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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI: Symbotic Reports First Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WILMINGTON, Mass., Feb. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Symbotic Inc. (Nasdaq: SYM), a leader in A.I.-enabled robotics technology for the supply chain, announced financial results for its first fiscal quarter of 2025, ended December 28, 2024. Symbotic posted revenue of $487 million, a net loss of $19 million and adjusted EBITDA1 of $18 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025. In the first quarter of fiscal 2024, Symbotic had revenue of $360 million, a net loss of $19 million and adjusted EBITDA1 of $8 million. Cash and cash equivalents increased by $176 million from the prior quarter to $903 million at the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2025.

    “In the first quarter, we continued to deliver high growth while enhancing our technology position,” said Rick Cohen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Symbotic. “With our recent acquisition of Walmart’s Advanced Systems and Robotics business now completed, we look forward to enhancing an already strong position to drive exceptional results for our stakeholders.”

    “First quarter revenue grew over 35% year-over-year driven by solid progress across our 44 systems in the process of deployment,” said Symbotic Chief Financial Officer, Carol Hibbard. “Looking forward to the fiscal second quarter of 2025, we expect another quarter of at least 30% year-over-year revenue growth with expanding margins.”

    OUTLOOK

    For the second quarter of fiscal 2025, Symbotic expects revenue of $510 million to $530 million, and adjusted EBITDA2 of $26 million to $30 million.

    WEBCAST INFORMATION

    Symbotic will host a webcast today at 5:00 pm ET to discuss its first quarter of fiscal year 2025 results. The webcast link is: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/go/Symbotic-Q1-2025.

    _______________________________
    1 Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) is a non-GAAP financial measure as defined below under “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information.” See the tables below for reconciliations to net loss, the most comparable GAAP measure.
    2 Symbotic is not providing guidance for net loss, which is the most comparable GAAP financial measure to adjusted EBITDA, because information reconciling forward-looking adjusted EBITDA to net loss is unavailable to it without unreasonable effort. Symbotic is not able to provide reconciliations of adjusted EBITDA to GAAP financial measures because certain items required for such reconciliations are outside of Symbotic’s control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted, such as the provision for stock-based compensation.

    ABOUT SYMBOTIC

    Symbotic is an automation technology leader reimagining the supply chain with its end-to-end, A.I.-powered robotic and software platform. Symbotic reinvents the warehouse as a strategic asset for the world’s largest retail, wholesale, and food & beverage companies. Applying next-generation technology, high-density storage and machine learning to solve today’s complex distribution challenges, Symbotic enables companies to move goods with unmatched speed, agility, accuracy and efficiency. As the backbone of commerce, Symbotic transforms the flow of goods and the economics of the supply chain for its customers. For more information, visit www.symbotic.com.

    USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    Symbotic reports its financial results in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). This press release contains financial measures that are not recognized under U.S. GAAP (“non-GAAP financial measures”), including adjusted EBITDA, adjusted gross profit, adjusted gross profit margin, and free cash flow. These non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as an analytical tool as they do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by U.S. GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures Symbotic uses may not be the same non-GAAP financial measures, and may not be calculated in the same manner, as that of other companies and, therefore, are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Rather, these non-GAAP financial measures are provided as a supplement to corresponding U.S. GAAP measures to provide additional information regarding the results of operations from management’s perspective. Accordingly, non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for, in isolation from, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. All non-GAAP financial measures presented in this press release are reconciled to their closest reported U.S. GAAP financial measures. Symbotic recommends that investors review the reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures provided in the financial statement tables included below in this press release, and not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate its business.

    Symbotic defines adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, as GAAP net income or loss excluding the following items: interest income; income taxes; depreciation and amortization; stock-based compensation; business combination transaction expenses; joint venture formation fees; internal control remediation; equity method investment; and other non-recurring items that may arise from time to time. Symbotic defines adjusted gross profit, a non-GAAP financial measure, as GAAP gross profit excluding the following items: depreciation and stock-based compensation. Symbotic defines adjusted gross profit margin, a non-GAAP financial measure, as adjusted gross profit divided by revenue. Symbotic defines free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, as net cash provided by or used in operating activities less purchases of property and equipment and capitalization of internal use software development costs. In addition to Symbotic’s financial results determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, Symbotic believes that adjusted EBITDA, adjusted gross profit, adjusted gross profit margin, and free cash flow non-GAAP financial measures, are useful in evaluating the performance of Symbotic’s business because they highlight trends in its core business.

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including, but not limited to, Symbotic’s expectations or predictions of future financial or business performance or conditions. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Generally, statements that are not historical facts, including statements concerning our possible or assumed future actions, business strategies, events, backlog or results of operations, are forward-looking statements. These statements may be preceded by, followed by or include the words “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “plans,” “scheduled,” “anticipates” or “intends” or similar expressions.

    Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the ability of or expectations regarding Symbotic to:

    • meet the technical requirements of existing or future supply agreements with its customers, including with respect to existing backlog;
    • expand its target customer base and maintain its existing customer base;
    • realize the benefits expected from the acquisition of Walmart’s Advanced Systems and Robotics business, the GreenBox joint venture, the Commercial Agreement with GreenBox, Symbotic’s acquisitions of developed technology intangible assets, and the commercial agreement with Walmart de México y Centroamérica;
    • realize its outlook, including its system gross margin;
    • anticipate industry trends;
    • maintain and enhance its system;
    • maintain the listing of the Symbotic Class A Common Stock on Nasdaq;
    • execute its growth strategy;
    • develop, design and sell systems that are differentiated from those of competitors;
    • execute its research and development strategy;
    • acquire, maintain, protect and enforce intellectual property;
    • attract, train and retain effective officers, key employees or directors;
    • comply with laws and regulations applicable to its business;
    • stay abreast of modified or new laws and regulations applying to its business;
    • successfully defend litigation;
    • issue equity securities in connection with future transactions;
    • meet future liquidity requirements and, if applicable, comply with restrictive covenants related to long-term indebtedness;
    • timely and effectively remediate any material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting;
    • anticipate rapid technological changes; and
    • effectively respond to general economic and business conditions.

    Forward-looking statements also include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to:

    • the future performance of Symbotic’s business and operations;
    • expectations regarding revenues, expenses, adjusted EBITDA and anticipated cash needs;
    • expectations regarding cash flow, liquidity and sources of funding;
    • expectations regarding capital expenditures;
    • the anticipated benefits of Symbotic’s leadership structure;
    • the effects of pending and future legislation;
    • business disruption;
    • disruption to the business due to Symbotic’s dependency on certain customers;
    • increasing competition in the warehouse automation industry;
    • any delays in the design, production or launch of Symbotic’s systems and products;
    • the failure to meet customers’ requirements under existing or future contracts or customer’s expectations as to price or pricing structure;
    • any defects in new products or enhancements to existing products;
    • the fluctuation of operating results from period to period due to a number of factors, including the pace of customer adoption of Symbotic’s new products and services and any changes in its product mix that shift too far into lower gross margin products; and
    • any consequences associated with joint ventures and legislative and regulatory actions and reforms.

    Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events, results or performance to differ materially from those indicated by such statements. Certain of these risks are identified and discussed in Symbotic’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2024, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on December 4, 2024. These risk factors will be important to consider in determining future results and should be reviewed in their entirety. These forward-looking statements are expressed in good faith, and Symbotic believes there is a reasonable basis for them. However, there can be no assurance that the events, results or trends identified in these forward-looking statements will occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purposes of assisting the reader in understanding our financial performance, financial position and cash flows as of and for periods ended on certain dates and to present information about management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future, and the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements because of their inherent uncertainty and to appreciate the limited purposes for which they are being used by management. While we believe that the assumptions and expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information currently available to management, there is no assurance that such assumptions and expectations will prove to have been correct. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations and opinions of management on that date. Symbotic is not under any obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation to update, alter or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers should carefully review the statements set forth in the reports that Symbotic has filed or will file from time to time with the SEC.

    In addition to factors previously disclosed in Symbotic’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2024 filed with the SEC on December 4, 2024 and those identified elsewhere in this press release, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: failure to realize the benefits expected from the acquisition of Walmart’s Advanced Systems and Robotics business and risks related to the acquisition.

    Any financial projections in this press release or discussed in the webcast are forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond Symbotic’s control. While all projections are necessarily speculative, Symbotic believes that the preparation of prospective financial information involves increasingly higher levels of uncertainty the further out the projection extends from the date of preparation. The assumptions and estimates underlying the projected results are inherently uncertain and are subject to a wide variety of significant business, economic and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the projections. The inclusion of projections in this communication should not be regarded as an indication that Symbotic, or its representatives, considered or considers the projections to be a reliable prediction of future events.

    Annualized, projected and estimated numbers are not forecasts and may not reflect actual results.

    This communication is not intended to be all-inclusive or to contain all the information that a person may desire in considering an investment in Symbotic and is not intended to form the basis of an investment decision in Symbotic. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release and other reports we file with, or furnish to, the SEC and other regulatory agencies and made by our directors, officers, other employees and other persons authorized to speak on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.

    INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT

    Charlie Anderson
    Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development
    ir@symbotic.com

    MEDIA INQUIRIES
    mediainquiry@symbotic.com

     
    Symbotic Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Statements of Operations
       
      Three Months Ended
    (in thousands, except share and per share information) December 28, 2024   September 28, 2024   December 30, 2023
    Revenue:          
    Systems $ 464,059     $ 536,447     $ 347,705  
    Software maintenance and support   5,525       5,893       2,169  
    Operation services   17,109       22,226       10,069  
    Total revenue   486,693       564,566       359,943  
    Cost of revenue:          
    Systems   381,819       442,009       283,946  
    Software maintenance and support   1,884       2,748       1,726  
    Operation services   22,951       23,392       10,214  
    Total cost of revenue   406,654       468,149       295,886  
    Gross profit   80,039       96,417       64,057  
    Operating expenses:          
    Research and development expenses   43,592       40,130       42,144  
    Selling, general, and administrative expenses   61,076       45,399       47,012  
    Total operating expenses   104,668       85,529       89,156  
    Operating income (loss)   (24,629 )     10,888       (25,099 )
    Other income, net   7,823       9,416       6,199  
    Income (loss) before income tax   (16,806 )     20,304       (18,900 )
    Income tax expense   (150 )     (4,110 )     (172 )
    Loss from equity method investment   (1,564 )     (240 )     —  
    Net income (loss)   (18,520 )     15,954       (19,072 )
    Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests   (15,044 )     13,118       (16,236 )
    Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders $ (3,476 )   $ 2,836     $ (2,836 )
               
    Income (loss) per share of Class A Common Stock:          
    Basic and Diluted(1) $ (0.03 )   $ 0.03     $ (0.03 )
    Weighted-average shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding:          
    Basic   106,098,566       104,146,479       83,320,943  
    Diluted(2) n/a     108,646,977     n/a
                   
    (1) For the three months ended September 28, 2024, basic and diluted EPS were calculated as the same value and as such presented on the same line.
     
    (2) Periods in which the Company was in a net loss position, diluted weighted-average shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding is the same as basic and as such indicated with “n/a”.
     
     
    Symbotic Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
     
    The following table reconciles GAAP net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA:
       
      Three Months Ended
    (in thousands) December 28, 2024   September 28, 2024   December 30, 2023
    Net income (loss) $ (18,520 )   $ 15,954     $ (19,072 )
    Interest income   (7,769 )     (9,353 )     (6,149 )
    Income tax expense   150       4,110       172  
    Depreciation and amortization   6,860       5,780       2,565  
    Stock-based compensation   28,741       26,100       29,462  
    Business Combination transaction expenses   3,802       324       —  
    Joint venture formation fees   —       —       1,089  
    Internal controls remediation   3,076       —       —  
    Restructuring charges   —       (775 )     —  
    Equity method investment   1,564       240       —  
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 17,904     $ 42,380     $ 8,067  
    The following table reconciles GAAP gross profit to Adjusted gross profit:
       
      Three Months Ended
    (in thousands) December 28, 2024   September 28, 2024   December 30, 2023
    Gross profit $ 80,039     $ 96,417     $ 64,057  
    Depreciation   2,469       2,208       93  
    Stock-based compensation   3,709       3,260       3,431  
    Restructuring charges   —       (775 )     —  
    Adjusted gross profit $ 86,217     $ 101,110     $ 67,581  
                           
    Gross profit margin   16.4 %     17.1 %     17.8 %
    Adjusted gross profit margin   17.7 %     17.9 %     18.8 %
    The following table reconciles GAAP net cash provided by (used in) operating activities to free cash flow:
       
      Three Months Ended
    (in thousands) December 28, 2024   September 28, 2024   December 30, 2023
               
    Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 205,027     $ (99,383 )   $ (30,150 )
    Purchases of property and equipment   (7,357 )     (20,730 )     (2,173 )
    Capitalization of internal use software development costs   —       (637 )     (820 )
    Free cash flow $ 197,670     $ (120,750 )   $ (33,143 )
                           
     
    Symbotic Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Supplemental Common Share Information
     
    Total Common Shares issued and outstanding:
               
      December 28, 2024     September 28, 2024  
    Class A Common Shares issued and outstanding 106,521,915     104,689,377  
    Class V-1 Common Shares issued and outstanding 76,588,618     76,965,386  
    Class V-3 Common Shares issued and outstanding 404,309,196     404,309,196  
      587,419,729     585,963,959  
               
     
    Symbotic Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
           
    (in thousands, except share data) December 28, 2024   September 28, 2024
    ASSETS
    Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 903,034     $ 727,310  
    Accounts receivable   134,391       201,548  
    Unbilled accounts receivable   223,349       218,233  
    Inventories   108,691       106,136  
    Deferred expenses   3,221       1,058  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   85,740       101,252  
    Total current assets   1,458,426       1,355,537  
    Property and equipment, net   105,079       97,109  
    Intangible assets, net   14,949       3,664  
    Equity method investment   85,946       81,289  
    Other assets   51,222       40,953  
    Total assets $ 1,715,622     $ 1,578,552  
    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
    Current liabilities:      
    Accounts payable $ 206,324     $ 175,188  
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   203,353       165,644  
    Deferred revenue   787,174       676,314  
    Total current liabilities   1,196,851       1,017,146  
    Deferred revenue   76,712       129,233  
    Other liabilities   48,134       42,043  
    Total liabilities   1,321,697       1,188,422  
    Commitments and contingencies   —       —  
    Equity:      
    Class A Common Stock, 3,000,000,000 shares authorized, 106,521,915 and 104,689,377 shares issued and outstanding at December 28, 2024 and September 28, 2024, respectively   13       13  
    Class V-1 Common Stock, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 76,588,618 and 76,965,386 shares issued and outstanding at December 28, 2024 and September 28, 2024, respectively   7       7  
    Class V-3 Common Stock, 450,000,000 shares authorized, 404,309,196 shares issued and outstanding at December 28, 2024 and September 28, 2024   40       40  
    Additional paid-in capital   1,526,573       1,523,692  
    Accumulated deficit   (1,327,401 )     (1,323,925 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (2,696 )     (2,594 )
    Total stockholders’ equity   196,536       197,233  
    Noncontrolling interest   197,389       192,897  
    Total equity   393,925       390,130  
    Total liabilities and equity $ 1,715,622     $ 1,578,552  
                   
     
    Symbotic Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
       
      Three Months Ended
    (in thousands) December 28, 2024   September 28, 2024   December 30, 2023
    Cash flows from operating activities:          
    Net income (loss) $ (18,520 )   $ 15,954     $ (19,072 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:          
    Depreciation and amortization   7,645       6,432       3,197  
    Foreign currency (gains) losses, net   (32 )     —       22  
    Loss on disposal of assets   201       337       —  
    Provision for excess and obsolete inventory   688       (775 )     70  
    Stock-based compensation   26,773       25,350       29,462  
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
    Accounts receivable   67,376       (101,010 )     (83,789 )
    Inventories   (10,425 )     30,202       (1,567 )
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   10,317       (114,889 )     (32,653 )
    Deferred expenses   (2,164 )     5,690       (7,152 )
    Other assets   (1,079 )     (3,848 )     (5,906 )
    Accounts payable   31,145       47,399       (7,261 )
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   45,540       (6,209 )     15,716  
    Deferred revenue   58,336       6,309       69,966  
    Other liabilities   (10,774 )     (10,325 )     8,817  
    Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   205,027       (99,383 )     (30,150 )
    Cash flows from investing activities:          
    Purchases of property and equipment   (7,357 )     (20,730 )     (2,173 )
    Capitalization of internal use software development costs   —       (637 )     (820 )
    Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities   —       —       150,000  
    Purchases of marketable securities   —       —       (48,317 )
    Acquisitions of strategic investments   (17,992 )     (23,996 )     —  
    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   (25,349 )     (45,363 )     98,690  
    Cash flows from financing activities:          
    Payment for taxes related to net share settlement of stock-based compensation awards   (3,012 )     —       (56 )
    Net proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan   —       2,308       —  
    Distributions to or on behalf of Symbotic Holdings LLC partners   (850 )     (561 )     —  
    Proceeds from exercise of warrants   —       —       158,702  
    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   (3,862 )     1,747       158,646  
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash   (84 )     21       (2 )
    Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash   175,732       (142,978 )     227,184  
    Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash – beginning of period   730,354       873,332       260,918  
    Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash – end of period $ 906,086     $ 730,354     $ 488,102  
               
               
      Three Months Ended
    (in thousands) December 28, 2024   September 28, 2024   December 30, 2023
    Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash:          
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 903,034     $ 727,310     $ 485,952  
    Restricted cash   3,052       3,044       2,150  
    Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $ 906,086     $ 730,354     $ 488,102  
                           

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: FormFactor, Inc. Reports 2024 Fourth Quarter Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FY24 revenue of $764 million, up 15.2% from $663 million in FY23, driven by growth in HBM revenue;
    Announces acquisition of minority interest in FICT Limited, a key supplier of industry-leading, high-performance advanced probe card components

    LIVERMORE, Calif., Feb. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FormFactor, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORM) today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 ended December 28, 2024. Quarterly revenues were $189.5 million, a decrease of 8.9% compared to $207.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, and an increase of 12.7% from $168.2 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. For fiscal 2024, FormFactor recorded revenues of $764 million, up 15.2% from $663 million in fiscal 2023.

    • High Bandwidth Memory grew fourfold in fiscal 2024 compared to the prior year, driven by adoption of Generative AI, overcoming persistent lackluster demand in important high-unit-volume markets like PCs and mobile handsets.
    • DRAM probe-card revenue during the fourth quarter set third consecutive quarterly record.
    • Continued focus on expanding and diversifying FormFactor’s market position in enabling advanced packaging, through new customer qualifications in client PCs and server applications and new high-performance-compute applications.
    • FICT acquisition with MBK Partners solidifies FormFactor’s access to FICT’s technologies and products, which are an important component of advanced probe cards.

    “As expected, FormFactor reported sequentially lower fourth-quarter revenue, gross margin, and non-GAAP earnings per share, driven by the forecasted reduction in Foundry & Logic probe-card revenue,” said Mike Slessor, CEO of FormFactor, Inc. “This was partially offset by growth in DRAM probe-card revenue, with HBM increasing to approximately half of DRAM revenue.”

    FormFactor also announced today that together with MBK Partners (“MBKP”), the largest private equity firm in North Asia, it is acquiring FICT Limited (“FICT”) from Advantage Partners Inc. FICT, headquartered in Nagano, Japan, has been providing the semiconductor test and high-performance computing industries with complex multi-layer organic substrates, printed circuit boards, and related leading-edge technologies and services since its inception as a Fujitsu business unit in 1967. This acquisition is designed to strengthen and grow FICT’s business, and the FormFactor+MBKP consortium is committed to advancing FICT’s mission to serve its entire customer base.

    With this transaction, FormFactor invests approximately US$60M into the consortium. FormFactor will hold a minority, non-controlling stake of 20% and will be granted a seat on the company’s board of directors. All required regulatory and third-party approvals and conditions have been satisfied and the transaction is expected to close within the current quarter. The transaction is not expected to have a material impact on FormFactor’s results of operations.

    “The semiconductor industry’s rapidly accelerating adoption of advanced packaging requires increased investment and stronger collaboration across the test and assembly supply chain,” said Mike Slessor, FormFactor’s CEO. “FormFactor’s investment in FICT builds on our long-term collaboration with them as a supplier of the industry-leading, high-performance components we use in our advanced probe cards, and provides a platform for accelerated development of tomorrow’s test and packaging consumables.”

    “We’ve built a partnership with MBKP, North Asia’s leading private equity firm, with a shared vision to enhance FICT’s long-term value by fully serving all of FICT’s existing and potential customers,” Slessor concluded.

    Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2024 Highlights

    On a GAAP basis, net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 was $9.7 million, or $0.12 per fully-diluted share, compared to net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 of $18.7 million, or $0.24 per fully-diluted share, and net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 of $75.8 million, or $0.97 per fully-diluted share. Net income for fiscal 2024 was $69.6 million, or $0.89 per fully-diluted share, compared to net income for fiscal 2023 of $82.4 million, or $1.05, per fully-diluted share. Gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2024 was 38.8%, compared with 40.7% in the third quarter of 2024, and 40.4% in the fourth quarter of 2023. Gross margin for fiscal 2024 was 40.3%, compared to 39.0% for fiscal 2023. The GAAP financial results for the fourth quarter of 2023 and fiscal 2023 include a $73.0 million gain from the sale of FRT that has been excluded from FormFactor’s fourth quarter and fiscal 2023 non-GAAP results. The GAAP financial results for fiscal 2024 include a $20.3 million gain from the sale of our China operations that has been excluded from FormFactor’s fiscal 2024 non-GAAP results.

    On a non-GAAP basis, net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 was $21.3 million, or $0.27 per fully-diluted share, compared to net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 of $27.2 million, or $0.35 per fully-diluted share, and net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 of $15.7 million, or $0.20 per fully-diluted share. Non-GAAP net income for fiscal 2024 was $90.2 million, or $1.15 per fully-diluted share, compared to net income of $56.8 million, or $0.73 per fully-diluted share for fiscal 2023. On a non-GAAP basis, gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2024 was 40.2%, compared with 42.2% in the third quarter of 2024, and 42.1% in the fourth quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP gross margin for fiscal 2024 was 41.7%, compared to 40.7% for fiscal 2023.

    A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures is provided in the schedules included below.

    GAAP net cash provided by operating activities for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 was $35.9 million, compared to $26.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2024, and $9.3 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. Free cash flow for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 was $28.8 million, compared to free cash flow for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 of $20.0 million, and free cash flow for the fourth quarter of 2023 of negative $0.3 million. GAAP net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2024 was $117.5 million, compared to $64.6 million for fiscal 2023. Free cash flow for fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023 was $82.8 million and $11.4 million, respectively. A reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to non-GAAP free cash flow is provided in the schedules included below.

    Outlook

    Dr. Slessor added, “We continue to see slow demand in important high-unit-volume markets, like client PCs and mobile handsets, through the first quarter, with anticipated sequential reductions in demand for both non-HBM DRAM probe cards and Systems. That notwithstanding, as we move through 2025, we expect an overall increase in demand for FormFactor’s products.”

    For the first quarter ending March 29, 2025, FormFactor is providing the following outlook*:

        GAAP   Reconciling Items**   Non-GAAP
    Revenue   $170 million +/- $5 million   —   $170 million +/- $5 million
    Gross Margin   36.5% +/- 1.5%   $3 million   38% +/- 1.5%
    Net income per diluted share   $0.07 +/- $0.04   $0.12   $0.19 +/- $0.04

    *This outlook assumes consistent foreign currency rates.
    **Reconciling items are stock-based compensation, amortization of intangible assets and fixed asset fair value adjustments due to acquisitions, and restructuring charges, net of applicable income tax impacts.

    We posted our revenue breakdown by geographic region, by market segment and with customers with greater than 10% of total revenue on the Investor Relations section of our website at www.formfactor.com. We will conduct a conference call at 1:25 p.m. PT, or 4:25 p.m. ET, today.

    The public is invited to listen to a live webcast of FormFactor’s conference call on the Investor Relations section of our website at www.formfactor.com. A telephone replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call. The replay will be available on the Investor Relations section of our website, www.formfactor.com.

    Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information:

    To supplement our condensed consolidated financial results prepared under generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, we disclose certain non-GAAP measures of non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income per basic and diluted share, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP operating income and free cash flow, that are adjusted from the nearest GAAP financial measure to exclude certain costs, expenses, gains and losses. Reconciliations of the adjustments to GAAP results for the three and twelve months ended months ended December 28, 2024, and for outlook provided before, as well as for the comparable periods of fiscal 2023, are provided below, and on the Investor Relations section of our website at www.formfactor.com. Information regarding the ways in which management uses non-GAAP financial information to evaluate its business, management’s reasons for using this non-GAAP financial information, and limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial information, is included under “About our Non-GAAP Financial Measures” following the tables below.

    About FormFactor:

    FormFactor, Inc. (NASDAQ: FORM), is a leading provider of essential test and measurement technologies along the full semiconductor product life cycle – from characterization, modeling, reliability, and design de-bug, to qualification and production test. Semiconductor companies rely upon FormFactor’s products and services to accelerate profitability by optimizing device performance and advancing yield knowledge. The Company serves customers through its network of facilities in Asia, Europe, and North America. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.formfactor.com.

    Forward-looking Statements:

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the federal securities laws, including with respect to the Company’s future financial and operating results, and the Company’s plans, strategies and objectives for future operations. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs as of the date of this release, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future financial and operating results, including under the heading “Outlook” above, customer demand, conditions in the semiconductor industry, the timing of completion of the FICT acquisition, the expected benefit thereof and other statements regarding the Company’s business. Forward-looking statements may contain words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “forecast,” and “continue,” the negative or plural of these words and similar expressions, and include the assumptions that underlie such statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements: changes in demand for the Company’s products; customer-specific demand; market opportunity; anticipated industry trends; delays in the consummation of the FICT acquisition; the potential impact on the business of FormFactor and FICT due to uncertainties in connection with the acquisition; the retention of employees of FICT following acquisition; the ability of FormFactor to achieve expected benefits from the FICT acquisition; the availability, benefits, and speed of customer acceptance or implementation of new products and technologies; manufacturing, processing, and design capacity, goals, expansion, volumes, and progress; difficulties or delays in research and development; industry seasonality; risks to the Company’s realization of benefits from acquisitions, investments in capacity and investments in new electronic data systems and information technology; reliance on customers or third parties (including suppliers); changes in macro-economic environments; events affecting global and regional economic and market conditions and stability such as military conflicts, political volatility, infectious diseases and pandemics, and similar factors, operating separately or in combination; and other factors, including those set forth in the Company’s most current annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other filings by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, there are varying barriers to international trade, including restrictive trade and export regulations such as the US-China restrictions, dynamic tariffs, trade disputes between the U.S. and other countries, and national security developments or tensions, that may substantially restrict or condition our sales to or in certain countries, increase the cost of doing business internationally, and disrupt our supply chain. No assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements within this press release will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what impact they will have on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company. Unless required by law, the Company is under no obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) to update or revise its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

     
    FORMFACTOR, INC. 
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)
    (Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
      December 28,
    2024    		   September 28,
    2024    		   December 30,
    2023    		   December 28,
    2024    		   December 30,
    2023
    Revenues $ 189,483     $ 207,917     $ 168,163     $ 763,599     $ 663,102  
    Cost of revenues   115,903       123,212       100,229       455,676       404,522  
    Gross profit   73,580       84,705       67,934       307,923       258,580  
    Operating expenses:                  
    Research and development   30,504       31,243       28,166       121,938       115,765  
    Selling, general and administrative   35,226       35,607       31,451       141,786       133,012  
    Total operating expenses   65,730       66,850       59,617       263,724       248,777  
    Gain on sale of business   —       —       72,953       20,581       72,953  
    Operating income   7,850       17,855       81,270       64,780       82,756  
    Interest income, net   3,472       3,650       2,376       13,693       6,796  
    Other income (expense), net   617       (558 )     (1,546 )     939       (285 )
    Income before income taxes   11,939       20,947       82,100       79,412       89,267  
    Provision for income taxes   2,234       2,211       6,254       9,798       6,880  
    Net income $ 9,705     $ 18,736     $ 75,846     $ 69,614     $ 82,387  
    Net income per share:                  
    Basic $ 0.13     $ 0.24     $ 0.98     $ 0.90     $ 1.06  
    Diluted $ 0.12     $ 0.24     $ 0.97     $ 0.89     $ 1.05  
    Weighted-average number of shares used in per share calculations:                
    Basic   77,267       77,406       77,684       77,340       77,370  
    Diluted   77,982       78,439       78,410       78,437       78,159  
     
    FORMFACTOR, INC. 
    NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE RECONCILIATIONS
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)
    (Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
      December 28,
    2024    		   September 28,
    2024    		   December 30,
    2023    		   December 28,
    2024    		   December 30,
    2023
    GAAP Gross Profit $ 73,580     $ 84,705     $ 67,934     $ 307,923     $ 258,580  
    Adjustments:                  
    Amortization of intangibles, inventory and fixed asset fair value adjustments due to acquisitions   555       530       756       2,216       4,336  
    Stock-based compensation   1,944       1,934       2,053       7,738       6,854  
    Restructuring charges   32       524       —       639       357  
    Non-GAAP Gross Profit $ 76,111     $ 87,693     $ 70,743     $ 318,516     $ 270,127  
                       
    GAAP Gross Margin   38.8 %     40.7 %     40.4 %     40.3 %     39.0 %
    Adjustments:                  
    Amortization of intangibles, inventory and fixed asset fair value adjustments due to acquisitions   0.4 %     0.3 %     0.5 %     0.3 %     0.6 %
    Stock-based compensation   1.0 %     0.9 %     1.2 %     1.0 %     1.0 %
    Restructuring charges   — %     0.3 %     — %     0.1 %     0.1 %
    Non-GAAP Gross Margin   40.2 %     42.2 %     42.1 %     41.7 %     40.7 %
                       
    GAAP operating expenses $ 65,730     $ 66,850     $ 59,617     $ 263,724     $ 248,777  
    Adjustments:                  
    Amortization of intangibles and other   (191 )     (191 )     (518 )     (764 )     (4,081 )
    Stock-based compensation   (8,269 )     (7,002 )     (7,230 )     (32,025 )     (31,762 )
    Restructuring charges   (371 )     (298 )     —       (767 )     (1,183 )
    Costs related to sale and acquisition of businesses   (1,689 )     (13 )     (268 )     (2,391 )     (2,407 )
    Non-GAAP operating expenses $ 55,210     $ 59,346     $ 51,601     $ 227,777     $ 209,344  
                       
