Category: Vehicles

MIL-OSI: Aviva Canada encourages municipalities to apply for funding for Level 2 EV charging stations

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TORONTO, Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aviva Canada is pleased to announce it has opened the application period for the third year of its Charged for Change program. With installations in 15 municipalities already completed or underway, this year’s funding will support public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure projects in even more communities that currently lack sufficient access.

Presented in partnership with Earth Day Canada, Aviva’s $3M Charged for Change program allows municipalities and Indigenous communities to apply for funding to install Level 2 electric vehicle chargers for their residents and visitors. Municipalities across Canada can submit applications via the Charged for Change homepage until February 20, 2025.

“We are thrilled to open applications for the third year of our Charged for Change program and are looking forward to helping even more Canadian communities install public EV infrastructure for their residents. We know that a lack of publicly available EV charging infrastructure can be a barrier to EV adoption and want to support Canadians, particularly those in communities with little to no access, in making the switch to an EV,” said Aviva Canada’s Chief Public Affairs, Marketing and Communications Officer, Pascal Dessureault.

In its first year, the Charged for Change program funded Level 2 charging stations for seven Ontario municipalities and is expected to deliver 37 charging heads across 16 sites in the Town of Pelham, Township of Selwyn, The County of Prince Edward, Town of Thessalon, Municipality of East Ferris, Township of Manitouwadge, and Township of Essa. As of September 15, this year, the charging stations installed in these communities have delivered 2,600 charging sessions and 8,300 charging hours.

The program expanded across Canada in its second year, where eight municipalities received funding; Town of Okotoks, AB, Town of Grand Bay-Westfield, NB, Municipality of Lakeshore, ON, Municipalité des Hautes-Terres, NB, Municipalité de Chertsey, QC, Village de Bois-Joli, NB, Communauté rurale de Kedgwick, NB, and Ville régionale de Cap-Acadie, NB. Those projects are either underway or completed and in use.

“We know that access to public charging infrastructure is a key deciding factor for consumers considering the purchase of an EV. We also know that there is a disparity between levels of infrastructure in larger, urban centres versus smaller, often rural communities. Charged for Change hopes to level that playing field so that Canadians who want to make the climate-conscious decision to switch to an EV feel confident that it can meet their needs,” said Valérie Mallamo, Executive Director, Earth Day Canada.

Aviva’s partnership with Earth Day Canada supports municipalities in working with utility suppliers directly to install the charging station infrastructure in selected communities. Communities across Canada are encouraged to apply for year three funding now via the Charged for Change homepage.

To help more Canadians transition to EVs, Aviva’s EV insurance solution offers customers up to 10 per cent off their premium when they insure an EV.¹

Testimonials from year one Charged for Change recipient municipalities:

Municipality of East Ferris:
“The installation of charging stations provided by the Charged for Change Program allowed the Municipality of East Ferris to install our first public EV charging stations in the community. It also allowed us to start the transition of our vehicle fleet to electric vehicles with the purchase of our first EV municipal vehicle taking place in early 2024. We are fortunate to have been selected for the program and the infrastructure that we installed will have lasting impacts on municipal operations for years to come.” – Greg Kirton, Director of Community Services, Municipality of East Ferris

Town of Thessalon:
“Our first EV station users stopped in on their road trip from Whistler, British Columbia. They told us that they would have by-passed Thessalon if it weren’t for these charging stations. Since they were able to charge their vehicle in Thessalon they stayed at local accommodations and spent time exploring other town amenities.” – Lindsay MacFarlane, Deputy Clerk, Town of Thessalon

The County of Prince Edward:
“Working with Earth Day Canada and Aviva on this project helped me gain an understanding of the world of electric vehicles and helped me come to the conclusion that yes, EV ownership in a rural community is very possible! After doing a test drive with Plug n Drive at our inauguration event and speaking firsthand to EV drivers and suppliers of EV charging equipment through this project, I felt really confident in my choice to make my next car an EV. I ditched the ICE and signed a leased an EV this spring. I wouldn’t have felt so sure of my decision without the experience working with Earth Day Canada and Aviva.” – Julianne Snepts, Programs Supervisor, The County of Prince Edward

About Aviva Canada

Aviva Canada is one of the leading property and casualty insurance groups in the country, providing home, automobile, lifestyle, and business insurance to 2.4 million customers. As a subsidiary of UK-based Aviva plc, Aviva Canada has more than 4,000 employees focused on creating a sustainable future for our people, our customers, our communities and our planet. In 2021, Aviva plc announced Aviva’s global ambition to become a net zero carbon emissions company by 2040.

For more information, visit aviva.ca or Aviva Canada’s blog, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn pages.

*Note: Media may arrange interviews by contacting:

Media Contact: Kelsie Ludlow, Communications Specialist, Aviva
Email: kelsie.ludlow@aviva.com
Tel: 437-331-7209

¹ Terms and conditions apply. Please visit www.aviva.ca for more details.

The MIL Network –

January 26, 2025

MIL-OSI: NXP Semiconductors Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

EINDHOVEN, The Netherlands, Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ: NXPI) today reported financial results for the third quarter, which ended September 29, 2024. “NXP delivered quarterly revenue of $3.25 billion, in-line with our overall guidance. While we experienced some strength against our expectations in the Communication Infrastructure, Mobile and Automotive end markets, we were confronted with increasing macro related weakness in the Industrial & IoT market. Our guidance for the fourth quarter reflects broader macro weakness especially in Europe and the Americas. We focus on managing what is in our control enabling NXP to drive resilient profitability and earnings in an uncertain demand environment,” said Kurt Sievers, NXP President and Chief Executive Officer.

Key Highlights for the Third Quarter 2024:

Revenue was $3.25 billion, down 5 percent year-on-year;
GAAP gross margin was 57.4 percent, GAAP operating margin was 30.5 percent and GAAP diluted Net Income per Share was $2.79;
Non-GAAP gross margin was 58.2 percent, non-GAAP operating margin was 35.5 percent, and non-GAAP diluted Net Income per Share was $3.45;
Cash flow from operations was $779 million, with net capex investments of $186 million, resulting in non-GAAP free cash flow of $593 million;
During the third quarter of 2024, NXP continued to execute its capital return policy with the payment of $259 million in cash dividends, and the repurchase of $305 million of its common shares. The total capital return of $564 million in the quarter represented 95 percent of third quarter non-GAAP free cash flow. On a trailing twelve month basis, capital return to shareholders represented $2.4 billion or 87 percent of non-GAAP free cash flow. The interim dividend for the third quarter 2024 was paid in cash on October 9, 2024 to shareholders of record as of September 12, 2024. On August 29th, the NXP board of directors authorized an additional $2.0 billion for share repurchases, resulting in a $2.64 billion share repurchase balance at the end of the third quarter. Subsequent to the end of the third quarter, between September 30, 2024 and November 1, 2024, NXP executed via a 10b5-1 program additional share repurchases totaling $117 million;
On August 20, 2024, ESMC, the previously announced manufacturing joint venture between TSMC, Robert Bosch GmbH, Infineon Technologies AG and NXP Semiconductors N.V. held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the initial phase of construction of its first semiconductor fab in Dresden, Germany;
On September 4, 2024, Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation and NXP Semiconductors N.V. announced the receipt of all necessary governmental approvals from relevant authorities and injected capital to officially establish the previously announced VisionPower Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Pte Ltd (VSMC) manufacturing joint venture. The company will now proceed with the planned construction of VSMC’s first 300mm wafer manufacturing facility;
On September 10, 2024, NXP announced the Trimension® SR250, the industry’s first single-chip, UWB solution to enable Industrial and IoT applications that integrates on-chip processing capabilities with both short-range UWB-based radar and secure ranging;
On September 17, 2024, NXP announced the MC33777, the world’s first electric vehicle battery junction box IC that consolidates essential BMS functions into a single device; and
On September 24, 2024, NXP announced the new i.MX RT700 crossover MCU family, designed to power smart AI-enabled edge devices, such as wearables, consumer medical devices, smart home devices and HMI platforms.

Summary of Reported Third Quarter 2024 ($ millions, unaudited) ⁽¹⁾

	Q3 2024			Q2 2024			Q3 2023			Q – Q	Y – Y
Total Revenue	$	3,250		$	3,127		$	3,434		4%	-5%
GAAP Gross Profit	$	1,866		$	1,792		$	1,965		4%	-5%
Gross Profit Adjustments⁽ⁱ⁾	$	(26	)	$	(41	)	$	(45	)
Non-GAAP Gross Profit	$	1,892		$	1,833		$	2,010		3%	-6%
GAAP Gross Margin		57.4	%		57.3	%		57.2	%
Non-GAAP Gross Margin		58.2	%		58.6	%		58.5	%
GAAP Operating Income (Loss)	$	990		$	896		$	992		10%	—%
Operating Income Adjustments⁽ⁱ⁾	$	(163	)	$	(175	)	$	(211	)
Non-GAAP Operating Income	$	1,153		$	1,071		$	1,203		8%	-4%
GAAP Operating Margin		30.5	%		28.7	%		28.9	%
Non-GAAP Operating Margin		35.5	%		34.3	%		35.0	%
GAAP Net Income (Loss) attributable to Stockholders	$	718		$	658		$	787
Net Income Adjustments⁽ⁱ⁾	$	(172	)	$	(171	)	$	(178	)
Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Stockholders	$	890		$	829		$	965
GAAP diluted Net Income (Loss) per Share⁽ⁱⁱ⁾	$	2.79		$	2.54		$	3.01
Non-GAAP diluted Net Income (Loss) per Share⁽ⁱⁱ⁾	$	3.45		$	3.20		$	3.70

Additional information
	Q3 2024		Q2 2024		Q3 2023		Q – Q	Y – Y
Automotive	$	1,829	$	1,728	$	1,891	6%	-3%
Industrial & IoT	$	563	$	616	$	607	-9%	-7%
Mobile	$	407	$	345	$	377	18%	8%
Comm. Infra. & Other	$	451	$	438	$	559	3%	-19%
DIO		149		148		134
DPO		60		64		60
DSO		30		27		25
Cash Conversion Cycle		119		111		99
Channel Inventory (weeks / months)		8 / 1.9		7 / 1.7		7 / 1.5
Gross Financial Leverage⁽ⁱⁱⁱ⁾		1.9x		1.9x		2.1x
Net Financial Leverage^(iv)		1.3x		1.3x		1.3x

Additional Information for the Third Quarter 2024:
1. For an explanation of GAAP to non-GAAP adjustments, please see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.
2. Refer to Table 1 below for the weighted average number of diluted shares for the presented periods.
3. Gross financial leverage is defined as gross debt divided by trailing twelve months adjusted EBITDA.
4. Net financial leverage is defined as net debt divided by trailing twelve months adjusted EBITDA.

Guidance for the Fourth Quarter 2024: ($ millions, except Per Share data) ⁽¹⁾

				Guidance Range
	GAAP			Reconciliation	non-GAAP
	Low	Mid	High		Low	Mid	High
Total Revenue	$3,000	$3,100	$3,200		$3,000	$3,100	$3,200
Q-Q	-8%	-5%	-2%		-8%	-5	-2%
Y-Y	-12%	-9%	-6%		-12%	-9	-6%
Gross Profit	$1,674	$1,746	$1,820	$(35)	$1,709	$1,781	$1,855
Gross Margin	55.8%	56.3%	56.9%		57.0%	57.5%	58.0%
Operating Income (loss)	$810	$872	$936	$(184)	$994	$1,056	$1,120
Operating Margin	27.0%	28.1%	29.3%		33.1%	34.1%	35.0%
Financial Income (expense)	$(87)	$(87)	$(87)	$(10)	$(77)	$(77)	$(77)
Tax rate	17.2%-18.2%				16.3%-17.3%
NCI & Other	$(14)	$(14)	$(14)	$(3)	$(11)	$(11)	$(11)
Shares – diluted	257.0	257.0	257.0		257.0	257.0	257.0
Earnings Per Share – diluted	$2.26	$2.46	$2.66		$2.93	$3.13	$3.33

Note (1) Additional Information:

GAAP Gross Profit is expected to include Purchase Price Accounting (“PPA”) effects, $(10) million; Share-based Compensation, $(15) million; Other Incidentals, $(10) million;
GAAP Operating Income (loss) is expected to include PPA effects, $(39) million; Share-based Compensation, $(118) million; Restructuring and Other Incidentals, $(27) million;
GAAP Financial Income (expense) is expected to include Other financial expense $(10) million;
GAAP Non-Controlling Interest (NCI) and Other is expected to include results relating to non-foundry equity-accounted investees $(3) million;
GAAP diluted EPS is expected to include the adjustments noted above for PPA effects, Share-based Compensation, Restructuring and Other Incidentals in GAAP Operating Income (loss), the adjustment for Other financial expense, the adjustment for Non-controlling interest & Other and the adjustment on Tax due to the earlier mentioned adjustments.

NXP has based the guidance included in this release on judgments and estimates that management believes are reasonable given its assessment of historical trends and other information reasonably available as of the date of this release. Please note, the guidance included in this release consists of predictions only, and is subject to a wide range of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond NXP’s control. The guidance included in this release should not be regarded as representations by NXP that the estimated results will be achieved. Actual results may vary materially from the guidance we provide today. In relation to the use of non-GAAP financial information see the note regarding “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below. For the factors, risks, and uncertainties to which judgments, estimates and forward-looking statements generally are subject see the note regarding “Forward-looking Statements.” We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, including the guidance set forth herein, to reflect future events or circumstances.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In managing NXP’s business on a consolidated basis, management develops an annual operating plan, which is approved by our Board of Directors, using non-GAAP financial measures, that are not in accordance with, nor an alternative to, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). In measuring performance against this plan, management considers the actual or potential impacts on these non-GAAP financial measures from actions taken to reduce costs with the goal of increasing our gross margin and operating margin and when assessing appropriate levels of research and development efforts. In addition, management relies upon these non-GAAP financial measures when making decisions about product spending, administrative budgets, and other operating expenses. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, when coupled with the GAAP results and the reconciliations to corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide a more complete understanding of the Company’s results of operations and the factors and trends affecting NXP’s business. We believe that they enable investors to perform additional comparisons of our operating results, to assess our liquidity and capital position and to analyze financial performance excluding the effect of expenses unrelated to core operating performance, certain non-cash expenses and share-based compensation expense, which may obscure trends in NXP’s underlying performance. This information also enables investors to compare financial results between periods where certain items may vary independent of business performance, and allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management.

These non-GAAP financial measures are provided in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The presentation of these and other similar items in NXP’s non-GAAP financial results should not be interpreted as implying that these items are non-recurring, infrequent, or unusual. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP are provided in the financial statements portion of this release in a schedule entitled “Financial Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Results (unaudited).” Please refer to the NXP Historic Financial Model file found on the Financial Information page of the Investor Relations section of our website at https://investors.nxp.com for additional information related to our rationale for using these non-GAAP financial measures, as well as the impact of these measures on the presentation of NXP’s operations.

In addition to providing financial information on a basis consistent with GAAP, NXP also provides the following selected financial measures on a non-GAAP basis: (i) Gross profit, (ii) Gross margin, (iii) Research and development, (iv) Selling, general and administrative, (v) Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, (vi) Other income, (vii) Operating income (loss), (viii) Operating margin, (ix) Financial Income (expense), (x) Income tax benefit (provision), (xi) Results relating to non-foundry equity-accounted investees, (xii) Net income (loss) attributable to stockholders, (xiii) Earnings per Share – Diluted, (xiv) EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and trailing 12 month adjusted EBITDA, and (xv) free cash flow, trailing 12 month free cash flow and trailing 12 month free cash flow as a percent of Revenue. The non-GAAP information excludes, where applicable, the amortization of acquisition related intangible assets, the purchase accounting effect on inventory and property, plant and equipment, merger related costs (including integration costs), certain items related to divestitures, share-based compensation expense, restructuring and asset impairment charges, extinguishment of debt, foreign exchange gains and losses, income tax effect on adjustments described above and results from non-foundry equity-accounted investments.

The difference in the benefit (provision) for income taxes between our GAAP and non-GAAP results relates to the income tax effects of the GAAP to non-GAAP adjustments that we make and the income tax effect of any discrete items that occur in the interim period. Discrete items primarily relate to unexpected tax events that may occur as these amounts cannot be forecasted (e.g., the impact of changes in tax law and/or rates, changes in estimates or resolved tax audits relating to prior year tax provisions, the excess or deficit tax effects on share-based compensation, etc.).

Conference Call and Webcast Information

The company will host a conference call with the financial community on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time (EST) to review the third quarter 2024 results in detail.

Interested parties may preregister to obtain a user-specific access code for the call here.

The call will be webcast and can be accessed from the NXP Investor Relations website at www.nxp.com. A replay of the call will be available on the NXP Investor Relations website within 24 hours of the actual call.

About NXP Semiconductors

NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ: NXPI) is the trusted partner for innovative solutions in the automotive, industrial & IoT, mobile, and communications infrastructure markets. NXP’s “Brighter Together” approach combines leading-edge technology with pioneering people to develop system solutions that make the connected world better, safer, and more secure. The company has operations in more than 30 countries and posted revenue of $13.28 billion in 2023. Find out more at www.nxp.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This document includes forward-looking statements which include statements regarding NXP’s business strategy, financial condition, results of operations, market data, as well as any other statements which are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those projected. These factors, risks and uncertainties include the following: market demand and semiconductor industry conditions; our ability to successfully introduce new technologies and products; the demand for the goods into which NXP’s products are incorporated; trade disputes between the U.S. and China, potential increase of barriers to international trade and resulting disruptions to NXP’s established supply chains; the impact of government actions and regulations, including restrictions on the export of US-regulated products and technology; increasing and evolving cybersecurity threats and privacy risks, including theft of sensitive or confidential data; the ability to generate sufficient cash, raise sufficient capital or refinance corporate debt at or before maturity to meet both NXP’s debt service and research and development and capital investment requirements; our ability to accurately estimate demand and match our production capacity accordingly or obtain supplies from third-party producers to meet demand; our access to production capacity from third-party outsourcing partners, and any events that might affect their business or NXP’s relationship with them; our ability to secure adequate and timely supply of equipment and materials from suppliers; our ability to avoid operational problems and product defects and, if such issues were to arise, to correct them quickly; our ability to form strategic partnerships and joint ventures and to successfully cooperate with our alliance partners; our ability to win competitive bid selection processes; our ability to develop products for use in customers’ equipment and products; the ability to successfully hire and retain key management and senior product engineers; global hostilities, including the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and resulting regional instability, sanctions and any other retaliatory measures taken against Russia and the continued hostilities and the armed conflict in the Middle East, which could adversely impact the global supply chain, disrupt our operations or negatively impact the demand for our products in our primary end markets; the ability to maintain good relationships with NXP’s suppliers; and a change in tax laws could have an effect on our estimated effective tax rate. In addition, this document contains information concerning the semiconductor industry, our end markets and business generally, which is forward-looking in nature and is based on a variety of assumptions regarding the ways in which the semiconductor industry, our end markets and business will develop. NXP has based these assumptions on information currently available, if any one or more of these assumptions turn out to be incorrect, actual results may differ from those predicted. While NXP does not know what impact any such differences may have on its business, if there are such differences, its future results of operations and its financial condition could be materially adversely affected. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak to results only as of the date the statements were made. Except for any ongoing obligation to disclose material information as required by the United States federal securities laws, NXP does not have any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after we distribute this document, whether to reflect any future events or circumstances or otherwise. For a discussion of potential risks and uncertainties, please refer to the risk factors listed in our SEC filings. Copies of our SEC filings are available on our Investor Relations website, www.nxp.com/investor or from the SEC website, www.sec.gov.

For further information, please contact:

Investors:	Media:
Jeff Palmer	Paige Iven
jeff.palmer@nxp.com	paige.iven@nxp.com
+1 408 205 0687	+1 817 975 0602

NXP-CORP

NXP Semiconductors
Table 1: Condensed consolidated statement of operations (unaudited)

($ in millions except share data)	Three months ended
	September 29, 2024			June 30, 2024			October 1, 2023

Revenue	$	3,250		$	3,127		$	3,434
Cost of revenue		(1,384	)		(1,335	)		(1,469	)
Gross profit		1,866			1,792			1,965
Research and development		(577	)		(594	)		(601	)
Selling, general and administrative		(265	)		(270	)		(294	)
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets		(29	)		(28	)		(71	)
Total operating expenses		(871	)		(892	)		(966	)
Other income (expense)		(5	)		(4	)		(7	)
Operating income (loss)		990			896			992
Financial income (expense):
Extinguishment of debt		—			—			—
Other financial income (expense)		(82	)		(75	)		(75	)
Income (loss) before income taxes		908			821			917
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		(173	)		(154	)		(123	)
Results relating to equity-accounted investees		(6	)		(3	)		(2	)
Net income (loss)		729			664			792
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests		11			6			5
Net income (loss) attributable to stockholders		718			658			787

Earnings per share data:
Net income (loss) per common share attributable to stockholders in $
Basic	$	2.82		$	2.58		$	3.06
Diluted	$	2.79		$	2.54		$	3.01

Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period (in thousands):
Basic		254,458			255,478			257,488
Diluted		257,717			258,732			261,095

NXP Semiconductors
Table 2: Condensed consolidated balance sheet (unaudited)

($ in millions)	As of
	September 29, 2024		June 30, 2024		October 1, 2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,748	$	2,859	$	4,042
Short-term deposits		400		400		—
Accounts receivable, net		1,070		927		939
Inventories, net		2,234		2,148		2,140
Other current assets		574		546		495
Total current assets		7,026		6,880		7,616

Non-current assets:
Other non-current assets		2,641		2,290		2,236
Property, plant and equipment, net		3,309		3,289		3,197
Identified intangible assets, net		735		796		1,010
Goodwill		9,958		9,941		9,937
Total non-current assets		16,643		16,316		16,380

Total assets		23,669		23,196		23,996

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		899		929		959
Restructuring liabilities-current		52		62		16
Other current liabilities		1,542		1,622		1,990
Short-term debt		499		499		999
Total current liabilities		2,992		3,112		3,964

Non-current liabilities:
Long-term debt		9,683		9,681		10,173
Restructuring liabilities		4		7		3
Deferred tax liabilities		57		48		44
Other non-current liabilities		1,189		1,003		1,014
Total non-current liabilities		10,933		10,739		11,234

Non-controlling interests		338		327		310
Stockholders’ equity		9,406		9,018		8,488
Total equity		9,744		9,345		8,798

Total liabilities and equity		23,669		23,196		23,996

NXP Semiconductors
Table 3: Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows (unaudited)

($ in millions)	Three months ended
	September 29, 2024			June 30, 2024			October 1, 2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$	729		$	664		$	792
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		218			213			273
Share-based compensation		115			114			103
Amortization of discount (premium) on debt, net		—			1			1
Amortization of debt issuance costs		2			1			2
Results relating to equity-accounted investees		6			3			2
(Gain) loss on equity securities, net		7			3			4
Deferred tax expense (benefit)		(40	)		(23	)		(33	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in receivables and other current assets		(167	)		10			40
(Increase) decrease in inventories		(86	)		(46	)		(34	)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other liabilities		118			(220	)		(128	)
(Increase) decrease in other non-current assets		(134	)		40			(49	)
Exchange differences		7			5			5
Other items		4			(4	)		10
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities		779			761			988
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of identified intangible assets		(26	)		(55	)		(42	)
Capital expenditures on property, plant and equipment		(186	)		(185	)		(200	)
Proceeds from the disposals of property, plant and equipment		—			1			—
Purchase of investments		(159	)		—			(31	)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities		(371	)		(239	)		(273	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid to common stockholders		(259	)		(260	)		(262	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock through stock plans		39			3			36
Purchase of treasury shares and restricted stock unit withholdings		(305	)		(310	)		(306	)
Other, net		(1	)		—			(1	)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities		(526	)		(567	)		(533	)
Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash positions		7			(4	)		(3	)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(111	)		(49	)		179
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		2,859			2,908			3,863
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		2,748			2,859			4,042

Net cash paid during the period for:
Interest		27			86			38
Income taxes, net of refunds		196			193			165
Net gain (loss) on sale of assets:
Cash proceeds from the sale of assets		—			1			—
Book value of these assets		—			(1	)		—
Non-cash investing activities:
Non-cash capital expenditures		125			166			167

NXP Semiconductors
Table 4: Financial Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Results (unaudited)

($ in millions except share data)	Three months ended
	September 29, 2024			June 30, 2024			October 1, 2023
GAAP Gross Profit	$	1,866		$	1,792		$	1,965
PPA Effects		(12	)		(12	)		(13	)
Restructuring		—			(4	)		—
Share-based compensation		(14	)		(15	)		(14	)
Other incidentals		—			(10	)		(18	)
Non-GAAP Gross Profit	$	1,892		$	1,833		$	2,010
GAAP Gross margin		57.4	%		57.3	%		57.2	%
Non-GAAP Gross margin		58.2	%		58.6	%		58.5	%
GAAP Research and development	$	(577	)	$	(594	)	$	(601	)
Restructuring		—			(4	)		4
Share-based compensation		(58	)		(58	)		(53	)
Other incidentals		—			—			(2	)
Non-GAAP Research and development	$	(519	)	$	(532	)	$	(550	)
GAAP Selling, general and administrative	$	(265	)	$	(270	)	$	(294	)
PPA effects		(1	)		(1	)		(1	)
Restructuring		—			2			—
Share-based compensation		(43	)		(41	)		(36	)
Other incidentals		(2	)		(2	)		(4	)
Non-GAAP Selling, general and administrative	$	(219	)	$	(228	)	$	(253	)
GAAP Operating income (loss)	$	990		$	896		$	992
PPA effects		(42	)		(41	)		(85	)
Restructuring		—			(6	)		4
Share-based compensation		(115	)		(114	)		(103	)
Other incidentals		(6	)		(14	)		(27	)
Non-GAAP Operating income (loss)	$	1,153		$	1,071		$	1,203
GAAP Operating margin		30.5	%		28.7	%		28.9	%
Non-GAAP Operating margin		35.5	%		34.3	%		35.0	%
GAAP Income tax benefit (provision)	$	(173	)	$	(154	)	$	(123	)
Income tax effect		9			15			45
Non-GAAP Income tax benefit (provision)	$	(182	)	$	(169	)	$	(168	)
GAAP Net income (loss) attributable to stockholders	$	718		$	658		$	787
PPA Effects		(42	)		(41	)		(85	)
Restructuring		—			(6	)		4
Share-based compensation		(115	)		(114	)		(103	)
Other incidentals		(6	)		(14	)		(27	)
Other adjustments:
Adjustments to financial income (expense)		(12	)		(8	)		(10	)
Income tax effect		9			15			45
Results relating to equity-accounted investees, excluding Foundry investees¹		(6	)		(3	)		(2	)
Non-GAAP Net income (loss) attributable to stockholders	$	890		$	829		$	965


Additional Information:
Refer to Table 7 below for further information regarding the results relating to equity-accounted investees.

