NewzIntel.com

    • Checkout Page
    • Contact Us
    • Default Redirect Page
    • Frontpage
    • Home-2
    • Home-3
    • Lost Password
    • Member Login
    • Member LogOut
    • Member TOS Page
    • My Account
    • NewzIntel Alert Control-Panel
    • NewzIntel Latest Reports
    • Post Views Counter
    • Privacy Policy
    • Public Individual Page
    • Register
    • Subscription Plan
    • Thank You Page

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI USA: On the 60th Anniversary of the Creation of Medicaid and Medicare, Luján, Leader Schumer, and Senate Democrats Introduce Legislation to Reverse Devastating Health Care Cuts in Republicans’ Budget Betrayal 

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján

    WATCH HERE: Senator Luján Delivers Floor Speech on Effort to Reverse Devastating Health Care Cuts in Republicans’ Budget Betrayal

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Ranking Member of the Finance Committee, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Ranking Member of the Budget Committee, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), led their Senate Democratic colleagues in introducing the Protecting Health Care And Lowering Costs Act.

    This legislation would reverse all of the health care cuts in the “Big, Ugly Betrayal,” including those to Medicaid, and would permanently extend the ACA premium tax credits. After Republicans passed legislation earlier this month that would kick nearly 15 million people off their health insurance and totals more than one trillion dollars in health care cuts, Senate Democrats are fighting back and pushing to reverse these devastating cuts and extend tax credits to make health care affordable.

    Today marks 60 years since Medicaid and Medicare was created on a bipartisan basis as a promise to the American people that we would stick by the poorest and most disadvantaged among us and take care of the elderly who paid into a system their whole lives. Democrats will be crisscrossing the country to make sure that the American people know it is Congressional Republicans who are reneging on that promise, ripping away health care from millions so they can give tax cuts to billionaires.

    “Sixty years after Medicare and Medicaid opened the door to health care for millions, Congressional Republicans slammed it shut with their Budget Betrayal – ripping coverage from 15 million Americans, including over 100,000 New Mexicans,” said Senator Luján. “Their cuts target children, families, and seniors who depend on Medicaid to survive, and could force rural clinics and hospitals to close their doors. While Republicans gut health care, Senate Democrats are fighting to restore it and protect the people we represent.”

    “For many, the “Big, Ugly Betrayal” is quite literally a matter of life and death. Too many will now have to make the heartbreaking decision between financial ruin and going without care. Already the effects of this bill are being felt. Already hospitals and health care systems are in jeopardy because of this legislation that passed just mere weeks ago,” said Leader Schumer. “Let’s be crystal clear: to pay for tax cuts for billionaires, millions of people are going to lose their health care. That’s the Republicans agenda right there. Well not on our watch. Democrats are fighting this tooth and nail. And today we are proud to introduction legislation which would reverse these devastating cuts and permanently extend the ACA premium tax credits. It is not too late for the Republicans to reverse course and save healthcare for millions.”

    “Trump and Republicans in Congress have been actively misleading the American public. Americans were never told that this flawed bill will punch a hole in a lot more than Medicaid,” said Senator Wyden, Ranking Member of the Finance Committee. “There is simply no way to cut more than $1 trillion from the health care system without taking a deep toll on Americans of all stripes from coast to coast. The more Americans hear about this bill, the less they like it. It’s time to scrap Trumpcare and put America back on a path to affordable health care.”

    “If Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits expire at the end of the year, 20 million Americans will see their health care costs skyrocket at a time when they’re already struggling with increased prices. That pain will be felt almost immediately,” said Senator Shaheen. “That’s on top of the unprecedented health care cuts to Medicaid that were passed in the ‘Big Beautiful Betrayal’. We need to take action now to permanently extend those tax credits so that people know they can count on them.”

    “Congressional Republicans betrayed hardworking families earlier this month when they chose to stand with billionaires by gutting Medicaid and kicking more than 15 million people off their health insurance,” said Senator Merkley, Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee. “Republicans have the opportunity to right this wrong by supporting our bill that will reverse these devastating cuts and prevent health care costs from skyrocketing across the country. On this 60th Anniversary of the enactment of Medicaid and Medicare, Democrats are fighting for an economy where families thrive and billionaires finally pay their fair share.”

    The entire Democratic caucus has signed on to co-sponsor the legislation.

    The legislation has been endorsed by American Civil Liberties Union, AFL-CIO. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFT: Education, Healthcare, Public Services, All* Above All , Alliance for Retired Americans, American Association on Health and Disability, American Heart Association, American Nurses Association, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, ACLU, Can’t Wait Coalition, Care in Action, Caring Across Generations, Center for American Progress, Center for Medicare Advocacy, CEO Commission for Disability Employment, Children’s Hospital Association, Communication Workers of America, Community Catalyst, Disability Policy Consortium, Disability Rights and Defense Fund, Diverse Elders Coalition (DEC), FamiliesUSA, First Focus for Children, Guttmacher Institute, Health Care for America Now, Ibis Reproductive Health, Justice in Aging, Kids Can’t Wait, Lakeshore Foundation, Little Lobbysists, MoveOn.org, National Abortion Federation, National Alliance for Caregiving, National Alliance for Direct Service Professionals, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, National Council of Jewish Women, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM), National Disability Rights Network, National Domestic Workers Alliance, National Hispanic Council on Aging, National Health Law Program (NHeLP), National Immigration Law Center, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women’s Law Center, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Protect Our Care, Public Citizens, SEIU, Social Security Works, The Arc of the United States, UNIDOS US, United Mine Workers of America, Vizient, Inc., Well Spouse Association, Healthcare Association of New York and Texas Kids Can’t Wait.

    The full text of the legislation can be seen here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Time to pay up: Toughest crackdown on late payments in a generation unveiled in plan to back small businesses

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Time to pay up: Toughest crackdown on late payments in a generation unveiled in plan to back small businesses

    UK Government unveils its Small Business Plan to support SMEs across the country

    • Government to tackle late payments with the most significant legislative reforms in 25 years – an issue that costs the UK economy £11bn a year and shuts down 38 businesses every day
    • UK set to have the toughest late payments laws in the G7 as part of reforms to back small businesses and unlock growth as part of the Plan for Change
    • New £4bn finance boost including 69,000 Start-Up Loans to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and small business owners

    Small businesses across the UK will benefit from the most comprehensive support package in a generation, as the government launches a bold new plan to give small businesses the tools to thrive and drive economic growth as part of its Plan for Change.

    Small and medium sized firms employ 60% of the country’s workforce and generate £2.8 trillion in turnover. However, for too long, the odds have been stacked against small businesses.

    From tradespeople and shopkeepers to start-up founders and family-run firms, too many work hard but don’t get the backing they deserve – held back by late payments and not getting the financial backing they need within a wider system that hasn’t worked in their favour.

    That’s why the Government is taking serious action to back small businesses and give them the tools they need to grow. This builds on the solid foundation of certainty and stability this government has already delivered—through the trade deals we’ve secured, four interest rate cuts, and a long-term industrial and trade strategy that’s helping businesses plan ahead with confidence.

    At the heart of the plan is a the most significant package of reforms in a generation to tackle late payments, with plans to introduce the toughest laws on late payments in the G7.

    Late payments are one of the biggest barriers to small business growth —causing cashflow problems that stop firms from scaling up and investing in their future. Every day, hardworking businesses close their doors because they aren’t paid on time.

    The new laws are set to give stronger powers to the Small Business Commissioner to empower them to wield fines, worth potentially millions of pounds, against the biggest firms who persistently choose to pay their suppliers late.

    The Small Business Commissioner will be given new powers to carry out spot checks and enforce a 30-day invoice verification period to speed up resolutions to disputes. The upcoming legislation will also introduce maximum payment terms of 60 days, reducing to 45 days, giving firms certainty they’ll be paid on time.

    Audit committees, under the proposals, will also be legally required to scrutinise payment practices at board level, placing greater pressure on large firms to show they’re treating small suppliers fairly backed by mandatory interest charges for those who pay late.

    These changes will also save small businesses valuable time, freeing up hours currently spent chasing overdue invoices so they can focus on growing their business instead. Taken together, this will help ensure businesses are paid on time and end the scourge of late payments which costs the UK economy £11bn per year and closes down 38 UK businesses every day.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    “From builders and electricians to freelance designers and manufacturers—too many hardworking people are being forced to spend precious hours chasing payments instead of doing what they do best – growing their businesses.

    “It’s unfair, it’s exhausting, and it’s holding Britain back. So, our message is clear: it’s time to pay up.

    “Through our Small Business Plan, we’re not only tackling the scourge of late payments once and for all, but we’re giving small business owners the backing and stability they need for their business to thrive, driving growth across the country through our Plan for Change.”

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:   

    “This country is home to some of the brightest entrepreneurs and innovative businesses in the world, and we want to unleash their full potential by giving them back time and money to do what they do best – growing our local economies.

    “Our Small Business plan – the first in over a decade –  is slashing unnecessary admin costs, making it easier for businesses to set up shop and giving SMEs the financial backing they need.

    “This is our Plan for Change in action, putting more money in people’s pockets, boosting local communities and ensuring Britain is a great place to do business and thrive.”

    Small Business Minister Gareth Thomas said:

    “I want the UK to be the best place in the world to start a business, grow and succeed – and that’s why we’ve taken bold steps today. 

    “Too many small firms go under each year because they aren’t paid on time – that is completely unacceptable.

    “I hear all too often about businesses who just don’t have the cash needed to start up or grow. Today, we’ve announced measures as part of our Plan for Change to tackle all of those issues and beyond. This is the government listening to businesses, working with them, and delivering real change.”

    Policy Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Tina McKenzie, said:

    “Making sure businesses are paid on time, that our high streets thrive, and creating conditions in which everyone can start and succeed in business are crucial priorities for small businesses, communities and the economy. It’s very welcome that the Prime Minister has today made them his Government’s priorities.

     “I’m pleased that FSB and the Government have been able to work in lockstep on the bold and ambitious measures needed to tackle the scourge of late payment through legislation, and other pro-growth, pro-small business measures.

    “Today’s plan is an encouraging commitment from the Government to take the side of small businesses in the great growth challenge ahead.”

    Charlie Shaw, owner of Flock and Herd butchers in Peckham said:

    “We’re proud to pay every supplier on time and once we receive an invoice, so it’s fantastic to see the government put the Small Business Plan into place tackling the big issue of late payments.

    “We believe this is a fair and honest way to conduct business. It gives us a clear and current understanding of how our business is performing. Our relationships with our suppliers have been amazing and truly beneficial to all parties.” 

    As part of the plan, the government is also tackling another major barrier for small businesses – access to finance. Despite the UK’s world-leading financial services sector, many small firms struggle to secure the funding they need to invest, expand, or even survive.

    To address this, the Government is launching a new £4 billion wave of financial support aimed at boosting growth and supporting more small businesses to start up and grow. This includes a £1bn boost for new businesses, with 69,000 Start-Up Loans and mentoring support to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and small business owners.

    The Government is also going further by delivering a new £3 billion boost to the British Business Bank – raising the total guarantee to £5 billion – to help lenders offer more small business loans through the ‘ENABLE programme’. Under the scheme, the BBB provides a government-backed guarantee to help lenders feel safer when lending to smaller or newer businesses, enabling them to offer better loan terms including with lower interest.

    These measures aim to break down long-standing barriers that have made it harder for small businesses to access the funding they need to get off the ground by making finance and loans more accessible, affordable, and fair.

    Accelerating SME growth by just 1 percentage point per year, could deliver £320bn to the UK economy by 2030. All of these measures announced today back small businesses to the hilt and build on action already taken by this government to create the conditions for businesses to thrive:

    • Slashing of red tape to boost the hospitality and arts sector through hospitality zones and licensing reforms following the Licensing Taskforce co-chaired with Nick Mackenzie, Greene King CEO
    • High Street Rental Auctions to fill vacant high street premises
    • A revamped Board of Trade to get more small firms exporting around the world
    • The new Business Growth Service to ensure SMEs have access to key support
    • We’ve set out that we intend to introduce permanently lower business rates multipliers for the hard-hit retail, hospitality and leisure sector. 

    Notes to editors

    Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder, Small Business Britain, said:

    “I am thrilled to see the Small Business Plan launched today, putting the nation’s smallest businesses at the heart of Government strategy where it should be. These job creators and economy builders will benefit from a huge boost to funding through the British Business Bank, a boost to skills, support for high streets and a long hoped for legislative backing for getting paid on time. We will not see economic growth without small business growth, so I am eager to get on and help the Government deliver on this agenda – and help small businesses regardless of their background start, grow and thrive.”

    Simon Groom, CEO of MagnifyB, said: 

    “MagnifyB welcomes the UK Government’s action to tackle late payments, which will give small businesses the cash flow stability they need to thrive. Alongside this, there is a clear need to provide micro and small businesses with far more than just a repository of information, including a practical digital toolset to strengthen their operations and improve their chances of long-term success. We hope that the new Small Business Commissioner can be instrumental in bringing together ideas and championing the initiatives needed to make this support a reality.”

    Julianne Ponan MBE, Founder of Creative Nature, a small business that exports top 14 Allergen Free Baking Mixes and Snacks to 16 countries, said:

    “I’m delighted to see the government’s new SME Strategy recognising the critical role small businesses play both at home and globally. From tackling late payments to simplifying access to growth advice and support, these measures are a lifeline for SMEs like mine who often face disproportionate challenges with limited resources. I’m especially encouraged by the commitment to reduce administrative burdens by 25% and improve access to finance both are major barriers to growth for underrepresented founders, including women and ethnic minority entrepreneurs. The focus on revitalising the high street, digital skills, and exporting support shows that the government is listening to the needs of small businesses.”

    • The full plan will be published later this morning on Gov.uk We have launched a public consultation to seek views on our proposed legislative measures to ensure companies pay their suppliers quickly and on time. Please go to GOV.UK for details of the proposed measures.
    • Today’s announcement builds on the foundation of the government putting the public finances on a sustainable path – providing long-term direction, stability, and confidence for small businesses to thrive. This has paid off – interest rates have been cut four times in the last 12 months and in the first three months of 2025, Britain was the fastest growing economy in the G7.
    • The Government has also extended 40% business rates relief for 250,000 firms until April 2026 protected bills from inflation, and ensured over 700,000 properties pay no rates at all. This is creating a fairer business rates system to protect the high street, support investment, and level the playing field as we intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties from next year.
    • This has included 865,000 small businesses being protected from the NICs rise because of the Employment Allowance increase to £10500, whilst 700,000 small business properties do not pay business rates at all because of Small Business Rates Relief. Corporation tax has been capped at 25% – the lowest headline rate of Corporate Tax in the G7 – for the duration of parliament.

    Share this page

    The following links open in a new tab

    • Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)
    • Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Update 306 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

    The IAEA team based at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) carried out independent measurements today to confirm that there had been no increase in radiation levels at the site, contrary to some social media posts overnight, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

    Using IAEA monitoring equipment, the team members measured only normal levels during a site walkdown. Their measurements confirmed other data collected separately at the site, as well as information provided by the plant itself.

    “The team took immediate action after becoming aware of these social media reports, enabling us to provide assurances that radiation levels remained unchanged. Once again, this shows the importance of the IAEA’s presence at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant and Ukraine’s other nuclear power sites. Thanks to this presence, we can provide timely, factual and impartial technical information to the public about nuclear safety and security in Ukraine,” Director General Grossi said.

    The general nuclear safety situation at the ZNPP remains precarious, however, with the plant continuing to rely on one single power line for the electricity it needs to cool its reactors and for other essential nuclear safety and security functions. Before the conflict, it had access to 10 external power lines.

    In addition, the IAEA team reported hearing military activities almost every day over the past week, at different distances from the site, which is located on the frontline.

    Earlier this week, the team members performed a walkdown of a turbine hall of one reactor unit where they were once again denied access to the western part of the hall.

    The IAEA teams present at Ukraine’s operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) — Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs – and the Chornobyl NPP site reported hearing air raid alarms nearly every day over the past week. At Khmelnytskyy, the team had to shelter twice on 28 July.

    Three of Ukraine’s nine operating reactor units continued to be in shutdown for refuelling and maintenance, including work on some of the off-site power lines.

    As part of the IAEA’s comprehensive assistance programme to support nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, the Slavutych City Hospital this week received mobile radiography equipment and the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center and Hydrometeorological organizations of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine received laboratory equipment. These deliveries were funded by Australia, the European Union and Norway.  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Strengthening sustainable tourism at iconic sites

    Source: New Zealand Government

    A $17.5 million investment into strengthening sustainable tourism at some of the country’s most popular natural attractions will support jobs and incomes for regional economies, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.

    “Our beautiful Conservation lands are one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s biggest drawcards, attracting $3.4 billion into our economy from tourism a year. However, the ongoing protection of our landscapes is facing financial and environmental challenges. 

    “$13.6 million over three years will improve visitor planning and management at the beautiful Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, Piopiotahi Milford Sound and Matiu / Somes Island on Wellington’s doorstep.

    “This investment ensures the conservation areas and facilities that attract tourists to our regions continues to deliver on its promise of stunning nature.

    “This includes more dedicated staff at visitor centres during peak times. It means more summer rangers to look after facilities, share information about the outdoors, wildlife and history and ensure people are visiting responsibly. 

    “$3.9 million over two years will go to improving service and management of some of New Zealand’s popular Great Walks and Department of Conservation campsites.

    “As well as offering so much to New Zealanders, public conservation lands and water support around 2,000 tourism concessions. For example, there are currently more than 560 active guiding permits.

    “Conservation areas, tracks and facilities are also vital for local economies right across the country, like Mautohe Cathedral Cove on the Coromandel Peninsula, and Tuatapere in Southland.

    “Tourism is a crucial part of the Government’s focus on economic growth, with domestic and international tourism expenditure at $44.4 billion and supporting more than 300,000 jobs.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Euronet and CoreCard Announce Merger Agreement to Unlock Global Opportunities in Credit Card Issuing and Processing

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEAWOOD, Kan. and NORCROSS, Ga., July 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Euronet (NASDAQ: EEFT), a global leader in payments processing and cross-border transactions, and CoreCard Corporation (NYSE: CCRD), a leading provider of innovative credit technology solutions and processing services to the financial technology and services market, today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement for Euronet to acquire CoreCard in a stock-for-stock merger transaction that values CoreCard at approximately $248 million, or $30 per share of CoreCard common stock. The exchange ratio and other terms of the transaction are described below.

    The proposed transaction marks a pivotal step in accelerating Euronet’s strategic goal of a more diversified, future-ready revenue mix, that is anchored in scalable, modern platforms designed for the next generation of digital financial services across the globe.

    Acquisition to Add a Proven Credit Card Platform and Marquee Clients to Fuel Euronet’s Growth Strategy

    CoreCard’s platform is proven and trusted by some of the most respected names in finance and technology, and has been instrumental in launching one of the most successful co-branded credit card offerings in U.S. history in partnership with Goldman Sachs. This credibility, combined with CoreCard’s deep expertise in credit products, positions Euronet to compete in a sizeable market traditionally dominated by a few legacy providers.

    The CoreCard modern architecture enables faster deployment, easier integrations, and the flexibility to support rapid innovation, which are key advantages in today’s world of payments, where banks and fintechs are looking to embed financial experiences in their customer journeys. This has enabled CoreCard to support diverse, bespoke use cases for fintech innovators such as Cardless, who has recently been chosen as the partner for the Coinbase credit card.

    “More than a product expansion, this acquisition will be a catalyst for long-term growth, and we expect it to be accretive in the first full year post close,” said Michael J. Brown, Euronet’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “By integrating CoreCard’s platform with our own Ren architecture and global distribution network, we will be positioned to become a leading modern card issuer and innovation partner for the next generation of digital finance. This acquisition is a natural extension of our strategy to invest in scalable, high-margin businesses that align with long-term market trends. We also value and respect the work of CoreCard’s employees, who we are eager to welcome to Euronet, and we look forward to their contributions to our company in the future.”

    “Joining Euronet marks an exciting new chapter for CoreCard,” said Leland Strange, CEO of CoreCard. “Our team has built a modern, resilient credit card processing platform that serves some of the largest companies and financial institutions in the world. We’re excited to bring our capabilities to a global stage. We have spent a lot of time and diligence over the last year exploring the right ‘fit’ for what our team has built over many years, and we believe this is a great outcome for the team and our shareholders. We are joining with a company that has also been built on a strong foundation over many years that has kept a strong team and customer-focused culture with a focus on innovation.”

    Time and Approvals

    The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of both Euronet and CoreCard, and is expected to close in late 2025, subject to approval by CoreCard shareholders and the satisfaction of certain other customary closing conditions, including the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.

    Transaction Details

    Under the terms of the merger agreement, each share of CoreCard common stock will be exchanged for a number of shares of Euronet common stock equal to an exchange ratio between 0.2783 and 0.3142, calculated as $30 divided by the volume weighted average share price of Euronet common stock over the 15-trading day period ending on and including the second to last trading day prior to the closing date (the “Final Euronet Stock Price”), subject to a floor of $95.48 per share and a ceiling of $107.80 per share. CoreCard shareholders will receive 0.3142 Euronet shares for each of their CoreCard shares if the Final Euronet Stock Price is at or below $95.48, and 0.2783 Euronet shares for each of their CoreCard shares if the Final Euronet Stock Price is at or above $107.80.

    Advisors

    Stinson LLP is acting as outside counsel to Euronet. Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP is acting as outside counsel to CoreCard. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, a Stifel Company, provided certain financial advice to the board of directors of CoreCard.

    About CoreCard

    CoreCard Corporation (NYSE: CCRD) provides a modern card issuing platform built for the future of global transactions in an embedded digital world. Dedicated to continual technological innovation in the ever-evolving payments industry backed by decades of deep expertise in credit card offerings, CoreCard helps customers conceptualize, implement, and manage all aspects of their issuing card programs. Keenly focused on steady, sustainable growth, CoreCard has earned the trust of some of the largest companies and financial institutions in the world, providing truly real-time transactions via their proven, reliable platform operating on private on-premise and leading cloud technology infrastructure.

    About Euronet

    A global leader in payments processing and cross-border transactions, Euronet moves money in all the ways consumers and businesses depend upon. This includes money transfers, credit/debit processing, ATMs, point-of-sale services, branded payments, currency exchange and more. With products and services in more than 200 countries and territories provided through its own brand and branded business segments, Euronet and its financial technologies and networks make participation in the global economy easier, faster and more secure for everyone. Visit the company’s website at www.euronetworldwide.com. 

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This communication contains “forward-looking statements” within the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements and other forward-looking statements in this document by words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “can,” “could,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “predict,” “project,” “future,” “potential,” “intend,” “plan,” “assume,” “believe,” “forecast,” “look,” “build,” “focus,” “create,” “work,” “continue,” “target,” “poised,” “advance,” “drive,” “aim,” “forecast,” “approach,” “seek,” “schedule,” “position,” “pursue,” “progress,” “budget,” “outlook,” “trend,” “guidance,” “commit,” “on track,” “objective,” “goal,” “strategy,” “opportunity,” “ambitions,” “aspire” and similar expressions, and variations or negative of such terms or other variations thereof. Words and terms of similar substance used in connection with any discussion of future plans, actions, or events identify forward-looking statements.

    Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, such statements regarding the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement’), dated as of July 30, 2025, by and among CoreCard, Euronet and Genesis Merger Sub Inc. (the “Transaction”), including the expected timing of the closing of the Transaction; future financial and operating results; benefits and synergies of the Transaction; future opportunities for the combined company; the conversion of equity interests contemplated by the Merger Agreement; the issuance of common stock of Euronet contemplated by the Merger Agreement; the expected filing by Euronet with the SEC of the Registration Statement and the proxy statement/prospectus; the ability of the parties to complete the proposed Transaction considering the various closing conditions and any other statements about future expectations that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All such forward-looking statements are based upon current plans, estimates, expectations and ambitions that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond the control of Euronet and CoreCard, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the Transaction, including the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required governmental and regulatory approvals of the Transaction; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the definitive agreement; the possibility that CoreCard’s shareholders may not approve the Transaction; the risk that the parties may not be able to satisfy the conditions to the Transaction in a timely manner or at all; risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the Transaction; the risk that any announcements relating to the Transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of Euronet’s common stock; the risk that the Transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the parties’ business relationships and business generally, including the ability of CoreCard or Euronet to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with their suppliers and customers, and on their operating results and businesses generally; the risk of unforeseen or unknown liabilities; customer, shareholder, regulatory and other stakeholder approvals and support; the risk of potential litigation relating to the Transaction that could be instituted against CoreCard or its directors and/or officers; the risk associated with third party contracts containing material consent, anti-assignment, transfer or other provisions that may be related to the Transaction which are not waived or otherwise satisfactorily resolved; the risk of rating agency actions and Euronet’s ability to access short- and long-term debt markets on a timely and affordable basis; the risk of various events that could disrupt operations, including: conditions in world financial markets and general economic conditions; inflation; the war in Ukraine and the related economic sanctions; and military conflicts in the Middle East.

    These risks, as well as other risks related to the proposed Transaction, will be described in the Registration Statement that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed Transaction. While the list of factors presented here and the list of factors to be presented in the Registration Statement are considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Additional factors that may affect future results are contained in each company’s filings with the SEC, including each company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as it may be updated from time to time by quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, all of which are available at the SEC’s website http://www.sec.gov. Euronet regularly posts important information to the investor relations section of its website. Any forward-looking statements made in this release speak only as of the date of this release. Except as may be required by law, neither Euronet nor CoreCard intends to update these forward-looking statements and undertakes no duty to any person to provide any such update under any circumstances.

    Important Information for Investors and Stockholders

    In connection with the proposed transaction, Euronet plans to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”), which will include a proxy statement of CoreCard that also constitutes a prospectus of Euronet, and any other documents in connection with the transaction. After the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to the holders of common stock of CoreCard. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF CORECARD AND EURONET ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTION WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT EURONET, CORECARD, THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. The registration statement and proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed by Euronet or CoreCard with the SEC, when filed, will be available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, investors and stockholders may obtain free copies of documents that are filed or will be filed with the SEC by Euronet, including the registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus, on Euronet’s website at https://ir.euronetworldwide.com/for-investors, and may obtain free copies of documents that are filed or will be filed with the SEC by CoreCard, including the proxy statement/prospectus, on CoreCard’s website at https://investors.CoreCard.com/. The information included on, or accessible through, Euronet’s or CoreCard’s website is not incorporated by reference into this press release.

    No Offer or Solicitation

    This press release is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to appropriate registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

    Participants in the Solicitation

    Euronet and CoreCard and their respective directors, executive officers and other employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from CoreCard’s shareholders in connection with the proposed Transaction. A description of participants’ direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the proposed Transaction when it is filed with the SEC. Information regarding Euronet’s directors and executive officers is contained in the definitive proxy statement, dated April 4, 2025, for its 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, and in Euronet’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. Information regarding CoreCard’s directors and executive officers is contained in CoreCard’s definitive proxy statement, dated April 14, 2025, for its 2025 annual meeting of shareholders, and CoreCard’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. Additional information regarding ownership of Euronet’s securities by its directors and executive officers, and of ownership of CoreCard’s securities by its directors and executive officers, is included in each such person’s SEC filings on Forms 3 and 4. These documents and the other SEC filings described in this paragraph may be obtained free of charge as described above under the heading “Important Information for Investors and Stockholders.”

    The MIL Network –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Update 306 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

    The IAEA team based at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) carried out independent measurements today to confirm that there had been no increase in radiation levels at the site, contrary to some social media posts overnight, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

    Using IAEA monitoring equipment, the team members measured only normal levels during a site walkdown. Their measurements confirmed other data collected separately at the site, as well as information provided by the plant itself.

    “The team took immediate action after becoming aware of these social media reports, enabling us to provide assurances that radiation levels remained unchanged. Once again, this shows the importance of the IAEA’s presence at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant and Ukraine’s other nuclear power sites. Thanks to this presence, we can provide timely, factual and impartial technical information to the public about nuclear safety and security in Ukraine,” Director General Grossi said.

    The general nuclear safety situation at the ZNPP remains precarious, however, with the plant continuing to rely on one single power line for the electricity it needs to cool its reactors and for other essential nuclear safety and security functions. Before the conflict, it had access to 10 external power lines.

    In addition, the IAEA team reported hearing military activities almost every day over the past week, at different distances from the site, which is located on the frontline.

    Earlier this week, the team members performed a walkdown of a turbine hall of one reactor unit where they were once again denied access to the western part of the hall.

    The IAEA teams present at Ukraine’s operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) — Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs – and the Chornobyl NPP site reported hearing air raid alarms nearly every day over the past week. At Khmelnytskyy, the team had to shelter twice on 28 July.

    Three of Ukraine’s nine operating reactor units continued to be in shutdown for refuelling and maintenance, including work on some of the off-site power lines.

    As part of the IAEA’s comprehensive assistance programme to support nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, the Slavutych City Hospital this week received mobile radiography equipment and the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center and Hydrometeorological organizations of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine received laboratory equipment. These deliveries were funded by Australia, the European Union and Norway.  

    MIL OSI NGO –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Update 306 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    The IAEA team based at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) carried out independent measurements today to confirm that there had been no increase in radiation levels at the site, contrary to some social media posts overnight, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

    Using IAEA monitoring equipment, the team members measured only normal levels during a site walkdown. Their measurements confirmed other data collected separately at the site, as well as information provided by the plant itself.

    “The team took immediate action after becoming aware of these social media reports, enabling us to provide assurances that radiation levels remained unchanged. Once again, this shows the importance of the IAEA’s presence at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant and Ukraine’s other nuclear power sites. Thanks to this presence, we can provide timely, factual and impartial technical information to the public about nuclear safety and security in Ukraine,” Director General Grossi said.

    The general nuclear safety situation at the ZNPP remains precarious, however, with the plant continuing to rely on one single power line for the electricity it needs to cool its reactors and for other essential nuclear safety and security functions. Before the conflict, it had access to 10 external power lines.

    In addition, the IAEA team reported hearing military activities almost every day over the past week, at different distances from the site, which is located on the frontline.

    Earlier this week, the team members performed a walkdown of a turbine hall of one reactor unit where they were once again denied access to the western part of the hall.

    The IAEA teams present at Ukraine’s operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) — Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs – and the Chornobyl NPP site reported hearing air raid alarms nearly every day over the past week. At Khmelnytskyy, the team had to shelter twice on 28 July.

    Three of Ukraine’s nine operating reactor units continued to be in shutdown for refuelling and maintenance, including work on some of the off-site power lines.

    As part of the IAEA’s comprehensive assistance programme to support nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, the Slavutych City Hospital this week received mobile radiography equipment and the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center and Hydrometeorological organizations of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine received laboratory equipment. These deliveries were funded by Australia, the European Union and Norway.  

    MIL Security OSI –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen Delivers Remarks Outlining Devastating Impacts If Affordable Care Act Premium Tax Credits Expire: “The Clock is Ticking.”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

     

    **Click HERE to watch Shaheen’s remarks at a Senate press conference on the need to make permanent the premium tax credits that millions of Americans rely on for affordable health care coverage**

    (Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), lead of the bicameral Health Care Affordability Act to permanently extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, delivered remarks alongside her Senate colleagues about the consequences of allowing the vital tax credits to expire at the end of this year. In her remarks, Shaheen argued that refusing to extend the credits will raise prices and take away health care from families who need the help at a time when many are already struggling with high costs. Click HERE to watch the Senator’s full remarks.

    Remarks as delivered:

    I want to speak just to the enhanced premium tax credits that are going to expire at the end of this year. Because what did not happen when our Republican majority passed the reconciliation bill is, they did not extend those premium tax credits.

    And refusing to extend these highly-effective tax credits means that health care coverage is being actively taken away from families who really need the help. It means raising costs for millions of Americans at a moment when they’re already struggling with increased costs.

    And that pain, as Senator Wyden said, is being felt almost immediately. Because insurance companies are looking at having to submit their rates, and they are increasing their rates.

    Premiums will increase for 20 million Americans. A typical family of four would see a ten-thousand-dollar increase when those premium tax credits go away, and a typical 60-year-old couple would see a seventeen-thousand-dollar increase.

    So, think about that. Parents, grandparents are going to see a seventeen-thousand-dollar increase.

    And because of those costs, Americans are gonna lose their health care coverage. The non-partisan data shows us that four million Americans will lose their health care, more than a million of them suffer from a chronic illness. So if they don’t have health insurance, who’s gonna pay for that coverage to make sure they get their treatment? Well, everybody’s gonna pay for it.

    And that’s on top of the unprecedented health care cuts to Medicaid that were passed in that bill.

    I heard from one of my constituents, Jen in North Conway, New Hampshire. North Conway is a small community in the eastern part of New Hampshire. Her story, I think, shows just how important these tax credits are.

    Because Jen was diagnosed with leukemia. She started getting chemotherapy to treat it. And she was able to, because of the Family and Medical Leave Act, she was able to take time off from her job for three months. But then, because FMLA ended, she lost her job. And when she lost her job, she lost her health coverage.

    Her husband had to act as her caregiver, but then he had to get back to work. And his employer did not provide health insurance.

    But the way Jen was able to continue her chemotherapy was because she and her husband were able to afford health insurance under the Affordable Care Act because of those premium tax credits.

    They lowered Jen’s premiums by seven hundred dollars per month and they allowed her to continue her chemo treatments.

    Look, when the reconciliation bill was debated and we saw the tax breaks for the wealthiest and the big corporations, a lot of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle didn’t think seven hundred dollars a month was very much money.

    But I can tell you, for Jen and her husband, seven hundred dollars savings each month – eight thousand dollars a year – is the difference between being able to continue to have the health care they need, to continue putting food on the table, continue to pay their rent and losing all of that.

    But most important, the tax credits were there when she needed them – when she got sick and could no longer work.

    The clock is ticking.

    We first introduced the legislation on this issue back in 2019.

    We’ve succeeded in securing temporary extensions that have helped fuel record enrollment in the Affordable Care Act.

    But we’re approaching another deadline and we need to take action now to permanently extend those tax credits and to end the back-and-forth every year so people know they can count on them.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Hampshire Congressional Delegation Marks 60th Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), alongside U.S. Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), released the following statement marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid:

    “On this momentous 60th year of Medicare and Medicaid, we should be recognizing the success of these two programs in helping Granite Staters access and afford life-saving health care. Instead, families, older adults, people living with disabilities and health care providers across New Hampshire are bracing for disaster as the largest cuts to health care in American history take effect.

    “Under Congressional Republicans’ and President Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Betrayal’ tens of thousands of Granite Staters are going to have their health care ripped away, thousands more are going to face higher costs and too many rural hospitals and nursing homes are going to be forced to close their doors. All to help fund deficit-exploding tax giveaways for the wealthiest Americans.

    “We need to do everything possible to defend against these attacks on the health and economic security of our constituents. And instead of raising costs for families, Congressional Republicans should be working to lower costs for families. That includes fighting to preserve Medicare and Medicaid to ensure that 60 years from now, these programs are still helping Granite Staters access necessary and often life-saving care.”

    Under the “Big Beautiful Betrayal” that was recently signed into law by President Trump, health care costs are expected to skyrocket while more than 15 million Americans are expected to lose health care coverage—including approximately 46,000 Granite Staters—due to cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins Introduces Circuit Court Nominee Joshua Dunlap of Scarborough at Judiciary Committee Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins

    Click HERE for a full-resolution image

    Click HERE to watch and HERE to download video of Senator Collins introducing Mr. Dunlap

    Washington, D.C. – Today, at a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Susan Collins introduced Joshua Dunlap of Scarborough, Maine, who has been nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

    Mr. Dunlap grew up in Vassalboro, Maine, and is currently a partner in the litigation group of Pierce Atwood LLP, in Portland, where he co-chairs the firm’s Appellate & Amici division. He has practiced at Pierce Atwood for over fifteen years, handling substantial civil litigation matters in both appellate and trial courts. He also chairs the Maine Appellate Rules Committee, to which he was appointed by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. Prior to his work at Pierce Atwood, Mr. Dunlap clerked for the Honorable Paul J. Kelly, Jr., of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Mr. Dunlap graduated first in his class from Notre Dame Law School. He came to Washington for his hearing with several members of his family, including his parents, wife, and children.

    Senator Collins:

    “Chairman Grassley, Ranking Member Durbin, members of this committee, I’m pleased to appear before this distinguished committee today to wholeheartedly support Joshua Dunlap’s nomination to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. 

    “Josh grew up in Vassalboro, Maine and now lives in Scarborough with his wife, Sydney, and their three children. If you look in back of me, you will see his three children, his wife, his parents, and numerous other members of his family. In fact, 20 of them, who are so proud of his nomination that they’ve made the trip to Washington. Josh graduated first in his class from Notre Dame Law School, where he received the law school’s highest honor, awarded to the student with the most distinguished academic record. He then clerked for Judge Paul Kelly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. 

    “In 2009, Josh joined the very well-respected law firm Pierce Atwood in Portland, Maine. During his 16 years at the firm, he has specialized in complex civil litigation matters and currently serves as co-chair of the firm’s Appellate & Amicus division. Josh is admitted to practice in multiple U.S. Courts of Appeal and before the U.S. Supreme Court. He has also assisted special masters in three original jurisdiction proceedings before the U.S. Supreme Court. Finally, Josh also chairs the Maine Appellate Rules Committee to which he was appointed by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. This impressive experience, coupled with his extraordinary intelligence and integrity, makes Josh exceptionally well-qualified for a seat on the First Circuit. His substantial appellate litigation experience will bring a practitioner’s perspective to the court. 

    “The committee has already received many compelling letters of support for this nominee, and I would like to highlight a couple of them. A diverse group of faculty and alumni of Notre Dame Law School who taught Josh or studied alongside him have praised his, “respect for differing views” and “deep appreciation for the rule of law.” A letter signed by 19 leading Maine attorneys, who described themselves as having a broad spectrum of political views and legal philosophies, wrote that Josh has all the qualities the finest judge’s exhibit; he is hardworking, courteous and judicial in temperament, very smart, and of sterling character with a commitment to fairness and the rule of law. 

    “Mr. Chairman, before I conclude, I would like to thank Judge William Kayatta, whom Josh has been nominated to replace, for his outstanding service to the First Circuit. I joined in recommending him to President Obama, and had the honor of introducing Judge Kayatta to this committee. Now, it is my honor to recommend Josh, who actually worked with Judge Kayatta early in his tenure at Pierce Atwood, to this committee. I am confident that, if confirmed, Josh will serve Maine and the nation extraordinarily well in this critical role. 

    “For these reasons, I urge the committee to support his nomination, and I appreciate this opportunity to introduce him to the committee.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin, Capito, Hassan Lead Bipartisan Bill to Deliver First Responders with Training and Tools to Prevent Overdose Deaths

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced the Safe Response Act, bipartisan legislation to reauthorize a grant program that allows states, local government entities, and Tribes to train and provide resources to first responders to respond to drug overdoses.

    “The opioid crisis has left thousands of families across Wisconsin with an empty seat at the dinner table. As we start to turn the tide on this epidemic, we need to double down on what is working and ensure communities have the tools they need to reverse overdoses and poisonings,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m proud to back this bipartisan bill to ensure first responders have the training they need to use lifesaving tools like Narcan and protect Wisconsin families from the heartbreak of losing a loved one too soon.”

    “West Virginians know all too well the devastation and heartbreak drug overdoses cause in our communities. That’s why it is essential Congress provides the resources and training our first responders need to administer life-saving overdose reversal drugs and keep themselves safe in the process. I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing this legislation that will equip our first responders with the necessary tools to save more lives,” said Senator Capito.

    “Fire fighters, paramedics, police officers, and other first responders are on the frontlines fighting the opioid epidemic and we must keep working to ensure that they have the resources and support that they need,” said Senator Hassan. “This bipartisan legislation will help to ensure that more first responders in New Hampshire and across the country have access to training on how to use overdose reversal drugs like naloxone to save more lives.”

    According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there were 80,391 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2024. Of those, over 50,000 overdose deaths were due to opioids, including fentanyl. This marked a sharp decline from the previous year — a decrease of 26.9% from the 110,037 deaths estimated in 2023 – in part due to the availability of opioid reversal drugs like naloxone.

    The 2018 SUPPORT Act included a grant program to provide funding for states, local government entities, Indian Tribes, and tribal organizations to train and provide resources to first responders to respond to an overdose. The Safe Response Act would reauthorize this grant program, included as part of the bipartisan SUPPORT Act, providing $57 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for grants to first responders and those in key community sectors to respond to overdoses. Grants may be used to:

    • Ensure that first responders and other members of key community sectors have the knowledge and training to utilize overdose reversal devices or administer overdose reversal medications, such as naloxone;
    • Provide technical assistance and training about how first responders and other members of key community sectors, such as first SUD treatment providers and emergency medical service agencies, can better protect themselves in the event of exposure to such drugs;
    • Establish processes, protocols, and mechanisms for referral to appropriate treatment, which may include an outreach coordinator or team to connect individuals receiving opioid overdose reversal drugs to follow-up services; and
    • Educate first responders and members of key community sectors about the need to follow standard safe operating procedures in instances of exposure to fentanyl, carfentanil, and other dangerous and illicit drugs.

    Senator Baldwin’s Safe Response Act has garnered strong support from local, state, and national public safety leaders and organizations, including the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association, Racine Police Chief Alexander Ramirez, Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski, Kenosha Fire Chief Daniel Tilton, Green Bay Metro Fire Chief Matthew Knott, Rock County Sheriff Curt Fell, Kenosha City Administrator and former Kenosha Chief of Police John Morrissey, Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly, Waukesha Fire Chief Robert Goplin, Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse (MAPDA), Big Cities Health Coalition, National Association of Police Organizations, National Council of Urban Indian Health, and Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO).

    “As Chief of the Milwaukee Fire Department, I know firsthand the importance of supporting our first responders with critical training and resources to prevent overdose deaths. We recognize the importance of the Safe Response Act as substance misuse and overdose continue to significantly impact our local communities,” said Aaron Lipski, Chief of the Milwaukee Fire Department and Chair of RISE – Drug-Free MKE. “Thank you, Senator Baldwin, for your dedication to the ongoing efforts of helping those in the community with substance use issues to receive the best possible immediate and follow-up care through training and valuable resources to present a positive outcome for all involved.”

    “The reauthorization of the Safe Response Act is a smart and necessary allocation of funds. As someone who spent decades in law enforcement and now serves in city leadership, I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is for our first responders to have the right tools, training, and resources,” said John W. Morrissey, Kenosha City Administrator and former Kenosha Police Chief. “The increased funding—from $36 to $57 million annually—will make a real difference for communities like Kenosha. I fully support this legislation and urge Congress to move it forward.”

    “The opioid epidemic is not an abstract concept for local communities in Wisconsin. We are on the frontlines and need the resources to respond to this public health crisis. Senator Baldwin’s leadership on the Safe Response Act is deeply appreciated. This is an important tool to support first responders and our residents,” said Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway.

    “As Fire Chief of the Green Bay Metro Fire Department, I’m proud to support Senator Baldwin’s Safe Response Act. Every day, our firefighters and paramedics witness the impact that the opioid and fentanyl crisis has on our community. This legislation will give first responders the training and resources they need to save lives and stay safe while doing it,” said Matthew Knott, Chief of the Green Bay Metro Fire Department.

    A one-pager on this legislation is available here. Full text of this legislation is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Applications open for 2026 On Farm Support Science Scholarships | NZ Government

    Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

    A scholarship programme run by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has started producing the next generation of on-farm advisers to support farmers and growers.

    Ffion White was one of the inaugural recipients of the On Farm Support science scholarship and is now an intern with Ballance Agri-Nutrients in the Manawatū-Whanganui region.

    “I’m getting to work on-farm alongside Ballance’s nutrient specialists. My role is about helping farmers improve their soil, grow better quality pasture and crops, and become more productive and profitable,” Ms White says.

    “The scholarship was hugely beneficial. I had a mentor from MPI’s On Farm Support team who invited me to industry field days and events. It helped me meet people in the sector which came in handy when I started looking for a job.”

    Ms White, who completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Massey University, is one of 4 scholarship recipients who have secured primary industry advisory roles. Another is Nerissa Edwards, who now works as a farm consultant with Feilding-based KS Agri.

    “Every day is different. I find it hugely rewarding working with farmers to create individual plans to drive improvements in on-farm efficiency, profitability, and sustainability,” Ms Edwards says.

    “The scholarship enabled me to build connections within the advisory sector. That led to a 6-month internship with KS Agri and eventually a role as a consultant.”

    MPI launched the On Farm Support science scholarships in 2023. MPI’s director of On Farm Support, Vanessa Winning, says applications are now open for next year’s scholarships.

    “Six scholarships, worth a total of $30,000, are on offer for the 2026 academic year to tertiary students enrolled in relevant agriculture, horticulture, science, or viticulture degrees,” Ms Winning says.

    “We’re seeking applications from students who have a genuine interest in pursuing a career in either the agriculture, horticulture, or viticulture advisory sector. Applicants must have completed their first year of study.”

    Ms Winning says there’s strong demand for on-farm advice backed by science and analysis that can support producers to adapt and improve business performance.

    “MPI is backing initiatives that support farmers and growers to sustainably boost productivity and profitability, helping to achieve the Government’s goal of doubling the value of exports by 2034,” Ms Winning says.

    Applications for the scholarships close on 15 September 2025.

    Find out more about the scholarships and eligibility criteria

    For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

    For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Gran Tierra Energy Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2025 Results & Another Quarter of Record Production

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Achieved Record Total Company Average Quarterly Production of 47,196 boepd
    • Funds Flow From Operations(1)of $54 million, Adjusted EBITDA(1)of $77 million and Return to Free Cash Flow
    • Signed Mandate Letter for Funding of Up to $200 Million
    • Entered into Binding Agreement to Exit the UK North Sea
    • Achieved Company Record Total of 32 Million Hours Without a Lost Time Injury
    • Recorded Operating Costs per boe of $13.42 for the Quarter – the Lowest Since The First Quarter of 2022

    CALGARY, Alberta, July 30, 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 June 30, 2025 (the “Quarter”) and provided an operational update. All dollar amounts are in United States (“U.S.”) dollars and all 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 July 30, 2025.

    Message to Shareholders

    Gary Guidry, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gran Tierra, commented: “Gran Tierra delivered record-setting production this quarter, reflecting the strength of our diversified portfolio and consistent operational execution across Colombia, Ecuador, and Canada.

    In Ecuador, we are building on the momentum of our Iguana Block discoveries with the planned drilling of two high-impact exploration wells in the Charapa Block later this year. In Colombia, the successful development drilling at Costayaco and Cohembi, along with the strong early waterflood response in Cohembi’s north area, underscores the ongoing potential of our core assets and validates our disciplined approach to reservoir management. In Acordionero, our proactive waterflood management, surface facility upgrades, pump upsizes and ongoing improvement in electrical submersible pump run lives continue to mitigate base decline.

    In Canada, our Montney and Clearwater assets are delivering encouraging results, with three gross-wells (1.2 net) brought on stream in the Quarter, outperforming expectations. These outcomes further reinforce our strategy of disciplined capital allocation and balanced growth as we focus on generating long-term value for our stakeholders.

    We continue to optimize our portfolio with the signed disposition of the UK North Sea assets, which is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025.”

    Operational Update:

    • Safety: Since 2022, Gran Tierra has achieved a record of 32 million person-hours equating to more than 3 years without a lost time injury.
    • Ecuador
      • Building on the successful discoveries in the Iguana Block during the first quarter of 2025, civil works are currently underway to support the drilling of the final two wells under Gran Tierra’s exploration commitments in the country. These wells are planned for the Charapa Block in the Conejo prospect, with drilling expected to commence toward the end of the third quarter of 2025.
    • Colombia
      • Gran Tierra successfully drilled the first of three development wells planned for 2025 in the northern area of the Costayaco field. The Costayaco-63 well was perforated in four productive sands, stimulated, and placed on immediate production. The well is currently producing ~800 bbls of oil per day (“bopd”) with a 48% watercut compared to an average field watercut of 92%. In July, the second well—Costayaco-64—was drilled, stimulated and completed. The well is currently producing ~1,300 bopd with a 13% watercut. The final well, Costayaco-65, was spud on July 20, 2025 and is scheduled to be brought on production in August 2025.
      • During the Quarter the remaining two wells of the 2025 five well Cohembi program were brought onto production. The average drilling cost of the five wells was ~$3.0 million per well, representing a 47% reduction from the prior operator’s average last five wells drilled in 2017/18. As part of the program and to support pressure, water injection began on May 30, 2025. A strong waterflood response and increase of greater than 2,600 bopd gross across the northern part of the field has been observed and continues to improve.
      • The Cristobal well in LLA-85 was drilled below budget to total depth (“TD”) and abandoned, fulfilling all the commitments on the block.
      • In Acordionero, production in the Quarter averaged ~14,200 bopd compared to ~13,800 bopd in the first quarter of 2025 (the “Prior Quarter”). Increases in base production were achieved by increasing total fluid production through planned electrical submersible pump upsizes, additional surface injection capacity allowing for continued growth of total fluid production and water injection. Record highs were achieved in both total fluid production (~89,400 bbls/day) and water injection (~85,000 bbls/day) during the Quarter.
    • Canada
      • In the Simonette, the first two (1.0 net) Lower Montney wells were completed successfully and brought on stream on April 5, 2025. Results from both wells are currently out-performing management’s current type curves. The third Montney well was spud on June 29, 2025 and reached TD on July 18, 2025. The fourth Montney well was spud on July 22, 2025 and is expected to reach total depth in the first half of August.

    Enhanced Liquidity:

    • Gran Tierra is pleased to announce it has signed a mandate letter with a syndicate of banks for a $200 million prepayment facility backed by crude oil deliveries. The Company is progressing toward full documentation, with closing expected in the third quarter of 2025 and funding anticipated shortly thereafter. The facility is structured to enhance financial flexibility, support long-term capital planning, and optimize the Company’s debt maturity profile. Further details of the prepayment will be announced in due course once final terms are agreed upon.
    • Separately, Gran Tierra recently completed the semi-annual redetermination of its Canadian credit facility, with lenders confirming an unchanged borrowing base of C$100 million. This outcome reflects the continued strength and stability of the Company’s Canadian asset base. The facility provides C$50 million in available commitments, comprised of a C$35 million syndicated facility and a C$15 million operating facility with a maturity date of October 31, 2026. The next redetermination is scheduled on or before November 30, 2025.
    • Gran Tierra also employs a disciplined, risk-managed hedging strategy designed to protect cash flow, support capital planning, and enhance financial stability across commodity cycles. The Company utilizes a diversified mix of oil and gas hedges that provide downside protection while preserving upside exposure. This proactive approach contributed to a $14 million derivative hedging gain booked during the Quarter. The Company also maintains a rolling 12-month hedging program to further mitigate volatility:
      • South American Oil Hedges (Brent): For the second half of 2025, Gran Tierra has hedged approximately 50% of its South American oil production with a weighted average floor of $63.16 per barrel and a ceiling of $76.50 per barrel. For the first half of 2026 the Company has hedged approximately 33% of its South American oil production with a weighted average floor of $61.67 per barrel and a ceiling of $75.58.
      • Canadian Oil Hedges (West Texas Intermediate): For the second half of 2025, Gran Tierra has hedged approximately 60% of its Canadian oil production with a weighted average floor of $61.67 per barrel and a ceiling of $72.37 per barrel. For the first half of 2026 the Company has hedged approximately 50% of its Canadian oil production with a weighted average floor of $56.82 per barrel and a ceiling of $72.01.
      • Canadian Gas Hedges (AECO): For the second half of 2025, Gran Tierra has hedged approximately 40% of its Canadian gas production with a weighted average floor of $2.82 per GJ and a ceiling of $2.96 per GJ.
      • FX Hedges (COP to USD): Starting in April 2025, Gran Tierra entered into a 12-month, $10 million per month hedging program for the COP to USD exchange rate. The hedges have a floor of 4,430 and a ceiling of 4,705.

    Key Highlights of the Quarter:

    • Production: Gran Tierra’s total average WI production was 47,196 boepd, which was 44% higher than the second quarter of 2024 due to the production from the Canadian operations acquired on October 31, 2024 and positive exploration well drilling results in Ecuador. Total average WI production was 1% higher than the Prior Quarter as a result of successful drilling in Simonette, Cohembi infill drilling and waterflood management, strong Acordionero performance and continued exploration success in Ecuador from the Iguana wells. Working interest sales in the Quarter decreased to 45,727 boepd primarily due to the deferral of 143,730 barrels of Ecuador oil production, which were held in inventory at the end of June and subsequently sold in July.
    • Net Income (Loss): Gran Tierra incurred a net loss of $13 million, compared to a net loss of $19 million in the Prior Quarter and net income of $36 million in the second quarter of 2024.
    • Adjusted EBITDA(1): Adjusted EBITDA(1) was $77 million compared to $85 million in the Prior Quarter and $103 million in the second quarter of 2024. Twelve-month trailing net debt(1) to adjusted EBITDA(1) was 2.3 times (only accounts for eight months of Canadian operations adjusted EBITDA) and the Company continues to have a long-term target ratio of 1.0 times.
    • Funds Flow from Operations(1): Funds flow from operations(1) was $54 million ($1.53 per share), up 17% from the second quarter of 2024 and down 3% from the Prior Quarter. Brent price decreased by 11% per bbl compared to the Prior Quarter and our cash netback(1) decreased by 1% illustrating the resiliency of the portfolio.
    • Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities: Net cash provided by operating activities was $35 million ($0.98 per share), down 53% from the Prior Quarter and down 53% from the second quarter of 2024.
    • Cash and Debt: As of June 30, 2025, the Company had a cash balance of $61 million, total debt of $807 million and net debt(1) of $746 million. During the Quarter, the Company drew a total of $45 million on its credit facilities to fund capital expenditures. There were significant capital expenditures in the first quarter, amounting to approximately 40% of budgeted capital expenditures for the year, which were paid in the Quarter resulting in the Company drawing on its credit facilities. We currently forecast the facilities to have a zero balance by the end of the year. In addition to the $61 million cash on hand as of June 30, 2025, the Company currently has approximately $112 million in credit and lending facilities with $47 million drawn as of June 30, 2025.
    • Share Buybacks: Gran Tierra repurchased 239,754 shares of common stock during the Quarter. From January 1, 2023, to July 28, 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 were $51 million during the Quarter which were lower than the $95 million in the Prior Quarter and lower than $61 million in the second quarter of 2024. During the Quarter the majority of capital expenditures were incurred in Colombia on Cohembi drilling and infrastructure.
    • Oil, Natural Gas and Natural Gas Liquids (“NGL”) Sales: Gran Tierra generated sales of $152 million, down 8% from the second quarter of 2024 primarily as a result of a 22% decrease in Brent pricing, partially offset by 43% higher sales volumes due to higher production and lower Castilla, Oriente, and Vasconia oil differentials. Oil sales decreased 11% from the Prior Quarter primarily due to an 11% decrease in Brent price, partially offset by 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 $10.30, compared to $11.58 in the Prior Quarter and $12.79 in the second quarter of 2024. The Castilla oil differential per bbl tightened to $4.73, down from $5.34 in the Prior Quarter and $8.21 in the second quarter of 2024 (Castilla is the benchmark for the Company’s Middle Magdalena Valley Basin oil production). The Vasconia differential per bbl tightened to $1.71, down from $2.27 in the Prior Quarter, and $4.00 in the second quarter of 2024. The Ecuadorian benchmark, Oriente, per bbl was $7.26, down from $7.65 in the Prior Quarter and $8.38 in the second quarter of 2024. The current(2) differentials are approximately $4.38 per bbl for Castilla, $1.38 per bbl for Vasconia, and $7.64 per bbl for Oriente.
    • Operating Expenses: On a per boe basis, operating expenses decreased by 17% when compared to the second quarter of 2024 and 16% when compared to the Prior Quarter, primarily due to lower workover activities and lower lifting costs associated with inventory build-up in Ecuador, power generation, and equipment rentals. This was the lowest operating expense per boe achieved since the first quarter of 2022. Total operating expenses decreased by 17% to $56 million, compared to the Prior Quarter, largely driven by lower workover activities and reduced lifting costs related to power generation, equipment rental, and inventory fluctuation in Ecuador. Compared to the second quarter of 2024, total operating expenses increased by 19% from $47 million, primarily due to the addition of Canadian operations and the ramp-up of activity in Ecuador. The increase in total operating costs is commensurate with the 44% increase in production.
    • Transportation Expenses: The Company’s transportation expenses increased by 10% to $8 million, compared to the Prior Quarter’s transportation expenses of $7 million as a result of incremental sales volumes transported by Canadian operations resulting in higher tolls. When compared to the second quarter of 2024 transportation expenses increased from $6 million due to new Canadian operations, higher sales volumes transported in Ecuador, partially offset by lower sales volumes transported in Colombia.
    • Operating Netback(1)(3): The Company’s operating netback(1)(3) was $21.39 per boe, down 6% from the Prior Quarter and down 45% from the second quarter of 2024, primarily as a result of a decrease in oil pricing. The decrease from the second quarter of 2024 is a result in the change in the Company’s production mix with the addition of the Canadian assets.
    • General and Administrative (“G&A”) Expenses: G&A expenses before stock-based compensation were $3.48 per boe, up from $2.86 per boe in the Prior Quarter, due to the timing of certain annual corporate expenses. G&A expenses before stock-based compensation were down from $3.77 per boe, compared to the second quarter of 2024 as a result of higher sales volumes from the inclusion of Canadian operations in the Quarter.
    • Cash Netback(1): Cash netback(1) per boe decreased to $12.95, compared to $13.04 in the Prior Quarter, primarily as a result of lower operating netback(1) and were offset by lower current income tax expense and positive cash settlement on derivative instruments. Compared to one year ago, cash netback(1) per boe decreased by $2.90 from $15.85 per boe as a result of lower operating netback(1) while being offset by lower current tax expense.

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

    Consolidated Financial Data Three Months Ended June 30,   Three Months Ended March 31,   Six Months Ended June 30,
      2025 2024   2025   2025 2024
                   
    Net (Loss) Income $(12,741) $36,371   $(19,280)   $(32,021) $36,293
    Per Share – Basic and Diluted $(0.36) $1.16   $(0.54)   $(0.90) $1.15
                   
    Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Sales $152,481 $165,609   $170,533   $323,014 $323,186
    Operating Expenses (55,855) (47,035)   (67,354)   (123,209) (95,501)
    Transportation Expenses (7,618) (5,690)   (6,911)   (14,529) (10,274)
    Operating Netback (1)(3) $89,008 $112,884   $96,268   $185,276 $217,411
                   
    G&A Expenses Before Stock-Based Compensation $14,460 $10,967   $12,143   $26,603 $21,749
    G&A Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Recovery) 546 6,160   (517)   29 9,521
    G&A Expenses, Including Stock Based Compensation $15,006 $17,127   $11,626   $26,632 $31,270
                   
    Adjusted EBITDA (1) $76,987 $103,004   $85,162   $162,149 $197,796
                   
    EBITDA (1) $84,908 $101,187   $79,710   $164,618 $193,078
                   
    Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities $34,677 $73,233   $73,230   $107,907 $134,060
                   
    Funds Flow from Operations (1) $53,906 $46,167   $55,344   $109,250 $120,474
                   
    Capital Expenditures (Before Changes in Working Capital) $51,170 $61,273   $94,727   $145,897 $116,604
                   
    Free Cash Flow (1) $2,736 $(15,106)   $(39,383)   $(36,647) $3,870
                   
    Average Daily Production (boe/d)              
    WI Production Before Royalties 47,196 32,776   46,647   46,923 32,509
    Royalties (7,396) (6,774)   (8,084)   (7,738) (6,586)
    Production NAR 39,800 26,002   38,563   39,185 25,923
    Decrease (Increase) in Inventory (1,469) (811)   461   (509) (288)
    Sales 38,331 25,191   39,024   38,676 25,635
    Royalties, % of WI Production Before Royalties 16% 21%   17%   16% 20%
                   
    Cash Netback ($/boe )(1)              
    Average Realized Price before Royalties 43.71 72.24   48.55   46.14 69.27
    Royalties (7.07) (15.31)   (8.33)   (7.69) (14.16)
    Average Realized Price 36.64 56.93   40.22   38.45 55.11
    Transportation Expenses (1.83) (1.96)   (1.63)   (1.73) (1.75)
    Average Realized Price Net of Transportation Expenses 34.81 54.97   38.59   36.72 53.36
    Operating Expenses (13.42) (16.17)   (15.89)   (14.67) (16.29)
    Operating Netback (1)(3) 21.39 38.80   22.70   22.05 37.07
    G&A Expenses Before Stock-Based Compensation (3.48) (3.77)   (2.86)   (3.17) (3.71)
    Realized Foreign Exchange (Loss) Gain (0.14) 0.37   (0.51)   (0.33) (0.06)
    Cash Settlement on Derivative Instruments 0.39 —   0.10   0.25 —
    Interest Expense, Excluding Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs (4.87) (5.38)   (4.58)   (4.72) (5.24)
    Interest Income 0.06 0.35   0.10   0.08 0.29
    Other Gain 0.09 —   —   0.04 —
    Net Lease Payments 0.04 0.02   0.04   0.04 0.07
    Current Income Tax Expense (0.53) (14.54)   (1.95)   (1.25) (7.88)
    Cash Netback (1) $12.95 $15.85   $13.04   $12.99 $20.54
                   
    Share Information (000s)              
    Common Stock Outstanding, End of Period 35,289 31,022   35,524   35,289 31,022
    Weighted Average Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding – Basic and Diluted 35,335 31,282   35,777   35,555 31,547
    South American Operational Information Three Months Ended June 30,   Three Months Ended March 31,   Six Months Ended June 30,
      2025 2024   2025   2025 2024
    Operating Netback (1)(3)              
    Oil Sales $118,187 $165,609   $138,671   $256,858 $323,186
    Operating Expenses (42,554) (47,035)   (50,827)   (93,381) (95,501)
    Transportation Expenses (4,176) (5,690)   (4,304)   (8,480) (10,274)
    Operating Netback (1)(3) $71,457 $112,884   $83,540   $154,997 $217,411
                   
    Capital Expenditures (Before Changes in Working Capital) $49,327 $60,806   $64,984   $114,311 $116,137
                   
    Average Daily Production (boe/d)              
    WI Production Before Royalties 29,700 32,776   29,686   29,693 32,509
    Royalties (5,209) (6,774)   (5,844)   (5,525) (6,586)
    Production NAR 24,491 26,002   23,842   24,168 25,923
    Decrease (Increase) in Inventory (1,469) (811)   461   (509) (288)
    Sales 23,022 25,191   24,303   23,659 25,635
    Royalties, % of WI Production Before Royalties 18% 21%   20%   19% 20%
                   
    Operating Netback ($/boe) (1)(3)              
    Brent $66.71 $85.03   $74.98   $70.81 $83.42
    Quality and Transportation Discount (10.30) (12.79)   (11.58)   (10.82) (14.15)
    Royalties (10.41) (15.31)   (12.29)   (11.36) (14.16)
    Average Realized Price 46.00 56.93   51.11   48.63 55.11
    Transportation Expenses (1.63) (1.96)   (1.59)   (1.61) (1.75)
    Average Realized Price Net of Transportation Expenses 44.37 54.97   49.52   47.02 53.36
    Operating Expenses (16.56) (16.17)   (18.73)   (17.68) (16.29)
    Operating Netback (1)(3) $27.81 $38.80   $30.79   $29.34 $37.07
    Canadian Operational Information (4) Three Months Ended June 30,   Three Months Ended March 31,   Six Months Ended June 30,
      2025 2024   2025   2025 2024
    Operating Netback (1)(3)              
    Oil Sales $23,196 $—   $21,269   $44,465 $—
    Natural Gas Sales 6,894 —   7,561   14,455 —
    NGL Sales 6,364 —   7,997   14,361 —
    Royalties (2,158) —   (4,966)   (7,124) —
    Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Sales After Royalties $34,296 $—   $31,861   $66,157 $—
    Operating Expenses (13,301) —   (16,527)   (29,828) —
    Transportation Expenses (3,442) —   (2,607)   (6,049) —
    Operating Netback (1)(3) $17,553 $—   $12,727   $30,280 $—
                   
    Capital Expenditures (Before Changes in Working Capital) $1,796 $—   $29,360   $31,156 $—
                   
    Average Daily Production              
    Crude Oil (bbl/d) 4,335 —   3,623   3,981 —
    Natural Gas (mcf/d) 50,124 —   49,860   49,992 —
    NGLs (bbl/d) 4,807 —   5,029   4,917 —
    WI Production Before Royalties (boe/d) 17,496 —   16,961   17,230 —
    Royalties (boe/d) (2,187) —   (2,240)   (2,213) —
    Production NAR (boe/d) 15,309 —   14,721   15,017 —
    Sales (boe/d) 15,309 —   14,721   15,017 —
    Royalties, % of WI Production Before Royalties 13% —%   13%   13% —%
                   
    Benchmark Prices              
    West Texas Intermediate ($/bbl) 63.81 80.82   71.47   67.60 78.95
    AECO Natural Gas Price (C$/GJ) 1.60 1.12   2.05   1.82 1.74
                   
    Average Realized Price              
    Crude Oil ($/bbl) 58.80 —   65.23   61.71 —
    Natural Gas ($/mcf) 1.51 —   1.69   1.60 —
    NGLs ($/bbl) 14.55 —   17.67   16.14 —
                   
    Operating Netback ($/boe) (1)(3)              
    Average Realized Price $22.90 $—   $24.12   $23.50 $—
    Royalties (1.36) —   (3.25)   (2.28) —
    Transportation Expenses (2.16) —   (1.71)   (1.94) —
    Operating Expenses (8.35) —   (10.83)   (9.56) —
    Operating Netback (1)(3) $11.03 $—   $8.33   $9.72 $—


    (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 third quarter-to-date 2025 total average differentials and average production are for the period from July 1 to July 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 periods of 2024.


    Conference Call Information:

    Gran Tierra will host its second quarter 2025 results conference call on Thursday, July 31, 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/BId33e377f2b494c3c95a7fbd1df59627e. The call will also be available via webcast at www.grantierra.com.

    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”, “anticipates” 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 expectations regarding committed funding (including but not limited to the signing of a mandate for prepayment structure backed by crude oil deliveries), liquidity and its leverage ratio target, the Company’s plans regarding strategic investments, acquisitions, dispositions, synergies, and growth, the Company’s drilling program and capital expenditures and the Company’s expectations of commodity prices, exploration and production trends and its positioning for 2025. 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 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: our ability to successfully integrate the assets and operations of i3 Energy Plc (“i3Energy”) and realize the anticipated benefits and operating synergies expected from the 2024 acquisition of i3 Energy; 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 Middle East, 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; the risk that we are unable to successfully negotiate final terms and close an anticipated prepayment structure backed by crude oil deliveries, 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 24, 2025 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 2025 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 forecasts of expected liquidity to address bond amortization in the fourth quarter of 2026 and that Gran Tierra’s credit facilities would have a zero balance by the end of the year 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 the end of 2025 and the fourth quarter of 2026. 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 gain or 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 June 30,   Three Months Ended March 31,   Six Months Ended June 30,
    Cash Netback – (Non-GAAP) Measure ($000s)   2025     2024       2025       2025     2024  
    Net (Loss) Income $ (12,741 ) $ 36,371     $ (19,280 )   $ (32,021 ) $ 36,293  
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss or income to cash netback              
    DD&A expenses   68,635     55,490       72,202       140,837     111,640  
    Deferred tax expense (recovery)   2,453     (51,361 )     (4,712 )     (2,259 )   (37,882 )
    Stock-based compensation expense (recovery)   546     6,160       (517 )     29     9,521  
    Amortization of debt issuance costs   4,082     2,760       3,833       7,915     6,066  
    Non-cash lease expense   1,725     1,381       1,736       3,461     2,794  
    Lease payments   (1,545 )   (1,311 )     (1,567 )     (3,112 )   (2,369 )
    Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain)   3,114     (3,323 )     1,687       4,801     (5,589 )
    Other loss   38     —       52       90     —  
    Unrealized derivative instrument (gain) loss   (12,401 )   —       1,910       (10,491 )   —  
    Cash netback $ 53,906   $ 46,167     $ 55,344     $ 109,250   $ 120,474  

    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 or recovery, other gain or loss and unrealized derivative instruments gain or 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 June 30,   Three Months Ended March 31,   Six Months Ended June 30,   Twelve Month Trailing June 30,
    EBITDA – (Non-GAAP) Measure ($000s)   2025     2024       2025       2025     2024       2025  
    Net (Loss) Income $ (12,741 ) $ 36,371     $ (19,280 )   $ (32,021 ) $ 36,293     $ (65,098 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss or income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA                  
    DD&A expenses   68,635     55,490       72,202       140,837     111,640       259,816  
    Interest expense   24,366     18,398       23,235       47,601     36,822       91,245  
    Income tax expense (recovery)   4,648     (9,072 )     3,553       8,201     8,323       41,267  
    EBITDA $ 84,908   $ 101,187     $ 79,710     $ 164,618   $ 193,078     $ 327,230  
    Non-cash lease expense   1,725     1,381       1,736       3,461     2,794       6,590  
    Lease payments   (1,545 )   (1,311 )     (1,567 )     (3,112 )   (2,369 )     (5,778 )
    Foreign exchange loss (gain)   3,716     (4,413 )     3,838       7,554     (5,228 )     3,974  
    Stock-based compensation expense (recovery)   546     6,160       (517 )     29     9,521       215  
    Other loss   38     —       52       90     —       90  
    Unrealized derivative instrument (gain) loss   (12,401 )   —       1,910       (10,491 )   —       (7,117 )
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 76,987   $ 103,004     $ 85,162     $ 162,149   $ 197,796     $ 325,204  

    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 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 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 June 30,   Three Months Ended March 31,   Six Months Ended June 30,   Twelve Month Trailing June 30,
    Funds Flow From Operations – (Non-GAAP) Measure ($000s)   2025     2024       2025       2025     2024       2025  
    Net (Loss) Income $ (12,741 ) $ 36,371     $ (19,280 )   $ (32,021 ) $ 36,293     $ (65,098 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss or income to funds flow from operations                  
    DD&A expenses   68,635     55,490       72,202       140,837     111,640       259,816  
    Deferred tax expense (recovery)   2,453     (51,361 )     (4,712 )     (2,259 )   (37,882 )     7,735  
    Stock-based compensation expense (recovery)   546     6,160       (517 )     29     9,521       215  
    Amortization of debt issuance costs   4,082     2,760       3,833       7,915     6,066       14,767  
    Non-cash lease expense   1,725     1,381       1,736       3,461     2,794       6,590  
    Lease payments   (1,545 )   (1,311 )     (1,567 )     (3,112 )   (2,369 )     (5,778 )
    Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain)   3,114     (3,323 )     1,687       4,801     (5,589 )     2,497  
    Other loss   38     —       52       90     —       90  
    Unrealized derivative instrument (gain) loss   (12,401 )   —       1,910       (10,491 )   —       (7,117 )
    Funds flow from operations $ 53,906   $ 46,167     $ 55,344     $ 109,250   $ 120,474     $ 213,717  
    Capital expenditures $ 51,170   $ 61,273     $ 94,727     $ 145,897   $ 116,604     $ 285,471  
    Free cash flow $ 2,736   $ (15,106 )   $ (39,383 )   $ (36,647 ) $ 3,870     $ (71,754 )

    Net debt as of June 30, 2025, was $746 million, calculated using the sum of the aggregate principal amount of 7.75% Senior Notes, 9.50% Senior Notes outstanding and amount drawn on credit facilities, excluding deferred financing fees, totaling $807 million, less cash and cash equivalents of $61 million. Management believes that net debt is a useful supplemental measure for management and investors in order to evaluate the financial sustainability of the Company’s business and leverage. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is total debt.

    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.

    The MIL Network –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Just as NZ began collecting meaningful data on rainbow communities, census changes threaten their visibility

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lori Leigh, Research Fellow in Public Health, University of Otago

    Getty Images

    New Zealand’s 2023 census was the first to collect data on gender identity and sexual orientation, showing one in 20 adults identify as LGBTQIA+.

    But just as reports from this more inclusive census are being released, Minister of Statistics Shane Reti announced a change to existing administrative data collected by government departments as part of their normal business, scrapping a 150-year history of the census.

    Currently, there are no sources of administrative data that include adequate rainbow demographic markers such as sexual orientation, gender, transgender experience or variations of sex characteristics.

    Without high-quality data, the policy reforms needed to address underserved and historically marginalised populations become harder to make. How can we create evidence-based policy with no evidence?

    A snapshot of homelessness in rainbow communities

    The slogan of the 2023 census was “tatau tātou – all of us count”.

    Rainbow communities had been invisible in the census since its inception in 1851. The 2023 Census was a watershed moment, born out of decades of determined activism and advocacy from the community.

    For us, as housing and homelessness researchers, it was particularly important to finally have whole-of-population data about rates of homelessness among LGBTQIA+ communities. Data on housing showed rainbow communities pay higher rents, live in mouldier housing and move more frequently than non-rainbow communities.

    Adding LGBTQIA+ data to the census meant we were the first country in the world to have such data on the housing experiences of these communities. We were applauded internationally by colleagues who have long been wanting similar homelessness and rainbow data from their own national censuses.

    This data will be a great advocacy tool, but it is bittersweet that we will never have such information again.

    History of advocacy

    There is a nearly 50-year history of various community movements, from boycotts to activism, chronicling the queer struggle to be appropriately counted in the census.

    In 1981, a group of Wellington lesbians held a “dykecott” of the New Zealand census to protest their exclusion. This included sending blank census forms to the Human Rights Commission with various explanations essentially saying “no rights, no responsibilities.”

    Then, in the 1990s, the Wellington City Council’s lesbian and gay advisory group came together to lobby Stats NZ about the need for inclusive census data. In 1996, census forms were changed to be able to count same-sex partners.

    In 2002, the former editor of the New Zealand LGBTQIA+ magazine Express Victor van Wetering went so far as to lodge a formal complaint against Stats NZ, stating the agency was in clear breach of the Human Rights Act. He alleged it was failing to meet its statutory requirements.

    Stats NZ’s present and historical stance towards sexual orientation data amounts to a consistent denial that any imperative exists for it to develop a statistical picture of our queer communities. This statistical invisibility deprives queer communities of knowledge and power.

    Advocacy continued throughout the 2000s and 2010s, and in 2018, Stats NZ released their statistical standards for measuring sexual orientation. The possibility of inclusive census data started to become more of a reality.

    The decision to halt the census as we know it means there will be no longitudinal comparative data for rainbow communities. Just as the community has been allowed out of the statistical closet, people will be put back in.

    It had long been argued that accuracy of rainbow data would improve over subsequent censuses. Now we will never know what developments might have emerged.

    A short-lived win

    Community advocates and the Human Rights Commission continued to raise the lack of rainbow data collection at the population level.

    In 2020, the Human Rights Commission released a report which found New Zealand’s data collection processes fail to accurately count the country’s rainbow community members.

    Stats NZ had already started significant work to evaluate and update their sex and gender identity standards. Weeks after the report, the agency committed to what would become the 2023 census. Rainbow community groups applauded, felt finally listened to and called the shift a major win.

    After decades of advocacy, rainbow populations were finally counted in the 2023 Census.
    Instagram/Insideoutkoaro, CC BY-SA

    This sense of pride continues as reports and data are released from the census.

    Research and survey data consistently show rainbow communities in Aotearoa New Zealand experience multiple forms of discrimination. This includes violence, family rejection, bullying and social exclusion.

    These experiences contribute to disproportionately high rates of serious negative outcomes such as suicidality, health inequities, homelessness and substance use. Despite this, we continue to lack data comparing the experiences of rainbow communities with those of the general population.

    As a result, health and social disparities affecting LGBTQIA+ people are systematically under-recognised in government strategies and across health and social service systems. Efforts to address these inequities are also frequently under-resourced and inadequately prioritised.

    Former government statistician Len Cook said:

    There is no time over the past 50 years when the scope and quality of population statistics has been of such importance in public life in Aotearoa New Zealand as now.

    Scrapping the census is a cost-cutting exercise. But what is the real cost of losing data and which communities will disproportionately bear this cost? The decision renders LGBTQIA+ people, once again, invisible.

    Lori Leigh is affiliated with the Trans Health Research Network, Kawe Mahara Queer Archives Aotearoa and receives funding from MBIE’s Endeavour Fund programme as part of their work for the University of Otago, Wellington.

    Brodie Fraser is affiliated with the Trans Health Research Network and currently funded by two MBIE Endeavour Fund programmes, and has previously been funded by the Health Research Council and the University of Otago.

    – ref. Just as NZ began collecting meaningful data on rainbow communities, census changes threaten their visibility – https://theconversation.com/just-as-nz-began-collecting-meaningful-data-on-rainbow-communities-census-changes-threaten-their-visibility-261753

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy champions resolution encouraging NATO members to meet their five percent defense spending commitments

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON – Senator John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today introduced a resolution urging North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries to fulfill their commitments to spend five percent of their GDP on defense. He emphasizes the importance of sincerity in fulfilling these obligations, noting that some countries, such as Spain, have refused to meet the five percent commitment, demanding a carveout. Spain struggled to even meet their two percent defense spending target. All NATO members must take this commitment seriously to strengthen our collective security. 

    “NATO is one of the greatest defensive alliances in all of human history. My resolution commends our allies for their commitment to allocate five percent of their GDP to our shared defense and strongly encourages them to fulfill their promises in good faith. If we want to deter our adversaries, we need real investments in our defense, not bridges that have little, if anything, to do with national security,” said Kennedy.

    Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) cosponsored the bill.

    “Now more than ever, the New Axis of Evil is threatening the security of free nations, and every NATO member country needs to spend their fair share to keep our adversaries from accomplishing their goals. Our resolution urges all NATO members to fulfill their obligation to spend 5% of GDP on defense and address the security risks we are facing,” said Blackburn.

    “It’s past time for NATO members to pony up. It’s not the job of the American taxpayers to pay to defend the entire world. Thank God for President Trump who is finally standing up for American taxpayers and fighting to put America First,” said Tuberville.

    “NATO members agree: Deterrence is more important now than at any time in recent memory. The axis of aggressors is watching, hoping the West underestimates its threats. I am grateful for the Hague Summit Declaration’s spending commitment, and I will continue pressing member nations to follow through on their word. The free world can achieve peace through collective strength,” said Wicker.

    “Conflicts in Europe and the Middle East and tensions in the Indo-Pacific threaten our global stability and security. It’s critical for NATO nations to honor their commitments on national defense, ensuring military readiness within the NATO alliance,” said Cornyn.

    Kennedy also penned an op-ed in Newsweek, arguing that Congress needs to hold NATO member countries to their five percent defense spending commitments.

    Background:

    • The Trump Administration secured a historic win by encouraging NATO member countries to move toward spending 5 percent of their GDP on collective defense. 
    • However, the Hague Summit Declaration allows countries to evade their commitments in two ways: (1) by not specifying that all allies must meet the five percent requirement, and (2) by permitting 1.5 percent of the total to include spending that is only loosely related to defense.  
    • Spain has recently said that it will not be meeting the five-percent commitment. Italy has said it may include a bridge to Sicily as part of its non-traditional defense total.

    The resolution:

    • Congratulates President Trump and NATO leadership on this historic agreement.
    • Strongly urges NATO leadership to compel its members to adhere to the five percent commitment.
    • Calls on NATO allies to ensure their non-traditional defense expenditures are legitimate defense spending.

    The full text of the resolution is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tillis, Colleagues Introduce Framework to Combat Foreign Online Piracy, Protect American Copyright Holders

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Coons (D-DE), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced a discussion draft of the Block Bad Electronic Art and Recording Distributors (Block BEARD) Act of 2025 bipartisan legislation that would allow copyright owners, who have had their property stolen, to seek U.S. federal court action to block dedicated foreign online piracy operations from making that stolen content available to American households. 

    “Foreign piracy sites are stealing from American creators, threatening good-paying jobs, and exposing U.S. consumers to real online harms via malware, identity theft, and the like,” said Senator Tillis. “The Block BEARD Act gives us a smart, targeted tool to stop these criminal operations at the source without infringing on legitimate speech or due process. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan discussion to protect our creative economy and digital security and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the House to address this important matter.” 

    “Foreign websites pirating American movies, TV shows, art, and books steal tens of billions of dollars from the U.S. economy each year,” said Senator Coons. “This costs our creative community hundreds of thousands of jobs. Today, the United States takes an important step to join the many other nations around the world that have taken steps to crack down on foreign IP theft. This bipartisan legislation will give Americans the tools they need to protect their intellectual property rights, while ensuring the internet remains a vibrant forum for free speech. I look forward to working with my colleagues and with stakeholders on all sides of this issue to advance this much-needed bill.”

    “Tennessee’s thriving creative community must be protected from the theft of creative works by foreign criminals,” said Senator Blackburn. “Foreign piracy operations jeopardize the American creative industry through phishing, identity theft, and financial fraud, and the Block BEARD Act would protect creators by enabling them to pursue legal action in U.S. federal courts against these criminals.”

    “I’m proud to join my colleagues in this effort to protect creators and consumers alike from foreign criminal enterprises seeking to steal our intellectual property and exploit Americans,” said Senator Schiff. “As Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property and a steadfast advocate for the creative community, I understand that robust protections are essential for innovation and economic growth in the digital age. This commonsense approach will provide the courts with the tools they need to combat foreign piracy operations and help level the playing field for American artists and creators who deserve to be fairly compensated for their work.” 

     “We are grateful to Senators Tillis, Coons, Blackburn, and Schiff for their leadership in crafting a carefully tailored proposal that empowers US federal courts to protect consumers, rightsholders, and markets from large scale foreign piracy while preserving the protections contained in the DMCA,” said Mitch Glazier, Chairman and CEO, Recording Industry Association of America. “Similar tools have been proven effective around the world over the last ten years with no harm to speech, Internet infrastructure or security, or participation online, and we strongly support this effort to create a simple, effective, judicial remedy with due process in the U.S.”

    “Piracy steals hundreds of thousands of jobs from the film and television industry, drains billions from the U.S. economy, and puts millions of American consumers at risk – and the Block BEARD Act will provide us with a safe and effective way to counter this danger and combat large-scale copyright infringement,” said Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO, Motion Picture Association. “With bold leadership from Senators Tillis, Coons, Blackburn, and Schiff, the Block BEARD Act will equip our nation with a tool that’s worked in dozens of countries worldwide: a narrow, targeted means to fight the worst forms of foreign piracy while protecting free speech and the rule of law.”

    Background:

    The Block BEARD Act would empower copyright owners to seek U.S. federal court orders against foreign websites dedicated to digital piracy, preventing them from making stolen content accessible to American households. To obtain relief, copyright holders must present evidence of specific harm and demonstrate the criminal nature of the targeted site. Courts could then direct internet service providers block access to the identified sites, while granting those providers immunity from liability, including for claims related to the petitioner’s actions.  The legislation includes strong public interest safeguards to protect free expression, due process, and legitimate online services operating in compliance with U.S. law. This targeted legal tool mirrors successful approaches used in over 50 democratic countries to curb foreign piracy operations that undermine creative industry jobs and expose users to malware, identity theft, and fraud.  

    Full text of the Block BEARD Act is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: World News in Brief: Violence in Somalia, cholera in Haiti, tax support for sustainable development

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI

    Clashes intensified in the town of Mahas in the Hiraan region, Hirshabelle state, on 26 July forcing the entire population – over 28,000 people – to flee their homes. 

    Another 38,000 people were displaced in the Gedo region, Jubaland state, between 23 and 26 July, some of whom crossed into Kenya. 

    Security concerns have forced seven health facilities in the Hiraan region to suspend operations, leaving thousands of people without essential healthcare and emergency services. Humanitarian access also has been restricted, particularly in areas that were already hard to reach.  

    OCHA noted that only a limited number of aid partners are able to operate in these locations given the insecurity as well as financial constraints. Meanwhile, affected communities urgently need shelter, food, clean water, healthcare and protection. 

    The situation is unfolding as aid agencies grapple with severe funding cuts. A $1.4 billion humanitarian plan for Somalia this year is around 16 per cent funded, with $229 million received to date.

    Cholera haunts displaced families in Haiti

    Cholera continues to impact the fragile public health system in Haiti, particularly in sites hosting displaced people where there is limited access to safe water and sanitation.

    The Caribbean country is confronting multiple political, security and socio-economic crises, including rampant gang activity mainly in the capital, Port-au-Prince.  

    The UN World Health Organization (WHO) said that between 13 and 19 July, 34 new suspected cholera cases were reported across six of the nation’s 10 departments. Most were linked to displacement sites. 

    Five active transmission hotspots have been identified, including in Port-au-Prince and in the northern regions. 

    Since December 2024, over 2,800 suspected cholera cases have been recorded across Haiti, with 91 laboratory-confirmed cases and 36 fatalities. 

    Despite funding shortfalls, UN humanitarian partners continue to carry out key cholera prevention and response activities. 

    Families in Artibonite department received water purification tablets and oral rehydration salt, for example, while partners in central Haiti have installed handwashing stations and scaled up community outreach. 

    Experts to help countries create tax policies that advance sustainable development

    Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed 25 experts to a UN committee to help countries design tax policies that advance their social, environmental and economic development objectives. 

    The UN Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters supports governments in navigating complex policy trade-offs.  Its work provides countries with practical options and tools based on real-world experiences from tax systems across the globe. 

    The 25 experts, who will serve for the 2025-2029 term, have diverse expertise in tax policy design and administration, as well as international tax cooperation. 

    They represent various geographical regions and tax systems, and the majority are women, reflecting the UN’s commitment to strengthening inclusivity in tax leadership. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Remarks by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand at the Ministerial Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution

    Source: Government of Canada News

    July 28, 2025
    New York, New York

    Check against delivery

    Excellencies, distinguished delegates, honoured colleagues.

    The Palestinian question is at the heart of any hope for long-term stability in the Middle East.

    Despite the complexity of the situation, our collective presence here today reflects strong international support for a negotiated solution.

    One that ensures Palestinian self-determination and Israeli security.

    And one that charts a path toward lasting regional peace and prosperity.

    As article 1 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights states: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”

    Canada remains firmly committed to a two-state solution: an independent, viable and sovereign Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace and security.

    Canada supports the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.

    And we endorse the principle of Palestinian statehood.

    We shall continue to discuss with the Palestinian Authority the next steps in our relationship.

    A workable Palestinian state needs legitimate, democratic governance that serves all Palestinian people.

    Crucially important is the Palestinian Authority’s commitment to undertake the comprehensive reforms necessary to govern Gaza and the West Bank.

    To that end, today Canada is pledging an additional $10 million this year to accelerate reform and capacity building for the Palestinian Authority.

    Canada’s commitment to a two-state solution is rooted in our desire to see the Palestinian people living with freedom and dignity AND to see Israelis live in peace and security.

    In this light, this path is not only the most just course, it is the only sustainable one.

    In Gaza, the humanitarian situation is catastrophic.

    Multitudes of Palestinians are dying of starvation, being killed trying to access food and water or are in military operations that have resulted in mass casualties. And those who survive are at risk of preventable disease and death.

    This is unacceptable.

    We condemn the continued detention of hostages held captive by Hamas since 7 October, 2023, and call for their immediate and unconditional release.

    Hamas is a terrorist organization, and it must immediately and unconditionally release all hostages.

    Hamas can have no role in Gaza’s future governance.

    Israel’s right to live in peace and security with its neighbours has long been, and continues to be, a key principle of Canada’s Middle East policy.

    I believe this right must be recognized by all partners who are committed to peace.

    To this principle must be joined our shared commitment to Palestine’s right to live in peace and security.

    Joined by international partners, Canada also recently condemned the ongoing civilian suffering:

    • We condemn the inhumane killing of civilians, including children.
    • We condemn the ongoing expansion of settlements and settler violence in the West Bank.
    • And we condemn the forced displacement of the Palestinians population.

    The actions outlined just now are all violations of international humanitarian law.

    We urge all partners to continue to support a principled response through non-governmental humanitarian organizations—organizations with proven capacity to deliver humanitarian assistance at scale.

    Canada has committed more than $315 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza—making us the third-largest bilateral donor in response to this crisis.

    This includes:

    • Support to the World Food Programme to address critical food assistance needs.
    • Support to the International Committee of the Red Cross [and] Red Crescent to provide emergency medical care and protection.
    • Support to UNICEF to deliver urgent nutritional supplies to malnourished children.
    • And support to other experienced humanitarian partners and NGOs.

    Announcement

    Today, given the ongoing and urgent need, Canada is announcing an additional $30 million in new money this year for those in Gaza.

    This funding will allow more aid to be prepositioned in the region and ready to be delivered at scale as soon as logistically possible.

    For this critical aid to reach those in need, humanitarian partners must be granted safe and unhindered access to civilians in Gaza.

    But how do we get to a place where recovery and healing can begin?

    Canada sees this conference as a reaffirmation of principles—and a call to action.

    A lasting political solution requires a permanent ceasefire to begin the hard work of rebuilding institutions, restoring trust and the conditions for a viable two-state solution.

    [In this regard, Canada commends the efforts of Qatar, Egypt and the United States in looking to secure a ceasefire.]

    No durable solution can emerge without all parties at the table.

    Until that time, and after a ceasefire, the Government of Canada will be present with humanitarian aid and will play a leading role in building bridges to more and more aid for Gaza with international partners.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: McConnell Remarks at McCain Institute Russia Task Force Event

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, delivered opening remarks at a McCain Institute event “Highlighting Policy Recommendations for Post-War Russia.” Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:

    It’s hard to think of a more appropriate home for the Task Force’s important work than the McCain Institute, or a more fitting ringleader than a proud McCain alumnus like Dan Twining.  

    My good friend, John McCain, was so unapologetic and clear-eyed about the scope of America’s interests. And he relished being the speck in Vladimir Putin’s eye through his solidarity with the free peoples of eastern Europe…

    He supported the expansion of the greatest military alliance in the history of the world… And stood for the right of sovereign nations to choose their destiny.

    When Putin called the fall of the Soviet Union the “greatest political catastrophe of the 20th century,” John understood that he meant it, and urged our colleagues to take Russia’s neo-Soviet ambitions seriously.

    In the not-so-distant past, that sort of clarity – acknowledging that Russia still threatened America’s interests – could invite public scorn…

    …Like the sort of sanctimonious condemnation a certain former colleague of mine received from President Obama during a prime-time debate.

    We heard that Putin would moderate… That his ambitions were limited… And that anyone who suggested otherwise was a dusty Cold Warrior past his prime.

    Well, to that I say: It is so good to be among friends!

    ***

    Needless to say, the importance of grappling with Russia’s behavior and motivations can no longer be laughed away.

    Wake-up call is perhaps the most tired phrase of the past three years.

    And yet that’s exactly what Putin’s escalation in 2022 was: an urgent, overdue, uncomfortable, and undeniable alarm.

    It was a reminder that the realities of geopolitics don’t care which region we’d rather prioritize or what we’d rather spend our treasure on. The bravery of Ukraine’s defenders and the suffering of its civilians press us to remember that our enemies get a vote.

    There are, of course, promising signs that the West has managed to free itself from the delusion that hegemonic aggressors can be appeased.

    Reports of our European allies’ rebuilding their military strength are not exaggerated.

    Nearly all NATO members today are striving toward the Baltics’ example of investment and readiness… And those who are not should hear from all of us.

    In the process, allies are making overdue sacrifices to stamp out dependency on Russian energy…

    They’re placing enormous investments in cutting-edge American-made weapons…

    And they’re proving willing to break domestic political china – even changing a Constitution or two – to unlock deeper and more sustained commitments to collective defense.

    This transformation is real. It’s well underway. And it’ll be essential to securing America’s interests in the coming decades.

    What about here at home? As friends of Ukraine, we may be tempted to dwell on the ways we drag behind this progress… and overlook the ways we underpin it.

    We may rightly be frustrated by years of murky commitments, slow-walked assistance, fear of escalation, and confusion about who the aggressor is.

    But I would suggest that, on this, America has much to be proud of.

    Just consider the cascading benefits of U.S. assistance to Ukraine: a small fraction of our defense budget has helped Ukraine resist and degrade a more powerful military aggressor.

    After years of talk and little action to address the shortcomings of our own arsenal and defense industrial base, we’ve spurred massive investments in replenishing stocks and producing deterrent capabilities faster.

    By partnering with the world’s most experienced practitioners of drone warfare, we’ve tapped into a wealth of knowledge about the changing nature of the modern battlefield. Ukraine’s expertise is teaching America today what our forces will need to prevail tomorrow.

    And as NATO’s biggest spender, America has encouraged much of our allies’ transformation.

    ***

    Of course, I don’t mean to suggest that we’ve escaped the gravitational pull of complacency and short-sightedness for good. Our allies’ progress is not assured forever. European security – and trans-Atlantic security – is not some clock to be wound once and left alone.

    Perhaps the biggest lesson of 2022 – even bigger than the need to invest urgently today – is the importance of long-term commitments, and steady, annual investments in defense.

    And on this front, America must continue to lead by our example. We simply cannot expect allies to reach and sustain five percent if we’re only willing to spend three-and-a-half, ourselves.

    A strategy to lead from behind is no strategy at all. And as the Task Force makes perfectly clear, this goes beyond spending targets – it’s about presence, too.

    Even as our allies and partners build more lethal forces, there’s still no more credible deterrent than American commitment.

    No wonder European allies generously support rotational deployments of U.S. troops and invest in state-of-the-art training ranges for joint exercises. These commitments improve our collective readiness and interoperability, and they’re worth sustaining.

    The task of illustrating the strategic importance of Europe to America’s security interests is not ours, alone. In fact, for years now, there’s been no more effective communicator of what’s at stake in Ukraine – strategically and morally – than Putin, himself.

    As he continues to throw a generation into the meat-grinder of combat and target Ukrainian mothers and children at will, Putin is sending a clear message.

    And in the face of his brutal aggression and public revisionism, overwhelming majorities of Americans recognize Russia as our adversary… and see that the outcome of Putin’s war of conquest matters immensely to us.

    Much to the dismay of restrainers and isolationists who thought they’d get to freelance American foreign policy, the President of the United States increasingly sees Putin’s signals for what they are.

    The President has been right to recognize Putin’s play for time. He’s been right to entertain proposals for new, secondary sanctions. Most importantly, he’s been right to green-light further lethal assistance to Ukraine.

    I’ve said this before: Stopping the killing is a noble goal, but the price of peace matters. And there will be no enduring peace unless Ukraine is equipped to credibly deter further aggression from Russia.

    ***

    The appetite of neo-Soviet imperialism does not end with Ukraine. How do we know?

    Because Putin’s predecessors subjugated far wider swaths of Europe…

    Because he invaded Georgia…

    And because, as we speak, his troops are in Moldova, too!

    Nations that have spent centuries in Russia’s shadow do not stumble westward by accident.

    Finland and Sweden did not join NATO out of symbolic solidarity with Ukraine.

    They did it because they know that Putin wants more.

    So the Task Force is right to take the long view and grapple seriously with what comes next.

    What comes next for the trans-Atlantic alliance?

    What comes next for the increasingly aligned authoritarians working to undermine U.S. interests and influence?

    What comes next for America and our ability to defend these interests and preserve this influence?

    As you put it, our deterrence is not divisible. And I would add: this is because our credibility is not divisible.

    No U.S. ally in the Indo-Pacific has time to waste on the notion that the implications of deterrence in Europe are confined to a separate sphere of influence.

    No ally in Europe can afford to miss the crystal-clear connection between Russian aggression and support from China, North Korea, and Iran.

    The consequences of America’s strategic decisions still ripple across oceans and continents with equal speed.

    And a headline that reads “Russia Wins, America Loses” will read as clearly in Beijing, Tehran, and Pyongyang as it does here in Washington.

    Avoiding that outcome will take more work from all of us. Thank you for all you’re doing.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Al Green Addresses the Recent Proposal for Congressional Redistricting

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

    (Houston, TX)—On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, Congressman Al Green issued the following statement addressing the recent proposal for congressional redistricting: 

    Congressman Al Green stated, “Today, I received what appears to be the proposed redistricting congressional lines for Texas. Of the many points that can be made, I shall call three to the attention of the public now and more later. Point one: the map is extreme invidious discrimination and accomplishes what the President has demanded of the Governor and more. Two, the DOJ demanded that the race card be played, and the Governor dealt the people of Texas a racist hand. Three, I will be on the ballot and will announce more of my intentionality after I have engaged in deliberations.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: 19 funded medicines to change brands following community consultation

    Source: PHARMAC

    Pharmac has awarded contracts to a range of suppliers following its annual tender process, which will mean 19 medicines will be changing brands in the coming months.

    The annual tender is one of the ways that Pharmac manages the fixed budget it receives from the Government to fund medicines for New Zealanders. This budget must cover the medicines Pharmac already funds, and remaining funds can be used to fund new medicines.

    “We use the annual tender process to free up budget to fund new medicines and reduce the cost for those we already fund. When a medicine is no longer under patent suppliers can sell a generic, often more affordable, version,” says Geraldine MacGibbon, Director of Pharmaceuticals.

    Each year, Pharmac invites suppliers to bid to be the main supplier of medicines that are no longer under patent. Depending on which supplier’s bid is successful, the brand of medicine that New Zealanders use could change.

    Last year Pharmac used the annual tender process to make several brand changes.

    “We heard from the community they hadn’t been consulted – and that their voices weren’t heard. So, this year, we introduced a new step to understand how brand changes might affect people and what support they may need,” says MacGibbon.

    In May this year, Pharmac consulted on 38 medicines that could change brands. These included medicines that frequently change brands and those that don’t. The suitability of each medicine was assessed by the Tender Clinical Advisory Committee, made up of expert pharmacists, doctors, and nurses.

    “We know that a changing the brand of medicine you take can have an impact,” says MacGibbon. “That’s why we added this step – to hear directly from those affected and make sure we’re planning the right kind of support.”

    The feedback highlighted the need for clear communication, tailored support, and consideration of individual circumstances – especially for children, older adults, neurodiverse individuals, and people with serious health conditions.

    “We heard that changes in packaging, formulation, or excipients (binding ingredients and fillers) can affect how well a medicine works for some people,” says MacGibbon. “Health professionals told us that, if these brand changes were to happen, they need timely updates and practical tools to help manage them safely.”

    Pharmac will provide resources to help people understand and adjust to any brand changes. It will also work closely with healthcare professionals to ensure they have the tools and information they need to support their patients.

    “I want to thank everyone that took the time to give us your feedback. Your input has guided our approach, and has an impact on the decisions we make,” MacGibbon says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: 19 funded medicines to change brands following community consultation

    Source: PHARMAC

    Pharmac has awarded contracts to a range of suppliers following its annual tender process, which will mean 19 medicines will be changing brands in the coming months.

    The annual tender is one of the ways that Pharmac manages the fixed budget it receives from the Government to fund medicines for New Zealanders. This budget must cover the medicines Pharmac already funds, and remaining funds can be used to fund new medicines.

    “We use the annual tender process to free up budget to fund new medicines and reduce the cost for those we already fund. When a medicine is no longer under patent suppliers can sell a generic, often more affordable, version,” says Geraldine MacGibbon, Director of Pharmaceuticals.

    Each year, Pharmac invites suppliers to bid to be the main supplier of medicines that are no longer under patent. Depending on which supplier’s bid is successful, the brand of medicine that New Zealanders use could change.

    Last year Pharmac used the annual tender process to make several brand changes.

    “We heard from the community they hadn’t been consulted – and that their voices weren’t heard. So, this year, we introduced a new step to understand how brand changes might affect people and what support they may need,” says MacGibbon.

    In May this year, Pharmac consulted on 38 medicines that could change brands. These included medicines that frequently change brands and those that don’t. The suitability of each medicine was assessed by the Tender Clinical Advisory Committee, made up of expert pharmacists, doctors, and nurses.

    “We know that a changing the brand of medicine you take can have an impact,” says MacGibbon. “That’s why we added this step – to hear directly from those affected and make sure we’re planning the right kind of support.”

    The feedback highlighted the need for clear communication, tailored support, and consideration of individual circumstances – especially for children, older adults, neurodiverse individuals, and people with serious health conditions.

    “We heard that changes in packaging, formulation, or excipients (binding ingredients and fillers) can affect how well a medicine works for some people,” says MacGibbon. “Health professionals told us that, if these brand changes were to happen, they need timely updates and practical tools to help manage them safely.”

    Pharmac will provide resources to help people understand and adjust to any brand changes. It will also work closely with healthcare professionals to ensure they have the tools and information they need to support their patients.

    “I want to thank everyone that took the time to give us your feedback. Your input has guided our approach, and has an impact on the decisions we make,” MacGibbon says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: ECE reform gives the sector rights and the regulator purpose

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour has introduced new legislation to set out the purpose of regulating early childhood education (ECE) and put the Education Review Office (ERO) in charge, instead of the Ministry of Education. 

    “The Bill will increase clarity and certainty. It will ensure the sector and parents know their rights when being regulated, and that the regulator knows its purpose when making regulations,” Mr Seymour says.

    “The new law’s first priority is child safety. It will also ensure that regulators should only put costs on parents if they’re necessary to achieve the goal. Critically, the purpose of regulating will be set out in law, as recommended by the Ministry for Regulation’s ECE Sector Review. 

    “Too many ECE providers are bogged down by confusing, overlapping rules and having to deal with too many government agencies. We’re changing that, so providers can spend less time on paperwork and more time looking after children.

    “The Ministry for Regulation went straight to the source and asked the sector what’s increasing costs and limiting competition. These changes are based on feedback from providers around the country who say they’ve been frustrated by unclear rules, conflicting advice from different agencies, and unnecessary red tape.   

    “Some centres told us they were being told one thing by one agency, and the opposite by another. That kind of confusion costs time and money and drives up costs for parents.   

