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BBAI DEADLINE: ROSEN, LEADING INVESTOR COUNSEL, Encourages BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. Investors with Losses in Excess of $500K to Secure Counsel Before Important June 10 Deadline in Securities Class Action – BBAI

NEW YORK, June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BBAI) between March 31, 2022 and March 25, 2025, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important June 10, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased BigBear.ai securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the BigBear.ai class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit–form/?case_id=37621 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866–767–3653 or email [email protected] for more information. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than June 10, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants made false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) BigBear.ai maintained deficient accounting review policies related to the reporting and disclosure of certain non–routine, unusual, or complex transactions; (2) as a result, BigBear.ai incorrectly determined that the conversion option within the 2026 Convertible Notes qualified for the derivative scope exception under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 815–40 and failed to bifurcate the conversion option as required by ASC 815–15; (3) accordingly, BigBear.ai had improperly accounted for the 2026 Convertible Notes; (4) the foregoing error caused BigBear.ai to misstate various items in several of BigBear.ai’s previously issued financial statements; (5) as a result, these financial statements were inaccurate and would likely need to be restated; (6) BigBear.ai would require extra time and expense to correct the inaccurate financial statements, thereby increasing the risk that BigBear.ai would be unable to timely file certain financial reports with the SEC; and (7) as a result, BigBear.ai’s public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the BigBear.ai class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit–form/?case_id=37621 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866–767–3653 or email [email protected] for more information.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor’s ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the–rosen–law–firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686–1060
Toll Free: (866) 767–3653
Fax: (212) 202–3827
[email protected]
www.rosenlegal.com

GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9465718)

Equativ und Sharethrough treten künftig unter der Marke Equativ auf und stärken damit ihre globale Position als führende End-to-End-Medienplattform.

NEW YORK, June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Equativ gibt heute die vollständige Integration von Sharethrough in seine globale Marke und Unternehmensstruktur bekannt. Damit entsteht eine der größten unabhängigen Medienplattformen und –marktplätze weltweit. Diese vereinte Struktur stärkt Equativs Fähigkeit, globale Werbetreibende und Publisher mit Transparenz, Innovationskraft und nutzerzentrierter Technologie zu bedienen. Darüber hinaus profitiert Equativ von einem umfassenden Rebranding seiner visuellen Identität sowie seiner Website.

Dieser Meilenstein feiert die Zusammenführung beider Unternehmen unter einem gemeinsamen Dach und markiert den abschließenden Schritt eines einjährigen Integrationsprozesses nach der Übernahme von Sharethrough durch Equativ im Juni 2024.

Ein Medien–Snippet zu dieser Mitteilung ist verfügbar, wenn Sie auf diesen Link klicken

Im vergangenen Jahr hat die gebündelte Stärke von Equativ und Sharethrough das Wachstum des Unternehmens deutlich beschleunigt und Equativ als führende unabhängige Plattform etabliert – vertrauenswürdig für tausende globale Marken und alle der „Big Six“–Agenturen. Strategische Partnerschaften mit bedeutenden Akteuren wie der Deutschen Telekom und Titan OS sowie die Übernahme von Kamino Retail unterstreichen zudem Equativs Engagement für Innovation, globale Reichweite und seine Rolle als bevorzugter Partner für ergebnisorientierte Werbetreibende.

„Das ist mehr als ein Rebranding – es ist die Verwirklichung einer gemeinsamen Vision: eine dynamischere, innovativere und ergebnisorientiertere Alternative zur heutigen fragmentierten Adtech–Landschaft zu schaffen“, sagt Ben Skinazi, Chief Marketing Officer von Equativ.
„Gemeinsam haben wir eine globale Plattform geschaffen, die auf Interoperabilität, Intelligenz und messbare Ergebnisse entlang der gesamten Media Journey ausgelegt ist.“

Kampagnensteuerung in einer einzigen Medienplattform: Maestro by Equativ. Marken und Agenturen erhalten damit einen zentralen Zugang zu vielfältigen Lösungen, um in einem zunehmend aufmerksamskeitsgetriebenen Markt messbare Ergebnisse zu erzielen. Dank seiner Omnichannel–Fähigkeiten für CTV, Video, Native, Display und Retail Media vereinfacht Equativ den Ad–Tech–Stack, steigert die Performance und liefert hochwertige Medienumfelder – abgestimmt auf die Anforderungen eines sich schnell wandelnden Medienmarkts.

„In einer Zeit, in der Innovation und Performance entscheidend sind, stellt die Vereinigung von Sharethrough und Equativ einen bedeutenden Schritt nach vorn dar. Durch die Kombination ihrer komplementären Stärken fördern wir Nachhaltigkeit, Transparenz und Kreativität – und ermöglichen es Horizon, mutige, wegweisende Ergebnisse für unsere ambitioniertesten und performance–orientierten Kunden zu erzielen“, erklärt Alex Stone, SVP Agency Partnerships & Advanced Video bei Horizon Media.

