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The BC SPCA Kamloops animal centre has recovered several adult cats and kittens from a property, and is getting ready to receive between 15 and 25 more cats from the same property over the next few weeks. The animals were prioritized for recovery, with a female cat, her four kittens, and five other adults in the first intake. Sadly, two of the adult cats needed to be euthanized, while the kittens tested positive for coccidia and one of the adult cats tested positive for giardia. All the cats immediately went into quarantine and were treated. “This happens all too often when a kind person feeds a stray cat,” says Daria Evans, manager of the BC SPCA’s Kamloops animal centre. “In this case the finders began feeding stray cats in their community during the pandemic, and in no time at all the number of cats in their home more than doubled. “They became overwhelmed and reached out to us, and we are currently in the process of bringing all the cats into our care.” Evans adds that it’s likely that all of the cats in the home will require treatment, so the Kamloops centre is preparing for that. Coccidia and giardia are parasitic infections of the intestinal tract and are typically treated with oral medications and intravenous fluids if required. Although quite common and very treatable, they are both contagious. Once the cats clear quarantine, they will be placed with a BC SPCA foster carer or — if they are ready — made available for adoption. “Our goal is to bring all these babies into our care and treat them as soon as possible,” says Evans. “The kittens are very playful and sweet. They were a little grumpy when we gave them their coccidia baths, but that is to be expected. They now seem to be much happier and content.” The adult cats appear to be a mixture of indoor and outdoor animals. Staff at the centre have been pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the cats are around people, even though some may not have had as much human socialization as others. “They are very affectionate and love it when staff comes around to feed and care for them," says Evans. She notes that this case is a reminder that people should reach out if there are stray cats in their area, and the earlier the better. “It is amazing how quickly a cat population can explode.” The cats and kittens currently in care will be available for adoption later in December. You can help them — and other animals in need at the BC SPCA — by making a donation at spca.bc.ca/donations-animal-emergency/ .LOS ANGELES, Dec. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Preferred Bank (NASDAQ: PFBC) , ("the Bank”), an independent commercial bank, today announced that the Bank had uncovered an unreconciled difference in its calculation of its right of use asset ("ROU”) and lease liabilities. As a result of this error, the Bank will record $8.1 million on a pre-tax basis of occupancy expense in the fourth quarter of 2024. On an after-tax basis, this will reduce fourth quarter diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.43. In January of 2019, the Bank adopted ASC 842, Accounting for Leases. This accounting statement requires entities capitalize leases that are longer than one year. The effect being that lease expense is recognized more evenly over the life of the lease, rather than recording lease expense as incurred. When the Bank adopted ASC 842, a number of the Bank's leases were analyzed and capitalized based on an incorrect term, resulting in an understatement of occupancy expense for the years 2019 - YTD 2024. The understatement of expense in each year impacted was no more than $1.4 million on a pre-tax basis and the average was $1.35 million per year, pre-tax. As for the impact of ASC 842 in future years, it is expected that the correct calculation of lease expense will increase occupancy expense by approximately $1.6 million per year on a pre-tax basis. We have evaluated the impact to income for each of the periods involved as well as the cumulative impact to 2024's results and have determined the understatement in the prior years as well as the impact to the results for 2024 are not material to the Bank's results of operations or its balance sheet. About Preferred Bank Preferred Bank is one of the larger independent commercial banks headquartered in California. The Bank is chartered by the State of California, and its deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, to the maximum extent permitted by law. The Bank conducts its banking business from its main office in Los Angeles, California, and through twelve full-service branch banking offices in California (Alhambra, Century City, City of Industry, Torrance, Arcadia, Irvine (2), Diamond Bar, Pico Rivera, Tarzana and San Francisco (2)). The Bank also operates a branch in Flushing, New York and in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land, Texas as well as a Loan Production Office in Sunnyvale, California. Preferred Bank offers a broad range of deposit and loan products and services to both commercial and consumer customers. The Bank provides personalized deposit services as well as real estate finance, commercial loans and trade finance to small and mid-sized businesses, entrepreneurs, real estate developers, professionals and high net worth individuals. Although originally founded as a Chinese-American Bank, Preferred Bank now derives most of its customers from the diversified mainstream market but does continue to benefit from the significant migration to California of ethnic Chinese from China and other areas of East Asia. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the Bank's future financial and operating results, the Bank's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Bank's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: changes in economic conditions; changes in the California real estate market; the loss of senior management and other employees; natural disasters or recurring energy shortage; changes in interest rates; competition from other financial services companies; ineffective underwriting practices; inadequate allowance for loan and lease losses to cover actual losses; risks inherent in construction lending; adverse economic conditions in Asia; downturn in international trade; inability to attract deposits; inability to raise additional capital when needed or on favorable terms; inability to manage growth; inadequate communications, information, operating and financial control systems, technology from fourth party service providers; the U.S. government's monetary policies; government regulation; environmental liability with respect to properties to which the bank takes title; and the threat of terrorism. Additional factors that could cause the Bank's results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the Bank's 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation which can be found on Preferred Bank's website. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of the press release, and the Bank assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. For additional information about Preferred Bank, please visit the Bank's website at www.preferredbank.com . Edward J. Czajka Executive Vice President Chief Financial Officer (213) 891-1188 Jeffrey Haas General Information (310) 622-8240 [email protected]

WASHINGTON (AP) — A group of Republican senators is demanding that the Biden administration revoke a science and technology agreement with China, barely a week after the two countries renewed cooperation for five more years to keep ties from deteriorating. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * WASHINGTON (AP) — A group of Republican senators is demanding that the Biden administration revoke a science and technology agreement with China, barely a week after the two countries renewed cooperation for five more years to keep ties from deteriorating. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? WASHINGTON (AP) — A group of Republican senators is demanding that the Biden administration revoke a science and technology agreement with China, barely a week after the two countries renewed cooperation for five more years to keep ties from deteriorating. In a letter Thursday to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the lawmakers, led by Sen. Jim Risch, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the era in which such cooperation made sense “is long gone” and the extension only “opens the door for further cooptation of American research.” The renewal of the agreement just before President Joe Biden leaves office “denies the incoming administration a chance to weigh in on this highly controversial agreement,” they said, urging the administration to “reverse course.” In addition to Risch, the letter was signed by Sens. John Barrasso, Pete Ricketts, Todd Young and Bill Hagerty. The first such agreement was signed in January 1979 when the two countries established diplomatic ties to counter the influence of the Soviet Union and when China severely lagged behind the U.S. and other Western nations in science and technology. The agreement was extended in 2018, and it was given temporary extensions last year and this year to allow for negotiations as the tech war between the two countries has escalated. The State Department has said the new agreement has a narrower scope and more guardrails to protect U.S. interests, including covering only basic research and not facilitating the development of critical and emerging technologies. The Republican senators said they had “deep concerns” that those measures were not sufficient to protect intellectual property and prevent illicit transfer of knowledge. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter Thursday. Deborah Seligsohn, assistant professor of political science at Villanova University, said the U.S. stands to lose more if it cuts off science and technology cooperation with Beijing. “The irony is that as China has become our peer, we have so much more to gain from working with Chinese science than we did in earlier eras, and yet at this moment, when we have the most to gain, there is a demand that we shut the door,” she said. AdvertisementAVANTE ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES & MARKETING