    GAAP operating income $ 7,850     $ 17,855     $ 81,270     $ 64,780     $ 82,756  
    Adjustments:                  
    Amortization of intangibles, inventory and fixed asset fair value adjustments due to acquisitions, and other   746       721       1,274       2,980       8,417  
    Stock-based compensation   10,213       8,936       9,283       39,763       38,616  
    Restructuring charges   403       822       —       1,406       1,540  
    Gain on sale of business, net of cost related to sale and acquisition of businesses   1,689       13       (72,685 )     (18,190 )     (70,546 )
    Non-GAAP operating income $ 20,901     $ 28,347     $ 19,142     $ 90,739     $ 60,783  
     
    FORMFACTOR, INC. 
    NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE RECONCILIATIONS
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)
    (Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
      December 28,
    2024    		   September 28,
    2024    		   December 30,
    2023    		   December 28,
    2024    		   December 30,
    2023
    GAAP net income $ 9,705     $ 18,736     $ 75,846     $ 69,614     $ 82,387  
    Adjustments:                  
    Amortization of intangibles, inventory and fixed asset fair value adjustments due to acquisitions, and other   746       721       1,274       2,980       8,417  
    Stock-based compensation   10,213       8,936       9,283       39,763       38,616  
    Restructuring charges   415       822       —       1,418       1,540  
    Gain on sale of business, net of cost related to sale and acquisition of businesses   1,689       13       (72,685 )     (18,190 )     (70,546 )
    Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments   (1,445 )     (2,002 )     2,026       (5,368 )     (3,624 )
    Non-GAAP net income $ 21,323     $ 27,226     $ 15,744     $ 90,217     $ 56,790  
                       
    GAAP net income per share:                  
    Basic $ 0.13     $ 0.24     $ 0.98     $ 0.90     $ 1.06  
    Diluted $ 0.12     $ 0.24     $ 0.97     $ 0.89     $ 1.05  
                       
    Non-GAAP net income per share:                  
    Basic $ 0.28     $ 0.35     $ 0.20     $ 1.17     $ 0.73  
    Diluted $ 0.27     $ 0.35     $ 0.20     $ 1.15     $ 0.73  
     
    FORMFACTOR, INC. 
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    (In thousands)
    (Unaudited)
     
      Twelve Months Ended
      December 28,
    2024    		   December 30,
    2023
    Cash flows from operating activities:      
    Net income $ 69,614     $ 82,387  
    Selected adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:      
    Depreciation   30,321       30,603  
    Amortization   2,582       6,850  
    Stock-based compensation expense   39,763       38,616  
    Provision for excess and obsolete inventories   12,342       15,003  
    Gain on sale of business   (20,581 )     (72,953 )
    Non-cash restructuring charges   428       —  
    Other activity impacting operating cash flows   (16,507 )     (35,904 )
    Net cash provided by operating activities   117,534       64,602  
    Cash flows from investing activities:      
    Acquisition of property, plant and equipment   (38,436 )     (56,027 )
    Proceeds from sale of business   21,585       101,785  
    Purchases of marketable securities, net   (15,129 )     (16,709 )
    Purchase of promissory note receivable   (1,500 )     —  
    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   (33,480 )     29,049  
    Cash flows from financing activities:      
    Purchase of common stock through stock repurchase program   (53,302 )     (19,801 )
    Proceeds from issuances of common stock   9,748       8,822  
    Principal repayments on term loans   (1,075 )     (1,045 )
    Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of equity awards   (19,983 )     (10,687 )
    Net cash used in financing activities   (64,612 )     (22,711 )
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   (3,509 )     (2,649 )
    Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   15,933       68,291  
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period   181,273       112,982  
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period $ 197,206     $ 181,273  
     
    FORMFACTOR, INC. 
    RECONCILIATION OF CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO NON-GAAP FREE CASH FLOW
    (In thousands)
    (Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
      December 28,
    2024    		   September 28,
    2024    		   December 30,
    2023    		   December 28,
    2024    		   December 30,
    2023
    Net cash provided by operating activities $ 35,913     $ 26,731     $ 9,250     $ 117,534     $ 64,602  
    Adjustments:                  
    Sale of business and acquisition related payments in working capital   506       2,134       268       3,317       2,407  
    Cash paid for interest   93       97       105       391       422  
    Capital expenditures   (7,663 )     (8,939 )     (9,933 )     (38,436 )     (56,027 )
    Free cash flow $ 28,849     $ 20,023     $ (310 )   $ 82,806     $ 11,404  

     

     
    FORMFACTOR, INC.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (In thousands)
    (Unaudited)
     
        December 28,
    2024    		   September 28,
    2024    		   December 30,
    2023
    ASSETS            
    Current assets:            
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 190,728     $ 184,506     $ 177,812  
    Marketable securities     169,295       169,961       150,507  
    Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses     104,294       116,866       102,957  
    Inventories, net     101,676       105,374       111,685  
    Restricted cash     3,746       3,773       1,152  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     35,389       34,302       29,667  
    Total current assets     605,128       614,782       573,780  
    Restricted cash     2,732       2,210       2,309  
    Operating lease, right-of-use-assets     22,579       25,034       30,519  
    Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation     210,230       204,108       204,399  
    Goodwill     199,171       200,137       201,090  
    Intangibles, net     10,355       11,017       12,938  
    Deferred tax assets     92,012       92,826       78,964  
    Other assets     4,008       3,669       2,795  
    Total assets   $ 1,146,215     $ 1,153,783     $ 1,106,794  
                 
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY            
    Current liabilities:            
    Accounts payable   $ 62,287     $ 52,086     $ 63,857  
    Accrued liabilities     43,742       46,508       41,037  
    Current portion of term loan, net of unamortized issuance costs     1,106       1,098       1,075  
    Deferred revenue     15,847       20,972       16,704  
    Operating lease liabilities     8,363       8,512       8,422  
    Total current liabilities     131,345       129,176       131,095  
    Term loan, less current portion, net of unamortized issuance costs     12,208       12,488       13,314  
    Long-term operating lease liabilities     17,550       19,731       25,334  
    Deferred grant     18,000       18,000       18,000  
    Other liabilities     19,344       19,378       10,247  
    Total liabilities     198,447       198,773       197,990  
                 
    Stockholders’ equity:            
    Common stock     77       77       77  
    Additional paid-in capital     837,586       845,466       861,448  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (10,840 )     (1,773 )     (4,052 )
    Accumulated income     120,945       111,240       51,331  
    Total stockholders’ equity     947,768       955,010       908,804  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 1,146,215     $ 1,153,783     $ 1,106,794  

    About our Non-GAAP Financial Measures:

    We believe that the presentation of non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income per basic and diluted share, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP operating income and free cash flow provides supplemental information that is important to understanding financial and business trends and other factors relating to our financial condition and results of operations. Non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income per basic and diluted share, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, and non-GAAP operating income are among the primary indicators used by management as a basis for planning and forecasting future periods, and by management and our board of directors to determine whether our operating performance has met certain targets and thresholds. Management uses non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income per basic and diluted share, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, and non-GAAP operating income when evaluating operating performance because it believes that the exclusion of the items indicated herein, for which the amounts or timing may vary significantly depending upon our activities and other factors, facilitates comparability of our operating performance from period to period. We use free cash flow to conduct and evaluate our business as an additional way of viewing our liquidity that, when viewed with our GAAP results, provides a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our cash flows. Many investors also prefer to track free cash flow, as opposed to only GAAP earnings. Free cash flow has limitations due to the fact that it does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures, and therefore it is important to view free cash flow as a complement to our entire consolidated statements of cash flows. We have chosen to provide this non-GAAP information to investors so they can analyze our operating results closer to the way that management does, and use this information in their assessment of our business and the valuation of our Company. We compute non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income per basic and diluted share, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, and non-GAAP operating income, by adjusting GAAP net income, GAAP net income per basic and diluted share, GAAP gross profit, GAAP gross margin, GAAP operating expenses, and GAAP operating income to remove the impact of certain items and the tax effect, if applicable, of those adjustments. These non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, GAAP, and may be materially different from other non-GAAP measures, including similarly titled non-GAAP measures used by other companies. The presentation of this additional information should not be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to, net income, net income per basic and diluted share, gross profit, gross margin, operating expenses, or operating income in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations in that they do not reflect certain items that may have a material impact upon our reported financial results. We may expect to continue to incur expenses of a nature similar to the non-GAAP adjustments described above, and exclusion of these items from our non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income per basic and diluted share, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, and non-GAAP operating income should not be construed as an inference that these costs are unusual, infrequent or non-recurring. For more information on the non-GAAP adjustments, please see the table captioned “Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliations” and “Reconciliation of Cash Provided by Operating Activities to non-GAAP Free Cash Flow” included in this press release.

    Source: FormFactor, Inc.
    FORM-F

    Investor Contact:
    Stan Finkelstein
    Investor Relations
    (925) 290-4273
    ir@formfactor.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: LPL Financial to present at the Bank of America Securities Financial Services Conference

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, Feb. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LPL Financial LLC today announced that Rich Steinmeier, Chief Executive Officer, will present at the Bank of America Securities Financial Services Conference on February 12.

    The presentation takes place at 11:20 a.m. ET. A live audio webcast of the presentation will be accessible at investor.lpl.com, with a replay available on the website after the presentation.

    Contacts

    Investor Relations
    investor.relations@lplfinancial.com

    Media Relations
    media.relations@lplfinancial.com

    About LPL Financial

    LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: LPLA) is among the fastest growing wealth management firms in the U.S. As a leader in the financial advisor-mediated marketplace, LPL supports nearly 29,000 financial advisors and the wealth management practices of approximately 1,200 financial institutions, servicing and custodying approximately $1.7 trillion in brokerage and advisory assets on behalf of approximately 6 million Americans. The firm provides a wide range of advisor affiliation models, investment solutions, fintech tools and practice management services, ensuring that advisors and institutions have the flexibility to choose the business model, services, and technology resources they need to run thriving businesses. For further information about LPL, please visit www.lpl.com.

    Securities and Advisory services offered through LPL Financial LLC (“LPL Financial”) or its affiliate LPL Enterprise, LLC (“LPL Enterprise”), both registered investment advisors and broker-dealers. Member FINRA/SIPC. LPL Financial serves as the clearing and carrying firm for accounts LPL Enterprise introduces to it.

    LPL Financial and LPL Enterprise provide financial services only from the United States.

    Throughout this communication, the terms “financial advisors” and “advisors” are used to refer to registered representatives and/or investment advisor representatives affiliated with LPL Financial.

    We routinely disclose information that may be important to shareholders in the “Investor Relations” or “Press Releases” section of our website.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Tactile Medical to Release Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results on February 18, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tactile Systems Technology, Inc. (“Tactile Medical”; the “Company”) (Nasdaq: TCMD), a medical technology company providing therapies for people with chronic disorders, today announced that fourth quarter and fiscal year 2024 financial results will be released after the market closes on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

    Management will host a conference call with a question and answer session at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 18, 2025, to discuss the results of the quarter and fiscal year. Those who would like to participate may dial 877-407-3088 (201-389-0927 for international callers) and provide access code 13751026. A live webcast of the call will also be provided on the investor relations section of the Company’s website at investors.tactilemedical.com.

    For those unable to participate, a replay of the call will be available for two weeks at 877-660-6853 (201-612-7415 for international callers); access code 13751026. The webcast will be archived at investors.tactilemedical.com.

    About Tactile Systems Technology, Inc. (DBA Tactile Medical)

    Tactile Medical is a leader in developing and marketing at-home therapies for people suffering from underserved, chronic conditions including lymphedema, lipedema, chronic venous insufficiency and chronic pulmonary disease by helping them live better and care for themselves at home. Tactile Medical collaborates with clinicians to expand clinical evidence, raise awareness, increase access to care, reduce overall healthcare costs and improve the quality of life for tens of thousands of patients each year.

    Investor Inquiries:
    Sam Bentzinger
    Gilmartin Group
    investorrelations@tactilemedical.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: LiveRamp Announces Results for Third Quarter FY25

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Revenue up 12% Year-Over-Year

    Fourth Consecutive Quarter of Double-Digit Revenue Growth

    Fiscal YTD Operating Cash Flow up 17% Year-Over-Year

    SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LiveRamp® (NYSE: RAMP), the leading data collaboration platform, today announced its financial results for the fiscal 2025 third quarter ended December 31, 2024.

    Q3 Financial Highlights1

    • Total revenue was $195 million, up 12%.
    • Subscription revenue was $146 million, up 10%.
    • Marketplace & Other revenue was $50 million, up 20%.
    • GAAP gross profit was $140 million, up 9%. GAAP gross margin compressed by two percentage points to 72%. Non-GAAP gross profit was $146 million, up 11%. Non-GAAP gross margin compressed by one percentage point to 74%.
    • GAAP operating income was $15 million, in-line with the prior year. GAAP operating margin compressed by one percentage point to 8%. Non-GAAP operating income was $45 million, up 24%. Non-GAAP operating margin expanded by two percentage points to 23%.
    • GAAP and Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share were $0.17 and $0.55, respectively.
    • Net cash provided by operating activities was $45 million, up from $17 million.
    • Third quarter share repurchases totaled approximately 368,000 shares for $10 million. Fiscal year to date through December 31, 2024 share repurchases totaled approximately 2.8 million shares for $76 million.

    A reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP results is provided in the schedules in this press release.

    Commenting on the results, CEO Scott Howe said, “We posted a strong quarter, with revenue and operating income exceeding our expectations, and revenue growing at a double-digit rate for the fourth consecutive quarter. Our sales momentum improved appreciably in the third quarter as our Data Collaboration Platform and clean room solution are resonating with customers. This confirms the substantial market demand for our platform that helps customers efficiently use their first-party data to deliver, measure and optimize their digital advertising.”

    GAAP and Non-GAAP Results
    The following table summarizes the Company’s financial results for the fiscal 2025 third quarter ended December 31, 2024 ($ in millions, except per share amounts):

    _________________________

    1 Unless otherwise indicated, all comparisons are to the prior year period.

           
      GAAP   Non-GAAP
      Q3 FY25 Q3 FY24   Q3 FY25 Q3 FY24
    Subscription revenue $146 $132   — —
    YoY change % 10% 5%   — —
    Marketplace & Other revenue $50 $42   — —
    YoY change % 20% 29%   — —
    Total revenue $195 $174   — —
    YoY change % 12% 10%   — —
               
    Gross profit $140 $129   $146 $131
    % Gross margin 72% 74%   74% 75%
    YoY change, pts (2 pts) 1 pt   (1 pt) (1 pt)
               
    Operating income $15 $15   $45 $36
    % Operating margin 8% 9%   23% 21%
    YoY change, pts (1 pt) 24 pts   2 pts 5 pts
               
    Net earnings $11 $14   $37 $32
    Diluted earnings per share $0.17 $0.21   $0.55 $0.47
               
    Shares to calculate diluted EPS 66.7 67.9   66.7 67.9
    YoY change % (2%) 5%   (2%) 4%
               
    Operating cash flow $45 $17   — —
    Free cash flow — —   $45 $14
               
    Totals and year-over-year changes may not reconcile due to rounding.
     

    A detailed discussion of our non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP results is provided in the schedules in this press release.

    Additional Business Highlights & Metrics

    • On February 25, 2025 we will host an investor day presentation in San Francisco (additional information). The event coincides with RampUp 2025, our annual customer and partner conference on February 25-27, 2025 (additional information).
    • In November 2024 we announced an expansion of the Quick Start Insights available on our Data Collaboration Platform to now offer media intelligence across a network of premium publishers. These standardized insights enable our customers to more quickly access and deploy media performance metrics — such as audience overlaps, optimal frequency, and last-touch attribution — from premium publisher and CTV data. As a result, LiveRamp customers now have a simplified way to enhance media buying and planning strategies and increase the time-to-value from clean room partnerships.
    • In January 2025 we announced in partnership with Mohegan, a leader in casino and entertainment destinations, the industry’s first casino media network. For the first time, brands can access Mohegan’s rich first-party insights to reach guests and players in addition to the ability to measure campaigns across the casino’s digital channels and on-premise experiences – such as in-app, loyalty programs, slot machines, and kiosks (additional information).
    • LiveRamp ended the quarter with 125 customers whose annualized subscription revenue exceeds $1 million, compared to 105 in the prior year period.
    • LiveRamp ended the quarter with 865 direct subscription customers, compared to 895 in the prior year period.
    • Subscription net retention was 108% and platform net retention was 111% for the quarter.
    • Annual recurring revenue (ARR), which is the last month of the quarter fixed subscription revenue annualized, was $491 million, up 10% compared to the prior year period.
    • Current remaining performance obligations (CRPO), which is contracted and committed revenue expected to be recognized over the next 12 months, was $434 million, up 13% compared to the prior year period.

    Financial Outlook

    LiveRamp’s non-GAAP operating income guidance excludes the impact of non-cash stock compensation, purchased intangible asset amortization, and restructuring and related charges.

    For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, LiveRamp expects to report:

    • Revenue of between $184 million and $186 million, an increase of between 7% and 8%
    • GAAP operating loss of $8 million
    • Non-GAAP operating income of $22 million

    For fiscal 2025, LiveRamp increases its guidance and expects to report:

    • Revenue of between $741 million and $743 million, an increase of between 12% and 13%
    • GAAP operating income of $10 million
    • Non-GAAP operating income of $135 million

    Conference Call

    LiveRamp will hold a conference call today at 1:30 p.m. PT (4:30 p.m. ET) to further discuss this information. Interested parties are invited to listen to a webcast of the conference, which can be accessed on LiveRamp’s investor site. A slide presentation will be referenced during the call and is available here.

    About LiveRamp

    LiveRamp is a global technology company that helps companies build enduring brand and business value by collaborating responsibly with data. A groundbreaking leader in foundational identity, LiveRamp offers a connected customer view with clarity and context while protecting brand and consumer trust. We offer flexibility to collaborate wherever data lives to support a wide range of data collaboration use cases—within organizations, between brands, and across our global network of premier partners. Global innovators, from iconic consumer brands and tech platforms to retailers, financial services, and healthcare leaders, turn to LiveRamp to deepen customer engagement and loyalty, activate new partnerships, and maximize the value of their first-party data while staying on the forefront of rapidly evolving compliance and privacy requirements. LiveRamp is based in San Francisco, California with offices worldwide. Learn more at LiveRamp.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended (the “PSLRA”). These statements, which are not statements of historical fact, may contain estimates, assumptions, projections and/or expectations regarding the Company’s financial position, results of operations for fiscal 2025 and beyond, market position, product development, growth opportunities, economic conditions, and other similar forecasts and statements of expectation. Forward-looking statements are often identified by words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “foresee,” or the negative of these terms or other similar variations thereof.

    These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual results and experiences to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements.

    Among the factors that may cause actual results and expectations to differ from anticipated results and expectations expressed in forward-looking statements are uncertainties related to high interest rates, cost increases, the possibility of a recession, general inflationary pressure, geo-political circumstances that could result in increased economic uncertainties and the associated impacts of these potential events on our suppliers, customers and partners; the Company’s dependence upon customer renewals, new customer additions and upsell within our subscription business; our reliance upon partners, including data suppliers; competition; rapidly changing technology’s impact on our products and services; the risk that we fail to realize the potential benefits of or have difficulty integrating acquired businesses (including Habu); and attracting, motivating and retaining talent. Additional risks include maintaining our culture and our ability to innovate and evolve while operating in a hybrid work environment, with some employees working remotely at least some of the time within a rapidly changing industry, while also avoiding disruption from reductions in our current workforce as well as disruptions resulting from acquisition, divestiture and other activities affecting our workforce. Our global workforce strategy could possibly encounter difficulty and not be as beneficial as planned. Our international operations are also subject to risks, including the performance of third parties as well as impacts from war and civil unrest, that may harm the Company’s business. The risk of a significant breach of the confidentiality of the information or the security of our or our customers’, suppliers’, or other partners’ data and/or computer systems, or the risk that our current insurance coverage may not be adequate for such a breach, that an insurer might deny coverage for a claim or that such insurance will continue to be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, could be detrimental to our business, reputation and results of operations. Other business risks include unfavorable publicity and negative public perception about our industry; interruptions or delays in service from data center or cloud hosting vendors we rely upon; and our dependence on the continued availability of third-party data hosting and transmission services. Our clients’ ability to use data on our platform could be restricted if the industry’s use of third-party cookies and tracking technology declines due to technology platform changes, regulation or increased user controls. Continued changes in the judicial, legislative, regulatory, accounting, cultural and consumer environments affecting our business, including but not limited to litigation, investigations, legislation, regulations and customs at the state, federal and international levels relating to information collection and use represents a risk, as well as changes in tax laws and regulations that are applied to our customers which could cause enterprise software budget tightening. In addition, third parties may claim that we are infringing their intellectual property or may infringe our intellectual property which could result in competitive injury and / or the incurrence of significant costs and draining of our resources.

    For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could affect LiveRamp’s business, reputation, results of operation, financial condition and stock price, please refer to LiveRamp’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of LiveRamp’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and subsequent filings.

    The financial information set forth in this press release reflects estimates based on information available at this time.

    LiveRamp assumes no obligation and does not currently intend to update these forward-looking statements.

    To automatically receive LiveRamp financial news by email, please visit www.LiveRamp.com and subscribe to email alerts.

    For more information, contact:

    LiveRamp Investor Relations
    Investor.Relations@LiveRamp.com

    LiveRamp® and RampID™ and all other LiveRamp marks contained herein are trademarks or service marks of LiveRamp, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

    LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                 
      For the three months ended December 31,
              $ %
      2024   2023   Variance Variance
                 
    Revenues 195,412   173,869   21,543   12.4 %
    Cost of revenue 54,998   44,934   10,064   22.4 %
    Gross profit 140,414   128,935   11,479   8.9 %
    % Gross margin 71.9%   74.2%      
                 
    Operating expenses            
    Research and development 42,735   37,788   4,947   13.1 %
    Sales and marketing 50,863   46,203   4,660   10.1 %
    General and administrative 31,994   27,241   4,753   17.4 %
    Gains, losses and other items, net 149   2,502   (2,353 ) (94.0 )%
    Total operating expenses 125,741   113,734   12,007   10.6 %
                 
    Income from operations 14,673   15,201   (528 ) (3.5 )%
    % Margin 7.5%   8.7%      
                 
    Total other income, net 4,033   6,607   (2,574 ) (39.0 )%
                 
    Income from continuing operations before income taxes 18,706   21,808   (3,102 ) (14.2 )%
    Income tax expense 9,184   8,429   755   9.0 %
    Net earnings from continuing operations 9,522   13,379   (3,857 ) (28.8 )%
                 
    Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax 1,688   598   1,090   182.3 %
                 
    Net earnings 11,210   13,977   (2,767 ) (19.8 )%
                 
    Basic earnings per share:            
    Continuing operations 0.15   0.20   (0.06 ) (28.5 )%
    Discontinued operations 0.03   0.01   0.02   183.6 %
    Basic earnings per share 0.17   0.21   (0.04 ) (19.4 )%
                 
    Diluted earnings per share:            
    Continuing operations 0.14   0.20   (0.05 ) (27.5 )%
    Discontinued operations 0.03   0.01   0.02   187.4 %
    Diluted earnings per share 0.17   0.21   (0.04 ) (18.4 )%
                 
    Basic weighted average shares 65,631   65,961      
    Diluted weighted average shares 66,743   67,943      
                 
                 
    Some totals may not sum due to rounding.            
                 
    LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                 
      For the nine months ended December 31,
              $ %
      2024    2023    Variance Variance
                 
    Revenues 556,856   487,809   69,047   14.2 %
    Cost of revenue 157,981   131,767   26,214   19.9 %
    Gross profit 398,875   356,042   42,833   12.0 %
    % Gross margin 71.6 %   73.0 %      
                 
    Operating expenses            
    Research and development 130,742   106,040   24,702   23.3 %
    Sales and marketing 156,145   135,217   20,928   15.5 %
    General and administrative 94,324   79,914   14,410   18.0 %
    Gains, losses and other items, net 752   9,192   (8,440 ) (91.8 )%
    Total operating expenses 381,963   330,363   51,600   15.6 %
                 
    Income from operations 16,912   25,679   (8,767 ) (34.1 )%
    % Margin 3.0 %   5.3 %      
                 
    Total other income, net 12,674   17,887   (5,213 ) (29.1 )%
                 
    Income from continuing operations before income taxes 29,586   43,566   (13,980 ) (32.1 )%
    Income tax expense 25,821   27,297   (1,476 ) (5.4 )%
    Net earnings from continuing operations 3,765   16,269   (12,504 ) (76.9 )%
                 
    Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax 1,688   985   703   71.4 %
                 
    Net earnings 5,453   17,254   (11,801 ) (68.4 )%
                 
    Basic earnings per share:            
    Continuing operations 0.06   0.25   (0.19 ) (76.8 )%
    Discontinued operations 0.03   0.01   0.01   71.5 %
    Basic earnings per share 0.08   0.26   (0.18 ) (68.4 )%
                 
    Diluted earnings per share:            
    Continuing operations 0.06   0.24   (0.18 ) (76.8 )%
    Discontinued operations 0.03   0.01   0.01   71.9 %
    Diluted earnings per share 0.08   0.25   (0.17 ) (68.3 )%
                 
    Basic weighted average shares 66,182   66,247      
    Diluted weighted average shares 67,505   67,733      
                 
                 
    Some totals may not sum due to rounding.            
                 
    LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP EPS (1)
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                   
      For the three months ended
    December 31,    		   For the nine months ended
    December 31,
      2024   2023   2024   2023
                   
    Income from continuing operations before income taxes 18,706   21,808   29,586   43,566
    Income tax expense 9,184   8,429   25,821   27,297
    Net earnings from continuing operations 9,522   13,379   3,765   16,269
    Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax 1,688   598   1,688   985
    Net earnings 11,210   13,977   5,453   17,254
                   
    Basic earnings per share 0.17   0.21   0.08   0.26
    Diluted earnings per share 0.17   0.21   0.08   0.25
                   
    Excluded items:              
    Purchased intangible asset amortization (cost of revenue) 3,686   1,181   11,280   5,688
    Non-cash stock compensation (cost of revenue and operating expenses) 26,760   17,497   83,813   46,524
    Restructuring and merger charges (gains, losses, and other) 149   2,502   752   9,192
    Transformation costs (general and administrative) —   —   —   1,875
    Total excluded items from continuing operations 30,595   21,180   95,845   63,279
                   
    Income from continuing operations before income taxes and excluding items 49,301   42,988   125,431   106,845
    Income tax expense (2) 12,421   10,732   30,537   25,935
    Non-GAAP net earnings from continuing operations 36,880   32,256   94,894   80,910
                   
    Non-GAAP earnings per share from continuing operations              
    Basic 0.56   0.49   1.43   1.22
    Diluted 0.55   0.47   1.41   1.19
                   
    Basic weighted average shares 65,631   65,961   66,182   66,247
    Diluted weighted average shares 66,743   67,943   67,505   67,733
                   
                   
    (1) This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures, and should be read only in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to comparable GAAP measures, the reasons why management uses these measures and the material limitations on the usefulness of these measures, please see Appendix A.
                   
    (2) Non-GAAP income taxes were calculated by applying the estimated annual effective tax rate to year-to-date pretax income or loss and adjusting for discrete tax items in the period. The differences between our GAAP and non-GAAP effective tax rates were primarily due to the net tax effects of the excluded items, coupled with the valuation allowance and smaller pre-tax income for GAAP purposes.
                   
    LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP INCOME FROM OPERATIONS (1)
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
                   
      For the three months ended
    December 31,    		   For the nine months ended
    December 31,
      2024   2023   2024   2023
                   
    Income from operations 14,673   15,201   16,912   25,679
                   
    Excluded items:              
    Purchased intangible asset amortization (cost of revenue) 3,686   1,181   11,280   5,688
    Non-cash stock compensation (cost of revenue and operating expenses) 26,760   17,497   83,813   46,524
    Restructuring and merger charges (gains, losses, and other) 149   2,502   752   9,192
    Transformation costs (general and administrative) –   –   –   1,875
    Total excluded items 30,595   21,180   95,845   63,279
                   
    Income from operations before excluded items 45,268   36,381   112,757   88,958
                   
                   
    (1) This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures, and should be read only in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to comparable GAAP measures, the reasons why management uses these measures and the material limitations on the usefulness of these measures, please see Appendix A.
                   
    LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA (1)
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
                   
      For the three months ended
    December 31,    		   For the nine months ended
    December 31,
      2024   2023   2024   2023
                   
    Net earnings from continuing operations 9,522   13,379   3,765   16,269
    Income tax expense 9,184   8,429   25,821   27,297
    Total other income, net (4,033)   (6,607)   (12,674)   (17,887)
                   
    Income from operations 14,673   15,201   16,912   25,679
    Depreciation and amortization 4,400   1,782   13,404   7,685
                   
    EBITDA 19,073   16,983   30,316   33,364
                   
    Other adjustments:              
    Non-cash stock compensation (cost of revenue and operating expenses) 26,760   17,497   83,813   46,524
    Restructuring and merger charges (gains, losses, and other) 149   2,502   752   9,192
    Transformation costs (general and administrative) –   –   –   1,875
                   
    Other adjustments 26,909   19,999   84,565   57,591
                   
    Adjusted EBITDA 45,982   36,982   114,881   90,955
                   
                   
    (1) This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures, and should be read only in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to comparable GAAP measures, the reasons why management uses these measures, the usefulness of these measures and the material limitations on the usefulness of these measures, please see Appendix A.
                   
    LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (Dollars in thousands)
                 
      December 31   March 31   $ %
      2024   2024   Variance Variance
    Assets            
    Current assets:            
    Cash and cash equivalents 376,772   336,867   39,905 11.8 %
    Restricted cash 593   2,604   (2,011) (77.2 )%
    Short-term investments 7,500   32,045   (24,545) (76.6 )%
    Trade accounts receivable, net 210,565   190,313   20,252 10.6 %
    Refundable income taxes, net 6,630   8,521   (1,891) (22.2 )%
    Other current assets 41,747   31,682   10,065 31.8 %
    Total current assets 643,807   602,032   41,775 6.9 %
                 
    Property and equipment 24,099   25,394   (1,295) (5.1 )%
    Less – accumulated depreciation and amortization 17,440   17,213   227 1.3 %
    Property and equipment, net 6,659   8,181   (1,522) (18.6 )%
                 
    Intangible assets, net 23,302   34,583   (11,281) (32.6 )%
    Goodwill 501,559   501,756   (197) (0.0 )%
    Deferred commissions, net 44,497   48,143   (3,646) (7.6 )%
    Other assets, net 33,389   36,748   (3,359) (9.1 )%
      1,253,213   1,231,443   21,770 1.8 %
                 
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity            
    Current liabilities:            
    Trade accounts payable 105,334   81,202   24,132 29.7 %
    Accrued payroll and related expenses 35,639   61,575   (25,936) (42.1 )%
    Other accrued expenses 45,856   42,857   2,999 7.0 %
    Deferred revenue 44,795   30,942   13,853 44.8 %
    Total current liabilities 231,624   216,576   15,048 6.9 %
                 
    Other liabilities 63,882   65,732   (1,850) (2.8 )%
                 
    Stockholders’ equity:            
    Preferred stock –   –   – n/a  
    Common stock 15,853   15,594   259 1.7 %
    Additional paid-in capital 2,022,227   1,933,776   88,451 4.6 %
    Retained earnings 1,319,625   1,314,172   5,453 0.4 %
    Accumulated other comprehensive income 3,493   3,964   (471) (11.9 )%
    Treasury stock, at cost (2,403,491)   (2,318,371)   (85,120) 3.7 %
    Total stockholders’ equity 957,707   949,135   8,572 0.9 %
      1,253,213   1,231,443   21,770 1.8 %
                 
    LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
      For the three months ended December 31,
      2024   2023
    Cash flows from operating activities:      
    Net earnings 11,210   13,977
    Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax (1,688)   (598)
    Non-cash operating activities:      
    Depreciation and amortization 4,400   1,782
    Loss on disposal or impairment of assets 99   911
    Provision for doubtful accounts (97)   544
    Deferred income taxes 11   (47)
    Non-cash stock compensation expense 26,760   17,497
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
    Accounts receivable, net (19,013)   (24,778)
    Deferred commissions (1,042)   (4,235)
    Other assets (6,596)   (4,831)
    Accounts payable and other liabilities 23,829   21,639
    Income taxes (1,617)   (14,139)
    Deferred revenue 8,861   8,834
    Net cash provided by operating activities 45,117   16,556
    Cash flows from investing activities:      
    Capital expenditures (282)   (2,211)
    Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received (1,951)   —
    Proceeds from sales of investments 1,994   —
    Purchases of strategic investments (1,000)   —
    Net cash used in investing activities (1,239)   (2,211)
    Cash flows from financing activities:      
    Proceeds related to the issuance of common stock under stock and employee benefit plans 2,304   1,646
    Shares repurchased for tax withholdings upon vesting of stock-based awards (1,565)   (547)
    Acquisition of treasury stock (10,098)   (10,000)
    Net cash used in financing activities (9,359)   (8,901)
    Cash flows from discontinued operations:      
    From operating activities 2,486   598
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (1,217)   735
           
    Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 35,788   6,777
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 341,577   492,169
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period 377,365   498,946
           
    Supplemental cash flow information:      
    Cash paid for income taxes, net from continuing operations 10,990   22,699
    Cash received for income taxes, net from discontinued operations (2,486)   (912)
    Cash paid for operating lease liabilities 2,495   2,551
           
    Non-cash investing and financing activities:      
    Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities 1,284   —
    Purchases of property, plant and equipment remaining unpaid at period end 85   1,218
    Excise tax payable on net stock repurchases 64   —
           
    LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
      For the nine months ended
    December 31,
      2024   2023
    Cash flows from operating activities:      
    Net earnings 5,453   17,254
    Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax (1,688)   (985)
    Non-cash operating activities:      
    Depreciation and amortization 13,404   7,685
    Loss on disposal or impairment of assets 119   1,213
    Lease-related impairment and restructuring charges (36)   2,315
    Provision for doubtful accounts 1,148   307
    Impairment of goodwill —   2,875
    Deferred income taxes 49   40
    Non-cash stock compensation expense 83,813   46,524
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
    Accounts receivable, net (21,640)   (41,036)
    Deferred commissions 3,645   (7,142)
    Other assets (2,598)   912
    Accounts payable and other liabilities (8,165)   8,754
    Income taxes 3,953   29,560
    Deferred revenue 13,928   9,737
    Net cash provided by operating activities 91,385   78,013
    Cash flows from investing activities:      
    Capital expenditures (749)   (2,464)
    Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received (1,951)   —
    Purchases of investments (1,967)   (24,385)
    Proceeds from sales of investments 26,989   25,750
    Purchases of strategic investments (1,400)   (1,000)
    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 20,922   (2,099)
    Cash flows from financing activities:      
    Proceeds related to the issuance of common stock under stock and employee benefit plans 8,631   7,221
    Shares repurchased for tax withholdings upon vesting of stock-based awards (9,305)   (5,116)
    Acquisition of treasury stock (75,751)   (45,325)
    Net cash used in financing activities (76,425)   (43,220)
    Cash flows from discontinued operations:      
    From operating activities 2,486   985
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (474)   819
           
    Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 37,894   34,498
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 339,471   464,448
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period 377,365   498,946
           
    Supplemental cash flow information:      
    Cash paid (received) for income taxes, net from continuing operations 21,990   (2,440)
    Cash received for income taxes, net from discontinued operations (2,486)   (1,507)
    Cash received for tenant improvement allowances (1,758)   —
    Cash paid for operating lease liabilities 7,372   7,699
           
    Non-cash investing and financing activities:      
    Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities 2,327   11,677
    Operating lease assets, and related lease liabilities, relinquished in lease terminations (555)   (4,486)
    Purchases of property, plant and equipment remaining unpaid at period end 85   1,218
    Excise tax payable on net stock repurchases 64   —
           
    LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CALCULATION OF FREE CASH FLOW (1)
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
                           
                           
        6/30/2023 9/30/2023 12/31/2023 3/31/2024 FY2024   6/30/2024 9/30/2024 12/31/2024 FY2025
                           
    Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 25,693   $ 35,764   $ 16,556   $ 27,643   $ 105,656     $ (9,328 ) $ 55,596   $ 45,117   $ 91,385  
                           
    Less:                    
      Capital expenditures   (53 )   (200 )   (2,211 )   (1,791 )   (4,255 )     (226 )   (241 )   (282 )   (749 )
                           
    Free Cash Flow $ 25,640   $ 35,564   $ 14,345   $ 25,852   $ 101,401     $ (9,554 ) $ 55,355   $ 44,835   $ 90,636  
                           
                           
    (1) This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures, and should be read only in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to comparable GAAP measures, the reasons why management uses these measures and the material limitations on the usefulness of these measures, please see Appendix A.
                           
    LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                            Qtr-to-Qtr
      FY2024   FY2025   FY2025 to FY2024
      6/30/2023 9/30/2023 12/31/2023 3/31/2024 FY2024   6/30/2024 9/30/2024 12/31/2024 FY2025   % $
                               
    Revenues   154,069     159,871     173,869     171,852     659,661       175,961     185,483     195,412     556,856     12.4%   21,543  
    Cost of revenue   45,621     41,212     44,934     47,722     179,489       51,749     51,234     54,998     157,981     22.4%   10,064  
    Gross profit   108,448     118,659     128,935     124,130     480,172       124,212     134,249     140,414     398,875     8.9%   11,479  
    % Gross margin   70.4 %     74.2 %     74.2 %     72.2 %     72.8 %       70.6 %     72.4 %     71.9 %     71.6 %        
                               
    Operating expenses                          
    Research and development   34,519     33,733     37,788     45,161     151,201       44,118     43,889     42,735     130,742     13.1%   4,947  
    Sales and marketing   44,879     44,135     46,203     60,476     195,693       54,175     51,107     50,863     156,145     10.1%   4,660  
    General and administrative   26,664     26,009     27,241     30,252     110,166       30,961     31,369     31,994     94,324     17.4%   4,753  
    Gains, losses and other items, net   116     6,574     2,502     2,516     11,708       206     397     149     752     (94.0)%   (2,353)  
    Total operating expenses   106,178     110,451     113,734     138,405     468,768       129,460     126,762     125,741     381,963     10.6%   12,007  
                               
    Income (loss) from operations   2,270     8,208     15,201     (14,275)     11,404       (5,248)     7,487     14,673     16,912     (3.5)%   (528)  
    % Margin   5.0 %     24.3 %     40.2 %     (31.6)%     1.7 %       (3.0)%     4.0 %     7.5 %     3.0 %        
                               
    Total other income, net   4,849     6,431     6,607     5,070     22,957       4,444     4,197     4,033     12,674     (39.0)%   (2,574)  
                               
    Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes   7,119     14,639     21,808     (9,205)     34,361       (804)     11,684     18,706     29,586     (14.2)%   (3,102)  
    Income tax expense (benefit)   8,705     10,163     8,429     (3,027)     24,270       6,685     9,952     9,184     25,821     9.0%   755  
    Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations   (1,586)     4,476     13,379     (6,178)     10,091       (7,489)     1,732     9,522     3,765     (28.8)%   (3,857)  
                               
    Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax   –     387     598     805     1,790       –     –     1,688     1,688     182.3%   1,090  
                               
    Net earnings (loss) $ (1,586)   $ 4,863   $ 13,977   $ (5,373)   $ 11,881     $ (7,489)   $ 1,732   $ 11,210   $ 5,453     (19.8)%   (2,767)  
                               
    Basic earnings (loss) per share:                          
    Continuing Operations   (0.02)     0.07     0.20     (0.09)     0.15       (0.11)     0.03     0.15     0.06     (28.5)%   (0.06)  
    Discontinued Operations   0.00     0.01     0.01     0.01     0.03       0.00     0.00     0.03     0.03     183.7%   0.02  
    Basic earnings (loss) per share   (0.02)     0.07     0.21     (0.08)     0.18       (0.11)     0.03     0.17     0.08     (19.4)%   (0.04)  
                               
    Diluted earnings (loss) per share:                          
    Continuing Operations   (0.02)     0.07     0.20     (0.09)     0.15       (0.11)     0.03     0.14     0.06     (27.5)%   (0.05)  
    Discontinued Operations   0.00     0.01     0.01     0.01     0.03       0.00     0.00     0.03     0.03     187.3%   0.02  
    Diluted earnings (loss) per share   (0.02)     0.07     0.21     (0.08)     0.17       (0.11)     0.03     0.17     0.08     (18.4)%   (0.04)  
                               
                               
    Basic weighted average shares   66,497     66,284     65,961     66,323     66,266       66,621     66,294     65,631     66,182        
    Diluted weighted average shares   66,497     67,868     67,943     66,323     67,918       66,621     67,309     66,743     67,505        
                               
    Some earnings (loss) per share amounts may not add due to rounding.                
                               
    LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP EXPENSES (1)
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
      FY2024   FY2025
      6/30/2023 9/30/2023 12/31/2023 3/31/2024 FY2024   6/30/2024 9/30/2024 12/31/2024 FY2025
    Expenses:                    
    Cost of revenue 45,621   41,212   44,934   47,722   179,489     51,749   51,234   54,998   157,981  
    Research and development 34,519   33,733   37,788   45,161   151,201     44,118   43,889   42,735   130,742  
    Sales and marketing 44,879   44,135   46,203   60,476   195,693     54,175   51,107   50,863   156,145  
    General and administrative 26,664   26,009   27,241   30,252   110,166     30,961   31,369   31,994   94,324  
    Gains, losses and other items, net 116   6,574   2,502   2,516   11,708     206   397   149   752  
                         
    Gross profit, continuing operations: 108,448   118,659   128,935   124,130   480,172     124,212   134,249   140,414   398,875  
    % Gross margin 70.4%   74.2%   74.2%   72.2%   72.8%     70.6%   72.4%   71.9%   71.6%  
                         
    Excluded items:                    
    Purchased intangible asset amortization (cost of revenue) 3,290   1,217   1,181   3,097   8,785     3,846   3,748   3,686   11,280  
    Non-cash stock compensation (cost of revenue) 629   629   817   1,478   3,553     1,596   1,499   1,455   4,550  
    Non-cash stock compensation (research and development) 5,077   5,293   6,960   9,859   27,189     10,205   10,920   10,085   31,210  
    Non-cash stock compensation (sales and marketing) 3,736   4,786   4,089   6,337   18,948     7,093   7,383   7,278   21,754  
    Non-cash stock compensation (general and administrative) 3,850   5,027   5,631   7,106   21,614     9,091   9,266   7,942   26,299  
    Restructuring charges (gains, losses, and other) 116   6,574   2,502   2,516   11,708     206   397   149   752  
    Transformation costs (general and administrative) 1,875   —   —   —   1,875     —     —   —  
    Total excluded items 18,573   23,526   21,180   30,393   93,672     32,037   33,213   30,595   95,845  
                         
    Expenses, excluding items:                    
    Cost of revenue 41,702   39,366   42,936   43,147   167,151     46,307   45,987   49,857   142,151  
    Research and development 29,442   28,440   30,828   35,302   124,012     33,913   32,969   32,650   99,532  
    Sales and marketing 41,143   39,349   42,114   54,139   176,745     47,082   43,724   43,585   134,391  
    General and administrative 20,939   20,982   21,610   23,146   86,677     21,870   22,103   24,052   68,025  
                         
    Gross profit, excluding items: 112,367   120,505   130,933   128,705   492,510     129,654   139,496   145,555   414,705  
    % Gross margin 72.9%   75.4%   75.3%   74.9%   74.7%     73.7%   75.2%   74.5%   74.5%  
                         
    (1) This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures, and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to comparable GAAP measures, the reasons why management uses these measures, the usefulness of these measures and the material limitations on the usefulness of these measures, please see Appendix A.
                         
    LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP EPS (1)
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
      FY2024   FY2025
      6/30/2023 9/30/2023 12/31/2023 3/31/2024 FY2024   6/30/2024 9/30/2024 12/31/2024 FY2025
                         
    Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes 7,119 14,639 21,808 (9,205) 34,361   (804) 11,684 18,706 29,586
    Income tax expense (benefit) 8,705 10,163 8,429 (3,027) 24,270   6,685 9,952 9,184 25,821
    Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations (1,586) 4,476 13,379 (6,178) 10,091   (7,489) 1,732 9,522 3,765
                         
    Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax – 387 598 805 1,790   – – 1,688 1,688
                         
    Net earnings (loss) (1,586) 4,863 13,977 (5,373) 11,881   (7,489) 1,732 11,210 5,453
                         
    Earnings (loss) per share:                    
    Basic (0.02) 0.07 0.21 (0.08) 0.18   (0.11) 0.03 0.17 0.08
    Diluted (0.02) 0.07 0.21 (0.08) 0.17   (0.11) 0.03 0.17 0.08
                         
    Excluded items:                    
    Purchased intangible asset amortization (cost of revenue) 3,290 1,217 1,181 3,097 8,785   3,846 3,748 3,686 11,280
    Non-cash stock compensation (cost of revenue and operating expenses) 13,292 15,735 17,497 24,780 71,304   27,985 29,068 26,760 83,813
    Restructuring and merger charges (gains, losses, and other) 116 6,574 2,502 2,516 11,708   206 397 149 752
    Transformation costs (general and administrative) 1,875 – – – 1,875   – – – –
    Total excluded items from continuing operations 18,573 23,526 21,180 30,393 93,672   32,037 33,213 30,595 95,845
                         
    Income from continuing operations before income taxes and excluding items 25,692 38,165 42,988 21,188 128,033   31,233 44,897 49,301 125,431
    Income tax expense (2) 6,167 9,036 10,732 3,947 29,882   7,371 10,745 12,421 30,537
    Non-GAAP net earnings from continuing operations 19,525 29,129 32,256 17,241 98,151   23,862 34,152 36,880 94,894
                         
    Non-GAAP earnings per share from continuing operations                    
    Basic 0.29 0.44 0.49 0.26 1.48   0.36 0.52 0.56 1.43
    Diluted 0.29 0.43 0.47 0.25 1.45   0.35 0.51 0.55 1.41
                         
    Basic weighted average shares 66,497 66,284 65,961 66,323 66,266   66,621 66,294 65,631 66,182
    Diluted weighted average shares 67,388 67,868 67,943 68,471 67,918   68,463 67,309 66,743 67,505
                         
                         
    Some totals may not add due to rounding                    
                         
    (1) This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures, and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to comparable GAAP measures, the reasons why management uses these measures and the material limitations on the usefulness of these measures, please see Appendix A.
                         
    LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP OPERATING INCOME GUIDANCE (1)
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
      For the   For the
      quarter ending   year ending
      March 31, 2025   March 31, 2025
           
           
           
    GAAP income (loss) from operations $ (8,000)   $ 10,000
           
    Excluded items:      
    Purchased intangible asset amortization   3,000     14,000
    Non-cash stock compensation   26,000     110,000
    Restructuring costs   1,000     1,000
    Total excluded items   30,000     125,000
           
    Non-GAAP income from operations $ 22,000   $ 135,000
           
           
    (1) This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures, and should be read only in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to comparable GAAP measures, the reasons why management uses these measures, the usefulness of these measures and the material limitations on the usefulness of these measures, please see Appendix A.
           
    APPENDIX A
    LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Q3 FISCAL 2025 FINANCIAL RESULTS
    EXPLANATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES AND OTHER KEY METRICS
     
    To supplement our financial results, we use non-GAAP measures which exclude certain acquisition related expenses, non-cash stock compensation and restructuring charges. We believe these measures are helpful in understanding our past performance and our future results. Our non-GAAP financial measures and schedules are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated GAAP financial statements. Our management regularly uses these non-GAAP financial measures internally to understand, manage and evaluate our business and to make operating decisions. These measures are among the primary factors management uses in planning for and forecasting future periods. Compensation of our executives is also based in part on the performance of our business based on these non-GAAP measures.
     
    Our non-GAAP financial measures, including non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share, non-GAAP income (loss) from operations and adjusted EBITDA reflect adjustments based on the following items, as well as the related income tax effects when applicable:
     
    Purchased intangible asset amortization: We incur amortization of purchased intangibles in connection with our acquisitions. Purchased intangibles include (i) developed technology, (ii) customer and publisher relationships, and (iii) trade names. We expect to amortize for accounting purposes the fair value of the purchased intangibles based on the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets will be consumed as revenue is generated. Although the intangible assets generate revenue for us, we exclude this item because this expense is non-cash in nature and because we believe the non-GAAP financial measures excluding this item provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our operational performance.
     
    Non-cash stock compensation: Non-cash stock compensation consists of charges for associate restricted stock units, performance shares and stock options in accordance with current GAAP related to stock-based compensation including expense associated with stock-based compensation related to unvested options assumed in connection with our acquisitions. As we apply stock-based compensation standards, we believe that it is useful to investors to understand the impact of the application of these standards to our operational performance. Although stock-based compensation expense is calculated in accordance with current GAAP and constitutes an ongoing and recurring expense, such expense is excluded from non-GAAP results because it is not an expense that typically requires or will require cash settlement by us and because such expense is not used by us to assess the core profitability of our business operations.
     
    Restructuring charges: During the past several years, we have initiated certain restructuring activities in order to align our costs in connection with both our operating plans and our business strategies based on then-current economic conditions. As a result, we recognized costs related to termination benefits for employees whose positions were eliminated, lease and other contract termination charges, and asset impairments. These items, as well as third party expenses associated with business acquisitions in the current year, reported as gains, losses, and other items, net, are excluded from non-GAAP results because such amounts are not used by us to assess the core profitability of our business operations.
     
    Transformation costs: In previous years, we incurred significant expenses to separate the financial statements of our operating segments, with particular focus on segment-level balance sheets, and to evaluate portfolio priorities. Our criteria for excluding transformation expenses from our non-GAAP measures is as follows: 1) projects are discrete in nature; 2) excluded expenses consist only of third-party consulting fees that we would not incur otherwise; and 3) we do not exclude employee related expenses or other costs associated with the ongoing operations of our business. We substantially completed those projects during the third quarter of fiscal year 2018. Beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, and through most of fiscal 2019, we incurred transaction support expenses and system separation costs related to the Company’s announced evaluation of strategic options for its Marketing Solutions (AMS) business. In the first and second quarters of fiscal 2021 in response to the potential COVID-19 pandemic impact on our business and again during fiscal 2023 in response to macroeconomic conditions, we incurred significant costs associated with the assessment of strategic and operating plans, including our long-term location strategy, and assistance in implementing the restructuring activities as a result of this assessment.  Our criteria for excluding these costs are the same. We believe excluding these items from our non-GAAP financial measures is useful for investors and provides meaningful supplemental information.
     
    Our non-GAAP financial schedules are:
     
    Non-GAAP EPS, Non-GAAP Income from Operations, and Non-GAAP expenses: Our Non-GAAP earnings per share, Non-GAAP income from operations, and Non-GAAP expenses reflect adjustments as described above, as well as the related tax effects where applicable.
     
    Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income from continuing operations before income taxes, other expenses, depreciation and amortization, and including adjustments as described above. We use Adjusted EBITDA to measure our performance from period to period both at the consolidated level as well as within our operating segments and to compare our results to those of our competitors. We believe that the inclusion of Adjusted EBITDA provides useful supplementary information to and facilitates analysis by investors in evaluating the Company’s performance and trends. The presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is not meant to be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net earnings as an indicator of our performance.
     
    Free Cash Flow: To supplement our statement of cash flows, we use a non-GAAP measure of cash flow to analyze cash flows generated from operations. Free cash flow is defined as operating cash flow less capital expenditures. Management believes that this measure of cash flow is meaningful since it represents the amount of money available from continuing operations for the Company’s discretionary spending. The presentation of non-GAAP free cash flow is not meant to be considered in isolation or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity.
     

    PDF Available: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/cfac844b-6484-4164-92b1-a991aa0edb1a

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Welcome to IADC’s 2025 Executive Committee!

    Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC

    Headline: Welcome to IADC’s 2025 Executive Committee!

    KEVIN NEVEU, CHAIR

    Precision Drilling Corporation

    Kevin Neveu is President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Precision Drilling Corporation and has held these positions since joining the company in 2007. Mr. Neveu has 43 years of experience in the oilfield services sector holding various technical, marketing, and management positions over his career. Mr. Neveu holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and is a graduate of the University of Alberta and is a registered Professional Engineer in the province of Alberta. He has also completed the Harvard Advanced Management Program in Boston, Massachusetts.

    RODDIE MACKENZIE, VICE CHAIR

    Transocean

    Named to his current position in February 2022, Mr. Mackenzie is responsible for identifying innovative technologies that create demonstrable value for Transocean’s customers and differentiate Transocean from its competitors in addition to leading Transocean’s Marketing organization. Mr. Mackenzie served previously as Senior Vice President, Marketing, Innovation and Industry Relations; Vice President, Marketing and Contracts; Managing Director, Business Development and Strategic Accounts, and as a Marketing Director with increasing roles of responsibility in the United States, France, and Dubai. He brings over 20 years of industry experience and prior to his time in Marketing, Mr. Mackenzie served in various operational and project roles around the globe, starting his career at Transocean as a rig-based engineer in 1997. He has worked on all manner of drilling rigs in Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon, Angola, Brazil, and the US Gulf of Mexico.

    Mr. Mackenzie currently serves as Vice President for Offshore Division of the International Association of Drilling Contractors and on various committees for the Offshore Energy Center.

    Mr. Mackenzie graduated from the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program in 2016 and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Strathclyde in Civil Engineering with Environmental Studies in 1997.

    BRAD JAMES, IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR

    Enterprise Offshore Drilling

    Mr. James has served as founding President, CEO and Board Member of Enterprise Offshore Drilling LLC since 2016. He previously served as Sr. Vice President – Marketing of Hercules Offshore from 2006 through 2016 and was responsible for managing worldwide marketing activity for Hercules drilling divisions. Prior to that he held various leadership roles at Transocean Offshore (including R&B Falcon and Cliffs Drilling), was founding President of Field Drilling Company and Vice President of Southland Drilling. He currently serves on the IADC Executive Committee and is a board member of IADC Drillers PAC and is a former Chairman of the IADC Houston Chapter. Mr. James obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Southwest Texas State University in 1981.

    JENNIFER YEUNG, SECRETARY/TREASURER

    Noble Corporation

    Ms. Yeung was named Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller of Noble in November 2023. Prior to joining Noble, she served at Ernst & Young LLP, an accounting and professional services firm, in various roles of increasing responsibility since January 2007. Most recently, Ms. Yeung served as Audit Managing Director from October 2020 through September 2023, and as Audit Senior Manager from July 2014 through October 2020, serving clients across a range of industries including offshore drilling.

    Ms. Yeung is a certified public accountant and received a Bachelor of Accountancy and a Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance from Loyola University.

    LEE WOMBLE, DIVISION VP DRILLING SERVICES

    SLB

    Lee Womble is Vice President and Global Accounts Director for SLB with global responsibility for drilling contractor accounts over all SLB divisions and basins.

    He joined Cameron Iron Works in 1988 as a Product Design Engineer after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Lee received his registered Professional Engineer license from the State of Texas in 1993 and obtained his first patent in 1994. He has since managed engineering, repair operations, manufacturing, field service and sales.

    Mr. Womble has since held numerous positions throughout his 36-year career such as Design Engineer, Repair and Sales Mgr., Regional Manager, Director and now Vice President since 2007. He has lived in locations such as the US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Lee has served on committees for API, AADE, IADC and The Joint Industry Task Force. He is currently focused on help SLB lead in technology, performance, and customer centricity.

    GENE STAHL, DIVISION VP NORTH AMERICA ONSHORE

    Precision Drilling Corporation

    Gene Stahl was appointed as President, North American Drilling in 2023 and previously held the position of Chief Marketing Officer since 2019. Since joining Precision Drilling in 1993, Mr. Stahl has progressed his way through the organization holding several positions with increasing responsibility, including Contracts, Investor Relations, Engineering, Manufacturing, Rig Construction, Procurement, Field Training and Development, and Health, Safety and Environment (HSE). Mr. Stahl holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Calgary and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School, Advanced Management Program.

    JON RICHARDS, DIVISION VP OFFSHORE

    Noble Corporation

    Jon Richards currently serves as Vice President Operations for Noble Corporation. He previously served as Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations for Diamond Offshore. Mr. Richards joined Diamond Offshore in 1997 and has over 27 years of experience in the offshore drilling industry.

    Jon started his career as an Operations Development Trainee with Diamond and has since held various leadership roles and responsibilities managing operations in the United States, United Kingdom, West Africa, and Brazil. Jon holds a degree in Business Management from Texas Tech University and participates in various roles as a member of the IADC. In his free time, Jon enjoys spending time outdoors with his family and volunteering with youth sports.

    JIM NOWOTNY, DIVISION VP INTERNATIONAL ONSHORE

    Helmerich & Payne

    Jim Nowotny is the Vice President International and Offshore Business Development at Helmerich & Payne.  He has extensive domestic and international leadership experience in multiple areas of the offshore and land drilling industry, including marketing and business development, commercial and technical contracts, operations, manufacturing, and engineering.  He has worked in the energy industry since 1995.

    Prior to joining Helmerich & Payne, he worked for an international oil field equipment manufacturer.  There he was responsible for four manufacturing business units within Canada and the USA.  He oversaw all aspects of business operations, including the manufacturing, engineering, and business development groups. Jim also worked for over 16 years in various roles for Atwood Oceanics, an international offshore drilling contractor.  He worked in increasing roles of responsibility in the areas of engineering, operations, marketing, and business development.

    Jim has a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University and has completed several executive education courses at Columbia Business School, Harvard Law School and Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bipartisan Duckworth-Daines-Cruz-Hirono Bill to Better Protect Parents Traveling with Breast Milk Passes Committee

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    February 05, 2025
    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to make it easier for parents to safely embark on air travel with breast milk and breastfeeding supplies successfully passed through the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST). The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act, which Duckworth reintroduced last week alongside co-leads U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), would require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to clarify and regularly update guidance on handling breast milk, baby formula and other related nutrition products, including ice packs, in consultation with leading maternal health groups. This swift committee passage comes after the bipartisan legislation passed the Senate by unanimous consent late last year in the 118th Congress.
    “After hearing far too many stories about traveling moms being mistreated and wrongfully denied access to their breast milk and the breastfeeding equipment they need to take care of their babies, I’m thrilled our bipartisan legislation passed through committee—bringing us that much closer to preventing these incidents from ever happening again,” said Senator Duckworth. “Ensuring that the TSA keeps its employees up to speed on their own policies and updates those policies as necessary is the least we can do to help parents travel through airports with the dignity and respect they deserve. The Senate already passed this legislation by unanimous consent last year—now, the full Senate must pass it again so we can send it to the House as soon as possible.”
    “Moms have a tough job, and the last thing they need to worry about is traveling safely with breast milk and formula for their babies,” said Senator Daines. “I’m glad to see this bipartisan legislation pass out of committee and become one step closer to becoming law.”
    “Far too often, families traveling with infants and young children are subjected to inconsistencies when going through TSA’s screening, causing inconveniences that can make traveling together even more difficult. This simple legislation to update the TSA’s compliance guidance for the 3-1-1 liquids will help families travel without added hassles,” said Senator Cruz.
    “The BABES Enhancement Act will require TSA to clarify and regularly update its guidance on handling breast milk and baby formula, helping to ensure that parents and their young children can travel by air with peace of mind, knowing they can keep milk and supplies they need to keep their babies fed,” said Senator Hirono. “I am glad to see this important legislation passed out of committee and I look forward to working with Senators Duckworth, Daines, and Cruz to pass this bill to keep families and their children safe and healthy.”
    The bipartisan BABES Enhancement Act would help keep breastfeeding parents and their kids safe and healthy while traveling by air. Mishandled breast milk can become contaminated, which puts children at risk. Moreover, parents who lactate typically need to breastfeed or pump once every few hours. Failure to do so can result in a clogged milk duct, or a painful infection called mastitis. The legislation would better protect families by requiring TSA to:
    Issue guidance promoting the hygienic handling of any breast milk, baby formula and other infant nutrition products, as well as accessories required to preserve these products;
    Consult with nationally recognized maternal health organizations in establishing and communicating this guidance; and
    Update guidance every five years to respond to emerging needs of parents and to account for developments in technology.
    This legislation would also direct an independent government watchdog to conduct an audit of compliance with TSA screening policies for passengers traveling with breast milk and other infant nutrition products, providing lawmakers with information related to violations of policies.
    A copy of the bill text is available on Senator Duckworth’s website.
    Duckworth has been a strong advocate in ensuring moms receive the dignity and respect they deserve while traveling. In 2022, Duckworth pressed TSA Administrator David Pekoske for improved treatment of new mothers and Americans with disabilities from employees of the TSA. That same year, Duckworth also called on TSA to address inconsistent implementation of the 3-1-1 Liquids Rule Exemption travel policy for breast milk and formula at airport security checkpoints as well as ensure new moms and their infants can travel safely without fear of harassment.
    Duckworth has also championed several policies that help make air travel easier for new moms. Her bipartisan Friendly Airports for Mothers (FAM) Improvement Act, which was signed into law in 2020, is helping ensure our small airports across the country support new moms and promote breastfeeding-friendly environments. The legislation builds on Duckworth’s success in enacting a law that ensures all large and medium airports provide a clean, private space where moms can breastfeed or pump. As a result of her legislation, O’Hare and Midway Airports both installed free-standing lactation pods.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Coons, Representative Chu reintroduce bill to prevent Muslim bans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Representative Judy Chu (D-Calif.) reintroduced the National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants (NO BAN) Act, which would prevent future bans by the Trump administration on Muslims or any other religious group by strengthening the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit discrimination based on religion. The bill would also require that any suspension of entry into the United States be narrowly tailored, backed by credible evidence, and subject to appropriate consultation with Congress.