Brian O’Kelley, Mitgründer und CEO von Scope3, erklärt: „Ich bin sehr gespannt auf das, was die Zukunft für Equativ bereithält – jetzt, da Sharethrough und Equativ unter einem gemeinsamen Namen vereint sind. Von der Entwicklung wegweisender Green–Media–Produkte bis hin zur frühen Implementierung der agentenbasierten Technologie von Scope3 haben beide Unternehmen die Branche kontinuierlich vorangebracht. Mit der vereinten Stärke ihrer Teams und Plattformen bin ich überzeugt, dass dieses zusammengeschlossene Unternehmen einen noch größeren Einfluss auf die Zukunft programmatischer Medien haben wird.“

Mykim Chikli, seit zwei Jahren strategische Beraterin von Equativ, ehemalige CEO der Publicis Group in EMEA und Asien sowie CEO von Weborama in Frankreich, äußert sich wie folgt: „Als jemand, der jahrzehntelang auf Agenturseite mit globalen Marken gearbeitet hat, habe ich aus erster Hand miterlebt, wie sich die Branche entwickelt hat – und wie fragmentiert und komplex sie geworden ist. Was Equativ mit dieser Vereinigung erreicht hat, ist nicht nur Skalierung, sondern auch Klarheit: eine Plattform, die die Umsetzung vereinfacht, das Nutzererlebnis respektiert und echte, nachhaltige Ergebnisse liefert. Genau solch einen Partner brauchen Agenturen und Werbetreibende im heutigen Markt.“

„Die Plattform von Equativ ist robust, flexibel und hervorragend an unsere Anwendungsumgebung angepasst. Die Teams von Equativ sind reaktionsschnell, aufmerksam und jederzeit bereit, das Setup zu optimieren. Es handelt sich um eine wirklich vertrauensvolle Partnerschaft, die es uns ermöglicht, Werbeleistung mit technologischem Know–how zu verbinden“, sagt Vincent SALINI, Director Digital Sales bei France TV Advertising.

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Über Equativ

Equativ ist eine globale End–to–End–Medienplattform. Sie ermöglicht es Werbetreibenden und Publishern, greifbare Ergebnisse zu erzielen. Dazu führt sie Premium–Inventar und Zielgruppen mit fortschrittlicher Kuratierung und modernster Werbetechnologie über alle Kanäle hinweg zusammen. Speziell entwickelt für die Anforderungen eines aufmerksamkeitsgetriebenen Marktes, steht Equativ für Qualität, Engagement und Performance – bei gleichzeitigem Fokus auf eine respektvolle, nutzerzentrierte Werbeerfahrung. Im Vordergrund stehen dabei nutzerorientierte Werbeerlebnisse. Mit einem Team von über 750 Fachkräften in 20 Ländern verbindet Equativ globale Reichweite mit fundierter lokaler Expertise.
Erfahren Sie mehr unter Equativ.com.

Für Medienanfragen wenden Sie sich bitte an Caroline Millié Figueiredo unter [email protected]

GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9464581)

Equativ et Sharethrough opèrent désormais sous la marque Equativ, consolidant ainsi une position de leader mondial des plateformes média

NEW YORK, 09 juin 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Equativ annonce aujourd’hui l’intégration complète de Sharethrough au sein de sa marque et de ses opérations mondiales et devient l’une des plus grandes plateformes publicitaires indépendantes au monde, renforçant ainsi sa capacité à accompagner les annonceurs et les éditeurs mondiaux avec transparence, innovation et technologie axée sur l’utilisateur. En outre, Equativ bénéficie d’une refonte complète de son identité visuelle et de son site Internet.

Cette étape importante célèbre le regroupement des deux entreprises sous un même toit et marque la dernière phase d’un processus de fusion, un an après l’acquisition de Sharethrough par Equativ en juin 2024.

Un extrait multimédia accompagnant ce communiqué est disponible en cliquant sur ce lien.

Au cours de l’année écoulée, la puissance combinée de ces deux sociétés a considérablement accéléré la croissance d’Equativ, qui s’est imposée comme une plateforme indépendante de premier plan à laquelle font confiance des milliers de marques mondiales et l’ensemble des Big Six. Des partenariats stratégiques avec des acteurs majeurs comme Deutsche Telekom et Titan OS, ainsi que l’acquisition de Kamino Retail, démontrent une fois de plus l’engagement d’Equativ en matière d’innovation, sa portée mondiale ainsi que son statut de partenaire privilégié des spécialistes du marketing axés sur les résultats.

« Plus qu’un changement de marque, cette étape marque l’aboutissement d’une vision commune : créer une alternative plus dynamique, innovante et axée sur les résultats dans le paysage fragmenté des technologies publicitaires », a déclaré Ben Skinazi, Chief Marketing Officer d’Equativ. « Ensemble, nous avons bâti une plateforme mondiale conçue pour l’interopérabilité, l’intelligence et les résultats tout au long du parcours média. »

La nouvelle organisation regroupe la planification, la curation, l’activation, l’amélioration et l’optimisation des publicités au sein d’une seule et même plateforme : Maestro by Equativ. Elle offre aux marques et aux agences un accès unique à des solutions diverses pour générer des résultats dans l’économie de l’attention actuelle. Grâce à ses capacités omnicanales regroupant la CTV, la vidéo, les formats natifs, le display media et le retail media, Equativ simplifie une diffusion performante des publicités tout en proposant des médias de qualité, répondant ainsi aux exigences d’un paysage médiatique en constante évolution.

