Category: Middle East

MIL-OSI Global: The heart is symbol of love – things weren’t always like that

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Michelle Spear, Professor of Anatomy, University of Bristol

Valentine’s Day is all about the hearts: heart-shaped chocolates, cards, balloons and even pizza. But the heart hasn’t always just been a symbol of romance.

Across cultures and centuries, the heart has been revered as the seat of the soul, a source of supernatural power and a vessel of identity. From ancient Egyptian afterlife beliefs to medieval relics, from necromantic rituals to modern heart transplants, this organ has been at the centre of both scientific curiosity and deep-seated mysticism.

Why has the heart, more than any other organ, been imbued with such deep symbolism and power? While anatomy tells us it is a muscular pump controlled by electrical impulses, history tells a more complex story – one of rituals, relics and even dark magic.

The human heart is a remarkably efficient pump, beating about 100,000 times a day and circulating about 7,500 litres of blood. It is driven by the sinoatrial node, a cluster of pacemaker cells that spontaneously generate electrical impulses independently of the brain.

As this intrinsic electrical system does not rely on direct nervous input but is influenced by it, the heart can continue beating for a short while even when removed from the body – provided it has an adequate supply of oxygen and electrolytes. This uncanny quality only reinforced superstitions that the heart was more than just a muscle and may explain why many early cultures viewed the heart as possessing a life force of its own.

But to present the heart as merely a pump ignores wider influences. The heart functions as an endocrine organ, releasing hormones that regulate blood pressure, fluid balance and cardiovascular health.

The connection between the heart and “love hormones”, such as oxytocin, extends beyond metaphor, as research suggests the heart not only responds to oxytocin but may also play a role in its release.

Oxytocin is primarily produced in the brain by the hypothalamus and released from the pituitary gland, flooding the body during moments of affection, trust and bonding. It is the chemical catalyst behind the deep emotional connections that define human relationships.

The heart is equipped with oxytocin receptors, and studies show that the hormone promotes vasodilation (widening of the blood vessels), reducing blood pressure and improving circulation. Beyond this, oxytocin may protect the heart, helping it repair itself and reducing inflammation after injury, such as during a heart attack.

However, the heart’s function was not always understood. The ancient Greeks believed it was the seat of intelligence, while Aristotle dismissed the brain as a mere “cooling fluid” for the heart’s divine fire.

Galen, a Greek physician, surgeon and philosopher who lived during Roman times, described the heart as the body’s furnace, while William Harvey’s 1628 discovery of circulation reshaped our understanding of this important organ. Even so, its symbolic and mystical significance never fully waned.

The seat of the soul

The ancient Egyptians preserved the heart during mummification, believing it would be weighed by Anubis against the Feather of Truth, the divine measure of justice. Ironically, the brain was discarded as totally useless. An excerpt from the Book of the Dead, an ancient Egyptian funerary text, reads:

O my heart which I had from my mother! which I had from my mother! O my heart of my different ages! Don’t stand up as a witness against me. Do not be opposed to me in the tribunal.

This spell is intended to pacify the heart and assert dominion, ensuring it remains loyal when weighed.

The idea that the heart carried more than just blood persisted into the Renaissance, with scholars debating whether it was the true locus of identity.

“If indeed from the heart alone rise anger or passion, fear, terror, and sadness; if from it alone spring shame, delight, and joy, why should I say more?” Andreas de Laguna, a Spanish physician wrote in 1535.

Even today, heart transplants fuel questions about whether a transplanted heart carries something of its donor. Some recipients report changes in personality, memories or food preferences, raising speculation about cellular memory. While no definitive scientific basis exists, such cases continue to intrigue.

Heart of darkness

The heart’s power was not only revered, but feared. In folk magic and necromancy, people believed that the hearts of executed criminals retained energy from their violent deaths. Some thought consuming, burning or preserving a heart could grant knowledge or strength.

In Scotland and England, people reportedly boiled the hearts of murderers to prevent their ghosts from haunting the living. Dried hearts were sometimes ground into powders for potions, while in occult traditions, they were burned in rituals to banish spirits or bind enemies.

More disturbing are accounts of unbaptised infants’ hearts in witchcraft traditions. Some sources claim they were used in hexes, flying ointments or dark pacts. While probably exaggerated during witch trials, such stories reflect a deep-rooted belief in the heart as a conduit of power.

The heart has been a vessel of the soul, a source of magic and a point of conflict between science and superstition. While modern medicine has demystified much of its function, its symbolism remains deeply ingrained in human culture.

This Valentine’s Day, as we exchange stylised hearts in celebration of love, we might pause to remember that the power of the heart has been a symbol of life, death and everything in between for millennia.

Michelle Spear 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. The heart is symbol of love – things weren’t always like that – https://theconversation.com/the-heart-is-symbol-of-love-things-werent-always-like-that-249211

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: From Jewish summer camp to gospel to Chabad, Bob Dylan’s faith doesn’t fit in a box − but he’s long had a connection to Israel

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Shalom Goldman, Professor of Religion, Middlebury

Bob Dylan gives his first concert in Israel in 1987 in Tel Aviv, playing with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. AP Photo/Anat Givon

James Mangold’s film “A Complete Unknown,” nominated for eight Oscars, captures the elusive, enigmatic quality of Bob Dylan in the early 1960s: the years he emerged as a major musical and cultural phenomenon. A scant few years after he came to New York from Minnesota, and legally changed his name from Robert Allen Zimmerman, Dylan transformed American music.

Especially “unknown” and baffling is Dylan’s religious and spiritual identity, one that has undergone many transformations. Mangold’s film avoids these questions, as does his 2005 film “Walk the Line,” a Johnny Cash biopic. The filmmaker – and much of Hollywood in general – must believe religion isn’t good at the box office.

As a music fan and scholar of religion, I have long been interested in artists’ religious backgrounds. Cash’s tumultuous life, like his friend and collaborator Dylan’s, was rich in religious affiliations and commitments.

And both of these musical giants shared a connection with Israel, defying calls to cancel performances there over concern for Palestinian rights – similar to artists’ debates in recent years. Dylan’s, in particular, is difficult to parse and part of his larger spiritual journey – one that’s rambled through Judaism and Christianity and back again.

Bob Zimmerman

The last time Dylan took the stage in Israel was at Tel Aviv’s Ramat Gan Stadium in June 2011. It had been 18 years since his last performance in the country, though he had made many personal visits in the interim.

He was, of course, a household name in Israel, revered by the young as well as the not so young. The audience members that evening, according to the Haaretz reporter who covered the event, were
“overwhelmingly young, overwhelmingly native-born Israelis.”

Surely everyone in attendance knew that Dylan had been born Robert Zimmerman – indeed, that he had a long, complicated relationship with Israel and with Judaism itself.

Bob Dylan, right, and a friend visit the Western Wall in Jerusalem on April 6, 1971.
AP Photo

Young Zimmerman grew up in Hibbing, Minnesota, in a home that emphasized Jewish identity, if not its religious rituals. A visiting Orthodox rabbi had prepared him for his bar mitzvah, which took place in May 1954, with 400 guests in attendance. That summer, Zimmerman attended Camp Herzl in Wisconsin, a Jewish camp with a Zionist orientation; he would return there the following summers as well. At Camp Herzl young Bob formed his first musical group, the Jokers.

In his mid-20s, he married Sara Lownds, a Jewish woman with whom he had five children. Dylan made his first private visit to Israel in 1969 and returned regularly in the early 1970s. In May 1971, he celebrated his 30th birthday in Jerusalem; photos of him at the Western Wall appeared in Israeli and American newspapers, fueling speculation that he had “found religion” in the holy city.

In some ways, the young star put distance between himself and his Jewish roots – he was now Dylan, after all, not Zimmerman. But even in these early years, as throughout his career, “Dylanologists” delighted in the biblical allusions in some of his songs – including irreverent ones, at least at first glance.

“Highway 61 Revised,” for example, the title track of a 1965 album, kicks off with the binding of Isaac: a section of the Book of Genesis where God famously tests Abraham with a command – reprieved at the last moment – to kill his beloved child:

Yeah, God said to Abraham, “Kill me a son”
Abe said, “Man, you must be puttin’ me on”
God said, “No”, Abe said, “What?”

Twists and turns

But Dylan confounded both his admirers and his critics, turning abruptly in the late 1970s to evangelical Christianity. After his conversion, Dylan took a course at Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Los Angeles, which emphasized the end-time narratives of the New Testament Book of Revelation.

Bob Dylan performs in November 1979, during his Gospel Tour, in San Francisco.
Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

His years as a born-again Christian resulted in a series of gospel-influenced albums and at least one more visit to Israel during this early ’80s period. In 1987 he gave his first concerts there, kicking off his Temples in Flames world tour alongside Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Within years of embracing Christianity, however, Dylan’s spiritual life yet again confounded his critics and fans, including the more scholarly obsessives known as “Dylanologists.” Born into Judaism, then a born-again evangelical, the rocker now forged ties to Chabad, an ultra-Orthodox Hasidic Jewish movement. Between 1986 and 1991, he made three appearances on the Chabad “To Life” Telethon, an annual fundraiser broadcast from Los Angeles.

Because Dylan was – and is – so private and publicity-shy, it is difficult to know whether such ecumenism represented true spiritual seeking, a political statement or sheer mischief.

Whether he was presenting himself as a born-again Christian, a supporter of Chabad or just a rock and roller, Dylan seemed inextricably connected to Israel in all its complexity. For example, many listeners interpreted the song “Neighborhood Bully” on his 1983 “Infidels” album as a “declaration of full-throated Israel support,” as Haaretz wrote.

Many fans interpret ‘Neighborhood Bully’ as sympathetic to Israel.

The lyrics presented the title character, the “bully,” as an unrepentant, besieged victim: “His enemies say he’s on their land/ They got him outnumbered a million to one/ He got no place to escape to, no place to run.”

‘Dylan lives here’

Dylan performed again in Israel in June 1993, bringing his summer tour to Tel Aviv, Beersheba and Haifa.

It would be nearly two decades before his next public performance in Israel, the 2011 concert at Ramat Gan. By then, performing in Israel had become much more controversial, with artists planning to tour there under scrutiny.

The boycott, divestment and sanctions movement publicly pressured the singer to cancel his Tel Aviv show, appealing to his past support of the American Civil Rights Movement. Activists called on Dylan “not to perform in Israel until it respects Palestinian human rights. A performance in Israel, today, is a vote of support for its policies of oppression, whether you intend for it to be that, or not.”

Ever the enigmatic artist, Dylan did not respond to the BDS appeal, nor did he cancel his concert. The towering pop-music icon did not say why. But many Israelis and Americans read his return as a gesture of support for the Jewish state in the face of widespread criticism.

Tel Aviv welcomed him with open arms, including a television news profile of his life, music and Jewish affiliations. Though he said nothing from the stage during the performance – late-career Dylan is notorious for not addressing the audience between songs – Israeli fans saw the concert as a triumphant homecoming.

“Dylan lives here. He lives in the culture of Israel,” wrote the Haaretz reviewer. “He has influenced Israel for the better more than any other American Jew.”

Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in 2023, international criticism of Israeli policies has become much more strident. Dylan, as cryptic as ever, has neither joined the critics nor identified himself with Israel’s supporters.

But supporters are posting “Neighborhood Bully” wherever and whenever they can.

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

– ref. From Jewish summer camp to gospel to Chabad, Bob Dylan’s faith doesn’t fit in a box − but he’s long had a connection to Israel – https://theconversation.com/from-jewish-summer-camp-to-gospel-to-chabad-bob-dylans-faith-doesnt-fit-in-a-box-but-hes-long-had-a-connection-to-israel-248739

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Syria’s mass graves: Accounting for the dead and disappeared is crucial for the nation to heal

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Stefan Schmitt, Project Lead for International Technical Forensic Services Global Forensic Justice Center, Florida International University

Shortly after the fall of Bashar Assad in Syria in December 2024, reports emerged of mass graves being uncovered in liberated areas.

Grim as such discoveries are, they should come as little surprise. The scale of the regime’s torture and killings in its detention facilities became evident years earlier, when in January 2014 a forensic photographer defected and left the country with a cache of 55,000 photos of people who had been tortured and died in detention.

As an expert in forensic anthropology and mass casualties in conflict, I was asked to evaluate what became known as the “Caesar photographs.” What was clear to me then, and is even more so now, is that those photos represented a systematic approach to torturing, killing and disappearing massive numbers of people by the Assad regime.

With Assad now gone, the newly formed government of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has vowed to seek justice for the crimes Syrians suffered under Assad. Doing so will be difficult, even with the civil war in Syria being one of the better monitored conflicts in recent history. Yet it is a task that is imperative for the sake of pursuing justice in a shattered country and reducing the likelihood of violence returning to Syria.

Holding perpetrators to account

Since Syria erupted into violence in 2011, several groups have been collecting evidence of human rights violations. These include the Syrian Justice and Accountability Center, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the Syrian Emergency Task Force and the Commission for International Justice and Accountability. Internationally, the United Nations established an International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria in 2016 to assist any investigations and prosecutions of those responsible for serious violations of international law in Syria since March 2011.

Estimates of those killed since the start of civil conflict in 2011 range anywhere from 100,000 to over 600,000, with civilian deaths accounting for at least 160,000.

Many of these deaths have been at the hands of the Assad regime. But different armed groups, including the al-Nusra Front and Islamic State group, have also been accused of atrocities.

From the perspective of holding perpetrators accountable, that could complicate matters. The leader of now ruling Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is the founder of the al-Nusra Front and might not be willing to hold his group or others accountable or acknowledge the crimes of that group.

An uncovered mass grave believed to contain the remains of civilians killed by the ousted Assad regime in Daraa, Syria.
Bekir Kasim/Anadolu via Getty Images

Who investigates?

There are three dimensions of accounting for the missing following conflict. First, there is the task of identifying and repatriating the remains of those in mass graves to allow family and friends to grieve. Second, the rights of victims to know the truth about what happened to their loved ones needs to be addressed. And finally, the process needs to provide justice, accountability and reconciliation, regardless of who was responsible.

But before this can take place, the question of who is responsible for the accounting needs to be addressed.

Countries coming out of civil conflict have turned to different mechanisms, from truth commissions to criminal tribunals. In the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, special U.N. courts were set up to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of grievous crimes. These tribunals were created as independent judicial bodies dedicated to investigating and prosecuting those most responsible for the crimes that had been committed during conflict.

Guatemala, which emerged from a decades-long civil war in 1996, turned to national human rights and victim organizations to take the lead in a process of “transitional justice.” This included the Commission for Historical Clarification, which through its investigation concluded that an estimated 200,000 people had been killed.

The nongovernmental Forensic Anthropology Foundation of Guatemala, or FAFG, has since 1993 formed a fundamental part of searching, identifying and repatriating the missing. FAFG collects personal information, DNA profiles and witness statements and is responsible for protecting the rights of victims’ families in Guatemala’s judicial system.

Its work continues to this day.

What crimes to include

As to the Syrian civil war, a decision over the scope of any investigation into the disappeared and dead will likewise have to be made.

Will it include all those missing and in mass graves in areas held by al-Nusra, the Islamic State group and other armed groups, as well as those killed by Assad? The fact that groups and individuals that now form the government could have been involved in human rights violations may risk future investigations being skewed toward just the victims of Assad.

Even if the scope was narrowed to Assad’s crimes, it’s unclear how far back one should go. Assad rule in Syria began more than 50 years ago under Assad’s father, Hafez al Assad. And killings and disappearances date back to the elder’s time in power, including the 1982 massacre in the city of Hama in which an estimated 20,000 to 40,000 were killed.

The role of the state

Another fact-finding question concerns the sharing of information between civil society groups and the state.

The information gathered on the war by various NGOs so far is technically held or “owned” by such groups, not the Syrian state. This is for a good reason, as victims trust these organizations to protect information from the perpetrators, some of whom might form part of the new government.

The International Commission on Missing Persons, an NGO with its seat in the Netherlands, gained its reputation while identifying the dead from the conflict in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s and early 2000s. It has already collected and stored testimonies from over 76,200 Syrian relatives of more than 28,000 missing persons and has identified 66 mass grave locations. Other organizations have similar testimonies.

But to what extent will these groups share their data and analysis with a future Syrian state led by a rebel group that itself is accused of human rights violations, such as arbitrary detentions and torture?

At some point, the state of Syria will need to be involved in the process. Legally and in practice, the state issues a citizen’s “civil identity” through things such as a birth certificate that establish a person with rights and responsibilities. In the same manner, the state issues death certificates in which the manner of death determines any judicial reactions – such as a criminal investigation in cases where the death is due to homicide.

The state is also important in resolving issues such as inheritance and widower status.

Identifying the remains from the mass graves is therefore not just a “technical” issue dependent on cutting-edge DNA laboratories and missing-persons databases. It is also something that any future Syrian state should work toward, and then own and take responsibility for.

Shifting responsibility away from the state to an international body would not really help Syria develop its own accountability mechanisms or hold the government to delivering justice for the victims and their families.

In my view, empowering victims in this transitional justice process needs to be a priority for the Syrian state. This includes the establishment of a transparent forensic and investigative effort to address the concerns of families searching for loved ones.

It should not, I believe, be outsourced. From my experience with similar processes elsewhere, it is important that Syrians become “experts” in all aspects of this process. No doubt, the task will take time and searching for the truth about what happened, and will involve perpetrators and victims alike.

It might well be a painful and painstaking process. But it is a necessary one if postconflict Syrian is to hold to account those who attempted to “erase” the identity of victims by disappearing them, burying them in mass graves, or leaving them under the bombed rubble of their neighborhoods.

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

– ref. Syria’s mass graves: Accounting for the dead and disappeared is crucial for the nation to heal – https://theconversation.com/syrias-mass-graves-accounting-for-the-dead-and-disappeared-is-crucial-for-the-nation-to-heal-246400

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Nineteenth International Capacity-building Seminar on Trade and Transport Facilitation and data sharing

Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

This event is organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Government of Turkmenistan, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), with the participation of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), the Organisation for Cooperation of Railways (OSJD), the railway agencies of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Iran, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Eurasian Development Bank, and other partners from the States participating in the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA).

This event is part of the implementation of the for the Digitalization of Multimodal Data and Document Exchange along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor Using UN Legal Instruments and Standards, which was adopted by the SPECA Summit on 24 November 2023 in Baku. It follows up on the request of the SPECA Governing Council for capacity-building on the UN/CEFACT standards.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Petroleum liquids supply growth driven by non-OPEC+ countries in 2025 and 2026

Source: US Energy Information Administration

In-depth analysis

February 13, 2025

We forecast that worldwide production of petroleum and other liquids in 2025 and 2026 will grow more in non-OPEC+ countries than in OPEC+ countries in our February Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO). We estimate that total world petroleum and other liquids supply increased by about 0.6 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2024 and will increase by 1.9 million b/d in 2025 and 1.6 million b/d in 2026. Increasing crude oil production from four countries in the Americas—the United States, Guyana, Canada, and Brazil—drives this growth. Because of ongoing production restraint among OPEC+ countries, we forecast the group’s production to grow by 0.1 million b/d in 2025 and 0.6 million b/d in 2026.

Global petroleum liquids production outside of OPEC+ grew by 1.8 million b/d in 2024 and grows by 1.8 million b/d in 2025 and 1.0 million b/d in 2026 in our forecast. We forecast production will grow from 2024 to 2026 by 0.5 million b/d in Canada, 0.3 million b/d in Guyana, and 0.3 million b/d in Brazil. Most of the forecast growth comes from the United States, where we expect production to grow by 1.1 million b/d over the same period.

The United States continues to produce more crude oil and petroleum liquids than any other country. U.S. crude oil production increased to 13.2 million b/d in 2024 due partly to improved efficiency with fewer rigs. We expect production of petroleum liquids in the United States to increase by 0.6 million b/d in 2025 and by 0.5 million b/d in 2026. The Permian region accounts for about 50% of U.S. crude oil production of 13.7 million b/d in 2026 in our forecast. Further, the growth in the Permian offsets contractions in other regions.

In 2024, Canada was the fourth-largest oil producing nation, trailing only the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Russia. We forecast production of petroleum and other liquids to grow in Canada by 0.3 million b/d in 2025 and 0.2 million b/d in 2026, starting at 6.0 million b/d in 2024. Production growth in Canada is supported by the start-up of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion that transports oil to Canada’s West Coast for access to export markets from landlocked Alberta.

We expect producers in Brazil to add new Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units to existing fields in the Santos Basin. The Alexandre de Gusmão will be the fifth FPSO installed at the Mero field and will begin production in mid-2025. Also in 2025, the FPSOs Almirante Tamandaré and P-78 in the Búzios field in the Santos Basin plan to begin operations. We forecast that these new projects will increase petroleum liquids production in Brazil by 0.1 million b/d in 2025 and 0.2 million b/d in 2026.

We forecast that petroleum liquids production in Guyana will increase by 0.2 million b/d in 2025 and 0.1 million b/d in 2026, driven by the start-up of the Yellowtail project within the Stabroek block. The development of the Stabroek block includes three projects, Yellowtail, Uaru, and Whiptail, where we expect the combined production capacity to reach approximately 1.3 million b/d by the end of 2027.

Production from OPEC+ members accounted for 47% (35.7 million b/d) of global crude oil production in 2024. We forecast that OPEC+ crude oil production will increase by 0.1 million b/d in 2025 as the group gradually increases production in line with the timeline agreed to at the meeting held in December 2024. In addition, the voluntary cuts of 2.2 million b/d that were announced in November 2023 will be extended until the end of March 2025 and then gradually phased out by the end of September 2026. The additional voluntary production cuts of 1.65 million b/d that were announced in April 2023 were extended until the end of December 2026.

We expect OPEC+’s share of global oil production to decrease by one percentage point to 46% in 2025 and 2026, compared with 53% in 2016 when the expanded group was initially formed. OPEC’s surplus crude oil production capacity was 4.6 million b/d in 2024, 103% (2.3 million b/d) more than in 2019.

Saudi Arabia is the largest oil producer in OPEC by volume, representing about a third of the group’s total supply. In 2024, Saudi Arabia produced 9.0 million b/d, down 13% (1.4 million b/d) compared with 2022—before OPEC+ announced the extension of its additional voluntary cuts.

Among the OPEC+ members, Russia was the largest crude oil producer in 2024, averaging 9.2 million b/d. After Russia and Saudi Arabia, the largest producers by volume were Iraq (4.4 million b/d), the United Arab Emirates (2.9 million b/d), and Kuwait (2.5 million b/d).

Principal contributor: Kenya Schott

MIL OSI USA News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Hamas says to implement Gaza ceasefire agreement

Source: China State Council Information Office

Hamas confirmed on Thursday that it would continue implementing the ceasefire agreement with Israel as signed, including the exchange of Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages according to the agreed timetable.

In a statement, Hamas said its delegation had held talks in Cairo with mediators to discuss the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and the prisoner-for-hostage exchange, especially in the wake of what it described as “the successive Israeli violations” of the deal.

The discussion focused on the necessity of implementing all provisions of the agreement, especially with regard to securing housing for Gazans and the urgent entry of prefabricated houses, tents, heavy equipment, medical supplies, fuel, and the continued flow of relief, as well as other things as stipulated in the agreement, it said.

The statement added that mediators from Egypt and Qatar had confirmed their commitment to addressing obstacles and closing gaps to ensure implementation.

Hamas announced on Monday that the handover of the hostages who were scheduled to be released on Saturday would be postponed until further notice.

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that his country would resume “intense fighting” if Hamas fails to meet the deadline, without specifying the number of hostages to be released.

Hamas’ decision prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to suggest that Israel cancel the agreement entirely, saying all hostages must be freed by noon on Saturday or he would “let hell break out.”

MIL OSI China News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: VATICAN/GENERAL AUDIENCE – Pope Francis: “God does not dismantle the structures of the world, but wants to recreate them from within”

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Wednesday, 12 February 2025

Vatican Media

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – When the Evangelist Luke tells us about the birth of Jesus, he shows us “the humility of a God who comes into history, does not dismantle the structures of the world, but wants to illuminate them and recreate them from within”, says the Pope’s catechesis at the general audience, read for the Pope by a member of the Secretariat of State, Father Pierluigi Giroli.In the cycle of catechesis – Jubilee 2025, Jesus Christ our Hope, the Pope deals with the event of the birth of Jesus with numerous quotes from the book “The Infancy Narratives” by Benedict XVI.The Son of God, says the Pope, “enters history as our travelling companion, and begins to travel while still in His mother’s womb. As soon as He was conceived, He went from Nazareth to the house of Zechariah and Elizabeth; and then, at the end of the pregnancy, from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the census. The long-awaited Messiah, allows Himself to be counted, that is, counted and registered, like any other citizen. He submits to the decree of an emperor, Caesar Augustus, who thinks he is the master of all the earth.”Luke places Jesus’ birth in “an exactly datable time” and in “an exactly indicated geographical setting”, so that “the universal and the concrete touch each other”. However, “Jesus is born a way entirely unprecedented for a king. The Son of God is not born in a royal palace, but at the back of a house, in the space where the animals are kept”.The evangelist “shows us that God does not come into the world with resounding proclamations, he does not manifest himself with noise, but begins his journey in humility”. And “the first witnesses” of this event are “the shepherds”, men who are “on the margins of society”. Nevertheless, the Pope said, “they practice the occupation by which God himself makes himself known to his people (cf. Gen 48:15; 49:24; Ps 23:1; 80:2; Is 40:11)”. They are the ones chosen by God “as the recipients of the most beautiful news that has ever resounded in history”.They are the first to learn “that the long-awaited Messiah is born in a very humble place, and he is born for them, to be their Saviour, their shepherd. This news opens their hearts to wonder, praise and joyful proclamation,” so that they “become the first to see the most essential thing of all: the gift of salvation”.At the end of the catechesis and the greetings in the other languages, the Pope took the microphone only for the greetings in Spanish and Italian to make another appeal for peace: “I think of the many countries that are at war. Sisters, brothers, let us pray for peace. Let us do our utmost for peace. Do not forget that war is a defeat. Always. We were not born to kill, but to make peoples grow. May pathways of peace be found. Please, in your daily prayer, ask for peace. Tormented Ukraine… how it suffers. Then, think of Palestine, Israel, Myanmar, North Kivu, South Sudan. So many countries at war. Please, let us pray for peace. Let us do penance for peace,” he concluded. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 12/2/2025)
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MIL OSI Europe News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Eugene Doyle: Will New Zealand invade the Cook Islands to stop China? Seriously

Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. –

The New Zealand government and the mainstream media have gone ballistic (thankfully not literally just yet) over the move by the small Pacific nation to sign a strategic partnership with China in Beijing this week.

It is the latest in a string of island nations that have signalled a closer relationship with China, something that rattles nerves and sabres in Wellington and Canberra.

The Chinese have politely told the Kiwis to back off. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters that China and the Cook Islands have had diplomatic relations since 1997 which “should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party”.

“New Zealand is rightly furious about it,” a TVNZ Pacific affairs writer editorialised to the nation. The deal and the lack of prior consultation was described by various journalists as “damaging”, “of significant concern”, “trouble in paradise”, an act by a “renegade government”.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters, not without cause, railed at what he saw as the Cook Islands government going against long-standing agreements to consult over defence and security issues.

“Should New Zealand invade the Cook islands?” . . . New Zealand Herald columnist Matthew Hooton’s view in an “oxygen-starved media environment” amid rattled nerves. Image: New Zealand Herald screenshot APR

‘Clearly about secession’
Matthew Hooton, who penned the article in The Herald, is a major commentator on various platforms.

“Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown’s dealings with China are clearly about secession from the realm of New Zealand,” Hooton said without substantiation but with considerable colonial hauteur.

“His illegal moves cannot stand. It would be a relatively straightforward military operation for our SAS to secure all key government buildings in the Cook Islands’ capital, Avarua.”

This could be written off as the hyperventilating screeching of someone trying to drum up readers but he was given a major platform to do so and New Zealanders live in an oxygen-starved media environment where alternative analysis is hard to find.

The Cook Islands, with one of the largest Exclusive Economic Zones in the world — a whopping 2 million sq km — is considered part of New Zealand’s backyard, albeit over 3000 km to the northeast. The deal with China is focused on economics not security issues, according to Cooks Prime Minister Mark Brown.

Deep sea mining may be on the list of projects as well as trade cooperation, climate, tourism, and infrastructure.

The Cook Islands seafloor is believed to have billions of tons of polymetallic nodules of cobalt, copper, nickel and manganese, something that has even caught the attention of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Various players have their eyes on it.

Glen Johnson, writing in Le Monde Diplomatique, reported last year:

“Environmentalists have raised major concerns, particularly over the destruction of deep-sea habitats and the vast, choking sediment plumes that excavation would produce.”

All will be revealed
Even Cook Island’s citizens have not been consulted on the details of the deal, including deep sea mining. Clearly, this should not be the case. All will be revealed shortly.

New Zealand and the Cook Islands have had formal relations since 1901 when the British “transferred” the islands to New Zealand. Cook Islanders have a curious status: they hold New Zealand passports but are recognised as their own country. The US government went a step further on September 25, 2023. President Joe Biden said:

“Today I am proud to announce that the United States recognises the Cook Islands as a sovereign and independent state and will establish diplomatic relations between our two nations.”

A move to create their own passports was undermined by New Zealand officials who successfully stymied the plan.

New Zealand has taken an increasingly hostile stance vis-a-vis China, with PM Luxon describing the country as a “strategic competitor” while at the same time depending on China as our biggest trading partner. The government and a compliant mainstream media sing as one choir when it comes to China: it is seen as a threat, a looming pretender to be South Pacific hegemon, replacing the flip-flopping, increasingly incoherent USA.

Climate change looms large for island nations. Much of the Cooks’ tourism infrastructure is vulnerable to coastal inundation and precious reefs are being destroyed by heating sea temperatures.

“One thing that New Zealand has got to get its head round is the fact that the Trump administration has withdrawn from the Paris Climate Accord,” Dr Robert Patman, professor of international relations at Otago University, says. “And this is a big deal for most Pacific Island states — and that means that the Cook Islands nation may well be looking for greater assistance elsewhere.”

Diplomatic spat with global coverage
The story of the diplomatic spat has been covered in the Middle East, Europe and Asia. Eyebrows are rising as yet again New Zealand, a close ally of Israel and a participant in the US Operation Prosperity Guardian to lift the Houthi Red Sea blockade of Israel, shows its Western mindset.

Matthew Hooton’s article is the kind of colonialist fantasy masquerading as geopolitical analysis that damages New Zealand’s reputation as a friend to the smaller nations of our region.

Yes, the Chinese have an interest in our neck of the woods — China is second only to Australia in supplying much-needed development assistance to the region.

It is sound policy not insurrection for small nations to diversify economic partnerships and secure development opportunities for their people. That said, serious questions should be posed and deserve to be answered.

Geopolitical analyst Dr Geoffrey Miller made a useful contribution to the debate saying there was potential for all three parties to work together:

“There is no reason why New Zealand can’t get together with China and the Cook Islands and develop some projects together,” Dr Miller says. “Pacific states are the winners here because there is a lot of competition for them”.

I think New Zealand and Australia could combine more effectively with a host of South Pacific island nations and form a more effective regional voice with which to engage with the wider world and collectively resist efforts by the US and China to turn the region into a theatre of competition.

We throw the toys out
We throw the toys out of the cot when the Cooks don’t consult with us but shrug when Pasifika elders like former Tuvalu PM Enele Sopoaga call us out for ignoring them.

In Wellington last year, I heard him challenge the bigger powers, particularly Australia and New Zealand, to remember that the existential threat faced by Pacific nations comes first from climate change. He also reminded New Zealanders of the commitment to keeping the South Pacific nuclear-free.

To succeed, a “Pacific for the peoples of the Pacific” approach would suggest our ministries of foreign affairs should halt their drift to being little more than branch offices of the Pentagon and that our governments should not sign up to US Great Power competition with China.

Ditching the misguided anti-China AUKUS project would be a good start.

Friends to all, enemies of none. Keep the Pacific peaceful, neutral and nuclear-free.

Eugene Doyle is a community organiser and activist in Wellington, New Zealand. He received an Absolutely Positively Wellingtonian award in 2023 for community service. His first demonstration was at the age of 12 against the Vietnam War. This article was first published at his public policy website Solidarity and is republished here with permission.

This article was first published on Café Pacific.

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: Myanmar: Recklessly abrupt US aid stoppage poses existential threat to human rights

Source: Amnesty International –

The United States government’s abrupt and sweeping freeze on foreign aid is severely imperiling the human rights of refugees, civilians in armed conflict areas and individuals fleeing persecution in Myanmar, Amnesty International said today.

The organization warned that lives could be lost unless the decision is urgently reversed, amended or if waivers for life-saving assistance are not immediately granted and swiftly implemented for those working on the ground.

“The Trump administration’s cruel decision to issue immediate stop work orders on foreign aid is having an instant and devastating impact across the globe, and in Myanmar it is hitting people at a particularly dark hour,” said Amnesty International’s Myanmar Researcher Joe Freeman.

“The decision has abruptly shut down hospitals in refugee camps, put fleeing human rights defenders at risk of deportation and imperiled programs helping people prevent atrocities, survive in conflict zones and rebuild their lives amid ongoing waves of violence.”

On 20 January, US President Donald Trump signed a presidential executive order pausing all foreign aid amid a 90-day review of whether it is consistent with American foreign policy. On 24 January, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a stop work order to those delivering assistance worldwide as part of the review, but carved out exemptions to the pause for emergency food assistance, as well as military aid to Israel and Egypt.

An additional waiver dated 28 January exempted “life-saving humanitarian assistance” from the stoppage, while follow-up clarifications in the first week of February broadened the exemptions for specific activities. However, based on Amnesty’s latest research, implementation of these waivers has yet to trickle down to many organizations working along the Thai-Myanmar border.

“The US government’s shocking move has had immediate global impacts whose real-life consequences are still being felt and understood. Our findings from Myanmar and Thailand provide just one example of the damage wrought by this heartless decision,” Joe Freeman said.

In Myanmar, the funding pause has further devastated a civilian population already enduring escalating armed conflict, widespread displacement and severe human rights violations by a military that seized power in a coup more than four years ago. It has also sowed chaos, desperation and anguish among tens of thousands of Myanmar refugees living in Thailand.

The US is effectively giving the rights-abusing Myanmar military an invaluable gift in their crackdown on freedom of expression

To date, US funding has helped many endure the upheaval by supporting emergency shelter or relocation for activists, delivering food aid, helping create early-warning systems for air strikes, delivering medical treatment in war zones and providing education opportunities to those who have lost all hope of a future.

From 3-10 February, Amnesty International spoke to 12 Myanmar refugees living in camps along the border in Thailand, along with representatives from 14 organizations with Myanmar-focused activities. They include health workers, human rights researchers and NGOs providing cross-border assistance as well as media and education providers. All warned of severe consequences if the decision was not reversed or amended. Not one had received a communication or confirmation of a waiver from the US government to continue operations.

MIL OSI NGO –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: Secretary-General/African Union Summit, France, Yemen & other topics – Daily Press Briefing

Source: United Nations (Video News)

Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:
– Secretary-General/African Union Summit
– Secretary-General/France
– Yemen
– Namibia
– Security Council/Syria
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Democratic Republic of Congo/Peacekeeping
– Democratic Republic of Congo/Humanitarian
– Bangladesh
– International Day
– Guest Tomorrow
– Financial Contribution

SECRETARY-GENERAL/AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT
On Thursday morning, the Secretary-General will arrive in Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia, to take part in the 38th African Union Summit.  While there, he is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the leadership of the African Union Commission, Ethiopian authorities as well as Heads of State and Government from the continent.
On Friday, he is also scheduled to take part in meetings of the AU Peace and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government, concerning the situations in Sudan and the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
On Saturday morning, the Secretary-General will attend the opening session of the African Union Summit. He will deliver remarks, during which he will reaffirm that the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union has never been stronger.
He is also expected to reiterate his calls for reforms of the international financial architecture, as well as for permanent representation of African countries at the Security Council.
On Saturday, the Secretary-General is also scheduled to hold a press conference. 

SECRETARY-GENERAL/FRANCE
Before leaving Paris for Addis Ababa to attend the African Union Summit, the Secretary-General visited the headquarters of Reporters Sans Frontières, where he met with its Director General, Thibaut Bruttin.
Addressing the staff, the Secretary-General said that organizations like RSF are on the front line in the common fight for truth against fiction, for science against conspiracy, and for the fight against impunity when journalists face violence and even death. 
The Secretary-General said the struggle to defend freedom of the press and the journalists themselves is essential to preserve our democracies.

YEMEN
The Secretary-General strongly condemned the death in detention on 10 February of a World Food Programme (WFP) colleague who had been arbitrarily detained by the Houthi de facto authorities since 23 January 2025. The circumstances surrounding this deplorable tragedy remain unclear, and the United Nations is urgently seeking explanations from the Houthi de facto authorities.
The Secretary-General has called for an immediate, transparent and thorough investigation and for those responsible to be held accountable. In his statement, he said that the continued arbitrary detention of dozens of personnel from the United Nations, national and international non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions, is unacceptable. He renewed his call for their immediate and unconditional release.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/ossg/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=12+February+2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2VnzpsJw4U

MIL OSI Video –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: Football for the Goals – Generation Amazing Foundation on the Initiative | SGDs | United Nations

Source: United Nations (Video News)

In this episode of the Football for the Goals Q&A video series, we sit down with Executive Director of the Generation Amazing Foundation, Nasser Al Khori. We discuss why his organisation joined the Football for the Goals Initiative, the social impact of Generation Amazing, and its plans for advancing the SDGs.

Generation Amazing is a social and human development programme launched in 2010 as part of Qatar’s FIFA World Cup bid, using football to drive positive change in underserved communities worldwide. Through initiatives focused on education, inclusion, and sustainability, the programme empowers youth with life skills and opportunities to create lasting social impact.

————————————-

Football for the Goals is a United Nations initiative that provides a platform for the global football community to engage with and advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is an opportunity to build on football’s powerful and influential reach and to work together to become agents of change by aligning messaging, strategies and operations with the aspirations of the SDGs.

This initiative will inspire and guide the world of football – from confederations, national associations, leagues and clubs, to players’ associations, organized fan groups, as well as media and commercial partners – to build on existing sustainability approaches and to implement SDG strategies that lead to behavioural change.

Members may not only aspire to develop sustainable practices, but may also act as champions of the SDGs during the Decade of Action (2020-2030). Members will use their visibility and outreach power via tournaments, players, corporate brand exposure, media and fan communities to raise the profile of the SDGs through amplification and advocacy. They will inspire action by demonstrating how these sustainable practices can be mainstreamed through any business model, including sport.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rksZ09rHaf0

MIL OSI Video –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: VATICAN/GENERAL AUDIENCE – Pope Francis: “God does not destroy the structures of the world, but wants to recreate them from within”

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Wednesday, 12 February 2025

Vatican Media

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – When the Evangelist Luke tells us about the birth of Jesus, he shows us “the humility of a God who comes into history, does not dismantle the structures of the world, but wants to illuminate them and recreate them from within”, says the Pope’s catechesis at the general audience, read for the Pope by a member of the Secretariat of State, Father Pierluigi Giroli.In the cycle of catechesis – Jubilee 2025, Jesus Christ our Hope, the Pope deals with the event of the birth of Jesus with numerous quotes from the book “The Infancy Narratives” by Benedict XVI.The Son of God, says the Pope, “enters history as our travelling companion, and begins to travel while still in His mother’s womb. As soon as He was conceived, He went from Nazareth to the house of Zechariah and Elizabeth; and then, at the end of the pregnancy, from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the census. The long-awaited Messiah, allows Himself to be counted, that is, counted and registered, like any other citizen. He submits to the decree of an emperor, Caesar Augustus, who thinks he is the master of all the earth.”Luke places Jesus’ birth in “an exactly datable time” and in “an exactly indicated geographical setting”, so that “the universal and the concrete touch each other”. However, “Jesus is born a way entirely unprecedented for a king. The Son of God is not born in a royal palace, but at the back of a house, in the space where the animals are kept”.The evangelist “shows us that God does not come into the world with resounding proclamations, he does not manifest himself with noise, but begins his journey in humility”. And “the first witnesses” of this event are “the shepherds”, men who are “on the margins of society”. Nevertheless, the Pope said, “they practice the occupation by which God himself makes himself known to his people (cf. Gen 48:15; 49:24; Ps 23:1; 80:2; Is 40:11)”. They are the ones chosen by God “as the recipients of the most beautiful news that has ever resounded in history”.They are the first to learn “that the long-awaited Messiah is born in a very humble place, and he is born for them, to be their Saviour, their shepherd. This news opens their hearts to wonder, praise and joyful proclamation,” so that they “become the first to see the most essential thing of all: the gift of salvation”.At the end of the catechesis and the greetings in the other languages, the Pope took the microphone only for the greetings in Spanish and Italian to make another appeal for peace: “I think of the many countries that are at war. Sisters, brothers, let us pray for peace. Let us do our utmost for peace. Do not forget that war is a defeat. Always. We were not born to kill, but to make peoples grow. May pathways of peace be found. Please, in your daily prayer, ask for peace. Tormented Ukraine… how it suffers. Then, think of Palestine, Israel, Myanmar, North Kivu, South Sudan. So many countries at war. Please, let us pray for peace. Let us do penance for peace,” he concluded. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 12/2/2025)
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MIL OSI Europe News –

February 14, 2025

MIL-OSI Europe: Minutes – Wednesday, 12 February 2025 – Strasbourg – Final edition

Source: European Parliament

PV-10-2025-02-12

iPlPv_Sit

Minutes
Wednesday, 12 February 2025 – Strasbourg

IN THE CHAIR: Roberta METSOLA
President

1. Opening of the sitting

The sitting opened at 09:04.

2. Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading (Rule 72) (action taken)

The decision of the AFET and BUDG committees to enter into interinstitutional negotiations had been announced on 10 February 2025 (minutes of 10.2.2025, item 7).

As no request for a vote pursuant to Rule 72(2) had been made, the committees responsible had been able to enter into negotiations upon expiry of the deadline.

3. Commission Work Programme 2025 (debate)

Commission statement: Commission Work Programme 2025 (2025/2500(RSP))

The President gave explanations on the conduct of the debate, as a new format was being tested.

The following spoke: Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, on the presence of the Commission at the debate.

Maroš Šefčovič (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

The following spoke: Jeroen Lenaers, on behalf of the PPE Group, Iratxe García Pérez, on behalf of the S&D Group, Jordan Bardella, on behalf of the PfE Group, Nicola Procaccini, on behalf of the ECR Group, Valérie Hayer, on behalf of the Renew Group, Bas Eickhout, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Martin Schirdewan, on behalf of The Left Group, René Aust, on behalf of the ESN Group, Tomas Tobé, Camilla Laureti, Sebastiaan Stöteler, who also answered a blue-card question from Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Patryk Jaki, who also answered a blue-card question from Yvan Verougstraete, Billy Kelleher, Kira Marie Peter-Hansen, who also answered a blue-card question from Tomáš Zdechovský, Pasquale Tridico, Christine Anderson, Kateřina Konečná, who also answered a blue-card question from Tomáš Zdechovský, Dolors Montserrat, Mohammed Chahim, Tamás Deutsch, who also answered a blue-card question from Martin Hojsík, Lídia Pereira, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Gabriele Bischoff, Charlie Weimers, who also answered a blue-card question from Petras Gražulis, Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, who also answered a blue-card question from Sander Smit, Željana Zovko, Damian Boeselager, Andrey Novakov, Yannis Maniatis, Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Adrian-George Axinia, Gordan Bosanac, Tomislav Sokol, Ana Catarina Mendes, Irene Montero, Monika Beňová, Lena Düpont, Alex Agius Saliba, Karlo Ressler, Paolo Borchia, Assita Kanko, Martin Hojsík, Angelika Niebler, Anna Bryłka, Zsuzsanna Borvendég, Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi, Heléne Fritzon, Harald Vilimsky, Beata Szydło, Paulo Cunha, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Mario Mantovani, Hannah Neumann, Li Andersson, Thomas Geisel, Nikolina Brnjac, Kathleen Van Brempt, Gilles Pennelle, Ioan-Rareş Bogdan and Marion Maréchal.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Michał Wawrykiewicz, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Hilde Vautmans, Tilly Metz, Lynn Boylan, Lukas Sieper, Sunčana Glavak, Maria Grapini, Bert-Jan Ruissen, Seán Kelly, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Thomas Bajada, Cristina Maestre and Jean-Marc Germain.

The following spoke: Maroš Šefčovič.

The following spoke: Jeroen Lenaers, who referred to the presence of the Commission at the debate.

The debate closed.

4. One year after the murder of Alexei Navalny and the continued repression of the democratic opposition in Russia (debate)

Statements by Parliament: One year after the murder of Alexei Navalny and the continued repression of the democratic opposition in Russia (2024/2526(RSP))

The President made an introductory address.

The following spoke: Sandra Kalniete, on behalf of the PPE Group, Andreas Schieder, on behalf of the S&D Group, Pierre-Romain Thionnet, on behalf of the PfE Group, Nicola Procaccini, on behalf of the ECR Group, Bernard Guetta, on behalf of the Renew Group, Sergey Lagodinsky, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Martin Schirdewan, on behalf of The Left Group, and Petar Volgin, on behalf of the ESN Group.

The debate closed.

(The sitting was suspended for a few moments.)

IN THE CHAIR: Sophie WILMÈS
Vice-President

5. Resumption of the sitting

The sitting resumed at 12:05.

6. Voting time

For detailed results of the votes, see also ‘Results of votes’ and ‘Results of roll-call votes’.

6.1. VAT: rules for the digital age * (vote)

Report on the draft Council directive amending Directive 2006/112/EC as regards VAT rules for the digital age [15159/2024 – C10-0170/2024 – 2022/0407(CNS)] – Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. Rapporteur: Ľudovít Ódor (A10-0001/2025)

(Majority of the votes cast)

COUNCIL DRAFT

Approved by single vote (P10_TA(2025)0012)

The following had spoken:

Before the vote, Ľudovít Ódor (rapporteur) to make a statement on the basis of Rule 165(4).

(‘Results of votes’, item 1)

6.2. Administrative cooperation in the field of taxation * (vote)

Report on the proposal for a Council directive amending Directive 2011/16/EU on administrative cooperation in the field of taxation [COM(2024)0497 – C10-0169/2024 – 2024/0276(CNS)] – Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. Rapporteur: Aurore Lalucq (A10-0002/2025)

(Majority of the votes cast)

COMMISSION PROPOSAL AU CONSEIL

Approved by single vote (P10_TA(2025)0013)

(‘Results of votes’, item 2)

6.3. Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): Genetically modified maize DP910521 (vote)

Motion for a resolution tabled by the ENVI Committee, in accordance with Rule 115(2) and 115(3), (B10-0061/2025) – Members responsible: Martin Häusling, Biljana Borzan, Anja Hazekamp

(Majority of the votes cast)

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0014)

(‘Results of votes’, item 3)

6.4. Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): Genetically modified maize MON 95275 (vote)

Motion for a resolution tabled by the ENVI Committee, in accordance with Rule 115(2) and 115(3), on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 95275 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (D102172/03 – 2024/3011(RSP)) (B10-0060/2025) – Members responsible: Martin Häusling, Biljana Borzan, Anja Hazekamp

(Majority of the votes cast)

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0015)

(‘Results of votes’, item 4)

(The sitting was suspended at 12:11.)

IN THE CHAIR: Martin HOJSÍK
Vice-President

7. Resumption of the sitting

The sitting resumed at 12:15.

8. Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

The minutes of the previous sitting were approved.

9. Collaboration between conservatives and the far right as a threat to competitiveness in the EU (topical debate)

The following spoke: René Repasi to open the debate proposed by the S&D Group.

The following spoke: Adam Szłapka (President-in-Office of the Council) and Stéphane Séjourné (Executive Vice-President of the Commission).

The following spoke: Daniel Caspary, on behalf of the PPE Group, Javi López, on behalf of the S&D Group, António Tânger Corrêa, on behalf of the PfE Group, Carlo Fidanza, on behalf of the ECR Group, Billy Kelleher, on behalf of the Renew Group, Daniel Freund, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Martin Schirdewan, on behalf of The Left Group, Ivan David, on behalf of the ESN Group, Lukas Mandl, Heléne Fritzon, Klara Dostalova, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Sandro Gozi, Maria Ohisalo, Marina Mesure, Markus Buchheit, Lukas Sieper, Angelika Niebler, Katarina Barley, Anders Vistisen, Charlie Weimers, Charles Goerens, Thomas Waitz, Jussi Saramo, Erik Kaliňák, Alma Ezcurra Almansa, Mohammed Chahim, Paolo Borchia, Assita Kanko, Moritz Körner, Reinier Van Lanschot, Luis-Vicențiu Lazarus, Riho Terras, Alessandra Moretti, Ondřej Knotek, Stefano Cavedagna, Anna Stürgkh, Majdouline Sbai, François-Xavier Bellamy, Andreas Schieder, Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Cristian Terheş, Stefan Berger, Vasile Dîncu, Afroditi Latinopoulou, Thomas Pellerin-Carlin, Csaba Dömötör, Estelle Ceulemans, Jean-Paul Garraud, Tiemo Wölken and Marc Angel.

The following spoke: Stéphane Séjourné and Adam Szłapka.

The debate closed.

10. Competitiveness Compass (debate)

Council and Commission statements: Competitiveness Compass (2025/2531(RSP))

Adam Szłapka (President-in-Office of the Council) and Stéphane Séjourné (Executive Vice-President of the Commission) made the statements.

The following spoke: Christian Ehler, on behalf of the PPE Group.

IN THE CHAIR: Roberts ZĪLE
Vice-President

The following spoke: Mohammed Chahim, on behalf of the S&D Group, Tom Vandendriessche, on behalf of the PfE Group, Johan Van Overtveldt, on behalf of the ECR Group, Morten Løkkegaard, on behalf of the Renew Group, Marie Toussaint, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Hanna Gedin, on behalf of The Left Group, Sarah Knafo, on behalf of the ESN Group, Markus Ferber, Gabriele Bischoff, who also answered a blue-card question from Bogdan Rzońca, Anders Vistisen, Piotr Müller, João Cotrim De Figueiredo, Ville Niinistö, Anthony Smith, Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos, Peter Liese, Alex Agius Saliba, Julie Rechagneux, who also answered a blue-card question from Anthony Smith, Elena Donazzan, Pascal Canfin, Sara Matthieu, Per Clausen, who also answered a blue-card question from Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Andreas Schwab, Irene Tinagli, who also answered a blue-card question from Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă, András Gyürk, Gheorghe Piperea, Svenja Hahn, João Oliveira, Lídia Pereira, Aurore Lalucq, Jana Nagyová, Giovanni Crosetto, Anna-Maja Henriksson, Rudi Kennes, Massimiliano Salini, Ana Catarina Mendes, who also answered blue-card questions from João Oliveira and Lídia Pereira, Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, who also answered a blue-card question from Dario Nardella, Kosma Złotowski, Anna Stürgkh, Fernando Navarrete Rojas, Estelle Ceulemans, Sebastian Kruis, Dick Erixon, Jeannette Baljeu, Jens Gieseke, Jonás Fernández, Tomasz Buczek, Antonella Sberna, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Tom Berendsen, Laura Ballarín Cereza, Pascale Piera, Nora Junco García, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Pilar del Castillo Vera, Dario Nardella, Ľudovít Ódor, Eszter Lakos and Carla Tavares.

IN THE CHAIR: Christel SCHALDEMOSE
Vice-President

The following spoke: Virgil-Daniel Popescu, Lara Wolters, Jessica Polfjärd, Delara Burkhardt, Eero Heinäluoma, Victor Negrescu and Marcos Ros Sempere.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Hélder Sousa Silva, Nina Carberry, Maria Zacharia, Maria Grapini and Sebastian Tynkkynen.

The following spoke: Stéphane Séjourné and Adam Szłapka.

The debate closed.

11. Composition of committees and delegations

The ECR Group had notified the President of the following decisions changing the composition of the committees and delegations:

– ITRE Committee: Diego Solier to replace Carlo Ciccioli

– PETI Committee: Chiara Gemma

The decisions took effect as of that day.

12. Need for targeted support to EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine (debate)

Council and Commission statements: Need for targeted support to EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine (2025/2532(RSP))

Adam Szłapka (President-in-Office of the Council) and Raffaele Fitto (Executive Vice-President of the Commission) made the statements.

The following spoke: Andrzej Halicki, on behalf of the PPE Group, Marcos Ros Sempere, on behalf of the S&D Group, Sebastian Tynkkynen, on behalf of the ECR Group, Ľubica Karvašová, on behalf of the Renew Group, Mārtiņš Staķis, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Marcin Sypniewski, on behalf of the ESN Group, Ioan-Rareş Bogdan, Marina Kaljurand, Tobiasz Bocheński, Elsi Katainen, Michael von der Schulenburg, Andrey Novakov, Eero Heinäluoma, Georgiana Teodorescu, Eugen Tomac, Mika Aaltola, Carla Tavares, Aurelijus Veryga, Petras Auštrevičius, Riho Terras, Reinis Pozņaks, Christophe Gomart and Maciej Wąsik.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Seán Kelly, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Liudas Mažylis, Vilija Blinkevičiūtė and Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă.

The following spoke: Raffaele Fitto and Adam Szłapka.

The debate closed.

13. US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organisation, and the suspension of US development and humanitarian aid (debate)

Commission statement: US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organisation, and the suspension of US development and humanitarian aid (2025/2527(RSP))

Hadja Lahbib (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

The following spoke: Michał Szczerba, on behalf of the PPE Group, Mohammed Chahim, on behalf of the S&D Group, Ondřej Knotek, on behalf of the PfE Group, Alexandr Vondra, on behalf of the ECR Group, Barry Andrews, on behalf of the Renew Group, Michael Bloss, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Jonas Sjöstedt, on behalf of The Left Group, Christine Anderson, on behalf of the ESN Group, Udo Bullmann, who also declined to take a blue-card question from Alexander Sell, António Tânger Corrêa, Anna Zalewska, Dan Barna, Ignazio Roberto Marino, Isabel Serra Sánchez, Alexander Sell, Ondřej Dostál, Tomislav Sokol, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Gerolf Annemans, Francesco Torselli, Charles Goerens, Lena Schilling, Marc Botenga, Anja Arndt, David McAllister, Tiemo Wölken, who also answered a blue-card question from Alexander Sell, Julien Sanchez, Laurence Trochu, Sigrid Friis and Isabella Lövin.

IN THE CHAIR: Antonella SBERNA
Vice-President

The following spoke: Catarina Martins, who also answered a blue-card question from Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă, Stanislav Stoyanov, Radan Kanev, Nicola Zingaretti, Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Sergio Berlato, who also answered a blue-card question from Radan Kanev, Michal Wiezik, Rasmus Nordqvist, Valentina Palmisano, Milan Mazurek, Lídia Pereira, Marta Temido, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Marieke Ehlers, who also answered a blue-card question from Nicolae Ştefănuță, Lukas Sieper on some of the remarks made by the previous speaker, Nikolas Farantouris, Sander Smit, who also answered a blue-card question from Anna Strolenberg, Antonio Decaro, Hermann Tertsch, Murielle Laurent, Roman Haider, Leire Pajín, Virginie Joron, Heléne Fritzon, Gerald Hauser, Robert Biedroń, Anne-Sophie Frigout and Aleksandar Nikolic.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Seán Kelly, Marit Maij, Alexander Jungbluth, Lukas Sieper, Nikolina Brnjac and Michał Wawrykiewicz.

The following spoke: Hadja Lahbib.

The debate closed.

14. Honouring the memory of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová: advancing media freedom, strengthening the rule of law and protecting journalists across the EU (debate)

Commission statement: Honouring the memory of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová: advancing media freedom, strengthening the rule of law and protecting journalists across the EU (2025/2556(RSP))

Michael McGrath (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

The following spoke: Miriam Lexmann, on behalf of the PPE Group, Ana Catarina Mendes, on behalf of the S&D Group, Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, on behalf of the PfE Group, Małgorzata Gosiewska, on behalf of the ECR Group, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, on behalf of the Renew Group, Tineke Strik, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Konstantinos Arvanitis, on behalf of The Left Group, Milan Uhrík, on behalf of the ESN Group, David Casa, Emma Rafowicz, Irena Joveva, Katarína Roth Neveďalová, Magdalena Adamowicz, Sophie Wilmès, Hristo Petrov and Laurence Farreng.

IN THE CHAIR: Esteban GONZÁLEZ PONS
Vice-President

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Maria Zacharia and Lukas Sieper.

The following spoke: Michael McGrath.

The debate closed.

15. Debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (debate)

(For the titles and authors of the motions for resolutions, see minutes of 12.2.2025, item I.)

15.1. Recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye

Motions for resolutions B10-0100/2025, B10-0103/2025, B10-0110/2025, B10-0115/2025, B10-0119/2025, B10-0121/2025 and B10-0124/2025 (2025/2546(RSP))

Michalis Hadjipantela, Evin Incir, Malik Azmani, Vladimir Prebilič, Isabel Serra Sánchez and Sebastiaan Stöteler introduced their groups’ motions for resolutions.

The following spoke: Reinhold Lopatka, on behalf of the PPE Group, Nacho Sánchez Amor, on behalf of the S&D Group, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, on behalf of the ECR Group, Mélissa Camara, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Giorgos Georgiou, on behalf of The Left Group, Nikos Papandreou and Per Clausen.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Geadis Geadi and Maria Zacharia.

The following spoke: Glenn Micallef (Member of the Commission).

The debate closed.

Vote: 13 February 2025.

15.2. Repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular

Motions for resolutions B10-0126/2025, B10-0128/2025, B10-0130/2025, B10-0131/2025, B10-0132/2025, B10-0134/2025 and B10-0135/2025 (2025/2547(RSP))

Željana Zovko, Leire Pajín, Carlo Fidanza, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Diana Riba i Giner and Tomasz Froelich introduced their groups’ motions for resolutions.

The following spoke: Antonio López-Istúriz White, on behalf of the PPE Group, Francisco Assis, on behalf of the S&D Group, Davor Ivo Stier, Gabriel Mato and Francisco José Millán Mon.

The following spoke: Glenn Micallef (Member of the Commission).

The debate closed.

Vote: 13 February 2025.

15.3. Continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu

Motions for resolutions B10-0101/2025, B10-0104/2025, B10-0111/2025, B10-0113/2025, B10-0117/2025, B10-0120/2025, B10-0122/2025 and B10-0123/2025 (2025/2548(RSP))

Miriam Lexmann, Hannes Heide, Bert-Jan Ruissen, Catarina Vieira, Merja Kyllönen, Susanna Ceccardi and Tomasz Froelich introduced their groups’ motions for resolutions.

The following spoke: Arkadiusz Mularczyk, on behalf of the ECR Group.

The following spoke: Glenn Micallef (Member of the Commission).

The debate closed.

Vote: 13 February 2025.

16. Silent crisis: the mental health of Europe’s youth (debate)

Commission statement: Silent crisis: the mental health of Europe’s youth (2025/2552(RSP))

Glenn Micallef (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

The following spoke: Tomislav Sokol, on behalf of the PPE Group, Alex Agius Saliba, on behalf of the S&D Group, Aurelijus Veryga, on behalf of the ECR Group, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, on behalf of the Renew Group, Ignazio Roberto Marino, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Catarina Martins, on behalf of The Left Group, Milan Mazurek, on behalf of the ESN Group, Adam Jarubas, Nikos Papandreou, Michele Picaro and Nicolae Ştefănuță.

IN THE CHAIR: Victor NEGRESCU
Vice-President

The following spoke: Emma Fourreau, Alvise Pérez, András Tivadar Kulja, Romana Jerković, Kim Van Sparrentak, Elena Nevado del Campo, Nicolás González Casares, Peter Agius, Maria Walsh and Jessika Van Leeuwen.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Martine Kemp, Ana Miranda Paz, João Oliveira and Sunčana Glavak.

The following spoke: Glenn Micallef.

The debate closed.

17. Explanations of vote

Written explanations of vote

Explanations of vote submitted in writing under Rule 201 appear on the Members’ pages on Parliament’s website.

18. Agenda of the next sitting

The next sitting would be held the following day, 13 February 2025, starting at 09:00. The agenda was available on Parliament’s website.

19. Approval of the minutes of the sitting

In accordance with Rule 208(3), the minutes of the sitting would be put to the House for approval at the beginning of the afternoon of the next sitting.

20. Closure of the sitting

The sitting closed at 21:26.

LIST OF DOCUMENTS SERVING AS A BASIS FOR THE DEBATES AND DECISIONS OF PARLIAMENT

I. Motions for resolutions tabled

Recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye

The following Members or political groups had requested that a debate be held, in accordance with Rule 150, on the following motions for resolutions:

on the recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye (B10-0100/2025)
Isabel Serra Sánchez, Özlem Demirel
on behalf of The Left Group

on the recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye (B10-0103/2025)
Vladimir Prebilič, Mélissa Camara, Mounir Satouri, Vicent Marzà Ibáñez, Catarina Vieira, Maria Ohisalo, Erik Marquardt, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Ville Niinistö, Villy Søvndal
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

on the recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye (B10-0110/2025)
Malik Azmani, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Petras Auštrevičius, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Karin Karlsbro, Ľubica Karvašová, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Sophie Wilmès, Lucia Yar
on behalf of the Renew Group

on the recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye (B10-0115/2025)
Sebastiaan Stöteler, Marieke Ehlers, Jaroslav Bžoch, Roberto Vannacci, Susanna Ceccardi
on behalf of the PfE Group

on the recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye (B10-0119/2025)
Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Nacho Sánchez Amor, Evin Incir, Nikos Papandreou, Pina Picierno
on behalf of the S&D Group

on the recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye (B10-0121/2025)
Sebastião Bugalho, Vangelis Meimarakis, Željana Zovko, Wouter Beke, Antonio López Istúriz White, Isabel Wiseler Lima, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Tomáš Zdechovský, Mirosława Nykiel, Jessica Polfjärd, Luděk Niedermayer, Jan Farský, Inese Vaidere
on behalf of the PPE Group

on the recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye (B10-0124/2025)
Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Veronika Vrecionová, Ondřej Krutílek, Assita Kanko, Alexandr Vondra
on behalf of the ECR Group

Repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular

The following Members or political groups had requested that a debate be held, in accordance with Rule 150, on the following motions for resolutions:

on the repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular (B10-0126/2025)
Sebastião Bugalho, Željana Zovko, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Gabriel Mato, David McAllister, Vangelis Meimarakis, Wouter Beke, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Tomáš Zdechovský, Mirosława Nykiel, Jessica Polfjärd, Luděk Niedermayer, Jan Farský, Andrey Kovatchev, Inese Vaidere
on behalf of the PPE Group

on the repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular (B10-0128/2025)
Diana Riba i Giner, Catarina Vieira, Maria Ohisalo, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Ville Niinistö
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

on the repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular (B10-0130/2025)
Tomasz Froelich
on behalf of the ESN Group

on the repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular (B10-0131/2025)
Bernard Guetta, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Engin Eroglu, Karin Karlsbro, Ľubica Karvašová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Urmas Paet, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar
on behalf of the Renew Group

on the repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular (B10-0132/2025)
Hermann Tertsch, Jorge Martín Frías, Gerolf Annemans, Nikola Bartůšek, Roberto Vannacci, Susanna Ceccardi
on behalf of the PfE Group

on the repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular (B10-0134/2025)
Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Leire Pajín
on behalf of the S&D Group

on the repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular (B10-0135/2025)
Adam Bielan, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Mariusz Kamiński, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Assita Kanko, Ivaylo Valchev, Alexandr Vondra, Aurelijus Veryga, Alberico Gambino
on behalf of the ECR Group

Continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu

The following Members or political groups had requested that a debate be held, in accordance with Rule 150, on the following motions for resolutions:

on continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu (B10-0101/2025)
Merja Kyllönen
on behalf of The Left Group

on continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu (B10-0104/2025)
Catarina Vieira, Maria Ohisalo, Nicolae Ştefănuță
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

on continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu (B10-0111/2025)
Susanna Ceccardi, Nikola Bartůšek
on behalf of the PfE Group

on continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu (B10-0113/2025)
Tomasz Froelich
on behalf of the ESN Group

on continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu (B10-0117/2025)
Jan Christoph Oetjen, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Engin Eroglu, Karin Karlsbro, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Urmas Paet, Marie Agnes Strack Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar
on behalf of the Renew Group

on continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu (B10-0120/2025)
Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Hannes Heide
on behalf of the S&D Group

on continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu (B10-0122/2025)
Sebastião Bugalho, Vangelis Meimarakis, Željana Zovko, Wouter Beke, Isabel Wiseler Lima, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Tomáš Zdechovský, Mirosława Nykiel, Jessica Polfjärd, Luděk Niedermayer, Jan Farský, Inese Vaidere, Andrey Kovatchev
on behalf of the PPE Group

on continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu (B10-0123/2025)
Bert Jan Ruissen, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Bogdan Rzońca, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Michał Dworczyk, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Assita Kanko, Alexandr Vondra, Alberico Gambino
on behalf of the ECR Group

II. Delegated acts (Rule 114(2))

Draft delegated acts forwarded to Parliament

– Commission Delegated Regulation supplementing Regulation (EU) 600/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards OTC derivatives identifying reference data to be used for the purposes of the transparency requirements laid down in Article 8a(2) and Articles 10 and 21 (C(2025)00417 – 2025/2534(DEA))

Deadline for raising objections: 3 months from the date of receipt of 24 January 2025

referred to committee responsible: ECON

– Commission Delegated Regulation amending the regulatory technical standards laid down in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/931 as regards the specification of the formula for calculating the supervisory delta of call and put options mapped to the commodity risk category (C(2025)00459 – 2025/2537(DEA))

Deadline for raising objections: 3 months from the date of receipt of 28 January 2025

referred to committee responsible: ECON

– Commission Delegated Regulation amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/624 as regards ante-mortem inspections in slaughterhouses, ante-mortem inspections at the holding of provenance and post-mortem inspections (C(2025)00539 – 2025/2540(DEA))

Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 30 January 2025

referred to committee responsible: ENVI
opinion: AGRI

– Commission Delegated Regulation amending the regulatory technical standards laid down in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2059, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2060 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1577 as regards the technical details of back-testing and profit and loss attribution requirements, the criteria for assessing the modellability of risk factors, and the treatment of foreign-exchange risk and commodity risk in the non-trading book (C(2025)00595 – 2025/2543(DEA))

Deadline for raising objections: 3 months from the date of receipt of 3 February 2025

referred to committee responsible: ECON

– Commission Delegated Regulation supplementing Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council by laying down detailed rules for the yearly calculation of price differences between eligible aviation fuels and fossil kerosene and for the EU ETS allocation of allowances for the use of eligible aviation fuels (C(2025)00681 – 2025/2559(DEA))

Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 6 February 2025

referred to committee responsible: ENVI
opinion: ITRE

– Commission Delegated Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the management of bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and in the Mediterranean (C(2025)00748 – 2025/2560(DEA))

Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 7 February 2025

referred to committee responsible: PECH

III. Implementing measures (Rule 115)

Draft implementing measures falling under the regulatory procedure with scrutiny forwarded to Parliament

– Commission Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2023/1803 as regards International Financial Reporting Standard 9 and International Financial Reporting Standard 7 (Text with EEA relevance) (D103844/01 – 2025/2525(RPS) – deadline: 21 April 2025)
referred to committee responsible: ECON
opinion: JURI

– Commission Regulation amending and correcting Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 as regards certain requirements for the placing on the market and imports of animal by-products and derived products not intended for human consumption (D103880/01 – 2025/2535(RPS) – deadline: 28 April 2025)
referred to committee responsible: ENVI

IV. Transfers of appropriations and budgetary decisions

In accordance with Article 29 of the Financial Regulation, the Committee on Budgets had decided to approve transfer of appropriations No 1/2025 – Section IX – European Data Protection Supervisor.

In accordance with Article 31(1) of the Financial Regulation, the Committee on Budgets had decided to approve the Commission’s transfer of appropriations DEC 01/2025 – Section III – Commission.

In accordance with Article 31(6) of the Financial Regulation, the Council of the European Union had decided to approve the Commission’s transfer of appropriations DEC 01/2025 – Section III – Commission.

