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EZ Newswire, an AI-enabled platform empowering organizations to turn their news into performance, today announced an exclusive multi-year distribution deal with Reuters, the world's largest multimedia news agency. The partnership enables organizations across the globe to increase the visibility and impact of their news in a premium environment that is both brand-safe and brand-suitable.

Available now, EZ Newswire’s customers can seamlessly create and publish their business news directly to a dedicated section on the Reuters website.

Since its beta launch in May 2023, EZ Newswire has experienced an increase in demand from enterprise customers for a better solution to create, publish, and amplify time-sensitive business news in premium environments. The collaboration with Reuters is consistent with EZ Newswire’s mission to be an innovation leader in the newswire industry through technology and partnerships to deliver high-quality distribution, measurable impact, and clear pricing tied to performance.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Reuters and look forward to further innovating in the years ahead to build the most powerful news and business intelligence platform,” said EZ Newswire founders Neel Shah and Caitlin Kelly.

The public launch of the integration follows a successful closed beta test with a range of customers, comprising large enterprises, growing businesses, and non-profit organizations. The use cases included a broad variety of news and announcements, including product expansions (poppi), award recognitions (Fixed Income Analysts Society), business results (OAAA), events (Primary Ventures), promotions (Einstein Bros. Bagels), and partnerships (TransferGo and Visa).
 

Susan Magrino, CEO of Magrino Public Relations and one of the beta testers, commented, “As an agency representing some of the most innovative and influential consumer brands, our clients require us to work at a pace that meets their business demands and to deliver exceptional results. EZ Newswire is the solution we need for business news and their deal with Reuters provides a premium environment that ensures brand safety."

Recently, EZ Newswire polled hundreds of marketing and communications decision makers about their experience using legacy newswire services. Results were conclusive: 98% of respondents currently use newswires, yet nearly 80% have an unfavorable view on the return on their investment. Respondents specifically were most dissatisfied about quality of distribution and pricing, highlighting the need for the industry to build more modern solutions for brands to publish and promote their news more effectively.
 

"Just as media has transformed, we are excited to see EZ Newswire modernize the legacy newswire industry to meet the needs of marketing organizations like ours by bringing together transparency, performance, and ease of use,” commented Julie Thompson, chief marketing officer of the Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA).

The collaboration with Reuters is part of EZ Newswire’s phased strategy to expand its product suite with powerful new integrations and platform features that enable customers to instantly reach and engage targeted audiences with their news at scale.
 

Earlier this year, EZ Newswire was selected as a winner in The MBA Fund’s sixth annual pitch competition for pre-seed and seed startups. In addition to the investment from The MBA Fund, Contour Ventures invested in EZ Newswire’s last round, which saw participation from existing investors, including HearstLab and the former heads of Forbes, Hearst, IAC, Ziff Davis, and Sinclair.
 

EZ Newswire empowers organizations to turn their news into performance. Our AI-enabled platform, exclusive distribution network, and amplification tools make it easy to create, publish, and promote news in premium environments to reach the right audience. From startup to scale-up to S&P 500, the most influential organizations rely on EZ Newswire to communicate smarter. For more information, visit www.eznewswire.com.

The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC), a leading advocate for responsible kratom use and evidence-based policy, welcomes Bloomberg's recent investigative report on kratom. The GKC believes this coverage provides an opportunity for further dialogue and a more nuanced understanding of this complex topic.

"We appreciate Bloomberg’s balanced reporting in their recent investigative report on kratom. This is a complex topic, and as such we believe it's essential to highlight certain critical aspects of this multifaceted issue," said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Global Kratom Coalition.

Key Points Highlighted by the GKC

1. Regulatory framework: The GKC believes that clear and comprehensive regulations are essential for ensuring the safe and responsible use of kratom. To achieve this, we propose a series of regulatory measures designed to address consumer safety. The GKC advocates for comprehensive kratom regulations, including:

A regulatory framework is a much better option for consumers. Thirteen states have passed kratom regulations that serve to protect consumers whilst preserving access to kratom, and many more are considering regulations. However, that leaves many states where no laws have been passed, with a regulatory gap. 

2. Not all kratom is equal: It is essential to distinguish between kratom leaf, concentrated extracts that match the chemical profile of the kratom raw material used, kratom alkaloid isolates, and, more recently, the rise in synthetically derived products that inaccurately call themselves kratom. 

Kratom leaf is an Old Dietary Ingredient (ODI) with a long history of traditional safe use in Southeast Asia. Kratom extracts are either ODIs or New Dietary Ingredients (NDIs) that are required to submit a New Dietary Ingredient Notification (NDIN) prior to marketing and sale. Isolated, purified, semi-synthetic, or synthetic alkaloids, like 7-hydroxymitragynine (7OH) isolates, are novel substances that are no longer kratom and should be subject to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) process for drug approval as established in the Food, Drugs, and Cosmetic Act.

3. Comparative risk assessment: A comparative analysis of CDC, FDA, and Poison Control Center data reveals that the risk profile of kratom is notably different from other commonly used substances. For example, kratom-associated fatalities are significantly lower than those linked to legal substances like tobacco or alcohol. Additionally, US Poison Control Center statistics show that kratom-related calls are similar in number to those for energy drinks and considerably lower than those for many over-the-counter medications. This doesn't mean kratom is without risk, but it does highlight the importance of informed decision-making when considering any substance.

4. Understanding dependence: While regular, excessive consumption of kratom use can lead to physical dependence, its abuse potential is considered much lower than that of classic opioids, like oxycodone or morphine. Studies suggest that individuals with a kratom use disorder primarily fall into mild or moderate categories, like patterns seen with caffeine use.

5. Problems with prohibition: Prohibition has consistently proven ineffective in addressing public health issues and kratom is no exception. Instead of making products inaccessible, which drives the market underground, regulators should focus on regulating kratom products to ensure safety and transparency for consumers.

6. Educating stakeholders: We have identified significant knowledge gaps about kratom among consumers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers. The GKC is spearheading initiatives to disseminate accurate, research-based information on both the benefits and potential risks of kratom.

7. Nuanced understanding: As emphasized in the documentary, the true nature of kratom lies between extremes. GKC acknowledges the potential benefits of kratom for many users while also recognizing the importance of responsible use and ongoing research. We aim to foster dialogue between kratom advocates and individuals with concerns about kratom use, promoting a balanced, fact-based approach. The Kratom Consumer Advisory Council has been formed to allow the voices of all individuals who have experience with kratom, whether positive or negative, to be heard.

The GKC remains dedicated to advancing responsible kratom use through science-driven policies, regulations, and industry standards.

About the Global Kratom Coalition

The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting and expanding access to kratom worldwide. The coalition focuses on advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations that protect consumers.

Bugle, a company that specializes in volunteer management solutions, today announced the launch of its volunteer management software. After years of research and development in partnership with the Department of Computer Science at North Carolina State University, Bugle's platform is now available to nonprofits worldwide. Bugle's software enables nonprofits to efficiently organize and fundraise for community outreach projects, with the option to start for free using Bugle's Community Plan.

This announcement marks a significant milestone for Bugle as it expands its reach to support nonprofits and their community outreach initiatives. Providing a robust suite of user-friendly tools for volunteer management and fundraising, Bugle's software makes organizing volunteer events as simple as hosting an Airbnb.
 
According to Ryan Johnson, CEO of Bugle, "We are thrilled to officially launch Bugle's volunteer management software. Our company takes great pride in equipping nonprofits with modern tools that simplify the unique challenge of organizing volunteer events. At Bugle, we believe that helping others shouldn't be hard, so we build software that makes it easy."

A mission-driven company, Bugle aims to double volunteering across the U.S. by 2030 and worldwide by 2036. Achieving this goal will provide an additional $1.2 trillion in global social services annually.

For more information about Bugle and its volunteer management software, please visit https://www.buglevolunteers.com.

Bugle is a Nashville-based volunteer management software company that specializes in empowering nonprofit community outreach. Focused on providing innovative solutions to streamline volunteer coordination, our software enables nonprofits to significantly increase their efficiency and impact. Our unique platform allows nonprofits to quickly organize events, capture volunteer data, and turn community outreach into fundraising success. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.buglevolunteers.com.

On the evening of September 14, Beijing time, the opening ceremony of the Yangtze River Cultural Arts Season took place in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

This ceremony created a cultural arts feast themed "with the sky as the curtain, the city as the scenery, and the Yangtze as the stage." Singers from the 13 provinces along the Yangtze River performed songs and dances reflecting local customs. A thousand university students from twelve universities in Hubei participated in a choir performance of "Song of the Yangtze." During the climax, thousands of drones illuminated the sky above the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge, depicting landmarks from the 13 provinces along the river, followed by a dazzling fireworks display that lasted nearly ten minutes. Many citizens attended the event to appreciate the rich culture of the Yangtze River.

The opening ceremony was executed by Hubei Media Group and integrated elements of "culture + technology," using AR (augmented reality) technology and 3D drone light shows.

The Yangtze River Cultural Arts Season will continue until November 4, featuring various activities centered around Yangtze River culture and Chinese civilization, including themed art exhibitions, a film week, a stage arts showcase, a choir week, a reading week, a literature week, and an intangible cultural heritage exhibition. These activities aim to fully showcase the essence and charm of Yangtze River culture and encourage active participation from the public. All 13 provinces along the Yangtze River will participate collectively.

Manat Kaur, the visionary founder of Ring Premier, a leading custom fine jeweler specializing in lab-grown diamonds, has been prominently featured in Maxim. In the article, Kaur delves into the growing trend of lab-grown diamonds and the many benefits they offer over traditional mined diamonds.

In the Maxim piece, Kaur shares her insights on how lab-grown diamonds are revolutionizing the jewelry industry by providing consumers with ethically sourced, sustainable, and high-quality alternatives to mined diamonds. She emphasizes that lab-grown diamonds, which are chemically and physically identical to their mined counterparts, offer the added advantage of being environmentally friendly and free from the ethical concerns often associated with traditional diamond mining.

Kaur’s passion for innovation and her commitment to sustainability are at the heart of Ring Premier’s success. By embracing the potential of lab-grown diamonds, she has positioned Ring Premier as a leader in the fine jewelry market, offering clients custom-made pieces that reflect their personal style and values.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by Maxim for our dedication to redefining luxury through lab-grown diamonds,” said Kaur. “Our mission at Ring Premier is to provide clients with exquisite, responsibly sourced jewelry that they can feel good about wearing, knowing it aligns with their ethical and environmental values.”

The feature in Maxim is a testament to Kaur’s expertise and the growing demand for lab-grown diamonds. As more consumers become aware of the benefits of lab-grown diamonds, Ring Premier continues to expand its offerings, providing an extensive range of custom jewelry options that cater to the modern, conscious consumer.

For more information about Manat Kaur and Ring Premier, please visit www.ringpremier.com.

Ring Premier is a custom fine jeweler that specializes in lab-grown diamonds. Founded by Manat Kaur, the company is dedicated to creating luxurious, sustainable, and ethically sourced jewelry that reflects the values and style of its clients. With a commitment to innovation and quality, Ring Premier is redefining the future of fine jewelry.

Every AI founder today is wondering if they should be moving to San Francisco. A year ago, Hamza Zaveri and Angela Mascarenas were thinking the same thing as they embarked on their journeys as AI founders living in New York City and London. Pretty soon they realized there was a lack of a supportive ecosystem for AI outside of San Francisco, but they didn't want to move out of their cities. They took matters into their own hands and started bringing AI founders and developers together locally. Under The AI Furnace, they grew to over 15,000 members globally in 6 cities.

They are now funneling this movement of supporting local AI startups into The AI Hot 100 Conference on September 18 in NYC. The conference is bringing together 100 of the hottest funded AI startups from pre-seed to Series A on the East Coast, which they have curated as part of their AI Hot 100 Market Map. There will be 400+ attendees including top VCs, founders, operators, executives and researchers.

For the first time, The AI Hot 100 Conference will unite top AI startup talent from the East Coast, alongside leaders from government, venture capital, and big tech, including the New York State Economic Development Council, Andreessen Horowitz, Flybridge Capital, Gradient Ventures, Anthropic, and more. The event will showcase groundbreaking innovations and offer attendees a chance to connect with the who’s who of early stage AI. Expect to see breakthrough demos from the AI Hot 100 founders, giving an exclusive glimpse into the future.

You’ll get front-row access to 100 AI startups such as Maven AGI, Arcee AI, Metaphysic, and more which have raised a cumulative $150 million. Also, connect with over 30+ top VC funds with over $65 billion AUM in dry powder. Expect engaging talks and demos on everything from AI agents to AI-generated anime and AI-fashion models. Plus, there’s a mixer for founders and funders, plenty of chances to network over breakfast and lunch, and even a chance to connect with founders who are hiring. And don’t miss the afterparty to chill and unwind!

Sponsors include NVIDIA, NEAR Foundation, Fidelity, Rho, and Metronome.

You can buy tickets and find out more at https://aifurnace.com.

Angela Mascarenas and Hamza Zaveri aim to support local and regional AI talent around the world. They plan to curate the AI Hot 100 List for different regions and take The AI Hot 100 Conference globally to support local AI innovation. The New York City edition is just the beginning.

About The AI Furnace

The AI Furnace is a global network of 15,000+ AI founders, researchers and investors. We host IRL events in NYC, London, Boston and Paris. Built by AI founders to educate the world, we showcase the latest innovations and founders in AI through our digital media channels, newsletter, podcasts, videos and world-class events. Our founders have gone on to raise from the likes of a16z, Sequoia, Village Global, Google Ventures, and more.

Spynn Publicity, one of the top PR firms for startups, has launched new PR services designed to increase startup visibility. The company focuses on helping early-stage businesses connect with their audiences and build brand credibility through targeted media strategies.

PR for startups is essential to make sure they stand out and grow. Spynn Publicity’s new offerings include customized media placements and digital PR strategies to build trust and recognition. "Our goal is to create campaigns that genuinely connect with the right people," says Matteo Ferretti, CEO of Spynn Publicity.

As the global PR industry is expected to grow to $144.28 billion by 2028, the firm’s services are well-timed to help startups benefit from this expanding field. Using data and analytics, the company designs PR campaigns that align with client goals and deliver measurable results.

Spynn Publicity offers services like media content creation and securing placements in leading publications. These efforts help startups communicate their value effectively. "Journalists want stories that matter, and we help startups present their work in a way that gets noticed," says Ferretti.

 

The agency’s partnerships with major media outlets guarantee coverage for startups, helping them stand out in a crowded field. "We’re rethinking how startups look at public relations," Ferretti adds. "Our focus on PR for startups is to give them the visibility and trust they need to succeed."

For more details on Spynn Publicity’s services, visit https://spynn.co/.

About Spynn Publicity

Spynn Publicity is a public relations firm that specializes in media placements and digital PR services. Led by former journalist and CEO Matteo Ferretti, the company has helped businesses across industries achieve visibility and growth through modern PR strategies.

Today, Push Cash is launching instant, guaranteed payments for merchants and fintech platforms. Founded by former product leaders at Plaid, the company uses a first of its kind multi-network processing approach to realize higher payment authorization rates at better economics. While in stealth, Push Cash secured multiple enterprise customers in online sports betting, and will soon be available in additional verticals.

U.S. payments are stuck in the 1900s: Debit and credit card processing is expensive and rife with chargebacks. In an effort to minimize card processing costs, there has been a recent push by fintechs toward “bank transfers” (read: ACH). However, given ACH’s batch processing and lack of risk signal, bank transfers are slow and can sometimes indirectly cost more than debit card processing. Fintech innovation to date has focused on improving ACH or credit card processing, as opposed to trying to make payments faster and safer for consumers and merchants.

Push Cash has taken a new approach to payment processing. Instead of trying to optimize the performance of debit card processing or ACH processing, it optimizes overall payment processing by routing transactions to the payment network best positioned to minimize risk and maximize performance. This approach reduces merchants' payment costs by eliminating chargebacks and increases merchants’ top line by approving more good transactions.  

Eric Morse and Andrew Coover met at Plaid, where Eric founded the money movement team, creating the ACH processor Transfer and the ML-based risk tool Signal. Andrew led the transfer product's development. Before Plaid, Eric held various leadership roles at Visa, including developing their card-on-file token product.

Morse describes, “With Push, we wanted to start from a clean sheet of paper—could we actually speed up payments while also reducing risk? What if we combined push-style payments and strong customer authentication with a multi-network processing strategy?” This insight led to Push Cash, designed to eliminate the trade-offs between cost, risk, and performance in today's processing systems.

In addition to its launch, Push Cash also announced $4M in seed funding, led by Foundation Capital with participation from angels of Affirm, Bleacher Report, PayPal, Uber, SeatGeek. The raise supports building product and hiring the engineering and operations team.

“The multi-network approach that Push Cash has pioneered is quite novel and really moves the needle on payment performance for merchants. Those are rare commodities in the payments space these days,” said Zach Noorani, partner at Foundation Capital.

About Push Cash

Push Cash is on a mission to reduce transaction risk and take a merchant’s payments costs close to zero. With Push Cash, you can’t push money you don’t have, you can’t push money from a closed account, and you have to authenticate to Push. Push Cash will make account-to-account transactions instant, safe, and simple for consumers and merchants. For more information, visit https://www.pushcash.com.

Botanic Tonics, maker of feel free, appreciates Bloomberg's examination of the complex issues surrounding kratom use and regulation in the U.S. As a company committed to consumer safety and transparency, we feel it is important to provide additional context on several key points:

1. Leaf kratom vs. extracts/synthetics: There is a critical distinction between natural leaf kratom, which has been safely used for centuries, and concentrated extracts or synthetic compounds. Our feel free CLASSIC product uses only natural leaf kratom, not potent extracts or isolates that pose greater risks.

2. Dangers of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7OH): We share concerns about highly concentrated 7OH products flooding the market. Our products do not artificially boost 7OH levels, which can only be accomplished through chemical manipulation or adulteration. We strongly oppose the sale of isolated 7OH products.

3. Need for regulation: We actively support and advocate for appropriate regulation of kratom products to ensure consumer safety. This includes backing initiatives like the Kratom Consumer Protection Act and supporting the FDA's clinical research efforts.

4. Consumer education: We have significantly expanded our consumer education efforts, including comprehensive information on our website about ingredients, potential risks, and responsible use guidelines.

5. Voluntary responsibility measures: We have implemented numerous voluntary measures to promote responsible use, including:

6. Commitment to safety: All our products are manufactured in an FDA-registered, cGMP-certified facility with rigorous quality control and safety testing protocols. Not all kava and kratom are created equal. Botanic Tonics goes to extraordinary lengths to ensure the highest quality and safety standards for its customers:

We acknowledge that while our early marketing practices met or exceeded all requirements at the time, we now realize that those rules and best practices were not sufficient. As a result, we have taken the lead in guiding the industry towards more transparent and consumer-focused efforts to drive education and awareness.

We have worked diligently to improve transparency and prioritize consumer safety. While kratom has helped many people, we recognize it is not appropriate for everyone and can be habit-forming if misused.

We remain committed to ongoing research, education, and collaboration with regulators to ensure the safest possible market for kratom products.

Disclaimer: Consume responsibly. Adults 21 years of age and older only.

About Botanic Tonics

Botanic Tonics is a plant-based herbal supplement company headquartered in Broken Arrow, OK. Established in 2020, we produce kava-forward tonics under our feel free brand. Our signature product, feel free CLASSIC, is crafted with ancient functional plants to provide mood lift, energy, and focus. Botanic Tonics’ products are manufactured in an FDA-registered, cGMP-certified facility and actively supports consumer safety regulations through transparent labeling and educational resources. Learn more at https://botanictonics.com.

Chalice Custom Algorithms, a leader in custom AI ad tech, is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Riley as the company's new EVP, Head of Sales.

Michael brings a wealth of experience from his successful career at Nativo Inc, where he started as an account director and rose to Head of Sales through 7 promotions over 9 years. Michael's tenure at Nativo played an instrumental role in driving Nativo’s growth through consultative selling and innovative market strategies.

As Chalice continues to expand its offerings, including AI Audiences and CurateAI, Michael will lead the sales team in driving new business and building deeper relationships with brand and agency partners. His background in adapting products to meet the needs of the ever-evolving advertising landscape aligns perfectly with Chalice's pivot from custom bidding algorithms to a suite of custom AI powered products.

Ali Manning, COO of Chalice Custom Algorithms, expressed her excitement about Mike’s arrival: "We are thrilled to have Mike joining to lead us through the next phase of growth at Chalice. Mike comes at a pivotal time as Chalice introduces new products that package our custom AI capabilities into seamless audience and curation solutions across CTV, programmatic, and social platforms. His expertise in consultative selling and custom products will enable Chalice to scale our new go-to-market quickly, while always keeping the customer first."

Michael added: "Advertising is at its best when there is a perfect balance of some of the most advanced tech and most creative humans. Adam, Ali, and Joe have found that perfect balance, all in the midst of one of the most transformative periods in AdTech. I am excited to lead sales and bring my prior experience adapting products to best fit brands and agencies' needs as they look for better effective reach and more transparency."

Mike’s addition to Chalice Custom Algorithms marks a significant step in the company’s journey toward shaping the future of AI-driven advertising.

About Chalice Custom Algorithms

Chalice Custom Algorithms is the leading custom AI software in advertising technology. Chalice AI’s products are configured to make advertising directly impact the business outcomes that matter to advertisers, using the most advanced applications of generative and predictive AI. To learn more, visit www.chalice.ai.

Open Systems, the leading provider of native, managed SASE solutions, today announced the results of its 2025 IT Infrastructure Report. According to the report, many U.S. organizations expect to spend more on networking and security in 2025, particularly on SASE-related expenses.

Open Systems commissioned Osterman Research to survey 200 IT leaders in the U.S. about their priorities, challenges, and budgets related to SASE and network transformation. The report’s findings highlighted a trend toward increased IT spending and a growing preference to outsource SASE management to a third party.

Key Findings

Organizations are moving toward SASE, despite the implementation barriers that many face such as infrastructure problems and lack of skilled staff. What’s more, many organizations are allocating extra budget to address these barriers. For example, nearly two-thirds of IT leaders who cited infrastructure problems as a barrier to SASE implementation reported that their IT budget will significantly increase in the next 12 months.

Managing SASE internally is more expensive. 43% of organizations currently managing SASE internally expect to significantly increase their budgets over the next 12 months. By comparison, only 31% of those managing SASE externally are planning a significant budget increase. Keeping up to date with new equipment and finding new staff members to manage the deployment often equates to a big price tag.

Organizations increasingly want to outsource SASE management to external providers. Seventy percent of organizations already rely on an external provider to manage their SASE deployment and that figure increases to 73% three years from now. Additionally, more than 70% of organizations managing SASE internally see complexity, limited budget, and a lack of expertise as their main challenges to SASE implementation.

“Despite challenging economic times, organizations see the value of investing in IT needs, especially networking and security,” said Stefan Keller, Chief Product Officer, Open Systems. “Our research shows that while many companies face challenges in implementing SASE, they are still moving forward with SASE adoption and are dedicating resources to ensure a successful implementation. It’s gratifying to see that many organizations understand the benefits of outsourcing SASE management to a third party like Open Systems.”

The report also explored what IT leaders look for in a SASE service or solution and respondents cited 24/7 customer support from experts, technical integrations, service agility, and having a single-vendor SASE solution as equally important factors. Interestingly, having a single-vendor SASE solution was less important to those who manage SASE internally than it is to those who outsource SASE management.

For further analysis of the survey findings and to download the full report, visit https://go.open-systems.com/LP-ITIndustrySurvey-US.html.

About Open Systems

Open Systems is a leading provider of native, managed SASE solutions that enable organizations to simply connect and secure hybrid environments to meet their business goals. Backed by our Service Experience Promise, Open Systems’ SASE Experience helps reduce risk, improve efficiency, and accelerate innovation with a comprehensive, easy-to-implement, and use combination of SD-WAN and Security Service Edge delivered as a service with a superior user experience. SASE Experience combines SD-WAN, firewall, SWG, CASB, and ZTNA into a framework that supports secure connectivity across cloud and hybrid environments and locations. It provides a comprehensive SASE solution through an easy-to-use customer portal, underpinned with a unified data platform to drive future innovation, all delivered as a 24×7 managed service.

To learn more about Open Systems, visit www.open-systems.com.

The Indonesian government has officially recognized kratom as an export commodity and issued new regulations to control its exports. The regulations, Permendag No. 20/2024 and Permendag No. 21/2024,  outline the types and sizes of kratom that are prohibited and allowed for export.

According to the Director General of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Trade, Isy Karim, the new regulations aim to regulate the export standards of kratom to ensure the quality and safety of the product. This is in response to reports of Indonesian kratom being detained abroad due to quality issues.

The regulations prohibit the export of kratom leaves and coarse crumbs but allow the export of finely crumbled kratom in powder form. This ensures that the exported kratom meets the quality standards of the destination countries.

The government also hopes that by regulating the export of kratom, the price and added value of the commodity can be increased for Indonesia. The regulations require exporters to register for export permits and have their export allocations regulated in quantity.

"With the management of kratom export in Indonesia, the Indonesian government can offer the importing country the pre-export notification (PEN) mechanism. Through this PEN, importing countries can give import permits to importers to minimize the abuse of kratom," said Isy Karim.

Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Global Kratom Coalition, noted the Indonesian government's move, stating, "Generally speaking, setting regulations in Indonesia seems to be a positive step towards ensuring the quality and safety of kratom exports. We are learning more and working to understanding the real world implications of these regulations to better understand the impact that this will have in the U.S."

The government's decision to regulate the export of kratom is not a ban on the domestic use of the commodity. The Ministry of Health, BRIN, and BPOM are still conducting research to determine the safe consumption of kratom in Indonesia.

The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting and expanding access to kratom worldwide. The coalition focuses on advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations that protect consumers. For more information, please visit https://globalkratomcoalition.org.

LeanData, the modern revenue orchestration platform for today’s growth leaders, and the OpsStars Community are excited to announce the winners of the 2024 OpsStars Awards. These prestigious awards celebrate the exceptional achievements of operations professionals who are leading the way in driving innovation and growth in their organizations. The OpsStars Awards recognize individuals and teams that have made significant contributions to the operations profession, helping to shape the future of the industry.

"We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all of our finalists and winners," said Evan Liang, CEO and co-founder of LeanData. "Your remarkable achievements in operations continue to inspire and drive the evolution of our industry. Thank you for leading the way and setting new standards of excellence in operations."

Account-Based Program of the Year

Digital Transformation Award

Lead Management Program Transformation of the Year (<1,000 employees)

Lead Management Program Transformation of the Year (>1,000 employees)

Most Cutting-Edge Ops Program of the Year

Constellation Award

OpsStar of the Year

The OpsStars Awards are part of the broader OpsStars Community, a vibrant network of professionals dedicated to advancing the operations field. These awards highlight the strategic role that operations professionals play in their organizations, from developing innovative account-based programs to driving digital transformation and lead management excellence.

The OpsStars Community continues to grow, bringing together thousands of sales, marketing, customer, and revenue operations leaders to share best practices, develop their careers, and build meaningful connections. The OpsStars Conference, held annually at the historic San Francisco Mint, provides a platform for this thriving community to come together and celebrate the successes of its members.

Interested in learning more about the groundbreaking work of this year’s winners? Be sure to register for the OpsStars Conference and explore the full OpsStars agenda.

LeanData and the OpsStars Community encourage all operations professionals to engage with the community, learn from these inspiring leaders, and aspire to be future OpsStars Award winners.

The OpsStars Awards celebrate individuals and teams whose groundbreaking innovations have propelled their organizations forward. Categories include Account-Based Program of the Year, Digital Transformation Award, Lead Management Program Transformation of the Year, Most Cutting-Edge Ops Program of the Year, The Constellation Award and OpsStar of the Year. These awards highlight the strategic role operations professionals play in driving revenue and the impact of their leadership within their organizations.

LeanData is the gold standard in Revenue Orchestration, empowering growth leaders to excel in the buyer-directed world of modern B2B selling. With a fully integrated solution, LeanData simplifies the coordination of plays, people and processes, transforming buyer signals into actionable decisions that drive revenue. For more information, visit LeanData.com.

Caity Lotz and Danielle Panabaker, stars of Arrow and The Flash, have embraced a new role: motherhood. As real-life super moms, they are inspiring a new wave of mothers with their strength and authenticity. Their transition from superheroes to mothers resonates deeply, making them ideal partners for Momcozy, a brand dedicated to supporting moms through every stage of motherhood.

In an exclusive interview, Danielle Panabaker, a devoted mother of two, and Caity Lotz, who recently welcomed her first child, shared their transformative experiences. They offered heartfelt insights into the joys and challenges of parenting, emphasizing the importance of community and support. Their stories align perfectly with Momcozy's mission to provide comfort and companionship to mothers worldwide, enriching their lives and careers with new perspectives.

At the heart of Momcozy is the Momcozy Village initiative, a testament to the brand's commitment to community empowerment. This innovative program supports moms globally through online resources, offline connection points, and opportunities to learn from experts. With Lotz and Panabaker leading the charge, Momcozy Village fosters a nurturing network where mothers can share experiences and support each other, demonstrating that even superheroes thrive in a loving community.

Products That Moms Trust

Momcozy offers a trusted range of products, from nursing bras to breast pumps, designed to simplify motherhood. With Lotz and Panabaker as advocates, these products gain authenticity, showing that even super moms rely on Momcozy. Each thoughtfully crafted product prioritizes comfort, efficiency, and style, becoming essential in the daily lives of mothers who want to focus on what truly matters: their families.

As Caity Lotz and Danielle Panabaker continue their motherhood journey, Momcozy proudly stands by their side, committed to supporting mothers everywhere. The brand is dedicated to evolving with the needs of moms, offering innovative solutions and expanding its product range based on community feedback. Their partnership with Lotz and Panabaker reinforces a commitment to authenticity and relatability, ensuring every mother feels seen and supported.

Momcozy warmly invites mothers to join this cozy evolution movement. By becoming part of the Momcozy Village community, mothers can connect with others who understand their journey, share stories, and offer practical advice. Together, we aim to empower every mom and grow with them.

About Momcozy

Momcozy is a global one-stop mother and baby brand dedicated to providing comfort and companionship to moms from pregnancy through early motherhood. For more information, visit https://www.momcozy.com.

Martin Karp, an award-winning educator and lifelong advocate for Miami-Dade’s public schools, is officially back on the ballot for the fall election. As an experienced teacher, administrator, and former school board member, Karp is uniquely positioned to serve Miami-Dade’s students, parents, and educators, offering leadership that is rooted in firsthand experience and a deep commitment to academic excellence.

Karp’s extensive background in education makes him the best candidate for the Miami-Dade School Board. With years of classroom and administrative experience, he understands the complexities of the public school system and the importance of creating policies that truly benefit students. His award-winning track record as an educator sets him apart from other candidates and highlights his dedication to fostering success for all students.

"No one understands the needs of our schools better than someone who has worked directly with students, teachers, and families," said Martin Karp. "As an educator, I have seen what works and what needs improvement, and I am committed to ensuring that every student in Miami-Dade has access to the tools and resources they need to succeed."

Throughout his career, Karp has championed programs and initiatives that support student achievement, mental health, and teacher empowerment. His hands-on experience in education, combined with his deep understanding of the challenges facing today’s schools, makes him the ideal candidate to lead Miami-Dade’s public school system into the future.

"Education is the foundation of a strong community, and there’s no better way to support our future than by investing in our students today," said Karp. "I am running for the Miami-Dade School Board to ensure that every child has access to high-quality education and that our schools are equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow."

This fall, Miami-Dade voters have the opportunity to elect a proven leader and advocate for students. With his unwavering dedication to education and his commitment to building stronger, safer schools, Martin Karp is the clear choice for the Miami-Dade School Board.

Martin Karp is an award-winning educator and former Miami-Dade School Board member. With a long history of service in education, he has worked as a teacher and administrator, and has been a vocal advocate for policies that support academic excellence, student well-being, and teacher development. His candidacy for the Miami-Dade School Board is driven by his commitment to improving educational outcomes for all students.

The Kava Coalition (KC) is pleased to announce that Dr. Simon Gellar—a leading researcher on the consumption and economy of kava, as well as of cultural norms and substance policies more broadly—has officially joined KC as an expert spokesperson.

"Our social perceptions of kava—whether in Europe, North America, or the South Pacific—are complex, diverse and sometimes misunderstood in a negative manner," Dr. Gellar said. "Unfortunately, the EU and UK rules governing kava’s sale and consumption reflect that reality. Through my research, I have given voice to everyday consumers, and now, by joining KC, I hope to amplify their voices further."

Dr. Simon Gellar is a lecturer in Criminology at the University of Kent, where he has worked since 2021. His research seeks to understand novel psychoactive substances and their relative benefits and harms, alongside the lived experience of consumers, to inform more precise drug policy in the U.K. and internationally. Specific to kava, his research challenges the prohibition of its sale in the U.K. and untangles misconceptions about the plant from a cross-cultural perspective.

"As Dr. Gellar notes, the reality of safe kava consumption is not reflected in our general discourse, nor in many countries' substance policies," said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Kava Coalition. "This is a failure of governance that, with Dr. Gellar’s counsel, we at Kava Coalition are now better equipped to correct."

Dr. Gellar recently completed a cross-cultural study of kava consumption in the U.K., U.S., and Vanuatu. It found that its consumption holds profound cultural significance in Vanuatu, where kava has been ingrained in social and ceremonial practices for centuries. In the U.K. and U.S., meanwhile, lacking such historical context, consumers tend to adopt kava as an alternative to conventional medicine or alcohol. It further demonstrates the benefits of trade in Kava between these countries, particularly emerging south pacific economies which experiencing positive social mobility via the demand of Kava from western countries. The study also explains reports linking kava consumption to liver damage, which have been dismissed through discourse with those who consume kava daily.

"Elixir of the South Pacific or Harmful Muddy Water: Examining the Consumption of Kava from a Cross-Cultural Perspective and the Lived Experience of Macro-Level Social Processes" is slated to publish, and disseminate through peer-reviewed channels, later this year.

Kava Coalition (KC) is a global alliance of kava consumers, experts, and industry leaders committed to advancing kava education, advocacy, and choice. Through educational initiatives and community engagement, KC promotes awareness and appreciation for kava’s traditional practices and cultural significance. Simultaneously, KC advocates for modern regulation that reflects current scientific knowledge, ensuring consumer safety and product integrity.

The Texas oil refinery is one of the most environmentally friendly and technologically advanced facilities in the U.S. The refinery has a capacity of 475,000 barrels per day. However, the company is not resting on its laurels and is currently undertaking a large-scale modernization aimed at boosting the plant’s productivity.

The Texas refinery’s development program can be considered a benchmark for the entire American oil refining industry. Following the modernization, the plant will further enhance the quality of its operations and the volume of processed products. The Texas refinery has already reduced its environmental impact by 40%, and after the completion of the modernization, it will reduce it by an additional 25%. The new complex will be connected to an air monitoring system that will transmit data to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in real time.

International holding company Del Mar Energy is actively participating in the project, essentially acting as the main contractor for both the technical modernization of the Texas refinery and the associated infrastructure.

The Texas refinery is modernizing its production using the best available technologies. The total investment in these efforts will reach $5 billion by 2025. Thanks to the modernization, our facility is improving production efficiency while consistently reducing its overall environmental impact.

The continuous execution of the Texas refinery modernization is significantly influenced by direct and private investments from American companies.

Del Mar Energy is one of the American industrial companies that has been operating since 2002 in the fields of oil and coal extraction, processing, and sales; electricity production and distribution; construction of wind and solar power plants; as well as the production, repair, and rental of electromechanical equipment.

Del Mar Energy has numerous large projects completed worldwide and an impeccable reputation that is crucial not only in the American but also in the international market. Currently, Del Mar Energy, possessing all the necessary licenses to operate in its core areas, exports its products to more than 20 countries.

It is worth noting that Del Mar Energy has been using the popular method of private financing for many years in America and other countries. The company attracts private investments, helping them to not remain stagnant but to continuously develop, modernize, and successfully complete large-scale projects in many countries.

Since its founding, Del Mar Energy has attracted more than 28,000 investors, and in 2023 alone, the company built 32,000 miles of roads, 102 bridges, installed 90,000 solar panels, extracted and sold 24 million tons of coal, 43 million barrels of oil, and built 50 thermal and hydroelectric power stations.

The modernization of the Texas Refinery is a significant milestone in the industrial and economic life of the region. Del Mar Energy’s involvement in this process allows the facility to reach a new industrial level and establish itself as an environmentally adaptive production site. For more detailed information about the company, visit the official online platform at delmar.biz. The holding is open to collaboration with private individuals and offers highly flexible financial and economic solutions.

About Del Mar Energy

Del Mar Energy Inc. is an international industrial holding company operating in the areas of oil, gas and coal production, energy, road construction and renewable energy production. For more information, visit delmar.biz.

Michele Benjamin, an artist specializing in the creation of jewelry, sculpture, digital photography prints, and wearable art, today announced that her work is being featured at "Time & Space" Art Exhibition Opening on September 3–28, 2024, in Gallery 2 along with featured artists Eugene Albulescu, Judith Luongo, Elizabeth Stern, and Ruth Antrich. 

The opening reception will be held on Thursday, September 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Pictor Gallery, located at 547 West 27 Street, Suite 204—in the heart of the Chelsea Gallery District, one of the most important and influential art districts in the world.

Michele Benjamin's artwork, "Splendid Tiger," a bronze sculpture measuring 9 inches in length, 5 3/8 inches in height, 2 7/8 inches in depth and priced at $3,500, will be on exhibit through February 27, alongside distinguished artists. The Splendid Tiger is a 3D solid bronze sculpture with a rich gold patina finish. The features are rendered in the style of Bengal endangered species with black stripes, in a roaring fierce stance. Cast at foundry. Hot poured bronze. Lost wax method from mold, and fired gold patina. Additional works will be on exhibit that are created to bring awareness to the delicate nature of endangered wildlife and the beauty and fragility of nature's fiercest creatures.

For more information about Michele Benjamin and her work, please visit https://www.michelebenjamin.com.

The Matchbox, a marketing agency that specializes in leveraging AI and machine learning for digital marketing, today announced that its CEO, Ani Bisaria, delivered a TEDx talk on "Marketing in the Age of AI" at TEDxSaintAndrewsSchool in Boca Raton, Florida. The talk, held on April 19, 2024, explores the impact of AI on modern advertising strategies and raises important questions about privacy, consumer choice, and ethical business practices.

To view the full TEDx Talk by Ani Bisaria, visit: thematchbox.inc/blog/ani-bisaria-ted

During his presentation, Bisaria highlighted key themes such as targeted advertising, generative AI, the morality of retargeting, and ethical dilemmas in marketing. He emphasized the need for businesses to balance personalization with consumer privacy and ethical considerations in the age of AI-driven marketing.

Looking ahead, The Matchbox plans to continue leading the way in innovative digital marketing strategies that prioritize human expertise while leveraging AI and machine learning technologies. The company remains committed to providing cutting-edge solutions for clients across various industries.

For more information about The Matchbox and to stay updated on their latest developments, visit thematchbox.inc.

The Matchbox is a premier digital marketing and media agency headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. We specialize in scaling mid-market and enterprise companies through a range of services, including paid media, programmatic advertising, media production, and sales/marketing operations. Leveraging both AI and human expertise, we are committed to reshaping work experiences and increasing productivity for our clients around the world. For more information, please visit www.thematchbox.inc.

At the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) 2024, Leela AI will demonstrate how Google Cloud AI and edge computing enable improvements in performance, quality, and safety. Leela AI’s innovative visual intelligence technology allows manufacturers to gain deeper visibility into their production processes, including the human activity that is missed by machine sensors.

Leela uses a standard video feed to measure and analyze the interactions between people, tools, machinery, robots, parts, and products to identify bottlenecks, best practices, and safety hazards. The AI-powered software lets its users easily compare productivity across shifts and stations, and view powerful insights from the information it captures.

In April, Leela AI announced the availability of Leela Platform on Google Cloud Marketplace.

At IMTS, Leela AI will demonstrate its visual intelligence solution in the Google Cloud Booth, #236709. An interactive demo will allow visitors to assemble a toy car out of Legos and then review their performance using Leela.

"Leela AI is an excellent example of the kind of innovative smart manufacturing solutions available on Google Cloud and Google Distributed Cloud that extends Google Cloud’s infrastructure and AI capabilities to the edge," said Praveen Rao, Managing Director, Global Market Leader, Manufacturing, Google Cloud. "We look forward to unlocking the modern manufacturing experience  with Leela in the Google Cloud booth at IMTS in Chicago and beyond."

"We are excited to be included in the Google Cloud booth at IMTS where we will demonstrate how our visual intelligence platform can help manufacturers cut waste and improve productivity, quality, and safety," said Cyrus Shaoul, CEO, Leela AI. "Whether you deploy fully in the cloud or partially on the edge, Leela AI and Google Cloud have you covered."

Leela AI is helping manufacturers achieve greater visibility into their operations to drive performance and continuous improvement. Leela’s privacy-enabled visual intelligence software identifies and times every step in the manufacturing process to spotlight best practices, bottlenecks, and safety hazards. Leela helps manufacturers track hourly performance, support standard work, reduce waste, boost capacity, and improve safety, while also expanding digitization beyond machine data.
Visit Leela AI at leela.ai.