NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Security: Memphis First Degree Murder Suspect Captured by U.S. Marshals

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Memphis, TN – On April 30, 2025, Taylor McKinney, 22, was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) for a deadly shooting in Memphis.

    On March 13, 2025, Deonte’ Reed was found shot to death, and a female suffering from a gunshot wound at the 200 block of Chelsea Avenue in Memphis. Following an investigation by the Memphis Police Department (MPD), on April 9, 2025, warrants for First Degree Murder, Criminal Attempt First Degree Murder, Especially Aggravated Robbery, and Employing a Firearm with the Intent to Commit a Felony were issued for Taylor McKinney for this incident. The fugitive case was adopted by the USMS Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force (TRVFTF) in Memphis.

    Yesterday, the USMS determined that McKinney was at a residence in the 5900 block of Hickory Hill Square in Memphis. The USMS, joined by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Team, went to the residence and took McKinney into custody without incident. He was transported to the Shelby County Jail.

    “We recognize the recent escalation of deadly shootings in the City of Memphis,” said United States Marshal Tyreece Miller. “I commend the work of MPD on solving these cases, as the U.S. Marshals Service remains steadfast in our efforts to remove dangerous trigger pullers from the streets.”

    The U.S. Marshals Service Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force is a multi-agency task force within Western Tennessee. The TRVFTF has offices in Memphis and Jackson, and its membership is primarily composed of Deputy U.S. Marshals, Shelby, Fayette, Tipton, and Gibson County Sheriff’s Deputies, Memphis and Jackson Police Officers, Tennessee Department of Correction Special Agents and the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Since 2021, the TRVFTF has captured over 3,000 violent offenders and sexual predators.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Missing Woman Believed to be Held Against Her Will Found Safe in the Twin Cities

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Minneapolis, MN – On Thursday, April 24, 2025, the North Star Fugitive Task Force in the District of Minnesota located and arrested Shalene Ball of South Dakota at the 3100 block of Coachman Road in Eagan, Minnesota. Ball was wanted on a Federal Supervised Release Violation however authorities in South Dakota and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension posted on their flier “she is believed to be endangered as law enforcement has received information that she is being held against her will.” It was also noted that Ball had not been in contact with her family since February 26, 2025. In a Facebook post on April 17, Ashley Renae wrote “my cousin Shalene Ball is missing. If anyone has any information, please reach out to me or Sioux Falls Police Department.”

    When members of the North Star Fugitive Task Force located Ball, she was taken into custody without incident but had signs of trauma and physical abuse. Ball was transported to a local hospital to be evaluated before being released and booked into Sherburne County Jail. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Midwives on the front line: Health workers, humanitarians, heroes

    Source: United Nations Population Fund

    Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem on the International Day of the Midwife (5 May 2025)

    When bombs fall or floods wash away roads and homes, where services are severed and infrastructure has collapsed, midwives are often the first responders and the last line of defence. They often travel across even the most remote and dangerous terrain to ensure essential services that save lives and safeguard health and human rights. 

    In humanitarian settings, women are twice as likely to die in childbirth. Deploying midwives as part of every humanitarian and national disaster response is a life-saving and cost-effective way to reduce preventable maternal deaths. 

    Midwives can provide 90 per cent of essential sexual, reproductive, maternal and newborn health services, including family planning. They also support survivors of gender-based violence, which skyrockets during crises. 

    Midwives often put themselves at enormous risk when they venture out to provide care to women and girls in hard to reach homes and communities in crisis settings.

    Yet, midwifery is still not always recognized as the vital health profession it is. Chronic underinvestment in midwifery has translated to inadequate training, a lack of infrastructure and supplies, and low salaries – barriers that are present in times of stability and only grow worse in times of crisis.

    Recent severe funding cuts to humanitarian assistance threaten to widen these gaps, with tragic impacts on women and girls in some of the world’s most challenging places. Already, midwives are reporting rising death rates among women and newborns in conflict zones and fragile contexts – an ominous sign in settings where over 60 per cent of global maternal deaths are reported. 

    We know that midwives could avert two thirds of maternal and newborn deaths, while delivering vast economic and social benefits – from lower healthcare costs to more productive workforces. Women and entire societies would be both less vulnerable to crisis and more equipped to recover from it. 

    On this International Day of the Midwife, we call on governments and donors to join UNFPA and partners in the Midwifery Accelerator initiative, which aims to increase financial and programmatic investments in midwives – and the systems that support them – before more lives are lost.

    Midwives save lives. Let us work together to end the global shortage of nearly 1 million midwives and to ensure that we can end preventable maternal deaths once and for all.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Weber Washington Times Op-Ed: The world runs on Southeast Texas energy

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Randy Weber (14th District of Texas)

    Washington, D.C. – In a new op-ed in the Washington Times, U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14), the Chairman of the Energy Subcommittee on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee and Vice-Chair of the Energy Subcommittee on the Energy and Commerce Committee, details the urgent need to restore American energy leadership by investing in the Gulf Coast — particularly Southeast Texas.

    Below, please find an excerpt from the op-ed.

    The world runs on Southeast Texas energy

    Washington Times

    By: Representative Randy Weber

    April 28, 2025

    “When America needs energy, it turns to Texas and more specifically, to Southeast Texas. We don’t just refine oil or export gas. We fuel economies, empower allies, and protect national security. In short: we are the energy capital of the world…

    “Our energy sector supports millions of well-paying jobs across America and tens of thousands of those are in Southeast Texas. These are jobs that don’t require four-year degrees, but do demand skill, grit, and the kind of work ethic that built this county. Welders, pipefitters, engineers, rig hands, terminal operators, truck drivers, safety techs this is the American workforce at its best…

    “We have four years to do a lot of important work that has been neglected for years. If we want to continue our energy dominance, we must double down on Southeast Texas…

    “That means investing in critical infrastructure pipelines, ports, and power grids to move our products faster and safer. It means cutting the red tape that delays permits and discourages innovation. It means unleashing the full potential of LNG, hydrogen, and carbon capture, and empowering the hardworking men and women who keep our energy economy running.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Science, Space and Technology Advances Weber’s Next Generation Pipeline Research and Development Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Randy Weber (14th District of Texas)

    Washington, D.C. – The Science, Space and Technology Committee advanced the Next Generation Pipeline Research and Development Act, led by U.S. Reps. Randy Weber (TX-14) and Deborah Ross (NC-2), to strengthens public-private partnerships, increases federal research, development, and demonstration related to the evolution of next-generation pipeline systems, and modernizes existing infrastructure.

    Weber and Ross introduced the legislation on April 3, 2025. Weber also previous introduced the bill in the 118th Congress, where it passed the U.S. House by a vote of 373-41 on September 24, 2024. 

    “I’m proud that the Science, Space, and Technology Committee advanced this commonsense, bipartisan bill to strengthen the backbone of America’s energy infrastructure,” said Rep. Weber. “As we continue unlocking our God-given energy resources, it’s critical that we also invest in the research and development needed to modernize over a million miles of pipeline that keep the lights on, fuel our vehicles, and power American manufacturing. This bill has earned broad, bipartisan support—both now and in the last Congress—and I strongly urge my colleagues to back it when it comes to the House floor.”

    Highlights of the Next Generation Pipeline Research and Development Act:

    1. Authorizing the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Secretary of Transportation, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Secretary of Interior, and others, to establish a demonstration initiative and joint research and development program for low-to mid-technology readiness level research projects to achieve deployment.
    2. Creating a National Pipeline Modernization Center at the Department of Energy, which will foster collaboration with industry and stakeholders to commercialize cost-effective products and procedures.
    3. Conducting a program at NIST of measurement research, development, demonstration, and standardization to ensure the integrity of pipeline facilities and ensure their safety, security, efficiency, sustainability, and resilience.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Traffic Delays at Northcote

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police are advising of delays for northbound traffic coming off the Auckland Harbour Bridge at Northcote.

    A truck swerved across several lanes of traffic and into the median barrier at 9.20am.

    The driver required medical treatment at the scene and been taken to North Shore Hospital.

    One northbound lane remains closed and motorists are advised to expect delays as the scene is cleared. 

    ENDS.

    Nicole Bremner/NZ Police 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: Red White & Bloom Brands Completes Transformative Restructuring, Announces Delay in Filing of Annual Financial Statements, and Granting of MCTO

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, May 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Red White & Bloom Brands Inc. (CSE: RWB) (“RWB” or the “Company”) today announced the successful completion of a series of transactions designed to significantly reduce potential shareholder dilution, lower debt carrying costs, continue to refocus operations on profitable growth initiatives, and facilitate the filing of its financial statements through the filing of a Management Cease Trade Order (“MCTO”).

    Successful Completion of Debt Restructuring

    The Company’s Board of Directors and Executive Management, in collaboration with a majority of its strategic lenders, successfully completed a comprehensive restructuring of approximately C$145 million of issued and outstanding debt, as part of a larger debt renewal program, through the entering into of various debenture and note amending agreements with such lenders with all applicable amended terms effective as of the respective renewal dates.

    The restructuring of the aforementioned debt accomplished the following:

    • Eliminated the potential dilution of 198 million common shares1, representing 42.1% of the issued and outstanding common shares, through the removal of debenture conversion rights.
    • Extended maturity dates for restructured debt to November 2026 (C$33 million) with the balance of the restructured debt ($112 million) extended through to September 2027.
    • Deferred all cash interest and principal payments for the restructured debt until their new respective maturity dates.
    • Achieved principal reductions of $5 million and annualized interest expense savings of $2.5 million associated with the restructured debt.

    Full financial statement disclosure regarding the debt renewal and applicable restructuring will be included in the Company’s interim financial statements for the first quarter ending March 31, 2025, expected to be filed on or before May 30, 2025, as of the date of this release.

    Granting of Management Cease Trade Order

    Due to unforeseen delays in completing its fiscal year-end audit, the Company advises that it has not been able to file its audited annual financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis, and related CEO and CFO certifications for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 (collectively, the “Annual Filings”) by the prescribed deadline of April 30, 2025, as required under National Instrument 51-102 – Continuous Disclosure Obligations (“NI 51-102”).

    The delay is primarily the result of the expanded scope of audit procedures required to address the complexity of certain transactions and the restatement of comparative financial information for prior periods. The restatement was initiated following comments received during a review conducted by the Canadian Public Accountability Board (CPAB) of the Company’s auditor.

    The Company is working diligently with its auditor and other advisors to complete the audit as soon as possible and currently expects to file the Annual Filings on or before May 30, 2025. The Company will issue a news release announcing the completion of the Annual Filings once they have been filed.

    The British Columbia Securities Commission has granted an MCTO under National Policy 12-203 – Management Cease Trade Orders (“NP 12-203”). Pursuant to the MCTO, the Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chief Financial Officer of the Company may not trade in securities of the Company until such time as the Annual Filings have been filed and the MCTO has been revoked. The MCTO does not affect the ability of the general investing public to trade in the Company’s common shares.

    The Company intends to comply with the provisions of the alternative information guidelines as set out in NP 12-203 by issuing bi-weekly default status reports by way of news release until the Annual Filings are filed. These updates will include information regarding the progress of the Annual Filings and any material changes to the Company’s business, if any.

    About Red White & Bloom Brands Inc.

    Red White & Bloom Brands is a multi-jurisdictional cannabis operator and house of premium brands operating in the United States, Canada and select international jurisdictions. The Company is predominantly focusing its investments on major U.S. markets, including California, Florida, Missouri, Michigan, and Ohio in addition to Canadian and international markets.

    Red White & Bloom Brands Inc.
    Investor and Media Relations
    Edoardo Mattei, CFO
    IR@RedWhiteBloom.com
    947-225-0503
    Visit us on the web: https://www.redwhitebloom.com/.

    Follow us on social media:

    X @rwbbrands

    Facebook @redwhitebloombrands

    Instagram @redwhitebloombrands

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

    FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

    Certain information contained in this news release may constitute “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information is often identified by the use of words such as “plans,” “expects,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “will,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” or variations of such words and phrases, including the negative forms thereof, as well as terms such as “pro forma” and “scheduled,” and similar expressions that refer to future events or outcomes.

    Forward-looking statements in this release, including, without limitation, statements relating to the pursuit of profitable growth initiatives, anticipated timing, review, completion, and filing of the Company’s first quarter financial statements, the Annual Filings, the Company’s ongoing operations, and the expected duration of the MCTO, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated.

    Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information contained herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

    THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMPANY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE THE COMPANY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.

    1 Calculated in accordance with the applicable conversion price defined within the restructured debentures

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Gran Tierra Energy Inc. Reports First Quarter 2025 Results, Record Production and Continued Exploration Success

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Achieved Record Total Company Average Quarterly Production of 46,647 boepd
    • Ecuador Exploration Success Continues with Additional Oil Discoveries in Iguana Block
    • Solid Balance Sheet, Exited the Quarter with $77 Million in Cash Following Active Capital Campaign, Paid Down $27 Million of Debt
    • Additional Liquidity Secured with Signing of New $75 Million Credit Facility

    CALGARY, Alberta, May 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (“Gran Tierra” or the “Company”) (NYSE American:GTE)(TSX:GTE)(LSE:GTE) announced the Company’s financial and operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 (“the Quarter”) and provided an operational update. All dollar amounts are in United States (“U.S.”) dollars and all reserves and production volumes are on an average working interest before royalties (“WI”) basis unless otherwise indicated. Production is expressed in barrels (“bbl”) of oil equivalent (“boe”) per day (“boepd” or “boe/d”) and are based on WI sales before royalties. For per boe amounts based on net after royalty (“NAR”) production, see Gran Tierra’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 1, 2025.

    Message to Shareholders

    Gary Guidry, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gran Tierra, commented: “Our first quarter performance reflects strong operational execution and disciplined financial management. Our front-loaded 2025 capital program, which had up to five rigs active during the quarter, delivered record drilling times and cost efficiencies across our key assets. We continue to generate returns through our share buyback program and ongoing debt reduction. Lowering leverage remains a key priority as we focus on projects which deliver quick cycle returns and maintain flexibility to invest in high-return opportunities across our portfolio. Our focused exploration efforts also continue to deliver successful results, reinforcing the quality of our assets and long-term strategy to create value. With current production of approximately 48,400(2) boe/d and a strong hedge position for the remainder of the year we are well positioned to generate value while remaining resilient amid commodity price volatility.”

    Operational Update:

    • Ecuador
      • Gran Tierra has successfully drilled two additional oil discoveries in Ecuador, the Iguana B1 and Iguana B2 wells on the Iguana Block. The combined wells have an average oil production rate over 30 days of ~1,684 bopd from the U-Sand formation (with a less than 1% watercut), an average API of 28° and 520 standard cubic foot per stock tank barrel of gas-to-oil ratio. The Iguana B1 well was drilled and completed in record time and under budget, establishing a new pace-setting well in Gran Tierra’s Ecuador exploration campaign.
      • The drilling rig has been stacked on the Iguana pad, pending mobilization to the new Conejo pad on the Charapa Block, to resume exploration drilling during the third quarter of 2025.
    • Colombia
      • Gran Tierra successfully drilled the first three of five wells from the Cohembi North Pad during the Quarter. All wells were under budget and drilled 60% faster than the previous operator. These wells represent the Company’s first drilling operations as operator, with the remaining two wells expected to be drilled during the second quarter of 2025. Upon completion of the program, the rig will move to the Costayaco Pad to commence a three well development program during the second quarter of 2025.
      • By the end of the Quarter, the civil, electrical and mechanical field works at Cohembi reached 100% mechanical completion. This project was initiated to facilitate the processing of new production from the Cohembi North Pad at the Cohembi Central Processing Facility.
      • Optimization of the Acordionero field is ongoing through waterflood expansion, which includes facility enhancements, electrical submersible pump upsizing, injector conversions and upgrades to gas-to-power generation. These initiatives are focused on reducing unit costs, offsetting natural declines and improving overall recovery factors. The field continues to perform strongly, with average production of 13,824 boepd in the Quarter. This represents a two percent increase from the fourth quarter of 2024, despite no wells being drilled since the first quarter of 2024. Current production (April 1 – 30, 2025) is approximately 14,500 boepd, a 5% increase from the first quarter of 2025 average, reflecting the strong reservoir response to the execution of our first quarter waterflood management optimization program. The Company continues to see significant development potential at Acordionero and is planning another drilling program of eight to ten wells in 2026 targeting high oil saturation, unswept infill locations.
    • Canada
      • Gran Tierra and its joint venture partner, Logan Energy Corp., successfully drilled and completed two Lower Montney wells at Simonette. These two wells were brought on stream from the 16-13-61-1W6 (“16-13”) pad and completed with a similar optimized Lower Montney completion design as the 13-13-61-1W6 offset well drilled in 2022. After 21 days since being placed on production, the average gross production per well was 674 bbl/d oil, 13 bbl/d NGLs and 767 Mcf/d of gas (814 boe/d at 84% liquids), Gran Tierra has a 50% Working Interest and the wells continue to clean-up. This early production performance surpasses the prior offset well by 80% for the same time period and are exceeding their budgeted type curves. After 21 days since being placed on production, the average gross production per well was 674 bbl/d oil, 13 bbl/d NGLs and 767 Mcf/d of gas (814 boe/d at 84% liquids). Gran Tierra has a 50% Working Interest and the wells continue to clean-up. This early production performance surpasses the prior offset well by 80% for the same time period and are exceeding their budgeted type curves.
      • Gran Tierra successfully acquired 21 sections of prospective land in Central Alberta along the Nisku fairway in March 2025, which adds over 50 potential drilling opportunities to its drilling inventory.
      • At Clearwater, Gran Tierra participated in the successful drilling of two gross (0.5 net) wells during the Quarter, and both wells are estimated to be on stream imminently. The first well drilled was a 4-legged injector to support a water flood pilot in the Marten Hills block, potentially increasing reserves based off nearby analogue waterflood results. The second well (non-op), with 14 legs, was drilled in the Seal block to test the productivity of heavy oil in the Bluesky formation.

    Key Highlights of the Quarter:

    • Production: Gran Tierra’s total average WI production was 46,647 boepd, which was 14% higher than fourth quarter 2024 (“the Prior Quarter”) and 45% higher than the first quarter of 2024. Higher production during the Quarter was due to the Company recognizing three full months of production from Canada and positive exploration well results in Ecuador.
    • Net Income: Gran Tierra incurred a net loss of $19 million, compared to a net loss of $34 million in the Prior Quarter and a net loss of nil in the first quarter of 2024.
    • Adjusted EBITDA(1): Adjusted EBITDA(1) was $85 million compared to $76 million in the Prior Quarter and $95 million in the first quarter of 2024. Twelve-month trailing Net Debt(1) to Adjusted EBITDA(1) was 1.9 times (only accounts for five months of Canadian operations Adjusted EBITDA) and the Company continues to have a long-term target ratio of 1.0 times.
    • Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities: Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities was $73 million ($2.05 per share), up 175% from the Prior Quarter and up 20% from the first quarter of 2024.
    • Funds Flow from Operations(1): Funds flow from operations(1) was $55 million ($1.55 per share), up 25% from the Prior Quarter and down 26% from the first quarter of 2024 as a result of lower oil prices.
    • Cash and Debt: As of March 31, 2025, the Company had a cash balance of $77 million, total debt of $760 million and net debt(1) of $683 million. During the Quarter, the Company repaid at maturity the remaining principal of its 6.25% Senior Notes due in 2025 in an amount of $25 million and repurchased $2 million of its 9.5% Senior Notes due in 2029.
    • Liquidity: In addition to the $77 million cash on hand as of March 31, 2025, the Company currently has approximately $110 million in undrawn credit and lending facilities. The Company has a revolving credit facility agreement in Canada with a borrowing base of C$100.0 million with available commitment of C$50.0 million and is available until October 31, 2025 with a repayment date of October 31, 2026, which may be extended by further periods of up to 364 days, subject to lender approval. On April 16, 2025, the Company announced an additional $75 million reserve-based lending facility in Colombia with a final maturity date in 36 months from the closing date.
    • Share Buybacks: Gran Tierra repurchased 453,050 shares of common stock during the Quarter. From January 1, 2023, to April 29, 2025, the Company repurchased approximately 5.2 million shares, or 15% of shares issued and outstanding on January 1, 2023.

    Additional Key Financial Metrics:

    • Capital Expenditures: Capital expenditures of $95 million were higher than the $79 million in the Prior Quarter and higher than $55 million in the first quarter of 2024 as a result of the addition of the Canadian development program, an active Ecuador exploration program and development activities in the Cohembi field in Colombia during the Quarter. During the Quarter, the Company had three rigs active in Canada, one in Ecuador and one in Colombia. Currently, the Company has one rig active in Colombia.
    • Oil Sales: Gran Tierra generated oil sales of $171 million, up 8% from the first quarter of 2024 as a result of 45% higher sales volumes due to higher production and the tightening of the Castilla, Vasconia and Oriente oil differentials which offset lower Brent pricing. Oil sales increased 16% from the Prior Quarter primarily due to 17% higher sales volumes, a 1% increase in Brent price and lower Castilla, Oriente, and Vasconia oil differentials.
    • South American Quality and Transportation Discounts: The Company’s quality and transportation discounts in South America per bbl were lower during the Quarter at $11.58, compared to $13.94 in the Prior Quarter and $15.36 in the first quarter of 2024. The Castilla oil differential per bbl tightened to $5.34, down from $8.33 in the Prior Quarter and $8.82 in the first quarter of 2024 (Castilla is the benchmark for the Company’s Middle Magdalena Valley Basin oil production). The Vasconia differential per bbl tightened to $2.27, down from $5.02 in the Prior Quarter, and $5.05 in the first quarter of 2024. The Ecuadorian benchmark, Oriente, per bbl was $7.65, down from $9.40 in the Prior Quarter and $8.02 one year ago. The current(2) differentials are approximately $4.94 per bbl for Castilla, $1.87 per bbl for Vasconia, and $7.26 per bbl for Oriente.
    • Operating Expenses: On a per boe basis, operating expenses decreased by 3% when compared to the first quarter of 2024 and the Prior Quarter. Operating expenses increased by 11% to $67 million, compared to the Prior Quarter and increased by 39% from $48 million compared to the first quarter of 2024, primarily due to new Canadian operations and increases in production volumes in Ecuador. The increase in total operating costs is commensurate with the 45% increase in production.
    • Transportation Expenses: The Company’s transportation expenses increased by 62% to $7 million, compared to the Prior Quarter’s transportation expenses of $4 million, and increased by 51% compared to the first quarter of 2024. Transportation expenses were higher due to new Canadian operations and higher sales volumes transported in Ecuador during the Quarter.
    • Operating Netback(1)(3): The Company’s operating netback(1)(3) was $22.70 per boe, up 2% from the Prior Quarter and down 36% from the first quarter of 2024 because of of the addition of the Canadian assets and approximately 50 of Canadian production tied to AECO gas pricing.
    • General and Administrative (“G&A”) Expenses: G&A expenses before stock-based compensation were $2.86 per boe, up from $2.75 per boe in the Prior Quarter due to increased audit fees relating to the acquisition of the Canadian assets, a full quarter of Canadian salaries and increased IT expenses. G&A expenses before stock-based compensation were down from $3.65 per boe, compared to the first quarter of 2024 as a result of higher sales volumes in the Quarter.
    • Cash Netback(1): Cash netback(1) per boe increased to $13.04, compared to $11.90 in the Prior Quarter primarily as a result of transaction costs of $1.20 per boe incurred in the Prior Quarter as a result of the acquisition of the Canadian operations. Compared to one year ago, cash netback(1) per boe decreased by $12.09 from $25.13 per boe as a result of lower operating netback primarily due to lower realized price.

    Gran Tierra Reconfirms Previously Disclosed 2025 Consolidated Guidance and Provides Country Breakdown:

    2025 Budget Low Case Base Case High Case
    Brent Oil Price ($/bbl) 65.00 75.00 85.00
    WTI Oil Price ($/bbl) 61.00 71.00 81.00
    AECO Natural Gas Price ($CAD/thousand cubic feet) 2.00 2.50 3.50
    Production (boepd) 47,000-53,000 47,000-53,000 47,000-53,000
    Operating Netback1,3($ million) 330-370 430-470 510-550
    EBITDA1($ million) 300-340 380-420 460-500
    Cash Flow1($ million) 200-240 260-300 300-340
    Capital Expenditures ($ million) 200-240 240-280 240-280
    Free Cash Flow1($ million) – 20 60
    Number of Development Wells (gross) 8-12 10-14 10-14
    Number of Exploration Wells (gross) 6 6-8 6-8
    Budgeted Costs Costs per boe ($/boe)
    Lifting 12.00-14.00
    Workovers 1.50-2.50
    Transportation 1.00-2.00
    General and Administration 2.00-3.00
    Interest 4.00-4.50
    Current Tax 2.00-3.00
    2025 Budget by Country – Base Case Canada Colombia Ecuador
    Production (kboepd) 18 – 19* 25 – 27 4 – 7
           
    Per Barrel ($/boe)      
    Realized Price 22 – 24 51 – 53 43 – 45
    Operating and Transportation Expense 10 – 12 19 – 21 12 – 14
    Operating Netback 10 – 14 30 – 34 29 – 33

    *Canada’s production is comprised of approximately 50% natural gas, 21% oil and 29% natural gas liquids (“NGL”)

    Financial and Operational Highlights (all amounts in $000s, except per share and boe amounts)

    Consolidated Financial Data Three Months Ended March 31,   Three Months
    Ended
    December 31,
      2025 2024   2024
             
    Net Income (Loss) $(19,280) $(78)   $(34,210)
    Per Share – Basic and Diluted $(0.54) $—   $(1.00)
             
    Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Sales $170,533 $157,577   $147,290
    Operating Expenses (67,354) (48,466)   (60,770)
    Transportation Expenses (6,911) (4,584)   (4,279)
    Operating Netback(1)(3) $96,268 $104,527   $82,241
             
    G&A Expenses Before Stock-Based Compensation $12,143 $10,782   $10,191
    G&A Stock-Based Compensation (Recovery) Expense (517) 3,361   3,331
    G&A Expenses, Including Stock Based Compensation $11,626 $14,143   $13,522
             
    Adjusted EBITDA(1) $85,162 $94,792   $76,168
             
    EBITDA(1) $79,710 $91,891   $65,247
             
    Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities $73,230 $60,827   $26,607
             
    Funds Flow from Operations(1) $55,344 $74,307   $44,129
             
    Capital Expenditures $94,727 $55,331   $78,579
             
    Free Cash Flow(1) $(39,383) $18,976   $(34,450)
             
    Average Daily Production (boe/d)        
    WI Production Before Royalties 46,647 32,242   41,009
    Royalties (8,084) (6,397)   (7,327)
    Production NAR 38,563 25,845   33,682
    Decrease (Increase) in Inventory 461 235   (712)
    Sales 39,024 26,080   32,970
    Royalties, % of WI Production Before Royalties 17% 20%   18%
             
    Cash Netback ($/boe)(1)        
    Average Realized Price before Royalties 48.55 66.40   48.56
    Royalties (8.33) (13.08)   (8.83)
    Average Realized Price 40.22 53.32   39.73
    Transportation Expenses (1.63) (1.55)   (1.15)
    Average Realized Price Net of Transportation Expenses 38.59 51.77   38.58
    Operating Expenses (15.89) (16.40)   (16.39)
    Operating Netback(1)(3) 22.70 35.37   22.19
    G&A Expenses Before Stock-Based Compensation (2.86) (3.65)   (2.75)
    Transaction Costs — —   (1.20)
    Realized Foreign Exchange Gain (Loss) (0.51) (0.49)   0.07
    Cash settlement on derivative instruments 0.10 —   0.30
    Interest Expense, Excluding Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs (4.58) (5.12)   (5.40)
    Interest Income 0.10 0.23   0.34
    Other Gain — —   0.40
    Net Lease Payments 0.04 0.12   0.07
    Current Income Tax Expense (1.95) (1.33)   (2.12)
    Cash Netback(1) $13.04 $25.13   $11.90
             
    Share Information (000s)        
    Common Stock Outstanding, End of Period 35,524 31,401   35,972
    Weighted Average Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding – Basic and Diluted 35,777 31,813   34,333
    South American Operational Information Three Months Ended March 31,   Three Months
    Ended
    December 31,
      2025 2024   2024
    Operating Netback(1)(3)        
    Oil Sales $138,671 $157,577   $128,335
    Operating Expenses (50,827) (48,466)   (51,121)
    Transportation Expenses (4,304) (4,584)   (3,607)
    Operating Netback(1)(3) $83,540 $104,527   $73,607
             
    Average Daily Production (boe/d)        
    WI Production Before Royalties 29,686 32,242   29,695
    Royalties (5,844) (6,397)   (5,761)
    Production NAR 23,842 25,845   23,934
    Decrease (Increase) in Inventory 461 235   (712)
    Sales 24,303 26,080   23,222
    Royalties, % of WI Production Before Royalties 20% 20%   19%
             
    Operating Netback ($/boe)(1)(3)        
    Brent $74.98 $81.76   $74.01
    Quality and Transportation Discount (11.58) (15.36)   (13.94)
    Royalties (12.29) (13.08)   (11.94)
    Average Realized Price 51.11 53.32   48.13
    Transportation Expenses (1.59) (1.55)   (1.35)
    Average Realized Price Net of Transportation Expenses 49.52 51.77   46.78
    Operating Expenses (18.73) (16.40)   (19.17)
    Operating Netback(1)(3) $30.79 $35.37   $27.61
    Canadian Operational Information(4) Three Months Ended March 31,   Three Months
    Ended
    December 31,
      2025 2024   2024
    Operating Netback(1)(3)        
    Oil Sales $21,269 $—   $14,832
    Natural Gas Sales 7,561 —   3,546
    NGL Sales 7,997 —   4,193
    Royalties (4,966) —   (3,616)
    Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Sales After Royalties $31,862 $—   $18,955
    Operating Expenses (16,527) —   (9,649)
    Transportation Expenses (2,607) —   (672)
    Operating Netback(1)(3) $12,728 $—   $8,634
             
    Average Daily Production        
    Crude Oil (bbl/d) 3,623 —   2,461
    Natural Gas (mcf/d) 49,860 —   32,814
    NGLs (bbl/d) 5,029 —   3,383
    WI Production Before Royalties (boe/d) 16,961 —   11,314
    Royalties (boe/d) (2,240) —   (1,566)
    Production NAR (boe/d) 14,721 —   9,748
    Sales (boe/d) 14,721 —   9,748
    Royalties, % of WI Production Before Royalties 13% —%   14%
             
    Benchmark Prices        
    West Texas Intermediate ($/bbl) 71.47 77.01   70.42
    AECO Natural Gas Price (C$/GJ) 2.05 1.70   1.56
             
    Average Realized Price        
    Crude Oil ($/bbl) 65.23 —   65.50
    Natural Gas ($/mcf) 1.69 —   1.17
    NGLs ($/bbl) 17.67 —   13.47
             
    Operating Netback ($/boe)(1)(3)        
    Average Realized Price $24.12 $—   $21.69
    Royalties (3.25) —   (3.47)
    Transportation Expenses (1.71) —   (0.65)
    Operating Expenses (10.83) —   (9.27)
    Operating Netback(1)(3) $8.33 $—   $8.30

    (1)Funds flow from operations, operating netback, net debt, cash netback, earnings before interest, taxes and depletion, depreciation and accretion (“DD&A”) (“EBITDA”) and EBITDA adjusted for non-cash lease expense, lease payments, foreign exchange gains or losses, stock-based compensation expense, other gains or losses, transaction costs and financial instruments gains or losses (“Adjusted EBITDA”), cash flow and free cash flow are non-GAAP measures and do not have standardized meanings under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Cash flow refers to funds flow from operations. Free cash flow refers to funds flow from operations less capital expenditures. Refer to “Non-GAAP Measures” in this press release for descriptions of these non-GAAP measures and, where applicable, reconciliations to the most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
    (2) Gran Tierra’s second quarter-to-date 2025 total average differentials and average production are for the period from April 1 to April 30, 2025.
    (3) Operating netback as presented is defined as oil sales less operating and transportation expenses. See the table titled Financial and Operational Highlights above for the components of consolidated operating netback and corresponding reconciliation.
    (4) Gran Tierra entered Canada with the acquisition of i3 Energy which closed October 31, 2024, therefore no comparative data is provided for the corresponding period of 2024.

    Conference Call Information:

    Gran Tierra will host its first quarter 2025 results conference call on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Mountain Time, 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Interested parties may access the conference call by registering at the following link: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI0f6a1e0b01bd474992543eb3e6d51c71. The call will also be available via webcast at www.grantierra.com.

    2024 Sustainability Report:

    Gran Tierra has published its 2024 Sustainability Report and is available on the Company website at www.grantierra.com/esg.

    Corporate Presentation:

    Gran Tierra’s Corporate Presentation has been updated and is available on the Company website at www.grantierra.com.

    Contact Information

    For investor and media inquiries please contact:

    Gary Guidry
    President & Chief Executive Officer

    Ryan Ellson
    Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    +1-403-265-3221

    info@grantierra.com

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

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

    Forward Looking Statements and Legal Advisories:
    This press release contains opinions, forecasts, projections, and other statements about future events or results that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and financial outlook and forward looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release regarding our business strategy, plans and objectives of our management for future operations, capital spending plans and benefits of the changes in our capital program or expenditures, our liquidity and financial condition, and those statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “expect,” “plan,” “can,” “will,” “should,” “guidance,” “forecast,” “budget,” “estimate,” “signal,” “progress” and “believes,” derivations thereof and similar terms identify forward-looking statements. In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, this press release contains forward-looking statements regarding: the Company’s leverage ratio target, the Company’s plans regarding strategic investments, acquisitions, including the anticipated benefits and operating synergies expected from the acquisition of i3 Energy, and growth, the Company’s drilling program and capital expenditures and the Company’s expectations of commodity prices, including future gas pricing in Canada, exploration and production trends and its positioning for 2024. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect several material factors and expectations and assumptions of Gran Tierra including, without limitation, that Gran Tierra will continue to conduct its operations in a manner consistent with its current expectations, pricing and cost estimates (including with respect to commodity pricing and exchange rates), the ability of Gran Tierra to successfully integrate the assets and operations of i3 Energy or realize the anticipated benefits and operating synergies expected from the acquisition of i3 Energy, the general continuance of assumed operational, regulatory and industry conditions in Canada, Colombia and Ecuador, and the ability of Gran Tierra to execute its business and operational plans in the manner currently planned.

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

    The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on certain assumptions made by Gran Tierra based on management’s experience and other factors believed to be appropriate. Gran Tierra believes these assumptions to be reasonable at this time, but the forward-looking statements are subject to risk and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Gran Tierra’s control, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied or expressed by the forward looking statements. The risk that the assumptions on which the 2024 outlook are based prove incorrect may increase the later the period to which the outlook relates. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the fact that this press release remains available does not constitute a representation by Gran Tierra that Gran Tierra believes these forward-looking statements continue to be true as of any subsequent date. Actual results may vary materially from the expected results expressed in forward-looking statements. Gran Tierra disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. In addition, historical, current and forward-looking sustainability-related statements may be based on standards for measuring progress that are still developing, internal controls and processes that continue to evolve, and assumptions that are subject to change in the future.

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

    Non-GAAP Measures

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

    Operating netback, as presented, is defined as oil sales less operating and transportation expenses. See the table entitled Financial and Operational Highlights above for the components of consolidated operating netback and corresponding reconciliation.

    Cash netback as presented is defined as net income or loss adjusted for DD&A expenses, deferred tax expense or recovery, stock-based compensation expense or recovery, amortization of debt issuance costs, non-cash lease expense, lease payments, unrealized foreign exchange gain or loss, other gain or loss and unrealized derivative instruments loss. Management believes that operating netback and cash netback are useful supplemental measures for investors to analyze financial performance and provide an indication of the results generated by Gran Tierra’s principal business activities prior to the consideration of other income and expenses. A reconciliation from net income or loss to cash netback is as follows:

      Three Months Ended March 31,   Three Months
    Ended
    December 31,
    Cash Netback – (Non-GAAP) Measure ($000s)   2025     2024       2024  
    Net Loss $ (19,280 ) $ (78 )   $ (34,210 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash netback        
    DD&A expenses   72,202     56,150       63,406  
    Deferred tax (recovery) expense   (4,712 )   13,479       4,444  
    Stock-based compensation (recovery) expense   (517 )   3,361       3,331  
    Amortization of debt issuance costs   3,833     3,306       3,743  
    Non-cash lease expense   1,736     1,413       1,759  
    Lease payments   (1,567 )   (1,058 )     (1,495 )
    Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain)   1,687     (2,266 )     (223 )
    Other loss   52     —       —  
    Unrealized derivative instrument loss   1,910     —       3,374  
    Cash netback $ 55,344   $ 74,307     $ 44,129  

    EBITDA, as presented, is defined as net income or loss adjusted for DD&A expenses, interest expense and income tax expense or recovery. Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, is defined as EBITDA adjusted for non-cash lease expense, lease payments, foreign exchange gain or loss, stock-based compensation expense, transaction costs, other gain or loss and unrealized derivative instruments loss. Management uses this supplemental measure to analyze performance and income generated by our principal business activities prior to the consideration of how non-cash items affect that income, and believes that this financial measure is useful supplemental information for investors to analyze our performance and our financial results. A reconciliation from net income or loss to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA is as follows:

      Three Months Ended March 31,   Three Months
    Ended
    December 31,
    EBITDA – (Non-GAAP) Measure ($000s)   2025     2024       2024  
    Net Loss $ (19,280 ) $ (78 )   $ (34,210 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA        
    DD&A expenses   72,202     56,150       63,406  
    Interest expense   23,235     18,424       23,752  
    Income tax expense   3,553     17,395       12,299  
    EBITDA $ 79,710   $ 91,891     $ 65,247  
    Non-cash lease expense   1,736     1,413       1,759  
    Lease payments   (1,567 )   (1,058 )     (1,495 )
    Foreign exchange loss (gain)   3,838     (815 )     (496 )
    Stock-based compensation expense   (517 )   3,361       3,331  
    Transaction costs   —     —       4,448  
    Other loss   52     —       —  
    Unrealized derivative instrument loss   1,910     —       3,374  
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 85,162   $ 94,792     $ 76,168  

    Funds flow from operations, as presented, is defined as net income or loss adjusted for DD&A expenses, deferred tax expense or recovery, stock-based compensation expense, amortization of debt issuance costs, non-cash lease expense, lease payments, unrealized foreign exchange gain, other gain or loss and unrealized gain or loss on derivative instruments. Management uses this financial measure to analyze performance and income or loss generated by our principal business activities prior to the consideration of how non-cash items affect that income or loss, and believes that this financial measure is also useful supplemental information for investors to analyze performance and our financial results. Free cash flow, as presented, is defined as funds flow from operations adjusted for capital expenditures. Management uses this financial measure to analyze cash flow generated by our principal business activities after capital requirements and believes that this financial measure is also useful supplemental information for investors to analyze performance and our financial results. A reconciliation from net income or loss to both funds flow from operations and free cash flow is as follows:

      Three Months Ended March 31,   Three Months
    Ended
    December 31,
    Funds Flow From Operations –
    (Non-GAAP) Measure ($000s)    		   2025     2024       2024  
    Net Loss $ (19,280 ) $ (78 )   $ (34,210 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to funds flow from operations        
    DD&A expenses   72,202     56,150       63,406  
    Deferred tax (recovery) expense   (4,712 )   13,479       4,444  
    Stock-based compensation (recovery) expense   (517 )   3,361       3,331  
    Amortization of debt issuance costs   3,833     3,306       3,743  
    Non-cash lease expense   1,736     1,413       1,759  
    Lease payments   (1,567 )   (1,058 )     (1,495 )
    Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain)   1,687     (2,266 )     (223 )
    Other loss   52     —       —  
    Unrealized derivative instrument loss   1,910     —       3,374  
    Funds flow from operations $ 55,344   $ 74,307     $ 44,129  
    Capital expenditures $ 94,727   $ 55,331     $ 78,579  
    Free cash flow $ (39,383 ) $ 18,976     $ (34,450 )

    Net debt as of March 31, 2025, was $683 million, calculated using the sum of the aggregate principal amount of 7.75% Senior Notes, and 9.50% Senior Notes outstanding, excluding deferred financing fees, totaling $760 million, less cash and cash equivalents of $77 million.

    Presentation of Oil and Gas Information

    Boes have been converted on the basis of six thousand cubic feet (“Mcf”) natural gas to 1 boe of oil. Boes 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. In addition, given that the value ratio based on the current price of oil as compared with natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalent of six to one, utilizing a boe conversion ratio of 6 Mcf: 1 boe would be misleading as an indication of value.

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

    This press release contains certain oil and gas metrics, including operating netback and cash netback, which do not have standardized meanings or standard methods of calculation and therefore such measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies and should not be used to make comparisons. These metrics are calculated as described in this press release and management believes that they are useful supplemental measures for the reasons described in this press release.

    Such metrics have been included herein to provide readers with additional measures to evaluate the Company’s performance; however, such measures are not reliable indicators of the future performance of the Company and future performance may not compare to the performance in previous periods.

    References in this press release to “potential drilling opportunities” are references to unbooked locations for which there are no reserves or resources attributed by any of the Company’s qualified reserves auditors or evaluators but which the Company internally estimates can be drilled based on current land holdings, industry practice regarding well density, and internal review of geologic, geophysical, seismic, engineering, production and resources information. There is no certainty that the Company will drill any particular locations, or that drilling activity on any locations will result in additional reserves, resources or production. Locations on which the Company in fact drills wells will ultimately depend upon the availability of capital, regulatory approvals, seasonal restrictions, commodity prices, costs, actual drilling results, additional reservoir information and other factors. There is a higher level of risk associated with locations that are potential drilling opportunities and not “booked” locations to which any qualified reserves evaluator or auditor may have attributed reserves or resources. The Company generally has less information about reservoir characteristics associated with locations that are potential drilling opportunities and, accordingly, there is greater uncertainty whether wells will ultimately be drilled in such locations and, if drilled, whether they will result in additional reserves, resources or production.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Lummis Speaks on Senate Floor About First 100 “Transformational” Days of the Trump Administration

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis

    Washington, D.C. — This week, Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) took to the Senate floor to highlight the completion of President Trump’s first 100 “transformational” days back in office. In the remarks, Senator Lummis discusses how President Trump has revitalized American energy independence, cut wasteful government spending, supported innovative digital asset policies, protected female sports, and restored America’s rightful leadership position around the world.

    Watch and listen to Senator Lummis’ remarks here.

    A transcript of Senator Lummis’ remarks is below:  

    ——–

    “Mr. President – Today, President Trump completes his first 100 days of his return to the White House. And it’s been nothing short of transformational. 

    “Under President Trump and Vice President Vance’s leadership, we are witnessing the rapid implementation of campaign promises that are already reshaping America’s policy landscape. 

    “When I go home to Wyoming each weekend, people approach me everywhere – from restaurants to the feed store – eager to discuss the positive changes happening in Washington. The overwhelming sentiment is enthusiasm for what President Trump is accomplishing for everyday Americans.

    “For example, on day one, President Trump, restored the dignity of men and women as biologically distinct sexes. It is hard to believe he had to do that, but indeed he did. One of the administration’s first major actions was signing an executive order directing federal agencies to recognize biological sex in athletic competition. The left spent the past four years gaslighting Americans and making the failed argument that biological males should now be competing in women’s sports in the name of “fairness.” Within a few weeks of taking office, President Trump tackled this issue and made it clear that this administration won’t support the left’s attacks on female athletes. 

    “I believe this is the women’s rights issue of our time, and I’m grateful for President Trump’s leadership. For some people my age we spent so many years trying to exercise our rights under Title IX and other rights to recognize women’s rights only to have them swept under the rug and disregarded by the left, requiring that women not only compete against men but have them in their locker rooms in what were uncomfortable and sometimes unsafe circumstances. President Trump recognized this and thankfully he has put that issue to rest for a while.

    “President Trump is also delivering on his promise to unleash American energy dominance. A few weeks ago, I joined President Trump and some of my colleagues at the White House for his signing of an executive order that starts to reverse the Biden and Obama administrations’ anti-coal agenda. For energy states like Wyoming, the official lifting of the unconstitutional coal moratorium represents a significant economic opportunity for western states. 

    “By removing unnecessary restrictions on energy extraction, the administration has signaled its commitment to blue-collar jobs, cheaper energy for American families, and a new era of energy dominance. Joe Biden and his administration did not care about the impact of their regulations on working-class people; the Trump administration does care, and they are continuing to take actions that will help Americans and our amazing energy communities. Wyoming exports 12 times more energy than it consumes and much of that is in the form of hydrocarbons. Each and every year for years after the Clean Air Act passed, we were producing more energy and producing cleaner air. These things can happen simultaneously and it’s because of yankee ingenuity, it’s because we know how to do things better, all the time. We don’t have to accept the status quo when it comes to energy dominance. They were certain things in the Biden Administration that forced something called “environmental justice” an absolutely trumped up, dreamed up, idea that we can’t have clean energy and abundant energy at the same time. That’s a totally wrong-headed approach to what has always been a great American tradition of ingenuity and entrepreneurs who can take a problem and solve it. There is such a thing as clean air that can be produced from coal and natural gas, in particular. I am proud that my state is part of that, I am proud that President Trump recognizes it and that he has taken steps to restore our statutory ability to produce both clean air and abundant hydrocarbon energy simultaneously.  

    “Perhaps the most dramatic turnaround has been at the southern border. Where the Biden administration created chaos, President Trump, has restored order. Through multiple executive actions – signing the Laken Riley Act, ending “catch-and-release,” reimplementing “remain in Mexico,” and more—we’ve seen border encounters plummet from nearly 380,000 in February and March last year to just 22,000 plus a few during the same period this year.

    “The people of Wyoming are grateful to have a president who cares about securing our border and deporting those who are not here legally. Especially those from gangs that are causing unsafe communities, horrible crimes perpetuated on the American people, all unnecessarily if we’d only followed the laws that were in existence and the statutes that were in existence all along. Those laws that President Biden ignored and that President Trump is following and implementing.

    “For decades, America’s leaders have failed our country when it comes to fiscal responsibility. We in this very chamber are partly responsible for that.

    “Our $36 trillion national debt represents a real and present threat to America’s future. We all know it’s unsustainable and yet after COVID, we never went back to pre-covid spending levels. We have kept spending at post-covid highs, even though the money spent during the COVID years is no longer necessary in our now more growing and robust post-covid economy. Most taxpayers don’t realize their hard-earned dollars primarily service this massive debt through interest payments rather than funding national defense and essential services. That’s why I strongly support President Trump’s creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). It was done through a provision in Obamacare and it’s subsequent ability to gain efficiencies through efforts that computers can assist us with. Nobody knows better how to do it than people who have voluntarily participated through their expertise and ability to identify waste, fraud, and abuse using the Department of Government Efficiency and their remarkable skills with computers to ferret out waste, fraud, and abuse.

    “Elon Musk and the DOGE team have already identified a huge number of wasteful and abusive expenditures that don’t benefit American families. All of us should be proud, in both parties, that the rhetoric that we used over the years that we are going to pay for things by ferreting out waste, fraud, and abuse and then after elected don’t even try to find waste, fraud, and abuse has finally come to an end. Elon Musk and his team have found true waste, fraud, and abuse in government and is identifying it so cabinet secretaries can deal with it in their respective agencies. That is exactly the kind of fiscal discipline that we value in Wyoming, that we all should value as Americans. 

    “After years of the Biden administration’s unbridled hostility toward digital assets and cryptocurrency, President Trump is fulfilling his promise to lead the most pro-digital asset administration in history. And I could not be more proud. We know that we are moving into a digital future, a digital economy. It is something that we should embrace, it’s something that we can include into a new modern 21st century economy. It is not something to fear. But it is something that cries for consumer protections and our incredible ability that we have as agencies to disclose matters that should be disclosed to investors and to allow innovation where it makes our ability to do business internationally faster, cheaper, and more responsible through the ledgers of blockchain incredible abilities to send money all over the world fast and inexpensively. This helps regular everyday Americans avoid the tremendous friction that’s in the banking system that costs taxpayers money and it costs taxpayers time and allows us to do business all over the world in a much less expensive and robust way, what a blessing to have an administration that sees the future in this way, that understands the innovation that is at our fingertips that we can use to go forward in a true 21st century digital economy. I am particularly pleased with President Trump’s support for my Strategic Bitcoin Reserve initiative, which will address our national debt while securing America’s position as the global leader in financial innovation. As Bitcoin comes into more usage, it’s use makes the whole system more secure, more robust, and more capable of serving our needs all over the world. We should be the global leader of this fantastic new ledger-based asset that is in a digital format that is going to be transformative of everyday economy and puts the everyday American, in fact, the everyday worker all over the world in control of their own money. What a wonderful blessing for hardworking people all over the world to have this great new technology and to have America lead the way in implementing this wonderful, wonderful innovation.

    “Here in the Senate, we have confirmed 54 of President Trump’s cabinet and sub-cabinet nominees. It has required some long hours, many in the middle of the night must to our consternation, but our work is far from complete.

    “The Democrats’ agenda threatens to impose crushing tax increases on hardworking Wyoming families and our local small businesses. If the tax cuts that were implemented under President Trump’s first administration allow to expire, it will create the largest tax increase in history at a time when businesses need the innovation that allows our economy to grow. That can come from a robust and fair tax system. This is something that I look forward to assisting my colleagues in this body to implement in a permanent form and using our current standard practices. 

    “Following years of punishing inflation under the Biden administration, our communities and working families cannot shoulder any additional financial strain. Keeping our tax code as is and making it permanent is yet another way of implementing advantages to local working economies. It also just delights me that President Trump identified just real working Americans who are struggling to make ends meet, who are living paycheck to paycheck, and tried to identify ways to tax advantage their lives. For example, no tax on tips, no tax on social security, no tax on overtime hours, these are things for regular, everyday working people. Some people alleged that President Trump is trying to help his billionaire buddies, I’m not seeing that at all. I’m seeing a President that really gets the everyday working American and wants to make sure that as they live paycheck to paycheck and try to plan for their families that there is some relief in store with regard to his proposals for taxes. 