Company Achieved 50% YoY Revenue Growth & Positive EBITDA CALGARY, AB , Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Nanalysis Scientific Corp. ("the Company") NSCI NSCIF 1N , a leader in portable NMR machines and MRI technology for industrial and research applications announces third quarter results for the period ending on September 30, 2024 , achieving 50% year-over-year revenue growth to $10.6 million in Q3. Chief Executive Officer Sean Krakiwsky and Chief Financial Officer Randall McRae will host a conference call at 5 P.M. Eastern Time today to discuss the results. A second call will be held for European investors at 8:30am Eastern Time tomorrow, November 22 nd . All interested parties are invited to join these calls. All dollar figures in this press release are in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts or unless otherwise stated. "We continue to see strength in both of our core business segments, product sales and security services," said Sean Krakiwsky, Founder and CEO of Nanalysis. "We had a solid Q3, as demonstrated by our year over year revenue growth. Within Benchtop NMR we experienced our typical seasonal slowdown in the third quarter. This was partially offset, however, by a large medical imaging sale in the quarter. Our focus on efficiencies in both our manufacturing processes and service delivery is resulting in gross margin improvements and positive EBITDA." Financial highlights for the three months ended September 30, 2024: Three months ended September 30 ($000's) 2024 2023 ($) Change Change Product sales 4,242 3,941 301 8 % Service revenue 5,420 2,629 2,791 106 % Flow-through inventory 908 466 442 95 % Total sales and revenue 10,570 7,036 3,534 50 % Gross margin percentage - product sales 52 % 41 % 11 % Gross margin percentage - service revenue 15 % -3 % 18 % Adjusted EBITDA 264 (1,354) 1,618 Net loss (1,644) (6,287) 4,643 74 % For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company reported consolidated revenue of $10,570, an increase of $3,534 or 50% from the comparative period in 2023. Gross margin percentage on product sales was 52% versus 41% for the three months ended September 30, 2024. Improvement in gross margin percentage for Benchtop NMR is materializing, as average selling prices have improved and manufacturing cost reductions started in 2023 and continued in 2024 are taking effect. Security service gross margin percentage in the quarter was 15% versus (3)% in prior year comparative period as the Company completed the full transition of 100% of airports serviced to its control from the incumbent provider in the first quarter of 2024 and expects to increase revenue and drive efficiency within this business through 2024. Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was $264K versus an Adjusted EBITDA (loss) of ( $1,354K ) in the same period last year. This improvement was driven primarily by full transition of airports to the Company's control resulting in increased security services revenue, the effect of cost reduction initiatives, and slightly improved product sales over the prior year. This was offset partially by a slight decrease in third-party equipment sales. Net loss for the three months ended was $1,644K as compared to the three-month loss for September 30, 2023, of $6,287K. The difference between Adjusted EBITDA and Net loss includes a number of non-cash charges such as depreciation and amortization. Included in Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2023 , the Company recognized a one-time charge of $2.8 million related to the deconsolidation of its Quad subsidiary. Quarterly Trend: 2024 2023 ($000's) Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Product sales 4,242 5,402 4,216 5,450 Security service revenue 5,420 5,265 4,723 3,362 Flow-through parts revenue 908 807 2,223 988 Total revenue 10,570 11,474 11,162 9,800 Adjusted EBITDA 264 414 (362) (774) Net loss for the period (1,644) (1,995) (2,522) (2,123) The Company has demonstrated continuous margin expansion in Security service revenue quarter over quarter, driven by the expansion of the Company's airport security maintenance business as the Company took over more airports from the incumbent service provider, ultimately taking over all airports in Q1 2024. The Company reported positive Adjusted EBITDA in the third quarter of 2024 despite the seasonality effects of the slower summer months. The Company expects this to continue as it works to grow both product sales and security service revenue, while closely managing costs. Net loss was $1,644 in Q3 2024. Net losses are decreasing as the Company has successfully grown revenue and implements cost reduction initiatives. Recent strategic and operational highlights during and after the third quarter of 2024 include: Margin Expansion in both business segments: The Company was able to reap the benefits of cost cutting and drive efficiencies to grow gross margins to 52%, up 11% year over year in product sales and 15%, up 18% year over year in security services from (3%) in the prior year. Consistent Revenue in Airport Security Maintenance Business: The mix between scheduled maintenance, unscheduled maintenance and project work will shift quarterly but should provide a consistent balance of billing. The Company is focused on improving its efficiency and planning related to service delivery in order to increase margins through 2024 and into 2025. Medical Imaging : The Company completed another large medical imaging hardware sale in the quarter contributing to strong product sales in a traditionally slower quarter. Outlook "As we enter the fourth quarter, we have continued strong sales and the hard work we have done to expand our margins is materializing," said Sean Krakiwsky, Founder and CEO of Nanalysis. "Growth initiatives within the Scientific Equipment segment include the development and future launch of new products, developing new software applications, and seeking vertical market partnerships. Our market opportunity is expanding as more industries conclude that NMR, combined with the small size and portability of our products, is an excellent solution for their analysis needs. As we evolve, it is likely that we will reduce effort selling other companies' products, and increasingly focus on sales of our own proprietary products and services. "Within the Security Services segment, we are pursuing several new customer opportunities to leverage our existing capabilities. "Overall, we continue to grow our sales and are laser focused on operational improvements to reach our ultimate goal of profitability. These trends will continue through the rest of the year and into 2025. We have a positive outlook, are executing well, and expect a strong fourth quarter to close out the year." Conference Call: Investors interested in participating in the live full year call can dial 1-800-510-2154 or 437-900-0527-1350 from abroad. Investors can also access the call online through a listen-only webcast here: https://app.webinar.net/qArLoq1oXkG or on the investor relations section of the Company's website HERE . The webcast will be archived on the Company's investor relations webpage for at least 90 days and a telephonic playback will be available for seven days after the conference call by calling 1-888-660-6345 or 289-819-1450, conference ID # 14204. Additionally, the Company will be hosting a Q&A session for its European investors at 8:30am ET tomorrow, Friday , November 22nd, which can be accessed by the following link: Join the meeting now Non-IFRS and Supplementary Financial Measures The Company prepares and reports its consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, ‎as adopted ‎by the Canadian Accounting Standards Board (" IFRS "). However, this press release may make reference to certain non-IFRS measures including key ‎performance indicators used by management. These measures are not recognized measures under IFRS ‎and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable ‎to similar measures presented by other companies. Rather, these measures are provided as additional ‎information to complement those IFRS measures by providing further understanding of the Company's results of ‎operations from management's perspective. Accordingly, these measures should not be considered in ‎isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of the Company's financial information reported under IFRS. The ‎Company uses Flow-through parts revenue, Security service revenue, and Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") as non-IFRS measures, which may be calculated ‎differently by other companies. These non-IFRS measure are used to provide investors with a‎ supplemental measure of the Company's operating performance and liquidity and thus highlight trends in the Company's ‎business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS measures. The Company also ‎believes that securities analysts, investors and other interested parties frequently use non-IFRS measures ‎in the evaluation of companies in similar industries. Three months ended September 30 ($000's) 2024 2023 ($) Change Security services revenue 5,420 2,629 2,791 Flow-through inventory revenue 908 466 442 Total Service Revenue 6,328 3,095 3,233 Security services costs 4,627 2,708 1,919 Flow-through inventory costs 908 466 442 Total Cost of Services 5,535 3,174 2,361 Three months ended September 30 ($000's) 2024 2023 ($) Change Net loss (1,644) (6,287) 4,643 Business acquisition costs and contingent consideration loss 5 184 (179) Depreciation and amortization expense 1,098 1,073 25 Finance expense 341 289 52 Stock-based compensation 181 281 (100) Foreign exchange (gain) loss (141) 79 (220) Loss on loss of control of subsidiary - 2,810 (2,810) Loss from associate 305 256 49 Impairment of associate receivable 74 - 74 Restructuring costs 42 82 (40) Current income tax (recovery) expense (22) 13 (35) Deferred income tax expense (recovery) 25 (134) 159 Adjusted EBITDA 264 (1,354) 1,618 Supplementary Financial Measures The Company may also use supplementary financial measures which are intended to be disclosed on a periodic basis to depict the historical or expected future financial performance, cash position, or cash flow of the Company, are not a non-IFRS measure, and are not presented in the financial statements. The measures as discussed in this press release include: Gross margin percentage, which is defined as either (Product sales less Cost of product sold) divided by Product sales or (Security services revenue less Security services costs) divided by Security services revenue About Nanalysis Scientific Corp. NSCI NSCIF FRA:1N1)) Nanalysis Scientific Corp. in operates two primary business segments: Scientific Equipment and Security Services. Within its Scientific Equipment business is what the Company terms "MRI and NMR for industry". The Company develops and manufactures portable Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometers or analyzers for laboratory and industrial markets. The NMReady-60TM was the first full-feature portable NMR spectrometer in a single compact enclosure requiring no liquid helium or any other cryogens. The Company has followed-up that initial offering with new products and continues to have a strong innovation pipeline. In 2020, the Company announced the launch of its 100MHz device, the most powerful and most advanced commercial compact NMR device ever brought to market. The Company's devices are used in many industries (oil and gas, chemical, mining, pharma, biotech, flavor and fragrances, agrochemicals, law enforcement, and more) as well as numerous government and university research labs around the world. The Company is working to expand into new global market opportunities independently and with partners. With its partners, the Company provides scientific equipment sales and maintenance services globally. In 2022 the Company was awarded a five-year, $160 million contract to provide maintenance services for passenger screening equipment in Canadian airports. This has resulted in expansion of the Company's Security Services business. The Company is providing airport security equipment maintenance services in each province and territory of Canada. In addition, the Company provides commercial security equipment installation and maintenance services to a variety of customers in North America. Notice regarding Forward Looking Statements and Legal Disclaimer This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of such statements under applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "anticipates", "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed", "positioned" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nanalysis-announces-third-quarter-2024-results-302313518.html SOURCE Nanalysis Scientific Corp. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. 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The BC SPCA Kamloops animal centre has recovered several adult cats and kittens from a property, and is getting ready to receive between 15 and 25 more cats from the same property over the next few weeks. The animals were prioritized for recovery, with a female cat, her four kittens, and five other adults in the first intake. Sadly, two of the adult cats needed to be euthanized, while the kittens tested positive for coccidia and one of the adult cats tested positive for giardia. All the cats immediately went into quarantine and were treated. “This happens all too often when a kind person feeds a stray cat,” says Daria Evans, manager of the BC SPCA’s Kamloops animal centre. “In this case the finders began feeding stray cats in their community during the pandemic, and in no time at all the number of cats in their home more than doubled. “They became overwhelmed and reached out to us, and we are currently in the process of bringing all the cats into our care.” Evans adds that it’s likely that all of the cats in the home will require treatment, so the Kamloops centre is preparing for that. Coccidia and giardia are parasitic infections of the intestinal tract and are typically treated with oral medications and intravenous fluids if required. Although quite common and very treatable, they are both contagious. Once the cats clear quarantine, they will be placed with a BC SPCA foster carer or — if they are ready — made available for adoption. “Our goal is to bring all these babies into our care and treat them as soon as possible,” says Evans. “The kittens are very playful and sweet. They were a little grumpy when we gave them their coccidia baths, but that is to be expected. They now seem to be much happier and content.” The adult cats appear to be a mixture of indoor and outdoor animals. Staff at the centre have been pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the cats are around people, even though some may not have had as much human socialization as others. “They are very affectionate and love it when staff comes around to feed and care for them," says Evans. She notes that this case is a reminder that people should reach out if there are stray cats in their area, and the earlier the better. “It is amazing how quickly a cat population can explode.” The cats and kittens currently in care will be available for adoption later in December. You can help them — and other animals in need at the BC SPCA — by making a donation at .F1 expands grid, adds Cadillac brand and new American team for '26

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