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  • MIL-OSI: Microchip Technology Announces Financial Results for Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Net sales of $1.026 billion, down 11.8% sequentially and down 41.9% from the year ago quarter. Our updated guidance provided on December 2, 2024 was net sales of $1.025 billion.
    • On a GAAP basis: gross profit of 54.7%; operating income of $30.9 million and 3.0% of net sales; net loss of $53.6 million; and loss of $0.10 per diluted share. Our guidance provided on November 5, 2024 was for GAAP earnings (loss) per share of $(0.04) to $0.03 per diluted share.
    • On a Non-GAAP basis: gross profit of 55.4%; operating income of $210.7 million and 20.5% of net sales; net income of $107.3 million; and EPS of $0.20 per diluted share. Our updated guidance provided on December 2, 2024 was for Non-GAAP EPS of $0.25 per diluted share.
    • Returned approximately $244.6 million to stockholders in the December quarter through dividends.
    • Quarterly dividend declared today for the March quarter of 45.5 cents per share, an increase of 1.1% from the year ago quarter.

    CHANDLER, Ariz., Feb. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (NASDAQ: MCHP) – Microchip Technology Incorporated, a leading provider of smart, connected, and secure embedded control solutions, today reported results for the three months ended December 31, 2024, as summarized in the table below.

      Three Months Ended December 31, 2024(1)
    Net sales $1,026.0      
      GAAP % Non-GAAP(2) %
    Gross profit $561.4 54.7% $568.8 55.4%
    Operating income $30.9 3.0% $210.7 20.5%
    Other expense $(77.0)   $(76.7)  
    Income tax provision $7.5   $26.7  
    Net (loss) income $(53.6) (5.2)% $107.3 10.5%
    Net (loss) income per diluted share $(0.10)   $0.20  

    (1) In millions, except per share amounts and percentages of net sales.
    (2) See the “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this release.

    Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 were $1.026 billion, down 41.9% from net sales of $1.766 billion in the prior year’s third fiscal quarter.

    GAAP net loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 was $53.6 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, down from GAAP net income of $419.2 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, in the prior year’s third fiscal quarter. For the third quarters of fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, GAAP results were adversely impacted by amortization of acquired intangible assets associated with our previous acquisitions.

    Non-GAAP net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 was $107.3 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, down from non-GAAP net income of $592.7 million, or $1.08 per diluted share, in the prior year’s third fiscal quarter. For the third quarters of fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, our non-GAAP results exclude the effect of share-based compensation, expenses related to our acquisition activities (including intangible asset amortization, severance, and other restructuring costs, and legal and other general and administrative expenses associated with acquisitions including legal fees and expenses for litigation and investigations related to our Microsemi acquisition), professional services associated with certain legal matters, and losses on the settlement of debt. For the third quarters of fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, our non-GAAP income tax expense is presented based on projected cash taxes for the applicable fiscal year, excluding transition tax payments under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. A reconciliation of our non-GAAP and GAAP results is included in this press release.

    Microchip announced today that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of 45.5 cents per share, up 1.1% from the year ago quarter. The quarterly dividend is payable on March 7, 2025 to stockholders of record on February 24, 2025.

    “Our December quarter performance reflects the need for the decisive steps we are taking to realign our business, as revenue declined to $1.026 billion and inventory levels reached 266 days,” said Steve Sanghi, Microchip’s CEO and President. “Since returning as CEO in November, we have already initiated several key actions, including restructuring our manufacturing footprint, adjusting our channel strategy and intensifying our customer engagement. Our initial assessment indicates clear areas for operational enhancement, and we are taking a methodical yet urgent approach to evaluating all aspects of our business and implementing necessary changes to strengthen our competitive position.”

    Eric Bjornholt, Microchip’s Chief Financial Officer, said, “We are executing on multiple operational initiatives to enhance our financial performance. Our focus remains on returning to premium profitability levels that have historically differentiated Microchip, supported by our diversified business model. While navigating the current cycle, we continue to focus on inventory management while maintaining our commitment to shareholder returns.”

    Rich Simoncic, Microchip’s Chief Operating Officer, said, “Our comprehensive technology platform is driving innovation across critical markets, with our new RISC-V processors and expanded connectivity solutions demonstrating strong momentum in industrial, automotive, and aerospace applications. By delivering advanced AI capabilities, enhanced networking, and robust security technologies, we believe we are well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of our customers in increasingly complex technological environments.”

    Mr. Sanghi concluded, “While we have seen substantial inventory destocking at our customers and channel partners, we believe the correction cycle is still not completed. Our March quarter bookings are running at a higher rate than December, though overall levels remain low. With net sales guidance of $920.0 million to $1.000 billion for our March quarter, we maintain a cautious but focused approach and look forward to providing a comprehensive update during our business update call on March 3, 2025.”

    Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Outlook:

    The following statements are based on current expectations. These statements are forward-looking, and actual results may differ materially.

      Microchip Consolidated Guidance
    Net Sales $920.0 million to $1.000 billion    
      GAAP(5) Non-GAAP Adjustments(1) Non-GAAP(1)
    Gross Profit 51.2% to 53.1% $7.8 to $8.8 million 52.0% to 54.0%
    Operating Expenses(2) 56.1% to 60.0% $179.7 to $183.7 million 37.7% to 40.5%
    Operating Income (loss) (8.9)% to (2.9)% $187.5 to $192.5 million 11.5% to 16.3%
    Other Expense, net $69.7 to $71.3 million $(0.2) to $0.2 million $69.5 to $71.5 million
    Income Tax (Benefit) Provision $(24.5) to $(19.8) million(3) $29.5 to $33.4 million $5.0 to $13.6 million(4)
    Net Income (loss) $(128.5) to $(79.4) million $157.8 to $159.3 million $29.3 to $79.9 million
    Diluted Common Shares Outstanding Approximately 538.4 million shares   Approximately 541.5 to 542.5 million shares
    Earnings (loss) per Diluted Share $(0.24) to $(0.14) $0.29 $0.05 to $0.15

    (1) See the “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this release for information regarding our non-GAAP guidance.
    (2) We are not able to estimate the amount of certain Special Charges and Other, net that may be incurred during the quarter ending March 31, 2025. Therefore, our estimate of GAAP operating expenses excludes certain amounts that may be recognized as Special Charges and Other, net in the quarter ending March 31, 2025.
    (3) The forecast for GAAP tax expense excludes any unexpected tax events that may occur during the quarter, as these amounts cannot be forecasted.
    (4) Represents the expected cash tax rate for fiscal 2025, excluding any transition tax payments associated with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
    (5) Our GAAP guidance excludes the impact of any potential charges related to our ongoing evaluation of restructuring activities.

    Capital expenditures for the quarter ending March 31, 2025 are expected to be about $23 million. Capital expenditures for all of fiscal 2025 are expected to be about $135 million. Consistent with the slowing macroeconomic environment in fiscal 2025, we have paused most of our factory expansion actions and reduced our planned capital investments through fiscal 2026. However, we are adding capital equipment to selectively expand our production capacity and add research and development equipment.

    Under the GAAP revenue recognition standard, we are required to recognize revenue when control of the product changes from us to a customer or distributor. We focus our sales and marketing efforts on creating demand for our products in the end markets we serve and not on moving inventory into our distribution network. We also manage our manufacturing and supply chain operations, including our distributor relationships, towards the goal of having our products available at the time and location the end customer desires.

    Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures: Our non-GAAP adjustments, where applicable, include the effect of share-based compensation, expenses related to our acquisition activities (including intangible asset amortization, severance, and other restructuring costs, and legal and other general and administrative expenses associated with acquisitions including legal fees and expenses for litigation and investigations related to our Microsemi acquisition), professional services associated with certain legal matters, and losses on the settlement of debt. For the third quarters of fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, our non-GAAP income tax expense is presented based on projected cash taxes for the fiscal year, excluding transition tax payments under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

    We are required to estimate the cost of certain forms of share-based compensation, including employee stock options, restricted stock units, and our employee stock purchase plan, and to record a commensurate expense in our income statement. Share-based compensation expense is a non-cash expense that varies in amount from period to period and is affected by the price of our stock at the date of grant. The price of our stock is affected by market forces that are difficult to predict and are not within the control of management. Our other non-GAAP adjustments are either non-cash expenses, unusual or infrequent items, or other expenses related to transactions. Management excludes all of these items from its internal operating forecasts and models.

    We are using non-GAAP operating expenses in dollars, including non-GAAP research and development expenses and non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses, non-GAAP other expense, net, and non-GAAP income tax rate, which exclude the items noted above, as applicable, to permit additional analysis of our performance.

    Management believes these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors because they enhance the understanding of our historical financial performance and comparability between periods. Many of our investors have requested that we disclose this non-GAAP information because they believe it is useful in understanding our performance as it excludes non-cash and other charges that many investors feel may obscure our underlying operating results. Management uses non-GAAP measures to manage and assess the profitability of our business and for compensation purposes. We also use our non-GAAP results when developing and monitoring our budgets and spending. Our determination of these non-GAAP measures might not be the same as similarly titled measures used by other companies, and it should not be construed as a substitute for amounts determined in accordance with GAAP. There are limitations associated with using these non-GAAP measures, including that they exclude financial information that some may consider important in evaluating our performance. Management compensates for this by presenting information on both a GAAP and non-GAAP basis for investors and providing reconciliations of the GAAP and non-GAAP results.

    Generally, gross profit fluctuates over time, driven primarily by the mix of products sold and licensing revenue; variances in manufacturing yields; fixed cost absorption; wafer fab loading levels; costs of wafers from foundries; inventory reserves; pricing pressures in our non-proprietary product lines; and competitive and economic conditions. Operating expenses fluctuate over time, primarily due to net sales and profit levels.

    Diluted Common Shares Outstanding can vary for, among other things, the trading price of our common stock, the exercise of options or vesting of restricted stock units, the potential for incremental dilutive shares from our convertible debentures (additional information regarding our share count is available in the investor relations section of our website under the heading “Supplemental Information”), and repurchases or issuances of shares of our common stock. The diluted common shares outstanding presented in the guidance table above assumes an average Microchip stock price in the March 2025 quarter between $55 and $65 per share (however, we make no prediction as to what our actual share price will be for such period or any other period and we cannot estimate what our stock option exercise activity will be during the quarter).

     
    MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (in millions, except per share amounts; unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended December 31,   Nine Months Ended December 31,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Net sales $ 1,026.0     $ 1,765.7     $ 3,431.1     $ 6,308.6  
    Cost of sales   464.6       645.7       1,464.3       2,102.8  
    Gross profit   561.4       1,120.0       1,966.8       4,205.8  
                   
    Research and development   246.2       266.0       728.6       857.1  
    Selling, general and administrative   158.2       172.2       465.7       572.4  
    Amortization of acquired intangible assets   122.6       151.3       368.3       454.2  
    Special charges and other, net   3.5       1.1       7.6       4.6  
    Operating expenses   530.5       590.6       1,570.2       1,888.3  
                   
    Operating income   30.9       529.4       396.6       2,317.5  
                   
    Other expense, net   (77.0 )     (45.1 )     (189.4 )     (151.3 )
    (Loss) income before income taxes   (46.1 )     484.3       207.2       2,166.2  
    Income tax provision   7.5       65.1       53.1       414.0  
    Net (loss) income $ (53.6 )   $ 419.2     $ 154.1     $ 1,752.2  
                   
    Basic net (loss) income per common share $ (0.10 )   $ 0.78     $ 0.29     $ 3.23  
    Diluted net (loss) income per common share $ (0.10 )   $ 0.77     $ 0.28     $ 3.19  
                   
    Basic common shares outstanding   537.4       540.8       536.9       543.0  
    Diluted common shares outstanding   537.4       546.5       542.1       549.0  
     
    MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (in millions; unaudited)
     
    ASSETS
      December 31,   March 31,
        2024       2024  
    Cash and short-term investments $ 586.0     $ 319.7  
    Accounts receivable, net   857.2       1,143.7  
    Inventories   1,356.3       1,316.0  
    Other current assets   196.3       233.6  
    Total current assets   2,995.8       3,013.0  
           
    Property, plant and equipment, net   1,152.1       1,194.6  
    Other assets   11,484.3       11,665.6  
    Total assets $ 15,632.2     $ 15,873.2  
           
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
           
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 1,330.3     $ 1,520.0  
    Current portion of long-term debt   —       999.4  
    Total current liabilities   1,330.3       2,519.4  
           
    Long-term debt   6,749.5       5,000.4  
    Long-term income tax payable   598.7       649.2  
    Long-term deferred tax liability   22.9       28.8  
    Other long-term liabilities   899.3       1,017.6  
           
    Stockholders’ equity   6,031.5       6,657.8  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 15,632.2     $ 15,873.2  


    MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES
    (in millions, except per share amounts and percentages; unaudited)

    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP GROSS PROFIT TO NON-GAAP GROSS PROFIT

      Three Months Ended December 31,   Nine Months Ended December 31,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Gross profit, as reported $ 561.4     $ 1,120.0     $ 1,966.8     $ 4,205.8  
    Share-based compensation expense   7.4       6.0       18.3       20.2  
    Cybersecurity incident expenses   —       —       20.1       —  
    Non-GAAP gross profit $ 568.8     $ 1,126.0     $ 2,005.2     $ 4,226.0  
    GAAP gross profit percentage   54.7 %     63.4 %     57.3 %     66.7 %
    Non-GAAP gross profit percentage   55.4 %     63.8 %     58.4 %     67.0 %

    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES TO NON-GAAP RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES

      Three Months Ended December 31,   Nine Months Ended December 31,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Research and development expenses, as reported $ 246.2     $ 266.0     $ 728.6     $ 857.1  
    Share-based compensation expense   (28.8 )     (24.4 )     (79.0 )     (71.0 )
    Other adjustments   —       (0.1 )     —       (0.5 )
    Non-GAAP research and development expenses $ 217.4     $ 241.5     $ 649.6     $ 785.6  
    GAAP research and development expenses as a percentage of net sales   24.0 %     15.1 %     21.2 %     13.6 %
    Non-GAAP research and development expenses as a percentage of net sales   21.2 %     13.7 %     18.9 %     12.5 %

    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES TO NON-GAAP SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

      Three Months Ended December 31,   Nine Months Ended December 31,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Selling, general and administrative expenses, as reported $ 158.2     $ 172.2     $ 465.7     $ 572.4  
    Share-based compensation expense   (13.2 )     (14.4 )     (42.4 )     (43.5 )
    Cybersecurity incident expenses   —       —       (1.3 )     —  
    Other adjustments   (3.9 )     (1.0 )     (7.3 )     (0.5 )
    Professional services associated with certain legal matters   (0.4 )     (0.4 )     (1.1 )     (1.2 )
    Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses $ 140.7     $ 156.4     $ 413.6     $ 527.2  
    GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales   15.4 %     9.8 %     13.6 %     9.1 %
    Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales   13.7 %     8.9 %     12.1 %     8.4 %

    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP OPERATING EXPENSES TO NON-GAAP OPERATING EXPENSES

      Three Months Ended December 31,   Nine Months Ended December 31,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Operating expenses, as reported $ 530.5     $ 590.6     $ 1,570.2     $ 1,888.3  
    Share-based compensation expense   (42.0 )     (38.8 )     (121.4 )     (114.5 )
    Cybersecurity incident expenses   —       —       (1.3 )     —  
    Other adjustments   (3.9 )     (1.1 )     (7.3 )     (1.0 )
    Professional services associated with certain legal matters   (0.4 )     (0.4 )     (1.1 )     (1.2 )
    Amortization of acquired intangible assets (1)   (122.6 )     (151.3 )     (368.3 )     (454.2 )
    Special charges and other, net   (3.5 )     (1.1 )     (7.6 )     (4.6 )
    Non-GAAP operating expenses $ 358.1     $ 397.9     $ 1,063.2     $ 1,312.8  
    GAAP operating expenses as a percentage of net sales   51.7 %     33.4 %     45.8 %     29.9 %
    Non-GAAP operating expenses as a percentage of net sales   34.9 %     22.5 %     31.0 %     20.8 %

    (1) Amortization of acquired intangible assets consists of core and developed technology and customer-related acquired intangible assets in connection with business combinations. Such charges are excluded for purposes of calculating certain non-GAAP measures.

    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP OPERATING INCOME TO NON-GAAP OPERATING INCOME

      Three Months Ended December 31,   Nine Months Ended December 31,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Operating income, as reported $ 30.9     $ 529.4     $ 396.6     $ 2,317.5  
    Share-based compensation expense   49.4       44.8       139.7       134.7  
    Cybersecurity incident expenses   —       —       21.4       —  
    Other adjustments   3.9       1.1       7.3       1.0  
    Professional services associated with certain legal matters   0.4       0.4       1.1       1.2  
    Amortization of acquired intangible assets (1)   122.6       151.3       368.3       454.2  
    Special charges and other, net   3.5       1.1       7.6       4.6  
    Non-GAAP operating income $ 210.7     $ 728.1     $ 942.0     $ 2,913.2  
    GAAP operating income as a percentage of net sales   3.0 %     30.0 %     11.6 %     36.7 %
    Non-GAAP operating income as a percentage of net sales   20.5 %     41.2 %     27.5 %     46.2 %

    (1) Amortization of acquired intangible assets consists of core and developed technology and customer-related acquired intangible assets in connection with business combinations. Such charges are excluded for purposes of calculating certain non-GAAP measures. The use of acquired intangible assets contributed to our revenues earned during the periods presented.

    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP OTHER EXPENSE, NET TO NON-GAAP OTHER EXPENSE, NET

      Three Months Ended December 31,   Nine Months Ended December 31,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Other expense, net, as reported $ (77.0 )   $ (45.1 )   $ (189.4 )   $ (151.3 )
    Loss on settlement of debt   0.3       —       0.3       12.2  
    Loss on available-for-sale investments   —       —       1.8       —  
    Non-GAAP other expense, net $ (76.7 )   $ (45.1 )   $ (187.3 )   $ (139.1 )
    GAAP other expense, net, as a percentage of net sales (7.5 )%   (2.6 )%   (5.5 )%   (2.4 )%
    Non-GAAP other expense, net, as a percentage of net sales (7.5 )%   (2.6 )%   (5.5 )%   (2.2 )%

    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP INCOME TAX PROVISION TO NON-GAAP INCOME TAX PROVISION

      Three Months Ended December 31,   Nine Months Ended December 31,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Income tax provision as reported $ 7.5     $ 65.1     $ 53.1     $ 414.0  
    Income tax rate, as reported (16.3 )%     13.4 %     25.6 %     19.1 %
    Other non-GAAP tax adjustment   19.2       25.2       54.2       (27.2 )
    Non-GAAP income tax provision $ 26.7     $ 90.3     $ 107.3     $ 386.8  
    Non-GAAP income tax rate   19.9 %     13.2 %     14.2 %     13.9 %

    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET (LOSS) INCOME AND GAAP DILUTED NET (LOSS) INCOME PER COMMON SHARE TO NON-GAAP NET INCOME AND NON-GAAP DILUTED NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE

      Three Months Ended December 31,   Nine Months Ended December 31,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Net (loss) income, as reported $ (53.6 )   $ 419.2     $ 154.1     $ 1,752.2  
    Share-based compensation expense   49.4       44.8       139.7       134.7  
    Cybersecurity incident expenses   —       —       21.4       —  
    Other adjustments   3.9       1.1       7.3       1.0  
    Professional services associated with certain legal matters   0.4       0.4       1.1       1.2  
    Amortization of acquired intangible assets   122.6       151.3       368.3       454.2  
    Special charges and other, net   3.5       1.1       7.6       4.6  
    Loss on settlement of debt   0.3       —       0.3       12.2  
    Loss on available-for-sale investments   —       —       1.8       —  
    Other non-GAAP tax adjustment   (19.2 )     (25.2 )     (54.2 )     27.2  
    Non-GAAP net income $ 107.3     $ 592.7     $ 647.4     $ 2,387.3  
    GAAP net (loss) income as a percentage of net sales (5.2 )%     23.7 %     4.5 %     27.8 %
    Non-GAAP net income as a percentage of net sales   10.5 %     33.6 %     18.9 %     37.8 %
    Diluted net (loss) income per common share, as reported $ (0.10 )   $ 0.77     $ 0.28     $ 3.19  
    Non-GAAP diluted net income per common share $ 0.20     $ 1.08     $ 1.19     $ 4.35  
    Diluted common shares outstanding, as reported   537.4       546.5       542.1       549.0  
    Diluted common shares outstanding non-GAAP   541.6       546.5       542.1       549.0  

    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS TO FREE CASH FLOW

      Three Months Ended December 31,   Nine Months Ended December 31,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    GAAP cash flow from operations, as reported $ 271.5     $ 853.3     $ 692.2     $ 2,462.7  
    Capital expenditures   (18.1 )     (59.5 )     (111.8 )     (245.0 )
    Free cash flow $ 253.4     $ 793.8     $ 580.4     $ 2,217.7  
    GAAP cash flow from operations as a percentage of net sales   26.5 %     48.3 %     20.2 %     39.0 %
    Free cash flow as a percentage of net sales   24.7 %     45.0 %     16.9 %     35.2 %

    Microchip will host a conference call today, February 6, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss this release. This call will be simulcast over the Internet at www.microchip.com. The webcast will be available for replay until February 27, 2025.

    A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available at approximately 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on February 6, 2025 and will remain available until 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on February 27, 2025. Interested parties may listen to the replay by dialing 201-612-7415/877-660-6853 and entering access code 13750989.

    Cautionary Statement:
    The statements in this release relating to the decisive steps we are taking to realign our business, restructuring our manufacturing footprint, adjusting our channel strategy and intensifying our customer engagement, clear areas for operational enhancements, taking a methodical yet urgent approach to evaluating all aspects of our business and implementing necessary changes to strengthen our competitive position, executing on multiple operational initiatives to enhance our financial performance, that our focus remains on returning to premium profitability levels that have historically differentiated Microchip, supported by our diversified business model, that we continue to focus on inventory management while maintaining our commitment to shareholder returns, that our comprehensive technology platform is driving innovation across critical markets, with our new RISC-V processors and expanded connectivity solutions demonstrating strong momentum in industrial, automotive, and aerospace applications, that we believe we are well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of our customers in increasingly complex technological environments, that we believe the correction cycle is still not completed, our net sales guidance of $920.0 million to $1.000 billion for our March 2025 quarter, that we maintain a cautious but focused approach, our fourth quarter fiscal 2025 guidance for net sales and GAAP and non-GAAP gross profit, operating expenses, operating income (loss), other expense, net, income tax (benefit) provision, net income (loss), diluted common shares outstanding, earnings (loss) per diluted share, capital expenditures for the March 2025 quarter and for all of fiscal 2025, adding capital equipment to selectively expand our production capacity and add research and development equipment, our belief that non-GAAP measures are useful to investors and our assumed average stock price in the March 2025 quarter are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to: any continued uncertainty, fluctuations or weakness in the U.S. and world economies (including China and Europe) due to changes in interest rates or high inflation, actions taken or which may be taken by the Trump administration or the new U.S. Congress, monetary policy, political, geopolitical, trade or other issues in the U.S. or internationally (including the military conflicts in Ukraine-Russia and the Middle East), further changes in demand or market acceptance of our products and the products of our customers and our ability to respond to any increases or decreases in market demand or customer

    requests to reschedule or cancel orders; the mix of inventory we hold, our ability to satisfy any short-term orders from our inventory and our ability to effectively manage our inventory levels; foreign currency effects on our business; changes in utilization of our manufacturing capacity and our ability to effectively manage our production levels to meet any increases or decreases in market demand or any customer requests to reschedule or cancel orders; the impact of inflation on our business; competitive developments including pricing pressures; the level of orders that are received and can be shipped in a quarter; our ability to realize the expected benefits of our long-term supply assurance program; changes or fluctuations in customer order patterns and seasonality; our ability to effectively manage our supply of wafers from third party wafer foundries to meet any decreases or increases in our needs and the cost of such wafers, our ability to obtain additional capacity from our suppliers to increase production to meet any future increases in market demand; our ability to successfully integrate the operations and employees, retain key employees and customers and otherwise realize the expected synergies and benefits of our acquisitions; the impact of any future significant acquisitions or strategic transactions we may make; the costs and outcome of any current or future litigation or other matters involving our acquisitions (including the acquired business, intellectual property, customers, or other issues); the costs and outcome of any current or future tax audit or investigation regarding our business or our acquired businesses; the impact that the CHIPS Act will have on increasing manufacturing capacity in our industry by providing incentives for us, our competitors and foundries to build new wafer manufacturing facilities or expand existing facilities; the amount and timing of any incentives we may receive under the CHIPS Act, the impact of current and future changes in U.S. corporate tax laws (including the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017); fluctuations in our stock price and trading volume which could impact the number of shares we acquire under our share repurchase program and the timing of such repurchases; disruptions in our business or the businesses of our customers or suppliers due to natural disasters (including any floods in Thailand), terrorist activity, armed conflict, war, worldwide oil prices and supply, public health concerns or disruptions in the transportation system; and general economic, industry or political conditions in the United States or internationally.