    “These first 100 days of President Trump’s return to office represent just the opening chapter of America’s Golden Era. Already, his administration has made remarkable progress – securing our southern border, revitalizing American energy independence, cutting wasteful government spending, supporting innovative digital asset policies, and restoring America’s rightful leadership position globally. We know even today that as countries are renegotiating their trade policies and tariff policies with us that there is a newfound desire to find a level playing field, reciprocal trade agreements that allow for some of our products to go into their economies in ways that acknowledge that the United States has been globally at a trade disadvantage, and to try and repair some of those long practices where the United States was participating in free trade and other countries were not. It’s time to make it all fair trade. And I applaud President Trump’s desires to do that and hopefully soon, so that we can get some of the turmoil associated with these important changes to our economy behind us and restore stability in our economy in our everyday lives. 

    “I anticipate the next 100 days will bring equally significant achievements, and I feel deeply privileged to work alongside this administration, and this president. I served fourteen years in the Wyoming legislature all with Democrat governors. I have served twelve years in Congress all with Democrat presidents. This is the first time in my entire life that I have legislatively served with a president of my own party. It’s refreshing. It’s delightful. And it’s even on occasion, fun. I feel so privileged to be here with a Republican president who is delivering meaningful results to the people of Wyoming and our great nation.

    “Mr. Chairman – I yield back the floor. Thank you!”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lummis, Hagerty, Tim Scott Celebrate Expedited Vote on Historic Digital Asset Legislation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis

    May 1, 2025

    Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) joined Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Banking Committee Chairman Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) in praising Senate Majority Leader Thune on expediting a vote on the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act which establishes a clear regulatory framework for payment stablecoins. 

    “Our landmark stablecoin legislation is a huge victory for the digital asset industry and a critical step in securing our nation’s financial future,” said Lummis. “The GENIUS Act strikes the balance of establishing proper guardrails that protect consumers while preserving financial innovation and America’s dollar dominance in the global financial system. President Trump and Leader Thune’s decision to bring this important legislation to the floor demonstrates their commitment to maintaining U.S. leadership in financial services while keeping digital asset companies and jobs onshore. I want to thank Senator Hagerty and Chairman Scott for their leadership on this and look forward to getting this legislation across the finish line.”

    “The GENIUS Act is a critical first step towards delivering on President Trump and the American people’s mandate to advance a regulatory framework for digital assets —and will protect consumers and expand financial inclusion across the country,” said Scott. “I look forward to voting for the bill on the floor and the Senate taking historic action to provide the industry with the clarity it deserves.” 

    “The GENIUS Act establishes a clear, pro-growth, and secure regulatory framework to modernize our payments system and cement U.S. dollar dominance,” said Hagerty. “I look forward to passing the GENIUS Act in short order to keep digital asset innovation in America, protect customers, and make sure foreign companies are playing by the same rules.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lawler Joins Bipartisan, Bicameral Effort to Extend Civil Rights Cold Case Review Board’s Mandate

    Source: US Congressman Mike Lawler (R, NY-17)

    Washington, D.C. – 5/1/2025… This week, Congressman Mike Lawler joined Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) in the House, with companion legislation led by Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) in introducing the bipartisan, bicameral Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Reauthorization Act of 2025. 

    The Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board was established by Congress in 2018 to resolve unsolved criminal investigations from the Civil Rights Era. The Board is a nonpartisan organization, led by a panel of private citizens appointed by the President. 

    The bill extends the authorization of the Review Board for another four years, allowing it to complete its work uncovering information related to these unsolved cases and afford family members of the victims a measure of closure.

    “I’m proud to join Congresswoman Watson Coleman in reintroducing this bill. These cases represent a painful and important part of our nation’s history, and we have a responsibility to ensure they’re not forgotten. Extending the work of the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board helps us continue the process of reviewing these records carefully and transparently. It’s about doing our part to support the pursuit of truth to right the wrongs of our past and move forward with historical clarity,” said Congressman Mike Lawler.

    “In the years since its creation, the Cold Case Records Review Board has made remarkable progress in shedding light on some of the darkest moments in our nation’s history,” said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. “Working without partisan bias or ideological inclination, the Review Board has proven indispensable in providing clarity and closure for the victims’ families, and the communities roiled by these terrible events. Before we can finally turn the page on this dark chapter in American history, the Review Board must complete its work. This bipartisan bill with my colleagues across the aisle and across the Capitol will allow the Board to do just that. I strongly encourage leadership in both chambers to take up this legislation to once and for all lay these cases to rest.”

    “As a former FBI agent and federal prosecutor, I’ve spent my career pursuing the truth and delivering justice. The families who lost loved ones to racial violence during the Civil Rights Era have waited far too long for answers. Reauthorizing the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board ensures that critical investigations are completed, the pursuit of justice continues, and that we honor our obligation to confront and correct historic wrongs,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick.

    “For too long, families of Civil Rights cold case victims have waited for answers and justice. Our bipartisan bill is an opportunity to pursue justice and truth on behalf of those who were killed. There’s no expiration date on justice; that’s why this effort must continue,” Senator Ossoff said.

    Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

    ###

    Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – Sydney to host major surgical event focused on innovation and excellence

    Source: Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)

    Sydney will host one of the largest surgical conferences in the southern hemisphere when the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) brings its 93rd Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) to the International Convention Centre from Saturday 3 to Tuesday 6 May 2025.

    This year’s theme, Innovation. Precision. Excellence., reflects the event’s future-focused program and its role as a key connection and collaboration point for surgeons across all nine RACS specialties.

    More than 1600 surgeons, Trainees and healthcare leaders from Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond are expected to attend, with 253 new Fellows – the largest cohort in recent years – to be formally welcomed at the Convocation Ceremony on Saturday evening.

    “ASC 2025 is designed to inspire and challenge,” says congress convener Professor Henry Woo.

    “It’s a chance for surgeons to connect across specialties and geographies, hear from international leaders, and explore how innovation and leadership are shaping the future of care—from operating theatres to entire health systems.”

    This year’s program puts a spotlight on cross-disciplinary collaboration, with sessions covering robotics and AI in surgery, rural surgical innovation, Indigenous health, and leadership development.

    Event highlights include:

    Dr Glaucomflecken (Dr Will Flanary), a US ophthalmologist and viral medical comedian, presenting Dr Glaucomflecken’s incredibly uplifting and really fun guide to American healthcare on Sunday 4 May at 4pm. A cancer survivor and healthcare satirist, Dr Glaucomflecken brings a unique dual perspective as both clinician and patient. This ticketed plenary session is open to the general public.
    A surgical affair: question time with Tony Jones, a high-profile panel session chaired by veteran journalist Tony Jones, follows directly after. The discussion will tackle elective surgery waitlists and workforce challenges, with panellists including Australian Medical Council President Dr Danielle McMullen, NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Health Dr Michael Holland MP, and Queensland Health Chief Medical Officer Associate Professor Catherine McDougall.

    The Congress also features a strong line-up of international speakers:

    • Dr Callisia Clarke (USA) on diversity and political division in healthcare.
    • Dr Doug Anderson (USA) on the future of xenotransplantation.
    • Dr Ian Currie (UK) on innovations in organ donation and retrieval.
    • Dr Stephen Wexner (USA), one of the most cited colorectal surgeons globally.
    • Professor Hyung Seok Park (South Korea) on robotic breast surgery.

    RACS ASC is recognised as the College’s flagship educational event and one of the most significant surgical meetings in the region. It showcases the latest in surgical research, innovation and practice, while providing a platform for shared learning, professional connection and leadership.

    Media are welcome to attend keynote sessions, speaker interviews and selected panels.

    Find out more about the RACS ASC: RACS Annual Scientific Congress: https://asc.surgeons.org

    About the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)

    RACS is the leading advocate for surgical standards, professionalism and surgical education in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. The College is a not-for-profit organisation that represents more than 8000 surgeons and 1300 surgical trainees and Specialist International Medical Graduates. RACS also supports healthcare and surgical education in the Asia-Pacific region and is a substantial funder of surgical research. There are nine surgical specialties in Australasia being: Cardiothoracic Surgery, General Surgery, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Paediatric Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Urology and Vascular Surgery. www.surgeons.org

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Slams Trump Administration For Making Seniors More Vulnerable To Financial Frauds And Scams