    “President Trump’s Muslim ban during his first term was un-American, unjust, and weakened our standing in the world,” said Senator Coons. “Now, as the country enters President Trump’s second term, fear and prejudice are once again guiding immigration policy, and his flurry of executive orders have laid the groundwork for another attempt at a Muslim ban. The NO BAN Act is needed now more than ever to ensure that the Trump administration cannot implement discriminatory measures and to reaffirm our nation’s commitment to religious freedom and equality under the law.”

    “A hateful stain on our nation’s history, the Muslim Ban that President Trump instituted in his first term was fueled by bigotry and Islamophobia and did lasting damage to the families it separated,” said Representative Chu. “Distressingly, President Trump has already started the process to fulfill his campaign promise to reinstate a ban, signing an Executive Order on his first day back in office that lays the groundwork for a future, and potentially expanded, Muslim Ban. That’s why I am joining Senator Coons and my Democratic colleagues to once again introduce the NO BAN Act to make certain that no president can ever ban people from entering the country solely because of their religion.”

    Additionally, Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) reintroduced the Access to Counsel Act, which Senator Coons cosponsored. This bill ensures that U.S. citizens, green card holders, and other individuals with legal status are able to consult with an attorney, relative, or other interested parties to seek assistance if they are detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for more than an hour at ports of entry, including airports. As a result of President Trump’s Muslim Ban in 2017, individuals were held for long periods of time, often without access to legal counsel.

    The NO BAN Act was initially introduced in the 116th Congress in response to President Trump’s attempts in 2017 to introduce a Muslim ban. Courts initially struck down the bans, but a conservative Supreme Court upheld a version of the ban in a 5-4 decision. As a result, families were separated, couples were forced to live apart, and communities were unable to reunite for milestones of joy and grief. While former President Biden rescinded the bans, President Trump has signaled intent to issue a new travel ban in the coming months.

    The NO BAN Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives in both 2020 and 2021. In 2021, the Biden administration issued a statement in support of the legislation, noting that the prior “bans were a stain on our national conscience and are inconsistent with our long history of welcoming people of all faiths.”   

    An executive order issued by President Trump on his first day of his second term requires government departments to identify over the course of 60 days nations whose migration and screening processes are “so deficient as to warrant a partial or full suspension on the admission of nationals from those countries.” The order lays the groundwork for another ban on migration from predominantly Muslim countries.

    The NO BAN Act would push back on Trump’s Muslim ban or any other travel ban by:

    • Providing that the Immigration and Nationality Act nondiscrimination provisions apply to religion, as well as to the issuance of non-immigrant visas and benefits;
    • Requiring that any travel restriction imposed under Immigration and Nationality Act be based on specific and credible facts, and in a way narrowly tailored to address a compelling government interest; and
    • Establishing procedural requirements, including notice to Congress within 48 hours, and periodic reporting.

    The NO BAN Act has received endorsements from numerous immigrants’ rights organizations, faith-based organizations, and civil rights organizations, including Care in Action, 18 Million Rising, Afghans For A Better Tomorrow, African Public Affairs Committee, America Indivisible, American Humanist Association, American Immigration Lawyers Association, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), Americans for Immigrant Justice, Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, ANAR, Asian Law Caucus, Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP), Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, Center for Constitutional Rights, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, Church World Service, Communities United for Status & Protection (CUSP), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Emgage Action, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Global Refuge, Hindus for Human Rights, Human Rights First, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, Immigrants Act Now, Interfaith Alliance, International Refugee Assistance Project, League of Conservation Voters, Muslims for Just Futures, National Council of Jewish Women, National Domestic Workers Alliance, National Immigrant Justice Center, National Immigration Law Center, National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC), National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund, National Partnership for New Americans, National Religious Campaign Against Torture, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Poligon Education Fund, Queer Crescent, Quixote Center, Refugee Council USA (RCUSA), Refugees International, Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), Social Workers for Immigration Justice, South Asian Legal Defense Fund, South Asian Public Health Association (SAPHA), The Advocates for Human Rights, The Sikh Coalition, Union for Reform Judaism, Win Without War, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, ACLU, Brennan Center for Justice, Arab American Civic Council, ASATA Power, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL), CAIR Washington, California Immigrant Policy Center, Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University, Civic Ark, Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, Education Law Center-PA, Estrella del Paso, Family Action Network Movement, Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef), Indo-American Center, Islamic Society of Central Jersey, Malikah, Muslim Justice League, Wind of the Spirit Immigrant Resource Center, Womankind, and Concerned Christian Citizen.

    “As President Trump fulfills his racist campaign promises by indefinitely blocking all vulnerable refugees and by preparing a potential resurrection of categorical bans on people who come to the U.S. from African, Muslim-majority, or other countries, we welcome the timely reintroduction of an essential policy rooted in the highest American aspirations of equality, religious freedom, and refuge from tyrannical leaders,” said Sumayyah Waheed, Senior Policy Counsel, Muslim Advocates. “With the reintroduction of the NO BAN Act, we hope to check discriminatory and cruel abuses of presidential power at our borders. We remember clearly the hate, chaos, and family separation resulting from President Trump’s first-term Muslim and African bans – effects that remain unresolved to this day. Meanwhile, people seeking safety at our borders are forced to face unlawful, dehumanizing, debilitating, and even lethal barriers to doing so. We thank Rep. Chu and Sen. Coons for their leadership and urge Members in both houses to swiftly pass this bill.”

    “The first time President Trump was in the White House, as we all watched his xenophobic Muslim ban wreak havoc on families in airports and communities across the country, the ACLU took to the courts for relief. This time around, the landscape includes the Supreme Court’s decision to allow Trump’s previous ban to go into effect. We can’t sit back as Trump again seeks to inflict cruelty. The NO BAN Act is an important effort to uphold our fundamental values and ensure our laws prevent discriminatory bans from being enacted in the future,” said Naureen Shah, deputy director of government affairs with the ACLU Equality Division. 

    “Donald Trump’s Muslim Ban was a stain on America’s conscience and President Biden’s Executive Order rescinding the various versions of the ban was an important first step,” said Yasmine Taeb, Legislative and Political Director at MPower Change Action Fund. “During the campaign trail, Trump vowed not only to reinstate the Muslim Ban but to expand it, and has made good on that promise by previewing a travel ban on his first day back in office. To ensure our communities do not face the threat of family separation, xenophobia, and Islamophobia through the implementation of another unconstitutional and unconscionable ban by Trump, Congress needs to take action and pass the NO BAN Act. We’re grateful for the leadership of Representative Chu and Senator Coons in reintroducing the NO BAN Act and urge Congress to pass the bill swiftly.”

    “Trump’s discriminatory Muslim and African bans inflicted unthinkable cruelty and separated families. The policy was met with widespread resistance, with thousands of people making their voices heard in protests at airports across the country. With Trump’s return to office, and his day-one executive order signaling another forthcoming ban, we must all do everything in our power to ensure these harmful bans do not return. We commend Senator Coons’ and Representative Chu’s leadership on this issue and call on Congress to pass the NO BAN Act today to protect communities from lasting harm,” said Raha Wala, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Advocacy at the National Immigration Law Center.

    “Thousands of American families will soon be separated and America’s economic competitiveness will be damaged if President Trump reimposes the so-called travel ban. The scars of the first ban have not yet fully healed, and some who were denied entry under the first ban are staring down more than four years of separation from their families. As members of Trump’s own coalition have noted, U.S. innovation and economic strength are fueled by immigrants from Iran and other countries that will potentially be banned. It is not stable or secure or fair to American families for the U.S. to impose and repeal such policies every four years by executive fiat — Congress must act as a co-equal branch and establish guardrails that protect the rights, security, and economy for all Americans by passing the NO BAN Act,” said Jamal Abdi, President of National Iranian American Council Action.

    “The reintroduction of the NO BAN Act in the 119th Congress is a crucial step in reaffirming America’s historic role as a beacon of hope and opportunity for immigrants. For generations, the United States has stood as a nation that values diversity, equity, and justice. This legislation ensures that the executive power cannot be misused to undermine these principles or to close our doors to those seeking opportunity and refuge. We extend our gratitude to Representative Judy Chu, Senator Chris Coons, and the original co-sponsors of this critical bill and urge Congress to act swiftly to pass it, preserving the ideals that have long defined and strengthened our nation,” said Wa’el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage Action. 

    The text of the bill is available here. 

    A section-by-section summary of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sens. Moran, Duckworth Call on FAA to Continue Restricting Non-Essential Helicopter Operations Near Ronald Reagan National Airport

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas – Jerry Moran
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) – the chair and ranking member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation –  called on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to continue the restrictions placed on non-essential helicopter operations near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport following the mid-air collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, and a United States Army H-60 Blackhawk on the night of January 29, 2025.
    “We write to you to request the Federal Aviation Administration continue the restrictions placed on non-essential helicopter operations near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport until the completion of the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) preliminary report and a briefing by FAA to the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation, regarding the safety of resuming non-essential helicopter operations,” the senators wrote. “Until investigators complete this work, restricting helicopter operations, while allowing for essential medical support, active law enforcement, active air defense, and presidential transport traffic will help keep the area safe and improve public trust in commercial air travel.”
    The full letter can be found here and below.Dear Acting Administrator Rocheleau,
    We write to you to request the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continue the restrictions placed on non-essential helicopter operations near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport until the completion of the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) preliminary report and a briefing by FAA to the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation (Subcommittee) regarding the safety of resuming non-essential helicopter operations. Until investigators complete this work, restricting helicopter operations, while allowing for essential medial support, active law enforcement, active air defense, and presidential transport traffic will help keep the area safe and improve public trust in commercial air travel. 
    The mid-air collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, and a United States Army H-60 Blackhawk on the night of January 29, 2025, is a tragic event which requires a thorough evaluation of air traffic in the vicinity of airport. As the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation, we intend to conduct a subcommittee review into the January 29th tragedy by examining the facts and expert findings to determine whether policy changes may be necessary to increase safety and improve public trust. We look forward to your cooperation as we conduct our review to prevent a similar incident from happening again.
    We are grateful for our first responders, military and civilian men and women who have contributed to the response efforts and for your actions in response to this tragic event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard Cutter Campbell returns home after interdicting $91M in illicit narcotics during Eastern Pacific Ocean patrol

    Source: United States Coast Guard

    U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 02/05/2025 04:00 PM EST

     

    02/05/2025 03:31 PM EST

    NEWPORT, R.I.  — The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Campbell (WMEC 909) returned to their home port in Newport, Monday, following a 63-day multi-mission patrol to the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific Ocean. Campbell deployed in support of Joint Interagency Task Force – South (JIATF-S) to advance the primary mission of interdicting illegal narcotics in known drug trafficking zones. Campbell’s crew conducted maritime safety and security missions while working to detect, deter and intercept drug-smuggling vessels.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Field the Future event aims to empower young football players and patients

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Field the Future event aims to empower young football players and patients

    Recently, EA Sports joined forces with Xbox, the San Francisco 49ers, and Gamers Outreach — a non-profit organization that empowers hospitalized families through play — for this year’s Field the Future event. Field the Future aims to empower young football players and Madden gamers by providing resources and opportunities to advance their skills, passion, and knowledge of the sport, so they know that they have a future in football, and that there are several pathways to get you there.

    On January 27, fifteen custom video game kiosks – Gamers Outreach Karts (“GO Karts”) – donated through the Field the Future initiative, began their deployment at the UCSF Health System, including San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospital. GO Karts are portable video game kiosks built for hospitals. Each of these units is equipped with an Xbox, controllers, and an assortment of video games. The devices are used within hospitals to provide entertainment and therapeutic activities to children as they receive medical care, and will bring the healing power of play through an estimated forty three thousand gaming experiences each year throughout the UCSF Health System.

    Then, on January 28, EA Sports hosted 150 flag football players and 50 Children’s Hospital patients at their Redwood Shores office. Young football players and Madden gamers were given the opportunity to advance their skills, passion, and knowledge of the sport. Attendees got office tours, two educational sessions on the future of gaming and technology with our own dev team, a panel with Kristin Juszczyk and our SVP Andrea Hopelain and a chance to hit the Madden field for flag football, drills and scrimmages led by San Francisco 49ers own Kyle Juszczyk and 49ers legend Larry Grant.

    All the participants walked away with a custom Madden Xbox controller and a month of Game Pass Ultimate to play EA Sports Madden NFL 25 starting February 6 (more on that in a minute), and four lucky winners received a brand-new Surface Pro!

    Play Madden NFL 25 with EA Play Starting on February 6

    With the Super Bowl this weekend, you can tee up the action early and dominate the field like a bonafide superstar in EA Sports Madden NFL 25, coming to the Play List this Thursday, February 6, for all EA Play and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members.

    In Madden NFL 25, players can experience FieldSense and Boom Tech (available on Xbox Series X|S and PC versions), physics-based tackling systems featuring the reengineered Hit Stick and enhanced ball carrier control. Madden NFL 25 also includes updated visuals and presentation with two additional commentary teams, aiming to provide realistic NFL gameplay through various modes. Madden NFL 25 also introduces new control levels, signature styles, and mechanics for ball carriers, catching, and pre-play, focusing on football fundamentals such as blocking and playbooks.

    Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Xbox Game Pass PC members receive EA Play with their Game Pass subscription. Members can experience the world of EA with unlimited access to a collection of top titles, trials of select new games, in-game member rewards, 10% on EA digital purchases and more. Members can unlock the thrill of their next favorite game with up to 10-hour trials of EA’s latest titles such as EA Sports FC 25, EA Sports NHL 25, EA Sports College Football 25, F1 24, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard in addition toaccess to an unrivaled collection of EA’s best-loved series and top titles, including Madden NFL 25, Madden NFL 24, EA Sports FC 24, EA Sports WRC, and Star Wars: Jedi Survivor.

    Visit the EA Play page for more details, and to stay up to date on the latest from EA Play, follow EA Play on, Instagram, or X. Please see EA.com/EA-Play/Terms for terms and conditions. Read here for more details..

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: How real-world businesses are transforming with AI – with 50 new stories

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: How real-world businesses are transforming with AI – with 50 new stories

    Updated February 5, 2025: The post contains 50 new customer stories, which appear at the beginning of each section of customer lists. The post will be updated regularly with new stories.

    One of the highlights of my career has always been connecting with customers and partners across industries to learn how they are using technology to drive their businesses forward. In the past 30 years, we’ve seen four major platform shifts, from client server to internet and the web to mobile and cloud to now — the next major platform shift to AI.  

    As today’s platform shift to AI continues to gain momentum, Microsoft is working to understand just how organizations can drive lasting business value. We recently commissioned a study with IDC, The Business Opportunity of AI, to uncover new insights around business value and help guide organizations on their journey of AI transformation. The study found that for every $1 organizations invest in generative AI, they’re realizing an average of $3.70 in return — and uncovered insights about the future potential of AI to reshape business processes and drive change across industries.

    Check out the top 5 AI trends to watch from IDC and Microsoft

    Today, more than 85% of the Fortune 500 are using Microsoft AI solutions to shape their future. In working with organizations large and small, across every industry and geography, we’ve seen that most transformation initiatives are designed to achieve one of four business outcomes:  

    1. Enriching employee experiences: Using AI to streamline or automate repetitive, mundane tasks can allow your employees to dive into more complex, creative and ultimately more valuable work.
    2. Reinventing customer engagement: AI can create more personalized, tailored customer experiences, delighting your target audiences while lightening the load for employees.
    3. Reshaping business processes: Virtually any business process can be reimagined with AI, from marketing to supply chain operations to finance, and AI is even allowing organizations to go beyond process optimization and discover exciting new growth opportunities.
    4. Bending the curve on innovation: AI is revolutionizing innovation by speeding up creative processes and product development, reducing the time to market and allowing companies to differentiate in an often crowded field.

    In this blog, we’ve collected more than 300 of our favorite real-life examples of how organizations are embracing Microsoft’s proven AI capabilities to drive impact and shape today’s platform shift to AI. Today, we’ve added new stories of customers using our AI capabilities at the beginning of each section. We’ll regularly update this story with more. We hope you find an example or two that can inspire your own transformation journey.

    Enriching employee experiences

    Generative AI is truly transforming employee productivity and wellbeing. Our customers tell us that by automating repetitive, mundane tasks, employees are freed up to dive into more complex and creative work. This shift not only makes the work environment more stimulating but also boosts job satisfaction. It sparks innovation, provides actionable insights for better decision-making and supports personalized training and development opportunities, all contributing to a better work-life balance. Customers around the world have reported significant improvements in employee productivity with these AI solutions:

    New Stories:

    1. Acentra Health created MedScribe using Azure OpenAI Service. The solution has saved 11,000 nursing hours and nearly $800,000. It also helped each nurse process 20 to 30 letters daily, while achieving a 99% approval rate for MedScribe-generated letters.
    2. Brisbane Catholic Education provides Microsoft 365 Copilot to 12,500 educators, and uses Microsoft Copilot Studio to create a generative AI tool to help educators integrate Catholic traditions and values into the classroom.
    3. Crediclub saves 96% per month in auditing expenses and analyzes 150 meetings per hour with Azure AI, freeing up time for 800 sales advisors and 150 branch managers to interact directly with customers.
    4. eClinicalWorks developed a tool using Azure AI services and Azure AI Document Intelligence to help healthcare workers scan, sort and match thousands of faxes each year to match the faxed data with current patient files.
    5. Education Authority of Northern Ireland (EANI) introduced Microsoft 365 Copilot to reduce admin work, allowing teachers to focus on students. The Microsoft partnership ensures secure and ethical AI use, while teacher training focuses on prompt writing and effective tool adoption.
    6. Ma’aden uses Microsoft 365 Copilot to enhance productivity, saving up to 2,200 hours monthly. Tasks like drafting emails, creating documents and data analysis have become more efficient, helping Ma’aden achieve its growth goals.
    7. Marketing org mci group uses Microsoft 365 Copilot to enhance the use of AI and other technological advances to boost employee efficiency.
    8. Michelin deployed Microsoft 365 Copilot and a generative AI in-house chatbot based on Azure OpenAI Service called “Aurora” designed to help employees optimize work and team performance, boosting productivity tenfold.
    9. Raiffeisen Bank International built its own ChatGPT using Azure OpenAI Service to automate repetitive tasks like documenting intelligence and more rapidly summarize legal, regulation and banking documents.
    10. Sanabil Investments deployed Microsoft 365 Copilot to help employees reduce the time spent on manual everyday tasks that diverted focus from more strategic and valuable work. Within two months, approximately 70% of employees regularly used Copilot.
    11. Sensei rolled out Microsoft 365 to reduce the number of internal apps and better connect systems for easier collaboration, and is using Microsoft 365 Copilot to increase efficiency.
    12. Sikshana Foundation is working with Microsoft Research India to introduce an AI copilot for teachers that shortens preparation time for lessons from an hour or more to just minutes.
    13. The University of Hong Kong adopted Microsoft 365 Copilot to enhance productivity by automating administrative tasks and providing intelligent assistance, allowing faculty to focus more on teaching.
    1. Accenture and Avanade launched a Copilot business transformation practice, supported by Microsoft, and co-invested in new capabilities, solutions and training to help organizations securely and responsibly reinvent their business functions with generative and agentic AI and Copilot technologies.
    2. Access Holdings Plc adopted Microsoft 365 Copilot, integrating generative AI into daily tools and, as a result, writing code now takes two hours instead of eight, chatbots launch in 10 days instead of three months and presentations are prepared in 45 minutes instead of six hours.
    3. Adobe is connecting Adobe Experience Cloud workflows and insights with Microsoft 365 Copilot to deliver generative-AI powered capabilities that enable marketers to increase collaboration, efficiency and creativity.
    4. Amadeus empowers its teams to focus their time and skills on value-added tasks with Microsoft 365 Copilot, by summarizing email threads, chat or transcripts and summing up information from diverse sources.
    5. ANZ has invested in Microsoft 365 Copilot, GitHub Copilot and Copilot in Microsoft Edge to boost productivity and innovation across its workforce.
    6. Asahi Europe & International (AEI) has adopted Microsoft 365 Copilot, saving employees potentially 15% of time previously spent on administrative tasks.
    7. AXA developed AXA Secure GPT, a platform powered by Azure OpenAI Service that empowers employees to leverage the power of generative AI while targeting the highest level of data safety and responsible use of the tool.
    8. Axon Enterprise developed a new AI tool with Azure OpenAI Service called Draft One, resulting in an 82% decrease in time spent on reports, which freed up officers to engage more with their community.
    9. Aztec Group enhanced productivity and client experience by trialing Microsoft 365 Copilot with 300 staff, uncovering “unlimited” use cases and plans for a wider rollout.
    10. Bader Sultan & Bros. Co. W.L.L. implemented Microsoft 365 Copilot to enhance employee productivity and speed up customer response times.
    11. Bancolombia is using GitHub Copilot to empower its technical team, achieving a 30% increase in code generation, boosting automated application changes to an average of 18,000 per year, with a rate of 42 productive daily deployments.
    12. Bank of Queensland Group is using Microsoft 365 Copilot, with 70% of users saving two-and-a-half to five hours per week.
    13. BaptistCare Community Services is using Microsoft 365 Copilot to save employees time as they navigate workforce shortage challenges allowing them to focus more on the people they care for.
    14. Barnsley Council was recognized as “Double Council of the Year in 2023” for its implementation of Microsoft 365 Copilot, which modernized operations and reduced administrative tasks, leading to improved job satisfaction and increased creativity.
    15. BlackRock purchased more than 24,000 Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses spanning all employees, functions and locations, helping improve the Copilot experience, including codeveloping new features and functions.
    16. British Heart Foundation is testing Microsoft 365 Copilot and in its initial test, users estimate that Microsoft 365 Copilot could save them up to 30 minutes per day.
    17. Buckinghamshire Council deployed Microsoft 365 Copilot with staff reporting productivity improvements, quality enhancements and time savings which are enabling the different teams to do more with less.
    18. Campari Group adopted Microsoft 365 Copilot to help employees integrate it into their workflow, resulting in time savings of about two hours a week from the support of routine activities such as email management, meeting preparation, content creation and skill acquisition.
    19. Canadian Tire Corporation moved its data from on-premises systems to Microsoft Azure and built digital assistants using Azure OpenAI Service, and now more than 3,000 corporate employees save 30 to 60 minutes a day using its ChatCTC digital assistant.
    20. Capita is using GitHub Copilot for productivity improvements as well as improvements in developer satisfaction, recruitment and retention.
    21. Cathay leverages Microsoft 365 Copilot to streamline meetings and manage information more effectively, reducing time-consuming tasks and fostering creativity.
    22. CDW used Microsoft 365 Copilot to improve work quality for 88% of users, enabling 77% to complete tasks faster, and increasing productivity for 85% of users.
    23. Chi Mei Medical Center is lightening workloads for doctors, nurses and pharmacists with a generative AI assistant built on Azure OpenAI Service.
    24. Clifford Chance adopted Microsoft 365 Copilot to streamline tasks, automate processes and enhance collaboration. Lawyers use it to draft and manage emails and ensure compliance, allowing them to focus on complex legal work and improve productivity.
    25. DLA Piper chose Microsoft 365 Copilot to boost productivity for operational and administrative teams, saving up to 36 hours weekly on content generation and data analysis.
    26. Eaton adopted Microsoft 365 Copilot to automate the creation of 1,000 standard operating procedures to streamline customer service operations and improve data access across teams, cutting creation time from one hour to 10 minutes.
    27. E.ON is focused on Germany’s energy transition, leveraging Microsoft 365 Copilot to manage the complex grid in real-time, increasing productivity and efficiency for its workforce.
    28. Enerijisa Uretim has adopted Microsoft 365 Copilot to streamline meeting summaries, reformat documents and compile reports, enabling employees to concentrate on more strategic and fulfilling activities instead of spending six hours in meetings.
    29. EPAM is deploying Microsoft 365 Copilot to consolidate information and generate content and documents.
    30. Farm Credit Canada implemented Microsoft 365 Copilot which resulted in time savings on routine tasks for 78% of users, with 30% saving 30 to 60 minutes per week and 35% saving over an hour per week, allowing employees to focus on more value-added tasks.
    31. Finastra used Microsoft 365 Copilot to automate tasks, enhance content creation, improve analytics and personalize customer interactions, with employees citing a 20%-50% time savings.
    32. Four Agency Worldwide increased employee productivity using Microsoft 365 Copilot to generate ideas for creative work and support administrative-heavy processes, data analysis and report generation, allowing staff to focus on outreach and less time doing paperwork.
    33. Goodwill of Orange County developed an AI-powered app using Azure AI capabilities to help more people, including those with developmental, intellectual and physical disabilities, work in unfilled e-commerce positions.
    34. Harvey uses Azure OpenAI to simplify routine tasks across hundreds of law firms and legal teams, with one corporate lawyer saying he saved 10 hours of work per week.
    35. Honeywell employees are saving 92 minutes per week — that’s 74 hours a year! Disclaimer: Statistics are from an internal Honeywell survey of 5,000 employees where 611 employees responded.
    36. Insight employees using Copilot are seeing four hours of productivity gained per week from data summarization and content creation.
    37. Joos uses Microsoft 365 Copilot to grow its brand with worldwide collaboration by streamlining meetings, optimizing presentations and improving communications.
    38. Kantar is harnessing the power of Microsoft 365 Copilot by reducing costly, time-consuming IT processes and boosting productivity for employees.
    39. KMS Lighthouse enhanced its knowledge management platform with Microsoft Teams and Dynamics 365 integration, enabling users to leverage KMS Lighthouse without having to switch applications. And with Azure OpenAI Service, companies can create relevant content more quickly within the KMS Lighthouse application.
    40. KPMG Australia is using Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service, Azure AI Search and Microsoft Copilot 365 to perform advanced text analysis of dozens of client source documents to identify full or partial compliance, or noncompliance, in a fraction of the time required for manual assessments.
    41. LGT is launching Microsoft Copilot LGT to improve efficiency, showing users save an average of an hour a week even in the pilot phase.
    42. Localiza&Co, a leader in the mobility industry in Latin America, implemented Microsoft 365 Copilot to automate processes and improve efficiency, and reduced 8.3 working hours per employee per month.
    43. Lotte Hotels & Resorts has been creating a new work culture that allows employees to work more efficiently and focus on the nature of the work by adopting Microsoft Power Platform for automation.
    44. MAIRE is leveraging Microsoft 365 Copilot to automate routine tasks, saving over 800 working hours per month, freeing up engineers and professionals for strategic activities while supporting MAIRE’s green energy transition by reducing their carbon footprint.
    45. McDonald’s China chose Microsoft Azure AI, GitHub Copilot and Azure AI Search to transform its operations, resulting in a significant increase in AI adoption, consumption and retention from 2,000 to 30,000 employee transactions monthly.
    46. McKnight Foundation adopted Microsoft 365 Copilot for all staff, saving time, increasing productivity and freeing space to focus on strategic priorities.
    47. Medigold Health uses Azure OpenAI Service to significantly reduce the time that clinicians spend writing reports during their consultation and administrative time.
    48. Morula Health is using Microsoft 365 Copilot to enhance productivity, streamline medical writing tasks and ensure data security, ultimately improving efficiency and client satisfaction.
    49. Motor Oil Group is achieving remarkable efficiency gains by integrating Microsoft 365 Copilot into its workflows, with staff spending minutes on tasks that used to take weeks.
    50. Nagel-Group uses Azure OpenAI Service to help employees quickly access information which saves time, creates efficiency and transparency and leads to higher-quality answers overall.
    51. National Australia Bank is leveraging Microsoft 365 Copilot for daily productivity and data analysis and insights and Microsoft Copilot for Security to quickly analyze millions of security event logs and allow engineers to focus on more important areas.
    52. NFL Players Association integrated Azure AI Services and Azure App Service into their video review process, reducing review time by up to 73%, significantly increasing efficiency and enhancing player safety through consistent rule enforcement.
    53. O2 Czech Republic boosts productivity and streamlines meetings with Microsoft 365 Copilot, revolutionizing how information is shared and making automation a part of daily work.
    54. Onepoint developed a secure conversational agent based on Azure OpenAI which delivers productivity gains of between 10% and 15% across all business lines.
    55. Orange Group has over 40 use cases with Azure OpenAI Service and GitHub Copilot across business functions to support employees in their day-to-day tasks, enabling them to concentrate on higher value-added activities.
    56. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust implemented Microsoft 365 Copilot to improve staff report productivity by saving one to two hours a week, or simple formatting tasks down to a matter of seconds, enabling more resources to deliver frontline services.
    57. PA Consulting transformed its sales operations with Microsoft 365 Copilot, so its people can invest more time on the activities that have the biggest impact for clients and maximize the strategic value they provide.
    58. Petrobras used Azure OpenAI Service to create ChatPetrobras, which is streamlining workflows, reducing manual tasks and summarizing reports for its 110,000 employees.
    59. Petrochemical Industries Company automates work processes to save time with Microsoft 365 Copilot from weeks to days, hours to seconds.
    60. PIMCO built ChatGWM with Azure AI Studio, a comprehensive platform that provides the ability to ask questions, receive responses and verify answers all in one place, so teams can spend more time engaging clients and having deeper conversations.
    61. PKSHA Technology is optimizing their time on critical work by increasing efficiency in meeting preparations, data analytics and ideation with the help of Microsoft 365 Copilot.
    62. Providence has collaborated with Nuance and Microsoft to accelerate development and adoption of generative AI-powered applications, helping improve care quality and access, and reduce physician’s administrative workloads.
    63. RTI International adopted Microsoft 365 Copilot to gain productivity wherever possible, allowing staff to focus on their areas of expertise, delivering even better science-backed solutions for clients.
    64. SACE, an Italian finance and insurance firm, is using Microsoft 365 Copilot and Viva to boost productivity and unlock employee potential while enhancing overall well-being — and productivity improvement data from the first nine months of implementation shows a 23% increase.
    65. Sandvik Coromant is using Microsoft Copilot for Sales to drive efficiency and accuracy, shaving at least one minute off each transaction, allowing sellers and account managers to focus their expertise on responding to customers’ needs with analysis, creativity and adaptability.
    66. Sasfin Bank built a solution on Microsoft Azure that centralized 20,000 documents to analyze contract clauses and provide real-time snapshots, moving guesswork into data-driven decision-making.
    67. Scottish Water implemented Microsoft 365 Copilot reducing mundane tasks to a minimum, and thus freeing up time for employees to work on the more meaningful tasks.
    68. Shriners Children’s developed an AI platform allowing clinicians to easily and securely navigate patient data in a singular location, enhancing patient care, and improving the efficiency of their healthcare services.
    69. Siemens is leveraging Azure OpenAI Service to improve efficiency, cut downtime and address labor shortages.
    70. Softchoice employees are experiencing firsthand how Microsoft 365 Copilot can transform daily workflows, realizing productivity gains of 97% reduction in time spent summarizing technical meetings and up to 70% less time spent on content creation.
    71. Syensqo utilized Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service to develop a custom AI chatbot in three months, which improved their internal data management, decision-making and overall efficiency.
    72. Teladoc Health uses Microsoft 365 Copilot to revolutionize its telehealth operations, automating routine tasks, boosting efficiency and increasing productivity.
    73. Telstra developed two cutting-edge generative AI tools based on Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service: 90% of employees are using the One Sentence Summary tool which resulted in 20% less follow-up customer contact and 84% of customer service agents using the Ask Telstra solution.
    74. Topsoe achieved 85% AI adoption among office employees in seven months, significantly enhancing productivity and business processes.
    75. Torfaen County Borough Council utilized Microsoft 365 Copilot to streamline back-office processes, resulting in significant time savings and enhanced productivity for both business and children’s services teams, with further rollouts planned.
    76. Trace3 leveraged Microsoft 365 Copilot to streamline and enhance processes across the business and with clients, such as reducing the time it takes HR recruiting managers to respond to applicants within a couple of days instead of several weeks.
    77. Unilever is reinventing their marketing process with Copilot, saving time on briefing tasks, automatically pulling in relevant market data, content and insights to accelerate campaign launches.
    78. Uniper SE implemented Microsoft 365 Copilot to reduce time spent on manual and repetitive tasks, and help workers focus on more pressing work, such as developing enhanced solutions to speed up the energy transition.
    79. Unum Group built a custom AI application to search 1.3 terabytes of data with 95% accuracy using Azure OpenAI Service.
    80. Virgin Atlantic adopted Microsoft 365 Copilot and GitHub Copilot and is seeing real business benefits, including productivity improvements, enabling new ways of working.
    81. Visier built a generative AI assistant that leverages Azure AI and Azure OpenAI Services to deliver workforce analytics and actionable insights for more than 50,000 customers.
    82. Virtual Dental Care developed an AI application Smart Scan that leverages Microsoft Azure to reduce paperwork for mobile dental clinics in schools by 75% and frees dentists to devote more time to patient care.
    83. Zakladni Skola As Hlavkova adopted Microsoft 365 Copilot and saw a 60% improvement in handling administrative documents, decreased lesson preparation from hours to few minutes, increased inclusivity and enhanced communication with students and parents.

