New centre could create dozens of jobs

Plans to bulldoze a landmark garden centre and build a new one creating dozens of extra jobs have cleared a vital hurdle.

Cheshire West and Chester planners initially backed an application late last year to flatten Weaver Vale Garden Centre on Winnington Lane to make way for an entirely new building.

But work could not get underway until completion of a Section 106 agreement – a standard legal deal between councils and applicants designed to provide funds to offset the impact of large developments.

That agreement has now been signed, with borough planning officers having formally given the proposal the green light.

The proposals were submitted by Falkirk-based company Klondyke Strikes Garden Centres which bought the site in 2006 – although the centre had operated for many years beforehand.

According to the plans, the new garden centre will be designed to suit what the applicant called the ‘changing expectations’ of modern garden centre customers and will include a shop, restaurant, covered outdoor display area, outdoor sales area, new warehouse and an extension to parking and service yard areas.

A planning document submitted by the applicant said: “The site is a well established local business, offering a range of products including plants, garden sundries and tools, garden furniture, outdoor clothing and a small range of gift and homewares.

“The site also includes a coffee shop offering breakfast, lunches, snacks and drinks.”

But it said the existing buildings had become worn over the years and had started to become no longer ‘fit for purpose’.

It added: “The fact the site has developed over time in a piecemeal fashion has also resulted in inefficiencies in the current layout.

“Works are required in order for the site to keep up with its competitors and meet the changing needs of today’s garden centre customers.”

The approved scheme also includes the widening of existing access, external lighting, electric vehicle charging points and cycle storage. The plans are expected to safeguard existing jobs and create a further 47 roles.

To find all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more in your community, visit the Public Notices Portal.

NEW YORK — Rockstar Games has officially set the release date for Grand Theft Auto VI as November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, ending months of speculation and delays while building massive anticipation for what is expected to be the biggest entertainment launch in history.

The long-awaited sequel to 2013’s Grand Theft Auto V was first teased with a cinematic trailer in December 2023 and a gameplay-heavy second trailer in May 2025. After multiple reported delays, Rockstar confirmed the November 19, 2026 launch in an official statement, apologizing to fans for the extended wait but emphasizing the need for extra time to deliver the quality level players expect. A PC version is expected in 2027 or later, following the traditional pattern for Rockstar titles.

The game is set in a modern-day Vice City and the wider state of Leonida, a satirical take on Florida. The open world appears vastly larger and more detailed than previous entries, featuring dynamic weather systems, advanced NPC AI, and unprecedented interactivity. Early footage showed bustling beaches, swampy everglades, urban sprawl, and rural areas, all rendered with next-generation graphics that push current hardware to its limits.

Playable Protagonists: Lucia and Jason For the first time in the series, players will control two protagonists. Lucia Caminos, the first female lead in a mainline GTA game, appears to be the central character. She is shown in trailer footage leaving prison on parole and reuniting with her partner in crime, Jason Duval. The couple embarks on a crime spree across Leonida, blending heist elements with a Bonnie-and-Clyde-style narrative. Rockstar has confirmed both characters are fully playable, allowing players to switch between them during missions.

Supporting characters revealed so far include Cal Hampton, Boobie Ike, Dre’Quan Priest, Raul Bautista, and others. The story appears to explore themes of social media fame, celebrity culture, and the American Dream gone wrong in a hyper-connected, influencer-obsessed version of Florida.

Gameplay and Features Gameplay leaks and official trailers suggest major advancements. Players can expect improved gunplay, vehicle handling, and a more reactive open world. New mechanics may include deeper relationship systems, expanded businesses, and dynamic events influenced by player choices. The map is expected to be the largest in GTA history, with seamless transitions between dense cities, suburbs, swamps, and beaches.

Multiplayer remains a major focus. Grand Theft Auto Online has generated billions in revenue, and Rockstar is expected to launch GTA Online 2.0 alongside or shortly after the single-player campaign. Cross-progression and enhanced social features are anticipated.

Development and Delays Development on GTA 6 reportedly began shortly after Red Dead Redemption 2 in 2018. The project has been one of the most expensive in gaming history, with estimates exceeding $1 billion. Multiple delays pushed the original 2025 target first to spring 2026 and then to November 19, 2026. Rockstar emphasized that the extra time is being used to polish gameplay systems, AI, and overall experience.

The game is rated Mature 17+ and is being developed primarily for current-generation consoles. No Switch 2 version has been confirmed, though a cloud-based option could appear later.

Cultural Impact and Expectations The hype surrounding GTA 6 is unprecedented. The first trailer became the most-watched video game trailer ever, amassing hundreds of millions of views. Fans have analyzed every frame for clues about the map, characters, and story. Social media is filled with theories, memes, and countdowns as the November date approaches.

Economists predict the game could generate several billion dollars in its first year across sales, microtransactions, and ancillary revenue. Its release is expected to boost console sales and drive significant tourism to Vice City-inspired real-world locations in Florida.

Critics and fans alike are eager to see how Rockstar balances its signature satire with modern sensitivities. The series has faced controversy in the past for its portrayal of violence and women, but recent entries have shown more nuanced storytelling.

As development enters its final stages, Rockstar remains notoriously secretive. No new trailers have dropped since May 2025, though many expect Trailer 3 to arrive in the coming months. Take-Two Interactive’s upcoming earnings calls will likely provide further updates on marketing plans and sales expectations.

For millions of fans who have waited more than a decade since GTA V, November 19, 2026, cannot come soon enough. Whether exploring Vice City’s neon-drenched streets, pulling off elaborate heists, or simply causing chaos in the open world, GTA 6 promises to redefine the open-world genre once again.

The long wait has only heightened excitement. Rockstar’s commitment to quality has historically paid off, and expectations are sky-high for what could be the definitive video game experience of the decade. As the countdown continues, one thing is certain: when Grand Theft Auto VI finally arrives, the world will be watching.

Mumbai: Shares of Kaynes Technology plunged 20% to ₹3,339.25 on Thursday after a weaker-than-expected earnings performance in the March quarter, and revenue guidance miss sparked analyst downgrades. Brokerages said concerns over execution delays, stretched working capital, and persistent cash burn are tailwinds for the stock, an investor favourite in the recent bull run amid enthusiasm around India’s electronics manufacturing and semiconductor story.

“While we still expect strong 40%/45% revenue/earnings CAGR (compounded annual growth rate) over FY26-28E thanks to the ramp up of OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) and PCB (Printed Circuit Board) businesses, we believe the stock will remain a ‘show me’ until the gap between actual numbers and company guidance narrows,” said JP Morgan in a client note, while downgrading the stock to Neutral and cutting the price target to ₹4,000 from ₹6,000

Since its listing in November 2022, Kaynes shares soared about 950% from its listing to ₹7,822 in January 2025. Since then, the stock has dropped nearly 57%

Operator

Good day, and welcome to the Xos Inc. First Quarter 2026 Earnings Call. [Operator Instructions] Please note this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to David Zlotchew, General Counsel. Please go ahead.

David Zlotchew
General Counsel & Secretary

Thank you, everyone, for joining us today. Hosting the call with me are Xos’ Chief Executive Officer, Dakota Semler; Xos’ Chief Operating Officer, Giordano Sordoni; and Xos’ Chief Financial Officer, Liana Pogosyan. Today, after the close of regular trading, Xos issued its first quarter 2026 earnings press release. As you listen to today’s conference call, we encourage you to have our press release in front of you, which includes our financial results as well as commentary on the quarter ended March 31, 2026. Management’s statements today reflect management’s views as of today, May 14, 2026, only, and will include forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our fiscal year 2026, management’s expectations for future financial and operational performance and other statements regarding our plans, prospects and expectations. These statements are not promises or guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause them to differ materially from actual results.

Additional information about important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to Xos’ ability to access capital when needed and continue as a going concern, Xos’ ability to implement business plans and identify and realize opportunities, potential supply chain disruptions and/or economic downturns as

Operator

Good afternoon. Welcome to WidePoint’s First Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. My name is Holly, and I will be your operator for today’s call.