ATTENDANCE REGISTER

Present:

Aaltola Mika, Abadía Jover Maravillas, Adamowicz Magdalena, Aftias Georgios, Agirregoitia Martínez Oihane, Agius Peter, Agius Saliba Alex, Alexandraki Galato, Allione Grégory, Al-Sahlani Abir, Anadiotis Nikolaos, Anderson Christine, Andersson Li, Andresen Rasmus, Andrews Barry, Andriukaitis Vytenis Povilas, Androuët Mathilde, Angel Marc, Annemans Gerolf, Annunziata Lucia, Antoci Giuseppe, Arias Echeverría Pablo, Arimont Pascal, Arłukowicz Bartosz, Arnaoutoglou Sakis, Arndt Anja, Arvanitis Konstantinos, Asens Llodrà Jaume, Assis Francisco, Attard Daniel, Aubry Manon, Auštrevičius Petras, Axinia Adrian-George, Azmani Malik, Bajada Thomas, Baljeu Jeannette, Ballarín Cereza Laura, Bardella Jordan, Barley Katarina, Barna Dan, Barrena Arza Pernando, Bartulica Stephen Nikola, Bartůšek Nikola, Bausemer Arno, Bay Nicolas, Bay Christophe, Beke Wouter, Beleris Fredis, Bellamy François-Xavier, Benea Adrian-Dragoş, Benifei Brando, Benjumea Benjumea Isabel, Beňová Monika, Bentele Hildegard, Berendsen Tom, Berger Stefan, Berg Sibylle, Berlato Sergio, Bernhuber Alexander, Biedroń Robert, Bielan Adam, Bischoff Gabriele, Blaha Ľuboš, Blinkevičiūtė Vilija, Blom Rachel, Bloss Michael, Bocheński Tobiasz, Boeselager Damian, Bogdan Ioan-Rareş, Bonaccini Stefano, Bonte Barbara, Borchia Paolo, Borrás Pabón Mireia, Borvendég Zsuzsanna, Borzan Biljana, Bosanac Gordan, Bosse Stine, Botenga Marc, Boyer Gilles, Boylan Lynn, Brandstätter Helmut, Brasier-Clain Marie-Luce, Braun Grzegorz, Brejza Krzysztof, Bricmont Saskia, Brnjac Nikolina, Brudziński Joachim Stanisław, Bryłka Anna, Buchheit Markus, Buczek Tomasz, Buda Daniel, Budka Borys, Bugalho Sebastião, Buła Andrzej, Bullmann Udo, Burkhardt Delara, Buxadé Villalba Jorge, Bystron Petr, Bžoch Jaroslav, Camara Mélissa, Canfin Pascal, Carberry Nina, Cârciu Gheorghe, Carême Damien, Casa David, Caspary Daniel, Cassart Benoit, Castillo Laurent, del Castillo Vera Pilar, Cavazzini Anna, Cavedagna Stefano, Ceccardi Susanna, Cepeda José, Ceulemans Estelle, Chahim Mohammed, Chaibi Leila, Chastel Olivier, Chinnici Caterina, Cifrová Ostrihoňová Veronika, Ciriani Alessandro, Cisint Anna Maria, Clausen Per, Cormand David, Corrado Annalisa, Costanzo Vivien, Cotrim De Figueiredo João, Cowen Barry, Cremer Tobias, Crespo Díaz Carmen, Cristea Andi, Crosetto Giovanni, Cunha Paulo, Dahl Henrik, Danielsson Johan, Dauchy Marie, Dávid Dóra, David Ivan, Decaro Antonio, de la Hoz Quintano Raúl, Della Valle Danilo, Deloge Valérie, De Masi Fabio, De Meo Salvatore, Deutsch Tamás, Dibrani Adnan, Diepeveen Ton, Dieringer Elisabeth, Dîncu Vasile, Disdier Mélanie, Dobrev Klára, Doherty Regina, Doleschal Christian, Dömötör Csaba, Do Nascimento Cabral Paulo, Donazzan Elena, Dorfmann Herbert, Dostalova Klara, Dostál Ondřej, Düpont Lena, Dworczyk Michał, Ecke Matthias, Ehler Christian, Ehlers Marieke, Eriksson Sofie, Erixon Dick, Eroglu Engin, Estaràs Ferragut Rosa, Ezcurra Almansa Alma, Falcă Gheorghe, Farantouris Nikolas, Farreng Laurence, Farský Jan, Ferber Markus, Ferenc Viktória, Fernández Jonás, Fidanza Carlo, Firea Gabriela, Firmenich Ruth, Fita Claire, Flanagan Luke Ming, Fourlas Loucas, Fourreau Emma, Fragkos Emmanouil, Freund Daniel, Frigout Anne-Sophie, Friis Sigrid, Fritzon Heléne, Froelich Tomasz, Funchion Kathleen, Furet Angéline, Furore Mario, Gahler Michael, Gál Kinga, Gálvez Lina, Gambino Alberico, García Hermida-Van Der Walle Raquel, Garraud Jean-Paul, Gasiuk-Pihowicz Kamila, Geadi Geadis, Gedin Hanna, Geese Alexandra, Geier Jens, Geisel Thomas, Gemma Chiara, Georgiou Giorgos, Gerbrandy Gerben-Jan, Germain Jean-Marc, Gerzsenyi Gabriella, Geuking Niels, Gieseke Jens, Giménez Larraz Borja, Girauta Vidal Juan Carlos, Glavak Sunčana, Glucksmann Raphaël, Goerens Charles, Gomart Christophe, Gomes Isilda, Gómez López Sandra, Gonçalves Bruno, Gonçalves Sérgio, González Casares Nicolás, González Pons Esteban, Gori Giorgio, Gosiewska Małgorzata, Gotink Dirk, Gozi Sandro, Grapini Maria, Gražulis Petras, Gregorová Markéta, Grims Branko, Griset Catherine, Gronkiewicz-Waltz Hanna, Groothuis Bart, Grossmann Elisabeth, Gualmini Elisabetta, Guarda Cristina, Guetta Bernard, Guzenina Maria, Győri Enikő, Gyürk András, Hadjipantela Michalis, Hahn Svenja, Haider Roman, Halicki Andrzej, Hansen Niels Flemming, Hassan Rima, Hauser Gerald, Häusling Martin, Hava Mircea-Gheorghe, Hazekamp Anja, Heide Hannes, Heinäluoma Eero, Henriksson Anna-Maja, Herbst Niclas, Herranz García Esther, Hetman Krzysztof, Hohlmeier Monika, Hojsík Martin, Holmgren Pär, Hölvényi György, Homs Ginel Alicia, Humberto Sérgio, Ijabs Ivars, Imart Céline, Inselvini Paolo, Iovanovici Şoşoacă Diana, Jaki Patryk, Jalloul Muro Hana, Jamet France, Jarubas Adam, Jerković Romana, Joński Dariusz, Joron Virginie, Jouvet Pierre, Joveva Irena, Juknevičienė Rasa, Junco García Nora, Jungbluth Alexander, Kabilov Taner, Kalfon François, Kaliňák Erik, Kaljurand Marina, Kalniete Sandra, Kamiński Mariusz, Kanev Radan, Kanko Assita, Karlsbro Karin, Kartheiser Fernand, Karvašová Ľubica, Katainen Elsi, Kefalogiannis Emmanouil, Kelleher Billy, Keller Fabienne, Kelly Seán, Kemp Martine, Kennes Rudi, Knafo Sarah, Knotek Ondřej, Kobosko Michał, Köhler Stefan, Kohut Łukasz, Kokalari Arba, Kolář Ondřej, Kollár Kinga, Kols Rihards, Konečná Kateřina, Kopacz Ewa, Körner Moritz, Kountoura Elena, Kovatchev Andrey, Krah Maximilian, Krištopans Vilis, Kruis Sebastian, Krutílek Ondřej, Kubín Tomáš, Kuhnke Alice, Kulja András Tivadar, Kulmuni Katri, Kyllönen Merja, Kyuchyuk Ilhan, Lagodinsky Sergey, Lakos Eszter, Lalucq Aurore, Lange Bernd, Langensiepen Katrin, Laššáková Judita, László András, Latinopoulou Afroditi, Laurent Murielle, Laureti Camilla, Laykova Rada, Lazarov Ilia, Lazarus Luis-Vicențiu, Le Callennec Isabelle, Leggeri Fabrice, Lenaers Jeroen, Lewandowski Janusz, Lexmann Miriam, Liese Peter, Lins Norbert, Løkkegaard Morten, Lopatka Reinhold, López Javi, López Aguilar Juan Fernando, López-Istúriz White Antonio, Lövin Isabella, Luena César, Lupo Giuseppe, McAllister David, Madison Jaak, Maestre Cristina, Magoni Lara, Magyar Péter, Maij Marit, Maląg Marlena, Manda Claudiu, Mandl Lukas, Maniatis Yannis, Mantovani Mario, Maran Pierfrancesco, Marczułajtis-Walczak Jagna, Maréchal Marion, Mariani Thierry, Marino Ignazio Roberto, Marquardt Erik, Martín Frías Jorge, Martins Catarina, Martusciello Fulvio, Mato Gabriel, Matthieu Sara, Mavrides Costas, Mayer Georg, Mazurek Milan, Mažylis Liudas, McNamara Michael, Mebarek Nora, Mehnert Alexandra, Meimarakis Vangelis, Meleti Eleonora, Mendes Ana Catarina, Mendia Idoia, Mertens Verena, Mesure Marina, Metsola Roberta, Metz Tilly, Mikser Sven, Milazzo Giuseppe, Millán Mon Francisco José, Minchev Nikola, Miranda Paz Ana, Montero Irene, Montserrat Dolors, Morace Carolina, Moreira de Sá Tiago, Moreno Sánchez Javier, Moretti Alessandra, Motreanu Dan-Ştefan, Mularczyk Arkadiusz, Müller Piotr, Mureşan Siegfried, Nagyová Jana, Nardella Dario, Navarrete Rojas Fernando, Negrescu Victor, Nemec Matjaž, Nesci Denis, Neuhoff Hans, Neumann Hannah, Nevado del Campo Elena, Niebler Angelika, Niedermayer Luděk, Niinistö Ville, Nikolaou-Alavanos Lefteris, Nikolic Aleksandar, Ní Mhurchú Cynthia, Noichl Maria, Nordqvist Rasmus, Novakov Andrey, Nykiel Mirosława, Obajtek Daniel, Ódor Ľudovít, Oetjen Jan-Christoph, Ohisalo Maria, Oliveira João, Olivier Philippe, Omarjee Younous, Ó Ríordáin Aodhán, Ozdoba Jacek, Paet Urmas, Pajín Leire, Palmisano Valentina, Panayiotou Fidias, Papadakis Kostas, Papandreou Nikos, Pappas Nikos, Pascual de la Parte Nicolás, Patriciello Aldo, Paulus Jutta, Pedro Ana Miguel, Pedulla’ Gaetano, Pellerin-Carlin Thomas, Peltier Guillaume, Penkova Tsvetelina, Pennelle Gilles, Pereira Lídia, Pérez Alvise, Peter-Hansen Kira Marie, Petrov Hristo, Picaro Michele, Picierno Pina, Picula Tonino, Piera Pascale, Pimpie Pierre, Piperea Gheorghe, de la Pisa Carrión Margarita, Pokorná Jermanová Jaroslava, Polato Daniele, Polfjärd Jessica, Popescu Virgil-Daniel, Pozņaks Reinis, Prebilič Vladimir, Princi Giusi, Pürner Friedrich, Rackete Carola, Radev Emil, Radtke Dennis, Rafowicz Emma, Ratas Jüri, Razza Ruggero, Rechagneux Julie, Regner Evelyn, Repasi René, Repp Sabrina, Ressler Karlo, Reuten Thijs, Riba i Giner Diana, Ricci Matteo, Ridel Chloé, Riehl Nela, Ripa Manuela, Ros Sempere Marcos, Roth Neveďalová Katarína, Rougé André, Ruissen Bert-Jan, Ruotolo Sandro, Rzońca Bogdan, Saeidi Arash, Salini Massimiliano, Salis Ilaria, Salla Aura, Sánchez Amor Nacho, Sanchez Julien, Sancho Murillo Elena, Sardone Silvia, Šarec Marjan, Sargiacomo Eric, Satouri Mounir, Saudargas Paulius, Sbai Majdouline, Sberna Antonella, Schaldemose Christel, Schaller-Baross Ernő, Schenk Oliver, Scheuring-Wielgus Joanna, Schieder Andreas, Schilling Lena, Schwab Andreas, Scuderi Benedetta, Seekatz Ralf, Sell Alexander, Serrano Sierra Rosa, Serra Sánchez Isabel, Sidl Günther, Sienkiewicz Bartłomiej, Sieper Lukas, Simon Sven, Singer Christine, Sinkevičius Virginijus, Sippel Birgit, Sjöstedt Jonas, Śmiszek Krzysztof, Smith Anthony, Smit Sander, Sokol Tomislav, Solier Diego, Solís Pérez Susana, Sommen Liesbet, Sonneborn Martin, Sorel Malika, Sousa Silva Hélder, Søvndal Villy, Staķis Mārtiņš, Stancanelli Raffaele, Ştefănuță Nicolae, Steger Petra, Stier Davor Ivo, Storm Kristoffer, Stöteler Sebastiaan, Stoyanov Stanislav, Strack-Zimmermann Marie-Agnes, Strada Cecilia, Streit Joachim, Strik Tineke, Strolenberg Anna, Sturdza Şerban Dimitrie, Stürgkh Anna, Sypniewski Marcin, Szczerba Michał, Szekeres Pál, Szydło Beata, Tamburrano Dario, Tânger Corrêa António, Tarczyński Dominik, Tarquinio Marco, Tarr Zoltán, Târziu Claudiu-Richard, Tavares Carla, Tegethoff Kai, Temido Marta, Teodorescu Georgiana, Teodorescu Måwe Alice, Terheş Cristian, Ter Laak Ingeborg, Terras Riho, Tertsch Hermann, Thionnet Pierre-Romain, Timgren Beatrice, Tinagli Irene, Tobé Tomas, Tolassy Rody, Tomac Eugen, Tomašič Zala, Tomaszewski Waldemar, Tomc Romana, Tonin Matej, Toom Jana, Topo Raffaele, Torselli Francesco, Tosi Flavio, Toussaint Marie, Tovaglieri Isabella, Toveri Pekka, Tridico Pasquale, Trochu Laurence, Tsiodras Dimitris, Tudose Mihai, Turek Filip, Tynkkynen Sebastian, Uhrík Milan, Vaidere Inese, Valchev Ivaylo, Vălean Adina, Valet Matthieu, Van Brempt Kathleen, Van Brug Anouk, van den Berg Brigitte, Vandendriessche Tom, Van Dijck Kris, Van Lanschot Reinier, Van Leeuwen Jessika, Vannacci Roberto, Van Overtveldt Johan, Van Sparrentak Kim, Varaut Alexandre, Vasconcelos Ana, Vasile-Voiculescu Vlad, Vautmans Hilde, Vedrenne Marie-Pierre, Ventola Francesco, Verougstraete Yvan, Veryga Aurelijus, Vešligaj Marko, Vicsek Annamária, Vieira Catarina, Vilimsky Harald, Vincze Loránt, Vind Marianne, Vistisen Anders, Vivaldini Mariateresa, Volgin Petar, von der Schulenburg Michael, Vondra Alexandr, Voss Axel, Vozemberg-Vrionidi Elissavet, Vrecionová Veronika, Vázquez Lázara Adrián, Waitz Thomas, Walsh Maria, Walsmann Marion, Warborn Jörgen, Warnke Jan-Peter, Wąsik Maciej, Wawrykiewicz Michał, Wcisło Marta, Wechsler Andrea, Weimers Charlie, Werbrouck Séverine, Wiesner Emma, Wiezik Michal, Wilmès Sophie, Winkler Iuliu, Winzig Angelika, Wiseler-Lima Isabel, Wiśniewska Jadwiga, Wölken Tiemo, Wolters Lara, Yar Lucia, Yon-Courtin Stéphanie, Yoncheva Elena, Zacharia Maria, Zalewska Anna, Žalimas Dainius, Zan Alessandro, Zdechovský Tomáš, Zdrojewski Bogdan Andrzej, Zijlstra Auke, Zīle Roberts, Zingaretti Nicola, Złotowski Kosma, Zoido Álvarez Juan Ignacio, Zovko Željana, Zver Milan

Excused:

Morano Nadine, Zarzalejos Javier

MIL OSI Europe News –

February 14, 2025

MIL-Evening Report: Will New Zealand invade the Cook Islands to stop China? Seriously

The Chinese have politely told the Kiwis to back off. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters that China and the Cook Islands have had diplomatic relations since 1997 which “should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party”.

“New Zealand is rightly furious about it,” a TVNZ Pacific affairs writer editorialised to the nation. The deal and the lack of prior consultation was described by various journalists as “damaging”, “of significant concern”, “trouble in paradise”, an act by a “renegade government”.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters, not without cause, railed at what he saw as the Cook Islands government going against long-standing agreements to consult over defence and security issues.

“Should New Zealand invade the Cook islands?” . . . New Zealand Herald columnist Matthew Hooton’s view in an “oxygen-starved media environment” amid rattled nerves. Image: New Zealand Herald screenshot APR

‘Clearly about secession’
Matthew Hooton, who penned the article in The Herald, is a major commentator on various platforms.

“Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown’s dealings with China are clearly about secession from the realm of New Zealand,” Hooton said without substantiation but with considerable colonial hauteur.

“His illegal moves cannot stand. It would be a relatively straightforward military operation for our SAS to secure all key government buildings in the Cook Islands’ capital, Avarua.”

This could be written off as the hyperventilating screeching of someone trying to drum up readers but he was given a major platform to do so and New Zealanders live in an oxygen-starved media environment where alternative analysis is hard to find.

The Cook Islands, with one of the largest Exclusive Economic Zones in the world — a whopping 2 million sq km — is considered part of New Zealand’s backyard, albeit over 3000 km to the northeast. The deal with China is focused on economics not security issues, according to Cooks Prime Minister Mark Brown.

Deep sea mining may be on the list of projects as well as trade cooperation, climate, tourism, and infrastructure.

The Cook Islands seafloor is believed to have billions of tons of polymetallic nodules of cobalt, copper, nickel and manganese, something that has even caught the attention of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Various players have their eyes on it.

Glen Johnson, writing in Le Monde Diplomatique, reported last year:

“Environmentalists have raised major concerns, particularly over the destruction of deep-sea habitats and the vast, choking sediment plumes that excavation would produce.”

All will be revealed
Even Cook Island’s citizens have not been consulted on the details of the deal, including deep sea mining. Clearly, this should not be the case. All will be revealed shortly.

New Zealand and the Cook Islands have had formal relations since 1901 when the British “transferred” the islands to New Zealand. Cook Islanders have a curious status: they hold New Zealand passports but are recognised as their own country. The US government went a step further on September 25, 2023. President Joe Biden said:

“Today I am proud to announce that the United States recognises the Cook Islands as a sovereign and independent state and will establish diplomatic relations between our two nations.”

A move to create their own passports was undermined by New Zealand officials who successfully stymied the plan.

New Zealand has taken an increasingly hostile stance vis-a-vis China, with PM Luxon describing the country as a “strategic competitor” while at the same time depending on China as our biggest trading partner. The government and a compliant mainstream media sing as one choir when it comes to China: it is seen as a threat, a looming pretender to be South Pacific hegemon, replacing the flip-flopping, increasingly incoherent USA.

Climate change looms large for island nations. Much of the Cooks’ tourism infrastructure is vulnerable to coastal inundation and precious reefs are being destroyed by heating sea temperatures.

“One thing that New Zealand has got to get its head round is the fact that the Trump administration has withdrawn from the Paris Climate Accord,” Dr Robert Patman, professor of international relations at Otago University, says. “And this is a big deal for most Pacific Island states — and that means that the Cook Islands nation may well be looking for greater assistance elsewhere.”

Diplomatic spat with global coverage
The story of the diplomatic spat has been covered in the Middle East, Europe and Asia. Eyebrows are rising as yet again New Zealand, a close ally of Israel and a participant in the US Operation Prosperity Guardian to lift the Houthi Red Sea blockade of Israel, shows its Western mindset.

Matthew Hooton’s article is the kind of colonialist fantasy masquerading as geopolitical analysis that damages New Zealand’s reputation as a friend to the smaller nations of our region.

Yes, the Chinese have an interest in our neck of the woods — China is second only to Australia in supplying much-needed development assistance to the region.

It is sound policy not insurrection for small nations to diversify economic partnerships and secure development opportunities for their people. That said, serious questions should be posed and deserve to be answered.

Geopolitical analyst Dr Geoffrey Miller made a useful contribution to the debate saying there was potential for all three parties to work together:

“There is no reason why New Zealand can’t get together with China and the Cook Islands and develop some projects together,” Dr Miller says. “Pacific states are the winners here because there is a lot of competition for them”.

I think New Zealand and Australia could combine more effectively with a host of South Pacific island nations and form a more effective regional voice with which to engage with the wider world and collectively resist efforts by the US and China to turn the region into a theatre of competition.

We throw the toys out
We throw the toys out of the cot when the Cooks don’t consult with us but shrug when Pasifika elders like former Tuvalu PM Enele Sopoaga call us out for ignoring them.

In Wellington last year, I heard him challenge the bigger powers, particularly Australia and New Zealand, to remember that the existential threat faced by Pacific nations comes first from climate change. He also reminded New Zealanders of the commitment to keeping the South Pacific nuclear-free.

To succeed, a “Pacific for the peoples of the Pacific” approach would suggest our ministries of foreign affairs should halt their drift to being little more than branch offices of the Pentagon and that our governments should not sign up to US Great Power competition with China.

Ditching the misguided anti-China AUKUS project would be a good start.

Friends to all, enemies of none. Keep the Pacific peaceful, neutral and nuclear-free.

Eugene Doyle is a community organiser and activist in Wellington, New Zealand. He received an Absolutely Positively Wellingtonian award in 2023 for community service. His first demonstration was at the age of 12 against the Vietnam War. This article was first published at his public policy website Solidarity and is republished here with permission.

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 14, 2025

MIL-OSI: Ormat Technologies Awarded Tolling Agreements for Two Energy Storage Facilities in Israel

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

RENO, Nev., Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ormat Technologies Inc. (NYSE: ORA), (“Ormat” or the “Company”) a leading geothermal and renewable energy technology company, today announced that it has won a tender issued by the Israeli Electricity Authority and has been awarded two separate 15-year tolling agreements for two Energy Storage facilities. The facilities under the tolling agreements are expected to have a combined capacity of approximately 300MW/1200MWh.

These projects are developed in partnership with Allied Infrastructure LTD (“Allied”), a leading infrastructure company in Israel. The ownership of the projects will be shared, 50/50 between Ormat and Allied. This marks Ormat’s and the partnership’s first major entry into the Israeli utility scale energy storage market. The partnership intends to develop this activity and develop additional Energy Storage facilities.

The parties are in advanced stages of obtaining the interconnection for the two projects, and the necessary land use permits ahead of starting construction. Commercial operation date is expected during 2028. The tolling agreement includes an option for termination of the initial contract and move to participation in the merchant market.

“We are delighted to announce the award of these two tolling agreements, marking another key strategic milestone for our growing Energy Storage business,” said Doron Blachar, Chief Executive Officer of Ormat Technologies. “These long-term agreements highlight our team’s ability to advance and execute Ormat’s Energy Storage portfolio expansion strategy. The tolling agreements for these two assets will further enhance the Company’s portfolio profitability and add stability to margin performance, each a key element of our growth strategy in our storage business.”

Blachar concluded, “These energy storage contracts mark the Company’s first owned project in Israel, and we look forward to continuing to work with Allied as Ormat’s capabilities and assets will now help drive Israel’s efforts to achieve its renewable energy and energy continuity goals.”

ABOUT ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES

With over five decades of experience, Ormat Technologies, Inc. is a leading geothermal company and the only vertically integrated company engaged in geothermal and recovered energy generation (“REG”), with robust plans to accelerate long-term growth in the energy storage market and to establish a leading position in the U.S. energy storage market. The Company owns, operates, designs, manufactures and sells geothermal and REG power plants primarily based on the Ormat Energy Converter – a power generation unit that converts low-, medium- and high-temperature heat into electricity. The Company has engineered, manufactured and constructed power plants, which it currently owns or has installed for utilities and developers worldwide, totaling approximately 3,400MW of gross capacity. Ormat leveraged its core capabilities in the geothermal and REG industries and its global presence to expand the Company’s activity into energy storage services, solar Photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage plus Solar PV. Ormat’s current total generating portfolio is 1.5GW with a 1.2GW geothermal and solar generation portfolio that is spread globally in the U.S., Kenya, Guatemala, Indonesia, Honduras, and Guadeloupe, and a 290MW energy storage portfolio that is located in the U.S.

ABOUT THE ISRAELI ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY

The Israeli Electricity Authority is a government authority charged with providing utility services, setting tariffs, regulation, and oversight of the electricity market in Israel.

ABOUT ALLIED INFRASTRUCTURE LTD

Allied Infrastructure LTD is a multi-disciplined specialist contractor working primarily in the Airports, Highways, Defense and Construction sectors. Allied is delivering innovative and quality services using specially developed materials to offer complete solutions to preserve, protect, maintain and restore infrastructure assets, especially in the airside environment.

ORMAT’S SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

Information provided in this press release may contain statements relating to current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about future events that are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including such matters as our projections of annual revenues, expenses and debt service coverage with respect to our debt securities, future capital expenditures, business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, development or operation of generation assets, market and industry developments and the growth of our business and operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words “may”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “expects”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “predicts”, “projects”, “potential”, or “contemplate” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such words or expressions. These forward-looking statements generally relate to Ormat’s plans, objectives and expectations for future operations and are based upon its management’s current estimates and projections of future results or trends. Although we believe that our plans and objectives reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we may not achieve these plans or objectives. Actual future results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties and other risks described under “Risk Factors” as described in Ormat’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 23, 2024, and in Ormat’s subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q that are filed from time to time with the SEC.

