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jpark room LIVERMORE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 12, 2024-- McGrath RentCorp (“McGrath” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: MGRC), a leading business-to-business rental company in North America, today announced the Board of Directors’ declaration of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.475 per common share for the quarter ending December 31, 2024. The dividend will be payable on January 31, 2025 to all shareholders of record on January 17, 2025. The year 2025 marks 33 consecutive years that McGrath RentCorp has raised its dividend to shareholders. ABOUT MCGRATH: McGrath RentCorp (Nasdaq: MGRC) is a leading business-to-business rental company in North America with a strong record of profitable business growth. Founded in 1979, McGrath’s operations are centered on modular solutions through its Mobile Modular and Mobile Modular Portable Storage businesses. In addition, its TRS-RenTelco business offers electronic test equipment rental solutions. The Company’s rental product offerings and services are part of the circular supply economy, helping customers work more efficiently, and sustainably manage their environmental footprint. With over 40 years of experience, McGrath’s success is driven by a focus on exceptional customer experiences. This focus has underpinned the Company’s long-term financial success and supported over 30 consecutive years of annual dividend increases to shareholders, a rare distinction among publicly listed companies. McGrath is headquartered in Livermore, California. Additional information about McGrath and its businesses is available at mgrc.com and investors.mgrc.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212717160/en/ CONTACT: Keith E. Pratt EVP & Chief Financial Officer 925-606-9200 KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMMERCIAL BUILDING & REAL ESTATE TECHNOLOGY CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY ENGINEERING OTHER TECHNOLOGY MANUFACTURING MACHINERY HARDWARE OTHER CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY SOURCE: McGrath RentCorp Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/12/2024 04:01 PM/DISC: 12/12/2024 04:00 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212717160/en

Stevenson disagrees with Integrity Commissioner ruling she bullied Deputy City Manager and deserves financial punishmentSan Francisco MTA director Jeffrey Tumlin to depart agency at end of 2024

Happy Valley star James Norton is a busy man: as well as starring in new Netflix movie Joy and upcoming ITV series Playing Nice , he's got a couple of historical dramas in the pipeline. One of those is House of Guinness , a new show from Peaky Blinders boss Steven Knight which tells the story of the family behind the iconic Irish brewery, and also boasts Louis Partridge, Anthony Boyle and Jack Gleeson among its cast. It sounds like a blast, and so when we spoke to Norton about Joy during the London Film Festival last month, we couldn't resist asking him what to expect from the series. "We are half just over halfway through the first series, hence my very dark hair and everything – tinted eyebrows and all that jazz," he said. Keep up to date with all the dramas - from period to crime to comedy By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy . You can unsubscribe at any time. "I'm playing an Irish man from Dublin, and it's really fun. It's a really, really fun job. Steven Knight is at his best, he's blessing us with these incredible scripts. And it's just a delight." Expanding a little more on the show, he explained: "It's the Guinness world of 1860, at the moment they exploded onto the world and became this kind of international phenomenon. [It's] such an interesting time, politically." And he added: "It's got beer, it's got this, like, eccentric family, we've got these, you know, Steven Knight characters all kind of jostling and playing, fighting, f**king. It's just, like, really exciting." Read more: James Norton on bursting into tears reading Joy script and Happy Valley memories Outlander stars know what the future is for Bree and Roger The show was initially announced by Netflix back in March, with Knight commenting at the time: "The Guinness dynasty is known the world over – wealth, poverty, power, influence, and great tragedy are all intertwined to create a rich tapestry of material to draw from. "I’ve always been fascinated by their stories and am excited to bring the characters to life for the world to see." We can't wait! House of Guinness is coming soon to Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month . Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream . Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast .

Qatar TV: A journey of leadership, development and creativityWith Donald Trump's return to office, Southeast Asia finds itself -- yet again -- paddling between reefs. For Thailand and Malaysia, this means navigating an especially tricky strait. The region is no stranger to this balancing act, or mengayuh antara dua karang, as the Malay proverb goes. But the stakes are higher than ever, and with the US as volatile as it is powerful, the challenge now is whether the traditional "bamboo diplomacy" can bend without breaking. The past four years have seen Thailand and the rest of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) members growing increasingly adept at the delicate art of balance, navigating the competitive (and often contradictory) agendas of the US and China. Rather than "navigating", both countries appear to be profiting from the US-China rivalry. Malaysia, for instance, aims to double its global market share of the overall chip trade by 2029, capitalising on the shifting dynamics between the US and China. Similarly, Thailand is preparing for factories relocating from China due to anticipated US tariffs, positioning itself as an attractive destination for semiconductor manufacturing. With Mr Trump back in Washington, Southeast Asia's "strategic ambiguity" faces an unprecedented test. Even in stable times, America's commitment to the region has been inconsistent; under Mr Trump, it's a wild card. The pressing question now is whether countries like Thailand and Malaysia can continue relying on their deft bamboo diplomacy or risk becoming entangled -- too close to China, with an unpredictable America holding the shears. China's economic influence in the region is hardly news, and Thailand and Malaysia have been careful to foster economic