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand
    In 2023, More Than 4,300 Older New Yorkers Were Victims of Fraud; Victims Lost Over $200 Million;
    Trump Is Firing The Federal Regulators Who Help Older Adults Fight Frauds and Scams
    Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee, held a virtual press conference highlighting Trump administration policies that are leaving senior citizens vulnerable to financial fraud. 
    President Trump is working to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a federal agency that prevents Americans from getting scammed by big banks and corporations and responds to millions of consumer complaints each year. He has attempted to fire nearly 90% of the agency’s staff, including all but one employee of the CFPB’s Office of Financial Protection of Older Americans. Older Americans are disproportionately the targets of scams and fraud; in 2023 alone, Americans over age 60 lost $3.4 billion to scams. Without the CFPB’s financial education and counseling, coordination with other agencies, and enforcement support activity, they will be left even more vulnerable to exploitation. 
    “Since its creation after the 2008 financial crisis, the CFPB has provided over $21 billion in compensation and relief to Americans impacted by financial scams, frauds, and wrongdoing,” said Senator Gillibrand.“Now, President Trump is trying to shutter the agency and eliminate the support and resources it offers to seniors, putting them at risk of losing their savings or even plunging them into debt. I will be doing everything in my power to stop this ill-considered and illegal shutdown from moving forward.” 
    The CFPB’s Office of Financial Protection of Older Americans helps educate older Americans about common scams that target seniors and provides a variety of resources to help them navigate medical billing and debt, reverse mortgages, the death of a spouse, and more. 
    The effort to shut down the CFPB is just the latest of President Trump’s attacks on seniors’ financial wellbeing. He has attempted to shut down Social Security field offices, cut thousands of staff, and eliminate phone support – making it harder for seniors to access the benefits they have spent a lifetime earning. The administration has also paused regulations on inaccurate credit reporting that would protect victims of elder abuse. 
    The full text of Senator Gillibrand’s letter to the Acting Director of the CFPB is available here or below: 
    Acting Director
    Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
    1700 G St. NW
    Washington, DC 20552
    Dear Acting Director Vought,
    We write with grave concerns about illegal actions you are taking in your acting role at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Last week, you tried to fire nearly all of the agency’s remaining 1,700 employees—the staff responsible for fulfilling the CFPB’s mission and statutory requirements to prevent Americans from getting scammed by big banks and giant corporations. Your hasty and unjustified mass firings are an illegal shutdown of the CFPB that will leave it unable to conduct agency actions that are required by law.
    You directed the gutting of entire divisions—including departments created by Congress to protect service members and older Americans—attempting to leave a shell of only 200 employees to supervise and examine large financial institutions across the country, respond to millions of consumer complaints, answer the phone for hundreds of thousands of people seeking help, monitor emergency financial risks, and run all of the agency’s other operations. This rush to dismantle the CFPB without any careful analysis of the impact on its work is not only illegal, it also defies a court order prohibiting you from shutting down the agency and interfering with its statutorily required responsibilities.
    A bipartisan majority in Congress created the CFPB as part of the Dodd-Frank Act in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. Since its creation, the CFPB has returned over $21 billion to Americans cheated by giant companies and has been the primary federal regulator supervising and examining the largest financial institutions across the country for compliance with consumer financial protection laws. Congress authorized the CFPB to play this role and required it to perform more than 80 specific functions to protect consumers and our economy from the types of rampant consumer abuse that set off the Great Recession. It is not possible for your proposed skeleton crew of CFPB employees to conduct anything close to all of those congressionally mandated activities to protect consumers. To take just a few examples, your planned cuts include:
    •      Slashing staff so just 16 employees would be responsible for addressing millions of complaints from scammed consumers. Under 12 U.S.C. 5493(b)(3) and 5511(c), the CFPB must maintain an office for collecting, investigating, and addressing complaints from consumers about financial products and services. Specifically, the law states that the Director shall establish a unit whose functions shall include establishing a single, tollfree telephone number, a website, and a database or utilizing an existing database to facilitate the centralized collection of, monitoring of, and response to consumer complaints regarding consumer financial products or services.” 
    In 2024 alone, CFPB received more than 2.7 million complaints, routed more than 100,000 complaints to other regulators, directed more than 100,000 complaints to companies, and oversaw the vendor responsible for handling more than 40,000 calls per month.6 But according to court filings, you have slashed the staff in that responsible section of the CFPB from approximately 135 to 16 people (and did not consult the head of the Office of Consumer Response to determine how to continue fulfilling the agency’s statutory responsibilities). In fact, the head of that office said that after the staff cuts, “the Office will be incapable of performing its statutory duties.”
    •      Wiping out the office required to help members of our military, leaving just one employee responsible for assisting thousands of service members and their families. Under 12 U.S.C. 5493(e), the Director “shall establish an Office of Service Member Affairs, which shall be responsible for developing and implementing initiatives for service members and their families.” These initiatives must include efforts to “educate and empower service members and their families to make better informed decisions regarding consumer financial products and services,” “monitor complaints by service members and their families and responses to those complaints by the Bureau or other appropriate Federal or State agency” and “coordinate efforts among Federal and State agencies . . . regarding consumer protection measures relating to consumer financial products and services offered to, or used by, service members and their families.”
    There are more than two million service members in the United States. In 2023, service members and their families submitted nearly 84,600 complaints to the CFPB, a 27% increase from 2022 and a 98% increase from 2021. But according to court filings, you have gutted the entire office so it will be staffed by a single person.
    •      Eliminating support for older Americans, leaving just one employee focused on the tens of millions of seniors who are disproportionately targeted by scams and fraud. Under 12 U.S.C. 5493(g), the CFPB must maintain an “Office of Financial Protection for Older Americans” that is “headed by an assistant director” and must “facilitate the financial literacy of [seniors] on protection from unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices and on current and future financial choices.” The office must specifically monitor certifications of financial advisors, conduct research to identify best practices for counseling seniors about personal financial management, develop goals for financial literacy programs, coordinate consumer protection efforts with other federal and state regulators, and work with outside organizations involved with assisting seniors.
    There are roughly 62 million adults aged 65 and older in the United States. According to the FBI, older Americans are disproportionately the targets of scams and fraud; these crimes against Americans over age 60 caused $3.4 billion in losses in 2023. The average older fraud victim lost $33,915 in 2023.But according to court filings, you have eliminated all but one position in the Office of Financial Protection for Older Americans.
    •      Gutting the capacity to supervise hundreds of giant financial institutions and to enforce the law. Under 12 U.S.C. 5514(b) and 5515, the CFPB has exclusive authority to supervise banks with more than $10 billion in assets—along with all nonbank lenders—to ensure they are complying with federal consumer financial laws and to assess risks they may pose to consumers and the broader market for consumer financial products. The Chair of the Federal Reserve confirmed earlier this year that the CFPB is the only federal regulator examining giant banks to ensure they are following federal consumer financial laws. The CFPB is responsible for supervising more than 180 banks and bank affiliates as well as many nonbank lenders that service more than 55% of the U.S. mortgage market. But according to court filings, you have slashed the staff responsible for this nationwide supervision of hundreds of institutions from 487 to just 50 employees, with only 50 additional people remaining from the 248 who were previously assigned to pursue legal action when the CFPB discovers illegal activity or violations of consumer protection laws.
    •      Dismantling the office responsible for monitoring developments in our markets that could crash our economy again. Under 12 U.S.C. 5493(b)(1), the CFPB must maintain a research unit to analyze and report on trends in consumer financial products and services, including on consumer understanding of costs, risks and benefits of those products; the use of disclosures; and access to fair and affordable credit for traditionally underserved communities. Under 12 U.S.C. 5499, the CFPB must maintain public access to all published data sets. Under 12 U.S.C. 5512(c), it must actively monitor and issue reports on emerging risks to consumers. Under 12 U.S.C. 5106(a)(1), 2809(a), and 2809(c), it must also help maintain a registration system for mortgage loan originators; compile statistics, on an ongoing basis, on mortgage issuance; and make mortgage issuance data available to the public. But according to court filings, your cuts would slash the research unit from 208 to 22 staff and eliminate all 10 current employees of the data office.
    •      Eliminating almost 90% of the agency that has returned $21 billion to scammed consumers and families. The examples above only illustrate the broader ways in which you are dismantling the CFPB, where you plan to leave a single person responsible for the Office of Fair Lending and Equal Opportunity, a single person in the Office of Civil Rights, a Private Education Loan Ombudsman with no staff, no Chief Data Officer, and almost no one responsible for basic tasks like running CFPB operations—much less fulfilling all of the more than 80 statutory obligations of the agency. You appear to have no plan for ensuring the CFPB meaningfully meets its responsibilities, including many not highlighted here—such as maintaining an Office of Financial Education, working with a Consumer Advisory Board, engaging in community affairs, and regulating mortgage loan servicing.
    In short, it is not possible for the CFPB to perform all of its statutorily required functions with a staff of 200 people left after slashing almost 90% of the agency. Directors from both Republican and Democratic Administrations have all made clear that they needed far more personnel to fulfill their responsibilities under the law. Even during the cuts early in the first Trump Administration, the number of employees never dropped below 1,400—nearly seven times the broken shell that would be left after you have hollowed out the staff. In fact, staffing increased after Director Kathy Kraninger—appointed by President Trump—undertook a “comprehensive planning initiative in 2019 to determine the staffing levels needed to support and execute the Bureau’s priorities in Fiscal Year 2020.”
    Maintaining the staff to perform the agency’s required functions is a critical responsibility. There is no other federal agency that is chiefly responsible for enforcing our federal consumer financial protection laws, and consumers across America will be left to fend for themselves against a broad swath of unchecked financial frauds and scams. Though the Trump Administration filed a document last week with a superficial list of the number of people assigned to some sections of the CFPB, it includes a number of zeroed-out offices and does not explain how the remaining 200 staff will perform each of the agency’s required functions.
    In light of these significant concerns, we request that you provide—by April 30, 2025—a detailed accounting of each of the more than 80 statutory obligations of the CFPB, the number of employees assigned to each of those functions as of December 2024, the number of employees who would be assigned to each function if your rushed reduction in force were to go into effect, the immediate impact of such a reduction on the agency’s ability to perform each function consistent with federal law and federal court orders, and copies of any individualized or particularized analysis of those planned reductions on the agency’s work.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Heinrich, Colleagues Demand to Know Who Killed Minority Business Development Agency, Why & Where’s the Money Going?

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
    “Who is actually running the Department: Secretary Lutnick or Elon Musk and DOGE?” Senators ask
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), joined U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, and five Senate Democrats in demanding that Keith Sonderling, the purported Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), promptly turn over key documents and information related to the dismantling of the agency and recent funding termination notices sent to all grantees by a member of Elon Musk’s DOGE. The Senators’ demands come as Paul Dabbar, President Trump’s nominee for Deputy Secretary of Commerce, appeared on Thursday before the Commerce Committee for his nomination hearing.
    “In one MBDA termination notice reviewed by our offices, the Department claims the grant is being terminated because it ‘is unfortunately no longer consistent with the agency’s priorities and no longer serves the interests of the United States and the MBDA Program,’” the senators wrote in a letter to Sonderling, who was confirmed by the Senate as Deputy Secretary of Labor in March. “The termination notice further states that, ‘MBDA is repurposing its funding allocations in a new direction in furtherance of the President’s agenda.’ …[T]he notice is silent about why the grants are inconsistent with the MBDA’s priorities and programs—which Congress, not the Department, set by statute. And it suggests the DOC or others in the Administration may be using funding appropriated for the MBDA for other, unrelated purposes.”
    The Senators questioned Sonderling about the notice terminating all MBDA grants, which was signed by Nate Cavanaugh, a member of Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and “Under the Authority of Keith Sonderling, Acting Undersecretary of MBDA.”  
    “This raises significant questions regarding Mr. Cavanaugh’s precise role at DOC and the mechanism by which you or other members of DOC leadership delegated him authority to terminate MDBA grants on behalf of the Department,” their letter continued. “Our offices have also obtained information indicating you may not have been aware these termination notices were being sent out by Mr. Cavanaugh under your authority, which would raise further questions about who is actually running the Department: Secretary Lutnick or Elon Musk and DOGE?”
    The letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Andy Kim (D-N.J.).
    Today, during the Senate Commerce Committee hearing on the nomination of Paul Dabbar to be U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce, Senator Luján pressed Mr. Dabbar on the dismantlement of the MBDA by the Trump administration and highlighted the successes of the MBDA. Senator Luján championed an amendment in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make the MBDA permanent. Senator Luján also secured passage of a provision to double the funding level for the MBDA’s Rural Business Development Center Program and to expand this program’s eligibility to include all Minority-Serving Institutions, which will expand opportunities for New Mexico’s colleges and universities. Additionally, in 2021 Senator Luján championed legislation to make permanent and expand the reach of the Minority Business Development Agency.
    In October 2024, Heinrich  led the unveiling of a new, larger office space for the New Mexico Minority Business Development Center in Albuquerque to expand support for local businesses across the state as they create the types of careers New Mexicans can build their families around. Heinrich wrote the legislative provision that established and funded the New Mexico Business Center in 2020, securing more than $2.5 million in federal resources through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency for its staffing and programming.
    The full text of the letter can be found HERE and below:
    Acting Under Secretary Sonderling:
    On March 25, 2025, and April 17, 2025, we sent letters to Secretary Howard Lutnick raising serious concerns about the apparent dismantling of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), despite his testimony before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation stating he would not support doing so. In our April 17 letter, we requested specific documents and information that would help address our outstanding questions and concerns regarding the MBDA. On April 24, 2025, we received a letter from the Department of Commerce (DOC) Acting Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs purporting to respond to our April 17 letter. This response, however, contained a mere three sentences related to the MBDA and failed to answer or meaningfully address any of our requests. Given Secretary Lutnick’s apparent disregard for our concerns about the Department’s actions against the MBDA, we are now requesting you provide documents and information related to this inquiry.
    Since our most recent letter, our offices have obtained information demonstrating that DOC has canceled all MBDA grants—further dismantling an agency Congress statutorily authorized, despite Secretary Lutnick’s testimony to the contrary. In one MBDA termination notice reviewed by our offices, the Department claims the grant is being terminated because it “is unfortunately no longer consistent with the agency’s priorities and no longer serves the interests of the United States and the MBDA Program.” The termination notice further states that, “MBDA is repurposing its funding allocations in a new direction in furtherance of the President’s agenda.” Beyond these conclusory assertions, however, the notice is silent about why the grants are inconsistent with the MBDA’s priorities and programs—which Congress, not the Department, set by statute. And it suggests the DOC or others in the Administration may be using funding appropriated for the MBDA for other, unrelated purposes.
    Raising further concerns, the termination notice was signed by Nate Cavanaugh—who we understand to be part of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—and is signed “Under the Authority of Keith Sonderling, Acting Undersecretary of MBDA.” Mr. Cavanaugh has reportedly been interviewing employees at the General Services Administration and overseeing efforts to dismantle another agency, the U.S. Institute of Peace. The termination notice indicates that Mr. Cavanaugh now has a DOC e-mail address. This raises significant questions regarding Mr. Cavanaugh’s precise role at DOC and the mechanism by which you or other members of DOC leadership delegated him authority to terminate MDBA grants on behalf of the Department. Our offices have also obtained information indicating you may not have been aware these termination notices were being sent out by Mr. Cavanaugh under your authority, which would raise further questions about who is actually running the Department: Secretary Lutnick or Elon Musk and DOGE?
    Given the lack of responsiveness from the Department to date, we reiterate the requests raised in our April 17, 2025 letter, and request the following additional documents and information no later than May 14, 2025:
    A complete description of Mr. Cavanaugh’s position at DOC, including his title, job description, date(s) of employment, any salary, any benefits, supervisor, and direct reports. Please also identify all other federal e-mail addresses assigned to or used by Mr. Cavanaugh of which you are aware.
    Documents sufficient to show Mr. Cavanaugh’s delegated authority to execute termination notices to MBDA grantees. 
    Documentation sufficient to show your appointment as Acting Under Secretary for Minority Business Development Agency and the date of such appointment.
    A complete description of your decision to delegate your authority to Mr. Cavanaugh for the purpose of terminating MBDA grants, including the extent to which Secretary Lutnick or any other senior DOC official was involved in making this decision.
    A complete description of the types of funded activities that are considered “consistent with the agency’s priorities” and “serve[] the interests of…the MBDA program.”
    A detailed explanation of how the MBDA intends to “repurpos[e] its funding allocations in a new direction in furtherance of the President’s agenda,” including any specific program or activity that has received or is expected to receive repurposed funding.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Owners of Roofing Companies Indicted for Tax Evasion

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, N.J. – Two roofing company owners were indicted for their failure to file tax returns and pay tax on income, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    The Indictment charges Steve Mitchell, also known as “Sonny Mitchell,” of Edison, New Jersey, and Samuel Mitchell of Bohemia, New York with four counts each of tax evasion.