These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and, except as legally required, we undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Ormat Technologies Contact:
Smadar Lavi
VP Head of IR and ESG Planning & Reporting
775-356-9029 (ext. 65726)
slavi@ormat.com

Investor Relations Agency Contact:
Joseph Caminiti or Josh Carroll
Alpha IR Group
312-445-2870
ORA@alpha-ir.com

The MIL Network –

February 14, 2025

MIL-OSI Submissions: Myanmar: Recklessly abrupt US aid stoppage poses existential threat to human rights – Amnesty International

Source: Amnesty International

The United States government’s abrupt and sweeping freeze on foreign aid is severely imperiling the human rights of refugees, civilians in armed conflict areas and individuals fleeing persecution in Myanmar, Amnesty International said today.

The organization warned that lives could be lost unless the decision is urgently reversed, amended or if waivers for life-saving assistance are not immediately granted and swiftly implemented for those working on the ground.

“The Trump administration’s cruel decision to issue immediate stop work orders on foreign aid is having an instant and devastating impact across the globe, and in Myanmar it is hitting people at a particularly dark hour,” said Amnesty International’s Myanmar Researcher Joe Freeman.

“The decision has abruptly shut down hospitals in refugee camps, put fleeing human rights defenders at risk of deportation and imperiled programs helping people prevent atrocities, survive in conflict zones and rebuild their lives amid ongoing waves of violence.”

On 20 January, US President Donald Trump signed a presidential executive order pausing all foreign aid amid a 90-day review of whether it is consistent with American foreign policy. On 24 January, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a stop work order to those delivering assistance worldwide as part of the review, but carved out exemptions to the pause for emergency food assistance, as well as military aid to Israel and Egypt.

An additional waiver dated 28 January exempted “life-saving humanitarian assistance” from the stoppage, while follow-up clarifications in the first week of February broadened the exemptions for specific activities. However, based on Amnesty’s latest research, implementation of these waivers has yet to trickle down to many organizations working along the Thai-Myanmar border.

“The US government’s shocking move has had immediate global impacts whose real-life consequences are still being felt and understood. Our findings from Myanmar and Thailand provide just one example of the damage wrought by this heartless decision,” Joe Freeman said.

In Myanmar, the funding pause has further devastated a civilian population already enduring escalating armed conflict, widespread displacement and severe human rights violations by a military that seized power in a coup more than four years ago. It has also sowed chaos, desperation and anguish among tens of thousands of Myanmar refugees living in Thailand.

To date, US funding has helped many endure the upheaval by supporting emergency shelter or relocation for activists, delivering food aid, helping create early-warning systems for air strikes, delivering medical treatment in war zones and providing education opportunities to those who have lost all hope of a future.

From 3-10 February, Amnesty International spoke to 12 Myanmar refugees living in camps along the border in Thailand, along with representatives from 14 organizations with Myanmar-focused activities. They include health workers, human rights researchers and NGOs providing cross-border assistance as well as media and education providers. All warned of severe consequences if the decision was not reversed or amended. Not one had received a communication or confirmation of a waiver from the US government to continue operations.

‘The mission is not to die”

Despite the promise of waivers for life-saving humanitarian assistance, the aid stoppage is posing serious risks to the rights to health of more than 100,000 people living in nine refugee camps on the Thai side of the border with Myanmar. The majority have been there for years, fleeing previous waves of violence in Myanmar, but the camps have grown in size since the coup.

Amnesty International spoke to refugees living in two separate camps along the border. All said hospitals in the camp, which are run by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) through USAID funding, had abruptly shut down after the stop work order. Though Thai authorities and hospitals have been able to step in and provide services for camp residents, their resources are stretched. As of 11 February, the IRC had still not received a waiver to continue their work.

The impact of the initial shutdown was felt immediately. In the Umpien camp, for example, residents said at least four people have died as a result of not receiving oxygen provided by the hospitals. Amnesty could not independently confirm the claim. Reuters reported on 7 February that Pe Kha Lau, 71, died four days after she was sent home from a healthcare facility funded by the US through the IRC.

“It was so scary, they forced everyone to go out of the hospital…and some people died because they lost their oxygen. We were not only sad but also scared of what is coming next,” said U Htan Htun, 62.

Ma Su Su, a volunteer community medical worker in the Umpien camp, also said that on the day the order was announced people who needed treatment were told to leave the hospital. She said she witnessed staff removing an IV-drip from a patient and described how someone without proper training had to provide stitches to a wounded resident.

“I told everyone it’s only 90 days. We’ll be okay after 90 days. But I feel hopeless,” she said. “The mission is not to die.”

Water services at the camps were disrupted, according to residents, while food aid is also at risk of disappearing.

Maximillian Morch from the Thai Border Consortium (TBC), which provides food and cooking fuel to all the nine camps along the Thai-Myanmar border, said they were trying to get approval for a life-saving waiver from the US government but had no confirmation yet.

Just over 60% of the Consortium’s funding is from the US through the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) at the US State Department. The bulk of that is food and cooking assistance. While they have not been told to stop work, they will run out of funds for food in four to six weeks if their funding is discontinued as part of the review of foreign aid.

“Food is as inoffensive as you can be. And if you stop funding food this is not just a TBC problem, it’s an international humanitarian problem,” Morch said.

“Very tough days for us”

Since the Myanmar military took power in a 2021 coup, armed conflict has intensified across the country. Ever-increasing military air strikes have killed civilians and targeted schools, hospitals and monasteries, while elsewhere the military has targeted protesters, activists and journalists. Funded by USAID, civil society organizations across Myanmar help civilians, journalists and human rights defenders find shelter, aid and safety in exile if they have to flee the country.

Groups in southeastern Myanmar, an area particularly hard-hit by military air strikes, run several US-funded programs which can be considered life-saving. They provide mobile medical units in frontline areas, help pay for hospital referrals for more advanced care and assist civilians in the aftermath of an air strike to find food and shelter.

“At the same time as all the air strikes, all the bombings…artillery attacks, displacement…the funding has been stopped,” said Saw Diamond Khin, director of the Karen Department of Health and Welfare, which assists seven districts in southeastern Myanmar. “It is very tough days for us.”

No waivers for life-saving work

Saw Thar Win, from the Ethnic Health Systems Strengthening Group, said his organization had planned to deliver portable, battery-charged ultrasound and X-ray machines to conflict-affected communities in Myanmar. One set can serve an estimated 50,000 people. But the stop work order meant the machines were just sitting in boxes in his office because the funding for transporting it had been impacted.

Another community-based health provider said the pause in US funding meant that they can no longer support urgent life-saving treatment inside Myanmar. Their funding had supported costs for emergency surgery to treat wounds from air strikes or other armed conflict injuries, as well as neonatal emergency treatment and surgery for appendicitis and blood transfusions.

Despite the announcement of waivers at the end of January, medicines for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, as well as support for mental health services for those traumatized by the armed conflict, have been similarly affected. Not one group Amnesty spoke to said they had been given any communication or confirmation of a waiver for life-saving work, even though their operations, such as helping feed, shelter and treat people in war zones, would clearly qualify.

All said they lacked clear communication from US agencies such as USAID and their partners on the grounds. The Overseas Irrawaddy Association – which provides emergency relocation for hundreds of activists inside Myanmar, where protesters are routinely imprisoned and tortured by the military – said the freeze has affected their ability to support hundreds of at-risk individuals.

“By removing the ability of these organizations to protect some of the most vulnerable people inside Myanmar, the US is effectively giving the rights-abusing Myanmar military an invaluable gift in their crackdown on the right to freedom of expression and information,” Freeman said.

“People are now more vulnerable to arrest, to torture, and for those who have fled to Thailand and rely on funding for shelter, to deportation back to Myanmar. The US must immediately and directly communicate that groups working on life-saving assistance in Myanmar can continue their work.”

MIL OSI – Submitted News –

February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Update on UK Syria sanctions regime: Minister Doughty statement

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Written statement to the House of Commons on adapting the UK’s Syria sanctions regime following the fall of Assad’s dictatorship late last year.

Today I am updating the House on the future of the UK’s Syria sanctions regime following the welcome fall of Assad’s dictatorship late last year.

Sanctions remain a powerful foreign and security policy tool, and this Government is committed to maximising their impact, which includes reviewing their use in light of changing circumstances.

Therefore, I am pleased to inform the House that the Government will bring forward measures in the coming months adapting the Syria sanctions regime, including amendments to the Syria Regulations, which Members of Parliament will have the opportunity to debate.

We are making these changes to support the Syrian people in re-building their country and promote security and stability. They will include the relaxation of restrictions that apply to the energy, transport and finance sectors, and provisions to further support humanitarian delivery.

The Government remains determined to hold Bashar al-Assad and his associates to account for their actions against the people of Syria. We will ensure that asset freezes and travel bans imposed on members of the former regime remain in force.

In this way, the FCDO will continue to use sanctions in a manner that is targeted, proportionate and robust to hold accountable those responsible for atrocious crimes committed during Assad’s reign and to support what we hope will be Syria’s transition to a more secure, prosperous and stable future.

Updates to this page

Published 13 February 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

February 14, 2025

MIL-OSI: Himax Technologies, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results; Provides First Quarter 2025 Guidance

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Q4 2024 Revenues, Gross Margin and EPS All Surpassed Guidance Range Issued on November 7, 2024
Company Q1 2025 Guidance: Revenues to Decrease 8.5% to 12.5% QoQ,
Gross Margin is Expected to be Around 30.5%. Profit per Diluted ADS to be 9.0 Cents to 11.0 Cents

Q4 2024 revenues registered $237.2 million, an increase of 6.7% QoQ, significantly exceeding guidance range of a slight decrease to flat, primarily driven by stronger order momentum across product lines
Q4 2024 Gross margin reached 30.5%, exceeding guidance of flat to slightly up, driven by a favorable product mix and cost improvements. Up from 30.0% in the Q3 2024
Q4 2024 after-tax profit was $24.6M, or 14.0 cents per diluted ADS, considerably above the guidance range of 9.3 cents to 11.0 cents
Company’s full year 2024 revenues were $906.8 million, and gross margin was 30.5%. 2024 profit attributable to shareholders was $0.46 per fully diluted ADS
Company’s Q1 2025 revenues to decline 8.5% to 12.5% QoQ, reflecting the low season demand due to Lunar New Year holidays. The Q1 revenue guidance implies flat to 4.6% increase YoY. Gross margin to be around 30.5%, up from 29.3% same quarter last year. Profit per diluted ADS to be in the range of 9.0 cents to 11.0 cents, implying the increase of 26% to 54% YoY
Himax sales revenues in each quarter of 2024 consistently outperformed guidance, demonstrating its ability to handle most of rush orders, underscoring its strong ability in inventory management and swift market responsiveness
Full year 2024 automotive driver IC sales increased nearly 20% YoY, significantly outpacing global automotive growth, largely driven by the continued TDDI adoption among major customers across all continents. Himax continues to reinforce its market leadership in automotive TDDI, holding well over 50% market share
Himax’s WLO technology plays a critical role in CPO by providing essential optical coupling capability, making it a core element of the solution. Small-scale production of the first-gen CPO underway, with acceleration of future CPO generation development, in close collaboration with AI customers/partners. Company believes prospect of CPO remains unchanged
WiseEye, building on the success with Dell, has achieved notable progress with other leading NB brands. Also made breakthroughs in smart door lock, palm vein authentication and smart home. Himax anticipates a strong growth trajectory in WiseEye business in 2025 and beyond
At CES 2025, Himax showcased a wide range of innovative achievements, including automotive display technology, WiseEye AI, and advanced optical technologies for AR/VR
Rising enthusiasm in AR glasses with Gen AI in CES 2025. Himax offers three critical technologies for AR glasses, namely LCoS microdisplay, WLO waveguide, and ultralow power WiseEye AI
Himax is well-positioned to capitalize on the trend of the premium NB to adopt OLED displays and touch features. Confident to lead in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI PCs and premium NB, offering a comprehensive IC portfolio for both LCD and OLED NB

TAINAN, Taiwan, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Himax Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: HIMX) (“Himax” or “Company”), a leading supplier and fabless manufacturer of display drivers and other semiconductor products, announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2024 ended December 31, 2024.

“In 2024, our sales revenues in each quarter consistently outperformed guidance. We have consistently demonstrated our ability to handle most of rush orders, underscoring our agility, adaptability, strong capabilities in inventory management, and swift market responsiveness,” said Mr. Jordan Wu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Himax.

“At CES this year, Himax showcased a wide range of innovative achievements, including automotive display technology, WiseEye AI, and advanced optical technologies for AR/VR. Notably, a clear trend emerged at this year’s CES as the industry demonstrated growing enthusiasm for AR glasses, fueled by more companies entering the space and integrating generative AI to accelerate the development of lightweight, compact, and all-day AR glasses. For AR glasses, Himax offers three critical technologies, namely LCoS microdisplay, WLO waveguide, and ultralow power WiseEye AI,” continued Mr. Jordan Wu.

“Himax’s WLO technology plays a critical role in CPO by providing essential optical coupling capability, making it a core element of the solution. The prospect of CPO remains unchanged and the widespread adoption of CPO for data transmission to be conducted via optics instead of metal wire is on track in high-performance AI applications. Through WLO and CPO technologies, Himax is well-positioned to engage in the high-speed AI computing market with high expectations for its growth,” concluded Mr. Jordan Wu.

Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Himax net revenues registered $237.2 million, an increase of 6.7% sequentially, significantly exceeding Company’s guidance range of a slight decrease to flat, and up 4.2% year-over-year. Gross margin reached 30.5%, exceeding its guidance of flat to slightly up from 30.0% in the previous quarter, and up from 30.3% in the same period last year. The sequential increase was driven by a favorable product mix and cost improvements. Q4 profit per diluted ADS was 14.0 cents, considerably above the guidance range of 9.3 cents to 11.0 cents, thanks to better-than-expected revenues and improved costs.

Revenue from large display drivers came in at $25.0 million, reflecting a 18.6% sequential decline. The decrease was primarily attributed to continued customer destocking after substantial Q2 replenishment for shopping festivals, as well as heightened price competition from Chinese peers. Sales of large panel driver ICs accounted for 10.5% of total revenues for the quarter, compared to 13.8% last quarter and 14.8% a year ago.

Small and medium-sized display driver segment totaled $166.8 million, an increase of 7.4% sequentially, exceeding its guidance of flat quarter-over-quarter, thanks to stronger-than-expected sales in the automotive and tablet markets. Q4 automotive driver sales, including both traditional DDIC and TDDI, experienced mid-teens increase, significantly outperforming Company’s expectation of a single digit increase, with both DDIC and TDDI showing stronger-than-expected sales. This surge was primarily driven by continued rush orders from Chinese panel customers, carried over from Q3, following the Chinese government’s renewed trade-in stimulus initiative announced in mid-August 2024 to boost automobile consumption. Remarkably, Himax’s Q4 automotive TDDI sales have exceeded DDIC sales for the first time, underscoring the global adoption of Company’s TDDI solutions, which are increasingly essential in modern vehicles, and reflects the growing demand for more intuitive, interactive, and cost-effective touch panel features powered by TDDI technology. Himax’s automotive business, comprising drivers, Tcon, and OLED IC sales, accounted for around 50% of total Q4 revenues. Meanwhile, Q4 tablet IC sales exceeded the guidance of a low teens decline, with sales up slightly sequentially driven by rush orders from leading end customers. Q4 smartphone IC sales declined slightly, in line with its guidance. The small and medium-sized driver IC segment accounted for 70.3% of total sales for the quarter, compared to 69.9% in the previous quarter and 71.6% a year ago.

Fourth quarter revenues from its non-driver business reached $45.4 million, exceeding the guidance range, with a 24.9% increase from the previous quarter. The growth was primarily driven by a one-time ASIC Tcon product shipment to a leading projector customer and Tcon for monitor application. In Q4, automotive Tcon sales continued to grow sequentially, due to the widespread adoption of Himax’s market-leading local dimming Tcon with over two hundred secured design-win projects across major panel makers, Tier 1 suppliers, and automotive manufacturers worldwide. Non-driver products accounted for 19.2% of total revenues, as compared to 16.3% in the previous quarter and 13.6% a year ago.

Fourth quarter operating expenses were $49.2 million, a decrease of 19.1% from the previous quarter and a decline of 6.0% from a year ago. The sequential decrease stemmed primarily from a reduction in annual employee bonuses, partially offset by an increase in R&D expenses. As part of Company’s standard practice, Himax grants annual bonuses, including cash and RSUs, to employees at the end of September each year. This results in higher IFRS operating expenses in the third quarter compared to the other quarters of the year. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to a decline in employee bonus compensation as the amortized portion of prior year’s bonuses for 2023 was higher than that for 2024, offsetting the higher annual bonus compensation grant for 2024 compared to 2023. Amid ongoing macroeconomic challenges, Himax is strictly enforcing budget and expense controls, with full-year 2024 operating expenses declining 5.6% compared to last year.

Fourth quarter operating income was $23.1 million or 9.7% of sales, compared to 2.6% of sales last quarter and 7.3% of sales for the same period last year. The sequential increase was primarily the result of higher sales, improved gross margin, and lower operating expenses. The year-over-year increase was primarily the result of higher sales, higher gross margin, and lower employee bonus compensation due to the amortized portion of the prior year’s bonuses. Fourth-quarter after-tax profit was $24.6 million, or 14.0 cents per diluted ADS, reflecting a meaningful increase from $13.0 million, or 7.4 cents per diluted ADS last quarter, and up from $23.6 million, or 13.5 cents in the same period last year.

Full Year 2024 Financial

Revenues totaled $906.8 million, a slight decline of 4.1% compared to 2023. Persistent global demand weakness, coupled with uncertainty about market trends, led to conservative purchasing decisions and inventory management by Company’s panel customers. Given this uncertainty, Himax implemented strict expense controls, resulting in a 5.6% reduction in operating expenses for the year. However, Company’s optimism in the automotive business remains unwavering, with automotive IC sales increasing by nearly 20% year-over-year in 2024, far outpacing the overall automotive market growth. Among Company’s automotive product lines, automotive TDDI and Tcon sales, both relatively new technologies, surged by more than 70%, driven by accelerated adoption across the board. This growth strengthened Company’s market leadership and positions Himax well for continued success as the automotive sector embraces more advanced technology resulting from the mega trend of increasing size, quantity, and sophistication of displays inside vehicles.

Revenue from large panel display drivers totaled $125.9 million in 2024, marking a decrease of 28.3% year-over-year, and representing 13.9% of total sales, as compared to 18.6% in 2023. Small and medium-sized driver sales totaled $625.4 million, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.6% year-over-year, and accounting for 69.0% of its total revenues, as compared to 66.5% in 2023. Non-driver product sales totaled $155.5 million, an increase of 10.6% year-over-year, and representing 17.1% of Company’s total sales, as compared to 14.9% a year ago.

Gross margin in 2024 was 30.5%, up from 27.9% in 2023. The margin expansion was driven by a strategic focus on cost improvements and operational efficiency optimization, combined with a favorable product mix that included a higher percentage of high-margin products such as automotive and Tcon. The successful diversification of foundry sources also contributed to the margin increase.

Operating expenses in 2024 were $208.0 million, a decline of 5.6% from 2023, primarily due to lower employee bonus compensation, as the amortized portion of bonuses in 2023 was higher than that in 2024. 2024 operating income was $68.2 million, or 7.5% of sales, an increase from $43.2 million, or 4.6% of sales, in 2023. Himax’s net profit for 2024 was $79.8 million, or $0.46 per diluted ADS, significantly up from $50.6 million, or $0.29 per diluted ADS in 2023.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

Himax had $224.6 million of cash, cash equivalents and other financial assets as of December 31, 2024. This compares to $206.4 million at the same time last year and $206.5 million a quarter ago. Himax achieved a strong positive operating cash flow of $35.4 million for the fourth quarter, compared to a cash outflow of $3.1 million in Q3. Company made a total of $30.1 million annual cash bonus to employees, resulting in the low operating cash flow of the quarter. As of December 31, 2024, Himax had $34.5 million in long-term unsecured loans, with $6.0 million representing the current portion.

The Company’s inventories as of December 31, 2024 were $158.7 million, lower than $192.5 million last quarter and $217.3 million at the end of last year. Company’s inventory levels have steadily declined over the past couple of quarters and are now at a healthy level. Accounts receivable at the end of December 2024 was $236.8 million, little changed from $224.6 million last quarter and $235.8 million a year ago. DSO was 96 days at the quarter end, as compared to 92 days last quarter and 91 days a year ago. Fourth quarter capital expenditures were $3.2 million, versus $2.6 million last quarter and $15.1 million a year ago. Fourth quarter capex was mainly for R&D related equipment for Company’s IC design business. Total capital expenditures for 2024 were $13.1 million as compared to $23.4 million in 2023. The decrease was primarily due to reduced spending on in-house testers for Company’s IC design business in 2024.

Outstanding Share

As of December 31, 2024, Himax had 174.9 million ADS outstanding, little changed from last quarter. On a fully diluted basis, the total number of ADS outstanding for the fourth quarter was 175.1 million.

Q1 2025 Outlook

In 2024, Himax’s sales revenues in each quarter consistently outperformed guidance. While this strong performance is certainly commendable, it also highlights the challenges Company faced such as limited market visibility and conservative customer demand, where many customers relied on rush orders to address their actual demands. On the other hand, rush orders are indicative of the tight inventory position of Company’s panel customers in general. In the past few quarters, Himax has consistently demonstrated its ability to handle most of such rush orders, underscoring Company’s agility, adaptability, strong capabilities in inventory management, and swift market responsiveness.

The automotive IC sales remained Company’s largest revenue contributor in 2024, accounting for almost half of total revenues and achieving close to 20% annual growth. This performance highlights Himax’s automotive leadership in technological innovations, product development, and market share. Looking ahead, Himax expects its automotive TDDI and Tcon technologies to maintain growth momentum, further strengthening its market competitiveness. Beyond LCD technology, Himax is advancing development in the automotive OLED sector, with numerous projects currently underway in partnership with leading panel makers. Company anticipates that automotive OLED IC will serve as one of the key growth drivers for Himax in the coming years, further solidifying its leadership in automotive display market.

Meanwhile, Himax is actively expanding its technology development beyond display ICs. To that end, in the WiseEye AI segment, Company has made notable progress with leading notebook brands and achieved significant breakthroughs in smart door lock, palm vein authentication, and smart home applications, collaborating with world-leading customers to develop new innovations. Himax anticipates a strong growth trajectory in its WiseEye business in 2025 and beyond.

Himax’s proprietary wafer-level optics (WLO) technology for co-packaged optics (CPO) has recently garnered significant attention in the capital markets. In fact, as early as June 2024, Himax and FOCI, a global leader in silicon photonics connectors, jointly announced the industry-leading CPO technology. The collaboration, spanning several years, unites Himax’s WLO technology with FOCI’s CPO solutions for cutting-edge AI multi-chip modules (MCM). Since the announcement, Himax has provided updates on the latest progress in each quarterly earnings call. Himax’s WLO technology plays a critical role in CPO by providing essential optical coupling capability, making it a core element of the solution. CPO significantly enhances bandwidth and accelerates data transmission while reducing signal loss, latency, and power consumption. Additionally, it can help drastically decrease the size and cost of MCM.