    Reinventing customer engagement

    We’ve seen great examples of how generative AI can automate content creation, ensuring there’s fresh and engaging materials ready to go. It personalizes customer experiences by crunching the numbers, boosting conversion rates. It makes operations smoother, helping teams launch campaigns faster. Plus, it drives innovation, crafting experiences that delight customers while lightening the load for staff. Embracing generative AI is key for organizations wanting to reinvent customer engagements, stay ahead of the game and drive both innovation and efficiency.

    New Stories:

    1. Aditya Birla Capital built the SimpliFi chatbot on Microsoft Azure to simplify financial services information and offers through intelligent search and proactive nudging with minimum latency and high scalability.
    2. AIA is using Copilot in Dynamics 365 Customer Service to allow customer service representatives to handle more cases in less time by automating time-consuming tasks like drafting customer emails and summarizing lengthy chats and case histories.
    3. Aydem Energy and Microsoft partner Softtech used Azure OpenAI Service to create an AI assistant for WhatsApp, providing customers with real-time updates and handling meter readings, bill checks and claims.
    4. The City of Buenos Aires developed Boti with ChatGPT using Azure OpenAI Service to manage multiple service channels and personalize key services for residents and tourists. The chatbot centralizes data, enables natural language interactions and scales to handle high demands, managing 2 million queries per month without human intervention, alleviating the operational burden by 50%, improving the citizen experience and increasing efficiency.
    5. de Alliantie built a generative AI chatbot using Azure OpenAI to digest information in their online knowledge base so staff can get accurate answers in seconds. Another Azure AI-based solution transcribes and summarizes calls, then categorizes them by theme.
    6. Haceb created a virtual technical support assistant with generative AI, helping on-the-ground technicians troubleshoot, diagnose and resolve product issues faster and more efficiently.
    7. Lloyds Banking Group developed the Branch Translation App using Microsoft Power Apps and Azure AI services with a goal to improve communication with non-English speaking customers and the innovation enhanced service delivery, receiving positive feedback from employees and customers alike.
    8. Staffbase provides its clients with Staffbase Companion, which helps it enhance internal communication with quick content generation, summarization, translation and future capabilities — and remain confident in data protection.
    9. Tekion built Automative Retail Cloud, a unified, cloud-native platform that uses generative AI to analyze communications, extract insights and provide customer-specific recommendations for sales agents.
    10. Welcome Account created a banking application with a conversational agent based on Azure OpenAI Service, in order to help people manage their finances and administrative procedures. This multilingual agent already assists no less than a thousand refugees on a daily basis.
    11. UBS is using Azure AI solutions, including Azure AI Search and Azure OpenAI Service, to power “Smart Assistants” that streamline content access and provide real-time information to Client Advisors, boosting efficiency and client engagement.
    12. Virbe enables businesses to interact with customers through AI-powered avatars, and with Azure AI services like Azure OpenAI Service and Azure AI Search, Virbe enhanced its AI avatars and simplified engagement with enterprise customers — and customers are seeing up to a 10x increase in leads.

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    1. Absa has adopted Microsoft Copilot to streamline various business processes, saving several hours on administrative tasks each day.
    2. Adobe leverages Microsoft Azure to streamline the customer experience, harnessing the power of the connected cloud services and creating a synergy that drives AI transformation across industries.
    3. Acentra Health developed Medscribe, a web application that uses Azure OpenAI Service to generate draft letters in a secure, HIPPA-compliant enclave that responds to customer appeals for healthcare services within 24 hours, reducing the time spent on each appeal letter by 50%.
    4. Air India leveraged Azure OpenAI Service to develop a virtual assistant that has handled nearly 4 million customer queries with full automation, significantly enhancing customer experience and avoiding millions of dollars in customer support costs.
    5. Alaska Airlines is using Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Defender, and GitHub to ensure its passengers have a seamless journey from ticket purchase to baggage pickup and started leveraging Azure OpenAI Service to unlock more business value for its customer care and contact centers.
    6. Ally Financial is using Azure OpenAI Service to reduce manual tasks for its customer service associates, freeing up time for them to engage with customers.
    7. BMW Group optimizes the customer experience connecting 13 million active users to their vehicles with the MyBMW app on Azure, which supports 450 million daily requests and 3.2TB data processing.
    8. Boyner has tripled its e-commerce performance using Microsoft Azure, seeing a rise in customer satisfaction, engagement, conversion rate and revenue.
    9. Bradesco Bank integrated Microsoft Azure to its virtual assistant, BIA, resulting in reduced response time from days to hours, improving operational efficiency and client satisfaction.
    10. Capgemini Mexico integrated GitHub Copilot to support scalable AI implementations which has led to improved customer experiences and increased efficiency.
    11. Capitec Bank uses Azure OpenAI Service and Microsoft 365 Copilot, enabling their AI-powered chatbot to assist customer service consultants in accessing product information more efficiently, saving significant time for employees each week.
    12. Cdiscount is leveraging GitHub Copilot and Azure OpenAI Service to enhance developer efficiency, optimize product sheet categorization and improve customer satisfaction.
    13. Cemex used Azure OpenAI Service to launch Technical Xpert, an AI tool used by sales agents to provide instant access to comprehensive product and customer solution information, significantly reducing search time by 80%.
    14. Chanel elevated their client experience and improved employee efficiency by leveraging Microsoft Fabric and Azure OpenAI Service for real-time translations and quality monitoring.
    15. City of Burlington created two AI-powered solutions: MyFiles system using Microsoft Power Platform for building permits, and CoBy, a 24/7 customer support assistant using Microsoft Copilot Studio.
    16. City of Madrid created an AI virtual assistant with Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service offering tourists accurate, real-time information and personalized responses in 95-plus languages.
    17. Cognizant is making performance management more effective and meaningful with Microsoft Azure Machine Learning to help clients across industries envision, build, and run innovative digital enterprises.
    18. Coles Group has leveraged Microsoft Azure to enhance its digital presence and improve customer engagement, rolling out new applications to its stores six times faster without disrupting workloads.
    19. Commercial Bank of Dubai used Microsoft Azure to upgrade its application infrastructure, improving transaction security and speed so individual customers can now open an account and start banking in about two minutes.
    20. Cradle Fund, dedicated to nurturing startups in Malaysia, introduced an AI-driven chatbot to boost user interaction and increase public engagement. User engagement quadrupled while resolution time was reduced from two days to a few clicks. Cradle also decreased customer service costs by 35%, increased international interactions by 40% and increased daily average visits 10-fold.
    21. Doctolib, a leading eHealth company in France, leverages Microsoft technology to develop an AI-powered medical assistant, integrating both Azure OpenAI Service and Mistral Large on Azure.
    22. Docusign used Azure AI to develop its Intelligent Agreement Management (IAM) platform, which supports millions of workflows, reducing contract processing times and enhancing customer satisfaction with advanced AI-powered analytics.
    23. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority has significantly improved productivity and customer satisfaction by integrating multiple Microsoft AI solutions, reducing task completion time from days to hours and achieving a 98% customer happiness rate.
    24. Elcome uses Microsoft 365 Copilot to improve the customer experience, reducing response times from 24 hours to eight hours.
    25. elunic developed shopfloor.GPT based on Azure OpenAI leading to increased productivity for customers saving 15 minutes per request.
    26. Estée Lauder Companies is leveraging Azure OpenAI Service to create closer consumer connections and increase speed to market with local relevancy.
    27. First National Bank (FNB) is using Microsoft Copilot for Sales to help bankers create professional, thoughtful emails in 13 native South African languages, to enhance customer interactions, streamline communications and reinforce its commitment to innovation and customer service.
    28. Flora Food Group migrated to Microsoft Fabric to offer more detailed and timely insights to its customers, enhancing service delivery and customer satisfaction.
    29. Groupama deployed a virtual assistant using Azure OpenAI Service that delivers reliable, verified and verifiable information, and boasts an 80% success rate.
    30. Holland America Line developed a virtual agent using Microsoft Copilot Studio that acts as a digital concierge on their website to support new and existing customers and travel advisors, which has achieved a strong resolution rate and is currently handling thousands of conversations per week.
    31. International University of Applied Sciences (IU) adopted Azure OpenAI Service to revolutionize learning with a personalized study assistant that can interact with each student just like a human would.
    32. Investec is using Microsoft 365 Copilot for Sales to enhance the bank’s client relationships, estimating saving approximately 200 hours annually ultimately boosting sales productivity and delivering personalized, seamless customer experience.
    33. Jato Dynamics used Azure OpenAI Service to automate content generation, helping dealerships save approximately 32 hours each month.
    34. Kenya Red Cross worked with Pathways Technologies to develop a mental health chatbot in Azure AI.
    35. LALIGA is delivering a seamless fan experience and AI insights with Azure Arc, using AI in Azure for optimizing match scheduling and other key operations.
    36. Legrand used Azure OpenAI Service to reduce the time to generate product data by 60% and improve customer support interactions with fast, accurate information.
    37. Linum is using Microsoft Azure to train their text-to-video models faster and more efficiently without losing performance or wasting resources.
    38. Lumen Technologies is redefining customer success and sales processes through the strategic use of Microsoft 365 Copilot, enhancing productivity, sales and customer service in the global communications sector.
    39. Mars Science & Diagnostics used the Azure AI catalog to build generative AI apps to enhance accuracy and extract data insights quickly, helping pets with critical, undiagnosed conditions receive the care they require faster.
    40. McKinsey & Company is creating an agent to reduce client onboarding process by reducing lead time by 90% and administrative work by 30%.
    41. Meesho leveraged Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service and GitHub Copilot to enhance customer service and software development, resulting in a 25% increase in customer satisfaction scores and 40% more traffic on customer service queries.
    42. Milpark Education integrated Microsoft Copilot and Copilot Studio and in just four months, improved efficiency and accuracy of student support, decreasing the average resolution time by 50% and escalation time by more than 30%.
    43. National Basketball Association is using Azure OpenAI Service to speed up the time to market, helping fans connect with the league with personalized, localized insights to enhance the fan experience.
    44. NC Fusion chose a comprehensive Microsoft solution to make marketing engagement activities easier and accurately target the best audience segments.
    45. Medgate, a telehealth subsidiary of Otto Group developed a medical Copilot powered by Azure OpenAI which summarizes consultations, supports triage and provides real-time translations.
    46. Orbital Witness embraced the use of large language models (LLMs) in Azure OpenAI to build its innovative AI Agent application, Orbital Copilot, which can save legal teams 70 percent of the time it takes to conduct property diligence work.
    47. Pacific Gas & Electric built a chatbot using Microsoft Copilot Studio that saves $1.1 million annually on helpdesk support.
    48. Parloa took a “voice-first” approach and created an enterprise-grade AI Agent Management platform to automate customer interactions across phone, chat and messaging apps.
    49. Pockyt is using GitHub Copilot and anticipates a 500% increase in productivity in the medium to long term as they continue adapting AI and fine-tuning their software development life cycle.
    50. South Australia Department for Education launched an AI-powered educational chatbot to help safeguard students from harmful content while introducing responsible AI to the classrooms.
    51. Sync Labs is using Microsoft Azure to create AI-driven solutions that have led to a remarkable 30x increase in revenue and a 100x expansion of their customer base.
    52. Syndigo is using Azure to accelerate digital commerce for its customers by more than 40% and expand its customer base.
    53. Telkomsel created a virtual assistant with Azure OpenAI Service, resulting in a leap in customer self-service interactions from 19% to 45%, and call volume dropped from 8,000 calls to 1,000 calls a day.
    54. Torrens University chose to use Azure OpenAI to uplift its online learning experience, saving 20,000 hours and $2.4 million in time and resources.
    55. Trusting Social integrated Microsoft Azure services to launch AI-driven agents that are changing how banks function and transforming their customer’s banking experience.
    56. University of California, Berkeley used Azure OpenAI Service to deploy a custom AI chatbot that supports student learning and helps students with complex coursework.
    57. University of Sydney created a self-serve AI platform powered by Azure OpenAI Service, to enable faculty to build custom chatbots for enhancing student onboarding, feedback, career simulation and more.
    58. Van Lanschot Kempen is using Microsoft 365 Copilot to reduce the time needed for daily tasks, freeing up time to invest in that crucial personal connection.
    59. Virgin Money built an award-winning virtual assistant using Copilot Studio to help build customers’ confidence in their digital products and services.
    60. VOCALLS automates over 50 million interactions per year, resulting in a 78% reduction in average handling time aside from a 120% increase in answered calls.
    61. Vodafone Group is leveraging Microsoft’s AI solutions, including Azure AI Studio, OpenAI Service, Copilot and AI Search, to achieve a 70% resolution rate for customer inquiries through digital channels and reduce call times by at least one minute.
    62. Walmart is using Azure OpenAI Service to deliver a helpful and intuitive browsing experience for customers designed to serve up a curated list of the personalized items a shopper is looking for.
    63. Weights & Biases created a platform which runs on Microsoft Azure that allows developers to keep records, log successes and failures and automate manual tasks.
    64. World2Meet is providing better customer service and operations with a new virtual assistant powered by Microsoft Azure.
    65. Xavier College is modernizing its student information systems on Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Azure to unlock powerful insights, fostering innovation and data-driven decision making.
    66. Zavarovalnica Triglav implemented Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Azure OpenAI Service to streamline its operations with automated responses and smart rerouting of customer enquiries.
    67. Zurich Insurance Group used Azure OpenAI Service to develop advanced AI applications that led to more accurate and efficient risk assessment evaluations, accelerating the underwriting process, reducing turnaround times and increasing customer satisfaction.

    Reshaping business process

    Transforming operations is another way generative AI is encouraging innovation and improving efficiency across various business functions. In marketing, it can create personalized content to truly engage different audiences. For supply chain management, it can predict market trends so companies can optimize their inventory levels. Human resources departments can speed up the hiring process, while financial services can use it for fraud detection and risk assessments. With generative AI, companies are not just refining their current processes, they’re also discovering exciting new growth opportunities.

    New Stories:

    1. Bank of Queensland is modernizing its operations with Azure, Microsoft 365 and Microsoft 365 Copilot, using AI to optimize business processes such as creating marketing content, building reports and plans and drafting HR content.
    2. Document360 created an AI-powered knowledge base and service platform for companies to create, manage and publish online documentation, including product manuals, SOPs and wikis.
    3. Eduvos is simplifying the student enrollment experience with Microsoft Azure and Dynamics 365, reducing the time from 90 days to nearly instantaneous and associated costs by 90%.
    4. Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA) uses Azure Local to support its digital manufacturing platform, including support for safety-critical applications that use AI. Through its hybrid Azure environment, EGA has achieved 10 to 13 times faster AI response time and 86% cost savings for AI image and video use cases.
    5. Hellenic Cadastre built a system that reads and categorizes property contracts, applies legal rules and provides assessments for approval using Azure OpenAI Service. Today, property transaction assessments take less than 10 minutes instead of hours, reducing costs from 15 euros to 0.11 euros per assessment. The system also enhanced property owners’ legal security and boosted the Greek economy by enabling transactions to be completed sooner.
    6. Startup legal-i is using AI to analyze unstructured data and help expensive insurance specialists make better decisions faster — speeding up healthcare and insurance processes and improving the accuracy of outcomes.
    7. Publishing company SHUEISHA Inc. is using Microsoft Security Copilot to enable faster incident response, boosting the confidence and effectiveness of cybersecurity personnel.
    8. thyssencrupp is using the Siemens Industrial Copilot, built on Azure OpenAI Service, to address a skilled labor gap while revolutionizing how it programs and operates machinery.
    9. U.S. AutoForce implemented Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management to centralize warehouse data, connect processes and improve operational efficiency while using Microsoft Copilot for Finance to automate monthly reconciliations.

    ————————————————————————————————————————–

    1. ABB Group integrated Azure OpenAI Service into their Genix Copilot platform enabling customers to achieve up to 30% savings in operations and maintenance, 20% improvement in energy and emission optimization and an 80% reduction in service calls.
    2. Accelleron used Microsoft Power Platform to support numerous business applications and simplify processes for service agents and employees, resulting in the onboard of new agents in 30 minutes, compared to two days for other solutions.
    3. Accenture developed an AI-powered financial advisor that leverages RISE with SAP on Microsoft Azure to enhance their infrastructure and integrate financial data.
    4. Atomicwork leverages Azure OpenAI to bring together three power capabilities: a conversational assistant, a modern service management system and a workflow automation platform.
    5. Blink Ops fully embraced generative AI to build the world’s first Security Automation Copilot with more than 8,000 automated workflows to help any Security/IT task through prompts.
    6. Chalhoub Group is using Microsoft Fabric to modernize its data analytics and streamline its data sources into one platform, increasing agility, enhancing analytics and accelerating processes.
    7. Cineplex is developing innovative automation solutions for finance, guest services and other departments, saving the company over 30,000 hours a year in manual processing time.
    8. ClearBank moved its services to Microsoft Azure to gain scalability and efficiency, pushing out 183% more monthly system releases, gaining both scalability and efficiency.
    9. Danske Statsbaner increases productivity up to 30% with help from Microsoft AI solutions.
    10. Dentsu implemented Microsoft Azure AI Foundry and Azure OpenAI Service to build a predictive analytics copilot that supports media insights, cutting analysis time by 80% and overall time to insight by 90%, reducing analysis costs.
    11. Dow implemented Microsoft 365 Copilot to empower teams with AI-driven insights and streamline essential workflows by automating tasks across departments, saving millions of dollars on shipping operations in the first year.
    12. Eastman implemented Microsoft Copilot for Security realizing the benefits of accelerated upskilling, step-by-step guidance for response and faster threat remediation.
    13. Fast Shop migrated to Microsoft Azure creating a self-service culture of access to data, eliminating delays, reducing costs and increasing leadership satisfaction with data while providing more agility in reporting.
    14. Florida Crystals adopted a value-added solution across Microsoft products including Microsoft 365 Copilot to reduce telecom expenses and automate industrial process controls.
    15. GHD is reinventing the RFP process in construction and engineering with Microsoft 365 Copilot.
    16. GovDash is a SaaS platform that leverages artificial intelligence to streamline the entire business development life cycle for government contracting companies using Azure OpenAI.
    17. Grupo Bimbo is deploying Microsoft’s industrial AI technologies to modernize its manufacturing processes, optimizing production and reducing downtime, driving significant cost savings, and empowering global innovation.
    18. Insight Canada implemented Microsoft 365 Copilot to streamline business operations, with 93% of users realizing productivity gains in functions including sales, finance and human resources.
    19. Intesa Sanpaolo Group enhanced its cybersecurity with AI-enabled Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft Copilot for Security, resulting in faster threat detection, increased productivity and reduced storage costs.
    20. Kaya deployed a custom implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power BI to modernize its supply chain, leading to enhanced visibility, improved planning and streamlined inter-department operations.
    21. Lenovo leveraged Dynamics 365 Customer Service to rapidly manage customer inquiries by streamlining repetitive tasks, boosted agent productivity by 15%, reduced handling time by 20% and reached record-high customer satisfaction.
    22. Lionbridge Technologies, LLC is using Microsoft Azure and Azure OpenAI Service to accelerate its delivery times and improve quality, reducing project turnaround times by up to 30%.
    23. LTIMindtree integrated Microsoft Copilot for Security, offering automated incident response, integrated threat intelligence and advanced threat analysis.
    24. Mania de Churrasco used Microsoft Azure, Power Platform and Microsoft 365 to achieve high efficiency, security and scalability in its operations, in addition to improving its data intelligence, which indirectly participated in a 20% increase in sales year on year.
    25. National Bank of Greece built an Azure-powered Document AI solution to transform its document processing, improving the bank’s accuracy to 90%.
    26. Nest Bank has revolutionized its operations by integrating Microsoft 365 Copilot and Azure OpenAI Service, resulting in doubled sales and increased daily transactions from 60,000 to 80,000, showcasing the transformative impact of generative AI in the financial sector.
    27. Network Rail modernized their data analytics solution with Microsoft Azure, helping engineers understand data 50% faster than before and improve efficiency, passenger experiences and safety — all while saving costs.
    28. Nsure developed an AI-powered agent that uses Copilot Studio and Power Automate to reduce manual processing time by 60% while also reducing associated costs by 50%.
    29. Oncoclínicas implemented Microsoft Azure to transform its entire data ecosystem with a web portal and mobile application that performs all image processing and storage.
    30. Operation Smile used Azure OpenAI Service, Fabric and Power Apps to eliminate manual data entry, resulting in reduced translation errors by about 90% and the time required for completing reports from four to five hours to just 15 to 20 minutes.
    31. Pacifico Seguros has adopted Microsoft Copilot for Security to optimize its security operations and anticipate and neutralize threats more efficiently and effectively.
    32. Parexel adopted Azure Databricks and Microsoft Power BI, achieving an 85% reduction in data engineering tooling costs, a 30% increase in staff efficiency and a 70% reduction in time to market for data product delivery.
    33. Paysafe used Microsoft 365 Copilot to streamline meetings, information management and document creation, addressing language barriers, eliminating time-consuming tasks and boosting creativity along the way.
    34. Planted is integrating Azure OpenAI to manage everyday tasks more efficiently and facilitate the search for information for innovative process development.
    35. Presidio realized dramatic productivity gains saving 1,200 hours per month on average for the employees using Microsoft 365 Copilot and created 70 new business opportunities.
    36. Qatar Charity used Copilot Studio to increase its call center efficiency, reducing average handle time by 30%, increased customer satisfaction by 25%, and achieved a 40% reduction in IT maintenance costs.
    37. Saphyre uses Microsoft Azure and AI to provide an intelligent cloud-based solution that automates and streamlines financial trading workflows around client and counterparty life cycle management, reducing manual efforts by 75%.
    38. StarKist Foods used Azure to effectively unite production and demand processes with finance, reducing the planning cycle from 16 hours to less than one.
    39. Swiss International Air Lines migrated and modernized with Microsoft Azure, achieving up to 30% cost savings, a remarkable boost in platform stability along with enhanced security visibility.
    40. ZEISS Group uses Microsoft Fabric to create a secure and trusted data supply chain that can be shared effortlessly across a range of business units.
    41. ZF Group builds manufacturing efficiency with over 25,000 apps and 37,000 unique active users on Power Platform.

    Bending the curve on innovation

    Generative AI is revolutionizing innovation by speeding up creative processes and product development. It’s helping companies come up with new ideas, design prototypes, and iterate quickly, cutting down the time it takes to get to market. In the automotive industry, it’s designing more efficient vehicles, while in pharmaceuticals, it’s crafting new drug molecules, slashing years off R&D times. In education, it transforms how students learn and achieve their goals. Here are more examples of how companies are embracing generative AI to shape the future of innovation.

    New Stories:

    1. Agricultural Development Trust (ADT) of Baramati is analyzing water, weather, nutrient, pH data and more with AI to increase crop yields in India.
    2. DrumBeat.AI is using Microsoft AI services to predict, identify and treat ear diseases in communities that are both rural and remote, helping to prevent hearing loss among Indigenous communities in Australia.
    3. Dynamic Health Systems created its VitruCare365® platform on the Microsoft Cloud for healthcare technologies to enable motivational care planning. Built on Microsoft Azure, FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) and Dynamics 365, it provides personalized apps powered by Azure OpenAI Service to each patient and is deployed as an extension to the Microsoft 365 tools clinicians use every day.
    4. Cities can use Esri’s ArcGIS geospatial platform to create environmental digital twins that simulate heavy rainfall and apply hot spot analysis to highlight flooding. Adding Azure AI to the geospatial digital twin will reveal insights in impossible amounts of data.
    5. Digital employment agency Gojob developed Aglae, a virtual assistant based on Azure OpenAI Service, to pre-qualify candidates within 15 minutes, enabling recruiters to achieve record employment placement rates.
    6. Institut Curie and Microsoft partner Witivio developed Copilot for Researcher, an agent that can help researchers with some of the administrative tasks in their jobs so they have more time to spend on actual new ideas in the fight against cancer.
    7. NASA created Earth Copilot to transform how people interact with Earth’s data.
    8. Parity is helping women athletes use data and AI to help improve their well-being, performance and careers.
    9. Petbarn created “PetAI” using Azure OpenAI Service, Azure AI Search and Azure App Service to provide Australian pet owners highly personalized advice and product recommendations.
    10. Project Guacamaya is using daily satellite images and various AI models tailored to the Amazon ecosystem to help prevent its deforestation, allowing for quicker action to be taken in at-risk areas.
    11. Properstar developed a solution to simplify the analysis of unstructured real estate data and create a dynamic, AI-powered filtering system that provides more nuanced search results.
    12. RadarFit is using generative AI and a unique gamification strategy to encourage healthy habits in Brazil, with a comprehensive health and wellness program aimed at helping companies reduce chronic disease rates.
    13. SEDUC is using Microsoft 365 Copilot for administrative tasks — such as generating legal documents and handling administrative inquiries — and has expanded to include AI usage with students and teachers, including personalized learning to cater to individual student needs and help them recover from learning losses during the pandemic.
    14. Indonesia’s Universitas Terbuka used Microsoft Azure OpenAI services and Azure AI Foundry to build an AI tutor that delivers accurate, curriculum-aligned responses and streamlines student assessment. The tutor currently supports 500 classes and some 100,000 students.
    15. World Traveler is using AI including Microsoft Reading Progress and Microsoft Immersive Reader to help teachers reach its globally and educationally diverse students with personalized learning experiences.
    16. South Korean startup Wrtn Technologies brings ATI close to people, with a “superapp” that compiles an array of AI use cases and services, but localized for Korean users to integrate AI into their everyday lives.