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

    Steve Mitchell, Samuel Mitchell, and others operated roofing businesses under several different names.  Despite earning approximately $881,730.26 and $1,397,960.21, respectively, in income from roofing customers from 2018 through 2021, Steve Mitchell and Samuel Mitchell failed to file tax returns with the IRS and pay tax on their income.  Instead, Steve Mitchell and Samuel Mitchell took affirmative steps to conceal their income from the IRS, including by providing false social security numbers to check cashing businesses that they used to convert customers’ checks to cash, which prevented the check cashing businesses from reporting the cashed checks to the IRS as required by law.

    In addition to the income from the roofing customers, Steve Mitchell also received income from an elderly individual for what the elderly individual thought was an investment in a COVID mask-making business.  In 2020 and 2021, Steve Mitchell converted over $4.2 million in checks from the elderly individual into cash.

    The tax evasion counts each carry a maximum potentially penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.

    U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, with the investigation leading to the charges.

    The government is represented by Assistant U. S. Attorney Casey S. Smith of the Criminal Division in Newark.

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

                                                               ###

    Defense counsel:

    Steve Mitchell:            Michael A. Baldassare, Esq.

    Samuel Mitchell:        Robert Scrivo, Esq.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: MS-13 Gang Member who Led Transnational Fentanyl Distribution Operation from Inside State Prison Sentenced to 17 Years by South Florida Federal Judge

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MIAMI – A district judge in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. has sentenced an MS-13 gang member and leader of a transnational drug trafficking organization (DTO) to 210 months in federal prison for running a fentanyl distribution ring, some of which he did from inside a state prison.

    Mario Clifford Rivera (a/k/a “Chuky”), 32, is a member of MS-13, a designated foreign terrorist organization. From at least 2022, Rivera used the U.S. Postal Service to distribute fentanyl smuggled into the United States from Mexico. The fentanyl’s travel path: over the wall from Mexico to California, then to Florida by mail for distribution by Rivera and the DTO dealers he controlled.  

    In early 2023, while free on bond waiting to report to state prison to serve three years for felon in possession of a firearm, throwing a deadly missile into an occupied vehicle, and aggravated assault crimes, Rivera offered to sell two kilograms of fentanyl to a buyer in Florida, some of which was purchased. Once inside state prison, Rivera continued managing and supervising his DTO. He used prison phones and a contraband cell phone to communicate with his dealers on the outside. Rivera directed them on how to sell fentanyl and what prices to charge, all while making sure that he received his share of the drug proceeds.

    Rivera was responsible in this case for distributing over three kilograms of fentanyl. He pled guilty to drug trafficking charges and will begin serving his federal sentence once he completes his state sentence.   

    “Rivera’s 17-year federal prison sentence should serve as a warning to MS-13 and other terrorist gangs who seek to flood our communities with deadly poisons like fentanyl: Whether you operate on the streets or behind prison walls, we will identify your leaders and members, dismantle your networks, and hold you accountable using the full force of American law,” said U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida.   

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Rinku Tribuiani for the Southern District of Florida prosecuted this case.

    FBI Miami; U.S. Postal Inspection Service Miami Division; DEA Miami Field Division; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami Field Division, and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office investigated it. 

    “The safety of South Florida communities is our top priority,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of FBI Miami. “Shutting down drug trafficking networks like Rivera’s is a key step towards achieving this priority. Our long-standing partnerships with USPIS Miami, DEA Miami, HSI Miami and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office were crucial to this successful investigation. Let this case serve as a warning to MS-13 and other gangs who terrorize communities with violence and sow misery through drug trafficking: these activities will not be tolerated.”

    “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to ensuring the U.S. Mail is not used as a tool to distribute dangerous drugs, like fentanyl, to our communities, said Miami Division acting Inspector in Charge Steven L. Hodges. “The sentence handed down should serve as a reminder that we remain steadfast with our law enforcement partners to bring those who engage in drug trafficking through the mail to justice.”

    “We and our law enforcement partners will continue to pursue and arrest those who flood our communities with illicit, dangerous, and highly-addictive drugs,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “It is our top priority to protect our citizens and get these gang members off our streets.”

    “Homeland Security Investigations and our law enforcement partners have a clear message: those who traffic deadly narcotics and endanger our communities through gang violence will face the full force of justice,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Jose Figueroa of HSI Miami Field Division. “HSI remains relentless in dismantling transnational criminal organizations like MS-13 and stopping the flow of fentanyl that continues to devastate families across our nation.”

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    It is also part of an OCDETF operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf.

    You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 24-cr-80140.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Meridian Man Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Possession of a Machinegun

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Jackson, MS – A Meridian, Mississippi, man was sentenced today to 27 months in prison for possession of a machinegun.

    According to court documents, Demetriz Romelo Hopson, 25, was found by law enforcement officers in possession of a Glock 9mm handgun that had been equipped with a machinegun conversion device or “switch” while Hopson was attending a football game on the campus of Meridian High School. Hopson pleaded guilty to the charged conduct on January 8, 2025.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives made the announcement.

    The ATF investigated the case with assistance from the Meridian Schools Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel Goff prosecuted the case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Passaic County Man Admits to Using An Explosive to Damage a Chase Bank ATM

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County man admitted to using an explosive to damage a Chase Bank Automated Teller Machine (“ATM”) in Prospect Park, New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    Nicolas Torres, 42, of Passaic, New Jersey pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Julien X. Neals in Newark federal court to a one-count information charging him with using an explosive to damage real property used in interstate commerce.

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

    In the early morning hours of July 5, 2022, Torres was captured on surveillance video approaching the Chase Bank ATM in Prospect Park, New Jersey and igniting an item in front of the ATM. Several seconds later, an explosion was seen at the ATM. Torres was seen fleeing the location with two individuals.

    In addition to the surveillance video, cellular phone location data placed Torres in the area of the Chase Bank at the time of the explosion. The investigation also revealed that Torres had traveled to Pennsylvania the day before and purchased approximately $1,000 worth of fireworks.

    The use of an explosive to damage real property used in interstate commerce charge carries a statutory minimum of 5 years in prison, a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for September 9, 2025.

    U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly, and the Prospect Park Police Department, under the direction of Chief William Rausch, with the investigation leading to today’s plea.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vera Varshavsky of the U.S. Attorney’s National Security Unit in Newark. 

                                                               ###

    Defense counsel: Adalgiza A. Núñez, Office of the Public Defender

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Unexplained death, Woodridge

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Wellington Police are making enquiries following the discovery of a body in a burnt out vehicle overnight.

    Police were notified of the vehicle on fire at around 11.40pm on Ladbrooke Drive in Woodridge.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Williamson says upon arrival of emergency services, a body was located inside the vehicle.

    “Enquiries are now underway to establish the full circumstances of what has occurred.”

    A scene guard has been in place overnight at the scene and at a nearby property.

    A scene examination is due to take place today.

    “While the circumstances around this incident are unexplained at this stage, we believe there is no ongoing risk to the public.

    Members of the Woodridge community may notice an increased Police presence in the area while enquiries are ongoing.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police investigating Far North incidents overnight

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police are investigating an aggravated robbery at a Kawakawa property on Thursday night.

    Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston, of Northland CIB, says a report was made to Police about two men arriving at a property on State Highway 1, just south of the Kawakawa township after 9pm.

    “Initial information reported was that both men were carrying firearms and were demanding a vehicle parked at the property.

    “The occupants managed to leave the address without injury and contacted Police.”

    It was initially thought the offenders were still at the property and the Armed Offenders Squad deployed.

    Detective Inspector Johnston says cordons were put in place on a section of State Highway 1.

    Northern cordons were in place at the roundabout in the Kawakawa township, with the southern cordon based at Waiomio Road.

    “AOS staff voice appealed the address before midnight, and eventually cleared the property however no offenders were present.”

    Cordons were stood down at around 1am and Police enquiries are ongoing.

    Police are also investigating a firearms incident alongside this incident, which was reported at a property in Kaikohe at 11.15pm.

    “At least two men made threats towards the occupant of this address, before assaulting him but medical attention was not required.”

    Police acknowledge the cooperation of motorists who were turned around or were delayed at cordons near Kawakawa overnight.

    “Police need to take these matters seriously and we do not tolerate threatening or violent behaviour involving firearms,” Detective Inspector Johnston says.

    “What I can say at this stage is that we do not believe these events to be random, and Police are following lines of enquiry in the investigation.”

    ENDS. 

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Driver sought following fatal crash in Balmoral

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police are seeking the driver of a vehicle involved in a fatal crash in Balmoral overnight.

    Just after 1am two vehicles collided on Dominion Road, near Wiremu Street.

    “The crash has resulted in one vehicle colliding with the storefront of a restaurant, and the other vehicle coming to a stop a short distance away,” acting Detective Senior Sergeant Rebecca Kirk says.

    “Immediately after the crash, the driver of the vehicle which crashed into the shop fled on foot from the scene.”

    Police staff arrived on scene a short time later.

    Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Kirk says the driver of the other vehicle was located deceased at the scene, with the passenger in a critical condition.

    The passenger remains in Auckland City Hospital.

    “Our enquiries are ongoing to identify and locate the driver of the vehicle who fled,” she says.

    “I encourage that driver to do the right thing and contact Police or bring himself into the nearest Police station.”

    A section of Dominion Road was closed overnight while the Serious Crash Unit examined the scene.

    Anyone with information that can assist Police enquiries are asked to contact Police on 105 using the file number 250502/0011.

    Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Banking – ASB and POLi partner to support secure open banking payments in New Zealand

    Source: ASB

    In an industry first, ASB has today announced it is partnering with POLi, one of New Zealand’s largest online payments providers, to support customers to make secure open banking based digital payments.  

    With POLi using ASB’s open banking APIs, customers are able to use POLi as a payment method without sharing their username and password. Customer authentication and payment authorisation takes place securely within the ASB mobile banking app, offering another layer of protection for customers when transacting online.

    ASB customers will be able to make POLi payments via the open banking payment method in the coming months, as POLi merchants transition to open banking. This option will appear alongside more traditional payment methods like credit or debit cards and has customer security, cost and convenience top of mind.

    Michael Maclean, ASB’s Tribe Lead, Everyday Money, says partnering with POLi to support its transition to open banking is a win for ASB customers and significant for open banking at an industry level.

    “We’re thrilled to be the first bank in the country to support POLi to embrace the open banking movement. POLi has the highest volume of online debit payments in the country, facilitating thousands of transactions every day for New Zealanders. We know scale and widespread availability is key to getting Kiwi consumers onboard with open banking.

    “The partnership is a win for our customers, offering them greater choice and improved security. It’s been a big year for us in the open banking space, and we’ve achieved a lot we’re proud of that supports safe and easy banking services in New Zealand, and helps to mitigate against fraud and scams. We initially went live with our open banking API platform in May last year, and we’ve now got six partnerships with different payments and data providers that can leverage the tech we’ve invested in.”

    Andrew Simmonds, POLi’s Commercial Director, says “POLi has long advocated for open banking, which offers consumers greater choice and control over their payments experience. ASB is leading the way in this space as the first bank to offer up open banking APIs for our consumption and we’re delighted to partner with them to provide Kiwi consumers an innovative and secure way to pay popular merchants.”

    Fintechs interested in partnering with ASB on open banking can visit open banking | ASB for more information. To find out more about POLi’s new open banking payment service, visit https://www.polipay.co.nz/asb-open-banking/.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: US Department of Labor awards $2.7M for disaster-relief jobs, training for Georgia residents affected by Hurricane Helene

    Source: US Department of Labor

    WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $2.7 million in grant funding to support disaster-relief jobs and employment and training services for Georgia residents suffering from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. 

    On Sept. 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida before swiftly moving into Georgia, bringing torrential rain and heavy devastating winds that left a trail of destruction across much of the state. In addition to causing extensive infrastructure damage and prolonged power outages, the storm caused significant job losses. 

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a major disaster declaration, enabling Georgia to request federal assistance for recovery efforts in Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Columbia, Cook, Dodge, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Glynn, Hancock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, McDuffie, McIntosh, Montgomery, Pierce, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wheeler, and Wilkes counties.

    This Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant allows the Technical College System of Georgia to provide people with temporary jobs focused on cleanup and recovery efforts, as well as offer employment and training services to eligible participants in affected communities. 

    Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, National Dislocated Worker Grants provide a state or local board with funding for direct services and assistance in areas experiencing a major economic dislocation event that leads to workforce needs exceeding available resources.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James, NYCHA, and Trees New York Announce $750,000 Tree Planting, Workforce Development, and Environmental Education Project at Public Housing Campuses

    Source: US State of New York

    Attorney General James joins Trees New York, NYCHA, and tenants to plant trees at Red Hook Houses in Brooklyn.