Joining us for today’s presentation are WidePoint’s President and CEO, Jin Kang; Chief Revenue Officer, Jason Holloway; and Chief Financial Officer, Robert George.

Following their remarks, we will open up the call for questions from WidePoint’s publishing analysts and major investors. If your questions were not taken today and you would like additional information, please contact WidePoint’s Investor Relations team at wyy@gateway-grp.com.

Before we begin the call, I would like to provide WidePoint’s safe harbor statement that includes cautions regarding forward-looking statements made during this call.

The matters discussed in this conference call may include forward-looking statements regarding future events and the future performance of WidePoint Corporation that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These risks and uncertainties are described in the company’s Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Finally, I would like to remind everyone that this call will be made available for replay via a link in the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at www.widepoint.com.

Now I would like to turn the call over to WidePoint’s President and CEO, Mr. Jin Kang. Sir, please proceed.

Jin Kang
CEO & Director

Thank you, operator, and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for joining us today to review our financial and operational results for the first quarter ended March

The rapid surge in EV adoption across Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia is transforming the region’s industrial landscape, yet the supporting power infrastructure remains critically underdeveloped.

Southeast Asia’s EV Surge

• EV adoption is accelerating rapidly in Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, reshaping industry but straining underdeveloped power grids.
• Thailand leads with strong government targets (30% zero-emission production by 2030) and heavy Chinese automaker presence, but grid capacity lags behind demand.

Electric vehicles are selling faster across Southeast Asia than at any point in history. Thailand is manufacturing them at scale. Vietnam has produced a homegrown brand bold enough to challenge in global markets. Indonesia is betting its vast mineral wealth on becoming the world’s battery supplier. By nearly every headline metric, the region’s clean transport revolution is on track.

But a growing body of evidence, from the International Energy Agency, energy research firm Ember, and on-the-ground reporting across the region, points to a structural problem that enthusiastic sales figures tend to obscure: the electrical grids these vehicles depend on are not ready for them.

Thailand Sets the Pace, But Questions Linger

Thailand has emerged as the unambiguous regional leader in EV manufacturing and sales, backed by an aggressive government target of 30% zero-emission vehicle production by 2030. Chinese automakers, led by BYD, have flooded the Bangkok market with competitively priced models, and consumer uptake has exceeded most projections.

What the government has been slower to address is what happens when millions of those vehicles need to charge simultaneously in a city where peak urban power demand is already climbing. The IEA has found that EV adoption across Southeast Asia is disproportionately concentrated in dense urban centres, precisely where grids are most strained. Thailand’s infrastructure investment, while improving, has not kept pace with the speed of its EV ambitions.

VinFast’s Gamble and Vietnam’s Deeper Problem

• VinFast aggressively pursues global markets despite heavy losses ($3.87B net loss in 2025).
• Domestic EV growth risks worsening Vietnam’s fragile grid, already plagued by curtailment crises and unreliable state utility payments to renewable developers.
• Foreign investor confidence is shaken by tariff defaults and threats of arbitration.

In Vietnam, the EV story has a single dominant protagonist: VinFast, the automotive arm of the country’s largest private conglomerate, backed by billionaire founder Pham Nhat Vuong. The company has pursued global market share with extraordinary aggression and extraordinary cost. In 2025, VinFast posted a net loss exceeding $3.87 billion, even as revenues doubled to $3.59 billion. By conventional metrics, it is a company burning through cash at a pace that would have shuttered most startups. Vuong’s personal backing has kept it alive.

Yet VinFast’s domestic momentum is real, and Hanoi’s policy environment is actively supporting it. The problem is what that success is doing to the national grid.

A recent Vietnamnet analysis estimated that accelerating EV adoption could require grid investment as much as 28% above current high-growth projections by 2030. That is a significant capital commitment for a country already struggling with chronic curtailment, the forced reduction of power output to prevent grid overload.

Every summer, Vietnam’s curtailment crisis returns. In the industrialised north, output reductions have exceeded 50% in certain regions, and the consequences extend far beyond inconvenience. Global manufacturers, including Foxconn, LG, Samsung, Apple and Canon, have seen production disrupted when power is throttled or cut without warning. For a country positioning itself as an indispensable link in global supply chains, that is not merely an energy policy failure. It is a sovereign risk.

The state electricity distributor, EVN, has made matters considerably worse. The utility has failed to honour contracted feed-in tariff payments for approximately 12 gigawatts of solar and wind capacity. More than 170 projects, predominantly solar, face payment suspensions or tariff reductions of up to 43%. Developers are threatening international arbitration. When a state utility defaults on its own contractual commitments, foreign investors take notice, and not in the way Hanoi would prefer.

Indonesia’s Nickel Advantage Meets Coordination Failure

Indonesia’s EV strategy is structurally different from its neighbours’. Rather than relying on domestic consumer enthusiasm or a single high-profile manufacturer, Jakarta has anchored its approach to the country’s dominant position in global nickel supply, the key raw material in EV batteries. The logic is straightforward: if the world is going electric, Indonesia intends to be indispensable to that transition.

The strategy has attracted serious investment and elevated Indonesia’s profile in global battery supply chain conversations. But the domestic charging infrastructure required to actually run EVs on Indonesian roads is being strangled by a more prosaic failure: coordination breakdown between the state utility, Perusahaan Listrik Negara, and private charging operators. Industrial strategy and physical infrastructure are, for now, advancing at very different speeds.

The Fossil Fuel Contradiction Nobody Wants to Discuss

Across all three countries, a fundamental tension sits at the centre of the EV narrative that policymakers have been reluctant to confront directly. EVs are being championed, correctly, as a means of reducing dependence on fossil fuel imports and cutting tailpipe emissions. But the electricity charging those vehicles is still generated predominantly by coal.

⚡ Structural & Environmental Contradictions

• EVs reduce oil dependence but grids remain coal-heavy, shifting rather than eliminating fossil fuel reliance.
• Without transparent accounting of fossil-fuel-powered charging, decarbonisation targets risk distortion.

Governments are not replacing a fossil fuel dependency so much as relocating it, from imported oil to domestically burned coal. That is a meaningful distinction for energy security calculations, and it may be a rational short-term trade. But it is emphatically not the clean energy revolution the promotional narrative suggests. An EV charged on a coal-heavy grid is cleaner than a petrol car, but it is far from carbon-neutral. Honesty about that gap matters when setting decarbonisation targets and measuring progress against them.

At a minimum, governments and energy analysts should be tracking what share of EV charging is actually powered by fossil fuel generation. That data exists, or could be made to exist. The absence of such accounting is a choice, and it is one that distorts the policy conversation.

A Grid Crisis in Slow Motion, and a Looming Complication

Grid stress from EVs does not arrive in a single crisis moment. It compounds gradually, through transformer overloads, localised voltage instability, mounting curtailment, and the steady erosion of investor confidence in new power projects. Ember’s analysis of Southeast Asian grids found transmission infrastructure that is underdeveloped, uneven, and generating bottlenecks that reduce system efficiency and delay project integration region-wide. The problem is structural, and it will not be solved by deploying more EVs faster.

One further pressure point has received insufficient attention in the regional energy conversation: artificial intelligence. Data centre power demand across ASEAN is projected to more than double by 2030, with some estimates forecasting a fourfold increase to around 10.7 gigawatts by 2035. The EV buildout and the AI infrastructure boom are arriving on the same grids at roughly the same time. The compounding effect of those two demand curves is not something the current infrastructure was built to absorb.

The Opportunity Is Real. So Is the Risk.

Southeast Asia’s EV boom is genuine progress, but fragile grids, coal dependence, and looming AI power demand pose serious risks. The region’s success hinges on grid modernisation and regulatory credibility, not just optimism.

The region has a narrow window to close the gap between the pace of EV deployment and the pace of grid investment before that gap becomes a hard constraint on growth. That means transparent, enforceable regulatory frameworks capable of attracting sustained foreign capital. It means state utilities operating as enablers rather than bottlenecks. It means energy planners treating grid modernisation as a precondition for electrification, not an afterthought.

The EV future in Southeast Asia is achievable. But it will not be powered by optimism alone.

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