    For a detailed discussion of these and other risk factors, please refer to Microchip’s filings on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. You can obtain copies of Forms 10-K and 10-Q and other relevant documents for free at Microchip’s website (www.microchip.com) or the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov) or from commercial document retrieval services.

    Stockholders of Microchip are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date such statements are made. Microchip does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or new information after this February 6, 2025 press release, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

    About Microchip:

    Microchip Technology Incorporated is a leading provider of smart, connected and secure embedded control solutions. Its easy-to-use development tools and comprehensive product portfolio enable customers to create optimal designs, which reduce risk while lowering total system cost and time to market. Our solutions serve approximately 112,000 customers across the industrial, automotive, consumer, aerospace and defense, communications and computing markets. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at www.microchip.com.

    Note: The Microchip name and logo are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

    INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:

    Sajid Daudi — Head of investor Relations….. (480) 792-7385

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Monolithic Power Systems Earnings Commentary for the Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KIRKLAND, Wash., Feb. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MPS will report its results after the market closes on February 6, 2025 and host a question-and-answer webinar at 2:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. ET. The live event will be held via a Zoom webcast, which can be accessed at https://mpsic.zoom.us/j/96816578886.

    2024 Financial Summary  (Unaudited)
    GAAP
        2024     2023     YoY Change YoY Change (%)
    Revenue ($k) $ 2,207,100   $ 1,821,072     Up $ 386,028 Up 21.2%
    Gross Margin   55.3 %   56.1 %   Down 0.8 pts Down 1.4%
    Opex ($k) $ 681,512   $ 539,383     Up $ 142,129 Up 26.4%
    Operating Margin   24.4 %   26.5 %   Down 2.1 pts Down 7.9%
    Net income ($k) $ 1,786,700   $ 427,374     Up $ 1,359,326 Up 318.1%
    Diluted EPS $ 36.59   $ 8.76     Up $ 27.83 Up 317.7%
        2024     2023     YoY Change YoY Change (%)
    Revenue ($k) $ 2,207,100   $ 1,821,072     Up $ 386,028 Up 21.2%
    Gross Margin   55.8 %   56.4 %   Down 0.6 pts Down 1.1%
    Opex ($k) $ 466,379   $ 385,395     Up $ 80,984 Up 21.0%
    Operating Margin   34.6 %   35.2 %   Down 0.6 pts Down 1.7%
    Net income ($k) $ 689,755   $ 574,647     Up $ 115,108 Up 20.0%
    Diluted EPS $ 14.12   $ 11.78     Up $ 2.34 Up 19.9%
    Revenue by End Market
        Revenue   YoY Change   % of Total Rev
    End Market ($M)     2024     2023     $   %     2024   2023  
    Enterprise Data   $ 716.2 $ 323.0   $ 393.2   121.7 %   32.5 % 17.7 %
    Storage & Computing     501.6   491.1     10.5   2.1 %   22.7   27.0  
    Automotive     414.0   394.7     19.3   4.9 %   18.8   21.7  
    Communications     225.9   204.9     21.0   10.2 %   10.2   11.3  
    Consumer     202.0   234.7     (32.7 ) (13.9 %)   9.1   12.9  
    Industrial     147.4   172.7     (25.3 ) (14.6 %)   6.7   9.4  
    Total   $ 2,207.1 $ 1,821.1   $ 386.0   21.2 %   100 % 100 %
    Q4 2024 Financial Summary  (Unaudited)
    GAAP
        Q4’24     Q3’24     Q4’23     QoQ Change YoY Change
    Revenue ($k) $ 621,665   $ 620,119   $ 454,012     Up 0.2% Up 36.9%
    Gross Margin   55.4 %   55.4 %   55.3 %   Flat Up 0.1 pts
    Opex ($k) $ 181,101   $ 179,415   $ 141,554     Up 0.9% Up 27.9%
    Operating Margin   26.3 %   26.5 %   24.1 %   Down 0.2 pts Up 2.2 pts
    Net income ($k) $ 1,449,363   $ 144,430   $ 96,905     Up 903.5% Up 1395.7%
    Diluted EPS $ 29.88   $ 2.95   $ 1.98     Up 912.9% Up 1409.1%
      Q4’24   Q3’24     Q4’23     QoQ Change YoY Change
    Revenue ($k) $ 621,665   $ 620,119   $ 454,012     Up 0.2% Up 36.9%
    Gross Margin   55.8 %   55.8 %   55.7 %   Flat Up 0.1 pts
    Opex ($k) $ 126,117   $ 125,169   $ 96,745     Up 0.8% Up 30.4%
    Operating Margin   35.5 %   35.6 %   34.4 %   Down 0.1 pts Up 1.1 pts
    Net income ($k) $ 198,401   $ 198,786   $ 140,852     Down 0.2% Up 40.9%
    Diluted EPS $ 4.09   $ 4.06   $ 2.88     Up 0.7% Up 42.0%
    Revenue by End Market
        Revenue   YoY Change   % of Total Rev
    End Market ($M)     Q4’24     Q4’23   $   %   Q4’24   Q4’23  
    Enterprise Data   $ 194.9 $ 128.9   $ 66.0 51.2 %   31.3 % 28.4 %
    Storage & Computing     136.5   117.3     19.2 16.4 %   22.0   25.8  
    Automotive     128.4   89.8     38.6 43.0 %   20.6   19.8  
    Communications     63.8   40.9     22.9 55.9 %   10.3   9.0  
    Consumer     57.3   43.7     13.6 31.0 %   9.2   9.6  
    Industrial     40.8   33.4     7.4 22.3 %   6.6   7.4  
    Total   $ 621.7 $ 454.0   $ 167.7 36.9 %   100 % 100 %

    Ongoing Business Conditions

    In 2024, MPS’s revenue grew 21.2% year-over-year and achieved record revenue of $2.2 billion. This is our 13th consecutive year of revenue growth driven by consistent execution, continued innovation, and strong customer focus.

    Highlights from 2024 include:

    • We introduced a Silicon Carbide inverter for high power clean energy applications. Initial revenue is expected to ramp in late 2025. Other Silicon Carbide-based applications are expected to be introduced in multiple geographies during 2025 and 2026.
    • We developed a family of high quality, cost efficient automotive audio products utilizing DSP technology from our 2024 Axign acquisition powered by MPS solutions.
    • For enterprise notebooks, we launched a battery management solution and are sampling our new mini-phase power stage. These products enable faster charge time and significantly improve notebook battery life.
    • Building on our first analog to digital converter design win in 2024, we are developing new high accuracy 24-bit converters which are expected to ramp in the second half of 2025.
    • We executed a $640M stock repurchase program offsetting dilution for our shareholders.

    In Q4 2024, MPS achieved record quarterly revenue of $621.7 million, slightly higher than revenue in the third quarter of 2024 and 36.9% higher than revenue in the fourth quarter of 2023.   Our performance during the quarter reflected the continued strength of our diversified market strategy and a continued trend of the improved ordering patterns we saw in Q3 2024.

    MPS continues to focus on innovation, solving our customers’ most challenging problems, and maintaining the highest level of quality. We continue to invest in new technology, expand into new markets, and to diversify our end-market applications and global supply chain. This will allow us to capture future growth opportunities, maintain supply stability, and swiftly adapt to market changes as they occur.

    “Our proven, long-term growth strategy remains intact as we continue our transformation from being a chip-only, semiconductor supplier to a full service, silicon-based solutions provider,” said Michael Hsing, CEO and founder of MPS.

    2024 Full Year Revenue Results

    Our full year 2024 revenue by market segment was as follows:

    Full year 2024 Enterprise Data revenue grew $393.2 million to $716.2 million. This 121.7% increase was due to higher sales of our power management solutions for AI and server applications. Enterprise Data revenue represented 32.5% of MPS’s total revenue in 2024 compared with 17.7% in 2023.

    Communications revenue grew by $21.0 million in 2024 to $225.9 million. This 10.2% increase was a result of higher sales of power solutions for optical modules and routers, partially offset by lower sales of networking solutions. Communications revenue represented 10.2% of our 2024 revenue compared with 11.3% in 2023.

    Automotive revenue grew $19.3 million year-over-year to $414.0 million in 2024. This 4.9% gain was driven by increased sales of our highly integrated applications supporting advanced driver assistance systems. Automotive revenue represented 18.8% of MPS’s full year 2024 revenue compared with 21.7% in 2023.

    Storage and Computing revenue for 2024 grew $10.5 million over the prior year to $501.6 million. This 2.1% increase was primarily driven by increased sales of products for notebooks. Storage and Computing revenue represented 22.7% of MPS’s total revenue in 2024 compared with 27.0% in 2023.

    Consumer revenue decreased $32.7 million to $202.0 million in 2024. This 13.9% year-over-year decrease was a result of broad market weakness. Consumer revenue represented 9.1% of MPS’s full year 2024 revenue compared with 12.9% in 2023.

    Industrial revenue fell by $25.3 million to $147.4 million in 2024. This 14.6% decrease was due to general market weakness across all industrial segments. Industrial revenue represented 6.7% of MPS’s full year 2024 revenue compared with 9.4% in 2023.

    Q4’24 Revenue Results

    MPS reported fourth quarter revenue of $621.7 million, slightly higher than the third quarter of 2024 and 36.9% higher than the fourth quarter of 2023. Compared with the third quarter of 2024, sales in Automotive and Enterprise Data improved sequentially.

    Fourth quarter Automotive revenue of $128.4 million increased 15.3% from the third quarter of 2024 primarily from higher sales in ADAS and infotainment power solutions. Fourth quarter 2024 Automotive revenue was up 43.0% year over year. Automotive revenue represented 20.6% of MPS’s fourth quarter 2024 revenue compared with 19.8% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    In our Enterprise Data market, fourth quarter 2024 revenue of $194.9 million increased 5.6% from the third quarter of 2024. Fourth quarter 2024 Enterprise Data revenue was up 51.2% year over year. Enterprise Data revenue represented 31.3% of MPS’s fourth quarter 2024 revenue compared with 28.4% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Fourth quarter 2024 Storage and Computing revenue of $136.5 million decreased 5.2% from the third quarter of 2024. The sequential decrease was primarily driven by lower sales in notebooks, partially offset by stronger sales in graphic cards. Fourth quarter 2024 Storage and Computing revenue was up 16.4% year over year. Storage and Computing revenue represented 22.0% of MPS’s fourth quarter 2024 revenue compared with 25.8% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Fourth quarter 2024 Industrial revenue of $40.8 million decreased 7.3% from the third quarter of 2024 due to lower sales for security and power sources. Fourth quarter 2024 Industrial revenue was up 22.3% year over year. Industrial revenue represented 6.6% of our total fourth quarter 2024 revenue compared with 7.4% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Fourth quarter Consumer revenue of $57.3 million decreased 11.0% from the third quarter of 2024 primarily from lower sales in smart TVs, home appliance and gaming solutions. Fourth quarter 2024 Consumer revenue was up 31.0% year over year. Consumer revenue represented 9.2% of MPS’s fourth quarter 2024 revenue compared with 9.6% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Fourth quarter 2024 Communications revenue of $63.8 million was down 11.2% from the third quarter of 2024 reflecting lower sales in networking solutions, partially offset by higher sales in optical solutions. Fourth quarter 2024 Communications revenue was up 55.9% year over year. Communications sales represented 10.3% of our total fourth quarter 2024 revenue compared with 9.0% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Q4’24 Gross Margin & Operating Income

    GAAP gross margin was 55.4%, flat to the third quarter of 2024. Our GAAP operating income was approximately $163.3 million compared to $164.0 million reported in the third quarter of 2024.

    Non-GAAP gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2024 was 55.8%, flat to the third quarter of 2024. Our non-GAAP operating income was $220.7 million compared to $220.8 million reported in the third quarter of 2024.

    Q4’24 Operating Expenses

    Our GAAP operating expenses were $181.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared with $179.4 million in the third quarter of 2024.

    Our Non-GAAP operating expenses were approximately $126.1 million, up from $125.2 million in the third quarter of 2024.

    The differences between non-GAAP operating expenses and GAAP operating expenses for the quarters discussed here are primarily stock-based compensation and related expense and deferred compensation plan expense.

    Total stock-based compensation and related expenses, including approximately $1.7 million charged to cost of goods sold, was $56.3 million compared with $52.4 million recorded in the third quarter of 2024.

    The Bottom Line

    Fourth quarter 2024 GAAP net income was $1.4 billion or $29.88 per fully diluted share, compared with $144.4 million or $2.95 per share in the third quarter of 2024. Fourth quarter GAAP net income and EPS included the recognition of a tax benefit granted to a foreign subsidiary.

    Fourth quarter 2024 non-GAAP net income was $198.4 million or $4.09 per fully diluted share, compared with $198.8 million or $4.06 per fully diluted share in the third quarter of 2024.

    There were 48.5 million fully diluted shares outstanding at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024. MPS repurchased $622M in stock during the fourth quarter of 2024.

    Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

    Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $862.9 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $1.46 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2024. The change was driven primarily by the share repurchases made in the fourth quarter. For the fourth quarter of 2024, MPS generated operating cash flow of approximately $167.7 million compared with the third quarter of 2024 operating cash flow of $231.7 million.

    Accounts receivable at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024 at $172.5 million, representing 25 days of sales outstanding, which was 1 day higher than the 24 days reported at the end of the third quarter of 2024.

    Our internal inventories at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024 were $419.6 million, down from $424.9 million at the end of the third quarter of 2024. Days of inventory of 138 days at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024 was 2 days lower than at the end of the third quarter of 2024.

    We have carefully managed our internal inventories throughout the year, balancing the uncertainty in the market with being prepared to capture market upturns when they occur. Comparing current inventory levels using next quarter’s projected revenue, days of inventory at the end of the fourth quarter of 138 days was 2 days lower than at the end of the third quarter of 2024.

    Selected Balance Sheet and Inventory Data (Unaudited)
           
      Q4’24 Q3’24 Q4’23
    Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-Term Investments $ 862.9 M $ 1,462.4 M $ 1,108.5 M
    Operating Cash Flow $ 167.7 M $ 231.7 M $ 153.3 M
    Accounts Receivable $ 172.5 M $ 164.7 M $ 179.9 M
    Days of Sales Outstanding 25 Days 24 Days 36 Days
    Internal Inventories $ 419.6 M $ 424.9 M $ 383.7 M
    Days of Inventory (current quarter revenue) 138 Days 140 Days 172 Days
    Days of Inventory (next quarter revenue) 138 Days 140 Days 170 Days

    Q1’25 Business Outlook

    For the first quarter of 2025 ending March 31, we are forecasting:

    • Revenue in the range of $610 million to $630 million.
    • GAAP gross margin in the range of 55.1% to 55.7%.
    • Non-GAAP gross margin in the range of 55.4% to 56.0%, which excludes the impact from stock-based compensation and related expenses as well as the impact from amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets.
    • Total stock-based compensation and related expenses in the range of $55.0 million to $57.0 million including approximately $1.7 million that would be charged to cost of goods sold.
    • GAAP operating expenses between $180.2 million and $186.2 million.
    • Non-GAAP operating expenses in the range of $126.9 million to $130.9 million. This estimate excludes stock-based compensation and related expenses in the range of $53.3 million to $55.3 million.
    • Interest and other income in the range from $5.8 million to $6.2 million before foreign exchange gains or losses.
    • Non-GAAP tax rate of 15% for 2025.
    • Fully diluted shares outstanding in the range of 47.8 to 48.2 million shares.

    Our quarterly dividend will increase 25% to $1.56 per share from $1.25 per share for stockholders of record as of March 31, 2025.

    In addition, our board of directors has authorized a new $500 million stock repurchase program effective over the next 3 years. The $640 million share repurchase program authorized in October of 2023 has been fully executed.

    For further information, contact:

    Bernie Blegen
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    408-826-0777
    MPSInvestor.Relations@monolithicpower.com

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This earnings commentary contains, and statements that will be made during the accompanying webinar will contain, forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including under the “Q1’25 Business Outlook” section herein, our statement regarding our business focus, our statement regarding the expansion and diversification of our global supply chain and the quote from our CEO and founder, including, among other things, (i) projected revenue, GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin, GAAP and non-GAAP operating expenses, stock-based compensation and related expenses, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, other income before foreign exchange gains or losses, and fully diluted shares outstanding, (ii) our outlook for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 and the near-term, medium-term and long-term prospects of MPS, including our ability to adapt to changing market conditions, performance against our business plan, our ability to grow despite the various challenges facing our business, our industry and the global economic environment, revenue growth in certain of our market segments, potential new business segments, our continued investment in research and development (“R&D”), expected revenue growth, customers’ acceptance of our new product offerings, the prospects of our new product development, our expectations regarding market and industry segment trends and prospects, and our projected expansion of capacity and the impact it may have on our business, (iii) our ability to penetrate new markets and expand our market share, (iv) the seasonality of our business, (v) our ability to reduce our expenses, and (vi) statements regarding the assumptions underlying or relating to any statement described in (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v). These forward-looking statements are not historical facts or guarantees of future performance or events, are based on current expectations, estimates, beliefs, assumptions, goals, and objectives, and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from the results expressed by these statements. Readers of this earnings commentary and listeners to the accompanying conference call are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, continued uncertainties in the global economy, including due to the Russia-Ukraine and Middle East conflicts, inflation, consumer sentiment and other factors; adverse events arising from orders or regulations of governmental entities, including such orders or regulations that impact our customers or suppliers, and adoption of new or amended accounting standards; adverse changes in laws and government regulations such as tariffs on imports of foreign goods, export regulations and export classifications, and tax laws or the interpretation of same, including in foreign countries where MPS has offices or operations; the effect of export controls, trade and economic sanctions regulations and other regulatory or contractual limitations on our ability to sell or develop our products in certain foreign markets, particularly in China; our ability to obtain governmental licenses and approvals for international trading activities or technology transfers, including export licenses; acceptance of, or demand for, our products, in particular the new products launched recently, being different than expected; our ability to increase market share in our targeted markets; difficulty in predicting or budgeting for future customer demand and channel inventories, expenses and financial contingencies (including as a result of any continuing impact from the Russia-Ukraine and Middle East conflicts); our ability to efficiently and effectively develop new products and receive a return on our R&D expense investment; our ability to attract new customers and retain existing customers; our ability to meet customer demand for our products due to constraints on our third-party suppliers’ ability to manufacture sufficient quantities of our products or otherwise; our ability to expand manufacturing capacity to support future growth; adverse changes in production and testing efficiency of our products; any political, cultural, military, regulatory, economic, foreign exchange and operational changes in China, where a significant portion of our manufacturing capacity comes from; any market disruptions or interruptions in our schedule of new product development releases; our ability to manage our inventory levels; adequate supply of our products from our third-party manufacturing partners; adverse changes or developments in the semiconductor industry generally, which is cyclical in nature, and our ability to adjust our operations to address such changes or developments; the ongoing consolidation of companies in the semiconductor industry; competition generally and the increasingly competitive nature of our industry; our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of companies and products that MPS acquires, and our ability to effectively and efficiently integrate these acquired companies and products into our operations; the risks, uncertainties and costs of litigation in which MPS is involved; the outcome of any upcoming trials, hearings, motions and appeals; the adverse impact on our financial performance if its tax and litigation provisions are inadequate; our ability to effectively manage our growth and attract and retain qualified personnel; the effect of epidemics and pandemics on the global economy and on our business; the risks associated with the financial market, economy and geopolitical uncertainties, including the Russia-Ukraine and Middle East conflicts; and other important risk factors identified under the caption “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings, including, but not limited to, our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024. MPS assumes no obligation to update the information in this earnings commentary or in the accompanying webinar.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    This CFO Commentary contains references to certain non-GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income per share, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP other income, net, non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP income before income taxes differ from net income, net income per share, gross margin, operating expenses, other income, net, operating income and income before income taxes determined in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per share exclude the effect of stock-based compensation and related expenses, which include stock-based compensation expense and employer payroll taxes in relation to the stock-based compensation, net deferred compensation plan expense, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and related tax effects. Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per share also exclude the recognition of a tax benefit granted to a foreign subsidiary. Non-GAAP gross margin excludes the effect of stock-based compensation and related expenses, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and deferred compensation plan expense. Non-GAAP operating expenses exclude the effect of stock-based compensation and related expenses, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and deferred compensation plan expense. Non-GAAP operating income excludes the effect of stock-based compensation and related expenses, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and deferred compensation plan expense. Non-GAAP other income, net excludes the effect of deferred compensation plan income. Non-GAAP income before income taxes excludes the effect of stock-based compensation and related expenses, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and net deferred compensation plan expense. Projected non-GAAP gross margin excludes the effect of stock-based compensation and related expenses, and amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. Projected non-GAAP operating expenses exclude the effect of stock-based compensation and related expenses. These non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A schedule reconciling non-GAAP financial measures is included at the end of this press release. MPS utilizes both GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures to assess what it believes to be its core operating performance and to evaluate and manage its internal business and assist in making financial operating decisions. MPS believes that the inclusion of non-GAAP financial measures, together with GAAP measures, provides investors with an alternative presentation useful to investors’ understanding of MPS’s core operating results and trends. Additionally, MPS believes that the inclusion of non-GAAP measures, together with GAAP measures, provides investors with an additional dimension of comparability to similar companies. However, investors should be aware that non-GAAP financial measures utilized by other companies are not likely to be comparable in most cases to the non-GAAP financial measures used by MPS. See the GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations in the tables set forth below.

    RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NON-GAAP NET INCOME
    (Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)
        Three Months Ended
    December 31,    		   Year Ended December 31,
        2024   2023   2024   2023
    Net income   $ 1,449,363     $ 96,905     $ 1,786,700     $ 427,374  
                                     
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to non-GAAP net income:                                
    Stock-based compensation and related expenses*     56,320       41,107       213,209       149,711  
    Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets     320       33       1,303       132  
    Deferred compensation plan expense, net     573       288       867       1,055  
    Tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments     (22,773 )     2,519       (26,922 )     (3,625 )
    Recognition of a tax benefit granted to a foreign subsidiary     (1,285,402 )     –       (1,285,402 )     –  
    Non-GAAP net income   $ 198,401     $ 140,852     $ 689,755     $ 574,647  
                                     
    Non-GAAP net income per share:                                
    Basic   $ 4.11     $ 2.94     $ 14.19     $ 12.07  
    Diluted   $ 4.09     $ 2.88     $ 14.12     $ 11.78  
                                     
    Shares used in the calculation of non-GAAP net income per share:                                
    Basic     48,317       47,936       48,599       47,610  
    Diluted     48,506       48,881       48,835       48,771  

    *Prior periods exclude stock-based compensation related employer payroll taxes from non-GAAP measures due to immateriality.

    RECONCILIATION OF GROSS MARGIN TO NON-GAAP GROSS MARGIN
    (Unaudited, in thousands)
        Three Months Ended
    December 31,    		   Year Ended December 31,
        2024   2023   2024   2023
    Gross profit   $ 344,408     $ 251,123     $ 1,220,870     $ 1,021,119  
    Gross margin     55.4 %     55.3 %     55.3 %     56.1 %
                                     
    Adjustments to reconcile gross profit to non-GAAP gross profit:                                
    Stock-based compensation and related expenses*     1,745       1,228       6,975       4,545  
    Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets     287       –       1,171       –  
    Deferred compensation plan expense     417       486       1,500       871  
    Non-GAAP gross profit   $ 346,857     $ 252,837     $ 1,230,516     $ 1,026,535  
    Non-GAAP gross margin     55.8 %     55.7 %     55.8 %     56.4 %

    *Prior periods exclude stock-based compensation related employer payroll taxes from non-GAAP measures due to immateriality.

    RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING EXPENSES TO NON-GAAP OPERATING EXPENSES
    (Unaudited, in thousands)
        Three Months Ended
    December 31,    		   Year Ended December 31,
        2024   2023   2024   2023
    Total operating expenses   $ 181,101     $ 141,554     $ 681,512     $ 539,383  
                                     
    Adjustments to reconcile total operating expenses to non-GAAP total operating expenses:                                
    Stock-based compensation and related expenses*     (54,575 )     (39,879 )     (206,234 )     (145,166 )
    Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets     (33 )     (33 )     (132 )     (132 )
    Deferred compensation plan expense     (376 )     (4,897 )     (8,767 )     (8,690 )
    Non-GAAP operating expenses   $ 126,117     $ 96,745     $ 466,379     $ 385,395  

    *Prior periods exclude stock-based compensation related employer payroll taxes from non-GAAP measures due to immateriality.

    RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING INCOME TO NON-GAAP OPERATING INCOME
    (Unaudited, in thousands)
        Three Months Ended
    December 31,    		   Year Ended December 31,
        2024   2023   2024   2023
    Total operating income   $ 163,307     $ 109,569     $ 539,358     $ 481,736  
                                     
    Adjustments to reconcile total operating income to non-GAAP total operating income:                                
    Stock-based compensation and related expenses*     56,320       41,107       213,209       149,711  
    Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets     320       33       1,303       132  
    Deferred compensation plan expense     793       5,383       10,267       9,561  
    Non-GAAP operating income   $ 220,740     $ 156,092     $ 764,137     $ 641,140  

    *Prior periods exclude stock-based compensation related employer payroll taxes from non-GAAP measures due to immateriality.

    RECONCILIATION OF OTHER INCOME, NET, TO NON-GAAP OTHER INCOME, NET
    (Unaudited, in thousands)
        Three Months Ended
    December 31,    		   Year Ended December 31,
        2024   2023   2024   2023
    Total other income, net   $ 6,224     $ 9,976     $ 33,554     $ 24,105  
                                     
    Adjustments to reconcile other income, net to non-GAAP other income, net:                                
    Deferred compensation plan income     (220 )     (5,095 )     (9,400 )     (8,506 )
    Non-GAAP other income, net   $ 6,004     $ 4,881     $ 24,154     $ 15,599  
    RECONCILIATION OF INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES TO NON-GAAP INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    (Unaudited, in thousands)
        Three Months Ended
    December 31,    		   Year Ended December 31,
        2024   2023   2024   2023
    Total income before income taxes   $ 169,531     $ 119,545     $ 572,912     $ 505,841  
                                     
    Adjustments to reconcile income before income taxes to non-GAAP income before income taxes:                                
    Stock-based compensation and related expenses*     56,320       41,107       213,209       149,711  
    Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets     320       33       1,303       132  
    Deferred compensation plan expense, net     573       288       867       1,055  
    Non-GAAP income before income taxes   $ 226,744     $ 160,973     $ 788,291     $ 656,739  

    *Prior periods exclude stock-based compensation related employer payroll taxes from non-GAAP measures due to immateriality.

    2025 FIRST QUARTER OUTLOOK
    RECONCILIATION OF GROSS MARGIN TO NON-GAAP GROSS MARGIN
    (Unaudited)
        Three Months Ending
    March 31, 2025
       
        Low   High
    Gross margin     55.1 %     55.7 %
    Adjustment to reconcile gross margin to non-GAAP gross margin:                
    Stock-based compensation and other expenses     0.3 %     0.3 %
    Non-GAAP gross margin     55.4 %     56.0 %
    RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING EXPENSES TO NON-GAAP OPERATING EXPENSES
    (Unaudited, in thousands)
        Three Months Ending
    March 31, 2025
       
        Low   High
    Operating expenses   $ 180,200     $ 186,200  
    Adjustments to reconcile operating expenses to non-GAAP operating expenses:                
    Stock-based compensation and other expenses     (53,300 )     (55,300 )
    Non-GAAP operating expenses   $ 126,900     $ 130,900  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Monolithic Power Systems Announces Results for the Fourth Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2024 and an Increase in Quarterly Cash Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KIRKLAND, Wash., Feb. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. (“MPS”) (Nasdaq: MPWR), a fabless global company that provides high-performance, semiconductor-based power electronics solutions, today announced financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2024. MPS also announced that its Board of Directors has approved an increase in the quarterly cash dividend from $1.25 per share to $1.56 per share. The first quarter dividend of $1.56 per share will be paid on April 15, 2025 to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 31, 2025.

    The financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 were as follows:

    • Revenue was $621.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, a 0.2% increase from $620.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 and a 36.9% increase from $454.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
    • GAAP gross margin was 55.4% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared with 55.3% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
    • Non-GAAP gross margin (1) was 55.8% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, excluding the impact of $1.7 million for stock-based compensation and related expenses, $0.4 million for deferred compensation plan expense and $0.3 million for amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, compared with 55.7% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, excluding the impact of $1.2 million for stock-based compensation expense and $0.5 million for deferred compensation plan expense.
    • GAAP operating expenses were $181.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared with $141.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
    • Non-GAAP operating expenses (1) were $126.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, excluding $54.6 million for stock-based compensation and related expenses, and $0.4 million for deferred compensation plan expense, compared with $96.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, excluding $39.9 million for stock-based compensation expense and $4.9 million for deferred compensation plan expense.
    • GAAP operating income was $163.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared with $109.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
    • Non-GAAP operating income (1) was $220.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, excluding $56.3 million for stock-based compensation and related expenses, $0.8 million for deferred compensation plan expense and $0.3 million for amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, compared with $156.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, excluding $41.1 million for stock-based compensation expense and $5.4 million for deferred compensation plan expense.
    • GAAP other income, net was $6.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared with $10.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
    • Non-GAAP other income, net (1) was $6.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, excluding $0.2 million for deferred compensation plan income, compared with $4.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, excluding $5.1 million for deferred compensation plan income.
    • GAAP income before income taxes was $169.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared with $119.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
    • Non-GAAP income before income taxes (1) was $226.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, excluding $56.3 million for stock-based compensation and related expenses, $0.6 million for net deferred compensation plan expense and $0.3 million for amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, compared with $161.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, excluding $41.1 million for stock-based compensation expense and $0.3 million for net deferred compensation plan expense.
    • GAAP net income was $1.4 billion and $29.88 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. Comparatively, GAAP net income was $96.9 million and $1.98 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. GAAP net income and income per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 included $1.3 billion for the recognition of a tax benefit granted to a foreign subsidiary.
    • Non-GAAP net income (1) was $198.4 million and $4.09 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 excluding $1.3 billion for the recognition of a tax benefit granted to a foreign subsidiary. Non-GAAP net income (1) for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 also excluded $56.3 million for stock-based compensation and related expenses, $0.6 million for net deferred compensation plan expense, $0.3 million for amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and $22.8 million for the related tax effects, compared with $140.9 million and $2.88 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, excluding $41.1 million for stock-based compensation expense, $0.3 million for net deferred compensation plan expense and $2.5 million for the related tax effects.

     

    The financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024 were as follows:

    • Revenue was $2.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024, a 21.2% increase from $1.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023.
    • GAAP gross margin was 55.3% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with 56.1% for the year ended December 31, 2023.
    • Non-GAAP gross margin (1) was 55.8% for the year ended December 31, 2024, excluding the impact of $7.0 million for stock-based compensation and related expenses, $1.5 million for deferred compensation plan expense and $1.2 million for amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, compared with 56.4% for the year ended December 31, 2023, excluding the impact of $4.5 million for stock-based compensation expense and $0.9 million for deferred compensation plan expense.
    • GAAP operating expenses were $681.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with $539.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
    • Non-GAAP operating expenses (1) were $466.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, excluding $206.2 million for stock-based compensation and related expenses, $8.8 million for deferred compensation plan expense and $0.1 million for amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, compared with $385.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, excluding $145.2 million for stock-based compensation expense, $8.7 million for deferred compensation plan expense and $0.1 million for amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets.
    • GAAP operating income was $539.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with $481.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
    • Non-GAAP operating income (1) was $764.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, excluding $213.2 million for stock-based compensation and related expenses, $10.3 million for deferred compensation plan expense and $1.3 million for amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, compared with $641.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, excluding $149.7 million for stock-based compensation expense, $9.6 million for deferred compensation plan expense and $0.1 million for amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets.
    • GAAP other income, net was $33.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with $24.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
    • Non-GAAP other income, net (1) was $24.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, excluding $9.4 million for deferred compensation plan income, compared with $15.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, excluding $8.5 million for deferred compensation plan income.
    • GAAP income before income taxes was $572.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with $505.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
    • Non-GAAP income before income taxes (1) was $788.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, excluding $213.2 million for stock-based compensation and related expenses, $1.3 million for amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and $0.9 million for net deferred compensation plan expense, compared with $656.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, excluding $149.7 million for stock-based compensation expense, $1.1 million for net deferred compensation plan expense and $0.1 million for amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets.
    • GAAP net income was $1.8 billion and $36.59 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2024. Comparatively, GAAP net income was $427.4 million and $8.76 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2023. GAAP net income and income per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2024 included $1.3 billion for the recognition of a tax benefit granted to a foreign subsidiary.
    • Non-GAAP net income (1) was $689.8 million and $14.12 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2024 excluding $1.3 billion for the recognition of a tax benefit granted to a foreign subsidiary. Non-GAAP net income (1) for the year ended December 31, 2024 also excluded $213.2 million for stock-based compensation and related expenses, $1.3 million for amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, $0.9 million for net deferred compensation plan expense and $26.9 million for the related tax effects, compared with $574.6 million and $11.78 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2023, excluding $149.7 million for stock-based compensation expense, $1.1 million for net deferred compensation plan expense, $0.1 million for amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and $3.6 million for the related tax effects.

    The following is a summary of revenue by end market (in thousands):

        Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
    End Market   2024   2023   2024   2023
    Enterprise Data   $ 194,867     $ 128,897     $ 716,264     $ 322,980  
    Storage and Computing     136,507       117,312       501,576       491,139  
    Automotive     128,344       89,758       413,973       394,665  
    Communications     63,810       40,926       225,905       204,911  
    Consumer     57,311       43,741       202,015       234,660  
    Industrial     40,826       33,378       147,367       172,717  
    Total   $ 621,665     $ 454,012     $ 2,207,100     $ 1,821,072  
                                     

    “Our proven, long-term growth strategy remains intact as we continue our transformation from being a chip-only, semiconductor supplier to a full service, silicon-based solutions provider,” said Michael Hsing, CEO and founder of MPS. 

    Business Outlook

    The following are MPS’s financial targets for the first quarter ending March 31, 2025:

    • Revenue in the range of $610.0 million to $630.0 million.
    • GAAP gross margin between 55.1% and 55.7%. Non-GAAP gross margin (1) between 55.4% and 56.0%, which excludes estimated stock-based compensation and related expenses of $1.7 million as well as the impact from amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets.
    • GAAP operating expenses between $180.2 million and $186.2 million. Non-GAAP operating expenses (1) between $126.9 million and $130.9 million, which excludes estimated stock-based compensation and related expenses in the range of $53.3 million to $55.3 million.
    • Total stock-based compensation and related expenses of $55.0 million to $57.0 million including approximately $1.7 million that would be charged to cost of goods sold.
    • Interest and other income in the range of $5.8 million to $6.2 million before foreign exchange gains or losses.
    • Non-GAAP tax rate of 15.0% for 2025.
    • Fully diluted shares outstanding between 47.8 million and 48.2 million. 

    (1) Non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income per share, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP other income, net, non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP income before income taxes differ from net income, net income per share, gross margin, operating expenses, other income, net, operating income and income before income taxes determined in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per share exclude the effect of stock-based compensation and related expenses, which include stock-based compensation expense and employer payroll taxes in relation to the stock-based compensation, net deferred compensation plan expense, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and related tax effects. Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per share also exclude the recognition of a tax benefit granted to a foreign subsidiary. Non-GAAP gross margin excludes the effect of stock-based compensation and related expenses, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and deferred compensation plan expense. Non-GAAP operating expenses exclude the effect of stock-based compensation and related expenses, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and deferred compensation plan expense. Non-GAAP operating income excludes the effect of stock-based compensation and related expenses, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and deferred compensation plan expense. Non-GAAP other income, net excludes the effect of deferred compensation plan income. Non-GAAP income before income taxes excludes the effect of stock-based compensation and related expenses, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and net deferred compensation plan expense. Projected non-GAAP gross margin excludes the effect of stock-based compensation and related expenses, and amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. Projected non-GAAP operating expenses exclude the effect of stock-based compensation and related expenses. These non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A schedule reconciling non-GAAP financial measures is included at the end of this press release. MPS utilizes both GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures to assess what it believes to be its core operating performance and to evaluate and manage its internal business and assist in making financial operating decisions. MPS believes that the inclusion of non-GAAP financial measures, together with GAAP measures, provides investors with an alternative presentation useful to investors’ understanding of MPS’s core operating results and trends. Additionally, MPS believes that the inclusion of non-GAAP measures, together with GAAP measures, provides investors with an additional dimension of comparability to similar companies. However, investors should be aware that non-GAAP financial measures utilized by other companies are not likely to be comparable in most cases to the non-GAAP financial measures used by MPS. See the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliations in the tables set forth below.

    Earnings Commentary
    Earnings commentary on the results of operations for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2024 is available under the Investor Relations page on the MPS website.

    Earnings Webinar
    MPS plans to host a question-and-answer conference call covering its financial results at 2:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. ET, February 6, 2025. The live event will be held via a Zoom webcast, which can be accessed at: https://mpsic.zoom.us/j/96816578886. The Zoom webcast can also be accessed live over the phone by dialing (669) 444-9171; the webcast ID is 96816578886. A replay of the event will be archived and available for replay for one year under the Investor Relations page on the MPS website.

    Safe Harbor Statement
    This press release contains, and statements that will be made during the accompanying webinar will contain, forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including under the “Business Outlook” section and the quote from our CEO herein, including, among other things, (i) projected revenue, GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin, GAAP and non-GAAP operating expenses, stock-based compensation and related expenses, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, other income before foreign exchange gains or losses, and fully diluted shares outstanding, (ii) our outlook for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 and the near-term, medium-term and long-term prospects of MPS, including our ability to adapt to changing market conditions, performance against our business plan, our ability to grow despite the various challenges facing our business, our industry and the global economic environment, revenue growth in certain of our market segments, potential new business segments, our continued investment in research and development (“R&D”), expected revenue growth, customers’ acceptance of our new product offerings, the prospects of our new product development, our expectations regarding market and industry segment trends and prospects, and our projected expansion of capacity and the impact it may have on our business, (iii) our ability to penetrate new markets and expand our market share, (iv) the seasonality of our business, (v) our ability to reduce our expenses, and (vi) statements regarding the assumptions underlying or relating to any statement described in (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v). These forward-looking statements are not historical facts or guarantees of future performance or events, are based on current expectations, estimates, beliefs, assumptions, goals, and objectives, and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from the results expressed by these statements. Readers of this press release and listeners to the accompanying conference call are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, continued uncertainties in the global economy, including due to the Russia-Ukraine and Middle East conflicts, inflation, consumer sentiment and other factors; adverse events arising from orders or regulations of governmental entities, including such orders or regulations that impact our customers or suppliers, and adoption of new or amended accounting standards; adverse changes in laws and government regulations such as tariffs on imports of foreign goods, export regulations and export classifications, and tax laws or the interpretation of same, including in foreign countries where MPS has offices or operations; the effect of export controls, trade and economic sanctions regulations and other regulatory or contractual limitations on our ability to sell or develop our products in certain foreign markets, particularly in China; our ability to obtain governmental licenses and approvals for international trading activities or technology transfers, including export licenses; acceptance of, or demand for, our products, in particular the new products launched recently, being different than expected; our ability to increase market share in our targeted markets; difficulty in predicting or budgeting for future customer demand and channel inventories, expenses and financial contingencies (including as a result of any continuing impact from the Russia-Ukraine and Middle East conflicts); our ability to efficiently and effectively develop new products and receive a return on our R&D expense investment; our ability to attract new customers and retain existing customers; our ability to meet customer demand for our products due to constraints on our third-party suppliers’ ability to manufacture sufficient quantities of our products or otherwise; our ability to expand manufacturing capacity to support future growth; adverse changes in production and testing efficiency of our products; any political, cultural, military, regulatory, economic, foreign exchange and operational changes in China, where a significant portion of our manufacturing capacity comes from; any market disruptions or interruptions in our schedule of new product development releases; our ability to manage our inventory levels; adequate supply of our products from our third-party manufacturing partners; adverse changes or developments in the semiconductor industry generally, which is cyclical in nature, and our ability to adjust our operations to address such changes or developments; the ongoing consolidation of companies in the semiconductor industry; competition generally and the increasingly competitive nature of our industry; our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of companies and products that MPS acquires, and our ability to effectively and efficiently integrate these acquired companies and products into our operations; the risks, uncertainties and costs of litigation in which MPS is involved; the outcome of any upcoming trials, hearings, motions and appeals; the adverse impact on our financial performance if its tax and litigation provisions are inadequate; our ability to effectively manage our growth and attract and retain qualified personnel; the effect of epidemics and pandemics on the global economy and on our business; the risks associated with the financial market, economy and geopolitical uncertainties, including the collapse of certain banks in the U.S. and elsewhere and the Russia-Ukraine and Middle East conflicts; and other important risk factors identified under the caption “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings, including, but not limited to, our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024. MPS assumes no obligation to update the information in this press release or in the accompanying webinar.

    About Monolithic Power Systems

    Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. (“MPS”) is a fabless global company that provides high-performance, semiconductor-based power electronics solutions. MPS’s mission is to reduce energy and material consumption to improve all aspects of quality of life. Founded in 1997 by our CEO Michael Hsing, MPS has three core strengths: deep system-level knowledge, strong semiconductor expertise, and innovative proprietary technologies in the areas of semiconductor processes, system integration, and packaging. These combined advantages enable MPS to deliver reliable, compact, and monolithic solutions that are highly energy-efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible while providing a consistent return on investment to our stockholders. MPS can be contacted through its website at www.monolithicpower.com or its support offices around the world.

    Monolithic Power Systems, MPS, and the MPS logo are registered trademarks of Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and trademarked in certain other countries. 

    Contact:
    Bernie Blegen
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    408-826-0777
    MPSInvestor.Relations@monolithicpower.com

     
    Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (Unaudited, in thousands, except par value)
     
        December 31,   December 31,
        2024   2023
    ASSETS                
    Current assets:                
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 691,816     $ 527,843  
    Short-term investments     171,130       580,633  
    Accounts receivable, net     172,518       179,858  
    Inventories     419,611       383,702  
    Other current assets     109,978       147,463  
    Total current assets     1,565,053       1,819,499  
    Property and equipment, net     494,945       368,952  
    Acquisition-related intangible assets, net     9,938       –  
    Goodwill     25,944       6,571  
    Deferred tax assets, net     1,326,840       28,054  
    Other long-term assets     194,377       211,277  
    Total assets   $ 3,617,097     $ 2,434,353  
                     
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
    Current liabilities:                
    Accounts payable   $ 102,526     $ 62,958  
    Accrued compensation and related benefits     63,918       56,286  
    Other accrued liabilities     128,123       115,791  
    Total current liabilities     294,567       235,035  
    Income tax liabilities     65,193       60,724  
    Other long-term liabilities     111,570       88,655  
    Total liabilities     471,330       384,414  
    Commitments and contingencies                
    Stockholders’ equity:                
    Common stock and additional paid-in capital: $0.001 par value; shares authorized: 150,000; shares issued and outstanding: 47,823 and 48,028, respectively     706,817       1,129,937  
    Retained earnings     2,487,461       947,064  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (48,511 )     (27,062 )
    Total stockholders’ equity     3,145,767       2,049,939  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 3,617,097     $ 2,434,353  
     
    Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
    (Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)
     
        Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
        2024   2023   2024   2023
    Revenue   $ 621,665     $ 454,012     $ 2,207,100     $ 1,821,072  
    Cost of revenue     277,257       202,889       986,230       799,953  
    Gross profit     344,408       251,123       1,220,870       1,021,119  
    Operating expenses:                                
    Research and development     85,762       71,459       324,748       263,643  
    Selling, general and administrative     95,339       70,095       356,764       275,740  
    Total operating expenses     181,101       141,554       681,512       539,383  
    Operating income     163,307       109,569       539,358       481,736  
    Other income, net     6,224       9,976       33,554       24,105  
    Income before income taxes     169,531       119,545       572,912       505,841  
    Income tax expense (benefit), net     (1,279,832 )     22,640       (1,213,788 )     78,467  
    Net income   $ 1,449,363     $ 96,905     $ 1,786,700     $ 427,374  
                                     
    Net income per share:                                
    Basic   $ 30.00     $ 2.02     $ 36.76     $ 8.98  
    Diluted   $ 29.88     $ 1.98     $ 36.59     $ 8.76  
    Weighted-average shares outstanding:                                
    Basic     48,317       47,936       48,599       47,610  
    Diluted     48,506       48,881       48,835       48,771  
     
    SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
    STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE
    (Unaudited, in thousands)
     
        Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
        2024   2023   2024   2023
    Cost of revenue   $ 1,720     $ 1,228     $ 6,305     $ 4,545  
    Research and development     12,166       10,204       45,626       36,611  
    Selling, general and administrative     42,124       29,675       153,709       108,555  
    Total stock-based compensation expense   $ 56,010     $ 41,107     $ 205,640     $ 149,711  
     
    RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NON-GAAP NET INCOME
     (Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)
     
        Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
        2024   2023   2024   2023
    Net income   $ 1,449,363     $ 96,905     $ 1,786,700     $ 427,374  
                                     
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to non-GAAP net income:                                
    Stock-based compensation and related expenses*     56,320       41,107       213,209       149,711  
    Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets     320       33       1,303       132  
    Deferred compensation plan expense, net     573       288       867       1,055  
    Tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments     (22,773 )     2,519       (26,922 )     (3,625 )
    Recognition of a tax benefit granted to a foreign subsidiary     (1,285,402 )     –       (1,285,402 )     –  
    Non-GAAP net income   $ 198,401     $ 140,852     $ 689,755     $ 574,647  
                                     
    Non-GAAP net income per share:                                
    Basic   $ 4.11     $ 2.94     $ 14.19     $ 12.07  
    Diluted   $ 4.09     $ 2.88     $ 14.12     $ 11.78  
                                     
    Shares used in the calculation of non-GAAP net income per share:                                
    Basic     48,317       47,936       48,599       47,610  
    Diluted     48,506       48,881       48,835       48,771  
     
    *Prior periods exclude stock-based compensation related employer payroll taxes from non-GAAP measures due to immateriality.
     
    RECONCILIATION OF GROSS MARGIN TO NON-GAAP GROSS MARGIN
    (Unaudited, in thousands)
     
        Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
        2024   2023   2024   2023
    Gross profit   $ 344,408     $ 251,123     $ 1,220,870     $ 1,021,119  
    Gross margin     55.4 %     55.3 %     55.3 %     56.1 %
                                     
    Adjustments to reconcile gross profit to non-GAAP gross profit:                                
    Stock-based compensation and related expenses*     1,745       1,228       6,975       4,545  
    Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets     287       –       1,171       –  
    Deferred compensation plan expense     417       486       1,500       871  
    Non-GAAP gross profit   $ 346,857     $ 252,837     $ 1,230,516     $ 1,026,535  
    Non-GAAP gross margin     55.8 %     55.7 %     55.8 %     56.4 %
     
    *Prior periods exclude stock-based compensation related employer payroll taxes from non-GAAP measures due to immateriality.
     
    RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING EXPENSES TO NON-GAAP OPERATING EXPENSES
     (Unaudited, in thousands)
     
        Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
        2024   2023   2024   2023
    Total operating expenses   $ 181,101     $ 141,554     $ 681,512     $ 539,383  
                                     
    Adjustments to reconcile total operating expenses to non-GAAP total operating expenses:                                
    Stock-based compensation and related expenses*     (54,575 )     (39,879 )     (206,234 )     (145,166 )
    Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets     (33 )     (33 )     (132 )     (132 )
    Deferred compensation plan expense     (376 )     (4,897 )     (8,767 )     (8,690 )
    Non-GAAP operating expenses   $ 126,117     $ 96,745     $ 466,379     $ 385,395  
     
    *Prior periods exclude stock-based compensation related employer payroll taxes from non-GAAP measures due to immateriality.
     
    RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING INCOME TO NON-GAAP OPERATING INCOME
     (Unaudited, in thousands)
     
        Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
        2024   2023   2024   2023
    Total operating income   $ 163,307     $ 109,569     $ 539,358     $ 481,736  
                                     
    Adjustments to reconcile total operating income to non-GAAP total operating income:                                
    Stock-based compensation and related expenses*     56,320       41,107       213,209       149,711  
    Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets     320       33       1,303       132  
    Deferred compensation plan expense     793       5,383       10,267       9,561  
    Non-GAAP operating income   $ 220,740     $ 156,092     $ 764,137     $ 641,140  
     
    *Prior periods exclude stock-based compensation related employer payroll taxes from non-GAAP measures due to immateriality.
     
    RECONCILIATION OF OTHER INCOME, NET, TO NON-GAAP OTHER INCOME, NET
    (Unaudited, in thousands)
     
        Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
        2024   2023   2024   2023
    Total other income, net   $ 6,224     $ 9,976     $ 33,554     $ 24,105  
                                     
    Adjustments to reconcile other income, net to non-GAAP other income, net:                                
    Deferred compensation plan income     (220 )     (5,095 )     (9,400 )     (8,506 )
    Non-GAAP other income, net   $ 6,004     $ 4,881     $ 24,154     $ 15,599  
     
    RECONCILIATION OF INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES TO NON-GAAP INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    (Unaudited, in thousands)
     
        Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
        2024   2023   2024   2023
    Total income before income taxes   $ 169,531     $ 119,545     $ 572,912     $ 505,841  
                                     
    Adjustments to reconcile income before income taxes to non-GAAP income before income taxes:                                
    Stock-based compensation and related expenses*     56,320       41,107       213,209       149,711  
    Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets     320       33       1,303       132  
    Deferred compensation plan expense, net     573       288       867       1,055  
    Non-GAAP income before income taxes   $ 226,744     $ 160,973     $ 788,291     $ 656,739  
     
    *Prior periods exclude stock-based compensation related employer payroll taxes from non-GAAP measures due to immateriality.
     
    2025 FIRST QUARTER OUTLOOK
     RECONCILIATION OF GROSS MARGIN TO NON-GAAP GROSS MARGIN
    (Unaudited)
     
        Three Months Ending
        March 31, 2025
        Low   High
    Gross margin     55.1 %     55.7 %
    Adjustment to reconcile gross margin to non-GAAP gross margin:                
    Stock-based compensation and other expenses     0.3 %     0.3 %
    Non-GAAP gross margin     55.4 %     56.0 %
     
    RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING EXPENSES TO NON-GAAP OPERATING EXPENSES
    (Unaudited, in thousands)
     
        Three Months Ending
        March 31, 2025
        Low   High
    Operating expenses   $ 180,200     $ 186,200  
    Adjustments to reconcile operating expenses to non-GAAP operating expenses:                
    Stock-based compensation and other expenses     (53,300 )     (55,300 )
    Non-GAAP operating expenses   $ 126,900     $ 130,900  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s push to shut down USAID shows how international development is also about strategic interests

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Nelson Duenas, Assistant Professor of Accounting, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

    The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is on the verge of being shut down by United States President Donald Trump’s administration.

    On Feb. 4, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the agency would be taken over by the State Department. He stated that “all USAID direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally.”

    This move comes after Trump and his officials have heavily criticized the role and ineffectiveness of the agency. Trump said USAID had “been run by a bunch of radical lunatics, and we’re getting them out,” while Tesla CEO and special government employee Elon Musk said it was “time for it to die.”

    The closure of USAID will have significant consequences for many countries in the Global South. USAID is one of the largest development agencies in the world and funds programs that benefit millions of people, from supporting peace agreements in Colombia to fighting the spread of HIV in Uganda.

    Around US$40 billion is allocated annually from the U.S. federal budget for humanitarian and development aid. If USAID is dismantled, it raises questions about how these funds will be redirected and the long-term impacts it will have on global development efforts.

    A geopolitical fallout?

    The potential dismantling of USAID has raised concerns among international development experts about a potential geopolitical fallout that could create unintended consequences for the U.S. itself.

    Global issues, such as human security and climate change, are expected to be heavily affected. The U.S. also risks losing influence in the fight for soft power since dismantling USAID could leave behind a power vacuum. Other countries like Russia or China may occupy the space left by what was the largest international aid program in the world.



    Read more:
    USAid shutdown isn’t just a humanitarian issue – it’s a threat to American interests

    This shift could result in the U.S. losing its influence in regions like Africa, South America and Asia, where the country distributed aid to a number of non-governmental organizations, aid agencies and non-profits.

    While the future of U.S. foreign assistance remains uncertain, other world powers have a role to play. European donors, despite some limitations in resources, remain committed to the 2030 Sustainable Development agenda.

    Beyond humanitarianism

    If the agency is shut down, it may be widely condemned on moral and humanitarian grounds. However, its closure would respond to a logic of strategic and ideological interests that has long shaped the international development system. This a key finding from my longstanding field research with organizations that receive funding, not only from USAID, but also from Canadian and European donors.

    International development largely unfolded in the aftermath of the Second World War when global powers competed to establish a new world order. This led to the creation of international agreements and multilateral institutions, with major industrialized nations emerging as the primary donors of foreign aid.

    While many international initiatives, like the Millennium Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, have guided development as we know it, the governments of main donor countries have their own interests in mind when providing aid.

    In my research, I have interviewed many people involved in the foreign aid chain, including directors and offices of international non-governmental organizations and governmental co-operation agencies. Many said development relationships are shaped by both the interests of donors and those of recipient populations and organizations.

    While these relationships may be based on humanitarian objectives, such as disaster relief or human rights advocacy, they can also be influenced by ideological, geopolitical, economic and social agendas.

    In this context, the American move to eliminate USAID could be seen as one that prioritizes national security and economic goals over traditional global humanitarian concerns. Governments steer the wheel of international development according to their political ideologies and interests, regardless of the shock this may generate among citizens.

    Canada’s role in all this

    The U.S. is not the only country re-evaluating its international development policy. Sweden, another major country in the foreign aid sphere, is also changing its co-operation strategy following changes in its government and criticism of the NGOs that deploy their development assistance.

    Canada’s role in this unfolding situation remains uncertain. With the resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as head of the Liberal Party and the upcoming federal election, it’s unclear what will happen to Canada’s international development strategy going forward.

    Under Stephen Harper, the country’s international development strategy was closely tied to expanding trade with developing countries based on maximizing the value of extractive economies and a strong defence policy. This approach aimed to bring value not only to the recipient country of aid, but to Canada as well.

    When Trudeau took office, Canada’s development strategy turned to a more progressive agenda centred on peace keeping, feminist approaches and humanitarian programs.

    Will Canada continue to champion human rights, human security and progressive agendas? Or will Canada reduce funds for foreign assistance, which seems to be the wish of many of its citizens?

    The answer to these questions will depend on the direction that our political leaders decide to take, and the sentiments of citizens. Still, Canada’s approach to development aid will probably remain in a trade-off between moral imperatives of humanitarianism and strategic national interests.

    Nelson Duenas receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
    Nelson Duenas is a researcher associated to l’Observatoire canadien sur les crises et l’action humanitaires

    – ref. Trump’s push to shut down USAID shows how international development is also about strategic interests – https://theconversation.com/trumps-push-to-shut-down-usaid-shows-how-international-development-is-also-about-strategic-interests-249118

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Institute of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism celebrated its 10th anniversary

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    On February 5, the Institute of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism (IPCST) of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University celebrated its tenth anniversary.

    Over the years, the Institute has become a true center of attraction for all who strive for an active sports life and professional development in the field of physical culture and tourism. It trains highly qualified specialists who are able to make a significant contribution to the development of sports and an active lifestyle. Over 10 years, 11 departments have been formed at the IPCST, each of which occupies an important place in the educational process.

    The Department of Physical Fitness and Sport offers elective courses and online learning to over 9,000 students in 10 specializations. The online courses developed by the department are hosted on major educational platforms, making them accessible to a wide audience.

    The Higher School of Sports Education trains qualified personnel, offering more than 20 disciplines and actively cooperating with European universities. Particular attention is paid to the development of competencies in the use of technical means in sports.

    The student sports club “Black Bears-Polytech” is the pride of the institute. With 73 sports, 40 masters of sports and 1250 athletes, the club annually holds about 50 events and has won first place in St. Petersburg student competitions for ten years in a row.

    The Center for Continuing Education organizes the educational process according to general education programs, advanced training programs and professional retraining, ensuring continuous development and updating of knowledge.

    The GTO Standards Testing Center holds festivals twice a year, attracting thousands of participants. Each year, more than 2,000 people receive distinctions through our Center.

    The Center for Physical Culture and Health Services offers a wide range of opportunities for training on the Institute’s sports grounds.

    The Scientific and Educational Center for Computer Sports is actively developing digital sports based on the first university phygital center in Russia, Berloga. The center’s athletes achieve high results in games such as Counter-Strike, DOTA 2, League of Legends, etc.

    The Polytechnic sports complex, with an area of over 32.5 thousand square meters, includes two swimming pools, a multifunctional stadium and over 20 sports halls, providing students with all the necessary conditions for training and competitions.

    “The decade of the IPCST is not only about achievements, but also about plans for the future. We strive to continue developing our programs, introducing new technologies into education and expanding international cooperation,” says IPCST Director Valery Sushchenko. “We thank all teachers, students and partners for their contribution to the development of our institute. Together we create a unique atmosphere for education and sports achievements. Let the next ten years be no less successful and full of new achievements!”

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Gaza: we analysed a year of satellite images to map the scale of agricultural destruction

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lina Eklund, Associate Senior Lecturer, Lund University

    Part of North Gaza in November 2023, and again in July 2024.

    SkySat imagery © 2025/Planet Labs PBC

    The ceasefire agreed between Israel and Hamas makes provisions for the passage of food and humanitarian aid into Gaza. This support is much needed given that Gaza’s agricultural system has been severely damaged over the course of the war.

    Over the past 17 months we have analysed satellite images across the Gaza Strip to quantify the scale of agricultural destruction across the region. Our newly published research reveals not only the widespread extent of this destruction but also the potentially unprecedented pace at which it occurred. Our work covers the period until September 2024 but further data through to January 2025 is also available.

    Before the war, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and strawberries were grown in open fields and greenhouses, and olive and citrus trees lined rows across the Gazan landscape. The trees in particular are an important cultural heritage in the region, and agriculture was a vital part of Gaza’s economy. About half of the food eaten there was produced in the territory itself, and food made up a similar portion of its exports.

    By December 2023, only two months into the war, there were official warnings that the entire population of Gaza, more than 2 million people, was facing high levels of acute food insecurity. While that assessment was based on interviews and survey data, the level of agricultural damage across the whole landscape remained out of view.

    Most olive and citrus trees are gone

    To address this problem, we mapped the damage to tree crops – mostly olive and citrus trees – in Gaza each month over the course of the war up until September 2024. Together with our colleagues Dimah Habash and Mazin Qumsiyeh, we did this using very high-resolution satellite imagery, detailed enough to focus on individual trees.

    We first visually identified tree crops with and without damage to “train” our computer program, or model, so it knew what to look for. We then ran the model on all the satellite data. We also looked over a sample of results ourselves to confirm it was accurate.

    Our results showed that between 64% and 70% of all tree crop fields in Gaza had been damaged. That can either mean a few trees being destroyed, the whole field of trees completely removed, or anything in between. Most damage took place during the first few months of the war in autumn 2023. Exactly who destroyed these trees and why is beyond the scope of our research or expertise.

    In some areas, every greenhouse is gone

    As greenhouses look very different in satellite images, we used a separate method to map damage to them. We found over 4,000 had been damaged by September 2024, which is more than half of the total we had identified before the start of the war.

    Greenhouses and the date of initial damage between October 2023 and September 2024.
    Yin et al (2025)

    In the south of the territory, where most greenhouses were found, the destruction was fairly steady from December 2023 onwards.

    But in north Gaza and Gaza City, the two most northerly of the territory’s five governorates, most of the damage had already taken place by November and December 2023. By the end of our study period, all 578 greenhouses there had been destroyed.

    North Gaza and Gaza City have also seen the most damage to tree crop fields. By September 2024, over 90% of all tree crops in Gaza City had been destroyed, and 73% had been lost in north Gaza. In the three southern governorates, Khan Younis, Deir al-Balah and Rafah, around 50% of all tree crops had been destroyed.

    Agricultural damage is common in armed conflict, and has been documented with satellite analysis in Ukraine since the 2022 Russian invasion, in Syria and Iraq during the ISIS occupation in 2015, and in the Caucasus during the Chechen wars in the 1990s and 2000s.

    The exact impact can differ from conflict to conflict. War may directly damage lands, as we have seen in Gaza, or it may lead to more fallow areas as infrastructure is damaged and farmers are forced to flee. A conflict also increases the need for local agricultural production, especially when food imports are restricted.

    Our assessment shows a very high rate of direct and extensive damage to Gaza’s agricultural system, both compared to previous conflict escalations there in 2014 and 2021, and in other conflict settings. For example, during the July-August war in 2014, around 1,200 greenhouses were damaged in Gaza. This time round at least three times as many have been damaged.

    Agricultural attacks are unlawful

    Attacks on agricultural lands are prohibited under international law. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court from 1998 defines the intentional use of starvation of civilians through “depriving them of objects indispensable to their survival” as a war crime. The Geneva conventions further define such indispensable objects as “foodstuffs, agricultural areas for the production offoodstuffs, crops, livestock, drinking water installations and supplies and irrigation works”.

    Our study provides transparent statistics on the extent and timing of damage to Gaza’s agricultural system. As well as documenting the impacts of the war, we hope it can help the massive rebuilding efforts that will be required.

    Restoring Gaza’s agricultural system goes beyond clearing debris and rubble, and rebuilding greenhouses. The soils need to be cleaned from possible contamination. Sewage and irrigation infrastructure need to be rebuilt.

    Such efforts may take a generation or more to complete. After all, olive and citrus trees can take five or more years to become productive, and 15 years to reach full maturity. After previous attacks on Gaza the trees were mostly replanted, and perhaps the same will happen again this time. But it’s for good reason they say that only people with hope for the future plant trees.

    Lina Eklund receives funding from the Swedish National Space Agency and the Strategic Research Area: The Middle East in the Contemporary World (MECW) at the Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies, Lund University, Sweden.

    He Yin receives funding from NASA.

    Jamon Van Den Hoek receives funding from NASA.

    – ref. Gaza: we analysed a year of satellite images to map the scale of agricultural destruction – https://theconversation.com/gaza-we-analysed-a-year-of-satellite-images-to-map-the-scale-of-agricultural-destruction-248796

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Experts of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Praise Belarus for Progress in Preventing Trafficking, Ask about Criminalisation of HIV Transmission and Reported Repression of Civil Society

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women today concluded its consideration of the ninth periodic report of Belarus, with Committee Experts praising the State’s progress in preventing trafficking, and raising questions about the criminalisation of HIV transmission and reports of repression of civil society.

    Elgun Safarov, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for Belarus, and other Experts commended Belarus’ awareness-raising projects on the prevention of trafficking and women’s empowerment.

    One Committee Expert noted that Belarus had a high number of criminal cases related to HIV.  Transmission of HIV was penalised with imprisonment of up to five years. Was the State party rethinking this law?

    Mr. Safrov said many very important non-governmental organizations had been closed recently.  What were the reasons for these closures?  There were reports of repression of women journalists and activists.

    Several other Experts expressed concern about reports that women who expressed dissent were punished and detained.  What plans were in place to protect women activists from gender-based violence and State repression?  Why were civil society organizations engaged in the protection of human rights dissolved by the State?

    Introducing the report, Larysa Belskaya, Permanent Representative of Belarus to the United Nations Office at Geneva and head of the delegation, said Belarus strived to fully ensure equal rights and opportunities for women in all spheres. In an extremely difficult geopolitical situation, Belarus progressively built a society where every person could have decent living conditions and benefit society.

    The delegation said Belarus had taken measures to eliminate trafficking in persons and to identify and rehabilitate victims.  In 2024, authorities identified 1,500 cases of suspected trafficking and identified several victims, including minors.  The State worked with civil society to build the capacity of law enforcement staff related to trafficking; 90 training sessions had been held in 2024.

    Concerning the transmission of HIV, the delegation said that in 2023, nine women had been penalised for transmitting HIV and 12 women were penalised in 2022.  The State party was continuing to reduce the stringency of HIV legislation.  A draft law had been developed to decriminalise unintentional transmission of HIV.  Penalties for the deliberate transmission of HIV would remain.

    The delegation said the Committee’s assessments related to repression were not appropriate.  The protests that took place in Belarus over the reporting period were in many cases not peaceful.  Certain extremist actions were taken by media workers.  The Government was working to increase understanding of the situation.

    Civil society in Belarus was active, the delegation added.  The State party had over 1,500 civil society organizations, including women’s organizations.  In 2020, there was an attempt to carry out a coup d’etat by several non-governmental organizations engaged in anti-Government activities.  A court decision held these organizations and their members responsible for violating the law.  This should not be considered repression of civil society.  In 2023, a new law on the activities of civil society was adopted that required organizations to re-register.  Many non-governmental organizations had not completed the new registration procedure and had been shut down.  Citizens were entitled to renew the activities of previous non-governmental organizations.

    In closing remarks, Ms. Belskaya said Belarus had achieved much in terms of gender equality and empowering women.  The discussion helped the State party to identify the remaining issues to be addressed. The Committee’s recommendations would be carefully considered by the National Council on Gender Equality and used to construct the next national action plan on gender equality

    In her closing remarks, Nahla Haidar, Committee Chair, commended the State party for its efforts and encouraged it to implement the Committee’s recommendations for the benefit of all women and girls in Belarus.

    The delegation of Belarus consisted of representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection; Ministry of Health; and the Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

    The Committee will issue the concluding observations on the report of Belarus at the end of its ninetieth session on 21 February.  All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Meeting summary releases can be found here.  The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

    The Committee will next meet at 10 a.m. on Friday, 7 February to consider the eighth periodic report of Luxembourg (CEDAW/C/LUX/8).

    Report

    The Committee has before it the ninth periodic report of Belarus (CEDAW/C/BLR/9).

    Presentation of Report

    LARYSA BELSKAYA, Permanent Representative of Belarus to the United Nations Office at Geneva and head of the delegation, said Belarus was committed to the principles of the Convention and strived to fully ensure equal rights and opportunities for women and men in all spheres.  Its Gender Gap Index score had almost halved from 0.152 in 2014 to 0.096 in 2024, placing the country 29th out of 166 countries.  In an extremely difficult geopolitical situation, Belarus preserved its State, peace and tranquillity, and progressively built a society of equal opportunities, where every person could have decent living conditions and benefit society.

    Over the years, the Government had made serious efforts to implement the Convention and had achieved concrete results for the advancement of women.  Gender policy was coordinated by the National Council on Gender Policy.  Every five years, national action plans on gender equality were adopted.  This year, the sixth national action plan (2021-2025), the goals and objectives of which were linked to the Sustainable Development Goals, was being implemented.  Work was also progressively being carried out to introduce mechanisms for gender analysis of legislation and gender budgeting in the development of draft State plans and programmes. 

    The National Statistical Committee had developed thematic information systems that made it possible to analyse the situation in the field of gender equality.  The “Gender Statistics Web Portal” contained 178 gender statistics.  In 2020, the Labour Code introduced a norm establishing paternity leave of up to 14 days within six months after the birth of the child.  The Government was also working to calculate the value of unpaid domestic services not included in gross domestic product.  The final data would be published in June 2025.

    Belarussian women were actively promoted to managerial positions.  In the National Assembly, the share of women in 2023 was 36 per cent. At the same time, in the House of Representatives, their share was 40.6 per cent.  Women accounted for 47 per cent of local self-government bodies. Among senior civil servants, the share of women in 2023 was 54.6 per cent; among judges, 64.4 per cent.

    Labour legislation provided for parents with family responsibilities an additional day off from work per month or reduced working days, flexible forms of employment, and remote employment.  The country guaranteed access for all citizens to health care, education, social services, culture and sports.  At the birth of a child, the State provided material support to all families and the payment of insurance premiums.  Benefits for pregnancy, childbirth and temporary disability had been increased, as had social support for parents raising a child with disabilities.  Since 2015, the State also provided a one-time non-cash provision equalling 10,000 United States dollars at the birth or adoption of third or subsequent children.

    The Belarussian Women’s Union, which united 162,000 women, worked to raise the status of women in society and their role in all spheres of life, and there were 15 more women’s organizations in Belarus.  In total, as of October 2024, there were 1,466 public associations; 18 new public associations were registered in 2024. 

    In Belarus, the literacy rate of the population aged 15 and over was almost 100 per cent. General secondary education was compulsory for all.  The percentage of women in higher education was about 53 per cent.  Almost 92 per cent of women aged 16-72 used the Internet.

    For several years, there had been a decrease in the female working age unemployment rate, from 3.1 per cent in 2019 to 2.7 per cent in 2023.  This figure was lower than the male unemployment rate, which was 4.1 per cent in 2023.  More than 42 per cent of employed women had completed higher education and 70 per cent of civil servants were women.  The share of women among researchers in Belarus was 39.2 per cent.  In 2024, for the first time, a female cosmonaut from Belarus, Marina Vasilevskaya, flew to the International Space Station.  Belarus was also actively developing women’s entrepreneurship; the representation of women in this area was 36.4 per cent.  In 2023, the first Forum of Women Entrepreneurs was held, with the active participation of the Belarussian Women’s Union.

    Every woman, regardless of income, had the opportunity to receive any type of medical care free of charge.  Unprecedented measures were being taken in the country to protect motherhood and childhood, to accompany women during pregnancy, and to carry out annual medical examinations.  Belarus was among the 25 countries with the highest rating in terms of access to sexual and reproductive health, information and education.  The proportion of women using various types of contraception increased from 39.9 per cent in 2010 to 53.2 per cent in 2021. The number of abortions per 1,000 women of childbearing age over the past 10 years had decreased by almost two times to 6.2 per cent in 2023.  Since 2011, no cases of illegal abortions had been registered in the country.

    Specific measures were being taken in Belarus to prevent domestic violence.  In 2022, protective measures for victims and preventive measures against violators were strengthened.  Every year, about 15,000 victims turned to regional social service centres for help.  A network of “crisis” rooms was being developed, with 134 rooms having been established as of 2024.  There were no restrictions on the time in which people could live in these rooms; in the first half of 2024, 81 women lived in them.  Public and international organizations were involved in aiding women victims of domestic violence.

    From today’s dialogue, Belarus expected practical and implementable recommendations that would allow it to implement high international standards in State policy to ensure equal rights and expand opportunities for women.

    Questions by a Committee Expert 

    ELGUN SAFAROV, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for Belarus, said that Belarus had developed family and women policy, implemented many awareness-raising projects on the prevention of trafficking and women’s empowerment, organised several international conferences on women in entrepreneurship and science, and adopted several legislative acts on women rights protection during the reporting period. He expressed appreciation for the State party’s activities for the harmonisation of legislation and measures for the adoption of international standards. 

    However, the Committee had witnessed multiple violations of women’s rights.  The State party did not have comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation that specifically prohibited discrimination against women, including direct and indirect discrimination, and also had no specific, stand-alone legislation on gender equality, or a law explicitly focused on ending all forms of gender-based violence, including domestic violence.  Sexual harassment in the workplace remained unaddressed in legislation, and laws prohibited women’s participation in certain jobs. 

    There were many problems related to access to justice for women.  There needed to be effective remedies for victims of discrimination.  There was no special body for deciding cases related to discrimination against women.  HIV transmission was criminalised.  Why had some women lawyers’ licenses been terminated?

    What measures were in place to incorporate a definition of equality between women and men in the Constitution and the Criminal Code?  What mechanisms were in place to protect against discrimination?  Had the Convention been translated into Belarussian? Were there any court cases that had referenced the Convention?  Why had closed court sessions been held to try women who had participated in peaceful demonstrations?  How were lawyers appointed?  Did the State party keep data on criminal cases related to gender?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said Belarus did not have a comprehensive definition of discrimination against women in its legislation, but principles of equality were included in the Constitution and various laws.  The Government had considered developing a single act on discrimination, but had found that existing legislation sufficiently banned discrimination. Legal amendments were introduced in 2022 to provide women and men with equal opportunities in employment, training and education.  The rights of victims of sexual discrimination needed to be restored under law. All complaints of discrimination, including from women and foreign citizens, needed to be reviewed by relevant State authorities within a tight deadline.  Discriminatory norms were not permitted in legislation.  Follow-up on implementation of gender legislation was carried out by a dedicated group of the National Council on Gender Policy.

    The Bar Association carried out activities to inform citizens about how they could access legal aid.  Women who lodged a complaint related to workplace discrimination or the deprivation of parental rights, as well as pregnant women, vulnerable families and victims of trafficking, received legal aid free of charge. Women in prisons could receive legal aid when they submitted complaints.  Women could choose their own lawyer, or were appointed one if they could not afford one.

    Belarus had two national languages: Belarussian and Russian.  Russian was more represented in State correspondence, but this did not hinder access to information on legislation for the population.  The Convention was part of the national legal system and had been referenced in court proceedings.  The Criminal Code recognised undermining of women’s bodily integrity as an offence.  There were around 50 cases related to bodily harm in the first half of 2024, and 44 cases of other sexual offences.

    Questions by Committee Experts 

    A Committee Expert commended the Government on efforts to align policies with the Sustainable Development Goals. However, the Committee was concerned by the absence of an independent national human rights institution, and by the exclusion of civil society organizations that worked to safeguard women’s rights.  Would the State party consider establishing a national human rights institution in line with the Paris Principles?  Which Government agency was responsible for protecting women’s rights.

    The Expert welcomed the policy to promote gender empowerment and gender sensitive budgeting.  How would the national action plan on gender equality be monitored?  How would the State party ensure the meaningful participation of civil society in this regard?

    The Committee was deeply concerned by the increasingly shrinking civic space.  Many women human rights defenders faced detention and restriction of activities. What plans were in place to protect women activists from gender-based violence and State repression?  Why were civil society organizations that were engaged in the protection of human rights dissolved by the State?

    Belarus had not adopted a national action plan on women, peace and security.  Would it consider developing such a plan to mainstream gender perspectives into peacebuilding efforts?

    One Committee Expert said the share of women in regional leadership positions was low and there were very few female ambassadors.  Women who peacefully expressed diverse political opinions were at a high risk of being treated as extremists.  Had the State party implemented temporary special measures to ensure gender equality in recent years?  Were there measures to increase the representation of women in leadership positions, as well as in employment and education?  What measures were in place to support vulnerable women and to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gender equality?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said Belarus had State and public institutions protecting human rights, including the national councils on gender equality, children and disability, and the Environmental Committee, among others.  The State had conducted consultations with civil society, international organizations and State agencies in 2017 related to the establishment of a national human rights institution.  Belarus believed that creating a national human rights institution was not a priority as its existing bodies were working efficiently to protect human rights. This issue could be examined in more detail at a later stage.

    The National Council on Gender Equality coordinated and monitored the implementation of national action plans on gender equality.  From 2023 to 2024, a gender assessment methodology for legislation was adopted. Based on assessments, problems had been identified and measures were being planned to address them in the next national action plan.

    Belarus was not a party to any conflict currently, so it had not implemented special measures related to women, peace and security.  However, the Government had taken measures to protect Ukrainian refugees.  Over 200,000 people had arrived from Ukraine in the past three years, more than half of whom were women.  Belarus offered refugees temporary protection and the choice of becoming Belarussian citizens.

    Civil society in Belarus was active. The State party had over 1,500 civil society organizations, as well as professional unions and women’s organizations. The Belarussian Women’s Union actively engaged with State authorities.  There were also specialised civil society organizations supporting vulnerable women.  The process for registering a civil society organization was simple and transparent; the State did not interfere in the registration of such organizations and provided regular support to existing organizations.  Under the law on civil society organizations, such organizations could be closed based on court decisions finding that the organization had carried out unlawful propaganda or violated State legislation. 

    Citizens active in social activities had the right to be defended but were held liable when they violated the law. In 2020, there was an attempt to carry out a coup d’etat by several non-governmental organizations engaged in anti-Government activities.  A court decision had held these organizations and their members responsible for violating the law.  This should not be considered repression of civil society.  After these events, laws on civil society were amended to provide incentives for more constructive civic activities.  Non-governmental organizations in Belarus needed to work cooperatively with the State and could not be funded from abroad.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert welcomed that the State party had not ruled out establishing a national human rights institution and called for serious consideration of its establishment.  The Expert called for the development of a dedicated policy on women, peace and security.  How many women’s organizations participated in the development and analysis of the national action plan on gender equality?

    Another Committee Expert welcomed advances in protection from domestic violence, including the law on crisis prevention.  However, gender stereotypes were spread in media communications and women were systematically silenced and controlled by the State – women who expressed dissent were attacked, punished and detained.  Vulnerable women were often blamed and stigmatised when they sought protection.  The State party implemented restraining orders for only 30 days and perpetrators were not expelled from homes. 

    Would the State party adopt a comprehensive strategy to address gender stereotyping, a comprehensive law against domestic violence, and penal protection against marital rape?  How would the State party protect victims in criminal proceedings?  What remedies had been provided to victims in recent years?  How many persons had been convicted for domestic violence crimes? What services were provided in crisis rooms and how were personnel in these rooms trained?  Why did the rooms also house men?  Over 30 non-governmental organizations managing hotlines and shelters had been closed; why was this?

    One Committee Expert commended the State party for addressing trafficking in persons by ratifying international conventions on trafficking and developing comprehensive laws related to trafficking.  Could the State party provide data on trafficking and prostitution?  What measures were in place to protect women with disabilities from trafficking and to identify victims of trafficking?  How many investigations into trafficking had been carried out and how many persons were convicted?  How was the State party strengthening protections for women and girls against trafficking, promoting their access to justice, and building the capacity of State officials on the gendered aspects of trafficking?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said analysis of the national action plan on gender equality was carried out twice a year. The Belarus Women’s Union was represented in the National Commission on Gender Equality and other bodies.  The State party also closely cooperated with the Red Cross and other international organizations, and supported organizations of persons with disabilities.  Seventy per cent of civil servants were women; 50 per cent were in middle management positions and were involved in preparing important political decisions.

    Eliminating gender stereotypes was one of the goals of the national action plan for gender equality.  The State party was working to enhance the role of fathers in carrying out domestic tasks and was working with civil society on a joint project encouraging responsible fatherhood.  There was a programme on State television that presented case studies of successful professional women.

    Persons who perpetrated domestic violence were required to leave the homes where victims lived, and authorities monitored compliance.  The law on preventing domestic violence had been amended to address violence against former partners and cohabitants.  The number of protective measures that had been implemented had increased significantly from around 18,000 in 2022 to 33,000 in 2024.  The Government supported victims to stay in their homes.  There were awareness raising campaigns in place to inform potential victims about reporting channels and preventing gender-based violence.  All types of bodily harm were criminalised.

    Every year, around 17,500 complaints of domestic violence were made.  If women victims required temporary housing, it was provided. Shelters could be accessed 24 hours a day by victims and their children without documentation.  There were hundreds of crisis rooms available, including 132 equipped for children.  Work was underway to ensure access to the rooms for persons with disabilities.

    Belarus had taken measures to eliminate trafficking in persons and to identify and rehabilitate victims.  In 2024, authorities identified 1,500 cases of suspected trafficking and identified several victims, including minors. The State worked with civil society to build the capacity of law enforcement staff related to trafficking; 90 training sessions had been held in 2024.  Specialists had been hired to support victims of various forms of trafficking.  The State was also working to align national trafficking legislation with international norms, and various awareness raising campaigns on trafficking were also in place. Involvement in prostitution was an administrative offence; however, victims of trafficking were not prosecuted, but were provided with support.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert welcomed that legislation was being amended regarding domestic violence, which needed to be made an aggravated circumstance in homicide offences.  What measures were in place to ensure the safety of victims of domestic violence?

    Another Committee Expert commended progress being made related to trafficking and prostitution.

    ELGUN SAFAROV, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for Belarus, asked why there was a shortage of female Belarussian ambassadors.  None of the chambers of Parliament had female chairs; there were no parliamentary committees working to protect women’s rights; and only one out of 24 Ministers was a woman.  Why was this? How many Deputy Ministers were women? To what extent were women represented in the technological sector?

    Many very important non-governmental organizations had been closed recently.  What were the reasons for these closures?  There were reports of repression of women journalists and activists.

    One Committee Expert noted progress made in reducing statelessness through nationalisation efforts. However, 2,473 women remained stateless in the State party.  Were there programmes addressing statelessness?  When would the State party ratify the 1954 and 1967 United Nations conventions on statelessness?  The State party had not established a clear procedure for protecting migrant mothers and newborns.  Would it do so?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the law on prevention of violence included a clause on educational programmes for perpetrators. The State party was interested in best practices in this field in other countries.

    Women made up around 70 per cent of Belarus’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  At a time, Belarus had four female ambassadors.  Appointment to ambassadorial roles was based on competitive selection and there was a shortage of women applicants.  Women were broadly represented as deputy chairs of parliamentary committees and made up around 50 per cent of the members of local councils. Belarus aimed to improve women’s representation in all fields.

    The Committee’s assessments related to repression were not appropriate.  The protests that took place in Belarus over the reporting period were in many cases not peaceful.  Certain extremist actions were taken by media workers.  The Government was working to increase understanding of the situation.

    In 2023, a new law on the activities of civil society was adopted that required organizations to re-register. Many non-governmental organizations had not completed the new registration procedure and had been shut down. Citizens were entitled to renew the activities of previous non-governmental organizations.

    Belarus strived to eradicate statelessness.  The number of stateless women in Belarus had significantly decreased by around 5,000 persons over the past 10 years, thanks to the work of authorities in collaboration with United Nations bodies.  The State supported stateless persons and their children to apply for Belarussian citizenship.  It was continuing work towards ratification of the United Nations conventions on statelessness.  The Government had not received reports of unlawful treatment of stateless persons. Stateless persons in Belarus were primarily citizens of the former Soviet Union.  Their numbers were low; the number of stateless children was less than 10.  To receive citizenship, people needed to demonstrate that they had sufficient income and had not committed offences.

    Questions by a Committee Expert 

    A Committee Expert said Belarus had near universal enrolment of girls and boys in primary education.  Educational instructions could reproduce harmful tropes of men as breadwinners and women as caregivers.  What measures were in place to enforce the role of men as caregivers? Only 23 per cent of persons in science, technology, engineering and maths education were women.  What measures were in place to promote their participation?  Only 17 per cent of university professors were female.  How would this be addressed?  Many students had been arrested and prosecuted for their engagement in protest movements.  Nine of the 11 students detained were women, including a woman professor.  What was the status of these women?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said traditional values in Belarus promoted families with children. Many educational programmes aimed to uphold traditional values and promote gender equality and the equal roles of men and women.  Around 52 per cent of higher education students were women.  Around 40 per cent of workers in the information technology sphere were women.  The Government was implementing incentives and other measures to attract girls to science, technology, engineering and maths careers.

    Students were detained on the grounds that they had broken a criminal law.  There was no persecution of students simply for exercising freedom of expression.

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    One Committee Expert said the employment rate of men was 72 per cent compared to 63 per cent for women. Although the list of closed professions for women had been reduced significantly, significant barriers for women accessing the labour market remained, and the list itself was a form of discrimination.  Women were underrepresented in higher-paid industries.  Workplace harassment remained common and legislation did not provide adequate remedies for victims and penalties for perpetrators.  Detained women were legally required to engage in labour; this was a form of modern slavery.  In July 2022, all independent trade unions were banned in Belarus. What protection mechanisms were available related to workplace sexual harassment?  Was there a national action plan for addressing the gender pay gap? When would the State party abolish forced labour for prisoners?

    In 2017, the State introduced pension reform, raising the retirement age.  Many citizens had lost their pensions due to the reforms.  Why did men and women have different pension ages?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the rate of employment for women from 15 to 74 was 63 per cent, whereas the employment rate for women of working age was above 80 per cent. Belarus promoted equal pay for work of equal value.  Overall, women earned around 75 per cent of what men earned.  In the transport sector and the agricultural sector, wage gaps were much lower.  The State party was implementing measures to reduce the gender pay gap.  Women were now able to work in professions that were previously not accessible, such as truck drivers.  The State party was encouraging men to take parental leave. Women who experienced workplace harassment could report the incident to local authorities and receive remedies. 

    The Supreme Court had ruled that trade unions were to be closed when their activities were harmful to public interests or State values. The federation of trade unions covered almost all unions in the country.  It promoted general and collective agreements, which provided additional social and labour rights for workers.

    Women earned 92.5 per cent of the pension earned by men. Less than one per cent of the elderly were poor.  Women could continue working after they reached pension age; around 20 per cent of women did so.  The Presidential Decree on Employment did not punish individuals who were not working. Under the decree, women who were not working had the right to access State subsidies.

    The State party was exerting efforts to address the gender pay gap.  The national action plan on gender equality, which was based on the Committee’s previous recommendations, introduced measures to support female entrepreneurs and workers.

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    A Committee Expert said there had been significant advances in the field of public health in Belarus in recent years, but access to medicines was better in cities than in rural areas, and the quality of healthcare had declined nation-wide.  How was the State party supporting equal access to affordable healthcare for women from vulnerable groups?  What measures were in place to remove obstacles to accessing abortions?  Did both men and women need to undergo cancer screenings before they could obtain a driver’s licence?

    Women with disabilities faced barriers in accessing sexual and reproductive health services.  How was the State party meeting the needs of women with disabilities in this regard?  Some women with disabilities had been pressured to hand over their children to the State.  How would the State party address the discrimination faced by women with disabilities?  How did the delegation respond to reports of sterilisation of women with disabilities?

    Women with HIV reportedly faced systematic discrimination in health care.  The Penal Code sanctioned the transmission of HIV regardless of the circumstances. What measures were in place to support women with HIV?  What was the situation of sexual and reproductive health education?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said that in Belarus, medical assistance for persons with HIV was provided in line with health protocols from 2018 and 2022.  In 2018, Belarus had been certified as being free from mother-to-child transmission of HIV.  There were around 27,000 HIV positive people in the State.  The State party worked closely with non-governmental organizations to provide treatment for HIV positive people.  Around 95 per cent of HIV positive people were receiving retroviral treatment.  Women formerly had to present certificates from gynaecologists to receive a driver’s licence; as of last year, this was no longer necessary.  A draft law had been developed to decriminalise unintentional transmission of HIV.  Penalties for the deliberate transmission of HIV would remain.

    The protection of maternal and child health was a priority for the State.  Women who sought abortions could receive free counselling.  Over five years, these counselling sessions had prevented 23,000 abortions.  Pregnancies were interrupted only when the pregnant woman provided permission.

    All women, including women with disabilities, had access to medical assistance without discrimination.  Resources were set aside to allow for high quality medical care of the population.

    The World Health Organization had highly rated the medical care provided in Belarus.  The assessment that the quality of medical care had declined in recent years was not in line with reality.  Mobile health clinics provided in-home medical care in rural areas.  The State party was addressing shortages in healthcare staff.  It had difficulties in accessing certain types of medications due to sanctions from Western countries.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert commended measures reforming regulations on universal social protection and access to support funds for entrepreneurs. Were there schemes guiding social protection for workers in the informal sector?  What steps had been taken to incorporate gender considerations into the tax regime?  What percentage of business grants were received by female entrepreneurs over the past five years?  How had technological training helped to bridge gender gaps in digital fields? How was the State party strengthening women’s role in sports and cultural activities and addressing stereotypes related to sports and culture?

    Another Committee Expert congratulated Belarus on co-sponsoring the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime and for implementing measures to protect elder women in digital spheres.  What social security and economic policies were in place for elderly women?  Belarus had a high number of criminal cases related to HIV.  Transmission of HIV was penalised with imprisonment of up to five years.  Was the State party rethinking this law?

    Women with disabilities’ right to work could only be realised after a medical examination.  How would the State party allow for the full realisation of these women’s right to work?

    Women in prisons were reportedly denied access to menstrual products.  How would the State party ensure that all detained women were treated in a dignified manner?  Belarus had in 2022 broadened its definition of pornography to include non-traditional relationships.  How would this affect the lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer community?  Were the rights of indigenous women considered in plans to develop a second nuclear powerplant in the State? 

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said there were around 400,000 people engaged in entrepreneurship in Belarus, 40 per cent of whom were women.  There was a framework for supporting women entrepreneurs, including in rural areas, and norms and laws aimed to support small businesses. Special taxation measures were provided to women entrepreneurs.  The share of women entrepreneurs had increased by around 10 per cent in recent years.  A State support programme for the unemployed had been established; almost half of all beneficiaries were women.

    In 2023, nine women had been penalised for transmitting HIV and 12 women were penalised in 2022.  The State party was continuing to reduce the stringency of HIV legislation.

    There was a Government mechanism which visited prisons regularly to examine living conditions.  The Attorney-General also monitored compliance with legislation on prisons.  Access to all forms of medical care was granted to detainees.  All detainees could file complaints to courts related to the lawfulness of their detention as well as other problems.  Prisoners who violated prison regimes were placed in solitary confinement.

    The State party had a plan for implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  It supported employers who hired persons with disabilities and provided training to help persons with disabilities access work.  An act on quotas for persons with disabilities in the workplace had been implemented.

    Legislative changes addressed the circulation of products that harmed public morality.  They were not expected to have an impact on the lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex community.  People could choose the type of relationship they had.

    The impact on human health of the State’s nuclear power plants was negligible.  Belarus upheld the highest standards of safety.

    Women were being encouraged to participate in sports traditionally favoured by men.

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    ELGUN SAFAROV, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for Belarus, asked if the State party had statistics on the amount of property inherited by women.  How did courts protect women’s property rights in divorce proceedings? How were children’s rights protected in international adoption proceedings?  The dialogue and the Committee’s recommendations would help with protecting the rights of women in Belarus.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said Belarus’ legislation on divorce promoted the best interests of the child.  Mediation was increasingly used in custody cases.  The interests of the mother and father were duly protected.  Belarus worked with several States on regulating international adoptions.  The State party monitored families who had adopted Belarussian children to ensure that their rights were upheld.

    Concluding Remarks

    LARYSA BELSKAYA, Permanent Representative of Belarus to the United Nations Office at Geneva and head of the delegation, thanked the Committee for the dialogue. Belarus had achieved much in terms of gender equality and empowering women.  The discussion helped the State party to identify the remaining issues to be addressed.  The Belarussian population supported the State’s measures, but there was more to be done.  The Committee’s recommendations would be carefully considered by the National Council on Gender Equality and used to construct the next national action plan on gender equality

    NAHLA HAIDAR, Committee Chair, thanked the delegation for its engagement with the Committee.  The dialogue had provided insights into the achievements made in Belarus and the areas in which further progress was needed.  The Committee commended the State party for its efforts and encouraged it to implement the Committee’s recommendations for the benefit of all women and girls in Belarus.

     

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

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    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    In December-January, the ruble rose against the US dollar by 9%, despite the growth of the American currency on the world market. The strengthening of the ruble occurred against the backdrop of adaptation to the new structure of foreign trade settlements after the sanctions imposed on Russian banks in November.

    At the end of 2024, the trend on the stock market changed: the decline in the Moscow Exchange Index observed in the second half of the year stopped. According to the results of December-January, its growth was 14.4%. At the same time, the volatility of the stock market decreased: the RVI index fell from 55.6 points at the beginning of December to 34.3 points at the end of January. OFZ yields began to decline after the December decision of the Bank of Russia to keep the key rate at 21%.

    Last year, gold in rubles rose in price by almost 45%, demonstrating the highest yield among Russian market instruments. Against the backdrop of high interest rates, money market funds and deposits, both in rubles and foreign currency, also showed yields higher than inflation.

    In January, the situation changed: the most profitable investments were shares of construction companies, which recouped last year’s decline. Gold and ruble deposits continued to yield above inflation, while deposits in US dollars and euros showed negative returns against the backdrop of the strengthening of the Russian currency.

    Read more in the next issue “Review of Financial Market Risks”.

    Preview photo: leungchopan / Shutterstock / Fotodom

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

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

    HTTPS: //vv. KBR.ru/Press/Event/? ID = 23352

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Fiscal Prudence and Frugality Must Never Compromise Operational Efficiency, Says Vice-President

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Fiscal Prudence and Frugality Must Never Compromise Operational Efficiency, Says Vice-President

    Being in Service of Bharat, Home to One-Sixth of Humanity, Is a Blessing, Says VP

    Never Create Hurdles in Pension Disbursement; Have Absolute Empathy for Veterans, Says VP

    Lawful Route of Integrity Is the Safest Route, Says VP

    Security Is Best Assured From a Position of Strength, and Strength Is Secured By Preparation, Highlights VP

    Vice President Addresses Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) Probationers of 2022 and 2023 Batches

    Posted On: 06 FEB 2025 8:53PM by PIB Delhi

    The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today addressed the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) probationers of the 2022 and 2023 batches in New Delhi, saying, ““I strongly advocate that there must be meticulous, scrupulous adherence to fiscal prudence, frugality but this should not come at the cost or compromising efficiency and efficiency lies in the fiscal utilisation of resources. Financial integrity is absolute essence; it is your nectar. Financial integrity once compromised you lose it forever; you can never repair and therefore, develop a mechanism in life of happiness and satisfaction that do not measure yourself comparing those who are in private sector. You are an ancient guardian of economic discipline.”

    Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar further said, “Being in service of Bharat, home to one-sixth of humanity, is a blessing. You may have, on account of your credentials, the occasion to serve in several other areas, and maybe perhaps with larger fiscal gain, but you shall never have the satisfaction that you will have now. Satisfaction to live up to our civilizational ethos of service, satisfaction to nurture our nationalism, satisfaction to serve our motherland, and satisfaction to serve in conditions that is envy of everyone.”

    Addressing the need for respect and care for veterans, Shri Dhankhar stated, “For example, it is historical fact established, the morale of the armed forces is determined by the care we have for our veterans. If veterans are in good morale, those who serve on the frontiers or otherwise look up. And you have a deep connect with the veterans, pensioners. You will have to have absolute empathy for pensioners. Never ever create a problem in disbursement of the pension. I am so happy and delighted and I came to know about it that technological upgradation has resulted in seamless delivery with expedition. But still, there will be issues and issues are bound to be there. We will never have a system where there will be no issues interdepartmental or with pensioners. Have empathy.”

    He further urged officials to treat pensioners with respect and devotion, remarking, “Act with them with a sense of devotion. All of them are like parents for you, senior citizens, our veterans. Hand-holding them, if they physically interface with you, will go a long way. Not only they will bless you, by word of mouth, a message will permeate all throughout. They are not the people who are retired. They are pensioners. They will never be tired of serving the nation in whatever form they are. This blessed, distinguished, premium category of human resource you will be interacting with.”

    Speaking on financial discipline, the Vice-President cautioned against shortcuts and urged adherence to integrity. “There will always be challenges, but I can assure you lawful route of integrity is the safest route. Shortcuts are very tempting; sometimes, they are too tempting to be resisted but when challenges come, a shortcut, rather than being the shortest distance between two points, turns out to be the longest, intractable with headwinds and air pockets. Sometimes, negotiating is never-ending.”

    Reflecting on the global security scenario, the Vice-President stressed that preparedness is paramount, given the challenges in the region and ongoing global conflicts. “Given the security clime in our neighborhood, given the challenges we have, and given the challenges that we are living in times where conflagration in any part of the globe—Ukraine-Russia, Israel-Hamas—we were impeccable, and therefore, the level of preparation now has become much beyond what you may be having in your mind. The good thing is that our nation is getting prepared.”

    He further emphasized the importance of security from a position of strength, stating, “Security of any nation is fundamental. It is said security is best assured from a position of strength. And position of strength is secured by level of preparation. And preparation these days, you have to be ahead of times. You have to think of next-gen equipment in every field. And now the situation is so dramatically changed that conventional warfare has taken back seat.”

    Highlighting the responsibilities of public servants, the Vice-President urged them to put the nation first. “While I would say always keep the nation first, have unwavering commitment to the nation, but this cannot be just an idea. While it is your ordainment by virtue of being public servants to ensure fiscal discipline, enabling operational efficiency, you also have to look around what as individuals you can do.”

    The Vice-President also stressed the need for strengthening family ties, promoting indigenous knowledge, and fostering inclusivity. “One, strengthening of family ties, family values. Be connected with family. Make it a priority. Believe in environmental awareness and sustainable living. As individuals, you can contribute for it. Embrace indigenous knowledge, economic self-alliance. Be Vocal for Local. I’ll tell you, avoidable imports in this country are a huge drain on finance, to the extent of billions of dollars. And these avoidable imports are in the shape of shoes, socks, trousers, coat, shirts, carpets, furniture, toys, candles, what not. Second aspect is that when we engage into use of avoidable foreign items imported in the country, we are depriving our people of work. This small gesture you can do.”

    He concluded by emphasizing national unity and resilience, saying, “Foster unity and inclusivity amidst mass diversity. For 5,000 years we have had inclusivity, but the challenge to inclusivity was extreme. Murderers came, invaders came. They ravaged our culture, our religious places. We stood our ground. But time has come now to keep nation’s interest always first, fostering unity, fostering brotherhood.”

    Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, IAS, Defence Secretary, Smt. Devika Raghuvanshi, IDAS, Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA), Dr. Vandana Kumar, Additional Secretary, Rajya Sabha Secretariat and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

     

    *****

    JK/RC/SM

    (Release ID: 2100484) Visitor Counter : 47

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Text of the Vice President’s address to the IDAS Probationers of 2022 and 2023 Batches (Excerpts)

    Source: Government of India

    To be in service of the largest democracy, home to one-sixth of humanity, is divine intervention in your lives.

    You are required to handhold rather than generate handicaps. It is very easy to find a lapse, it is very easy to pick up. This procedure requirement has not been thorough, but if your attitude is to see things really at fast track, you must have a solution in mind, and primarily, the solution is immediate hand holding. Things will be amazing.

    Let me tell you, being in service of Bharat, home to one-sixth of humanity, is a blessing. You may have on account of your credentials occasion to serve in several other areas, and maybe perhaps with larger fiscal gain, but you shall never have the satisfaction that you will have now. Satisfaction to live up to our civilizational ethos of service, satisfaction to nurture our nationalism, satisfaction to serve our motherland, and satisfaction to serve in conditions that is envy of everyone.

    All your life you will be in close contact with nature because defence estates are bountiful, gifted by nature. 

    Second, you will be living and dealing with a community that is in uniform by and large. You will be dealing with people who are taken to uniform with a resolve to serve the motherland at the cost of making supreme sacrifice. Security of any nation is fundamental. It is said, security is best assured from a position of strength and position of strength is secured by level of preparation and preparation these days, you have to be ahead of times. 

    You have to think of next-gen equipment in every field and now the situation is so dramatically changed that conventional warfare has taken back seat.

    You will have to deal with many strategic challenges generated also by disruptive technologies. Therefore, you will have to keep on learning while your training is well made out, your exposure is remarkable but much of it you will have to self-learn also. Learning never stops but in your service particularly, you have to be always learning because there is paradigm shift when it comes to auditing, budgeting, account handling, effective transparency, accountability.

    If you get into a groove and get obsessed, only to find procedural lapses as indicated by the Defence Secretary and do not have a solution in mind. You cannot imagine the kind of damage we make. Of course, it will have cascading impact, a deleterious impact on our preparedness.

    You are an ancient guardian of economic discipline. I strongly advocate that there must be meticulous, scrupulous adherence to fiscal prudence, frugality but this should not come at the cost or compromising efficiency and efficiency lies the fiscal utilisation of resources. When resources are allocated and in your case the allocation is indeed 13% to 14% of the budget. If you delay it the Nation suffers. 

    Given the security clime in our neighborhood, given the challenges we have, and given the challenges that we are living in times where conflagration in any part of the globe, Ukraine-Russia, Israel-Hamas, we were impeccable, and therefore, the level of preparation now has become much beyond what you may be having in your mind. 

    Good thing is that our nation is getting prepared. It started after a long time with acquisition of Rafale, but now things are on track, backlog is being made up. The Defence Secretary is seat of the matter, so is the CDS and the three Chiefs, but your mindset will be determinative.

    While I would say always keep the nation first, have unwavering commitment to the nation, but this cannot be just an idea. You have to fructify that idea day in and day out. If you look around, while it is your ordainment by virtue of being public servants to ensure fiscal discipline, enabling operational efficiency, you also have to look around what as individuals you can do. For example, it is said and it is historical fact established, the morale of the armed forces is determined by the care we have for our veterans. If veterans are in good morale, those who serve on the frontiers or otherwise look up. 

    You have a deep connect with the veterans, pensioners. There are two connects that you have and I feel very emotively about it because I come from a place called Chittorgarh. I couldn’t get into the uniform on account of my right eye not being well. So, as Rajya Sabha Chairman, I mostly look to the government on the right side, but my heart is on the left side, where the opposition is there. So, you will have to have absolute empathy for pensioners. Never ever create a problem in disbursement of the pension. 

    I am so happy and delighted and I came to know about it that technological upgradation has resulted in seamless delivery with expedition but still there will be issues and issues are bound to be there. We will never have a system where there will be no issues interdepartmental or with pensioners. 

    Have empathy, act with them with a sense of devotion. All of them are like parents for you, senior citizens, our veterans. hand-hold them, if they physically interface with you, will go a long way. Not only they will bless you, by word of mouth, a message will permeate all throughout. They are not the people who are retired, they are pensioners. They will never be tired of serving the nation in whatever form they are. This blessed, distinguished, premium category of human resource you will be interacting with.

    No one has fancy for people who deal with finance. No one is in love with the auditors. There is an element of fear sometimes but now the mindset must change because Integrity has been generated by and large on account of technology. Much has been plugged in the entire system, most of yours but I would particularly urge, while auditing others, never hesitate to self-audit. 

    As young boys and girls, you must exemplify by conduct, discipline and decorum, that not only you are different, you are cut out to make a difference and that difference would add up to the nation being different.

    There will always be challenges, but I can assure you, law full route of integrity is the safest route. Shortcuts are very tempting; sometimes, they are too tempting to be resisted but when challenges comes, a shortcut, rather than being the shortest distance between two points, turns out to be the longest intractable with headwinds and air pockets. Sometimes, negotiating is never-ending.

    Therefore, financial integrity is absolute essence; it is your nectar. Financial integrity once compromised, you lose it forever; you can never repair and therefore, develop a mechanism in life of happiness and satisfaction that do not measure yourself comparing those who are in private sector. The limousine  may also look, very attractive to you but if you get into their role you will find your life is much happier more rewarding more satisfying.   

    The best answer is, ‘I don’t know.’ Never guess, Never fear failure. Never fear that you have lack of knowledge, no one is encyclopedic. There will be people who will tell you, yes, you are nice boy, nice girl. You don’t know, but you are urge to live. You have the courage and conviction to say, I am not ready at the moment, give me a day’s time. Maybe the superior, may at that point of time will not appreciate. But to cover up that fault by something which cannot be tenable. You must not adopt.

    As individuals, I will invite you that you must be good citizens of the country while people in our country focus on rights and we have fundamental rights, I would beseech all of you to first carefully go through fundamental duties that are in part 4A of the Constitution. Many people ask me, what individuals can we do? I will here give you some tips.

    One, if the Prime Minister initiated a clarion call for ‘Ek Ped Maa ke Naam’, imagine the difference it is making. If everyone takes it seriously, and I include everyone, including a child, then there would be saplings of 1.4 billion. You will be living in a state where you can make your difference. Please do that.

    I would want you to take note, get imbibe and practice five civilizational values. 

    One, strengthening of family ties, family values. Being connected with a family. दादा-दादी, नाना-नानी को जब पता लगता है की उनको फ़ोन कर दिया, उनसे बात हो गई| उनको जीवन के अंदर आनंद लेने का एक पल मिल जाता है|

    Make it a priority, believe in environmental awareness and sustainable living. These are not words. As individuals you can contribute for it. Embrace indigenous knowledge, स्वेदेशी, economic self-alliance. Be Vocal for Local. I’ll tell you, avoidable imports in this country are huge drain on finance, to the extent of billions of dollars. These avoidable imports are in the shape of shoes, socks, trousers, coat, shirts, carpets, furniture, toys, candles, what not.

    Second aspect is that when we engage into use of avoidable foreign items imported into the country, we are depriving our people of work. This small gesture you can do. I’ll be Vocal for Local; I’ll go for indigenous product when it comes for my use. State actors can’t do it. You are a discerning young mind. WTO will come into play. It is very difficult to evolve a policy for that. But if people take to a policy by their habit, a designed habit, inculcated habit, it will make a difference.

    Forged in unity and inclusivity amidst mass diversity. For 5,000 years we have had inclusivity, we have had inclusivity, but the challenge to inclusivity was extreme. 

    Murderers came, invaders came. They ravaged our culture, our religious places. We stood our ground but time has come now to keep nation’s interest always first, fostering unity, foster the brotherhood, and that is required because if you find someone not subscribing to our values, not believing in the nation. You must have capacity to effect change of mindset, and if not, make your presence felt. The nation first has to be there.

    Everyone has civic duties to perform. I have noticed myself, no Indian who left India for abroad, threw a banana skin out of a running vehicle. No one has done it, and landing here back, सड़क तो हमारी है, हमारा garbage है, फेकेंगे but Prime Minister gave a call Swachh Bharat. 

    Now people don’t do it. Look at it. If we become a disciplined nation, things will be different. You youngsters must know our history. You are lucky to be living at a time when India is the fastest growing economy in the world. No nation has witnessed the kind of exponential economic upsurge, infrastructure growth, deep digitization, technological penetration, and facilities unheard of in the villages. Cooking gas, toilet, internet, road connectivity. Light in the house, pipe water is on the way, no one thought of it. So we are a nation full of hope and possibility. 

    In that nation you have the privileged honour to be public servants, but comes along with this another challenge that the nation is most aspirational. People have tasted development. Therefore, your duty you must always ensure before you leave the office. There should be no avoidable pendency on your table. If you make it your Dharma, it will take you a long way.

    The armed forces are counting on you, the future generations are counting on you. My best wishes for all your future endeavors and always be positive. Shed negativity in the process if you can spare time to read our scriptures, Vedas, Gita, Epics, Ramayan, Mahabharata. I am not getting religious, I am saying they define sublimity of secularism. 

    Thank you so much.

    ****

    JK/RC/SM

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Protecting the competitiveness of the European cement industry – E-002800/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will ensure that the carbon price of cement imported into the EU is equivalent to the carbon price of domestic production under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).

    Under the EU ETS, the number of free emission allowances declines over time for all sectors. For CBAM sectors like cement, the decline accelerates as from 2026 to maximise the impact of the ETS in fulfilling the EU’s climate goals.

    In line with the phase-out of the allocation of free allowances under the EU ETS, the CBAM financial adjustment is phased in gradually.

    As required by the CBAM Regulation, a report on the application of the CBAM is foreseen in 2025 before the end of the transitional phase[1].

    In view of the expiration of the Autonomous Trade Measures for Ukraine in June 2025, the Commission is working on a review of reciprocal trade liberalisation under Article 29 of the Association Agreement.

    However, since cement was already fully liberalised by the original Association Agreement, it was not affected by the Autonomous Trade Measures nor is it within the scope of the review.

    The Commission is aware of the challenges that companies and households face due to high energy prices. The EU has jointly responded to Russia’s energy market manipulation and the subsequent high inflation.

    The energy dimension of the Clean Industrial Deal and the forthcoming Action Plan for Affordable Energy will address the high energy prices and aim at unlocking all possible decarbonisation pathways for EU industries. Further fuel switches and energy efficiency improvements can also help to reduce energy costs.

    • [1] Regulation (EU) 2023/956, Article 30(2).
    Last updated: 6 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Introduction of tariffs on fertilisers from Russia and Belarus to protect EU producers from unfair competition and workers from losing their jobs – P-002696/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is closely monitoring the situation regarding the import of fertilisers into the EU from Russia and Belarus.

    While reflecting on possible new measures, upholding food security remains among EU’s primary consideration. Any measure should contribute to preserve a competitive EU fertilisers industry, reduce dependencies while also ensuring that EU farmers have access to ample and diverse sources of fertilisers.

    It is worth mentioning that some fertilisers types, albeit not urea or nitrogen fertilisers, are also subject to restrictions under EU sanctions, i.e. a quota on imports of potash fertilisers from Russia[1] and a ban on Belarus[2].

    Where there is unfair competition stemming from imports, the EU uses trade defence instruments to restore fair competition. There are anti-dumping measures in place on imports of mixtures of urea and ammonium nitrate from, inter alia, Russia[3] which are currently subject to an expiry review.

    There are also measures in place on ammonium nitrate from Russia. Where measures are no longer effective, they may be reviewed.

    The trade defence process is normally driven by complaints or requests from industry giving evidence of unfairly dumped or subsidised imports of products or showing that there are changes of a lasting nature which require a change to existing measures. EU industry should contact the complaints office of Directorate-General for Trade for advice.

    • [1] Article 3i of Council Regulation 833/2014; https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02014R0833-20241217
    • [2] Article 1i of Council Regulation 765/2006; https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02006R0765-20241216
    • [3] Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1688 of 8 October 2019; https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32019R1688
    Last updated: 6 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Video: Kaine Joins Senate Democrats in Holding Senate Floor to Protest Russell Vought’s Nomination to Lead OMB, Citing Chaos Unleashed on Federal Workers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) joined his Democratic colleagues in holding the Senate floor to protest Russell Vought’s nomination to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), citing stories he has collected from federal workers about the chaos the Trump Administration has unleashed on the federal workforce. Vought is one of the key authors of Project 2025 and has long been an architect of President Trump’s plans to villainize the federal workforce.

    Broadcast-quality video of Kaine’s speech is available here.
    “My colleagues have spoken on the floor about a particular statement of Mr. Vought’s that I examined him about fairly aggressively during the Budget Committee Hearing. In the course of a speech, he said, ‘I want federal employees to be traumatized. I want to put them in trauma. I want them to come to work—to not want to come to work—because they know that they are increasingly viewed as the villain. Now, who talks like that? I mean, who talks like that? Is there a single manager or leader or organizational chief that we admire who believes that their mission, their happiness, their glee, their purpose is to make their workforce feel traumatized? No we would never celebrate a leader of that kind,” said Kaine.
    “What I want to do in my time on the floor tonight is talk a little bit about these federal employees and what having a traumatized workforce means… What I’ve heard from Virginians is just in the week since the funding pause order went into place—something that was masterminded by Russell Vought—federal employees. Yesterday, I decided after hearing stories from federal employees, to launch a website, a resource where federal employees could share with anonymity guaranteed… I thought what I would do tonight is, I’ve just taken 18 of these stories, from the federal employees that have just once in in the last 24 hours, of the hundreds that have been submitted, and I just want to read some to you, to tell you about who these people are who Mr. Vought wants to be traumatized. Who these people are that Mr. Vought wants to personally make feel as if they are the villains,” Kaine continued.
    Then, Kaine shared various stories he has collected from federal workers about how the Trump Administration’s actions have harmed them and threatened their ability to deliver essential services for the American people, including:
    A federal employee working for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) who wrote, “After two extremely painful miscarriages, I am now 34 weeks pregnant with my first child. Since my husband works as a lawyer for the EPA, what should have been a joyful time in our lives now feels like a dystopian hellscape and we are very afraid for our future and financial security. We are just hoping to have health insurance at this point for when I give birth but even that feels uncertain. I swore an oath and believe in the work that USAID does. I believe that it makes American stronger, safer, and more prosperous, as Secretary Rubio is calling for, and I will supporting the Agency until they boot me from the system. God help us all.”
    A federal employee working for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services who explained, “I am married and pregnant. I am the breadwinner. A woman. I am a homeowner. I pay taxes. I took an oath and I love my job. The daily fear tactics and targeting of federal employees has uprooted my life. I no longer feel safe going on any kind of family vacation, making any big purchases or doing anything because everyday I wonder will I have a job.”
    A federal employee working for the National Science Foundation (NSF) who said, “The opportunity to give back and support the next generation of U.S. based scientists was a dream fulfilled, and I am terrified that I will be fired as soon as Friday with no protections or severance. The fair compensation and flexible schedule let’s my spouse work as a teacher, and she is so great at her job. But that will not pay the mortgage.”
    A federal employee working for USAID who warned, “The attack on USAID lacks intelligence and foresight. China and Russia are filling the vacuum, outspending the US and deepening partnerships with our allies, who feel abandoned. This is creating permanent damage, and undoing decades of progress in a few days. This does the opposite of making America stronger, safer, and more prosperous.”
    A federal employee working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture who explained, “These last few weeks have been hell for us federal workers. I come to work with a pit in my stomach. I am a probationary employee, so will probably be the first to go during a RIF. They have left us in the dark while constantly terrorizing us with threatening, passive aggressive messages, and half legal deals to resign. I fear for my job, but I fear more for my country.”
    A federal employee working for the U.S. Department of Transportation who wrote, “I am frightened about my position. I’m a single income household and am convinced no one has my back. Congress has been pretty much silent, and the news has gained very little traction nationwide.”
    A federal employee working for the U.S. Department of Defense who said, “As soon as this administration took office it felt like federal workers were under siege. They began with their flurry of executive orders and memos, they put Elon Musk (whom no one elected, whom is not a federal employee but yet has huge contracts for other areas with the government) in charge of “handling” the potential mass layoffs of federal workers.”
    A federal employee working at the General Services Administration who explained, “…the disregard for union contracts is deeply concerning and undermines the commitments made to the workforce. Many of my talented and hardworking colleagues have been living in fear for weeks, facing uncertainty they do not deserve. This unlawful mistreatment not only undermines their dedication but also creates an environment of instability and anxiety that no employee should have to endure.”
    A federal employee working at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) who wrote, “My husband and I are both federal employees and we are both on probation. We also have student loan debts and under the public service loan forgiveness program. If we lose our jobs because we are on probation, we will lose the ability to have our payments to [Public Service Loan Forgiveness] counted, we will not be able to pay for childcare and we will lose our apartment.”
    A federal employee working at DHS who warned, “truly believe a strong, healthy workforce of civilian servants is vital for a strong, healthy America. Our government has a duty to protect its citizens. This – to me – includes making sure peoples basic needs are met, be it healthcare, food, housing, education, etc. The private sector is not taking on this obligation.”
    A federal employee who said, “I’ve served under different administrations, Republican and Democrat, and been proud to do so… The last 2 weeks have been a nightmare.”
    A federal employee who wrote, “Since inauguration, times have been hell for us because every day is loaded with uncertainty regarding the future state of our contract, work, and our federal counterparts we work daily with. To this day, every work day is filled with dread and anxiety.”
    A federal contractor working for USAID who explained, “In the past week, I have experienced near everyone in my company get placed on furlough. Beyond the fact that we were all working to make international development more impactful, and the fact that the US Company we have invested so much time in may never come back from this, we are all without salary and uncertain for the future.”
    A federal employee working for a small independent agency who wrote, “I am a probationary employee, meaning my name is on a short list to fire. I was hired under Schedule A — persons with disabilities, so my name is on a list. I feel like I am being threatened by the very institutions that were created to safeguard the principles of truth, compassion, respect…”
    A federal employee who wrote, “Today, I woke up to an email saying we had a restraining order, tied to Trump’s EOs, that would limit how we’d disburse our grants. Since the EOs were vaguely defined to begin with, this could be a witch hunt for all kinds of programs and grants we give out.”
    A federal employee who said, “I’m a senior human resource professional in the Department of the Interior. I’m on daily calls with Departmental HR leaders who receive direction from OPM. Today leadership mentioned that their coordination was with DOGE “employees” rather than with actual OPM employees. These DOGE employees have full access to our USA Staffing hiring system, which includes personally identifiable information for ALL applicants to any position in DOI. It is unclear what kind of clearance these individuals have, if any, and what authority they have to even access this system.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Final draft agenda – Tuesday, 11 February 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    Final draft agenda
    Strasbourg
    Monday, 10 February 2025 – Thursday, 13 February 2025  
    Tuesday, 11 February 2025   Version: Thursday, 6 February 2025, 13:39

    09:00 – 11:50   Debates     
    Council (including replies) 20′
    Commission (including replies) 20′
    “Catch the eye”   (2×5′) 10′
    Members 104′
    13:00 – 22:00   Debates (or at the end of the votes)     
    Council (including replies) 50′
    Commission (including replies) 65′
    Author (committee) 5′
    “Catch the eye”   (7×5′) 35′
    Members 239′

    32 Continuing the unwavering EU support for Ukraine, after three years of Russia’s war of aggression
    17 European Central Bank – annual report 2024
    Anouk Van Brug (A10-0003/2025) 
        – Amendments Wednesday, 5 February 2025, 13:00
    50 Escalation of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
        – Motion for a resolution Monday, 10 February 2025, 19:00
        – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions Tuesday, 11 February 2025, 19:00
        – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions Tuesday, 11 February 2025, 20:00
        – Requests for “separate”, “split” and “roll-call” votes Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 16:00
    Separate votes – Split votes – Roll-call votes
    Texts put to the vote on Tuesday Friday, 7 February 2025, 12:00
    Texts put to the vote on Wednesday Monday, 10 February 2025, 19:00
    Texts put to the vote on Thursday Tuesday, 11 February 2025, 19:00
    Motions for resolutions concerning debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 150) Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 19:00

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s push to shut down USAID shows how international development is all about strategic interests

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Nelson Duenas, Assistant Professor of Accounting, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

    The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is on the verge of being shut down by United States President Donald Trump’s administration.

    On Feb. 4, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the agency would be taken over by the State Department. He stated that “all USAID direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally.”

    This move comes after Trump and his officials have heavily criticized the role and ineffectiveness of the agency. Trump said USAID had “been run by a bunch of radical lunatics, and we’re getting them out,” while Tesla CEO and special government employee Elon Musk said it was “time for it to die.”

    The closure of USAID will have significant consequences for many countries in the Global South. USAID is one of the largest development agencies in the world and funds programs that benefit millions of people, from supporting peace agreements in Colombia to fighting the spread of HIV in Uganda.

    Around US$40 billion is allocated annually from the U.S. federal budget for humanitarian and development aid. If USAID is dismantled, it raises questions about how these funds will be redirected and the long-term impacts it will have on global development efforts.

    A geopolitical fallout?

    The potential dismantling of USAID has raised concerns among international development experts about a potential geopolitical fallout that could create unintended consequences for the U.S. itself.

    Global issues, such as human security and climate change, are expected to be heavily affected. The U.S. also risks losing influence in the fight for soft power since dismantling USAID could leave behind a power vacuum. Other countries like Russia or China may occupy the space left by what was the largest international aid program in the world.



    Read more:
    USAid shutdown isn’t just a humanitarian issue – it’s a threat to American interests

    This shift could result in the U.S. losing its influence in regions like Africa, South America and Asia, where the country distributed aid to a number of non-governmental organizations, aid agencies and non-profits.

    While the future of U.S. foreign assistance remains uncertain, other world powers have a role to play. European donors, despite some limitations in resources, remain committed to the 2030 Sustainable Development agenda.

    Beyond humanitarianism

    If the agency is shut down, it may be widely condemned on moral and humanitarian grounds. However, its closure would respond to a logic of strategic and ideological interests that has long shaped the international development system. This a key finding from my longstanding field research with organizations that receive funding, not only from USAID, but also from Canadian and European donors.

    International development largely unfolded in the aftermath of the Second World War when global powers competed to establish a new world order. This led to the creation of international agreements and multilateral institutions, with major industrialized nations emerging as the primary donors of foreign aid.

    While many international initiatives, like the Millennium Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, have guided development as we know it, the governments of main donor countries have their own interests in mind when providing aid.

    In my research, I have interviewed many people involved in the foreign aid chain, including directors and offices of international non-governmental organizations and governmental co-operation agencies. Many said development relationships are shaped by both the interests of donors and those of recipient populations and organizations.

    While these relationships may be based on humanitarian objectives, such as disaster relief or human rights advocacy, they can also be influenced by ideological, geopolitical, economic and social agendas.

    In this context, the American move to eliminate USAID could be seen as one that prioritizes national security and economic goals over traditional global humanitarian concerns. Governments steer the wheel of international development according to their political ideologies and interests, regardless of the shock this may generate among citizens.

    Canada’s role in all this

    The U.S. is not the only country re-evaluating its international development policy. Sweden, another major country in the foreign aid sphere, is also changing its co-operation strategy following changes in its government and criticism of the NGOs that deploy their development assistance.

    Canada’s role in this unfolding situation remains uncertain. With the resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as head of the Liberal Party and the upcoming federal election, it’s unclear what will happen to Canada’s international development strategy going forward.

    Under Stephen Harper, the country’s international development strategy was closely tied to expanding trade with developing countries based on maximizing the value of extractive economies and a strong defence policy. This approach aimed to bring value not only to the recipient country of aid, but to Canada as well.

    When Trudeau took office, Canada’s development strategy turned to a more progressive agenda centred on peace keeping, feminist approaches and humanitarian programs.

    Will Canada continue to champion human rights, human security and progressive agendas? Or will Canada reduce funds for foreign assistance, which seems to be the wish of many of its citizens?

    The answer to these questions will depend on the direction that our political leaders decide to take, and the sentiments of citizens. Still, Canada’s approach to development aid will probably remain in a trade-off between moral imperatives of humanitarianism and strategic national interests.

    Nelson Duenas receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
    Nelson Duenas is a researcher associated to l’Observatoire canadien sur les crises et l’action humanitaires

    – ref. Trump’s push to shut down USAID shows how international development is all about strategic interests – https://theconversation.com/trumps-push-to-shut-down-usaid-shows-how-international-development-is-all-about-strategic-interests-249118

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Gaza: we analysed a year of satellite images to map the scale of agricultural destruction

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Lina Eklund, Associate Senior Lecturer, Lund University

    Part of North Gaza in November 2023, and again in July 2024.

    SkySat imagery © 2025/Planet Labs PBC

    The ceasefire agreed between Israel and Hamas makes provisions for the passage of food and humanitarian aid into Gaza. This support is much needed given that Gaza’s agricultural system has been severely damaged over the course of the war.

    Over the past 17 months we have analysed satellite images across the Gaza Strip to quantify the scale of agricultural destruction across the region. Our newly published research reveals not only the widespread extent of this destruction but also the potentially unprecedented pace at which it occurred. Our work covers the period until September 2024 but further data through to January 2025 is also available.

    Before the war, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and strawberries were grown in open fields and greenhouses, and olive and citrus trees lined rows across the Gazan landscape. The trees in particular are an important cultural heritage in the region, and agriculture was a vital part of Gaza’s economy. About half of the food eaten there was produced in the territory itself, and food made up a similar portion of its exports.

    By December 2023, only two months into the war, there were official warnings that the entire population of Gaza, more than 2 million people, was facing high levels of acute food insecurity. While that assessment was based on interviews and survey data, the level of agricultural damage across the whole landscape remained out of view.

    Most olive and citrus trees are gone

    To address this problem, we mapped the damage to tree crops – mostly olive and citrus trees – in Gaza each month over the course of the war up until September 2024. Together with our colleagues Dimah Habash and Mazin Qumsiyeh, we did this using very high-resolution satellite imagery, detailed enough to focus on individual trees.

    We first visually identified tree crops with and without damage to “train” our computer program, or model, so it knew what to look for. We then ran the model on all the satellite data. We also looked over a sample of results ourselves to confirm it was accurate.

    Our results showed that between 64% and 70% of all tree crop fields in Gaza had been damaged. That can either mean a few trees being destroyed, the whole field of trees completely removed, or anything in between. Most damage took place during the first few months of the war in autumn 2023. Exactly who destroyed these trees and why is beyond the scope of our research or expertise.

    In some areas, every greenhouse is gone

    As greenhouses look very different in satellite images, we used a separate method to map damage to them. We found over 4,000 had been damaged by September 2024, which is more than half of the total we had identified before the start of the war.

    Greenhouses and the date of initial damage between October 2023 and September 2024.
    Yin et al (2025)

    In the south of the territory, where most greenhouses were found, the destruction was fairly steady from December 2023 onwards.

    But in north Gaza and Gaza City, the two most northerly of the territory’s five governorates, most of the damage had already taken place by November and December 2023. By the end of our study period, all 578 greenhouses there had been destroyed.

    North Gaza and Gaza City have also seen the most damage to tree crop fields. By September 2024, over 90% of all tree crops in Gaza City had been destroyed, and 73% had been lost in north Gaza. In the three southern governorates, Khan Younis, Deir al-Balah and Rafah, around 50% of all tree crops had been destroyed.

    Agricultural damage is common in armed conflict, and has been documented with satellite analysis in Ukraine since the 2022 Russian invasion, in Syria and Iraq during the ISIS occupation in 2015, and in the Caucasus during the Chechen wars in the 1990s and 2000s.

    The exact impact can differ from conflict to conflict. War may directly damage lands, as we have seen in Gaza, or it may lead to more fallow areas as infrastructure is damaged and farmers are forced to flee. A conflict also increases the need for local agricultural production, especially when food imports are restricted.

    Our assessment shows a very high rate of direct and extensive damage to Gaza’s agricultural system, both compared to previous conflict escalations there in 2014 and 2021, and in other conflict settings. For example, during the July-August war in 2014, around 1,200 greenhouses were damaged in Gaza. This time round at least three times as many have been damaged.

    Agricultural attacks are unlawful

    Attacks on agricultural lands are prohibited under international law. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court from 1998 defines the intentional use of starvation of civilians through “depriving them of objects indispensable to their survival” as a war crime. The Geneva conventions further define such indispensable objects as “foodstuffs, agricultural areas for the production offoodstuffs, crops, livestock, drinking water installations and supplies and irrigation works”.

    Our study provides transparent statistics on the extent and timing of damage to Gaza’s agricultural system. As well as documenting the impacts of the war, we hope it can help the massive rebuilding efforts that will be required.

    Restoring Gaza’s agricultural system goes beyond clearing debris and rubble, and rebuilding greenhouses. The soils need to be cleaned from possible contamination. Sewage and irrigation infrastructure need to be rebuilt.

    Such efforts may take a generation or more to complete. After all, olive and citrus trees can take five or more years to become productive, and 15 years to reach full maturity. After previous attacks on Gaza the trees were mostly replanted, and perhaps the same will happen again this time. But it’s for good reason they say that only people with hope for the future plant trees.

    Lina Eklund receives funding from the Swedish National Space Agency and the Strategic Research Area: The Middle East in the Contemporary World (MECW) at the Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies, Lund University, Sweden.

    He Yin receives funding from NASA.

    Jamon Van Den Hoek receives funding from NASA.

    – ref. Gaza: we analysed a year of satellite images to map the scale of agricultural destruction – https://theconversation.com/gaza-we-analysed-a-year-of-satellite-images-to-map-the-scale-of-agricultural-destruction-248796

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Staff Concludes Visit to Lithuania

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    February 6, 2025

    End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. This mission will not result in a Board discussion.

    Washington, DC: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, led by Ms. Kazuko Shirono, visited Vilnius during January 27–31, 2025, to meet with the Lithuanian authorities and other stakeholders to discuss recent economic developments, the outlook, and policy priorities. At the end of the visit, the mission issued the following statement:

    “The Lithuanian economy has shown notable resilience against a series of unprecedented shocks in recent years. Following subdued growth in 2023, the economy gained momentum in 2024 and is expected to expand further in 2025. The economic recovery so far has been primarily driven by private consumption—supported by strong growth of real income reflecting high wage growth and low inflation—helping to offset weak private investment. Despite persistent uncertainty on foreign markets, the external sector also positively contributed to growth, with robust services exports in particular. Looking forward, the positive growth momentum will be supported by easing monetary conditions, the recovery of corporate profits, and the healthy financial position of households. However, weaker than expected external demand—especially in key eurozone trade partners—and policy uncertainty in major economies could weight on domestic sentiment and exports performance, posing downside risks to the growth outlook.”

    “After further disinflation in 2024 inflation will rise in 2025, in part due to higher indirect taxes, before stabilizing above 2 percent in the medium term. Headline inflation declined to a low of 0.1 percent in October 2024, reflecting persistent negative base effects from energy and food prices and tighter monetary policy since mid-2022; it gained some pace afterwards reaching 1.9 percent by the end of the year. Core inflation remained historically high on the back of strong price growth in services, supported by high wage growth, despite the moderation of processed food and non-energy industrial prices. While Lithuania’s inflation has dropped below that in the rest of the eurozone during 2024, high rates of inflation and wage growth in the previous years leave price and wage levels elevated, reinforcing the need to restore productivity growth to preserve competitiveness.”

    “The fiscal position in 2024 appears to have been significantly better than expected due to accounting factors and higher revenue performance. In 2025, however, fiscal performance is projected to worsen largely because of defense and social expenditures that will result in a wider budget deficit and an increase in government debt as a share of GDP. The new coalition government is preparing its post-election policy priorities and action plan, including a significant further increase in defense expenditures. Furthermore, there are additional long-term spending pressures—emanating from adverse demographic shifts and the green transition. Momentous challenges in the social security system also create the need to continue to incentivize the public to save more for retirement. Altogether, Lithuania faces a pressing need to mobilize additional sources of revenue on a permanent basis and attain greater efficiency in the public sector. Importantly, any spending realignments will entail critical policy tradeoffs including vis-à-vis education, healthcare, and pensions, and revenue-generating tax measures will be key to safeguarding hard-earned policy credibility and fiscal sustainability.”  

    “Lithuania’s banking system continues to be well capitalized with ample liquidity buffers. Profitability remains at a record high, despite lower interest rates and the temporary levy on banks introduced in 2023 and extended through 2025. Balance sheet risks are contained given large capital buffers, increasing deposits and high profitability allowing to absorb potential losses, while the ratio of NPLs remains at low levels. Private credit is recovering supported by easing financial conditions. Residential real estate activity and prices are picking up since the second half of 2024 while commercial real estate activity remains subdued.”

    “The mission would like to thank the authorities and other counterparts in Lithuania for the candid discussions and useful exchange of views.”

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Boris Balabanov

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/02/03/pr25025-lithuania-imf-staff-concludes-visit

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: SPbGASU once again welcomed young intellectuals

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Grand Opening of Science Day

    SPbGASU held Science Day for participants of the 17th All-Russian Youth Educational Forum “Young Intellectuals of Russia”. On February 5, students of grades 5–11 of educational institutions defended projects and papers, attended master classes, and got acquainted with our university.

    The forum dedicated to the Day of Russian Science is being held in St. Petersburg from February 4 to 8. Its organizers are the Interregional Multidisciplinary Center “St. Petersburg Education”, the St. Petersburg Interregional Center “Education without Borders”, higher education institutions of the Northern capital with the support of the Academy of Military Sciences, the Maritime Council under the Government of St. Petersburg, the Council of Municipalities of St. Petersburg. As Natalya Polupanova, Director of the Interregional Multidisciplinary Center “St. Petersburg Education”, said, “198 participants from 15 educational institutions of 10 cities in 6 regions of the Russian Federation arrived at the forum. This year, an unprecedented number of projects – 142, this is a record. Project defenses are traditionally held at SPbGASU.”

    The events at our university were organized by the admissions committee with the participation of the Volunteer Club, the Kirpich Student Leisure and Creativity Center, the student media center and teachers.

    On behalf of Evgeny Rybnov, the rector of SPbGASU, Dmitry Ulrikh, the dean of the faculty of engineering ecology and urban economy, greeted the young intellectuals. Dmitry Vladimirovich said that our university has been a forge of personnel for the construction industry since 1832. Each faculty has its own scientific schools. The university is waiting for the guys as students.

    The forum participants learned about the activities of student associations at our university and watched concert numbers prepared by the teams of the Student Leisure and Creativity Center “Kirpich”.

    “To convey your thoughts to others”

    After the official part, the guests of our university went to the university auditoriums to defend their projects. The defenses took place within the framework of the humanitarian, natural science, historical, technical, creative and philological sections. In each section, the projects were evaluated by a jury.

    The meeting of the technical section was opened by Andrey Zazykin, Dean of the Automobile and Road Faculty. Andrey Vyacheslavovich believes that the faculty he heads, which trains specialists in the field of transport and mechanical engineering, is the most technical. Transport logistics, intelligent transport systems, modeling of road traffic and interchanges, construction of roads and bridges, organization of road safety, traffic light regulation, road signs, design and operation of vehicles – all this is done at the ADF. Here they train not only specialists, but also those who know how to convey their thoughts to others, present research results, and manage a team. The Dean wished the guys not to deviate from their path and invited them to take part in the Olympiad “Transport Systems and Technologies”, for successful performance in which additional points are awarded to the Unified State Exam. Applications can be submitted until February 10.

    In the project “Computer Modeling of the Movement of Material Points” Ekaterina Antipina, a 9th-grade student of Secondary School No. 3 from Kirovograd, Sverdlovsk Oblast, examined the movement of material points in various conditions, including the influence of forces, interactions, and the environment on their trajectory. The author worked in the Blender program, which allows demonstrating physical processes in a visual form. According to Ekaterina, her project helps develop an interest in physics and deepen knowledge of the subject. “I can say with confidence that the use of computer modeling has become a powerful tool for visualizing physical concepts. This project showed how modern technologies can be used in the educational sphere,” Ekaterina said.

    The features of windy spaces between architectural objects were studied by Anton Goloshumov, a 10th-grade cadet at the Lyceum named after Major General V. I. Khismatulin (Surgut, Khanty-Mansiysk Okrug (Yugra)). Under the scientific supervision of Sergei Osipov, a physical education teacher, Anton created a model reflecting the location of houses on one of the streets of Surgut, and conducted an experiment to study the nature of the wind between them. The young researcher believes that in places where there is strong wind, it is advisable to plant trees or shrubs. And it is also undesirable to put playgrounds and billboards there.

    After defending their projects, the forum participants took a tour of the university and attended master classes.

    From quadcopter to thermal imager

    Master class “Geodetic instruments”

    The master class “Geodetic Instruments” was held by Dmitry Ditrikh, Deputy Secretary in Charge of the Admissions Committee for Work at the Faculty of Engineering Ecology and Urban Economy, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Geodesy, Land Management and Cadastre. The students learned that graduates of the department can become specialists of Rosreestr, surveyors or cadastral engineers, and also work in related specialties – after all, all construction companies welcome a diploma from SPbGASU. They also learned about the purpose of geodetic instruments: a quadcopter, a 3D scanner, a theodolite, a reflector. Under the guidance of the students, it was possible to try these instruments in action. And in the process of communication, ask the students any question about studying at SPbGASU.

    The hydraulics laboratory held a master class on “The structure and operation of pumping stations. Assembly of pressure pipelines.” Ksenia Dmitrieva, assistant of the Department of Water Use and Ecology, and Maxim Sankov, senior laboratory assistant of the department, also began the lesson with a story about what graduates do: design, build, reconstruct water supply and sewerage networks. Then they talked about the types of pipelines and connections. As a result, the guys independently assembled a pressure section of the water supply pipeline.

    Master class “Models of Operations Research”

    At the “Operations Research Models” master class, they learned to apply mathematical models to solve practical problems. For example, how to transport goods from warehouses to stores, construction sites, or other places; how teams can rationally design objects. Lyudmila Moskalenko, associate professor of the Department of Information Systems and Technologies, suggested trying different solutions: calculating manually, writing a program, or using tools that are available on every computer.

    Associate Professor of the Department Alexander Epishkin spoke about what is happening at the Department of Construction Physics, Electric Power Engineering and Electrical Engineering, as well as about the purpose, selection and operation of electric drives in the public utilities of urban facilities at the master class “Purpose, Selection and Operation of Electric Drives in the Public Utilities of Urban Facilities”.

    Kirill Sukhanov and Ekaterina Anshukova, associate professors of the Department of Heat and Gas Supply and Ventilation, held a master class “Engineering Systems of Buildings. TIM-modeling and VR-technologies”. Participants of the master class learned about the areas of training in the department, got the opportunity to work a little in software packages in which heating and ventilation systems are designed, and visualize the obtained result using virtual reality glasses. They also studied a thermal imager and a heating device.

    Feedback from participants

    Alena Fadeeva, a 10th-grade student at Secondary School No. 24 in Krymsk, Krasnodar Krai, enjoyed defending her project the most: “I enjoyed performing the most. I defended the “Molecular Cuisine” project in the natural science section for 10th–11th graders. The jury members were friendly and asked interesting questions. And I really like the appearance of the university.”

    Irina Koroleva, a biology teacher at Secondary School No. 2 in Solnechnogorsk, Moscow Region, attended such a large-scale event for the first time: “The children are captivated! As a teacher, I like that they can immerse themselves in their future profession and see how the equipment works. For children, this is practice that they will remember for the rest of their lives. Their parents are also very pleased that the children were able to visit such a wonderful place.”

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Alexander Novak held the 37th meeting of the Federal Headquarters for Gasification

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Alexander Novak held the 37th meeting of the Federal Headquarters for Gasification

    February 6, 2025

    Alexander Novak held the 37th meeting of the Federal Headquarters for Gasification

    February 6, 2025

    Alexander Novak held the 37th meeting of the Federal Headquarters for Gasification

    February 6, 2025

    Alexander Novak held the 37th meeting of the Federal Headquarters for Gasification

    February 6, 2025

    Alexander Novak held the 37th meeting of the Federal Headquarters for Gasification

    February 6, 2025

    Alexander Novak held the 37th meeting of the Federal Headquarters for Gasification

    February 6, 2025

    Alexander Novak held the 37th meeting of the Federal Headquarters for Gasification

    February 6, 2025

    Alexander Novak held the 37th meeting of the Federal Headquarters for Gasification

    February 6, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Alexander Novak held the 37th meeting of the Federal Headquarters for Gasification

    Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak held the first meeting of the Federal Headquarters for Gasification in 2025. The event was attended by the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin, the governor of Krasnodar Krai Veniamin Kondratyev, the governor of Stavropol Krai Vladimir Vladimirov, representatives of regional authorities, the Ministry of Energy, the Federal Antimonopoly Service, Rostekhnadzor, the Government Coordination Center, Rosreestr, the Ministry of Finance, etc.

    At the beginning of the meeting, Aleksandr Novak took part via video link in the ceremonial connection to the gas networks of the Arkhangelsk Pulp and Paper Mill (PPM) and the commissioning of the inter-settlement gas pipeline from the Novodvinsk gas distribution station (GDS) to JSC Arkhangelsk PPM in the Arkhangelsk Region. The event was also attended by the region’s governor Aleksandr Tsybulsky.

    Gasification of Arkhangelsk Pulp and Paper Mill JSC took place thanks to the commissioning of a 12 km long inter-settlement gas pipeline from Novodvinsk GRS, built as part of the gas supply and gasification development program for the Arkhangelsk Region for 2021–2025. The fuel will be used for heat and power supply of the enterprise’s capacities instead of coal and fuel oil. The total projected gas consumption by the plant will be about 550 million cubic meters per year.

    The new networks will also provide gas to the village of Zaozerye and, in the future, gasification of at least five settlements in the Primorsky and Kholmogorsky municipal districts of the Arkhangelsk region.

    “Today we are launching the gasification of a city-forming enterprise with a long history – the Arkhangelsk Pulp and Paper Mill. Its production is of strategic importance for the region, the products are supplied to the Russian market and exported to other countries. The introduction of the inter-settlement gas pipeline will also allow gasification of several settlements at once,” noted Alexander Novak.

    During the meeting of the federal headquarters, participants discussed the results of the social gasification program for 2024, plans for 2025, and the outlook up to 2030.

    According to the Ministry of Energy, as of February 5, 2025, about 2 million applications for social additional gasification have been submitted, 1.47 million of which have been accepted. The additional gasification potential is over 1.8 million households (excluding gardening non-profit partnerships (SNT)). 1.42 million contracts have been concluded for bringing gas to the boundaries of the site, more than 1.2 million of which have been fulfilled. Including about 800 thousand connections inside houses. In 2025, it is planned to connect another 150 thousand households to gas.

    The comprehensive service of gas connection within the boundaries of the plot, including the supply of in-house equipment, was provided to more than 367 thousand citizens. It was most in demand in the Voronezh Region, the Chechen Republic and the Orenburg Region (67-72% of the number of gas connections).

    The additional gasification of social and medical facilities is actively underway: 769 applications have been submitted by medical institutions, 794 by educational institutions. 476 and 448 contracts have been concluded, respectively, 335 contracts with medical institutions and 245 with educational organizations have been fulfilled up to the boundaries of the plots. Gas has been launched in 97 and 82 medical and social institutions, respectively. According to the results of the inventory, the potential for additional gasification of households in SNT is over 933 thousand units.

    Representatives of the Ministry of Energy and Gazprom Mezhregiongaz reported to the Deputy Prime Minister on the progress of transferring the social gasification program to digital platforms. Since 2022, the Connectgaz portal has been actively operating (HTTPS: //Connectgas.ru/), where you can apply for a household connection and calculate its cost, including within the boundaries of the site. There is a single portal for social gasification and an interactive map of gasification of regions, where you can track the schedule for introducing gas pipelines and the plan for connecting households and social facilities. In addition, the all-Russian hotline for gasification is successfully operating.

    Sergey Gustov, General Director of Gazprom Mezhregiongaz, reported on the operation of 1,808 memorials with Eternal Flames across the country; in 2025, in honor of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, gas will be supplied to another 120 such sites. On the eve of Victory Day, 80 Eternal Flames will be lit simultaneously in 80 regions of Russia.

    Alexander Novak instructed to pay special attention to the implementation of modern digital technologies during social gasification in order to optimize and speed up processes.

    The Deputy Prime Minister instructed federal and regional authorities, as well as the single gas supply operator, to submit work schedules to achieve a gasification rate of 82.9% by 2030, including an assessment of the possibility of constructing and expanding gas pipeline capacities, converting boiler houses to gas, intensifying gasification of residential buildings in SNT, etc. By 2030, according to the President’s instructions, gas should be supplied to at least 1.6 million households.

    Also, the Ministry of Energy and Gazprom Mezhregiongaz, on the instructions of the Deputy Prime Minister, will analyze the cost of a comprehensive service for connecting gas within plots and in houses to increase the potential for demand.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Patrushev: The scale and pace of construction of solid municipal waste management facilities must increase

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Dmitry Patrushev held a meeting in the format of an incident “Organization of a system for handling municipal solid waste”

    February 6, 2025

    Dmitry Patrushev held a meeting in the format of an incident “Organization of a system for handling municipal solid waste”

    February 6, 2025

    Dmitry Patrushev held a meeting in the format of an incident “Organization of a system for handling solid municipal waste”

    February 6, 2025

    Meeting on the organization of a system for handling municipal solid waste

    February 6, 2025

    Meeting on the organization of a system for handling municipal solid waste

    February 6, 2025

    Meeting on the organization of a system for handling municipal solid waste

    February 6, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Dmitry Patrushev held a meeting in the format of an incident “Organization of a system for handling solid municipal waste”

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev held a meeting in the format of an incident “Organization of a system for handling solid municipal waste”. It was attended by heads of relevant departments and heads of regions.

    “The implementation of the federal project “Closed Cycle Economy” has been launched since 2025. Its target parameters are outlined in the Presidential Decree on National Development Goals. Work to achieve these targets has already begun. Last year alone, solid municipal waste handling facilities with a total capacity of over 4 million tons were commissioned. The scale and pace of construction should only increase, citizens should see qualitative changes in waste management – strict adherence to the removal schedule and modern waste processing facilities,” said Dmitry Patrushev.

    The meeting discussed the development of the legislative framework in the field of waste management, as well as the implementation of “road maps” for the creation of infrastructure, the purchase of special equipment, containers and the arrangement of waste accumulation sites. The Russian Ecological Operator PPC will form performance indicators for the regions for the implementation of “road maps”.

    The participants of the meeting presented measures to improve the quality of work of regional operators during the holidays, when the waste management system experiences increased load. The best waste management practices of the Russian Ecological Operator will be formalized into methodological recommendations. The heads of the subjects of the Russian Federation will need to implement them in their work.

    During the meeting, positive experience of organizing work in the field of waste management in the Leningrad Region was highlighted. It was noted that an economically stable regional operator operates in the agglomeration, there are enough containers and accumulation sites. Already now, more than 60% of waste is sorted in the region.

    Following the meeting, the Ministry of Natural Resources was instructed to submit to the Government, together with the Russian Ecological Operator and interested departments, a plan to ensure full digital control over the waste management sector.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Religious freedom is routinely curbed in Central Asia – but you won’t often see it making international news

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Eric Freedman, Professor of Journalism and Chair, Knight Center for Environmental Journalism, Michigan State University

    A majority of citizens in Central Asian countries practice Islam, but Muslims still face restrictions on religious expression. AP Photo/Theodore Kaye

    Freedom of worship is tenuous around the globe. The Pew Research Center’s latest annual report found “high” or “very high” levels of government constraints on religion in 59 of the 198 countries and territories it analyzed – a new record. When Pew began releasing reports on the issue in 2007, just 40 countries’ restrictions on religion were classified that way.

    And trampling of religious practices is a taboo subject for domestic news media in many, if not most, of such countries.

    As a journalism professor, I’ve studied international press practices and obstacles to fair, balanced, ethical and independent reporting for more than two decades. Much of my work is about press rights in “repressitarian” countries, meaning repressive in human rights practices and authoritarian in governance. I see overlaps among a range of human rights abuses – of freedom of expression, of religion, of political affiliation – and how the absence of press freedom shields those abuses from public scrutiny.

    The latest study I did with my undergraduate research assistant, Eleanor Pugh, examined how one news organization, Forum 18, covers constraints on religion in the five post-Soviet countries of remote but strategically important Central Asia. Based in Norway, the independent site is named after Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognizes a fundamental right to “freedom of thought, conscience and religion.”

    Forum 18 appears to be the only news outlet that specializes in coverage of the rights of diverse faiths across the former Soviet Union. Its journalism demonstrates the challenges media outlets have in covering and influencing treatment of religious affiliations and observances in the region.

    Taboo topic

    The five countries of Central Asia – Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan – pursue harsh policies and practices that frequently curtail freedom of faith. This is especially true for minority religions and sects, but even for practitioners of Islam, the region’s predominant faith. All are rated “Not Free” in the 2024 annual report on global political rights and civil liberties issued by Freedom House, a democracy advocacy group based in Washington.

    Government tactics include censorship and seizure of religious materials, trumped-up charges and prison terms for believers, prohibiting schoolchildren from wearing hijabs or attending worship services, and imprisoning Jehovah’s Witnesses who refuse compulsory military service. One recent law in Kyrgyzstan, which took effect Feb. 1, 2025, prohibits faith communities with fewer than 500 adult members and bans unregistered religious activities or places of worship.

    International news outlets generally devote little attention to religious freedom almost anywhere around the world, except for large-scale tragedies such as the repression of Muslim Uyghurs in western China and the genocidal suppression of Muslim Rohingya in Myanmar.

    Foreign journalists find it tough, sometimes impossible, to report on religious issues from inside authoritarian countries.

    Peter Leonard, the former Central Asia editor of the news outlet Eurasianet, told me in March 2024 that officials’ willingness to even talk with international journalists varies from country to country. At best, journalists are “greeted with a little bit of suspicion” in a capital city, while in rural areas and villages they “can expect to be booted out or harassed,” he said, adding, “Religion is a minefield area.”

    Ethnic Russian Kyrgyz citizens wait for a Sunday service at the Church of Archistrategos of God Mikhail – Archangel Michael of God Orthodox Church – in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, in 2010.
    AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko

    When limits on worship do make domestic news, they’re often presented as part of a fight against “terrorism” – a common way authoritarian regimes masquerade crackdowns on religious freedoms.

    Darkhan Umirbekov, an editor at Radio Fee Europe/Radio Liberty, told me that in Kazakhstan – where most media are owned, controlled or financially dependent on the regime and its allies – most such coverage is “in the context of extremism,” as when “security forces detain members of a religious sect or group.”

    Protecting sources

    We chose to study Forum 18 because its reporting follows traditional journalistic values such as fairness and balance, seeking comments and information from government and nongovernmental sources. One of the outlet’s key underlying motives, however, is advocacy in support of religious freedom.

    Although founded by a group of Christians, its coverage spans a wide spectrum of faiths. Recent topics included police raids on Jehovah’s Witnesses meetings in Kyrgyzstan, threats to punish a Muslim actor in Kazakhstan for quoting from the Quran in a video about Islam posted on Instagram, and the demolition of a mosque and Baptist church in Uzbekistan.

    Our analysis, which we presented at a 2024 conference of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, found that almost two-thirds of Central Asian stories in 2023 focused on broad topics such as fines, government policies and jail terms for believers. The remainder focused on one-off events such as particular arrests, raids or seizures of religious books.

    We also found that nonofficial news sources – frequently anonymous – outnumber named sources. Many of the site’s reporters’ sources have been developed over the years from the ranks of religious leaders, human rights activists, dissidents and legal scholars. Some live in the region, and others in exile.

    In light of the serious risk of retaliation, it is unsurprising that so many sources require anonymity. While their identities are known to reporters and editors, their names are not disclosed to audiences for protection from threats, attacks and intimidation. Sometimes these sources are described generically, such as “one Protestant” or “independent religious expert” or “local resident.”

    Forum 18 editor and co-founder Felix Corley told me in an interview: “What we’re concerned about is people that we talk to, that we don’t land them in trouble, so we have to be very careful to do everything we can to avoid endangering anyone by clumsy behavior on our part.”

    In addition, the site’s stories detail names and titles of officials responsible for anti-faith policies and practices – among them prosecutors, judges and agency heads, most of whom refuse to comment or even respond to media inquiries.

    Astana Grand Mosque in Kazakhstan, the largest mosque in Central Asia.
    Aytac Unal/Anadolu via Getty Images

    Small but significant

    Forum 18’s audience is primarily outside the region. It includes Central Asians living abroad, human rights activists, nongovernmental organizations, foreign governments, faith leaders and other news organizations that may cite or re-report its stories.

    For example, a 2019 U.S. State Department human rights report on Uzbekistan makes references to a Forum 18 story on the torture of a “prisoner of conscience” incarcerated for meeting with fellow Muslims and participating in religious activities without government permission.

    Religious freedom advocates hope such coverage can inform and influence world opinion. Reporting abroad can spotlight otherwise-unaccountable officials, especially when censorship, self-censorship and threats of prosecution preclude domestic media from reporting.

    Realistically, we recognize that external media coverage is unlikely to prompt meaningful protections of religious freedom in authoritarian countries.

    Even so, such journalism may be seen as a step – albeit a small, symbolic one – toward holding individuals, governments, social groups and other enablers accountable for violations of a fundamental human right.

    Eric Freedman 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. Religious freedom is routinely curbed in Central Asia – but you won’t often see it making international news – https://theconversation.com/religious-freedom-is-routinely-curbed-in-central-asia-but-you-wont-often-see-it-making-international-news-248740

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger’s new plan to tackle extremist violence is likely to fail

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Folahanmi Aina, Lecturer in Political Economy of violence, conflict and development, SOAS, University of London

    The military-led nations of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger officially withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) on January 29. They had announced their intention to leave one year ago, shortly after establishing a new defence pact called the Alliance des États du Sahel (AES).

    Ecowas, which has tried to improve economic and political integration in west Africa since 1975, says it has left its “doors open” to the three departing countries. The bloc has requested that member nations continue to give the trio their membership privileges, including free movement within the region. However, relations between the AES states and several neighbouring countries are strained.

    The Sahel region has witnessed a wave of coups since 2020. One of the main reasons for the coups was concerns over the inability of democratically elected governments to address rising insecurity. Jihadist groups such as Jama’at Nusrat-al Islam wal Muslimin and the Islamic State have been vying for control of territory in the region for the best part of a decade.

    But instability in the Sahel has worsened since the military takeovers, with Mali and Burkina Faso the most affected states. In 2023 alone, more than 8,000 people were killed in Burkina Faso due to violence in the country. And around 2.6 million people across Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are currently displaced.

    The AES states have now created a joint military force of 5,000 troops to tackle insecurity in the region. On January 22, during an interview on state television, Niger’s defence minister, Salifou Mody, said the force will be deployed over the coming weeks. “The Alliance of Sahel States is our passport to security,” he said. However, the new forces’s prospects for success are slim.

    Lacking popular support

    The Sahel region has long been affected by high levels of unemployment and inequality, as well as poor governance, weak institutions and environmental degradation. These conditions have left young people feeling aggrieved, which has made them susceptible to joining jihadist groups.

    The continued use of military force to fight against the jihadists – who have been stepping up their community outreach efforts – does little to address the root causes of insecurity in the Sahel.

    At the same time, the militaries in each of the AES states have an established track record of human rights abuses. In 2020, for example, Amnesty International reported that the Malian army had carried out 23 extrajudicial executions and forcibly disappeared 27 others in sweeping military operations in the region of Segou.

    Should human rights abuses become a recurring issue within the joint force, it could erode public trust. Jihadist groups present themselves as protectors against state forces and pro-government militias. This has only consolidated their influence over the civilian population in areas under their control.

    It is also difficult to see a path through which the AES would be able to not only fund, but maintain the joint force when it becomes operational. Effective operations in swampy areas – a terrain typical of the Sahel – require specific tools and equipment, which can be costly. Troops will also require constant training and equipment will need to be maintained.

    However, the AES states are among the poorest in the Sahel region, with poverty rates exceeding 40% in all three countries. In 2022, per capita GDP in Mali was US$846 (£675), while Niger and Burkina Faso recorded US$588 and US$846 respectively. These figures are significantly below the global average of US$13,169.

    Diplomatic disputes

    The withdrawal of these three states from Ecowas further complicates the economic picture. Ecowas states accounted for more than 51% of Malian imports in 2022, and more than 21% and 13% of imports from Burkina Faso and Niger respectively. Their departure from Ecowas will make it harder for them to benefit from regional integration, despite the bloc’s call for goods to continue circulating freely.

    Disputes between military leaders and civilian governments in the region following the coups had already hit the economies of the AES states. A border dispute between Niger and neighbouring Benin, for example, has increased the cost of importing goods to Niger. Inflation in Niger increased to 15.5% in June 2024, up from 1.7% one year before.

    And over recent months, relations between the AES states and some of their west African neighbours have come under further strain. Niger’s military leader, Brig Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, for instance, has accused Nigeria of colluding with France to destabilise his country. Nigeria’s information minister, Mohammed Idris, responded by calling Tchiani’s accusations a “diversionary tactic aimed at covering his administration’s failures”.

    The likelihood that the joint force will deliver stability to the region is, overall, low. Out of desperation, the AES military leaders will probably lean towards an even heavier reliance on Russian mercenaries to curb the threat of extremist violence.

    This might include integrating the Russian government’s Africa Corps – formerly known as the Wagner Group – into the joint force’s operations, as well as greater dialogue with China to provide much-needed resources to keep the force afloat.

    The consequence of this could be an increase in strategic competition across the troubled region, which will only diminish the prospects for peace, security and stability rather than improving it.

    Folahanmi Aina 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. Why Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger’s new plan to tackle extremist violence is likely to fail – https://theconversation.com/why-burkina-faso-mali-and-nigers-new-plan-to-tackle-extremist-violence-is-likely-to-fail-248277

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Time to act on UK’s expiring trade remedy measures

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Some UK anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures will expire in 2026. Affected UK producers can apply for an expiry review if they want the measures to be kept.

    In 2026, some anti-dumping and countervailing trade remedy measures that currently defend UK businesses from unfair trading practices will expire. The window for affected domestic producers to apply for an expiry review has now opened.

    The period for industry to request an expiry review for the measures listed below runs from January 2025 to end October 2025. We are already contacting the industries affected by the measures, but producers should be ready to consider now if they will request an expiry review to TRA.

    The measures that expire in January 2026 cover the following goods:

    • Welded steel tubes and pipes
    • Rainbow trout
    • Biodiesel
    • Glass fibre
    • Wire rods

    UK producers of these goods that believe the expiry of these measures could lead to a resurgence of dumping or subsidisation that would cause injury to their industry can apply for an expiry review. To complete the application process, producers will need to provide sufficient evidence that allowing the measures to lapse would be likely to result in continued or recurring harm to their business.

    Requests for expiry reviews for the measures listed above must be submitted between January and October 2025. Interested UK producers should consider if they need to act now to ask the TRA to investigate if there is a case for extending the measure.

    If a request is not submitted between January to October 2025 for these measures, this would result in the relevant measure expiring automatically in January 2026 and potentially leave domestic producers vulnerable to imports at unfair prices.

    The TRA ‘s Pre-Application Office offers support in explaining the review process, reviewing submitted information, and checking draft applications and requests for reviews. The TRA operates as an independent body, so it cannot source information or complete applications on behalf of industry members.

    For those looking to understand the expiry review process further, comprehensive guidance is available online. This resource is designed to help UK producers understand the necessary steps to submit a successful application and ensure that their interests are adequately protected in the face of potentially unfair trading practices.

    All UK producers who have a current trade remedy measure protecting their goods can keep up to date with the expiry date of their measure and when the expiry window opens using the Trade Remedies Service. The TRA will publish information on other measures that will expire as the expiry window approaches, specifying the deadlines when producers must submit any request for an expiry review.

    The UK’s steel safeguard measure which covers certain steel products also ends in summer 2026. Unlike anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures, it cannot be renewed or extended. Any relevant UK producers who would like to know more about the options available to protect their industry should contact the TRA’s Pre-Application Office.

    Email: Contact@traderemedies.gov.uk

    Expiry notices for measures expiring in January 2026:

    Welded tubes and pipes: Welded Tubes and Pipes from Belarus, China and Russia – Trade Remedies Service – GOV.UK

    Rainbow trout: Rainbow Trout from Turkey – Trade Remedies Service – GOV.UK

    Biodiesel AS: Biodiesel from United States and Canada – Trade Remedies Service – GOV.UK

    Biodiesel AD: Biodiesel from United States and Canada – Trade Remedies Service – GOV.UK

    Glass fibre AD: Continuous Glass fibre from China – Trade Remedies Service – GOV.UK

    Gass fibre AS: Continuous Glass fibre from China – Trade Remedies Service – GOV.UK

    Wire rod: Wire Rod from China – Trade Remedies Service – GOV.UK

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: NFU Scotland conference 2025 – UK Government keynote address

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Today (Thursday, 6 February) UK Government Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill spoke at the NFU Scotland conference in Glasgow.

    Good morning everyone, thank you for inviting me to be here with you today. I’d like to thank Martin Kennedy for that kind introduction and congratulate him for his work in leading the NFUS as he finishes his term as your President.

    I’d also like to start with a huge thanks for your dedicated work in continuing to produce, gather and distribute top quality food across the whole of the UK. But more than that, thank you to all farmers and crofters for the central role you play in our national life and heritage in Scotland.

    Despite countless challenges – not least the famous Scottish climate – farmers continue to work tirelessly, day after day, to feed the United Kingdom, and further afield.

    And be in no doubt, the UK Government will continue to do our part in supporting Scottish farmers and crofters, who form such a central part of our rural and island communities.

    Of course, the majority of environmental policy is devolved, with agriculture policy fully devolved. We will continue to respect the devolution settlement and strengthen relations with the Scottish Government as part of our ongoing resetting of relations.

    But there is much we can and are doing for farming and rural communities more broadly through our Plan for Change to turbo-charge economic growth and deliver a decade of national renewal and opportunity for all.

    Now, let’s be real. I know what you want to ask me about today. And I know that you’re angry. So I’m not going to shy away from a conversation about APR. But I do want to contextualise it. It’s the job of the NFU to make the case for your members. And it’s the job of the UK Government to listen, yes, but to also take a broad and long term view, balancing competing perspectives.

    And the facts are these. The UK Government’s Autumn Budget last year delivered the largest settlement for the Scottish Government in the history of devolution.

    The Chancellor announced on 30 October an additional £1.5 billion for the Scottish Government to spend in this financial year, and an additional £3.4 billion in the next.

    The Scottish Government will be able to allocate this record funding to devolved areas, including agriculture and rural communities. And that does mean your interests will be weighed alongside other devolved policy areas – that’s devolution in action. But I hope you will also see the benefit to your members of this record investment we’ve made available for Scotland’s public services. Because you know better than anyone that our farming communities are too often the ones with the worst access to NHS services. Public transport is sparse or non-existent. Cuts to schools and local services often hit your families harder than those in our big cities. I’m proud of this investment into the Scottish Government and I hope you will come to be too.

    And where policy is reserved, such as in relation to immigration or international trade, we will help support the industry through continuous engagement and development of policy. This is how devolution should work, and we are determined that it does.

    Our new Food Strategy will deliver clear long-term outcomes that create a healthier, fairer, and more resilient food system. We will work together with the Scottish government to complement the progress that they have already made in this area.

    Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine sent shock waves across the global supply chain, and the price of fertilisers and energy bills skyrocketed. That is one reason why we have launched our Clean Power 2030 Action Plan. By sprinting towards clean, homegrown energy, we will protect our energy security from international shocks, create thousands of good quality jobs, tackle climate change and drive down bills for good.

    We are taking some bold steps, including by setting up Great British Energy. This new, homegrown energy company – headquartered here in Scotland – will provide a catalyst for new, clean energy projects across the UK.

    Unpredictable weather has been causing floods and droughts as the climate continues to change, directly impacting crop production and, consequently, your profits. This hits particularly hard in areas that are less favourable for farming, and there are many of these in Scotland.

    This industry is resilient. I am in awe of everyone in this room who contributes to our food security, our rural and island communities and the growth of the UK economy. But let me make one thing clear – this Government does not take your resilience and adaptability for granted.

    My own constituency of Midlothian is dotted with farms and farmers, many of whom I have had the pleasure of meeting both as I campaigned, and in my first proud months as their representative in Parliament.

    I know that there is no substitute for meeting people in the places they live and work, on their terms. I have carried this principle into my first months as a Minister in the Scotland Office. On one of my very first ministerial visits last year I met with Lucy and Pete Grewar, who own Sheriffton Farm in Perthshire.

    I was there to discuss their challenges in finding staff to help pick their broccoli, and made a promise to come back with a Home Office ministerial colleague to visit Scotland to hear about these issues directly. I was thrilled that we were able to do that earlier this week when alongside NFUS representatives, Seema Malhotra, the Minister for Migration and Citizenship, and I visited a soft fruit farm in Aberdeenshire.

    Whilst on the farm, Seema and I had further discussion with the owners and NFUS about the Seasonal Workers; Visa scheme and how labour shortages impact their work, but also the need to drive economic growth and encourage domestic workers to take up these vital jobs.

    I also had similarly frank and productive conversations with crofters on the Isle of Lewis. We will continue to engage with you, and I will continue to invite my UK Government colleagues to come up to Scotland and hear directly from rural communities what they need.

    I value every single one of these visits as it gives me the opportunity to really hear from the people who are directly impacted by Government policy, and who also help us achieve our goals of food security, sustainability, Net Zero, economic growth, and countless others.

    And I just want to reassure you that I really listen in these conversations and I do, personally, read everything that I am sent in follow up. So if you have evidence you want me to read, stories you want me to hear or places you want me to visit I give you my word: you will always get a hearing from me. Just be in touch.

    Now there are four areas of UK Government policy that I want to focus on in the time I have left.

    Firstly, inheritance tax.

    This Government was forced to make many difficult decisions when it came into power due to our own challenging inheritance of the £22 billion financial black hole in public finances left by the previous Conservative administration.

    We could have just ignored it. We could have kicked the problem down the road. But when we stood for election we promised to take the hard choices head on. We needed to act.

    I know many of you in this room don’t agree with how we responded and feel let down. So I want you to hear in my own words, as someone who represents farmers right across my own constituency, why the Government made this decision.

    Under the current system, APR and BPR have granted 100% relief since 1992 on business and agricultural assets. However, this is heavily skewed towards the very wealthiest landowners and business owners.

    According to the latest data from HMRC, 40% of agricultural property relief is claimed by just 7% of UK estates making claims. That means that just 117 estates across the UK were claiming over £200 million of relief in 2021-22.

    Unfortunately, we also know that the reality today is that buying agricultural land is one of the most well-known ways to avoid inheritance tax.

    This has artificially inflated the price of farmland, locking younger farmers out of the market.

    None of this is either fair or sustainable. That is why we are reforming how agricultural and business property relief work. From April 2026, relief will be targeted in a way that still maintains significant tax relief while supporting the public finances, and protecting working people.

    I would like to thank Martin and his colleagues at NFUS for their helpful engagement with myself and the Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, on this issue. I am grateful for the dialogue we have had and will continue to have.

    We have had a disagreement, not a falling out – a difference of opinion on one question should not – must not – prevent us from talking about all the others. And talking is what we will continue to do. We will continue to engage with stakeholders in meetings like this and on farms, and we will continue to strengthen relations with the Scottish Government, respecting the fact that agriculture policy is devolved. 

    That’s why in the coming months the Scotland Office will host a food and farming roundtable where we will invite the industry and the Scottish Government to sit together and discuss these important issues. This will allow us to keep these conversations going.

    Now I would like to further address the devolved agriculture budget.

    I appreciate the vital role Scottish agriculture plays in rural communities and the economy in Scotland. The Secretary of State for Scotland wrote to the Defra Minister for Rural Affairs and Food Security outlining this prior to the Autumn Budget.

    And at the Budget, Defra announced the biggest budget for sustainable food production and nature recovery in history. This included £620m for Scotland for 2025-2026, baselined from last year. This is an above-population share, and the ringfence was removed to respect the devolution settlement – meaning it is for the Scottish Government to determine how they support farmers and rural communities with the public services they rely on.

    But we did not stop there. We wanted to address the issues rural communities face holistically – and the Autumn Budget delivered on that.

    The fuel duty freeze extension means that rural communities who depend on cars, vans and tractors will be able to save more of their income.

    The Budget also gave the go ahead for rural growth deals in Scotland, such as for Argyll and Bute, creating hundreds of jobs and countless opportunities for rural and island communities there.

    We recognise how important it is for rural areas, especially in Scotland, to have the same broadband connectivity and opportunities as the rest of the UK, so we announced in the Budget last year an additional £500 million for Project Gigabit and the Shared Rural Network.

    Next I would like to touch on seasonal workers, referred to earlier.

    While we are not currently considering a Scotland-only visa, this Government knows how important securing the right workforce is to the agri-food chain. This includes skilled jobs such as butchers and vets and temporary roles, such as seasonal horticulture harvesting and poultry processing jobs.

    Underlining the government’s commitment to the horticultural and poultry industry, the Seasonal Worker visa route has been confirmed for 2025, with a total of 43,000 Seasonal Worker visas available for horticulture and 2,000 for poultry next year.

    This will help the sector secure the labour and skills needed to bring high quality British produce, including strawberries, rhubarb, turkey and daffodils to market.

    In addition, Defra published the 2023 Seasonal Workers Survey report on 21 October 2024. 

    The survey showed that the vast majority of respondents reported a positive experience from their time in the UK and 95% expressed a desire to return. This excellent feedback reflects so well on farmers and the vibrancy of rural communities.

    When I visited a Perthshire farm weeks into office, the clearest thing I heard was that Scotland’s farmers wanted a hearing at the Home Office – I promised then that I’d try to bring a Home Office minister to Scotland to hear from farmers directly and that’s a promise kept. Just two days ago I was in a farm in Aberdeenshire with Seema Malhotra, the immigration minister, hearing about how seasonal worker rules could be made to work better for you. The door is always open and so are our minds – we want an ongoing relationship with a practical focus on getting things done.

    -And finally, just let me say something on future trade deals.

    Supporting farmers will always be a priority for this Government. We have been clear we will protect farmers from being undercut by low welfare and low standards in trade deals.

    We will continue to maintain our existing high standards for animal Health and food hygiene, ensuring that imported products comply with our domestic standards and import requirements.

    We are committed to developing a trade strategy that will support economic growth and promote the highest standards of food production.

    The UK has a network of sixteen agrifood and drink attachés around the world who break down market access barriers, create new export opportunities and protect existing trade. Our attachés work closely with Scottish Development International’s global network on delivering market access / export opportunities for Scotland.

    Promoting Scotland internationally through initiatives such as Brand Scotland – a new initiative led by my department backed by three quarters of a million pounds of funding – is a priority for this Government, and these export opportunities are an excellent way to do that.

    In addition, we will seek to negotiate a Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement with the EU to reduce trade frictions, boost trade and deliver significant benefits on both sides.

    I want to reiterate my commitment to you that this Government will do everything it can to support you, listen to you and advocate for you, to ensure we not only protect but also maximise the potential of this incredible industry.

    Let me end by saying that it has been the honour of my life to serve as MP of Midlothian since July of last year, so I am here today telling you that I will fight for you as a Minister, but I also understand the views of my constituents. Many of them have the same concerns as you.

    Many of them are either farmers themselves, or live in a rural community where farming is a crucial backbone.

    And I want to assure you I understand your importance is more than the material benefits you bring – important though that is. Alongside farming, tourism and heritage are also in my portfolio. I treasure Scotland’s vibrant national museums, and the National Museum of Rural Life is no different – it’s a beautiful, living tribute to Scottish farming and rural life.

    Every time I visit, I can feel the importance of farming to the Scottish identity. I know that all you want is to be able to do what you are good at, what you love.

    It is my duty and that of this Government to ensure you have everything you need to do that, to protect your place in this extremely important endeavour. I promise you we will not let you down. It’s just too important.

    I am going to take a few questions now. Thank you to NFUS for inviting me here today, and to all of you for coming along. I wish you the very best for the rest of your conference.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Reports of Russia’s treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war are deeply concerning: UK statement to the OSCE

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Deputy Ambassador Brown condemns the Russian state’s reported systematic torture, abuse, and execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war.

    Thank you, Madam Chair and good afternoon colleagues.  On behalf of the UK Delegation I would like to offer a warm welcome to the new Ukraine ambassador.  Please be assured of our continued support to you, Viktoria and to your exceptional team.

    Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, overwhelming evidence from international bodies, human rights organisations, and independent investigations demonstrates that Russia continues to disregard international law. The UK unequivocally condemns the Russian state’s reported systematic torture, abuse, and execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war.

    The UN Commission of Inquiry has concluded that Russia’s use of torture against POWs and civilian detainees amounts to crimes against humanity. Their reports outline how Russian forces have subjected Ukrainian POWs to brutal beatings, burns and electric shocks amplified by water. Additionally, they detail how Ukrainian POWs are forced to endure sexual violence, including rape, attacks on genitals, and threats of mutilation, castration, and sterilisation. In ODIHR’s latest report on Ukraine, all the Ukrainian former POWs interviewed reported severe and routine torture during their internment, supporting ODIHR’s analysis that the torture of both POWs and civilians by the Russian state is widespread and systematic.

    Furthermore, ODIHR documented that Ukrainian POWs are held in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions, and deprived of adequate food, water, and medical care. Such neglect, aimed at breaking the spirit of those already disarmed and vulnerable, is a direct affront to human dignity.

    Additionally, the Ukrainian Prosecutor-General’s Office reports that 147 Ukrainian POWs have been executed by Russian forces since the start of the full-scale invasion.

    And this week the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine raised serious concerns over a sharp increase in executions of captured Ukrainian soldiers by Russian forces. Since August 2024, the Mission documented 79 executions across 24 incidents, with many cases involving soldiers who had surrendered or were otherwise in Russian custody, including instances where unarmed and injured personnel were shot dead on the spot.

    Madam Chair, these are not isolated incidents. The testimonies gathered by the UN Commission of Inquiry highlight deliberate and systematic practices; and find a coordinated state policy of cruelty and impunity that underscores the Russian state’s complete disregard for international norms. The Geneva Conventions are clear: POWs must be treated humanely. Reporting from the UN and ODIHR outlines how Russia has not only failed in this obligation—it has systematically violated it.

    The UK demands an immediate end to all atrocities and calls for independent investigations to hold all perpetrators accountable; from those carrying out abuses to those ordering them. Alongside our international partners, we will ensure that those responsible—at all levels of the Russian state—face justice.

    The protection of prisoners of war is not optional; it is an absolute and binding requirement of international law.  The UK demands that the Russian state ensures the humane treatment of all those in detention and grants the ICRC unimpeded access to places of detention, in line with the Geneva Conventions.

    The UK welcomes the latest prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia facilitated by the United Arab Emirates. We continue to call on Russia to comply with International Humanitarian Law and not exploit prisoners of war and civilian detainees for political purposes. All those arbitrarily detained must be released, including our colleagues: the three Special Monitoring Mission members. We continue to call for their release.

    The UK stands in full solidarity with Ukraine and reaffirms our commitment to ensuring justice for victims and survivors. The evidence is overwhelming. The time for accountability is now. Thank you, Madam Chair.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 February 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 06.02.2025, 10-08 (Moscow time) the values of the lower boundary of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the security RU000A107BR1 (BoretsK1P02) were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    06.02.2025

    10:08

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 06.02.2025, 10-08 (Moscow time), the values of the lower limit of the price corridor (up to 62.15) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 374.87 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 62.5%) of the RU000A107BR1 (BoretsK1P02) security were changed.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is account to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect the Position of Mil-Sosi or Its Clients.

    HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 06.02.2025, 10-09 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for security RU000A105898 (IADOM 1P21) were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    06.02.2025

    10:09

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 06.02.2025, 10-09 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 78.6) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 600.14 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 21.25%) of the security RU000A105898 (IADOM 1P21) were changed.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is account to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect the Position of Mil-Sosi or Its Clients.

    HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 06.02.2025, 10-10 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the security RU000A105NP4 (IADOM 1P30) were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    06.02.2025

    10:10

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC), on 06.02.2025, 10-10 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 84.13) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 623.6 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 22.5%) of the RU000A105NP4 security (IADOM 1P30) were changed.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is account to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect the Position of Mil-Sosi or Its Clients.

    HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: The Bank of Russia has excluded information about the Microcredit Company “Entertaining Finances” from the state register (06.02.2025)

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    The Bank of Russia has excluded information about the Limited Liability Company Microcredit Company “Entertaining Finances” (hereinafter referred to as LLC MCC “Entertaining Finances”, MCC, microcredit company) from the state register of microfinance organizations (register entry number No. 2203045009908).

    The Bank of Russia adopted this solution in accordance with paragraph 1 of part 1.1 of article 7 and paragraph 8 of part 4 of article 14 of Federal Law No. 151-FZ1, based on the fact that the microcredit company violated federal laws, including in the field of consumer lending, as well as regulatory acts of the Bank of Russia, in connection with which the regulator has repeatedly applied supervisory measures to the MCC over the past 12 months.

    During 2024, LLC MCC “Entertaining Finances” submitted false reporting data to the Bank of Russia, in particular, it understated the calculated value of the maximum debt burden (MDB) for borrowers. In addition, the MCC provided consumer loans to borrowers at rates exceeding the maximum permissible amount, charged increased penalties (fines, penalties) on overdue loans, and also imposed additional services when issuing loans.

    The understatement of the DTI allowed the microcredit company to issue loans to over-indebted citizens. The share of such loans issued was one of the highest in OOO MCC “Entertaining Finances” among the participants of the microfinance market.

     

    1 Federal Law of 02.07.2010 No. 151-FZ “On microfinance activities and microfinance organizations”.

    When using the material, a link to the Press Service of the Bank of Russia is required.

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    HTTPS: //VVV.KBR.ru/Press/PR/? File = 638744311296666060MICROFINANCE. CHTM

    MIL OSI Russia News –