    ————————————————————————————————————————–

    1. Air India has incorporated Microsoft 365 Copilot into multiple departments, unlocking a new realm of operational insights that not only provides critical data on flight punctuality and operational hurdles, but also empowers proactive, collaborative decision making.
    2. Agnostic Intelligencedeployed Azure OpenAI Service to eliminate time-consuming tasks, saving users up to 80% of their time, and enabling IT managers to focus on innovation and quality assurance.
    3. Albert Heijn is using Azure OpenAI for everything from customer personalization to demand forecast and food waste projects, making it easier for its customers to change their lifestyle.
    4. Amgen is using Microsoft 365 Copilot to boost productivity and has the potential to speed up drug development and support advancements in their business processes.
    5. APEC leverages Microsoft Azure and deep neural network algorithms to develop an app that enables healthcare providers to capture retinal images, increasing the accuracy to identify Retinopathy of Prematurity (RoP) to 90%.
    6. ASOS is using Azure AI Studio to help customers discover new looks with genuine shopping insights, personalized conversations, naturalism and even humor to enliven the shopping journey.
    7. Auburn University is incorporating Microsoft Copilot to promote AI literacy, accessibility and collaboration, with the aim to expand educational and economic opportunities for its entire academic community with AI-centric tools.
    8. B3 launched an AI assistant using Azure OpenAI Service that aids 10,000 users a day to answer Brazilians’ questions about how to start investing.
    9. Basecamp Research aims to build the world’s largest database of national biodiversity and apply AI and machine learning to advance bioscience.
    10. Bayer is using Microsoft Copilot to contribute to feeding a growing global population and helping people lead healthier, disease-free lives.
    11. BMW AG implemented Azure AI to develop a mobile data recorder copilot for faster data management helping engineers reduce the lead time for insights from days to hours or sometimes minutes.
    12. Brembo leveraged Azure OpenAI to develop ALCHEMIX, a solution to generate innovative compounds for its brake pads, drastically reducing the development time of new compounds from days to mere minutes.
    13. Canary Speech can now train new vocal models in as little as two months and handle millions of transactions per month with Microsoft Azure.
    14. CapitaLand simplified internal processes increasing efficiency to more than 10,000 man-days saved per year and deployed Azure OpenAI Service to build the first AI hospitality chatbot for its lodging business.
    15. Cassidy is using Azure OpenAI Service to enhance efficiency across various industries, supporting over 10,000 companies.
    16. Coca-Cola is implementing Azure OpenAI Service to develop innovative generative AI use cases across various business functions, including testing how Microsoft 365 Copilot could help improve workplace productivity.
    17. Denso is developing “human-like” robots using Azure OpenAI Service as the brain to help robots and humans work together through dialogue.
    18. eFishery is using Azure OpenAI for farmers to get the data and insights on fish and shrimp farming, including more precise feeding and water quality monitoring.
    19. EY developed an application that automatically matches and clears incoming payments in SAP, resulting in an increase from 30% to 80% in automatically cleared payments and 95% matched payments, with estimated annual time savings of 230,000 hours globally.
    20. EY worked with Microsoft to make Azure AI Foundry more inclusive for all, serving the 20% of the global workforce identifying as neurodivergent.
    21. FIDO is using Azure OpenAI Service to develop an AI tool that uses sound to pinpoint leaky pipes, saving precious drinking water.
    22. Georgia Tech is using Azure OpenAI Service to enhance the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, achieving rapid data classification and predictive modeling, highlighting the reliability of networked chargers over non-networked ones.
    23. GigXR developed a solution to create the intelligence for specific AI patients using Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service and other Azure services.
    24. GoTo Group is significantly enhancing productivity and code quality across its engineering teams by adopting GitHub Copilot, saving over seven hours per week and achieved a 30% code acceptance rate.
    25. GovTech used Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service to create LaunchPad, sparking more than 400 ideas and 20 prototypes, laying the foundation for the government to harness the power of generative AI.
    26. H&R Block is using Azure AI Studio and Azure OpenAI Service to build a new solution that provides real-time, reliable tax filing assistance.
    27. Haut.AI provides skin care companies and retailers with customizable, AI-based skin diagnostic tools developed with the help of Microsoft AI.
    28. Helfie is building a solution that caters to healthcare providers who can arm their patients with an application to more quickly and accurately access the care they need.
    29. Hitachi will implement Azure Open AI Service, Microsoft 365 Copilot and GitHub Copilot to create innovative solutions for the energy, mobility and other industries.
    30. Icertis is providing AI-based tools that will recognize contract language and then build algorithms to automatically choose the right approach based on the content of the contract.
    31. Iconem leveraged AI-generated imagery to process and analyze a vast amount of photogrammetry data used to create the 3D digital twin of St. Peter’s Basilica, allowing visitors to explore every intricate detail from anywhere in the world.
    32. ITOCHU is using Azure OpenAI Service and Azure AI Studio to evolve its data analytics dashboard into a service that provides immediate recommendations by automatically creating evidence-based product proposals.
    33. IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is using the power of Azure OpenAI Service to develop Syntea, an AI avatar integrated into Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365 Copilot, making learning more personalized, autonomous and flexible.
    34. Khan Academy has partnered with Microsoft to bring time-saving and lesson-enhancing AI tools to millions of educators.
    35. Lufthansa Group developed an animated 3D avatar called Digital Hangar to help guide passengers from initial travel inspiration to flight booking through an exchange with an Avatar in natural language.
    36. Mia Labs implemented Azure OpenAI to produce and protect its conversational AI virtual assistant Mia that provides fast support from investors, along with the sophisticated security posture and threat protection capabilities for AI workloads.
    37. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is using Azure OpenAI Service to help accelerate digital innovation in power plants.
    38. Molslinjen has created an AI analytics toolbox that has reduced fuel emissions, improved customer satisfaction and brought in millions of additional revenue.
    39. New Sun Road implemented AI into a local controller for energy systems to balance the supply, storage and use requirements. This optimized loads to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy for local clean power for communities.
    40. Novo Nordisk recently published initial results with predictive AI models for advanced risk detection in cardiovascular diseases, including an algorithm that can predict patients’ cardiovascular risk better than the best clinical standards.
    41. Ontada implemented Azure AI and Azure OpenAI Service to target nearly 100 critical oncology data elements across 39 cancer types and now accesses an estimated 70% of previously unanalyzed or unused information, accelerating its life science product development, speeding up time to market from months to just one week.
    42. Paige.AI​ is using AI and Microsoft Azure to accelerate cancer diagnoses with data from millions of images.
    43. Pets at Home created an agent to help its retail fraud detection team investigate suspicious transactions.
    44. Plan Heal is using Microsoft AI to create solutions that enable patients to monitor and report health metrics so care providers can better serve them.
    45. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is testing a new battery material that was found in a matter of weeks, not years, as part of a collaboration with Microsoft.
    46. Rijksmuseum is harnessing the power of Copilot to make art accessible at scale by joining forces with Microsoft to improve and expand the art experience for blind and low-vision community members.
    47. Royal National Institute of Blind People is using Azure AI services to develop an AI-based solution that quickly and accurately converts letters to braille, audio, and large print formats.
    48. Schneider Electric provides productivity-enhancing and energy efficiency solutions and is using a whole suite of AI tools to hasten its own innovation and that of its customers.
    49. SPAR ICS created an award-winning, AI-enabled demand forecasting system achieving 90% inventory prediction accuracy.
    50. SustainCERT deployed GenAI and machine learning for automated data verification, extraction from documents and to accelerate auditing processes to enable verifying the impacts and credibility of carbon credits.
    51. Suzuki Motor Corporation is adopting Azure OpenAI Service for data security, driving company-wide use with five multipurpose apps.
    52. Tecnológico de Monterrey created a generative AI-powered ecosystem built on Azure OpenAI Service with the goal to personalize education based on the students’ needs, improve the learning process, boost teachers’ creativity and save time on tedious tasks.
    53. TomTom is using Azure OpenAI Service, Azure Cosmos DB and Azure Kubernetes Service to revolutionize the driver experience.
    54. Toyota is deploying AI agents to harness the collective wisdom of engineers and innovate faster in a system named “O-Beya,” or “big room” in Japanese. The “O-Beya” system currently has nine AI agents — from a Vibration Agent to a Fuel Consumption Agent.
    55. Unilever is partnering with Microsoft to identify new digital capabilities to drive product innovation forward, from unlocking the secrets of our skin’s microbiome to reducing the carbon footprint of a multibillion-dollar business.
    56. Unity used Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service to build Muse Chat, an AI assistant that can guide creators through common questions and help troubleshoot issues to make game development easier.
    57. University of South Florida is using Microsoft 365 Copilot to alleviate the burden of repetitive, time-consuming tasks so faculty and staff can spend this time creatively solving problems, conducting critical research, establishing stronger relationships with peers and students and using their expertise to forge new, innovative paths.
    58. Utilidata built the first distributive AI and accelerated computing platform for the electric grid allowing flexible transformation and dynamic infrastructure to increase electrification and decarbonization.
    59. Visma has developed new code with GitHub Copilot, Microsoft Azure DevOps and Microsoft Visual Studio as much as 50 percent faster, contributing to increased customer retention, faster time to market and increased revenue.
    60. Wallenius Wilhelmsen is implementing Microsoft 365 Copilot and using Microsoft Viva to drive sustainable adoption, streamlining processes, empowering better decision making and cultivating a culture of innovation and inclusion.
    61. Wipro is committed to delivering value to customers faster and improving the outcomes across the business by investing $1 billion in AI and training 200,000 employees on generative AI principles with Microsoft Copilot.

    Read more:

    IDC InfoBrief: sponsored by Microsoft, 2024 Business Opportunity of AI, IDC# US52699124, November 2024

    Tags: AI, AI Azure, Azure OpenAI Service, Copilot, Copilot Studio, Microsoft 365 Copilot

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Enhancing Teams video quality with Super Resolution, now in public preview

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Enhancing Teams video quality with Super Resolution, now in public preview

    Microsoft Teams continues to evolve to provide users with the best possible experience in virtual communication. One of the latest advancements is the introduction of Super Resolution (SR) support for Teams that we announced in Microsoft Ignite 2024. It is now available in public preview and will be general available in March. This feature, initially rolled out for Snapdragon X-based Copilot+ PCs, enhances video quality, especially under poor network conditions.

    Network conditions can pose a challenge during high-traffic Teams meetings. Limited network bandwidth can force the transmission of lower-resolution videos, leading to decreased video quality. Traditionally, Teams would upscale these videos using conventional methods, which can result in blurry visuals.

    Super Resolution for Teams leverages the power of Copilot+ PC AI to restore video resolution. Instead of relying on conventional upscaling methods, which fall short in delivering clearer images, Teams uses AI to enhance video resolution, producing notably improved video.

    The following video clip shows a 2-participant Teams call with low resolution (360p) incoming video and compares the call quality before and after Super Resolution is enabled.

    The following screen captures zoom into the video to highlight the differences and improvements between the two.

    Figure 2: Zoomed in comparison of with and without super resolution enabled.

    We conducted a subjective video quality assessment of a two-participant end-to-end Teams call. The call received several 360p resolution videos, which needed to be viewed at approximately 720p viewport size. The results indicated an average increase of +0.6 CMOS in quality (Comparative Mean Opinion Score), where users rated the quality difference on a scale from -3 (Much Worse) to +3 (Much Better). Additionally, 68% of users rated the super-resolution (SR) results as superior.

    Most video calls are stable and transmit the required resolutions without needing upscaling. Super Resolution remains disabled in those scenarios. However, if bandwidth is limited, Teams will automatically enable Super Resolution for videos that do not meet the receiver’s viewing sizes. The effectiveness of SR depends on the level of upscaling needed, being more noticeable in severely degraded videos (such as the example above) than those needing slight upscaling. Thus, the feature’s performance varies with bandwidth constraints.

    By default, the feature is enabled for devices connected to a power supply. This ensures that users benefit from the enhanced video quality without worrying about battery consumption. When devices are running on battery power, Super Resolution is switched off to conserve energy, allowing users to stay mobile without draining their battery. Users may also disable this feature manually via a toggle button in the “Video settings” dialog.

    The current release is exclusive to the Teams Windows app on Snapdragon X based Copilot+ PCs, and supported on all OEM Copilot+ PC platforms: Surface, Dell, HP, Asus, Acer, Samsung, Lenovo. Teams will continue improving the feature’s performance, as well as expand this capability to other devices sporting capable NPUs. This includes Intel and AMD Copilot+ PCs. The vision is to make Super Resolution a standard feature across various platforms, ensuring all users can experience superior video quality.

    The introduction of Super Resolution for Teams marks a significant milestone in enhancing virtual communication. By addressing the limitations of conventional upscaling methods and leveraging the power of AI, users can look forward to clearer, more detailed video streams, even in challenging network conditions. Stay tuned for further updates and experience the difference with Super Resolution in public preview.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy, Cramer Reintroduce Fair Access to Banking Act to Protect Legal Industries from Debanking

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and 39 Republican colleagues reintroduced the Fair Access to Banking Act, which protects fair access to financial services and ensures banks operate in a safe and sound manner. The legislation requires that lending and services decisions must be based on impartial, risk-based analysis, not political or reputational favoritism. 
    “It’s wrong for banks to single out individuals or industries for political and social reasons,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This legislation guarantees fairness for essential employers in Louisiana, such as oil and gas development.”
    “When progressives failed at banning these entire industries, what they did instead is they turned to weaponizing banks as sort of a backdoor to carry out their activist goals,” said Senator Cramer. “Financial institutions are backed by taxpayers, for crying out loud! They should be obligated to provide services in an unbiased, risk-based manner. The Fair Access to Banking Act ensures that banks provide fair access to services and enacts strict penalties for categorically discriminating against legal industries and individuals.”
    In recent years, prominent American banks have engaged in a discriminatory practice, referred to as debanking. Banks and financial institutions use their economic standing to categorically exclude law-abiding, legal industries by refusing to lend or provide services to them. This includes industries such as firearms, ammunition, crypto, federal prison contractors, as well as energy producers. 
    Specifically, this legislation penalizes banks and credit unions with over $10 billion in total consolidated assets, or their subsidiaries, if they refuse to do business with any legally compliant, credit-worthy person. It also prevents payment card networks from discriminating against any qualified person because of political or reputational considerations. The bill requires qualified banks to provide written justification for why they are denying a person financial services. Further, the Fair Access to Banking Act would penalize providers who fail to comply with the law by disqualifying institutions from using discount window lending programs, terminating status as an insured depository institution or credit union, or imposing a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation. 
    The bill is based on President Trump’s Fair Access Rule, which was introduced during his first administration and required financial institutions to make individual risk assessments rather than broad decisions regarding entire industries or categories of customers. The Fair Access to Banking Act codifies these protections. The Biden administration paused the rule’s implementation in early 2021.
    The legislation is a response to United States banks and financial institutions increasingly using their economic standing to categorically discriminate against legal industries and conservatives. For example, Citigroup instituted a policy in 2018 to withhold project-related financing for coal plants, and in 2020, five of the country’s largest banks announced they would not provide loans or credit to support oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, despite explicit congressional authorization. Such exclusionary practices also extend to industries protected by the Second Amendment, with Capital One, among other banks, previously including “ammunitions, firearms, or firearm parts” in the prohibited payments section of its corporate policy manual, and payment services like Apple Pay and PayPal denying their services for transactions involving firearms or ammunition. First Lady Melania Trump and technology companies alike allege banks have debanked them or refused to do business. During his address to the World Economic Forum in January, President Trump highlighted big banks and their discriminatory practices of targeting conservatives.  
    Cassidy and Cramer were joined by U.S. Senators Jim Banks (R-IN), John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Boozman (R-AR), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Curtis (R-UT), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Jim Justice (R-WV), John Kennedy (R-LA), James Lankford (R-OK), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jim Risch (R-ID), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) in cosponsoring the legislation. U.S. Representative Andy Barr (R-KY-06) introduced similar legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. 
    Support for the Fair Access to Banking Act has grown every Congress. At the state level, Florida and Tennessee passed Fair Access laws and similar legislation was introduced in Louisiana, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and South Dakota. Banks have dropped membership in discriminatory groups which were aimed at starving specific industries.
    The Fair Access to Banking Act is endorsed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Rifle Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, The Digital Chamber, Blockchain Association, Independent Petroleum Association of America, Online Lenders Alliance, Day 1 Alliance, GEO Group, Lignite Energy Council, National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, and National Mining Association.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Duckworth Join Kaine In Raising Alarm Over Trump Administration Chaos At Critical National Security Agencies

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    February 05, 2025

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, joined U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-IL), along with 34 of their Senate colleagues, in sending a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing their deep concern regarding the growing chaos and dysfunction at the U.S. Department of State and the Trump Administration’s illegal attempt to destroy the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). 

    USAID is a critical pillar of U.S. national security strategy, providing lifesaving aid and development support around the world to help ensure stability.  Earlier this week, personnel at USAID were not permitted to enter the agency’s headquarters, and Elon Musk announced that President Donald Trump agreed to close the agency and move it under the State Department – which Trump has no legal authority to do.  The Trump Administration, led by Musk, has also furloughed thousands of senior career civil servants, including two top security officials who denied Musk and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency access to classified documents and systems.

    “We are deeply concerned by reports of not only growing chaos and dysfunction at the Department of State, but the Administration’s brazen and illegal attempts to destroy the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).  Mass personnel furloughs of dubious legality and abrupt, blanket stop-work orders without regard to relevant appropriations laws are causing immediate harm to U.S. national security, placing U.S. citizens at risk, disrupting life-saving work and breaking the U.S. government’s contractual obligations to private sector partners,” wrote the Senators.

    The Senators continued, “The Administration’s failure to consult with Congress prior to taking these steps violates the law and impedes Congress’s constitutional duty to conduct oversight of funding, personnel and the nation’s foreign policy.  The Administration’s failure to expend funds appropriated on a bipartisan basis by Congress would violate the Impoundment Control Act.”

    “Foreign assistance is critical to supporting U.S. strategic interests around the world.  Foreign assistance protects U.S. national security, advances U.S. values, and ensures the U.S. is the partner of choice for everything from defense procurement to cutting edge scientific research.  China, Russia and Iran are already moving rapidly to exploit the vacuum and instability left by the U.S.’s sudden global retreat,” wrote the Senators.

    They continued, “Every Administration has the right to review and adjust ongoing assistance programming.  However, attempting to arbitrarily turn off core functions of a critical U.S. national security agency, without Congressional consideration or any metric-based review and absent legal authority to do so, is unprecedented and deeply disturbing.”

    The letter is signed by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Gary Peters (D-MI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Angus S. King (I-ME), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jack Reed (D-RI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI).

    The full text of the letter is available here and below:

    February 4, 2025

    Dear Secretary Rubio:

    The effective administration of U.S. foreign assistance is critical to advancing core U.S. national security priorities, including countering the influence of China, Russia and Iran. As you acknowledged at your confirmation hearing, pushing back on China in particular is a top bipartisan priority. 

    As such, we are deeply concerned by reports of not only growing chaos and dysfunction at the Department of State, but the Administration’s brazen and illegal attempts to destroy the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Mass personnel furloughs of dubious legality and abrupt, blanket stop-work orders without regard to relevant appropriations laws are causing immediate harm to U.S. national security, placing U.S. citizens at risk, disrupting life-saving work and breaking the U.S. government’s contractual obligations to private sector partners.

    The Administration’s failure to consult with Congress prior to taking these steps violates the law and impedes Congress’s constitutional duty to conduct oversight of funding, personnel and the nation’s foreign policy. The Administration’s failure to expend funds appropriated on a bipartisan basis by Congress would violate the Impoundment Control Act.

    Foreign assistance is critical to supporting U.S. strategic interests around the world. Foreign assistance protects U.S. national security, advances U.S. values, and ensures the U.S. is the partner of choice for everything from defense procurement to cutting edge scientific research. China, Russia and Iran are already moving rapidly to exploit the vacuum and instability left by the U.S.’s sudden global retreat.

    Every Administration has the right to review and adjust ongoing assistance programming. However, attempting to arbitrarily turn off core functions of a critical U.S. national security agency, without Congressional consideration or any metric-based review and absent legal authority to do so, is unprecedented and deeply disturbing.

    We request immediate clarification on the following:

    Status of USAID:

    1. Confirmation of your understanding that any effort to abolish USAID or merge USAID into the Department of State absent Congressional consultation and approval is illegal.
    2. Confirmation of your understanding that adversaries such as China, Russia and Iran are quickly moving into the vacuum left by suspended USAID programs. 
    3. The Department of State’s assessment of Mr. Elon Musk’s financial ties to China and the impact of these ties to the decision-making process of Mr. Musk and his employees.
    4. Confirmation that neither you nor any member of your leadership team are taking direction from Mr. Musk with regards to the work of the Department of State or USAID, personnel or financial decisions for either agency, or any other matters relevant to U.S. national security. 
    5. Confirmation of the names and employment status of individuals directed by Mr. Musk to engage with USAID staff, the qualifications of these individuals, and the level of their security clearances – if any.

    Personnel:

    1. Confirmation of your understanding that any unauthorized access by or disclosure of classified information to individuals without appropriate security clearance could be considered a criminal offense.
    2. The legal authority and rationale under which, on January 28, more than 50 senior career civil and foreign service USAID officials were placed on administrative leave. This move was not only unprecedented, but also inconsistent with the Office of Personnel Management’s own guidelines for the use of administrative leave.
    3. The legal authority under which, on January 28, approximately 390 USAID Institutional Support Contractors (ISCs) were given stop-work orders, and clarification of which Administration official directed the implementation of this termination.
    4. Whether any Department of State career civil and foreign service or contractors have been placed on administrative leave or removed from their roles as a result of or relating to the assistance freeze or any directives from the Office of Foreign Assistance.
    5. Clarification of which Administration official directed the implementation of this mass furlough.
    6. Clarification of whether these individuals were directed to be terminated without cause.
    7. Confirmation that personnel will not face retaliation or retribution for performing their duties under the previous Administration’s policy direction.
    8. Under what authorities and by which official’s directive career civil service, foreign service, and Personal Services Contractors (PSC), and those under other hiring authorities have been removed from their roles or limited in their ability to execute their work.
    9. Confirmation that further career civil service, foreign service and USAID contractors will not be removed from their roles without cause or receive stop work orders.
    10. Whether, upon full resumption of legally mandated foreign assistance activities, the Administration intends to re-hire contractors who have been removed from their roles.
    11. Any additional guidance provided to State and USAID staff regarding the foreign assistance freeze, including confirmation of whether direct hires, contractors, or implementing organizations have been directed not to speak publicly about the foreign assistance freeze.
    12. Public identification of the individual currently serving as the Director or Acting Director of the State Department’s Office of Foreign Assistance and as Acting Deputy Administrator of USAID, and the dates upon which this individual was appointed to each position.
    13. Confirmation of your understanding that the State Department’s Director of Foreign Assistance has no authority to issue personnel directives for USAID.

    Resumption of Foreign Assistance:

    1. The specific process and anticipated timeframe for activities to receive exemptions or waivers, as referenced in your January 28, 2025 directive to State and USAID staff.
    2. The mechanisms and metrics established for this waiver process.
    3. The timeline for full resumption of legally mandated foreign assistance activities.
    4. Clarification of what risk assessment or analysis of potential risk to U.S. national security interests were conducted prior to the decision to freeze foreign assistance activities.
    5. Confirmation of the Department of State’s obligation to comply with U.S. contract law and your responsibility as Secretary of State ensure the Department honors its commitments to contracting partners.

    We welcome your urgent attention to these questions. We and our staff stand ready to work with you to ensure U.S. foreign assistance funding continues to be deployed effectively to protect American citizens, at home and abroad.

    Respectfully,

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 02/5/2025 Blackburn, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Protect Supreme Court Justices from Intimidation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) introduced the Protecting Our Supreme Court Justices Act to increase the maximum term of imprisonment for those who attempt to intimidate and influence the decision-making process of a judge.

    Introduction of this bill follows a recent report detailing new and concerning information about a suspect who hatched a plan to kill Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Prior to the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, then-Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) attempted to intimidate Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh by name on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court.

    “Supreme Court Justices must be able to do their jobs without fear of intimidation, harm, or violence against them or their families,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Protecting Our Supreme Court Justices Act will deter intimidation of our Justices and send a clear message that anyone who attempts to harm them will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”

    “The integrity of our judicial system is dependent on justices being able to interpret the law freely and impartially,” said Senator Cruz. “I am proud to join my colleagues in re-introducing the Protecting Our Supreme Court Justices Act to ensure that those who attempt to coerce or intimidate Supreme Court justices face penalties for interfering in the administration of justice. No member of the Court should fear for their or their family’s safety while carrying out their constitutional duty.”

    “Supreme Court Justices have faced a disturbing number of threats seeking to change the outcomes of cases for political ends,” said Senator Lee. “This assault on the rule of law and an independent judiciary cannot stand. Congress must be crystal clear: attempting to intimidate justices and their families will land you in prison for a long time.”

    “It is essential that the judicial branch be able to perform its duties free from threats, fear, intimidation, or coercion,” said Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith. “Threats and protests against Supreme Court justices and federal judges are blatant attempts to undermine their independence. I’m proud to once again support this legislation that sends a crystal clear message that these actions will not be tolerated and those responsible will face serious legal consequences.”

    “Supreme Court Justices continue to be a target of politically motivated violence and threats of violence,” said Senator Cotton. “This bill makes clear that anyone who engages in this unlawful activity will face the full extent of the law.”

    BACKGROUND:
    • In the aftermath of the unprecedented May 2022 leak of the draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, far-left protesters immediately began demonstrating outside of the private residences of Supreme Court Justices. Subsequently, a map with the home addresses of five Republican-appointed Justices—Justices Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett—was posted online.
    • Federal law explicitly prohibits attempts at influencing the decision-making process of a judge. Specifically, 18 U.S.C. § 1507 states that any individual who, “with the intent of influencing any judge . . . in the discharge of his duty, pickets or parades . . . in or near a building or residence occupied or used by such judge” is subject to criminal monetary penalties or a maximum of one year of imprisonment, or both. Section 1507 was intended to enable our judges to carry out their duty to uphold the rule of law, without fear of intimidation or retribution for doing so.
    • Under President Biden and Attorney General Garland, following the Dobbs leak, zero protesters outside of Supreme Court Justices’ homes were arrested for violating Section 1507. Just as troubling, the Biden Department of Justice did not issue any guidance on enforcing this statute. The Supreme Court Marshal, as well as Virginia Governor Youngkin and then-Maryland Governor Hogan, implored Attorney General Garland to enforce Section 1507.
    • With President Trump back at the helm, the Justice Department will finally return to focusing on law and order and enforcing our criminal laws. Nevertheless, it’s still critical that Congress act to deter this intimidation of our federal judiciary.

    PROTECTING OUR SUPREME COURT JUSTICES ACT:
    • The Protecting Our Supreme Court Justices Act would increase the maximum term of imprisonment for violation of Section 1507 from one year to five years. Increasing the maximum jail time for a protester under Section 1507 is an effective way to deter this intimidation of our Supreme Court Justices.
    • Additionally, now that we have a presidential administration that is committed to enforcing federal law, increased criminal penalties will send a strong message to these far-left protesters that Supreme Court Justices must be allowed to do their jobs without fearing for the safety of themselves or their families.

    Click here for bill text.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Marshall, Blackburn Introduce Bill to Reduce Excessive Taxation on Social Security Benefits

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced the Reducing Excessive Taxation and Inefficiencies by Reforming Elder Exemptions to Support Fairness, Inflation Relief, and Simple Taxes (RETIREES FIRST) Act. This legislation will lower the tax burden on Social Security benefits for seniors and offset this tax relief by redirecting funds from inefficient non-security discretionary programs, safeguarding the Social Security and Medicare trust funds while prioritizing retirees.
    Historically, Social Security benefits were entirely exempt from federal income tax. Current tax exemptions have not been adjusted for inflation, causing “bracket creep” that increasingly taxes middle-income retirees. Today, nearly 56% of retirees pay taxes on their Social Security benefits, compared to less than 10% in 1984. Many retirees rely on Social Security as their primary source of income. The added tax burden on Social Security benefits reduces their quality of life, especially as inflation erodes the value of their benefits.
    “After four years of record-high inflation, the current tax on Social Security has been devastating to America’s retirees,” said Senator Marshall. “By cutting taxes on Social Security, this bill will ensure America’s seniors can keep more of their hard-earned money and fix a fundamental flaw in our tax system.” 
    To read the full text of the bill, click HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall Introduces Bill to Cut Regulatory Red Tape for Main Street Grocery Stores

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Senator Marshall introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval to block the implementation of the Biden Administration’s EPA “management” rule related to phasing out hydrofluorocarbons used in refrigeration units. The EPA’s rule goes way too far and would raise operational costs for Main Street grocery stores, which are already facing high labor, utility, and merchandise costs. Representative Dunn introduced a similar bill in the House.
    “My Main Street grocers are already operating on tight margins,” said Senator Marshall. “The massive increase in costs associated with this rulemaking will force grocers to increase their prices, or in more dire circumstances, close completely. Gone are the days of the Biden Administration’s inflationary, burdensome rules and the heavy hand of the federal government hounding our mom-and-pop shops.”
    “I’m incredibly thankful to Senator Marshall for introducing this important resolution,” said Jenny Osner, owner of Hired Man’s Grocery & Grill in Conway Springs, Kansas. “As the only grocer in town, people depend on us to help feed their families. The financial strain from these regulations will put our dependability and community’s ability to access fresh food in jeopardy.”
    “The EPA’s refrigeration regulations put the viability of our nation’s independent supermarkets in significant danger,” cautioned Chris Jones, NGA’s chief government relations officer. “These mandates will inflict crippling costs upon an industry that already operates on razor-thin margins. This kind of overreach will inevitably translate to higher food prices for consumers and, in the direst of circumstances, could force the closure of community grocery stores. NGA wholeheartedly applauds Senator Marshall’s defense of independent community grocers and his strong commitment to averting these potentially catastrophic consequences.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Experts of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Commend Nepal on Increased Representation of Women in the Public Sector, Raise Questions on the “Chhaupadi” Practice and Women’s Right to Confer Citizenship

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women today concluded its consideration of the seventh periodic report of Nepal, with Committee Experts commending the State for increasing the representation of women in the public sector, while raising questions on the “Chhaupadi” practice affecting menstruating women and girls, and Nepalese women’s right to confer citizenship to their spouses and children.

    Hiroko Akizuki, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for Nepal, reading questions on behalf of another expert, commended Nepal for its recent increases in the representation of women in the public sector, increasing over the last decade from just 8 per cent to almost 30 per cent now, with targets to increase this to 35 per cent by 2030.

    Another Expert said the Chhaupadi practice forcibly exiled menstruating women and girls from their homes to menstruation huts. Although this practice had been criminalised, its practise continued, and this had resulted in the deaths of menstruating women and girls from animal attacks. What was being done in this area and in the area of period poverty? How could the engagement of men and boys be mobilised against Chhaupadi?

    A Committee Expert noted that despite recent amendments to the Constitution, many discriminatory provisions still caused immense hardship to women, girls and their families, particularly when it came to passing on citizenship. Did the State party plan to address this gross violation of women’s rights by repealing several articles in the Constitution, allowing Nepalese women to transfer their nationality to their spouses on equal terms? How would the State party enable stateless children to access social services? Were there plans to ensure universal birth registration in the State party, and to ratify the two United Nations conventions on statelessness?

    The delegation said the Government had conducted many programmes in the provinces where practices of Chhaupadi were practised. Ending traditional, harmful practices in society was not easy, and it took time to bring about change. The State had developed Chhaupadi guidelines in 2007 and was developing guidelines for the concept of dignified menstruation.

    The delegation said Nepal’s Constitution ensured that women had equal rights to confer citizenship to their children. In January 2025, the Government submitted the citizenship bill to address challenges for individuals and children whose mothers had passed away. If the father’s identity was unknown, citizenship could be granted based on the maternal line. This amendment aimed to confer citizenship to those born to a Nepalese mother outside Nepal’s borders. If the father of a child was not identified, the mother could register her family name at the birth of the child.

    Introducing the report, Nawal Kishor Sah Sudi, Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens of the Government of Nepal, said the State was proud to have four high-ranking women policymakers of the Government of Nepal in the delegation, as well as Ms. Bandana Rana, as a distinguished Committee Member of this Committee. Since the promulgation of the Constitution, the Federal Parliament had enacted 16 different laws related to fundamental rights, including the rights of women. The State had also made notable progress in women’s political representation and participation, with women holding 34 per cent of seats in the Federal Parliament. The Government also recently appointed its first woman Chief Secretary and the first woman Registrar in the Supreme Court of Nepal in history.

    In closing remarks, Ram Prasad Subedi, Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said the dialogue had been wonderful and constructive. The participation of all stakeholders was greatly appreciated. The Government was fully committed to upholding the Convention’s objectives.

    In her closing remarks, Nahla Haidar, Committee Chair, thanked the State party for its commitment and political will, and for the constructive dialogue.

    The delegation of Nepal was comprised of representatives of the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens; the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs; the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers; and the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women’s ninetieth session is being held from 3 to 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 Thursday, 6 February to consider the ninth periodic report of Belarus (CEDAW/C/BLR/9).

    Report

    The Committee has before it the seventh periodic report of Nepal (CEDAW/C/NPL/7).

    Presentation of Report

    NAHLA HAIDAR, Committee Chair, said the Committee was proud to have Ms. Bandana Rana as a member of the Committee from Nepal.

    NAWAL KISHOR SAH SUDI, Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens of the Government of Nepal, said the State was proud to have four high-ranking women policymakers of the Government of Nepal in the delegation, as well as Ms. Bandana Rana, as a distinguished Committee Member of this Committee. Nepal remained fully committed to the implementation of the Convention and had made substantial progress in developing a robust legal and policy framework that supported the empowerment of women and girls.

    Since the promulgation of the Constitution, the Federal Parliament had enacted 16 different laws related to fundamental rights, including the rights of women. These laws comprehensively addressed women’s rights and reflected the State’s commitment to strengthening legal protections. The Government of Nepal had commenced its sixteenth Periodic Plan (2024/25–2028/29) in 2024, which recognised the critical importance of gender-sensitive policies and prioritised gender equality and women’s empowerment as fundamental pillars of its development agenda.