GAAP net income (loss) per common share attributable to stockholders – diluted	$	2.79		$	2.54		$	3.01
PPA Effects		(0.16	)		(0.16	)		(0.33	)
Restructuring		—			(0.02	)		0.01
Share-based compensation		(0.45	)		(0.44	)		(0.40	)
Other incidentals		(0.02	)		(0.06	)		(0.10	)
Other adjustments:
Adjustments to financial income (expense)		(0.05	)		(0.03	)		(0.03	)
Income tax effect		0.04			0.06			0.17
Results relating to equity-accounted investees, excluding Foundry investees¹		(0.02	)		(0.01	)		(0.01	)
Non-GAAP net income (loss) per common share attributable to stockholders – diluted	$	3.45		$	3.20		$	3.70


Additional Information:
Refer to Table 7 below for further information regarding the results relating to equity-accounted investees.

NXP Semiconductors
Table 5: Financial Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Financial income (expense) (unaudited)

($ in millions)	Three months ended
	September 29, 2024			June 30, 2024			October 1, 2023
GAAP Financial income (expense)	$	(82	)	$	(75	)	$	(75	)
Foreign exchange loss		(3	)		(2	)		(3	)
Other financial expense		(9	)		(6	)		(7	)
Non-GAAP Financial income (expense)	$	(70	)	$	(67	)	$	(65	)

NXP Semiconductors
Table 6: Financial Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Other income (expense) (unaudited)

($ in millions)	Three months ended
	September 29, 2024			June 30, 2024			October 1, 2023
GAAP Other income (expense)	$	(5	)	$	(4	)	$	(7	)
Other incidentals		(4	)		(2	)		(3	)
Non-GAAP Other income (expense)	$	(1	)	$	(2	)	$	(4	)

NXP Semiconductors
Table 7: Financial Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Results relating to equity-accounted investees (unaudited)

($ in millions)	Three months ended
	September 29, 2024			June 30, 2024			October 1, 2023
GAAP Results relating to equity-accounted investees	$	(6	)	$	(3	)	$	(2	)
Results of equity-accounted investees, excluding Foundry investees¹		(6	)		(3	)		(2	)
Non-GAAP Results relating to equity-accounted investees	$	—		$	—		$	—

Additional Information:
We adjust our results relating to equity-accounted investees for those results from investments over which NXP has significant influence, but not control, and whose business activities are not related to the core operating performance of NXP. Our equity-investments in foundry partners are part of our long-term core operating performance and accordingly those results comprise the Non-GAAP Results relating to equity-accounted investees.

NXP Semiconductors
Table 8: Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow (unaudited)

($ in millions)	Three months ended
	September 29, 2024			June 30, 2024			October 1, 2023
GAAP Net income (loss)	$	729		$	664		$	792
Reconciling items to EBITDA (Non-GAAP)
Financial (income) expense		82			75			75
(Benefit) provision for income taxes		173			154			123
Depreciation		149			146			163
Amortization		69			67			110
EBITDA (Non-GAAP)	$	1,202		$	1,106		$	1,263
Reconciling items to adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)
Results of equity-accounted investees, excluding Foundry investees¹		6			3			2
Restructuring		—			6			(4	)
Share-based compensation		115			114			103
Other incidental items		6			14			27
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)	$	1,329		$	1,243		$	1,391
Trailing twelve month adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)		5,235			5,297			5,384


Additional Information:
Refer to Table 7 above for further information regarding the results relating to equity-accounted investees.


($ in millions)	Three months ended
	September 29, 2024			June 30, 2024			October 1, 2023
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	$	779		$	761		$	988
Net capital expenditures on property, plant and equipment		(186	)		(184	)		(200	)
Non-GAAP free cash flow	$	593		$	577		$	788
Trailing twelve month non-GAAP free cash flow	$	2,759		$	2,954		$	2,568
Trailing twelve month non-GAAP free cash flow as percent of Revenue		21	%		23	%		20	%

The MIL Network –

January 26, 2025

MIL-OSI United Nations: ‘Hell Is Breaking Loose’ in Lebanon, All-Out War Must Be Avoided, Secretary-General Tells Security Council

Source: United Nations – Peacekeeping

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Security Council meeting on Lebanon, in New York today:

Hell is breaking loose in Lebanon. As I told the General Assembly yesterday, we should all be alarmed by the escalation. Lebanon is at the brink.

Of course, the Blue Line has seen tensions for years. But, since October 2023, exchanges of fire have expanded in scope, depth and intensity.

Hizbullah and other non-State armed groups in Lebanon and the Israel Defense Forces have exchanged fire on an almost daily basis — with Hizbullah indicating that they would require a ceasefire in Gaza to cease hostilities.

The exchanges of fire have been in repeated violation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006). The daily use of weapons by non-State armed groups is in violation of Security Council resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1701 (2006).

Lebanese sovereignty must be respected and the Lebanese State must have full control of weapons throughout Lebanese territory. We support all efforts to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Since October 2023, nearly 200,000 people within Lebanon and over 60,000 from northern Israel have fled their homes. Many lives have been lost. All this must stop.

The communities of northern Israel and southern Lebanon must be able to return to their homes, and live in safety and security, without fear.

Since the emergency Council session on Lebanon on 20 September — in the wake of the remote detonation of pagers and hand-held radios used by Hizbullah across Lebanon — hostilities have escalated dramatically.

The past weekend saw heavy exchanges of fire endangering civilians on both sides of the Blue Line — with Israel Defense Forces striking approximately 400 Hizbullah targets in Lebanon, while Hizbullah launched hundreds of missiles, rockets and drones into northern Israel.

Monday was the bloodiest day in Lebanon in a generation. The Israel Defense Forces said that it struck some 1,600 Hizbullah targets. Many civilians were killed, and many, many more were injured. Since then, Israel continued its deadly strikes across Lebanon, including in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reported that 569 people were killed on Monday and Tuesday — including 50 children and 94 women. Over 1,800 people were injured. Lebanese authorities report a total of 1,247 deaths since October 2023. Two colleagues from UNHCR [Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees] were among those killed in yesterday’s bombing.

Today, further strikes killed at least another 50 people and injured more than 200. Meanwhile, roads are clogged as families desperately seek safety. Many are stranded at the Beirut airport.

The Ministry of Interior of Lebanon has reported that over 90,000 people have fled southern and eastern Lebanon towards Beirut and the north-west, with 30,000 people in shelters.

At least $170 million is needed to respond to growing numbers of displaced and mounting humanitarian needs. The people of Israel have endured also repeated attacks from Hizbullah and others.

According to Israeli officials, since last October, more than 8,300 rockets, around 1500 anti-tank missiles and hundreds of explosive unmanned aerial vehicles have targeted Israel — with 49 Israeli deaths and hundreds injured.

Hizbullah continues to launch drone and increasingly high calibre missile and rocket attacks on military targets and residential areas in Israel.

Earlier today, they launched a ballistic missile targeting Mossad headquarters near Tel Aviv.

The ongoing rocket attacks have injured several people in Israel, with homes and other structures damaged.

Diplomatic efforts have intensified to achieve a temporary ceasefire — allowing for delivery of humanitarian relief and paving the way for the resumption of more durable peace. We fully support these efforts.

Earlier this week, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon — Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert — travelled to Israel for consultations, underscoring that military escalation is in no one’s interest.

The Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL — General Aroldo Lazaro — has continued his close engagement with the parties, supporting humanitarian access wherever possible and continuing to urge immediate de-escalation.

Despite the dangerous conditions, our peacekeepers remain in position. To mitigate the risk to Mission personnel, most civilian personnel have temporarily relocated north of the Litani River. A few critical staff members remain in the Mission’s area of operations, together with the blue helmets.

I want to reiterate our sincere gratitude to our peacekeepers — civilian and military — who serve along the Blue Line, as well as to all the troop-contributing countries.

I implore the Council to work in lock-step to help put out this fire. The parties must immediately return to a cessation of hostilities and take real action towards full implementation of resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1701 (2006).

Civilians must be protected. Civilian infrastructure must not be targeted. The safety and security of all UN personnel and assets must be ensured. International law must be respected.

To all sides, let us say in one clear voice: Stop the killing and destruction. Tone down the rhetoric and threats. Step back from the brink.

An all-out war must be avoided at all costs. It would surely be an all-out catastrophe. The people of Lebanon — as well as the people of Israel — and the people of the world — cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ukraine, Lebanon & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (4 Nov 2024)

Source: United Nations (Video News)

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:
-Occupied Palestinian Territory
-Lebanon/Israel
-Lebanon/Humanitarian
-Ukraine
-Ukraine/Humanitarian
-Security Council
-Rosemary DiCarlo/Japan
-West and Central Africa
-Democratic Republic of the Congo
-Deputy Secretary-General
-World Urban Forum
-Counter-Terrorism
-Resident Coordinator – Honduras
-NY marathon
-Briefings today

Occupied Palestinian Territory
In Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is deeply concerned about persistent reports of mounting casualties, with the number of Palestinians being killed and injured especially high in North Gaza Governorate, where the Israeli military operations are continuing.
In a statement on Saturday, Catherine Russell, the UNICEF, Children’s Fund head, said that more than 50 children had reportedly been killed in Jabalya over the previous two days alone, after strikes leveled two residential buildings sheltering hundreds of people.
Meanwhile, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that, for the past month, Israeli authorities have only allowed humanitarian access to Jabalya, Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun on an exceptional basis, leaving us unable to confirm the conditions of people inside and we worry for their safety.
OCHA warns that the already limited humanitarian supplies entering Gaza have dwindled even further since October. Private imports are virtually banned, and Israeli authorities are only allowing the use of three entry points – Kerem Shalom, Gate 96, which is near Deir Al-Balah and Erez West. Furthermore, humanitarian colleagues can only access these border areas by highly dangerous routes. The use of most roads leading to these entry points has either been banned by the Israeli authorities or rendered unsafe due to the ongoing hostilities.
The routes available are often in poor condition and prone to armed looting fueled by the breakdown in public order and safety.
Our humanitarian colleagues note that supplies reaching the northern crossing at Erez West can only be sent to Gaza city, as requests to deliver them to besieged areas in North Gaza governorate are being consistently denied and rejected.
For its part, the World Food Programme warns that as winter approaches, the lack of food and other vital humanitarian supplies entering the Gaza Strip could soon escalate into famine unless immediate action is taken. In October, the World Food Programme has only been able to reach 42 per cent of the 1.1 million people targeted for food assistance in Gaza, with reduced rations due to dropping aid levels.

Lebanon/Israel
An update from UNIFIL, who is noting with continued concern the airstrikes by the Israel Defense Forces across Lebanon over the weekend, including in the South, in Sidon, Baalbek and Beirut, resulting in several casualties. In southern Lebanon, the peacekeepers report that IDF operations have continued, involving clashes with Hizbullah. Meanwhile, they also report that Hizbullah has continued to launch drones and dozens of rockets South, into Israel.
The increasing impact on civilians is of grave concern and we condemn the loss of civilian lives. All actors must adhere to international law and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. UNIFIL premises also continue to be impacted. On 2 November, a UN position near Markaba, in Sector East, sustained damage to its prefabricated containers and perimeters caused by demolition operations being undertaken by the IDF.
A nearby explosion also damaged a UN vehicle at the [UNIFIL] Naqoura Headquarters, with no injuries reported. We once again remind all actors of the inviolability of the UN premises and their responsibility to protect UN peacekeepers.
We urge the parties to halt the violence immediately. The United Nations continues to support efforts towards a ceasefire and a diplomatic solution.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=04%20November%202024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHC60gr1Lo8

MIL OSI Video –

January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: West Coast ports work stoppage: Joint statement

Source: Government of Canada regional news

“Alberta’s government is disappointed and dismayed that yet another work stoppage is occurring in Canada’s transportation sector that has the potential to create widespread damage to Canadians, our country’s economy and our reputation as a reliable trading partner.

“Alberta is a landlocked province that relies on the safe, dependable movement of goods to and from West Coast ports. These ports export about $50 million worth of Alberta’s key commodities every day including agricultural, energy and manufacturing-related products. A prolonged work stoppage will disrupt the movement of these products, backlog other transportation networks such as rail and trucking and damage the economies of Alberta and Canada.

“Our government respects the collective bargaining process and encourages the employers and the ship and dock forepersons union to continue working with federal mediators towards an agreement to ensure there are minimal disruptions at West Coast ports.

“We also call on the federal government to take whatever steps are necessary to maintain critical port operations. Going forward, we encourage the federal government to respond proactively and more effectively to labour disputes affecting essential components of our transportation and supply chain networks, especially those with a limited number of service providers wherein disruptions lead to severe and widespread consequences due to the lack of alternative options.

“We are calling on the federal government to urgently intervene with binding arbitration, and improve its strategy for managing labour relations, especially within federally regulated transportation sectors. The work stoppages we are seeing every year are a clear indication of the breakdown in these relations and require immediate attention to re-establish stability in our supply chains.”

MIL OSI Canada News –

January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Nation-first Information Standard for lithium-ion e-bikes and e-skateboards

Source: New South Wales Government 2

Headline: Nation-first Information Standard for lithium-ion e-bikes and e-skateboards

Published: 4 November 2024

Released by: Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Minister for Transport

In an Australian first, NSW Fair Trading is set to introduce an Information Standard for lithium-ion battery-powered e-micromobility products, as it powers up its nation-leading effort to protect consumers from safety risks posed by the increasingly popular devices.

Information Standards regulate what guidance and warnings are provided to consumers about goods and services, with an aim to keep purchasers informed of the risks products carry and how they should be used to avoid those risks.

E-micromobility products include e-scooters, e-bikes, e-skateboards, self-balancing hoverboards and their associated chargers.

If retailers in NSW do not provide product guidance mandated by an Information Standard, they could be subject to penalties of up to $5,500 for each breach.

NSW Fair Trading’s proposed Information Standard for lithium-ion battery-powered e-micromobility devices will provide consumer advice and warnings on:

Fire safety and emergency procedures – identifying signs of a fire and procedures to be followed in case of an emergency.

Electrical safety – warnings for consumers about lithium-ion batteries, battery charging and warnings against modification of the device.

Product storage – information on safe storage and protection from environmental hazards.

Use, service and repair – information about safe use practices, what to do if there is any damage to the device, and details about service and repair centres.

Road rules – information urging consumers to check the road rules applicable to their device.

End of life – best practices for disposal of devices and lithium-ion batteries.

The forthcoming Information Standard, which is expected to be introduced in early 2025, will support the new product safety standards for lithium-ion e-micromobility devices.

The safety standards announced in early August require e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards and e-skateboards to meet new testing, certification, and marking requirements, and will be introduced in a staged process from 1 February 2025.

The product safety standards are intended to curb the fire-risks associated with lithium-ion e-micromobility devices by ensuring low quality and dangerous versions of these products cannot enter the market and be sold on to unwitting consumers.

Retailers, manufacturers and suppliers will face fines of up to $825,000 for not complying with the new safety standards.

E-micromobility products were the single largest group of lithium-ion battery-powered devices associated with fires in 2022 and 2023, with Fire and Rescue NSW recording 90 incidents related to the products in those years. There have been 72 fire-incidents connected with e-micromobility products in 2024. 

This work by NSW Fair Trading complements the regulatory work for batteries being undertaken by the NSW Environment Protection Authority – showing that NSW is leading the way when it comes to protecting consumers, workers and the environment from battery risks now and into the future.

NSW Fair Trading is consulting with industry stakeholders and Government agencies to determine what should be included in the Information Standard. The public can have their say at: https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/lithium-ion-battery-powered-micromobility-vehicles until 6 December 2024.

For more information on the new lithium-ion battery powered e-micromobility product standards, please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/safety-home/electrical-safety/lithium-ion-battery-safety/new-safety-standards-for-lithium-ion-batteries-e-mobility-devices

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“We need to ensure we have a robust regulatory framework to keep consumers safe from the potential harms posed by some lithium-ion battery-powered products.

“This Information Standard is another step in building that framework and will provide consumers with the information they need to stay safe when using e-micromobility devices.

“The NSW Government looks forward to working with, and hearing from stakeholders and the public, about what they think consumers need to know before they buy an e-bike or other e-micromobility product.”

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“As we move towards legalising the use of e-scooters and other micro-mobility devices on NSW roads, it’s vital we ensure these devices are up to standard and pass strict safety standards.

“Ensuring that high quality lithium-ion battery-powered devices are the only ones available on the shelves will keep people safe.”

Quotes attributable to Commissioner of NSW Fair Trading, Natasha Mann:

“NSW Fair Trading has been working closely with consumers, industry, and other Government agencies to ensure people are protected from the risks posed by lithium-ion e-micromobility products.

“While new product standards for manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers are set to come into effect from 1 February next year, an Information Standard will give people access to the guidance they need when purchasing one of these products.

“These changes are about empowering consumers to make informed decisions when they first buy a product and knowing how to use it safely through the product’s life.”

MIL OSI News –

January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FTII’s student film ‘Sunflowers Were The First Ones To Know’ qualifies for Oscars in the Live Action Short Film Category

Source: Government of India (2)

FTII’s student film ‘Sunflowers Were The First Ones To Know’ qualifies for Oscars in the Live Action Short Film Category

FTII produced and La Cinef- Cannes winning film to compete at the 97th Academy Awards

Posted On: 04 NOV 2024 5:55PM by PIB Mumbai

: Mumbai/Pune, November 4, 2024

Film and Television Institute of India (FTII)’s student film “SUNFLOWERS WERE FIRST ONES TO KNOW” has qualified for the 2025 Oscars in the Live Action Short Film Category.

This short film has been directed by FTII student Chidananda S Naik and had earlier this year won the first Prize at the Cannes Film Festival’s La Cinef Selection, which led to global recognition for this Kannada- language project inspired by Indian folk stories and traditions.

The film, produced when Chidanand S. Naik was a student at FTII, showcases the expertise of a talented team, including Suraj Thakur (Cinematography), Manoj V (Editing) and Abhishek Kadam (Sound Design). The narrative is both poignant and profound, centering on an elderly woman who steals the village rooster, leading to a cessation of sunlight and resulting in turmoil within the community. In an effort to restore order, a prophecy is invoked, resulting in the exile of the woman’s family as they undertake a desperate mission to retrieve the rooster.

The La Cinef Jury at Cannes had commended the film for its illuminating storytelling and masterful direction, stating, “Une illumination qui, du fond de la nuit, brille par son humour et le sens de la mise en scène, le premier prix est attribué à Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know de Chidananda S. Naik” (“An illumination that, from the depths of the night, shines with humor and a keen sense of direction, the first prize is awarded to ‘Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know’ by Chidananda S Naik.”)

Film director Chidananda S Naik remarked, “I have aspired to tell this story for as long as I can remember. Our goal was to recreate the experience of not merely hearing these stories but of genuinely living them—an experience I hope resonates with audiences around the globe.”

Filmed entirely at night, ‘Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know’ immerses viewers in the heart of the Indian landscape, inviting them to engage with its unique culture and atmosphere. Shri Naik’s direction artfully combines traditional narrative elements with visuals that celebrate the beauty of the region, emphasizing the deep-rooted connections between people and the magic of their stories.

Having received acclaim on the festival circuit, including the Best Indian Competition award at the Bengaluru International Short Film Festival, ‘Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know’ is now poised to compete alongside the world’s best short films. The campaign for Sunflowers will feature special screenings, press opportunities, and Q&A events, providing Academy members and audiences worldwide with a glimpse into the universal power of India’s storytelling traditions. Beyond its accolades, ‘Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know’ serves as an invitation for viewers to engage with Indian culture and storytelling, illuminating the universal themes that resonate deeply with audiences globally.

Source: FTII

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: FEMA Assistance Won’t Affect Social Security, Other Federal Benefits Georgians May Receive

Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

Headline: FEMA Assistance Won’t Affect Social Security, Other Federal Benefits Georgians May Receive

FEMA Assistance Won’t Affect Social Security, Other Federal Benefits Georgians May Receive

ATLANTA – Applying for federal disaster assistance from FEMA will not affect other federal benefits that Georgia survivors of Hurricane Helene or Tropical Storm Debby, damage Aug. 4–20, 2024, may receive.Residents in Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Butts, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Dodge, Echols, Effingham, Elbert, Emanuel, Evans, Fulton, Glascock, Glynn, Hancock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, McDuffie, McIntosh, Montgomery, Newton, Pierce, Rabun, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Tattnall, Telfair, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne and Wheeler counties who register for disaster assistance with FEMA may have questions about whether funds from FEMA might cause them to lose other federal payments to which they are entitled.Accepting a FEMA grant will not affect your eligibility for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and other federal welfare and entitlement programs. In addition, any assistance you receive from FEMA is not considered taxable income. Disaster grants help you pay for temporary housing, essential home repairs, essential personal property replacement and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by your insurance or other sources.“Housing Assistance” covers repairs to the structural parts of your primary residence. This includes windows, doors, floors, walls, ceilings, cabinets, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems (HVACs), utilities (electrical, plumbing and gas systems), and entrance/exit ways. FEMA may also reimburse you for repairing or replacing your furnace, well and septic system.“Other Needs Assistance” may reimburse both homeowners and renters for uninsured or underinsured out-of-pocket expenses related to Tropical Storm Debby or Hurricane Helene, such as:Medical and dental expenses; funeral and burial costs; cleaning, or replacement of clothing, household furniture and appliances; specialized tools used for your occupation; childcare, educational materials, moving, storage and other necessary expenses related to the storms.Your personally-owned and registered disaster-damaged cars and trucks may also be eligible for repair or replacement by FEMA.The first step to see if you are eligible for any of FEMA’s Individual Assistance programs is to apply: How To Apply for FEMA Individual AssistanceApply at DisasterAssistance.gov.Visit a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. To find your nearest Disaster Recovery Center, visit fema.gov/drc.Call FEMA at 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.Download and use the FEMA app.FEMA programs are accessible to people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance – YouTube.Homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofit organizations can apply for long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and other sources. Apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at sba.gov/disaster.For the latest information about Georgia’s recovery, visit fema.gov/helene/georgia and fema.gov/disaster/4821. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or follow FEMA on social media at: FEMA Blog on fema.gov, @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol on X, FEMA or FEMA Espanol on Facebook, @FEMA on Instagram, and via FEMA YouTube channel. Also, follow Administrator Deanne Criswell on Twitter @FEMA_Deanne.
larissa.hale
Mon, 11/04/2024 – 20:55

MIL OSI USA News –

January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Department of Labor seeks reinstatement, back wages from Pennsylvania manufacturer that allegedly fired worker for raising safety concerns

Source: US Department of Labor

YORK, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed suit against a York manufacturing company alleging the company wrongly terminated an employee who raised safety concerns when directed to use a ladder to move stock items when they believed a forklift would be safer.

Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the action follows an investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that determined Red Lion Controls Inc. violated the whistleblower provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act by firing the employee for refusing to use a ladder to complete the task.

Specifically, the employee reported that they could not maintain the required three points of contact to ensure ladder safety and needed to use a forklift. Investigators also learned the company negated the employee’s concerns and responded that the task could “easily” be done while on a ladder and suggested other employees were able to use a ladder to complete the task. After the employee held firm, the company terminated them.

“Every worker deserves a safe workplace and the freedom to report unsafe conditions without the threat of retaliation,” said OSHA Regional Administrator Michael Rivera in Philadelphia. “Employers must understand that retaliation or termination for speaking up about hazards is not only unlawful but undermines the protections meant to keep workers safe.”

The department’s suit asks the court to hold Red Lion Controls liable for illegal retaliation, and to reinstate them and pay back wages and damages.

“When employees exercise their right to report unsafe workplace conditions and face any form of retaliation, we will pursue all legal remedies to ensure employees are made whole and employers do not engage in similar conduct in the future,” said Regional Solicitor of Labor Samantha Thomas in Philadelphia.

A subsidiary of HMS Networks AB, a provider of industrial information and communication technology, Red Lion Controls Inc. serves customers in factory automation, alternative energy, oil and gas, power and utilities, transportation, water and wastewater industries.

OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Program enforces the whistleblower provisions of 25 whistleblower statutes protecting employees from retaliation for reporting violations of various workplace safety and health, airline, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, environmental, financial reform, food safety, health insurance reform, motor vehicle safety, nuclear, pipeline, public transportation agency, railroad, maritime, securities, tax, criminal antitrust, and anti-money laundering laws. For more information on whistleblower protections, visit OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Programs webpage.

# # #

Editor’s note: The U.S. Department of Labor does not release the names of employees involved in whistleblower complaints.

Media Contact:

Leni Fortson, 215-861-5102, uddyback-fortson.lenore@dol.gov

Release Number: 24-2264-PHI

MIL OSI USA News –

January 26, 2025

MIL-OSI Security: Addressing Hate Crimes | COPS OFFICE

Source: United States Department of Justice (Hate Crime)

Trust is foundational to public safety. When a community is impacted by distrust of law enforcement, or violence and/or hate from others in the community, it is vital to foster healing and inclusion, and empower citizens to work in collaboration with law enforcement. COPS Office resources highlight effective approaches that law enforcement can use to lead the healing of distressed communities.

HATE CRIME RESOURCES

Hate Crimes: Recognition and Reporting enhances law enforcement’s response and the uniform patrol officer’s ability to recognize and report a hate crime. This includes addressing victim needs, reporting incidents, and building community trust. This curriculum was developed primarily for uniformed law enforcement officers (e.g., police, sheriff deputies, troopers, agents, etc.) and first line supervisors. This training can be delivered as an 8 hour direct or a 16 hour train the trainer.

Hate Crime Investigations provides step-by-step methods for conducting a thorough hate/bias crime investigation to ensure accurate reporting and successful prosecution. The training provides specific strategies that effectively support victims and engage communities in the aftermath of a hate crime or hate incident. The curriculum was developed primarily for law enforcement personnel with investigatory responsibility (e.g., police, sheriff deputies, troopers, agents), investigators, and local prosecutors. This training is delivered as an 8 hour direct training.

To request this no cost training, please request via the COPS Office Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center at CRI-TAC.

NOT IN OUR TOWN

Not In Our Town works to stop hate, address bullying, and build safe, inclusive communities through Film, new media, and organizing tools that help local leaders build vibrant, diverse cities and towns.

Gender, Sexuality, and 21st Century Policing: Protecting the Rights of the LGBTQ+ Community LGBTQ+ forum report and recommendations based on input from police departments and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. The report includes model practices, case studies and sample policies for eliminating bias against the LGBTQ+ community.	Stop Hate & Build Inclusion: Resources for Law Enforcement and Community Partners This USB flash drive is a compilation of films and related publications intended to aid Not In Our Town’s (NIOT) national effort to connect people working together to take action against hate and create safe, inclusive communities. Moreover, these resources – along with NIOT’s other films, new media, and organizing tools – can help local leaders build vibrant diverse cities and towns where everyone can participate.
Not In Our Town:	Lessons to Advance Community Policing: Final Report for 2014 Microgrant Sites In 2013, the COPS Office launched the Microgrant Initiative for Law Enforcement under the Community Policing Development program to facilitate the implementation or advancement of nationwide community policing efforts and address existing gaps in community policing knowledge and tools.
Community-Based Approaches to Prevention: A Report on the 2014 National Summit on Preventing Multiple Casualty Violence Offers a prevention toolkit adaptable to the needs of individual communities to help prevent multiple casualty violence	Building Relationships of Trust:
Innovators 2013: Reducing Crime by Increasing Trust in an Immigrant Community Highlights the efforts of the 2013 L. Anthony Sutin Civic Imagination Award winners	Uniting Communities Post-9/11: Tactics for Cultivating Community Policing Partnerships with Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian Communities Aims to explore how community oriented policing strategies could support homeland security initiatives
Not In Our Town: Light in the Darkness – A Guide for Law Enforcement Identifies discussion questions and community policing best practices for law enforcement representatives organizing screenings of the PBS documentary film Not In Our Town: Light in the Darkness	Stop and Frisk: Balancing Crime Control with Community Relations Discusses stop and frisk’s unintended consequences and a series of practical recommendations the lawful
Strengthening the Relationship between Law Enforcement and Communities of Color Focuses on identifying what can be done to break the cycle of mistrust and cynicism that for too long has fractured the relationships between the law enforcement and communities of color	Building Stronger, Safer Communities Offers leadership strategies and actionable tactics to help law enforcement agencies work with community partners
Diaster Planning & Recovery: 9-1-1 Center Survivability Addresses questions about preparing 911 centers to sustain a catastrophic event and learning from past experiences	E-COP: Using the Web to Enhance Community Oriented Policing Highlights those technologies that are changing the way police are engaging with communities and delivering services
Engaging Police in Immigrant Communities Highlights promising practices that law enforcement agencies nationwide are using to build effective police-immigrant relations	Racial Reconciliation, Truth-Telling, and Police Legitimacy Gives police executives the chance to hear from their own colleagues why racial reconciliation is morally, functionally, and operationally critical
Bridging the Language Divide: Promising Practices for Law Enforcement Discusses a national assessment of best practices for overcoming language barriers in policing	Building Trust Between the Police and the Citizens They Serve Focuses on the pivotal role of the Internal Affairs function in building trust between law enforcement agencies, their staff, and the communities they protect and serve
Building Strong Police-Immigrant Community Relations: Lessons from a New York City Project Assists police departments, local government officials, and community groups interested in building good relations between the police and immigrant communities	Racially Biased Policing: Guidance for Analyzing Race Data from Vehicle Stops Executive Summary Discusses responsible analysis and interpretation of vehicle stop data
Racially Biased Policing: A Principled Response Assists agencies in meeting the challenge of eradicating racially biased policing

COPS OFFICE FUNDED RESOURCES

Vera Institute of Justice
Combines research, technical assistance, and demonstration projects to help leaders in civil society improve the systems people rely on for justice and safety

MIL Security OSI –

January 26, 2025

MIL-OSI Security: Freddie “Bankroll Freddie” Gladney, III Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Federal Prison Following Guilty Verdict at Jury Trial on Firearm and Drug Trafficking Charges

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

LITTLE ROCK—Freddie “Bankroll Freddie” Gladney, III, will spend the next 150 months in federal prison after being convicted of multiple narcotics offenses, including a firearms offense, which involved a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of marijuana in and around central Arkansas. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr.

Following a four-day trial, Gladney, 30, of Helena, was convicted by a federal jury on April 12, 2024. The jury found Gladney guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of using a telephone in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

In addition to the 150 months’ total imprisonment, which is more than twelve years, Judge Moody sentenced Gladney to three years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Gladney was also ordered to pay a $242,000 money judgment as part of his conviction.

Gladney was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 3, 2023, in a 32-count superseding indictment that charged him with numerous offenses related to a conspiracy that was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Two FBI operations, each focused on a rival gang, were created to address violence and drug trafficking in the corridor between Pine Bluff and Little Rock. The investigations focused on rival gangs responsible for violence throughout central Arkansas, with one operation focused on the EBK or Every Body Killas gang and resulting in the indictment of 35 defendants.

An investigation revealed that on April 14, 2022, an Arkansas State Police trooper observed a black truck speeding and conducted a traffic stop in Marion. The trooper noted the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and asked Gladney to exit the vehicle. Gladney began to exit the vehicle but then reentered and started reaching for something in the vehicle. Because Gladney refused to exit the vehicle, the trooper was forced to remove him.

During a search of Gladney’s vehicle, law enforcement officers located in the passenger seat near the area where Gladney had been reaching, a Romarm/Cugie Model Micro Draco 7.62x39mm caliber firearm and a Polymer 80 Model PF940C, 9mm privately made firearm (also known as a “ghost gun”). Additionally, during a search of the back seat of the vehicle, law enforcement officers located a duffle bag containing 21.4 pounds of high-grade marijuana and $33,662, which was located in the center console along with seven magazines, five of which were extended and fully loaded.

At sentencing, Gladney received a 4-level increase for being an organizer or leader of criminal activity that involved five or more participants. Gladney received a 2-level increase in his guideline range for obstruction of justice related to a May 25, 2021, wiretap call in which he instructed a codefendant to remove guns and scales used for weighing illegal drugs from his Helena residence in anticipation that it would be searched by law enforcement.

GLADNEY III:           So where, what you got in the house in Helena?

CODEFENDANT:     I got everything out of there.

GLADNEY III:           You got everything out of there already?

CODEFENDANT:     Yeah.

GLADNEY III:           Scales and everything?

CODEFENDANT:     Naw, I gotta, gotta, lemme call them. Send em back in to get that. I gotta find out where all they at.

GLADNEY III:           Scales and shit. Get everything out the house. Any guns, anything.

CODEFENDANT:     Alright, let me..

GLADNEY III:           Where that MAK-90 at?

CODEFENDANT:     It’s not there.

GLADNEY III:           Alright get everything else out that house before they go search that b***h.

CODEFENDANT:     Alright.

Judge Moody cited the ghost gun in increasing Gladney’s sentence 2.5 years above the guidelines range. Judge Moody noted that based on trial testimony, it was apparent that Gladney’s ghost gun, which did not have a back plate, was either ready to receive a “switch,” or had recently had a “switch” on it, that would turn the ghost gun from a semi-automatic firearm to a fully-automatic firearm. Judge Moody also recognized that Gladney was on probation from a drug and gun case in Memphis at the time he was intercepted on the wiretap in this case.

This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI with assistance from Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Department of Community Corrections, Little Rock Police Department, North Little Rock Police Department, Pine Bluff Police Department, and Jonesboro Police Department. FBI’s GETROCK Task Force was formed in 2017 in response to the escalation in gang and gun violence in Little Rock. The unit’s investigations and operations are coordinated out of FBI Little Rock’s field office, and GETROCK continues to serve as the clearinghouse for gang-related law enforcement activity in Central Arkansas. Additional support was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; United States Postal Inspection Service; Arkansas National Guard Counterdrug Joint Task Force; and the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory. These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Julie Peters, Amanda Fields, and Reese Lancaster.

# # #

Additional information about the office of the

United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at

https://www.justice.gov/edar

X (formerly known as Twitter):

@USAO_EDAR

MIL Security OSI –

January 26, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Ni-Vanuatu journalist Doddy Morris balances grief and duty in the aftermath of earthquake

By Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson

For Doddy Morris, a journalist with the Vanuatu Daily Post, the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck Vanuatu last month on December 17, 2024, was more than just a story — it was a personal tragedy.

Amid the chaos, Morris learned his brother, an Anglican priest, had died.

“My mom called me crying and asked, ‘Did your brother die?’. I wasn’t sure and told her I was heading to Vila Central Hospital right away,” he recalled.

Morris arrived at the hospital to confirm the worst. “My heart sank when I confirmed that my brother had indeed passed away. At that moment, I forgot about my job.”

Doddy’s brother’s coffin . . . Doddy bids him farewell before the casket is flown to their home island. Image: Doddy Morris The New Atoll

Despite his grief, Morris joined his remaining brothers at the hospital mortuary that night, staying by their deceased sibling’s side and mourning together. “We were the only ones there. We spent the whole night drinking kava outside while he lay in the cool room,” he said.

The quake — which claimed 14 lives, injured more than 265 people, and displaced more than 1000 — left an indelible mark on Port Vila and its residents. Infrastructure damage was extensive, with schools, homes, and water reserves destroyed, and the Central Business District (CBD) heavily impacted.

In the days following the earthquake, Morris returned to his role as a reporter, capturing the unfolding crisis despite the emotional toll. “When the earthquake struck, I thought I was going to die myself,” he said. Yet, minutes after the tremor subsided, he grabbed his camera and rushed to the CBD.

At the heart of the destruction, he witnessed harrowing scenes. “I was shocked to see the collapsed Billabong building. A body lay covered with a blue tarpaulin, and Pro Rescue teams were trying to save others who were trapped inside,” Morris recounted.

The lack of a network connection frustrated his efforts to report live, but he pressed on, documenting the damage.

A month after the disaster, Morris continues to cover the aftermath as Vanuatu transitions from emergency response to recovery. “A month has passed since the earthquake, but the memories remain fresh. We don’t know when Port Vila will return to normal,” he said.

His photojournalism has been demonstrating the true impact of the earthquake as he continues to capture the mourning of a nation after such a tragic event.

Doddy Morris’ photojournalism . . . demonstrating the true impact of the earthquake as he continues to capture the mourning of a nation after such a tragic event. Image: Vanuatu Daily Post/The New Atoll

The earthquake left deep scars, not only on the nation’s infrastructure but also on its people. “Unlike cyclones, which we can predict, prepare for, and survive, earthquakes strike without warning and show no mercy,” Morris said.

Through grief and uncertainty, Morris remains committed to his work, documenting the resilience of his community and the challenges they face as they rebuild. His reporting serves as a testament to the strength of both the people of Vanuatu and a journalist who continues to bear witness, even in the face of personal loss.

Journalist Doddy Morris . . . reporting on the traumatic events of the earthquake meant confronting his own grief while documenting the grief of others. Image: The New Atoll

Reporting on his own community while grappling with personal loss is a reality for many Pacific Island journalists who cover disasters. For Doddy Morris, reporting on the traumatic events of the earthquake meant confronting his own grief while documenting the grief of others.

Dr Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson is a Pacific journalism trainer with the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma. She expresses her support for Morris and his colleagues in showing “extraordinary courage and resilience”. This article was first published by The New Atoll and is republished with permission.

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: The women behind America’s trucks

Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

Truck drivers move our economy—and we can’t leave any talent on the table.

We applaud the growing number of women who are getting behind the wheel and are committed to improving conditions for all drivers, from more truck parking to fewer barriers to entry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYlF4Lfka7k

MIL OSI Video –

January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Maintenance works coming for State Highway 2 Masterton to Carterton
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Wairarapa residents and drivers can expect night closures later this month as maintenance works and median barrier repairs are carried out on State Highway 2 between Masterton and Carterton.

Night works are planned from Sunday, 17 November, until Thursday, 21 November. The highway will be closed between Hughes Line and the Norfolk Road/Cornwall Road roundabout from 9 pm to 4:30 am.

Roxanne Hilliard, Wellington Alliance Manager, says most of the work will be general maintenance.

“Road crews will complete drainage work, pavement repairs, and replacing signs”.

“They’ll also be repairing the wire rope median barriers, which have been struck twice since they were last repaired in July of this year. It’s great to see the barriers doing their job and protecting drivers from head-on collisions, which are the biggest cause of serious crashes on our roads,” Ms Hilliard says.

Some of the work planned is in preparation for resurfacing, which will be done in the warmer summer months, early next year.

“We’ll take the opportunity to do some road repairs. This will speed up our work when we resurface the road next year.”

Local road detours will be in place while the work is underway.

“A full closure means work crews can do the job much faster. That means much less all-round disruption for drivers.”

The detour will require slightly longer travel times, so drivers must allow extra time for their journeys.

Drivers must remember the detours is on a local roads not the state highway – and ensure they drive to the conditions.

Works schedule and detour route
- Sunday, 17 November to Thursday, 21 November, 9 pm – 4:30 am.
- SH2 CLOSED between the rest area north of Hughes Line and Norfolk Road/Cornwall Road roundabout.
- Local road detour via Cornwall Road and Hughes Line.
View larger detour map [PDF, 68 KB]

MIL OSI New Zealand News –
January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Smoky Skies Over the Indo-Gangetic Plain

Source: NASA

Every November, satellites detect large numbers of small smoke plumes and heightened fire activity in northern India and Pakistan as farmers burn off excess straw after the rice harvest. Many farmers, particularly in the Punjab region, use fire as a fast, inexpensive way to clean up fields before planting winter wheat crops. However, the influx of smoke to the densely populated Indo-Gangetic Plain often contributes to a sharp deterioration of air quality in October and November.
Levels of air pollution soared during the last week of October and first week of November in 2024 as weather patterns kept air bottled up in the Indo-Gangetic Plain. On November 3, 2024, the VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) on the Suomi NPP satellite acquired this natural-color image of plumes of smoke streaming from large numbers of small fires burning in Pakistan and India.
Air quality sensors in Lahore, Pakistan, recorded concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at hazardous levels—above 300 on the air quality index (AQI)—on several days in October and November, according to data posted by AirNow. As pollution levels rose, authorities in Pakistan announced school closures, partial lockdowns, and halts in construction in a bid to limit the health impacts, according to news reports.
Smoke from crop fires is not the only contributor to the hazy skies, explained Pawan Gupta, a lead scientist for AERONET, a NASA-sponsored network of ground-based sensors that measures the concentration of aerosols at hundreds of locations around the world. Influxes of dust sometimes arrive from the Thar Desert to the west. An array of other human-caused sources of air pollution in cities, including motor vehicle emissions, industrial and construction activity, fireworks, and fires for heating and cooking, also produce particulate matter and other pollutants, Gupta added.
Geography and weather can exacerbate the region’s poor air quality. Temperature inversions are common in November and December as cold air rolls off the Tibetan Plateau and mixes with smoky air from the Indo-Gangetic Plain. An inversion can function like a lid, with warm air trapping pollutants near the surface. The low-hanging haze becomes hemmed in between the Himalayas to the north and the Vindhya Range to the south.
Pollution levels in Lahore typically peak in late November and December, “so this is just beginning,” Gupta said. “The worst pollution days are probably still ahead of us.”
Hiren Jethva, a senior research scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and Morgan State University, uses the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)—a measure of the land’s “greenness”—to anticipate fire activity in the region each year. Based on the NDVI data, he expects that NASA’s Aqua satellite will detect between 15,500 and 18,500 fires in 2024—higher than most years since 2002 but lower than 2016 and 2021, years with especially bountiful rice crops.
NASA Earth Observatory image by Michala Garrison, using VIIRS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE, GIBS/Worldview, and the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership. Story by Adam Voiland.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Updated fiscal statutes benefit Albertans
Source: Government of Canada regional news

[embedded content]

If passed, the Financial Statues Amendment Act would provide alternative financing options to help expand mortgage financing options for all Albertans. The bill also includes amendments to provide more support for parents who have lost a child, and standardizes indexing across government to help Albertans with the cost of living by creating a consistent and stable system. In addition, a new annual adjustment system would enable a more consistent and flexible approach to determining the amount that benefits and taxes will be impacted. The legislation would also introduce a new tax on electric vehicles, as was announced in Budget 2024.

“This bill proposes a number of important changes. I’m particularly pleased that if passed, Alberta would be the first jurisdiction in Canada to make legislative changes that would permit provincial financial institutions to offer alternative financing options.”

Nate Horner, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance

Alternative financing options would provide homebuyers with more options for mortgage financing. All Albertans who want to buy a home can apply for this financing option.

Additional changes being proposed in the Financial Statutes Amendment Act include continuing Alberta Child and Family Benefit payments to parents of deceased children for six months after their child passes away. These amendments would align with similar federal changes under the Canada Child Benefit program.

“Families experiencing the unimaginable loss of a child face enough challenges. The proposed changes to the Alberta Child and Family Benefit will not only help lighten the financial burden, but offer a measure of comfort during their darkest moments.”

Searle Turton, Minister of Children and Family Services

Other changes in the proposed bill include:
- Standardizing indexation rates across government. Government is also introducing a system to enable a more consistent and flexible approach for these annual enhancements. This change ensures Albertans continue to receive annual cost-of-living increases to personal income taxes and important support programs.
- Amendments to the Fuel Tax Act to implement an electric vehicle tax of $200 annually. This is in line with what drivers of a typical internal combustion engine vehicle pay in fuel tax and is a fair way for all drivers to contribute to public services, such as keeping our roads and highways safe and smooth.
- Technical changes to align Alberta’s taxation of multi-jurisdictional tax filers who have a split income with that of other provinces in order to meet the requirements of the federal-provincial Tax Collection Agreement.
Related information
- Updating financial laws
- Bill 32: Financial Statutes Amendment Act, 2024
Multimedia
- Watch the news conference
- Listen to the news conference
MIL OSI Canada News –
January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Light at the end of the Coffs Harbour Bypass tunnel

Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

In a major milestone for one of regional Australia’s biggest infrastructure projects, the first phase of the multi-billion-dollar Coffs Harbour Bypass is complete.

The Coffs Harbour bypass tunnelling team working on either side of the 410-metre-long Gatelys Road Tunnel broke through the northbound tube on Monday 28 October.

Today, they have broken through the southbound tube, completing the first major phase of the three tunnels to be built as part of the bypass.

Each of the three tunnels will have two tubes, with each tube capable of carrying two lanes of traffic. There will also be room to accommodate cyclists.

The Australian Government is investing $1.76 billion towards the project, with the remaining $440 million investment provided by the New South Wales Government.

In a sign of how quickly things are moving for the tunnelling teams, a breakthrough at the 320-metre-long Shephards Lane tunnel is expected in mid-April next year.

The work comes despite a traditional tunnel boring machine not being feasible for use on the short tunnels due to the mobilisation time and cost.

Workers will now start excavating the tunnel floor, carry out the permanent tunnel lining works, install drainage, build the pavement, and complete the fit-out of the mechanical, electrical, fire, safety and intelligent transport systems.

All the equipment will then be tested and commissioned before the bypass is opened to the public.

The bypass is expected to open to traffic in late 2026.

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

“This is a major milestone for this nation-shaping project.

“During consultation ahead of the project in 2016, the people of Coffs Harbour were very clear they wanted tunnels instead of cuttings and it is great to see progress in bringing that to fruition.

“Being able to pass through from one side of this large hill to the other is a major achievement, and I look forward to the work over the next two years as the tunnels start to take their final shape.”

Quotes attributable to NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison:

“It’s great to see a major tunnel project in the regions that has created 600 jobs and will remove 12,000 vehicles from the CBD. This will reduce travel times and deliver vital safety improvements.

“We see and hear regularly about tunnel projects around Sydney where tunnellers bore largely through sandstone or similar softer materials, but here in Coffs it’s been more challenging due to the material and location.

“I want to thank the project team for their hard work and commitment to delivering this critical piece of enabling transport infrastructure for the Coffs region and the entire country.”

Quotes attributable to NSW Labor’s spokesperson for Coffs Harbour Cameron Murphy:

“The bypass, when it opens to traffic at the end of 2026, will make Coffs Harbour an even better place to live, work and visit.

“The tunnels are a major component of this project, and it is wonderful to see them progressing so well.”

MIL OSI News –

January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China files WTO complaint over EU’s electric car tariffs

Source: China State Council Information Office

China on Monday appealed to the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the EU’s final ruling of countervailing measures on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), according to China’s commerce ministry.

China firmly opposes the final measures of the EU to impose high countervailing duties on Chinese-made EVs, despite a barrage of objections raised by relevant parties, including the governments of EU member states, the industry and the public, said a ministry spokesperson.

To safeguard the development interests of the EV industry and global cooperation on green transformation, China decided to make the appeal to the WTO dispute settlement mechanism, the spokesperson said.

The complaint followed China’s previous appeal to the organization against the EU’s initial anti-subsidy measures for Chinese EVs, according to the ministry.

China believes that the EU’s ruling, lacking factual and legal basis while violating WTO rules, is an abuse of trade remedy measures and a practice of trade protectionism in the name of countervailing, the spokesperson noted.

China has urged the EU to face up to its own mistakes, immediately correct its illegal practices, and jointly safeguard the stability of the global EV industrial chain and supply chain as well as the overall China-EU economic and trade cooperation, the spokesperson said.

MIL OSI China News –

January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Man Arrested and Charged with Attempting to Use a Weapon of Mass Destruction and to Destroy an Energy Facility in Nashville

Source: US State Government of Utah

View the complaint here.

Skyler Philippi, 24, of Columbia, Tennessee, was arrested by federal agents and charged with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempting to destroy an energy facility.

“As charged, Skyler Philippi believed he was moments away from launching an attack on a Nashville energy facility to further his violent white supremacist ideology – but the FBI had already compromised his plot,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This case serves as yet another warning to those seeking to sow violence and chaos in the name of hatred by attacking our country’s critical infrastructure: the Justice Department will find you, we will disrupt your plot, and we will hold you accountable. I am grateful to the public servants of the FBI for their extraordinary work on this case and for the work they do every day to keep our country safe.”

“Those fueled by hate and inspired to violence by racial or ethnic bias pose a grave threat to our national security,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “As alleged in today’s charges, Skyler Philippi, a man dedicated to white supremacist ideology and the destruction of our critical infrastructure, planned to attack Nashville’s power grid using a drone carrying an explosive device. Thanks to brave work by the FBI, his scheme was thwarted. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify, disrupt, and hold accountable those who seek to wage such hate-fueled violence, which has no place in America or anywhere else.”

“Driven by a racially motivated violent extremist ideology, the Defendant planned to attack the power grid with a drone and explosives, leaving thousands of Americans and critical infrastructure like hospitals without power,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The FBI’s swift work led to the detection and disruption of the defendant’s plot before he could cause any damage. We are committed to holding accountable anyone who threatens the security of our critical infrastructure or seeks to harm American communities through domestic violent extremism.”

“Dangerous threats to our critical infrastructure threaten every member of this community and will not be tolerated,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Thomas J. Jaworski for the Middle District of Tennessee. “We will always work with our law enforcement partners to identify and stop any and all efforts to wreak this kind of havoc and will not hesitate in prosecuting those involved to the fullest extent of the law.”

“As alleged, the defendant in this case conducted extensive research into explosive devices and potential targets to launch an attack against critical infrastructure,” said Special Agent in Charge Joe Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office. “The FBI is committed to doing everything in our ability to detect, disrupt, and deter attacks by domestic violent extremists, and will continue to pursue those who look to commit acts of violence in furtherance of their ideological beliefs.”

Beginning in June 2024, Philippi told a confidential human source (CHS) about his desire to commit a mass shooting at a YMCA facility located in or around Columbia, Tennessee. In July 2024, Philippi told another CHS about the impact of attacking large interstate substations and said that attacking several substations would “shock the system,” causing other substations to malfunction. Philippi researched previous attacks on electric substations and concluded that attacking with firearms would not be sufficient. Philippi, therefore, planned to use a drone with explosives attached to it and to fly the drone into the substation.

In September 2024, Philippi drove with undercover employees (UCEs) of the FBI to an electric substation previously researched and targeted by Philippi, and Philippi conducted reconnaissance of the substation. While driving, Philippi ordered a plastic explosive composition known as C-4 and other explosives from the UCEs. Philippi later purchased black powder to be used in pipe bombs, which Philippi intended to use during the attack on the substation. Philippi texted the CHS: “if you want to do the most damage as an accelerationist, attack high economic, high tax, political zones in every major metropolis.” Referring to the substation, Philippi stated, “Holy sh**. This will go up like a fu**in fourth of July firework.” Philippi talked about operational security, including the need for disguises, the use of leather gloves (because latex and nitrile gloves can transfer fingerprints), wearing shoes that are too big, the need to burn their clothes after the attack, and not bringing smartphones on the night of the attack.

On Nov. 2, 2024, Philippi participated in a Nordic ritual, which included reciting a Nordic prayer and discussing the Norse god Odin. Philippi told the UCEs that “this is where the New Age begins” and that it was “time to do something big” that would be remembered “in the annals of history.” Philippi and the UCEs drove to the operation site. The UCEs moved to their assigned positions as lookouts for Philippi. Law-enforcement agents arrested Philippi. When he was taken into custody, Philippi was at the rear of the vehicle, with the drone powered up, and the explosive device was armed and located next to the drone.

Philippi is charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Nashville Field Office is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Kurtzman of the Middle District of Tennessee and Trial Attorneys Justin Sher and James Donnelly of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

A complaint is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Law Enforcement Officers Join Students for A Day of Learning

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

BLAST
(Building Lasting Relationships Between Police and Community)
The BLAST Program Brings Law Enforcement and Communities Together

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – The United States Attorney’s Office, the Tallahassee Police Department, and Leon High School will present a BLAST event at Leon High School on Thursday, November 7. The BLAST event offers students an opportunity to meet and ask questions of prosecutors and law enforcement officers. The program is based on the belief that young people and law enforcement officers can benefit from spending time together discussing challenges and perspectives on law enforcement to reach a better understanding of each other. This productive interaction enhances relationships and replaces doubt with familiarity and trust.

During the three-hour program, law enforcement officers share the challenges in responding to dangerous or uncertain circumstances and the actions officers and civilians can take to de-escalate situations.

Agencies participating in the program include the ATF, DEA, FBI, United States Marshals Service, and the Tallahassee Police Department.

Members of the media are welcome to attend and photograph/video most segments of the BLAST (Building Lasting Relationships Between Police and Community) program.

Event: BLAST
(Building Lasting Relationships Between Law Enforcement and Community)
Location: Leon High School
550 East Tennessee Street
Tallahassee, FL 32308

Date: Thursday, November 7, 2024

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. EST

Media: Please RSVP to chris.canova@usdoj.gov if you plan to attend.

The BLAST program schedule includes the following discussion sessions, during which students have a chance to participate in role-play with law enforcement officers. (Students with media permissions will be identified)

• Federal Crimes Scenario: Students evaluate video scenarios and learn about each phase of a federal criminal case, including investigation, prosecution, and sentencing. This session is open to the media, and videography and photography are permitted.

• Domestic Response / K-9 Demonstration: Students participate in a scenario in which law enforcement officers respond to a domestic disturbance. The discussion includes the challenges officers face, the rights of witnesses and suspects, and the benefits of providing information to law enforcement. Officers explain the role and capabilities of police K9s. This session is open to the media, and videography and photography are permitted.

• Traffic Stop Simulation: Students and officers alternate playing the roles of civilians and officers in a traffic stop. The discussion includes de-escalation and the uncertainty officers and vehicle occupants face during a traffic stop. This session is open to the media, and videography and photography are permitted.

• Use of Force: Facilitators and students discuss when law enforcement officers may use force and an officer’s reaction time when confronted with a life-threatening situation. This session is closed to the media. Reporters may try the simulator equipment after the event ends.

• The Way Forward – Returning from Prison: A formerly incarcerated individual shares his journey from prison to a productive citizen.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

MIL Security OSI –

January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: ABC Radio Breakfast with Ross Solly

Source: Australian Ministers 1

ROSS SOLLY: The National Capital Authority recently released – or just in the last couple of weeks, released its annual report, and buried inside that report was the news that a couple of key infrastructure projects, including work it was doing on Scrivener Dam and on Commonwealth Bridge, have sort of become stuck in a bit of a quagmire. They’re going nowhere, and nobody can actually explain why. We have put in a request to the National Capital Authority on several occasions. I don’t think we’ve even got a reply to be honest. I don’t think they’ve even acknowledged our request, so it’s a bit difficult to get a response from the National Capital Authority though. Somebody who has managed to sit down and have a chat with them though is Kristy McBain, the Federal Minister for Regional Development and Member for Eden-Monaro. Good morning to you, Kristy McBain.

KRISTY MCBAIN: Good morning Ross. How are you going?

SOLLY: Yeah, not too bad. I understand you had a meeting with the NCA yesterday. Did you raise with them the concerns about what’s happening with these infrastructure projects?

MCBAIN: I meet with the NCA pretty regularly about a range of their work and their program in front of them. Obviously, we spoke about Scrivener Dam and the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Renewal projects. Both of those projects are finalising their tender stage at the moment, and I’m really looking forward to those successful tenderers being announced in the coming weeks.

SOLLY: I understand there have been significant delays? Did they explain why we’re well behind schedule on those projects?

MCBAIN: When we talk about the Scrivener Dam project, it holds back 33 million cubic metres of water. It’s a pretty big project. This will be the most significant strengthening works completed on the dam since it was built in 1963. What is happening is some work on the dissipator there, so that when water spills over the damn it doesn’t erode the banks down the river. There are 700 new anchor points going into the foundation rock, 10 to 20 metres deep. So a pretty complex engineering project. Whilst the procurement has taken longer than we would have liked, it’s in the process of being finalised now. We’re six months behind where we would have wanted to be, but work will commence before Christmas, which is the most important thing.

SOLLY: Yeah, for sure. But can I also say this is taxpayers’ money that’s been spent here and there has been a delay. Why has there been a delay? Are you satisfied with the reasons that have been put forward to you for why everything has been put back, and that we are now running behind schedule?

MCBAIN: As I said, we’re six months behind schedule, but the project will commence before Christmas. The project is still on budget which is the most important thing for taxpayers to understand. It’s a pretty complex engineering job that is required on the Scrivener Dam. We look forward to work starting, that’s what Canberrans want to see. Obviously, the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge is another significant piece of work. It’ll be the first time major works have happened on that bridge apart from maintenance, since it was built as well. It’s really important that we get that right as well.

SOLLY: Is that still on budget or are we now over budget for that?

MCBAIN: No, that’s still on budget. That includes works that will strengthen and widen the bridge, making sure that those passenger and bicycle lanes are also there. It’s probably one of the most utilised assets across Canberra for both passenger vehicles, trucks and pedestrians. It’s really important that project is done well, and there’s been a range of works that have had to take place to get to the tender stage, which is important.

SOLLY: And of course, it is also integral, isn’t it, to the whole light rail plan?

MCBAIN: That’s right. Before this one went to tender, there was obviously some quite detailed design work, statutory, environmental and heritage assessments. A pretty big public and stakeholder consultation. Obviously, it’s one of the most utilised assets across Canberra, but it is vital for light rail. Although, the works that are being done on Commonwealth Bridge themselves are not done for light rail. Lights rail’s project is separate to what we’re doing on the bridge.

SOLLY: That’s true. Are you still confident in the capacity of the NCA to handle these big projects? I notice that there’s some critics suggesting that maybe this is all a bit much, and there needs to be a bigger authority come in and run big projects like this. Are you confident in the abilities of the NCA to do this work, Kristy McBain?

MCBAIN: Absolutely. Again, this nationally significant project remains on budget, which is extraordinary in the current environment, particularly the current construction environment that we see. The NCA have been doing a fantastic job on this, and the work that they’ve been doing in the lead up to this tender process shows how prepared they are, by making sure that all of the design elements are sorted before they go to tender.

SOLLY: All right. 7:27. While I’ve got you here. Kristy McBain, I have to ask you, are you still, are you a member of the Chairman’s Lounge?

MCBAIN: I am, I’m a member of the Chairman’s Lounge.

SOLLY: Are you going to retain your membership?

MCBAIN: I pay for a Rex Lounge membership. Yes. One of the reasons it’s incredibly important is a lot of times when we are travelling you’re required to have some last-minute briefings or meetings that come up, and you need to do that in an environment that you can shut a door and have an office space. I’ve done a range of media interviews in those lounges. I’ve recorded a bunch of things in those lounges. There is a lot of travel required, although most of my travel is usually in the car around the electorate. But in my ministerial role when I am travelling, it’s important to have a space sometimes to be able to get some work done in between flights.

SOLLY: Have you ever asked for an upgrade?

MCBAIN: No.

SOLLY: Why not? Everyone else does, seems to be anyway.

MCBAIN: A lot of my flights are into regional areas, and I’m travelling with Rex or Qantas into regional areas. A lot of those planes don’t have a business class for obvious reasons. You’re on smaller planes and it’s just not something that has ever happened.

SOLLY: Just quickly on the TAFE and the HECS changes in about a minute or so, do you think that’s going to have some significant bearing in the Canberra and surrounding districts?

MCBAIN: It’s going to be incredibly important for communities right across the country. It’s a great announcement. We know that HECS debt has been piling up. It’s a way to make it fairer for people now and into the future. Fee-Free TAFE locks in those fee-free TAFE places in critical shortage areas like our trades. We know we need more houses built across this country and it’s incredibly important that we’ve got the plumbers, the chippies, the sparkies able to do that for us and this helps those people complete apprenticeships.

SOLLY: Good to speak to you this morning, Kristy McBain. Appreciate your time, thank you.

MCBAIN: Thanks, Ross.

MIL OSI News –

January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Safety, Security of United Nations Personnel, Property Must Be Guaranteed, Secretary-General Reiterates

Source: United Nations – Peacekeeping

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

Against the backdrop of the ongoing hostilities in southern Lebanon and despite attacks that have hit United Nations positions, injuring a number of peacekeepers in the past several days, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers remain in all positions and the UN flag continues to fly. The Secretary-General pays tribute to the dedicated personnel of UNIFIL.

The Secretary-General reiterates that the safety and security of UN personnel and property must be guaranteed, and that the inviolability of UN premises must be respected at all times without qualification. In a deeply worrying incident that occurred today, the entrance door of a UN position was deliberately breached by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) armoured vehicles.

UNIFIL continuously assesses and reviews all factors to determine its posture and presence. The mission is taking all possible measures to ensure the protection of its peacekeepers. UNIFIL’s role and its presence in southern Lebanon is mandated by the UN Security Council. In this context, UNIFIL is committed to preserving its capacity to support a diplomatic solution based on resolution 1701 (2006), which is the only possible way forward.

The Secretary-General reiterates that UNIFIL personnel and its premises must never be targeted. Attacks against peacekeepers are in breach of international law, including international humanitarian law. They may constitute a war crime.

He calls on all parties, including the IDF, to refrain from any and all actions that put our peacekeepers at risk. The Secretary-General takes the opportunity to reiterate the call for a cessation of hostilities and the full implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701 (2006).

MIL OSI United Nations News –

January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Appeal for information following crash, Invercargill

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Enquiries are continuing into a crash in Invercargill last month, and Police would like to speak to any witnesses.

About 1:40am on Sunday 20 October, Police were called to a two-vehicle crash at the intersections of Ness Street and Janet Street.

One person remains in hospital following the crash, three others have since been discharged.

Police would like to hear from anyone who saw a silver Mazda station wagon around Pomona Street, near John Street, and the surrounding areas between 1:30am and 1:40am.

We would also like to hear from anyone who has footage from dashcam or CCTV from around that area on the night of the crash.

If you have any information that could help our enquiries, please update us online now or call 105.

Please use the reference number 241020/5642.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China appeals to WTO over EU’s final ruling of countervailing measures on Chinese EVs

Source: China State Council Information Office

China on Monday appealed to the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the EU’s final ruling of countervailing measures on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), according to China’s commerce ministry.

China firmly opposes the final measures of the EU to impose high countervailing duties on Chinese-made EVs, despite a barrage of objections raised by relevant parties, including the governments of EU member states, the industry and the public, said a ministry spokesperson.

To safeguard the development interests of the EV industry and global cooperation on green transformation, China decided to make the appeal to the WTO dispute settlement mechanism, the spokesperson said.

The complaint followed China’s previous appeal to the organization against the EU’s initial anti-subsidy measures for Chinese EVs, according to the ministry.

China believes that the EU’s ruling, lacking factual and legal basis while violating WTO rules, is an abuse of trade remedy measures and a practice of trade protectionism in the name of countervailing, the spokesperson noted.

China has urged the EU to face up to its own mistakes, immediately correct its illegal practices, and jointly safeguard the stability of the global EV industrial chain and supply chain as well as the overall China-EU economic and trade cooperation, the spokesperson said.

MIL OSI China News –

January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fox Glacier Highway closed following crash

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Fox Glacier Highway is closed between Fox Glacier and Franz Josef following a crash.

The single vehicle crash was reported to Police at about 2:15pm.

Initial indications are that there are serious injuries.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SBA to Open Virtual Business Recovery Center to Assist Havasupai Tribe Businesses and Residents Affected by Flooding

Source: United States Small Business Administration

“As communities across the Southeast continue to recover and rebuild after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the SBA remains focused on its mission to provide support to small businesses to help stabilize local economies, even in the face of diminished disaster funding,” said Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. “If your business has sustained physical damage, or you’ve lost inventory, equipment or revenues, the SBA will help you navigate the resources available and work with you at our recovery centers or with our customer service specialists in person and online so you can fully submit your disaster loan application and be ready to receive financial relief as soon as funds are replenished.”

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration, today announced the opening of its virtual Business Recovery Center to meet the needs of Havasupai Tribe businesses and individuals who were affected by flooding that occurred Aug. 22–23.

“When disasters strike, our virtual Business Recovery Centers are key to helping business owners and residents get back on their feet,” Sánchez said. “At these virtual centers, people can connect directly with our specialists to apply for disaster loans and learn about the full range of programs available to rebuild and move forward in their recovery journey.”

SBA has established a virtual Business Recovery Center to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their electronic loan application.

Virtual Business Recovery Center

Mondays – Fridays
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time
FOCWAssistance@sba.gov
(916) 932-8956

Opens at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5

Closed Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in observance of Veterans Day

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

“SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage,” Sánchez continued. “Work with contractors and mitigation professionals to strengthen your property and take advantage of the opportunity to request additional SBA disaster loan funds for these proactive improvements.”

SBA disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.

Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.813 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.

On October 15, 2024, it was announced that funds for the Disaster Loan Program have been fully expended. While no new loans can be issued until Congress appropriates additional funding, we remain committed to supporting disaster survivors. Applications will continue to be accepted and processed to ensure individuals and businesses are prepared to receive assistance once funding becomes available.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their loan applications promptly for review in anticipation of future funding.

Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The deadline to apply for property damage is Dec. 24, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is July 25, 2025.

###

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI China: IP takes lead in western China’s innovation surge

Source: China State Council Information Office 2

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 8, 2024 shows a partial view of the Shichengzi photovoltaic power station in Hami City, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]
The western regions of China have experienced remarkable economic strides in recent years, and one contributing factor to this success is the progress made in intellectual property (IP). Amidst the country’s green transformation and pursuit of high-quality growth, this once-impoverished hinterland has now taken an IP-driven development path.
The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has recently reported rapid growth in two key IP types in the regions. By the end of September, the number of valid invention patents in the regions reached 493,000, up 16.7 percent year on year. Registered trademarks also rose by 10.5 percent compared to the previous year.
Such growth has not been easy to achieve. Comprising 12 provincial-level regions, western China covers two-thirds of the country’s land area and is home to over a quarter of its population. A sparsely populated area with limited infrastructure, the western regions have lagged economically compared to the eastern provinces.
However, in recent years, these regions have actively promoted emerging industries, such as smart manufacturing, new energy vehicles and low-altitude economy, which in China are considered as new quality productive forces with high-value invention patents. Local departments have provided IP guidance and financial support to enterprises within these industries, facilitating their rapid growth and narrowing the gap with the east.
From innovation to invention
Some have even taken the lead in the country, such as clean energy technology.
In northwest China’s Qinghai Province, a vast photovoltaic power generation park has been constructed in the Talatan Gobi Desert, spanning 600 square kilometers. Amidst the solar panels, flocks of white sheep were spotted roaming around.
A few years ago, Talatan was a barren land. The locals creatively planted grass to prevent sand erosion and installed a large area of photovoltaic panels. The water used for cleaning the panels infiltrated beneath the surface, nourishing the grass. However, the grass growth-induced shade problem caused the solar panels to malfunction.
To manage grass without chemicals, the park integrated sheep farming — using the animals to control vegetation and contribute to ecological conservation.
This “photovoltaic sheep” concept, patented in 2018, has boosted the efficiency of local photovoltaic power generation, with the park now generating up to 80 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
Another example is the China-Laos Railway, which links Kunming, the capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, and the Lao capital Vientiane.
The construction of the cross-border railway was a challenging task due to the complex geological structures along the route. Chinese engineers drilled solid tunnels through delicate mountain terrain and constructed high-pier and large-span railway bridges in earthquake-prone areas. Nearly 30 patents were obtained during the construction process, which has not only greatly improved efficiency and safety but also provided technical references for other major projects in both countries. In October this year, the patent-rich railway has facilitated over 42 million passenger trips since its operation in December 2021.
The innovative achievements from China’s western regions have also garnered global attention. According to the latest report by the World Intellectual Property Organization, four major cities in the area – Xi’an, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Lanzhou – continue to lead the top 100 science and technology cluster ranking. These cities have further enhanced their industrial concentration, attracting high-quality enterprises and talent, and establishing themselves as significant regional hubs of innovation.
“The market economy necessitates us to establish advanced technology as our competitive advantage and transform tech achievements into business resources. Therefore, we have chosen the path of IP,” said Wang Shechang, chairman of Xi’an-based China National Heavy Machinery Research Institute Co., Ltd.
“Protecting IP is not only safeguarding innovation but also utilizing them as a means to enhance value exchange and facilitate the transformation of tech accomplishments,” Wang noted.
From local to global
Geographical indications (GI) are also a key element in the winning formula of development in Western China.
GI is a type of IP that signifies a product’s specific origin and the qualities or reputation linked to that location. It serves as a mark of quality, setting the product apart from competitors.
The latest data shows that the western region has recognized 931 GI products, accounting for 38.8 percent of the national total, with a direct annual output value of 429.8 billion yuan(60.36 billion U.S. dollars).
“The brand value has been greatly enhanced as many products have obtained GI labels,” said Dolkun Awut, head of the Xinjiang IP department. “We leverage this advantage to drive the development of the GI industry and contribute to rural revitalization.”
The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is a major GI contributor. It has 211 GIs, with a comprehensive output value of over 200 billion yuan and employment for over 5 million people.
The promotion of GI has also strengthened cooperation between the western region and the world. According to the CNIPA, 36 GI products from the western regions have been included in the first China-EU GI list. In 2021, the two sides signed an agreement to enhance bilateral trade of agri-food products, with recognition and protection of 100 Chinese GIs and 96 EU GIs.
Taking the wine at the eastern foot of Helan Mountain as an example, since it was included in the first China-EU GI list, the product from northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region has been exported to over 40 countries and regions, and major wine-producing areas in European countries such as Britain and France have imported 228,000 liters of this Chinese wine.
Western China also places great importance on IP exchanges with neighboring countries.
In Xinjiang, the local IP department has been providing guidance to Chinese enterprises on marketing in Central Asian countries and helping them improve their ability to handle IP disputes.
Guangxi and ASEAN countries have established forums and conferences on IP cooperation. They have also collaborated on patent technology transfer within the biomedicine and new energy vehicle industries. Moreover, universities in Guangxi conducted academic IP programs with those in Macao Special Administrative Region and Vietnam.
China’s GDP saw a 5.2 percent year-on-year increase last year, with the western regions outperforming the national average at 5.5 percent. In this remote but robust area, more enterprises and innovators have valued IP, leveraging their innovations to bolster industries with competitive edges and stimulate better economic growth.

MIL OSI China News –

January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: State Highway 60, Commercial Street, Tākaka – sealed and delivered before Christmas
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Contractors will be hard at work on a key State Highway 60 summer maintenance project this month.

They will carry out extensive resurfacing work on the Commercial Street in Tākaka, with 10 nights of closures planned from 17 to 28 November.

To keep drivers and contractors safe, the highway will be closed to all traffic between Meihana Street and Motupipi Street from 5:30 pm to 6:30 am. No work will be done on Friday, 22, or Saturday, 23 November.

A local road detour will be available for all vehicles.

Rob Service, System Manager Nelson-Tasman, says the resurfacing is essential.

“We know the public gets frustrated by road works, but this is actually an important investment to ensure the highway is kept safe and reliable for everyone. A well-maintained highway is a win-win for everyone.”

“We are doing our best to minimise the impact as much as possible. Our contractors will work overnight when there is less traffic, and the road will be open during the day when most people use it,” Mr Service says.

Once asphalting is complete, road markings will be reinstated under night works with stop/go controls and a 30 km/h speed limit.

During the night closures, a detour will be in place via Meihana Street and Motupipi Street. This detour is expected to add up to five minutes to travel times.

Mr Service says because it is the main route between Golden Bay and Nelson, drivers must be ready for it.

“Please, don’t let the night works catch you out. Factor them into your travel plans and make sure you get to where you’re going on time.”

This work follows on from asphalting work that will be completed during the current night closures on SH60 Tākaka Hill that began on Sunday 3 November.

Works schedule:
- Sunday, 17 November to Thursday, 28 November (excluding Friday 22 and Saturday 23 November), 5:30 pm – 6:30 am.
- The worksite is located on SH60, Commercial Street in the Tākaka township, between Meihana Street and Motupipi Street.
- During the work, the worksite will be closed to all traffic. Road users must detour via Meihana Street and Motupipi Street.
- During the closure access to Buxton Lane will be via Motupipi Street. There will be no access between SH60 and Buxton Lane.
- There will be times when direct access to Junction Street or Riley Street from SH60 will be impacted. To ensure continuous access to these streets during work hours, access from SH60 to one of these streets will remain open. Follow onsite signage.
- Outside of the closure time, State Highway 60 will reopen between 6:30am and 5:30pm but a reduced temporary speed limit of 30km/h will be in place.
- These works are weather-dependent and may be delayed.
Summer Maintenance Season – tips and advice:
- Drivers need to be aware other summer maintenance and resilience works are happening around the region.
- Due to the number of worksites on each corridor we recommend allowing an extra 30 – 45 minutes travel time on State Highway 6 between Nelson and West Coast and State Highway 6 between Nelson and Blenheim.
- We recommend allowing an extra 60-minutes travel time on State Highway 1 between Picton and Christchurch.
- Drivers should check road conditions before they travel as knowing when and where road works are happening means you can time your travel to avoid them or allow extra time for your trip.
- Whenever you come to a worksite, remember that our road workers are doing their best to complete their work and keep you moving. Please be respectful and follow their advice and instructions.
National Land Transport Programme 2024/27. Top of the South regional investment summary [PDF, 230 KB]

State highway maintenance frequently asked questions

Tips for driving through worksites (video)(external link)

MIL OSI New Zealand News –
January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Kaikōura to Selwyn District highway repairs and reconstructions underway for summer
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

With summer officially underway, highway reseals and re-surfacing are also progressing in greater Christchurch, Selwyn District and North Canterbury, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

Highway repairs and reseals generally start around September in Canterbury and run through to late March/early April, making the most of the warmer road and air temperatures which contribute to a successful, lasting sealing process and smoother roads for drivers.

The big shape

Nine lane kms (ie single lanes not a double lane width highway) will be fully replaced and fresh asphalt laid at nine sites in the greater north and central Canterbury area.

An additional 90 lane kms of highway will have a thin layer of asphalt applied/ re-sealed over multiple sites.

Overall the work will start at the North Canterbury NZTA’s maintenance team’s Kaikōura northern border and work south back to Selwyn District and Arthur’s Pass.

How will this affect me?

Of the eight major North and Central Canterbury projects, four will happen overnight, with midnight openings where required and the work well advertised in advance.
- In January/February 2025, work will get underway on SH7 the Lewis Pass route at Weka Pass, Handyside Stream (two sites on SH7, west of the Hanmer Springs turn-off) and SH73 west of Porters Pass.
Road users should keep an eye out for electronic signs warning of delays and timings in the days ahead of these operations.

Four sites have to occur during the day using Stop/Go manual traffic management and involving up to 20 minutes delays.
- These are north of Clarence, SH1, (30 km north of Kaikōura) (February/ March 2025), the Benmore Straight (almost finished as of early November) and Castle Hill, both on SH73, in Selwyn District (currently underway through to December).
- The fourth site is on the Akaroa highway, SH75 Birdlings Flat – underway in the New Year – January/February.
Reseals/less invasive road work

Most of these sites will only involve five-minute delays for drivers and other road users. Places with tighter bends and less room for machinery to manoeuvre, around the Kaikōura Coast, may involve 20-minute delays.

What else?

NZTA’s engineers and road crews will also be working on essential structures like bridges, culverts and retaining walls over the summer. If you see road cones and signs asking you to slow down, even if you can’t see people, please slow down as people may be out of sight but nearby, says NZTA.

Signs asking people to slow down also protect your vehicle and windscreen from flying chipseal as the seal is being bedded in place. Vehicles travelling fast in these circumstances can undo all the good work, so take it easy.

During this summer construction season in greater Canterbury road users should generally expect:
- Five-20 minutes delay per site.
- For long distance journeys during daytime, maybe up to 60 minutes in delays.
- At some sites longer closure times may be needed – up to close to an hour daytimes.
- Longer duration closures will generally occur overnight eg for several hours or a full nightshift. Openings for traffic will be provided if practicable and with consideration for ferry sailings (SH1 corridor via Kaikōura and Blenheim).
“Allow plenty of time for travel over the summer months, check the NZTA Journey Planner website before any long-distance journeys, and be patient around any roadworks and delays encountered,” says NZTA’s System Manager for Canterbury and the West Coast Mark Pinner.

This work forms part of the government’s $2.07 billion investment into road and drainage renewal and maintenance across 2024-27 via the State Highway Pothole Prevention fund.

Quick tips for happy summer travel

Remember, there will be delays on key routes.

Drivers should check road conditions before they travel:

Always take care when driving through road work sites and follow the temporary speed restrictions to ensure everyone stays safe. Our crews work year-round, they deserve to be safe.

Keeping your speed down where sealing work is underway or has just been completed not only helps chip to settle in the new road surface, it will also prevent stone chips flying into windscreens and protect road workers from injuries.

Leave about two car lengths between you and the car in front, four if the weather is bad.

Even if you can’t see workers on the road or it looks like works are finished when you come across a temporary speed limit sign, safety hazards may still be present. There could be loose chip from a recent re-seal, workers underneath a culvert or bridge or on the side of the road.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –
January 26, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Foxconn’s planned business headquarters a vote of confidence in mainland market

Source: China State Council Information Office

Foxconn, the world’s leading electronics manufacturer, is set to build a new business headquarters in Zhengzhou, central China, in a move the Taiwan company described as “a crucial step” in expanding its presence on the mainland market.

Analysts say the decision highlights Foxconn’s commitment to investing in the mainland, despite rising global trade protectionism and “decoupling” and “de-risking” rhetoric ratcheted up by certain Western politicians.

The tech giant recently won a bid for a 2.84-hectare plot at 150 million yuan (about 21.07 million U.S. dollars) in the Zhengdong new district in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan Province, where it plans to build a headquarters focusing on key technology sectors, according to the Zhengzhou Public Resources Trading Center in a recent statement.

This initiative aligns with Foxconn’s “3+3” strategy targeting electric vehicles, digital health and robotics, along with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and next-generation communication, the company said.

Foxconn’s planned headquarters will feature a construction area of approximately 70,000 square meters in its first phase, with an investment of 1 billion yuan. The company has not yet provided a groundbreaking date.

In a speech at the unveiling ceremony for the new business headquarters in April 2023, Chairman Young Liu emphasized that the headquarters will mark the beginning of a new journey for Foxconn’s strategic industry development on the mainland, and the company’s new businesses are both a response to global market trends and an embrace of the latest wave in technological advancement.

Henan’s favorable infrastructure and business environment, as well as the collaborative relationship between Foxconn and the local governments, were pivotal factors in the decision to locate the headquarters there, Liu noted.

Between February and April 2023, Liu visited Henan three times, pledging to “build a new Foxconn” in the province. In July this year, the company signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Henan provincial government to accelerate projects related to new business ventures.

Per the deal, Foxconn plans to leverage its expertise in smart manufacturing, along with its global technological capabilities and supply chain resources, to advance projects in the new energy vehicle, energy storage battery, digital healthcare and robotics industries.

Construction of a trial manufacturing center for new energy vehicles has started at Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone, with operations expected to commence by the end of the year.

Foxconn’s increased investment in Henan and its focus on future industries represent a win-win approach, said He Liang, an official with Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone.

“We will continue to provide quality service and foster a first-rate business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized,” He added.

Henan and Foxconn share a deep bond.

Foxconn, the principal assembler of Apple iPhones, established operations in the inland province in 2010. By the end of 2023, its Zhengzhou factory spanned around 2.8 million square meters and had recorded 12 consecutive years of growth in industrial output. Over the years, Foxconn has further expanded its footprint across Henan, setting up facilities in cities such as Jiyuan, Hebi and Zhoukou.

The cooperation has also transformed Henan’s economy, turning the province into a global hub for intelligent terminal manufacturing. From 2016 to 2020 alone, the Zhengzhou factory attracted over 200 related supply chain enterprises to the Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone, with total investments exceeding 300 billion yuan, according to the zone administration.

Analysts view Foxconn’s moves as part of a broader bet on emerging industries, such as new energy vehicles, solid-state batteries, robotics, AI and semiconductors — sectors that are likely to shape the future of global manufacturing.

Song Xiangqing, deputy head of the Commerce Economy Association of China, noted that the company’s increased investment in Henan underscores the opportunities created by the digital economy and technological progress on the mainland, as well as the resilience of its industrial chain and its shift toward high-quality manufacturing.

The world’s second-largest economy has been steadfastly expanding its institutional opening-up in recent decades, rolling out various policies aimed at achieving high-quality development and offering the rest of the world new growth momentum and opportunities.

At its third plenum, the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China renewed the country’s commitment to the basic state policy of opening to the outside world and continuing to promote reform through opening-up.

The commitment to an open economy, paired with its massive domestic market, presents significant opportunities for companies that are aiming to scale up operations in China despite global headwinds.

In May, U.S. carmaker Tesla began construction on a mega factory in Shanghai to manufacture its energy-storage batteries. In his recent visit to China, Apple CEO Tim Cook also reaffirmed the company’s investment commitment in the country.

MIL OSI China News –

January 26, 2025

Category: Vehicles

FTII’s student film ‘Sunflowers Were The First Ones To Know’ qualifies for Oscars in the Live Action Short Film CategoryFTII produced and La Cinef- Cannes winning film to compete at the 97th Academy Awards

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Works schedule and detour route

Related information

Multimedia

The big shape

How will this affect me?

Reseals/less invasive road work

What else?

Quick tips for happy summer travel

FTII’s student film ‘Sunflowers Were The First Ones To Know’ qualifies for Oscars in the Live Action Short Film Category

FTII produced and La Cinef- Cannes winning film to compete at the 97th Academy Awards