« Dans un contexte où l’innovation et la performance sont primordiales, la fusion de Sharethrough et d’Equativ représente un formidable bond en avant. En alliant nos atouts complémentaires, nous favorisons le développement durable, la transparence et la créativité, ce qui permet à Horizon d’obtenir des résultats audacieux et révolutionnaires pour nos clients axés sur la performance les plus ambitieux », a déclaré Alex Stone, directeur général adjoint d’Agency Partnerships & Advanced Video chez Horizon Media.

Brian O’Kelley, cofondateur et PDG de Scope3, a déclaré : « Je suis vraiment enthousiaste de voir ce que l’avenir réserve à Equativ, alors que Sharethrough et Equativ fusionnent sous un seul et même nom. Qu’il s’agisse de la création de produits médiatiques respectueux de l’environnement ou de l’adoption précoce de la technologie agentique de Scope3, les deux sociétés ont constamment fait progresser le secteur. Grâce à la force combinée de leurs équipes et de leurs plateformes, je suis convaincu que cette fusion aura un impact encore plus grand sur l’avenir des médias programmatiques. »

En tant que conseillère stratégique d’Equativ depuis deux ans, Mykim Chikli, ancienne PDG du groupe Publicis pour la région EMEA et l’Asie et PDG de Weborama en France, a témoigné : « Ayant passé des décennies en agence à travailler avec des marques internationales, j’ai pu constater de visu l’évolution du secteur, ainsi que sa fragmentation et sa complexité. Grâce à cette fusion, Equativ a non seulement gagné en évolutivité, mais aussi en clarté avec une plateforme qui simplifie l’exécution, respecte l’expérience utilisateur et offre des résultats concrets et durables. C’est exactement le type de partenaires dont les agences et les annonceurs ont besoin sur le marché actuel. »

« La plateforme Equativ est robuste, flexible et parfaitement adaptée à notre environnement applicatif. Les équipes Equativ sont réactives, à l’écoute et toujours prêtes à optimiser la configuration. C’est un véritable partenariat de confiance qui nous permet d’allier performance publicitaire et expertise technologique », a déclaré Vincent Salini, directeur commercial numérique de France TV Advertising.

À propos d’Equativ

Equativ est une plateforme média globale end–to–end qui permet aux annonceurs et aux éditeurs d'obtenir des résultats concrets en réunissant des inventaires et des audiences de premier ordre avec une curation avancée et une technologie publicitaire de pointe sur tous les canaux. Conçue pour l'économie de l'attention, Equativ offre qualité, engagement et performance, tout en donnant la priorité à des expériences publicitaires respectueuses et centrées sur l'utilisateur. Avec une équipe de plus de 750 professionnels répartis dans 20 pays, Equativ associe une dimension mondiale à une expertise locale approfondie.

Pour en savoir plus, rendez–vous sur Equativ.com

Pour les demandes des médias : Veuillez contacter: Caroline Millié Figueiredo à l’adresse [email protected]

GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9464581)

Equativ and Sharethrough Will Now Operate Under Equativ Brand, Solidifying Global Position as Leading End-to-End Media Platform

NEW YORK, June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Equativ today announces the full unification of Sharethrough into its global brand and operations, forming one of the largest global independent media platforms and marketplaces, strengthening its ability to serve global advertisers and publishers with transparency, innovation, and user–first technology. Additionally, Equativ benefits from a complete rebrand of its visual identity and website.

This milestone celebrates the unification of both companies under one roof, and marks the final step in a year–long integration process following Equativ’s acquisition of Sharethrough in June 2024.

Equativ Unveils its New Brand Identity: Equativ new brand identity

A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available in this link

Over the past year, the combined power of Equativ and Sharethrough has significantly accelerated its growth, firmly establishing Equativ as a leading independent platform trusted by thousands of global brands and all of the Big Six agencies. Strategic partnerships with major players like Deutsche Telekom and Titan OS, and the acquisition of Kamino Retail further demonstrate Equativ’s commitment to innovation and global reach and role as a preferred partner for results–driven marketers.

“This is more than a rebrand—it’s the culmination of a common vision to build a more dynamic, innovative, and more outcomes–driven alternative to today’s fragmented ad tech landscape,” said Ben Skinazi, Chief Marketing Officer, Equativ. “Together, we’ve built a global platform that’s designed for interoperability, intelligence, and results across the entire media journey.”

The new Equativ brings together planning, curation, activation, ad enhancement and optimization within one media platform: Maestro by Equativ, offering brands and agencies one entry for multiple solutions for driving outcomes in today’s attention economy. With omnichannel capabilities across CTV, video, native, display, and retail media, Equativ simplifies the ad tech stack and delivers performance while providing quality media, meeting the demands of a fast–changing media landscape.

“In a moment where innovation and performance are paramount, the unification of Sharethrough and Equativ represents a powerful leap forward. By combining their complementary strengths, we’re advancing sustainability, transparency, and creativity—enabling Horizon to deliver bold, breakthrough results for our most ambitious, performance–driven clients,” expressed Alex Stone, SVP, Agency Partnerships & Advanced Video, Horizon Media.

Co–Founder and CEO at Scope3, Brian O'Kelley declared: “I’m truly excited about what the future holds for Equativ, as Sharethrough and Equativ come together under one name. From pioneering green media products to being early adopters of Scope3’s agentic technology, both companies have consistently pushed the industry forward. With the strength of their combined teams and platforms, I believe this unified company will have an even greater impact on the future of programmatic media.”

Being Equativ's Strategic Advisor for the past two years, Mykim Chikli, former CEO of Publicis Group in EMEA and Asia and CEO of Weborama in France, testified, “As someone who has spent decades on the agency side working with global brands, I’ve seen firsthand how the industry has evolved—and how fragmented and complex it has become. What Equativ has achieved through this unification is not just scale but clarity: a platform that simplifies execution, respects the user experience, and delivers real and sustainable outcomes. It’s exactly the kind of partner agencies and advertisers need in today’s market.”

“The Equativ platform is robust, flexible, and well–suited to our application environment. Equativ's teams are responsive, attentive, and always ready to optimize the setup. It's a truly trusted partnership that allows us to combine advertising performance and technological expertise,” stated Vincent Salini, Digital Sales Director at France TV Advertising.

About Equativ

Equativ is a global, end–to–end media platform empowering advertisers and publishers to achieve real outcomes by uniting premium inventory and audiences with advanced curation and cutting–edge ad tech across all channels. Purpose–built for the attention economy, Equativ delivers quality, engagement, and performance while prioritizing respectful, user–centric ad experiences. With a team of over 750 professionals across 20 countries, Equativ combines global scale with deep local expertise. Learn more at Equativ.com.

For Media Inquiries: Please contact: Caroline Millié Figueiredo [email protected]

GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9464581)

Equativ e Sharethrough Passam a Operar Sob a Marca Equativ, Solidificando a Posição Global Como Principal Plataforma Completa de Mídia

NOVA YORK, June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Equativ anuncia unificação total da Sharethrough com sua marca e operações globais, formando uma das maiores plataformas e mercados globais de mídia independente, fortalecendo sua capacidade de atender anunciantes e editores globais com transparência, inovação e tecnologia voltada para o usuário. Além disso, a Equativ se beneficia de uma reformulação completa da sua identidade visual e site.

Este marco homenageia a união das duas empresas sob o mesmo teto e marca a etapa final de um processo de integração de um ano após a Aquisição da Sharethrough pela Equativ em junho de 2024.

Um trecho de mídia que acompanha este anúncio está disponível clicando neste link.

No ano passado, o poder combinado da Equativ e da Sharethrough acelerou significativamente seu crescimento, estabelecendo firmemente a Equativ como plataforma líder independente, utilizada por milhares de marcas globais e todas as Big Six agências. Parcerias estratégicas com grandes players como Deutsche Telekom e Titan OS, e a aquisição da Kamino Retail são exemplos do compromisso da Equativ com a inovação e o alcance global, e do papel como parceiro preferencial de profissionais de marketing orientados a resultados.

“Isso é mais do que uma reformulação de marca – é o ápice de uma visão comum de criação de uma alternativa mais dinâmica, inovadora e orientada a resultados para o atual cenário fragmentado da tecnologia de anúncios”, disse Ben Skinazi, Diretor de Marketing da Equativ. “Juntos, criamos uma plataforma global projetada para interoperabilidade, inteligência e resultados em toda a jornada da mídia.”

A nova Equativ reúne planejamento, curadoria, ativação, aprimoramento de anúncios e otimização em uma única plataforma de mídia: Maestro by Equativ, que oferece para marcas e agências um acesso a várias soluções para geração de resultados na economia da atenção de hoje. Com recursos omnicanais em CTV, vídeo, mídia nativa, de exibição e de varejo, a Equativ simplifica a pilha de tecnologia de anúncios, oferecendo desempenho e, ao mesmo tempo, mídia de qualidade, atendendo às demandas de um cenário de mídia em rápida mudança.

“Em um momento em que a inovação e o desempenho são fundamentais, a unificação da Sharethrough com a Equativ é um potente passo à frente. Com a combinação dos seus pontos fortes complementares, promovemos sustentabilidade, transparência e criatividade, viabilizando que a Horizon forneça resultados inovadores e ousados para os nossos clientes mais ambiciosos e orientados para o desempenho “, disse Alex Stone, Vice–Presidente Sênior de Parcerias com Agências e Vídeo Avançado da Horizon Media.

O cofundador e CEO da Scope3, Brian O'Kelley, disse: “Estou realmente entusiasmado com o que o futuro reserva para a Equativ, com a união da Sharethrough com a Equativ sob um único nome. De pioneiras de produtos de mídia verde a pioneiras na adoção da tecnologia agentic da Scope3, ambas as empresas têm impulsionado consistentemente o setor. Com a força das suas equipes e plataformas conjuntas, esta empresa unificada deve ter um impacto ainda maior no futuro da mídia programática.”

Como Consultor Estratégico da Equativ nos últimos dois anos, Mykim Chikli, ex–CEO do Grupo Publicis na EMEA e na Ásia, e CEO da Weborama na França, acrescentou: “Durante minhas décadas trabalhando com marcas globais nas agências, pude observar a evolução do setor — e como ele se tornou fragmentado e complexo. Além de alcançar escala, a unificação da Equativ traz clareza: uma plataforma que simplifica a execução, respeita a experiência do usuário e oferece resultados reais e sustentáveis. É exatamente o tipo de agências parceiras e anunciantes que o mercado precisa hoje.”

“A plataforma Equativ é robusta, flexível e adequada ao nosso ambiente de aplicação. As equipes da Equativ são responsivas, atentas e sempre prontas para otimizar a configuração. É uma parceria verdadeiramente confiável que viabiliza a união do desempenho publicitário com a experiência tecnológica”, disse Vincent SALINI, Diretor de Vendas Digitais da France TV Advertising.

Sobre a Equativ

A Equativ é uma plataforma completa de mídia global que capacita anunciantes e editores a alcançar resultados reais, unindo estoque e públicos premium com curadoria avançada e tecnologia de anúncios de ponta em todos os canais. Desenvolvida especificamente para a economia da atenção, a Equativ oferece qualidade, engajamento e desempenho, priorizando experiências de anúncios respeitosas e centradas no usuário. Com uma equipe de mais de 750 profissionais em 20 países, a Equativ combina escala global com profunda experiência local. Saiba mais em Equativ.com.

Consultas da Mídia: Contate: Caroline Millié Figueiredo [email protected]

GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9464581)

Oceans at Risk: Report Warns Global Fossil Fuel Expansion Threatens Marine Biodiversity

A report documents the impact of unchecked oil and gas projects in biologically rich and ecologically sensitive environments. Credit Credit: Spencer Thomas

A report documents the impact of unchecked oil and gas projects in biologically rich and ecologically sensitive environments. Credit: Spencer Thomas

By Umar Manzoor Shah
SACRAMENTO, US & NEW DELHI, India:, Jun 9 2025 – A newly released report by Earth Insight in collaboration with 16 environmental organizations has sounded a global alarm on the unchecked expansion of offshore oil and gas projects into some of the most biologically rich and ecologically sensitive marine environments on the planet.

Titled Ocean Frontiers at Risk: Fossil Fuel Expansion Threats to Biodiversity Hotspots and Climate Stability, the report documents how 2.7 million square kilometers of ocean territory—an area nearly the size of India—has been opened to oil and gas exploration, much of it within or adjacent to protected areas and biodiversity hotspots.

The findings are based on a detailed spatial analysis of 11 case study regions, with data drawn from government ministries, investor briefings, and independent mapping efforts. The report was released ahead of the 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) taking place in Nice, France, this week.

Tyson Miller, Executive Director of Earth Insight, described the process in an exclusive interview with Inter Press Service (IPS).

“Our research unit selected 11 frontier regions out of many and built a dataset with a mix of publicly available data and digitized information where government data was lacking,” Miller said. “It was shocking to see the scale of planned oil and gas expansion and LNG development, knowing that fossil fuel expansion shouldn’t be happening—let alone in some of the world’s most sensitive ecosystems.”

‘Overlap between oil blocks and critical habitats deeply troubling’

The report warns of massive ecological consequences as oil and gas activities encroach on coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass meadows, and Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMA). Many of these zones fall within existing or proposed Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), which the international community has pledged to safeguard under initiatives like the 30×30 goal—protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030.

“Expanding marine protected areas is essential,” said Miller. “Safeguarding protected areas from oil and gas expansion and industrial development should go without saying. Yet, the extent of overlap between oil blocks and critical habitats is deeply troubling.”

In regions like the Gulf of California—also known as “the world’s aquarium”—LNG projects are already threatening a marine ecosystem that supports 39 percent of all marine mammal species and sustains hundreds of millions of dollars in fisheries. Despite local opposition and delayed environmental impact assessments, the area remains under active threat from fossil fuel expansion.

Meanwhile, off the coasts of Seychelles and Mauritius, the Saya de Malha Bank—a massive seagrass meadow that stores up to 10 percent of the ocean’s annual carbon despite covering just 0.2 percent of its surface—is now 98 percent overlapped by oil and gas blocks.

“There are important efforts underway to support the creation of a Marine Protected Area in the region—and if an exclusion of oil and gas and industrial activity in the area accompanied that, that would be a real positive step in the right direction,” Miller said.

Another key theme of the report is the outsized pressure placed on countries in the Global South to become new frontiers for fossil fuel extraction, even as they face increasing debt and climate vulnerability. Governments facing financial strain are often courted by foreign energy firms with promises of investment, job creation, and energy independence. However, the long-term consequences—both ecological and financial—are far more complex.

“Many countries in the Global South face high external debt and economic development pressures,” Miller explained. “Perhaps debt relief and payments for ecosystem services can become effective levers to help safeguard coastlines. Without this support, elected officials may greenlight projects that ultimately cost far more in the form of pollution, habitat destruction, and cleanup efforts.”

Indeed, the Ocean Protection Gap Report, also referenced in Earth Insight’s study, identifies billions of dollars in promised—but yet to be delivered—financing for marine conservation and climate resilience in low-income nations.

Incredible Work by Frontline and Indigenous Communities

Despite facing immense challenges, Indigenous and coastal communities are leading grassroots resistance movements in many of the threatened regions. In Mexico’s Gulf of California, local activism has successfully delayed LNG terminal approvals due to the absence of proper environmental reviews. In the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Mozambique, and elsewhere, community-led campaigns continue to demand transparency, ecological justice, and a halt to extractive projects.

“Frontline and Indigenous communities are doing incredible work to oppose fossil fuel expansion, often with limited resources and at great personal risk,” said Miller. “They need more direct support and more visible platforms to champion their vision for the future.”

Yet these communities, according to the report, are frequently up against entrenched corporate and political interests, making their fight not just environmental but also a struggle for democratic participation, land rights, and long-term sovereignty over natural resources.

Policy Roadmap

The report has pitched a policy roadmap for global leaders, particularly in the lead-up to high-stakes forums like COP and the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC). These include:

Halting all new coastal and offshore fossil fuel developments, especially in environmentally sensitive regions.
Removing unassigned oil and gas blocks and stopping the approval of new exploration licenses and permits.
Ending financial support—including investments, insurance, and financing—for planned offshore fossil fuel projects.
Shifting public and private capital to renewable energy, including offshore wind and solar.
Ensuring a just transition that includes full decommissioning of abandoned offshore infrastructure and stakeholder inclusion.
Undertaking habitat restoration where damage from fossil fuel operations has already occurred.
Strengthening global legal frameworks, including support for treaties like the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to prevent new coastal and offshore oil expansion.

“It’s time for global leaders to take bold, enforceable actions,” said Miller. “If the UN Ocean Conference wants to be taken seriously, it must directly address the growing threat of fossil fuel industrialization on coastlines and oceans.”

IPS UN Bureau Report

BitMEX Launches June Jumpstart Trading Competition: Win from a 3 BTC Prize Pool

VICTORIA, Seychelles, June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BitMEX, the safest crypto exchange, announced today the launch of its June Jumpstart Trading Competition, allowing traders to compete for their share of a 3 BTC prize pool.

The competition will run from 6 June 2025 at 11:00 AM (UTC) to 30 June 2025 at 11:59 PM (UTC). Users can participate in the competition anytime during the campaign period.

Rewards will be distributed across three leaderboards:

Highest Trading Volume: 80% of the total prize pool will be shared by the Top 100 Traders ranked by trading volume
Highest PnL: 10% of the total prize pool will be shared by the Top 100 Traders ranked by PnL
Highest ROI%: 10% of the total prize pool will be shared by the Top 100 Traders ranked by ROI%

All new traders that join the competition can also win their share of an additional 10,000 USDT prize pool based on their trading volume.

To participate in the June Jumpstart Trading Competition, new customers must be fully verified on BitMEX. Competition details and registration can be found here.

About BitMEX
BitMEX is the OG crypto derivatives exchange, providing professional crypto traders with a platform that caters to their needs through low latency, deep crypto native liquidity and unmatched reliability.

Since its founding, no cryptocurrency has been lost through intrusion or hacking, allowing BitMEX users to trade safely in the knowledge that their funds are secure. So too that they have access to the products and tools they require to be profitable.

BitMEX was also one of the first exchanges to publish their on–chain Proof of Reserves and Proof of Liabilities data. The exchange continues to publish this data twice a week – proving assurance that they safely store and segregate the funds they are entrusted with.

For more information on BitMEX, please visit the BitMEX Blog or www.bitmex.com, and follow Telegram, Twitter, Discord, and its online communities. For further inquiries, please contact [email protected].

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/df2e0c54–0966–4ef4–b186–b49a0c093fc7

GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 1001101548)

The British Council drives educational innovation through Action Research, benefiting educators worldwide

The British Council has established itself as a key facilitator of international educational improvement by supporting Action Research as a platform that has delivered tangible progress in schools worldwide.
Innovative educator–led research projects have improved teaching and learning in countries such as Pakistan, Egypt and Colombia, delivering measurable results in schools.
An AI–based maths project enhanced students’ understanding and performance. 80% reported that using digital platforms strengthened their problem–solving skills through active learning and critical thinking.

ISLAMABAD, June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Through the Action Research programme, the British Council supports educational improvement worldwide. As the UK’s organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, it plays a key role in facilitating global progress in education.

This initiative not only provides educators with funding, mentoring, and resources to implement research findings directly in their classrooms but also fosters the exchange of best practices among schools and teaching communities. Its impact cascades through local forums and Partner School events, reaching school leaders, teachers, and ultimately students. The programme has already resulted in tangible improvements in participating schools and underscores the British Council’s commitment to evidence–based, forward–looking education.

