Category: Finance

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Investors can buy two commercial properties in northern Moscow from the city

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The city has put up for sale two non-residential buildings with a total area of over 560 square meters. They are located in the Northern Administrative District. This was reported by the Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Department of City Property Maxim Gaman.

    “Investors will be able to purchase two buildings with a total area of 563.2 square meters from the city in the north of the capital in the Khoroshevsky and Molzhaninovsky districts. They are located near major highways, metro stations and the Moscow Central Diameter, and there are residential buildings, educational institutions and shops nearby. The lots have a free designation, which means that future owners will be able to use the real estate at their own discretion. For example, they can open a restaurant or a mini-hotel in them,” said Maxim Gaman.

    One building with an area of 105 square meters is located at the address: 5th Magistralnaya Street, Building 10a, Building 2The second facility with an area of 458.2 square meters is located at: Leningradskoe shosse, house 196.

    “Anyone can take part in the auctions. To do this, you need to register on the trading platform, get an enhanced qualified electronic signature, make a deposit of 20 percent of the initial cost of the lot and submit an application, the acceptance of which will end on March 5, the auction is scheduled for March 17,” added Dmitry Ryabov, General Director of the City Property Management Center.

    The buildings put up for sale belong to the City Property Management Center.

    The organizer of the auction is Moscow City Department of Competition PolicyAccording to its director Kirill Purtov, auctions for the sale of commercial buildings are in demand among Moscow entrepreneurs. Over the past year, the city sold 57 such objects, and the average competition was eight participants per lot.

    Information about objects put up for open auctions is published onMoscow investment portal. You can study the lot documentation and rules for conducting auctions in the section “Property from the city”.

    The development of electronic services for entrepreneurs is being implemented within the framework of the national project “Data Economy”.

    The city sold almost 1,900 commercial premises at auction in 2024

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/150889073/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI: IDEX Biometrics receives purchase order for biometric payment cards to Japan

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Oslo, Norway – IDEX Biometrics has received a production order from the manufacturing partner Beautiful Card Corporation (BCC). The order has a value of approx. USD 50,000 and is the first of a larger biometric payment card program issued across both Mastercard and Visa for the Japanese market.

    “BCC is a clear front-runner, with a commitment to bring biometric smart cards to customers and partners world-wide, for payment and access cards. As IDEX and BCC already have material ready for production, we have been able to respond to our partners’ imminent implementation program”, comments Catharina Eklof, Chief Executive Officer at IDEX Biometrics.

    For further information contact:
    Marianne Bøe, Head of Investor Relations, + 47 91800186
    Kristian Flaten, CFO, +47 95092322
    E-mail:ir@idexbiometrics.com

    About IDEX Biometrics
    IDEX Biometrics ASA (OSE: IDEX) is a global technology leader in fingerprint biometrics, offering authentication solutions across payments, access control, and digital identity. Our solutions bring convenience, security, peace of mind and seamless user experiences to the world. Built on patented and proprietary sensor technologies, integrated circuit designs, and software, our biometric solutions target card-based applications for payments and digital authentication. As an industry-enabler we partner with leading card manufacturers and technology companies to bring our solutions to market.
    For more information, please visit www.idexbiometrics.com

    Trademark Statement
    IDEX, IDEX Biometrics and the IDEX logo are trademarks owned by IDEX Biometrics ASA. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders.

    About this notice:
    This notice discloses inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and was issued by Marianne Bøe, Head of Investor Relations, on 04 March 2025 at 08:12 CET on behalf of IDEX Biometrics ASA. The notice is published in accordance with section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: BAWAG Group publishes FY 2024 results: Net profit € 760 million and RoTCE 26%; dividend per share of €5.50 for 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Q4 ’24 net profit of €240 million, EPS of € 3.03 and RoTCE of 31.6%
    • Pre-provision profit of €297 million (+12% vPQ) and CIR at 35.7%
    • FY ‘24 Net profit of €760 million (+11% vs. prior year), EPS of €9.60 and RoTCE of 26.0%
    • FY ‘24 Risk-cost ratio of 19 basis points … NPL ratio at 0.8%
    • Knab acquisition closed on November 1, 2024
    • Dividend per share of €5.50 to be proposed to the AGM
    • CET1 ratio of 15.2% post deduction of earmarked dividend of €432 million for FY 2024
    • Target for 2025: Net profit > €800 million, RoTCE >20%

    VIENNA, Austria – Today, BAWAG Group released its results for the full year 2024, reporting a net profit of € 760 million, earnings per share of €9.60, and a RoTCE of 26%. The operating performance of our business was strong with pre-provision profits of €1,083 million and a cost-income ratio of 33.5%. For the fourth quarter 2024, BAWAG Group reported a net profit of €240 million, earnings per share of €3.03, and RoTCE of 31.6%.

    Delivering strong results in FY 2024

    in € million Q4 ’24 Change vs prior
    year (in %)
    Change vs prior
    quarter (in %)
    FY ’24 Change vs prior year (in %)
    Core revenues 449.6 14 16 1,621.7 5
    Net interest income 368.4 14 19 1,311.8 5
    Net commission income 81.2 13 5 309.9 9
    Operating income 461.7 20 18 1,627.8 7
    Operating expenses (164.8) 34 30 (545.1) 12
    Pre-provision profit 296.9 13 12 1,082.7 4
    Regulatory charges (4.3) 43 (15.3) (61)
    Risk costs 1.4 (81.8) (12)
    Profit before tax 296.1 25 25 989.9 9
    Net profit 240.0 36 35 760.0 11
               
    RoTCE 31.6% 6.0pts 7.6pts 26.0% 1.0pts
    CIR 35.7% 3.7pts 3.4pts 33.5% 1.7pts
    Earnings per share (€) 3.03 41% 35% 9.60 16%
    Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) 249% 34pts (11pts) 249% 34pts

    Following the acquisition of Knab on 1 November 2024, the profit & loss includes two months’ contribution.

    Core revenues increased by 5% to €1,621.7 million in 2024 versus the prior year. Net interest income was at € 1,311.8 million, up by 5% versus 2023. Net fee and commission income increased by 9% to € 309.9 million.

    Operating expenses increased by 12% to € 545.1 million in 2024 versus the prior year as result of the consolidation of Knab in the fourth quarter 2024. The cost-income ratio increased by 1.7 points to 33.5%. This resulted in a pre-provision profit of € 1,082.7 million for the year 2024, up by 4% versus prior year.

    Risk costs were € 81.8 million in 2024, down 12% compared to the previous year. The management overlay was utilized during the year to increase ECL reserves due to model updates and increase NPL coverage based on conservative Commercial Real Estate values, while the remainder was released. The NPL ratio was 0.8% at the end of 2024.

    At the end of 2024, the CET1 ratio was at 15.2%, an increase of 50 basis points compared to the prior year. The CET1 ratio considers the deduction of € 432 million dividend accrual for 2024 as well as the self-funded acquisition of Knab.

    Our goal is, and will always be, maintaining a strong balance sheet, solid capitalization levels, low balance sheet leverage and conservative underwriting, a cornerstone of how we run the Bank.

    Targets

    Our outlook and our targets for 2025 are as follows:
    Net profit > €800 million, RoTCE >20%

    Earnings presentation
    BAWAG Group will host the earnings call with our CEO Anas Abuzaakouk, CFO Enver Sirucic and CRO David O’Leary at 10 a.m. CET on 4 March 2025. The webcast details are available on our website under Financial Results | BAWAG Group.

    Investor Day
    We will hold an Investor Day on March 4, 2025 at 3 p.m. CET. The webcast is available under
    https://www.bawaggroup.com/en/investor-day-2025. The documents will be released around noon.

    About BAWAG Group
    BAWAG Group AG is a publicly listed holding company headquartered in Vienna, Austria, serving our >4 million retail, small business, corporate, real estate and public sector customers across Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Western Europe and the United States. The Group operates under various brands and across multiple channels offering comprehensive savings, payment, lending, leasing, investment, building society, factoring and insurance products and services. Our goal is to deliver simple, transparent, and affordable financial products and services that our customers need.

    BAWAG Group’s Investor Relations website https://www.bawaggroup.com/ir contains further information, including financial and other information for investors.

    Forward looking statement
    This release contains “forward-looking statements” regarding the financial condition, results of operations, business plans and future performance of BAWAG Group. Words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could” and other similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect management’s expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic conditions, the regulatory environment, loan concentrations, vendors, employees, technology, competition, and interest rates. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements as actual results may differ materially from the results predicted. Neither BAWAG Group nor any of its affiliates, advisors or representatives shall have any liability whatsoever (in negligence or otherwise) for any loss howsoever arising from any use of this report or its content or otherwise arising in connection with this document. This report does not constitute an offer or invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities and neither it nor any part of it shall form the basis of or be relied upon in connection with any contract or commitment whatsoever. This statement is included for the express purpose of invoking “safe harbor provisions”.

    Financial Community:
    Jutta Wimmer (Head of Investor Relations)
    Tel: +43 (0) 5 99 05-22474

    IR Hotline: +43 (0) 5 99 05-34444
    E-mail: investor.relations@bawaggroup.com

    Media:
    Manfred Rapolter (Head of Corporate Communications & Social Engagement)
    Tel: +43 (0) 5 99 05-31210
    E-mail: communications@bawaggroup.com

    This text can also be downloaded from our website: https://www.bawaggroup.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Operation Fielder: Ōrere Point investigation update

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Statement attributable to Superintendent Shanan Gray, Counties Manukau District Commander:

    Investigations are ongoing surrounding the events that unfolded in Ōrere Point on Sunday afternoon.

    Our staff involved in the incident are being well-supported through the process.

    A post-mortem will be carried out to determine the cause of death for the man who died on the beach.

    It is expected that this post-mortem will be completed tomorrow.

    Police can confirm the man has now been identified and today his next of kin has been notified.

    Police will be releasing further information about this man in due course, once next of kin has time to inform other family members.

    Update on the driver:

    The 42-year-old driver arrested on Sunday has now been charged over previous alleged offending in the Waitematā District.

    He has been charged over aggravated robberies at a Wairau Valley bowling alley on 14 February and a Takapuna bar late on 1 March.

    Overall, he faces two counts of aggravated robbery and two counts of commission of a crime with a firearm.

    The man has also been charged with impersonating Police in relation to the 14 February offending.

    In that instance it will be alleged he wore clothing that resembled Police uniform.

    He has been remanded in custody to reappear in the North Shore District Court on 10 March.

    Continued appeal for footage:

    Police are aware there were quite a number of people in and around the beach at the time this incident unfolded on Sunday.

    We were able to speak to some witnesses at the time, but we still need to hear from others about what they saw.

    If you have yet to speak to Police, please contact us.

    Likewise, the investigation team would like any footage captured to be sent to Police to assist the investigation.

    If you have footage, please contact Police online or call 105. A member of the investigation team will be in contact about the next steps.

    Please use the reference number 250302/2478 or cite ‘Operation Fielder’.

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Press conference – Australian Maritime College

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    JESS TEESDALE: We’re very excited to welcome the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Catherine King, here today, particularly some of the announcements that we’re about to hear. So very, very grateful. Thank you so much, Minister.

    CATHERINE KING: Thanks, Jess. Well, it’s terrific to be here at the Australian Maritime College with Jess Teesdale, Labor’s Candidate for the seat of Bass. I’m very much looking forward to- I hear fabulous things about Jess everywhere I go and I’m very much looking forward to, hopefully, seeing her – after the election, whenever that might be – to seeing her with us in Canberra as the Federal Member for Bass.

    Well, today I particularly want to acknowledge Mal Wise, who’s a former friend and- well, a good friend and colleague who has hosted us here at the Australian Maritime College. One of the things that we have been very conscious of as a government is that our maritime skills are incredibly important. They’re part of an important part of the sovereign capability we have as a nation, and so many of them are trained here.

    And today we are announcing that, as part of the work that we did on the strategic fleet and as part of the work both through representations from the Maritime Union of Australia and the Maritime Industry associations, that we really do want to make sure that all of the fabulous students who are coming through this college are able to start to get access to sea time. One of the blockers of actually getting maritime skills is actually getting that sea time, getting that berth on a ship to be able to complete the practical parts of your training that you need to actually do.

    And so today, we’re announcing over $16.9 million over the next four years which will pay for 20 seafarers to actually get, with industry, berths on ships to get that sea time. As I said, this is a really important part of our sovereign capability. And often what will happen, we know that the students that come through here are in very high demand. But in order to get that sea time, often many of them have to go overseas to do that and we don’t get them back. 

    So, if we’re going to have those seafarers for our Defence forces, for our civil maritime sector which is so important, particularly here in Tasmania but right the way across our coastline, we need to actually make sure that we can keep that training pipeline. This has been a really significant issue for some time. We’ve been working with Jobs and Skills Australia on this work as well, and some of the funding will go also to their different industry groups to actually continue that work to actually get the berths.

    The other thing that we’re here in Launnie today I’m announcing is some really significant road funding. We’ve been working with the Tasmanian Government on what are the next tranches of funding for roads that really do need investment here in this community. And so we’re announcing here a $43 million package of new road funding. Both planning money, so one of the things that has been a hallmark of the Albanese-Labor Government is what we’ve been trying to do is make sure we invest early in planning; we get that planning, design services movement work. We get the funding to do that first, then we make sure we’ve got a very clear eyed view about what investments needed if needed for that to go forward.

    So, $20 million we’re announcing to do the detailed design work for a new crossing of the Tamar. I know how important that is. It has been on the books for a long period of time, and so working with the Tasmanian Government to actually get that second crossing, $20 million from the Albanese-Labor Government to really ensure that we’ve got that work done. That combined, of course, with money that’s going – $10 million – towards Esk Main Road. And particularly, trying to look at how do we deal with the bottleneck at St Mary’s Pass, and how do we actually get what the alternatives might be so that $10 million really working with the Tasmanian Government to developing, and what those alternate routes might be, and working from there.

    We’ve also announced some further money to really do that planning work, again, through Devonport to Cradle Mountain. What we know is that there is significant issues either to get people there, the road is not adequate, and so we’re increasing our commitment to $6.3 million to do that planning work again. To get a better understanding of how we actually can do the work to actually improve the roads that go to Cradle Mountain as well.

    The other thing we’ve announced today, and Jess and I just went out and had a look at it just before we came here, is active transport. For the first time, we’ve had $100 million dedicated out of the Infrastructure Investment Program specifically for active transport. We know along many of our main roads, there just isn’t room for people to cycle safely, for people to work- walk their push- or walk their children in pushes, or to walk, or people on mobility scooters to get around. So a $1.3 million investment alongside Launceston City Council and also the Mersey Valley Council as well to do two active paths as well. So that’s part of the package that we’re here announcing today – a really significant investment in moving people around, but also training the next generation of seafarers. I can’t think of a better place to have been able to do that than the Australian Maritime College, which is a significant part of the eco-structure of training those seafarers into the future. I’m really happy to take questions.

    JOURNALIST: Maybe firstly on the funding for the Tamar bridge …

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah.

    JOURNALIST: … that’s been an ongoing issue for years. We’ve already seen millions poured into feasibility studies and planning. A lot of locals would see this as just more money for more planning. When’s the planning actually going to end?

    CATHERINE KING: Well, when the planning ends is when you actually have a plan – you know what it is that you’re actually going to build, you’ve done the geotech work to understand underground, what can you actually do, you’ve actually done what the route is, where you have to look at land acquisition, all of those things. And we are very serious about that. This is something that has been asked for by the Tasmanian Government and- wants that investment to try and make sure that this time we get it right. I don’t invest in planning money without then knowing that in the future, I am then going to be asked for construction money. But what we do first is put that planning money in, particularly because this will be a significant investment, a really significant investment. You don’t build a bridge for a small- that amount of money. It is a significant investment that will be required. But the planning money allows us to get an understanding of exactly what the costs are going to be going forward.

    JOURNALIST: The Tasmanian Government put in a planning proposal to Infrastructure Australia last year for the bridge. So was that plan not good enough?

    CATHERINE KING: Well, this isn’t- that wasn’t funded. That is a business case that they’ve put in. This is doing the actual work to plan the bridge. This is, you know, the structural elements that are needed in order to actually build a bridge.

    JOURNALIST: And is this promised funding, like, already budgeted? Or is this an election [indistinct]?

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah, this is already budgeted. Correct.

    JOURNALIST: Is- I suppose, like- that funding [indistinct] a guarantee that the- I suppose, the Federal Government will also fund the [indistinct] bridge being built later on?

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah. So what you’ve seen in the history of the reforms that I took to Infrastructure Australia and also the reforms I’ve taken to our infrastructure investment pipeline, which is the Government’s co-funding that we do with states and territories, is what I’ve done is reformed it so that we now have planning money. We’ve got a 10-year pipeline of projects from every state and territory coming forward. We’ve got a clear view about what the priorities are for each state and territory. We fund the planning, we get a good understanding of exactly what is needed, we do that detailed design work and then we look to then in subsequent budgets, put the money for construction. You don’t do planning without saying that, you’re actually then going to invest in the bridge later on.

    JOURNALIST: How quickly would the Federal Government like the Tasmanian Government to get this planning completed?

    CATHERINE KING: We always like things to be done as quickly as possible, but infrastructure, particularly big scale infrastructure, takes time. And we expect- we want that planning work to be done well. We want to make sure that we actually get a very- as I said, a very clear view of what the actual costs of the bridge will be, because it won’t be cheap. Let’s be realistic about that. It will be an expensive bridge to build.

    JOURNALIST: And that $3.8 million extra for the Devonport to Cradle Mountain Corridor …

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah.

    JOURNALIST: …does that include a potential future cableway at Cradle Mountain?

    CATHERINE KING: Well, what I fund out of the infrastructure Investment Program is land transport. So I fund road, and that’s really what I, as Transport and Infrastructure Minister, are- looking at. Obviously, if there is a request to build a- [indistinct] which had some previous money but really was substantially underfunded, realistically the amount of money that was allocated wasn’t going to go anywhere near actually building that. In order- if that is what the Tasmanian Government wants instead of the roads, then they’ll need to come and put forward a proposition to either me or to the Prime Minister about what that looks like. What this money will do is- really substantially looking at the road infrastructure, and how do you get people up there by car or bus.

    JOURNALIST: And on the- maybe on the seafarers, that $16.9 million – so would that go directly to the AMC, or will it go to a shipping company?

    CATHERINE KING: So we’re just working through that at the moment. Obviously, we will need to work both with shipping companies, with colleges and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, who also have the Jobs and Skills Australia, to look at how we can commission those berths. The money will need to obviously go to the shippers themselves to actually pay for the berths on the ships, but we just want to make sure we’ve got that pipeline well and truly ready there. We’ve seen a great surge of students here through the Australian Maritime College, but what we also want to do is make sure that we’re seeing continued- or we’re seen- to see a surge of students who’re actually wanting to do sea time to actually work on ships, not so much as well as the land side.

    JOURNALIST: Realistically, then, how soon could seafarers have that on-sea training?

    CATHERINE KING: Well, the money will be available shortly. But again, we’ve got to do that negotiation, and again, you’re seeing- you’ll get a chance to talk to some of the people from SeaLink who are really fantastic at providing sea time for trainees out of the college here. But we’ve still got to do a little bit of work in order to bring that online, but- realistically, the money is available now, but we’ll need to negotiate those berths through with each company.

    JOURNALIST: And in terms of the, I suppose [indistinct] as well, how soon, kind of will- like, that money be made available?

    CATHERINE KING: Again, it’ll be up to the Tasmanian Government. They have asked requested the money of us. We’re now saying that that is available. They have to put a project proposal report to me, and we’ll release that money once that report’s given to us.

    JOURNALIST: And of what- like, you- I suppose I’m seeing of the highways on …

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah.

    JOURNALIST: … I suppose, on both sides of the Tamar – how crucial is that bridge?

    CATHERINE KING: Well, I think it’s- one of the things that people talk about in Launceston particularly is that sort of bottleneck, that you’re really needing- having to go such a long way around to actually get across the river. And being able to make that second crossing feasible to really open up different parts, you’re seeing- a lot of people want to come to Tasmania to live. A lot of people want to- we’re seeing new housing estates pop up, and we’ve really got to make sure we can move people around this in a better way, and really, the second bridge crossing is about that, and so doing that planning work now in anticipation of building a new bridge.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville, Kennedy Safeguard American Investors’ Privacy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) and ten of their Senate colleagues in cosponsoring the Protecting Investors’ Personally Identifiable Information Act, which would prohibit the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from requiring brokers to submit investors’ identifiable information to its data tracking system, the Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT), in the wake of recent cyber-attacks and ongoing vulnerabilities.

    Sen. Tuberville cosponsored this legislation in the 118th Congress.  

    “Americans should be able to invest in the stock market without fear that their private information is up for grabs. This unlawful practice by the SEC is a useless system that enables our adversaries rather than protecting Americans. Far too often, we let cyber-attacks slip under the rug. This legislation safeguards our citizens and strengthens our cyber capabilities. I hope my colleagues join us in this commonsense legislation,” said Sen. Tuberville.

    “Americans assume their private information is secure when they invest money in the U.S. stock market. However, the SEC’s unlawful Consolidated Audit Trail could put their data in jeopardy. My bill would protect American investors from foreign enemies and bad actors by preventing the SEC from collecting personal information it doesn’t need and storing in on a dangerous database,” said Sen. Kennedy. 

    Senators Tuberville and Kennedy were joined by U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Katie Britt (R-AL), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Steve Daines (R-MT), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Mike Lee (R-UT), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Rick Scott (R-FL) in cosponsoring the legislation.

    U.S. Congressman Barry Loudermilk (R-GA-11) led the effort in the U.S House of Representatives.

    The American Securities Association endorsed the legislation.

    Read full text of the legislation here. 

    BACKGROUND:

    The Protecting Investors’ Personally Identifiable Information Act would: 

    • Prohibit the SEC from requiring brokers to submit investors’ personally identifiable information to the CAT, with the exception that the SEC can obtain personally identifiable information related to investors only by requesting it on a case-by-case; and 
    • Require the SEC to delete personally identifiable information once the agency resolves any investigations or issue that required that information.

    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI China: New low-altitude economy research institute established in SW China

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A new low-altitude economy research institute has been launched in Mianyang in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, marking a strategic move to drive the development of low-altitude industries in the country’s vast western region, according to China Low Altitude Economic Alliance.

    The China (Mianyang) Science and Technology City Low-Altitude Economy Research Institute was inaugurated on Sunday. It is jointly established by 14 entities, including Sichuan Jiuzhou Investment Holding Group Co., Ltd., Southwest University of Science and Technology, and leading commercial unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) company JOUAV. The institute aims to foster technological innovation and industry integration in this rapidly emerging sector.

    It brings together the strengths of government, industry, academia, research and application in Mianyang, a city known for its strong scientific and technological foundation.

    With its solid technological base, comprehensive industrial support and diverse application scenarios, Mianyang is poised to become a leading “city of low altitude” in western China, noted Luo Jun, executive director of the alliance.

    Speaking at the institute’s launch ceremony, Luo said that Mianyang will join the national low-altitude transportation network pilot program, which aims to integrate drones and air mobility systems into a unified traffic management framework.

    The institute’s establishment aligns with China’s broader strategy to advance the low-altitude economy, encompassing UAVs, urban air mobility, and other emerging sectors.

    In his keynote speech, Xiang Jinwu, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, described the low-altitude economy as an important engine for economic transformation and upgrading in the new era.

    Mianyang should leverage the institute as a platform to drive innovation, foster industrial clustering, and serve as a demonstration site for low-altitude economy applications.

    Moving forward, the institute will focus on key technological breakthroughs and the transformation of research outcomes while striving to become a leading hub for low-altitude economy innovation in western China and beyond. 

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-Evening Report: Billionaire entrepreneurs can make for bold businesses but often with fewer checks and balances

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Claire Wright, Lecturer, University of Technology Sydney, University of Technology Sydney

    Richard White, head of WiseTech Global, is the latest of a small number of charismatic business founders to have captured the public and corporate imagination.

    The businessman is synonymous with one of Australia’s most successful technology companies, worth more than A$32 billion. He has a public image of being a prodigy entrepreneur, committed to innovative software for the logistics industry.

    Mixing pleasure with business

    Last October, White stepped down as chief executive amid a series of allegations about his personal and professional life.

    While WiseTech’s board held an independent investigation, White was retained as a full-time consultant. The review later cleared him of wrongdoing.

    But last week, further allegations threw the board into disarray. Trading was halted and four independent directors – including the chair – resigned citing “intractable differences” and “differing views around the ongoing role of … Richard White”.

    Allegations against White included financially supporting two women in return for sexual favours. He was also accused of selling millions of dollars worth of shares during a blackout period. White has strongly denied any wrongdoing.

    Claims like this would normally end a corporate leader’s career. But by Wednesday, White had been promoted. He currently holds 37% of WiseTech stock, and is the executive chair.

    Although the market is divided, most industry experts are relieved the founder will retain control. Many believe White to be the only person who can successfully run the company.

    WiseTech’s challenge now lies with ensuring appropriate governance, given White’s ownership and management of the company and his role on the board.

    Normally, company directors protect shareholders by independently overseeing management. While executive directors like White are common, they are usually in the minority. Close ties between the board and management can present a conflict of interest for shareholders.

    Charismatic business moguls

    Charismatic entrepreneurs like Richard White are unusual. They are often found in family companies, such as those headed by Rupert Murdoch (News Corp), the late Kerry Packer (Consolidated Press) and Gina Rinehart (Hancock Prospecting).

    Although such entrepreneurs help maintain a long-term, intergenerational vision for a company, their unrestricted power has presented some unique challenges.

    There has often been opaque succession planning, with the family head remaining at the helm long after a standard retirement age.

    This has fostered bitter rivalries among descendants. The current Murdoch succession feud is such an example.

    Corporate raiders and the 1980s

    The 1980s corporate environment reminds us of the risks WiseTech faces by integrating its ownership, management and governance functions. The decade was typified by high-profile “corporate raiders”, who created businesses by acquiring minority but controlling interest (more than 15%, less than 50%) in an array of unrelated companies.

    Acquiring companies with dated management, underperforming assets and undervalued stock, raiders argued shareholders would benefit through transferable management skills and unrelated diversification.

    For example, in January 1986, Ron Brierley’s Industrial Equity bid for a minority holding of North Broken Hill. It argued that demerging the income streams of silver, lead and zinc mining would eliminate superfluous costs and deliver a more flexible risk profile.

    Following a takeover, corporate raiders appointed insiders to the board of the target company, potentially removing a level of accountability. They replaced genuinely independent directors with executives from elsewhere in the business. The ownership structure meant existing directors could do little to prevent this.

    Raising the risk levels

    Once they were appointed, raiders reportedly “harangued” remaining independent board members to support risky activities that redirected resources to the dominant company.

    With their critical mass of board votes, most raiders ignored promised operational improvements. Instead, profit was increasingly derived from share trades and cross-dividends.

    For example, after AdSteam, the logistics and industrial conglomerate, took over David Jones Ltd, half the dividend paid by the retailer in a given year went to AdSteam, as investment income. This income then allowed AdSteam to pay a higher dividend to their major shareholder, David Jones.

    Although the market rewarded this in the short term, it increased the companies’ debt load, and diminished their capacity to operate their core businesses.

    Lack of accountability

    The public image of corporate raiders in the 80s encouraged passivity from shareholders, financial media and auditors.

    Journalists actively supported corporate raiding. Business Review Weekly argued the Elders-IXL merger was “a victory for the smart, fast-moving, MBA-style business breed over the entrenched traditionalist”.

    The public mythology of corporate raiders continued, even after the group structures began to falter in the late 80s.

    When Bond Corp was questioned about its expansionary operations following the October 1987 crash, reporters were satisfied with vague statements about the company’s “solid cash flow” to see it through difficult times.

    However, AdSteam was ultimately described as a “humiliation” for the accounting profession, with the untangling of records beyond virtually everyone.

    As late as 1989 the media acknowledged the “complexity” of Adsteam’s intersecting shareholding, yet believed the leadership team’s accounting was sound.

    Conflicts of interest were catastrophic for diversified business groups. The October 1987 global stock market crash prompted foreign banks to withdraw from Australia, local banks to tighten credit and higher interest rates.

    This triggered a collapse in stock prices. Investment income, once the source of extraordinary profits, was soon responsible for the downward spiral of balance sheets. Bond announced a $1 billion loss in October 1989, the largest in Australia’s history. Elders-IXL was restructured as the Foster’s Group in 1990. Bell Group and AdSteam collapsed in 1991.

    What now for WiseTech?

    WiseTech appears to have returned to business as usual. White’s image as the only person capable of running the business remains strong. However, this case highlights the potential risks associated with a person’s position as major shareholder and executive chair.

    Claire Wright does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. Billionaire entrepreneurs can make for bold businesses but often with fewer checks and balances – https://theconversation.com/billionaire-entrepreneurs-can-make-for-bold-businesses-but-often-with-fewer-checks-and-balances-250927

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pioneering UW Medical Researcher Known For Lifesaving Cancer Breakthroughs to Join Cantwell for SOTU Tomorrow

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    03.03.25
    Pioneering UW Medical Researcher Known For Lifesaving Cancer Breakthroughs to Join Cantwell for SOTU Tomorrow
    Dr. Paul Lange led prostate cancer research collaboration with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and UW Medicine: Cantwell has been sounding the alarm on Trump admin’s proposed funding cuts for Medicaid and lifesaving biomed research
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, will be joined by Dr. Paul Lange at the annual State of the Union Address that President Donald Trump will deliver to a joint session of Congress tomorrow evening.
    Dr. Lange is a medical research pioneer, cancer surgeon and founding director of Seattle’s world-leading Institute for Prostate Cancer Research (IPCR). Early prostate cancer detection tests that Dr. Lange helped develop – with support from federal funding — are a major reason why the U.S. prostate cancer death rate declined significantly from 1993 to 2022.
    “I’ve worked for more than 40 years to develop a cure for prostate cancer, and I’m proud to say that a cure is within reach. But cuts to federal support for medical research would delay lifesaving advancements for all medical diseases including all forms of cancer. Specifically, If President Trump’s administration cuts research funding for prostate cancer, the world’s dream of a cure will be impeded.  There are men currently in their 20s and 30s – men who could be saved by this cure — who will die instead,” Dr. Lange said. “America is home to some of the best biomedical research facilities in the world. To keep our global leadership, we must invest in the people and institutions that keep us moving forward.”
    “People are afraid that their life’s work will be gone,” Sen. Cantwell said in a speech on the Senate floor. “They tell me they have to stop admitting new patients to clinical trials, that they’ll have to scale back. And we can’t just start and stop medical research like a faucet. Once these people leave, the programs are stopped. It takes a long time to get them started. Once halted, the research data, the clinical trial, the patients, the laboratory, the equipment that led to those innovations — will be lost. [If you] ask me, that is throwing taxpayer dollars away. When you have an opportunity to cure a disease that affects millions of people and can save taxpayers billions, but somebody is arbitrarily going to cut these NIH funds, thinking they’re saving the American people? They’re not saving them. They’re causing harm.”
    Throughout his career, Dr. Lange provided lifesaving care to patients of all backgrounds, including many Medicaid recipients. Last week, Sen. Cantwell released a snapshot report highlighting the impact that slashing Medicaid to fund tax cuts for corporations and the ultra-wealthy would have on Washington state’s health care system
    Approximately 35,000 men die from prostate cancer in the U.S. every year, so the research by Dr. Lange and his UW Medicine and Fred Hutch medical associates, has helped save many lives by dramatically reducing the annual death rate and, very critically, has elevated the prospects of developing a complete cure.
    One of those men is well-known Edmonds-based travel writer Rick Steves, whose prostate cancer was caught by an early detection test.  Steves has spoken publicly about his battle with prostate cancer to raise awareness and encourage men to talk to their doctors early about screening – and to express gratitude that he has “access to the brilliant UW Medicine team at the IPCR now headed by Dr. Dan Lin and the leading technology at Seattle’s Fred Hutch Cancer Center.”
    Over the past month, Sen. Cantwell has been sounding the alarm on the Trump administration’s threats to cut funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In early February, NIH  announced it would set the maximum rate for indirect costs to 15% —creating a serious funding shortfall for research institutions of all types across the country. This move would dismantle the biomedical research system and stifle the development of new cures for disease.
    On Feb. 12, Sen. Cantwell delivered a speech on the Senate floor explaining her opposition to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s nomination to head the Health and Human Services Administration and laying out the repercussions of the proposed NIH cuts. On Feb. 13, she joined the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in sending a letter to Kennedy expressing serious concern over the Trump Administration’s recent decisions that threaten to undermine America’s lifesaving biomedical research infrastructure, in violation of federal law.
    “The Administration’s new policy means that research will come to a halt, sick kids may not get the treatment they need, and clinical trials may shut down abruptly,” the Senators wrote.
    Last week, Sen. Cantwell released a snapshot report highlighting the impact that slashing Medicaid to fund tax cuts for corporations and the ultra-wealthy would have on Washington state’s health care system, especially in Central and Eastern Washington. Based on interviews and statements from more than a dozen health organizations statewide, the report details how Medicaid cuts — and the subsequent service cuts by providers — would likely affect all Washingtonians.
    Research entities in Washington state received $1.29 billion in NIH funding in Fiscal Year 2023, which supports nearly 12,000 jobs and nearly $3 billion in economic activity. A state by state analysis of total NIH funding, jobs supported, and economic activity supported through NIH research is available HERE.
    For decades, Sen. Cantwell has remained a staunch supporter of medical innovation and evidence-based science, including treatments for fentanyl addiction, abortion, vaccinations, stem cell research, and more.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Executive Director Of Non-Profit Serving Oakland Youth Charged With Embezzling Funds, Evading Taxes

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    OAKLAND – Howard Solomon, 38, of Oakland, has been charged with mail fraud and tax evasion in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud his former employer, the East Oakland Boxing Association, a non-profit organization that provides internship, mentoring, programming, and services, including boxing lessons and coaching, to children in East Oakland.  Solomon made an initial appearance in federal district court in Oakland this morning.

    According to the criminal information filed on Feb. 26, 2025, Solomon was employed as the executive director of the East Oakland Boxing Association from approximately 2017 until April 2021.  As the Executive Director, Solomon’s responsibilities included managing daily operations, soliciting contributions and fundraising, managing program and staff, overseeing budget and finances, and community outreach.  Solomon was a signatory to the non-profit’s bank accounts and had unfettered access to its bank accounts and debit cards directly linked to those accounts.

    During his tenure as executive director, Solomon allegedly engaged in a scheme to embezzle money and property from the non-profit to pay for items for personal use, including Amazon purchases, a vacation rental property, and a Ford Explorer.  The information also charges Solomon with embezzling and depositing into a personal account a $50,000 donation made to the East Oakland Boxing Association in connection with a December 2019 appearance by Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry on the Ellen DeGeneres Show for a segment known as “Ellen’s Greatest Night of Giveaways,” during which the Currys delivered gifts and a $50,000 donation check to the non-profit.  

    The information also charges Solomon with owing more federal income tax than was declared due on his federal income tax returns and filing false and fraudulent income tax returns for tax years 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.

    Solomon is charged with one count of mail fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1341 and four counts of tax evasion under 26 U.S.C. § 7201.  At his initial appearance this morning, Solomon agreed to waive indictment by a grand jury.  He is next scheduled to appear on April 9, 2025, for a status hearing before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers.

    A criminal information merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transactions for the count of mail fraud and five years in prison and a fine of $100,000 for each count of tax evasion.  Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

    Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge of the Oakland Field Office Linda Nguyen made the announcement.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Green is prosecuting this case with the assistance of Amala James.  This prosecution is the result of an investigation by IRS-CI.

    Howard Solomon Information
     

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Australia: $43 million boost to north Tassie roads

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    The Albanese Labor Government is building Tasmania’s future, driving economic growth and improving freight efficiency by investing over $43 million in roads in the north east of the state.  

    We’re investing $20 million to progress planning and design work for the New Tamar Crossing – a new bridge over the Kanamaluka/River Tamar – in partnership with the Tasmanian Government.

    Planning for the New Tamar Crossing is expected to start this year, with an estimated completion date to be determined in consultation with the Tasmanian Government.  

    Further south, $10 million will go towards improving the resilience of Esk Main Road at St Marys Pass, ensuring it remains open and safe during severe weather events. 

    The Esk Highway is the main access road between the Midland Highway and the east coast. This investment will reduce the economic cost of closures and emergency repairs, safeguarding the route for years to come.  

    We’ve also committed an additional funding to ensure the delivery of critical projects across the north, including: 

    • An additional $4 million for further safety improvements to Bridport Road, including pavement rehabilitation, road widening and improvements to junctions, to improve freight productivity and access to freight gateways. This brings the total Commonwealth investment in the road to $20 million; 
    • An additional $4 million for the Murchison Highway corridor such as overtaking lanes, shoulder sealing and curve-widening works, taking the total Commonwealth investment to $39 million;
    • An additional $3.8 million to support further planning and concept design work for the Devonport to Cradle Mountain corridor, taking the total Commonwealth funding for the project to $6.3 million. 

    Along with roads, we’re better connecting communities by investing in walking and cycling paths. 

    Almost $1.3 million will be funded under the Active Transport Fund in two new projects to build new or upgrade existing bicycle and walking paths in the north east of the state:

    • More than $670,000 for Launceston City Council to build a new path connecting Youngtown Primary School with existing footpaths in the Oakden Park area and the Kate Reed Reserve;
    • $610,000 for Meander Valley Council to design and build approximately 2.1 kilometres of new footpath and cycleways along Panorama Road between Bayview Drive and Neptune Drive, Blackstone Heights.

    We have also brought forward $15.6 million of funding for the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation – Tranche 4 – Network project, which has a total Australian Government commitment of $81.6 million. This will allow the ongoing delivery of improved network performance and assurance of supply chains for Tasmania’s largest freight producers

    The Albanese Government is making our cities and regions even better places to live, building social infrastructure, connecting place and designing healthier, more liveable towns. 

    Our new Active Transport Fund is one part of this, providing safe and accessible transport options that mean more people have the chance to walk, cycle or push a pram to work, school and anywhere else. 

    More information on the Active Transport Fund is available at Active Transport Fund | Infrastructure Investment Program

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

    “Getting vital planning done for the New Tamar Crossing will support Launceston’s growing population by allowing them to move faster and more safely across the region. 

    “The project will enhance the resilience of the road network by providing increased flood immunity while also better connecting people between where they live and work.”  

    Quotes attributable to Senator for Tasmania Helen Polley: 

    “Road upgrades are essential to road user safety ensuring our community remains safe on our roads. In particular, this funding will ensure safer roads for people working in our transport industry and ease the daily commute.”  

    “The community has championed the new Tamar Crossing for some time and this new bridge will now link the West Tamar and East Tamar to benefit locals and tourists.”  

    Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Lyons Brian Mitchell:

    “These projects add to the Albanese Labor Government’s infrastructure investments throughout regional Tasmania. 

    “In Lyons for example, the Albanese Government is also investing $10 million towards improving the resilience of Esk Main Road at St Marys Pass.

    “It is projects like these that are making our roads safer and improving driver experiences.”

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI USA: As Measles Epidemic Spreads, Warren Demands RFK Jr. Explain “Irresponsible and Reckless” Efforts to Undermine Vaccines at Health Agency

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    March 03, 2025

    “You were an anti-vaccine crusader before becoming HHS Secretary, and now appear to be continuing that crusade while in office — risking deadly consequences for the American public.” 

    “These are dangerous times for public health – and your irresponsible and reckless efforts to undermine the nation’s vaccine policy threaten to fan the flames of disaster.” 

    Text of Letter (PDF)

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) wrote to Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy regarding his dangerous actions to undermine vaccines and vaccine production, just weeks after he was confirmed as Secretary and days after he published a new op-ed.  

    “In your March 2nd op-ed responding to the Texas measles outbreak, which has already killed one unvaccinated child, you failed to include a strong call for vaccinations. Instead, you claimed that ‘good nutrition remains a best defense against most chronic and infectious diseases.’ Do you believe good nutrition is a better defense against measles than the MMR vaccine?” asked Senator Warren. “Will you change course and tell American parents to vaccinate their children to protect against measles, yes or no?”

    Ahead of his February 2025 confirmation vote in the Senate, Secretary Kennedy committed to maintaining the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Process (ACIP), which advises the federal government on vaccine approvals, and that he would “base vaccine recommendations on data-driven, evidence-based, and medically sound research.”

    However, on February 20, 2025, Politico reported that Secretary Kennedy had started preparing to replace members of the committee. Shortly after, he postponed ACIP’s first meeting of his tenure — during which it had planned to take votes related to vaccines for “HPV, RSV, influenza, and Lyme disease” — without rescheduling it for a later date. 

    Later that month, Secretary Kennedy cancelled a meeting of a key FDA committee that would have selected the flu strains included in the 2025-26 flu vaccine. The flu is estimated to kill between 6,000 and 52,000 Americans each year, and the delay of this meeting threatens the timely manufacturing of this year’s flu vaccines. 

    “(I)nterfering with the timely production of a safe and effective flu vaccine will endanger thousands — particularly children and seniors, who are most likely to die or become hospitalized due to the flu,” said Senator Warren

    Meanwhile, Secretary Kennedy is chairing a “Make America Healthy Again” commission, created by President Trump, which is already undermining confidence in vaccines. Secretary Kennedy has declared that the commission will investigate the “childhood vaccine schedule” and that “nothing is going to be off limits.” 

    Amidst multiple public health crises, Secretary Kennedy’s actions are dangerous. In Texas, a deadly measles outbreak is raging. The United States is also in the middle of its deadliest flu epidemic in 15 years, with at least 19,000 Americans dead. Experts are increasingly warning about the spillover of the H5N1 bird flu into humans, and the potential for a deadly pandemic. Last week, HHS announced that it is “reevaluating” its funding agreement with Moderna for an mRNA-based bird flu vaccine.

    “The mission of the agency you lead is ‘to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans.’ You are already failing to do so — and you must reverse course immediately,” said Senator Warren.

    Senator Warren demanded Secretary Kennedy explain his recent actions to undermine vaccines at HHS by March 10, 2025. 

    Senator Warren has led the resistance to Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, for his conflicts of interest and misleading views on vaccines: 

    • On February 13, 2025, following Senate Republicans voting to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Senator Elizabeth Warren released a statement calling his confirmation “a huge mistake” and said his conflicts of interest would allow him and his family to “continue getting richer from his anti-vaccine crusade.” 
    • On February 12, 2025, on the Senate floor, Senator Elizabeth Warren joined Democrats in delaying a final vote to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. In her speech, she warned that American families and children would pay the price for Mr. Kennedy’s “conspiracy-driven health care decisions,” while his serious ethics conflicts remain unresolved.
    • On February 6, 2025, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) wrote to then-nominee Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. about his continued conflicts of interest. The senators called out Mr. Kennedy’s plan to enter office with a serious ethics conflict by keeping a financial interest in anti-vaccine lawsuits within his family, asked him to recuse himself from former clients’ matters, commit to not lobbying HHS after his tenure as Secretary, and more.
    • On February 4, 2025, following the Senate Finance Committee vote to advance the nomination of RFK Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Senator Warren gave remarks regarding Mr. Kennedy’s continued conflicts of interest. 
    • On February 3, 2025, Senators Warren and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member on the Senate Finance Committee, wrote to RFK Jr., pressing him to urgently resolve his serious conflicts of interest before the committee vote Wednesday morning.
    • On January 31, 2025, following pressure from Senate Democrats, RFK Jr., agreed to amend his flawed ethics agreement (see Warren QFRs at the end of Part 2 and start of Part 3).
    • On January 29, 2025, at a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator 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.
    • On January 18, 2025, ahead of RFK Jr.’s confirmation hearing for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Senator 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.
    • On November 14, 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 Warren released a statement calling him a “danger to public health, scientific research, medicine, and health care coverage for millions of Americans.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: UPDATED: Primary care funding a positive step in the right direction, says College of GPs

    Source: Royal NZ College of General Practitioners

    This statement has been updated to reflect the Minister’s latest announcement made at 1pm today. The updated text is bolded–
    The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners has welcomed the Health Minister’s funding announcement saying it is a big step in the right direction towards building a well-resourced and sustainable primary care workforce.
    Increased investment in primary care has long been at the forefront of our members’ concerns and the College’s advocacy work, particularly improving access to GP, rural hospital and primary care services and growing, and retaining, the workforce.
    College President Dr Samantha Murton says, “Any additional funding for primary care will ultimately benefit our patients and improve health outcomes, and as specialist GPs and rural hospital doctors who work in the community, this is our priority.
    “As we know there are many areas in primary care that need permanent solutions and further investment, and the Minister has shown that he is willing to invest broadly. I hope that by incentivising primary care to nursing graduates they will see the value in what our workforce does and choose to stay in it for the long-term. This will help alleviate nursing workforce challenges especially in rural communities. Pay parity between primary and secondary nursing is what we still need to aim for.
    “Providing timely and accessible care for all New Zealanders and the increased availability of telehealth will be beneficial, but it needs to be offered alongside improved support for face-to-face primary care services to ensure continued patient safety. Telehealth fills a niche, not a void,” says Dr Murton.
    College Chief Executive Toby Beaglehole says, “Enabling more overseas doctors to gain general registration in primary care in New Zealand and gain valuable first-hand experience will boost the workforce pipeline. That said, we cannot take our focus off supporting our homegrown workforce. New Zealand needs to attract and retain 300 general practice registrars per year just to maintain GP numbers and investment in the training programme is critical to this.
    “The Minister’s latest announcement to increase our homegrown workforce is welcomed by the College. These medical graduates who choose to train in primary care will see firsthand just how important and impactful continuity of care can be at a community level and, we hope they follow the rewarding pathway of becoming a specialist GP.
    “Additional support will also be needed for our current specialist GPs who will be supervising these graduates on top of their already busy workloads.
    “Investment in strong, future focused and sustainable primary care will reduce the pressure on secondary care. We look forward to further engagement with Minister Brown on lasting solutions that increase access to specialist general practitioners for New Zealanders and thank him sincerely for the steps he has announced.
    “The College is pleased to see our ongoing advocacy has been reflected in the Minister’s decisions and we look forward to learning the specifics of this additional funding.” 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Senate Judiciary Democrats Press Justice Department On Diversion Of Law Enforcement To Purported Immigration Enforcement Initiative

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    March 03, 2025

    Under the guise of “enhanced immigration enforcement efforts,” Donald Trump and Pam Bondi continue to weaken the Department’s national security and public safety capabilities by reallocating vital resources, reassigning career officials, and purging longtime civil servants

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led all Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats in pressing Attorney General Pam Bondi on her reallocation of resources from mission-critical Department of Justice (DOJ) projects to purported “immigration enforcement initiatives.”

    The Justice Department recently issued a directive to take legal action against so-called “sanctuary cities,” demanded an increase in immigration-related prosecutions, and reallocated resources away from critical national security and public safety efforts. The Senators request that Attorney General Bondi rescind this memo.

    The Senators begin by summarizing how the directive undermines our country’s national security and public safety capabilities, writing: “We are alarmed at recent changes within the Department of Justice (DOJ) that have significantly destabilized the agency and made America less safe. The shortsighted removal or reassignment of senior career DOJ and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials with national security expertise have diminished the country’s ability to respond to national security or public safety threats. We ask that you rescind the January 21, 2025, Memorandum and reverse any personnel decisions that diverted resources away from the Department’s critical national security and public safety missions.”

    The Senators then criticize the January 21, 2025, memo’s broad directive to divert resources away from vital law enforcement activities to vague immigration enforcement efforts, writing: “We are deeply disturbed that the Department is redirecting resources from the prosecution of violent crimes to the pursuit of dubious claims against so-called ‘sanctuary’ jurisdictions. Multiple studies have shown that localities that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement do not have higher crime rates.  Reassigning law enforcement officers to ill-defined immigration-focused initiatives, for which they have no expertise, and instructing prosecutors to investigate and potentially pursue charges against sanctuary jurisdictions will not successfully target those who pose an actual threat to public safety. These reassignments drain law enforcement resources from critical missions and create an experience and leadership vacuum in our national security, counterintelligence, and public safety apparatus.”

    The brain drain of the Department’s senior expertise is so severe that all the career officials who attended the daily threats session for years have been removed from their positions, per public reporting. A large number of officials have been reassigned to a newly created “Sanctuary City Enforcement Working Group,” despite the attorneys having no experience in immigration law and the group having no enforcement or litigation authority, which led to forced multiple resignations by veteran attorneys.

    Other reported efforts underway reallocate valuable government resources from critical missions to immigration enforcement matters, including from efforts to fight transnational-organized crime, violent crime, drug trafficking, and terrorism.

    The Senators then outline the disruption caused by the resource reallocation, writing: “The sweeping changes to personnel assignments and resource allocation across DOJ will lead to widespread disruption and delay in prosecutions, investigations, and sensitive operations… It is irresponsible and dangerous to divert DOJ and FBI law enforcement officials from their primary missions and areas of expertise to bolster the Trump Administration’s mass deportation effort.”

    The Senators conclude with a request to rescind the January 21, 2025, memo, before making a series of information requests with a deadline of March 17, 2025, writing: “DOJ’s extensive focus on immigration enforcement, to the detriment of other vital national security and public safety priorities, intentionally diverts the Department’s resources and will fail to actually move the needle on immigration enforcement. Personnel at DOJ, the FBI, and other component agencies are now limited in their ability to combat threats to public safety and national security, and a dedicated and talented workforce is facing a crisis of morale. To that end, we ask that you rescind the January 21, 2025, Memorandum and reverse any personnel decisions that diverted resources away from critical national security and public safety missions.”

    In addition to Durbin, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Alex Padilla (D-CA).

    For a PDF copy of the letter sent to Attorney General Pam Bondi, click here.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Highlights from the 2025 SMSFA conference

    Source: Australian Department of Revenue

    The 2025 SMSF Association conference was a great success, with Deputy Commissioner Emma Rosenzweig, Superannuation and Employer Obligations, speaking in collaboration with Leah Sciacca, Senior Executive Leader, Financial Advice & Investment Management, from ASIC. They discussed regulatory issues and updates:

    • Non-lodgment of Self-Managed Super Fund annual returns (SARs) continues to be a concern. If a trustee fails to lodge on time and doesn’t contact us, their SMSF’s compliance status could be removed from Super Fund lookup. This can stop rollovers and impact employer contributions; trustees may also face penalties.
    • The SMSF illegal early access gap decreased from $256.1 million in 2020–21 to $250.1 million in 2021–22. The latest estimate shows the amount accessed illegally either blatantly, or through prohibited loans being $481.8 million this is a statistically significant increase from the 2021 estimate. Prohibited loans contributed to this increase, highlighting the ongoing need for compliance.
    • Identity fraud and scams continue to rise in the SMSF sector. We’ve strengthened identity checks, but its important trustees educate themselves about being vigilant to identity fraudsters.
    • Recent changes to the Tax Practitioners Board Code of Conduct reinforce obligations for registered agents. They include maintaining client records, providing advice, and managing conflicts of interest and confidentiality.
    • Trustees not actioning release authorities. This means super could be taxed concessionally when it shouldn’t be and there are consequences for this.
    • The proposed commencement of Payday Super in July 2026 will almost certainly drive significant change for funds in the way contributions are received.