    The Early Childhood Education Reform Bill will overhaul the current rules and regulations by: 

    • Making regulations clearer and more consistent, so providers know exactly what’s expected of them.
    • Creating a Director of Regulation to make sure the rules are applied fairly and consistently across the country. 

    “The Government will also shift licensing and certification and enforcement responsibilities from the Ministry of Education to the Education Review Office (ERO). From next year ECE providers will only have to deal with one regulator. The Ministry and ERO are working together to ensure a smooth transfer. 

    “The Director will be responsible for licensing, monitoring, and enforcing compliance in ECE, including investigating and prosecuting where necessary. They will handle complaints and incidents, while also providing support, information, and guidance to service providers, parents, and caregivers to help raise awareness of what quality early childhood education looks like. 

    The bill also establishes the following principles, which the Director must have regard to when carrying out their role:

    • the health, safety, and well-being of children receiving early childhood education is paramount:
    • the learning and development of those children is essential and supports their readiness to transition to school:   
    • the role of parents and caregivers in the early childhood education of their children is recognised and supported:   
    • principles of good regulatory practice, including decision-making that—
    • is risk-based, proportionate, fair, and transparent; and
    • avoids imposing unnecessary costs on parents, caregivers, and service providers. 

    “These reforms will make it easier to open and run high-quality centres, which means more choice and better access for parents. This is part of the Government’s wider commitment to smarter, more effective regulation that encourages growth,” says Mr Seymour. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: ECE reform gives the sector rights and the regulator purpose

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour has introduced new legislation to set out the purpose of regulating early childhood education (ECE) and put the Education Review Office (ERO) in charge, instead of the Ministry of Education. 

    “The Bill will increase clarity and certainty. It will ensure the sector and parents know their rights when being regulated, and that the regulator knows its purpose when making regulations,” Mr Seymour says.

    “The new law’s first priority is child safety. It will also ensure that regulators should only put costs on parents if they’re necessary to achieve the goal. Critically, the purpose of regulating will be set out in law, as recommended by the Ministry for Regulation’s ECE Sector Review. 

    “Too many ECE providers are bogged down by confusing, overlapping rules and having to deal with too many government agencies. We’re changing that, so providers can spend less time on paperwork and more time looking after children.

    “The Ministry for Regulation went straight to the source and asked the sector what’s increasing costs and limiting competition. These changes are based on feedback from providers around the country who say they’ve been frustrated by unclear rules, conflicting advice from different agencies, and unnecessary red tape.   

    “Some centres told us they were being told one thing by one agency, and the opposite by another. That kind of confusion costs time and money and drives up costs for parents.   

    The Early Childhood Education Reform Bill will overhaul the current rules and regulations by: 

    • Making regulations clearer and more consistent, so providers know exactly what’s expected of them.
    • Creating a Director of Regulation to make sure the rules are applied fairly and consistently across the country. 

    “The Government will also shift licensing and certification and enforcement responsibilities from the Ministry of Education to the Education Review Office (ERO). From next year ECE providers will only have to deal with one regulator. The Ministry and ERO are working together to ensure a smooth transfer. 

    “The Director will be responsible for licensing, monitoring, and enforcing compliance in ECE, including investigating and prosecuting where necessary. They will handle complaints and incidents, while also providing support, information, and guidance to service providers, parents, and caregivers to help raise awareness of what quality early childhood education looks like. 

    The bill also establishes the following principles, which the Director must have regard to when carrying out their role:

    • the health, safety, and well-being of children receiving early childhood education is paramount:
    • the learning and development of those children is essential and supports their readiness to transition to school:   
    • the role of parents and caregivers in the early childhood education of their children is recognised and supported:   
    • principles of good regulatory practice, including decision-making that—
    • is risk-based, proportionate, fair, and transparent; and
    • avoids imposing unnecessary costs on parents, caregivers, and service providers. 

    “These reforms will make it easier to open and run high-quality centres, which means more choice and better access for parents. This is part of the Government’s wider commitment to smarter, more effective regulation that encourages growth,” says Mr Seymour. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Met prioritises neighbourhood policing to tackle crime in London hotspots

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    The Metropolitan Police is ruthlessly prioritising resources and putting more officers on the beat in the busiest parts of London – including the West End – to focus on core policing priorities, protect the public, and tackle areas with high crime.

    Despite the Met getting smaller, it is applying more resources and smarter tactics to tackle the biggest priorities.

    Up to 80 more officers will join the dedicated West End team to bear down on crimes which Londoners care about the most – including antisocial behaviour, violence against women and girls, shoplifting and phone robbery – as part of the Met’s focus on neighbourhood policing.

    The intensified action is part of ongoing work by the Met and Mayor of London to boost local neighbourhood teams, enhance partnership working and put high visibility policing at the heart of fighting crime and rebuilding trust.

    The West End will see its policing team grow by over 50 per cent so they can relentlessly target prolific offenders as well as being visible and approachable to protect the public and deter criminals.

    Six town centre teams will also be expanded or newly created with 90 additional officers in areas with the highest volumes of thefts and robberies covering Brixton, Kingston, Ealing, Finsbury Park, Southwark, and Spitalfields.

    Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said:

    “The Met is getting smaller but more capable. We have a laser-like focus on ensuring our officers and staff are in roles where they can drive down crime on issues that matter the most to Londoners.

    “This is what the public expects of the police, which is why we are putting neighbourhood policing first, tackling the crimes that we know are impacting the public in the busiest areas, and making the capital’s streets safer.

    “We’re adding up to 170 additional officers, split between the West End and town centres across London. Thanks to the hard work of our local teams, neighbourhood crime has already fallen by almost a fifth over the last year and moving these officers to the frontline will make sure we are a more visible presence in London.

    “While our budget has decreased in real terms, we are using this additional funding from City Hall and Home Office productively to support our mission to take a targeted approach to tackling volume crime and bolster our specialist tactics to disrupt the criminal gangs who fuel anti-social behaviour, robbery and theft.”

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:

    “Nothing is more important to me than keeping Londoners safe. Thanks to record funding from City Hall, the West End will see a 50 per cent increase in the number of police officers on the beat and an additional 90 police officers working in new or enhanced town centre teams in hotspot areas.

    “Despite years of austerity by the previous government, this is the latest example of the Met Police and I prioritising what Londoners want and delivering on our pledge to put high visibility policing at the heart of fighting crime and rebuilding community confidence and trust.

    “These new and boosted Safer Neighbourhood Teams will focus on tackling antisocial behaviour, phone robbery and shoplifting in key areas. This fresh targeted action is happening in tandem with enhanced police and partnership work already underway in our high streets and town centres this summer. We will continue to build on the crime reductions already achieved in the capital – with robbery, theft and knife crime down since the start of the financial year – to build a safer London for all.”

    Already, the Met has recruited over 300 additional PCSOs for neighbourhood policing teams towards a target of 500, as well as adding over 300 officers from Superintendents to Constables.

    This work to focus resource in the right places, builds on enhanced partnership action with local authorities, businesses and communities to tackle crime in London’s busy town centres and high streets, announced earlier this month.

    The Met is arresting 1000 more criminals each month and thanks to the hard work of its officers, London’s Violence Reduction Unit, Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), local authorities and partners, the first six weeks of this financial year have seen promising reductions in a number of crime types compared to the same period last year.

    • Neighbourhood crime down by 15.3 per cent
    • Knife crime down by 18.1 per cent
    • Residential burglary down by 17.7 per cent
    • Theft from the person down by 15.6 per cent
    • Personal robbery down by 12.8 per cent
    • Shoplifting – solved 163 per cent more cases this year
    • In the West End specifically the Met has reduced:
    • Personal robbery by 20%
    • Violence with injury by 25%
    • Violence against a person by 8%

    Ros Morgan, Chief Executive, Heart of London Business Alliance:

    “A safer West End is essential to its success. We welcome the Mayor and Met Commissioner’s response to our calls for more policing. With over 200 million visitors a year and a £50 billion contribution to the UK economy, keeping this district secure isn’t optional — it’s vital. We’ll continue working with the Met to protect the West End’s reputation as a world-class destination.”

    Dee Corsi, Chief Executive, New West End Company, said:

    “We know, first-hand, the incredible work that the Metropolitan Police Service undertakes every day here in the West End to tackle anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, phone robbery and violence against women and girls. But we also know that tackling complex crime challenges is more difficult when resources are squeezed. That’s why today’s announcement, and renewed commitment to the West End, is a critical step forward. We will continue to work in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Service, the Mayor of London and other local stakeholders to ensure the West End remains safe and welcoming for all.”

    Anthony Hemmerdinger, Managing Director, Boots said:

    “Retail theft alongside intimidation and abuse of our team members is unacceptable, so we welcome this additional support from the Mayor and Metropolitan Police to increase resources in some of our busiest central London store locations.

    “While we continue to invest significantly in schemes to deter and disrupt crime, including our state-of-the-art CCTV monitoring centre and bodycams for our team members in stores, it is only through close partnership working with Government, Police, and local communities, that we can ensure high streets feel like welcoming and safe spaces for people to work, shop and visit, all the time.”

    Against the backdrop of these improvements and increased demand for policing in London, tough choices are still being made across the organisation.

    The Met is shrinking overall by 1,700 officers and staff – they have started by moving officers from the dedicated Royal Parks policing team and schools officers into local policing teams. This will ensure officers are part of larger neighbourhood policing teams, policing parks as part of larger teams and ensuring children are safe on their school commute where they are most at risk.

    The Met are going further to place officers on the beat, ensuring London is a safer place to live, work and visit. A more visible presence will increase reassurance for the public and create a hostile environment for criminals who will be arrested in greater numbers.

    The Met secured additional funding after submitting their draft budget which laid out how they would spend their money in 2025/26. As a result, they are using £32 million of additional funding from City Hall and the Home Office to reduce the total officer and staff reductions in priority areas.

    The efficiency savings are due to real-term reductions in public spending on policing and every decision the Met makes is to ensure resources are focussed in the most vital areas and on core-policing priorities.

    The funding will also allow specialist police capabilities to be expanded to support neighbourhood policing priorities and improve out outcomes in tackling high-harm offenders and violence against women and girls. This will include:

    • Bolstering Flying Squad with over 50 additional officers to support neighbourhood policing as they tackle the organised crime gangs that fuel phone robbery and shoplifting.
    • Scaling up our use of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) more widely supported by additional officers and staff. Currently LFR is used four times a week across two days, but this will increase up to five days a week, delivering up to 10 deployments a week across London to drive up arrests of wanted offenders.
    • The Public Order Crime Team will expand to accommodate the rise in protest-related criminal investigations to ensure frontline officers are freed up to focus on local issues. Demand in this area increased in the last two years.
    • Additional resource will be funded to support local policing teams to coordinate work to hunt down dangerous and predatory offenders identified in our V100 and Violence Harm Assessment work.

    As well as targeting resource in specific priority areas, the funding has allowed the Met to reduce some of the previously outlined cuts – including providing 17 officers to join neighbourhood policing teams to support the continued policing of Royal Parks as part of our business as usually work and stopping previously proposed reductions to Flying Squad.

    The Met is also publishing A New Met for London: Phase 2 – a plan for the next three years, following the success of the first plan to deliver more trust, less crime and high standards.

    The new plan focusses on shedding distractions and bureaucracy that divert police away from crime-fighting, allowing our officers and staff to focus on what matters most to the public we serve, making greater use of technologies such as live facial recognition and automation, and providing officers and staff with the tools and equipment they need, to be more effective and more productive.

    The Met is asking the public for their views. To share your views complete this survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6NCR3LH

    MIL Security OSI –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Met prioritises neighbourhood policing to tackle crime in London hotspots

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    The Metropolitan Police is ruthlessly prioritising resources and putting more officers on the beat in the busiest parts of London – including the West End – to focus on core policing priorities, protect the public, and tackle areas with high crime.

    Despite the Met getting smaller, it is applying more resources and smarter tactics to tackle the biggest priorities.

    Up to 80 more officers will join the dedicated West End team to bear down on crimes which Londoners care about the most – including antisocial behaviour, violence against women and girls, shoplifting and phone robbery – as part of the Met’s focus on neighbourhood policing.

    The intensified action is part of ongoing work by the Met and Mayor of London to boost local neighbourhood teams, enhance partnership working and put high visibility policing at the heart of fighting crime and rebuilding trust.

    The West End will see its policing team grow by over 50 per cent so they can relentlessly target prolific offenders as well as being visible and approachable to protect the public and deter criminals.

    Six town centre teams will also be expanded or newly created with 90 additional officers in areas with the highest volumes of thefts and robberies covering Brixton, Kingston, Ealing, Finsbury Park, Southwark, and Spitalfields.

    Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said:

    “The Met is getting smaller but more capable. We have a laser-like focus on ensuring our officers and staff are in roles where they can drive down crime on issues that matter the most to Londoners.

    “This is what the public expects of the police, which is why we are putting neighbourhood policing first, tackling the crimes that we know are impacting the public in the busiest areas, and making the capital’s streets safer.

    “We’re adding up to 170 additional officers, split between the West End and town centres across London. Thanks to the hard work of our local teams, neighbourhood crime has already fallen by almost a fifth over the last year and moving these officers to the frontline will make sure we are a more visible presence in London.

    “While our budget has decreased in real terms, we are using this additional funding from City Hall and Home Office productively to support our mission to take a targeted approach to tackling volume crime and bolster our specialist tactics to disrupt the criminal gangs who fuel anti-social behaviour, robbery and theft.”

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:

    “Nothing is more important to me than keeping Londoners safe. Thanks to record funding from City Hall, the West End will see a 50 per cent increase in the number of police officers on the beat and an additional 90 police officers working in new or enhanced town centre teams in hotspot areas.

    “Despite years of austerity by the previous government, this is the latest example of the Met Police and I prioritising what Londoners want and delivering on our pledge to put high visibility policing at the heart of fighting crime and rebuilding community confidence and trust.

    “These new and boosted Safer Neighbourhood Teams will focus on tackling antisocial behaviour, phone robbery and shoplifting in key areas. This fresh targeted action is happening in tandem with enhanced police and partnership work already underway in our high streets and town centres this summer. We will continue to build on the crime reductions already achieved in the capital – with robbery, theft and knife crime down since the start of the financial year – to build a safer London for all.”

    Already, the Met has recruited over 300 additional PCSOs for neighbourhood policing teams towards a target of 500, as well as adding over 300 officers from Superintendents to Constables.

    This work to focus resource in the right places, builds on enhanced partnership action with local authorities, businesses and communities to tackle crime in London’s busy town centres and high streets, announced earlier this month.

    The Met is arresting 1000 more criminals each month and thanks to the hard work of its officers, London’s Violence Reduction Unit, Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), local authorities and partners, the first six weeks of this financial year have seen promising reductions in a number of crime types compared to the same period last year.

    • Neighbourhood crime down by 15.3 per cent
    • Knife crime down by 18.1 per cent
    • Residential burglary down by 17.7 per cent
    • Theft from the person down by 15.6 per cent
    • Personal robbery down by 12.8 per cent
    • Shoplifting – solved 163 per cent more cases this year
    • In the West End specifically the Met has reduced:
    • Personal robbery by 20%
    • Violence with injury by 25%
    • Violence against a person by 8%

    Ros Morgan, Chief Executive, Heart of London Business Alliance:

    “A safer West End is essential to its success. We welcome the Mayor and Met Commissioner’s response to our calls for more policing. With over 200 million visitors a year and a £50 billion contribution to the UK economy, keeping this district secure isn’t optional — it’s vital. We’ll continue working with the Met to protect the West End’s reputation as a world-class destination.”

    Dee Corsi, Chief Executive, New West End Company, said:

    “We know, first-hand, the incredible work that the Metropolitan Police Service undertakes every day here in the West End to tackle anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, phone robbery and violence against women and girls. But we also know that tackling complex crime challenges is more difficult when resources are squeezed. That’s why today’s announcement, and renewed commitment to the West End, is a critical step forward. We will continue to work in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Service, the Mayor of London and other local stakeholders to ensure the West End remains safe and welcoming for all.”

    Anthony Hemmerdinger, Managing Director, Boots said:

    “Retail theft alongside intimidation and abuse of our team members is unacceptable, so we welcome this additional support from the Mayor and Metropolitan Police to increase resources in some of our busiest central London store locations.

    “While we continue to invest significantly in schemes to deter and disrupt crime, including our state-of-the-art CCTV monitoring centre and bodycams for our team members in stores, it is only through close partnership working with Government, Police, and local communities, that we can ensure high streets feel like welcoming and safe spaces for people to work, shop and visit, all the time.”

    Against the backdrop of these improvements and increased demand for policing in London, tough choices are still being made across the organisation.

    The Met is shrinking overall by 1,700 officers and staff – they have started by moving officers from the dedicated Royal Parks policing team and schools officers into local policing teams. This will ensure officers are part of larger neighbourhood policing teams, policing parks as part of larger teams and ensuring children are safe on their school commute where they are most at risk.

    The Met are going further to place officers on the beat, ensuring London is a safer place to live, work and visit. A more visible presence will increase reassurance for the public and create a hostile environment for criminals who will be arrested in greater numbers.

    The Met secured additional funding after submitting their draft budget which laid out how they would spend their money in 2025/26. As a result, they are using £32 million of additional funding from City Hall and the Home Office to reduce the total officer and staff reductions in priority areas.

