Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: Houston resident heads to prison for trafficking fentanyl in hidden compartment following ICE Rio Grande Valley, federal partner investigation

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    BROWNSVILLE, Texas — A Houston woman was sentenced following her conviction for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl following an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

    Alyssa Marie Maldonado, 40, was sentenced on Feb. 25 by U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez to serve 36 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional testimony that detailed Maldonado’s culpability in the crime. In handing down the sentence, the court noted her connection to the smuggling through her actions to conceal the drugs within the vehicle. Maldonado pleaded guilty Oct. 16, 2024.

    “Today’s sentencing underscores the serious consequences of fentanyl trafficking. ICE is committed to holding those responsible for distributing this deadly drug accountable and to working with our partners to protect communities from its devastating effects,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Rio Grande Valley Deputy Special Agent in Charge Mark Lippa.

    According to court documents, on March 24, 2024, Mendoza applied for entry into the United States at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Port of Entry. At initial inspection, she made a negative declaration to any contraband within the vehicle and provided false statements concerning her reasons for visiting Mexico. Authorities referred her to secondary inspection where a K-9 soon alerted to the rear back seat area. They then discovered anomalies in the fuel tank and found 22 packages which field tested positive for fentanyl. The combined weight was 8.70 kilograms.

    Previously released on bond, Maldonado was taken into custody following the sentencing where she will remain pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Blackmon from the Southern District of Texas prosecuted the case.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ecuadoran man sentenced to more than 26 years in prison for recording his sexual abuse of a minor in Connecticut

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    HARTFORD, Conn. – Servio Barros-Terreros, 58, an illegal alien from Ecuador last residing in Stamford, was sentenced Feb. 20 to 320 months of imprisonment for taking pictures of his repeated sexual abuse of a minor.

    According to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation, in December 2022, a minor female victim reported Barros sexually assaulted her multiple times, took sexually explicit pictures of her, and threatened to publish the pictures and show them to the victim’s mother if she told anyone. Barros also instructed the victim to undress during video calls he initiated with the victim, during which he also engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

    “Not only did Barros sexually abuse a young child, he used guilt and fear to threaten her and prevent her from coming forward about this abuse. It takes real bravery to overcome those threats and thanks to her perseverance, this predator is facing serious time behind bars as well as deportation after the completion of his sentence,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol.

    On Jan. 12, 2023, Stamford Police arrested Barros on state sexual assault and risk of injury offenses and seized Barros’ iPhone. Analysis of the iPhone by ICE special agents revealed sexually explicit images of the minor victim, and images of Barros engaging in sexually explicit conduct with the minor victim.

    Barros has been detained since his arrest. On March 5, 2024, he pleaded guilty in federal court to production of child pornography.

    Barros entered the U.S. illegally without inspection at an unknown date and unknown location. ICE lodged a detainer with the Bridgeport Correctional Facility in 2023. Barros faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.

    The case was investigated by ICE New England’s Hartford Resident Agent in Charge office and the Stamford Police Department.

    To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.

    Members of the public can report child exploitation by calling the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Boston, law enforcement partners arrest illegal Haitian alien charged in Massachusetts with sex crimes, witness intimidation

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    NEW BEDFORD, Mass.—U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and law enforcement partners from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives apprehended an illegal Hatian alien charged in Massachusetts with two counts of rape, indecent assault and battery on a person 14 years or older, possession of child pornography, witness intimidation, and violation of a harassment prevention order. Officers with ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston along with agents from ICE Homeland Security Investigations New England and ATF Boston arrested Queenssy Bryan Lindor, 21, in New Bedford Feb. 5.

    “Queenssy Bryan Lindor stands accused of some unspeakable crimes, when combined with his convictions prove that he represents a substantial threat to the residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” said ICE ERO acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “We refuse to allow law-abiding New Englanders to be subjected to such a menace. ICE Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders from our neighborhoods.”

    U.S. Border Patrol arrested Lindor after he illegally entered the United States near Del Rio, Texas, Nov. 21, 2019. USBP served Lindor with a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge.

    ICE ERO San Antonio released Lindor Nov. 27, 2019, on an Order of Recognizance.

    The Barnstable District Court arraigned Lindor Feb. 13, 2023, for assault and battery. Later that day, ICE lodged an immigration detainer against Lindor with the Yarmouth, Massachusetts, Police Department.

    The Barnstable House of Corrections ignored the ICE detainer and released Lindor on $1,000 bail and GPS conditions.

    The Barnstable District Court convicted Lindor of assault and battery Sept. 14, 2023, and sentenced him to 30 days in prison

    The Barnstable Superior Court indicted Lindor Nov. 1, 2023, for two counts of rape, indecent assault and battery on a person 14 years or older, possession of child pornography, witness intimidation, and violation of a harassment prevention order.

    The Barnstable District Court convicted Lindor Sept. 20, 2024, for violation of a harassment prevention order and sentenced him to probation.

    Officers with ICE ERO Boston along with agents from ICE HSI New England and ATF Boston arrested Lindor in New Bedford Feb. 5.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our New England communities on X: @EROBoston.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Hapeville Police Officer Charged with Excessively Tasing Detainee

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ATLANTA – Shevoy Brown, a former officer with the Hapeville (GA) Police Department, has been arraigned on charges of using unreasonable force by repeatedly tasing a handcuffed detainee who had been arrested for trespassing.                                                                                                                                     

    “Our local law enforcement partners employ dedicated officers who risk their lives and safety every day to help make our district safer.  This indictment alleges conduct by a former officer that runs counter to the culture of professionalism and public service that epitomizes the work performed by police officers in and outside our district,” said Acting United States Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr.

    “People being held under arrest have the right to be treated humanely,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to protect the civil rights of the public and ensure those who abuse their power are held responsible.”

    According to Acting U.S. Attorney Moultrie, the indictment, information provided in court, and other publicly available information: On June 3, 2024, Hapeville, Georgia Police Department officers arrested a man for trespassing and transported him to the department’s headquarters.  The man was placed alone in a small holding cell and handcuffed to a stationary bench.  Although the detainee was a threat to no one, former Hapeville Police Officer Shevoy Brown allegedly tased him at least six times without any legal justification. The repeated tasing injured the detainee and required medical attention.  Following the tasing, Brown allegedly wrote a false use of force report to cover up his conduct.  So in addition to the offense of excessive force, Brown is also charged with obstruction of justice.

    Shevoy Brown, of Hampton, Georgia, was arraigned before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Russell G. Vineyard.  He was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 12, 2025.

    Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges.  The defendant is presumed innocent, and it will be the government’s burden to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

    This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Brent Alan Gray and Bret R. Hobson are prosecuting the case.

    For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illegal alien sentenced for exporting firearm parts

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    McALLEN, Texas – A 55-year-old Mexican citizen has been sentenced for exporting firearm parts from the United States into Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Oscar Daniel Ramirez Gonzalez pleaded guilty Dec. 12, 2024.

    U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has how sentenced Ramirez Gonzalez to serve 24 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence.

    On Nov. 9, 2024, Ramirez Gonzalez attempted to exit the United States and enter Mexico through the Pharr Port of Entry.

    Authorities referred him to secondary inspection where they conducted a search of the vehicle and found a firearm upper receiver, lower receiver, four bottles of gun powder and several thousand rounds of ammunition cartridges in various calibers.

    Ramirez Gonzalez did not possess a license to export the items from the United States. 

    He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

    Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda McColgan prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sioux City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug Convictions

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Traffic stop leads to seizure of multiple controlled substances packaged for redistribution

    Shannon Ivory, 43, from Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced on February 27, 2025, to 125 months’ imprisonment.  Ivory pled guilty July 31, 2024, in federal court, to four counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. 

    Evidence at the sentencing hearing showed that on March 20, 2023, Ivory was arrested by federal agents as a fugitive on State of Iowa charges.  During the arrest, multiple types of illegal drugs in separate packaging for distribution were found on Ivory, including over 26 grams of pure methamphetamine; over 15 grams of crack cocaine; over 4 grams of powder cocaine; and 25 morphine pills.  Ivory admitted to possessing the drugs and his intent to distribute them to other persons. 

    Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Ivory was sentenced to 125 months’ imprisonment and must serve a five-year term of supervised release following imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Ivory is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the United States Marshal’s Service, the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department, and the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and the Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.  

    Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

    The case file number is 23-4038.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fort Dodge, Iowa Man to Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of Firearm

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Lennox Vanvacter, 32, was convicted by a jury on October 10, 2024, after a three-day trial in federal court in Sioux City, to one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm.  The verdict was returned following about 7 hours of jury deliberations.

    The evidence at trial and sentencing showed that on July 30, 2023, Fort Dodge/Webster County law enforcement officers observed Vanvacter operating a motor vehicle.  Based on their observations and the fact Vanvacter had an active arrest warrant for a previous eluding charge, officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop and apprehend him.  When emergency lights/sirens were activated, Vanvacter engaged in a high-speed driving-based attempt (approximately 30 minutes in duration) to elude law enforcement, including speeds of 70 mph or more in Fort Dodge and 100 mph or more outside city limits in Webster County.  Two sets of spike strips were deployed by officers and ultimately helped stop the vehicle.  Once stopped, Vanvacter attempted to flee from the officers on foot but was captured a short distance later.  Officers located a firearm, a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol, near the end of the vehicle’s flight path.  Later, officers determined by review of patrol car camera video, that the firearm was thrown from the vehicle by Vanvacter.  Vanvacter had a history of leading law enforcement on high-speed driving pursuits.    

    Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand Vanvacter was sentenced to 144 months’ imprisonment and must serve a three-year term of supervised release following imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Vanvacter remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison. 

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.         

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Fort Dodge Police Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa DCI Laboratory, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, as well as assisted by the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office, the Sioux City Police Department, the Woodbury County Attorney’s Office, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hamilton County Attorney’s Office.  

    Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

    The case file number is 23-3037.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Donna man sentenced for smuggling 49 illegal aliens

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 31-year-old South Texan has been ordered to federal prison for illegally smuggling dozens of people into the United States on two separate occasions, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Joe Adam Escobedo pleaded guilty Sept. 26, 2024.

    U.S. District Judge David Morales has now ordered him to serve 57 months in each case to run concurrently. He was also ordered to serve an additional 12 months to run consecutively for a total of 69 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the fact that Escobedo committed the second offense with 42 aliens and it was the very thing for which he had been on bond and imposed the consecutive sentence. 

    “The Southern District of Texas will vigorously pursue alien smuggling cases, given the risk they pose both to the persons smuggled as well as the public at large,” said Ganjei. “Tractor trailer smuggling can be especially hazardous, given the confined space and the unpredictable Texas weather. All it would have taken is a refrigeration malfunction for this smuggling scheme to have turned deadly.”

    On April 12, 2024, Escobedo approached the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint driving a tractor-trailer. He claimed he was heading to Michigan and was hauling pineapples in the trailer. Authorities referred him to secondary inspection after a K-9 alerted to the tractor where they ultimately found seven illegal aliens from El Salvador and Mexico hidden in the sleeper area of the tractor.

    He was charged with alien smuggling but permitted release upon posting bond.

    Then again, on June 11, 2024, Escobedo drive a refrigerated tractor trailer to the came checkpoint. During primary inspection, law enforcement noticed Escobedo gripping the steering wheel firmly and displaying signs of nervousness and referred him again to secondary inspection. Agents scanned the trailer and observed several anomalies in the trailer.

    They then discovered a total of 42 additional people from the countries of Ecuador, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Mexico. All were found to be illegally in the United States.

    Escobedo will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

    Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasmine K. Tucker prosecuted the case. 

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján Announces Guest for President’s Joint Address to Congress, Highlights Roadrunner Food Bank and Nutrition Support

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced that Katy Anderson, Vice President of Strategy, Partnerships, and Advocacy at Roadrunner Food Bank will be his guest to President Trump’s address to a Joint Session of Congress.
    “The Musk-Trump funding freeze and broad and indiscriminate firings across the federal government have devastated communities across America, leaving countless families uncertain where their next meal would come from. That’s why I’m honored to have Katy Anderson, Vice President of Strategy, Partnerships, and Advocacy at Roadrunner Food Bank join me for the President’s Joint Address. Roadrunner Food Bank is a leading hunger relief organization, ensuring that families in need have access to nutritious meals. But now, Elon Musk, President Trump, and Congressional Republicans are threatening critical funding for nutrition support – putting New Mexico families at risk,” said Senator Luján.
    “Programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) are lifelines for thousands of New Mexicans. Gutting these resources hurts our families and threatens our communities and the economy. I hope Katy’s presence is a powerful reminder of the vital role that Roadrunner Food Bank and federal nutrition programs play in keeping our communities healthy and fed,” continued Senator Luján.
    “Nutrition access is vital to New Mexicans – these are people who work hard to provide for themselves and their families. Those facing hunger want the same thing we all want for ourselves – dignity, access to fresh, healthy food and the opportunity to thrive. Proposed cuts to nutrition programs like SNAP and TEFAP undermine that; confusion around federal funding freezes undermines that,” said Katy Anderson, Vice President of Strategy, Partnerships, and Advocacy at Roadrunner Food Bank. “I’m honored to join Senator Luján for the Joint Address to stand up for New Mexico families.”
    Background on Katy Anderson and Roadrunner Food Bank:
    Katy Anderson joined Roadrunner Food Bank in 2014, focusing on special projects for the Community Initiatives team. For her first six years, she worked closely with the Food Bank’s network of 350+ partners as well as managing grants and government contracts. In April 2020, she moved into the role of Chief Programs Officer, a position that allowed her to work with amazing teams leading innovative efforts with all food partners, health and wellness programming, and data collection and analysis. In late 2023, she became the Vice President – Strategy, Partnerships, and Advocacy and has shifted her focus to state-wide collaborative approaches to addressing hunger issues.
    Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico, a Feeding America member, is the largest non-profit dedicated to solving food insecurity in New Mexico. As a food distribution hub, Roadrunner Food Bank provides food to hundreds of affiliated member partners around the state including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and regional food banks. Roadrunner Food Bank also distributes food through specialized programs helping children, families and seniors at schools, low-income senior housing sites, senior centers and with and through health care partnerships. Every week, tens of thousands of hungry children, seniors and families are reached through this statewide hunger relief network. Roadrunner Food Bank is working together with partners, volunteers and contributors to end food insecurity and hunger in New Mexico. Learn more about Roadrunner Food Bank here.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Peters Reintroduces Bipartisan Legislation to Equip Female DHS Officers with Next Generation Body Armor Technology

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
    Published: 02.25.2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, reintroduced bipartisan legislation to provide next generation body armor tailored to best meet the coverage, fit, and functionality needs of female law enforcement personnel at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Recent ballistic testing by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identified that body armor typically used by DHS officers can allow bullets to deflect off the chest of the armor and hit the throat area, leaving female officers vulnerable. The bill would require all agencies under DHS to provide law enforcement personnel with appropriately fitting improved ballistic body armor, ensuring that DHS can better protect all personnel.   
    “The dedicated officers serving in DHS law enforcement roles deserve nothing less than the most effective protective equipment available,” said Senator Peters. “This bipartisan legislation addresses a safety gap that puts our officers at unnecessary risk. By ensuring access to properly fitted body armor that meets the highest safety standards, we’re fulfilling our duty to protect those who protect us.” 
    In 2022, the FBI conducted ballistic testing using updated procedures and improved body molds that accounted for different body types. The testing found that the commonly used body armor, when tested on a female mold was vulnerable to a bullet, or other projectile, ricocheting off the top center of the front armor panel and into the throat area, which could kill an officer. Since the testing, improved ballistic body armor has been created and is available. This legislation would address the demonstrated safety risks identified in FBI testing and ensure that all DHS law enforcement officers have access to potentially life-saving protection.  
    The bipartisan DHS Better Ballistic Body Armor Act would require all agencies under DHS to provide all their law enforcement personnel, particularly female law enforcement officers, with improved ballistic body armor to better protect them in the line of duty.   

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Peters Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill to Correct Retirement Error for Customs and Border Protection Officers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
    Published: 02.26.2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, reintroduced legislation to ensure U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers (CBPOs) can receive the retirement benefits they were promised when starting their service. The bill addresses a mistake where Customs and Border Protection (CBP) incorrectly informed newly hired CBPOs that they would be eligible for proportional annuity, meaning they would not have to retire at a certain age or reach 20 years of service to qualify for the benefit enhancement. When CBP discovered their error – more than ten years after these officers had started their service – they rescinded these benefits and now require at least 1,352 officers, including 67 in Michigan, to meet additional requirements to receive the benefits they were initially promised.  
    “Customs and Border Protection Officers work tirelessly to protect our communities in Michigan and across the country, ensuring the secure and efficient flow of trade and travel at ports of entry,” said Senator Peters. “These dedicated officers made career and retirement decisions based on benefits they were promised when hired. This bipartisan legislation will ensure Customs and Border Protection upholds its commitment to these public servants and provides them with the retirement benefits they earned through their years of service.”  
    The CPBO Retirement Corrections Act would direct CBP to identify and notify eligible individuals of the correction, allow impacted officers to receive retirement benefits aligned with their originally promised coverage, provide retroactive annuity adjustments for eligible individuals who retire before the bill’s enactment, and grant the Department of Homeland Security authority to waive maximum entry age requirements for eligible officers.  

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ahead of Confirmation Hearing, Warren Presses FDA, NIH Nominees to Address Conflicts of Interest with Private Health Care, Medical Research Companies

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    March 03, 2025
    “The rampant revolving door of former government leaders lobbying the agencies they once led, while their government relationships remain fresh, erodes Americans’ faith in the federal government.” 
    Text of Letter to Dr. Makary (PDF) | Text of Letter to Dr. Bhattacharya (PDF) 
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) wrote to Marty Makary and Jay Bhattacharya, nominees to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), respectively, asking them to address their conflicts of interest ahead of their confirmation hearings. 
    Dr. Makary currently serves as Chief Medical Officer at Sesame Care, a direct-to-consumer health care company that connects patients with providers who virtually prescribe Sesame’s medicine. He also serves on the board of Harrow, an ophthalmic company that relies on the FDA to approve its therapeutics. While Dr. Makary said he would resign from the board before taking office, his relationship with the company raises concerns about his ability to be impartial at the FDA. 
    Dr. Bhattacharya most recently worked as a research associate at Acumen, LLC, which offers analytical research services to the federal government, and has contracts with multiple agencies across the Department of Health and Human Services – including NIH.
    Senator Warren asked both nominees to recuse themselves from all matters involving their former clients and employers for at least four years, a commitment their predecessors under the Biden administration made. 
    Senator Warren also asked them to agree to not work for any companies they regulate or interact with during their tenure, for four years after leaving office. During his confirmation process, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who oversees both of the nominees’ agencies, committed not to work for a pharmaceutical company for at least four years after leaving office. 
    Lastly, Senator Warren asked the nominees to refrain from lobbying their respective agencies for four years after leaving office.
    “The rampant revolving door of former government leaders lobbying the agencies they once led, while their government relationships remain fresh, erodes Americans’ faith in the federal government,” wrote Senator Warren to the nominees.  
    To mitigate concerns about former government leaders lobbying the agencies they once led, multiple Biden appointees agreed to a post-employment lobbying ban, following pressure from Senator Warren. 
    “By making these commitments, you would increase Americans’ trust in your ability to serve the public interest, rather than the special interests of [former contractors or companies they regulated],” concluded Senator Warren. 
    Senator Warren gave the nominees until March 10, 2025 to demonstrate their commitment to public health and address their conflicts of interest. 
    Senator Warren has been a leader on enforcing government ethics standards and pressing nominees to address conflicts of interest: 
    In February 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote to Mr. Stephen Feinberg, nominee for Deputy Secretary of the Department of Defense (DoD), pressing him to explain his “serious conflicts of interest” and his track record of mismanagement.
    In February 2025, following reports that Elon Musk would take advantage of loopholes in federal ethics laws to avoid publicly disclosing his financial conflicts of interest, Senator Elizabeth Warren led several Democrats in a letter demanding Musk publicly reveal how he could stand to profit from his role in the Trump administration.
    In February 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) called on Mr. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to recuse himself from former clients’ and employers’ particular matters and commit to not lobbying HHS after his tenure as Secretary.
    In February 2025, following the Senate Finance Committee vote to advance the nomination of Mr. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Senator Elizabeth Warren gave remarks regarding the nominee’s continued conflicts of interest. 
    In February 2025, Senators Warren and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member on the Senate Finance Committee, wrote to Mr. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., pressing him to urgently resolve his serious conflicts of interest before the committee vote Wednesday morning.
    In January 2025, following pressure from Senate Democrats, Mr. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. agreed to amend his flawed ethics agreement (see Warren QFRs at the end of Part 2 and start of Part 3).
    In January 2025, at a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Elizabeth Warren questioned Mr. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, about his dangerous conflicts of interest and record of profiting from anti-vaccine conspiracies.
    In January 2025, ahead of Mr. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation hearing for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Senator Elizabeth Warren sent a 34-page letter detailing her concerns with his nomination and asked him to answer 175 questions ahead of his hearing before the Finance Committee.
    In January 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote to Mr. Pete Hegseth, then-nominee for Secretary of the Department of Defense, regarding his ethics conflicts ahead of the Senate’s consideration of his nomination. Particularly concerning were the facts that Mr. Hegseth’s household owns stock in several defense contractors and that he was unwilling to commit to the same post-employment restrictions he previously advocated for.
    In January 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote to Trump Transition Co-Chairs Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon, urging them to make the White House’s ethics pledge for incoming appointees as strong as possible and outlining specific provisions to do so. The letter came at the end of the first week of confirmation hearings for President-elect Trump’s cabinet nominees, many of whom have been found to have serious conflicts of interest and massive wealth.
    In December 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren sent a letter to President-elect Trump with concerns about Elon Musk’s conflicts of interest as he served as a top advisor for the incoming president.
    In December 2024, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) wrote to Dr. Mehmet Oz, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, raising stark concerns about his advocacy to eliminate traditional Medicare and his deep financial ties to the private health insurers that would benefit from that move.
    In November 2024, in response to the news that President-elect Donald Trump selected Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Senator Elizabeth Warren released a statement calling him a “danger to public health, scientific research, medicine, and health care coverage for millions of Americans.”
    In March 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren secured ethics commitments from Douglas Schmidt, ahead of his confirmation to be the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) for the Department of Defense.
    In February 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren secured unprecedented ethics commitments from former Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney, President Biden’s nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), including his recusal from participating in the OECD’s decision making processes regarding crypto and digital assets policy. 
    In January 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Jayapal sent a letter to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, expressing concerns about the Department of Commerce’s reliance on a small team of Wall Street financiers to help allocate $39 billion in CHIPS and Science Act taxpayer-funded manufacturing and R&D subsidies.
    In June 2023, Senator Elizabeth Warren and representative Andy Kim reintroduced her Department of Defense Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act.
    In April 2023, Senator Elizabeth Warren chaired a hearing with Pentagon officials and ethics experts about problems with the revolving door, retired military officers working for foreign governments, and issues with executive branch officials owning stocks in companies impacted by their official actions.
    In May 2022, Senator Elizabeth Warren secured a commitment from then-Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision nominee Michael Barr not to seek employment or compensation – including as a result of board service – from any company that has a party matter before the Fed, or any financial services company, for four years after he leaves government service.
    In February 2022, Senator Elizabeth Warren secured the strongest ethics standards ever agreed to by Federal Reserve Board nominees from Lisa Cook, Phillip Jefferson, and Sarah Bloom Raskin. The nominees agreed to a four-year recusal period from matters which they oversee on the Board of Governors, not to seek a waiver from these recusals, and not to seek employment or compensation from financial services companies for four years after leaving government service.
    In January 2022, Senator Elizabeth Warren secured a commitment from then-FDA Commissioner nominee Dr. Robert Califf to recuse himself from matters involving his former employers and clients for four years, two years longer than what was required in the Biden administration’s Ethics Pledge. He also agreed not to seek employment with or compensation, including as a result of board service, from any pharmaceutical or medical device company that he interacts with during his tenure as FDA Commissioner for four years after completing his government service. 
    In July 2021, Senator Elizabeth Warren secured agreements to four-year recusals from former clients’ and employers’ party matters from then-Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall and then-USD(R&E) Heidi Shyu.
    In January 2021, Senator Elizabeth Warren secured a commitment from General Lloyd Austin III, then-nominee for Secretary of Defense, to extend his recusal from Raytheon Technologies for four years and to not seek a position on the board of a defense contractor or become a lobbyist after his government service.
    In December 2020, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Jayapal introduced the Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act, the most ambitious anti-corruption legislation since Watergate, which would outlaw corrupt revolving-door schemes so that public servants are serving the public – not the financial interests of themselves or giant corporations.
    In March 2020, President Trump signed the bipartisan Presidential Transition Enhancement Act into law, which included major provisions of Sen. Warren’s (D-Mass.) Transition Team Ethics Improvement Act.
    In September 2019, the Senate passed a key provision of the Transition Team Ethics Improvement Act introduced by Senators Warren and Tom Carper (D-Del.) to enhance the ethics requirements that govern presidential transitions.
    In November 2016, as President Trump prepared to take office, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Chairman Cummings requested a GAO investigation of the chaotic Trump transition. In September 2017, Government Accountability Office (GAO) released the results of the investigation, finding that the Trump transition team ignored advice from the Office of Government Ethics and failed to follow past precedents regarding ethics and presidential transitions.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: MEDIA ADVISORY: Sanders to Deliver Livestream Response to President Trump’s Congressional Address

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
    WASHINGTON, March 3 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Tuesday will deliver livestreamed remarks following President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress. His response will stream live on the Senator’s Facebook, YouTube, X and Instagram accounts. 
    Prepared remarks will be released following the conclusion of Sen. Sanders’ speech.
    Details
    What: Sen. Bernie Sanders responds to Trump’s joint address to Congress
    When: Tuesday, March 4, following the address
    Where: Facebook, YouTube, X and Instagram 
    Notes: Press that plans to tune in should contact press@sanders.senate.gov for more information. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: NBC: ‘L.A. fire captain who fought California wildfires to attend joint address to Congress’

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    ICYMI: NBC: ‘L.A. fire captain who fought California wildfires to attend joint address to Congress’

    Padilla and Líma survey the devastation of the Los Angeles fires [January 8, 2025] Additional photos of Senator Padilla and Captain Líma are available here.WASHINGTON, D.C. — In case you missed it, NBC recently highlighted U.S. Senator Alex Padilla’s (D-Calif.) announcement that Frank Líma, a longtime Los Angeles City fire captain and firefighter union leader, will be his guest at President Trump’s 2025 Address to a Joint Session of Congress. Captain Líma was on the frontlines in the fight against the devastating Los Angeles fires in January, including defending the Pacific Palisades fire station.
    The article focuses on Padilla and Líma’s push for a fully supported firefighting workforce as well as federal disaster relief for Southern California communities with no strings attached — as has always been the case for disaster aid from the federal government.
    Key Excerpts:
    Palisades and Eaton fire survivors still need help. That’s the message Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., hopes to send to Congress next week at first joint address of President Donald Trump’s second term.
    Joining him at the address Tuesday will be union leader Frank Lima, a Los Angeles fire captain who helped defend the Pacific Palisades fire station when flames and scorching embers surrounded it on Jan. 7.
    “As President Trump outlines his priorities for our country, we want to make clear that Los Angeles County cannot be forgotten,” Padilla said in a statement. “The community faces a long road to recovery and we need a fully staffed and supported firefighting workforce and federal support without conditions.”
    Lima described the nearly weeklong siege “as a once-in-a-generation, biblical fire.” … Among the difficulties that week was persistent lack of resources, including water and staffing, within the overwhelmed fire department, whose ranks have dwindled in recent years. “We had more firefighters on duty in 1971 than we do today, yet our population doubled,” Lima told NBC News. “Our call load has increased fivefold per day. Our members are being run into the ground.”
    Padilla has repeatedly questioned the Trump administration’s approach to distributing disaster aid. He pushed Doug Burgum, who is now the interior secretary, at his confirmation hearing on the question of whether conditions should be placed on aid. “Each situation is different,” Burgum said. Padilla countered that there had never been strings attached to disaster relief. “And I certainly hope this is not the first case,” he said.
    Full text of the article is available here and below:
    L.A. fire captain who fought California wildfires to attend joint address to Congress
    By Alicia Victoria Lozano
    Palisades and Eaton fire survivors still need help.
    That’s the message Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., hopes to send to Congress next week at first joint address of President Donald Trump’s second term.
    Joining him at the address Tuesday will be union leader Frank Lima, a Los Angeles fire captain who helped defend the Pacific Palisades fire station when flames and scorching embers surrounded it on Jan. 7.
    Attendees often bring guests who represent causes important to lawmakers.
    “As President Trump outlines his priorities for our country, we want to make clear that Los Angeles County cannot be forgotten,” Padilla said in a statement. “The community faces a long road to recovery and we need a fully staffed and supported firefighting workforce and federal support without conditions.”
    It has been nearly two months since deadly wildfires devastated the Los Angeles neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, the city of Altadena and surrounding communities in what is likely to be the costliest disaster in California’s history.
    At least 29 people died, and more than 16,000 structures were destroyed.
    Lima described the nearly weeklong siege “as a once-in-a-generation, biblical fire.” Hurricane-force winds ripped through large swaths of Los Angeles County, toppling trees and utility wires and sending thick smoke, ash and soot whirling across the county.
    Among the difficulties that week was persistent lack of resources, including water and staffing, within the overwhelmed fire department, whose ranks have dwindled in recent years.
    “We had more firefighters on duty in 1971 than we do today, yet our population doubled,” Lima told NBC News. “Our call load has increased fivefold per day. Our members are being run into the ground.”
    Amid ongoing tensions over how the fires were handled, Mayor Karen Bass ousted Fire Chief Kristin Crowley last week.
    The decision was made “in the best interests of Los Angeles’ public safety, and for the operations of the Los Angeles Fire Department,” Bass said in a statement.
    “We know that 1,000 firefighters that could have been on duty on the morning the fires broke out were instead sent home on Chief Crowley’s watch,” Bass said.
    On Thursday, Crowley appealed the decision, she said in a statement obtained by NBC Los Angeles.
    The blame game has been constant since January.
    When Trump viewed the destruction two weeks after the fires, he initially expressed shock and then pointed the finger at California Democratic leaders for failing to address the state’s ongoing wildfire threat.
    Trump argued that wildlife protections have impeded access to water in California and then suggested he could withhold disaster aid over disagreements about voter ID laws and water policies.
    Lima said Thursday: “Federal aid should not come with strings attached. Our firefighters and this community and the state need federal support.”
    A recent economic impact study estimated total damages of the Palisades and Eaton fires will top $53 billion. The study, released by the nonprofit Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, listed “federal funding uncertainty” as a primary recovery challenge.
    Padilla has repeatedly questioned the Trump administration’s approach to distributing disaster aid. He pushed Doug Burgum, who is now the interior secretary, at his confirmation hearing on the question of whether conditions should be placed on aid.
    “Each situation is different,” Burgum said.
    Padilla countered that there had never been strings attached to disaster relief.
    “And I certainly hope this is not the first case,” he said.
    Background:
    Senator Padilla has fought relentlessly to secure and protect Southern Californians’ access to desperately needed disaster relief aid. In the immediate aftermath of the Los Angeles fires, Padilla and Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) led 47 bipartisan members of the California Congressional delegation in successfully urging President Biden to grant Governor Gavin Newsom’s request for a major disaster declaration to expedite timely relief to Los Angeles County residents impacted by these disasters. Padilla also delivered remarks on the Senate floor urging his Republican colleagues and President Trump to provide essential disaster recovery aid to California without conditioning it on the passage of partisan legislation.
    Last month, Padilla introduced bipartisan legislation to create a national Wildfire Intelligence Center to streamline federal response and create a whole-of-government approach to combat wildfires. He also announced a package of three bipartisan bills to bolster fire resilience and proactive mitigation efforts, including the Wildfire Emergency Act, the Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act, and the Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act. In January, Padilla introduced another suite of bipartisan bills to strengthen wildfire recovery and resilience, including the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act to protect firefighter pay.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Screen Australia announces $2.3 million for documentaries, supporting a new wave of world-class Australian projects

    Source: Screen Australia

    04 03 2025 – Media release

    Crowded House
    Screen Australia has announced support for eight documentaries that will share in $2.3 million of direct production funding. These projects reflect the incredible tenacity of local documentary makers to uncover stories in Australia and around the globe, from Western Sydney to Ecuador. The documentaries deep-dive into a wide array of topics, from the defining issues of our time to celebrating cultural icons and shining a light on marginalised or misunderstood communities.
    Among the projects are Robodebt (working title), a three-part series for SBS that combines documentary storytelling with drama to reveal how ordinary Australians fought back against the notorious Robodebt scandal; Crowded House, which unravels the psychological complexities the iconic band faced in their extraordinary journey; End Game, following Tony Armstrong on a mission to tackle racism in Australian sports; and RISE, from writer/director Patrick Abboud, about participants preparing to compete on Western Sydney’s spectacular LGBTQIA+ ballroom scene.
    Screen Australia Head of Documentary Richard Huddleston said, “These stories, spanning numerous genres and disciplines, are a reflection of the ambition, sophistication and creativity of the current Australian documentary sector. These projects will grow Australia’s reputation for innovative, premium storytelling and point to an exciting future of global partnerships.”
    Projects supported:

    Crowded House: A feature-length documentary that dives deep into the Crowded House journey, unravelling the psychological complexities they faced in the wake of their meteoric rise, and spotlighting the evolution of the current line-up that includes Neil’s two sons, Liam and Elroy Finn. Woven from a treasure-trove of never-before-seen family and band archive, candid interviews, and more, the narrative moves between the past, present and a dream-like place of investigation and analysis that has the genius of Neil Finn’s song writing at its core. Crowded House is a co-production between Ghost Pictures (Mystify: Michael Hutchence, Autoluminescent, In Bob We Trust) and Academy Award-nominated producer, Carthew Neal (Jojo Rabbit, Tickled) and his production company Fumes. Financed by the New Zealand Film Commission in association with the ABC and VicScreen. Produced with the support of Primary Wave and Nude Run. An Australian-New Zealand Co-production. Australia and New Zealand territories distributed by Madman.
    RISE: With exclusive access into Western Sydney’s underground LGBTQIA+ ballroom scene, the documentary RISE follows participants as they prepare to compete at the iconic West Ball. In a world seeking to erase them, RISE will portray which of these queer rebels will finally have their moment on the cutthroat stage and transform their life. It is written and directed by Patrick (Pat) Abboud (Australia Uncovered: Kids Raising Kids), with Monique Keller and Billy Russell (The Role of a Lifetime) executive producing, and West Ball community leaders, Xander Khoury and Jamaica Moana co-executive producing.
    Death of a Shaman: In the depths of the Ecuadorian Amazon, a renowned Shuar shaman selects his reluctant grandson as his apprentice in an attempt to preserve their tribe’s ancestral wisdom for another generation. Meanwhile, the shaman’s son leads an Indigenous uprising that seeks to overthrow the Ecuadorian president. What transpires next will foreshadow either the preservation or destruction of a people. The feature-length documentary Death of a Shaman is from writer/director/producer Dan Jackson (In the Shadow of the Hill) and executive producers Robert Fernandez (The Fog of War) and Dan Levinson. It is financed in association with Soundfirm, with Umbrella Entertainment distributing locally.
    Silenced: A feature film from Stranger Than Fiction that follows internationally renowned human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson as she goes inside courtrooms and behind the headlines, to reveal the tricks and tropes used to silence women all over the world. Silenced is from writer/director Selina Miles and producer Blayke Hoffman, whose credits include the acclaimed Harley & Katya. Jennifer Peedom (Sherpa, Mountain) is executive producing. It is financed in association with Minderoo Pictures and the ABC, with support from Screen NSW, the Shark Island Foundation and Soundfirm. Local distribution by Sharmill Films and international sales by Together Films.
    Troublemaker: This feature film follows massacre survivor Wendy Scurr and South Australian writer/director Jared Nicholson (Starting from Scratch), as they slip down the rabbit hole of paranoia in a desperate search for solace and truth. Directing alongside Nicholson is Ben Lawrence, with Rebecca Barry, Scott Baskett, Madeleine Hetherton-Miau and Chris Kamen producing and Deanne Weir executive producing. It is financed in association with the Shark Island Foundation, with support from the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund, the South Australian Film Corporation, Screen NSW and WeirAnderson Films. Post, digital and visual effects are supported by the South Australian Film Corporation.
    Digby & Camille: This feature film is an eight-year love story about Sydney artist and the documentary’s co-director Digby Webster and his girlfriend, trainee chef Camille Collins, who both live with Down Syndrome. Looking to take the next step in their relationship, the couple fervently wish to live together and marry. But complicating their dream of wedded bliss are the very real concerns and questions from those who love and support them most, their parents. Directing alongside Digby is Trevor Graham (Chef Antonio’s Recipes for Revolution), who is also producing with Lisa Wang (White Fever). It is written by Rose Hesp (Who Do You Think You Are?), with Mitzi Goldman (Knowing the Score), Roger Savage and Jenny Lalor executive producing. It is financed in association with the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) Premiere Fund, with support from Screen NSW, the Shark Island Foundation, Soundfirm, the Andy Inc Foundation and Philanthropy via Documentary Australia. Local distribution by Bonsai Films.
    Robodebt (working title): A three-part series for SBS that combines documentary storytelling with drama to reveal how ordinary Australians fought back against the notorious Robodebt scandal that struck at the heart of inequality and social cohesion in Australia. It is from director Ben Lawrence (Hearts and Bones) and writer Jane Allen (Troppo, In Our Blood). Executive producing is Paula Bycroft (Con Girl), Michael Cordell (Go Back to Where You Came From) and Andrew Farrell (Murder in the Outback, Undercurrent). It has received major production investment from SBS with support from Screen NSW.
    End Game: This three-part series for the ABC follows Tony Armstrong on a global mission to find solutions to combat the rising tide of racism in Australian sports to create real change for future generations — unpicking his own experiences on a personal journey of discovery, surprise, passion and understanding. End Game is executive produced by Daniel Brown (The Hospital: In the Deep End), Steve Bibb (Matildas: The World at Our Feet) and Dean Gibson (First Weapons). It has received major production investment from the ABC, with support from Screenwest and Lotterywest. International sales by ABC Commercial.

    Documentaries also announced and recently supported by Screen Australia include Stan Originals Death Cap, Into the Night and Zyzz & Chestbrah: The Poster Boys, as well as ABC’s Ages of Ice, and feature film The Golden Spurtle.
    The full list of documentary blocklines is available here. The latest projects funded for documentary development are available here. For more information about Documentary funding at Screen Australia and to apply, click here.

    Digby & Camille
    Download PDF
    Media enquiries
    Maddie Walsh | Publicist
    + 61 2 8113 5915  | [email protected]
    Jessica Parry | Senior Publicist (Mon, Tue, Thu)
    + 61 428 767 836  | [email protected]
    All other general/non-media enquiries
    Sydney + 61 2 8113 5800  |  Melbourne + 61 3 8682 1900 | [email protected]

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI: Brookfield Announces Reset Dividend Rate on Its Series 38 Preference Shares

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    All amounts in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.

    BROOKFIELD, NEWS, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brookfield Corporation (“Brookfield”) (NYSE: BN, TSX: BN) today announced that it has determined the fixed dividend rate on its Cumulative Class A Preference Shares, Series 38 (the “Series 38 Shares”) (TSX: BN.PF.E) for the five years commencing April 1, 2025 and ending March 31, 2030.

    If declared, the fixed quarterly dividends on the Series 38 Shares during the five years commencing April 1, 2025 will be paid at an annual rate of 5.185% ($0.3240625 per share per quarter).

    Holders of Series 38 Shares have the right, at their option, exercisable not later than 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on March 17, 2025, to convert all or part of their Series 38 Shares, on a one-for-one basis, into Cumulative Class A Preference Shares, Series 39 (the “Series 39 Shares”), effective March 31, 2025. The quarterly floating rate dividends on the Series 39 Shares will be paid at an annual rate, calculated for each quarter, of 2.55% over the annual yield on three-month Government of Canada treasury bills. The actual quarterly dividend rate in respect of the April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025 dividend period for the Series 39 Shares will be 1.34331% (5.388% on an annualized basis) and the dividend, if declared, for such dividend period will be $0.3358275 per share, payable on June 30, 2025.

    Holders of Series 38 Shares are not required to elect to convert all or any part of their Series 38 Shares into Series 39 Shares.

    As provided in the share conditions of the Series 38 Shares, (i) if Brookfield determines that there would be fewer than 1,000,000 Series 38 Shares outstanding after March 31, 2025, all remaining Series 38 Shares will be automatically converted into Series 39 Shares on a one-for-one basis effective March 31, 2025; and (ii) if Brookfield determines that there would be fewer than 1,000,000 Series 39 Shares outstanding after March 31, 2025, no Series 38 Shares will be permitted to be converted into Series 39 Shares. There are currently 7,906,132 Series 38 Shares outstanding.

    The Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) has conditionally approved the listing of the Series 39 Shares effective upon conversion. Listing of the Series 39 Shares is subject to Brookfield fulfilling all the listing requirements of the TSX.

    About Brookfield Corporation

    Brookfield Corporation is a leading global investment firm focused on building long-term wealth for institutions and individuals around the world. We have three core businesses: Alternative Asset Management, Wealth Solutions, and our Operating Businesses which are in renewable power, infrastructure, business and industrial services, and real estate.

    We have a track record of delivering 15%+ annualized returns to shareholders for over 30 years, supported by our unrivaled investment and operational experience. Our conservatively managed balance sheet, extensive operational experience, and global sourcing networks allow us to consistently access unique opportunities. At the center of our success is the Brookfield Ecosystem, which is based on the fundamental principle that each group within Brookfield benefits from being part of the broader organization. Brookfield Corporation is publicly traded in New York and Toronto (NYSE: BN, TSX: BN).

    For more information, please visit our website at www.bn.brookfield.com or contact:

    Media: Investor Relations:
    Kerrie McHugh Katie Battaglia
    Tel: (212) 618-3469 Tel: (212) 776-2252
    Email: kerrie.mchugh@brookfield.com Email: katie.battaglia@brookfield.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Petrus Resources Declares Monthly Dividend for March 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Petrus Resources Ltd. (“Petrus” or the “Company”) (TSX: PRQ) is pleased to confirm that its Board of Directors has declared a monthly dividend in the amount of $0.01 per share payable March 31, 2025, to shareholders of record on March 17, 2025. The dividend is designated as an eligible dividend for Canadian income tax purposes.

    Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRIP”)
    Petrus’ DRIP enables eligible shareholders to reinvest all or part of their cash dividends into additional common shares of the Company. Participation in the DRIP is optional. Eligible shareholders who elect to reinvest their cash dividends under the DRIP will receive common shares issued from treasury at a discount of 3% from the market price of the common shares.

    To participate in the DRIP, registered shareholders must deliver a properly completed enrollment form to Odyssey Trust Company (“Odyssey”) before 4:00 p.m. (Calgary time) on the 5th business day immediately preceding a dividend record date. Beneficial shareholders who wish to participate in the DRIP should contact their broker or other nominee through which their Common Shares are held to determine their eligibility and provide appropriate enrollment instructions. Participation by shareholders that are not resident in Canada may be restricted.

    A complete copy of the DRIP is available on the Company’s website at www.petrusresources.com and on Odyssey’s website at https://odysseytrust.com/faq/. A copy of the enrollment form for use by registered shareholders is available on Odyssey’s website at https://odysseytrust.com/faq/. For further information regarding the DRIP, please contact Odyssey at 1-888-290-1175 (Toll free in North America) or 1-587-885-0960.

    ABOUT PETRUS
    Petrus is a public Canadian oil and gas company focused on property exploitation, strategic acquisitions and risk-managed exploration in Alberta.

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
    Ken Gray
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    T: 403-930-0889
    E: kgray@petrusresources.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lt. Gov. Austin Davis Highlights Investments in Community-BasedPrograms That Are Making Pennsylvania Safer

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    March 03, 2025WEST READING, PA

    Lt. Gov. Austin Davis Highlights Investments in Community-Based
    Programs That Are Making Pennsylvania Safer

    Lt. Gov. Austin Davis heard today from law enforcement officials, victims service providers and health care workers at Reading Hospital, which recently was awarded more than $600,000 in state grant funding to expand and enhance its hospital-based violence intervention program.

    “Gun violence is something we can – and indeed, must – do something about,” said Davis, who leads the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). “I want to commend local law enforcement for the work you’ve done to reduce the number of homicides in Berks County, but I also know that one act of gun violence is one too many. Every Pennsylvanian deserves to be safe and feel safe, whether you live in West Reading or West Hamburg. We’ve been making progress on the issue of gun violence, in Reading, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and many other cities and communities, but there is still much more work to be done.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shapiro Administration Urges Pennsylvanians to Prepare Now for May 7 REAL ID Deadline

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    March 03, 2025Philadelphia, PA

    Shapiro Administration Urges Pennsylvanians to Prepare Now for May 7 REAL ID Deadline

    With just two months remaining until the May 7 federal REAL ID enforcement deadline, officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Philadelphia International Airport, American Automobile Association (AAA), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are encouraging Pennsylvanians to prepare now to ensure they can fly domestically without disruptions.
    These efforts reflect the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to ensuring residents have the information and opportunities they need to comply with the federal deadline.

    Getting a REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania, but beginning May 7, travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card, or another form of federally-acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board a domestic commercial flight, and enter military bases and other federal facilities that require ID at the door. More than 2.5 million Pennsylvanians have gotten a REAL ID driver’s license or ID card since they became available in the state in 2019.

    “As the weather starts getting warmer, we know many Pennsylvanians have made exciting travel plans,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “With federal REAL ID enforcement beginning on May 7, your travel planning should include making sure you have proper ID to fly. If you want to keep using your driver’s license or photo ID card to fly domestically, you’ll need to upgrade to a REAL ID if you haven’t already.”

    Speakers Include:
    Atif Saeed, Chief Executive Officer for the Philadelphia International Airport
    Gerardo “Jerry” Spero, Federal Security Director for Pennsylvania, TSA
    Mike Carroll, Secretary, PennDOT
    Jana Tidwell, Manager, Public and Government Affairs, Pennsylvania & Delaware, AAA

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: DOLA’s Division of Property Taxation Encourages Eligible Colorado Seniors to Take Advantage of the 2025-26 Qualified Senior Primary Residential Classification Property Tax Reduction

    Source: US State of Colorado

    The deadline is March 15 in the year the taxpayer is applying

    STATEWIDE – The Qualified Senior Primary Residential Classification program is available for tax years 2025 and 2026. This allows property owners who moved between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2025, and lost their Senior Property Tax Exemption, or those who plan to move in 2025 and would lose the exemption, to retain the property tax reduction for their new primary residence for 2025 and 2026.

    “This is a great step in making sure Colorado’s aging population can keep more of their hard-earned money, and enjoy retirement. Our administration is committed to lowering property taxes for all Coloradans so small businesses and homeowners can thrive,” said Governor Polis.

    For those who qualify, fifty percent (50%) percent of the first $200,000 in actual value of their primary residence real property will not be taxed unless it causes the assessed value to drop below $1,000. The classification applies to owner-occupied primary residential property, including single-family or multi-family residences, condos, townhomes or duplexes.

    “At DOLA, we aim to make complicated processes simpler for all Coloradans, including seniors choosing to retire here in Colorado,” said Maria De Cambra, DOLA Executive Director. “Our staff is available to answer questions about the Qualified Senior Primary Residential Classification program to make sure eligible seniors are not losing this property tax reduction.”

    ELIGIBILITY – A property owner must have previously qualified for, and received, the Senior Property Tax Exemption as of January 1, 2020, or later. If that exemption was removed, or will be, due to a change in the owner-occupier’s primary residence, then the new primary residence may qualify for this classification for tax years 2025 and/or 2026. There is also eligibility for a surviving spouse under certain conditions, and there are no income limits for this exemption.

    Applicants must complete the Qualified Senior Primary Residence Classification application and submit it by mail, or in person, to the county assessor of the county in which the property is located by March 15. Late applications will be accepted until July 15, however late-filing applicants forfeit their right to appeal if the classification is denied.

    Applications and instructions are available on the Division of Property Taxation website or at the county assessor of the county in which the property is located.

    The property tax reduction will be reflected on the tax bill received from the county treasurer in the year following the application.

    The Qualified Senior Primary Residential Classification should not be confused with programs creating tax credits tied to income tax returns or rebates managed by the Colorado Department of Revenue.

    Colorado seniors can contact their local county assessor for questions regarding eligibility or the application. For questions about the program, contact the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA’s) Division of Property Taxation, at dola_dpt_frontdesk@state.co.us.

    ###
     

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Yorkers Urged to Prepare for Ice Jam Flooding

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today urged New Yorkers to prepare for potential flooding due to warm temperatures and rainfall, starting Tuesday night and continuing through Thursday. Temperatures will increase across the State starting Tuesday, with some places seeing close to 60 degrees. Higher-than-normal temperatures combined with up to an inch of rainfall may result in localized flooding and elevated river flows with some ice jams, especially on creeks and streams in Western and northern Central New York.

    “New York is no stranger to extreme weather and the potential danger of flooding,” Governor Hochul said. “My administration is monitoring the weather closely and will deploy resources if necessary to keep New Yorkers safe, and I encourage everyone to remain vigilant and watch the forecast closely over the next several days.”

    There is a Flood Watch in effect for Western NY, the northern Finger Lakes, northern Central NY and the Tug Hill Plateau of the North Country from Tuesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon due to snow melt, rainfall and ice movement. Ice jam flooding will be possible, especially on creeks and streams where blockages have already been reported. For a complete listing of weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service website. New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts by subscribing to NY Alert — a free service providing critical emergency information to your cell phone or computer.

    Agency Preparations

    New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
    The Division’s Office of Emergency Management is in contact with their local counterparts and is prepared to facilitate requests for assistance. State stockpiles are staffed and ready to deploy emergency response assets and supplies as needed. The State Watch Center is monitoring statewide impacts closely. Flood safety tips can be found at www.dhses.ny.gov.

    Department of Transportation

    The State Department of Transportation is prepared to respond with more than 3,763 supervisors and operators. Department staff are actively monitoring known problem areas and are ready to take action as needed to mitigate flooding. Crews can be configured into any type of response needed, including flood response, chipper, load & haul, sewer jet, cut & toss, traffic signal, etc. DOT crews are also proactively clearing snowbanks, checking and clearing drains and culverts. All residencies in impacted locations will remain staffed with operators, supervisors and mechanics throughout the duration of the event and priority cleanup operations.

    Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:

    • 1,610 large dump trucks
    • 349 large loaders
    • 90 chippers
    • 83 wheeled and tracked excavators
    • 15 vacuum trucks with sewer jets
    • 12 tree crew bucket trucks

    The need for additional resources will be re-evaluated as conditions warrant throughout the event.

    For real-time travel information, motorists should call 511 or visit https://www.511ny.org/#:Alerts, New York State’s official traffic and travel information source.

    Thruway Authority

    The Thruway Authority has 693 operators and supervisors prepared to respond to any wind, flood, or weather-related issues across the State with small to large plow/dump trucks, medium sized excavators, large loaders, vacuum trucks, portable pumps, chainsaws, brush chippers and other equipment. In addition, Division Maintenance crews are proactively inspecting, clearing and maintaining ditches, culverts and storm drains to effectively channel storm water away from road surfaces and roadbeds to prevent flooding on the roadway.

    Variable Message Signs and social media are utilized to alert motorists of weather conditions on the Thruway. The Thruway Authority encourages motorists to download its mobile app which is available for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app provides motorists direct access to real-time traffic information, live traffic cameras and navigation assistance while on the go. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert e-mails and follow @ThruwayTraffic on X for the latest traffic conditions along the Thruway.

    New York State Police

    State Police have instructed all Troopers to remain vigilant and will deploy extra patrols to affected areas as needed. All four-wheel drive vehicles are in service and all specialty vehicles, including Utility Terrain Vehicles, are staged and ready for deployment.

    Department of Public Service

    New York’s utilities have about 5,500 workers available statewide to engage in damage assessment, response, repair and restoration efforts across New York State, as necessary. Agency staff will track utilities’ work throughout the event and ensure utilities shift appropriate staffing to regions that experience the greatest impact.

    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
    DEC Emergency Management staff, Environmental Conservation Police Officers, Forest Rangers and regional staff remain on alert and continue to monitor the developing situation and weather forecasts. Working with partner agencies, DEC is prepared to coordinate resource deployment of all available assets, including first responders, to targeted areas in preparation for potential impacts due to heavy rainfall and flooding.

    Unpredictable weather and storms in the Adirondacks, Catskills and other backcountry areas, can create unexpectedly hazardous conditions. Visitors should be prepared with proper clothing and equipment for rain, snow, ice and the cold to ensure a safe outdoor experience. Trails have mixed conditions of snow, ice, slush and mud.

    Hikers are advised to temporarily avoid all high-elevation trails, as well as trails that cross rivers and streams. Hikers in the Adirondacks are encouraged to check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for updates on trail conditions, seasonal road closures and general recreation information. Backcountry visitors should Hike Smart and follow proper safety guidelines. Plan trips accordingly. In an emergency, call 9-1-1. To request Forest Ranger assistance, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS.

    With warmer temperatures expected throughout the week, DEC reminds any outdoor enthusiasts to be mindful of conditions when hiking and to use caution when venturing onto ice. While some waterways may appear frozen, DEC advises outdoor enthusiasts to review ice safety guidelines before heading out.

    Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

    New York State Park Police and park personnel are on alert and closely monitoring weather conditions and impacts. Park visitors should visit parks.ny.gov, check the free mobile app, or call their local park office for the latest updates regarding park hours, openings and closings.

    Flood Safety Tips

    • Learn the safest route from your home or business to high, safe ground should you have to leave in a hurry.
    • Develop and practice a ‘family escape’ plan and identify a meeting place if family members become separated.
    • Make an itemized list of all valuables including furnishings, clothing and other personal property. Keep the list in a safe place and consider maintainig photo and video documentation.
    • Stockpile emergency supplies of canned food, medicine and first aid supplies and drinking water. Store drinking water in clean, closed containers.
    • Plan what to do with your pets.
    • Have a portable radio, flashlights, extra batteries and emergency cooking equipment available.
    • Keep your automobile fueled. If electric power is cut off, gasoline stations may not be able to pump fuel for several days. Have a small disaster supply kit in the trunk of your car.
    • Find out how many feet your property is above and below possible flood levels. When predicted flood levels are broadcast, you can determine if you may be flooded.
    • Keep materials like sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting and lumber handy for emergency waterproofing.
    • Check on your insurance coverage. Homeowners’ insurance policies generally do not cover flood damages. Only flood insurance can protect your home against flood damages. You can purchase flood insurance whether or not you live in a mapped flood zone.

    For a complete list of weather terms and preparation ideas before, during and after a flood, visit the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services website at https://www.dhses.ny.gov/flood-safety-tips.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: March Recognized as Problem Gambling Awareness Month

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today issued a proclamation designating March 2025 as Problem Gambling Awareness Month in New York State. The Governor’s proclamation outlined the collaborative efforts of stakeholders to provide resources and build awareness of an often undetected addiction. In recognition of March as problem gambling awareness month, 14 landmarks across the state will be illuminated yellow on March 3.

    “Problem gambling can affect any New Yorker regardless of their background,” Governor Hochul said. “That’s why we’re raising awareness and making sure all stakeholders are working together to ensure that no one fights this undetected addiction alone.”

    National Problem Gambling Awareness Month was created by the National Council on Problem Gambling. This year’s theme, “Seeking Understanding,” focuses on increasing awareness of problem gambling as a serious but often misunderstood mental health condition. By fostering a deeper understanding of the issue, we can encourage empathy, reduce barriers to treatment, and provide support to those affected by gambling-related harm.”

    New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, “By proclaiming March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month, Governor Hochul highlights the need for greater understanding and support for those affected by gambling-related challenges. Stigma often prevents individuals from seeking help, and at OASAS, we are committed to fostering empathy and public awareness over gambling harms — including our new ‘Take a Pause’ campaign designed to break down the barriers that prevent New Yorkers from accessing the care they need.”

    Gaming Commission Executive Director Robert Williams said, “Problem Gambling Awareness Month is an opportune time to spread awareness and educate individuals on the warning signs of problem gambling. Governor Hochul’s highlighting of the issue underscores her ongoing commitment to implementing responsible gaming policies that ensure the tools and resources for those who need help are readily available.”

    New York Council on Problem Gambling Executive Director Jim Maney said, “We are proud to join with the Gaming Commission and OASAS to recognize Problem Gambling Awareness Month, and we are grateful to Governor Hochul for bringing much-needed attention to an issue that affects countless New Yorkers. We continue to work with our government RPP partners and our colleagues in New York’s gaming industry to provide hope for those in crisis.”

    Governor Hochul’s proclamation highlights the work of New York’s Responsible Play Partnership (RPP), consisting of the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), the New York State Gaming Commission, and the New York Council on Problem Gambling. The RPP continues to ensure New Yorkers are aware of problem gambling as well as the prevention, treatment and recovery services available across the state.

    OASAS’ “Take a Pause” PSA campaign highlights the steps New Yorkers can take to understand the risks and ensure responsible gambling, as well as where individuals can find help for themselves or a loved one impacted by, or at risk of developing a gambling problem.

    Individuals are also invited to complete a survey, where they can determine if their gambling raises concern and be directed to additional support and resources.

    In addition to PSA campaigns, the RPP created new training materials for video lottery and commercial casino employees on how to recognize problem gambling behavior, how to interact with someone exhibiting such behavior, and how to get them help in a timely manner.

    New York State has a robust voluntary self-exclusion program that allows individuals to bar themselves from any legal gaming opportunity in the state. The program was recently expanded to give individuals who self-exclude the option to be contacted directly by a HOPEline professional for additional support.

    The following locations are participating in the coordinated lighting on March 3:

    • Albany International Airport Gateway
    • Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
    • Empire State Plaza
    • Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal
    • Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
    • Kosciuszko Bridge
    • Moynihan Train Hall
    • MTA LIRR – East End Gateway at Penn Station
    • Niagara Falls
    • One World Trade Center
    • State Education Building
    • State Fairgrounds – Main Gate & Expo Center
    • The “Franklin D. Roosevelt” Mid-Hudson Bridge
    • The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building

    The RPP was formed to bring all stakeholders together to address problem gambling, including bridging the gap between gaming facility operators and problem gambling treatment providers. The RPP works to ensure that all gaming entities in the state comply with all rules and regulations and provide access to help for individuals who need it. The RPP continues to collaborate to advance New York’s ongoing commitment to prevent and treat problem gambling. Learn more at playresponsiblyny.com.

    Those seeking help can visit NYProblemGamblingHelp.org or call New York State’s confidential HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or text HOPENY at 467369.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: VAALCO Schedules Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Earnings Release and Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — VAALCO Energy, Inc. (NYSE: EGY; LSE: EGY) (“Vaalco” or the “Company”) today announced the timing of its fourth quarter and full year 2024 earnings release and conference call.

    The Company will issue its fourth quarter 2024 and full year earnings release on Thursday, March 13, 2025 after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange and host a conference call to discuss its financial and operational results on Friday morning, March 14, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Central Time (11:00 a.m. Eastern Time and 4:00 p.m. London Time.)

    Interested parties in the United States may participate toll-free by dialing (833) 685-0907. Interested parties in the United Kingdom may participate toll-free by dialing 08082389064. Other international parties may dial (412) 317-5741. Participants should ask to be joined to the “Vaalco Energy Earnings Conference Call.” This call will also be webcast on VAALCO’s website at www.vaalco.com. An audio replay will be available on the Company’s website following the call.

    About Vaalco

    Vaalco, founded in 1985 and incorporated under the laws of Delaware, is a Houston, Texas, USA based, independent energy company with a diverse portfolio of production, development and exploration assets across Gabon, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria and Canada.

    For Further Information

       
    Vaalco Energy, Inc. (General and Investor Enquiries) +00 1 713 543 3422
    Website: www.vaalco.com
       
    Al Petrie Advisors (US Investor Relations) +00 1 713 543 3422
    Al Petrie / Chris Delange  
       
    Buchanan (UK Financial PR) +44 (0) 207 466 5000
    Ben Romney / Barry Archer Vaalco@buchanan.uk.com
       

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Coons, Young resolution to establish National FFA Week passes Senate

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons

    WASHINGTON – A bipartisan resolution introduced by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) to establish February 15-22, 2025, as National FFA Week passed the Senate yesterday.

    The resolution highlights the important role of the National FFA Organization in developing the next generation of leaders by providing educational and career opportunities to students. It also commemorates the 75th anniversary of President Harry S. Truman signing into law a bill that provided a federal charter for FFA, acknowledging the significance of agricultural education in America.

    “Young Delawareans learn to meet today’s agricultural challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities through programs offered by the Delaware FFA and the National FFA Organization,” said Senator Coons. “I’m thrilled this bipartisan resolution honoring this vital organization and its talented educators and members who will become the next generation of leaders passed the Senate.”

    “FFA plays a critical role in the development of students through agricultural education. The lessons, tools, and resources gained through the FFA program equip Indiana’s future leaders with the skills needed to succeed in a variety of fields,” said Senator Young. “I’m glad to lead this resolution establishing National FFA Week in support of the more than 14,000 Hoosier FFA members.”

    “National FFA Week serves as a powerful reminder of the vital role that agricultural education and leadership development play in shaping our future,” said National FFA Advisor Dr. Travis Park. “It’s a time of celebration and reflection as FFA members, advisors, and supporters come together to honor the impact of this extraordinary organization. The week highlights the value of fostering inclusivity and leadership while addressing the critical demand for skilled talent in agriculture and related industries. Through outreach events, community engagement, and heartfelt gratitude to supporters, National FFA Week strengthens the bond between members and their communities, ensuring the legacy of agriculture and education thrives for generations to come.”

    In Delaware, there are 42 FFA chapters, with nearly 4,430 members. 

    In addition to Senators Young and Coons, Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jim Justice (R-W. Va.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Lisa Blunt-Rochester (D-Del.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Angus King (I-Maine), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) also cosponsored the resolution.

    U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (R-Kan.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.), and Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) introduced a companion resolution in the House of Representatives.

    You can view the full text of the resolution here.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Coons, Murkowski, colleagues introduce Justice for ALS Veterans Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Co-Chairs of the ALS Caucus, announced the introduction of the Justice for ALS Veterans Act. This bill, first introduced in January 2022, would guarantee that the surviving spouses of veterans receive all benefits due to them. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) introduced the legislation in the House.

    “Every year, ALS robs thousands more Americans of their ability to speak, move, and eventually to live,” said Senator Coons. “Veterans who have fiercely served our nation are twice as likely to receive an ALS diagnosis, and yet, despite our efforts to support them and their families, they do not receive the full benefits they have earned in death. I’m working with Senator Murkowski to right this wrong and take better care of military families impacted by ALS.”

    “ALS is a horrible disease that indiscriminately wreaks havoc on families across the country – mine included,” said Senator Murkowski. “I am proud to lead this bipartisan group of senators who are partnering with healthcare and advocacy groups to support those affected and their families. Our first reintroduction, the Justice for ALS Veterans Act, is an important first step that will aid the families of veterans who have been devastated by ALS. It’s not clear why veterans develop ALS at a such a high rate, but it is clear that we should close the loophole that has prevented surviving families from receiving the full benefits that they are entitled to.” 

    “Our veterans fought for us, and when they face ALS—a devastating, fast-moving disease—we must fight for them and their families. Denying a surviving spouse benefits because their loved one didn’t live long enough to meet an arbitrary requirement is not just unfair—it is a betrayal of our commitment to those who served. The Justice for ALS Veterans Act will right this wrong and ensure that the families of our brave service members receive the support they have earned and deserve,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan House ALS Caucus.  

    “Studies show our nation’s veterans have a higher likelihood of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis compared to non-veterans. Veterans with ALS and their families experience rapid life changes in addition to significant financial stress,” said Calaneet Balas, President and CEO of The ALS Association. “We express our gratitude to veterans and their families, as well as to the U.S. Senators who are championing the passage of the Justice for ALS Veterans Act. This legislation aims to guarantee that the families of veterans receive the benefits they rightfully deserve, without being penalized due to the rapid progression of ALS.”

    “We are grateful to Senators Coons and Murkowski for their bipartisan leadership and commitment to veteran families impacted by ALS,” said Andrea Goodman, CEO of I AM ALS. “Veterans with ALS are a vital part of our community of advocates, and we are dedicated to ensuring those who bravely served our country receive the benefits they need. This legislation is critical to our effort to ensure survivors of veterans with ALS receive the benefits they deserve.”

    “PVA thanks Senators Murkowski and Coons, Representatives Fitzpatrick and Pappas, and other Members of Congress who have prioritized the reintroduction of the Justice for ALS Veterans Act. Denying benefits for surviving spouses of ALS veterans due to the aggressive nature of this service-connected disability does a disservice to them. The Justice for ALS Veterans Act will ensure these survivors receive the additional financial support that is afforded to other veterans’ survivors,” said Heather Ansley, Chief Policy Officer of Paralyzed Veterans of America.

    Background:

    • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that renders the body unable to control muscle movement. There is no effective treatment for the disease, no known cause, and currently no cure. At present, ALS has a fatality rate of 100%. Veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS as the general public.
    • Current policy states that a surviving spouse and family of a deceased veteran who had a service-connected disability deemed fully debilitating for a continuous period of at least eight years prior to death receive an additional monthly stipend from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). While ALS is deemed a service-connected disability, the average life expectancy for an individual diagnosed with ALS is just two to five years after diagnosis, which means that many families of an ALS-diagnosed veteran are not able to access this benefit. The Justice for ALS Veterans Act ensures that surviving spouses and families of veterans who pass away from ALS receive this additional benefit, regardless of how long an individual was living with ALS prior to their death.
    • The ALS Caucus remains committed to improving the lives of those living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and accelerating efforts toward a cure. The previous work of the Senate ALS Caucus includes:
      • Advocating for Continued Federal Funding: Securing resources for ALS research at the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.
      • ACT for ALS Act Implementation: Ensuring the continued rollout of the legislation, which expands access to investigational therapies for those with ALS and strengthens research into effective treatments.
      • Community Engagement: Working with ALS patients, caregivers, and advocates to inform and shape federal policy.

    A co-chair of the Senate ALS Caucus, Senator Coons has long been a proud advocate for ALS patients in the Senate. He has introduced several bipartisan bills to address ALS, including the ACT for ALS Act, which funds essential research into rare, neurodegenerative illnesses such as ALS. The bill was signed into law by President Biden in 2021.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Coons, Moran introduce legislation to expand financing options for new energy projects

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) reintroduced the Financing Our Energy Future Act, which expands certain financing tools to all types of energy resources and infrastructure projects. The legislation would allow clean energy resources and infrastructure projects to form as master limited partnerships (MLPs), a tax structure currently only available to traditional energy projects. Newly eligible energy sources would include advanced nuclear, sustainable aviation fuel, hydrogen, biodiesel, biomass, carbon capture, and more.

    “At a time when the United States needs to boost domestic energy production to meet surging demand, Congress should ensure all energy sources are competing on a level playing field,” said Senator Coons. “The Financing our Energy Future Act is a straightforward, bipartisan solution that will bolster investment in American energy projects, create good-paying jobs, and accelerate our transition to cleaner energy sources.”

    “Being energy independent requires an all-of-the-above approach to energy production,” said Senator Moran. “Emerging renewable energy companies currently do not have access to a number of tax incentives available to other energy companies. Expanding these incentives to more companies will increase U.S. energy production, spur innovation, and help reduce prices for consumers.”

    “NIA thanks Senator Coons and Moran for recognizing the role master limited partnerships can play in supporting our nation’s advanced nuclear energy leadership,” said Judi Greenwald, Executive Director of the Nuclear Innovation Alliance. “Their bipartisan master limited partnerships legislation will help commercialize important innovations in advanced nuclear energy and other key technologies, increase U.S. competitiveness, and create jobs.”

    “The Energy Infrastructure Council commends Senators Moran and Coons, along with Representatives Estes and Thompson, for their leadership in introducing the Financing Our Energy Future Act,” said Lori Ziebart, President and CEO of the Energy Infrastructure Council. “This bipartisan legislation is one step that Congress can take this year to grow the energy economy to benefit all working-class Americans. It expands the master limited partnership structure to include new and emerging energy sources such as hydrogen, alternative energy, carbon capture and sequestration, and renewable fuels. The MLP structure has proven to be an efficient, cost-effective method for raising capital to support the development of critical energy infrastructure and provides individuals another vehicle to invest in energy infrastructure similar to real estate investment through REITS. Expanding this framework is essential as all energy sources will be needed to ensure a reliable and secure energy future. This expansion deepens the capital pool, improves market efficiency, creates jobs, and drives down costs of energy in a way that will help all Americans.”

    “To strengthen its economic base and create more reliable and affordable energy, the U.S. needs tax policies that reflect the depth and breadth of America’s energy sector,” said Frank Macchiarola, American Clean Power (ACP) Association Chief Advocacy Officer. “The Financing Our Energy Future Act offers an innovative, logical approach to that challenge that will make America’s energy sector stronger and better able to serve the needs of the nation.”

    “BPC Action applauds the introduction of the Financing Our Energy Future Act, an important step in incentivizing the deployment of innovative energy technologies to increase U.S. economic growth and global competitiveness,” said Michele Stockwell, President of Bipartisan Policy Center Action (BPC Action). “We commend Sens. Moran’s and Coons’ bipartisan leadership to level the playing field for novel energy projects—including around carbon capture, utilization, and storage, energy storage, advanced nuclear, and waste-to-energy—to have the same tax-advantaged structures currently available to fossil fuels.”

    “As the U.S. enters a period of increasing demand growth, it is important to include all forms of reliable energy in advantageous tax and financing structures to accelerate deployment and ensure grid reliability,” said Jeremy Harrell, CEO of ClearPath Action. “We are excited to see advanced nuclear included in this proposal to help catalyze the next generation of advanced reactors through access to master limited partnerships.”

    An MLP is a business structure that is taxed as a partnership but whose ownership interests are traded like corporate stock on a market. Currently, MLPs are only available to investors in energy portfolios for oil, natural gas, coal extraction, and pipeline projects. For projects to be an MLP, at least 90 percent of the project’s income must come from these sources. This legislation would amend the Internal Revenue Code to extend the publicly traded partnership ownership structure to renewable energy power generation projects.

    In addition to Senators Coons and Moran, this legislation is cosponsored by Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Angus King (I-Maine), John Curtis (R-Utah), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), and Mark Warner (D-Va.).

    The full legislation can be read here.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Press Release: FDIC Board of Directors Withdraws Four Outstanding Proposed Rules

    Source: US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation FDIC

    CategoriesBusiness, Commerce, MIL-OSI, United States Federal Government, United States Government, United States of America, US Commerce, US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation FDIC, US Federal Government, US Insurance Sector, USA

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Readout of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    Pentagon Press Secretary John Ullyot provided the following readout:

    Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz today to discuss bilateral interests, regional developments and opportunities, and security assistance priorities. The Secretary reaffirmed that the United States remains 100 percent committed to Israel’s security and emphasized the unbreakable bond that exists between the United States and Israel. Both leaders agreed that Iran remains a threat to regional security and agreed to work together on this challenge.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Files Amicus Brief in Support of Lawsuit Challenging Unlawful Removal of Gwynne Wilcox from the National Labor Relations Board

    Source: US State of California

    OAKLAND  California Attorney General Rob Bonta, as part of a coalition of 20 attorneys general, announced the filing of an amicus brief in Wilcox v. Trump in support of Gwynne Wilcox, who is challenging President Donald Trump over her unlawful removal from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The brief underscores that this removal undermines the independence of federal agencies and exceeds presidential authority. President Trump’s removal of Member Wilcox not only violated the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) but also reduced the number of Board members to two, destroying the quorum necessary for the Board to operate and ensure the enforcement of labor laws and protection of workers’ rights. In the amicus brief, the attorneys general argue that a functioning NLRB is necessary for the enforcement of labor laws across the United States and urge the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to allow Wilcox to continue performing her responsibilities as an NLRB member.
     
    “Workers across the country rely on the NLRB to protect their rights by preventing unfair labor practices and safeguarding their ability to unionize. However, Member Wilcox’s unlawful removal jeopardizes these rights, as NLRB is currently inoperable—leaving the field open for bad actor employers to violate the law and trample on workers’ rights,” said Attorney General Bonta. “That’s why I’m standing with my fellow attorneys general to support Gwynne Wilcox’s motion for expedited summary judgment to allow her to continue performing her responsibilities as an NLRB member.”

     
    The NLRB is an independent federal agency that enforces U.S. labor laws related to workers’ rights, union representation, and collective bargaining. It oversees union elections, ensuring that employees can freely choose whether to be represented by a union. The Board also investigates and resolves unfair labor practice charges against employers and unions, addressing issues like retaliation, unlawful firings, and refusal to bargain in good faith. The NLRB also adjudicates disputes under the NLRA and issues rulings that shape labor law policies. To protect the NLRB from political pressure by the President, NLRB board members are appointed by the President and confirmed by Congress for staggered 5-year terms. Board members do not serve at the pleasure of the President. Federal law provides that Board members can only be removed by the President “upon notice and hearing, for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office, but for no other cause.”  
     
    Last month, the President purported to dismiss Gwynne Wilcox from her position as a member of the NLRB without cause, an action unprecedented in the agency’s 90-year history. Wilcox, the first Black woman to serve on the NLRB, was set to conclude her tenure in August 2028.
     
    In the amicus brief, the attorneys general argue that the President violated the NLRA and support Wilcox’s challenge of her purported removal from the Board. With the Board currently inactive, NLRB cannot issue rules or adjudicate unfair labor practices, which creates a regulatory gap that states will have difficulty filling. This vacuum would harm workers everywhere if NLRA’s inactivity continues. In the brief, the attorneys general highlight that by removing Wilcox and incapacitating the NLRB, the Trump Administration has left American workers without the entity authorized to ensure the guaranteed ability to join a union and engage in collective bargaining, protections which workers have relied on for decades. This regulatory vacuum is deeply troubling given the importance and scale of the work done by the NLRB. In the past decade, the NLRB reviewed nearly 3,000 allegations of unfair labor practices.

    Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, And Wisconsin in filing this amicus brief.

    A copy of the brief can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: James River Announces Fourth Quarter 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PEMBROKE, Bermuda, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — James River Group Holdings, Ltd. (“James River” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: JRVR) today reported the following results for the fourth quarter 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023:

      Three Months Ended
    December 31,
      Three Months Ended
    December 31,
    ($ in thousands, except for share data)   2024     per diluted share     2023     per diluted share
    Net (loss) income from continuing operations available to common shareholders $ (92,669 )   $ (2.25 )   $ 17,431     $ 0.46  
    Net loss from discontinued operations1   (1,372 )   $ (0.03 )     (170,211 )   $ (3.89 )
    Net loss available to common shareholders   (94,041 )   $ (2.28 )     (152,780 )   $ (3.43 )
    Adjusted net operating (loss) income2   (40,803 )   $ (0.99 )     12,442     $ 0.33  

    Net loss from continuing operations available to common shareholders was $92.7 million ($2.25 per diluted share). Adjusted net operating loss2 was $40.8 million ($0.99 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of 2024. The decrease to both was largely attributable to the previously announced $52.8 million of consideration paid in connection with the Excess and Surplus Lines (“E&S”) adverse development reinsurance contract with Cavello Bay Reinsurance Limited, a subsidiary of Enstar Group Limited (“Enstar”) (“E&S Top Up ADC”) that closed on December 23, 2024. Net loss from continuing operations available to common shareholders was also negatively impacted by the $27 million deemed dividend resulting from the November 2024 amendment to the Series A Preferred Shares.

    Unless specified otherwise, all underwriting performance ratios presented herein are for our continuing operations and business not subject to retroactive reinsurance accounting for loss portfolio transfers (“LPTs”).

    Highlights for 2024 included:

    • During the year we completed several strategic actions including (i) closing the sale of JRG Reinsurance Company Ltd. (“JRG Re”) to focus our business around our U.S. insurance businesses, (ii) entering into a $160.0 million combined loss portfolio transfer and adverse development cover for our E&S business (the “E&S ADC”), (iii) initiating a new strategic partnership with Enstar which, in part, entailed a $12.5 million equity investment in the Company and an additional $75.0 million E&S Top Up ADC, and (iv) amending the Certificate of Designations for our Series A Preferred Shares to, among other things, convert $37.5 million of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares to common shares (see Amendment of Series A Preferred Shares on page 5). We believe these and other actions meaningfully strengthen our balance sheet and position us to generate attractive returns in the future.
    • E&S segment gross written premium exceeded $1.0 billion for a second consecutive year, a slight increase compared to the prior year as the Company continued to focus on its leading, wholesale driven franchise. The Company had its highest levels of both new and renewal annual submission growth in five years, and positive renewal rate change of 9.0% for 2024, as compared to 9.3% for 2023.
    • Full year 2024 net investment income increased 10.8% compared to 2023, with a majority of asset classes reporting higher income.
    • Specialty Admitted Insurance segment combined ratio was 92.2% for 2024 as compared to 95.9% for 2023. Underwriting profit grew 68.6% compared to the prior year.
    • Shareholders’ equity per share of $10.10 decreased sequentially from $14.02 at September 30, 2024, due to the net loss from continuing operations and increase in the common shares outstanding.
    • The Company does not expect any meaningful losses associated with the tragic series of California wildfires.

    Frank D’Orazio, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “2024 was a costly but transformational year for James River. We have meaningfully de-risked the organization and concluded an extensive strategic review, emerging with a renewed focus. The E&S market remains very healthy, and we believe that 2025 will provide significant opportunities to responsibly grow while taking advantage of the attractive rate environment.”

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Operating Results

    • Gross written premium of $358.3 million, consisting of the following:
      Three Months Ended
    December 31,
     
    ($ in thousands)   2024     2023   % Change
    Excess and Surplus Lines $ 280,287   $ 275,171   2 %
    Specialty Admitted Insurance   78,005     114,134   (32 )%
      $ 358,292   $ 389,305   (8 )%
    • Net written premium of $114.0 million, consisting of the following:
      Three Months Ended
    December 31,
       
    ($ in thousands)   2024     2023   % Change  
    Excess and Surplus Lines $ 99,684   $ 146,628   (32 )%
    Specialty Admitted Insurance   14,307     25,573   (44 )%
      $ 113,991   $ 172,201   (34 )%
    • Net earned premium of $105.6 million, consisting of the following:
      Three Months Ended
    December 31,
       
    ($ in thousands)   2024     2023   % Change  
    Excess and Surplus Lines $ 87,275   $ 153,926   (43 )%
    Specialty Admitted Insurance   18,311     28,027   (35 )%
      $ 105,586   $ 181,953   (42 )%

    Lower net retention for the E&S segment reflects the $52.8 million of ceded premium recorded upon closing the E&S Top Up ADC as well as reinstatement premium which reduced net written premiums in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the prior year quarter.

    • E&S Segment Fourth Quarter Highlights:
      • The E&S segment grew gross written premium by 1.9% compared to the prior year quarter. Excluding excess casualty, where we have been cautious, the segment grew by 11.2%.
      • Total submissions grew 9% compared to the prior year quarter. The E&S segment received over 80,000 new and renewal policy submissions for the fourth consecutive quarter, its third consecutive quarter of 9% submission growth, a level not seen since 2020.
    • Specialty Admitted Insurance Segment Fourth Quarter Highlights:
      • Gross written premium for the fronting and program business declined 11.1% compared to the prior year quarter, excluding the impact of our large workers’ compensation program and Individual Risk Workers’ Compensation book, which were non-renewed in the second quarter of 2023 and sold via a renewal rights transaction in the third quarter of 2023, respectively. Including these two programs, segment gross written premium declined 31.7%.
    • Pre-tax favorable (unfavorable) reserve development by segment on business not subject to retroactive reinsurance accounting was as follows:
      Three Months Ended
    December 31,
    ($ in thousands)   2024       2023  
    Excess and Surplus Lines $ (8,943 )   $ (25,005 )
    Specialty Admitted Insurance         (38 )
      $ (8,943 )   $ (25,043 )
    • The fourth quarter of 2024 reflected $8.9 million of net unfavorable reserve development in the E&S segment. The Company ceded $29.5 million of unfavorable reserve development on business subject to the E&S ADC during the fourth quarter of 2024 and the majority of the $8.9 million of net unfavorable development represents the retained loss corridor on that structure. There remains $116.2 million of aggregate limit on the E&S ADC and E&S Top-Up ADC which cover the overwhelming majority of all E&S reserves from 2010-2023.
    • Retroactive benefits of $2.7 million were recorded in loss and loss adjustment expenses during the fourth quarter and the total deferred retroactive reinsurance gain on the Balance Sheet is $58.0 million as of December 31, 2024.
    • Gross fee income was as follows:
      Three Months Ended
    December 31,
     
    ($ in thousands)   2024     2023   % Change
    Specialty Admitted Insurance $ 4,828   $ 5,874   (18)%
    • The consolidated expense ratio was 43.7% for the fourth quarter of 2024, which was an increase from 24.2% in the prior year quarter. The expense ratio increase was primarily the result of $52.8 million of consideration paid in connection with the E&S Top Up ADC that closed on December 23, 2024, which resulted in lower net earned premium.

    Investment Results

    Net investment income for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $22.0 million, a decrease of 14.2% compared to $25.6 million in the prior year quarter. The decline in income was primarily due to a lower asset base across our fixed income and bank loan portfolios as we managed the portfolio for the payment of the $52.8 million of consideration paid in connection with the E&S Top Up ADC, as well as lower income from private investments, which in the prior year quarter benefited from a one-time payment of approximately $2.5 million related to the sale of certain investments.

    The Company’s net investment income consisted of the following:

      Three Months Ended
    December 31,
     
    ($ in thousands)   2024     2023   % Change
    Private Investments   1,334     3,199   (58)%
    All Other Investments   20,628     22,389   (8)%
    Total Net Investment Income $ 21,962   $ 25,588   (14)%

    The Company’s annualized gross investment yield on average fixed maturity, bank loan and equity securities for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was 4.7% (versus 4.8% for the three months ended December 31, 2023).

    Net realized and unrealized losses on investments of $2.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to net realized and unrealized gains on investments of $8.0 million in the prior year quarter.

    Capital Management

    The Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.01 per common share. This dividend is payable on March 31, 2025 to all shareholders of record on March 10, 2025.

    Amendment of Series A Preferred Shares

    As previously disclosed, on November 11, 2024, the Company amended the Series A Preferred Shares. Among other amended terms, this amendment converted $37.5 million of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares to common shares. The Company accounted for the amendment as an extinguishment due to the significance of qualitative and quantitative changes to the shares.

    The Company estimated the fair value of the new Series A Preferred Shares to be $133.1 million on the date of issuance. The Company recorded a deemed dividend of $25.7 million within retained deficit for the difference between the $144.9 million carrying value of the extinguished pre-amendment Series A preferred shares and the combined $133.1 million estimated fair value of the new Series A Preferred Shares and $37.5 million of new common shares. The Company also recorded a deemed dividend of $1.3 million for the difference between the $37.5 million of Series A Preferred Shares converted to common shares in the amendment and the $38.8 million fair value of the common shares issued. The combined $27 million deemed dividend increased the Net Loss to Common Shareholders and reduced tangible common equity for the fourth quarter of 2024 by approximately $0.60 per share.

    Tangible Equity

    Shareholders’ equity of $460.9 million at December 31, 2024 declined 13.1% compared to shareholders’ equity of $530.3 million at September 30, 2024. Tangible equity3 of $437.7 million at December 31, 2024 decreased 11.0% compared to tangible equity of $491.9 million at September 30, 2024, due to losses from continuing and discontinued operations as well as an increase in unrealized investment losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). Other comprehensive loss was $27.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2024, due to a decrease in the value of the Company’s fixed maturity securities.

    Board of Directors

    The Company also announced that Non-Executive Chairman Ollie L. Sherman Jr. has chosen to retire from his leadership role and that the Board has appointed Christine LaSala as its next Non-Executive Chairperson. Following a period of transition, Mr. Sherman will also retire from the Board on April 30, 2025.

    Mr. Sherman has served on the Board of Directors since May 2016 and had previously retired as a Managing Principal with Towers Watson in 2010. Ms. LaSala joined the Board of Directors in July 2024. She has over 45 years of management, client leadership and financial experience in the insurance industry in underwriting and insurance broking roles. She currently serves as a director of Sedgwick, a leading provider of claims management, loss adjusting and technology-enabled risk, benefit and business solutions. She served as a director of Beazley plc for eight years, including in a variety of board leadership roles such as Interim Chair, prior to stepping down in April 2024.

    Conference Call

    James River will hold a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter results tomorrow, March 4, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Investors may access the conference call by dialing (800)-715-9871, Conference ID 6424000, or via the internet by visiting www.jrvrgroup.com and clicking on the “Investor Relations” link. A webcast replay of the call will be available by visiting the company website.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, such forward-looking statements may be identified by terms such as believe, expect, seek, may, will, should, intend, project, anticipate, plan, estimate, guidance or similar words. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Although it is not possible to identify all of these risks and uncertainties, they include, among others, the following: the inherent uncertainty of estimating reserves and the possibility that incurred losses may be greater than our loss and loss adjustment expense reserves; inaccurate estimates and judgments in our risk management may expose us to greater risks than intended; downgrades in the financial strength rating or outlook of our regulated insurance subsidiaries impacting our ability to attract and retain insurance business that our subsidiaries write, our competitive position, and our financial condition; the amount of the final post-closing adjustment to the purchase price received in connection with the sale of our casualty reinsurance business and outcome of litigation relating to such transaction; the potential loss of key members of our management team or key employees and our ability to attract and retain personnel; adverse economic factors resulting in the sale of fewer policies than expected or an increase in the frequency or severity of claims, or both; the impact of a higher than expected inflationary environment on our reserves, loss adjustment expenses, the values of our investments and investment returns, and our compensation expenses; exposure to credit risk, interest rate risk and other market risk in our investment portfolio; reliance on a select group of brokers and agents for a significant portion of our business and the impact of our potential failure to maintain such relationships; reliance on a select group of customers for a significant portion of our business and the impact of our potential failure to maintain, or decision to terminate, such relationships; our ability to obtain insurance and reinsurance coverage at prices and on terms that allow us to transfer risk, adequately protect our company against financial loss and that supports our growth plans; losses resulting from reinsurance counterparties failing to pay us on reinsurance claims, insurance companies with whom we have a fronting arrangement failing to pay us for claims, or a former customer with whom we have an indemnification arrangement failing to perform its reimbursement obligations, and our potential inability to demand or maintain adequate collateral to mitigate such risks; inadequacy of premiums we charge to compensate us for our losses incurred; changes in laws or government regulation, including tax or insurance law and regulations; changes in U.S. tax laws (including associated regulations) and the interpretation of certain provisions applicable to insurance/reinsurance businesses with U.S. and non-U.S. operations, which may be retroactive and could have a significant effect on us including, among other things, by potentially increasing our tax rate, as well as on our shareholders; in the event we did not qualify for the insurance company exception to the passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) rules and were therefore considered a PFIC, there could be material adverse tax consequences to an investor that is subject to U.S. federal income taxation; the Company or its foreign subsidiary becoming subject to U.S. federal income taxation; a failure of any of the loss limitations or exclusions we utilize to shield us from unanticipated financial losses or legal exposures, or other liabilities; losses from catastrophic events, such as natural disasters and terrorist acts, which substantially exceed our expectations and/or exceed the amount of reinsurance we have purchased to protect us from such events; potential effects on our business of emerging claim and coverage issues; the potential impact of internal or external fraud, operational errors, systems malfunctions or cyber security incidents; our ability to manage our growth effectively; failure to maintain effective internal controls in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended; changes in our financial condition, regulations or other factors that may restrict our subsidiaries’ ability to pay us dividends; and an adverse result in any litigation or legal proceedings we are or may become subject to. Additional information about these risks and uncertainties, as well as others that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, is contained in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    In presenting James River Group Holdings, Ltd.’s results, management has included financial measures that are not calculated under standards or rules that comprise accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Such measures, including underwriting (loss) profit, adjusted net operating (loss) income, tangible equity, tangible common equity, adjusted net operating return on tangible equity (which is calculated as annualized adjusted net operating income divided by the average quarterly tangible equity balances in the respective period), and adjusted net operating return on tangible common equity excluding AOCI (which is calculated as annualized adjusted net operating income divided by the average quarterly tangible common equity balances in the respective period, excluding AOCI), are referred to as non-GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those measures determined in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations of such measures to the most comparable GAAP figures are included at the end of this press release.

    About James River Group Holdings, Ltd.

    James River Group Holdings, Ltd. is a Bermuda-based insurance holding company that owns and operates a group of specialty insurance companies. The Company operates in two specialty property-casualty insurance segments: Excess and Surplus Lines and Specialty Admitted Insurance. Each of the Company’s regulated insurance subsidiaries are rated “A-” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company.

    Visit James River Group Holdings, Ltd. on the web at www.jrvrgroup.com

    For more information contact:

    Zachary Shytle
    Senior Analyst, Investments and Investor Relations
    980-249-6848
    InvestorRelations@james-river-group.com

    James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data (Unaudited)
    ($ in thousands, except for share data)  December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
    ASSETS      
    Invested assets:      
    Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value $ 1,189,733   $ 1,324,476
    Equity securities, at fair value   86,479     119,945
    Bank loan participations, at fair value   142,410     156,169
    Short-term investments   97,074     72,137
    Other invested assets   36,700     33,134
    Total invested assets   1,552,396     1,705,861
           
    Cash and cash equivalents   362,345     274,298
    Restricted cash equivalents (a)   28,705     72,449
    Accrued investment income   10,534     12,106
    Premiums receivable and agents’ balances, net   243,882     249,490
    Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses, net   1,996,913     1,358,474
    Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses   101,210     157,991
    Deferred policy acquisition costs   30,175     31,497
    Goodwill and intangible assets   214,281     214,644
    Other assets   466,635     457,047
    Assets of discontinued operations held-for-sale   0     783,393
    Total assets $ 5,007,076   $ 5,317,250
           
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
    Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses $ 3,084,406   $ 2,606,107
    Unearned premiums   572,034     587,899
    Funds held (a)   25,157     65,235
    Deferred reinsurance gain   57,970     20,733
    Senior debt   200,800     222,300
    Junior subordinated debt   104,055     104,055
    Accrued expenses   53,178     56,722
    Other liabilities   315,446     333,183
    Liabilities of discontinued operations held-for-sale   0     641,497
    Total liabilities   4,413,046     4,637,731
           
    Series A redeemable preferred shares   133,115     144,898
    Total shareholders’ equity   460,915     534,621
    Total liabilities, Series A redeemable preferred shares, and shareholders’ equity $ 5,007,076   $ 5,317,250
           
    Tangible equity (b) $ 437,719   $ 485,608
    Tangible equity per share (b) $ 7.40   $ 11.13
    Tangible common equity per share (b) $ 6.67   $ 9.05
    Shareholders’ equity per share $ 10.10   $ 14.20
    Common shares outstanding   45,644,318     37,641,563
           
    (a) Restricted cash equivalents and the funds held liability includes funds posted by the Company to a trust account for the benefit of a third party administrator handling the claims on the Rasier commercial auto policies in run-off. Such funds held in trust secure the Company’s obligations to reimburse the administrator for claims payments, and are primarily sourced from the collateral posted to the Company by Rasier and its affiliates to support their obligations under the indemnity agreements and the loss portfolio transfer reinsurance agreement with the Company.
    (b) See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures”      
    James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries
    Condensed Consolidated Income Statement Data (Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended
    December 31,
      Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,
    ($ in thousands, except for share data)   2024       2023       2024       2023  
    REVENUES              
    Gross written premiums $ 358,292     $ 389,305     $ 1,431,772     $ 1,508,660  
    Net written premiums   113,991       172,201       580,854       693,901  
                   
    Net earned premiums   105,586       181,953       600,196       708,005  
    Net investment income   21,962       25,588       93,089       84,046  
    Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments   (2,803 )     7,954       3,625       10,441  
    Other income   1,968       2,609       10,716       9,517  
    Total revenues   126,713       218,104       707,626       812,009  
    EXPENSES              
    Losses and loss adjustment expenses (a)   144,560       133,162       554,374       500,157  
    Other operating expenses   47,068       45,734       193,198       193,656  
    Other expenses   1,563       2,325       6,145       3,792  
    Interest expense   5,709       6,561       24,666       24,627  
    Intangible asset amortization and impairment   91       91       363       2,863  
    Total expenses   198,991       187,873       778,746       725,095  
    (Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes   (72,278 )     30,231       (71,120 )     86,914  
    Income tax (benefit) expense on continuing operations   (8,883 )     10,175       (7,634 )     25,705  
    Net (loss) income from continuing operations   (63,395 )     20,056       (63,486 )     61,209  
    Net loss from discontinued operations   (1,372 )     (170,211 )     (17,634 )     (168,893 )
    NET LOSS $ (64,767 )   $ (150,155 )   $ (81,120 )   $ (107,684 )
    Dividends on Series A preferred shares   (29,274 )     (2,625 )     (37,149 )     (10,500 )
    NET LOSS AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS $ (94,041 )   $ (152,780 )   $ (118,269 )   $ (118,184 )
    ADJUSTED NET OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME (b) $ (40,803 )   $ 12,442     $ (41,503 )   $ 50,317  
                   
    (LOSS) INCOME PER COMMON SHARE              
    Basic              
    Continuing operations $ (2.25 )   $ 0.46     $ (2.60 )   $ 1.35  
    Discontinued operations $ (0.03 )   $ (4.52 )   $ (0.46 )   $ (4.49 )
      $ (2.28 )   $ (4.06 )   $ (3.06 )   $ (3.14 )
    Diluted (c)              
    Continuing operations $ (2.25 )   $ 0.46     $ (2.60 )   $ 1.34  
    Discontinued operations $ (0.03 )   $ (3.89 )   $ (0.46 )   $ (4.47 )
      $ (2.28 )   $ (3.43 )   $ (3.06 )   $ (3.13 )
                   
    ADJUSTED NET OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME PER COMMON SHARE        
    Basic $ (0.99 )   $ 0.33     $ (1.07 )   $ 1.34  
    Diluted (d) $ (0.99 )   $ 0.33     $ (1.07 )   $ 1.33  
                   
    Weighted-average common shares outstanding:              
    Basic   41,237,480       37,656,268       38,685,003       37,618,660  
    Diluted   41,237,480       43,744,208       38,685,003       37,810,440  
    Cash dividends declared per common share $ 0.01     $ 0.05     $ 0.16     $ 0.20  
                   
    Ratios:              
    Loss ratio   111.4 %     73.9 %     86.2 %     69.9 %
    Expense ratio (e)   43.7 %     24.2 %     31.4 %     26.6 %
    Combined ratio   155.1 %     98.1 %     117.6 %     96.5 %
    Accident year loss ratio (f)   65.6 %     58.8 %     66.2 %     64.0 %
                   
                   
                   
    (a) Losses and loss adjustment expenses include $27.0 million and $37.2 million of expense for deferred retroactive reinsurance gains for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024, respectively ($1.3 million of benefit and $5.0 million of expense in the respective three and twelve month prior year periods).
    (b) See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures”.
    (c) The outstanding Series A preferred shares were dilutive for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Dividends on the Series A preferred shares were added back to the numerator in the calculation and 5,971,184 common shares from an assumed conversion of the Series A preferred shares were included in the denominator.
    (d) The outstanding Series A preferred shares were anti-dilutive for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Dividends on the Series A preferred shares were not added back to the numerator in the calculation and 5,971,184 common shares from an assumed conversion of the Series A preferred shares were excluded from the denominator.
    (e) Calculated with a numerator comprising other operating expenses less gross fee income (in specific instances when the Company is not retaining insurance risk) included in “Other income” in our Condensed Consolidated Income Statements of $926,000 and $4.6 million for the three and twelve months ended months ended December 31, 2024, respectively ($1.7 million and $5.3 million in the respective prior year periods), and a denominator of net earned premiums.
    (f) Ratio of losses and loss adjustment expenses for the current accident year, excluding development on prior accident year reserves, to net earned premiums for the current year (excluding ceded earned premium associated with adverse development covers covering prior accident years and net earned premium adjustments on certain reinsurance treaties with reinstatement premiums associated with prior years).
    James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries
    Segment Results
    EXCESS AND SURPLUS LINES
      Three Months Ended
    December 31,
          Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,
       
    ($ in thousands)   2024       2023     % Change     2024       2023     % Change
    Gross written premiums $ 280,287     $ 275,171     1.9 %   $ 1,017,029     $ 1,007,351     1.0 %
    Net written premiums $ 99,684     $ 146,628     (32.0 )%   $ 508,445     $ 589,551     (13.8 )%
                           
    Net earned premiums $ 87,275     $ 153,926     (43.3 )%   $ 512,237     $ 609,566     (16.0 )%
    Losses and loss adjustment expenses excluding retroactive reinsurance   (103,327 )     (112,680 )   (8.3 )%     (448,714 )     (420,044 )   6.8 %
    Underwriting expenses   (36,166 )     (32,348 )   11.8 %     (140,978 )     (135,175 )   4.3 %
    Underwriting (loss) profit (a) $ (52,218 )   $ 8,898         $ (77,455 )   $ 54,347      
                           
    Ratios:                      
    Loss ratio   118.4 %     73.2 %         87.6 %     68.9 %    
    Expense ratio   41.4 %     21.0 %         27.5 %     22.2 %    
    Combined ratio   159.8 %     94.2 %         115.1 %     91.1 %    
    Accident year loss ratio (b)   64.1 %     55.5 %         64.3 %     61.9 %    
                           
    (a) See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures”.
    (b) Ratio of losses and loss adjustment expenses for the current accident year, excluding development on prior accident year reserves, to net earned premiums for the current year (excluding ceded earned premium associated with adverse development covers covering prior accident years and net earned premium adjustments on certain reinsurance treaties with reinstatement premiums associated with prior years).


    SPECIALTY ADMITTED INSURANCE

      Three Months Ended
    December 31,
            Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,
       
    ($ in thousands)   2024       2023     % Change       2024       2023     % Change
    Gross written premiums $ 78,005     $ 114,134     (31.7 )%   $ 414,743     $ 501,309     (17.3 )%
    Net written premiums $ 14,307     $ 25,573     (44.1 )%   $ 72,409     $ 104,350     (30.6 )%
                             
    Net earned premiums $ 18,311     $ 28,027     (34.7 )%   $ 87,959     $ 98,439     (10.6 )%
    Losses and loss adjustment expenses   (14,264 )     (21,752 )   (34.4 )%     (68,423 )     (75,122 )   (8.9 )%
    Underwriting expenses   (3,186 )     (4,080 )   (21.9 )%     (12,663 )     (19,240 )   (34.2 )%
    Underwriting profit (a), (b) $ 861     $ 2,195     (60.8 )%   $ 6,873     $ 4,077     68.6 %
                             
    Ratios:                        
    Loss ratio   77.9 %     77.6 %           77.8 %     76.3 %    
    Expense ratio   17.4 %     14.6 %           14.4 %     19.6 %    
    Combined ratio   95.3 %     92.2 %           92.2 %     95.9 %    
    Accident year loss ratio   77.9 %     77.5 %           78.5 %     77.3 %    
                             
    (a) See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures”.                      
    (b) Underwriting results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 include gross fee income of $4.8 million and $21.0 million, respectively ($5.9 million and $24.2 million in the respective prior year periods).  


    Underwriting Performance Ratios

    The following table provides the underwriting performance ratios of the Company’s continuing operations inclusive of the business subject to retroactive reinsurance accounting. There is no economic impact to the Company over the life of a loss portfolio transfer contract so long as any additional losses subject to the contract are within the limit of the loss portfolio transfer and the counterparty performs under the contract. Retroactive reinsurance accounting is not indicative of our current and ongoing operations. Management believes that providing loss ratios and combined ratios on business not subject to retroactive reinsurance accounting for loss portfolio transfers gives the users of our financial statements useful information in evaluating our current and ongoing operations.

      Three Months Ended
    December 31,
      Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,
      2024     2023     2024     2023  
    Excess and Surplus Lines:              
    Loss Ratio 118.4 %   73.2 %   87.6 %   68.9 %
    Impact of retroactive reinsurance 30.9 %   (0.8 )%   7.3 %   0.8 %
    Loss Ratio including impact of retroactive reinsurance 149.3 %   72.4 %   94.9 %   69.7 %
                   
    Combined Ratio 159.8 %   94.2 %   115.1 %   91.1 %
    Impact of retroactive reinsurance 30.9 %   (0.8 )%   7.3 %   0.8 %
    Combined Ratio including impact of retroactive reinsurance 190.7 %   93.4 %   122.4 %   91.9 %
                   
    Consolidated:              
    Loss Ratio 111.4 %   73.9 %   86.2 %   69.9 %
    Impact of retroactive reinsurance 25.5 %   (0.7 )%   6.2 %   0.7 %
    Loss Ratio including impact of retroactive reinsurance 136.9 %   73.2 %   92.4 %   70.6 %
                   
    Combined Ratio 155.1 %   98.1 %   117.6 %   96.5 %
    Impact of retroactive reinsurance 25.5 %   (0.7 )%   6.2 %   0.7 %
    Combined Ratio including impact of retroactive reinsurance 180.6 %   97.4 %   123.8 %   97.2 %


    RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES

    Underwriting Profit

    The following table reconciles the underwriting profit by individual operating segment and for the entire Company to consolidated income from continuing operations before taxes. We believe that the disclosure of underwriting profit by individual segment and of the Company as a whole is useful to investors, analysts, rating agencies and other users of our financial information in evaluating our performance because our objective is to consistently earn underwriting profits. We evaluate the performance of our segments and allocate resources based primarily on underwriting profit. We define underwriting profit as net earned premiums and gross fee income (in specific instances when the Company is not retaining insurance risk) less losses and loss adjustment expenses on business from continuing operations not subject to retroactive reinsurance accounting and other operating expenses. Other operating expenses include the underwriting, acquisition, and insurance expenses of the operating segments and, for consolidated underwriting profit, the expenses of the Corporate and Other segment. Our definition of underwriting profit may not be comparable to that of other companies.

      Three Months Ended
    December 31,
      Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,
    ($ in thousands)   2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Underwriting (loss) profit of the operating segments:              
    Excess and Surplus Lines $ (52,218 )   $ 8,898     $ (77,455 )   $ 54,347  
    Specialty Admitted Insurance   861       2,195       6,873       4,077  
    Total underwriting (loss) profit of operating segments   (51,357 )     11,093       (70,582 )     58,424  
    Other operating expenses of the Corporate and Other segment   (6,790 )     (7,628 )     (34,972 )     (33,940 )
    Underwriting (loss) profit (a)   (58,147 )     3,465       (105,554 )     24,484  
    Losses and loss adjustment expenses – retroactive reinsurance   (26,969 )     1,270       (37,237 )     (4,991 )
    Net investment income   21,962       25,588       93,089       84,046  
    Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains on investments   (2,803 )     7,954       3,625       10,441  
    Other income (expense)   (521 )     (1,394 )     (14 )     424  
    Interest expense   (5,709 )     (6,561 )     (24,666 )     (24,627 )
    Amortization of intangible assets   (91 )     (91 )     (363 )     (363 )
    Impairment of IRWC trademark intangible asset                     (2,500 )
    (Loss) income from continuing operations before taxes $ (72,278 )   $ 30,231     $ (71,120 )   $ 86,914  
                   
    (a) Included in underwriting results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 is gross fee income of $4.8 million and $21.0 million, respectively ($5.9 million and $24.2 million in the respective prior year periods).


    Adjusted Net Operating Income

    We define adjusted net operating (loss) income as income available to common shareholders excluding a) (loss) income from discontinued operations b) the impact of retroactive reinsurance accounting for loss portfolio transfers, c) net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments, d) certain non-operating expenses such as professional service fees related to various strategic initiatives, and the filing of registration statements for the offering of securities, e) severance costs associated with terminated employees, and f) deemed dividend related to the conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares. We use adjusted net operating income as an internal performance measure in the management of our operations because we believe it gives our management and other users of our financial information useful insight into our results of operations and our underlying business performance. Adjusted net operating income should not be viewed as a substitute for net income calculated in accordance with GAAP, and our definition of adjusted net operating income may not be comparable to that of other companies.

    Our (loss) income available to common shareholders reconciles to our adjusted net operating (loss) income as follows:

      Three Months Ended December 31,
        2024       2023  
    ($ in thousands) Income
    Before
    Taxes
      Net
    Income
      Income
    Before
    Taxes
      Net
    Income
    Loss available to common shareholders $ (102,924 )   $ (94,041 )   $ (142,605 )   $ (152,780 )
    Loss from discontinued operations   1,372       1,372       170,211       170,211  
    Losses and loss adjustment expenses – retroactive reinsurance   26,969       21,306       (1,270 )     (1,003 )
    Net realized and unrealized investment losses (gains)   2,803       2,214       (7,954 )     (6,284 )
    Other expenses   1,563       1,340       2,321       2,298  
    Series A deemed dividends   27,006       27,006              
    Adjusted net operating (loss) income $ (43,211 )   $ (40,803 )   $ 20,703     $ 12,442  
                   
      Twelve Months Ended December 31,
        2024       2023  
    ($ in thousands) Income
    Before
    Taxes
      Net
    Income
      Income
    Before
    Taxes
      Net
    Income
    Loss available to common shareholders $ (125,903 )   $ (118,269 )   $ (92,479 )   $ (118,184 )
    Loss from discontinued operations   17,634       17,634       168,893       168,893  
    Losses and loss adjustment expenses – retroactive reinsurance   37,237       29,418       4,991       3,943  
    Net realized and unrealized investment gains   (3,625 )     (2,865 )     (10,441 )     (8,248 )
    Other expenses   6,145       5,573       1,588       1,938  
    Impairment of IRWC trademark intangible asset               2,500       1,975  
    Series A deemed dividends   27,006       27,006              
    Adjusted net operating (loss) income $ (41,506 )   $ (41,503 )   $ 75,052     $ 50,317  


    Tangible Equity (per Share) and Tangible Common Equity (per Share)

    We define tangible equity as shareholders’ equity plus mezzanine Series A preferred shares and the deferred retroactive reinsurance gain less goodwill and intangible assets (net of amortization). We define tangible common equity as tangible equity less mezzanine Series A preferred shares. Our definition of tangible equity and tangible common equity may not be comparable to that of other companies, and it should not be viewed as a substitute for shareholders’ equity calculated in accordance with GAAP. We use tangible equity and tangible common equity internally to evaluate the strength of our balance sheet and to compare returns relative to this measure. The following table reconciles shareholders’ equity to tangible equity and tangible common equity for December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024, December 31, 2023, and September 30, 2023.

      December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023   September 30, 2023
    ($ in thousands, except for share data)              
    Shareholders’ equity $ 460,915   $ 530,347   $ 534,621   $ 562,544
    Plus: Series A redeemable preferred shares   133,115     144,898     144,898     144,898
    Plus: Deferred reinsurance gain (a)   57,970     31,001     20,733     37,653
    Less: Goodwill and intangible assets   214,281     214,372     214,644     214,735
    Tangible equity $ 437,719   $ 491,874   $ 485,608   $ 530,360
    Less: Series A redeemable preferred shares   133,115     144,898     144,898     144,898
    Tangible common equity $ 304,604   $ 346,976   $ 340,710   $ 385,462
                   
    Common shares outstanding   45,644,318     37,829,475     37,641,563     37,619,749
    Common shares from assumed conversion of Series A preferred shares   13,521,635     6,848,763     5,971,184     5,640,158
    Common shares outstanding after assumed conversion of Series A preferred shares   59,165,953     44,678,238     43,612,747     43,259,907
                   
    Equity per share:              
    Shareholders’ equity $ 10.10   $ 14.02   $ 14.20   $ 14.95
    Tangible equity $ 7.40   $ 11.01   $ 11.13   $ 12.26
    Tangible common equity $ 6.67   $ 9.17   $ 9.05   $ 10.25
                   
    (a) Deferred reinsurance gain for the period ending September 30, 2023 includes the deferred retroactive reinsurance gain of $15.7 million related to the former Casualty Reinsurance LPT.

    1 The Company closed the sale of JRG Reinsurance Company Ltd. on April 16, 2024. The full financials for our former Casualty Reinsurance segment have been classified to discontinued operations for all periods.
    2 Adjusted net operating (loss) income, tangible common equity per share and adjusted net operating return on tangible common equity are non-GAAP financial measures. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” at the end of this press release.

    3 Tangible equity and tangible common equity are non-GAAP financial measures. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” at the end of this press release.

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