    For more detailed information, you can read Emma’s speech from the conference.

    We also released our last education module Running a SMSFExternal Link at our booth. This completes our suite of resources which help trustees understand their obligations are each stage of an SMSF’s lifecycle.

    Looking for the latest news for SMSFs? You can stay up to date by visiting our SMSF newsroom and subscribingExternal Link to our monthly SMSF newsletter.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – Primary care funding a positive step in the right direction, says College of GPs

    Source: Royal NZ College of General Practitioners

    The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners has welcomed the Health Minister’s funding announcement saying it is a big step in the right direction towards building a well-resourced and sustainable primary care workforce.
    Increased investment in primary care has long been at the forefront of our members’ concerns and the College’s advocacy work, particularly improving access to GP, rural hospital and primary care services and growing, and retaining, the workforce.
    College President Dr Samantha Murton says, “Any additional funding for primary care will ultimately benefit our patients and improve health outcomes, and as specialist GPs and rural hospital doctors who work in the community, this is our priority.
    “As we know there are many areas in primary care that need permanent solutions and further investment, and the Minister has shown that he is willing to invest broadly. I hope that by incentivising primary care to nursing graduates they will see the value in what our workforce does and choose to stay in it for the long-term. This will help alleviate nursing workforce challenges especially in rural communities. Pay parity between primary and secondary nursing is what we still need to aim for.
    “Providing timely and accessible care for all New Zealanders and the increased availability of telehealth will be beneficial, but it needs to be offered alongside improved support for face-to-face primary care services to ensure continued patient safety. Telehealth fills a niche, not a void,” says Dr Murton.
    College Chief Executive Toby Beaglehole says, “Enabling more overseas doctors to gain general registration in primary care in New Zealand and gain valuable first-hand experience will boost the workforce pipeline. That said, we cannot take our focus off supporting our homegrown workforce. New Zealand needs to attract and retain 300 general practice registrars per year just to maintain GP numbers and investment in the training programme is critical to this.
    “Investment in strong, future focused and sustainable primary care will reduce the pressure on secondary care. We look forward to further engagement with Minister Brown on lasting solutions that increase access to specialist general practitioners for New Zealanders and thank him for the steps he has announced.
    “The College is pleased to see our ongoing advocacy has been reflected in the Minister’s decisions and we look forward to learning the specifics of this additional funding.” 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Joseph Sanberg, Co-Founder of Aspiration Partners, Arrested for Conspiring to Defraud an Investment Fund of at Least $145 Million

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SANTA ANA, California – Joseph Neal Sanberg, 45, of Orange, the co-founder and largest shareholder of the financial and sustainability services company Aspiration Partners, Inc., was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint alleging that he conspired to defraud two investor funds of at least $145 million.

    Sanberg’s coconspirator, Ibrahim Ameen AlHusseini, 51, of Venice, pleaded guilty today to an information charging him with wire fraud for falsifying documents and information to assist Sanberg. According to his plea agreement, signed on February 7, 2025, and unsealed today, AlHusseini personally received approximately $12.3 million in payments from the scheme. AlHusseini is scheduled for sentencing on September 29, 2025. 

    Sanberg is scheduled to make his initial appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in Santa Ana. AlHusseini was arrested on a criminal complaint on October 7, 2024, and has been released on bond since November 13, 2024. That criminal complaint was previously dismissed against AlHusseini to facilitate his cooperation in the prosecution of others, including Sanberg.

    “Our prosecutors and law enforcement partners have worked methodically to secure a guilty plea from one of the main offenders in this case and have now charged another member of the conspiracy,” said Acting United States Attorney Joseph McNally. “We will continue to ensure that markets and businesses receive an honest and level playing field in which to operate.”

    According to the complaint against Sanberg and AlHusseini’s plea agreement, Sanberg obtained $145 million in loans secured by AlHusseini, who Sanberg knew did not have sufficient financial assets to cover those loans if Sanberg defaulted.  Sanberg hid this fact from investors, then defaulted on the loans, which resulted in at least a $145 million in losses.

    In January 2020, Sanberg began negotiating a $55 million loan from Investor Fund A to Sanberg, in which Sanberg pledged 10.3 million shares of Aspiration Partners stock as collateral. Because Aspiration Partners was a non-public company without a liquid market to sell its stock, Investor Fund A required Sanberg to find a buyer for the 10.3 million shares of Aspiration Partners stock as a hedge against the risk that the shares could not be sold on the open market.

    To secure the $55 million loan, Sanberg recruited AlHusseini, who served on Aspiration Partners’ board of directors, to enter into a put option agreement with Investor Fund A that obligated AlHusseini to buy the 10.3 million shares of Aspiration Partners stock in the event of Sanberg’s default. A put option is an investment contract in which the option buyer has the right to require the option seller to buy an asset from the option buyer at a pre-determined price. Under the option, AlHusseini was obligated to purchase the 10.3 million shares in Aspiration Partners for $55 million from Investor Fund A.

    Aware that AlHusseini lacked sufficient assets to cover the put option obligation, as required by the deal, Sanberg and AlHusseini hid that fact and lied to Investor Fund A, court documents state. Among other things, Sanberg and AlHusseini enlisted a graphic designer in Lebanon to create fake brokerage account and bank account statements that falsely inflated AlHusseini’s financial assets by between approximately $80 million and $200 million.

    Unaware of the fraud, Investor Fund A extended the $55 million loan to Sanberg and purchased the put option from AlHusseini. AlHusseini received approximately $6 million of the $55 million loan at the time of the loan’s execution as consideration (also known as a “premium payment”) for guaranteeing Sanberg’s repayment of the loan.

    Unsealed court documents also state that, in November 2021, Sanberg refinanced the $55 million loan against his 10.3 million shares of Aspiration Partners stock with Investor Fund B. Investor Fund B loaned $145 million to Sanberg against the same 10.3 million shares of stock as collateral. Investor Fund B and AlHusseini agreed to a new put option agreement in which AlHusseini was obligated to pay $65 million to Investor Fund B if Sanberg defaulted on the $145 million loan. The terms of the agreement required AlHusseini to have sufficient assets to pay $65 million in the event of Sanberg’s default.

    Because AlHusseini lacked sufficient assets to cover his obligation, Sanberg and AlHusseini again submitted falsified brokerage account and bank account statements to Investor Fund B to secure the $145 million loan. AlHusseini received a premium payment of approximately $6.3 million as consideration for guaranteeing Sanberg’s repayment of the refinanced loan.

    Sanberg thereafter defaulted on the $145 million loan in November 2022 and again in the spring of 2023. Investor Fund B exercised its put option requiring AlHusseini to buy the pledged shares of Aspiration Partners stock, which he has not done. As a result of Sanberg and AlHusseini’s fraud, Investor Fund B has suffered at least $145 million in losses.

    Investor Fund A and Investor Fund B are investment funds that loaned investors’ capital to high-net-worth borrowers. 

    A criminal complaint contains allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    If convicted of the charge in the complaint, Sanberg would face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. AlHusseini faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

    The FBI and the United States Postal Inspection Service are investigating the case. 

    Assistant United States Attorneys Brett A. Sagel, Nisha Chandran, and Jenna Williams of the Corporate and Securities Fraud Strike Force, along with Theodore M. Kneller and Adam L.D. Stempel for the Fraud Section of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, are prosecuting this case.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: DealBox Asks If Bitcoin Stuck in the Past? How It’s Quietly Becoming a Programmable Blockchain Powerhouse

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Palo Alto, CA, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ethereum showed the world that blockchains could do more than just settle transactions and lock in value; they could become platforms for a vast array of services, from decentralized finance (DeFi) applications and sophisticated liquidity pools to non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and entire digital economies.

    At the heart of these innovations is the idea of Layer 1 and Layer 2 solutions. Layer 1 refers to the base blockchain itself—like Bitcoin or Ethereum—where transactions are recorded and secured by the network’s consensus mechanism. Layer 2, on the other hand, consists of additional protocols built on top of Layer 1 to improve scalability, reduce fees, and add advanced functionality without overloading the base layer. Ethereum, with its Layer 2 rollups and sidechains, has demonstrated how these additional layers can unlock entirely new possibilities.

    As Bitcoin’s steadfast community watched this evolution unfold, a pressing question emerged: Can Bitcoin ever evolve to a similar level of programmability and utility, without compromising its prized security and decentralization? Today, the industry stands on the brink of an answer. Cutting-edge solutions are introducing the tools required to build complex applications using Bitcoin as the foundational layer of trust. By anchoring execution and data within Bitcoin’s unassailable network, these new frameworks promise to deliver functionality reminiscent of Ethereum’s thriving ecosystem—without bridging out, altering Bitcoin’s core code, or compromising on its guiding principles.

    The Market’s Call for More Than Just a Store of Value

    As Bitcoin continued to solidify its status as a global store of value, the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem moved quickly. DeFi platforms began serving as global liquidity pools, enabling everything from lending and borrowing to automated market making. Layer 2 solutions on Ethereum, such as rollups and sidechains, sprang up to improve scalability and reduce fees. NFTs captured mainstream attention by proving that digital art, music, and collectibles could carry verifiable uniqueness and ownership. All of this paved a path for a more complex and dynamic type of blockchain usage: one that Bitcoin, for all its strengths, had not yet fully embraced. Despite Bitcoin’s unmatched security and track record, developers wanting to build advanced financial applications, tokenization platforms, or NFT ecosystems had traditionally looked to Ethereum and other programmable chains to bring their ideas to life.

    A Quiet Evolution: Introducing Programmability to Bitcoin

    The key to bringing robust programmability to Bitcoin lies in meeting two critical demands: remain faithful to Bitcoin’s trust-minimized architecture and ensure that the network’s famously deliberate development ethos is respected. Attempts to graft complex applications directly onto Bitcoin’s blockchain often met resistance due to concerns around data bloat, security risks, and consensus changes. However, a new class of solutions is rising to the challenge by performing the heavy lifting off-chain and simply anchoring the integrity and ownership proofs back to Bitcoin. This approach allows the network to scale without burdening its base layer, enables complex logic without overhauling Bitcoin’s consensus, and brings forth a universe of use cases once thought out of reach.

    How Ethereum’s Model Guides Bitcoin’s Next Steps

    Ethereum’s success demonstrates that a healthy developer ecosystem requires flexible tools. Smart contracts, robust developer libraries, and clear frameworks for building decentralized applications turned Ethereum into a kind of “world computer” for the crypto industry. From this vantage point, Ethereum’s architecture taught the broader crypto community that bringing computation closer to the settlement layer can rapidly accelerate innovation—though often at the cost of greater complexity on-chain. Now, Bitcoin-focused projects are turning those insights into a unique blueprint for Bitcoin’s evolution. Instead of copying Ethereum wholesale, they are crafting methods that preserve Bitcoin’s minimalist approach. The idea: Off-chain computation and client-side validation ensure that complex logic happens where it won’t compromise Bitcoin’s streamlined ledger. Meanwhile, a proof or hash of that activity is anchored in Bitcoin, creating a trust-minimized linkage.

    OroBit: Extending Bitcoin’s Capabilities Without Compromise

    Enter chains like OroBit. These emerging Layer 2 solutions are building frameworks that enable advanced smart contracts, tokenization, DeFi, and NFTs directly anchored to Bitcoin’s security. By using Bitcoin as the root of trust and combining it with off-chain execution frameworks, OroBit opens the door for developers to leverage Bitcoin’s robust base layer while enjoying the creative freedom that previously existed mainly in Ethereum’s realm. For instance, OroBit can deploy a “Simple Contract Language” (SCL) to manage data off-chain via decentralized nodes, verifying contract logic without overloading Bitcoin’s main blockchain. This approach parallels Ethereum’s Layer 2 scaling solutions, but instead of making Bitcoin more complex or riskier, it keeps the core blockchain lean. Off-chain computation, Lightning Network integration, and careful cryptographic proofs ensure that even the most intricate financial logic can be executed while Bitcoin’s main layer remains secure and relatively unchanged.

    DeFi, Private Equity, and More on Bitcoin

    Just as Ethereum’s flexible framework led to an explosion of DeFi protocols, liquidity pools, lending platforms, and robust NFT ecosystems, OroBit and similar chains aim to spark a comparable wave of innovation anchored to Bitcoin. Developers could build Automated Market Makers (AMMs), lending protocols, stablecoins, or advanced NFTs that derive their fundamental trust and security from the Bitcoin network. Adding to this momentum, OroBit is collaborating with entities like Deal Box to revolutionize private equity markets through tokenization. This partnership is set to bring real-world assets, such as private securities, onto Bitcoin’s robust blockchain. By leveraging OroBit’s Bitcoin Layer 2 (BTC L2) solution, tokenized private markets can achieve unprecedented levels of accessibility, efficiency, and transparency. Investors will benefit from features like streamlined onboarding and fast, low-cost transactions enabled by the Lightning Network.

    Major institutions have taken notice of Bitcoin’s Layer 2 advancements as well. Fidelity, which manages $5.9 trillion in assets, recently asserted that “The Lightning Network appears to be successfully delivering on its goal of being the most efficient way to transact in the digital asset ecosystem.” Such endorsements underscore the growing confidence in Bitcoin’s ability to power fast, cost-effective applications—ultimately bridging the gap between ‘digital gold’ and a fully programmable blockchain. 

    Bitcoin stands ready to leverage its immense liquidity and unparalleled security to empower developers, investors, and users seeking innovative solutions. In short, Bitcoin is evolving beyond its identity as “digital gold,” stepping into a future where it serves as a foundation for groundbreaking applications, proving that what began as the world’s most secure store of value can now drive the next generation of blockchain-powered advancements.

    About Deal Box

    Deal Box is venture capital that fits your life. By merging institutional-grade diligence with flexible investment options, Deal Box empowers accredited investors to craft portfolios that align with their financial ambitions. For more information, visit https://dealbox.vc/

    About OroBit

    OroBit is at the forefront of decentralizing finance with its Bitcoin-native smart contracts and tokenized assets. Anchored by real gold, OroBit blends blockchain innovation with palpable security. Discover more at https://orobit.ai

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: DMG Blockchain Solutions Reports First Quarter 2025 Results and February Operations Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DMG Blockchain Solutions Inc. (TSX-V: DMGI) (OTCQB: DMGGF) (FRANKFURT: 6AX) (“DMG” or the “Company”), a vertically integrated blockchain and data center technology company, today announces its fiscal first quarter 2025 financial results. All financial references are in Canadian Dollars unless specified otherwise. Readers are encouraged to review the Company’s December 31, 2024 quarterly unaudited financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis thereof for a fulsome assessment of the Company’s performance and applicable risk factors, available at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Q1 2025 Financial Results Highlights

    • Revenue: $11.6 million in Q1 2025, up 97% from $5.9 million in Q4 2024 and up 20% from $9.7 million in Q1 2024.
    • Bitcoin Mined: 97 bitcoin mined in Q1 2025, up 49% from Q4 2024.
    • Cash Flow from Operations: -$2.7 million in Q1 2025, versus +$1.3 million in Q4 2024, as the Company sold $4 million less bitcoin than it earned.
    • Hashrate: 1.62 EH/s for Q1 2025, up 65% sequentially and 68% year-over-year; now operating at 1.8 EH/s with the goal to reach 2.1 EH/s in March 2025.
    • Fleet Efficiency: 22.9 J/TH in Q1 2025, an improvement of 7% from Q4 2024; targeting 21 J/TH when hydro miners are fully energized.
    • Cash and Digital Assets: $58.2 million as of quarter-end Q1 2025, up 62% from Q4 2024 and up 110% from Q1 2024.
    • Net Loss: -$0.02 per share in Q1 2025, versus -$0.05 per share in Q4 2024 and $0.04 in Q1 2024.

    Preliminary February Operational Results

    • Bitcoin Mined: 27 BTC (vs 31 BTC in Jan 2025, in line with 28 days and curtailment)
    • Hashrate: 1.71 EH/s (vs 1.75 EH/s in Jan 2025)
    • Bitcoin Holdings: 443 BTC (vs 431 BTC in Jan 2025)
    • Days non-firm power curtailed: 3 (vs 0 in Jan 2025); average hashrate was 1.81 EH/s for period excluding curtailment

    DMG’s CEO, Sheldon Bennett, commented: “In addition to growing our hashrate, the first part of our financial year 2025 marks a major step forward in our Core+ strategy and Generative Artificial Intelligence ambitions. With Systemic Trust now a Qualified Digital Asset Custodian, we are focused on onboarding new customers and ramping revenue. Our near-term roadmap to offer Systemic Trust custodial wallets that support DMG’s Petra technology along with the integration of both Helm Data Center Infrastructure Management and Reactor into Terra Pool, position us to fully enable our carbon neutral Bitcoin ecosystem. Furthermore, we have expanded our AI initiatives, with a memorandum of understanding for a 10 MW prefabricated data center in addition to our MOU to establish a joint venture with the Malahat Nation for 30 MW of AI compute capacity. We remain committed to growth in areas that can deliver the most long-term value for our shareholders.”

    Financial First Quarter 2025 Financial Results Review

    Revenue increased by $1,942,061 in Q1 2025 from $9,690,764 Q1 2024. The increase in revenue is attributable to increases in digital currency mining revenues of $1,489,833 due to increases in the average bitcoin price in the period of $116,580 versus $49,006 during the same period in the prior year. These increases were offset by increases in network difficulty from the same period last year.

    Operating and maintenance expenses for Q1 2025 was $6,679,843, up from $5,147,651 in Q1 2024. This increase is primarily attributed to a $1,368,217 rise in utilities expenses, driven by expanded digital currency mining operations related to additional operating miners.

    Research costs for Q1 2025 were $553,964, having increased by $115,785 compared to Q1 2024. Research in fiscal 2025 continues to focus on software and relates to work on Systemic Trust, Helm, Reactor and Blockseer Explorer.

    General and administrative costs for Q1 2025 was $1,836,680 in comparison to $886,061 for Q1 2024. General and administrative costs consist mostly of wages, professional fees, consulting fees and interest expense. The overall increase of $950,619 is attributable mainly to an increase of $178,958 in consulting fees, $171,595 in wages and $422,645 in interest expense related to the Company’s credit facility with Sygnum Bank.

    Depreciation for Q1 2025 was $4,349,470 compared to $4,341,782 in Q1 2024.

    Net income decreased by $10,075,491 to a net loss of $3,103,001 for Q1 2025 versus net income of $6,972,490 in Q1 2024. The decrease in net loss is mainly a result of a large unrealized gain on revaluation of digital currencies in the prior year of $8,162,860 in the statement of profit and loss. A gain of $15,319,443 was recorded through other comprehensive income in the current period related to an unrealized gain on the revaluation of the balance held of digital currency. Gains related to the increase in digital currency in the prior year were offset against historical losses incurred in prior periods. Gains are recognized to the extent of any historical losses, after which gains are recognized through other comprehensive income under the accounting policies of IAS 38. Resulting in a large difference in net income between the two periods.

    Total assets as of December 31, 2024 were $137,128,716, an increase of $33,259,735 versus September 30, 2024. The increase is mostly attributable to a net increase in digital currency of $19,615,571, due to the revaluation of digital currency balances at an increased price of bitcoin, $132,949 as of December 31, 2024 as compared to $88,673 as of September 30, 2024.

    In Q1 2025, DMG sold 78 bitcoin, generating $7,305,976 cash, thus selling 81% of the bitcoin mined versus 143% in the prior quarter.

    Future changes in the Bitcoin network-wide mining difficulty or Bitcoin hashrate may materially affect the future performance of DMG’s production of bitcoin, and future operating results could also be materially affected by the price of bitcoin and an increase in hashrate and mining difficulty.

    First Quarter 2025 Results Conference Call Details

    The Company will host a conference call to review its results and provide a corporate update on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 4:30 PM ET. Participants should register for the call via the registration link.

    In addition to a live Q&A session via chat, management will also address pre-submitted questions. Those wishing to submit a question may do so via email at investors@dmgblockchain.com, using the subject line ‘Conference Call Question Submission,’ through 2:00 PM ET on March 4, 2025.

    About DMG Blockchain Solutions Inc.

    DMG is a publicly traded, sustainably-focused and vertically integrated blockchain and data center technology company that develops, manages and operates end–to-end digital solutions to monetize the blockchain and generative artificial intelligence compute ecosystems. DMG’s businesses are segmented into two business lines under the Core (data center infrastructure) and Core+ (software and services) strategies and unified through DMG’s vertical integration.

    For more information on DMG Blockchain Solutions visit: www.dmgblockchain.com
    Follow @dmgblockchain on X and subscribe to DMG’s YouTube channel.

    For further information, please contact:

    On behalf of the Board of Directors,

    Sheldon Bennett, CEO & Director
    Tel: +1 (778) 300-5406
    Email: investors@dmgblockchain.com
    Web: www.dmgblockchain.com

    For Investor Relations:
    investors@dmgblockchain.com

    For Media Inquiries:
    Chantelle Borrelli
    Head of Communications
    chantelle@dmgblockchain.com

    DMG Blockchain Solutions Inc.
    Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Financial Position
    (Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
     

    Notes

    As at
    December 31, 2024
    (unaudited)
      As at
    September 30, 2024
    (audited)
     
    ASSETS   $   $  
    Current      
    Cash and cash equivalents   4,273,533   1,679,060  
    Amounts receivable 6 4,802,944   4,910,251  
    Digital currency 5 53,943,274   34,327,703  
    Prepaid expense and other current assets   402,787   337,042  
    Marketable securities 8 359,833   316,803  
    Short-term investment 9 5,516,500    
    Total current assets   69,298,871   41,570,859  
           
    Long-term deposits 10 10,743,511   2,047,682  
    Property and equipment 12 50,194,530   53,798,978  
    Intangible asset   276,040    
    Long-term investments 13 45,000   45,000  
    Amount recoverable 7 6,570,764   6,406,462  
    Total assets   137,128,716   103,868,981  
           
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
    Current      
    Trade and other payables 14 3,748,608   5,183,107  
    Deferred revenue 19 7,355    
    Current portion of lease liability 15 40,071   43,483  
    Current portion of loans payable 16 20,020,520   13,928,462  
    Total current liabilities   23,816,554   19,155,052  
           
    Long-term lease liability 15 41,534   51,842  
    Total liabilities   23,858,088   19,206,894  
           
    Shareholders’ Equity      
    Share capital 17(a) 120,326,738   113,086,455  
    Reserves 17(b)(c) 55,036,328   45,853,100  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income   25,736,645   10,448,614  
    Accumulated deficit   (87,829,083)   (84,726,082)  
    Total shareholders’ equity   113,270,628   84,662,087  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   137,128,716   103,868,981  
           
    DMG Blockchain Solutions Inc.  
    Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss)  
    (Expressed in Canadian Dollars, except for number of shares)  
    (Unaudited)  
        For the three months ended December 31,
     
      Notes 2024   2023  
        $
      $
     
    Revenue 19 11,632,825   9,690,764  
           
    Expenses      
    Operating and maintenance costs 20(a) 6,679,843   5,147,651  
    General and administrative 20(b) 1,836,680   886,061  
    Stock-based compensation 17(b) 678,528   368,494  
    Research 20(c) 553,964   438,179  
    Bad debt (recovery) expense 6 (4,743)   3,764  
    Depreciation 12 4,349,470   4,341,782  
    Total expenses   14,093,742   11,185,931  
           
    Operating loss before other items   (2,460,917)   (1,495,167 )
           
    Other income (expense)      
    Interest and other income 7 164,302   165,781  
    Impairment of non-current assets   37,819    
    Foreign exchange loss   (909,388)   (94,585)  
    Loss on fair value of investments 10   (609,120)  
    Provision of sales tax receivable 6 (307,739)   (253,900)  
    Unrealized revaluation gain on digital currency 5 28,083   8,162,860  
    Realized gain on sale of digital currency   301,809   851,870  
    Gain on change in fair value of marketable securities 8 43,030   244,751  
    Net income (loss)   (3,103,001 ) 6,972,490  
           
    Other comprehensive income      
    Items that may be reclassified subsequently to income or loss:      
    Revaluation gain on digital assets 5 15,319,443    
    Cumulative translation adjustment   (31,412)   10,082  
    Net income and comprehensive income   12,185,030   6,982,572  
           
    Basic earnings (loss) per share 17(d) $(0.02)   $0.04  
    Diluted earnings (loss) per share 17(d) $(0.02)   $0.04  
    Weighted average number of shares outstanding 17(d)    
    – basic   185,799,634   168,147,570  
    – diluted   185,799,634   170,175,939  

                                                                                                                         

    DMG Blockchain Solutions Inc.    
    Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows    
    (Expressed in Canadian Dollars)    
    (Unaudited)    
    For the three months ended December 31, 2024   2023  
      $   $  
    OPERATING ACTIVITIES    
    Net income (loss) for the period (3,103,001)   6,972,490  
    Non-cash items:    
    Accretion 1,867   11,460  
    Depreciation 4,349,472   4,338,369  
    Share-based payments 678,528   368,494  
    Unrealized gain on revaluation of digital currency (28,083)   (8,162,861)  
    Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss 926,984   (16,272)  
    Impairment of non-current assets (37,819)    
    Unrealized gain on marketable securities (43,030)   (244,751)  
    Impairment of investment   609,120  
    Provision for sales tax receivable 307,739   253,900  
    Bad debt (recovery) expense (4,743)   3,764  
    Digital currency related revenue (11,266,187)   (8,744,492)  
    Digital currency sold 7,305,976   9,445,176  
    Realized gain on sale of digital currency (301,809)   (851,870)  
    Non-cash interest income (164,302)   (164,632)  
    Accrued interest 329,604    
         
    Changes in non-cash operating working capital:    
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets (65,745)   30,629  
    Amounts receivable (101,051)   (781,682)  
    Deferred revenue 7,355   14,302  
    Trade and other payables (1,523,145)   668,276  
    Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (2,731,390)   3,749,420  
         
    INVESTING ACTIVITIES    
    Purchase of property and equipment (343,976)   (381,773)  
    Purchase of intangible assets (276,040)    
    Deposits on mining equipment (9,554,087)   (2,570,515)  
    Purchase of short-term investment (5,516,500)   (609,120)  
    Refund of security deposit 457,325    
    Net cash used in investing activities (15,233,278)   (3,561,408)  
         
    FINANCING ACTIVITIES    
    Proceeds from issuance of units 17,254,945    
    Share issuance costs (1,570,875)    
    Proceeds from option exercises 60,913   269,776  
    Principal lease payments (15,356)   (45,276)  
    Repayment of loan payable (1,000,000)    
    Proceeds from secure loan 5,829,013    
    Net cash provided by financing activities 20,558,640   224,500  
         
    Impact of currency translation on cash and cash equivalents 501   (206)  
    Cash and cash equivalents, change 2,594,473   412,306  
    Cash and cash equivalents, beginning 1,679,060   1,789,913  
    Cash and cash equivalents, end 4,273,533   2,202,219  
             

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

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    This news release contains forward-looking information or statements based on current expectations. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release include statements regarding the planned conference call, DMG’s strategies and plans, increasing hashrate and the anticipated timelines, the expected arrival and operation of the hydro miners and containers, growing the Company’s hashrate to 2.1 EH/s by March 2025, the development of Systemic Trust including generating revenues, the potential for a 10-megawatt prefabricated data center in addition to the MOU to establish a potential joint venture with the Malahat Nation for 30 megawatts of AI compute capacity, improving fleet efficiency and continuing to execute on Core+ software initiatives, onboarding of new clients to Terra Pool, the opportunity and plans to monetize bitcoin transactions, the continued investment in Bitcoin network software infrastructure and applications, developing and executing on the Company’s products and services, increasing self-mining, efforts to improve the operation of its mining fleet, the launch of products and services, events, courses of action, and the potential of the Company’s technology and operations, among others, are all forward-looking information.

    Future changes in the Bitcoin network-wide mining difficulty or Bitcoin hashrate may materially affect the future performance of DMG’s production of bitcoin, and future operating results could also be materially affected by the price of bitcoin and an increase in hashrate and mining difficulty.

    Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as “may”, “expect”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “believe” and “continue” or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, market and other conditions, volatility in the trading price of the common shares of the Company, business, economic and capital market conditions; the ability to manage operating expenses, which may adversely affect the Company’s financial condition; the ability to remain competitive as other better financed competitors develop and release competitive products; regulatory uncertainties; access to equipment; market conditions and the demand and pricing for products; the demand and pricing of bitcoin; security threats, including a loss/theft of DMG’s bitcoin; DMG’s relationships with its customers, distributors and business partners; the inability to add more power to DMG’s facilities; DMG’s ability to successfully define, design and release new products in a timely manner that meet customers’ needs; the ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel; competition in the industry; the impact of technology changes on the products and industry; failure to develop new and innovative products; the ability to successfully maintain and enforce our intellectual property rights and defend third-party claims of infringement of their intellectual property rights; the impact of intellectual property litigation that could materially and adversely affect the business; the ability to manage working capital; and the dependence on key personnel. DMG may not actually achieve its plans, projections, or expectations. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the demand for its products, the ability to successfully develop software, that there will be no regulation or law that will prevent the Company from operating its business, anticipated costs, the ability to secure sufficient capital to complete its business plans, the ability to achieve goals and the price of bitcoin. Given these risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The securities of DMG are considered highly speculative due to the nature of DMG’s business. For further information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties, refer to the Company’s filings on www.sedarplus.ca. In addition, DMG’s past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance.

    Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, failure to obtain regulatory approval, the continued availability of capital and financing, equipment failures, lack of supply of equipment, power and infrastructure, failure to obtain any permits required to operate the business, the impact of technology changes on the industry, the impact of viruses and diseases on the Company’s ability to operate, secure equipment, and hire personnel, competition, security threats including stolen bitcoin from DMG or its customers, consumer sentiment towards DMG’s products, services and blockchain technology generally, failure to develop new and innovative products, litigation, adverse weather or climate events, increase in operating costs, increase in equipment and labor costs, equipment failures, decrease in the price of Bitcoin, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, government regulations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of or statements made by third parties in respect of the matters discussed above.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Australian Deputy PM: Over $200 million boost to South Tassie roads

    Source: Minister of Infrastructure

    The Albanese Government is building Tasmania’s future, investing nearly $213 million to upgrade critical highways and build active transport routes across the south east of the state.  

    This includes $204 million to improve the Arthur Highway and widen the Sorell Rivulet Bridge. 

    The Arthur Highway and Sorell Rivulet Bridge form the main access route between Port Arthur, Sorell and Hobart, providing a critical corridor for residents and tourists between some of the state’s most popular and populous destinations. 

    This investment will ease congestion for a growing community, as well as benefit agricultural and water supply businesses, tourists and local residents. 

    Funding will go towards safety upgrades including overtaking lanes, intersection improvements, and road modifications to enhance traffic flow such as shoulder widening and changes to lane configuration. It is expected to also include works to enable active and public transport as well as better signage and tourism pullover areas. 

    The Brooker Highway will also receive a $4 million investment to enable planning for critical safety and efficiency improvements. This will focus on identifying works that are most needed to improve safety, capacity, and resilience, and support active travel on one of Hobart’s major arterial roads.

    An additional $2 million has also been committed to undertake further public transport planning on the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor. This is part of the Albanese Government’s now $40.5 million investment in enhancing public transport infrastructure across Hobart.

    Along with roads and public transport, the Albanese Government is better connecting communities by delivering walking and cycling paths. 

    Almost $3 million will be invested under the Active Transport Fund in two new projects across the south east of the state to build new or upgrade existing bicycle and walking paths:

    • More than $2.2 million for the Tasman Council for a four-kilometre multi-use walking track connecting the towns of Nubeena and White Beach, south-east of Hobart; 
    • Almost $500,000 for Brighton Council to design and build a new shared path connecting to the existing path along the East Derwent Highway and to the new Bridgewater Bridge. This project also includes an extension of the path along Glenstone Road in Brighton, linking it to the pathway network within the Brighton township.

    We have brought forward $15.6 million of funding for the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation – Tranche 4 – Network project, which has a total Australian Government commitment of $81.6 million. This will allow the ongoing delivery of improved network performance and assurance of supply chains for Tasmania’s largest freight producers.

    The Albanese Government is making our cities and regions even better places to live, building social infrastructure, connecting place and designing healthier, more liveable towns. 

    The new Active Transport Fund is one part of this, providing safe and accessible transport options that mean more people have the chance to walk, cycle or push a pram to work, school and anywhere else. 

    More information on the Active Transport Fund is available at Active Transport Fund | Infrastructure Investment Program.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

    “The Albanese Government is investing in the transport projects that matter most to Tasmanians, upgrading the state’s critical highways including the Bass, Tasman, Arthur, Esk and Brooker Highways. 

    “We’re making Tasmania’s roads safer, stronger and more efficient which means convenient commutes and faster freight.”

    Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Lyons Brian Mitchell: 

    “These projects add to the Albanese Labor Government’s infrastructure investments throughout regional Tasmania.  

    “In Lyons for example, the Albanese Government is also investing $10 million towards improving the resilience of Esk Main Road at St Marys Pass.

    “It is projects like these that are making our roads safer and improving driver experiences.”

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Over $200 million boost to South Tassie roads

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    The Albanese Government is building Tasmania’s future, investing nearly $213 million to upgrade critical highways and build active transport routes across the south east of the state.  

    This includes $204 million to improve the Arthur Highway and widen the Sorell Rivulet Bridge. 

    The Arthur Highway and Sorell Rivulet Bridge form the main access route between Port Arthur, Sorell and Hobart, providing a critical corridor for residents and tourists between some of the state’s most popular and populous destinations. 

    This investment will ease congestion for a growing community, as well as benefit agricultural and water supply businesses, tourists and local residents. 

    Funding will go towards safety upgrades including overtaking lanes, intersection improvements, and road modifications to enhance traffic flow such as shoulder widening and changes to lane configuration. It is expected to also include works to enable active and public transport as well as better signage and tourism pullover areas. 

    The Brooker Highway will also receive a $4 million investment to enable planning for critical safety and efficiency improvements. This will focus on identifying works that are most needed to improve safety, capacity, and resilience, and support active travel on one of Hobart’s major arterial roads.

    An additional $2 million has also been committed to undertake further public transport planning on the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor. This is part of the Albanese Government’s now $40.5 million investment in enhancing public transport infrastructure across Hobart.

    Along with roads and public transport, the Albanese Government is better connecting communities by delivering walking and cycling paths. 