    The efficiency savings are due to real-term reductions in public spending on policing and every decision the Met makes is to ensure resources are focussed in the most vital areas and on core-policing priorities.

    The funding will also allow specialist police capabilities to be expanded to support neighbourhood policing priorities and improve out outcomes in tackling high-harm offenders and violence against women and girls. This will include:

    • Bolstering Flying Squad with over 50 additional officers to support neighbourhood policing as they tackle the organised crime gangs that fuel phone robbery and shoplifting.
    • Scaling up our use of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) more widely supported by additional officers and staff. Currently LFR is used four times a week across two days, but this will increase up to five days a week, delivering up to 10 deployments a week across London to drive up arrests of wanted offenders.
    • The Public Order Crime Team will expand to accommodate the rise in protest-related criminal investigations to ensure frontline officers are freed up to focus on local issues. Demand in this area increased in the last two years.
    • Additional resource will be funded to support local policing teams to coordinate work to hunt down dangerous and predatory offenders identified in our V100 and Violence Harm Assessment work.

    As well as targeting resource in specific priority areas, the funding has allowed the Met to reduce some of the previously outlined cuts – including providing 17 officers to join neighbourhood policing teams to support the continued policing of Royal Parks as part of our business as usually work and stopping previously proposed reductions to Flying Squad.

    The Met is also publishing A New Met for London: Phase 2 – a plan for the next three years, following the success of the first plan to deliver more trust, less crime and high standards.

    The new plan focusses on shedding distractions and bureaucracy that divert police away from crime-fighting, allowing our officers and staff to focus on what matters most to the public we serve, making greater use of technologies such as live facial recognition and automation, and providing officers and staff with the tools and equipment they need, to be more effective and more productive.

    The Met is asking the public for their views. To share your views complete this survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6NCR3LH

    MIL Security OSI –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mrvan Holds Workforce Roundtable

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank J. Mrvan (IN)

    Gary, IN – Today, Rep. Frank J. Mrvan (IN-01) and Rep. Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) held a Workforce Roundtable through their roles with the New Democrat Coalition with Northwest Indiana representatives of organized labor, higher education institutions, and local nonprofit organizations to discuss the federal government’s role in strengthening the workforce through education and training initiatives.  

    The roundtable included representatives from the Center of Workforce Innovations, the Construction Advancement Foundation, Goodwill Industries of Michiana, IBEW Union 6th District, the Indiana Plan, Ironworkers Local Union 395, Ivy Tech Community College, the Northwest Indiana Building Constructions Trade Council, Operating Engineers Local Union 150, United Steelworkers Local Unions 1010 and 1014, and United Way Northwest Indiana.

    Congressman Mrvan stated, “Thank you to Rep. Budzinski, all of our colleagues in the New Democrat Coalition, and all of the participants today for this discussion on how we can continue to collaborate together to create more work and wealth in Northwest Indiana and communities across our country.  Northwest Indiana is a community of people who work hard to get ahead, and I am grateful that this conversation can focus on the invaluable contributions from labor unions and their apprenticeship programs, nonprofits with dedicated job training resources, and technical education programs offered at high schools and institutions of higher education.  This region’s commitment to education and training sends a clear message that Northwest Indiana is not only open for business, but we have the skilled workforce to get the job done.”

    Congresswoman Budzinski stated, “I was excited to join Congressman Mrvan for our seventh New Dems on the Road stop to talk about a workforce development agenda that meets the demands of the 21st century economy.  As a trade unionist, I know that a traditional four-year degree is far from the only path to a successful career – in fact, programs like registered apprenticeships offer incredible opportunities for folks to learn in-demand skills and get connected with good-paying jobs. It was great to hear from union leaders, community colleges, and local nonprofits about the work they’re doing in Indiana to expand access to these job training programs, and I look forward to bringing the insights from this conversation back to Washington, DC.”

    For additional information on the New Democrat Coalition workforce initiatives, click here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Delivers Opening Statement At Spotlight Forum Examining Trump Administration’s Voter Suppression Efforts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    July 30, 2025

    Today’s spotlight forum comes after Durbin and Padilla led all Senate Democrats in reintroducing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at his and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla’s (D-CA) spotlight forum entitled “Protecting the Future of American Democracy: Fighting a Surge in Voter Suppression.” Today’s spotlight forum examined the recent surge in voter suppression by Republican state legislatures and the Trump Administration, ranging from attempts to purge voter rolls to the push to invalidate the results of the 2024 North Carolina State Supreme Court election through targeted disenfranchisement of voters after they had cast their ballots.

     

    Today’s spotlight forum comes after Durbin and U.S. Senator Reverand Raphael Warnock (D-GA) led all Senate Democrats in reintroducing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, legislation that would update and restore critical safeguards of the original Voting Rights Act.

     

    Key quotes:

    “We are here today because the sacred right to vote in America is under attack. Republican elected officials—and now federal institutions under the Trump Administration—are attempting to further restrict access to the ballot under the false banner of ‘election integrity.’ Most disturbingly, some of these efforts are being carried out or enabled by the very government entities charged with protecting that right.”

    “This betrayal is deliberate. It is strategic. It is eroding the foundation of our democracy. Let me be clear. There is no longer a functioning federal entity actively safeguarding your right to vote.”

    “The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, once the proud defender of voting access for communities of color, military service members, rural voters, and people with disabilities, has turned inward. Under a reimagined mission, aligned with MAGA politics and driven by the lies of widespread voter fraud, the Division’s Voting Section has completely abdicated its role in confronting the real and rising tide of disenfranchisement.”

    “Look at North Carolina, where there was an aggressive, though thankfully unsuccessful, attempt to discard valid ballots and overturn an election after Justice Allison Riggs—now a member of the state’s highest court and a witness here today— finally won her seat.”

    “Look at our federal agencies. The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security are making demands for voter rolls from multiple states to initiate voter roll purges. These efforts, made under the guise of combating fraud, will disproportionately endanger voters of color, low-income communities, and active-duty military personnel.”

    “What we are witnessing today is not a series of isolated misjudgments. This is a coordinated effort—emboldened by the myth of the stolen 2020 election—to restrict access to the polls through redistricting, voter roll purges, and legislative barriers.”

    “We must treat this effort to erode our democracy with the urgency it demands. Yesterday, I joined Senators Warnock, Schumer, Blumenthal, Booker, [and Padilla], in reintroducing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. This legislation would restore and strengthen preclearance protections gutted by the Supreme Court in 2013 and reestablish meaningful federal oversight of voting laws in jurisdictions with a history of discrimination.”

    “The last time the Voting Rights Act was reauthorized, the Senate unanimously passed the legislation… This year marks the sixtieth anniversary of the passage of the original Voting Rights Act, and 20 years since its last reauthorization—and unfortunately, the bipartisan support we once saw for protecting the most fundamental of our rights has disappeared.”

    “Have we forgotten Selma? Have we forgotten that people bled on the bridge and others lost their lives so that all Americans could have the freedom to cast their ballot without intimidation and baseless, discriminatory restrictions?”

    “We must act—not just to protect the future, but to honor the legacy of those who fought to secure the ballot. History is watching, and it will not be kind to silence.”

    Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

    Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

    -30-

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall: We’re Not Tired of Winning

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Senator Marshall Joins the Brian Kilmeade Show to Discuss Trump Trade Deals, the MAHA Movement, and Democrats Obstructing Confirmations
    Washington – On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined Brian Kilmeade on The Brian Kilmeade Show on Fox News Radio to discuss President Trump’s historic trade deals and what they mean specifically for Kansas agriculture, MAHA movement momentum, China deterrence, and Senate Democrats’ attempts to obstruct the confirmation process.

    Click HERE or on the image above to listen to Senator Marshall’s full interview.
    On President Trump’s trade deals:
    “Brian, I mean, we’re ecstatic, absolutely ecstatic. Every time I see the President, I’ll tell him we’re not tired of winning. But you know, who’s excited about these trade deals are my Kansas farmers and the aerospace industry. What Kansas exports are agriculture products and airplanes, and jets. So just ecstatic about these deals. The President removing these non-trade barriers all these countries, in addition to giving us basically zero types of penalties going into their country’s tariffs, but they’re also opening their markets, and they’re moving investment into America. Just this past week, I had several of the large pharma companies who make their drugs overseas, very popular, very successful [say that] they’re moving that manufacturing here, so we’re all excited about them.”
    On Fed Chair Powell and interest rates:
    “I sure hope so. Jerome “too late” Powell, he is too late, kind of like “too tall” Jones. This is Jerome “too late” Powell. He should have cut it a quarter point, some time ago, a quarter point now, half point in the future. He’s a lame duck, and I don’t know what he’s going to do. If he doesn’t drop something today, I just have to think it’s politically or emotionally motivated.”
    On the progress of the MAHA movement:
    “Yeah, we’re making great progress. Making incredible progress. We have a group of bills that will help support that movement as well. A group of bills that’s going to make our soil healthier, help our farmers grow more with less pesticides, and with less fertilizers. The thing I’m worried about right now, which is coming to my attention, Brian is China continues to make a lot of knockoffs. So, for instance, China is making a knockoff of a GLP-1, that they’re sending to the US, that’s compounded into a pharmacy. 14 people have died from that. So, one of my big emphases here is moving all that supply chain back to the United States. It’s easier said than done.”
    On U.S.-China trade deals:
    “The big picture is that with China, we have a $270 billion trade deficit to address. I think that people missed the calculated way that the Trump administration is doing this. Basically, they boxed in China. Think about it. They’ve done the EU. They’ve done Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, and Australia, so that by having bilateral trade agreements with them, it’s putting a lot of pressure on China. One other thing China does to cheat is they’ll send a bunch of T-shirts that they made or tennis shoes, and they’ll send them to Vietnam, and then Vietnam is getting them in at their lower tariff rate. So, the President is doubling up on that type of transaction to make sure that those are tarred appropriately. So, we absolutely are getting there. To your point, I’m much more concerned about fentanyl poisoning, their intellectual property theft, the counterfeits they make, all those things. But I have faith in Scott Bessent. This guy is one of the sharpest people I’ve ever met.”
    On Democrats stalling nominations and spending bills:
    “I think this is the big political picture here, and you get this, but what’s driving the Democrat Party right now is the far left. Chuck Schumer is scared to death of AOC on the far left, so they’re demanding he’s got to do something. He’s got to do something. So, he’s doing everything in his power to gum up the process, whether it’s nominations or appropriations bills as well. He’s in a panicked mode right now, and he’s lashing out, slowing up what is traditionally done. People that would pass with unanimous consent and take zero floor time, we’re having to vote on them three times and spend two hours or more on each one of them. So, if they’re going to keep doing that, then we just need to stay here in August till we get more of these people confirmed.
    On the Senate delaying recess until nominations are confirmed:
    “The Democrats secretly want to all go home, right? That is their number one priority. These people are professional politicians; they’re used to having all summer off. And by the way, when I go back, I’m going to work harder back in Kansas than I do here. Then, at the same time, their leader is scared to death. I can’t believe he’s still there. Their leader hasn’t been fired yet, but he’s scared to death to be in a primary. So it’s all about his political legacy right now, keeping that together. But I just have to emphasize, Brian, yes, I want to go home, but I’ve done four telephone town halls up here with people back in Kansas in the last two weeks, with over 5,000 people on each one of those calls. You can go home on weekends. We’ve had significant, strong events as well. We could stay for easily two weeks, and still go back and accomplish that mission of targeting the great things about the Big Beautiful Bill, whether it’s the biggest tax cut in American history or no tax on tips, all those types of things. So, I think we can walk and chew gum. But, what we could do most to help the people of America is get President Trump’s nominations confirmed so they can execute his agenda.”
    On Democrats battling each other on bipartisan bills:
    “First of all, the one thing I learned politically up here is when your opponent is forming a circular firing squad, don’t hop in the middle of them. So, I think we need to give them all the rope we can on this. This kind of takes us back to what I was talking about earlier. The far left of the Democrat Party is the tail wagging the dog. Here’s Cory Booker running for president, right? He’s trying to reach that primary base, saying he’s the most radical, progressive person up here. That’s what he’s doing right there. And again, this is a party that won’t stop digging. They’re in this hole. They have no respect for law and order. They he just keep digging and digging. These bills that she’s proposing are bipartisan, stronger law and order support the police. He’s out there still shouting like this mayor candidate from New York that wants to defund the police. So, I think this is all political. They’re more interested in running for president, Cory Booker is. Then here, you have Amy Klobuchar, who’s one of the most moderate Democrats, level-headed people up here. And to be honest, it’s just been a joy to get to know and work with her. We’re in bipartisan prayer breakfast together. It’s something you’ll never see, but she gave just an incredible lesson to us today about life in our bipartisan prayer breakfast.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall: The USDA is Coming to Kansas City

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Senator Marshall Questions Deputy Secretary of Agriculture About the USDA Reorganization
    Washington – On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), questioned Deputy Secretary of Agriculture,The Honorable Stephen Alexander Vaden, during a recent Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry hearing focused on the recently announced USDA reorganizational proposal.

    Click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full exchange.
    Highlights from the hearing include: 
    On why the USDA relocation to Kansas City makes sense:
    Senator Marshall: “Mr. Vaden, welcome. Glad you’re here today. In your testimony, you were mentioning some of the advantages of moving to some of these communities. And I would just point out that you failed to mention that moving to Kansas City that suddenly you would have the advantage of being a Chiefs fan, rather than suffering through another year here with the Washington Commanders. You failed to mention, to be within an hour of the most storied basketball program in the nation, and just barely two hours away from the first land-grant university in America.
    “And I just would want to give you a chance to talk a little bit more. You think about the Kansas City Metro, within a two-hour drive of the Iowa State University, the Nebraska University, Missouri, Arkansas…. How far away is Auburn? Not too far. So, my point is, you know what? You can’t coach talent. You have to have talent, and within just miles of there, some of the greatest ag research in the world. How important is that to American agriculture to have, let alone the affordability issues you mentioned?”
    Deputy Secretary Vaden: “It’s vital. And I want to add to the mix, NBAF. We haven’t forgotten about that. You haven’t either. I know there’s some unfinished business left there. But when you think about the potential that facility has and the technology and level of research that can go on there that are vital for the future of American agriculture, you’ve pointed to many of the reasons why Kansas City also joined as one of our five hubs.
    “The Department put some thought into this. We want to spark that level of collaboration that you have noted, whether it be with our land grant and non-land grant university partners, whether it be with individual farmers, whether it be with the local Chamber of Commerce in an area that is driven and motivated, even though it may be in an urban setting, by agriculture.
    “I know that you’re well aware that the Federal Reserve has a location in Kansas City, and that we’re looking at the shape of the agricultural economy for inclusion in the Beige Book, so we look to what the Kansas City Fed has to say. USDA will be able to take advantage of all of these synergies, and not only Kansas City, but the other hubs that we have laid out.”
    On the USDA’s right to reinitiate the relocation process:
    Senator Marshall: “Over the past four years, it was reported that only 6% of USDA employees were in the office as well. And more and more, just a crescendo of complaints from my ag producers back home that they could work with their local FSA officer or their conservation officer, but then that report would get somehow clogged here in DC. I want to compliment the White House on the $10 billion that was appropriated in [the] spring; within days, my farmers had the help that they needed.
    “And then, more recently, I think it was a $16 billion, so something is working, right from a standpoint of customer services. And I just can’t help but think when you’re when you have people working for USDA out there, going to church, going to the soccer match, all those type of things with the local farmers and ranchers, is going to be a better service of wealth. So just talk about customer service, how that was going to be impacted by these people, the net, net moving out into the hinterlands, as we call it.”
    Deputy Secretary Vaden: “Well, I don’t consider it the hinterlands, I consider it home, Senator. But with regard to having more people in the field, we agree with you that we think the level of service will improve. Not only do we agree with you, even if we had a disagreement, the Congress has legislated on this point, and this is another matter that drove our consideration of this plan, and that’s looking at USDA reorganization authority, which was granted to us by the Congress in 1953.
    “And if you actually look at the statute, I’m a former judge, so I tend to look at statutes. What does the statute say? The statute says, in carrying out this law, quote, ‘the Secretary shall seek to simplify and make efficient the operation of the Department of Agriculture, to place the administration of farm programs close to the state and local levels,’ close quote from the statute. This is exactly what Congress intended: the maximum amount of USDA resources dedicated out in the field, not in Washington, D.C.”
    Senator Marshall: “Just want to make one last point, President Trump’s tariffs are working. He has made incredible trade deals that are going to open up markets that we never had access to before. We’ve never sold a cheeseburger in all of Europe. Ethanol: 40% of our corn crop goes to ethanol. Suddenly, the EU, UK, and all these countries are going to be buying ethanol as well. We’re seeing manufacturing jobs move back to this country because of these tariffs as well. American agriculture will benefit significantly from long-term trade. Agreements for long-term success as well, and we can’t wait to see what’s next coming out of the White House and the tariffs. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025
←Previous Page
1 … 26 27 28 29 30 … 2,663
Next Page→
NewzIntel.com

NewzIntel.com

MIL Open Source Intelligence

  • Blog
  • About
  • FAQs
  • Authors
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Patterns
  • Themes

Twenty Twenty-Five

Designed with WordPress