ties with Beijing without compromising their autonomy. It's a delicate equilibrium, especially as China remains Southeast Asia's largest trading partner. Assertive China, unpredictable US The panda loves bamboo, and in this case, Thailand and Malaysia's willingness to accommodate Chinese trade, investment, and infrastructure projects has kept the bamboo growing. However, with Mr Trump's expected protectionist agenda -- and his known aversion to multilateralism -- Asean faces a dilemma: how close can it be with China without being fenced in? In Malaysia, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has expressed concern about potential tariffs on Malaysian exports to the US, a signal of how delicate the economic tightrope is. Mr Trump's transactional approach may appeal to some, but for economies reliant on exports and foreign investment, "America First" could mean America alone. This leaves Malaysia and Thailand in need of a hedge. But rather than putting all their bets on the panda, they might double down on regional partnerships and trade blocs like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to diversify trade and lessen their vulnerability. As China's influence steadily grows in Southeast Asia, the US presence in the region remains erratic, shaped by shifting administrations and domestic political priorities. Mr Trump's first term left Asean countries questioning whether Washington's attention had permanently drifted. With Mr Trump's return, Southeast Asia faces deeper doubts -- not only about America's reliability but also about its strategic relevance to the region's long-term goals. For Thailand, which has historically enjoyed a close relationship with the US, the shifting tides are especially complex. While maintaining security ties with Washington, Thailand has simultaneously been building economic and infrastructure partnerships with China. For Malaysia, the balancing act is similarly delicate. Both countries recognise that a re-engaged US, if focused solely on counterbalancing China, could introduce more risks than benefits. Mr Trump's "America First" agenda, alongside recent US withdrawals from Afghanistan and Washington's limited leverage in crises like Ukraine and Gaza, have spotlighted America's unpredictable commitment, reminding Asean leaders of the potential costs of dependency on any single superpower. Caught between an increasingly assertive China and an unpredictable America, Thailand and Malaysia are reluctant to play pieces in a larger geopolitical game. The only reassurance, however, comes from Mr Trump's "straight talking" credence: What you see is what you get -- or so the hope goes. Bamboo Dilemma: Bend or Break? This brings us back to bamboo diplomacy. Historically, Asean has thrived by bending rather than breaking, cultivating a flexibility that suits the region's collective interest. But flexibility can only go so far before it risks becoming subservience, and the return of Mr Trump's "America First" approach puts Asean's centrality to a serious test. There seems to be no consensus within Asean as to how far the bamboo should bend. Southeast Asia is unlikely to rank high on the new president's agenda, except concerning US-China relations. Thailand and Malaysia, therefore, will have to be nimble with a renewed focus on regional autonomy. Neither country wants to be fenced in by China nor dependent on an unpredictable US. They must engage both powers strategically, keeping their economies resilient and their foreign policies flexible. Southeast Asia's bamboo diplomacy remains resilient, bending just enough to appease both the panda and the eagle. Yet, with Mr Trump's return, this balancing act grows even more precarious. Whether it can keep Asean afloat remains uncertain, but if Asean nations excel at anything, it's navigating turbulent waters. For Thailand and Malaysia, the coming years will be about staying steady -- without capsising or becoming the panda's next meal. For Asean, the search for consensus has never been more urgent. Syed Nizamuddin Bin Sayed Khassim is an administrative and diplomatic officer with the Malaysian government. He is a Khazanah-OXCIS scholar who completed his MSt in diplomatic studies at Kellogg College, University of Oxford. He also holds a masters in public administration from the University of Malaya, and co-founded MyDiplomacy, a movement focused on empowering Malaysian youth with diplomatic opportunities.

PALM DESERT, Calif., Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) today presented its Huell Howser Excellence in Communication Award to Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) for its impactful MadeWithCCWD campaign. This creative campaign shined a light on the essential role of water in the community by leveraging community partnerships, targeted advertising and wise investment of rate dollars to ensure a reliable and high-quality water service. Community social media partnerships were a key component of the campaign, highlighting how seven businesses and organizations with varying uses of water utilize it for the good of the community. "It's critical that water districts continue to educate and engage their customers to support critical investments in large infrastructure projects and long-term water service reliability,” said ACWA President Cathy Green. "The comprehensive timing and outreach done for this campaign shows that creative and extensive communication can prove successful in helping customers understand the need for rate increases.” The award was presented during the 2024 ACWA Fall Conference & Expo in Palm Desert, where water professionals gathered for programs and panel discussions on California's critical water issues. CCWD was among four finalists for the award. Other finalists for this year's award were: Contact: Heather Engel, Director of Communications | (916) 669-2387