    The citizenship (amendment) bill had been registered in Parliament, aiming to address citizenship challenges for individuals whose mothers had died early or were out of contact. Provisions ensured that if a father’s identity was unknown, citizenship could be granted based on maternal descent. Nepal had ratified the United Nations Palermo Protocol in 2020, and in 2024, an act to amend some of Nepal’s laws had been amended by widening the definition of trafficking to include foreigners and immigrants, and also criminalising human smuggling.

    Nepal was the second country in Asia to recognise same-sex marriage. Other legal processes, including marriage and identity cards for sexual and gender minorities, were underway. The Nepal Law Commission, an autonomous research body of the Government, was currently conducting a comprehensive study on discriminatory laws against the rights of gender and sexual minorities to initiate necessary legal reform in this regard. The State had also made notable progress in women’s political representation and participation, with women holding 34 per cent of seats in the Federal Parliament. The Government also recently appointed its first woman Chief Secretary and the first woman Registrar in the Supreme Court of Nepal in history.

    Nepal remained committed to combatting gender-based violence and had established women, children, and senior citizen service centres in 1996 as part of a dedicated unit within the Nepal Police to investigate gender-based violence cases effectively. Today, 232 fully functioning centres operated across the country, strengthening Nepal’s law enforcement response to violence against women.

    The Government provided free physical and mental healthcare services and protective measures. Currently, 94 government health institutions functioned as one-stop crisis management centres, alongside 21 service centres that served as transit homes, and 276 additional support centres. The Government of Nepal had established long-term rehabilitation centres, one at the national level and another at the provincial level. There were also 10 dedicated rehabilitation centres for victims of human trafficking and 53 community-based safe shelters, operating in collaboration with provincial governments, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders. Over 6,000 community-based networks were actively engaged in the fight against gender-based violence, reflecting Nepal’s strong commitment to protecting vulnerable groups and ensuring justice to the survivors.

    Nepal recognised the link between climate change, natural disasters, and gender equality, and had strengthened disaster preparedness to support and protect women, especially in vulnerable communities. The September 2024 floods in Kathmandu and nearby areas saw effective disaster management, ensuring shelter, healthcare, and essential services for affected communities. Nepal continued to integrate gender considerations into national climate policies to build long-term resilience.

    Nepal remained committed to ensuring justice for victims of past human rights violations, particularly in cases affecting women. The third amendment to the enforced disappearances enquiry, truth, and reconciliation commission act 2014, approved in August 2024, now explicitly included serious human rights violations in its amendment such as rape and grave sexual violence, intentional or arbitrary killings, enforced disappearances, inhumane or cruel treatment, and torture. A Special Court had been designated to adjudicate these cases and a dedicated investigative unit for sexual violence cases had been established.

    Nepal remained steadfast in its commitment to gender equality, women’s empowerment, and social justice. The State aimed to expand access to quality education for girls, particular in rural areas, enhance women’s economic independence, strengthen maternal health and gender-based violence support services, develop gender-sensitive infrastructure, and promote women’s leadership. While challenges remained, the State’s resolve was stronger than ever, and the Committee’s guidance was welcomed.

    Statement by the National Human Rights Institution

    LILY HAJUR BASNYAT THAPA, National Human Rights Commission of Nepal, said it was crucial to acknowledge progress made by the State. The affirmative actions taken by the Government of Nepal were highly appreciated. Despite constitutional guarantees, Nepal’s legal framework still contained critical gaps. Nepalese laws lacked comprehensive definitions of discrimination, particularly around direct, indirect, and intersectional forms of discrimination affecting women. While some protective measures existed, implementation remained inconsistent. A distinct legal provision with a comprehensive definition of discrimination was essential to ensure justice for women facing severe discrimination. More action needed to be taken to strengthen the institutional mechanism, the National Women’s Commission.

    The legal prohibition of entrenched harmful practices such as child marriage, Chhaupadi, discrimination against widows, and dowry, continued to persist. The Government of Nepal had expedited its efforts to amend almost a dozen laws to make them compatible with the Palermo Protocol, but it was too late to make amendments to the laws related to human trafficking. Furthermore, women often faced significant barriers in employment and migration. In sectors like tea plantations, where women constituted 80 per cent of the workforce, they lacked adequate maternity protections and faced potential wage cuts during pregnancy. Migrant women workers were particularly vulnerable, experiencing exploitation in destination countries with insufficient pre-departure training and reintegration support. Similarly, critical challenges persisted in sexual and reproductive healthcare. Rural and Madhesi women faced limited access to family planning and safe abortion services. Moreover, a deeply entrenched son preference continued to drive sex-selective practices, with statistics showing 112 boys born for every 100 girls in 2021.

    Several critical areas demanded immediate attention. Women faced substantial restrictions in conferring citizenship to children and spouses, unlike their male counterparts. Rural women had limited access to sexual and reproductive health services, and comprehensive sexuality education remained restricted. Indoor pollution where 80 per cent of rural cooking happened without ventilation, caused around 7,500 annual deaths, disproportionately affecting women. The Commission proposed several critical interventions including to enact comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation, establish robust mechanisms for women’s protection, strengthen political representation through practical measures, improve migrant worker protections, enhance sexual and reproductive healthcare access, and address systemic gender stereotypes. The Committee was urged to strongly recommend the full and immediate implementation of women’s constitutional and legal rights in line with the Convention and the Committee’s previous recommendations.

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    HIROKO AKIZUKI, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for Nepal, said the Committee commended Nepal for its commitment to fulfilling its obligation and participation in the exchange despite repeated earthquakes and natural disasters. What efforts had been taken to adopt comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation, including a definition of discrimination against women, in both the public and private spheres? How did the State party address cross-cutting discrimination against women, including women with disabilities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex women, indigenous women, and elderly women, among others? What measures had been taken to ensure the effective implementation of laws? What was the status and content of the special opportunity bill? Were women’s rights organizations participating in the drafting of the bill? What measures had been implemented to enhance women’s awareness of their rights, and the legal remedies available under the Convention? Were human rights being recognised as including the collective rights of indigenous women?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said Nepal was doing its best to implement legal reforms with a legal perspective. The State had a plan for an integrated gender-based violence act, which was underway and moving in a positive direction. Nepal’s Constitution provided the framework for fighting all acts of discrimination. The State was aware that there should not be any multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination. Nepal had several special laws which provided remedy for discrimination, including the human trafficking act, the domestic violence act, the sexual harassment at work act, the witchcraft accusation act, the labour act, and the victim crime act, among others, along with the Criminal Code, which provided no room for discrimination on any ground.

    At present, there were special opportunity provisions scattered in various laws. It was expected that the special opportunity bill would soon be enacted by the Parliament. There were paid lawyer systems in the court, and more than 41,000 people received these services last year. It was required that for any lawmaking, there should be consultation with stakeholders with all three tiers of Government, to ensure a participatory approach. This would be occurring with the legal aid bill in a few weeks. In 2024, 200 young lawyers were mobilised, with 121 being women, to provide legal aid. The State had begun to have a roster of pro-bono lawyers within the Nepal Bar Association, already this year they had provided 79 victims with pro-bono support, 79 of whom were women. There was no special law concerning the rights of indigenous women, but scattered laws covered these rights.

    Questions by Committee Experts 

    A Committee Expert asked what plans were in place to provide necessary resources to implement the national gender equality policy? Were there plans to establish provincial offices of the National Women’s Commission? What measures had been taken to address recommendations of the National sub-Committee, so it could fully comply with the Paris Principles? There were allegedly issues with financing for the resources assigned to the Ministry of Women; could more light be shed on this issue? How was the budget distributed and how were the issues dealt with? How effective were the decisions taken by the National Women’s Commission? Were their decisions binding? 

    Another Expert said temporary special measures were essential for ensuring equal opportunities for women in economic and social life. Could more information be provided about the State’s gender quotas? When would a gender equality principle be implemented directly into the Election Code of Conduct? How could temporary special measures be used to mitigate specific discrimination faced by minorities?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the Government was actively implementing the gender equality policy, but faced challenges in this regard, including a lack of resources. Financial resources were being prioritised by the plan. After the federal election in 2017, 16 parliamentary panels were formed to monitor the Government’s work. A division was responsible for monitoring and implementing recommendations from the treaty bodies.

    Recently, Nepal had been taking many steps in the area of temporary special measures. In line with the Committee’s previous recommendations, the Government had enacted temporary special measures to accelerate women’s participation at all levels, particularly in the decision-making processes. One of the most notable achievements had been the gender balance in leadership at the highest level of the Government. It was mandated that the House of Representatives needed to include at least one woman. At the recent elections of the local level, it was mandated that at least one nominee for the position of Mayor or Deputy Mayor should be a woman. In the 2022 elections, over 40 per cent of women were elected as representatives, a notable improvement from the 2017 elections. In the Office of the Prime Minister, there was a committee to facilitate the recommendations of the National Human Rights Commission.

    Nepal had seven provinces and budgets were allocated at federal, provincial and local levels. The budget at the federal level was a bit low. The proposed civil services bill had proposed initiatives for indigenous women and other minorities. The provincial services act already sought to provide for minorities.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said Nepal had a new opportunity to address historical conflicts in ways which would set an example to other countries in the sub-continent. Despite the reconciliation commission and the commission on enforced disappearances, impunity for conflict-related violations persisted. There should be no amnesty or sentence reductions for rapists. Nepal’s long awaited transitional justice law was adopted in 2024, and the Committee congratulated the State on its many positive elements. But Nepal was encouraged to go further along the women, peace and security agenda. Was Nepal providing reparations for victims of conflict-related sexual violence? Had the law been changed? Nepal was the first Asian country to safeguard the rights of sexual and gender minorities which should be applauded. Nepal’s climate-related gender-based violence was correlated to climate crisis and this should be recognised and included in climate change action plans. How could the laws in Nepal be brought in line with the United Nations treaty on cybercrimes?

    The Chhaupadi practice forcibly exiled menstruating women and girls from their homes to menstruation huts. Although this practice had been criminalised, its practise continued, and this had resulted in the deaths of menstruating women and girls from animal attacks. What was being done in this area and in the area of period poverty? How could the engagement of men and boys be mobilised against Chhaupadi? How could the Kumari practices be modernised in line with modern sciences?

    A Committee Expert took note that the State party had ratified the Palermo Protocol in 2020. When was full compliance with the Protocol expected? Would the State party consider removing a provision which allowed the judiciary to fine victims if they failed to appear in court? Was the State party planning to change the provision which conflated trafficking with sex work? What steps were being taken to ensure trafficking cases were being dealt with in an acceptable time frame? The Committee noted with concern that the Government continued to impose restrictive age bans for women under 24 seeking domestic work, making them at a higher risk of becoming victims of trafficking. Would the State consider lifting these bans. How were migrant women’s needs addressed in bilateral labour agreements? Was pre-departure training provided for women migrants on labour rights or gender specific challenges?

    No progress seemed to have been made to secure the rights of adult sex workers. How and when would the State party formulate a comprehensive policy and legislative framework to ensure the protection of women in prostitution? How would Nepal punish law enforcement officers who targeted sex workers? How would the State support sex workers in leaving the profession and seeking new forms of work.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the Government had conducted many programmes in the provinces where practices of Chhaupadi were practised. Ending traditional, harmful practices in society was not easy, and it took time to bring about change. The State had developed Chhaupadi guidelines in 2007 and was developing guidelines for the concept of dignified menstruation.

    Nepal had ratified the Palermo Protocol in 2020, and an act amended in 2024 widened the definition of trafficking. A draft policy and action plan aimed to address several elements of trafficking, including providing for reparations for victims and training for police and judges in human trafficking cases.

    The amended law had provided specialised scope to examine the issue of sexual violence, and had provided for a special court for cases of sexual violence. The amendment included the victim-centric approach, and aimed to ensure victims were satisfied with outcomes, including reparations.

    Nepalese law did not recognise prostitution. The Nepalese police were taking legal measures to criminalise the clients of prostitutes. The State was aware of the rights of sex workers, which needed to be protected. The 35 day statute of limitations had been abolished and extended to three months. Sex workers were equally entitled to enjoy their rights under the Nepalese Constitution.

    The State was in the process of amending the domestic violence act and would consider the aspect of technology-related gender-based violence. Legal reform was not the only means to intervene in harmful practices. For example, the Government, in cooperation with civil society organizations, was dedicated to controlling the exploitation of sex workers. Public awareness campaigns were being launched in the adult entertainment sector, and multiple efforts had been made to reduce the demand for prostitution through the distribution of leaflets and other media. Collaborative efforts were being made in border areas to monitor human trafficking issues.

    The Government, in support with partners, was working to implement programmes in the provinces with regard to child marriage, including through declaring “child marriage free areas”.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    HIROKO AKIZUKI, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for Nepal, reading questions on behalf of another expert, said last session the Committee adopted its latest general recommendation on parity in politics. The State party was commended for its implementation of electoral quotas; however, the low numbers of representation were concerning. What measures was the State party taking to address the low representation of women, particularly from minority groups? In the 2022 election, male voters greatly outnumbered female voters. Did the State party take any measures to ensure political literacy, and engagement among women and girls, to encourage their participation in democratic processes?

    Nepal was commended for its recent increases in the representation of women in its public sector, increasing over the last decade from just 8 per cent to almost 30 per cent now, with targets to increase this to 35 per cent by 2030. Could current data on the gender breakdown of management and decision-making positions in the public sector be provided, as well as any plans in place to increase these figures? Did the State party have any data on women in board and management positions in Nepal and what was being done to increase these figures? What was being done to protect women human rights defenders in the digital sphere?

    Another Expert said despite recent amendments to the Constitution, many discriminatory provisions still caused immense hardship to women, girls and their families, particularly when it came to passing on citizenship. Did the State party plan to address this gross violation of women’s rights, by repealing several articles in the Constitution, allowing Nepalese women to transfer their nationality to their spouses on equal terms. How would the State party enable stateless children to access social services? Were there plans to ensure universal birth registration in the State party, and to ratify the two United Nations conventions on statelessness? Was there a special arrangement in the new proposed bill which addressed Nepalese women married to refugees?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the Government had introduced many special measures to accelerate gender equality. Recently, the Government had introduced issues of intersectional disparity, with bills drafted in this regard. Currently, the level of Nepalese female diplomats was low. The Government had taken steps last year to foster inclusivity in international representation, to encourage more diverse representation in foreign engagement. Nepal’s Constitution ensured that women had equal rights to confer citizenship to their children. in January 2025, the Government submitted the citizenship bill to address challenges for individuals and children whose mothers had passed away. If the father’s identity was unknown, citizenship could be granted based on the maternal line. This amendment aimed to confer citizenship to those born to a Nepali mother outside Nepal’s borders. If the father of a child was not identified, the mother could register her family name at the birth of the child.

    Nepal’s representation of women in the public sector had significantly improved, and the Government was making efforts to improve women’s participation in the private sector.

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    A Committee Expert said the Committee had noted with satisfaction significant progress made in the field of education, particularly the act approving compulsory, free education in 2018. The Committee also noted with satisfaction the adoption of the 10-year school education plan to 2032, prioritising female education and gender equality. What measures had been taken to strengthen the institutional capacities of local Governments, including dissemination in local languages? What measures were being taken to ensure access to education for all children, regardless of their caste or citizenship status, including girls of all ethnic or religious groups? The high prevalence of child marriage in certain provinces had resulted in a high dropout rate from schools. What measures were being taken to ensure pregnant and married girls could continue their education?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said every citizen had the right to access education. Persons with disabilities had the right to free education and every Nepalese community had the right to receive education in their mother tongue. Nepal had adopted the policy of no discrimination in education, whatever the status of citizens. There were some difficulties with children who did not have citizenship, but it was hoped the citizenship bill, currently under review by parliament, would rectify this issue. The Government had to provide free textbooks and other logistic support under the act on education for all. The central Government was providing around 11 per cent of the total budget to education, with around seven per cent being allocated to local levels. This allocation had been steadily increasing over recent years.

    In 2016, the median marriage age of Nepalese women was 17.9; it had now risen to 18.3 years. There were some cases of early marriage, and the State acknowledged this. The legal age of marriage had now been raised to 20. Other measures to combat early marriage included night school, counselling programmes, and youth programmes, which contributed to raising awareness and mitigating this issue.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the Education Act prioritised education for marginalised communities. The State strove to ensure that education was inclusive for children with disabilities. Many scholarships were provided at local levels and there were policies for providing special grants in 2025. A commitment had been adopted which aimed to eradicate discrimination in education.

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    A Committee Expert commended the State party for policies and legislation in the field of employment, including the labour act, the social security act and the five-year strategic national action plan to 2025 on moving workers in the informal sector to the formal sector. However, there were still discrepancies, including the much lower level of female employment rate, compared to males. What measures had been taken to address the low representation of women in the workforce? What was the timeline for ensuring full payment for women in all sectors? Were enhanced provisions for equal sharing of work for women being envisaged with the new national action plan?

    Women made up only around 10 per cent of migrant workers. What was the timeline to remove the ban and preconditions for women going abroad for domestic work? What protection measures were available for women from online harassment? When would the State party amend the law on sexual harassment and ensure justice for women victims and access to legal aid? How many cases of sexual harassment were prosecuted in the past two years and how many convictions were issued? What measures were envisaged to ensure equal opportunities for women and girls, including those with disabilities, in the digital economy?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said an employment service centre supported women’s participation in the workforce. Nepal had made substantial progress in reducing the wage gap and promoting equal opportunities, but challenges still persisted. Women were overrepresented in lower sectors and underrepresented in leadership positions. To address these challenges, Nepal was introducing gender responsive policies and conducting leadership training, among other measures. The Government conducted monitoring through regulatory oversight and audits, supported by trade unions and workers. Collaboration was also undertaken with partners, including the World Bank and the International Labour Organization.

    Nepal’s five-year national action plan sought to integrate vulnerable groups into the formal economy through skills training and offering opportunities for workers to formalise their employment. The social security scheme provided support to women in the informal sector and assisted them to transfer to formal employment.

    Nepal was committed to protecting all its citizens, including female migrant workers. Equal treatment policies were in place for both men and women, prioritising their security and health. Nepal was working closely with destination countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, to ensure the safety of its workers. Nepal was incorporating assistive technology to address the needs of persons with disabilities. Specific programmes were being developed to provide training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

    Recently, Nepal had adopted an action plan on business and human rights, which provided a human rights friendly approach for all workers. The State was also implementing the fifth national human rights action plan, which covered employment as a major issue.

    The sexual harassment at workplace act allowed for cases of sexual harassment to be reported, and cases could also be reported to the police. However, it was hard for the Government to collect data on this topic. The safe motherhood and reproductive health act also provided paternity leave to fathers. This equally applied to the public and private sectors. The legal provisions were there but people were often not aware of their rights under these acts.

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    A Committee Expert said since the last review, Nepal had made significant progress in its health policy, particularly in sexual and reproductive health, with the adoption of the national strategy against discriminatory sex selection. However, the maternal mortality rate remained high and there were serious deficiencies in care and health centres. Some women refrained from using contraception unless they gave birth to a male child, putting them at risk of sexually transmitted diseases. The stigma around these diseases and HIV/AIDS prohibited women from seeking timely access to healthcare. What measures did the State intend to adopt to confront these challenges? What would be done to improve maternal mortality and prevent women from contracting venereal diseases and HIV/AIDS? How would it be ensured that women and girls had access to family planning and reproductive health services?

    Abortion services were not easy to obtain or affordable for many women. What would be done to ban selective abortions? What mental health and suicide prevention services were available for women in Nepal? Would the invasive treatment of intersex persons be criminalised? Would forced sterilisation be criminalised, including against women and children with disabilities? How would free, prior and informed consent for women be guaranteed, including with respect to abortion?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said Nepal had begun a vaccination programme against the human papilloma virus for all women and girls across the country. There were several programmes in place which focused on sexual and reproductive health, including the Safe Motherhood Programme and the Safe Abortion Programme. Any woman could undertake an abortion up to 12 weeks without issue. Safe abortions were available in all seven provinces of the country. The Government acknowledged the importance of mental health support for women. Healthcare providers were provided with training to offer support to women who were navigating fertility issues.

    There were inconsistencies between the sexual and reproductive health act and the Criminal Code. Because of this, the process of the amendment of the Criminal Code had been enacted, in line with the safe motherhood act. Dignified menstruation guidelines had been introduced, and work was being done to ensure the school curriculum covered sexual and reproductive health education.

    Nepal had no record of cases in regard to forced sterilisation of persons with disabilities. A social service unit programme provided access to free health services for specific groups, including women and girls with disabilities.

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    A Committee Expert said in December 2024, the National Planning Committee introduced a framework to increase access to social security programmes for those from marginalised groups. However, women in Nepal still faced significant financial challenges when it came to property ownership, obtaining bank loans, and accessing credit. Family benefits such as pensions and social security were often controlled by male family members, leaving women financially dependent. How did the Government monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of laws and policies aimed at eliminating discrimination in economic and social life? What steps were being taken to address the gaps between legal provisions and their implementation? How were women’s equal inheritance and property rights being enforced? How did the Government ensure women from marginalised communities had equal access to economic resources? What measures were in place to ensure single mothers received the social security benefits they were entitled to? How did the Government ensure pensions and other benefits reached the rightful female beneficiaries rather than be controlled by male relatives?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said Nepal had launched several programmes for economic empowerment in different areas, with different financial incentives. A programme had supported 90,000 entrepreneurs, with 70 per cent of them being women. The integrated subsidised loan scheme for women entrepreneur development aimed to enhance women’s economic empowerment.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said agriculture contributed to one third of Nepal’s gross domestic product. However, most elements within the sector remained male dominated. What measures had been implemented to ensure equal measures to credit and financial support for women? How was their financial literacy being enhanced? What was being done to introduce agricultural tools specifically for women? How was rural women’s access to information being improved? What steps were being taken to mitigate regional disparities? Indigenous women and girls, including those with disabilities, remained largely invisible. What measures had been taken to collect disaggregated data by sex, location and other factors to fully understand the challenges faced by indigenous women and girls? What was being done to recognise indigenous women as a distinct group in laws and policies, and to address their unique vulnerabilities and exclusion?

    Another Expert said Nepal was ranked among the countries most impacted by climate change. Significant rainfall had led to major challenges, including landslides and floods. Could more information be provided on the national action plan 2023? How did it address the negative impact of climate change on women? How did the plan ensure the full and effective participation of indigenous women and recognise their crucial role as caretakers and agents of change?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said different financial literacy programmes had been introduced for women in different provinces. In one programme, whenever a girl was born, a bank account was opened and the provincial government would contribute 500 Nepalese rupees a month for up to 20 years to support her education and wellbeing. A programme supported vegetable production and was making technology more accessible to women and girls. The Government of Nepal was committed to implementing the Convention. The national gender equality policy 2027 emphasised gender equality in all areas, including indigenous women. In the House of Representatives, the deputy speaker belonged to an indigenous group, and quotas were in place to ensure indigenous women’s representation in politics.

    Nepal was a victim of the climate crisis; the country protected the environment but felt the impact of climate change. Women and indigenous women were disproportionately affected.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert asked who was eligible for legal aid and for what legal matters? Did legal aid include representation in court? How did women, particularly those from marginalised communities, learn about the right to legal aid? Was legal aid provided through a gender lens? What measures were in place to provide targeted support to marginalised women facing intersectional discrimination, such as sex workers, to access legal aid? Could non-citizens access legal aid in some circumstances?

    Only 52 cases of child marriage were handled by the Nepalese police in 2023. What explained the wide gap between the figures and enforcement? What was being done to protect child brides from being prosecuted? What was being done to eradicate the practice of dowry? Could the delegation clarify the status of gay marriages? How was the safety of inter-caste couples ensured? What legal measures were in place to protect the rights of women in unregistered marriages, such as polygamous marriages?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the free legal aid act had been enacted in 1997. Under the act, low earners, victims of domestic violence, and senior citizens could receive free legal aid. The State was working to change the criteria to ensure more vulnerable groups of people could receive access to free legal aid. Legal aid services included the preparation of documents, pleading in front of the court, and different administrative services. There was no particular law to provide non-citizens with legal aid, but this was a fundamental right for everyone.

    Same sex marriage was valid but there was no legal instrument legalising these marriages yet. The State was assessing laws and how they could be reformed to better protect the rights of this community. All marriages had to be registered. There was no discrimination on the grounds of sex when it came to properties; men and women had equal rights. The dowry system had been criminalised by the National Criminal Code. Nepal was committed to having a collaborative approach with civil society and other partners to eliminate harmful practices and sensitise people at the grassroots level. This was a continuous effort.
    Closing Remarks

    RAM PRASAD SUBEDI, Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said the dialogue had been wonderful and constructive. The participation of all stakeholders was greatly appreciated. Nepal had made significant progress in certain areas, including on the Committee’s past recommendations. While there was a lack of data, there was not a lack of action. The Government was fully committed to upholding the Convention’s objectives.

    NAHLA HAIDAR, Committee Chair, thanked the State party for its commitment and political will, and for the constructive dialogue. The Committee would send specific recommendations through for immediate follow-up.

     

     

    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. 

    CEDAW25.003E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Is It Really ‘FDA Approved’?

    Source: US Food and Drug Administration

    Español

    “FDA approved!”

    Maybe you saw those words on a company’s website or in a commercial promoting a product or treatment. Some marketers may say their products are “FDA approved.” But how can you know for sure what the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved?

    The FDA is responsible for protecting public health by regulating human drugs and biological products, animal drugs, medical devices, tobacco products, food (including animal food), cosmetics, and electronic products that emit radiation.

    But not all those products undergo premarket approval — that is, a review of safety, quality, and effectiveness by FDA experts and agency approval before a product can be sold to consumers. In some cases, the FDA’s enforcement efforts focus on products after they are already for sale. That is determined by Congress in establishing the FDA’s authorities. Even when FDA approval is not required before a product is sold, the agency has legal regulatory authority to act when safety issues arise.

    Here is a guide to how the FDA regulates products for people — and what the agency does (and doesn’t) approve.

    The FDA doesn’t approve facilities.

    The FDA does not “approve” health care providers, including physician offices, or laboratories. The FDA does have authority to inspect regulated facilities to verify that they comply with current good manufacturing practices.

    Although manufacturing facilities and contract manufacturers are often inspected as part of a product application for certain products that require premarket approval, the agency does not approve manufacturing facilities independently. The FDA does have authority to inspect regulated facilities to verify that they comply with applicable current good manufacturing practices and other requirements, including an adequately designed and controlled production process.

    Unless an exemption applies, owners and operators of domestic or foreign food, drug, and most device facilities must register with the FDA before exporting products to the U.S. Owners and operators of establishments that manufacture blood products or cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products must also register with the agency.

    Mammography facilities must be FDA-certified and must display their FDA certificates where patients can see them. The certificate indicates that the facilities have met stringent standards for providing quality mammography.

    The FDA approves new human drugs and biological products.

    New drugs and biological products for people must be FDA approved before they are marketed in interstate commerce. This means that a company must demonstrate that its drug or biological product is safe and effective for the intended use, and that it can manufacture the product to federal quality standards. If the FDA grants an approval, it means the agency has determined that the benefits of the product outweigh the risks for the intended use.

    Some examples of biological products that require approval are therapeutic proteins, vaccines, allergenic products, cellular and gene therapies, and products manufactured from plasma. Manufacturers must also prove that they are able to make the drug or biological product according to federal quality standards.

    The FDA does not develop products before approving them. Instead, FDA experts conduct a careful evaluation of the results of laboratory, animal, and human clinical testing done by manufacturers. The FDA does perform lot release testing of many biological products, which provides the agency with a real-time system to continuously monitor product quality, through review and testing.

    For more information, see:

    • A directory of approved and unapproved finished drugs on the market.
    • A complete list of licensed biological products.

    The FDA doesn’t approve compounded drugs.

    Compounding is generally a practice in which a pharmacist or a doctor combines ingredients to create medications that meet the needs of individual patients, including those who are allergic to ingredients in FDA-approved medicines or who cannot swallow an FDA-approved pill.

    Be aware that compounded drugs are not FDA approved.

    This means that the FDA does not conduct premarket review for compounded drugs to evaluate their safety, effectiveness, or quality.

    The FDA uses a risk-based, tiered approach for regulating medical devices for people.

    The FDA classifies devices according to risk and the level of regulatory controls needed to provide a reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the devices. The highest-risk devices (Class III), such as mechanical heart valves and implantable infusion pumps, generally require FDA approval of a premarket approval application before marketing. To receive FDA approval for these devices, manufacturers must demonstrate with sufficient, valid scientific evidence that there is a reasonable assurance that the devices are safe and effective for their intended uses.

    Generally, the FDA “clears” moderate-risk medical devices (Class II) (for example dialysis equipment and many types of catheters) for marketing once it has been demonstrated that the device is substantially equivalent to a legally marketed predicate device that does not require premarket approval. Class II devices are generally subject to special controls, which may include specific testing or labeling requirements for that device.

    Devices that are low risk of harm to the user (Class I) (for example non-powered breast pumps, elastic bandages, tongue depressors, and exam gloves) are subject to general controls only, and most are exempt from premarket notification requirements.

    The FDA uses a risk-based approach for human cells and tissues.

    All human cells and tissues intended for use in people — collectively referred to as human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products (HCT/Ps) — are regulated to prevent the transmission of infectious disease. Examples of HCT/Ps include bone, skin, corneas, ligaments, tendons, dura mater, heart valves, and reproductive tissue.

    Those HCT/Ps that pose an additional risk because of their processing or use also require FDA approval before marketing.

    The FDA does not regulate the transplantation of vascularized human organ transplants such as kidney, liver, heart, lung, or pancreas. The Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) oversees the transplantation of vascularized human organs.

    The FDA doesn’t approve tobacco products.

    There’s no such thing as a safe tobacco product, so the FDA’s safe and effective standard for evaluating medical products does not apply to tobacco products. Instead, the FDA regulates tobacco products based on a public health standard that considers the product’s risks to the population, including users and nonusers of tobacco products.

    To legally sell or distribute a new tobacco product in the U.S., manufacturers must receive authorization from the FDA. There are three pathways available to bring a new tobacco product to market: premarket tobacco product applications, substantial equivalence applications, or exemption from substantial equivalence requests.

    A marketing authorization does not indicate that the tobacco product is either safe or “approved.” It means that the manufacturer has complied with the requirements under the law to bring its product to market.

    The FDA approves food additives in food for people.

    Although the FDA does not have premarket approval of food products, it has the authority to approve certain ingredients before they are used in food or intended to contact food. Those include food additives (substances added intentionally to food, as well as substances that migrate to food from food contact products such as food packaging), and color additives.

    Companies that want to add new food additives to food are responsible for providing the FDA with information demonstrating that the additives are safe. FDA experts review the results of appropriate tests done by companies to ensure that the food additive is safe for its intended use. An approved food additive must be used in compliance with its approved uses, specifications, and restrictions.

