid of challenges, freed from conformity, with the power to decide our best days are always ahead of us.

New Zealand’s inherent tension: two tribes

I got to wondering why that isn’t a more popular story. Why do we cut down tall poppies? Why do we value conformity over truth? Why do people who came here for a better life grow up disappointed and move away again?

I believe our nation is dominated by two invisible tribes. One, I call ‘Change Makers’. People who act out the pioneering spirit that built our country every day. We don’t just believe it is possible to make a difference in our own lives; we believe it’s an obligation.

Change makers load up their mortgage to start a business and give other people jobs. They work the land to feed the world. They save up and buy a home that they maintain for someone else to live in. They study hard to extend themselves. They volunteer and help out where they can. They take each person as they find them. They don’t need to know your ancestry before they know how to treat you.

Too often, they get vilified for all of the above. I know there’s many people like that in this room today. ACT people are Change Makers; we carry the pioneering spirit in our hearts.

Then there’s the other tribe – people building a Majority for Mediocrity. They would love nothing more than to go into lockdown again, make some more sourdough, and worry about the billions in debt another day.

They blame one of the most successful societies in history for every problem they have. They believe that ancestry is destiny. They believe people are responsible for things that happened before they were born, but criminals aren’t responsible for what they did last week.

Far from believing people can make a difference in their own lives, they believe that their troubles are caused by other people’s success. They look for politicians who’ll cut tall poppies down – politicians who say to young New Zealanders ‘if you study hard, get good grades, get a good job, save money, and invest wisely, we’ll tax you harder’.

I wasn’t kidding about the lockdowns; they were a litmus test. In early 2022, after this city had been locked down for months, and the borders had been closed for two years, a pollster asked New Zealanders if they’d like to be locked down again for Omicron.

Now, I know it’s painful to think back, but bear with me. Omicron spread more easily than any earlier variant. It was also less harmful if you caught it. That was especially so because we were then among the most vaccinated nations on earth. The damage to business, education, non-COVID healthcare, and the government’s books was already massive and painful.

And yet, 48 per cent of New Zealanders wanted another lockdown for Omicron. 46 per cent didn’t. That for me put the tribes into sharp relief. If you were a business owner who needed to open, a parent worried about missed education, a migrant missing their family, or just someone who wanted their life back, you wanted to open.

When the Government finally lifted restrictions, many of those people left. Real estate agents report people selling because they’re moving to Australia every day. This is where the balance between these two invisible tribes comes into focus.

Remember the gap in that poll was two per cent. Since the borders opened a net 116,000 citizens have left New Zealand. That’s a touch over two per cent.

A tipping point

The more people with get up and go choose to get up and leave, the less attractive it is for motivated people to stay here.

Muldoon once quipped, ‘New Zealanders who leave for Australia raise the IQ of both countries.’ Actually, New Zealanders who leave for Australia are tipping us towards a Majority for Mediocrity. Motivated New Zealanders leaving is good news for the shoplifters, conspiracy theorists, and hollow men who make up the political opposition.

A few more good people leaving is all they need for their Majority of Mediocrity. The more that aspirational, hardworking people get up and leave New Zealand, the more likely it is we’ll get left-wing governments in the future.

That’s why I say we’re at a tipping point.

There’s another reason why the mediocrity majority is growing, young people feel betrayed and disillusioned.

A new generation looks at the housing market and sees little hope. Imagine you’re someone who’s done it all right, you listened to your teacher and did your homework. You studied for a tertiary education like everyone told you. Now you have $34,000 in debt, you start on $60,000, and you see the average house is 900,000 or fifteen times your (before tax) income.

Nobody can blame a young person for wondering if they aren’t better off overseas. Many decide they are. Those who stay are infected by universities with the woke mind viruses of identity politics, Marxism, and post-modernism.

Feeling like you’ll never own your own capital asset at the same time as some professor left over from the Cold War tells you about Marx is a dangerous combination.

This is the other political tipping point that risks manufacturing a majority for mediocrity. A bad housing market and a woke education system combined are a production line for left-wing voters.

The hard left prey on young New Zealanders. They tell them that their problems are caused by others’ success. That they are held back by their identity, but if they embrace identity politics, they can take back what’s theirs. Their mechanism is a new tax on wealth.

These are the opposite of the spirit brings New Zealanders to our shores in the first place. The state of our nation is that we’re at a tipping point , and what we do in the next few years will decide which way we go.

The short-term outlook is sunny, but only because Labour was so bad.

We can afford to hope that this year will be better than 2024. By that standard, 2025 will be a success. Interest rates will be lower. The Government will have stopped wasting borrowed money, banning things, punishing employers, landlords, farmers, and anyone else trying to make a difference, with another layer of red tape.

In fact, we have a Government that’s saving money, cutting red tape, and paring back identity politics. With those changes we will see more hope than we’ve seen in years, and hopefully a slowdown in citizens leaving. That is good, it’s welcome, and ACT is proud to be part of the coalition Government that’s doing it.

ACT is needed to be brave, articulate, and patriotic

The truth is, though, it’s easy to do a better job of Labour over 12 months. It’s much harder to muster the courage to keep making difficult decisions over several years, even if they’re not immediately popular. Our nation is in a century of decline. Just stopping one Government’s stupid stuff and waiting for a cyclical recovery won’t change the long-term trend. We need to be honest about the challenges we face and the changes needed to overcome them.

We need to act like a country at risk of reaching a tipping point and losing its first world status. We are facing some tough times, and tough times require tough choices to be made.

ACT’s goal is to keep the Government, and make it better. We may have gone into Government, but we never went into groupthink. It’s the role of ACT to be the squeaky wheel, pointing out where the Government needs to do better.

The Government cannot measure itself by just being better than Labour. Instead, we need to ask ourselves, is this policy good enough to make New Zealand a first world country that people want to stay in?

It’s easy to have big plans, we are the world, but charity begins at home. We need to focus only on what the government does, and ensure it does it well.

We need to think carefully about three areas of government activity: spending, owning, and regulating. There is nothing the government does that doesn’t come down to one of those three things.

Why government spends a dollar it has taxed or borrowed, and whether the benefits of that outweigh the costs.

Why government owns an asset, and whether the benefits to citizens outweigh the costs to taxpayers of owning it.

Why a restriction is placed on the use and exchange of private property, and whether the benefits of that regulation outweigh the costs on the property owner.

When it comes to spending, we have a burning platform.

Last year the economy shrunk by one per cent, even as the population grew slightly thanks to births and inbound migration. This year the Government is planning to borrow $17 billion, about $10 billion is for interest on debt, and we’ll have to pay interest on that debt the following year. Next year, government debt will exceed $200 billion.

There lots of reasons why this situation will get harder.

We’ve claimed an exclusive economic zone of four million square kilometres by drawing a circle around every offshore island we could name. We spend less than one per cent of GDP defending it, while our only ally, across the ditch, spends twice that.

Put another way, we’re a country whose government gives out $45 billion in payments each year but spends only $3.2 billion defending the place. Does that sound prudent to you? Doubling defense would cost another $3.2 billion per year, effectively paying more for what we already have. We may face pressure to do just that thanks to US foreign policy.

There’s a tail wind on balancing the books, and it’s affecting every developed country, our population is ageing faster than it’s growing.

Every year around 60,000 people turn sixty-five and become eligible for a pension. To the taxpayer, superannuation expenses increase by $1.4 billion each year.

Healthcare spending has gone from $20 billion to $30 billion in five years, but people are so dissatisfied that healthcare is now the third biggest political issue. Put it another way, we are now spending nearly $6,000 per citizen on healthcare.

How many people here would give up their right to the public healthcare system if they got $6,000 for their own private insurance? Should we allow people to opt out of the public healthcare system, and take their portion of funding with them so they can go private?

Education is similar. We spend $20 billion of taxpayer money every year, and every year 60,000 children are born. By my count that’s $333,000 of lifetime education spending for each citizen.

How many people would take their $333,000 and pay for their own education? How many young New Zealanders would be better off if they did it that way?

Instead of spending next year because we did it this year, we need to ask ourselves, if we want to remain a first world country, then do New Zealanders get a return on this spending that justifies taking the money off taxpayers in the first place? If spending doesn’t stack up, it should stop so we can repay debt or spend the money on something that does.

Then there’s the $570 billion, over half a trillion dollars of assets, the government owns. The one thing we know from state houses, hospital projects, and farms with high levels of animal death, is that the government is hopeless at owning things.

But did you know you own Quotable Value, a property valuation company chaired by a former race relations conciliator that contracts to the government of New South Wales?

What about 60,000 homes? The government doesn’t need to own a home to house someone. We know this because it also spends billions subsidising people to live in homes it doesn’t own. On the other hand, the taxpayer is paying $10 billion a year servicing debt, and the KiwiBuild and Kainga Ora debacles show the government should do as little in housing as possible.

There are greater needs for government capital. We haven’t built a harbour crossing for nearly seven decades. Four hundred people die every year on a substandard road network. Beaches around here get closed thanks to sewerage overflow, but we need more core infrastructure. Sections of this city are being red zoned from having more homes built because the council cannot afford the pipes and pumping stations.

We need to get past squeamishness about privatisation and ask a simple question: if we want to be a first world country, then are we making the best use of the government’s half a trillion dollars’ plus worth of assets? If something isn’t getting a return, the government should sell it so we can afford to buy something that does.

Finally, there’s regulation. That is placing restrictions on the use and exchange of property that the government doesn’t own or hasn’t taxed off the people who earned it already. That is, your property. Bad regulation is killing our prosperity in three ways.

It adds costs to the things we do. It’s the delays, the paperwork, and the fees that make too many activities cost more than they ought to. It’s the builder saying it takes longer to get the consent than it took to build the thing. It’s the anti-money laundering palaver that ties people in knots doing basic things but somehow doesn’t stop criminals bringing in half a billion dollars of P each year. It’s the daycare centre that took four years to open because different departments couldn’t agree about the road noise outside. I could go on all afternoon.

Then there’s the things that just don’t happen because people decide the costs don’t add up once the red tape is factored in.

Then there’s the big one that goes to the heart of our identity and culture. It’s all the kids who grow up in a country where people gave up or weren’t allowed to try. It’s the climbing wall at Sir Edmund Hillary’s old school with signs saying don’t climb. It’s the lack of nightlife because it’s too hard to get a license. It’s the fear that comes from worrying WorkSafe or some other regulator will come and shut you down. You can’t measure it, but we all know it’s there.

The Kiwi spirit we are so proud of is being chipped away and killing our vibe. Nobody migrated here to be compliant, but compliance is infantilising our culture, and I haven’t even mentioned orange cones yet.

If we want to remain first world, we need to change how we regulate. No law should be passed without showing what problem is being solved, whether the benefits outweigh the costs, and who pays the costs and gets the benefits. These are the basic principles of the Regulatory Standards Bill that the Government will pass this year.

Conclusion

Of course, the Government IS doing many things that will change how it operates. There is a drive to reduce waste. There is a drive to get more money from overseas investment. The Regulatory Standards Bill will change how we regulate. The Resource Management Act is being replaced. Anti-money laundering laws are being simplified. Charter schools are opening, more roads are being built. These are all good things.

But make no mistake, our country has always been the site of a battle between two tribes. The effect of emigration, and the world faced by young New Zealanders risks creating a permanent majority for mediocrity. Our country is at a tipping point.

We need honest conversations about why government spends, owns, and regulates, and whether those policies are good enough to secure our future as a first world nation.

You may have seen the ACT Party has been involved in a battle to define the principles of the Treaty democratically. It’s caused quite a stir. If you missed it, please check out treaty.nz where we outline what it’s about. It may still succeed this time, or it may be one of those bills that simply breaks the ground so something like it can proceed in the future.

Either way, the tribe of change makers has a voice. People who want equal rights for all New Zealanders to be treated with respect and dignity because they’re citizens have a position that others need to refute. Good luck to them arguing against equal rights.

It also shows something else, that ACT is the party prepared to stand up when it’s not easy and it’s not popular. That’s exactly the type of party our country needs in our Government.

To all the Change Makers who proudly put us there, thank you, and no matter how daunting this tipping point may feel, together we can ensure our best days are still ahead of us.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: FEMA, State, USDA Team to Host Agriculture Recovery Fairs

Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

Headline: FEMA, State, USDA Team to Host Agriculture Recovery Fairs

FEMA, State, USDA Team to Host Agriculture Recovery Fairs

HICKORY, N.C. – One-day Agriculture Recovery Centers are planned to help North Carolina farmers recover from Helene damage. The first locations are set for Buncombe, Henderson, McDowell and Watauga counties. Additional events are planned for Ashe, Avery, Burke, Mitchell and Yancey counties. All are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.The walk-through events will provide information on addressing agricultural or rural needs not covered by standard programs offered by FEMA or the state, and offer opportunities for farmers, ranchers, nursery owners, vineyards, honeybee growers and fish producers to meet with agricultural officials to learn about assistance available. The centers have specifically trained representatives of FEMA; the U.S. Department of Agriculture; North Carolina Department of Commerce; North Carolina Department of Agriculture; U.S. Small Business Administration; local Farm Service Agency officials; and other government agencies to assist agricultural workers with their recovery needs. Please bring evidence of ownership, or photos of damaged or lost tools and equipment, along with estimated replacement costs to expedite your application. Learn more here: Help for Self-Employed. Jan. 27 – McDowell County McDowell Technical Community College Universal Manufacturing Center634 College DriveMarion, NC 28752Jan. 28 – Henderson County Dana Community Center2879 Upward RdFlat Rock, NC 28731 Jan. 30 – Buncombe County Asheville–Buncombe Technical Community CollegeIvy Building9 Genevieve CircleAsheville, NC 28801Jan. 31 – Watauga County Watauga Agricultural Conference Center(Winter Farmer’s Market)252 Poplar Grove RoadBoone, NC 28607
joseph.arbid
Thu, 01/23/2025 – 23:21

MIL OSI USA News –

January 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Landmark £9 billion contract for British business to boost jobs, growth and nuclear deterrent
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

A major deal, worth approximately £9 billion, has been struck with British firm Rolls-Royce to bolster support to the Royal Navy’s fleet of nuclear submarines, boosting national security and economic growth and delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.
Vanguard-Class nuclear submarine at sea.

Deal with Rolls-Royce to support Royal Navy submarine fleet and bolster national security.

Major boost for economic growth, creating and maintaining 5,000 long-term UK jobs.

New contract ensures more efficient Government spending and delivers on nuclear ‘triple-lock’ commitment.

A major deal, worth approximately £9 billion, has been struck with British firm Rolls-Royce to bolster support to the Royal Navy’s fleet of nuclear submarines, boosting national security and economic growth and delivering on the government’s Plan for Change

Creating more than 1,000 UK jobs and safeguarding 4,000 other roles, the contract with Rolls-Royce Submarines Ltd – dubbed ‘Unity’ – will deliver the design, manufacture and support services to nuclear reactors to power our submarines.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP will announce the deal today on a visit to Rolls-Royce’s nuclear reactor production facility in Derby. Alongside backing thousands of UK roles, the agreement also streamlines previous contracts and incentivises more efficient delivery, resulting in better value for money for the taxpayer through savings of more than £400 million over the eight-year contract. As part of our national endeavour to maintain a continuous at-sea deterrent, this agreement will help streamline decision-making and foster the kind of close partnership between industry and government that is essential to our success.

The announcement bolsters Britain’s security as a foundation of the Government’s Plan for Change, and strengthens the historic AUKUS partnership with the USA and Australia. In line with the upcoming Defence Industrial Strategy, Unity will drive significant UK economic growth over many years.

In Derby today, John Healey will speak with staff and apprentices, and use the visit to reinforce the Government’s commitment to the ‘triple-lock’ on the nuclear deterrent, which includes: building four new nuclear submarines in Barrow-in-Furness, in Cumbria; maintaining our continuous at sea nuclear deterrent; and delivering all future upgrades needed.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

This investment in Britain’s defence will deliver a long-term boost to British business, jobs and national security.

In line with our Plan for Change, this deal with Rolls-Royce, a historic British success-story, will support high-skilled UK jobs who equip the thousands of submariners that keep us all safe. We are showing defence can be an engine for growth, while also driving better value for taxpayer money.

National security is a foundation of our government’s plan for change, and this is a clear demonstration of our commitment to the UK’s nuclear deterrent, which is our ultimate insurance policy in a more dangerous world.

The eight-year contract represents long-term certainty for a major British business, building in resilience and capability across the supply-chain. This will generate more efficiency and allow for effective risk and opportunity management, providing incentives to produce more for no increase in cost, including on work such as the building of Dreadnought Class submarines.

The agreement will also help streamline decision-making and foster close partnership with industry, supporting the aims of the new Defence Industrial Strategy.

Steve Carlier, President Rolls-Royce Submarines said:

We’re delighted to announce the Unity Contract, which confirms our commitment to the Royal Navy and the Defence Nuclear Enterprise. This long-term contract enables us to invest in the right skills, equipment, and facilities to play our part in protecting UK interests at home and overseas.

The Government is committed to the nuclear deterrent triple Lock:

Building four new nuclear submarines in Barrow-in-Furness, supporting high-quality, high-status apprenticeships and jobs, with the supply chain benefits being felt right across the country.

Britain maintaining its continuous at-sea deterrent, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – securing protection for both the UK and NATO allies.

The delivery of all future upgrades needed for those submarines to patrol the waters and keep our country safe.

Sir Chris Gardner KBE, CEO Submarine Delivery Agency said:

The signing of the Unity contract is a key milestone in the SDA and Rolls-Royce partnership, building resilience, collaboration, and capability.    Bringing together existing commercial arrangements, it is a clear signal of our commitment to deliver greater effectiveness, efficiency, and agility to meet the needs of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise and support the Royal Navy’s submarines now and into the future.

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Published 24 January 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
January 27, 2025

Category: Politics

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Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

Steve Carlier, President Rolls-Royce Submarines said:

Sir Chris Gardner KBE, CEO Submarine Delivery Agency said:

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