    Almost $3 million will be invested under the Active Transport Fund in two new projects across the south east of the state to build new or upgrade existing bicycle and walking paths:

    • More than $2.2 million for the Tasman Council for a four-kilometre multi-use walking track connecting the towns of Nubeena and White Beach, south-east of Hobart; 
    • Almost $500,000 for Brighton Council to design and build a new shared path connecting to the existing path along the East Derwent Highway and to the new Bridgewater Bridge. This project also includes an extension of the path along Glenstone Road in Brighton, linking it to the pathway network within the Brighton township.

    We have brought forward $15.6 million of funding for the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation – Tranche 4 – Network project, which has a total Australian Government commitment of $81.6 million. This will allow the ongoing delivery of improved network performance and assurance of supply chains for Tasmania’s largest freight producers.

    The Albanese Government is making our cities and regions even better places to live, building social infrastructure, connecting place and designing healthier, more liveable towns. 

    The new Active Transport Fund is one part of this, providing safe and accessible transport options that mean more people have the chance to walk, cycle or push a pram to work, school and anywhere else. 

    More information on the Active Transport Fund is available at Active Transport Fund | Infrastructure Investment Program.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

    “The Albanese Government is investing in the transport projects that matter most to Tasmanians, upgrading the state’s critical highways including the Bass, Tasman, Arthur, Esk and Brooker Highways. 

    “We’re making Tasmania’s roads safer, stronger and more efficient which means convenient commutes and faster freight.”

    Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Lyons Brian Mitchell: 

    “These projects add to the Albanese Labor Government’s infrastructure investments throughout regional Tasmania.  

    “In Lyons for example, the Albanese Government is also investing $10 million towards improving the resilience of Esk Main Road at St Marys Pass.

    “It is projects like these that are making our roads safer and improving driver experiences.”

    MIL OSI News

  • 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: 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 Economics: W&T Offshore Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results Including Year-End 2024 Proved Reserves, Provides Guidance for 2025 and Declares Dividend for First Quarter of 2025

    Source: W & T Offshore Inc

    Headline: W&T Offshore Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results Including Year-End 2024 Proved Reserves, Provides Guidance for 2025 and Declares Dividend for First Quarter of 2025

    HOUSTON, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — W&T Offshore, Inc. (NYSE: WTI) (“W&T,” the “Company” or “us”) today reported operational and financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2024, including the Company’s year-end 2024 reserve report. Detailed guidance for the first quarter of 2025 and full year 2025 was also provided, and W&T announced its dividend for the first quarter of 2025.

    This press release includes non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted Net Loss, Adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow, Net Debt and PV-10 which are described and reconciled to the most comparable GAAP measures below in the accompanying tables under “Non-GAAP Information.”

    Key highlights for the fourth quarter of 2024, the full year 2024 and since year end 2024 include:

    • Delivered production in full year 2024 of 33.3 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (“MBoe/d”) (43% oil), or 12.2 million barrels of oil equivalent (“MMBoe”). This production was within the Company’s guidance range despite impacts from three hurricanes in the Gulf of America (“GOA”) and other downtime which was mainly related to the Cox acquisition (as defined below);
      • Achieved mid-point of the guidance for annual oil production and increased it by 4% year-over-year;
      • Produced 32.1 MBoe/d (43% oil) or 3.0 MMBoe in fourth quarter 2024, within W&T’s guidance range;
      • Announced the Main Pass 108 and 98 fields as well as the West Delta 73 field are expected to come back online in the second quarter of 2025;
    • Increased year-end 2024 proved reserves at SEC pricing to 127.0 MMBoe, with oil reserves increasing 39%;
      • Reported a standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows of $740.1 million and a present value of estimated future oil and natural gas revenues, minus direct expenses, discounted at a 10% annual rate (“PV-10”) of $1.2 billion, a 14% increase compared to PV-10 for year-end 2023, despite lower SEC pricing;
      • Benefited from acquisitions totaling 21.7 MMBoe, along with positive well performance and technical revisions of 5.0 MMBoe, partially offset by 10.5 MMBoe of negative price revisions and 12.2 MMBoe of production for the year, resulting in replacement of 219% of 2024 production with new reserves;
    • Incurred lease operating expenses (“LOE”) of $281.5 million in full year 2024, at the low end of the Company’s full year guidance range and $64.3 million in fourth quarter 2024, 12% below the low end of the Company’s fourth quarter guidance;
    • Acquired six shallow water GOA fields in January 2024 (“the Cox acquisition”), all of which are 100% working interest and located adjacent to existing W&T operations, for $77.3 million, which was funded with cash on hand;
    • Sold a non-core interest in Garden Banks Blocks 385 and 386 in January 2025, which included latest net production of approximately 195 barrels of oil equivalent per day (“Boe/d”) (72% oil) for $11.9 million (the “Garden Banks Disposition”), or over $60,000 per flowing barrel, after customary closing adjustments;
    • Received $58.5 million in cash for an insurance settlement (the “Insurance Settlement”) related to the Mobile Bay 78-1 well, in first quarter of 2025, which further bolsters W&T’s balance sheet;
    • Successfully refinanced the Company’s $275.0 million 11.75% Senior Second Lien Notes due 2026 (the “11.75% Notes”) and $114.2 million outstanding amount under the term loan provided by Munich Re Risk Financing, Inc., as lender (the “MRE Term Loan”) with proceeds from the issuance of new $350.0 million of 10.75% Senior Second Lien Notes due 2029 (the “10.75% Notes”) in January 2025 and available cash on hand;
      • Paid down and effectively reduced gross debt by around $39.0 million;
      • Eliminated principal payments of $27.6 million in 2025, $25.4 million in 2026, $22.9 million in 2027 and $38.3 million in 2028;
      • Lowered interest rate on the Senior Second Lien Notes by 100 basis points;
    • Entered into a new credit agreement in the first quarter 2025 for a $50 million revolving credit facility which matures in July 2028, that is undrawn and replaces the previous credit facility provided by Calculus Lending, LLC;
    • Reported net loss for full year 2024 of $87.1 million, or $(0.59) per diluted share and net loss of $23.4 million, or $(0.16) per diluted share for fourth quarter 2024;
      • Adjusted Net Loss totaled $67.6 million, or $(0.46) per diluted share for full year 2024, and $26.2 million, or $(0.18) per diluted share, for fourth quarter 2024, which primarily excludes the net unrealized gain on outstanding derivative contracts, non-ARO plugging and abandonment (“P&A”) costs, other costs and the related tax effect;
    • Generated Adjusted EBITDA of $153.6 million in full year 2024 and $31.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2024;
    • Produced net cash from operating activities of $59.5 million and Free Cash Flow of $44.9 million in full year 2024;
    • Reported cash and cash equivalents of $109.0 million, lowered total debt to $393.2 million and lowered Net Debt to $284.2 million at December 31, 2024;
    • Added costless collar hedges for 50,000 million British Thermal Units per day (“MMBtu/d”) of natural gas for the period of March through December 2025;
    • Paid fifth consecutive quarterly dividend of $0.01 per common share in November 2024; and
      • Declared first quarter 2025 dividend of $0.01 per share, which will be payable on March 24, 2025 to stockholders of record on March 17, 2025;

    Tracy W. Krohn, W&T’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We delivered solid results in 2024 thanks to our continued commitment to executing on our strategic vision focused on free cash flow generation, maintaining solid production and maximizing margins. We generated strong Adjusted EBITDA of $153.6 million and Free Cash Flow of $44.9 million for full year 2024. This was achieved despite limited contribution from the Cox acquisition as we continued to work on enhancing long-term value for these assets at the expense of deferring some near-term production. Some of this benefit is already reflected in our year-end reserves, which saw a 39% increase in oil reserves, and our PV-10 increased by almost $150 million, despite lower SEC pricing compared to year end 2023. We replaced production by over 200% with our positive revisions and acquisitions. Our focus on cost control and capturing synergies associated with our asset acquisitions contributed to our LOE coming in at the bottom end of our reduced guidance range. In addition, we are expecting further production uplift associated with the remaining fields from the Cox acquisition coming online in the second quarter of 2025 that have been shut in so that we could improve the facilities and transportation of production to enhance safety and efficiency of operations in the future.”

    “In early 2025, we strengthened our balance sheet by closing the new 10.75% Notes, entered into a new revolving credit facility and added material cash through a non-core disposition and an insurance settlement. The new 10.75% Notes have an interest rate 100 basis points lower than our 11.75% Notes and received improved credit ratings from S&P and Moody’s, had a broad distribution including international investors and were significantly oversubscribed. We also received a $58.5 million cash insurance settlement payment related to a well loss event. Finally, we sold our non-core interests for $11.9 million after customary closing adjustments in Garden Banks 385 and 386 at over $60,000 per flowing barrel which is highly accretive to W&T. This further demonstrates the value of our assets and our ability to divest our properties at attractive multiples.”

    Mr. Krohn concluded, “As we progress through 2025 with a stronger balance sheet, we remain poised to take advantage of potential acquisitions that will be accretive to our stakeholders. We remain committed to enhancing shareholder value and returning value to our shareholders through the quarterly dividend in place since November 2023. Our strategy has proven to be sustainable over the past 40 plus years, and we are well-positioned to continue to successfully execute it in the future.”

    Production, Prices and Revenue: Production for the fourth quarter of 2024 was 32.1 MBoe/d, within the Company’s fourth quarter guidance and up 4% compared with 31.0 MBoe/d for the third quarter of 2024 and down compared with 34.1 MBoe/d for the corresponding period in 2023. Production in the second half of 2024 was temporarily reduced mainly due to multiple named storms and third-party downtime. Fourth quarter 2024 production was comprised of 13.7 thousand barrels per day (“MBbl/d”) of oil (43%), 3.0 MBbl/d of natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) (9%), and 92.4 million cubic feet per day (“MMcf/d”) of natural gas (48%).

    W&T’s average realized price per Boe before realized derivative settlements was $39.86 per Boe in the fourth quarter of 2024, a decrease of 5% from $41.92 per Boe in the third quarter of 2024 and a decrease of 4% from $41.55 per Boe in the fourth quarter of 2023. Fourth quarter 2024 oil, NGL and natural gas prices before realized derivative settlements were $68.71 per barrel of oil, $24.59 per barrel of NGL and $2.85 per Mcf of natural gas.

    Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2024 were $120.3 million, which were slightly lower than the third quarter of 2024 revenues of $121.4 million driven by lower realized prices for oil. Fourth quarter 2024 revenues were approximately 9% lower than $132.3 million of revenues in the fourth quarter of 2023 due to lower average realized prices and lower production volumes.

    Lease Operating Expenses: LOE, which includes base lease operating expenses, insurance premiums, workovers and facilities maintenance expenses, was $64.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, which was 12% below the low end of the previously provided guidance range of $73.0 to $81.0 million. LOE came in lower than expected as the Company continued to realize synergies from asset acquisitions in late 2023 and early 2024. LOE for the fourth quarter of 2024 was approximately 11% lower compared to $72.4 million in the third quarter of 2024 primarily due to favorable audit adjustments, an increase in royalty credits and lower repairs and maintenance costs. LOE for the fourth quarter of 2024 was essentially flat compared to $64.6 million for the corresponding period in 2023. On a component basis for the fourth quarter of 2024, base LOE and insurance premiums were $53.5 million, workovers were $0.9 million, and facilities maintenance and other expenses were $9.9 million. On a unit of production basis, LOE was $21.76 per Boe in the fourth quarter of 2024. This compares to $25.37 per Boe for the third quarter of 2024 and $20.61 per Boe for the fourth quarter of 2023, reflecting a decrease in production in the periods.

    Gathering, Transportation Costs and Production Taxes: Gathering, transportation costs and production taxes totaled $5.9 million ($2.00 per Boe) in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $6.1 million ($2.15 per Boe) in the third quarter of 2024 and $6.6 million ($2.11 per Boe) in the fourth quarter of 2023. Gathering, transportation costs and production taxes decreased in the fourth quarter of 2024 from the prior quarter due to lower processing and transportation fees offset by increased production taxes.

    Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (“DD&A”): DD&A was $12.94 per Boe in the fourth quarter of 2024. This compares to $11.99 per Boe and $10.73 per Boe for the third quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter of 2023, respectively.

    Asset Retirement Obligations Accretion: Asset retirement obligations accretion was $2.76 per Boe in the fourth quarter of 2024. This compares to $2.75 per Boe and $2.35 per Boe for the third quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter of 2023, respectively.

    General & Administrative Expenses (“G&A”): G&A was $20.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, which increased from $19.7 million in the third quarter of 2024 primarily due to higher quarter over quarter accrual for non-cash long-term incentives and increased from $18.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 primarily due to higher quarter over quarter accruals for short-term incentives and non-cash long term incentives. On a unit of production basis, G&A was $7.04 per Boe in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $6.91 per Boe in the third quarter of 2024 and $5.82 per Boe in the corresponding period of 2023. These differences are primarily related to production variances.

    Derivative (Gain) Loss, net: In the fourth quarter of 2024, W&T recorded a net loss of $2.1 million with commodity derivative contracts comprised of $2.6 million of realized losses and $0.5 million of unrealized gains related to the increase in fair value of open contracts. W&T recognized a net gain of $3.2 million in the third quarter of 2024 and a net gain of $13.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 related to commodity derivative activities.

    To take advantage of the recent uptick in prices for natural gas, W&T recently added Henry Hub costless collars for 50,000 MMBtu/d of natural gas for the period of March through December 2025 with a floor of $3.88 per MMBtu and a ceiling of $5.125 per MMBtu.

    A summary of the Company’s outstanding derivative positions is provided in the investor presentation posted on W&T’s website.

    Interest Expense: Net interest expense in the fourth quarter of 2024 was $10.2 million compared to $10.0 million in the third quarter of 2024 and $9.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Other Expense: During 2021 and 2022, as a result of the declaration of bankruptcy by a third party that is the indirect successor in title to certain offshore interests that were previously divested by the Company, W&T recorded a contingent loss accrual related to anticipated non-ARO P&A costs. During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company reassessed its existing obligations and recorded a $2.8 million decrease in the contingent loss accrual.

    Income Tax (Benefit) Expense: W&T recognized an income tax benefit of $1.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. This compares to the recognition of an income tax benefit of $4.5 million and an income tax expense of $1.9 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

    Capital Expenditures and Asset Retirement Settlements: Capital expenditures on an accrual basis (excluding acquisitions) in the fourth quarter of 2024 were $12.2 million, and asset retirement settlement costs totaled $19.3 million. For the year ended December 31, 2024, capital expenditures on an accrual basis (excluding acquisitions) totaled $28.6 million and asset retirements costs were $39.7 million. Investments related to acquisitions in the year ended December 31, 2024 totaled $80.6 million, which included $77.3 million for the Cox acquisition and $3.3 million of final purchase price adjustments related to W&T’s acquisition of properties in September 2023.

    Balance Sheet and Liquidity: As of December 31, 2024, W&T had available liquidity of $159.0 million comprised of $109.0 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and $50.0 million of borrowing availability under W&T’s first priority secured revolving facility provided by Calculus Lending LLC. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had total debt of $393.2 million and Net Debt of $284.2 million. As of December 31, 2024, Net Debt to trailing twelve months (“TTM”) Adjusted EBITDA was 1.8x.

    Debt Refinance: On January 28, 2025 W&T closed an offering of the 10.75% Notes at par in a private offering that was exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Company used a portion of the proceeds from the 10.75% Notes offering, along with cash on hand to, (i) purchase for cash pursuant to a tender offer, such of the Company’s outstanding 11.75% Notes that were validly tendered pursuant to the terms thereof, (ii) repay $114.2 million outstanding under the Term Loan, (iii) fund the full redemption amount for an August 1, 2025 redemption of the remaining 11.75% Notes not validly tendered and accepted for purchase in the tender offer, and (iv) pay premiums, fees and expenses related to these transactions. On the closing date of the offering of the 10.75% Notes, the Company completed all actions necessary to satisfy and discharge the indenture governing the 11.75% Notes.

    Pro forma for the debt refinance, the Garden Banks Disposition and the Insurance Settlement, as of December 31, 2024, W&T’s cash and cash equivalents would have been approximately $104.3 million, total debt would have been approximately $349.5 million and Net Debt would have been approximately $245.2 million. As of December 31, 2024, the pro forma Net Debt to TTM Adjusted EBITDA would have been 1.6x.

    In conjunction with the issuance of the 10.75% Notes, the Company entered into a new credit agreement which provides the Company with a revolving credit and letter of credit facility, with initial lending commitments of $50 million with a letter of credit sublimit of $10 million. The Credit Facility matures on July 28, 2028.

    Accretive Acquisition of Producing Properties in the GOA: In January 2024, W&T was the successful bidder for six fields in the GOA, including Eugene Island 64, Main Pass 61, Mobile 904, Mobile 916, South Pass 49 and West Delta 73, all of which include a 100% working interest and an average 82% net revenue interest. They are located in water depths ranging between approximately 15 and 400 feet. Their proximity to W&T’s areas of existing operations provides the ability for W&T to capture synergies regarding personnel, well optimization, gathering and transport. The final purchase price for the assets was $77.3 million, after closing costs and other transaction costs, which were funded from the Company’s cash on hand. Key highlights of the transaction included:

    • Added significant year-end 2024 reserves of 21.7 MMBoe (62% liquids), even after excluding 1.3 MMBoe of production during 2024;
    • Based on the cash consideration paid of $77.3 million, this equates to a price of $3.38 per Boe of 2024 SEC reserves booked, when adding back 2024 production of 1.3 MMBoe;
    • Multiple fields were immediately shut-in while improvements were made to bring them up to W&T’s standards for safety and efficiency. Those fields are expected to come back online in the first half of 2025;
      • The Main Pass 108 and 98 fields as well as the West Delta 73 field are expected to return to production in the second quarter of 2025; and
    • The Company believes that it can further increase production on these properties through workovers, recompletions and ongoing facility upgrades.

    Non-Core Asset Disposition

    In early 2025, W&T sold a non-core interest in Garden Banks Blocks 385 and 386, which included net production of approximately 195 Boe/d, for $11.9 million after normal purchase price adjustments. The effective date of the sale was December 1, 2024, and the transaction closed in January 2025. The impact to W&T’s reserves for year-end 2024 were minimal at about 0.12 MMBoe.

    Full Year-End 2024 Financial Review

    W&T reported a net loss for the full year 2024 of $87.1 million, or $(0.59) per diluted share, and Adjusted Net Loss of $67.6 million, or $(0.46) per diluted share. For the full year 2023, the Company reported net income of $15.6 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, and Adjusted Net Loss of $21.7 million, or $(0.15) per diluted share. W&T generated Adjusted EBITDA of $153.6 million for the full year 2024 compared to $183.2 million in 2023. The year-over-year decrease was primarily driven by lower oil and natural gas prices and decreased production. Revenues totaled $525.3 million for 2024 compared with $532.7 million in 2023. Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $59.5 million compared with $115.3 million for the same period in 2023. Free Cash Flow totaled $44.9 million in 2024 compared with $63.3 million in 2023.

    Production for 2024 averaged 33.3 MBoe/d for a total of 12.2 MMBoe, comprised of 5.3 MMBbl of oil, 1.2 MMBbl of NGLs and 34.3 Bcf of natural gas. Full year 2023 production averaged 34.9 MBoe/d or 12.7 MMBoe in total and was comprised of 5.1 MMBbl of oil, 1.4 MMBbl of NGLs and 37.6 Bcf of natural gas.  

    For the full year 2024, W&T’s average realized sales price per barrel of crude oil was $75.28 and $23.08 per barrel of NGLs and $2.65 per Mcf of natural gas. While the realized pricing for oil and natural gas were down year-over-year, the production mix was more weighted toward oil in 2024, thus the equivalent sales price for 2024 was $42.23 per Boe, which was 3% higher than the equivalent price of $41.16 per Boe realized in 2023.  For 2023, the Company’s realized crude oil sales price was $75.52 per barrel, NGL sales price was $22.93 per barrel, and natural gas price was $2.93 per Mcf.

    For the full year 2024, LOE was $281.5 million compared to $257.7 million in 2023. While LOE increased year-over-year in 2024 due to increased workover and facility investments, higher oil production and costs from the acquisition of additional properties in January 2024 and September 2023, W&T’s LOE for 2024 was 10% below the midpoint guidance for LOE as the Company was able to mitigate some of these increased costs through synergies from the asset acquisitions.

    Gathering, transportation, and production taxes totaled $28.2 million in 2024, an increase from the $26.3 million in 2023.

    For the full year 2024, G&A was $82.4 million, which was a 9% increase over the $75.5 million reported in 2023. The increase year-over-year is primarily due to increased salary and benefits costs and non-recurring legal fees that were somewhat offset by lower accruals for short-term incentives. On a per unit basis, G&A per Boe was $6.76 in 2024, up from $5.93 per Boe in 2023.  G&A increased on a per Boe basis primarily due to lower production.  

    OPERATIONS UPDATE

    Well Recompletions and Workovers

    During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company performed two workovers and two recompletions that positively impacted production for the quarter. W&T plans to continue performing these low cost and low risk short payout operations that impact both production and revenue.

    Year-End 2024 Proved Reserves

    The Company’s year-end 2024 SEC proved reserves were 127.0 MMBoe, compared with 123.0 MMBoe at year-end 2023. In 2024, W&T recorded positive performance revisions of 5.0 MMBoe, and acquisitions of reserves of 21.7 MMBoe, which were offset by 10.5 MMBoe of negative price revisions and 12.2 MMBoe of production for the year.  During 2024, W&T continued to focus on reducing Net Debt while identifying and executing attractive acquisitions.  Successful workovers, operational excellence and acquisitions allowed W&T to replace 219% of production with new reserves.  

    The SEC twelve-month first day of the month average spot prices used in the preparation of the report for year-end 2024 were $76.32 per barrel of oil and $2.13 per MMBtu of natural gas. Comparable prices used for the prior year report were $78.21 per barrel of oil and $2.64 per MMBtu of natural gas. The PV-10 of W&T’s proved reserves at year-end 2024 increased 14% to $1.2 billion from $1.1 billion at year-end 2023, driven primarily by an increase in oil reserves due to the acquisition in January 2024 and by positive reserve performance revisions which were somewhat offset by lower SEC pricing.

    Approximately 51% of year-end 2024 proved reserves were liquids (41% crude oil and 10% NGLs) and 49% natural gas. The reserves were classified as 52% proved developed producing, 31% proved developed non-producing, and 17% proved undeveloped. W&T’s reserve life ratio at year-end 2024, based on year-end 2024 proved reserves and 2024 production, was 10.4 years.

                           
        Oil   NGLs   Natural Gas       PV-101
        (MMBbls)   (MMBbls)   (Bcf)   MMBoe   ($MM)
    Proved reserves as of December 31, 2023   37.0     13.7     434.0     123.0     $ 1,080.9
    Revisions of previous estimates   7.4     1.8     (26.1 )   5.0        
    Revisions due to change in SEC prices   (0.4 )   (1.6 )   (51.0 )   (10.5 )      
    Purchase of minerals in place   12.9     0.3     51.8     21.7        
    Production   (5.3 )   (1.2 )   (34.3 )   (12.2 )      
    Proved reserves as of December 31, 2024   51.6     13.0     374.4     127.0     $ 1,229.5

    (1)   PV-10 for this presentation excludes any provisions for asset retirement obligations or income taxes.

    In accordance with guidelines established by the SEC, estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2024 were determined to be economically producible under existing economic conditions, which requires the use of the 12-month average of the first-day-of-the-month price for the year ended December 31, 2024. The WTI spot price and the Henry Hub spot price were utilized as the reference prices and after adjusting for quality, transportation, fees, energy content, and regional price differentials, the average realized prices were $74.69 per barrel for oil, $22.98 per barrel for NGLs, and $2.58 per Mcf for natural gas. In determining the estimated realized price for NGLs, a ratio was computed for each field of the NGLs realized price compared to the crude oil realized price. This ratio was then applied to the crude price using SEC guidance. Such prices were held constant throughout the estimated lives of the reserves. Future estimated production and development costs are based on year-end costs with no escalations.

    The standardized measure of future net cash flows was $740.1 million at December 31, 2024, which is calculated as the PV-10 of $1,229.5 million less discounted cash outflows of $334.6 million associated with asset retirement obligations and $154.8 million associated with income taxes. At December 31, 2023, the standardized measure was $683.2 million, which is calculated as the PV-10 of $1,080.9 million less discounted cash outflows of $246.7 million associated with asset retirement obligations and $151.0 million associated with income taxes.

    First Quarter and Full Year 2025 Production and Expense Guidance

    The guidance for the first quarter and full year 2025 in the table below represents the Company’s current expectations. Please refer to the section entitled “Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements” below for risk factors that could impact guidance.

    In the first quarter of 2025, there have been several planned facility and pipeline maintenance projects as well as unplanned downtime at several fields due to multiple winter freezes in the first quarter of 2025 that temporarily reduced production. Full year 2025 production reflects the West Delta 73 field returning to production in the second quarter as well as the other fields that were temporarily shut-in during the first quarter of 2025. First quarter 2025 LOE is expected to be higher than the prior quarter due to increased maintenance and repair costs and facility upgrades; full year 2025 LOE is expected to be modestly higher than 2024.

         
    Production First Quarter 2025 Full Year 2025
    Oil (MBbl) 1,130 – 1,250 5,150 – 5,690
    NGLs (MBbl) 205 – 235 1,020 – 1,140
    Natural gas (MMcf) 7,220 – 7,980 34,880 – 38,560
    Total equivalents (MBoe) 2,538 – 2,815 11,983 – 13,257
    Average daily equivalents (MBoe/d) 27.6 – 30.6 32.8 – 36.3
    Expenses First Quarter 2025 Full Year 2025
    Lease operating expense ($MM) 72.5 – 80.5 280.0 – 310.0
    Gathering, transportation & production taxes ($MM) 6.1 – 6.9 27.1 – 30.1
    General & administrative – cash ($MM) 17.8 – 19.8 62.0 – 69.0
    General & administrative – non-cash ($MM) 2.1 – 2.5 10.1 – 11.3
    DD&A ($ per Boe)   13.40 – 14.90

    W&T expects substantially all income taxes in 2025 to be deferred. 

    2025 Capital Investment Program

    W&T’s capital expenditure budget for 2025 is expected to be in the range of $34.0 million to $42.0 million, which excludes potential acquisition opportunities.  Included in this range are planned expenditures related to asset integrations as well as ongoing costs related to the acquisitions for facilities, leasehold, seismic, and recompletions. 

    Plugging and abandonment expenditures are expected to be in the range of $27.0 million to $37.0 million.  The Company spent approximately $40 million on these costs in 2024.

    Conference Call Information: W&T will hold a conference call to discuss its financial and operational results on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Central Time (10:00 a.m. Eastern Time). Interested parties may dial 1-844-739-3797. International parties may dial 1-412-317-5713. Participants should request to connect to the “W&T Offshore Conference Call.” This call will also be webcast and available on W&T’s website at www.wtoffshore.com under “Investors.” An audio replay will be available on the Company’s website following the call.

    About W&T Offshore

    W&T Offshore, Inc. is an independent oil and natural gas producer with operations offshore in the Gulf of America and has grown through acquisitions, exploration and development. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had working interests in 52 fields in federal and state waters (which include 45 fields in federal waters and seven in state waters). The Company has under lease approximately 646,200 gross acres (502,300 net acres) spanning across the outer continental shelf off the coasts of Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama, with approximately 493,000 gross acres on the conventional shelf, approximately 147,700 gross acres in the deepwater and 5,500 gross acres in Alabama state waters. A majority of the Company’s daily production is derived from wells it operates. For more information on W&T, please visit the Company’s website at www.wtoffshore.com.

    Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this release, including those regarding the Company’s financial position, operating and financial performance, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations, projected costs, industry conditions, potential acquisitions, sustainability initiatives, the impact of and integration of acquired assets, and indebtedness are forward-looking statements. When used in this release, forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by terms or phrases such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “believe,” “expect,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “target,” “could,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “goal,” “will,” “should,” “may” or other words and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. Items contemplating or making assumptions about actual or potential future production and sales, prices, market size, and trends or operating results also constitute such forward-looking statements.

    These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and assumptions about future events and speak only as of the date of this release. While management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as results actually achieved may differ materially from expected results described in these statements. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements, unless required by law.

    Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially including, among other things, the regulatory environment, including availability or timing of, and conditions imposed on, obtaining and/or maintaining permits and approvals, including those necessary for drilling and/or development projects; the impact of current, pending and/or future laws and regulations, and of legislative and regulatory changes and other government activities, including those related to permitting, drilling, completion, well stimulation, operation, maintenance or abandonment of wells or facilities, managing energy, water, land, greenhouse gases or other emissions, protection of health, safety and the environment, or transportation, marketing and sale of the Company’s products; inflation levels; global economic trends, geopolitical risks and general economic and industry conditions, such as the global supply chain disruptions and the government interventions into the financial markets and economy in response to inflation levels and world health events; volatility of oil, NGL and natural gas prices; the global energy future, including the factors and trends that are expected to shape it, such as concerns about climate change and other air quality issues, the transition to a low-emission economy and the expected role of different energy sources; supply of and demand for oil, natural gas and NGLs, including due to the actions of foreign producers, importantly including OPEC and other major oil producing companies (“OPEC+”) and change in OPEC+’s production levels; disruptions to, capacity constraints in, or other limitations on the pipeline systems that deliver the Company’s oil and natural gas and other processing and transportation considerations; inability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations or to obtain adequate financing to fund capital expenditures, meet the Company’s working capital requirements or fund planned investments; price fluctuations and availability of natural gas and electricity; the Company’s ability to use derivative instruments to manage commodity price risk; the Company’s ability to meet the Company’s planned drilling schedule, including due to the Company’s ability to obtain permits on a timely basis or at all, and to successfully drill wells that produce oil and natural gas in commercially viable quantities; uncertainties associated with estimating proved reserves and related future cash flows; the Company’s ability to replace the Company’s reserves through exploration and development activities; drilling and production results, lower–than–expected production, reserves or resources from development projects or higher–than–expected decline rates; the Company’s ability to obtain timely and available drilling and completion equipment and crew availability and access to necessary resources for drilling, completing and operating wells; changes in tax laws; effects of competition; uncertainties and liabilities associated with acquired and divested assets; the Company’s ability to make acquisitions and successfully integrate any acquired businesses; asset impairments from commodity price declines; large or multiple customer defaults on contractual obligations, including defaults resulting from actual or potential insolvencies; geographical concentration of the Company’s operations; the creditworthiness and performance of the Company’s counterparties with respect to its hedges; impact of derivatives legislation affecting the Company’s ability to hedge; failure of risk management and ineffectiveness of internal controls; catastrophic events, including tropical storms, hurricanes, earthquakes, pandemics and other world health events; environmental risks and liabilities under U.S. federal, state, tribal and local laws and regulations (including remedial actions); potential liability resulting from pending or future litigation; the Company’s ability to recruit and/or retain key members of the Company’s senior management and key technical employees; information technology failures or cyberattacks; and governmental actions and political conditions, as well as the actions by other third parties that are beyond the Company’s control, and other factors discussed in W&T Offshore’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q found at www.sec.gov or at the Company’s website at www.wtoffshore.com under the Investor Relations section.

                                   
    W&T OFFSHORE, INC.
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
    (In thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)
                                   
        Three Months Ended    
        December 31,    September 30,    December 31,    Year Ended December 31, 
           2024        2024        2023     2024        2023  
    Revenues:                              
    Oil   $ 86,778     $ 90,862     $ 94,076     $ 395,620     $ 381,389  
    NGLs     6,713       5,636       6,851       27,978       32,446  
    Natural gas     24,203       23,148       29,401       90,877       110,158  
    Other     2,651       1,726       2,012       10,786       8,663  
    Total revenues     120,345       121,372       132,340       525,261       532,656  
                                   
    Operating expenses:                              
    Lease operating expenses     64,259       72,412       64,643       281,488       257,676  
    Gathering, transportation and production taxes     5,912       6,147       6,620       28,177       26,250  
    Depreciation, depletion, and amortization     38,208       34,206       33,658       143,025       114,677  
    Asset retirement obligations accretion     8,157       7,848       7,377       32,374       29,018  
    General and administrative expenses     20,799       19,723       18,251       82,391       75,541  
    Total operating expenses     137,335       140,336       130,549       567,455       503,162  
                                   
    Operating (loss) income     (16,990 )     (18,964 )     1,791       (42,194 )     29,494  
                                   
    Interest expense, net     10,226       9,992       9,729       40,454       44,689  
    Derivative (gain) loss, net     2,113       (3,199 )     (13,199 )     (3,589 )     (54,759 )
    Other (income) expense, net     (4,118 )     15,709       3,772       18,071       5,621  
    (Loss) income before income taxes     (25,211 )     (41,466 )     1,489       (97,130 )     33,943  
    Income tax (benefit) expense     (1,849 )     (4,545 )     1,932       (9,985 )     18,345  
    Net (loss) income   $ (23,362 )   $ (36,921 )   $ (443 )   $ (87,145 )   $ 15,598  
                                   
    Net (loss) income per share:                              
    Basic   $ (0.16 )   $ (0.25 )   $     $ (0.59 )   $ 0.11  
    Diluted     (0.16 )     (0.25 )           (0.59 )     0.11  
                                   
    Weighted average common shares outstanding                              
    Basic     147,365       147,206       146,578       147,133       146,483  
    Diluted     147,365       147,206       146,578       147,133       148,302  
                                   
    W&T OFFSHORE, INC.
    Condensed Operating Data
    (Unaudited)
                                   
        Three Months Ended    
        December 31,    September 30,    December 31,    Year Ended December 31, 
        2024   2024      2023   2024      2023
    Net sales volumes:                              
    Oil (MBbls)     1,263     1,210     1,219     5,255     5,050
    NGLs (MBbls)     273     262     329     1,212     1,415
    Natural gas (MMcf)     8,505     8,289     9,533     34,296     37,591
    Total oil and natural gas (MBoe) (1)     2,953     2,854     3,136     12,183     12,730
                                   
    Average daily equivalent sales (MBoe/d)     32.1     31.0     34.1     33.3     34.9
                                   
    Average realized sales prices (before the impact of derivative settlements):                              
    Oil ($/Bbl)   $ 68.71   $ 75.09   $ 77.17   $ 75.28   $ 75.52
    NGLs ($/Bbl)     24.59     21.51     20.82     23.08     22.93
    Natural gas ($/Mcf)     2.85     2.79     3.08     2.65     2.93
    Barrel of oil equivalent ($/Boe)     39.86     41.92     41.55     42.23     41.16
                                   
    Average operating expenses per Boe ($/Boe):                              
    Lease operating expenses   $ 21.76   $ 25.37   $ 20.61   $ 23.10   $ 20.24
    Gathering, transportation and production taxes     2.00     2.15     2.11     2.31     2.06
    Depreciation, depletion, and amortization     12.94     11.99     10.73     11.74     9.01
    Asset retirement obligations accretion     2.76     2.75     2.35     2.66     2.28
    General and administrative expenses     7.04     6.91     5.82     6.76     5.93

    (1)   MBoe is determined using the ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one Bbl of crude oil, condensate or NGLs (totals may not compute due to rounding). The conversion ratio does not assume price equivalency and the price on an equivalent basis for oil, NGLs and natural gas may differ significantly. The realized prices presented above are volume-weighted for production in the respective period.

                 
    W&T OFFSHORE, INC.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (In thousands)
    (Unaudited)
                 
           December 31,    December 31, 
        2024     2023  
    Assets            
    Current assets:            
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 109,003     $ 173,338  
    Restricted cash     1,552       4,417  
    Receivables:            
    Oil and natural gas sales     63,558       52,080  
    Joint interest, net     25,841       15,480  
    Other           2,218  
    Prepaid expenses and other assets     18,504       17,447  
    Total current assets     218,458       264,980  
                 
    Oil and natural gas properties, net     777,741       749,056  
    Restricted deposits for asset retirement obligations     22,730       22,272  
    Deferred income taxes     48,808       38,774  
    Other assets     31,193       38,923  
    Total assets   $ 1,098,930     $ 1,114,005  
                 
    Liabilities and Shareholders’ (Deficit) Equity            
    Current liabilities:            
    Accounts payable   $ 83,625     $ 78,857  
    Accrued liabilities     33,271       31,978  
    Undistributed oil and natural gas proceeds     53,131       42,134  
    Advances from joint interest partners     2,443       2,962  
    Current portion of asset retirement obligations     46,326       31,553  
    Current portion of long-term debt, net     27,288       29,368  
    Total current liabilities     246,084       216,852  
                 
    Asset retirement obligations     502,506       467,262  
    Long-term debt, net     365,935       361,236  
    Other liabilities     16,182       19,420  
                 
    Commitments and contingencies     20,800       18,043  
                 
    Shareholders’ (deficit) equity:            
    Preferred stock            
    Common stock     2       1  
    Additional paid-in capital     595,407       586,014  
    Retained deficit     (623,819 )     (530,656 )
    Treasury stock     (24,167 )     (24,167 )
    Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity     (52,577 )     31,192  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ (deficit) equity   $ 1,098,930     $ 1,114,005  
                                   
    W&T OFFSHORE, INC.
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    (In thousands)
    (Unaudited)
                                   
        Three Months Ended    
        December 31,    September 30,    December 31,    Year Ended December 31, 
        2024     2024        2023     2024        2023  
    Operating activities:                              
    Net (loss) income   $ (23,362 )   $ (36,921 )   $ (443 )   $ (87,145 )   $ 15,598  
    Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:                              
    Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion     46,365       42,054       41,035       175,399       143,695  
    Share-based compensation     3,818       1,956       3,124       10,192       10,383  
    Amortization and write off of debt issuance costs     1,117       1,109       1,266       4,562       6,980  
    Derivative loss (gain), net     2,113       (3,199 )     (13,199 )     (3,589 )     (54,759 )
    Derivative cash (settlements) receipts, net     (1,638 )     1,208       (2,809 )     4,527       (8,932 )
    Deferred income (benefit) taxes     (1,941 )     (4,545 )     3,838       (10,077 )     18,485  
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                              
    Accounts receivable     (17,064 )     21,913       (2,989 )     (19,621 )     12,586  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     1,792       2,502       (28,262 )     (1,450 )     (2,712 )
    Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other     3,831       (2,962 )     43,155       26,433       7,972  
    Asset retirement obligation settlements     (19,348 )     (8,347 )     (9,052 )     (39,692 )     (33,970 )
    Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities     (4,317 )     14,768       35,664       59,539       115,326  
                                   
    Investing activities:                              
    Investment in oil and natural gas properties and equipment     (14,124 )     (9,577 )     (12,139 )     (37,357 )     (41,813 )
    Acquisition of property interests                 1,479       (80,635 )     (27,384 )
    Deposit related to acquisition of property interests                 8,850              
    Purchase of corporate aircraft                             (8,983 )
    Purchases of furniture, fixtures and other     (19 )     (69 )     (347 )     (185 )     (3,428 )
    Net cash used in investing activities     (14,143 )     (9,646 )     (2,157 )     (118,177 )     (81,608 )
                                   
    Financing activities:                              
    Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                             275,000  
    Repayments of long-term debt     (275 )     (275 )     (7,687 )     (1,100 )     (586,934 )
    Debt issuance costs     (183 )     (174 )           (762 )     (7,380 )
    Payment of dividends     (1,475 )     (1,473 )     (1,466 )     (5,902 )     (1,466 )
    Other     (13 )     (31 )     (9 )     (798 )     (957 )
    Net cash used in financing activities     (1,946 )     (1,953 )     (9,162 )     (8,562 )     (321,737 )
    Change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash     (20,406 )     3,169       24,345       (67,200 )     (288,019 )
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period     130,961       127,792       153,410       177,755       465,774  
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period   $ 110,555     $ 130,961     $ 177,755     $ 110,555     $ 177,755  


    W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

    Non-GAAP Information

    Certain financial information included in W&T’s financial results are not measures of financial performance recognized by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures are “Net Debt,” “Adjusted Net Loss,” “Adjusted EBITDA,” “Free Cash Flow” and “PV-10” or are derivable from a combination of these measures. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in its analysis of performance. These disclosures may not be viewed as a substitute for results determined in accordance with GAAP and are not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures which may be reported by other companies. Prior period amounts have been conformed to the methodology and presentation of the current period.

    We calculate Net Debt as total debt (current and long-term portions), less cash and cash equivalents. Management uses Net Debt to evaluate the Company’s financial position, including its ability to service its debt obligations.

    Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income to Adjusted Net Loss

    Adjusted Net Loss adjusts for certain items that the Company believes affect comparability of operating results, including items that are generally non-recurring in nature or whose timing and/or amount cannot be reasonably estimated. These items include unrealized commodity derivative gain, net, allowance for credit losses, write-off of debt issuance costs, non-recurring legal and IT-related costs, non-ARO P&A costs, and other which are then tax effected using the Federal Statutory Rate. Company management believes that this presentation is relevant and useful because it helps investors to understand the net (loss) income of the Company without the effects of certain non-recurring or unusual expenses and certain income or loss that is not realized by the Company.

                                   
        Three Months Ended    
        December 31,    September 30,    December 31,    Year Ended December 31, 
        2024     2024     2023     2024     2023  
          (in thousands)
          (Unaudited)
    Net (loss) income   $ (23,362 )   $ (36,921 )   $ (443 )   $ (87,145 )   $ 15,598  
    Unrealized commodity derivative gain, net     (497 )     (1,829 )     (14,785 )     (710 )     (58,846 )
    Allowance for credit losses     118       10       28       558       37  
    Write-off debt issuance costs                             2,330  
    Non-recurring legal and IT-related costs     860       (22 )     413       5,798       3,044  
    Non-ARO P&A costs     (2,763 )     16,627       4,137       20,925       6,246  
    Other     (1,302 )     (633 )     (240 )     (1,845 )     31  
    Tax effect of selected items (1)     753       (2,972 )     2,194       (5,192 )     9,903  
    Adjusted net loss   $ (26,193 )   $ (25,740 )   $ (8,696 )   $ (67,611 )   $ (21,657 )
                                   
    Adjusted net loss per common share:                              
    Basic   $ (0.18 )   $ (0.17 )   $ (0.06 )   $ (0.46 )   $ (0.15 )
    Diluted   $ (0.18 )   $ (0.17 )   $ (0.06 )   $ (0.46 )   $ (0.15 )
                                   
    Weighted average shares outstanding:                              
    Basic     147,365       147,206       146,578       147,133       146,483  
    Diluted     147,365       147,206       146,578       147,133       146,483  

    (1)   Selected items were tax effected with the Federal Statutory Rate of 21% for each respective period.


    W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

    Non-GAAP Information

    Adjusted EBITDA/ Free Cash Flow Reconciliations

    The Company also presents non-GAAP financial measures of Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net (loss) income plus net interest expense, income tax (benefit) expense, depreciation, depletion and amortization, ARO accretion, excluding the unrealized commodity derivative gain, allowance for credit losses, non-cash incentive compensation, non-recurring legal and IT-related costs, non-ARO P&A costs, and other. Company management believes this presentation is relevant and useful because it helps investors understand W&T’s operating performance and makes it easier to compare its results with those of other companies that have different financing, capital and tax structures. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for net income, as an indication of operating performance or cash flows from operating activities or as a measure of liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA, as W&T calculates it, may not be comparable to Adjusted EBITDA measures reported by other companies. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA does not represent funds available for discretionary use.

    The Company defines Free Cash Flow as Adjusted EBITDA (defined above), less capital expenditures, P&A costs and net interest expense (all on an accrual basis). For this purpose, the Company’s definition of capital expenditures includes costs incurred related to oil and natural gas properties (such as drilling and infrastructure costs and the lease maintenance costs) and equipment but excludes acquisition costs of oil and gas properties from third parties that are not included in the Company’s capital expenditures guidance provided to investors. Company management believes that Free Cash Flow is an important financial performance measure for use in evaluating the performance and efficiency of its current operating activities after the impact of accrued capital expenditures, P&A costs and net interest expense and without being impacted by items such as changes associated with working capital, which can vary substantially from one period to another. There is no commonly accepted definition of Free Cash Flow within the industry. Accordingly, Free Cash Flow, as defined and calculated by the Company, may not be comparable to Free Cash Flow or other similarly named non-GAAP measures reported by other companies. While the Company includes net interest expense in the calculation of Free Cash Flow, other mandatory debt service requirements of future payments of principal at maturity (if such debt is not refinanced) are excluded from the calculation of Free Cash Flow. These and other non-discretionary expenditures that are not deducted from Free Cash Flow would reduce cash available for other uses.

    The following table presents a reconciliation of the Company’s net (loss) income, a GAAP measure, to Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow, as such terms are defined by the Company:

                                   
        Three Months Ended    
        December 31,      September 30,    December 31,   Year Ended December 31, 
        2024       2024     2023     2024     2023  
        (in thousands)
        (Unaudited)
    Net (loss) income   $ (23,362 )   $ (36,921 )   $ (443 )   $ (87,145 )   $ 15,598  
    Interest expense, net     10,226       9,992       9,729       40,454       44,689  
    Income tax (benefit) expense     (1,849 )     (4,545 )     1,932       (9,985 )     18,345  
    Depreciation, depletion and amortization     38,208       34,206       33,658       143,025       114,677  
    Asset retirement obligations accretion     8,157       7,848       7,377       32,374       29,018  
    Unrealized commodity derivative gain, net     (497 )     (1,829 )     (14,785 )     (710 )     (58,846 )
    Allowance for credit losses     118       10       28       558       37  
    Non-cash incentive compensation     3,818       1,956       3,124       10,192       10,383  
    Non-recurring legal and IT-related costs     860       (22 )     413       5,798       3,044  
    Non-ARO P&A costs     (2,763 )     16,627       4,137       20,925       6,246  
    Other     (1,302 )     (633 )     (240 )     (1,845 )     31  
    Adjusted EBITDA   $ 31,614     $ 26,689     $ 44,930     $ 153,641     $ 183,222  
                                   
    Capital expenditures, accrual basis (1)   $ (12,228 )   $ (4,461 )   $ (10,319 )   $ (28,626 )   $ (41,278 )
    Asset retirement obligation settlements     (19,348 )     (8,347 )     (9,052 )     (39,692 )     (33,970 )
    Interest expense, net     (10,226 )     (9,992 )     (9,729 )     (40,454 )     (44,689 )
    Free Cash Flow   $ (10,188 )   $ 3,889     $ 15,830     $ 44,869     $ 63,285  

    (1) A reconciliation of the adjustment used to calculate Free Cash Flow to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements is included below:

                                   
    Capital expenditures, accrual basis reconciliation                              
    Investment in oil and natural gas properties and equipment   $ (14,124 )   $ (9,577 )   $ (12,139 )   $ (37,357 )   $ (41,813 )
    Less: acquisition related expenditures included in investment in oil and natural gas properties and equipment           (4,929 )           (4,929 )      
    Less: changes in operating assets and liabilities associated with investing activities     (1,896 )     (187 )     (1,820 )     (3,802 )     (535 )
    Capital expenditures, accrual basis   $ (12,228 )   $ (4,461 )   $ (10,319 )   $ (28,626 )   $ (41,278 )

    The following table presents a reconciliation of cash flow from operating activities, a GAAP measure, to Free Cash Flow, as defined by the Company:

                                   
        Three Months Ended    
        December 31,    September 30,    December 31,   Year Ended December 31, 
        2024     2024     2023     2024     2023  
        (in thousands)
        (Unaudited)
    Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities   $ (4,317 )   $ 14,768     $ 35,664     $ 59,539     $ 115,326  
    Allowance for credit losses     118       10       28       558       37  
    Amortization of debt items and other items     (1,117 )     (1,109 )     (1,266 )     (4,562 )     (6,980 )
    Non-recurring legal and IT-related costs     860       (22 )     413       5,798       3,044  
    Current tax (benefit) expense (1)     92             (1,906 )     92       (140 )
    Change in derivatives (payable) receivable (1)     (972 )     162       1,223       (1,648 )     4,845  
    Non-ARO P&A costs     (2,763 )     16,627       4,137       20,925       6,246  
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding asset retirement obligation settlements     11,441       (21,453 )     (11,904 )     (5,362 )     (17,846 )
    Capital expenditures, accrual basis     (12,228 )     (4,461 )     (10,319 )     (28,626 )     (41,278 )
    Other     (1,302 )     (633 )     (240 )     (1,845 )     31  
    Free Cash Flow   $ (10,188 )   $ 3,889     $ 15,830     $ 44,869     $ 63,285  

    (1) A reconciliation of the adjustments used to calculate Free Cash Flow to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements is included below:

                                   
    Current tax (benefit) expense:                              
    Income tax (benefit) expense   $ (1,849 )   $ (4,545 )   $ 1,932     $ (9,985 )   $ 18,345  
    Less: Deferred income (benefit) taxes     (1,941 )     (4,545 )     3,838       (10,077 )     18,485  
    Current tax (benefit) expense   $ 92     $     $ (1,906 )   $ 92     $ (140 )
                                   
    Changes in derivatives receivable (payable)                              
    Derivatives (payable) receivable, end of period   $ (1,377 )   $ (405 )   $ 271     $ (1,377 )   $ 271  
    Derivatives payable (receivable), beginning of period     405       567       952       (271 )     4,574  
    Change in derivatives (payable) receivable   $ (972 )   $ 162     $ 1,223     $ (1,648 )   $ 4,845  


    W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

    Non-GAAP Information

    Reconciliation of PV-10 to Standardized Measure

    The Company also discloses PV-10, which is not a financial measure defined under GAAP. The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure for proved reserves calculated using SEC pricing. Company management believes that the non-GAAP financial measure of PV-10 is relevant and useful for evaluating the relative monetary significance of oil and natural gas properties. PV-10 is also used internally when assessing the potential return on investment related to oil and natural gas properties and in evaluating acquisition opportunities. Company management believes that the use of PV-10 is valuable because there are many unique factors that can impact an individual company when estimating the amount of future income taxes to be paid. Additionally, Company management believes that the presentation of PV-10 provides useful information to investors because it is widely used by professional analysts and sophisticated investors in evaluating oil and natural gas companies. PV-10 is not a measure of financial or operating performance under GAAP, nor is it intended to represent the current market value of the Company’s estimated oil and natural gas reserves. PV-10 should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows as defined under GAAP. Investors should not assume that PV-10 of the Company’s proved oil and natural gas reserves represents a current market value of the Company’s estimated oil and natural gas reserves.

    The following table presents a reconciliation of the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to the Company’s estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves, a GAAP measure, to PV-10, as defined by the Company.

                 
           December 31, 
        2024     2023  
    PV-10   $ 1,229.5     $ 1,080.9  
    Future income taxes, discounted at 10%     (154.8 )     (151.0 )
    PV-10 before ARO     1,074.7       929.9  
    Present value of estimated ARO, discounted at 10%     (334.6 )     (246.7 )
    Standardized measure   $ 740.1     $ 683.2  
         
    CONTACT: Al Petrie Sameer Parasnis
      Investor Relations Coordinator Executive VP and CFO
      investorrelations@wtoffshore.com sparasnis@wtoffshore.com
      713-297-8024 713-513-8654

    Source: W&T Offshore, Inc.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • 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: 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 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
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    + 61 2 8113 5915  | [email protected]
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