The NFL wished Taylor Swift a Happy Birthday with a TikTok of her and Travis Kelce’s most memorable moments—on and off the field. Kelce’s employer posted the video of the singer and his relationship, which already has racked up over 1 million views. The caption read, “Karma is the guy on the @Chiefs saying happy bday to me.” The clips showed Kelce and Swift celebrating his wins at games, the pair at her concerts, and her glitzed out in Chiefs gear. “If you told me 2 years ago I would be following the NFL on tiktok and not falling asleep everytime a game is on TV... never would’ve believed it,” wrote one commenter. “Happy birthday Taylor. Thank you for uniting the Swifties and the Football Fans together in the name of art and sport,” another wrote. Swift has been seen at many Chiefs games since the beginning of her relationship with the tight end, with him visiting her at some of her tour dates. karma is the guy on the @Chiefs saying happy bday to me 🎶 #taylorswift #traviskelce #nfl #kansascitychiefs Saturday Night Live alum Pete Davidson , known best to some for his past relationships with Kim Kardashian , Ariana Grande , Kate Beckinsale , and more famous women, now says he doesn’t want to be known as “this f---ing loser who just dates people,” in a new interview for W Magazine . to promote his new role as creative director for colorful sock brand Doublesoul, Davidson told the outlet his feeling that he was one of “a handful of celebs every couple of years” that the media “destroys,” after multiple run-ins with tabloids over his famous exes. “For some reason, I’m one of the people they chose to go after,” he said. But, he added, “It’s actually, in a way, a blessing, because it allowed me to take a step back and evaluate things. What do you want to be? Who are you?” Davidson said he only wants to be seen publicly “when it’s movie, stand-up, charity, or business ventures” and to focus on his stand-up career. “I’m someone who is from Staten Island, wanted to do stand-up, and if I got to do anything else because of stand-up, it was a miracle.” Posters are a great way to celebrate your favorite fandom. But if you’re looking for that real “WOW!” factor, nothing beats Fathead . For 17 years, Fathead has been an industry leader in officially licensed graphic wall art across sports and entertainment. You can even create personalized products, making big-head cutouts and life-size wall decals from your own photos. Installing the decals is a breeze. Unroll the decal and lie it flat. Wipe down your wall with a damp cloth. After the wall is dry, peel off the decal backing and apply it slowly, smoothing out any bubbles as you go. Need to adjust? No problem— Fathead decals can be peeled off and reapplied easily. No matter your favorite football team, Fathead has a wall decal for them . Free Shipping The basketball season has just tipped off. Celebrate your favorite player with a life-size wall decal. Free Shipping From everyone’s favorite web-slinging New Yorker to the fourth-wall breaking merc with a mouth, Fathead’s superhero decals burst with vibrant colors. You’ll marvel at how they bring your walls to life. Free Shipping If you buy something from this post, we may earn a small commission. The iconic sitcom Malcolm in the Middle will hit screens for the first time in 18 years, with a limited run of four episodes set to premiere on Disney+ . Frankie Muniz, who will reprise his role as Malcolm, announced the reboot Friday, along with Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek, who play his parents. The original creator of the show will also return as a writer. The new series follows Malcolm returning home with his daughter for his parents’ 40th wedding anniversary, according to Deadline . Christopher Kennedy Masterson, who played the eldest brother Francis, and Justin Berfield, who played the middle child Reese, are likely to be asked to reprise their roles. Though it’s unlikely that Erik Per Sullivan, who plays the youngest brother Dewey, will make an appearance. He quit acting in 2010 and has not appeared at any reunions. Malcolm in the Middle first premiered on Fox in 2000 and ran for seven seasons. Its success as a family comedy is credited with paving the way for other single-camera sitcoms. Legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers is finally opening up about his strained relationship with his family. In his new documentary, Aaron Rodgers: Enigma , Rodgers explained that he has “stunted emotional intelligence” because of the lack of open emotion in his home growing up. “I think I saw my dad cry when my grandfather passed. And that might have been it,” Rodgers shared. “There wasn’t space for emotion.” Rodgers’ brother, Jordan, first opened up about the family’s rift during his time on The Bachelorette in 2016. During a hometown date with his now-wife JoJo Fletcher, the family explained that while they “miss” Rodgers, they no longer have a relationship with him. In a 2017 profile with The New York Times , Rodgers’ father, Ed, confirmed that he hadn’t spoken to his son in three years. “Fame can change things,” he said. At the time, Rodgers said he didn’t want to talk about his family publicly. In the doc, Rodgers spoke about his family while participating in an ayahuasca ceremony. The quarterback said the psychedelic drug allows users to “model a new way of thinking about masculinity, or what it means to be a man.” Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Consuming cannabis as an adult feels very different than doing so as a fresh-faced 21-year-old—so why should your smoking habits make your space feel like a disheveled college dorm room? NWTN Home’s collection of chic smoking essentials offers a more elevated way to enjoy cannabis in the comfort of your home. NWTN Home is a smokeware brand bringing craftsmanship to the cannabis industry by designing what they call “homeware for the high-minded.” Its weed-associated products are built to double as elegant and functional houseware items , helping you upgrade your home into a full smoking sanctuary. Plus, they make the perfect holiday gifts for your favorite creative cannabis connoisseur! This hand-poured, marbled ashtray rests atop a sleek melamine rolling tray and includes a helpful brass tool that can assist in your rolling process, making it the perfect blend of form and function. This standout stackable flower pot ashtray set is a surefire solution to keep your space clean—and your houseguests impressed. No cannabis collection is complete without something to smoke out of! These avant-garde gravity bongs are inspired by vintage housewares and designed to seamlessly blend into your barware and greenware set-ups. Released bodycam footage shows Paris Hilton’s ex-fiancé, Chris Zylka, in a chaotic brawl with police after a failed carjacking. Police in a Cleveland suburb first responded to reports of a shirtless, barefoot man walking in traffic in freezing temperatures on Dec. 4, local outlet WKBN first reported. Zylka was found in the middle of an intersection, where he allegedly tried to break into a woman’s car. He pointed a cell phone at the cops and began foaming at the mouth, leading officers to believe he was under the influence of drugs, according to the police report. Footage shows Zylka struggling with police officers and resisting arrest even after being tasered in the leg twice. He was then put in an ambulance by paramedics. The actor is now facing felony charges of assault and attempt to commit an offense, as well as misdemeanor disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and aggravated menacing. Hilton and Zylka started dating in 2017 after being friends for years. He proposed in early 2018 during a ski trip in Aspen, Colorado, but they called off their engagement in November that same year. Vanderpump Rules alum James Kennedy is refusing to apologize for his domestic violence arrest . “We are in the process of conducting our own investigation into the allegations levied by the Burbank Police Department against James,” Kennedy’s attorneys said in a statement to the Daily Mail . “We understand that there were no injuries and we are hoping that, after careful review, the city’s attorneys will decide not to file formal charges.” Police were called to Kennedy’s home on Tuesday because of an argument between Kennedy and a woman. That night, Kennedy attended Kathy Hilton’s Christmas party with girlfriend Ally Lewber, though it’s unknown if she is the victim. Police told People that after an investigation, they arrested the reality star for misdemeanor domestic violence. He later posted $20,000 bail. A source at the Christmas party told People that Kennedy was acting “super aggressive.” “He was acting so erratic, running back and forth to the bar and body-checking people along the way,” the source alleged. “He appeared inebriated. Spent the evening mostly alone but when he did speak to people, he appeared irritated and rude.” A doctor has rubbished Brandi Glanville’s scary medical theory about her “deflated” face , saying he’s concerned about an infection that started via an injection. The 52-year-old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum claims doctor s told her that it may have been caused by “a parasite that jumps around my face.” But Dr. Terry Dubrow, from Botched , has said he’s “concerned about an infectious process”. He told TMZ : “It’s an infectious process or a foreign body reaction to something she’s had injected.” A foreign body reaction is the response of biological tissue to any foreign material in the tissue, despite it often being inert and nontoxic, according to ScienceDirect.com Dubrow added: “Brandi needs a diagnosis... she has to figure out if there’s a microorganism in there. It’s not gonna be a parasite, it’s not gonna be something she ate... it’s going to be something that got into her bloodstream though, and seeded some foreign body.” Dubrow thinks Glanville either has a micro bacterium, a type of bacteria, or a fungus, a type of organism. Sick it! pic.twitter.com/hrtAzRwOCW A Buckingham Palace maid was arrested this week after she allegedly went “crazy” following a staff Christmas party which saw glasses and punches thrown in a London bar. A report in The Sun said as many as 50 royal servants gathered for an after-party following drinks at the palace Tuesday when the maid, 24, took a swing at a bar manager, threw glasses, and was ultimately arrested for common assault, criminal damage, and being drunk and disorderly. She was released after 24 hours with a fine. “The group walked in and this one girl just got hysterical,” a source told The Sun . “She started smashing glasses and abusing our staff members, so we had to call the police. I’ve never seen one person get that crazy during a night out. She was on another level.” A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident outside the workplace involving a number of Household staff who had previously attended an early evening reception at the Palace. While this was an informal social gathering, not an official palace Christmas party, the facts will be fully investigated, with a robust disciplinary process followed in relation to individual staff and appropriate action taken.” Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Apparently, boosting prostate health can actually be pleasurable—at least, that’s what premium sexual wellness brand MysteryVibe says. The Molto, an ultra-slim and bendable prostate vibrator designed by a doctor, is engineered to be the same size and width as a doctor’s finger and to mimic similar motions to that performed during an exam, allowing for not only intense prostate (the prostate is often hailed as the male ‘G-spot’) and anal stimulation but also a release of prostatic fluids. According to the brand, some studies have found that excess prostatic fluid can lead to inflammation and pressure, so not only is this a sex toy , but it’s also possibly an investment in your prostate health. Think of it almost like a lymphatic massage for your prostate—except one that can give you intense orgasms, too. Made with body-safe silicone, the multifunctional and gender-fluid vibrator is powered by one “anatomically-placed” motor that delivers potent yet precise vibration to the anus and prostate without feeling bulky or inflexible. It’s a great sex toy for those new to anal play or who are looking for an ultra-sleek vibrator with possible health-boosting benefits. The prostate vibrator is equipped with 16 vibration settings and eight pre-set vibration patterns, allowing for superior control and customization. Plus, the device comes with access to a catalog of vibration patterns with the free MysteryVibe smartphone app. Best of all? Because the Molto vibrator is an FDA-registered class II medical device, it’s also FSA/HSA eligible. Is Melania Trump finally back in action? The incoming first lady is joining Donald Trump on Sunday for a private dinner at Mar-a-Lago with Akie Abe, the widow of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, according to reports. Her husband, who was assassinated at a political rally in 2022, reportedly won over Trump during his first term with the proven combination of golf and flattery. Trump and Akie Abe have stayed close, with the president-elect regularly calling her to check in, a source told CNN. Melania Trump is scheduled to attend Sunday’s dinner, her latest public appearance after being largely absent on the campaign trail earlier this year. She also accompanied her husband to the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday for Trump’s ringing of the opening bell. Melania has always been a somewhat reluctant first lady, and it’s still not clear how much time she plans to spend in Washington after Trump takes office in January. She did, however, tell Fox & Friends last week that at least she knows what to expect this time around. Trump is set to have a private dinner this Sunday with Akie Abie, the widow of the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a person familiar says. The dinner will take place at Mar-a-Lago and Melania Trump is expected to attend. Trump and Mrs. Abe have maintained a close... The woman who accused three Duke University lacrosse players of rape in 2006 has admitted she fabricated the entire story—18 years after her case captivated the nation before quickly falling apart. Crystal Mangum, the woman at the center of the scandal who is serving a prison sentence for the murder of her boyfriend years later, confessed to lying about the assaults in a new podcast interview. “I testified falsely against them by saying that they raped me when they didn’t and that was wrong, and I betrayed the trust of a lot of other people who believed in me, and made up a story that wasn’t true because I wanted validation from people and not from God,” Mangum told the podcast Let’s Talk with Kat . Mangum, who was working as an exotic dancer who performed at a lacrosse team party in March 2006, called the three lacrosse players she previously accused her “brothers,” and asked for their forgiveness. “I hurt my brothers, and I hope that they can forgive me, and I want them to know that I love them and they didn’t deserve it. I hope they can forgive me.” The charges against the three lacrosse players were dropped by then-North Carolina Attorney General (and current Governor) Roy Cooper in 2007. The Durham County prosecutor who charged the Duke students was eventually disbarred and convicted of contempt of court for giving the defense incomplete DNA test results that would have excluded the lacrosse players, local station WRAL reported at the time. More than 18 years after the Duke lacrosse allegations, Crystal Mangum admits that she made it all up. "I testified falsely against [the lacrosse players] by saying that they raped me when they didn't...I made up a story that wasn't true...I hope that they can forgive me." pic.twitter.com/3yMjbQTQXHTravis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty give this year’s Heisman Trophy ceremony a different vibe

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu has emphasised the crucial role of State Legislatures in shaping Nigeria’s constitutional future. He made the emphasis, on Friday while delivering his opening speech at the Retreat for Speakers and Principal Officers of the State Houses of Assembly (South West Region) in Ekiti state, where he addressed the importance of proactive stances by state legislatures in the ongoing constitution review process. Kalu, who is also the Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, highlighted the committee’s current work on 161 constitutional amendment bills. The bills cover key thematic areas such as devolution of power, judicial processes, electoral matters, state policing, gender issues, human rights, local government reform, and political economy. He said: “Currently, the Committee is reviewing 161 constitution amendment bills across key thematic areas: devolution of power; judicial processes; electoral matters; state policing; gender issues; human rights; local government reform and political economy (revenue allocation and taxation). “This process underscores the importance of state legislatures. When these bills are transmitted to you for approval, your proactive stance will be crucial in shaping Nigeria’s constitutional future”. The deputy speaker also announced plans for a national dialogue on local government reform, which will focus on administrative independence, financial autonomy, accountability, and the conduct of free and fair local government elections. Kalu also said that the zonal public hearings are expected to kick off in January 2025, to gather regional inputs for constitution alteration bills. He emphasised the importance of collaboration between the Federal Legislature and State Assemblies, stating that together, they can champion reforms that promote economic growth, education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability”.

A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and prevent an artificial intelligence "dictatorship" is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker's ongoing shift into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year alleging it had betrayed its founding aims as a nonprofit research lab benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. The world's richest man, whose companies include Tesla, SpaceX and social media platform X, last year started his own rival AI company, xAI. Musk says it faces unfair competition from OpenAI and its close business partner Microsoft, which has supplied the huge computing resources needed to build AI systems such as ChatGPT. “OpenAI and Microsoft together exploiting Musk’s donations so they can build a for-profit monopoly, one now specifically targeting xAI, is just too much,” says Musk's filing that alleges the companies are violating the terms of Musk’s foundational contributions to the charity. OpenAI is filing a response Friday opposing Musk’s requested order, saying it would cripple OpenAI’s business and mission to the advantage of Musk and his own AI company. A hearing is set for January before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland. At the heart of the dispute is a 2017 internal power struggle at the fledgling startup that led to Altman becoming OpenAI's CEO. Musk also sought to be CEO and in an email outlined a plan where he would “unequivocally have initial control of the company” but said that would be temporary. He grew frustrated after two other OpenAI co-founders said he would hold too much power as a major shareholder and chief executive if the startup succeeded in its goal to achieve better-than-human AI known as artificial general intelligence , or AGI. Musk has long voiced concerns about how advanced forms of AI could threaten humanity. “The current structure provides you with a path where you end up with unilateral absolute control over the AGI," said a 2017 email to Musk from co-founders Ilya Sutskever and Greg Brockman. “You stated that you don't want to control the final AGI, but during this negotiation, you've shown to us that absolute control is extremely important to you.” In the same email, titled “Honest Thoughts,” Sutskever and Brockman also voiced concerns about Altman's desire to be CEO and whether he was motivated by “political goals.” Altman eventually succeeded in becoming CEO, and has remained so except for a period last year when he was fired and then reinstated days later after the board that ousted him was replaced. OpenAI published the messages Friday in a blog post meant to show its side of the story, particularly Musk's early support for the idea of making OpenAI a for-profit business so it could raise money for the hardware and computer power that AI needs. It was Musk, through his wealth manager Jared Birchall, who first registered “Open Artificial Technologies Technologies, Inc.”, a public benefit corporation, in September 2017. Then came the “Honest Thoughts” email that Musk described as the “final straw.” “Either go do something on your own or continue with OpenAI as a nonprofit,” Musk wrote back. OpenAI said Musk later proposed merging the startup into Tesla before resigning as the co-chair of OpenAI's board in early 2018. Musk didn't immediately respond to emailed requests for comment sent to his companies Friday. Asked about his frayed relationship with Musk at a New York Times conference last week, Altman said he felt “tremendously sad” but also characterized Musk’s legal fight as one about business competition. “He’s a competitor and we’re doing well,” Altman said. He also said at the conference that he is “not that worried” about the Tesla CEO’s influence with President-elect Donald Trump. OpenAI said Friday that Altman plans to make a $1 million personal donation to Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships with the incoming administration. —————————— The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement allowing OpenAI access to part of the AP’s text archives.5 Oscar takeaways from the latest Golden Globe and Critics' Choice nominations

HAMBURG, Germany, Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- XCHG Limited ("XCharge" or the "Company"), XCH , a global leader in integrated EV charging solutions, today announced its unaudited financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2024. Operational Highlights Three months ended June 30, 2024 Six months ended June 30, 2024 DC fast charger deliveries 438 764 NZS charger deliveries 26 51 Total EV charger deliveries 619 1,155 Q2 2024 DC fast charger deliveries were 438, representing a decrease of 31.8% from 642 in the corresponding period of 2023. Q2 2024 Total EV charger deliveries were 619, representing a decrease of 5.4% from 654 in the corresponding period of 2023. DC fast charger deliveries in the first six months of 2024 were 764, representing a decrease of 30.0% from 1,092 in the corresponding period of 2023. Total EV charger deliveries in the first six months of 2024 were 1,155, representing an increase of 2.1% from 1,131 in the corresponding period of 2023. Management Remarks Mr. Yifei Hou, Chief Executive Officer of XCharge, commented, "We are pleased to achieve a resilient operating performance in the second quarter of 2024 despite the challenging macroeconomic environment. In this quarter, as we strove to meet customer demands and strengthen our leading position in the global industry, we delivered 26 Net Zero Series ("NZS") chargers, representing substantial growth from the prior year, which brought our total NZS charger deliveries up to 51 for the first half of 2024. As a pioneer in the EV charger market, we are committed to enhancing our cutting-edge technologies and developing creative solutions to tackle energy problems, innovatively meeting our clients' needs. Looking ahead, we will continue to invest in research and development, creating new commercialization opportunities and building a global green future." Initial Public Offering ("IPO") In September, the Company successfully completed its initial public offering of 3,462,223 American depositary shares ("ADSs") at a price of US$6.20 per ADS, including 128,888 ADSs that the underwriter partially exercised over-allotment options. Each ADS represents 40 Class A ordinary shares. The total offering size was approximately US$21.5 million before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and relevant expenses, with net proceeds of US$19.1 million. Financial Highlights for the Second Quarter of 2024 (in USD millions, except for per ordinary share data and percentage) Q2 2024 Q2 2023 % Change 1 Revenues 9.0 12.2 (26.3) Gross profit 4.2 5.5 (23.9) Gross margin 46.1% 44.7% 1.4 Operating (loss)/income (0.9) 2.1 (144.9) Net (loss)/income (1.0) 2.0 (146.8) Adjusted 2 net (loss)/income (0.9) 2.0 (146.0) Net (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders (1.3) 0.5 (390.6) (Loss) /earnings per ordinary share-basic and diluted (0.002) 0.001 (336.5) __________________________________________ 1 Except for gross margin, where absolute change instead of percentage change is presented. 2 See "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" included in this release for further details. Revenues were US$9.0 million for the second quarter of 2024, representing a decrease of 26.3% from US$12.2 million for the same period of 2023. Product revenues were US$8.9 million for the second quarter of 2024, representing a decrease of 26.7% from US$12.1 million for the same period of 2023. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to the decrease in deliveries to a major customer in Europe. Service revenues were US$0.1 million for the second quarter of 2024, representing an increase of 50% from US$0.1 million for the same period of 2023. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to the increase in maintenance services revenue. Cost of revenues was US$4.8 million for the second quarter of 2024, representing a decrease of 28.2% from US$6.7 million for the same period of 2023. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to the decrease in revenue. Gross margin was 46.1% for the second quarter of 2024, compared with 44.7% for the same period of 2023. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to our enhanced cost control measures. Selling and marketing expenses were US$2.3 million for the second quarter of 2024, representing an increase of 74.2% from US$1.3 million for the same period of 2023.The year-over-year increase was mainly due to increases in staff costs, sales commissions and advertising expenses for business expansion. Research and development expenses were US$1.2 million for the second quarter of 2024, representing an increase of 18.7% from US$1.0 million for the same period of 2023. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to the increase in staff costs for researching and developing new products. General and administrative expenses were US$1.6 million for the second quarter of 2024, representing an increase of 47.4% from US$1.1 million for the same period of 2023. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to increases in staff costs, tax expenses and professional service expenses. Operating (loss)/income was US$(0.9) million for the second quarter of 2024, compared with US$2.1 million for the same period of 2023. Net (loss)/income was US$(1.0) million for the second quarter of 2024, compared with US$2.0 million for the same period of 2023. Excluding changes in fair value of financial instruments and gain on extinguishment of convertible debt, adjusted net income (loss) was US$(0.9) million for the second quarter of 2024, compared with US$2.0 million for the same period of 2023. Net (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders was US$(1.3) million for the second quarter of 2024, compared with US$0.5 million for the same period of 2023. Basic and diluted (loss) /e arnings per ordinary share was US$(0.002) for the second quarter of 2024, compared with US$0.001 for the same period of 2023. Cash and cash equivalents were US$24.3 million as of June 30, 2024, compared with US$12.8 million as of March 31, 2024. About XCharge XCharge, founded in 2015, is a global leader in integrated EV charging solutions. The Company offers comprehensive EV charging solutions which primarily include the DC fast chargers, the advanced battery-integrated DC fast chargers, as well as its accompanying services. Through the combination of XCharge's proprietary charging technology, energy storage system technology, and accompanying services, the Company enhances EV charging efficiency and unlocks the value of energy storage and management. Committed to providing innovative and efficient EV charging solutions, XCharge is actively working towards establishing a global green future that is critical to long-term growth and development. For more information, please visit: https://investors.xcharge.com/ Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures We consider adjusted net income (loss), a non-GAAP financial measure as a supplemental measure to review and assess our operating performance. The presentation of this non-GAAP financial measure is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We present this non-GAAP financial measure because it is used by our management to evaluate our operating performance and formulate business plans. We also believe that the use of this non-GAAP measure facilitates investors' assessment of our operating performance. This non-GAAP financial measure is not defined under U.S. GAAP and is not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This non-GAAP financial measure has limitations as an analytical tool. One of the key limitations of using this non-GAAP financial measure is that it does not reflect all items of income and expense that affect our operations. Further, this non-GAAP measure may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore its comparability may be limited. We compensate for these limitations by reconciling this non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measure, all of which should be considered when evaluating our performance. We encourage you to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure. We define adjusted net income (loss) as net income (loss) excluding changes in fair value of financial instruments and gain on extinguishment of convertible debt. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the tables captioned "Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this release. Exchange Rate Information This announcement contains translations of certain EUR amounts into U.S. dollars and RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from EUR to U.S. dollars, from U.S. dollars to EUR, from RMB to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to RMB are made at EUR1.0711 to US$1.00 and RMB7.2672 to US$1.00, the exchange rates on June 28, 2024, set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that any amounts that could have been, or could be, converted into another currency, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "target," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to", or other similar expressions. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: XCharge IR Department Email: ir@xcharge.com Piacente Financial Communications Brandi Piacente Tel: +1-212-481-2050 Jenny Cai Tel: +86 (10) 6508-0677 Email: XCharge@tpg-ir.com Source: XCHG Limited XCHG LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS As of December 31, As of June 30, 2023 2024 US$ US$ ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 15,660,786 24,258,144 Restricted cash 32,024 31,048 Accounts receivable, net 12,495,375 4,722,863 Amounts due from related parties 1,671,220 1,355,893 Inventories 6,656,708 7,481,488 Prepayments and other current assets 3,228,984 3,349,664 Total current assets 39,745,097 41,199,100 Non ‐ current assets Property and equipment, net 576,376 721,540 Intangible assets, net 27,130 12,256 Long-term investments 105,892 105,237 Operating lease right-of-use assets, net 505,417 1,967,458 Total non ‐ current assets 1,214,815 2,806,491 Total assets 40,959,912 44,005,591 LIABILITIES Current liabilities Short-term borrowings 5,560,027 8,887,761 Accounts payable 5,750,157 5,686,213 Contract liabilities 1,332,132 2,751,296 Operating lease liabilities—current 294,028 618,793 Convertible debts 12,516,331 - Financial liability 247,265 518,260 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 5,027,620 4,803,217 Total current liabilities 30,727,560 23,265,540 Non ‐ current liabilities Operating lease liabilities—non-current 172,070 1,176,438 Other non-current liabilities 79,964 116,287 Total non ‐ current liabilities 252,034 1,292,725 Total liabilities 30,979,594 24,558,265 XCHG LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS As of December 31, As of June 30, 2023 2024 US$ US$ Commitment and contingencies - - Mezzanine equity Series Angel preference shares (US$0.00001 par value; 37,500,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Liquidation preference of US$1,200,107 and US$1,192,681 as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024) 1,176,340 1,176,340 Series Angel redeemable preference shares (US$0.00001 par value; 37,500,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Redemption value of US$1,200,107 and US$1,192,681 as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024; Liquidation preference of US$1,200,107 and US$1,192,681 as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024) 1,176,340 1,176,340 Series A redeemable preference shares (US$0.00001 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Redemption value of US$8,043,015 and US$8,292,329 as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024; Liquidation preference of US$7,500,000 and US$7,500,000 as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024) 8,043,015 8,292,329 Series A+ redeemable preference shares (US$0.00001 par value; 118,971,900 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Redemption value of US$3,732,918 and US$3,602,251 as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024; Liquidation preference of US$3,720,623 and US$3,703,251 as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024) 3,795,370 3,795,370 Series B redeemable preference shares (US$0.00001 par value; 602,372,700 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Redemption value of US$23,253,627 and US$23,597,312 as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024; Liquidation preference of US$19,286,070 and US$19,252,636 as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024) 25,825,948 26,248,252 Series B+ redeemable preference shares (US$0.00001 par value; 204,195,160 shares authorized, nil and 161,977,511 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Redemption value of nil and US$9,547,792 as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024; Liquidation preference of nil and US$9,120,503 as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024) - 9,720,793 Total mezzanine equity 40,017,013 50,409,424 SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT Ordinary shares (USD0.00001 par value, 3,728,605,400 shares authorized, 806,200,500 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024) 8,062 8,062 Series Seed preference shares (US$0.00001 par value; 175,050,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and June 20, 2024) 2,000,000 2,000,000 Additional paid-in capital 6,563,764 5,822,913 Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,824,365 1,858,054 Accumulated deficit (40,432,886) (40,651,127) Total shareholders' deficit (30,036,695 ) (30,962,098 ) Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders' deficit 40,959,912 44,005,591 XCHG LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2023 2024 US$ US$ Revenues 12,204,385 8,997,506 Cost of revenues (6,748,376) (4,845,198) Gross profit 5,456,009 4,152,308 Operating expenses Selling and marketing expenses (1,291,521) (2,250,336) Research and development expenses (992,085) (1,178,086) General and administrative expenses (1,117,020) (1,646,991) Total operating expenses (3,400,626) (5,075,413) Government grants - 104 Operating income (loss) 2,055,383 (923,001) Changes in fair value of financial instruments (16,412) (256,771) Gain on extinguishment of convertible debt - 247,283 Interest expenses (37,316) (71,363) Interest income 31,268 52,693 Income (loss) before income taxes 2,032,923 (951,159) Income tax expense - - Net income (loss) 2,032,923 (951,159) Accretion of redeemable preference shares to redemption value (698,646) (368,607) Undistributed earnings attributable to redeemable preferred shareholders and Series Seed preferred shareholders of the Company (880,056) - Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders 454,221 (1,319,766) Net income (loss) 2,032,923 (951,159) Other comprehensive loss Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of nil income taxes 1,774,143 53,874 Total comprehensive income (loss) 3,807,066 (897,285) Earnings (loss) per ordinary share – Basic and diluted 0.001 (0.002) Weighted average shares outstanding used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share ordinary share – Basic and diluted 656,200,500 806,200,500 XCHG LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 2024 US$ US$ Revenues 19,589,628 20,149,953 Cost of revenues (11,038,743) (10,332,829) Gross profit 8,550,885 9,817,124 Operating expenses Selling and marketing expenses (2,460,884) (4,379,024) Research and development expenses (1,734,157) (2,165,705) General and administrative expenses (2,088,247) (3,307,565) Total operating expenses (6,283,288) (9,852,294) Government grants 2,367 31,206 Operating income (loss) 2,269,964 (3,964) Changes in fair value of financial instruments (16,819) (416,109) Gain on extinguishment of convertible debt - 247,283 Interest expenses (73,810) (115,156) Interest income 52,028 81,003 Income (loss) before income taxes 2,231,363 (206,943) Income tax expense - (11,298) Net income (loss) 2,231,363 (218,241) Accretion of redeemable preference shares to redemption value (1,019,628) (740,852) Undistributed earnings attributable to redeemable preferred shareholders and Series Seed preferred shareholders of the Company (799,231) - Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders 412,504 (959,093) Net income (loss) 2,231,363 (218,241) Other comprehensive loss Foreign currency translation adjustments 956,545 33,689 Total comprehensive income (loss) 3,187,908 (184,552) Earnings (loss) per ordinary share – Basic and diluted 0.001 (0.001) Weighted average shares outstanding used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share ordinary shares – Basic and diluted 656,200,500 806,200,500 XCHG LIMITED UNAUDITED RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2023 2024 US$ US$ Net income (loss) 2,032,923 (951,159) Add: Changes in fair value of financial instruments 16,412 256,771 Gain on extinguishment of convertible debt - (247,283) Non-GAAP net income (loss) 2,049,335 (941,671) Earnings (loss) per ordinary share – Basic and diluted 0.001 (0.002) Add: Changes in fair value of financial instruments - - Gain on extinguishment of convertible debt - - Non-GAAP earnings (loss) per ordinary share – basic and diluted 0.001 (0.002) XCHG LIMITED UNAUDITED RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 2024 US$ US$ Net income (loss) 2,231,363 (218,241) Add: Changes in fair value of financial instruments 16,819 416,109 Gain on extinguishment of convertible debt - (247,283) Non-GAAP net income (loss) 2,248,182 (49,415) Earnings (loss) per ordinary share 0.001 (0.001) – Basic and diluted Add: Changes in fair value of financial instruments - - Gain on extinguishment of convertible debt - - Non-GAAP earnings (loss) per ordinary share – basic and diluted 0.001 (0.001) © 2024 Benzinga.com. 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