While CPO is still in engineering validation and trial production stage this year, with customer’s mass production timelines undisclosed and the recent AI market disruptions from DeepSeek, the prospect of CPO remains unchanged. The widespread adoption of CPO for data transmission to be conducted via optics instead of metal wire is on track in high-performance AI applications. This is evident by the significant increase in customer’s recent trial production volume forecast, indicating an accelerated timeline for CPO technology to enter mass production. Furthermore, Himax and FOCI, in close collaboration with leading AI customers and partners, are actively developing future generations of CPO technologies to meet the explosive high-speed optical data transmission demand in HPC and AI. Through WLO and CPO technologies, Himax is well-positioned to engage in the high-speed AI computing market with high expectations for its growth. Company believes that CPO technology, beyond cloud applications, will see further adoption in sectors such as automotive and robot in the future. Himax’s current goal is to accelerate CPO adoption in cloud applications, thereby helping drive broader CPO adoption in AI applications.

At CES this year, Himax showcased a wide range of innovative achievements, including automotive display technology, WiseEye AI, and advanced optical technologies for AR/VR. Notably, a clear trend emerged at this year’s CES as the industry demonstrated growing enthusiasm for AR glasses, fueled by more companies entering the space and integrating generative AI to accelerate the development of lightweight, compact, and all-day AR glasses. For AR glasses, Himax offers three critical technologies, namely LCoS microdisplay, WLO waveguide, and ultralow power WiseEye AI. Company’s latest, patented Front-lit LCoS Microdisplay delivers unparalleled brightness with an industry-leading 400k nits, exceptional optical power efficiency, compact form factor, lightweight, and superior display quality, making it one of the most viable solutions in the see-through AR glasses market. In waveguide, in collaboration with leading tech names, Himax leverages proprietary WLO expertise, built on advanced nanoimprint technology, to offer industry-leading optical solutions that optimize light transmission and display efficiency. In the field of AI sensing for AR glasses, Himax’s WiseEye provides always-on AI sensing capabilities which are being applied by developers to significantly enhance AR interactivity while consuming just a few milliwatts of power.

In automotive display IC technology, Himax unveiled the industry’s most comprehensive LCD and OLED solutions at CES, showcasing a range of next-generation smart cabin technologies. These solutions not only improve the intuitive operation of smart cabins but also enhance driving safety and provide an exceptional user experience. A prime example is the advanced Display HMI solution developed in collaboration with AUO which meets the demands for large-size, high-resolution, and freeform automotive displays.

At CES, Himax also partnered with several AI ecosystem partners to showcase its ultralow power WiseEye Modules over a range of innovative, production-ready AIoT applications. These applications include palm vein authentication, baby cry detection, people flow management, and human sensing detection. The modules are designed for easy integration, making it highly suitable for various AIoT applications.

Display Driver IC Businesses

LDDIC

In Q1 2025, Himax anticipates a single digit sequential sales increase for large display driver ICs, driven by demand spurred by Chinese government subsidies for household appliances aimed at reviving demand in the sluggish household sector. Notebook and monitor sales are expected to increase in Q1. In contrast, TV IC sales are set to decline as customers pulled forward their inventory purchases in the prior quarter, coupled with the seasonal slowdown in Q1.

Looking ahead in the notebook sector, Company is seeing an increase in demand for premium notebooks to adopt OLED displays and touch features, partially fueled by the rise of AI PC. Himax is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend, offering a comprehensive range of ICs for both LCD and OLED notebooks, including DDIC, Tcon, touch controllers, and TDDI. A standout innovation is Company’s pioneering in-cell touch TDDI for LCD displays, which improves the ease of system design and integration by embedding the touch controller within the TDDI chip while maintaining the conventional display driver setup for Tcon data transmission. This design simplifies integration for customers, reducing engineering complexity and speeding up product development. This solution also supports high-resolution displays up to 4K and larger screens up to 16 inches, aligning with the growing demand for advanced, visually stunning, and immersive laptops. With mass production already underway for a leading notebook vendor’s AI PC, more projects are lined up. For OLED notebooks, in addition to Company’s OLED DDIC and Tcon solutions, Himax is also developing on-cell touch controller technology, with multiple projects underway with top panel makers and notebook vendors. Last but not least, progress has been made on the next-generation eDP 1.5 display interface for Tcon for both LCD and OLED panels. This interface will support high frame rates, low power consumption, adaptive sync, and high resolution, key features essential for next-generation AI PCs. By delivering innovative, cutting-edge technologies, Himax is well-positioned to lead in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI PCs and premium notebooks.

SMDDIC

On SMDDIC revenue, for the full year 2024, Himax’s automotive driver IC sales, comprising of TDDI and traditional DDIC, increased nearly 20% year-over-year, significantly outpacing global automotive growth, largely driven by the continued adoption of TDDI technology among major customers across all continents. However, Himax anticipates Q1 automotive revenue to decline low teens sequentially, following two quarters of surge demand. Despite this, Q1 automotive sales are still projected to increase by mid-teens on a year-over-year basis. In the automotive TDDI sector, with cumulative shipments significantly surpassing those of Himax’s competitors, Company continues to reinforce its market leadership, which currently stands at well over 50%. With nearly 500 design-in projects secured and a continuous influx of new pipeline and design-wins across the board, of which only 30% already in mass production, Himax expects to sustain this decent growth in the years ahead. While traditional automotive DDIC sales for 2024 declined due to their gradual, partial replacement by TDDI, Company’s DDIC shipment volume still saw a modest increase in the last year. This demonstrates the steady demand for mature DDIC products, such as those used in cluster displays, HUDs, and rear- and side-view mirrors, which do not require touch functionality. Furthermore, the long-term trust and loyalty from Company’s DDIC customers, some of whom have relied on Himax’s solutions for over a decade, is indicative of Company’s strong customer retention. Himax continues to lead the automotive DDIC market, maintaining a global market share of approximately 40%.

Himax continues to lead in automotive display IC innovation by pioneering solutions that deliver superior performance, power efficiency, and enhanced user experiences. As part of this ongoing innovation, Company’s latest TED (Tcon Embedded Driver IC) solution, which combines TDDI with local dimming Tcon into a single chip, provides a cost-effective, flexible, and comprehensive solution for its customers. Another new technology worth highlighting is Himax’s automotive TDDI with advanced user-aware touch control, which differentiates between driver and passenger touches to prevent cross-touch and enhance driving safety. In addition, Company offers a unique knob-on-in-cell-display solution that combines a physical knob with a TDDI. This design seamlessly merges in-cell touch technology with tactile controls, offering drivers a safer, more intuitive interaction that reduces distractions and enhances the overall driving experience.

Moving to smartphone and tablet IC sales, Himax expects a sequential decline in both product lines, as is typical during the low season in Q1 due to the Lunar New Year.

On OLED business update. In the automotive OLED market, Company has established strategic partnerships with leading panel makers in Korea, China, and Japan. As OLED technology extends beyond premium car models, Himax is well-positioned as the preferred partner, leveraging Company’s strong presence and proven track record in the automotive LCD display sector. Capitalizing on Himax’s first-mover advantage, Himax aims to drive the growing adoption of OLED in automotive displays by offering a comprehensive range of solutions, including DDIC, Tcon, and on-cell touch controller. Company believes this positions it as a primary beneficiary of the anticipated shift toward OLED displays for high end vehicles in a couple of years, enabling Himax to capture new growth opportunities and further strengthen its market leadership.

Beyond the automotive sector, Company has also made strides in the tablet and notebook markets, partnering with leading OLED panel makers in Korea and China. Himax’s comprehensive OLED product portfolio, covering DDIC, Tcon, and touch controllers, has driven several new projects that are on track to begin mass production this year. In the smartphone OLED market, Company is making solid progress in collaborations with customers in Korea and China and anticipates mass production to start later this year.

First quarter small and medium-sized display driver IC business is expected to decline low teens sequentially.

Non-Driver Product Categories

Q1 non-driver IC revenues are expected to decrease high teens sequentially.

Timing Controller (Tcon)

Himax anticipates Q1 2025 Tcon sales to decrease mid-teens sequentially, primarily due to the non-recurrence of a one-time ASIC Tcon shipment to a leading projector customer last quarter, as well as a moderation in automotive Tcon shipments following several quarters of strong growth. That being said, Himax maintains an unchallenged position in local dimming Tcon, evidenced by growing validation and widespread adoption in both premium and mainstream car models worldwide. Company is confident in the continued growth of its automotive Tcon business, supported by its strong market presence in local dimming Tcon, with strong pipeline of over two hundred design-win projects set to gradually enter production in the coming years. Heads-up display (HUD) is another field gaining traction within automotive displays, driving increased adoption of local dimming Tcon technology and emerging as a particularly promising application. Himax’s industry-leading local dimming Tcon provides distinct advancements with high contrast ratio and optimized power consumption. It effectively eliminates the “postcard effect” often seen in HUDs, caused by backlight leakage typical of conventional TFT LCD panels, ensuring clear and precise images on the windshield. Additionally, the Tcon features advanced transparency detection to prevent the display from obstructing the driver’s view, thereby ensuring driving safety. Several HUD projects are already in progress, and Himax is excited about the potential opportunities ahead. Company is well positioned for continuous growth in automotive Tcon over the next few years.

WiseEye™ Ultralow Power AI Sensing

On the update of WiseEye™ ultralow power AI sensing solution, a cutting-edge endpoint AI integration featuring industry-leading ultralow power AI processor, always-on CMOS image sensor, and CNN-based AI algorithm. WiseEye AI delivers a significant competitive edge in the rapidly growing AI market through its ultralow power consumption and context-aware, on-device AI inferencing that seamlessly integrates vision and other sensing capabilities into endpoint applications, particularly battery-powered devices. This not only enhances intuitive user interaction but also makes AI more practical and accessible. Additionally, WiseEye AI offloads tasks from the main processor, effectively extending battery lifespan and improving overall data processing efficiency. Building on the success with Dell notebooks, Himax WiseEye AI is continuing to expand its market presence, with additional use cases expected across other leading notebook brands, some of which are set for production later this year.

WiseEye also continues to achieve significant market success across various sectors. For smart door lock, Company collaborated with DESMAN, a leading high-end brand in China, to introduce the world’s first smart door lock with 24/7 sentry monitoring and real-time event recording. Building on this achievement, Himax is expanding globally by collaborating with other leading door lock makers worldwide to integrate innovative AI features, including parcel recognition, anti-pinch protection, and palm vein biometric access, further extending application possibilities. Several of these value-added solutions are set to enter production later this year. At CES 2025, Himax joined forces with ecosystem partners to unveil a suite of innovative, production-ready AIoT applications, powered by Company’s tiny form factor, plug-and-play WiseEye Modules. Himax offers a series of modules, each incorporating an ultralow power WiseEye AI processor, an AoS image sensor, and advanced algorithms. The modules feature no-code/low-code AI platform capabilities, simplifying AI integration and supporting diverse use cases, such as human presence detection, gender and age recognition, gesture recognition, face mesh, voice command, thermal image sensing, pose estimation and people flow management. By streamlining deployment and reducing development costs, WiseEye Modules open new opportunities for automation, enhance interactivity, and elevate user experiences across a variety of industries.

A broad range of innovative, ultralow power WiseEye Modules are also under development in collaboration with ecosystem partners, such as crying baby detection, dynamic gesture recognition, and human sensing, among others. One standout in Himax’s WiseEye Module portfolio is the Himax WiseEye PalmVein solution, which has quickly gained traction since its introduction just one year ago. Company has secured multiple design wins, with mass production already underway by a US customer for smart access applications and a Taiwan-based door lock vendor for its leading smart door lock brands. To meet growing customer demand for flexibility across various environments, the upgraded WiseEye PalmVein suite now features bimodal authentication, combining both palm vein and face recognitions. This dual-authentication solution enhances security by offering two layers of biometric verification, which not only increases reliability but also makes it highly adaptable to various environments.

The rise of physical AI agents marks a significant shift in human-machine interaction, enabling devices to perceive, process, and respond to their surroundings in real time. A key emerging trend is the integration of cloud-based large language models (LLMs), which enables these agents’ advanced reasoning and language understanding, enhancing their ability to interact with and adapt to the physical world. Himax WiseEye AI is at the forefront of this revolution, delivering always-on sensor fusion, ultralow power on-device processing, while seamlessly interfacing with LLMs, to provide the essential real-time AI capabilities for next-generation applications. A good illustration of this innovation was showcased at CES 2025, where Himax and Seeed Studio introduced the SenseCAP Watcher, a physical AI agent powered by WiseEye AI. Equipped with vision and audio sensor fusion, along with a speaker, this battery-powered IoT device combines on-device AI with cloud-based LLMs to interpret commands, recognize objects, respond to events, and facilitate real-time interaction. Drawing from the success of SenseCAP Watcher, Himax is actively working on multiple projects leveraging WiseEye AI to further drive advancements in physical AI agent applications.

Separately, Himax is excited about its collaboration with a leading AR player to integrate WiseEye AI into the next generation of AR glasses. At CES, there was a renewed enthusiasm on AR glasses with AI becoming an integral component to enable intuitive and seamless human-device interaction. WiseEye AI addresses two critical challenges in AR glasses, namely real-time responsiveness and power efficiency. For example, WiseEye supports always-on outward sensing, enabling AR glasses to detect and analyze the surrounding environment with real time context-aware AI. This capability powers instant response, real-time object recognition, navigation assistance, translation, and environmental mapping, enhancing the overall AR experience. Notably, WiseEye AI’s exceptional ultralow power consumption, measured in single digit milliwatts, also make it perfectly suited for AR glasses for all-day wear. In another example, Company collaborates with Ganzin on eyeball tracking technology, which, powered by WiseEye, precisely detects subtle eyeball movements, gaze direction, pupil size, and blinking, thereby providing critical data for the enhancement of user interaction in AR glasses.

Wafer Level Optics (WLO)

In June 2024, Himax, in partnership with FOCI, a world leader in silicon photonics connector, unveiled an industry-leading co-packaged optics (CPO) technology, leveraging Himax state-of-the-art WLO technology. This innovation integrates silicon photonic chips and optical connectors within MCM, replacing traditional metal wire transmission with high-speed optical communication. The technology significantly enhances bandwidth, boosts data transmission rates, reduces signal loss and latency, lowers power consumption, and significantly minimizes the size and cost of MCM. In working closely with FOCI, Himax is making significant strides through a solid partnership with leading AI semiconductor companies and foundry, with small-scale production of the first-generation CPO solution already underway. The significant increase in Q1 engineering validation and trial production volume, combined with the anticipated sample volume increases in the coming quarters, is a strong indication that CPO technology is being accelerated toward mass production. In addition, in close collaboration with leading AI customers/partners, Himax is speeding up the development of CPO technology for the next few generations. Himax is more optimistic than ever about the outlook for its WLO business, which is poised to generate significant growth opportunities and become a major revenue and profit contributor in the years ahead.

Alongside the CPO progress, Company is witnessing a rise in engineering collaborations with global technology leaders who are utilizing Himax’s WLO expertise to make advanced waveguides for AR glasses, highlighting the growing recognition of Company’s WLO capabilities.

LCoS

On the update on LCoS, Company recently introduced its industry-leading 400K nits ultra-luminous Front-lit LCoS Microdisplay, setting a new benchmark for brightness with extremely low power consumption of merely 300mW. At CES 2025, Company showcased an AR glasses POC (Proof-Of-Concept) featuring the microdisplay with a third-party waveguide, achieving over 1,000 nits of brightness to the eye. This demonstration highlighted its suitability for outdoor, high ambient light conditions. With a lightweight of just 0.98 grams and ultra-compact form factor of less than 0.5 c.c., combined with excellent color performance, Himax’s Front-lit LCoS Microdisplay is ideal for all-day AR glasses and underscores the technology’s readiness for real-world applications.

Following the recent release of Himax’s 400K nits ultra-luminous Front-lit LCoS Microdisplay, Himax is actively engaged in significant projects through strategic collaborations with industry leaders. Himax’s proven track record of over a decade in LCoS technology, coupled with a history of successful production shipments, highlights Company’s readiness to meet the demands of large-scale production of AR glasses.

First Quarter 2025 Guidance
Net Revenue:	Decrease 8.5% to 12.5% QoQ, Flat to Up 4.6% YoY
Gross Margin:	Around 30.5%, depending on final product mix
Profit:	9.0 cents to 11.0 cents per diluted ADS, Up 26% to 54% YoY

Himax noticed that some peers’ customers placed orders early due to tariff factors, especially in the consumer electronics sector, resulting in Q1 revenue forecasts exceeding normal seasonal demand. In contrast, no similar trend has been observed in the automotive semiconductor market. Since Himax’s automotive business accounts for more than half of its total revenues, Himax’s Q1 revenue forecast has not benefited from tariff factors.

HIMAX TECHNOLOGIES FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL
DATE:	Thursday, February 13, 2025
TIME:	U.S. 8:00 a.m. EST Taiwan 9:00 p.m.

Live Webcast (Video and Audio): http://www.zucast.com/webcast/br8wqbB4 Toll Free Dial-in Number (Audio Only):
	Hong Kong 2112-1444 Taiwan 0080-119-6666 Australia 1-800-015-763 Canada 1-877-252-8508 China (1) 4008-423-888 China (2) 4006-786-286 Singapore 800-492-2072 UK 0800-068-8186 United States (1) 1-800-811-0860 United States (2) 1-866-212-5567
Dial-in Number (Audio Only):
	Taiwan Domestic Access 02-3396-1191 International Access +886-2-3396-1191
Participant PIN Code: 3329013 #

If you choose to attend the call by dialing in via phone, please enter the Participant PIN Code 3329013 # after the call is connected. A replay of the webcast will be available beginning two hours after the call on www.himax.com.tw. This webcast can be accessed by clicking on this link or Himax’s website, where it will remain available until February 13, 2026.

About Himax Technologies, Inc.
Himax Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: HIMX) is a leading global fabless semiconductor solution provider dedicated to display imaging processing technologies. The Company’s display driver ICs and timing controllers have been adopted at scale across multiple industries worldwide including TVs, PC monitors, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, automotive, ePaper devices, industrial displays, among others. As the global market share leader in automotive display technology, the Company offers innovative and comprehensive automotive IC solutions, including traditional driver ICs, advanced in-cell Touch and Display Driver Integration (TDDI), local dimming timing controllers (Local Dimming Tcon), Large Touch and Display Driver Integration (LTDI) and OLED display technologies. Himax is also a pioneer in tinyML visual-AI and optical technology related fields. The Company’s industry-leading WiseEye™ Ultralow Power AI Sensing technology which incorporates Himax proprietary ultralow power AI processor, always-on CMOS image sensor, and CNN-based AI algorithm has been widely deployed in consumer electronics and AIoT related applications. Himax optics technologies, such as diffractive wafer level optics, LCoS microdisplays and 3D sensing solutions, are critical for facilitating emerging AR/VR/metaverse technologies. Additionally, Himax designs and provides touch controllers, OLED ICs, LED ICs, EPD ICs, power management ICs, and CMOS image sensors for diverse display application coverage. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Tainan, Taiwan, Himax currently employs around 2,200 people from three Taiwan-based offices in Tainan, Hsinchu and Taipei and country offices in China, Korea, Japan, Germany, and the US. Himax has 2,649 patents granted and 402 patents pending approval worldwide as of December 31, 2024.

http://www.himax.com.tw

Forward Looking Statements

Factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in this conference call include, but are not limited to, the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Company’s business; general business and economic conditions and the state of the semiconductor industry; market acceptance and competitiveness of the driver and non-driver products developed by the Company; demand for end-use applications products; reliance on a small group of principal customers; the uncertainty of continued success in technological innovations; our ability to develop and protect our intellectual property; pricing pressures including declines in average selling prices; changes in customer order patterns; changes in estimated full-year effective tax rate; shortage in supply of key components; changes in environmental laws and regulations; changes in export license regulated by Export Administration Regulations (EAR); exchange rate fluctuations; regulatory approvals for further investments in our subsidiaries; our ability to collect accounts receivable and manage inventory and other risks described from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings, including those risks identified in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in its Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC, as may be amended.

Company Contacts:

Eric Li, Chief IR/PR Officer
Himax Technologies, Inc.
Tel: +886-6-505-0880
Fax: +886-2-2314-0877
Email: hx_ir@himax.com.tw
www.himax.com.tw

Karen Tiao, Investor Relations
Himax Technologies, Inc.
Tel: +886-2-2370-3999
Fax: +886-2-2314-0877
Email: hx_ir@himax.com.tw
www.himax.com.tw

Mark Schwalenberg, Director
Investor Relations – US Representative
MZ North America
Tel: +1-312-261-6430
Email: HIMX@mzgroup.us
www.mzgroup.us

-Financial Tables-

Himax Technologies, Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss
(These interim financials do not fully comply with IFRS because they omit all interim disclosure required by IFRS)
(Amounts in Thousands of U.S. Dollars, Except Share and Per Share Data)
	Three Months Ended December 31,						3 Months Ended September 30,
		2024			2023			2024

Revenues
Revenues from third parties, net	$	237,182		$	227,664		$	222,401
Revenues from related parties, net		41			14			6
		237,223			227,678			222,407

Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues		164,963			158,669			155,795
Research and development		37,584			41,088			46,880
General and administrative		5,711			5,831			6,828
Sales and marketing		5,886			5,409			7,048
Total costs and expenses		214,144			210,997			216,551

Operating income		23,079			16,681			5,856

Non operating income (loss):
Interest income		2,042			1,934			2,297
Changes in fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss		1,245			1,710			27
Foreign currency exchange gains (losses), net		690			(1,525	)		457
Finance costs		(964	)		(1,140	)		(1,018	)
Share of losses of associates		(360	)		(14	)		(143	)
Other losses		–			(1,932	)		–
Other income (losses)		60			(362	)		105
		2,713			(1,329	)		1,725
Profit before income taxes		25,792			15,352			7,581
Income tax expense (benefit)		761			(7,933	)		(5,174	)
Profit for the period		25,031			23,285			12,755
Loss (profit) attributable to noncontrolling interests		(423	)		280			268
Profit attributable to Himax Technologies, Inc. stockholders	$	24,608		$	23,565		$	13,023

Basic earnings per ADS attributable to Himax Technologies, Inc. stockholders	$	0.141		$	0.135		$	0.075
Diluted earnings per ADS attributable to Himax Technologies, Inc. stockholders	$	0.140		$	0.135		$	0.074

Basic Weighted Average Outstanding ADS		175,008			174,724			174,727
Diluted Weighted Average Outstanding ADS		175,146			174,979			174,987

Himax Technologies, Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss
(Amounts in Thousands of U.S. Dollars, Except Share and Per Share Data)

	Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2024			2023

Revenues
Revenues from third parties, net	$	906,737		$	945,309
Revenues from related parties, net		65			119
		906,802			945,428

Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues		630,601			681,931
Research and development		160,329			171,392
General and administrative		24,121			25,037
Sales and marketing		23,530			23,856
Total costs and expenses		838,581			902,216

Operating income		68,221			43,212

Non operating income (loss):
Interest income		9,907			8,746
Changes in fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss		1,363			1,655
Foreign currency exchange gains (losses), net		2,491			(768	)
Finance costs		(4,014	)		(6,080	)
Share of losses of associates		(831	)		(598	)
Other losses		–			(1,932	)
Other income		198			158
		9,114			1,181
Profit before income taxes		77,335			44,393
Income tax benefit		(2,435	)		(5,028	)
Profit for the period		79,770			49,421
Loss (profit) attributable to noncontrolling interests		(15	)		1,195
Profit attributable to Himax Technologies, Inc. stockholders	$	79,755		$	50,616

Basic earnings per ADS attributable to Himax Technologies, Inc. stockholders	$	0.456		$	0.290
Diluted earnings per ADS attributable to Himax Technologies, Inc. stockholders	$	0.456		$	0.290

Basic Weighted Average Outstanding ADS		174,796			174,495
Diluted Weighted Average Outstanding ADS		175,014			174,783

Himax Technologies, Inc.
IFRS Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(Amounts in Thousands of U.S. Dollars)

	December 31, 2024			December 31, 2023			September 30, 2024
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	218,148		$	191,749		$	194,139
Financial assets at amortized cost		4,286			12,511			12,335
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss		2,140			2,117			–
Accounts receivable, net (including related parties)		236,813			235,829			224,589
Inventories		158,746			217,308			192,458
Income taxes receivable		726			1,454			986
Restricted deposit		503,700			453,000			503,700
Other receivable from related parties		13			69			22
Other current assets		43,471			86,548			42,581
Total current assets		1,168,043			1,200,585			1,170,810
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss		23,554			21,650			26,383
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income		28,226			1,635			22,457
Equity method investments		8,571			3,490			2,945
Property, plant and equipment, net		121,280			130,109			122,333
Deferred tax assets		21,193			14,196			13,806
Goodwill		28,138			28,138			28,138
Other intangible assets, net		636			816			717
Restricted deposit		31			32			31
Refundable deposits		221,824			222,025			221,879
Other non-current assets		18,025			20,728			18,484
		471,478			442,819			457,173
Total assets	$	1,639,521		$	1,643,404		$	1,627,983
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term unsecured borrowings	$	6,000		$	6,000		$	6,000
Short-term secured borrowings		503,700			453,000			503,700
Accounts payable (including related parties)		113,203			107,342			121,384
Income taxes payable		9,514			15,309			2,324
Other payable to related parties		–			110			–
Contract liabilities-current		10,622			17,751			25,694
Other current liabilities		63,595			109,291			54,673
Total current liabilities		706,634			708,803			713,775
Long-term unsecured borrowings		28,500			34,500			30,000
Deferred tax liabilities		564			520			505
Other non-current liabilities		7,496			35,879			11,361
		36,560			70,899			41,866
Total liabilities		743,194			779,702			755,641
Equity
Ordinary shares		107,010			107,010			107,010
Additional paid-in capital		115,376			114,648			115,285
Treasury shares		(5,546	)		(5,157	)		(4,714	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		8,621			(180	)		3,507
Retained earnings		664,600			640,447			644,596
Equity attributable to owners of Himax Technologies, Inc.		890,061			856,768			865,684
Noncontrolling interests		6,266			6,934			6,658
Total equity		896,327			863,702			872,342
Total liabilities and equity	$	1,639,521		$	1,643,404		$	1,627,983

Himax Technologies, Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Amounts in Thousands of U.S. Dollars)
	Three Months Ended December 31,						Three Months Ended September 30,
		2024			2023			2024

Cash flows from operating activities:
Profit for the period	$	25,031		$	23,285		$	12,755
Adjustments for:
Depreciation and amortization		5,564			5,115			5,640
Share-based compensation expenses		103			346			407
Losses (gains) on disposals of property, plant and equipment, net		4			(368	)		–
Loss on re-measurement of the pre-existing relationships in a business combination		–			1,932			–
Changes in fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss		(1,245	)		(1,710	)		(27	)
Interest income		(2,042	)		(1,934	)		(2,297	)
Finance costs		964			1,140			1,018
Income tax expense (benefit)		761			(7,933	)		(5,174	)
Share of losses of associates		360			14			143
Inventories write downs		4,037			5,727			2,269
Unrealized foreign currency exchange losses (gains)		(159	)		1,517			228
		33,378			27,131			14,962
Changes in:
Accounts receivable (including related parties)		(27,302	)		8,163			8,548
Inventories		29,675			36,580			8,964
Other receivable from related parties		9			(29	)		33
Other current assets		2,502			(5,682	)		(778	)
Accounts payable (including related parties)		(7,706	)		(627	)		(26,101	)
Other payable to related parties		1			363			(102	)
Contract liabilities		6			(958	)		667
Other current liabilities		2,508			3,014			(4,161	)
Other non-current liabilities		71			393			(3,354	)
Cash generated from operating activities		33,142			68,348			(1,322	)
Interest received		3,513			2,665			860
Interest paid		(1,047	)		(1,140	)		(1,018	)
Income tax paid		(191	)		(1,131	)		(1,658	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		35,417			68,742			(3,138	)

Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment		(3,222	)		(15,052	)		(2,551	)
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment		–			111			–
Acquisitions of intangible assets		–			(40	)		(9	)
Acquisitions of financial assets at amortized cost		(2,286	)		(4,573	)		(1,500	)
Proceeds from disposal of financial assets at amortized cost		10,289			784			617
Acquisitions of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss		(6,807	)		(5,375	)		(27,934	)
Proceeds from disposal of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss		3,722			1,645			33,036
Acquisitions of financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income		–			(1,379	)		–
Proceeds from disposal of financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income		–			99			–
Acquisition of a subsidiary, net of cash acquired (paid)		(5,416	)		433			–
Proceeds from capital reduction of investment		338			360			–
Acquisitions of equity method investment		(1,236	)		–			–
Decrease (increase) in refundable deposits		(8	)		–			11,339
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(4,626	)		(22,987	)		12,998

Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchase of treasury shares		(832	)		–			–
Prepayments for purchase of treasury shares		(2,168	)		–			–
Payments of cash dividends		–			–			(50,670	)
Payments of dividend equivalents		–			–			(233	)
Proceeds from issuance of new shares by subsidiaries		–			916			–
Purchases of subsidiaries shares from noncontrolling interests		–			(9	)		–
Proceeds from short-term unsecured borrowings		–			36,932			–
Repayments of short-term unsecured borrowings		–			(37,226	)		–
Repayments of long-term unsecured borrowings		(1,500	)		(1,500	)		(1,500	)
Proceeds from short-term secured borrowings		461,400			427,100			522,600
Repayments of short-term secured borrowings		(461,400	)		(427,100	)		(471,900	)
Pledge of restricted deposit		–			–			(50,700	)
Payment of lease liabilities		(1,340	)		(1,244	)		(979	)
Guarantee deposits received (refunded)		219			(5	)		–
Net cash used in financing activities		(5,621	)		(2,136	)		(53,382	)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(1,161	)		873			985
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		24,009			44,492			(42,537	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		194,139			147,257			236,676
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	218,148		$	191,749		$	194,139

Himax Technologies, Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Amounts in Thousands of U.S. Dollars)
	Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2024			2023

Cash flows from operating activities:
Profit for the period	$	79,770		$	49,421
Adjustments for:
Depreciation and amortization		22,354			20,322
Share-based compensation expenses		1,247			2,663
Losses (gains) on disposals of property, plant and equipment, net		4			(368	)
Loss on re-measurement of the pre-existing relationships in a business combination		–			1,932
Changes in fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss		(1,363	)		(1,655	)
Interest income		(9,907	)		(8,746	)
Finance costs		4,014			6,080
Income tax benefit		(2,435	)		(5,028	)
Share of losses of associates		831			598
Inventories write downs		13,551			21,540
Unrealized foreign currency exchange losses (gains)		(171	)		624
		107,895			87,383
Changes in:
Accounts receivable (including related parties)		(40,738	)		20,804
Inventories		45,011			132,090
Other receivable from related parties		56			5
Other current assets		3,941			(3,863	)
Accounts payable (including related parties)		14,567			7,676
Other payable to related parties		(110	)		(268	)
Contract liabilities		45			(37,051	)
Other current liabilities		(9,010	)		1,246
Other non-current liabilities		(2,260	)		(4,602	)
Cash generated from operating activities		119,397			203,420
Interest received		9,732			8,567
Interest paid		(4,015	)		(6,080	)
Income tax paid		(9,138	)		(53,066	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		115,976			152,841

Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment		(13,054	)		(23,378	)
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment		–			111
Acquisitions of intangible assets		(153	)		(115	)
Acquisitions of financial assets at amortized cost		(11,236	)		(6,911	)
Proceeds from disposal of financial assets at amortized cost		19,457			3,099
Acquisitions of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss		(76,003	)		(82,628	)
Proceeds from disposal of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss		70,389			75,539
Acquisitions of financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income		(17,164	)		(1,379	)
Proceeds from disposal of financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income		–			99
Acquisition of a subsidiary, net of cash acquired (paid)		(5,416	)		433
Proceeds from capital reduction of investment		338			360
Acquisitions of equity method investment		(1,236	)		–
Decrease (increase) in refundable deposits		33,562			(56,933	)
Cash received in advance from disposal of land		–			2,821
Net cash used in investing activities		(516	)		(88,882	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchase of treasury shares		(832	)		–
Prepayments for purchase of treasury shares		(2,168	)		–
Payments of cash dividends		(50,670	)		(83,720	)
Payments of dividend equivalents		(233	)		(148	)
Proceeds from issuance of new shares by subsidiary		71			916
Purchases of subsidiaries shares from noncontrolling interests		(190	)		(9	)
Proceeds from short-term unsecured borrowings		–			47,226
Repayments of short-term unsecured borrowings		–			(47,226	)
Repayments of long-term unsecured borrowings		(6,000	)		(6,000	)
Proceeds from short-term secured borrowings		1,780,300			1,383,300
Repayments of short-term secured borrowings		(1,729,600	)		(1,299,600	)
Pledge of restricted deposit		(50,700	)		(83,700	)
Payment of lease liabilities		(5,032	)		(4,830	)
Guarantee deposits received (refunded)		(23,163	)		200
Net cash used in financing activities		(88,217	)		(93,591	)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(844	)		(200	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		26,399			(29,832	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		191,749			221,581
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	218,148		$	191,749

The MIL Network –

February 13, 2025

MIL-OSI NGOs: Uncertainty around PEPFAR programme puts millions of people at risk
Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –
MSF is witnessing the impacts of the US government’s decision to freeze funding to PEPFAR in countries where we work.

While clarification on the decision was issued on 6 February, we remain concerned that key areas of HIV prevention are not included in this additional guidance.

We urge the US government to immediately resume all funding of critical humanitarian and health aid, including the full range of PEPFAR operations.
New York/Johannesburg/Brussels — The decision by the United States (US) government to temporarily freeze funding to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) alongside all other foreign aid for at least a 90-day period has had immediate effects on people living with HIV, said Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) today. Although the US has since clarified that certain treatment programmes can continue at least until April, we are concerned that critical elements of the PEPFAR programme remain frozen.

“More than three weeks since the US government froze PEPFAR funding, there is still widespread confusion and uncertainty as to whether this critical lifeline for millions of people has been cut off,” says Avril Benoît, chief executive officer of MSF USA. “Despite a limited waiver covering some activities, what our teams are seeing in many of the countries where we work is that people have already lost access to lifesaving care and have no idea whether or when their treatment will continue.”

“MSF is calling on the US government to immediately resume funding for the full range of PEPFAR operations as well as other critical health and humanitarian aid,” says Benoît.

On 1 February, after over a week of chaos and a freeze of activities, the US government issued a limited waiver allowing for the resumption of some programming with specific guidance for HIV. However, that guidance was unclear, and it did not immediately reach PEPFAR country teams. Across our broad network, MSF did not see a single organisation able to resume work as a result of this limited guidance on waivers. On 6 February, the US government issued clarified guidance on HIV care and treatment and prevention of mother to child transmission programmes.

However, we remain concerned that key areas of HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support are not included in this additional guidance, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for all vulnerable groups, including LGBTQ+ people and sex workers, specific interventions for adolescent girls and young women in high prevalence countries, and community-led monitoring programmes. These services are essential to ensuring a successful response to the epidemic.

While MSF does not accept US government funding and will not be directly affected by cuts or freezes to PEPFAR, many of our activities are contingent on the programmes that have been interrupted. In some places we have had to adapt and change our activities, and the indirect effects of these freezes have already been felt in our projects in various parts of the world.

In sub-Saharan Africa, where MSF runs several HIV/AIDS and related health programmes, we are already witnessing impacts on patients. In South Africa, many clinics providing HIV services, including testing, treatment, and PrEP through PEPFAR-funded organisations have been shuttered, leaving people confused and distressed about where to access their critical medication.

In Mozambique, a major partner organisation of MSF that provided comprehensive HIV services had to stop activities completely. In Zimbabwe, most organisations providing HIV services have also stopped work, disrupting in particular the DREAMS program aimed at decreasing new HIV infections in adolescent girls and young women.

“Any interruption to HIV services and treatment is deeply distressing to people in care and an emergency when it comes to HIV treatment,” says Tom Ellman, director of the South Africa Medical Unit at MSF Southern Africa. “HIV medicines must be taken daily or people run the risk of developing resistance or deadly health complications.”

In Democratic Republic of Congo, the aid freeze was already affecting the most successful model of antiretroviral drug distribution ever implemented in the capital city of Kinshasa: the community-run free distribution and peer support points, known locally as “PODIs”. In a country where stigma against people living with HIV is massive and poverty remains a barrier to care, PODIs have proven to be a medically necessary approach for addressing delays or therapy abandonment. With PEPFAR-supported points of care now closed and other activities frozen, thousands of people were left without support and with a high risk of developing advanced HIV. MSF teams supporting advanced HIV disease care in Kinshasa might not be able to meet the increased demand if disruptions persist.

In South Sudan, approximately 51 per cent of people living with HIV know their status, and 47 percent are on treatment. A discontinuation of this programme will have devastating effects on thousands of people and their communities. MSF has worked alongside PEPFAR providing essential HIV care in this context and has seen firsthand how this programme saves lives. The support of PEPFAR in this country is critical.

PEPFAR-supported programming is deeply interconnected with and reliant on other components of the US foreign aid system, specifically implementation support provided by USAID and technical and other assistance provided by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Given that the foreign aid freeze and stop-work orders continue to affect these other agencies, and staff from these agencies have been put on immediate leave or recalled, it is unclear when and how even the limited activities now allowed will be able to restart.

“These disruptions will cost lives and upend years of progress against this virus,” says Benoît. “Every day that passes is an emergency for millions of people for whom PEPFAR is a lifeline.”

PEPFAR-supported programming has been heavily integrated into key aspects of the broader health systems of partner countries over the last 20 plus years and as a result the consequences of these disruptions have been far-reaching. For this reason, some of the services affected go beyond purely HIV treatment and prevention, such as in Uganda, where PEPFAR-funded aspects of infectious disease surveillance and response, including for Ebola virus, have been stopped.

“When MSF first started treating people with HIV/AIDS in South Africa 25 years ago, there were no antiretroviral medicines on the shelves, every diagnosis felt like a death sentence, and communities were desperately trying to curb the virus’ spread,” says Ellman.

Since then, PEPFAR support has helped save more than 25 million lives and encouraged the fight against HIV to be a truly global one. But continued success relies on continued access to the full range of HIV-related programmes, services, and goods including prevention services and treatment, population-specific and targeted programmes, programmes related to gender-based violence, and other critical areas.

As health care providers, we are deeply concerned by these disruptions to this lifesaving programme.

“Even temporary interruptions to key components of PEPFAR will harm people at risk of acquiring HIV and people living with HIV,” says Benoît. “We urge the US government to immediately resume all funding of critical humanitarian and health aid, including the full range of PEPFAR operations.”

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MIL OSI NGO –
February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council partners on largest affordable housing development in years 13 February 2025 Council partners to deliver largest affordable housing development in years

Source: Aisle of Wight

The Isle of Wight Council is supporting its partners in the delivery of a new affordable housing scheme on the Island — the largest of its kind in several years.

A recent event at the Three Oaks development on the outskirts of Newport showcased the council’s commitment to the delivery of affordable housing, whether doing it themselves or supporting partners.

At the event, three new homes were constructed in a single day, demonstrating the potential of modern methods of construction (MMC) and the impressive capability of the local workforce.

Organised by Sovereign Network Group and their construction partner Captiva Homes, the event highlighted the progress of the 145 affordable homes project at Three Oaks.

The first homes are due to be ready for occupation from summer 2025 and anyone interested in one of the homes for rent should ensure they are registered on the Island Homefinder website.

Senior representatives from the council, including council Leader Councillor Phil Jordan and deputy leader and Cabinet member for housing, Councillor Ian Stephens, were present to witness this significant milestone.

Three Oaks is a priority project within the council’s broader strategy to meet the growing housing demands on the Island, especially in light of a 60 per cent increase in the need for temporary accommodation over the past two years.

The council’s housing and planning teams have worked closely with Sovereign Network Group and Captiva Homes to ensure that the housing mix at Three Oaks meets local needs.

The development comprises 87 homes available for social rent and 58 for Shared Ownership, aimed at supporting the local community.

Councillor Jordan said: “Affordable housing being delivered on the Isle of Wight is a major priority for the council.

“Achieving this on a large scale requires innovation and close collaboration, and this event has been an excellent demonstration of both.

“It has also provided a vital platform to discuss the best ways forward with local stakeholders and see first-hand the impressive plans Sovereign Network Group and Captiva Homes have for Three Oaks.”

Attendees observed the staged assembly process, beginning with the ground floor panels being lifted into place in the morning, followed by first-floor cassettes, and culminating with the roofing structure in the afternoon.

The precision and close collaboration between teams demonstrated how MMC can be effectively applied in residential construction, highlighting the local construction expertise on the Island.

The event also included a tour of the nearby Gibbs Timber Frame factory, providing insights into the off-site construction process that underpins MMC.

Additionally, six new employment positions have been created at Gibbs Timber Frame as a result of the Three Oaks contract, emphasising the broader local economic benefits of new housebuilding.

By embracing MMC and fostering strong partnerships, Councillor Stephens said the council continues to demonstrate its commitment to creating sustainable, affordable housing for its residents.

He said: “The shortage of affordable homes on our Island is a critical issue that demands innovative solutions and unwavering determination.

“The collaboration between Sovereign Network Group and Captiva Homes, with the support of the Isle of Wight Council, on the Three Oaks development exemplifies our commitment to the delivery of affordable new homes for our community.

“We must ensure that families, young people starting out on the housing ladder, and those struggling to find a place to live, whether rented or bought, have access to quality, affordable housing.”

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

February 13, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Grattan on Friday: Albanese and Trump put Australia in holding patterns on election timing and tariffs

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

When parliamentarians left Canberra on Thursday after the fortnight sitting, federal politics had the air of an uneasy waiting game.

Waiting for the election date, although the campaign has been running for months.

Waiting to know whether there will be a budget on March 25.

Waiting for capricious United States President Donald Trump to decide whether to grant Australia that keenly-sought exemption from his new 25% tariff on aluminium and steel imports.

Most immediately, waiting for the Reserve Bank to announce on Tuesday whether interest rates will be cut.

In policy terms, the government could be satisfied with this sitting week. Its Future Made in Australia legislation, with promised tax credits for major projects, passed. So too, did its sweeping new rules to put caps on political donations and spending.

The electoral reform legislation has been an extraordinarily drawn-out saga. Special Minister of State Don Farrell had originally hoped to introduce it by early 2024, with it operating at this election. But the process proved immensely complex, including for constitutional reasons. Finally the bill was introduced late last year, and has passed with virtually no time to spare. The measures won’t operate until the next parliamentary term.

Farrell brought to the task negotiating skills honed in a lifetime as a right wing factional power broker. He always wanted the deal to be done with the Liberals. He knew they would be the easiest dancing partners, because the changes are in the big parties’ mutual interests. But he also believed bipartisanship would reduce the chance of them being unravelled by a subsequent government.

The Coalition came on board – after the government made some concessions on donation and disclosure amounts – in the knowledge the reforms help put a floor under the two-party system. It’s obvious the Liberals want to limit the spread of the teal movement, that Climate 200 has helped finance.

But the potential for the increase in independents is a future danger also for Labor, which at this election is trying to win back Fowler, that fell in 2022 to independent Dai Le.

While the changes will limit the amount of money available to small players, they are a compromise and less unfair than some crossbenchers claim. Of course, judgements on fairness will differ according to where those making them are coming from. But it’s a substantial leap from urging newcomers should be encouraged into the system to believing the system should facilitate a financial auction for a seat.

As he basks in his victory of the electoral legislation Farrell, who is also trade minister, finds himself in a supporting role in a more immediately high-profile issue: the tariff battle with the US. Farrell is anxious to engage as soon as possible with his US counterpart, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, preferably face-to-face. But he can’t officially do so until Lutnick is confirmed.

The tariff issue is being cast by the opposition as a test of Albanese’s ability to deal successfully with the Trump administration.

It’s an easy test to pose, but the government has done all it can to pursue a positive relationship with the administration. Notably, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles was in Washington a week ago for talks with new defence secretary Pete Hegseth, armed with a hefty cheque for some A$800 million as part of Australia’s contribution under the AUKUS deal.

The Albanese-Trump call this week, when the PM argued for a tariff exemption, apparently went well. But the outcome is unpredictable, as is the timing of a decision. Trump might have sounded encouraging but, as we’ve been seeing, there’s some strong opposition in the system to giving Australia special treatment.

A win for Australia would be a significant fillip for the PM; a Trump rebuff would be a corresponding blow. Timing is also important: it would not be good for the government if this issue was unresolved through the election campaign (even worse, if there was a bad result then).

The opposition seeks to grab headlines by calling for Albanese to rush to Washington. Even if practical that could be counterproductive; if the mission failed it would be a disaster. Voters wouldn’t give him too many marks for trying.

While Peter Dutton might have thought the arrival of Trump and a more general swing against “wokeism” would be helpful to him at the election, as the US scene becomes more unsettling, the risk for him is that some “soft” voters might decide now is not the time to change.

Though the tariff issue is important, the election contest is mainly on cost of living in all its manifestations.

Trump has the power to inflict a blow on Albanese on the tariffs, but the Reserve Bank is a much bigger player in the government’s thinking.

Expectations remain high of a rate cut next Tuesday. If that didn’t happen, it would be a serious setback for the government. The next chance for a cut would then be April 1.

It’s not that a cut would necessarily directly swing a lot of votes. The electorate’s mood is likely too negative for that. But the absence of the much-anticipated cut would badly mess with the government’s narrative that things are on the right track for people to become better off.

Many political stories have dominated this term. A lot could have been foreseen. One, however, was predicted by no one: the appalling antisemitism crisis that has overtaken us, and reached new lows this week. This crisis is the product of far away events triggering a local malignancy that was lurking largely unrecognised.

A parliamentary inquiry into antisemitism at universities said, in a report tabled this week, that it had found “a disturbing prevalence of antisemitism that has left Jewish students and staff feeling unsafe, hiding their identity on campus and even avoiding campus all together”.

On the same day that report was tabled, a horrifying video emerged of two nurses at a Sydney hospital, in an online discussion with Israeli influencer Max Veifer, spewing vile sentiments about killing Israeli patents. One of the two is an Afghan who became an Australian citizen several years ago. Dutton has seized on the video to call for a discussion “about the way in which the whole migration system works”.

Antisemitism has extended beyond being an appalling assault on Jews in our community – it is starting to undermine our institutions and society.

Michelle Grattan 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. Grattan on Friday: Albanese and Trump put Australia in holding patterns on election timing and tariffs – https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-albanese-and-trump-put-australia-in-holding-patterns-on-election-timing-and-tariffs-249843

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Bluewater to Sell Apex International Energy, Highlighting Full-Cycle Private Equity (PE) Investment Model in Africa’s Oil and Gas Sector

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

PARIS, France, February 13, 2025/APO Group/ —

Private equity is playing an increasingly pivotal role in Africa’s energy sector, driving growth and innovation in the continent’s oil and gas markets. This week, specialist energy private equity firm Bluewater announced the sale of Apex International Energy – transformed under its stewardship into a leading player in Egypt’s energy market – to a subsidiary of Hong Kong-listed United Energy Group. The transaction underscores the full-cycle nature of private equity investing and its potential to unlock value in Africa’s resource-rich markets.

Bluewater, which invested in Apex in 2018 as part of its second fund, saw the opportunity to develop the Houston-based company into a significant contributor to Egypt’s oil and gas industry. Under Bluewater’s stewardship, Apex grew from a small, independent exploration and production company into a top-ten producer in Egypt. Over the course of six years, Apex expanded its portfolio to include interests in eight concessions, with production averaging over 11,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2024.

This transformation was driven by strategic acquisitions, new discoveries and a laser focus on operational excellence. Key milestones included the 2021 oil discovery in the Southeast Meleiha concession, which saw first production later that year. In 2023, Apex expanded its footprint with the acquisition of six concessions in Egypt’s Western Desert from Italian energy giant Eni, as well as began first gas production. These strategic moves not only boosted Apex’s production levels, but also reinforced its position as a key contributor to Egypt’s energy security.

For Bluewater, this growth was a result of carefully managed investments that allowed Apex to capitalize on Egypt’s favorable energy market while navigating the complexities of local regulations and political landscapes. By taking a hands-on approach to governance and working closely with Apex’s leadership team, Bluewater was able to foster a culture of growth and innovation that delivered tangible results.

The sale exemplifies how private equity firms complete the full investment cycle – starting with identifying a promising asset, nurturing its growth and ultimately realizing value through a sale or exit strategy. In this case, the sale to United Energy Group positions Apex for continued growth and expansion under new ownership, while providing Bluewater with a profitable return on its investment. This model of buying, growing and exiting is at the heart of private equity’s role in driving value creation and economic development in emerging markets like Africa.

The transaction also underscores the increasing confidence that private equity investors are placing in Africa’s energy sector. Despite challenges like fluctuating commodity prices and complex regulatory environments, the energy sector in countries like Egypt offers substantial growth opportunities. For private equity firms, the continent’s untapped reserves, coupled with a growing demand for energy, make it an attractive destination for long-term investments.

Looking to the future, the role of private equity in African oil and gas is expected to grow further. The upcoming Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris will serve as a key platform for private equity firms to explore investment opportunities in Africa’s growing energy sector, where strategic partnerships and capital infusion are driving innovation and growth. In particular, firms that focus on full-cycle investment strategies – such as Bluewater’s approach with Apex – are well-positioned to thrive in this evolving landscape. They can bring capital, technical expertise and a deep understanding of local markets, enabling them to navigate challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities in Africa’s energy sector.

IAE 2025 (https://apo-opa.co/3CMcOXk) is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors.Taking place May 13-14, 2025 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

MIL OSI Africa –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI: Ooredoo Qatar taps Nokia 5G Standalone Core to deliver advanced network services and generate new revenue streams
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Press Release
Ooredoo Qatar taps Nokia 5G Standalone Core to deliver advanced network services and generate new revenue streams
- Nokia will deliver a modernized core network that enables Ooredoo Qatar to offer more advanced services using network slicing.
- Network will generate new consumer and enterprise revenue streams across industries such as ports, mining and natural gas.
13 February 2025
Espoo, Finland – Ooredoo Qatar, the leading telecommunications company in Qatar with more than 3.4 million customers, has selected Nokia to modernize the operator’s core network to enable the delivery of more advanced services, using network slicing and the integration of AI and machine learning capabilities that strengthen network performance, reliability, and the overall customer experience.

The modernization will support Ooredoo Qatar’s network evolution to unlock more value faster from its network assets through new business models and consumer and enterprise revenue streams.

Sheikh Ali Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Chief Executive Officer at Ooredoo Qatar, said: “Our vision is about enriching people’s digital lives and taking this important step with Nokia, of moving to a 5G standalone core network, supports our group-wide project initiatives of evolving our network operations with new digital capabilities and business models that strengthen the customer and enterprise experience.”

The deal includes Nokia 5G voice core, packet core, and subscriber data management, which will provide Ooredoo Qatar with the capabilities to deliver ultra-low latency bandwidth and multi-access edge computing, which are needed to provide real-time industrial automation and high-quality gaming experiences at scale.

Nokia’s core solutions give communication service providers the flexibility required to operate multi-vendor networks. Ooredoo Qatar will also be able to create thousands of virtual networks on a single physical network infrastructure, with each “slice” tailored to specific requirements for different applications, services, and customers.

Raghav Sahgal, President of Cloud and Network Services at Nokia, said: “As a leading operator in the Middle East, Ooredoo Qatar continues to drive transformation projects that meet its customers’ evolving digital needs. We are delighted to grow Nokia’s strong partnership with Ooredoo Qatar by providing our flexible 5G standalone Core capabilities and supporting the operator’s multi-level network requirements.”

Ooredoo Qatar will also use Nokia’s MantaRay NM solution for a consolidated and automated network view that optimizes network monitoring and management.

The deal includes the rollout of Nokia Data Center Fabric solution, which enables data centers and cloud environments to easily scale, adapt, and operate. As part of the solution, Nokia’s 7220 Interconnect Router (IXR) system will be deployed, allowing Ooredoo Qatar to provide its services at higher efficiency, reduced energy consumption, and increased capacity.

Nokia had the most 5G Standalone Core communication service provider customers, with 123 in total, at the end of 2024.

About Nokia
At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation.

With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

Media inquiries
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Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

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The MIL Network –
February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Culture-loving tourists captivated by western China amidst Spring Festival merriment

Source: China State Council Information Office 3

Staff members stage a play for tourists at an immersive performance street in Lanzhou, northwest China’s Gansu Province, Feb. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Wenjing)

Zare Salman found himself entranced in the bustling streets of Lanzhou, capital of northwest China’s Gansu Province, as Silk Road merchants shouted out their wares, Dunhuang mural dancers twirled with elegance, and an actor enacted Zhang Qian’s historic departure on his westward mission.

The 39-year-old Iranian visiting scholar at the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, spending his first Chinese New Year in China, couldn’t contain his excitement.

“Magical! This is so magical!” he exclaimed as he immersed himself in an immersive performance street bringing ancient Chinese history to life. Just days earlier, he had celebrated Chinese New Year’s Eve in Xi’an, sharing a traditional reunion dinner with a Chinese colleague’s family, receiving a red envelope, and visiting a lively temple fair.

“My friend’s family treated me like one of their own,” Salman said. “The festival atmosphere was overwhelming — this is the grandest and most vibrant celebration I’ve ever seen.”

This holiday, Salman was one of millions drawn to China’s booming cultural tourism sector. As the country marked its first Spring Festival since UNESCO recognized it as an intangible cultural heritage, demand for traditional and immersive experiences surged, particularly in its western regions, which boast a rich history.

According to the Gansu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, the province hosted 1,418 themed events, received 18.05 million tourist visits, and generated 10 billion yuan (about 1.4 billion U.S. dollars) in tourism revenue during the Spring Festival holiday — both figures rising by more than 10 percent compared to last year.

A major highlight was the rising interest in the intangible cultural heritage. In Lanzhou, a small museum showcasing carved gourds welcomed nearly 9,000 visitors over the holiday, many of them children and parents eager to try gourd carving under the guidance of Master Artisan Ruan Xiyue.

“Each year, more families come to experience these traditional crafts,” Ruan said. “It shows a growing appreciation for our cultural heritage.”

Cultural tourism in western China is flourishing due to its seamless blend of tradition and innovation. As Chinese New Year celebrations continue to evolve, they remain a powerful draw for domestic and international visitors, offering an authentic and immersive connection to China’s heritage.

During the holiday, western regions launched a variety of cultural activities. The Gansu Provincial Museum held paper-cutting and cloisonné enamel-making workshops. Ningxia hosted over 200 events, from folk performances to traditional handicraft markets. Xinjiang organized over 700 cultural shows, while Qinghai arranged 2,000 programs featuring music, theater and folklore.

China’s major online travel agencies reported a surge in interest for culture-focused trips. According to Fliggy, demand for cultural tourism, particularly experiences tied to the intangible cultural heritage, surged 40 percent compared to last year. Lantern festivals, folk performances and hands-on craft workshops were among the most sought-after activities.

For Salman, the experience was more than just a holiday — it was a journey through history and tradition. “I’ve learned so much about Chinese culture, from its New Year customs to the Silk Road’s rich past,” he said. “I can’t wait to share this with my family and hopefully bring them to China one day.”

MIL OSI China News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Chinese culture on display at Lantern Festival celebration in Jordanian capital

Source: China State Council Information Office 3

People participate in a Hanfu show during a Lantern Festival celebration hosted by the China Cultural Center in Amman, Jordan, on Feb. 12, 2025. The China Cultural Center in Amman hosted the Lantern Festival celebration on Wednesday, marking the end of Chinese Spring Festival festivities with traditional performances and cultural exchanges. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)

The China Cultural Center in Amman hosted a Lantern Festival celebration on Wednesday, marking the end of Chinese Spring Festival festivities with traditional performances and cultural exchanges.

Chinese Ambassador to Jordan Chen Chuandong said the Spring Festival is China’s most important traditional holiday, noting the Lantern Festival marks the first full moon of the Chinese New Year and symbolizes renewal and the arrival of spring.

“Lantern Festival traditions, such as moon gazing, lantern displays, riddle-solving, and tasting traditional sweets, reflect the cultural heritage passed down through generations,” Chen said, adding the event offered a glimpse into Chinese traditions.

Chen highlighted shared values between China and Jordan, including a commitment to peace, respect for family, and openness to cultural exchange. He noted historical ties between the two nations dating back to the Silk Road.

Interest in Chinese language and culture is rising among Jordanian youth, while appreciation for Arabic culture is growing in China, he added.

“We celebrate the Lantern Festival as a bridge for goodwill and communication, fostering closer cooperation between our countries,” Chen said.

Shi Wei, cultural counselor at the Chinese Embassy and director of the China Cultural Center in Amman, said the “Happy Spring Festival” initiative has served as a global cultural exchange platform for two decades. She noted this year’s Lantern Festival celebration marked the final event of the 2025 Spring Festival in Amman, symbolizing unity and tradition.

The event featured Kung Fu performances, traditional folk music and dance, theatrical acts, and a raffle draw. It drew Jordanian public figures, academics, students studying Chinese, embassy officials, and members of the Chinese community.

Mohannad Al-Bakri, director-general of the Royal Film Commission of Jordan, said the event offered an engaging introduction to Chinese culture through performances incorporating technology, imagery, and film.

He said the celebration deepened his understanding of the Spring Festival and noted cultural similarities between China and Jordan. The interaction between Jordanian and Chinese youth underscored growing cultural cooperation, he added.

MIL OSI China News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI: DNO Shares Traded Ex-Dividend

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Oslo, 13 February 2025 – DNO ASA, the Norwegian oil and gas operator, today announced that the Company’s shares will be traded ex-dividend effective 13 February 2025.

A dividend payment of NOK 0.3125 per share will be made on or about 21 February 2025 to all shareholders of record as of 14 February 2025.

–

For further information, please contact:

Media: media@dno.no
Investors: investor.relations@dno.no

–

DNO ASA is a Norwegian oil and gas operator active in the Middle East, the North Sea and West Africa. Founded in 1971 and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, the Company holds stakes in onshore and offshore licenses at various stages of exploration, development, and production in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Norway, the United Kingdom, Côte d’Ivoire, Netherlands and Yemen.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act and section 4.2.5.3 of Euronext Oslo Rulebook II.

The MIL Network –

February 13, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Short-term politics keeps stalling long-term fixes. This bill offers a way forward

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Harris Rimmer, Professor, Griffith Law School, Griffith University

Two federal politicians from opposing camps reached across the aisle this week to promote a valuable cause – the wellbeing of future Australian generations.

Independent MP Sophie Scamps tabled the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill 2025, which was seconded by Liberal backbencher Bridget Archer.

In an election year no less, this was a highly unusual moment of bipartisan collaboration.

It is extremely rare for private members bills to be passed into law. But the ideas in the Scamps bill have merit – especially its central recommendation that all decision makers properly consider the needs of young people when drafting government policy.

The bill was a direct response to a diverse civil society campaign in Australia and overseas to prioritise long term solutions to deliver a fairer, more sustainable future.

We support those efforts through our involvement in the youth-driven non-profit Foundations for Tomorrow, which worked closely with Scamps on her bill.

What is in the bill?

The bill would introduce a range of measures to try and apply a future focus to decision making across the policy spectrum. This includes housing, environment, climate change, mental health and job security, all of which are pressing issues for young people.

An independent Commissioner for Future Generations would be appointed to advocate for better policies and sustainable practices, while the government would have a public duty to always consider the best interests of future generations.

Importantly, a national conversation would be launched to engage Australians in a public consultation to help shape the nation’s vision for the future.

What is future governance?

Globally, we are in a state of polycrisis.

We are confronting cascading climate disasters, intense regional conflicts and geo-strategic competition. In response to this, a growing international movement representing the interests of future generations has emerged.

The concept incorporates an approach to decision making that overcomes the trappings of short-term, inadequate solutions. Instead, the emphasis is on planning for the future, not just the here and now.

Here in Australia, it aspires to future-proof the country by managing extreme, long-term risks that are damaging current and future prosperity.

Growing inequality is showing up in many policy areas, none more so than in the housing wealth gap between people in their 30s and 50s, which has widened to an extraordinary 234%.

By improving governance, it is hoped that intergenerational justice will be achieved. This ethical lens is compatible with the Australian Public Service value of good stewardship.

A global movement

Many countries, including Scotland, Finland, the United Arab Emirates and Singapore, are exploring ways to reorient their policy making towards a better understanding of long-term impacts of decisions taken now. It has also been taken up by the United Nations and the European Union.

The Australian bill is based on the experience in Wales, where similar legislation was introduced in 2015.

The Welsh model has delivered significant practical benefits by including community involvement in planning, and protecting essential services from election cycles. For instance, environmental protection has been given higher status in decision making about transport.

The Australian landscape

Australia has undertaken other efforts to think long term. The Intergenerational Report was launched by former treasurer Peter Costello in 2002 to build consensus around the big issues facing Australia over the next 40 years.

The most recent report, in 2023, identified five major areas needing future generations policy. These were population and ageing, technological and digital transformation, climate change and the net zero transformation, rising demand for care and support services, and geopolitical risk and fragmentation.

The ideas in the Wellbeing of Future Generations bill could help guide policy in these critical areas. It would be an improvement on our current approach of recognising issues, but constantly kicking the can down the road.

There have been other excellent future generations measures at all levels of government. One of these is the Albanese government’s commitment to the Measuring What Matters framework.

And there is merit in independent Senator David Pocock’s Duty of Care Bill and the establishment of the Parliamentary Group for Future Generations at the Commonwealth level.

An increasing number of leaders and policy makers are recognising the power and potential of expanding our definitions of policy success.

Young voters and the 2025 election

However, much more needs to be done to overcome intergenerational inequities. Policy-making continues to be driven by short-term political objectives, which is eroding trust and optimism in Australia’s future.

In a 2021 survey for Foundations for Tomorrow, 71% of young Australians said said that they “do not feel secure”. Young people are also drifting away from supporting the major parties, especially the Coalition.

Tabling her bill, Scamps correctly pointed out that today’s young Australians are the first generation in modern history to be worse off than their parents.

Australians want politicians to start thinking beyond their own re-election prospects. They want long term solutions, they want vision, they want hope. We owe them that much.

A recent survey by EveryGen (a network convened by Griffith University’s Policy Innovation Hub) found that 81% of Australians feel that politicians focus too much on short-term priorities. An overwhelming 97% of people believe that current policies must consider the interests of future generations.

Genuine futures thinking is not always easy. But it does add an important ethical dimension to decision making, that of real attention to political legacy.

Susan Harris Rimmer receives funding from the Australian Research Council. She is affiliated with Foundations for Tomorrow as a board member who are running the For the Future campaign, and is founder of the EveryGen network. EveryGen is a member of the Intergenerational Fairness Coalition.

Elise Stephenson receives funding from the Australian Research Council. She is a founding member of the EveryGen network and supporter of Foundations for Tomorrow. EveryGen is a member of the Intergenerational Fairness Coalition.

– ref. Short-term politics keeps stalling long-term fixes. This bill offers a way forward – https://theconversation.com/short-term-politics-keeps-stalling-long-term-fixes-this-bill-offers-a-way-forward-249598

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: February 12th, 2025 Heinrich Delivers Floor Speech Opposing the Nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for Health Secretary
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

VIDEO

WASHINGTON — This afternoon, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor amplifying the voices of New Mexicans opposing the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to be the U.S. Secretary for Health and Human Services.

“I hope all of my colleagues take seriously what it would mean to confirm this anti-vaccine, anti-science snake oil salesman as our next Secretary of Health and Human Services,” said Heinrich.

VIDEO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) delivers remarks on the Senator floor opposing the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for Health Secretary, February 12, 2025.

Heinrich began his remarks by recounting how Mr. Kennedy’s 2019 trip to the Pacific island of Samoa intensified vaccine skepticism and contributed to a deadly measles outbreak that killed 83 people, mostly children under five. Heinrich said: “As someone with a background in science, but more importantly, as a father of two, I am horrified by this story. Thanks to incredible scientific research and medical advances, we now have a vaccine that has proven to be safe and effective at protecting our kids and largely eradicated the measles outbreaks that used to result in the devastating loss of babies and young children. That is until anti-vaccine crusaders like Mr. Kennedy started promoting phony science and conspiracy theories in places like Samoa.”

Heinrich condemned Mr. Kennedy’s long track record of spreading fear, peddling misinformation, and promoting conspiracy theories: “Mr. Kennedy has repeatedly and falsely alleged that safe and effective vaccines for tetanus, the flu, COVID, and HPV are dangerous to human health. Mr. Kennedy has promoted the completely discredited conspiracy theory that vaccines lead to autism. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic that led to more than one million deaths in the United States alone, Mr. Kennedy campaigned to end the nationwide vaccination effort that helped us save millions more lives. Mr. Kennedy has — again without any sound evidence — also pushed conspiracy theories claiming that antidepressant medications cause mass shootings and chemicals in our water make children gay. If those claims sound ludicrous, it’s because they are.”

Heinrich warned that, if he is confirmed to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Mr. Kennedy has committed to following President Trump’s orders to further roll back women’s reproductive rights: “During his confirmation process, Mr. Kennedy also reportedly made commitments to my Republican colleagues to support restrictions on mifepristone, a medication abortion and miscarriage management drug. Mr. Kennedy has also signaled to Republican senators that he will go along with whatever President Trump wants to further roll back women’s reproductive rights.”

Heinrich also cautioned that Mr. Kennedy would help to enact President Trump and Elon Musk’s dangerous agenda to drastically cut federal funding for everything from New Mexicans’ Medicaid health coverage to medical research at the University of New Mexico. Heinrich warned: “The Department of Health and Human Services oversees health coverage programs that serve half of all Americans, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act. HHS also supports the medical research that helps us develop the next vaccines, prevent the next pandemic, and find cures to cancer and chronic diseases like diabetes. We have also already seen President Trump, Elon Musk, and his DOGE minions target scientific and medical research at agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Just last week, we saw them announce an estimated $4 billion cut for NIH health research at universities all across our country—including an estimated $17 million impact at the University of New Mexico alone.”

Heinrich finished his remarks by amplifying the concerns of New Mexicans who have written or called into his office expressing concern over Mr. Kennedy’s nomination. Watch a video of Heinrich uplifting New Mexicans’ voices here.

“I agree with these New Mexicans that Mr. Kennedy is unprepared, unqualified, and dangerously unfit to be confirmed as our next Health Secretary,” Heinrich concluded. “To protect our kids’ health from debunked conspiracy theories, to defend women’s reproductive rights, to safeguard the future of Medicare and Medicaid, and to continue lifesaving medical research and medical care in my state and across the country, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in voting NO on confirming Robert F. Kennedy Jr.”

Heinrich has been amplifying the voices of New Mexicans who have written or called into his office expressing concern over President Trump’s harmful actions and unqualified nominees.

Last night on the Senate floor, Heinrich uplifted New Mexicans’ concerns over Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination for the Director of National Intelligence. In his remarks, Heinrich emphasized the risk Gabbard’s nomination poses to our national security and discussed Ms. Gabbard’s lack of qualifications and judgment, particularly relating to her 2017 trip to Bashar al-Assad’s Syria. Heinrich zeroed in on Ms. Gabbard’s false denial during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee about meeting with Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun, Syria’s most senior Sunni Muslim cleric during the Assad regime who made threats to conduct suicide bomb attacks in the United States.

Last week, Heinrich delivered remarks on the Senate floor amplifying the voices of New Mexicans opposing the nomination of Russell Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Mr. Vought is the lead architect of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, the policy blueprint for Donald Trump’s harmful agenda to throw the government into chaos and harm working families.

Last month, Heinrich delivered the longest speech of his career, where he slammed President Trump’s unlawful unilateral blockade of all federal grant funding. In his remarks, Heinrich uplifted stories from New Mexicans on how Trump’s federal funding freeze endangered New Mexicans and threatened communities across the state. Find the video of Heinrich sharing letters from New Mexicans on the Senate floor here.

Heinrich is leading Senate Democrats in sounding the alarm on Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s destructive actions that are wreaking havoc on Americans, weakening our economy, and threatening the livelihoods of New Mexicans.

Last week, in an interview with Jim Sciutto on CNN’s The Situation Room, Heinrich vocalized the concerns of his constituents who continue to write-in and call his office opposing Trump’s harmful actions, which are impacting New Mexico families and their financial security. Watch the full video of that interview here.

Since Trump took office in 2025, Heinrich:
- Introduced a resolution condemning Trump’s pardons of people found guilty of assaulting police officers on January 6.
- Led Senate Democrats in sounding the alarm on Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s destructive actions that are wreaking havoc on Americans, weakening our economy, and threatening the livelihoods of New Mexicans.
MIL OSI USA News –
February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Hamas says in talks with mediators to implement Gaza ceasefire

Source: China State Council Information Office

A Palestinian woman stands in front of the ruins of houses near the Netzarim Corridor in the central Gaza Strip, on Feb. 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Hamas said Wednesday that contacts are underway with mediators to finalize the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

“Contacts are underway with mediating countries to complete the implementation of the ceasefire agreement,” Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said in a press release.

Earlier in the day, a delegation led by Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya arrived in Cairo to discuss the ceasefire deal with Egyptian officials.

“There are efforts by mediators to compel the Israeli occupation to implement the terms of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza,” Qassem said.

The spokesman emphasized the need for Israel to adhere to the ceasefire agreement to ensure the release of prisoners and compliance with the agreed-upon humanitarian protocol.

Qassem accused Israel of “evading the implementation of many provisions of the ceasefire agreement,” stressing that his movement would not accept “the language of American and Israeli threats.”

An unnamed Egyptian source told Xinhua that “Hamas expressed to the Egyptian side its willingness to release a batch of Israeli detainees on Saturday as agreed but rejected demands from Trump and Netanyahu for a full release of all Israeli captives at once.”

The ceasefire agreement, which took effect on Jan. 19, is at risk of collapsing as Hamas and Israel trade blame for violating the deal.

On Monday, Hamas announced the postponement of the release of Israeli prisoners who were scheduled to be freed on Saturday, accusing Israel of failing to uphold the terms of the truce.

In response, Israel has threatened to resume strikes on Gaza if the Israeli hostages are not released by Saturday.

MIL OSI China News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Putin, Trump talk over phone

Source: China State Council Information Office

The Kremlin announced on Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump.

“The Russian president has invited the U.S. president to visit Moscow,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding that Putin expressed readiness to receive U.S. officials in Moscow.

The two presidents discussed the situation in Ukraine and the peaceful settlement of the conflict, Peskov said, stressing that Trump embraced a quick ceasefire and peaceful settlement of the problem while Putin underlined the needs to eliminate the root causes of the Ukraine conflict.

“During the talks, they also touched upon the issues of the Middle East, Iran’s nuclear program as well as Russia-U.S. relations in the economic domain,” Peskov said.

He noted that Putin and Trump, during the talks, agreed to keep personal contacts, including arranging a meeting in the future.

The Kremlin spokesman described the phone conversation as an “extensive and substantive dialogue,” which lasted nearly 90 minutes.

MIL OSI China News –

February 13, 2025

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