    Certain food ingredients, such as those that are considered “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) for their intended conditions of use by scientific experts, do not require premarket approval by the FDA. The FDA has a voluntary notification process under which a manufacturer may submit a conclusion that the use of an ingredient is GRAS.

    The FDA approves color additives used in FDA-regulated products.

    This includes those used in food (including animal food), dietary supplements, drugs, cosmetics, and some medical devices. These color additives (except coal-tar hair dyes) are subject by law to approval by the agency before market entry, and each must be used only in compliance with its approved uses, specifications, and restrictions.

    In the approval process, the FDA evaluates safety data to ensure that a color additive is safe for its intended purposes.

    The FDA does not approve cosmetics.

    Examples of cosmetics are perfumes, makeup, moisturizers, shampoos, hair dyes, face and body cleansers, and shaving preparations. Cosmetic products and ingredients, and their labeling, do not require FDA approval.

    There’s one exception: color additives (other than coal-tar hair dyes). Cosmetics must be safe for their intended use and properly labeled.

    The FDA doesn’t approve medical foods.

    A medical food is formulated to be consumed or administered enterally and intended for the specific dietary management of a disease or condition for which distinctive nutritional requirements, based on recognized scientific principles, are established by medical evaluation. An example of a disease or condition that a medical food could be used to manage is phenylketonuria, a genetic disorder. Someone with this disorder may need medical foods that are formulated to be free of the amino acid phenylalanine.

    A medical food is intended for use under the supervision of a physician. It doesn’t include products such as meal replacements or diet shakes, or products for the management of diseases, such as diabetes, that can be managed through modification of the normal diet alone.

    Medical foods do not undergo premarket approval by the FDA. Still, medical food companies must comply with other requirements, such as current good manufacturing practices and registration of food facilities. Medical foods do not have to include a Nutrition Facts label on their labels; however, any statements on their label or in other labeling must be truthful and not misleading.

    The FDA doesn’t approve infant formula.

    The FDA does not approve infant formulas before they can be marketed. But manufacturers of infant formula are subject to the FDA’s regulatory oversight.

    Manufacturers must ensure that their infant formula complies with federal nutrient requirements and other regulations. Manufacturers must register with the FDA and provide the agency with an infant formula submission before marketing a new formula.

    The FDA conducts yearly inspections of all facilities that manufacture infant formula and collects and analyzes product samples. The FDA also inspects new facilities. If the FDA determines that an adulterated or misbranded infant formula presents a risk to human health, the manufacturer of the formula must conduct a recall.

    The FDA doesn’t approve dietary supplements.

    The FDA is not authorized to approve dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness. In fact, many dietary supplements can be marketed without even notifying the FDA.

    But companies are required to submit a premarket safety notification to the FDA at least 75 days before marketing dietary supplements containing certain “new dietary ingredients” (that were not marketed in the U.S. before Oct. 15, 1994).

    Dietary supplement companies must ensure their products are safe before marketing and comply with other labeling and quality requirements, such as good manufacturing practices.

    The FDA inspects facilities for compliance and monitors adverse event reports. When public health concerns arise about the safety of a dietary supplement or an ingredient, the FDA has the authority to take action to protect the public.

    The FDA doesn’t approve the food label, including the Nutrition Facts label.

    The FDA does not approve individual food labels before food products can be marketed. But FDA regulations require specific labeling elements, including nutrition information, to appear on most foods, including dietary supplements. Also, any statements on food products must be truthful and not misleading – and must comply with any regulatory requirements for the type of statement, as applicable.

    Manufacturers must provide the serving size of the food and specified information about the nutrient content of each serving on the “Nutrition Facts” label (or on the “Supplement Facts” label for dietary supplements).

    The FDA doesn’t approve structure-function claims on dietary supplements and other foods.

    Structure-function claims describe the role of a food or food component (such as a nutrient) that is intended to affect the structure or function of the human body. One example is “calcium builds strong bones.”

    Dietary supplement companies that make structure-function claims on labels or in other labeling must submit a notification to the FDA. Structure-function claims on dietary supplements carry a disclaimer stating that the claim has not been evaluated by the FDA, and that the product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

    The FDA does not require conventional food manufacturers to notify the FDA about their structure-function claims or to carry a disclaimer.  By law, all such claims must be truthful and not misleading.

    Misuse of the FDA’s logo may violate federal law.

    The FDA’s logo is for official government use only. The FDA’s logo should not be used to misrepresent the agency or to suggest that the FDA endorses any private organization, product, or service.

    These are just some of the many ways the FDA is responsible for protecting the public health.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Returning Home after the LA County Wildfires

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Returning Home after the LA County Wildfires

    Returning Home after the LA County Wildfires

    LOS ANGELES – As more Eaton Canyon and Pacific Palisades neighborhoods impacted by Los Angeles County wildfires open to residents, city and county officials caution that these areas are still dangerous, due to considerable risks remaining from waste, unstable burned buildings, and utility crews using heavy equipment.Everyone is eager to go home, clean up the burn site and start rebuilding. You may be worried about what you will find when you get back — but don’t rush in. If you find your home has damage, be careful. Improper handling and disposal of ash and materials may impact your health, as well as your neighbors. Recovery calls for caution. Areas Damaged by Wildfires are Reopening, but Risk Remains Almost all areas are now open, but some limited access may persist due to downed power lines, landslides, debris, unstable roads, or other utility work. Los Angeles County officials will communicate when re-entry conditions are permissible through public media. To check on your area, visit the county’s disaster website at Eaton Fire – LA County Recovers / Palisades Fire – LA County Recovers.The more a neighborhood is damaged by wildfire, the more complex and lengthier it will be to make the area safe. Below are some factors that help determine when a disaster area can be considered safe:Fire debris and ash in roadways. Crews have been working to clear roadways to ensure survivors can safely travel back to their homes or businesses. Debris removal has begun in Phase 1 of two phases. For more information on the process, visit Debris Removal – LA County Recovers Household materials removal. Exposure to certain common household materials impacted by fire may be a risk to human health, animals, and the environment. During Phase 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been surveying, removing, and disposing of household materials that may require special handling from properties affected by the wildfires. Items being removed include materials such as paints, solvents, oils, vehicle, and household batteries, and pesticides. For more information visit: 2025 California Wildfires | US EPA.In Phase 2, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was tasked to support FEMA and the Consolidated Debris Removal Program. Corps of Engineers contractors will remove fire-damaged debris from private property. Residents must opt-in to the Debris Removal Program and obtain a Right-of-Entry (ROE) form for the Corps of Engineers to access charred properties.  Property owners are not required to use these services. Residents who do not “opt-in” to the Debris Removal Program are responsible for all associated debris removal costs. In addition, for the safety of the community, property owners who choose to do their own cleanup must still follow local, state, and federal requirements.Use Caution When Returning HomeBring personal protective equipment for working in and around your home: gloves, eye protection, face masks or respirators, and boots with a steel toe and insole.Look for damaged power lines, foundation cracks and other exterior damage. Your home may be too dangerous to enter before an inspector checks it out.Don’t turn on your electrical breaker if it looks damaged. Keep the main electrical power and water systems off until you or a professional can ensure they are safe.Check your gas meter and gas lines for damage. If you smell natural gas or propane, hear a hissing noise, or notice visible damage, leave immediately and contact the fire department.If your home and electrical system appear undamaged, but the power is off, turn off all your appliances before you turn the power back on at the main breaker.Take it one step at a time. Focus on the most important clean-up tasks first. Don’t try to move large or unstable material by yourself. Ask for help and help others.Rebuild with the Future in MindYou can rebuild or repair your home in ways that reduce your risk from wildfires. Email FEMA Mitigation to request a free individualized plan: FEMA-R9-MIT@fema.dhs.gov. When choosing a contractor, please note: Contractors should be licensed and bonded and have disability and workers’ compensation insurance. If they don’t, you may be liable for accidents on your property.Make sure contractors obtain the necessary permits to do the job. Consult your local government and/or LA County to verify that they do.
    barbara.murien…
    Wed, 02/05/2025 – 17:44

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FDA Alerts Patients of Potential to Miss Critical Safety Alerts Due to Phone Settings When Using Smartphone-Compatible Diabetes Devices

    Source: US Food and Drug Administration

    For Immediate Release:

    Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting patients of a safety concern regarding diabetes devices, such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), insulin pumps and automated insulin dosing systems, that rely on a smartphone to deliver critical safety alerts. Users of these smartphone-compatible diabetes devices can configure alert settings, such as which alerts to receive, how often and how the alerts are delivered (e.g. audible, vibration, text only) through the app on their phone.

    The FDA has received medical device reports in which users report these alerts are not being delivered or not being heard, in cases where the users thought they had configured the alerts to be delivered. In some cases, missing these alerts may have contributed to serious harm, including severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), severe hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), diabetic ketoacidosis (when the body does not have enough insulin to use blood sugar for energy) and death.

    “Modern medical devices, such as diabetes devices that connect to a smartphone, can provide users with the convenience and flexibility to configure alerts that are personalized to them. However, users should stay aware of alert settings and monitor these devices to ensure they continue to receive critical alerts as expected,” said Courtney Lias, director of the Office of In Vitro Diagnostic Products in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “Even if configured correctly, certain hardware or software changes can interrupt the expected operation of these critical devices, which can lead to patient harm if undetected.”

    The FDA has identified, among others, the following hardware and software changes, updates and configurations that may lead to critical alerts not being received as expected:

    • software configuration issues, such as app notification permissions, using “do not disturb” or “focus mode” or the app entering “deep sleep” after a period of not being used;
    • connecting new hardware to the smartphone, such as connecting to car audio or using wireless earphones, that can change the default volume of alerts or prevent delivery of alerts; and
    • smartphone operating system updates that are not supported by the medical device application.

    The FDA’s safety communication provides recommendations, such as the following, for users of these devices:

    • Carefully follow the instructions provided by diabetes device manufacturers when installing, setting up or updating mobile medical apps on the smartphone;
    • turn off automatic operating system (OS) updates to the smartphone and do not update the phone’s OS until confirming the diabetes device app is compatible with the new OS version;
    • after updating the phone’s OS or adding a new accessory, such as wireless headphones, confirm alert settings then carefully monitor the medical device app to make sure alerts are received and can be heard as expected;
    • at least once a month, check that the smartphone alerts are configured as expected;
    • if alerts are not being received as expected from the mobile medical app, or cannot be heard, call the technical support number for the medical device for assistance; and
    • report any problems with the diabetes device to the FDA.

    The FDA is working with diabetes-related medical device manufacturers to ensure that smartphone alert configurations of their devices are carefully evaluated prior to use by patients. The agency is also working with manufacturers to ensure that settings in smartphones and mobile medical apps that may impact safety alerts are continuously tested and any updates to recommended configurations are communicated quickly and clearly to users.

    Related Information

    Related Information

    ###

    Boilerplate

    The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.

    Inquiries

    Consumer:
    888-INFO-FDA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Oxygen Concentrator Recall: JIANGSU JUMAO X-CARE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT CO LTD Removes JMC5A Ni/TruAire-5 Oxygen Concentrator due to the devices spontaneously catching fire

    Source: US Food and Drug Administration

    This recall involves removing devices from where they are used or sold. The FDA has identified this recall as the most serious type. This device may cause serious injury or death if you continue to use it.

    Affected Product

    • Product Names: TRUAIRE-5 02 CONCENTRATOR
    • Model: O2C5L
    • Serial Numbers: All units within serial number range: JA2311000001-JA2312000740

    What to Do

    • All units from the specified serial number range MUST be immediately discontinued from use and removed from service and promptly returned to Compass Health Brands.

    On November 26, 2024, Jiangsu Jumao X-Care Medical Equipment Co., Ltd. sent all affected customers an Urgent Medical Device Recall letter recommending the following actions:

    • Notify customers that have received units within the affected serial number range of this recall and the requirement to replace their oxygen concentrator.
    • Complete and return the medical device recall return response acknowledgement and receipt form to Compass Health Brands within 15 calendar days of receipt.
      • Response form must be returned even if you have no stock or have no record of purchasing this device.

    Reason for Recall

    JIANGSU JUMAO X-CARE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT CO LTD is recalling certain devices due to incidents of device melting and fire during the use of oxygen concentrators. The cause of the fires and melting remains under investigation.

    The use of affected product may cause serious adverse health consequences, including exposure to excess heat and fire that could lead to burns and possibly death.

    There have been no reported injuries. There have been no reports of death.

    Device Use

    The TRUAIRE-5 O2 CONCENTRATOR (Model O2C5L) is intended to provide supplemental oxygen to patients with respiratory disorders by separating nitrogen from room air by way of a molecular sieve. It is not intended to sustain or support life.

    Contact Information

    Customers in the U.S. with questions about this recall should contact Compass Health Brands Corp at 1-800-376-7263 x444.

    Additional FDA Resources

    Additional Company Resources

    Unique Device Identifier (UDI)

    The unique device identifier (UDI) helps identify individual medical devices sold in the United States from manufacturing through distribution to patient use. The UDI allows for more accurate reporting, reviewing, and analyzing of adverse event reports so that devices can be identified, and problems potentially corrected more quickly.

    How do I report a problem?

    Health care professionals and consumers may report adverse reactions or quality problems they experienced using these devices to MedWatch: The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Philip R. Lane: A middle path for ECB monetary policy

    Source: European Central Bank

    Speech by Philip R. Lane, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB, at the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE)

    Washington, D.C., 5 February 2025

    It is a pleasure to be here at the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE): your impressive research on a wide range of topics is extremely valuable for policymakers.[1]

    At last week’s monetary policy meeting, the ECB’s Governing Council decided to lower the deposit facility rate – the rate through which we steer the monetary policy stance – by 25 basis points from 3.0 per cent to 2.75 per cent. In cumulative terms, the deposit facility rate has declined by 125 basis points since last June. The decision reflected our updated assessment of the inflation outlook, the dynamics of underlying inflation and the strength of monetary policy transmission.

    In what follows, I will explain in more detail the basis for this decision. I will review inflation developments, economic developments, our risk assessment, and financial and monetary conditions. Finally, I explain why pursuing a middle path for monetary policy is best suited to the current environment.

    Inflation developments

    The disinflation process remains well on track. Inflation has continued to develop broadly in line with the staff projections and is set to return to our two per cent medium-term target in the course of this year. Most measures of underlying inflation suggest that inflation will settle at around our target on a sustained basis. The Persistent and Common Component of Inflation (PCCI), which has the best predictive power among underlying inflation indicators for future headline inflation, continued to hover around two per cent in the December data, indicating that headline inflation is set to stabilise around our target.

    Domestic inflation, at 4.2 per cent, stayed well above all the other indicators in December mostly because wages and prices in certain sectors are still adjusting to the past inflation surge with a substantial delay. However, the PCCI for services, which should act as an underlying attractor for services inflation and domestic inflation, fell to 2.3 per cent.

    The anticipation of a downward shift in services inflation in the coming months also relates to the expected deceleration in wage growth in the course of 2025. Wages have been adjusting to the past inflation surges with a substantial delay, but the ECB wage tracker and the latest surveys point to a significant moderation in wage pressures this year. According to the latest results of the Survey on the Access to Finance of Enterprises (SAFE), firms expect wages to grow by 3.3 per cent on average over the next twelve months, down from 4.5 per cent this time last year. Similarly, the latest Corporate Telephone Survey indicates that wage growth should decelerate from 4.6 per cent in 2024 to 3.3 per cent in 2025 and 2.9 per cent in 2026. This assessment is shared broadly among forecasters. Consensus Economics, for example, foresees a decline in wage growth by about one percentage point between 2024 and 2025.

    Most measures of longer-term inflation expectations continue to stand at around two per cent, despite an uptick at shorter horizons that may reflect the recent rise in energy prices. While the inflation expectations of firms have stabilised at three per cent across horizons, according to the SAFE, larger firms that are aware of the ECB’s inflation target show convergence towards two per cent. Consumer inflation expectations have edged up recently, especially for the near term, which can at least be partly explained by their higher sensitivity to the recent uptick in realised inflation. Inflation expectations of professionals – as captured by the latest vintages of the Survey of Professional Forecasters and Survey of Monetary Analysts – as well as market-based measures of inflation compensation have ticked up for the near term but, over longer horizons, remain stable at levels consistent with our medium-term target of two per cent.

    Economic developments

    On a fourth-quarter-to-fourth-quarter basis, the 2024 growth rate came in at 0.9 per cent, constituting a material improvement in momentum relative to the 2023 growth rate of 0.1 per cent. While 2024 saw a modest recovery in consumption, investment remained weak and exporters continued to suffer competitiveness challenges. In terms of the quarterly profile, growth stagnated in the final quarter following a comparatively robust third quarter.

    The incoming survey indicators suggest that the euro area economy is set to remain subdued in the near term. While unemployment remained low at 6.3 per cent in December, there has been some softening in labour demand, as reflected in lower vacancies and lower employment growth.

    At the same time, our baseline assessment is that the conditions for a recovery remain in place. Higher incomes, lower interest rates and stronger household balance sheets should allow a faster pick-up in consumption. More affordable credit should also boost housing and business investment over time. Exports should also support the recovery as global demand rises, although this is highly conditional on developments in international trade policies.

    Financial and monetary conditions

    Global and euro area bond yields have increased significantly since our last meeting. Amongst other factors, the spillover impact of the rise in US and global longer-term rates has contributed to the steepening of the euro area yield curve.

    Our past interest rate cuts are gradually making it less expensive for firms and households to borrow. The cost of borrowing for firms has declined by 92 basis points and mortgage rates have declined by 62 basis points since their peaks in autumn 2023. However, the interest rates on existing corporate and household loan books remain high, especially in real terms, with pre-2022 debt still re-pricing at higher rates as fixation periods expire.

    In overall terms, financing conditions remain tight. While credit is expanding, lending to firms and households remains subdued relative to historical norms. Growth in bank lending to firms rose to 1.5 per cent in December. In part, the pick-up in December reflects firms substituting market-based long-term financing for bank-based borrowing amidst tightening market conditions and increasing upcoming redemptions of long-term corporate bonds. Overall external debt financing of firms increased by 1.9 per cent in December, but remained well below the historical average of 4.9 per cent.[2] Loans to households continued to rise gradually, driven by mortgages, but remained muted overall, with an annual growth rate of 1.1 per cent in December, notably below the long-term average of 4.2 per cent.

    According to the latest bank lending survey, the demand for loans by firms increased slightly in the fourth quarter. At the same time, credit standards for loans to firms have tightened again, after having broadly stabilised over the previous four quarters. The renewed tightening of credit standards for firms was driven by the fact that banks see higher risks to the economic outlook and have lower tolerance for taking on credit risk. This finding is consistent with the results from the SAFE, in which firms reported a small decline in the availability of bank loans and more demanding non-rate lending conditions. In terms of households, the demand for mortgages increased strongly, mostly on the back of more attractive interest rates and better prospects for the property market. Credit standards for housing loans remained unchanged overall.

    Risk assessment

    Risks to economic growth remain tilted to the downside. In addition to trade policy uncertainty, lower confidence could prevent consumption and investment from recovering as fast as expected. This could be amplified by geopolitical risks, such as Russia’s unjustified war against Ukraine and the tragic conflict in the Middle East, which could disrupt energy supplies and further weigh on global trade. Growth could also be lower if the lagged effects of monetary policy tightening last longer than expected. In the other direction, growth could be higher if easier financing conditions and falling inflation allow domestic consumption and investment to rebound faster.

    We take a two-sided approach to assessing inflation risk. Inflation could turn out higher if wages or profits increase by more than expected. Upside risks to inflation also stem from the heightened geopolitical tensions, which could push energy prices and freight costs higher in the near term and disrupt global trade. Moreover, extreme weather events, and the unfolding climate crisis more broadly, could drive up food prices by more than expected. By contrast, inflation may surprise on the downside if low confidence and concerns about geopolitical events prevent consumption and investment from recovering as fast as expected, if monetary policy dampens demand by more than expected, or if the economic environment in the rest of the world worsens unexpectedly. Greater friction in global trade would make the euro area inflation outlook more uncertain.

    A middle path for monetary policy

    Taken together, the incoming data since our previous meeting meant that it was clear that we should take a further step in monetary easing by lowering the deposit facility rate to 2.75 per cent. By excessively dampening demand, the alternative of holding the deposit facility rate at the level of 3.0 per cent would not have been consistent with the set of rate paths that would best ensure that inflation stabilises sustainably at our two per cent medium-term target. At the same time, the new level for the deposit facility rate at 2.75 per cent preserves considerable optionality in responding to shocks. In particular, the rate path can adjust as appropriate in the event of material upside or downside shocks to the inflation outlook and/or to economic momentum.

    While our baseline is that inflation should decline from 2.5 per cent in January to around our target in the coming months, it is still important to take into account that this deceleration might take longer than expected and that new upside risks to inflation could emerge, including due to external developments. These considerations explain why we have taken a step-by-step approach to rate cutting since last June.

    At the same time, an excessive abundance of caution in monetary easing could threaten the recovery in domestic demand that is needed to support the pricing environment compatible with our medium-term two per cent target. Under this too-cautious path, a below-target inflation dynamic could take hold, which would then require a more sizeable policy response to ensure inflation returns to our symmetric two per cent medium-term target.

    Balancing these considerations suggest a middle path is appropriate, which neither over-weighs upside risk nor over-weighs downside risk. That is, a robust monetary policy approach should balance the risks of moving too slowly against the risks of moving too quickly. Accordingly, it is prudent to maintain agility in adjusting the stance as appropriate on a data-dependent and meeting-by-meeting basis and to not pre-commit to any particular rate path.

    In closing, let me comment on two much-discussed concepts: restrictiveness and neutrality.

    When inflation is materially above target and requires a monetary response to ensure that it returns to target in a timely manner and that inflation expectations remain anchored, the monetary stance must be clearly restrictive. As inflation returns close to target, policymakers need to shift their focus to adjusting monetary policy in line with the incoming economic and financial data and the evolving risk assessment to deliver the two per cent target over the medium term. In other words, policymakers should deliver the monetary stance that is appropriate to the situation.

    In exiting a restrictive phase, much energy could be diverted towards creating a summary “restrictiveness” index. Any such index would have to incorporate at least nine factors: (i) the still-important rolling off of super-cheap debt that was taken out in the “low for long” era that is now being re-financed at higher rates; (ii) in the other direction, the transmission of the easing since the peak of the hiking cycle; (iii) the impact of the anticipation of future rate cuts on current financing conditions; (iv) the evolving contribution of quasi-exogenous influences on financing conditions (such as global upward pressure on term premia); (v) the dynamics of bond and equity risk premia; (vi) the evolution of credit standards in bank lending; (vii) the different timelines for market-based and bank-based transmission; (viii) the responsiveness of consumption and investment to shifting monetary conditions; and (ix) the responsiveness of price setting to shifting monetary conditions.

    All of these factors enter our calibration of monetary policy (our assessment of the strength of monetary policy transmission has been highlighted as central to our reaction function) and cannot be summarised by a single indicator such as comparing the prevailing policy rate to a highly-uncertain estimate of the so-called neutral rate.[3]

    In terms of policy making, uncertainty about the level of the neutral rate and, more generally, about the strength of monetary transmission inescapably sits alongside uncertainty about the inflation outlook and uncertainty about the economic outlook.

    This is why our 2021 monetary policy strategy statement highlights that our decisions are based on an integrated assessment of all relevant factors. Over the last two years, we have emphasised in particular the importance of underlying inflation and the strength of monetary transmission as particularly relevant in complementing our analysis of the inflation outlook. More generally, it is essential that all relevant risks are incorporated in monetary policy decisions.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Humanitarian and infrastructural crisis in Cuba – E-002542/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    In 2024, the Commission allocated a total of EUR 4.4 million in humanitarian assistance to Cuba. The Commission has closely followed the impacts of recent hurricanes and earthquakes, compounding an already dire situation in the country. A humanitarian expert was deployed to assess the needs after the disasters stroke.

    The Commission supported the emergency response with further EUR 3.9 million. In addition, it deployed a humanitarian airbridge to transport more than 100 tons of humanitarian supplies from the United Nations, EU, and Spanish stocks in five flights, providing relief to populations affected by hurricane Oscar.

    Furthermore, it allocated EUR 500 000 in humanitarian aid to respond to urgent health needs due to medicine shortages across the country. The EU stands ready to provide additional humanitarian aid based on assessments of new needs.

    In a longer-term perspective, the EU will continue to provide support under the Multiannual Indicative Programme 2021-2027[1] and through the Global Gateway[2] to strengthen development and resilience. This includes programmes in crucial sectors such as water and sanitation, and energy.

    The EU has a longstanding cooperation in both sectors and through the Global Gateway there is potential for European investments on renewable energy infrastructure.

    • [1] https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/31833263-a4e0-4027-b987-83ac795275d9_en?filename=mip-2021-c2021-9130-cuba-annex_en.pdf
    • [2] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/stronger-europe-world/global-gateway_en
    Last updated: 5 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – The detention of Temirlan Sultanbekov – E-002671/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The EU monitors the human rights situation in the Kyrgyz Republic very closely. The EU Delegation in Bishkek is in close contact with local civil society, human rights defenders and independent media, and regularly attends trials of journalists, human rights defenders and non-governmental organisations and cases where human rights are suspected of having been violated.

    Individual human rights cases and general concerns in relation to human rights are raised during meetings with the Kyrgyz authorities at every level, and most recently at the 14th Human Rights Dialogue held on 21 November 2024 in Bishkek.

    Throughout 2024, the High Representative/Vice-President issued statements on developments of concern, including on 2 April 2024 on the adoption of the ‘Foreign Representatives’ law[1].

    The case of Temirlan Sultanbekov has been raised by the EU Delegation with the Office of the General Prosecutor, and the authorities have been urged to ensure Mr Sultanbekov’s right to access to justice and to medical care.

    In early 2024, the EU Delegation — in response to shrinking space for civil society — published a call for proposals[2] specifically aimed at supporting civil society. Additionally, in 2024, the EU adopted a EUR 5 million programme in support of civil society organisations operating in the area of human rights, gender equality and youth empowerment.

    The EU-Kyrgyz Republic Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement[3], signed in June 2024, provides a strong framework to boost further political dialogue and closer engagement on fundamental freedoms, human rights and democratic values.

    • [1] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/kyrgyz-republic-statement-spokesperson-new-legislation-foreign-representatives_en
    • [2] Support to Civil Society initiatives in the Kyrgyz Republic, https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kyrgyz-republic/support-civil-society-initiatives-kyrgyz-republic_en?s=301
    • [3] https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-10660-2022-INIT/en/pdf, https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/factsheet-enhanced-partnership-and-cooperation-agreement-between-eu-and-kyrgyz-republic_en
    Last updated: 5 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Disruption on the sea route between Italy and France (Santa Teresa di Gallura-Bonifacio) – E-002859/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission acknowledges the importance of reliable maritime connections on short cross-border routes like Santa Teresa di Gallura-Bonifacio, which support local residents, tourists, and economic activities.

    Maritime services between Member States are subject to European Union rules ensuring open and competitive markets[1]. Where market forces alone are insufficient to ensure adequate connectivity, Member States may impose public service obligations (PSOs) or conclude public service contracts (PSCs) in accordance with specific conditions established by EU law[2].

    Member States determine operational specifics, in compliance with EU legislation[3]. In case of PSCs with compensation, the state aid rules have to be respected.

    The Commission supports Member States by ensuring compliance, facilitating funding through instruments like the European Regional Development Fund or the Recovery and Resilience Facility, and sharing best practices. Italy and France have had opportunity to use these tools to ensure reliable connectivity.

    In case of cancellations or delays in departure of more than 90 minutes of waterborne passenger services, the carrier must offer passengers the choice between re-routing to the final destination and reimbursement of the ticket price in accordance with the EU legislation on waterborne passenger rights[4].

    Passengers may also be entitled to compensation from the carrier in certain cases. The responsibility for ensuring the correct application and compliance with these rules lies in the first instance with the national enforcement bodies designated in each Member State.

    • [1] Council Regulation (EEC) No 4055/86 of 22 December 1986 applying the principle of freedom to provide services to maritime transport between Member States and between Member States and third countries.
    • [2] Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 of December 1992 applying the principle of freedom to provide services to maritime transport within Member States (maritime cabotage). See also Case C-280/00 Altmark Trans v Nahverkehrsgesellschaft Altmark GmbH [2003] ECR I-07747 and Case T-454/13 SNCM v European Commission [2017] 2 ECLI:EU:T:2017:134.
    • [3] Article 106(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union OJ C202/2016. Member States may apply Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007 of 23 October 2007 to public passenger transport by inland waterways and, without prejudice to Regulation 3577/92 (maritime cabotage).
    • [4] Regulation (EU) No 1177/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 concerning the rights of passengers when travelling by sea and inland waterway.
    Last updated: 5 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Consequences of the EU-Thailand free trade agreement for the canning industry – E-002642/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission takes note of the concerns raised by the Honourable Member about the potential impact of a future Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Thailand on the EU tuna processing industry.

    In line with the overall EU approach to trade and investment agreements, also in the negotiations with Thailand the Commission aims at reaching a comprehensive deal that can bring growth opportunities for the EU economy and employment as a whole.

    In the negotiating rounds held so far, the EU and Thai negotiating teams have focused on advancing on the consolidation of the texts establishing the normative framework for the future trade relations, and have not yet discussed the treatment for individual products.

    Detailed and sector specific market access negotiations will start in the coming months, and will include consultations with relevant stakeholders in line with the usual EU practice for FTA negotiations.

    As in all FTA processes, economically sensitive sectors are subject to carefully designed specific modalities for market access which aim at preventing any market disturbances.

    Furthermore, as the negotiations enter a more advanced stage, a sustainability impact assessment will be carried out in support of the negotiations in order to provide an in-depth analysis of their potential economic, social, human rights, and environmental impacts.

    Last updated: 5 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Unfair competition in the aviation sector owing to Russian sanctions – E-002689/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is aware of the detours that European airlines need to undertake to fly to many Asian destinations. This is a consequence of Russia’s refusal to allow EU airlines to overfly its territory. These detours result in longer and costlier operations to countries like China.

    Although in 2016 the Commission proposed to Member States to negotiate an EU aviation agreement with China, Member States chose not to pursue such an agreement. Therefore, air transport between the EU and China is currently governed by bilateral agreements between individual Member States and China.

    The Commission stands ready and has offered to engage with Member States in this matter if they so wish.

    Last updated: 5 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police officer injured, Huntly

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    A Police officer has been injured in an incident at 8pm last night in Huntly.

    The officer, who was conducting enquiries at an address in Huntly on an unrelated matter, had stepped out of their patrol car when another vehicle drove toward them, colliding with the patrol vehicle and the officer.

    The offending driver fled but was located and arrested.

    The officer was transported to Waikato Hospital, assessed and treated for a moderate injury and discharged. They are expected to make a full recovery and are being provided with support through the process.

    The offender, a 47-year-old man, was taken into custody and is due to appear to Hamilton District Court today facing charges in relation to this incident.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –