NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Security: Napa Valley Winery Owner Pleads Guilty To Aiding And Assisting In Filing Of False Tax Return

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN FRANCISCO – Brian Fleury, 64, of Napa County, pleaded guilty in federal court today to aiding and assisting the preparation of a false tax return for the 2016 tax year.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Fleury and his spouse owned Napa Valley winery Metropolitan Wines, LLC and several vineyards also located in Napa Valley.  For tax years 2014 through 2018, Fleury intentionally underreported income earned by Metropolitan Wines to his income tax preparer.  Fleury directed some customers to pay for their wine by writing checks directly to Fleury instead of to Metropolitan Wines.  Fleury wrote or directed his employees to write “OTB,” for “off the books,” on some of these customers’ invoices.  Fleury kept these payments for himself and did not report this as income earned by Metropolitan Wines.  Between 2014 and 2018, Fleury underreported his and his spouse’s income by $822,450.

    Fleury also admitted that from 2007 through 2019, he failed to pay federal excise tax that was due on brandy he received, possessed, and sold.  Fleury filed annual reports with the United States Department of the Treasury, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) that falsely stated that no wine had been removed for distilling material, no wine had been produced with the addition of wine spirits, no distilled spirits were on hand, and no spirits had been sold or received in bond.  Fleury knew these statements were false.  

    In fact, in 2007, Fleury directed that 3,983 gallons of wine be transferred to a distilled spirits plant, and later that year, the plant returned 911.33 proof gallons of brandy to Metropolitan Wines.  Fleury also admitted that he had produced 2006, 2008, and 2009 vintage brandy, and that he bottled and sold brandy from 2013 through 2018 under the name “9 Fiddy” for $350 per 375 ml bottle in regular wine bottles to conceal his sale of brandy.  

    In total, Fleury caused a tax loss to the IRS and TTB of $211,092.

    Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge of the Oakland Field Office Linda Nguyen, IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge of the Washington, D.C. Field Office Kareem Carter, and Anthony P. Gledhill, Assistant Administrator, Field Operations for TTB made the announcement.

    Fleury pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7206(2), which carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 13, 2025, before Senior U.S. District Judge Maxine M. Chesney. Any sentence will be imposed by the Court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Helen L. Gilbert is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Kathy Tat. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by IRS-CI and TTB, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Morton, Washington City Clerk pleads guilty to wire fraud for lengthy embezzlement scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Tacoma – The former Clerk-Treasurer for the City of Morton in Lewis County pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to wire fraud in connection with her nine-year scheme to steal nearly $1 million from city coffers, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Tamara (Tammy) Clevenger served as the Clerk-Treasurer for Morton from 2012-2022. In 2024, an audit by the Washington State Auditor uncovered years of embezzlement totaling $937,584. Clevenger is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright on July 7, 2025.

    According to records filed in the case, including the plea agreement, Clevenger used a variety of ways to steal funds. Between November 2015 and December 2021, she stole at least $311,727 of cash that citizens had brought in to pay for city services. In some instances, she would write a fraudulent city checks in the amount of cash she stole to conceal the theft of the cash. She also made unauthorized cash withdrawals with the Morton ATM card.

    Between February 2013 and December 2021, Clevenger stole at least $625,857 by writing city checks to herself and depositing them in her bank account. Clevenger would use checks that had been pre-signed by the mayor for use in emergency situations. Clevenger used fake vendor invoices to make it appear the checks had been written for a service rendered to the city. Clevenger’s actions used interstate wires to commit the fraud with the transfer of funds between various bank accounts. One example is the transfer of $5,808 in funds from Washington to Umpqua bank servers located outside the state.

    Following the audit, the City of Morton established new procedures so that no single person had control of the various banking functions.

    Clevenger has agreed to make restitution to the City of Morton. She is receiving credit for some $8,626 that she deposited to city accounts via ATM machines.

    The FBI and IRS worked with the Washington State Auditor’s Office on the criminal financial investigation.

    Wire fraud is punishable by up to twenty years in prison. Prosecutors have agreed to recommend a three-year prison term. Judge Cartwright is not bound by the recommendation and can impose any sentence allowed by law, after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda McDowell

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Speech at the AML Summit 2025

    Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

    Good morning and a warm welcome to everyone, it’s a pleasure to be here.

    Let me start by thanking AML Solutions for giving me the opportunity to speak on the 10th anniversary of the AML Summit. 

    I know you have a busy and interesting schedule to look forward to over the next couple of days.  This year’s conference theme is aptly named “The evolution of Risk”.  I understand that the presentations will focus on supporting reporting entities to understand what best-practice compliance looks like under a reformed risk-based and flexible AML/CFT system. 

    This theme is future-focused – and touches on issues I have spent a lot of time thinking about and planning for since becoming responsible for the AML/CFT portfolio in my role as Associate Minister of Justice. 

    You will likely know that last year Cabinet approved my plans for an AML/CFT reform programme.  The objectives of legislative reform are to meet the objectives this government committed to in our coalition agreement: and that is to tackle organised crime and cut red tape.

    How can New Zealand reform AML/CFT regulation to reduce burden on industry and support a common-sense approach to compliance; while still ensuring we are well placed to tackle organised crime and protect our international reputation as a trusted place to do business? 

    How do we equip ourselves to deal with new and emerging challenges and threats in this space?  How can we harness new technologies to help us fight crime more effectively and make it easier and cheaper for businesses to defend themselves against money laundering? 

    How will we ensure that we, as a country, are doing our part in this inherently global fight – in a fractious world where the nexus of organised crime and international conflicts is growing? 

    Over the last year I have taken advice and considered many of the challenges facing the sector in detail.  Many of you in this room, or online, will have been involved in and contributed to this advice.  I am so grateful for your hard work and specialist contributions.  Your expertise is invaluable – it enables robust discussion and informed decision-making. 

    Now is the time to deliver on our coalition commitments.  The Act has now been in force for 11 years and we know the current system is not delivering as well as it could for New Zealanders, businesses, or for law enforcement. 

    This is because the laws and requirements are highly complex and not sufficiently risk based.  As a result, they can be repetitive and unnecessarily burdensome.  I have heard from many New Zealanders that the requirements are confusing, obstructive, and costly.

    Some of the examples they have given me illustrate how absurd these requirements can be. I ’ve heard from mothers who’ve told me they cannot open bank accounts for their child unless they are able to prove where their child lives. I’ve heard from elderly widows, who had relied on their husbands to take care of bills and are now unable to have a bank account in their own name because they have no written proof to say they live in their own home.  These are clear indications of how the system is failing to take a properly risk-based approach.

    Multiple reviews of the current system have also identified deficiencies that make it harder for the system to effectively deter and combat the criminal activity that we know is taking place in New Zealand. 

    At New Zealand’s latest mutual evaluation, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) reported on several strengths in the New Zealand system but also highlighted that there is room for significant improvement. 

    I know you will be aware that compliance with international standards is incredibly important for New Zealand’s global reputation and financial standing.  We know that FATF recommendations are now tougher, and that there are still many actions from our last evaluation that we need to address.  Regulatory reform is needed to ensure we do well at our next evaluation. 

    But let’s not belabour what we already know about the deficiencies. Let’s instead focus on opportunities for the future and what we can achieve through this reform programme.  To me, reform presents a great opportunity to enhance the strengths of our system, and to address identified concerns. 

    We know, for example, that the wider Financial Crime Group do excellent work, especially relating to asset recovery.  We only need to cast our eyes to very recent news stories – I’m thinking of the announcement last September of the highly successful operation against the Comanchero gang which saw $5.8 million worth of assets restrained – to know law enforcement across the system is working hard and achieving remarkable successes through their work.  A look at the latest Police annual report shows that over $72 million of assets were restrained from organised and financial crime, and 379 money laundering investigations resulted in prosecution.

    We also know there is sound domestic cooperation and coordination on monitoring possible terrorist financing – the FATF told us so, at our latest mutual evaluation. 

    The FATF have also noted that we are known internationally for our high-quality responsiveness to cooperation requests. 

    In other words, New Zealand already does lots of things well.  Our focus is therefore on improving the AML/CFT system to enhance these strengths.  Let’s enable the system and its actors to achieve the intended outcomes: to detect and deter money laundering and terrorism financing.

    This Government is about quality regulation.  We want regulation that achieves intended outcomes, regulation that makes sense and is workable for all.  This means getting rid of unnecessary red-tape– if regulation isn’t providing the results we are after, there is no point to it. 

    In the case of the AML/CFT system, regulation needs to contribute to the fundamental purpose of the system: tackling crime.  To do that effectively, we need an agile, streamlined system that is laser focussed on real risk. 

    A truly risk-based system will better enable law enforcement to crack down on organised crime by providing the financial intelligence needed to go after criminal organisations.  A truly risk-based system is more aligned with international obligations and standards.  A truly risk-based system will provide regulatory relief for lower risk businesses and the public.

    My reform programme, therefore, will be undertaken in three parts.  The first phase is already well-advanced and will deliver immediate regulatory relief via two bills – the first, the Statutes Amendment Bill, has already been reported back from Select Committee to the House of Representatives, and is likely to come into effect in the coming months.  The second, the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Terrorism Financing Amendment Bill, is currently before select committee. 

    The changes made through these bills include removing both address verification requirements for many customers, and relaxing enhanced customer due diligence requirements for lower-risk trusts.  This will help make it easier for mums and dads to set up bank accounts for their kids, and easier for vulnerable kiwis – including the elderly – to get access to essential financial services. 

    This first set of reforms aims to make immediate changes, to make the AML/CFT system more risk-based and ease the regulatory burden on businesses.

    These changes alone already represent the most significant regulatory relief in the history of the AML/CFT regime.  But we do not intend to stop there.

    The second phase of changes focuses on structural reforms for the regime. Cabinet has agreed that, as part of these structural reforms, we will be implementing a single AML/CFT supervisor structure within the Department of Internal Affairs.  This will replace the current three-supervisor model. 

    This move will create a more efficient, effective, and risk-based supervisory structure – one that reduces unnecessary compliance costs for lower-risk businesses and transactions, removes the need for multi-supervisor coordination efforts – thereby reducing costs – and streamlines decision-making.

    A single supervisor can be more resource responsive to the ever-changing risk environment.  A single supervisor will be better able to deliver consistent and timely guidance to support reporting entities. 

    This will help to ensure that businesses have the confidence to take a more flexible approach to implementing their AML/CFT obligations and lower the barrier to accessing financial services for low-risk customers. 

    A single supervisor with overview of the wider AML/CFT environment will also be better able to look for and realise opportunities as they arise.  For example, I’m sure we all agree that there are opportunities and benefits to be gained in the digital identity and open banking areas.  In addition, the emergence of AI could herald improved, and more cost effective, electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) functions, risk assessments, and suspicious activity reporting.

    Everyone here will be aware that in a world of increasing demands, the AML/CFT system in New Zealand is currently underfunded.  My phase two structural reforms will also see us work towards introducing a sustainable funding model for the system. 

    The new hybrid funding model will establish an industry-levy.  I will ensure that this levy is designed in a way that distributes the costs in a risk appropriate and equitable way, so that it targets the highest risk sectors – such as large international banks – and does not place an undue burden on small businesses. 

    This hybrid funding model will provide sufficient resourcing for core regulatory functions and deliver substantial savings to the Crown.  This approach is in line with what has been done in other like-minded jurisdictions, like Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada.

    As part of the work on the funding model, a work programme and a National Strategy will be developed in partnership with industry and agreed by Cabinet to ensure that the system is focussed on industry priorities.  Any changes to the levy will also need to be informed by the AML/CFT National Strategy. 

    Now, I know that many of you in this room will have opinions and views on the approach we have taken to these structural reforms.  I look forward to engaging with you and drawing on your sector expertise as we get stuck into the detail of this change process.

    The structural changes in phase two of my reforms will result in an amendment Bill that I aim to have introduced by the middle of this year.  Officials are currently working on the details of developing and implementing the levy, but I expect that the earliest it would be in place is by 2027.

    The third phase of these reforms will deliver wider legislative changes to implement international standards outlined by the FATF.  This Bill will be introduced later in this Parliamentary term.

    Doing this international compliance work will have a natural flow on effect that improves New Zealand entities’ ability to carry on with business and sharpens our law enforcement tools.  Importantly, it includes amendments to provide further flexibility for businesses to take a more risk-based approach to their AML/CFT obligations.

    The work programme was designed to address specific areas that were identified through robust stakeholder consultation during the 2022 Statutory Review of the AML/CFT Act and further targeted engagement has been undertaken since then.

    I am aware there is room for improvement in other areas as well – and some of you may be disappointed that more statutory reforms are not currently being progressed. 

    In arriving at my current statutory reform programme, I have taken a pragmatic approach – the current fiscal environment dictates that we are smart and outcomes-focused with our reforms.  Right now, this means prioritising the changes that will give us the biggest bang for our buck in terms of regulatory relief, while ensuring compliance with international expectations and supporting law enforcement to tackle organised crime and delivering regulatory relief. 

    We need to prioritise this legislative work programme first to ensure that changes to the law are made and the system is properly set up to take a risk-based approach in time for our next mutual evaluation in 2028.  I am excited and proud that this reform programme is on track to deliver the most significant regulatory relief since the Act came into force in 2013.

    But, like you, I want to do more, if I can.  I am committed to look for opportunities to do just that, not only through reforms to legislation, but also through considering potential exemptions and regulations that will support a more risk-based AML/CFT system.

    I look forward to working with you all as we move forward with all the parts of this reform programme.  To me, the key to successfully strengthening the AML/CFT system through these reforms is collaboration and leveraging expertise in the sector. 

    I encourage you all to participate in consultation when these opportunities come up.  We need people with experience and knowledge to get involved – we need you.  I look forward to hearing your views on how we can make the laws work for you. 

    Thank you for having me today, it’s a pleasure to be here with you all.  Enjoy your time here at the conference.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Parliament Hansard Report – Wildlife (Authorisations) Amendment Bill — In Committee—Part 2 – 001468

    Source: Govt’s austerity Budget to cause real harm in communities

    Hon PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour): Thank you, Madam Chair. I do want to just begin by emphasising the need, as Rachel Brooking has pointed out, for a review period. Because what we see in Schedule 1AA refers to, potentially, a large number of projects, perhaps some that are active authorisations, some that are under way, and it is important, given the retrospectivity of this, that there is a review period.

    The second point that I want to make, and a question for the Minister, is about the number of those projects. Now, we’ve seen, as I’ve mentioned previously in this debate, that there is no regulatory impact statement; there is no proactively released Cabinet paper. So we don’t have a huge amount of detail that, previously or in other situations, were this not being passed through all stages under urgency, we would have had access to. I have seen some media reporting that basically says that in the past 12 months, the Department of Conservation (DOC) has granted 85 similar permits to project applicants, and that, in total, 315 applications are under way where a section 53 permit or authority could be granted. So my question would be whether the Minister can confirm those figures, and also whether new Schedule 1AA in Part 2 would then apply to all of those—the 85 plus the 315 that are in train as well.

    The third point that I want to make is in lieu of a select committee process, all we have—previously we would have submitters, many of whom have done a fair bit of work in this space in terms of reviewing the Wildlife Act and making suggestions on what should be changed within the Act. We would have ordinarily heard from them through a select committee process; we, of course, haven’t, given that we are sitting in urgency, and so all we have to go on are some of the press releases that have been put out on this particular piece of legislation. And I do want to check: there is one from the Environmental Law Initiative—of course, the lawyers who judicially reviewed the decision have said that, basically, it increases the burden on those who are, I guess, pushing those projects through—the 85 and the 315, if, in fact those numbers are correct. And I would be keen for the Minister’s view, given what’s in Schedule 1AA, on whether he agrees that it actually does increase the administrative burden both for DOC but also in terms of the legal tests that now those projects have to be put against.

    There was also another comment, and I can’t find it in front of me at the moment, around the fact that, potentially, what DOC should have done—and, again, it’s just been two months since the High Court ruling; that is a point that has been made before: there hasn’t been a huge amount of time. Had this been either delayed a little bit or had there been a slightly lengthier process, or some select committee process, there potentially could have been time for DOC to then go through the cases, on a case by case basis. We are here because the High Court ruling ruled that in that particular case, the Mt Messenger Bypass case, the authority that was given under section 53 didn’t actually meet the purpose of the Wildlife Act as it was written back in 1953, and, therefore, just this carte blanche approach to now changing the law to change, ostensibly, the purpose of this Act so that the permits that were given retrospectively will now be legal does not necessarily mean that those who are shepherding those projects through have taken reasonable steps to protect biodiversity.

    So there is an argument put forward that what DOC should be doing is to look at those 85 cases where there is legal uncertainty and try and work out whether reasonable steps have been taken to protect biodiversity in each of those cases. And I would really like to know what the Minister’s view on that is, but, also, what advice he received on that point: is that something that DOC could actually have done? Was there consideration around the time period that it would have taken for DOC to be able to go through all of those cases on a case by case basis?

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Parliament Hansard Report – Tuesday, 6 May 2025 (continued on Thursday, 8 May 2025) – Volume 783 – 001469

    Source: Govt’s austerity Budget to cause real harm in communities

    Hon PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour): Thank you, Madam Chair. I do want to just begin by emphasising the need, as Rachel Brooking has pointed out, for a review period. Because what we see in Schedule 1AA refers to, potentially, a large number of projects, perhaps some that are active authorisations, some that are under way, and it is important, given the retrospectivity of this, that there is a review period.

    The second point that I want to make, and a question for the Minister, is about the number of those projects. Now, we’ve seen, as I’ve mentioned previously in this debate, that there is no regulatory impact statement; there is no proactively released Cabinet paper. So we don’t have a huge amount of detail that, previously or in other situations, were this not being passed through all stages under urgency, we would have had access to. I have seen some media reporting that basically says that in the past 12 months, the Department of Conservation (DOC) has granted 85 similar permits to project applicants, and that, in total, 315 applications are under way where a section 53 permit or authority could be granted. So my question would be whether the Minister can confirm those figures, and also whether new Schedule 1AA in Part 2 would then apply to all of those—the 85 plus the 315 that are in train as well.

    The third point that I want to make is in lieu of a select committee process, all we have—previously we would have submitters, many of whom have done a fair bit of work in this space in terms of reviewing the Wildlife Act and making suggestions on what should be changed within the Act. We would have ordinarily heard from them through a select committee process; we, of course, haven’t, given that we are sitting in urgency, and so all we have to go on are some of the press releases that have been put out on this particular piece of legislation. And I do want to check: there is one from the Environmental Law Initiative—of course, the lawyers who judicially reviewed the decision have said that, basically, it increases the burden on those who are, I guess, pushing those projects through—the 85 and the 315, if, in fact those numbers are correct. And I would be keen for the Minister’s view, given what’s in Schedule 1AA, on whether he agrees that it actually does increase the administrative burden both for DOC but also in terms of the legal tests that now those projects have to be put against.

    There was also another comment, and I can’t find it in front of me at the moment, around the fact that, potentially, what DOC should have done—and, again, it’s just been two months since the High Court ruling; that is a point that has been made before: there hasn’t been a huge amount of time. Had this been either delayed a little bit or had there been a slightly lengthier process, or some select committee process, there potentially could have been time for DOC to then go through the cases, on a case by case basis. We are here because the High Court ruling ruled that in that particular case, the Mt Messenger Bypass case, the authority that was given under section 53 didn’t actually meet the purpose of the Wildlife Act as it was written back in 1953, and, therefore, just this carte blanche approach to now changing the law to change, ostensibly, the purpose of this Act so that the permits that were given retrospectively will now be legal does not necessarily mean that those who are shepherding those projects through have taken reasonable steps to protect biodiversity.

    So there is an argument put forward that what DOC should be doing is to look at those 85 cases where there is legal uncertainty and try and work out whether reasonable steps have been taken to protect biodiversity in each of those cases. And I would really like to know what the Minister’s view on that is, but, also, what advice he received on that point: is that something that DOC could actually have done? Was there consideration around the time period that it would have taken for DOC to be able to go through all of those cases on a case by case basis?

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: Enerflex Ltd. Announces Voting Results of The Annual Meeting of Shareholders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enerflex Ltd. (TSX: EFX) (NYSE: EFXT) (“Enerflex” or the “Company”), announces that at its Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) held virtually on May 7, 2025, Enerflex’s shareholders approved the election of all 8 nominee directors presented in the Company’s Management Information Circular dated March 21, 2025. The shares represented at the Meeting voting on individual nominee directors were as follows:

         
      Approval Against
    Director Votes For Percentage Votes Against Percentage
    Fernando R. Assing 88,086,739 96.24% 3,444,156 3.76%
    Benjamin Cherniavsky 88,013,957 96.16% 3,516,938 3.84%
    Joanne Cox 83,911,502 91.68% 7,619,393 8.32%
    James C. Gouin 83,037,269 90.72% 8,493,626 9.28%
    Mona Hale 88,091,517 96.24% 3,439,378 3.76%
    Kevin J. Reinhart 79,599,459 86.96% 11,931,436 13.04%
    Thomas B. Tyree, Jr. 74,636,089 81.54% 16,894,806 18.46%
    Juan Carlos Villegas 79,933,294 87.33% 11,597,601 12.67%
             

    Enerflex’s non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation (“Say-on-Pay”) was approved with 91.59% (83,831,845 common shares) of the shares represented at the Meeting voting in favour of the resolution.

    ABOUT ENERFLEX

    Enerflex is a premier integrated global provider of energy infrastructure and energy transition solutions, deploying natural gas, low-carbon, and treated water solutions – from individual, modularized products and services to integrated custom solutions. With over 4,600 engineers, manufacturers, technicians, and innovators, Enerflex is bound together by a shared vision: Transforming Energy for a Sustainable Future. The Company remains committed to the future of natural gas and the critical role it plays, while focused on sustainability offerings to support the energy transition and growing decarbonization efforts.

    Enerflex’s common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “EFX” and on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “EFXT”. For more information about Enerflex, visit www.enerflex.com.

    For investor and media enquiries, please contact the Company by email to chair@enerflex.com or ir@enerflex.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Speech to TRENZ 2025

    Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

    Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

    Thank you for welcoming me here today, and for that lovely introduction from Rebecca Ingram from Tourism Industry Aotearoa.

    I appreciate the great working relationships I have across the tourism sector and how we are united in wanting the best for our country.

    It’s wonderful to be back in Rotorua – one of New Zealand’s best-known and best-loved tourism destinations.

    Rotorua is actually the birthplace of New Zealand tourism.

    In the 19th century, intrepid international tourists took a 75-day sea voyage from Britain to New Zealand, followed by a 200km steam train trip from Auckland to Tauranga, followed by a horse-drawn carriage ride to Lake Rotomahana via Rotorua (a distance over 100kms). All in pursuit of the famous pink and white geothermal terraces.

    Once there, they were greeted by New Zealand’s first tour guides. Māori women from Rotorua’s local iwi Te Arawa demonstrated fantastic entrepreneurial spirit, not only by warmly welcoming these tourists but by developing businesses out of showing them what was then known as the “eighth wonder of the world”.

    While the terraces were lost in a volcanic eruption in 1886, Rotorua’s geothermal attractions remain world-class. And its people remain some of the world’s best and most hospitable tourism operators.

    I urge you to take the opportunity to experience all the amazing tourism experiences that Rotorua has to offer while you are here.

    I was in Europe last week talking trade and security with our partners and also attending the Pope’s funeral, and I heard from people all around the world about how much they want to come visit New Zealand. 

    I can’t wait to work with all of you in the room today to welcome them here to experience all New Zealand has to offer.

    Before we start, I would also like to thank the Premier Sponsor Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand, as well as all the prestigious event partners and organisers for bringing us all together and make TRENZ possible.

    A special thanks to those who have travelled from overseas to understand and experience our tourism offerings. Your participation is essential to the success of TRENZ.

    Context of TRENZ

    Tourism is about people-to-people connection, and it is fantastic to welcome both the buyers and sellers to TRENZ.

    As an industry, you should feel proud of your achievements in rebuilding our tourism sector and making such a huge contribution to our economy as a major employer and innovator.

    You are our global ambassadors for New Zealand. And you foster thriving communities to live and work in.

    We value you and the work you do enormously.

    Importance of tourism to the New Zealand economy

    Our Government is obsessed with economic growth because it is the only way Kiwis get higher incomes, more money in their pockets, more jobs, a future for their kids and grandkids, and better public services like health and education.

    We can achieve this by playing to our strengths. New Zealanders are famous for our innovation and creativity – as demonstrated by those early Te Arawa tour guides. And we are also home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. Snow-capped mountains and fjords, golden sandy beaches, subtropical forests, and volcanic plateaus.

    Mix those ingredients together and you have a recipe for world class tourism experiences.

    So, it’s no wonder that tourism is a lynchpin of our economy.

    Domestic and international tourism expenditure is now worth over $44 billion annually. Tourism contributed 7.5 per cent of New Zealand’s GDP and it continues to be our second highest export.

    More than four in five New Zealand residents (82 per cent of us) benefited from tourism activity in their local area last year. 

    But we have room for more.

    Last year, we welcomed over 3 million visitors to our country.

    Which is a 12 per cent increase on the previous year, but still fewer than pre-Covid.

    There is plenty of capacity for more international tourists to visit our shores.

    There is also more capability and opportunities to provide more premium attractions and experiences. This doesn’t necessarily mean more expensive – it means more high-value.

    As good as our recent growth has been, globally we are middle of the pack in terms of the productivity per capita, which is measured by total value of tourism divided by the number of people working in it.

    If we push ourselves and get into the top 10 per cent of the most productive tourism markets in the world, we can generate another $9 billion in value for the industry.

    I hope that provides you with the motivation you need to keep innovating and keep investing in your businesses and tourism experiences. 

    Because tourism is a competitive market, and our job is to make sure we’re at the top of people’s lists and that we are converting desire to travel into reality.

    Broader benefits of tourism

    Welcoming more visitors here means more full tables in our restaurants, more bookings for our local accommodation providers, and more people visiting our regions and attractions. 

    But it’s not just businesses that are directly connected to the industry that benefit from tourism. The benefits of tourism filters into so many aspects of our society and economy.

    I have already mentioned our beautiful natural environment which is the backdrop of so much tourism in New Zealand. 

    One of New Zealand’s great success stories has been our efforts to eradicate invasive pests which damage our environment. We are now world leaders in pest eradication and have developed technologies and methods which we export to the world. But our success is partly thanks to eco-tourism, which provides us with the commercial incentive and revenue needed to undertake conservation work.

    Great examples of this virtuous cycle exist right here in Rotorua. Rotorua Canopy Tours provides visitors with an exhilarating experience of ziplining through ancient, native forest and it helps fund local conservation efforts.

    Reasons like this are why we are rolling out the red carpet and making it easier than ever for the world to visit our beautiful country.

    Removing barriers and growing tourism

    We’re at a pivotal moment where bold, decisive actions are essential to reignite our tourism industry and propel it back to the heights of 2019—and beyond. 

    The Government is fully committed to this mission. 

    We have already invested more than $20 million in a Tourism Boost package and will shortly be launching the Tourism Growth Roadmap. 

    These investments are not just steps; they’re leaps forward in our broader Going for Growth strategy. We’re not just aiming to recover—we’re aiming to thrive.

    I know our Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Louise Upston, has been working hard to identify ways we can boost international tourism in the short-term. 

    Last month, we announced over $13 million for Tourism New Zealand to further bolster our international marketing. 

    Our Government is also committed to enhancing airline connectivity, recognising that it’s the lifeline to strengthening our global ties and boosting tourism and trade.

    We are working hard to build better airline connectivity with important emerging markets such as India. When in India recently, I was proud to witness the signing of a MoU between Air New Zealand, Tourism New Zealand and Air India to encourage commencement of direct (non-stop) flight operations between the two countries.

    We’ve also relaxed our visitor visa rules to accommodate the modern traveller. Digital nomads can now work remotely for their overseas employers while exploring New Zealand.

    Our visa process is becoming more efficient too. In 2024, the average visitor visa was approved in only 7 working days, which was 2 days faster than in 2023. This means people can plan their New Zealand adventure with confidence, knowing that we’re here to make your journey as smooth as possible.

    And here’s more good news: the majority of visitors do not need a visa to come here and instead can travel on a New Zealand electronic Travel Authority, which are processed within 72 hours. And, we have visa waiver arrangements with 60 countries, which is more than most of our comparator countries.

    We pride ourselves on our user-friendly immigration and border services, ensuring the arrival is as welcoming as our stunning landscapes. We are open for visitors, and we continue to offer stability, consistency, and transparency in our offerings.

    Conclusion

    In closing, I want to thank you. Thank you for your passion and resilience and for the incredible experiences you offer visitors. Thank you again Kerry, Bex, and TIA. 

    2025 is our chance to strengthen the value of tourism and drive New Zealand to be a humming, vibrant country. Together we can continue our work on being a resilient and prosperous sector that provides high-quality experiences and services.

    But we have to be bold. 

    Let’s continue to push our boundaries to ensure that New Zealand remains a world leader. 

    Keep up the great work, I look forward to talking with more of you throughout the event.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: Since 2019, more than 1,170 memorial sites dedicated to the Great Patriotic War have been improved in Russia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Square in Voldarsk, Nizhny Novgorod region.

    Improvement of places with memorials of the Great Patriotic War helps to preserve the memory of the heroism of those people who defended our country and sacrificed their lives for peace and freedom. This work is carried out in Russia annually, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin reported.

    “Victory Day is one of the most significant holidays in the history of our country. This day is dedicated to the feat of Soviet soldiers who fought with honor against the Nazi invaders. The Great Patriotic War left a deep mark on history, and we must honor the memory of the fallen so that their sacrifices are not forgotten. Improvement of memorial sites is one of the ways to express respect and gratitude to the heroes. The renovation of spaces where monuments, war memorials, Alleys of Memory, Eternal Flame, and mass graves are located is carried out annually as part of the federal project “Formation of a Comfortable Urban Environment”, which this year became part of the national project “Infrastructure for Life”. Since 2019, more than 1,170 such sites have been improved,” Marat Khusnullin noted.

    Work on reconstruction and visual transformation of memorial territories makes a significant contribution to the preservation of the history and cultural heritage of the country. Among the main improvement works are the implementation of territory planning, landscaping, installation of additional lighting, arrangement of pedestrian zones and places for the placement of military equipment from the Great Patriotic War.

    “This year, Russia celebrates the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. On the occasion of these most important events in the history of the country, festive events are planned in the regions, including the improvement of 97 memorial spaces, emphasizing the significance of the feat of people who united to preserve their Fatherland. The largest number of sites are planned to be improved in the Sverdlovsk Region – 11, Omsk Region – 9, the Republic of Buryatia – 9 and Bryansk Region – 7. This year, among other things, it is planned to improve memorial sites in cities and towns that, being in the rear, forged and brought Victory closer during the Great Patriotic War. Among them are a walking route from the central city square to Victory Park – the Glory Memorial in the city of Verkhnyaya Tura in the Sverdlovsk region, Victory Park in the village of Kamensk in the Republic of Buryatia, Victory Park and public spaces along Plyasova Street in the city of Mogocha in the Zabaikalsky Krai,” said Minister of Construction and Housing and Public Utilities Irek Faizullin.

    For example, in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, 28 memorial public spaces were improved from 2019 to 2024 as part of the federal project “Formation of a Comfortable Urban Environment”. Among them are memorial squares and memorials with heroic symbols of the Red Army. Work was completed on the improvement of the Unknown Soldier Square in the city of Gorodets. Every year on May 9, residents of the town come to the square to lay flowers at the monument and remember their relatives who defended the Motherland.

    In the Smolensk region, 11 historical sites have been improved. Among them is a monument with a BM-13 rocket launcher (Katyusha), which was erected in honor of the world’s first rocket artillery. The monument is a cultural heritage site of federal significance, and is considered a landmark and calling card of the city of Rudny in the Smolensk region.

    In the city of Kotelnikovo in the Volgograd region, the monument to the Great Patriotic War “Mass grave of Soviet tank soldiers who died during the Battle of Stalingrad” has been improved. Rotmistrov Street is one of the main streets of the city and connects the railway and bus station with the central part of the city. The monument located on it is compositionally united with the central park of culture and recreation, improved in 2018, the entrance to which is located nearby.

    It is also worth noting that the All-Russian competition for the best design of shop windows and entrance groups of non-residential, social, cultural and other facilities “Victory Spring” is dedicated to the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The Ministry of Construction is holding it together with the Association for the Development of Territories with the support of the Presidential Administration and the All-Russian Association for the Development of Local Self-Government. The regional stage of the competition will be held until May 12, 2025, and the federal stage will take place from May 15 to June 11.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 05/7/2025 Blackburn, Welch Introduce Bill to Safeguard Rideshare Passengers’ Privacy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) introduced the Safe and Private Rides Act, which would require transportation network companies (TNCs) to notify passengers when their driver has a video recording device in the car and give passengers the opportunity to opt out of riding with a driver with a dashcam, preventing rideshare drivers from violating passengers’ privacy:
    “Passengers shouldn’t have to sacrifice their right to privacy the moment they step into a rideshare vehicle, and they deserve to know when they are being recorded,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Safe and Private Rides Act would increase transparency and ensure that both driver safety and passenger privacy are protected as more Americans take advantage of these services.”
    “Millions of people around the country rely on rideshare services for transportation every day, whether it’s to the doctor, work, or the airport. Folks using rideshare services deserve to have peace of mind about their digital privacy during a ride, which includes knowing if they will be filmed before calling a ride,” said Senator Welch. “Our bipartisan Safe and Private Rides Act gives passengers using rideshare services straightforward privacy protections by allowing the option to opt out of a rideshare using video recording devices that record passengers.”
    BACKGROUND
    Americans are increasingly using rideshare services as a form of transportation, and U.S. ridesharing profits are expected to generate $54 billion annually by 2027.
    In many American cities, rideshare drivers have expressed feeling uncomfortable and unsafe while driving and have turned to technology and dashcams to add a layer of safety. These dashcams, while beneficial for the driver, could present privacy concerns for passengers. In the past, some rideshare drivers have recorded their passengers and subsequently released the footage online, in a blatant violation of privacy. Passengers should ultimately have a right to know that they are being recorded and to opt out of riding in cars that utilize recording devices if they so choose.
    Rideshare companies have become a source of convenience and accessibility, and they are an example of American innovation. As they grow, their drivers should be able to use technology to protect themselves, and passengers should be able to make decisions to preserve their privacy.
    THE SAFE AND PRIVATE RIDES ACT
    The Safe and Private Rides Act would increase transparency by giving passengers choice while preserving the driver’s safety.
    Specifically, the Safe and Private Rides Act would: 
    Require TNCs to notify passengers when their driver has a video recording device in the car;
    Require TNCs to give passengers the opportunity to opt out of riding with a driver with a recording device in the car; and 
    Grant the Federal Trade Commission the authority to enforce these transparency requirements.
    Click here for bill text.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Yuma case results in Mexican national charged with possession of child pornography while attempting to enter the US

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    YUMA, Ariz. – Alan Xavier Cabrera, 27, of Mexico, was arrested April 25, and charged by criminal complaint for possession of child pornography. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is investigating this case.

    According to the complaint, on April 25, Cabrera applied for entry into the United States at the port of entry in San Luis, Arizona with a B1/B2 travel visa. Based on Cabrera’s behavior, Customs and Border Protection – Office of Field Operations examined his cell phone and identified numerous suspected images of child pornography, also known as Child Sexual Abuse Material. Homeland Security Investigations special agents were subsequently contacted for response and further action.

    A conviction for possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, and a term of supervised release up to life.

    A criminal complaint is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

    The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, is handling the prosecution.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE, multiagency taskforce investigation results in 5 illegal aliens charged in human smuggling event leaving at least 3 dead

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    SAN DIEGO – Two complaints were filed in federal court May 6 charging five people with participating in a human smuggling event that led to the deaths of at least three migrants, including a 14-year-old Indian boy. His 10-year-old sister is still missing at sea and presumed dead; their father is in a coma and mother is also hospitalized. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement– Marine Task Force, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, United States Coast Guard, San Diego Lifeguard Service and San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office are investigating this case.

    “Human smuggling, regardless of the route, is not only illegal but extremely dangerous. Smugglers often treat people as disposable commodities, leading to tragic and sometimes deadly consequences, as we saw in this case,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Diego Special Agent in Charge Shawn Gibson. “Yesterday’s heartbreaking events are a stark reminder of the urgent need to dismantle these criminal networks driven by greed. HSI along with the U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard, and other partners from the Marine Task Force, remains firmly committed to holding those responsible accountable for these senseless deaths.”

    According to court records, on May 5, witnesses observed an overturned panga boat at a beach in Del Mar, California. Bystanders and San Diego lifeguards participated in rescue efforts. Law enforcement officials recovered three bodies, including the boy, identified in court records as P.P.B. Four other migrants were rescued and hospitalized, including P.P.B.’s mother and father; nine others were initially unaccounted for.

    Mexican nationals Julio Cesar Zuniga Luna, 30, and Jesus Juan Rodriguez Leyva, 36, believed to be involved in the smuggling event were taken into custody at the time of the incident. They have been charged with bringing in aliens resulting in death and bringing in aliens for financial gain.

    Border Patrol agents conducting operations in Chula Vista, California identified a vehicle that had been observed at the scene of the maritime smuggling incident earlier that day. The vehicle driver fled the scene before an arrest could be made. During the investigation, Border Patrol Agents identified two other vehicles involved in the smuggling event. They were able to successfully arrest the drivers of the load vehicle, and locate eight of the nine migrants missing from the boat, except for P.P.B.’s 10-year-old sister.

    Melissa Jenelle Cota, 33, Gustavo Lara, 32 and Sergio Rojas-Fregosa, 31, – all Mexican nationals – were arrested and charged with transportation of illegal aliens. Rojas-Fregoso, was identified as an alien who had previously been deported on Dec. 19, 2023.

    “The drowning deaths of these children are a heartbreaking reminder of how little human traffickers care about the costs of their deadly business,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “We are committed to seeking justice for these vulnerable victims, and to holding accountable any traffickers responsible for their deaths.”

    The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean Van Demark and Edward Chang.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New York Man Charged with Federal Hate Crimes After Repeatedly Assaulting Jewish Victims

    Source: US State of California

    An indictment was unsealed today in the Southern District of New York charging Tarek Bazrouk 20, of New York, New York, with three counts of committing hate crimes in connection with his repeated assaults of Jewish victims in New York City between 2024 and 2025. Bazrouk was arrested this morning and will be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman.

    “The Civil Rights Division will continue to relentlessly pursue allegations of antisemitic violence and will not stop until justice is served for the victims and their families,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Under Attorney General Pam Bondi’s leadership, we will use all available resources to investigate and charge those who target and assault others because of their faith.”

    “As alleged, on three separate occasions, Tarek Bazrouk deliberately targeted and assaulted Jewish victims at protests relating to the Israel/Gaza war,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York. “Despite being arrested after each incident, Bazrouk allegedly remained undeterred and quickly returned to using violence to target Jews in New York City. This Office is dedicated to seeking justice for victims of hate crimes and will aggressively prosecute those who spread bigotry and discrimination through violence.”

    According to court documents, other public filings, and statements previously made on the record in this case, over the course of approximately nine months, Bazrouk physically assaulted three Jewish individuals at protests concerning the Israel/Gaza war. First, on April 15, 2024, Bazrouk — while wearing a green headband typically worn by Hamas terrorists — attended a protest concerning the Israel/Gaza war in Lower Manhattan, outside the New York Stock Exchange.  During the protest, Bazrouk was arrested by officers from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) after lunging at a group of pro-Israel protestors. As Bazrouk was being escorted to an NYPD vehicle, Bazrouk kicked a different individual — Victim-1, a Jewish college student — in the stomach. At the time of the assault, Victim-1 was standing near other Jewish protestors, who were wearing kippahs (that is, brimless skullcaps traditionally worn by Jewish men), carrying Israeli flags, and singing Jewish songs.

    Approximately eight months later, on Dec. 9, 2024, Bazrouk assaulted another individual at a protest relating to the Israel/Gaza war next to a university campus in upper Manhattan. The victim of the second assault — Victim-2 — is a Jewish student who attended the nearby university. On the date of the assault, Victim-2 and his brother were wearing kippahs, Victim-2 had an Israeli flag draped around his shoulders, and Victim-2 was singing Jewish songs. As the protest continued, Bazrouk — with his mouth covered — stole an Israeli flag from Victim-2’s brother and fled. After Victim-2 and his brother followed Bazrouk through a crowd to retrieve the flag, Bazrouk snuck up beside Victim-2 and struck him in the face with a closed fist.

    Roughly one month later, on Jan. 6, 2025, Bazrouk assaulted a third Jewish victim — Victim-3 — at a protest concerning the Israel/Gaza war near 1st Avenue and East 18th Street in Manhattan. At this protest, Victim-3 was wearing an Israeli flag around his shoulders, a hat with an Israeli flag, and a chain with a Jewish star. During the protest, Bazrouk, who was wearing a keffiyeh on his face, made contact with Victim-3’s shoulder and wrapped his foot around Victim-3’s ankle.  Victim-3 attempted to push BAZROUK away and cursed at him. Bazrouk then punched Victim-3 in the nose with a closed fist.

    “Over the course of nine months, Tarek Bazrouk allegedly targeted and violently attacked multiple Jewish victims in a series of physical assaults, while demonstrating a pattern of supporting anti-Semitic terrorist organizations,” said Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia of the FBI New York Field Office. “These alleged hate crimes not only violated the victims’ ability to exercise their first amendment rights, but also intimidated and sparked fear among a broader population. The FBI won’t tolerate this behavior and will apprehend any individual who commits a federal crime seeking to harm others for their religious beliefs.”

    “As alleged, Tarek Bazrouk deliberately set out to harm Jewish New Yorkers — targeting them at protests, singling them out, and assaulting them for nothing more than their identity,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “The NYPD worked closely with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to track him down and ensure he faces real consequences. Antisemitism and all forms of bigotry have no home here in New York — period. New Yorkers of all faiths are welcome to live and worship in our city freely, and we will never stop fighting to protect that right.”

    According to court documents, pursuant to judicially authorized warrants, law enforcement subsequently searched a cellphone used by Bazrouk. Evidence from that device revealed Bazrouk’s anti-Semitic bias and his support for anti-Jewish terrorist groups including Hamas, demonstrating his motivation for repeatedly assaulting Jewish victims. In text messages, for example, Bazrouk identified himself as a “Jew hater,” labeled Jews as “worthless,” extorted “Allah” to “get us rid of [Jews],” called an acquittance a “Fucking Jew,” and told a friend to “slap that bitch” in reference to a woman with an Israeli sticker on her laptop. Bazrouk also told a friend that he was “mad happy” to have learned that certain of his family members overseas are part of Hamas. Bazrouk’s phone was also littered with pro-Hamas and pro-Hizballah propaganda, showing his support for organizations that have murdered thousands of Jews and Israelis.

    Bazrouk is charged with three counts of committing hate crimes, each of which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

    The maximum potential penalties in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

    U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and thanked the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the NYPD for their assistance.

    The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Civil Rights Unit in the Criminal Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Adelsberg and Jim Ligtenberg for the Southern District of New York are in charge of the prosecution.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.   

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: New York Man Charged with Federal Hate Crimes After Repeatedly Assaulting Jewish Victims

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    An indictment was unsealed today in the Southern District of New York charging Tarek Bazrouk 20, of New York, New York, with three counts of committing hate crimes in connection with his repeated assaults of Jewish victims in New York City between 2024 and 2025. Bazrouk was arrested this morning and will be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman.

    “The Civil Rights Division will continue to relentlessly pursue allegations of antisemitic violence and will not stop until justice is served for the victims and their families,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Under Attorney General Pam Bondi’s leadership, we will use all available resources to investigate and charge those who target and assault others because of their faith.”

    “As alleged, on three separate occasions, Tarek Bazrouk deliberately targeted and assaulted Jewish victims at protests relating to the Israel/Gaza war,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York. “Despite being arrested after each incident, Bazrouk allegedly remained undeterred and quickly returned to using violence to target Jews in New York City. This Office is dedicated to seeking justice for victims of hate crimes and will aggressively prosecute those who spread bigotry and discrimination through violence.”

    According to court documents, other public filings, and statements previously made on the record in this case, over the course of approximately nine months, Bazrouk physically assaulted three Jewish individuals at protests concerning the Israel/Gaza war. First, on April 15, 2024, Bazrouk — while wearing a green headband typically worn by Hamas terrorists — attended a protest concerning the Israel/Gaza war in Lower Manhattan, outside the New York Stock Exchange.  During the protest, Bazrouk was arrested by officers from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) after lunging at a group of pro-Israel protestors. As Bazrouk was being escorted to an NYPD vehicle, Bazrouk kicked a different individual — Victim-1, a Jewish college student — in the stomach. At the time of the assault, Victim-1 was standing near other Jewish protestors, who were wearing kippahs (that is, brimless skullcaps traditionally worn by Jewish men), carrying Israeli flags, and singing Jewish songs.

    Approximately eight months later, on Dec. 9, 2024, Bazrouk assaulted another individual at a protest relating to the Israel/Gaza war next to a university campus in upper Manhattan. The victim of the second assault — Victim-2 — is a Jewish student who attended the nearby university. On the date of the assault, Victim-2 and his brother were wearing kippahs, Victim-2 had an Israeli flag draped around his shoulders, and Victim-2 was singing Jewish songs. As the protest continued, Bazrouk — with his mouth covered — stole an Israeli flag from Victim-2’s brother and fled. After Victim-2 and his brother followed Bazrouk through a crowd to retrieve the flag, Bazrouk snuck up beside Victim-2 and struck him in the face with a closed fist.

    Roughly one month later, on Jan. 6, 2025, Bazrouk assaulted a third Jewish victim — Victim-3 — at a protest concerning the Israel/Gaza war near 1st Avenue and East 18th Street in Manhattan. At this protest, Victim-3 was wearing an Israeli flag around his shoulders, a hat with an Israeli flag, and a chain with a Jewish star. During the protest, Bazrouk, who was wearing a keffiyeh on his face, made contact with Victim-3’s shoulder and wrapped his foot around Victim-3’s ankle.  Victim-3 attempted to push BAZROUK away and cursed at him. Bazrouk then punched Victim-3 in the nose with a closed fist.

    “Over the course of nine months, Tarek Bazrouk allegedly targeted and violently attacked multiple Jewish victims in a series of physical assaults, while demonstrating a pattern of supporting anti-Semitic terrorist organizations,” said Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia of the FBI New York Field Office. “These alleged hate crimes not only violated the victims’ ability to exercise their first amendment rights, but also intimidated and sparked fear among a broader population. The FBI won’t tolerate this behavior and will apprehend any individual who commits a federal crime seeking to harm others for their religious beliefs.”

    “As alleged, Tarek Bazrouk deliberately set out to harm Jewish New Yorkers — targeting them at protests, singling them out, and assaulting them for nothing more than their identity,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “The NYPD worked closely with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to track him down and ensure he faces real consequences. Antisemitism and all forms of bigotry have no home here in New York — period. New Yorkers of all faiths are welcome to live and worship in our city freely, and we will never stop fighting to protect that right.”

    According to court documents, pursuant to judicially authorized warrants, law enforcement subsequently searched a cellphone used by Bazrouk. Evidence from that device revealed Bazrouk’s anti-Semitic bias and his support for anti-Jewish terrorist groups including Hamas, demonstrating his motivation for repeatedly assaulting Jewish victims. In text messages, for example, Bazrouk identified himself as a “Jew hater,” labeled Jews as “worthless,” extorted “Allah” to “get us rid of [Jews],” called an acquittance a “Fucking Jew,” and told a friend to “slap that bitch” in reference to a woman with an Israeli sticker on her laptop. Bazrouk also told a friend that he was “mad happy” to have learned that certain of his family members overseas are part of Hamas. Bazrouk’s phone was also littered with pro-Hamas and pro-Hizballah propaganda, showing his support for organizations that have murdered thousands of Jews and Israelis.

    Bazrouk is charged with three counts of committing hate crimes, each of which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

    The maximum potential penalties in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

    U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and thanked the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the NYPD for their assistance.

    The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Civil Rights Unit in the Criminal Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Adelsberg and Jim Ligtenberg for the Southern District of New York are in charge of the prosecution.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.   

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Athabasca Oil Announces 2025 First Quarter Results Highlighted by 63% Growth in Funds Flow Per Share and Strong Operational Execution Driving a Robust Return of Capital Program

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Athabasca Oil Corporation (TSX: ATH) (“Athabasca” or the “Company”) is pleased to report its first quarter results highlighted by strong operational execution driving robust return of capital with the full completion of its second annual share buyback program. The Company is in an enviable position to weather market volatility with low corporate break-evens, long-life assets and a pristine balance sheet.

    Q1 2025 Consolidated Corporate Results

    • Production: Average production of 37,714 boe/d (98% Liquids), representing 13% (24% per share) growth year over year.
    • Cash Flow: Adjusted Funds Flow of $130 million ($0.25 per share), representing 63% per share growth year over year. Cash Flow from Operating Activities of $123 million. Free Cash Flow of $71 million from Athabasca (Thermal Oil).
    • Capital Program: $63 million total capital expenditures, with $44 million at Leismer as the Company advances the 40,000 bbl/d progressive growth project.

    Operations Highlights

    • Leismer: Production of ~28,000 bbl/d (April 2025) following the start-up of six redrills in the first quarter. Four additional new well pairs will be brought on stream in H2 2025 to maintain production rates at facility capacity.
    • Hangingstone: Production has increased to ~8,900 bbl/d (April 2025) following the start-up of two well pairs. The project continues to deliver meaningful free cash flow generation for the Company.
    • Duvernay Energy: Two multi-well pads (seven gross wells) are slated to be completed post break-up and will continue operational momentum in the Kaybob Duvernay play. Capital is trending ~$10 million lower than the 2025 budget at an estimated ~$75 million.

    Resilient Producer in a Shifting Global Landscape

    • Macro Volatility: Global oil benchmarks have softened in recent months in response to an accelerated OPEC+ supply outlook and evolving U.S. trade policy. Athabasca is uniquely positioned to withstand market volatility and its production is USMCA compliant and exempt from U.S. tariffs.
    • Pristine Balance Sheet & Tax Free Horizon: Athabasca has a Net Cash position of $115 million, strong Liquidity of $438 million (including $305 million cash) and a long dated maturity of 2029 on its term debt. The Company has $2.2 billion of tax pools (~80% high-value and immediately deductible).
    • Low Decline, Long Life Assets: Athabasca is uniquely positioned with a low base corporate decline and the Company expects to maintain Thermal Oil production in 2025 following recent capital projects. Athabasca has a deep inventory across its portfolio including 1,209 MMbbl of Proved plus Probable Thermal Oil reserves and ~444 gross future drilling locations within Duvernay Energy.
    • Low Break-evens: Long-life, low decline assets afford Athabasca with a sustaining capital advantage. The Company’s 2025 Thermal Oil operating break-even is estimated at ~US$32/bbl WTI and the capital program which includes growth initiatives is fully funded within cash flow down to ~US$48/bbl WTI for the balance of the year. The Company estimates long term sustaining capital investment of ~C$8/bbl (five‐year annual average) to hold production flat.
    • Flexible Capital: The Thermal Oil capital projects are flexible, highly economic and have optionality to be recalibrated based on the macroeconomic environment. Duvernay Energy retains significant flexibility on the pace of its operations and is positioned with an independent balance sheet and no near-term land expiries.
    • Sound Heavy Oil Fundamentals: The outlook for Canadian heavy oil remains strong supported by the Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline start-up in May 2024 and sustained global refining demand. This has resulted in tighter and less volatile WCS heavy differentials with spot markets currently trading at ~US$9/bbl. Athabasca is a direct beneficiary of structurally tighter differentials that are forecasted to hold in the coming years.


    Durable Shareholder Returns

    • Full Execution of Second Normal Course Issuer Bid (“NCIB”): On March 17, the Company fully completed its second annual NCIB, returning $289 million to shareholders and purchasing and cancelling 55 million shares.
    • Continued 100% of Free Cash Flow (Thermal Oil) Return to Shareholders through Buybacks in 2025: The Company renewed its third annual NCIB with capacity to repurchase up to 50 million shares. The Company has completed $94 million in share buybacks year to date. Athabasca has reduced its fully diluted share count by ~20% since March 31, 2023.
    • Durable Shareholder Returns: The Company’s capital allocation framework will continue to balance near-term return of capital initiatives for shareholders with a multi-year growth trajectory of cash flow per share. The Company sees significant intrinsic value not reflected in the current share price and intends to remain active with its share buyback strategy.

    Strategic Update and Corporate Guidance

    • Athabasca (Thermal Oil): The Thermal Oil division underpins the Company’s strong Free Cash Flow outlook, with production guidance of 33,500 – 35,500 bbl/d and a ~$250 million capital budget. Athabasca has differentiated and significant unrecovered capital balances on its Thermal Oil Assets that ensure a low Crown royalty framework (~7%1). Leismer is forecasted to remain pre-payout until late 20271 (and beyond with incremental project capital) while Hangingstone is forecasted to remain pre-payout beyond 20301.
    • Consolidated Production Outlook: Athabasca’s consolidated annual production guidance is 37,500 – 39,500 boe/d. Current production is ~40,000 boe/d and with current capital plans the Company is expecting to be at the upper end of guidance and anticipates exiting the year at ~41,000 boe/d.
    • Leismer Progressive Growth: The 2025 program at Leismer includes the tie-in of six redrills and four new well pairs on Pad 10 along with continued pad and facility expansion work for the progressive expansion to 40,000 bbl/d. This expansion project is highly economic (~$25,000/bbl/d capital efficiency) and provides flexibility with interim growth targets to ~32,000 bbl/d and ~35,000 bbl/d before achieving the regulatory approved 40,000 bbl/d capacity.
    • Duvernay Energy Corporation: The 2025 capital program of ~$75 million will continue production momentum in H2 2025 with an exit target of ~6,000 boe/d. Capital activity includes the completion of a 100% working interest (“WI”) three-well pad that was drilled in 2024, the drilling and completion of a 30% WI four-well pad (spud in Q1 2025) and the construction of a gathering system on operated lands. The capital program in Duvernay Energy Corporation is flexible and designed to be self-funded. The Company has a deep inventory of ~444 gross future drilling locations.
    • Free Cash Flow Focus: The Company forecasts consolidated Adjusted Funds Flow between $525 – $550 million1, including $475 – $500 million from its Thermal Oil assets. Every +US$1/bbl move in West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) and Western Canadian Select (“WCS”) heavy oil impacts annual Adjusted Funds Flow by ~$10 million and ~$17 million, respectively. The 2025 Thermal Oil capital program, including growth initiatives, is fully funded within cash flow down to ~US$48 WTI for the balance of the year. Duvernay Energy is independently funded through its balance sheet and cash flow.
    • Capital Allocation Discipline: Athabasca has demonstrated its business resiliency and prudent management through past commodity cycles. The Company is nimble with respect to its operating plans and has levers available to adjust to a volatile macro environment. Preserving a pristine balance sheet is paramount to the strategy.
    • Steadfast Focus on Cash Flow Per Share Growth: The Company forecasts ~20% compounded annual cash flow per share1 growth between 2025 – 2029 driven by investing in attractive capital projects and prioritizing share buybacks with free cash flow.

    Footnote: Refer to the “Reader Advisory” section within this news release for additional information on Non‐GAAP Financial Measures (e.g. Adjusted Funds Flow, Free Cash Flow, Net Cash, Liquidity) and production disclosure.

    12025 pricing assumptions: US$70 WTI, US$12.50 WCS heavy differential, C$2 AECO, and 0.725 C$/US$ FX.

    Annual Shareholders Meeting

    Athabasca will be hosting its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (“Meeting”) on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 8:00 am (MT). The Meeting will be hosted virtually and shareholders and guests can listen via live webcast with details available at:

           https://www.atha.com/investors/presentation-events.html

    Financial and Operational Highlights

      Three months ended
    March 31,
    ($ Thousands, unless otherwise noted) 2025     2024  
    CORPORATE CONSOLIDATED(1)      
    Petroleum and natural gas production (boe/d)(2)   37,714       33,470  
    Petroleum, natural gas and midstream sales $ 367,844     $ 311,116  
    Operating Income(2) $ 145,590     $ 105,135  
    Operating Income Net of Realized Hedging(2)(3) $ 143,947     $ 106,580  
    Operating Netback ($/boe)(2) $ 44.07     $ 35.78  
    Operating Netback Net of Realized Hedging ($/boe)(2)(3) $ 43.57     $ 36.27  
    Capital expenditures $ 63,333     $ 76,011  
    Cash flow from operating activities $ 123,353     $ 76,638  
    per share – basic $ 0.24     $ 0.14  
    Adjusted Funds Flow(2) $ 129,675     $ 87,772  
    per share – basic $ 0.25     $ 0.15  
    ATHABASCA (THERMAL OIL)      
    Bitumen production (bbl/d)(2)   34,742       31,536  
    Petroleum, natural gas and midstream sales $ 362,375     $ 305,041  
    Operating Income(2) $ 135,316     $ 100,449  
    Operating Netback ($/bbl)(2) $ 44.56     $ 36.36  
    Capital expenditures $ 50,376     $ 42,119  
    Adjusted Funds Flow(2) $ 121,353     $ 83,713  
    Free Cash Flow(2) $ 70,977     $ 41,594  
    DUVERNAY ENERGY(1)      
    Petroleum and natural gas production (boe/d)(2)   2,972       1,934  
    Percentage Liquids (%)(2) 73 %   72 %
    Petroleum, natural gas and midstream sales $ 17,619     $ 11,538  
    Operating Income(2) $ 10,274     $ 4,686  
    Operating Netback ($/boe)(2) $ 38.42     $ 26.63  
    Capital expenditures $ 12,957     $ 33,892  
    Adjusted Funds Flow(2) $ 8,322     $ 4,059  
    Free Cash Flow(2) $ (4,635 )   $ (29,833 )
    NET INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME      
    Net income and comprehensive income(4) $ 72,004     $ 38,609  
    per share – basic(4) $ 0.14     $ 0.07  
    per share – diluted(4) $ 0.14     $ 0.07  
    COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING      
    Weighted average shares outstanding – basic   514,257,036       567,076,940  
    Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted   519,227,432       577,106,504  
      March 31,   December 31,  
    As at ($ Thousands) 2025   2024  
    LIQUIDITY AND BALANCE SHEET (CONSOLIDATED)        
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 304,538   $ 344,836  
    Available credit facilities(5) $ 133,074   $ 136,324  
    Face value of term debt $ 200,000   $ 200,000  

    (1) Corporate Consolidated and Duvernay Energy reflect gross production and financial metrics before taking into consideration Athabasca’s 70% equity interest in Duvernay Energy.
    (2) Refer to the “Advisories and Other Guidance” section within this News Release for additional information on Non-GAAP Financial Measures and production disclosure.
    (3) Includes realized commodity risk management loss of $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 (three months ended March 31, 2024 – gain of $1.4 million).
    (4) Net income and comprehensive income per share amounts are based on net income and comprehensive income attributable to shareholders of the Parent Company.
    (5) Includes available credit under Athabasca’s and Duvernay Energy’s Credit Facilities and Athabasca’s Unsecured Letter of Credit Facility.

    Athabasca (Thermal Oil) Q1 2025 Highlights and Operations Update

    • Production: First quarter production of 34,742 bbl/d (27,025 bbl/d at Leismer & 7,717 bbl/d at Hangingstone).
    • Cash Flow: Adjusted Funds Flow of $121.4 million; Operating Income of $135.3 million with an Operating Netback of $44.56/bbl ($46.24/bbl at Leismer & $38.43/bbl at Hangingstone).
    • Capital Program: $50.4 million of capital expenditures in Q1, with $43.7 million at Leismer as the Company advances the 40,000 bbl/d progressive growth project.
    • Free Cash Flow: $71.0 million of Free Cash Flow supporting 100% return of capital commitment.


    Leismer

    In Q1 2025, the Company brought six extended redrills on Pad L1 (1,000 – 1,700 meter laterals) on production supporting current production of ~28,000 bbl/d (April 2025). The redrills target bypass pay on legacy pads with initial production rates between 400 – 1,000 bbl/d per well. In 2024, the Company drilled an additional four well pairs on Pad L10 that will maintain production rates at facility capacity for the balance of 2025. Another six well pairs will be drilled in H2 2025.

    Activity at Leismer remains focused on advancing progressive growth to 40,000 bbl/d by the end of 2027. The project cost is estimated at $300 million generating a capital efficiency of approximately $25,000/bbl/d. The $300 million will be spent between 2025 and 2027 and includes an estimated $190 million for facility capital and an estimated $110 million for growth wells. The project remains on budget and on schedule with the original sanction plans announced in July 2024. The progressive build provides flexibility with interim growth targets to ~32,000 bbl/d and ~35,000 bbl/d before achieving the regulatory approved 40,000 bbl/d capacity. This winter the Company completed regional infrastructure to Pad L10 and L11 including lease site construction, delineation drilling and pipeline looping. The project scope includes the installation of two new steam generators that were countercyclically acquired during a prior commodity down cycle.

    Leismer is forecasted to remain pre-payout from a crown royalty perspective until late 20271.

    Hangingstone

    At Hangingstone two extended reach sustaining well pairs (~1,400 meter average laterals) drilled in 2024 were placed on production in March supporting current production of ~8,900 bbl/d (April 2025). These are the first wells drilled at the project since 2015. The new well pairs have ramped up faster than anticipated, benefiting from favorable reservoir temperatures and pressure supported by offsetting wells. Early performance has exceeded expectations with initial production rates of 800 – 1,000 bbl/d per well.

    Hangingstone continues to deliver meaningful cash flow contributions to the Company and also has a pre-payout crown royalty structure beyond 20301.

    Duvernay Energy Corporation Q1 2025 Highlights and Operations Update

    • Production: First quarter production of 2,972 boe/d (73% Liquids).
    • Cash Flow: Adjusted Funds Flow of $8.3 million with an Operating Netback of $38.42/boe.
    • Capital Program: $13.0 million of capital expenditures included spudding a 30% WI four-well pad and constructing a strategic gathering system.  

    Q1 activity included spudding a four well pad (30% working interest) with average laterals of ~5,000 meters and construction of strategic gathering system connecting its newly operated assets with the Company’s existing operated infrastructure on the joint venture acreage. Completion operations will be phased through the balance of the year with the four well pad (30% WI) expected to be completed in Q3 and three well pad (100% WI) in early Fall. The Company expects to exit the year at ~6,000 boe/d.

    Production from wells drilled in 2024 continue to validate DEC’s type curve expectations. The five wells placed on production have averaged IP30’s of ~1,200 boe/d per well (86% Liquids) and IP90s of ~940 boe/d (86% Liquids) per well.

    2025 capital is trending ~$10 million lower than original budget and is estimated at ~$75 million, reflecting disciplined execution. Duvernay Energy retains significant operational flexibility with no near-term land expiries and the ability to adjust spending in response to commodity price movements.

    About Athabasca Oil Corporation

    Athabasca Oil Corporation is a Canadian energy company with a focused strategy on the development of thermal and light oil assets. Situated in Alberta’s Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, the Company has amassed a significant land base of extensive, high quality resources. Athabasca’s light oil assets are held in a private subsidiary (Duvernay Energy Corporation) in which Athabasca owns a 70% equity interest. Athabasca’s common shares trade on the TSX under the symbol “ATH”. For more information, visit www.atha.com.

    For more information, please contact:    
    Matthew Taylor   Robert Broen
    Chief Financial Officer   President and CEO
    1-403-817-9104   1-403-817-9190
    mtaylor@atha.com   rbroen@atha.com
         

    Reader Advisory:

    This News Release contains forward-looking information that involves various risks, uncertainties and other factors. All information other than statements of historical fact is forward-looking information. The use of any of the words “anticipate”, “plan”, “project”, “continue”, “maintain”, “may”, “estimate”, “expect”, “will”, “target”, “forecast”, “could”, “intend”, “potential”, “guidance”, “outlook” and similar expressions suggesting future outcome are intended to identify forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is not historical fact, but rather is based on the Company’s current plans, objectives, goals, strategies, estimates, assumptions and projections about the Company’s industry, business and future operating and financial results. This information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information included in this News Release should not be unduly relied upon. This information speaks only as of the date of this News Release. In particular, this News Release contains forward-looking information pertaining to, but not limited to, the following: our strategic plans; the allocation of future capital; timing and quantum for shareholder returns including share buybacks; the terms of our NCIB program; our drilling plans and capital efficiencies; production growth to expected production rates and estimated sustaining capital amounts; timing of Leismer’s and Hangingstone’s pre-payout royalty status; applicability of tax pools; exemption from U.S. tariffs; Adjusted Funds Flow and Free Cash Flow over various periods; type well economic metrics; number of drilling locations; forecasted daily production and the composition of production; break-even metrics, our outlook in respect of the Company’s business environment, including in respect of commodity pricing; and other matters.

    In addition, information and statements in this News Release relating to “Reserves” and “Resources” are deemed to be forward-looking information, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves and resources described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated, and that the reserves and resources described can be profitably produced in the future. With respect to forward-looking information contained in this News Release, assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: commodity prices; the regulatory framework governing royalties, taxes and environmental matters in the jurisdictions in which the Company conducts and will conduct business and the effects that such regulatory framework will have on the Company, including on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations; the Company’s financial and operational flexibility; the Company’s financial sustainability; Athabasca’s cash flow break-even commodity price; the Company’s ability to obtain qualified staff and equipment in a timely and cost-efficient manner; the applicability of technologies for the recovery and production of the Company’s reserves and resources; future capital expenditures to be made by the Company; future sources of funding for the Company’s capital programs; the Company’s future debt levels; future production levels; the Company’s ability to obtain financing and/or enter into joint venture arrangements, on acceptable terms; operating costs; compliance of counterparties with the terms of contractual arrangements; impact of increasing competition globally; collection risk of outstanding accounts receivable from third parties; geological and engineering estimates in respect of the Company’s reserves and resources; recoverability of reserves and resources; the geography of the areas in which the Company is conducting exploration and development activities and the quality of its assets. Certain other assumptions related to the Company’s Reserves and Resources are contained in the report of McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd. (“McDaniel”) evaluating Athabasca’s Proved Reserves, Probable Reserves and Contingent Resources as at December 31, 2024 (which is respectively referred to herein as the “McDaniel Report”).

    Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of the risk factors set forth in the Company’s Annual Information Form (“AIF”) dated March 5, 2025 available on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca, including, but not limited to: weakness in the oil and gas industry; exploration, development and production risks; prices, markets and marketing; market conditions; trade relations and tariffs; climate change and carbon pricing risk; statutes and regulations regarding the environment including deceptive marketing provisions; regulatory environment and changes in applicable law; gathering and processing facilities, pipeline systems and rail; reputation and public perception of the oil and gas sector; environment, social and governance goals; political uncertainty; state of capital markets; ability to finance capital requirements; access to capital and insurance; abandonment and reclamation costs; changing demand for oil and natural gas products; anticipated benefits of acquisitions and dispositions; royalty regimes; foreign exchange rates and interest rates; reserves; hedging; operational dependence; operating costs; project risks; supply chain disruption; financial assurances; diluent supply; third party credit risk; indigenous claims; reliance on key personnel and operators; income tax; cybersecurity; advanced technologies; hydraulic fracturing; liability management; seasonality and weather conditions; unexpected events; internal controls; limitations and insurance; litigation; natural gas overlying bitumen resources; competition; chain of title and expiration of licenses and leases; breaches of confidentiality; new industry related activities or new geographical areas; water use restrictions and/or limited access to water; relationship with Duvernay Energy Corporation; management estimates and assumptions; third-party claims; conflicts of interest; inflation and cost management; credit ratings; growth management; impact of pandemics; ability of investors resident in the United States to enforce civil remedies in Canada; and risks related to our debt and securities. All subsequent forward-looking information, whether written or oral, attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.

    Also included in this News Release are estimates of Athabasca’s 2025 outlook which are based on the various assumptions as to production levels, commodity prices, currency exchange rates and other assumptions disclosed in this News Release. To the extent any such estimate constitutes a financial outlook, it was approved by management and the Board of Directors of Athabasca and is included to provide readers with an understanding of the Company’s outlook. Management does not have firm commitments for all of the costs, expenditures, prices or other financial assumptions used to prepare the financial outlook or assurance that such operating results will be achieved and, accordingly, the complete financial effects of all of those costs, expenditures, prices and operating results are not objectively determinable. The actual results of operations of the Company and the resulting financial results may vary from the amounts set forth herein, and such variations may be material. The outlook and forward-looking information contained in this New Release was made as of the date of this News release and the Company disclaims any intention or obligations to update or revise such outlook and/or forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required pursuant to applicable law.

    Oil and Gas Information

    “BOEs” may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion ratio of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil equivalent (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. As the value ratio between natural gas and crude oil based on the current prices of natural gas and crude oil is significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis may be misleading as an indication of value.

    Initial Production Rates 

    Test Results and Initial Production Rates: The well test results and initial production rates provided herein should be considered to be preliminary, except as otherwise indicated. Test results and initial production rates disclosed herein may not necessarily be indicative of long-term performance or of ultimate recovery.

    Reserves Information

    The McDaniel Report was prepared using the assumptions and methodology guidelines outlined in the COGE Handbook and in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities, effective December 31, 2024. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of bitumen, light crude oil and medium crude oil, tight oil, conventional natural gas, shale gas and natural gas liquids reserves and the future cash flows attributed to such reserves. The reserve and associated cash flow information set forth above are estimates only. In general, estimates of economically recoverable reserves and the future net cash flows therefrom are based upon a number of variable factors and assumptions, such as historical production from the properties, production rates, ultimate reserve recovery, timing and amount of capital expenditures, marketability of oil and natural gas, royalty rates, the assumed effects of regulation by governmental agencies and future operating costs, all of which may vary materially. For those reasons, estimates of the economically recoverable reserves attributable to any particular group of properties, classification of such reserves based on risk of recovery and estimates of future net revenues associated with reserves prepared by different engineers, or by the same engineers at different times, may vary. The Company’s actual production, revenues, taxes and development and operating expenditures with respect to its reserves will vary from estimates thereof and such variations could be material. Reserves figures described herein have been rounded to the nearest MMbbl or MMboe. For additional information regarding the consolidated reserves and information concerning the resources of the Company as evaluated by McDaniel in the McDaniel Report, please refer to the Company’s AIF.

    Reserve Values (i.e. Net Asset Value) is calculated using the estimated net present value of all future net revenue from our reserves, before income taxes discounted at 10%, as estimated by McDaniel effective December 31, 2024 and based on average pricing of McDaniel, Sproule and GLJ as of January 1, 2025.

    The 444 gross Duvernay drilling locations referenced include: 87 proved undeveloped locations and 85 probable undeveloped locations for a total of 172 booked locations with the balance being unbooked locations. Proved undeveloped locations and probable undeveloped locations are booked and derived from the Company’s most recent independent reserves evaluation as prepared by McDaniel as of December 31, 2024 and account for drilling locations that have associated proved and/or probable reserves, as applicable. Unbooked locations are internal management estimates. Unbooked locations do not have attributed reserves or resources (including contingent or prospective). Unbooked locations have been identified by management as an estimation of Athabasca’s multi-year drilling activities expected to occur over the next two decades based on evaluation of applicable geologic, seismic, engineering, production and reserves information. There is no certainty that the Company will drill all unbooked drilling locations and if drilled there is no certainty that such locations will result in additional oil and gas reserves, resources or production. The drilling locations on which the Company will actually drill wells, including the number and timing thereof is ultimately dependent upon the availability of funding, commodity prices, provincial fiscal and royalty policies, costs, actual drilling results, additional reservoir information that is obtained and other factors.

    Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures, and Production Disclosure

    The “Corporate Consolidated Adjusted Funds Flow”, “Corporate Consolidated Adjusted Funds Flow per Share”, “Athabasca (Thermal Oil) Adjusted Funds Flow”, “Duvernay Energy Adjusted Funds Flow”, “Corporate Consolidated Free Cash Flow”, “Athabasca (Thermal Oil) Free Cash Flow”, “Duvernay Energy Free Cash Flow”, “Corporate Consolidated Operating Income”, “Corporate Consolidated Operating Income Net of Realized Hedging”, “Athabasca (Thermal Oil) Operating Income”, “Duvernay Energy Operating Income”, “Corporate Consolidated Operating Netback”, “Corporate Consolidated Operating Netback Net of Realized Hedging”, “Athabasca (Thermal Oil) Operating Netback”, “Duvernay Energy Operating Netback” and “Cash Transportation and Marketing Expense” financial measures contained in this News Release do not have standardized meanings which are prescribed by IFRS and they are considered to be non-GAAP financial measures or ratios. These measures may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers and should not be considered in isolation with measures that are prepared in accordance with IFRS. Net Cash and Liquidity are supplementary financial measures. The Leismer and Hangingstone operating results are supplementary financial measures that when aggregated, combine to the Athabasca (Thermal Oil) segment results.

    Adjusted Funds Flow, Adjusted Funds Flow Per Share and Free Cash Flow

    Adjusted Funds Flow and Free Cash Flow are non-GAAP financial measures and are not intended to represent cash flow from operating activities, net earnings or other measures of financial performance calculated in accordance with IFRS. The Adjusted Funds Flow and Free Cash Flow measures allow management and others to evaluate the Company’s ability to fund its capital programs and meet its ongoing financial obligations using cash flow internally generated from ongoing operating related activities. Adjusted Funds Flow per share is a non-GAAP financial ratio calculated as Adjusted Funds Flow divided by the applicable number of weighted average shares outstanding. Adjusted Funds Flow and Free Cash Flow are calculated as follows:

      Three months ended
    March 31, 2025    		  
    ($ Thousands) Athabasca
    (Thermal Oil)    		   Duvernay Energy(1)   Corporate Consolidated(1)  
    Cash flow from operating activities $ 113,427   $ 9,926   $ 123,353  
    Changes in non-cash working capital   7,230     (1,612 )   5,618  
    Settlement of provisions   696     8     704  
    ADJUSTED FUNDS FLOW   121,353     8,322     129,675  
    Capital expenditures   (50,376 )   (12,957 )   (63,333 )
    FREE CASH FLOW $ 70,977   $ (4,635 ) $ 66,342  

    (1) Duvernay Energy and Corporate Consolidated reflect gross financial metrics before taking into consideration Athabasca’s 70% equity interest in Duvernay Energy.

      Three months ended
    March 31, 2024    		  
    ($ Thousands) Athabasca
    (Thermal Oil)    		   Duvernay Energy(1)   Corporate Consolidated(1)  
    Cash flow from operating activities $ 72,730   $ 3,908   $ 76,638  
    Changes in non-cash working capital   9,382     149     9,531  
    Settlement of provisions   1,601     2     1,603  
    ADJUSTED FUNDS FLOW   83,713     4,059     87,772  
    Capital expenditures   (42,119 )   (33,892 )   (76,011 )
    FREE CASH FLOW $ 41,594   $ (29,833 ) $ 11,761  

    (1) Duvernay Energy and Corporate Consolidated reflect gross financial metrics before taking into consideration Athabasca’s 70% equity interest in Duvernay Energy.

    Duvernay Energy Operating Income and Operating Netback

    The non-GAAP measure Duvernay Energy Operating Income in this News Release is calculated by subtracting the Duvernay Energy royalties, operating expenses and transportation & marketing expenses from petroleum and natural gas sales which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. The Duvernay Energy Operating Netback per boe is a non-GAAP financial ratio calculated by dividing the Duvernay Energy Operating Income by the Duvernay Energy production. The Duvernay Energy Operating Income and the Duvernay Energy Operating Netback measures allow management and others to evaluate the production results from the Company’s Duvernay Energy assets.

    The Duvernay Energy Operating Income is calculated using the Duvernay Energy Segments GAAP results, as follows:

      Three months ended
    March 31,    		  
    ($ Thousands, unless otherwise noted) 2025   2024  
    Petroleum and natural gas sales $ 17,619   $ 11,538  
    Royalties   (2,761 )   (2,314 )
    Operating expenses   (3,786 )   (3,640 )
    Transportation and marketing   (798 )   (898 )
    DUVERNAY ENERGY OPERATING INCOME(1) $ 10,274   $ 4,686  

    Athabasca (Thermal Oil) Operating Income and Operating Netback

    The non-GAAP measure Athabasca (Thermal Oil) Operating Income in this News Release is calculated by subtracting the Athabasca (Thermal Oil) segments cost of diluent blending, royalties, operating expenses and cash transportation & marketing expenses from heavy oil (blended bitumen) and midstream sales which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. The Athabasca (Thermal Oil) Operating Netback per bbl is a non-GAAP financial ratio calculated by dividing the respective projects Operating Income by its respective bitumen sales volumes. The Athabasca (Thermal Oil) Operating Income and the Athabasca (Thermal Oil) Operating Netback measures allow management and others to evaluate the production results from the Athabasca (Thermal Oil) assets.

    The Athabasca (Thermal Oil) Operating Income is calculated using the Athabasca (Thermal Oil) Segments GAAP results, as follows:

      Three months ended
    March 31,    		  
    ($ Thousands, unless otherwise noted) 2025   2024  
    Heavy oil (blended bitumen) and midstream sales $ 362,375   $ 305,041  
    Cost of diluent   (152,132 )   (133,860 )
    Total bitumen and midstream sales   210,243     171,181  
    Royalties   (15,964 )   (11,537 )
    Operating expenses – non-energy   (24,887 )   (23,125 )
    Operating expenses – energy   (13,507 )   (16,558 )
    Transportation and marketing(1)   (20,569 )   (19,512 )
    ATHABASCA (THERMAL OIL) OPERATING INCOME(2) $ 135,316   $ 100,449  

    (1) Transportation and marketing excludes non-cash costs of $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 (three months ended March 31, 2024 – $0.6 million).

    Corporate Consolidated Operating Income and Corporate Consolidated Operating Income Net of Realized Hedging and Operating Netbacks

    The non-GAAP measures of Corporate Consolidated Operating Income including or excluding realized hedging in this News Release are calculated by adding or subtracting realized gains (losses) on commodity risk management contracts (as applicable), royalties, the cost of diluent blending, operating expenses and cash transportation & marketing expenses from petroleum, natural gas and midstream sales which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. The Corporate Consolidated Operating Netbacks including or excluding realized hedging per boe are non-GAAP ratios calculated by dividing Corporate Consolidated Operating Income including or excluding hedging by the total sales volumes and are presented on a per boe basis. The Corporate Consolidated Operating Income and Corporate Consolidated Operating Netbacks including or excluding realized hedging measures allow management and others to evaluate the production results from the Company’s Duvernay Energy and Athabasca (Thermal Oil) assets combined together including the impact of realized commodity risk management gains or losses (as applicable).

      Three months ended
    March 31,    		  
    ($ Thousands, unless otherwise noted) 2025   2024  
    Petroleum, natural gas and midstream sales(1) $ 379,994   $ 316,579  
    Royalties   (18,725 )   (13,851 )
    Cost of diluent(1)   (152,132 )   (133,860 )
    Operating expenses   (42,180 )   (43,323 )
    Transportation and marketing(2)   (21,367 )   (20,410 )
    Operating Income(3)   145,590     105,135  
    Realized gain (loss) on commodity risk mgmt. contracts   (1,643 )   1,445  
    OPERATING INCOME NET OF REALIZED HEDGING(3) $ 143,947   $ 106,580  

    (1) Non-GAAP measure includes intercompany NGLs (i.e. condensate) sold by the Duvernay Energy segment to the Athabasca (Thermal Oil) segment for use as diluent that is eliminated on consolidation.
    (2) Transportation and marketing excludes non-cash costs of $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 (three months ended March 31, 2024 – $0.6 million).

    Cash Transportation and Marketing Expense

    The Cash Transportation and Marketing Expense financial measures contained in this News Release are calculated by subtracting the non-cash transportation and marketing expense as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows from the transportation and marketing expense as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss) and are considered to be non-GAAP financial measures.

    Net Cash

    Net Cash is defined as the face value of term debt, plus accounts payable and accrued liabilities, plus current portion of provisions and other liabilities plus income tax payable less current assets, excluding risk management contracts.

    Liquidity

    Liquidity is defined as cash and cash equivalents plus available credit capacity.

    Production volumes details

        Three months ended
    March 31,    		  
    Production   2025   2024  
    Duvernay Energy:          
    Oil and condensate NGLs(1) bbl/d   1,839     1,205  
    Other NGLs bbl/d   326     180  
    Natural gas(2) mcf/d   4,844     3,291  
    Total Duvernay Energy boe/d   2,972     1,934  
    Total Thermal Oil bitumen bbl/d   34,742     31,536  
    Total Company production boe/d   37,714     33,470  

    (1) Comprised of 99% or greater of tight oil, with the remaining being light and medium crude oil.
    (2) Comprised of 99% or greater of shale gas, with the remaining being conventional natural gas.

    This News Release also makes reference to Athabasca’s forecasted average daily Thermal Oil production of 33,500 ‐ 35,500 bbl/d for 2025. Athabasca expects that 100% of that production will be comprised of bitumen. Duvernay Energy’s forecasted total average daily production of ~4,000 boe/d for 2025 is expected to be comprised of approximately 68% tight oil, 23% shale gas and 9% NGLs.

    Liquids is defined as bitumen, light crude oil, medium crude oil and natural gas liquids.

    Break Even is an operating metric that calculates the US$WTI oil price required to fund operating costs (Operating Break-even), sustaining capital (Sustaining Break-even), or growth capital (Total Capital) within Adjusted Funds Flow.

    Footnote: Refer to the “Reader Advisory” section within this news release for additional information on Non‐GAAP Financial Measures (e.g. Adjusted Funds Flow, Free Cash Flow, Net Cash, Liquidity) and production disclosure.

    1 2025 pricing assumptions: US$70 WTI, US$12.50 WCS heavy differential, C$2 AECO, and 0.725 C$/US$ FX.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: VE Day boost for veterans’ healthcare

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    VE Day boost for veterans’ healthcare

    Government announces £1.8 million investment to transform NHS care for veterans, serving personnel and their families.

    • New training for NHS workers to improve healthcare support for veterans.
    • Programme will improve access and outcomes for veterans, serving personnel and their families.
    • Regional trainers will work with GP practices and mental health services to embed expertise where it is needed most

    Armed forces veterans and their families will benefit from improved and targeted healthcare, the government has announced as the nation marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

    A new training programme will ensure NHS staff across the country are supported to meet the unique health needs of veterans, serving personnel and their families.

    The new programme will see NHS staff across England receiving dedicated training to help them identify and support patients with military backgrounds. GPs, doctors and NHS nurses will work with regional trainers to make sure they embed this support into their services.

    Veterans can require specialised care for injuries sustained in combat, as well as mental health support for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.

    Many also struggle to navigate civilian healthcare systems and may not self-identify as veterans to NHS staff, putting them at risk of missing out on the additional services and bespoke services that are already available.

    Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: 

    As we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, we’re honouring our Armed Forces not just with words, but with action.  

    Too many veterans face a system that doesn’t fully understand their needs – that changes today.

    This new training programme will help NHS staff across England give our veterans the personalised care they deserve. Through our Plan for Change the NHS will deliver for those who have delivered for Britain.

    As of April 2025, every NHS Trust in the country became officially ‘Veteran Aware’, a status which means they have been recognised for demonstrating their understanding of military healthcare needs. The three-year training programme will build on this success and will be rolled out from October 2025 across England.

    The programme, backed by £1.8 million, will support NHS bodies to demonstrate their commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, which ensures those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly and not disadvantaged because of their military service. 

    The training will support healthcare providers to improve identification of Armed Forces personnel, deliver more personalised care, and ultimately improve health outcomes for veterans and their families.

    Kate Davies CBE, National Director for Armed Forces Health, NHS England said:

    On the 80th anniversary of VE Day, we honour the extraordinary legacy of our Armed Forces— and reaffirm the NHS’s commitment to those who’ve served.

    As part of the Armed Forces Covenant, we’re launching our most comprehensive training programme yet to meet the unique healthcare needs of veterans. 

    Developed with frontline experts in veterans’ health and those with lived experience, this national initiative ensures those who’ve served receive the high-quality, specialised care they deserve.

    Carol Betteridge OBE, Deputy Services Director at Help for Heroes said:

    We’re pleased to see this important step forward in supporting veterans’ healthcare. Help for Heroes has already been delivering similar training through our Veteran Champion programme in NHS settings, and we look forward to working with NHS England to share our experience and help improve care for veterans and their families.

    The announcement follows a £50 million boost in funding to ensure veterans across the UK will have easier access to essential care and support under a new UK-wide veteran support system, called VALOUR.

    Through the Plan for Change, the government has delivered an extra 3 million appointments since July to cut waiting lists and provided the biggest boost to GP funding in years – an extra £889 million, and on Tuesday 6 May, the government announced a further major cash injection of over £102 million to upgrade and modernize GP practices.

    The government is also bringing back the family doctor, recruiting an additional 1,500 GPs since October, and cutting red tape so GPs spend more time caring for patients.

    Background

    • The National Training and Education Plan will cost £1.8 million over three years (2025/26 – 2027/28), with funding already secured. 
    • All NHS Trusts have achieved Veteran Aware Accreditation under the programme led by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance. 
    • Key objectives of the programme include: 
      • Driving down health inequalities and unwarranted variation in healthcare for the Armed Forces community 
      • Increasing awareness of the unique characteristics of the Armed Forces community 
      • Supporting NHS systems to deliver their statutory responsibilities under the Armed Forces Covenant 
    • The Training and Education leads will: 
      • Provide standardised national Armed Forces awareness training for NHS staff at all levels 
      • Help inform NHS commissioning bodies in developing health needs assessments for the Armed Forces community 
      • Assist Integrated Care Boards to support armed forces families to better access health services

    Updates to this page

    Published 8 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Wellington Police seize property for non-payment of fines in manner contrary to law

    Source: Independent Police Conduct Authority

    8 May 2025

    The Independent Police Conduct Authority received four complaints concerning Wellington Police officers obtaining a warrant and seizing vehicles for unpaid fines in 2022 and 2023. Upon review, the Authority found common themes arose which continue to be relevant to current Police practice.

    The complaints arose following the commencement of ‘Operation Cobalt’. As part of this operation, Police used their legal power to apply for warrants to seize property for unpaid fines, specifically for the purpose of disrupting gang activity. The practice then transitioned into general policing, where the seizures did not always relate to gang activity. However, outside of Operation Cobalt, Police had no policy or instructions regarding the execution of the warrants for unpaid fines.

    In three of the four cases we reviewed, officers lacked understanding of what is required when executing the warrants and they neglected to demand payment prior to seizing the vehicle. In doing so, they failed to comply with the requirements stipulated in the Summary Proceedings Act 1957, thereby making the vehicle seizures unlawful.

    In early 2024, after our investigation commenced, Police updated policy to include the necessary guidance. Officers are now required to have bailiffs present unless there is urgency and/or good reason for Police to execute the warrant as part of a major event operation or criminal investigation.

    The Authority recommends that, if Police wish to execute warrants to seize property for unpaid fines without the presence of bailiffs as part of major event operations or criminal investigations, Police should provide officers with specific training in the legal requirements for executing warrants and ensure that these are adhered to.

    The Authority also found that it was unnecessary and unreasonable for an officer to execute one of the warrants for unpaid fines during the early hours of the morning.

    Public Report

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Safe rail bridges coming for Glen Innes, Takaanini and Te Mahia

    Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines

    Three Auckland train stations where there have been dozens of near misses between pedestrians and trains during the past decade will have their pedestrian level crossings replaced by modern, accessible overbridges, Auckland Transport (AT) says.

    New pedestrian overbridges at Glen Innes, Takaanini and Te Mahia stations will improve safety and support more frequent and reliable train services when the City Rail Link opens.

    The Government and Auckland Council have brought forward funding to allow construction of the three pedestrian bridges to be fast-tracked, with work starting at Labour Weekend when the rail network is closed and continuing during the summer rail closure.

    From this week, AT is asking for feedback on the proposed bridge designs for Glen Innes, Takaanini and Te Mahia stations.

    Local boards onboard with plan to improve safety in their communities

    Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board Chair Maria Meredith says it will be great to have safer access for the Glen Innes community.

    “The City Rail Link will enable more efficient travel times from the Glen Innes station, but more importantly, the removal of the level crossing will also enable a far safer environment,” she says.

    “By removing level crossing incidents, we’ll have a more efficient and safer network for all users.”

    Papakura Local Board Chair Brent Catchpole says removing level crossings will help keep people moving safely.

    “Many crossings were built back when there were less people and less trains operating,” he says.

    “As our community grows and more people live near train lines, removing level crossings will help keep people moving safely with less congestion.”

    Manurewa Local Board Chairperson Matt Winiata says he is pleased to see AT progressing plans for the replacement of the pedestrian level crossing at Te Mahia Station.

    Te Mahia bridge design concept.

    “The new pedestrian bridge will allow safer access to and from the station platform from both Great South Road and Ferguson Street,” he says.

    “This follows significant investment by the Local Board in the Te Mahia pedestrian plaza, transforming a train station with a once uncertain future into a notable transport hub for the surrounding area.”

    Safe rail bridges part of AT’s plan to get ready for the City Rail Link opening

    Auckland Transport Director of Infrastructure and Place Murray Burt says the new pedestrian bridges will make it safer to access the stations and are part of a broader level crossing programme that will support more frequent and reliable train services when the City Rail Link opens.

    “Every single incident at a level crossing has an impact that can be deadly or life-changing, taking a huge toll on train drivers and those who narrowly miss a collision,” Mr Burt says.

    Mr Burt says these three level crossings have been prioritised for replacement with accessible overbridges because of how busy the rail network is through those areas.

    “Takaanini and Te Mahia stations have been prioritised because that section of the Southern Line is the busiest on the Auckland rail network with a large number of freight and passenger trains,” Mr Burt says.

    “Removing the level crossing at Glen Innes Station is needed because it is the last remaining level crossing on the Eastern Line, which will have trains every five minutes at peak after City Rail Link opens.”

    Feedback wanted before AT finalises bridge designs

    The designs for the three bridges have been developed to provide good access to the train stations, improve pedestrian safety, and to deliver value for money for ratepayers.

    “We now want to hear feedback from our passengers and local communities about what the designs will mean for access, connection, and safety,” Mr Burt says.

    This feedback will be used to finalise the bridge designs and to help with AT’s plans to integrate the bridges and station access into the wider neighbourhoods nearby.

    About AT’s level crossings programme

    • Level crossings increase safety risks for pedestrians and people in vehicles and make travel time longer for both people travelling on trains and those wanting to cross the tracks.

    • Level crossings restrict train frequencies and have safety, productivity and accessibility implications on the road network, particularly when barrier arms need to be down longer.

    • AT, KiwiRail and NZTA are working together to remove or replace all remaining 42 level crossings in Auckland over the next 10-30 years.

    • The phasing of removals is driven by a range of factors including the frequency of trains, traffic delays, safety, available funding and future passenger growth in the years after City Rail Link opens.

    • Following the removal of crossings to support increased train frequencies when City Rail Link opens in 2026 the priority order of removals is:

      • Takanini – three new road bridges to replace level crossings. Funding has been confirmed and AT is beginning the detailed design, consenting, property acquisition and construction phase.

      • Inner Western Line and other high priority crossings on the Western Line from the 2030s when passenger numbers have grown.

      • Remaining Western Line crossings.

      • Southern Line Papakura to Pukekohe – aligned with KiwiRail’s four tracking.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: First Fast-track expert panels established

    Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

    Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones have welcomed the formation of the first two Fast-track expert panels.

    “At this year’s Infrastructure Investment Summit we announced that the first project applications had been accepted by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA),” Mr Bishop says.

    “Judge Borthwick, the Panel Convener, and Helen Atkins, Associate Panel Convener, have now appointed expert panels to assess the Maitahi Village project and Delmore project applications respectively. These panels will commence their work on Monday 12th of May.

    “Maitahi Village is a retirement village development in Nelson of around 180 residential dwellings (50 being Iwi-led housing), a commercial centre, and a retirement village with approximately 194 townhouses and 36 in-care facility units, and Delmore is an Auckland project of approximately 1,250 residential units, including features such as parks.

    “Each expert panel will assess the project, decide whether to consent it, and apply any relevant conditions. Final decisions are expected for these applications by the 12th of September.

    “The expert panels include members with technical expertise relevant to the project and expertise in environmental matters.   

    “This Government is serious about growing our economy, and doing its part to make infrastructure and housing quicker, easier, and cheaper to build in New Zealand. I am pleased to see the formation of these panels and look forward to watching the process move forward.”

    Notes to editor: 

    More details on the applications can be found here: www.fasttrack.govt.nz

    Maitahi Village (Nelson):

    Development of approximately 180 residential dwellings (50 to be Ngāti Koata iwi-led housing), a commercial centre, and a retirement village (approximately 194 townhouses, 36 in-care facility units, a clubhouse, and a pavilion).

    Maitahi Village Expert Panel: 

    Honourable Lyn Stevens KC (chair) 

    Andrew Whaley

    Glenice Paine

    Sam Flewellen

    Delmore (Auckland): 

    Subdivision and development of approximately 1,250 residential dwellings and associated features such as parks, including delivery of the State Highway 1 Grand Drive interchange and Wainui area connection.

    Delmore Expert Panel:

    Helen Atkins (Chair) 

    Lisa Mein

    Nigel Mark-Brown

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: First Responders – Glen Innes building fire update #2

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    Fire and Emergency New Zealand has contained a building fire at Mayfair Place in Glen Innes, Auckland this morning.
    Incident Controller Shane Munro says there are still eight crews at the Work and Income building, checking for hotspots and dampening them down.
    Fire investigators are also at the scene.
    “We responded to the fire at around 7am, and had 15 crews and additional support vehicles at the height of the blaze,” he says.
    “As with any building fire, please avoid the smoke and keep doors and windows closed.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray, Wyden, Senate Colleagues Slam Social Security for Improperly Declaring Thousands Dead, Call for Watchdog Investigation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Trump administration abused Death Master File to purge at least 6,300 Social Security numbers–including children and seniors
    ICYMI: Senator Murray on Vote Against Social Security Nominee, Releases New WA State Report on How Trump and Elon Are Breaking the Social Security Administration
    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR), and 10 Senate colleagues in slamming the Social Security Administration (SSA) for transferring thousands of Social Security numbers associated with immigrants to SSA’s Death Master File, marking them as dead to pressure ‘self-deportation’ and demanded the agency’s watchdog launch a full investigation into the decision.
    Exploiting Social Security’s Death Master File to terminate the SSN of living individuals without full due process, violates several federal laws and bedrock constitutional rights. The Trump administration’s actions violate their due process rights enshrined in the Constitution, falsify government records, and violate the Privacy Act, wrote the senators. Even Trump’s lawyers reportedly agreed that Social Security’s actions violated the Privacy Act. 
    “This decision will result in the ‘financial murder’ of living individuals improperly placed in the file, with everything from their credit cards and banking to their ability to access healthcare and housing being ripped out from under them,” the senators wrote in the letters to Acting Social Security Commissioner Leland Dudek and Social Security Assistant Inspector General for Audit Michelle Anderson. 
    The senators also called on the SSA Office of the Inspector General to launch a full investigation into the agency’s decision to begin using the Death Master File for this purpose, including how an individual gets targeted, who at the agency has decision making authority, and how those who have their SSNs nullified through this process can get it fixed if there is a mistake.
    The Trump administration’s abuse of Social Security’s centerpiece role in America’s economy sets a dangerous precedent of allowing the government to rip away workers’ access to their earned Social Security benefits while threatening the security of all Americans.
    “The purpose of SSA is to provide for the welfare of number-holders and their dependents, not to serve as an arm of President Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda. This move degrades the solvency, reliability, and accuracy of SSA systems and programs. It is as cruel as it is thoughtless– the impact will be felt in communities across the country and in the future of SSA programs themselves,” the senators concluded in one of their letters to SSA.
    In addition to Murray and Wyden, the letter was signed by Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Angus King (I-ME), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR). 
    A PDF of the letter to SSA Acting Commissioner Dudek is available HERE.
    A PDF of the letter to SSA Assistant Inspector General for Audit Anderson is available HERE.
    Yesterday, Senator Murray released a new report featuring testimonials from Washington state residents—including employees at the Social Security Administration who were recently fired through no fault of their own—and detailing how the Trump administration’s wide-ranging attacks on SSA risk depriving Washingtonians of the Social Security benefits they have earned and deserve. More than 73 million Americans, including 1.4 million—or one in six—people in Washington state rely on Social Security benefits. Half of seniors nationwide rely on Social Security for most of their income, and a quarter of seniors rely on Social Security for at least 90 percent of their income.   
    Senator Murray has an extensive record of protecting Social Security benefits and fighting to secure essential funding for the Social Security Administration—and she has been tirelessly raising the alarm about the threat Elon Musk’s DOGE poses to Americans’ hard-earned benefits. In March, Senator Murray held a press conference to lift up the stories of SSA employees who are being pushed out by Elon Musk through no fault of their own and hear from Washington state residents who rely on Social Security. In February, Murray released a fact sheet warning of the Trump administration’s plans to make it harder for Americans who’ve paid into Social Security to get the benefits they have earned.
    Under Senator Murray’s leadership as Chair last Congress, the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced a draft Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Bill that would have provided a $509 million increase for SSA this year. Millions of Americans rely on Social Security and have earned benefits over lifetimes of work. Senator Murray also helped pass the Social Security Fairness Act at the end of 2024, which restored full Social Security benefits for public servants, including firefighters, law enforcement officers, teachers, and other state and local government workers—in January, Murray held a roundtable discussion in Everett with local union members on the implementation of the law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Prime Minister to set out vision for ‘defence dividend’ in a changed world

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Prime Minister to set out vision for ‘defence dividend’ in a changed world

    As the nation marks VE Day, remembering the triumph of our values and the sacrifices made to secure them eight decades ago, the Prime Minister will share his vision for working people, once again, to feel the benefit of Britain stepping up.

    • As the nation marks VE Day, PM will deliver keynote speech at the London Defence Conference
    • He is expected to say that the benefits of boosting defence investment in a changing world must be felt directly in the pockets of working people
    • Seizing on the conference theme of Alliances, he will set out how state, businesses and society must join hands on security and prosperity
    • He will also unveil a £563 million contract for Rolls-Royce, becoming the latest investment in Britain’s first class engine building industry

    As the nation marks VE Day, remembering the triumph of our values and the sacrifices made to secure them eight decades ago, the Prime Minister will share his vision for working people, once again, to feel the benefit of Britain stepping up.

    Delivering the keynote speech at the London Defence Conference this morning, he will describe the government’s task to seize upon the ‘defence dividend’ presented by our increased investment in defence, in order to create jobs, wealth and opportunity in every corner of the country.

    In doing so he will highlight how the government’s boost to defence spending – the highest since the Cold War – will not only provide safety and security for the United Kingdom, but also cement the UK’s status as a defence industrial leader, with more high skilled jobs for people proud to keep our country safe.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to say:

    Our task now is to seize the defence dividend – felt directly in the pockets of working people, rebuilding our industrial base and creating the jobs of the future.

    A national effort. A time for the state, business and society to join hands, in pursuit of the security of the nation and the prosperity of its people.

    An investment in peace, but also an investment in British pride and the British people to build a nation that, once again, lives up to the promises made to the generation who fought for our values, our freedom and our security.

    The Prime Minister will use his speech to deliver a tribute to the bravery of the veterans who secured victory 80 years ago and the remarkable men and women who carry the vital task of protecting our security today. It follows a street party on Downing Street on Monday where the Prime Minister welcomed Second World War veterans and cadets from across the country, and comes ahead of his attendance at the service at Westminster Abbey this afternoon.

    He will say:

    Britain’s victory was not just a victory for Britain. It was a victory for good against the assembled forces of hatred, tyranny and evil, for the light of our values – in a world that tried to put them out.

    Now, as you know, there are people who would happily do likewise today. Our values and security are confronted on a daily basis. We must use this moment to deliver security and renewal for our country.

    At the Conference the Prime Minister will address policymakers, military figures, defence firms and academics from around the world.

    In the face of global instability, he will reflect on how the conference theme ‘Alliances’ should mean not only our iron-clad commitment to NATO and Western Values but also an opportunity to double down on efforts to work hand-in-hand with business and society to make the UK better off and more secure.

    He will announce the latest significant investment in British expertise with a £563 million contract for Rolls-Royce for the maintenance of Britain’s fleet of Typhoon fighter jets. The work to maintain 130 Typhoon engines will take place at Rolls-Royce’s sites, supporting hundreds of jobs in Bristol and beyond.

    The announcement supports the government’s priority of continuing the UK’s great tradition of building the ships, missiles, artillery, vehicles, aircraft and more that keeps us safe – cementing the British defence industry’s place as the engine of national renewal.

    It comes less than a week after the Prime Minister hailed the RAF’s new UK-made StormShroud drones. The groundbreaking new technology will make the RAF’s world-class combat aircraft more survivable and more lethal by delivering high-tech signal jammers to disrupt enemy radar at long ranges, protecting our aircraft and pilots.

    Updates to this page

    Published 8 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Relief to North Dakota Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in North Dakota to offset economic losses caused by drought beginning April 15.

    The declaration includes the North Dakota counties of Billings, Burke, Burleigh, Divide, Dunn, Golden Valley, McHenry, McKenzie, McLean, Mercer, Mountrail, Oliver, Sheridan, Slope, Stark, Ward and Williams as well as the Montana counties of Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan and Wibaux.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.62% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months after the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than Dec. 22.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cameroonian citizen believed to be living in Canada is wanted for elder fraud, money laundering abusing the asylum system

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    LOS ANGELES – An arrest warrant for a Cameroonian citizen involved in a complex money laundering and elder fraud conspiracy was issued April 14, by a federal judge pursuant to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation in close coordination with the FBI’s Honolulu Field Office, the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

    Leslie Kibula Bongajum, 34, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison if convicted.

    Bongajum is the fourth Cameroonian national to be charged in a complex money laundering conspiracy being perpetuated by members of a transnational criminal organization carrying out various elder fraud scams and laundering the money stolen from their victims.

    Three additional Cameroonian nationals and conspirators of Bongajum were arrested in southern California Feb. 27. Sylas Nyuydzene Verdzekov, 38, of Chino Hills, and Lovert Che, 44, of Lomita, Mustapha Nkachiwouo Selly Yamie, 29, of Inglewood are charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering. At the time of their arrest, Bongajum was sought as a person of interest.

    According to the criminal complaint, from at least November 2021 and continuing to the present, Bongajum, Verdzekov, Yamie, and Che, and their co-conspirators, created fake identification documents of fictitious people, including passports and driver’s licenses. Using these fake documents, the defendants and their co-conspirators created at least 36 shell companies in California, which conducted no legitimate business and were created solely to advance their crimes.

    Bongajum, Verdzekov, Yamie, and Che, and their co-conspirators, also opened at least 145 bank accounts and at least 32 private mailboxes across southern California using fake identities and sham businesses.

    In one scheme specifically targeting elderly victims using phone calls and email pop-ups, the defendants and their co-conspirators posed as law enforcement personnel or employees with well-known companies attempting to help the victims maintain the security of their accounts. They then allegedly fabricated claims of victim bank accounts or payment accounts being compromised and needing to be resolved quickly.

    The defendants and their co-conspirators convinced the victims of their purported authority through pictures of fake badges and fake job titles, then requested the victims’ personally identifiable information and bank account information. Victims were told they needed to move money from their corrupted accounts quickly to ensure they kept all their money, and to move it into accounts that Bongajum, Verdzekov, Yamie, and Che and their co-conspirators, fraudulently opened and controlled. Victims typically moved money via electronic bank transfers, money orders, cashier’s checks, or personal checks into these fraudulent bank accounts or mailboxes.

    The defendants and their co-conspirators then deposited the ill-gotten gains into the bank accounts they controlled with the intent of disguising the ownership and control of the funds. Bongajum, Verdzekov, Yamie, and Che and their co-conspirators then withdrew large cash amounts to use the stolen funds on personal expenses, including rental payments.

    In a similar scam, the defendants and their co-conspirators allegedly posed as a real estate owner selling property. Using fake identification and credentials, the defendants deceived victims into believing that they were entering into a legitimate sale of the property and tricked the victims into wiring money or mailing a check to an account or mailbox the defendants and their co-conspirators controlled.

    In total, Bongajum, Verdzekov, Yamie, and Che and their co-conspirators, laundered at least $10 million in funds taken from at least 100 victims.

    Authorities obtained information that Bongajum has fled to Canada after learning authorities had evidence of his involvement in the criminal conspiracy. They also learned that Bongajum falsified information on his application to seek asylum in the United States and was exploiting the United States immigration system to obtain a benefit he was not qualified for.

    To date, four other Cameroonian nationals associated with this criminal organization have been arrested for immigration violations.

    If convicted, Bongajum, Verdzekov, Yamie, and Che face a statutory maximum of 20 years in federal prison.

    Indictments contain allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

    To report suspected cybercrime, contact the ICE tip-line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or submit the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE HSI’s mission to protect the U.S. economy in your community on X at @HSILosAngeles.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta and Secretary of State Weber Again Urge Appellate Court to Intervene in Huntington Beach Voter ID Lawsuit

    Source: US State of California

    Wednesday, May 7, 2025

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

    Appellate court previously expressed reservations about arguments advanced by Huntington Beach

    SACRAMENTO — California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. today requested relief from the California Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three concerning the City of Huntington Beach’s voter identification (voter ID) law, Measure A. With scant analysis, the lower court — the Orange County Superior Court — denied on April 7 the State’s petition for writ of mandate, which asserted that state law prohibits and overrides Measure A. According to the lower court, the City’s voter ID rules could be imposed because conflicting state law “do[es] not implicate matters of statewide concern.” Today’s filing asks the appellate court to intervene by setting aside the April 7 order and directing the Orange County Superior Court to grant the State’s petition for writ of mandate.

    “Secretary of State Weber and I continue to believe that the Orange County Superior Court got it wrong. As a result, we’re once again asking the California Fourth District Court of Appeal to step in,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Our elections are already secure, and applicants who register to vote in California are already required to verify their identity during the registration process and at the polls. We remain confident that Measure A will ultimately be struck down, especially because the appellate court previously expressed reservations about Huntington Beach’s argument that it can regulate its elections without any state interference.”  

    “The City’s unapologetic efforts to impose voter identification requirements in its local elections clearly violate state law,” said Secretary of State Weber. “It is an unfortunate continuation of a long line of voter suppression efforts that would disenfranchise its residents and has no place in California.”

    Attorney General Bonta and Secretary of State Weber first requested relief from the California Fourth District Court of Appeal on February 13, asking the court to resolve the whole case on the merits rather than solely on the narrower question of ripeness. A week later, a three-judge panel of the appellate court issued a unanimous order. According to the order, the lower court’s “conclusion that this matter is not ripe for decision is problematic” and the City’s argument that “it had a constitutional right to regulate its own municipal elections free from state interference . . . is also problematic.” The appellate court also instructed the lower court to decide whether it would modify its earlier orders granting the City’s motion to dismiss the case. On February 27, the Orange County Superior Court vacated its earlier orders, concluded that “there is a ripe justiciable controversy,” and set a hearing on the State’s petition for writ of mandate. 

    In this filing, Attorney General Bonta and Secretary of State Weber argue that the appellate court’s intervention is necessary because this case presents an issue of great statewide, public importance with significant implications for the successful administration of upcoming elections, the protection of the right to vote, and the constitutional separation of powers between charter cities and the State.

    A copy of today’s filing can be found here.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Pieridae Releases Q1 2025 Financial and Operating Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN UNITED STATES

    CALGARY, Alberta, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pieridae Energy Limited (“Pieridae” or the “Company”) (TSX: PEA) announces the release of its first quarter 2025 financial and operating results. The Company produced 22,584 boe/d and generated Net Operating Income1 (“NOI”) of $32.6 million during the first quarter of 2025. Management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) and unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and notes for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 are available at www.pieridaeenergy.com and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    “Pieridae continues building momentum this quarter with strong financial results driven, in part, by proactive decision making from our management team,” said Darcy Reding, President and CEO. “During the first quarter, we restarted 1,800 boe/d of previously shut-in dry gas volumes in response to improvements in AECO natural gas prices. We also monetized a portion of our in-the-money 2026 and 2027 natural gas financial hedge position, generating proceeds of $10.2 million which we used to reduce debt, while increasing exposure of our 2026 and 2027 natural gas production to future market prices. Our team remains focused on key milestones and catalysts in 2025, highlighted by continued debt reduction, growth in our third-party gathering and processing business, and the December 31, 2025 expiration of a long-term fixed price sulphur marketing agreement.”

    Q1 2025 HIGHLIGHTS

    • Generated NOI of $32.6 million ($0.11 per basic and fully diluted share).
    • Generated Funds Flow from Operations1 of $21.7 million ($0.07 per basic and fully diluted share).
    • Incurred operating expenses of $44.0 million, down 15% from Q1 2024, reflecting both production shut-ins and the continued reduction of field and facility operating cost structure.
    • Produced 22,584 boe/d (78% natural gas), down 35% from Q1 2024 due to the voluntary shut-in of approximately 9,400 boe/d of uneconomic dry gas production from Q3 2024 through February 2025 and an unplanned outage at the Jumping Pound gas plant from late February to early April.
    • Completed additional routine maintenance during the Q1 Jumping Pound gas plant outage that permitted deferral of the plant’s scheduled 2026 maintenance turnaround by one year to 2027.
    • Restarted approximately 1,800 boe/d shut-in Northeast BC and Northern Alberta production, benefitting from stronger gas prices during Q1.
    • Increased third-party raw gas processing volumes to 81.8 MMcf/d, up 40% from Q1 2024 and highlighted by the Caroline gas plant’s 58.9 MMcf/d contribution, up 122% from Q1 2024.   
    • Executed capital expenditure activity of $6.5 million, primarily on the Super Claus sulphur condenser repair at the Jumping Pound gas plant, along with well and facility optimization projects.
    • Completed a hedge monetization transaction in March 2025 for a portion of 2026 and 2027 natural gas contracts for net proceeds of $10.2 million and repaid a portion of the senior term loan.
    • Reduced Net Debt1 to $185.4 million, a $12.1 million decrease from Q4 2024.
    • Proposed a name change to Cavvy Energy Ltd. in support of our corporate strategy, subject to shareholder approval at the Company’s Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders on May 8, 2025.

    ________________

    1Refer to the “non-GAAP measures” section of the Company’s MD&A.

           
      2025 2024 2023
    ($ 000s unless otherwise noted) Q1   Q4   Q3   Q2   Q1   Q4   Q3   Q2  
    Production                                
    Natural gas (Mcf/d) 105,338   111,787   115,196   157,077   175,356   174,211   155,763   159,427  
    Condensate (bbl/d) 2,454   2,149   2,191   2,472   2,781   2,384   2,020   2,300  
    NGLs (bbl/d) 2,574   1,788   1,726   2,210   2,613   1,921   2,273   2,216  
    Sulphur (tonne/d) 1,076   968   1,444   1,376   1,491   1,284   1,124   1,362  
    Total production (boe/d) (1) 22,584   22,568   23,116   30,861   34,620   33,340   30,253   31,087  
    Third-party volumes processed (Mcf/d raw) (2) 81,777   71,497   66,518   52,410   58,423   67,350   57,363   51,973  
    Financial                                
    Natural gas price ($/Mcf)                                
    Realized before Risk Management Contracts (3) 2.24   1.55   0.77   1.14   2.53   2.32   2.65   2.39  
    Realized after Risk Management Contracts (3) 3.58   3.36   3.43   2.71   3.21   3.12   3.25   3.03  
    Benchmark natural gas price 2.14   1.46   0.68   1.17   2.48   2.29   2.59   2.40  
    Condensate price ($/bbl)                                
    Realized before Risk Management Contracts (3) 95.15   94.87   92.13   99.96   91.18   97.15   97.47   84.81  
    Realized after Risk Management Contracts (3) 88.29   90.61   84.61   87.75   84.49   86.34   80.49   105.84  
    Benchmark condensate price ($/bbl) 100.24   98.85   97.10   105.62   98.43   104.30   106.30   93.25  
    Sulphur price ($/tonne)                                
    Realized sulphur price (4) 17.00   12.09   8.86   18.43   14.49   22.54   13.34   22.78  
    Benchmark sulphur price 246.36   180.54   128.47   103.19   94.84   118.29   107.09   114.92  
    Net income (loss) 2,666   (20,921 ) 7,496   (19,196 ) (6,284 ) 7,414   (16,254 ) 4,182  
    Net income (loss) $ per share, basic 0.01   (0.08 ) 0.04   (0.12 ) (0.04 ) 0.05   (0.11 ) 0.03  
    Net income (loss) $ per share, diluted 0.01   (0.08 ) 0.04   (0.12 ) (0.04 ) 0.03   (0.11 ) 0.03  
    Net operating income (5) 32,550   13,720   19,818   7,652   23,418   25,441   11,650   43,843  
    Cashflow provided by (used in) operating activities 22,612   (592 ) 2,260   (1,555 ) 7,049   31,983   7,577   27,533  
    Funds flow from operations (5) 21,707   2,824   8,234   (4,874 ) 12,044   14,269   (1,422 ) 35,432  
    Total assets 571,470   612,423   615,040   585,940   590,531   638,541   564,921   575,849  
    Adjusted working capital deficit (5) (30,540 ) (29,777 ) (42,658 ) (37,986 ) (31,671 ) (31,830 ) (21,454 ) (6,258 )
    Net debt (5) (185,438 ) (197,564 ) (206,779 ) (219,204 ) (209,964 ) (204,046 ) (205,536 ) (181,670 )
    Capital expenditures (6) 6,538   5,800   10,002   5,003   4,897   9,306   16,363   9,384  
    (1)  Total production excludes sulphur.
    (2)  Third-party volumes processed are raw natural gas volumes reported by activity month, which do not include accounting accruals.
    (3)  Includes physical commodity and financial risk management contracts inclusive of cash flow hedges, (together “Risk Management Contracts”). The realized natural gas price after Risk Management Contracts shown above is normalized to exclude the impact of the hedge monetization.
    (4)  Realized sulphur price is net of customary deductions such as transportation, market and storage fees.
    (5)  Refer to the “Net Operating Income”, “Capital Resources”, “Funds Flow from Operations” and “Working Capital and Capital Strategy” sections of the Company’s MD&A for reference to non-GAAP measures.
    (6)  Excludes reclamation and abandonment activities.
     

    OUTLOOK

    Pieridae’s priority remains strengthening our balance sheet while safely sustaining production, increasing the utilization of the Company’s gas processing facilities by attracting incremental third-party volumes, implementing cost reduction initiatives, optimizing infrastructure, and executing non-core asset dispositions to maintain profitability during all periods of the commodity cycle.

    The Company’s 2025 guidance remains unchanged as follows:

        2025 Guidance
    ($ 000s unless otherwise noted)   Low   High
    Total production (boe/d) (1)   23,000   25,000
    Net operating income (2)(4)(5)   75,000   95,000
    Operating netback ($/boe) (3)(4)(5)   9.00   11.00
    Capital expenditures   25,000   30,000
    (1)  2025 production guidance assumes persistence of previously announced shut-ins in Central AB through 2025
    (2)  Refer to the “Net Operating Income” section of the Company’s MD&A for reference to non-GAAP measures.
    (3)  Refer to “Operating Netback” section of the Company’s MD&A for reference to non-GAAP measures.
    (4)  Assumes unhedged average 2025 AECO price of $2.45/GJ and average 2025 WTI price of US$ 63.97/bbl.
    (5)  Accounts for impact of hedge contracts in place at May 7, 2025.
     

    Specific priorities for 2025 remain:

    • Sustain a safe and regulatory compliant business
    • Minimize facility outages to maximize sales and processing revenue
    • Further grow the third-party gathering and processing business at our operated facilities
    • Meaningfully reduce operating expenses to improve corporate netback
    • Deliver attractive ROI on value adding optimization projects included in the 2025 capital program
    • Reduce long term debt to improve financial flexibility

    During the second and third quarters of 2024, several low margin, dry gas properties in Northern AB, Northeast BC, and Central AB, all producing to non-operated facilities, were shut-in due to low AECO natural gas prices and high variable operating costs. Since these decisions were made, AECO pricing has improved. As a result, approximately 1,000 boe/d of production in Northern AB and 800 boe/d of production in Northeast BC was re-started in February and March 2025, respectively, but may be shut-in once again if sustained AECO pricing does not justify ongoing production. Currently, shut-in production in Central AB representing approximately 8,000 boe/d, or 24% of the Company’s production capability, is expected to remain shut-in throughout 2025, which is reflected in the 2025 production guidance of 23,000 to 25,000 boe/d.

    An ongoing strategic priority is to continue to grow third-party gathering and processing revenues at our operated facilities. Management believes there is strong upside potential for cash flow growth from the third-party gathering and processing business, particularly in the Caroline region where the Company has increased raw third-party volumes by 122% over the last four quarters as area producers continue to bring on new production.

    The Company has 110,000 GJ/d of its 2025 natural gas production hedged at a weighted average fixed price of $3.32/GJ, and 1,679 bbl/d of its 2025 condensate production hedged with a weighted average floor price of CAD$84.42/bbl and a weighted average ceiling price of CAD$92.32/bbl. The Company’s aggregate hedge position for 2025 totals 19,055 boe/d, or approximately 80% of the above production guidance range.

    Pieridae’s legacy fixed price sulphur contract, which was entered into in 2019, expires on December 31, 2025. Under this contract, the Company receives a net fixed price of approximately $6/tonne for the majority of its sulphur production capability of approximately 1,400 tonnes per day. Beginning January 1, 2026, the Company will receive market price for all sulphur production, less normal deductions for transportation, handling, and marketing, representing a significant potential revenue opportunity. As of May 7, 2025, the spot west coast sulphur price was approximately US$270/tonne, prior to royalties, transportation and marketing costs.

    The $25.0 to $30.0 million 2025 capital guidance includes approximately $10.0 million of high-impact well and facility optimization expenditures funded with the equity raised during Q4 2024. These high return, short payout capital projects are expected to increase sales revenue, improve facility efficiency, reduce operating cost and fuel gas consumption, and lower GHG compliance costs. Spending on this program commenced in Q4 2024 and will continue throughout 2025. The remainder of the 2025 capital program is focused on routine capital maintenance, field operating technology upgrades, and site closure / decommissioning expenditures in Alberta and BC. Notably, Pieridae has not scheduled major maintenance turnaround activity at any of the Company’s deep-cut, sour gas processing facilities during 2025 given the successful completion of gas plant turnarounds and other maintenance projects in 2023, 2024 and Q1 2025.  The next major maintenance turnaround is scheduled for 2026.

    Due to the current outlook for North American natural gas prices, Pieridae is not planning to resume drilling operations in 2025. The Company will only exploit its portfolio of high impact conventional Foothills drilling opportunities once natural gas prices sustainably recover and the Company has achieved its deleveraging target.

    HEDGE POSITION

    Pieridae hedges to mitigate commodity price, interest rate and foreign exchange volatility to protect the cash flow required to fund the Company’s operations, capital requirements and debt service obligations, while allowing the Company to participate in future commodity price upside. Pieridae continues to execute its risk management program governed by its hedge policy and in compliance with the thresholds required by senior secured lenders. As of March 31, 2025, the Company is hedged in accordance with the requirements of the senior loan agreement. The discounted unrealized gain on the Company’s hedge portfolio at May 7, 2025 was approximately $39.8 million using the forward strip on May 7, 2025.

    The tables below summarize Pieridae’s hedge portfolio for natural gas, condensate (“C5+”) and power as of May 7, 2025:

    2025-2026 Hedge Portfolio(1) Q125 Q225 Q325 Q425 2025 Q126 Q226 Q326 Q426 2026
    AECO Natural Gas Sales                    
    Total Hedged (GJ/d) 110,000 110,000 110,000 110,000 110,000 78,502 71,855 58,340 55,025 65,845
    Avg Hedge Price (C$/GJ) $3.32 $3.32 $3.32 $3.32 $3.32 $3.32 $3.34 $3.39 $3.40 $3.36
    WTI / C5+ Sales                    
    Total Hedged (bbl/d) 1,721 1,692 1,663 1,641 1,679 1,622 1,529 1,364 1,350 1,465
    Avg Collar Cap Price (C$/bbl) $92.73 $92.45 $92.03 $92.05 $92.32 $91.69 $90.94 $91.67 $91.68 $91.48
    Avg Collar Floor Price (C$/bbl) $84.14 $84.25 $84.61 $84.67 $84.42 $84.09 $83.83 $85.64 $85.70 $84.82
    Power Purchases                    
    Total Hedged (MW) 55 55 55 55 55 45 45 45 45 45
    Avg Hedge Price (C$/MWh) $79.22 $79.10 $79.07 $79.08 $79.12 $75.87 $75.88 $75.88 $75.88 $75.88
    2027-2028 Hedge Portfolio(1) Q127 Q227 Q327 Q427 2027 Q128 Q228 Q328 Q428 2028
    AECO Natural Gas Sales                    
    Total Hedged (GJ/d) 53,340 28,154 – – 20,172 – – – – –
    Avg Hedge Price (C$/GJ) $3.40 $3.40     $3.40         –
    WTI / C5+ Sales                    
    Total Hedged (bbl/d) 1,171 1,151 1,125 1,125 1,143 785 750 – – 382
    Avg Collar Cap Price (C$/bbl) $91.40 $88.80 $90.05 $90.05 $90.08 $90.40 $86.50 – – $88.50
    Avg Collar Floor Price (C$/bbl) $84.37 $84.08 $90.05 $90.05 $87.14 $90.40 $86.50 – – $88.49
    Power Purchases                    
    Total Hedged (MW) 25 25 25 25 25         –
    Avg Hedge Price (C$/MWh) $70.19 $70.19 $70.19 $70.19 $70.19         –
    (1) Includes forward physical sales contracts and financial derivative contracts as of May 7, 2025
     

    CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS

    A conference call and webcast to discuss the results will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. MDT / 3:30 p.m. EDT, following the formal business conducted at the Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders. To participate in the webcast or conference call, you are asked to register using one of the links provided below.

    To register to participate via webcast please follow this link:     

    https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/xk53vcfn

    Alternatively, to register to participate by telephone please follow this link:

    https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIf4a11631ac334142b7d1671fbf810fbb

    A replay of the webcast will be available two hours after the conclusion of the event and may be accessed using the webcast link above.

    ABOUT PIERIDAE

    Pieridae is a Canadian energy company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. The Company is a significant upstream producer and midstream custom processor of natural gas, NGLs, condensate, and sulphur from western Canada. Pieridae’s vision is to provide responsible, affordable natural gas and derived products to meet society’s energy security needs. Pieridae’s common shares trade on the TSX under the symbol “PEA”.

    For further information, visit www.pieridaeenergy.com, or please contact:

    Darcy Reding, President & Chief Executive Officer Adam Gray, Chief Financial Officer
    Telephone: (403) 261-5900 Telephone: (403) 261-5900
       
    Investor Relations  
    investors@pieridaeenergy.com   
       

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain of the statements contained herein including, without limitation, management plans and assessments of future plans and operations, Pieridae’s outlook, strategy and vision, intentions with respect to future acquisitions, dispositions and other opportunities, including exploration and development activities, Pieridae’s ability to market its assets, plans and timing for development of undeveloped and probable resources, Pieridae’s goals with respect to the environment, relations with Indigenous people and promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, estimated abandonment and reclamation costs, plans regarding hedging, plans regarding the payment of dividends, wells to be drilled, the weighting of commodity expenses, expected production and performance of oil and natural gas properties, results and timing of projects, access to adequate pipeline capacity and third-party infrastructure, growth expectations, supply and demand for oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas, industry conditions, government regulations and regimes, capital expenditures and the nature of capital expenditures and the timing and method of financing thereof, may constitute “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively “forward-looking statements”). Words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “continue”, “focus”, “endeavor”, “commit”, “shall”, “propose”, “might”, “project”, “predict”, “vision”, “opportunity”, “strategy”, “objective”, “potential”, “forecast”, “estimate”, “goal”, “target”, “growth”, “future”, and similar expressions may be used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management.

    Forward-looking statements involve significant risk and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, the risks associated with oil and gas exploration, development, exploitation, production, processing, marketing and transportation, loss of markets, volatility of commodity prices, currency fluctuations, imprecision of resources estimates, environmental risks, competition from other producers, incorrect assessment of the value of acquisitions, failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions, delays resulting from or inability to obtain required regulatory approvals, ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources and the risk factors outlined under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere herein. The recovery and resources estimate of Pieridae’s reserves provided herein are estimates only and there is no guarantee that the estimated resources will be recovered. As a consequence, actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements.

    Forward-looking statements are based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such forward-looking statements, but which may prove to be incorrect. Although Pieridae believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because Pieridae can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. In addition to other factors and assumptions which may be identified in this document, assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: the impact of increasing competition; the general stability of the economic and political environment in which Pieridae operates; the timely receipt of any required regulatory approvals; the ability of Pieridae to obtain and retain qualified staff, equipment and services in a timely and cost efficient manner; the ability of the operator of the projects which Pieridae has an interest in to operate the field in a safe, efficient and effective manner; the ability of Pieridae to obtain financing on acceptable terms; the ability to replace and expand oil and natural gas resources through acquisition, development and exploration; the timing and costs of pipeline, storage and facility construction and expansion and the ability of Pieridae to secure adequate product transportation; future oil and natural gas prices; currency, exchange and interest rates; the regulatory framework regarding royalties, taxes and environmental matters in the jurisdictions in which Pieridae operates; timing and amount of capital expenditures; future sources of funding; production levels; weather conditions; success of exploration and development activities; access to gathering, processing and pipeline systems; advancing technologies; and the ability of Pieridae to successfully market its oil and natural gas products.

    Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect Pieridae’s operations and financial results are included in reports on file with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and may be accessed through the SEDAR+ website (www.sedarplus.ca), and at Pieridae’s website (www.pieridaeenergy.com).

    Although the forward-looking statements contained herein are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, management cannot assure that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and Pieridae assumes no obligation to update or review them to reflect new events or circumstances except as required by applicable securities laws.

    Forward-looking statements contained herein concerning the oil and gas industry and Pieridae’s general expectations concerning this industry are based on estimates prepared by management using data from publicly available industry sources as well as from reserve reports, market research and industry analysis and on assumptions based on data and knowledge of this industry which Pieridae believes to be reasonable. However, this data is inherently imprecise, although generally indicative of relative market positions, market shares and performance characteristics. While Pieridae is not aware of any misstatements regarding any industry data presented herein, the industry involves risks and uncertainties and is subject to change based on various factors.

    Additional Reader Advisories
    Barrels of oil equivalent (“boe”) may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of 6 Mcf: 1 boe is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.

    Abbreviations

    Natural Gas Liquids
    Mcf thousand cubic feet bbl/d barrels per day
    Mcf/d thousand cubic feet per day boe/d barrels of oil equivalent per day
    MMcf/d million cubic feet per day WTI West Texas Intermediate
    AECO Alberta benchmark price for natural gas Mbbl Thousand barrels
    GJ Gigajoule MMbbl Million barrels
    Power   MMboe Million barrels of oil equivalent
    MW Megawatt C2 Ethane
    MWh Megawatt hour C3 Propane
        C4 Butane
        C5/C5+ Condensate / Pentane

    Neither TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Statement on Rep. Amodei’s Flawed Proposal That Would Make Nevada Lose Out on Millions of Dollars in Public Land Sales to Pay for More Tax Cuts for Billionaires

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) released the following statement after Congressman Mark Amodei (R-NV-02) and House Republicans snuck in a hastily-drafted proposal to sell off Nevada public lands to pay for more tax cuts for billionaires. 
    “I am outraged that Congressman Amodei sold out Nevadans in the dead of night by passing a flawed, hastily-drafted proposal that undermines the careful balance struck in the Washoe County Lands Bill and would result in our state losing out on much-needed funding. For years, I’ve worked in good faith with a wide array of stakeholders to craft a balanced bill that makes more land available for housing and economic development in Washoe County, while at the same time conserving precious public lands and advancing Tribal priorities,” said Senator Rosen. “While I will always support taking steps to address Nevada’s housing crisis, I will not support a Washington-drafted proposal that will lead to Nevada losing out on millions of dollars in funding for our local priorities like education and restoration around the Truckee River, all so Republicans in Washington can pay for more tax cuts for billionaires.”
    Without consulting Senator Rosen or the rest of the Nevada delegation, Congressman Amodei proposed and passed a flawed amendment in the House Natural Resources Committee that would sell off nearly 16,000 acres of public lands in Washoe County and hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands in Pershing County to pay for Congressional Republicans’ budget reconciliation proposal. This proposal abandons key provisions in the Truckee Meadows Public Lands Management Act, also known as the Washoe County Lands Bill, and directs funds from public land sales in Nevada to the U.S. Treasury, instead of keeping the funding in Nevada. It also ignores the balance struck in Senator Rosen’s Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act.
    Senator Rosen’s Truckee Meadows Public Lands Management Act would: 
    Permanently protect a million acres of public lands, which Congressman Amodei cut in his proposal.
    Promote sustainable growth and economic development by directing over 15,200 acres of public lands to be made eligible for sale, all of which must be assessed for its suitability for new affordable housing. An additional 33 acres are set aside to only be sold for affordable housing. Any land sold for affordable housing would have to be sold at less than fair market value.
    Support local Tribal communities by expanding land held in trust by more than 8,400 acres for the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, 11,300 acres for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, and over 1,000 acres for the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, none of which is in the Amodei proposal.
    Provide local governments over 3,700 acres for public purposes such as parks, water treatment facilities, and schools, all of which is excluded from the Amodei proposal. Land is specifically conveyed to Washoe County, the City of Reno, the City of Sparks, the Incline Village General Improvement District, the Gerlach General Improvement District, the State of Nevada, the Truckee River Flood Management Authority, the Washoe County School District, and the University of Nevada, Reno.
    Keep proceeds from land sales in Nevada for priorities like education and restoration around the Truckee River, unlike the Amodei proposal that sends money from land sales to the federal government in Washington, D.C.
    For years, Senator Rosen has worked closely with a wide range of stakeholders across Washoe County to develop this comprehensive legislation. In 2023, she unveiled a working draft of the bill and collected feedback from hundreds of Nevadans during a public comment period, which she then incorporated into this legislation, which was previously introduced last year with the support of local government officials, conservation advocates, and business leaders.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaine, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Strengthen Civilian Defense Workforce

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Angus King (I-ME), all members of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), led the introduction of the Defense Workforce Integration Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that seeks to bolster the civilian defense and national security workforce. The bipartisan bill would leverage existing programs and best practices within the Department of Defense (DoD) to retain the talent and motivation of those who desire to serve in uniform but are found to be medically disqualified to address persistent workforce shortages. Companion legislation is being led in the U.S. House of Representatives by Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), Joe Courtney (D-CT-02), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), and Don Bacon (R-NE-02).
    “I often hear from shipbuilders and other defense contractors in Virginia about how they need more skilled workers. That’s why I’ve been focused on expanding our national security and maritime industrial base workforce, including by helping talented young people who’ve been medically disqualified find other opportunities to serve their country,” said Kaine. “This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would encourage these individuals to enter alternative career pathways to support the defense industrial base and expand awareness of civilian defense roles for transitioning servicemembers. That’s a win-win for workers and our national security.”   
    As defense workforce shortages grow in crucial areas like manufacturing, cybersecurity, and defense logistics, the Defense Workforce Integration Act would activate a pool of candidates who are ineligible for military service to fill vacant positions that contribute to America’s national security.  
    For applicants who cannot join the military, the legislation directs DoD to enable military personnel managers to provide individuals that are medically disqualified with information about civilian employment opportunities in the following areas: the defense industrial base, cybersecurity, intelligence, research and development of defense technologies, national emergency and disaster preparedness and any other non-military role the Secretary of Defense considers in the national security interest. 
    For servicemembers disqualified early in their careers, the legislation expands on existing Air Force best practices by establishing Army and Navy personnel management programs to execute “warm hand-offs” to DoD civilian hiring authorities for personnel who become medically disqualified during their initial accession and training pipelines. 
    For personnel leaving the military after serving honorably, the legislation leverages existing Navy transition assistance programs to expand awareness of critical civilian roles at Military Sealift Command and workforce training programs for shipbuilders to enhance our civilian maritime workforce. 
    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: World must meet 1.5°C goal or risk “unprecedented” exposure

    Source: Save The Children

    Ahead of the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, research released by Save the Children and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) found that under current climate commitments – which will likely see a global temperature rise of 2.7°C above pre-industrial levels – about 100 million of the estimated 120 million children born in 2020, or 83%, will face “unprecedented” lifetime exposure to extreme heat. 
    However, if the world limits warming to the 1.5°C Paris Agreement target, this would reduce the number of five-year-olds impacted to 62 million – a difference of 38 million – highlighting the urgency to protect children through rapidly phasing out the use and subsidy of fossil fuels. Dangerous heat is deadly for children, taking an immense toll on their physical and mental health, disrupting access to food and clean water and forcing schools to close . 
    Researchers defined an “unprecedented” life as an exposure to climate extremes that someone would have less than a 1 in 10,000 chance of experiencing during their life in a world without human-induced climate change. The research, published in the report Born into the Climate Crisis 2. An Unprecedented Life: Protecting Children’s Rights in a Changing Climate also found that meeting the 1.5°C target would protect millions of children born in 2020 from the severest impacts of other climate related disasters such as crop failures, floods, tropical cyclones, droughts and wildfires.
    The report found that, for children born in 2020, if global temperature rise is limited to 1.5°C rather than reaching 2.7°C above pre-industrial levels:

    About 38 million would be spared from facing unprecedented lifetime exposure to heatwaves;
    About 8 million would avoid unprecedented lifetime exposure to crop failures;
    About 5 million would be spared from unprecedented lifetime exposure to river floods;
    About 5 million would avoid unprecedented lifetime exposure to tropical cyclones;
    About 2 million would avoid unprecedented lifetime exposure to droughts;
    About 1.5 million children would be spared unprecedented lifetime exposure to wildfires.

    Climate extremes – which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change – are increasingly harming children, forcing them from their homes, putting food out of reach, damaging schools and increasing risks like child marriage as they are forced out of education and into poverty and food shortages.

    Denise-, 16, and her family were forced from their home in Brazil when the country’s worst floods in 80 years devastated their community last year. Their home, including Denise’s bedroom, was severely damaged, and she was out of school for nearly two months. 
    She said: “It really affected me mentally, and academically too. Catching up on all my grades to pass secondary school was really tough, especially at a state school. It massively impacted my schoolwork. My grades dropped significantly after the floods.” 
    Children impacted by inequality and discrimination and those in lower-and middle-income countries, are often worst affected . Meanwhile they have fewer resources to cope with climate shocks and are already at far greater risk from vector and waterborne diseases, hunger, and malnutrition, and their homes are often more vulnerable to increased risks from floods, cyclones and other extreme weather events.  
    Haruka, 16, whose poem is featured in the report, is from Vanuatu, which recently experienced three of the most severe types of cyclone in just a year.  
    She said: “Cyclones are scary. For me, they continue to destroy my home, every year – we don’t even bother trying to fix the ceiling anymore. “The past few years, I’ve seen ceaseless destruction and constant rebuilding. This seemingly never-ending cycle has become our reality, and most people aren’t even aware that it’s not just nature doing its thing, but it’s us bearing the brunt of a crisis that we did not cause.”  
    As well as comparing conditions under 1.5°C and 2.7°C scenarios, the report also examines a scenario in which global temperatures rise to 3.5°C by 2100, which will lead to about 92% of children born in 2020 – about 111 million children [5] – living with unprecedented heatwave exposure over their lifetime. While we need a rapid phase-out of the use and subsidy of fossil fuels to stick to the 1.5°C target, we must not lose sight of solutions, Save the Children said. 
    The report highlights initiatives like increased climate finance, child-centred and locally led adaptation and increasing the participation of children in shaping climate action. 
    Inger Ashing, CEO of Save the Children International, said: “Across the world, children are forced to bear the brunt of a crisis they are not responsible for. Dangerous heat that puts their health and learning at risk; cyclones that batter their homes and schools; creeping droughts that shrivel up crops and shrink what’s on their plates. “Amid this daily drumbeat of disasters, children plead with us not to switch off. This new research shows there is still hope, but only if we act urgently and ambitiously to rapidly limit warming temperatures to 1.5°C , and truly put children front and centre of our response to climate change at every level.”  
    As the world’s leading independent child rights organisation, Save the Children works in about 110 countries, tackling climate across everything we do. 
    Save the Children supports children and their communities globally in preventing, preparing for, adapting to, and recovering from climate disasters and gradual climate change. We have set up floating schools, rebuilt destroyed homes and provided cash grants to families hit by disasters. We also work to influence governments and other key stakeholders on climate policies, including at the UNFCCC COP summits, giving children a platform for their voices to be heard. 
    READ FULL REPORT HERE.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Local News – Government Funding Secured for Ava Rail Footbridge Replacement – Lower Hutt

    Source: Hutt City Council

    Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry is welcoming confirmation the Government will co-fund the replacement of Ava Rail pedestrian footbridge, saying it’s “a great win for our community.”
    Transport Minister Chris Bishop has agreed to $2.4 million of Crown funding for the project, covering half of the total cost.
    Mayor Barry will recommend to councillors that Hutt City Council funds the remaining cost and delivers the new footbridge.
    The existing pedestrian walkway has to be removed as part of work KiwiRail is doing to replace ageing infrastructure on the rail bridge it’s attached to.
    Mayor Barry has spent months advocating for Government support to maintain this vital pedestrian connection in Lower Hutt by building a replacement footbridge.
    “This is a fantastic result and a strong example of what we can achieve when local and central government work together”, Mayor Barry says.
    “We made it clear that this bridge is an essential connection for people on both sides of the Hutt River-whether they’re heading to school, work, or simply getting from A to B. Thanks to the strong voices of our community, we’ve secured a commitment that ensures this vital link will not be lost.”
    If approved by councillors, Hutt City Council will manage the delivery of the footbridge replacement and KiwiRail will remain involved in an advisory capacity.
    “This project is now in our hands, and we’re committed to ensuring that a modern, safe and accessible bridge is delivered for our community”, Mayor Barry says.
    If the new bridge gets the green light, it is expected to meet modern engineering standards and be an improvement on the current accessway, providing long-term pedestrian connectivity across the river.
    The existing footbridge will remain open until just before the major rail shutdown scheduled for December 2025.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: First Responders – Glen Innes building fire update #1

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    Fire and Emergency New Zealand was alerted to a fire at Mayfair Place in Glen Innes, Auckland at approximately 7am this morning.
    Incident Controller Shane Munro says the Work and Income New Zealand building is single-level and has multiple tenants.
    “Fifteen trucks are now attending the incident,” he says.
    “The fire has been contained to the building, and crews are now checking for any fire spread.
    “We recommend avoiding the area so our crews can work safely, and if people are concerned by the smoke, please close the doors and windows.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –