YEREVAN, Armenia, October 6, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- The AGBU Global Run for Camp Nairi brought together more than 1,500 participants across 22 cities and raised $500,000 to support children and families affected by war and displacement. Unibank supported the international fundraising initiative as Lead Sponsor.  

The Global Run began in Yerevan and continued around the world, with participants joining in Barcelona, London, Los Angeles, Melbourne, New York, Nice, Paris, Shanghai, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Zurich, and other cities. The inaugural initiative united Armenian communities and supporters around a shared goal. Funds raised through the Global Run will support recreational activities for campers, access to qualified mental health professionals, and the expansion of Camp Nairi’s capacity. Located in Armenia’s Lori region, Camp Nairi has served more than 4,400 children since 2021.  

“Because of partners like Unibank, children will have the opportunity to step away from the uncertainty and hardship they have experienced and enter an environment designed to restore joy, build resilience and foster a sense of belonging. What began as a summer camp has, through the generosity of our supporters, grown into a year-round model of healing and community. For many, Camp Nairi is a special place where they can simply be kids again,” said Karen Papazian, Director of Development and Outreach at AGBU.  

For Unibank, supporting the Global Run is part of a broader commitment to the communities it serves. The bank provides services to more than 30% of Armenia’s bankable population. This year, Unibank celebrates its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of growth, innovation, and trust. Over that period, it has grown into one of Armenia’s leading financial institutions, offering a comprehensive range of retail and corporate banking services, as well as Private Banking solutions. Its role extends beyond financial services — an approach reflected in its tagline “Banking and more.”

“A bank’s strength should be measured not only by its financial performance, but also by the value it creates for society. We believe we have a responsibility to invest in both the country’s economy and its communities. Supporting AGBU’s initiative reflects what ‘Banking and more’ means to us in practice: being there when our communities need us and using our reach to make a meaningful difference,”said Gagik Zakaryan, chairman of the board of Unibank.

Unibank’s commitment to creating opportunities is also reflected in its role in developing Armenia’s capital market. In 2015, it became the first bank in Armenia to conduct an IPO, giving individuals and companies the opportunity to become shareholders and participate in the bank’s growth. Since then, Unibank has conducted ten share issues. Compared with last year, its investor base has grown by 60%, reflecting broader participation in the bank’s development. 

Unibank’s shares are listed on the Armenia Stock Exchange (AMX), giving individual and institutional investors access to the bank’s equity. Since the IPO, the share price has risen by approximately 70%. Over the past three years, annual dividend yields on its shares have been in the 10–12% range. The bank’s return on equity stands at 20%, while earnings per share have doubled compared with last year. 

Alongside its financial activities, Unibank continues to support education, youth development, sports, and other socially significant initiatives in Armenia and abroad.

About Unibank

Unibank is one of Armenia’s leading technology-driven banks, committed to delivering innovative financial services that meet the evolving needs of its customers. It offers comprehensive retail and business banking services, along with Private Banking solutions tailored to high-value clients. To learn more, please visit www.unibank.am.

Media Contact

lusine.khachatryan@unibank.am
+374 10 712222

LONDON, United Kingdom, October 6, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Sends, a UK-based fintech company providing payment and financial services to individuals and businesses, announces the launch of its cooperation with UnionPay International (UPI), expanding its payment capabilities across both card issuing and acquiring.

The cooperation brings together UnionPay’s extensive global payment network and Sends’ financial infrastructure to create broader payment opportunities for consumers and businesses across markets. Sends plans to develop UnionPay card issuing, enabling customers to access UnionPay-powered payment products and use their cards across UnionPay’s global acceptance network.

At the same time, the companies are working together on UnionPay acquiring, allowing merchants within the Sends ecosystem to accept payments made with UnionPay cards. This will provide businesses with additional opportunities to serve international customers, particularly those connected to Asian markets, while expanding the range of payment methods available through Sends.

The combination of issuing and acquiring creates a two-sided payment proposition: supporting customers in making payments internationally while enabling merchants to accept UnionPay transactions through Sends’ infrastructure.

“Payments are becoming increasingly global, while customers and businesses expect the experience itself to remain simple. Our cooperation with UnionPay International is an important step in building infrastructure that connects these two realities,” said Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends. “By developing both UnionPay issuing and acquiring capabilities, we are expanding what Sends can offer on both sides of a transaction — giving our customers greater payment flexibility while helping merchants reach a broader international audience.”

The cooperation also reflects Sends’ broader strategy of developing an interconnected financial ecosystem for businesses and individuals. Rather than focusing on individual payment products, the company continues to expand infrastructure covering accounts, international transfers, foreign

Beyond its expanding card and acquiring capabilities, Sends continues to develop its ecosystem for both individuals and businesses. Recently the company launched a special offer for businesses who want to open a British account and make international payments right away. The platform brings together personal and business accounts, international payments, FX, cards and merchant solutions, while recently expanding its offering with eSIM travel data directly in the Sends app.

Sends and the company's CEO, Alona Shevtsova, also strengthened international presence and industry engagement, contributing to conversations around real-time and cross-border payments, digital wallets and the future of payment infrastructure across key markets, including the UK and the Middle East.

Explore UnionPay opportunities with Sends

Raise a ticket to discuss the opportunities with our team.

About Sends

Sends is a UK-based financial services provider and FCA-authorised Electronic Money Institution (EMI), offering secure payment solutions for individual and corporate clients. The company supports e-wallet services, electronic money issuance, and merchant acquiring, underpinned by a compliance-driven approach to growth and innovation. Sends is a trade name of SMARTFLOW PAYMENTS LIMITED, registered in England and Wales (Company No.11070048). For more information, visit sends.co.

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Sends’ partnership with UnionPay International, including the planned development and rollout of card issuing, merchant acquiring, and ecosystem features. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about future industry trends, strategic goals, and operational plans. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and regulatory approvals that may cause actual results, timelines, or product availability to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Sends undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future developments.

Media Contact

Anastasiia Pervushyna
Marketing Department, Sends
contact@sends.co
+44 1273 004434

NEW YORK, NY, October 6, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Laura Geller Beauty, the brand known for crafting makeup for mature skin, today announced the launch of its first-ever perfume. The new scent, Tuscan Sun Eau de Toilette, marks a significant expansion for the brand as its first entry into the fragrance category.

Tuscan Sun draws upon the brand’s longstanding association with Italy, where many of its products are manufactured. The fragrance is inspired by the ease, warmth, and sensory richness of Italian living, capturing a sense of la dolce vita, “the sweet life.” It opens with bright notes of Italian lemon, softening with notes of creamy florals at the heart, and settles into a warm base of amber and vanilla, all meant to evoke the feeling of golden hour in Tuscany.

“For years, people have stopped me to ask what perfume I’m wearing,” says Laura Geller, founder and makeup artist. “I finally felt called to create my own fragrance. Tuscan Sun is the scent I’ve been dreaming about for years, and I’m so excited to finally share it.”

Geller and her team spent more than a year developing the perfume, taking inspiration from her annual travels through Italy. They also turned to valued customers through several different panels, helping to refine the scent further. “It had to feel as personal as our makeup,” Geller adds.

Fragrance, Geller also notes, taps into emotions that makeup cannot reach. “I’ve spent my entire career helping women feel confident in their own skin through makeup. But confidence isn’t just about how you look, it’s how you feel. I wanted this bright and gorgeous scent to stir up feelings of relaxation and ease — exactly how you’d feel if you were on a Tuscan getaway of your own. It’s the perfect finishing touch to help my customers feel their very best.”

Even the fragrance’s bottle takes inspiration from Italian architecture. The gold-tone cap is inspired by classic Roman columns. As another thoughtful touch, the bottle has a rounded base shaped to rest comfortably in hand — a nod to the brand’s consumers who have requested more ergonomic options in the assortment.

Tuscan Sun is available in full size, travel size, and as a duo on the brand’s website, giving customers a range of ways to explore the scent.

Tuscan Sun is available now on the brand’s website laurageller.com. Watch the new campaign.

About Laura Geller Beauty

New York-based makeup artist Laura Geller launched her namesake brand in 1997 with a mission of demystifying the daily makeup routine and creating transformational products that bring joy back to beauty. The brand is a pioneer in artisan-crafted baked makeup, delivering exceptional coverage and finishes for all skin types. As the brand's foolproof, easy-to-use makeup is well-known for its remarkable ability to flatter and enhance mature skin, Laura Geller Beauty has exclusively featured women over 40 since 2021. Laura Geller Beauty products are available on QVC, LauraGeller.com, Amazon, Ulta.com, Sephora.com, Macys.com, and other select retailers. For more information, visit laurageller.com.

Media Contact

Alison Brod Marketing & Communications
laurageller@abmc-us.com

NEW YORK, NY, October 6, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Lucra, the leading social competition platform, today announced a partnership with MFL, the fantasy game built around artists instead of athletes. MFL players will be able to compete for real money in private leagues and public tournaments powered by Lucra, where permitted by law, turning the group chat debate about music into a season worth winning.

MFL takes the fantasy format that sports fans already love and runs it on the data that the music industry already produces. Players draft a roster of artists who earn points from real-world activity and scores post overnight. Players wake up to the results and set their lineup for the next day. New releases, tour dates, and more impact scores dramatically, rewarding the fans who spot the right artist at the right time. 

Under the partnership, Lucra's SDK powers the real-money layer inside MFL, giving every roster something to play for. Friends will be able to compete for cash in their own private leagues, and players looking for a bigger field can enter public tournaments for cash prizes. Free-to-play leagues will remain open to everyone, and Lucra-powered achievements will let every player unlock discounts and rewards. Lucra handles compliance, payments, fraud prevention, and settlement.

"Every league is better when it's playing for something. MFL gives music fans a scoreboard, and Lucra puts real money behind it, so a Tuesday streaming number or a surprise drop can decide who wins a game. Fantasy built around artists is a completely new format, and Alex and his team know this industry from the inside," said Dylan Robbins, CEO of Lucra.

"At Apple and Amazon, we built systems to amplify the music industry's daily and weekly activity. Now with AI, the data generated by that activity can power a fantasy game, and a new way for fans to engage. Add in real-money leagues and it gives fans one more reason to check in every day. Lucra, as a proven winning platform for payment and compliance infrastructure, is a perfect partner for us in this journey," said Alex Luke, CEO of MFL.

Lucra will be live inside MFL from day one, with real-money leagues and tournaments available at the app’s public launch. Fans can sign up for early access at joinmfl.com.

About Lucra

Lucra powers competitive loyalty through a plug-and-play SDK, which integrates into apps or websites and enables tournaments, mini-games, and peer-vs-peer competitions, with real-money or rewards. It handles compliance, payments, fraud prevention, and settlement out of the box, so partners can instantly offer gamified experiences without building or managing complex infrastructure themselves. Top entertainment, hospitality, and consumer brands, including Five Iron Golf, Backyard Sports, ChessKings, TouchTunes, and more, use Lucra's white-label technology to power tournaments and challenges, build loyalty, and drive new revenue. Learn more at playlucra.com.

About MFL

MFL is fantasy sports for music. Built on the real-world data the music industry already produces, MFL lets fans draft a roster of artists, compete in head-to-head leagues, and earn daily scores based on how those artists actually perform. MFL was founded by CEO Alex Luke, a music and technology executive who helped shape the modern music business through leadership roles at Apple Music, Amazon Music, Capitol Records, Napster and SiriusXM. He is joined by co-founders Gregory Butler, who leads operations, and David Jarrett, who leads technology. For more information, visit joinmfl.com.

Disclaimer

Real-money leagues and cash tournaments offered via Lucra's integration within MFL are subject to local laws and regulations. Must be 18 years of age or older (19+ or 21+ in select jurisdictions) and physically located in an eligible state or territory to participate in cash contests. Void where prohibited by law. Real-money participation involves financial risk; play responsibly. Free-to-play options are available to all users.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning planned product features, software integrations, and launch timelines for Lucra and MFL. These statements are based on current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or availability to differ materially. Neither party undertakes any obligation to update these statements after the date of release.

Media Contact

press@playlucra.com

TOKYO, Japan, October 6, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Pearce Inagaki Legal Advisory LLC today published its 2026-2027 Japan Market Entry Roadmap, a plain-language guide for foreign founders, investors, and executives who start a business in Japan or acquire Japanese real property, together with the Japan Enterprise GTM Guide.

The publication coincides with two filing rules taking effect within five days. On Oct. 1, 2026, revised Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence took effect, hardening the income requirement immediately. On Oct. 5, 2026, a Ministry of Justice ordinance amending the Real Property Registration Rules (promulgated March 31, 2026) takes effect, adding nationality information to the registry search-information record when ownership of real property is newly registered.

A third change took effect Oct. 1, 2026. The fee for permanent-residence permission rose from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen, and fees for permission to change or extend a status of residence now scale with the period granted, from 33,000 yen for one year to 75,000 yen for five years or longer. The new amounts apply to applications filed on or after Oct. 1, 2026; applications filed on or before Sept. 30, 2026 pay the previous amounts.

Three Changes in Twelve Months

On Oct. 16, 2025, the minimum paid-in capital for the Business Manager visa rose from 5 million yen to 30 million yen, a sixfold increase. The reform added requirements for at least one full-time employee in addition to the applicant, three years of management or executive experience or a relevant advanced degree, Japanese-language ability at CEFR B2 level (JLPT N2 or BJT 400 acceptable, met by the applicant or a full-time employee), and certification of the business plan by a small and medium enterprise management consultant, certified public accountant, or tax accountant. A transition period for existing holders runs to Oct. 16, 2028.

The Oct. 1 Permanent-Residence Revision

The revised guidelines set explicit benchmarks for the first time:

• Household income: In principle, the applicant's household income must continuously exceed the average income of a Japanese household of the same size.
• Public pension: The applicant's estimated future pension entitlement is a new consideration.
• Japanese language: B1-equivalent ability under the Framework of Reference for Japanese Language Education, with exemptions that include highly skilled foreign professionals and their family members, applicants with six or more years of primary or secondary education in Japan, and children of permanent residents in defined cases.
• Obligations: Compliance with notification duties and proper payment of taxes, public pension, and public health insurance.
• Residence history: In principle, 10 or more continuous years in Japan, five of them under a work or residence status, and currently holding the maximum period of stay available for that status.

On timing: The revised guideline applies to applications filed on or after April 1, 2027. Its income requirement applies from the revision date to applications filed on or after Oct. 1, 2026. Separately, the guideline for permanent residence for persons recognized as contributing to Japan is abolished March 31, 2027.

These rules govern permanent residence. They do not change the Business Manager visa or the incorporation route a founder uses to enter Japan.

The Oct. 5 Property-Registration Rule

• It applies to natural persons who become the registered owner through a preservation, transfer, or correction registration and who are the applicant — Japanese and non-Japanese alike.
• Nationality is not printed on the registry certificate. It is recorded in a separate internal search-information management file to establish the actual state of foreign-held real property and to support mandatory inheritance registration.
• It creates no general restriction on foreign ownership of real property; sector- and area-specific regimes apply separately.
• Owners already registered have no new obligation; they may file the information voluntarily.
• The former requirement that a filer hold a domestic address has been removed, so owners resident abroad are covered.
• Corporations are outside this rule; they fall under separate regimes such as the Act on Special Measures concerning the Review of the Use of Land and the National Land Use Planning Act.

Incorporation and Entry: The Routes That Remain Open

A Japanese company can be incorporated with as little as 1 yen in capital, and since 2015 the representative director has not been required to reside in Japan. What a founder needs in practice is a registered address, a registry filing, and a bank relationship. Venture-backed startups typically capitalize at 10-50 million yen, and 15 million yen or more is often read by banks and business partners as a credibility signal.

Three routes remain open: registration-only incorporation with no residency at entry; the Startup Visa, granted as "Designated Activities" through participating municipalities, which allows up to two years in Japan to prepare a business before switching to the Business Manager status; and the Business Manager visa under its Oct. 2025 rules. The 30 million yen threshold is a residency threshold, not an incorporation threshold.

Inward Investment

Inward foreign direct investment in Japan reached a record 61.2 trillion yen at the end of 2025, a primary estimate, up 14.8% from 53.3 trillion yen a year earlier. At the end of 2024, the largest investor country was the United States at 10.6 trillion yen, or 20.0% of the total.

What the Guides Cover

The Roadmap sets out five tracks: a comparison of the three entry routes, including the capital, staffing, experience, and language rules that changed in Oct. 2025; an incorporation playbook covering the kabushiki kaisha and godo kaisha, registered-address options, registry filing, and bank preparation; a line-item cost model from the 1 yen statutory minimum to the professional and recurring costs founders face; a real-property track on how non-residents buy, hold, and register Japanese property, including the Oct. 5 disclosure step; and a go-to-market track. The Japan Enterprise GTM Guide covers the commercial side of the same journey for founders and investors who are past the filing stage and focused on customers, partners, and revenue.

The 2026-2027 Japan Market Entry Roadmap and Japan Enterprise GTM Guide are now available on its website.

Firm Comment

"Japan is screening for substance and long-term contribution. That is a different thing from closing the door," said a spokesperson for Pearce Inagaki Legal Advisory LLC. "The sequencing of entity, capital, banking, and residency now decides who gets in and who stalls."

About Pearce Inagaki Legal Advisory LLC

Pearce Inagaki provides Japan business, real estate, and market-entry advisory for global leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs seeking to establish or expand operations in Japan. Its services include company incorporation, full business setup, real estate acquisition support, due diligence, title registration, and go-to-market (GTM) advisory, all delivered through a fully bilingual English and Japanese practice. The firm is led by a licensed Japanese judicial scrivener with more than 40 years of corporate and real estate experience, alongside a senior team with backgrounds in global tech, software-as-a-service (SaaS), capital markets, and fund management. Learn more at pearce-inagaki.com.

Media Contact

Shihoko Pearce
Managing Partner, Pearce Inagaki Legal Advisory LLC
info@pearceinagaki.com

NEW YORK, NY, October 6, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Barometer, an AI contextual brand suitability platform, today announced that its targeting and brand safety segments are now available within Amazon Ads DVA+ for podcast campaigns. At launch, this integration enables Amazon Ads advertisers to leverage Barometer’s trusted third-party, podcast episode-level targeting and suitability ratings to safely buy podcasts across Amazon Ads, SiriusXM Media, Spotify, and iHeartMedia, as well as Triton, AdsWizz, and Magnite Supply Side Platforms (SSPs).

Through the Barometer integration, advertisers using Amazon Ads DVA+ can activate Barometer's pre-bid brand suitability, enabling third-party verification to ensure that every podcast episode meets advertiser brand guidelines without sacrificing audience scale. It has become a standard for advertisers to require third-party verification solutions to ensure consistency across their campaigns. 

This integration brings Barometer's best-in-class pre-bid targeting solutions to Amazon Ads, starting with podcast audio in this initial launch and expanding to cover other types of content, including video in 2026. At launch, Barometer will support all on-demand audio inventory available within Amazon DVA+, including the Amazon-owned and operated audio content, as well as the notable third-party partnerships that have already launched on Amazon DVA+, including SiriusXM, Spotify, Amazon, and iHeartMedia.

Barometer’s AI solutions have opened up access to new shows for advertisers and marketers, leading to increased scale and reach. A financial services brand started out leveraging a podcast show inclusion list only. When they switched to episode-level targeting, the brand was able to scale the number of podcast shows by over 140%, expanding to marketing across 2,000 shows. In another example, an advertiser who had never tried programmatic podcast advertising due to brand suitability concerns was able to use Barometer’s episodic targeting to advertise within 2,700 shows and reach over 5MM new households, achieving over 85% incremental reach compared to streaming video and streaming audio.

“It is thrilling to think of the impact that this integration will have on both the advertisers leveraging Amazon DVA+ and the publishers representing the premium media commanding the world’s attention. Working with leaders across the Amazon DVA+ team has been a joy, and we are excited to bring Barometer into Amazon DVA+,” said Tamara Zubatiy, founder and CEO of Barometer.

“Podcasts let brands show up in moments when listeners are highly engaged, but programmatic scale has often been limited by a lack of reliable brand-suitability controls,” said Lauren Russo, EVP, Managing Partner, Innovation & Performance Audio at Horizon Media. “By bringing Barometer’s episode-level suitability into Amazon DVA+, we can align buys to clear brand standards while tapping premium podcast supply — making it easier to scale with confidence.”

To learn more about how you can begin leveraging these tools in your next campaign, please reach out to meredith@thebarometer.co.

About Barometer

Barometer is the premier, third-party, AI-powered contextual engine with best-in-class brand suitability and contextual targeting solutions for premium and emerging media channels. They help the largest brands in the world responsibly activate at scale in impactful channels like podcasts, creator-led video, and generative AI. For more information, visit app.thebarometer.co.

Media Contact

Ella Reznick
Barometer
press@thebarometer.co

CHARLESTON, SC, October 5, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Palmetto Commercial Properties, LLC is proud to announce the promotion of Chase A. Limehouse, CCIM, to Vice President.

Since joining Palmetto, Chase has consistently excelled in every aspect of commercial real estate, with a particular passion and expertise in land sales. His extensive knowledge of land — its value, terrain, timber, and unique characteristics — combined with his genuine love for the outdoors, gives his clients an exceptional advantage. Whether he is evaluating a property or walking it with a client, Chase’s understanding of the land is second to none.

As his career has grown, so has his impact on our team. Chase has become a trusted mentor to our younger brokers, generously sharing his knowledge and passion for the business. Outside of real estate, he is a devoted family man, an active member of the Daniel Island Rotary Club, and an avid outdoorsman.

Congratulations, Chase, on this well-deserved promotion!

Media Contact

Palmetto Commercial Properties
william.allen@pcpsc.com

LOS ANGELES, CA, October 5, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- NeedTags, an authorized California DMV partner, is highlighting its Permanent Fleet Registration services for small businesses adding vehicles to their operations, a transaction category that grows more common as light-duty commercial vehicle demand rises nationally.

Overall U.S. commercial vehicle registrations fell 1% in 2025, according to Mobility Global, driven largely by a pullback in heavy tractor-truck purchases. Class 2 and 3 vehicles, the cargo vans and pickups typically bought by small delivery, courier, and trade businesses, continued to grow even as the broader market cooled, the firm's analysis found. For a small operator adding a second or third vehicle, that growth often means a first encounter with fleet-specific registration paperwork.

NeedTags processes new vehicle registrations, registered and legal owner transfers, registrations for vehicles carrying a Manufacturer Statement of Origin or an out-of-state title, and additions to Permanent Fleet Registration for operators expanding beyond a single vehicle. As an authorized DMV partner, the company handles these transactions on the department's behalf, operating alongside California's network of roughly 170 DMV field offices rather than in place of it.

"That's not nearly enough," said Eddy Asmerian, founder of NeedTags, referring to the ratio of the state's roughly 170 DMV field offices to its 16 million registered vehicle owners. The DMV has moved many routine services online and to self-service kiosks, giving owners more ways to handle registration without waiting in a field office line. Renewing on the DMV website still comes with a wait, though: the new registration card and sticker arrive by mail within two weeks. NeedTags customers can download their registration e-card the moment they renew, and choose shipping as fast as next-day. Owners who buy a vehicle can also change ownership through the company's expedited online title transfer. For a small business, that turnaround can put a vehicle back on the road days sooner than waiting on the mail.

Small businesses that move from one vehicle to several often discover the fleet registration category only once they are already partway through adding a vehicle, without a clear sense of which paperwork now applies to the business as a whole rather than to a single truck. NeedTags positions its fleet registration service around that transition point, aiming to keep additional vehicles road-legal without pulling an owner-operator or driver off a route to manage the paperwork in person.

Fleet registration completed directly through the DMV carries no separate service fee, and NeedTags frames its value around time rather than cost: handling the transaction so a small business owner does not lose a working vehicle, or a working day, to an in-person visit while a fleet is added to an existing registration.

NeedTags operates from North Hollywood, California, and serves small business owners and fleet operators across the state.

About NeedTags

NeedTags (OL No. 89953) is an authorized California DMV partner based in North Hollywood, offering new vehicle registration, owner transfers, out-of-state title processing, and fleet registration services. For more information, visit www.needtags.com.

Media Contact

media@needtags.com

BEIJING, China, October 5, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Jetour launched its 2027 G700 hybrid off-road SUV in China on Tuesday and said deliveries of the Ark Edition had begun. The company also highlighted amphibious technology fitted to the separate Ark Edition.

The launch brings updates to the G700’s exterior, cabin, and driver-assistance systems. According to the specifications released at the launch, the model is based on Jetour’s GAIA vehicle architecture and comes in five trim levels, with five-seat and six-seat configurations.

The vehicle uses Huawei’s Qiankun ADS 5 driver-assistance system, together with its own cabin system and functions based on large AI models. Its off-road equipment includes an “18+X” system and “Conquest Mode” for conditions such as deep snow, sand, rocks, and mud. Three differential locks are standard across the range.

Other off-road features include rollover suppression and a maximum wading depth of 900 mm. That wading specification is distinct from the amphibious technology it described for the Ark Edition.

The hybrid powertrain combines a 2.0TD engine with a longitudinally mounted 2DHT transmission and P3 and P4 electric motors. Published performance figures include a combined range of 1,200 km, a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 4.8 seconds and peak engine thermal efficiency of 45.95%.

The hydroformed ladder frame has torsional stiffness of 10,000 newton-metres per degree, while the passenger compartment frame, made entirely of hot-formed steel, has torsional stiffness of 22,300 newton-metres per degree. The vehicle also has CDC damping and air suspension, with a height adjustment range of -50 mm to +90 mm.

The GAIA architecture incorporates the Kunpeng Super Hybrid CDM-O system, the hydroformed frame, intelligent differential locks, and XWD-S all-wheel drive.

Exterior changes include a new grille and body-coloured wheel arches. Five paint options are available — Kunlun Grey, Motuo Black, Everest White, Qiangtang Silver, and Gaoligong Green — and features 20-inch wheels. Cabin equipment includes Nappa leather seats with ventilation, heating, massage and active side bolsters, second-row seats marketed as “zero-gravity," a Lexicon 20-speaker sound system, and 64-colour ambient lighting.

Jetour said the Ark Edition’s amphibious technology had undergone testing that included a Yangtze River crossing and rescue operations on the Min River. At the launch, the company presented “Emergency Navigation Experience” certificates to the first group of Ark Edition owners. It described the land-and-water capability as intended to support emergency response.

Company figures show that Jetour, established in 2018, had cumulative global sales exceeding 2.51 million vehicles by the end of August 2026. It operates in more than 100 countries and regions, with more than 2,000 sales and service outlets. Its “1+7+N” research and development network covers Europe, the Middle East, ASEAN, and Central and South America, and it held more than 2,100 granted patents at the end of 2025. It has 12 overseas manufacturing bases across Asia, Africa, and Central Asia, and plans to increase that number to 19 by 2030, with annual overseas capacity exceeding 600,000 vehicles.

In its figures for the period, Jetour ranked first in the overall automotive markets of Angola, Myanmar, and Jamaica in the second quarter of 2026, and was among the top five in 10 markets, including Qatar, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. The same figures put it in first place among SUV brands in Angola, Myanmar, Jamaica, and Egypt; among Chinese SUV brands in 11 markets, including Qatar, the UAE, and Egypt; and in the boxy SUV segment in nine markets, including Chile, Egypt, South Africa, Morocco, and Peru.

About Jetour

Launched in January 2018, Jetour is an emerging Chinese automotive brand in response to market trends and consumer demands. Jetour remains focused on its core off-road positioning and aims to become the world-leader in off-road travel. 4+6 Global R&D Institutes, Leading R&D capabilities have forged the global quality of Jetour products. Global Certified Verification Tested In Over 100+ Countries. For more information, visit jetourglobal.com.

Media Contact

Zhang
joannazhang@mychery.com

LONDON, United Kingdom, October 5, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Every unanswered phone call is a small business that has already lost, whether the business owner realises it or not. Consumer surveys indicate that 80% to 86% of callers hang up immediately upon hitting voicemail rather than leaving a message, and roughly 82% immediately dial a competitor. That is the wager behind bOnline's newest product: an AI receptionist that never lets the phone ring out.  

London-based bOnline, the VoIP and communications provider used by roughly 50,000 UK small and growing businesses, will launch an AI Receptionist in October, giving business owners a round-the-clock virtual front desk that can answer calls, capture caller details, route enquiries and escalate to a human whenever needed.

The launch lands at a pointed moment for Britain's small business sector. BT and other network operators are working towards switching off the UK's old analogue telephone lines by the end of January 2027, a deadline that has left large numbers of sole traders and micro-businesses facing an unfamiliar, and for many unwelcome, digital transition. bOnline has positioned itself as the company helping them make that switch without needing an IT department.

“The real opportunity is using AI to make people more productive, not to replace them,” said Anthony Karibian, founder and chief executive of bOnline. “We are building our own business around AI with humans in the loop, and it is exactly how we are building products faster and better for our customers.”

The AI Receptionist follows bOnline's AI for Business Calls feature, priced at £19.95 a month and bundled with an unlimited-calling VoIP line. That product transcribes and summarises every call automatically, surfacing follow-up actions and sentiment scores so business owners no longer need to take notes while they are meant to be listening. Roughly one in two new bOnline customers are now choosing to add its AI features, a take-up rate Karibian described as “incredibly encouraging.”

Karibian argues the technology should widen the gap between bOnline and competitors on service, not narrow it. bOnline says it has collected more than 20,000 five-star customer reviews and describes itself as the UK's most awarded VoIP provider for small and growing businesses. “AI should not become a barrier between businesses and their customers,” Karibian said. “It should remove friction while making the human experience even better.”

Industry data has long shown that small businesses adopt new technology more slowly than large enterprises, held back by cost, complexity and a lack of in-house technical staff. bOnline's bet is that AI tools built specifically for that market, rather than adapted down from enterprise software, can close the gap. “Our role is to make AI incredibly easy to use, affordable and genuinely useful,” Karibian said, “not something that requires technical expertise or enterprise budgets.”

Karibian is not a first-time founder. He co-founded Euroffice, an online office supplies retailer, before starting XLN Telecom in 2003, a telecoms reseller that grew to around 130,000 small business customers and roughly £60 million in revenue before its sale to private equity firm ECI. bOnline, launched in 2016, is his third venture aimed squarely at Britain's small business owners, and by his own account, the mission across all three has not changed.

It is a wager that the phone call, the oldest channel in business communications, still has room to be reinvented as Voice AI. If bOnline is right, the ring the business owner used to dread missing will simply never go unanswered again.

Media Contact

Anthony Burr
Burr Media
anthony@burrmedia.co.uk

LAS VEGAS, NV, October 5, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Botanic Tonics, the leader in kava-centric botanical supplements, today announced the launch of feel free Kava, a new noble kava tonic shot designed to give consumers more ways to personalize their kava experience. The company will debut feel free Kava alongside two functional stick packs — feel free Focused Energy and Sleep — at the 2026 NACS Show, taking place Oct. 7 to 9 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The new offerings will begin launching nationwide in 2027.

More Ways to Experience Noble Kava Root

feel free Kava joins Botanic Tonics’ successful portfolio of kava-centric products: its flagship tonic feel free CLASSIC, feel free KavaMaté, and feel free capsules. All feel free products contain no synthetic active ingredients and no chemical extracts.

Ceremonially cherished throughout Pacific Island cultures for more than 3,000 years, noble kava root is traditionally associated with calm, relaxation, and social connection. As interest in mood enhancement supplements grows, consumers are seeking more ways to incorporate kava into their routines. Whether unwinding after a busy day or spending time with friends, feel free Kava offers moments of calm and connection.

Consumers and retailers have been asking for more ways to experience kava’s benefits across different occasions. Made with the same noble kava root found in feel free KavaMaté, feel free Kava and the new functional stick packs answer the call. The experience begins with feel free Kava: pair the tonic with the new functional stick packs to get the benefit you need, when you need it.

With extensive experience in bringing kava-centric products to market, Botanic Tonics oversees the journey from its vertically integrated supply chain in Vanuatu through production at its FDA-registered, cGMP-certified facility in Oklahoma. This farm-to-bottle expertise enables Botanic Tonics to deliver a consistently high-quality kava experience in a convenient, modern format.

Personalize Your feel free Experience
feel free Kava provides a foundation of noble kava root, with the functional stick packs offering consumers the flexibility to choose an experience for their occasion:

• feel free Focused Energy, featuring lion’s mane, L-theanine, and green tea caffeine
• feel free Sleep, featuring magnesium bisglycinate, ashwagandha, and tart cherry

“Kava is at the center of everything we do at Botanic Tonics. From our flagship feel free CLASSIC tonic to KavaMaté and now feel free Kava, we’re giving consumers more ways to enjoy noble kava root and personalize their experience,” said Cameron Korehbandi, CEO of Botanic Tonics. “There’s a reason why we’re the No. 1 best-selling kava brand in the U.S. Our deep experience in sourcing, formulating, and manufacturing allows us to deliver a consistently high-quality experience in formats that fit today’s consumer needs.”

Experience the New Portfolio at NACS

NACS Show attendees can preview the new feel free products and meet with the Botanic Tonics team at booth C3880.

The Botanic Tonics Difference

All feel free products contain no synthetic active ingredients, no chemical extracts, and are manufactured in the U.S. at an FDA-registered, cGMP-certified, and Kosher-certified facility and undergo multiple quality and safety tests for consistency and compliance. Botanic Tonics continues to lead the energy and supplement category in education and transparency through extensive consumer education.

About Botanic Tonics

Botanic Tonics is the leader in botanical supplements. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, the company's feel free® product line harnesses the wisdom of ancient botanical traditions to support energy, focus, and mood. Its flagship product, feel free CLASSIC®, combines noble kava root and natural kratom leaf, in a formulation that contains no synthetic ingredients, alcohol, or chemical extracts and is for responsible consumption, adults 21+. Its KavaMaté product delivers botanical pairings that provide sustained, grounded energy without the jitters associated with artificial energy drinks. With hundreds of millions of servings sold, feel free CLASSIC® is produced in accordance with strict manufacturing and quality standards, supported by independent batch testing and peer-reviewed research. Botanic Tonics’ products are manufactured in an FDA-registered, cGMP-certified facility and undergo multiple tests for consistency and safety. Botanic Tonics continues to lead the energy and supplement category in education and transparency through extensive consumer education. Learn more at botanictonics.com.

Disclaimer

The statements in this press release have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The products referenced are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This announcement is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Warning & Caution

feel free CLASSIC can be habit-forming. Consume responsibly. For adults 21 years of age and older only. Do not exceed 1 serving (1/2 bottle) at any one time, and do not exceed 2 servings (1 bottle) in a 24-hour period.

feel free CLASSIC contains kratom leaf which, like nicotine and alcohol, can become habit-forming and harmful to your health if consumed irresponsibly. DO NOT USE if you have a history of substance abuse.

May interact with certain medications — consult a licensed, qualified healthcare professional before use. Do not consume with excessive alcohol. Not intended for individuals sensitive to active ingredients or women who are pregnant, nursing, or trying to become pregnant. For more information, visit the Botanic Tonics Consumer Education page.

Media Contact

media@botanictonics.com

NEW YORK, NY, October 5, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Zebra Dolphin, a new online market for discovering mood-lifting products, today announced the AI-Robot Apocalypse Survival Kit. The limited-edition Mood Box is designed to preserve the demanding, awkward and gloriously inefficient rituals that make us human, even as artificial intelligence promises to optimize them out of existence. The kit includes hemp-derived THC and nicotine products and is sold only to adults 21 and older.

The AI-Robot Apocalypse Survival Kit imagines a future in which the AI-robots won, not by becoming evil, but by becoming almost intolerably helpful. They finished the spreadsheet, cooked the meals, answered emails and removed every inconvenient decision from daily life. The AI-robots were so nice. It was horrible.

Early access to the AI-Robot Apocalypse Survival Kit goes to the Zebra Dolphin Lab Rats, a by-application group of people eager to try unfamiliar products, report back and help shape what comes next. Applications are now open for Zebra Dolphin Lab Rats.

“Everyone is worried about AI killing us all — 10% chance, they say,” said Griša Soba, co-founder of Flaviar and Head Dolphin at Zebra Dolphin. “What worries me more is what's already happening. We track our sleep, count our steps, and feel guilty about the second cocktail before dinner. Now AI is making everything else efficient too. Even art is turning into 'prompting.' But the things that make us human are messy, irrational and full of friction. Take that away and there's not much left.” Then he added, laughing: “So we curated a box of legal mood-lifters for that.”

Smart Stacks & Mood Rituals for the Human Resistance

Zebra Dolphin is a friendly online retailer of legal mood-lifting products, bringing order to fragmented categories where fast-expanding product offerings, inconsistent claims and uneven regulation make experimentation unnecessarily confusing. The Zebra Dolphin team sources, vets and personally tests every product. Every hemp-derived product is third-party lab tested, with certificates of analysis available at included products websites. The ones that make the cut become part of Smart Stacks, Zebra Dolphin's way of combining the right products for a specific mood ritual, like a focused workday, a night out, or unwinding at the end of a long workday. Each stack comes with simple guidance on what to try, how much, in what order and when, all personally vetted by the Zebra Dolphin team. It beats the usual kitchen-sink approach: trying a few unfamiliar things all at once and hoping it all works out.

The AI-Robot Apocalypse Survival Kit features Smart Stacks including more than 20 carefully chosen mood-lifting products organized into Mood Rituals for outwitting those oh-so-annoyingly helpful robots:

• Lock-In: Three sessions helping users focus and just get stuff done. Perfect for working on the startup you're building in secret, working on the spreadsheet the AI-robots already finished, and luxuriating in the ancient feeling of a looming deadline.
• Wind-Down: Two sessions making it easy for users to turn off their brains, decompress and de-charge. Wonderful for appearing relaxed while the AI-robots watch your every move.
• Socializing: Two sessions for preserving old-fashioned human customs such as parties, crowded dinners and conversations with flawed, awkward people who interrupt one another, unlike the AI-robots (such wonderful conversationalists).
• The Real Thang: Two sessions themed for intimate connection with another real human. For turning on with people who don't require batteries or chargers.

Smart Stacks include more than $130 of products such as Nama Boost Mushroom Gummies, NeuroGum Energy & Focus Gum, kava shots, Kin Euphorics, Zebra Dolphin hemp gummies, which contain 10mg of D9 THC per gummy, a quarter of the gummy per use is recommended, along with Velo pouches, Cannadips pouches, and more. The survival kit also includes a dedicated digital experience that expands the story and explains the products and rituals behind the stacks. Additionally, Survival Kit holders can choose one piece of Zebra Dolphin apparel as their uniform (only humans will wear clothes, we think).

Meet the Zebra Dolphin Lab Rats

To lead the charge against our dangerously kind robot overlords, Zebra Dolphin is building a real-world human resistance: the Zebra Dolphin Lab Rats, a limited-access testing member community whose mission is to try unfamiliar products, report back and help decide which products, stacks and experiments deserve inclusion in the resistance.

“Sure, we could keep trying everything ourselves and decide in a conference room what should work for everyone,” Soba explained. “But that is how people end up with a box full of twelve half-used bottles and no idea what goes with what. That will not hold up against an AI-powered enemy armed with infinite kindness, perfect recall and an optimized morning routine. Also, we don't have a conference room. If unpaid consulting for a legal mood retailer sounds better than whatever you do after work, apply today.”

The AI-Robot Apocalypse Survival Kit will launch October 1 in limited quantities, with the first purchase window reserved for accepted Zebra Dolphin Lab Rats. Zebra Dolphin’s offerings were chosen in line with the latest regulatory framework per category, should any product become uncompliant due to due regulatory changes, it will be substituted by a compliant product that offers the next best similar effect at a comparable value to the customer. The price of survival is $99 for Lab Rats and $119 for everyone else. The robots will offer you everything for free. That's how they get you.

About Zebra Dolphin

Zebra Dolphin is a Flaviar-backed marketplace that turns the moods, pressures and absurdities of modern life into entertaining, limited-edition product experiences. Through curated Mood Boxes, guided Smart Stacks and its Lab Rats community, Zebra Dolphin brings together functional beverages, supplements, nootropics, alcohol alternatives and other emerging products around how people want to feel, not ingredients they cannot pronounce. Each drop is designed to make unfamiliar products easier to understand, explore and judge without requiring a chemistry degree or a personality organized around wellness. Learn more at zebradolphin.com.

Disclaimer

Products featured in the AI-Robot Apocalypse Survival Kit — including Delta-9 THC, nicotine pouches, kava, and functional nootropics — are intended strictly for adults aged 21 and older, and statements regarding these products, Smart Stacks, and Mood Rituals have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nor are they intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice; consumers should consult a qualified healthcare professional before use — especially if pregnant, nursing, taking prescription medications, or managing underlying health conditions — and should never drive or operate heavy machinery while under the influence. Zebra Dolphin acts solely as a product curator, and buyers assume full responsibility for complying with local age and legal restrictions regarding third-party bio-active consumables.

Media Contact

Curich Weiss Amplify
zebradolphin@curichweiss.com

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, October 5, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Every major platform shift settles an ownership question. The web settled domains. Mobile settled the app store. Sandy Carter, who was named CEO of EQUS in August after senior leadership roles at IBM and AWS, thinks the AI era is settling into a harder one: who owns the digital self.

EQUS puts a product behind that argument. EQUS X is a personal AI that runs on data the customer owns. It reads from a Private Data Store the customer holds, file by file, with the ability to switch any file off at any time. What it learns stays in that store rather than on a model provider's servers. A Daily Brief pulls together plans, open items, and conflicts for the day ahead from the files the customer has allowed and the accounts they have connected.

The distinction Carter draws is architectural, not promotional. Most AI products ingest a copy of a customer's information into a profile the vendor holds. Revoking access to that profile is a deletion request filed against a company that already has the data. Because EQUS X reads from the customer's own store, turning off a file ends the access at the moment the switch flips.

"Nearly every AI on the market asks you to trade ownership for convenience. We think that trade is unnecessary and, frankly, temporary," Carter said. "We built EQUS X so customers can decide what it knows, one item at a time, and change it whenever they want. Your data is not our business."

The architecture is not new work. It comes from years of EQUS’ work building in self-sovereign identity, backed by 14 granted and 9 pending patents, three of which cover the Private Data Store itself.

The timing tracks with the public sentiment on AI. Pew Research Center found that nearly half of U.S. adults, 49%, now use AI chatbots. A quarter of them check in daily. In the same Pew Research survey, 71% of U.S. adults said they think wider AI use will make their personal information less secure.

Carter frames four tests for whether someone actually owns their data: can they see what has been collected, decide who uses it and for what, take it with them, and withdraw permission. Those tests get sharper as AI stops answering questions and starts acting, because the data behind an action shapes decisions and transactions rather than just recommendations.

"The mission and vision of EQUS X pulled me in. It is built with trust in its DNA," said David Armano, former Global Strategy Director at Edelman. "Governance becomes visible and personal instead of buried in a policy document nobody reads. Trustworthy AI is not a feature you announce. It is an architecture you commit to."

EQUS X ships free for the first 90 days at equs.ai.

Alongside it, EQUS is releasing a private, invitation-only beta of its Developer Toolkit built on W3C Verifiable Credentials and Decentralized Identifiers, so third-party developers can build against a customer-owned data layer, and agents can prove who they are acting for before touching anything.

About EQUS

EQUS is building toward a future where identity and reputation belong to the person that earned them, not the platform, and where AI works on their behalf instead of someone else's. The company is developing consumer and enterprise capabilities around personal AI, portable data, verifiable credentials, and trusted agentic action, all built on one premise: the layer between a person and an AI model should belong to the individual.

Media Contact

prforequs@bospar.com

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, October 5, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Buzz & Beyond, the Seoul-based artificial intelligence company behind video understanding AI platform vling, has signed its first U.S. commercial data agreement with a Silicon Valley-based analytics firm as it moves to establish a foothold in the U.S. market.

The deal comes ahead of the company's appearance at TechCrunch Disrupt, where Buzz & Beyond was selected for Startup Battlefield 200, the conference's cohort of early-stage companies selected from thousands of global applicants.

Buzz & Beyond has also signed non-disclosure agreements with four U.S. companies as it explores potential sales and operational collaborations in the North American market.

vling uses multimodal artificial intelligence to analyze social video content across YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, including visual, audio and contextual signals, and turn that content into structured business intelligence. Brands, media buyers and influencer marketing agencies use the platform to monitor brand mentions and sentiment, analyze advertising placements and identify creators with strong brand affinity.

“We built and proved this model in Korea, and now we are bringing it to the U.S.,” said Charley Shim, founder and CEO of Buzz & Beyond. Shim previously co-founded a mobile gaming startup that went public in South Korea.

Buzz & Beyond said more than 2,000 businesses in Korea, from large enterprises to SMBs, have paid for its services over the past three years, with revenue roughly doubling annually during that period.

The company is expanding its U.S. operations as demand grows for tools that can analyze what is being said about brands across social video. Unlike traditional keyword-based monitoring, vling analyzes the content inside videos to identify when and how brands appear and the context in which they are discussed.

Buzz & Beyond plans to use TechCrunch Disrupt to introduce vling to U.S. brands, agencies and technology partners and expand its customer and partnership pipeline in North America.

Brands and agencies interested in exploring vling's social video intelligence capabilities can learn more and apply for a 30-day free pilot.

TechCrunch Disrupt is scheduled for Oct. 13-15 in San Francisco.

About Buzz & Beyond

Buzz & Beyond is a Seoul-based AI company that develops vling, a video understanding AI platform for brands. vling analyzes video, audio and contextual signals across social video to help businesses monitor brand mentions and sentiment, analyze ad placements and identify creators with strong brand affinity. More than 2,000 businesses in Korea, from large enterprises to SMBs, have paid for its services over the past three years.

Media Contact

Charley Shim
CEO, Buzz & Beyond
charley@bzznbyd.com

SÃO PAULO, Brazil, October 5, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Following the expanded commercial availability of its autonomous field robot, Solix, agricultural technology company Solinftec is calling for a fundamental shift in how artificial intelligence is deployed on farms. The company argues that to meet the growing pressures of labor shortages, chemical reduction mandates, and yield demands, the agricultural sector should move away from reactive machine interventions and adopt "physical AI" that functions as permanent farm infrastructure.

Backed by more than a decade of data processing and artificial intelligence development, Solinftec is leveraging the commercial rollout of Solix to highlight a structural flaw in modern farming: the industry still operates reactively. Most agronomic decisions are made only after a problem becomes visible or a machine makes a periodic pass through the field.

“We don’t just launch products. We introduce new concepts that reshape how we think about agriculture, then build the technology to make those ideas real,” said Léo Carvalho, Chief Global Strategy Officer of Solinftec.

Physical AI: Living in the Field 

Traditional agricultural technology collects data during isolated visits to a field, often taking days to translate into action. Solinftec argues the industry no longer needs more fragmented technology; it needs a different operating model.

The commercially available Solix robot is solar-powered and completely autonomous, designed to remain in the field rather than returning to a shed each night. It reads the crop plant by plant, treating weeds individually in a single pass without an onboard operator or remote steering. Because field conditions shift daily, Solix provides continuous observation and real-time intervention.

Solinftec categorizes this closed cycle of observing, deciding, acting, and learning as "physical AI." Unlike software that merely analyzes information on a dashboard, physical AI becomes an active, permanent part of the farm’s infrastructure.

Freedom per Acre 

The engineering behind Solix rests on the philosophy that technology should remove constraints that have historically limited farmers. Solinftec calls this framework "freedom per acre," which delivers three distinct operational shifts:

• Freedom of time: Autonomous systems absorb the work that previously demanded human supervision, returning those hours directly to the farmer.
• Freedom of choice: The traditional dealer model often voids warranties if owners modify their machines, tying them to high dealer markups for parts and repairs. Solinftec counters this by providing smart glasses with digital repair manuals, an online parts store, and equipment designed to be easily disassembled and repaired directly by the farmer.
• Freedom of resources: Permanent field presence enables hyper-precision. Solix treats only what a field needs dynamically, drastically reducing herbicide use, fuel consumption, and chemical exposure for surrounding communities.

From Machines to Autonomous Infrastructure 

As machines become smaller and more specialized, dependence on operators is falling. Solinftec's commentary points to an industry-wide transition where the farmer’s role will shift from operating heavy machinery to orchestrating automated outcomes.

For a century, agriculture has sent large machines into the field to perform a task and leave. With the widespread expansion of technologies like Solix, the next era of farming will be defined by intelligent systems that remain in the field — continuously deciding and acting in real time.

About Solinftec

Solinftec is an agriculture technology company building AI- and blockchain-driven hardware and software, including its field robot Solix. Founded in Brazil’s sugarcane industry and based in Araçatuba, São Paulo, it has since expanded into row crops such as corn, soybeans and cotton, and into perennials across the Americas. For more information, visit www.solinftec.com.

Media Contact

The Executive Insight
contact@pangeaglobe.com
+1 332-242-4643

SOFIA, Bulgaria, October 3, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- The HFT firm, already a market maker across major centralised and decentralised exchanges, is taking its prediction markets liquidity business further.

Summary

• Raven Trading ("Raven") has closed a strategic round from CMCC Global and Coinbase Ventures at a $90 million pre-money valuation. Existing backers Hack VC and Wintermute Ventures invested in its 2024 seed round.
• Raven trades on more than 10 prediction-market venues, including Kalshi and Polymarket, and has quoted more than 3,000 contracts since entering the market in the second quarter of 2025.
• It starts working with new venues weeks before launch, on their technical setup and market design, and provides the opening liquidity on launch day.
• CEO Petar Kostov and CTO Yuriy Myronovych founded Raven in 2023 after working at Wintermute, where Myronovych built and led the DeFi desk.

Prediction markets are growing faster than the infrastructure beneath them. The sector cleared roughly $30 billion in volume in April 2026 and passed $50 billion in a single month around the World Cup, against roughly $44 billion for the whole of 2025. Yet new venues and markets keep launching, and every one of them needs liquidity from its first day to work. Venues with little volume often struggle to find a liquidity partner at all. Venues with a lot of volume struggle to find enough liquidity to keep up. That is where Raven comes in. The proprietary trading firm provides the liquidity and the support that venues and markets need to launch and grow, and it has raised new capital to do it at scale.

Founded by CEO Petar Kostov and CTO Yuriy Myronovych, Raven announced publicly today that it has closed a strategic round from CMCC Global and Coinbase Ventures at a $90 million pre-money valuation. Existing backers Hack VC and Wintermute Ventures invested in the firm's seed round in 2024.

"Retail brought the first wave of volume to prediction markets. Institutions are bringing the second. Both need reliable liquidity across a lot of venues and a lot of contracts, and that's what we build at Raven," said Kostov.

Raven is building to be the one-stop shop for that market: event-contract liquidity provision, the launch and bootstrapping of new exchanges and brokerages from day zero, and ongoing support for their product, tech, community, and ecosystem initiatives.

The firm trades algorithmically around the clock across the U.S., APAC, and the EEA, and now covers more than 10 prediction-market venues. They include Kalshi and Polymarket, where Raven quotes alongside other professional market makers, and many of the venues that followed them to market with Raven's support. In total, Raven has quoted more than 3,000 contracts across virtually all contract categories, including politics, crypto, macro, sports, commodities, entertainment, and weather.

Prediction markets are still emerging, and many of the companies building in the space are very early. A crypto startup can already draw on a lot of industry know-how and resources to get through its launch. In prediction markets, most of that support does not exist yet, so Raven's work with a venue starts weeks before it goes live.

"We work directly with the venue's engineering team, from drafting the API specifications to writing the SDKs," said Myronovych. "We share feedback at every stage, so that when other liquidity providers onboard later, the process is as frictionless for them as possible."

Raven also advises on market design, including which categories and markets to list first, based on where early demand is likely to come from and which markets can be priced with confidence. On launch day, it provides the opening liquidity. From there, it extends coverage to new categories and listings as they go live, and gives the venue's team regular feedback on market quality.

"The most important part of the job comes after launch," Kostov said. "A liquidity partner's main role is to stay in the book and keep supporting the venue when things go wrong, including in a crisis such as a hack. As long as the exchange is running, we stay in the book."

Kostov and Myronovych were previously at Wintermute, one of crypto's largest market makers, where Myronovych built and led the DeFi desk. They founded Raven in 2023, and the firm entered prediction markets in the second quarter of 2025. It spent the first months on research and integration, then scaled up in the fourth quarter, when its first venue launch partnerships went live.

Raven is actively hiring across engineering and trading, including quantitative traders for crypto and sports prediction markets. Open roles, based in Milan and Sofia, are listed at raven-trading.com/careers.

About Raven Trading

Raven Trading (operating as "Raven") is a proprietary trading firm providing market-making and liquidity across centralised exchanges, decentralised exchanges, and prediction markets. Raven is active across all sides of the space: from providing launch liquidity to new exchanges and tokens to quoting spot and perpetual pairs. It also works with venue teams on architecture and community. Raven was founded in 2023 by CEO Petar Kostov and CTO Yuriy Myronovych, both formerly of Wintermute, and operates from Milan and Sofia. It is backed by CMCC Global, Coinbase Ventures, Hack VC, and Wintermute Ventures. For more information, visit raven-trading.com or follow the company on LinkedIn or X.

Disclaimer

This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or financial advice, nor an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instruments or digital assets. Proprietary trading, market making, and liquidity provision in prediction markets involve market risk and are subject to local regulatory restrictions.

Media Contact

press@raven-trading.com

NEW YORK, NY, October 2, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- EZ Newswire, the newswire built for AI visibility and premium publisher distribution, today announced the launch of Performance Reports, a white-labeled PDF that shows in plain language what a press release accomplished, from where it ran and who read it to how it ranked in search and how it shaped the brand's presence in AI answers.

Each report covers the publishers that carried a release, verified readership and engagement, search rankings across Google, Bing, and Yahoo, and how often AI answer engines including ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity cited the release, with verbatim examples of those answers. A dedicated "what it means" section then translates the results into plain-English takeaways, so customers don't need an analyst to know whether their news did its job. Reports are available now at no extra cost with every Plus and Premium release.

The launch addresses a longstanding gap in the industry. Press release reporting from legacy newswires has leaned on pickup counts, a tally of the publishers that carried a release regardless of whether anyone read it. The number is treated as a headline metric, yet it reveals little about real impact. And as AI answer engines take on a growing share of how people discover and research brands, few newswires report on AI visibility at all.

Customers have noticed. In EZ Newswire's 2025 State of the Newswire survey, 98% of brands and 100% of agencies said they use a newswire, but 78% held a negative view of the return those wires deliver, and 71% were dissatisfied with their provider.

Performance Reports answer the question a pickup count can't: what measurable impact the news had. Every report draws on EZ Newswire's proprietary measurement data and is built to be shared. Because reports are white-labeled, agencies can deliver them to clients without third-party branding, and in-house teams can send them straight to leadership.

"Comms teams have spent years translating pickup counts into something their clients and leadership can actually use," said Neel Shah, founder and CEO of EZ Newswire. "Performance Reports do that translation for them. Every report shows what a release accomplished, including how it shaped the brand's presence in AI answers, in a form anyone can read in minutes."

About EZ Newswire

EZ Newswire is the newswire built for AI performance with a premium distribution network, real-time reporting, and AI citation tracking and insights on a single platform. From startup to scale-up to S&P 500, the most influential agencies and organizations rely on EZ Newswire to shape digital and AI presence. Learn more at eznewswire.com.

Media Contact

Ethan Cantil-Voorhees
hello@eznewswire.com

TOKYO, Japan, October 2, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- The City of Yokohama brought its circular economy agenda to New York on Sept. 25, gathering approximately 230 participants, including government leaders, investors, corporations and startups, at the Global Forum on Circular Economy and Urban Resilience during Climate Week NYC. The forum came weeks after the Asian Circular Cities Declaration (ACCD), the network launched in 2025, grew from 26 cities in seven countries to 43 cities in 11 countries, representing more than 82 million people, at the first Asia-Pacific Circular Cities (APCC) Forum in Yokohama.

From Pledge to Plan

Yokohama was involved in proposing and launching the ACCD together with ICLEI Japan, which serves as its secretariat, and was its first signatory. At the APCC Forum on Sept. 4, the network released its first action plan, "ACCD Action 2026," built around three working groups: Good Practices, Solution Matching and Co-creation, and Progress Management. The Good Practices group aims to publish 50 case studies by 2027.

The network grew out of a platform Yokohama has run for more than a decade. The city has hosted the Asia Smart City Conference 14 times since 2012, and the inaugural APCC Forum brought together 52 municipalities and organizations, with more than 1,000 participants. Speaking in New York, Tomomi Yamashita, Director General for Global Initiatives at the City of Yokohama's Policy Administration and International Affairs Bureau, said cities are being asked to move toward a circular economy and need a place to learn from one another. The APCC Forum will now be held every year, she said.

Why New York

Yokohama chose New York, Ms. Yamashita said, because the city brings together businesses, cities and global institutions from around the world, giving Yokohama a way to take its Asian network to a global stage.

Speakers from outside the city reinforced the point from different directions. Jibran Ahmed of the World Economic Forum's Center for Urban Transformation told attendees that the gap between promising circular solutions and widespread adoption in cities is often "a coordination gap rather than a technology gap," and described the city as both a "launch pad" and a "landing pad" for new solutions. Nicole Spina of the New York City Economic Development Corporation described how New York now applies circular construction guidelines across all city capital projects.

Scale was another theme. Durgesh Patel, who leads AI at Hitachi, said the real test is what happens after the pilot: "You might have the best technology and all the capital in the world, but if you can't implement from first project to hundredth project, nothing will scale."

Yokohama says it is ready to help close that gap. The city recovers phosphorus from sewage sludge for fertilizer, upcycles old flooring into furniture, and maps resource flows in its city center. It has also set its own targets: a 50% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by fiscal 2030 from fiscal 2013 levels and net-zero by 2050, and its Mid-term Plan 2026-2029 makes the circular transition a priority through the "Yokohama Circular Link" initiative.

"Yokohama is a global gateway connecting companies and partners with circular economy opportunities across Asia and around the world," Ms. Yamashita said. "It brings together policy leaders, businesses and innovators to turn ideas into action. This role is built on Yokohama's long history of tackling urban challenges and creating practical solutions."

That gateway role extends beyond one forum. At the Business Innovation Forum on the same day, six climate-tech startups presented to potential Japanese partners. Yokohama's Matching Program, which connects startups with Japanese partners, has seen applications grow from 45 in its first cohort to 76 this year and its investor network from about 50 to more than 120, and has led to more than 10 pilot projects. A follow-up event on commercialization is set for Oct. 6 in Palo Alto during San Francisco Tech Week.

Yokohama-connected companies also took part. Chiyoda Corporation, a Yokohama-based engineering company, and Sun Metalon, which uses microwave technology to turn machining scrap into traceable, high-value metal, spoke alongside other corporate and startup leaders. The Bank of Yokohama sponsored the forum, and ShibuLA Ventures, which has a subsidiary in Yokohama, served as a partner. Mauritania's Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development also attended and delivered special remarks.

Closing the forum, Satoshi Katahira, Consul General of Japan in New York, said Yokohama "is demonstrating how the city can make real global impact." He added that circular economy and urban resilience help answer economic and strategic challenges, including critical minerals, resource security and resilient supply chains, and invited attendees to Yokohama.

The Invitation: Yokohama Circular Week 2027

For Yokohama, New York is the preview. The main event follows in 2027.

Yokohama Circular Week, scheduled for Aug. 30 to Sept. 3, 2027, at Pacifico Yokohama, will bring several gatherings into one week during GREEN×EXPO 2027, which runs in Yokohama from March to Sept. 2027 and will feature more than 10 million flowers and plants. The week will include the second APCC Forum, the ninth Asia-Pacific Urban Forum (APUF-9), co-hosted with the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the first held in Japan, and a major international exhibition on the circular economy where about 350 exhibitors and 30,000 participants are expected. The city plans to make the exhibition an annual platform.

The week is open to cities, international organizations and businesses. Ms. Yamashita said Yokohama warmly invites U.S. cities to take part, and companies interested in the initiatives are encouraged to contact the Office of the City of Yokohama Representative to the Americas.

"For Yokohama, 2027 will be a major milestone, bringing together GREEN×EXPO 2027, the APCC Forum and major circular economy events," Ms. Yamashita said. "That momentum can lead to new partnerships, projects and action well beyond 2027."

The next step is a shared library of 50 good-practice case studies for other cities to learn from. To learn more, visit the Yokohama Circular Week 2027, GREEN×EXPO 2027, and Asia-Pacific Circular Cities Forum 2026 pages.

About City of Yokohama

Yokohama is an international port city in Japan with a long record of city-to-city cooperation. It was designated a UN Peace Messenger City in 1987, has shared its urban expertise with cities abroad through technical cooperation since the 1960s, and maintains overseas offices in New York, Frankfurt, Shanghai and Bangkok. The city was involved in launching the Asian Circular Cities Declaration with ICLEI Japan and will host Yokohama Circular Week in 2027. To learn more, visit businessyokohama.com.

Media Contact

Amanda Lauener
amanda@ascendagency.com

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, October 2, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- FISG – InterStellar Group officially marks its strategic collaboration with global football icon Andrés Iniesta with a signing ceremony in Dubai on September 25, 2026.

The ceremony represents a key milestone in FISG's international brand development and its commitment to building long-term partnerships that connect financial expertise, global reach and excellence.

As part of the collaboration, Andrés Iniesta serves as Global Brand Experience Officer, contributing his international experience, professional values and global perspective to FISG's brand vision.

Where Speed, Agility and Experience Meet

This partnership brings together two worlds defined by the ability to master the moment where speed, agility and experience turn opportunity into lasting success.

Iniesta's career is built on reading the game in split seconds, adapting with agility, and delivering when it matters most. FISG – InterStellar Group shares that same mindset: moving with speed in fast-changing markets, acting with agility across global operations, and drawing on decades of experience to deliver for clients worldwide, all underpinned by four-tier regulatory (CySEC, FSCA, ASIC, FSP) oversight, ensuring the highest standards of governance, transparency and client protection across every market it serves.

Together, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to discipline, consistency and the pursuit of excellence.

A Partnership Built on Shared Values

The official signing ceremony takes place in Dubai, bringing together representatives of FISG, Andrés Iniesta, and invited partners and guests.

"This partnership represents more than a collaboration between a global broker and one of the most respected names in international sport. It reflects shared values of discipline, trust, consistency and long-term excellence," said Konstantinos A. Theodorou, CEO of InterStellar Group.

Iniesta added: "I am pleased to be part of this new chapter with FISG. The values behind the partnership — professionalism, discipline, teamwork and a commitment to excellence are values I strongly believe in. I look forward to contributing to the journey ahead."

Looking Ahead

The signing ceremony marks the beginning of a broader international collaboration between FISG and Iniesta, with further initiatives and brand experiences to be announced in the future.

FISG – InterStellar Group continues to strengthen its international presence and develop a global brand built around its philosophy: Decades of Trust · Velocity Worldwide.

Disclaimer

Trading Forex, CFDs, and financial derivative products involves a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. You may sustain a loss of some or all of your invested capital. Before deciding to trade, you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite. FISG – InterStellar Group operates under regulatory licenses including CySEC, FSCA, ASIC, and FSP. Brand ambassador partnerships, including endorsements by public figures or athletes, do not constitute financial advice, investment recommendations, or guarantees of future performance. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved and seek independent advice if necessary.

Media Contact

mkt@fisg.com

GREAT BEND, KS, October 2, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Great Bend contractor pushing for small-business influence and better damage prevention as the association met in Washington D.C. a few weeks ago.

Craig Amerine is halfway through his year as chairman of the Power & Communication Contractors Association, and he wants the same thing he wanted in March: for small contractors to have a real say in a national trade group.

Amerine took the chairmanship in March 2026 after working up through PCCA's board, where officers advance a step at a time toward the top seat. His term ends in March 2027.

Small contractors have been the focus from the start. Most PCCA members are nowhere near the size of the national firms that dominate underground construction, and Amerine's argument is that the difference shouldn't cost them influence.

"It's an honor to represent small business on a large scale like PCCA," Craig Amerine said. "I want to continue promoting the benefits PCCA provides for small businesses and leave the association stronger than when I started."

Damage prevention and workforce training

PCCA runs leadership training, lobbies on behalf of contractors, and puts member companies in the same room as suppliers and manufacturers. It also works with the Common Ground Alliance on damage prevention and backs apprenticeship programs across the trade.

Damage prevention is the piece Amerine returns to most. There is more underground infrastructure than there used to be, and crews are working around more of it than they were a decade ago. He wants better electronic mapping of what's already buried, and more accountability from the companies that own it. Contractors and infrastructure owners also need to be working the problem together rather than separately.

The rest of the term

The association work runs alongside the day job. Amerine Construction has been putting utilities in the ground out of Great Bend since 1977, and is currently working on fiber-to-the-home projects in Garden City, Kansas and eastern Colorado.

For the back half of his term, Amerine is focused on two things: growing membership and putting the association on firmer financial footing.

PCCA's mid-year conference was held September 16-18 at the Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C. The association’s next annual conference is scheduled for March 5-10, 2027, at the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar in Puerto Rico. 

About Amerine Construction

Amerine Construction is a third-generation, family-owned underground utility contractor based in Great Bend, Kansas. Founded in 1977, the company provides directional drilling, cable plowing and installation, trenching and backhoe work, manhole and underground structures, and energy and utility infrastructure services across Kansas, Colorado and the Central United States. More information is available at amerineconstruction.com.

Media Contact

Joshua Estes
Estes Media
joshua@estesmedia.com