    The Trees for NYCHA project was made possible by funds from three OAG settlements with polluters, including:

    • $663,738 from a 2007 Clean Air Act settlement with American Electric Power Service Corporation;
    • $59,500 from a 2023 settlement with Reliant Transportation over unlawful bus idling; and
    • $26,762 from a 2022 settlement with Verizon over practices contributing to the spread of Legionnaires’ disease.

    The project has a total of four elements: tree plantings, workforce development, tree stewardship, and youth environmental education.

    • Tree Planting: 340 trees are being planted across NYCHA properties, and 59 additional trees are being planted in adjacent communities near NYCHA campuses.
    • Workforce Development: In partnership with Green City Force, the project has trained young adults from low-income communities in environmental and green job skills.
    • Tree Stewardship: Volunteers have been trained to care for the new trees, ensuring the sustainability of the expanded canopy.
    • Youth Engagement: Public school students near NYCHA campuses have participated in hands-on environmental education and tree care activities, linking ecology to academic enrichment.

    NYCHA is the largest Public Housing Authority in the nation, housing one in 17 New Yorkers. NYCHA is also the second largest owner of open space in the city, owning over 2,400 acres and supporting approximately 1,000 acres of tree canopy. In New York City, there is generally less tree canopy cover in areas with lower-income housing and higher proportions of people of color. In neighborhoods with clusters of NYCHA developments, these developments are often the primary source of canopy cover in the neighborhood. In recent years, resource constraints and climate-driven damage have led to canopy loss. Trees for NYCHA has helped reverse this trend while empowering residents as partners in environmental restoration.

    The OAG would like to thank NYCHA and Trees New York for their partnership and collaboration.

    This project was handled for the Office of the Attorney General by Policy Advisor Peter C. Washburn of the Environmental Protection Bureau, under the supervision of Bureau Chief Lemuel M. Srolovic. The Environmental Protection Bureau is part of the Division for Social Justice, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Meghan Faux and overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Denounces Trump Administration for Gutting Family Planning Services

    Source: US State of New York

    EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James and a multistate coalition of 20 other attorneys general today called on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to immediately reinstate tens of millions of dollars in Title X funds, which provide federal funding to health centers for family planning and reproductive health care, including birth control and other non-abortion services. Last month, HHS recklessly cut off support for vital family planning and health care services across the country without reason, leading to the complete loss of federal family planning funding in several states. In a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Attorney General James and the coalition warned that the recent decision to withhold these Title X funds will have devastating public health consequences, including more unintended pregnancies, more sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and increased rates of undiagnosed HIV and cervical cancer.

    “The federal administration continues to play politics with the lives of the American people,” said Attorney General James. “By slashing funding to necessary health care clinics and providers, they are putting millions of Americans at risk while forcing states to clean up the mess. This cruel and shortsighted attack on essential health care will have disastrous impacts in every corner of our country. My fellow attorneys general and I are calling on the administration to reverse this mistaken policy.”

    On March 31, HHS notified several grant recipients, whose subgrantees constitute nearly 25 percent of all Title X clinics, that their funding was being terminated despite no clear evidence of wrongdoing. As a result, some states have seen a complete loss of Title X funding and many others, including New York, face significant reductions.

    Attorney General James and the coalition argue that this decision will be catastrophic, as proven by the devastating impact of previous Title X cuts under the first Trump administration. The 2019 Title X cuts resulted in a more than 60 percent drop in the number of patients served, and half of all Title X clinics in New York lost federal funding. Clinics were forced to reduce services or shut down altogether, and patients ended up forgoing recommended tests, lab work, STI testing, clinical breast exams, and Pap tests in large numbers. Between 2018 and 2019, Title X clinics across the nation performed 90,386 fewer Pap tests to screen for cervical cancer; 188,920 fewer breast exams; 276,109 fewer HIV tests; over one million fewer STI tests; and provided 361,000 fewer patients with birth control.

    Attorney General James and the coalition argue that low-income and rural communities will suffer the most as a result of these cuts. After the 2019 cuts, Title X providers saw 573,650 fewer patients under the federal poverty level and 324,776 fewer uninsured patients. As the population served by Title X is disproportionately low-income and more likely to be on Medicaid, the financial loss caused by these cuts will be primarily felt by the states. When the first Trump administration cut Title X grants, states suffered an enormous financial burden, including a $14.2 million emergency appropriation in New York to cover the loss in funds.

    In New York and nationwide, Title X programs play a critical role in delivering affordable, lifesaving healthcare. A 2016 survey showed that Title X clinics were the only source of comprehensive medical care for 60 percent of their patients. The Guttmacher Institute estimates that as a direct result of these cuts, at least 834,000 patients – 30 percent of all Title X patients – will lose care annually. Guttmacher also anticipates higher rates of unplanned pregnancies, higher STI rates, and worse overall health.

    In the letter, Attorney General James and the coalition assert that HHS has provided no legitimate evidence to justify the funding cuts, instead relying on vague accusations and political targeting of certain providers. Many of the notices that clinics and providers received point to “possible violations” of civil rights laws or the president’s Executive Orders, but the evidence provided fails to support any such claim. In one letter, HHS simply referenced a statement the grantee issued on racism in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd. The attorneys general allege that these allegations are a pretext for the administration to penalize reproductive health care providers it dislikes. Meanwhile, the harm to patients and already strained state budgets is immediate and measurable.

    Attorney General James and the coalition are urging HHS to reinstate the withheld grants and restore full funding to the Title X program.

    Joining Attorney General James in sending this letter are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Naples Men Indicted In A Murder-For-Hire Plot

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging Jesus Pujol Hernandez (41), Miguel Marquez Romero (29), and Paulo Sabon Montero (54), all of Naples, Florida, with conspiracy to use a facility of interstate commerce to commit murder-for-hire and use of a facility of interstate commerce with intent to commit murder-for-hire. If convicted, each faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

    According to the indictment and evidence presented in court, between April 16 and 17, 2025, Marquez Romero and Sabon Montero discussed over the phone killing an individual that Hernandez had identified for up to $30,000. Hernandez had been hired by the intended victims’ brother to carry out the plot. Marquez Romero, Sabon Montero, and Hernandez exchanged phone calls and organized a meeting to discuss the murder. On April 17, 2025, the conspirators met in a grocery store parking lot in Naples before being apprehended by law enforcement.

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Patrick L. Darcey.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illegal Possession of Firearm and Distribution Quantities of PCP Net Felon a 72-Month Prison Sentence

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    WASHINGTON – Timothy Eugene Taylor, 36, a previously convicted felon from the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 72-months in prison for being in illegal possession of a semiautomatic pistol and distribution quantities of PCP.

    The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

    Taylor pleaded guilty on Oct. 1, 2024, to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon and unlawful possession with intent to distribute phencyclidine (PCP). In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Randolph D. Moss ordered Taylor to serve three years of supervised release.

    According to court documents, on August 11, 2023, members of the MPD’s Seventh District Crime Suppression Team were patrolling in a marked vehicle along the 300 block of Livingston Terrace, SE. The area is known to be a high-crime area, where crimes with firearms and gunshots are routinely reported. As the officers were driving, they passed Taylor and another male standing on the 4300 block of 3rd St., SE. Taylor was wearing a black satchel across his torso. One of the officers noticed a distinct L-shaped bulge protruding from the satchel.

    The officers made a U-turn to talk with him. As they pulled up, the officers noticed that Taylor had moved the satchel and turned his body to obscure their view of the bag. Officers asked Taylor if he had a gun and if he would fold his bag in half. Taylor replied, “No, I live right here” and pointed to a nearby house. Officers exited their marked car to get a better look at the satchel. Taylor immediately fled into the building. Officers followed, found Taylor standing in front of an apartment door, and cuffed him. An officer opened the satchel and found a loaded Smith and Wesson M&P 9 2.0 9mm, semiautomatic pistol with 21 rounds loaded in its extended magazine. The officer also recovered from the satchel three vials of liquid phencyclidine, commonly known as PCP. The quantity of PCP was indicative of distribution rather than personal use.

    Taylor has a previous felony conviction for illegal possession of a firearm.

    This case was investigated by the MPD’s Seventh District Crime Suppression Team and the ATF. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Helfand.

    23cr406

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Rockford Man Sentenced to Eleven Years in Prison for Attempting To Import More Than Half a Kilogram of Fentanyl

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ROCKFORD — A Rockford man was sentenced today to eleven years in federal prison for attempting to import more than half a kilogram of fentanyl into the United States from Mexico. 

    BENIGNO SANCHEZ, 47, pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of attempting to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston imposed the sentence during a hearing in federal court in Rockford.

    Sanchez admitted that in March 2023 he expected a package containing controlled substances to be delivered to him at an address in Rockford via FedEx from Mexico.  Law enforcement agents intercepted the package, which contained more than 500 grams of fentanyl pressed into pills (designed to imitate opioid pills) that were hidden inside a wooden tortilla press.  After detecting the fentanyl inside the package, law enforcement agents removed the drugs and delivered the package to Sanchez.  Once delivered, Sanchez took custody of the package, drove it to another location, and opened it to take possession of what he believed to be the drugs.

    The sentence was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent-in-Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in Chicago.  The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ladd. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican national sentenced in drug trafficking conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PLANO, Texas –A Mexican national has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.

    Willy Armando Ramirez-Garcia, 34, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 320 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on May 1, 2025.

    According to information presented in court, from January 2021 to May 2021, Ramirez-Garcia was illegally in the United States, but operated as the leader of a methamphetamine trafficking organization in Texas. The group was responsible for smuggling liquid methamphetamine into the U.S. from Mexico by using bladders hidden within diesel tanks of commercial tractor trailers. The liquid methamphetamine would be transported to the North Texas area where it was then converted into crystal methamphetamine. The methamphetamine was stored at a stash house in Dallas where it would be retrieved by couriers for distribution in kilogram quantities.

    In January 2021, the investigation revealed that the drug trafficking organization included a local narcotics broker, Rosa Velasco De Ballin, her source of supply, Ivan Dejesus Suastes-Cruz, and other co-conspirators, operating from a stash house in Dallas, and a ranch in Kemp, where the methamphetamine was “cooked.” Angel Rodriguez-Campuzano was identified as a distributor working for Suastes-Cruz. It was also determined that Suastes-Cruz and co-conspirators, Juan Fuentez and German Zapata, worked at the direction of Ramirez-Garcia. They assisted in transporting and distributing the methamphetamine, finding buyers, and obtaining properties to store and manufacture the methamphetamine. As a result, a search warrant was obtained for the stash house in Dallas, where approximately 40 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and 25 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine were found. The ranch in Kemp was also searched and a meth conversion lab was discovered. In all, agents seized 66 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and 25 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine. For their involvement, these co-defendants were previously sentenced to the following terms of imprisonment: De Ballin – 168 months; Rodriguez-Campuzano-295 months; Suastes-Cruz – 240 months; Fuentez – 300 months; and Zapata – 270 months.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Collin County Sheriff’s Office, Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, and Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Wes Wynne.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Marathon County Woman Sentenced to 2 ½ Years for Conspiring to Traffic Methamphetamine

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jessica L. Colby, 29, Stratford, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 30 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. This prison term will be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Colby pleaded guilty to this charge on January 31, 2025.

    In early 2024, investigators with the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force began investigating a group of individuals who were distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine in the Marathon County area. Colby was identified as a facilitator for the group.

    Following a series of controlled purchases of methamphetamine involving other co-defendants in March and April 2024, task force officers executed a search warrant a residence that Colby shared with co-defendant Joshua Lake. Officers found approximately 2 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1 kilogram of cocaine, 2 rifles, over $24,000 in cash, drug ledgers, and other drug trafficking paraphernalia during the search.

    Further investigation revealed that between January 22, 2024, and April 15, 2024, Colby assisted in the distribution of approximately 23 kilograms of methamphetamine and 6 kilograms of cocaine. Colby assisted by picking up and delivering bulk shipments of drugs – at times on her own, as well as making payments to the cartel-connected sources of supply. In addition, Colby admitted to having her own drug customers.

    At sentencing, Judge Conley weighed the severity of Colby’s conduct, including the large quantities of drugs involved and her active role in the conspiracy, against her lack of a prior criminal record and her extraordinary conduct while on pretrial release.

    Three others were charged in connection with this drug trafficking conspiracy. Mercadys Perkins was convicted of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and sentenced to 6 years in federal prison on April 17, 2025. Dustin Brunker was convicted of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and sentenced to 7 years in federal prison on April 24, 2025. Joshua Lake has pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 4, 2025.

    The charge against Colby was the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force comprised of investigators from the FBI, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Bay Police Department, Wausau Police Department and Wisconsin National Guard Counter Drug Program. The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force also assisted with the case. The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force consists of federal agents from ATF and Task Force Officers from state and local agencies throughout the Western District of Wisconsin. The Marathon County District Attorney’s Office also assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson prosecuted this case.

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