The British Council Partner Schools’ Action Research programme supported twelve researchers from nine countries—Pakistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Ghana, Jordan, Zimbabwe, Peru, and Colombia—on projects focused on leadership, continuous professional development (CPD), and technology, addressing shared global challenges in education.

The projects revealed key insights into technology, teacher development, and leadership as drivers of educational improvement. Many focused on digital learning, AI, and online platforms, reflecting a keen global interest in technology to support education. In Colombia, 80% of students reported that digital tools improved their skills, especially in problem–solving and critical thinking. Research on CPD shows that group reflection on individually completed training leads to greater gains in teaching quality and student outcomes than isolated professional development.

Leadership was also key: in Pakistan, one of the four projects, empowered female students through academic achievement, extracurricular engagement, and leadership roles that challenge gender norms and drive community change. Across all projects, inclusive participation—from students to families and school leaders—proved essential to identifying needs and co–creating effective, lasting solutions.

The new publication Action Research for Schools: Global Stories of School Improvement presents these findings and practical solutions to help schools worldwide address similar challenges.

“Backed by the British Council’s support, four researchers in Pakistan went above and beyond—delivering meaningful change in their schools and contributing to a culture of continuous improvement,” said Maarya Rehman, Deputy Country Director, British Council Pakistan.

Building on its success, the British Council has launched the second year of the programme awarding grants to thirteen new researchers. Visit our website to learn more.

About British Council Partner Schools

British Council Partner Schools is a global community of over 2,300 schools, supported by the British Council, delivering UK qualifications. A trusted partner, we help improve education quality, supporting learners worldwide to achieve their potential through UK education and qualifications. We support Partner Schools in over 40 countries, transforming the lives of over 250,000 students each year.

About the British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. We do this through our work in arts and culture, education and the English language. We work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2022–23 we reached 600 million people.

Contact

[email protected] | +34 667 632 738

[email protected]| +34 673 339 815

You can read the press release in Urdu here.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/da752839–021d–47b5–98af–18894e6c7141

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9f0de571–6914–4338–9a7c–3211da7420cc

GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 1001101566)

‘The Regime Seeks to Consolidate Absolute Control by Eliminating All External Oversight’

By CIVICUS
Jun 9 2025 –
CIVICUS discusses Nicaragua’s withdrawal from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and other international organisations with Wisthon Noguera, an activist, student and deputy coordinator of the National Youth Platform of Nicaragua.

Wisthon Noguera

In May, the Nicaraguan government announced its withdrawal from UNESCO after the organisation awarded the World Press Freedom Prize to La Prensa, a Nicaraguan newspaper operating in exile. The regime branded the newspaper a traitor and accused it of inciting foreign interference. The government’s move comes as part of a systematic offensive against press freedom and means a further loss of international space for Nicaraguan civil society.

Why did Nicaragua withdraw from UNESCO?

This departure is the latest episode in a strategy of isolation that began in early 2025. The regime has systematically abandoned United Nations agencies that have questioned its rule. First came the Food and Agriculture Organization in February, after it ranked Nicaragua among the countries with the highest levels of hunger in the world. President Daniel Ortega denounced ‘interventionist tendencies’ and closed the agency’s offices.

This was followed by a symbolic withdrawal from the Human Rights Council after its experts recommended that the state be brought before the International Court of Justice for stripping over 450 people of their nationality. And in late February, Nicaragua also left the International Labour Organization and the International Organization for Migration after receiving reform recommendations from them. This pattern repeated in May with the departure from UNESCO.

The logic is simple: the regime rejects any body that questions it, seeking to consolidate absolute control by eliminating all external oversight.

What does this decision reveal about the regime’s repressive strategy?

Its strategy of international isolation reinforces internal control, which intensified after the crackdown on 2018 protests. Since then, the regime has launched a relentless offensive against civil society organisations, independent media and universities.

Journalists have paid the highest price. Notable cases such as the murder of Ángel Gahona and the enforced disappearance of Fabiola Tercero illustrate the dangers of exercising freedom of expression. The result is devastating: 283 journalists have been forced into exile, media outlets such as La Prensa operate from abroad with enormous limitations, and a climate of fear and self-censorship now prevails within Nicaragua.

The education sector is also suffering the consequences. UNESCO’s departure weakens educational programmes just as the regime has expropriated universities, eliminated public funding and revoked the legal status of at least 37 educational institutions, including the emblematic Central American University.

Meanwhile, the regime has carried out constitutional changes to legalise authoritarianism, further weakening the separation of powers and closing the few remaining spaces for democratic participation. Its aim is to eliminate any form of internal or external oversight and silence all critical voices, including those resisting from exile.

Are other countries in the region on the same trajectory?

Nicaragua is part of a worrying regional authoritarian trend. In El Salvador, President Nayib Bukele has also restricted civil society organisations through legislation such as the Foreign Agents Law, which imposes a 30 per cent tax on foreign donations. Both governments use similar strategies to restrict freedom of association and the funding of independent media and organisations.

They are even collaborating with US immigration policies for profit: while El Salvador negotiates the reception of deportees from the USA in exchange for funding for its prisons, Nicaragua receives them in secret. This underlines the urgent need to strengthen regional civil society networks and develop common strategies against authoritarianism.

How is Nicaraguan civil society resisting?

Repression has decimated civil society, but has not eliminated it entirely. Since 2018, over 5,600 organisations have been dissolved, resulting in the almost total dismantling of the national civic fabric. The few remaining organisations operate under strict state supervision and have no real autonomy.

Internal resistance is virtually non-existent due to the enormous risks involved, but the diaspora keeps international condemnation alive in exile. Exiled organisations document the consequences of authoritarianism and urge host governments to take stronger measures against the regime.

However, resistance requires more than declarations. Civil society needs effective protection mechanisms for at-risk activists and journalists, as well as sustainable funding to enable them to continue operating from exile. International commitment to democracy and human rights in Nicaragua must translate into tangible actions of solidarity that strengthen civic resistance, inside and outside the country.

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SEE ALSO
Nicaragua: ‘The regime counts on the disappearance of civil society, but people will always look for ways to organise themselves’ CIVICUS Lens | Interview with Amaru Ruiz 24.Feb.2025
Nicaragua: a dynasty in the making CIVICUS Lens 17.Feb.2025
135 political prisoners expelled from Nicaragua; closure of 1,500 CSOs within one month CIVICUS Monitor 15.Nov.2024

How to Spur Economic Growth in Africa’s Fragile and Conflict-Affected States

Credit: IMF Photo/Ebunoluwa Akinbo

By Wenjie Chen, Michele Fornino, Hamza Mighri and Can Sever
WASHINGTON DC, Jun 9 2025 – More than half of sub-Saharan Africa’s population lives in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCS)—economies that face profound challenges such as stagnant economic growth, weak institutions, inadequate public services, extreme poverty, war, and forced internal displacement.

Some countries have transitioned out of extreme fragility by implementing sound macroeconomic policies, diversifying the economy, and strengthening institutions. However, as we explain in our analytical note in the IMF’s Regional Economic Outlook for sub-Saharan Africa, recovering from the successive shocks of recent years is likely to be difficult for many FCS, faced with erratic growth, political instability, exposure to natural disasters, and heavy resource dependency.

Fragility carries a stark human cost. With strained budgets, vast development needs, and insufficient funding, fragile states in the region consistently rank at the bottom of global development indicators.

Life expectancy lingers at 60 years, poverty rates are twice as high as in non-FCS in the region, and elementary school completion rates remain among the lowest globally. If current trends continue, by 2030 two-thirds of the world’s extreme poor will live in fragile states, with sub-Saharan Africa at the epicenter.

Many fragile states struggle to sustain the bursts of faster growth needed to escape poverty. As the Chart of the Week shows, while non-FCS economies in sub-Saharan Africa managed to keep growing after the pandemic—albeit more slowly than previously forecast—fragile states in the region haven’t been able to regain lost ground, with inflation-adjusted income per person still, on average, below its 2019 level.

When FCS suffer a downturn, they lose revenue and have limited access to affordable financing, forcing them to cut expenditures more sharply than in non-FCS. This results in a relatively longer and deeper fiscal contraction, exacerbating the initial shock, as shown in a recent IMF working paper.

Fragility is more than a lack of institutional capability and armed conflict: it often reflects deeper political and economic forces that make recovery elusive. Restricted access to international financial markets, weaker institutions, and limited entrepreneurship in fragile states result in significantly smaller private sector contributions to the economy and fewer employment opportunities compared with other countries.

However, some fragile states have managed to break free by focusing on participatory governance, institutional reform, and economic diversification. Countries that curb corruption, strengthen institutions, and promote political participation are more likely to mitigate fragility, according to our analysis of past cases based on a machine learning approach.

Indeed, past lessons offer hope. After its 2002 civil war, Sierra Leone sought to prioritize rebuilding infrastructure and public services in education and health care, while Liberia, after four years of civil war ended in 2003, strengthened core institutions and reduced reliance on extractive industries. Both nations used pivotal moments to reset societal expectations, rebuild trust, and set a new course.

Employment and income

FCS in the region are simultaneously major sources of refugees and key hosts. Despite the acute challenges and constraints, several FCS (Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Niger, among others) have implemented innovative refugee policies, such as granting refugees free movement, work permits, and access to public services.

While these measures require up-front investments and administrative capacity, well-designed refugee integration strategies can boost employment and income for both the host country and the refugees.

The transition toward sustained growth and resilience is a long-term process requiring perseverance and adaptability, not a quick fix. No single policy guarantees success. Instead, states that focus on a package of measures to build inclusive institutions, maintain economic stability, and seize key opportunities for reform are far more likely to succeed.

In line with the Fund’s Strategy for Fragile and Conflict-Affected States (FCS), our policy recommendations include:

This blog is based on an analytical note for the IMF’s Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa authored by Wenjie Chen, Michele Fornino, Vidhi Maheshwari, Hamza Mighri, Annalaura Sacco, and Can Sever.

For more, see the IMF’s strategy for fragile and conflict-affected states.

IPS UN Bureau