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Marlie AI, a leading AI answering service for small and mid-sized businesses, has processed over 1 million calls while delivering more than 50,000 hours in time savings to its customers. The milestone demonstrates how artificial intelligence is becoming a practical solution for businesses that can't afford to miss customer calls but struggle with the costs and limitations of traditional staffing.

The numbers tell a compelling story. One million calls represents thousands of potential customers who didn't hang up in frustration, didn't get sent to voicemail, and didn't call a competitor instead. The 50,000 hours saved translates to roughly 24 full-time employees working for an entire year — time that business owners have redirected toward actually running their companies instead of being tied to their phones. With an average response time under two seconds and a 98% accuracy rate, Marlie AI has proven that automated answering technology can match or exceed human performance while operating around the clock.

The platform serves diverse industries across the United States, from emergency services like towing companies and locksmiths who need to capture late-night calls, to home service providers like plumbers and HVAC technicians who are often too busy on job sites to answer their phones. Professional services including lawyers and real estate agents use the system to ensure potential clients always reach someone, while restaurants rely on it to handle reservation requests and takeout orders during dinner rushes. Each industry has different needs, but the underlying challenge is the same: missing calls means missing revenue.

Consider a typical plumbing company that receives 40 calls per week outside of business hours. Before implementing an AI answering service, those calls either went to voicemail or to a traditional answering service that cost hundreds of dollars per month and still couldn't book appointments directly into their calendar. Now, their AI receptionist answers instantly, understands which calls are genuine emergencies, schedules non-urgent appointments automatically, and sends detailed summaries to the owner's phone. The result? More jobs booked, happier customers, and the owner actually sleeping through the night.

"We built Marlie AI because we saw small business owners being held hostage by their phones," said Alex Dimcevski, founder of Marlie AI. "Reaching 1 million calls isn't just a number for us, it represents 1 million moments where a business owner didn't have to choose between serving a customer and living their life. These are real people running towing companies at 2 AM, managing restaurants during rushes, or trying to grow a law practice without hiring expensive staff. The fact that AI can now handle these conversations naturally and accurately is genuinely transforming how small businesses operate."

What sets Marlie AI apart from both traditional answering services and other AI solutions is its combination of simplicity and sophistication. Business owners can set up their AI receptionist in about 15 minutes by connecting their website and letting the system learn their services, pricing, and policies. The platform then handles everything from answering basic questions to booking appointments, collecting payments, and routing urgent calls to the right person. It works in multiple languages, integrates with the tools businesses already use, and costs a fraction of what they'd pay for human staff or conventional answering services.

The broader trend is clear: American small businesses are embracing AI not as a futuristic experiment but as a practical necessity. With labor costs rising and customer expectations for immediate response growing, the traditional model of hiring receptionists or paying for answering services that charge per minute is becoming unsustainable. AI answering services offer an alternative that provides better coverage at up to 90% lower cost than traditional solutions. For businesses operating in competitive markets where speed matters, like emergency services, home repairs, or professional consulting—the ability to answer every call in under two seconds can be the difference between winning and losing a customer.

As more businesses discover they don't need to choose between quality customer service and profitability, AI-powered phone systems are moving from "nice to have" to essential infrastructure. The 1 million call milestone suggests this shift is already well underway.

About Marlie AI

Marlie AI is an AI answering service designed to help businesses handle incoming calls automatically. With Marlie, you get a virtual receptionist that can answer calls, handle common questions, book appointments, capture key information, and route qualified leads to the right person. Based in New York City, Marlie AI serves small and medium-sized businesses across the United States. Our realistic AI receptionist is built to listen, understand, and act on caller needs, ensuring calls are managed efficiently while preserving the human touch when it matters most. For more information, visit www.marlie.ai.

Media Contact

Alex Dimcevski
Founder & CEO, Marlie AI
alex@marlie.ai

Within the scope of its international collaborations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Emrina Inc. has signed a significant strategic agreement together with China Railway Assembly Xinjiang Construction and Development Co., Ltd., one of the largest companies in the People’s Republic of China and globally.

Under this collaboration, a comprehensive memorandum of understanding has been reached between Emrina and China Railway Assembly Xinjiang Construction and Development Co., and Le Park Concord Company, one of Saudi Arabia’s leading firms in the real estate and hospitality sectors. The agreement covers joint project development across Saudi Arabia, the establishment of a joint venture company, and the construction of a total of 60 motel projects throughout the Kingdom.

These projects are fully aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to strengthen the country’s tourism, accommodation, and commercial infrastructure. The planned motels are designed to provide modern, sustainable, and high-standard solutions to the rapidly increasing demand for accommodation. They will be located in strategic areas and designed to appeal to both domestic and international visitors.

Leveraging its strong command of local regulations, permits, and authorization processes in Saudi Arabia, as well as its international project management experience, Emrina will play an active role in the planning, construction, and operational phases of the projects by ensuring effective coordination between the Chinese and Saudi partners. China Railway Assembly Xinjiang Construction and Development Co. will contribute its global-scale engineering, construction, and infrastructure expertise to deliver the projects in accordance with the highest quality standards.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to our valued friend Ahmed Al Yahya, whose support has made a significant contribution to strengthening communication and trust among the parties throughout the realization of this important collaboration. We also extend our gratitude to the Board of Directors of Le Park Concord Company, chaired by Faiz Tala Alenezi, for this valuable partnership.

As Emrina, we firmly believe that this strong collaboration established between Türkiye, China, and Saudi Arabia will pave the way for new investments and sustainable partnerships at both regional and global levels.

About Emrina

Emrina A.Ş. is a versatile company that represents leading global brands in Turkey, in addition to its own Consubcon and WorkinMENA brands. It holds the Turkish rights to prestigious brands such as Guido Gobino (producer of Armani Dolci), one of the world's largest chocolate manufacturers; EdX, a company founded through a partnership between Harvard and MIT; Alchemy Pay, a global payment technology giant; and Shanghai Metal, one of China's largest industrial manufacturers. Through these partnerships, Emrina is a strategic player that makes a difference not only in the field but also through global collaborations. For more information, visit www.emrina.com.

Media Contact

Emrah Inanc
Emrina Inc.
emrah@emrina.com

Within the scope of its international collaborations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Emrina Inc. has signed a significant strategic agreement together with China Railway Assembly Xinjiang Construction and Development Co., Ltd., one of the largest companies in the People’s Republic of China and globally.

Under this collaboration, a comprehensive memorandum of understanding has been reached between Emrina and China Railway Assembly Xinjiang Construction and Development Co., and Le Park Concord Company, one of Saudi Arabia’s leading firms in the real estate and hospitality sectors. The agreement covers joint project development across Saudi Arabia, the establishment of a joint venture company, and the construction of a total of 60 motel projects throughout the Kingdom.

These projects are fully aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to strengthen the country’s tourism, accommodation, and commercial infrastructure. The planned motels are designed to provide modern, sustainable, and high-standard solutions to the rapidly increasing demand for accommodation. They will be located in strategic areas and designed to appeal to both domestic and international visitors.

Leveraging its strong command of local regulations, permits, and authorization processes in Saudi Arabia, as well as its international project management experience, Emrina will play an active role in the planning, construction, and operational phases of the projects by ensuring effective coordination between the Chinese and Saudi partners. China Railway Assembly Xinjiang Construction and Development Co. will contribute its global-scale engineering, construction, and infrastructure expertise to deliver the projects in accordance with the highest quality standards.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to our valued friend Ahmed Al Yahya, whose support has made a significant contribution to strengthening communication and trust among the parties throughout the realization of this important collaboration. We also extend our gratitude to the Board of Directors of Le Park Concord Company, chaired by Faiz Tala Alenezi, for this valuable partnership.

As Emrina, we firmly believe that this strong collaboration established between Türkiye, China, and Saudi Arabia will pave the way for new investments and sustainable partnerships at both regional and global levels.

About Emrina

Emrina A.Ş. is a versatile company that represents leading global brands in Turkey, in addition to its own Consubcon and WorkinMENA brands. It holds the Turkish rights to prestigious brands such as Guido Gobino (producer of Armani Dolci), one of the world's largest chocolate manufacturers; EdX, a company founded through a partnership between Harvard and MIT; Alchemy Pay, a global payment technology giant; and Shanghai Metal, one of China's largest industrial manufacturers. Through these partnerships, Emrina is a strategic player that makes a difference not only in the field but also through global collaborations. For more information, visit www.emrina.com.

Media Contact

Emrah Inanc
Emrina Inc.
emrah@emrina.com

Businesses and consumers are increasingly turning to digital platforms that simplify complex decisions, improve efficiency, and deliver measurable value. StartupMafia selected the following six companies for their practical use of technology, data, and partnerships to address real operational and user needs across B2B and B2C markets.

1. Rounds

Rounds develops an autonomous, data-driven AI platform that manages the full lifecycle of mobile assets, from sourcing and evaluation to continuous optimization. The company works with mobile products as scalable digital businesses, using automation and analytics to identify assets with growth potential and improve their performance over time.

What distinguishes Rounds is its agentic AI approach, which continuously analyzes user behavior and market signals to guide decisions. Instead of relying on manual optimization, the platform acts as a persistent engine for improvement, helping mobile assets evolve sustainably while reducing operational overhead for teams managing large portfolios.

2. nCube Nearshore Development Services

nCube provides nearshore software development services that help product companies scale engineering capacity without expanding internal hiring. Operating across Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe, the company supplies developers who integrate directly into clients’ workflows and teams.

The firm’s key differentiator is its flexible delivery model. Clients can choose staff augmentation, dedicated teams, or a full nearshore R&D center, depending on their growth stage and control requirements. This structure allows companies to retain product ownership while gaining access to long-term engineering talent and regional cost efficiencies.

3. AtoZ PR

AtoZ PR is a communications and media agency focused on helping technology companies increase visibility and credibility across global markets. Founded in 2017, the agency works primarily with IT, blockchain, and Web3 businesses seeking structured media exposure and reputation building.

AtoZ PR stands out for its emphasis on measurable outcomes rather than broad promotion. By combining industry-specific expertise with targeted storytelling, press distribution, and expert placements, the agency aligns media activity with business objectives such as market entry, investor visibility, and audience trust.

4. Factory.Sale

Factory.Sale operates a B2B sourcing platform that connects buyers directly with manufacturers in the global construction and building materials sector. The company focuses on simplifying procurement by reducing intermediaries and improving transparency across pricing, specifications, and logistics.

Its differentiation lies in precision-driven sourcing supported by data and AI-assisted processes. Factory.Sale tailors manufacturer selection to each client’s technical and commercial requirements, helping businesses reduce supply risks while maintaining quality standards in complex international procurement environments.

5. Pleso

Pleso is a digital mental health platform that connects users with qualified psychotherapists through online sessions. The service addresses growing demand for accessible psychological support by removing geographic barriers and simplifying the process of finding appropriate professional help.

The platform’s smart matching algorithm is a key feature, pairing clients with therapists based on individual needs and preferences. By focusing on fit and confidentiality, Pleso aims to improve therapy outcomes while offering a structured, technology-enabled alternative to traditional in-person mental health services.

6. Topologica

Topologica Travel Map offers an interactive world travel map designed to consolidate destination research into a single digital experience. The platform covers more than 195 countries, providing information on visas, safety, cost of living, and travel planning tools for different traveler profiles.

Topologica differentiates itself through its map-based interface and comprehensive scope. By combining travel guides, budget calculators, and digital nomad visa data, it serves users who need more than flight or hotel search, supporting informed decision-making for short-term trips and long-term stays alike.

Conclusion

The companies highlighted by StartupMafia reflect a broader shift toward platforms that prioritize clarity, automation, and user-centric design. Across industries, these solutions demonstrate how targeted innovation can address operational complexity while delivering tangible benefits to businesses and end users.

About StartupMafia

StartupMafia is a business media and research platform that tracks emerging companies, technologies, and market trends worldwide. It provides curated insights to help businesses and investors identify relevant solutions in a changing global economy. For more information, visit startupmafia.eu.

Media Contact

StartupMafia.eu Press Department
press@startupmafia.eu

Meta has released SAM Audio, a new research model designed to segment sound using text, visual, and temporal prompts. The project extends Meta’s earlier “Segment Anything” concept into the audio domain and signals growing interest in sound separation as a core area of AI research.

While the model itself is experimental, its arrival has already sparked discussion across the music and audio technology community, especially among creators searching for vocal remover tools and professionals working with music stem separation in production environments.

The release raises a familiar question: how much does a research model like SAM Audio change what musicians, producers, and engineers can actually use today?

What is SAM Audio and Meta’s Benchmark in terms of vocal removal and pro music stem separation?

SAM Audio is a unified, multimodal model that can isolate sounds based on natural language prompts such as “vocals,” “guitar,” or “background noise.” In video-based scenarios, it can also rely on visual information to guide the separation process.

From a research perspective, the model explores open-vocabulary sound segmentation, where the system is not limited to a fixed set of predefined audio classes. That makes it useful for studying how audio, text, and visuals interact in complex recordings.

At the same time, Meta positions SAM Audio as a research system rather than a consumer or professional product. Running the model requires high-end hardware, including NVIDIA A100 GPUs, along with technical expertise and long processing times. According to Meta’s own benchmarks, SAM Audio operates at roughly 0.7× real time on an A100, meaning that even short clips demand substantial compute resources.

Online searches for “vocal remover” usually reflect a simple need: users want to isolate or remove vocals from a song, often for karaoke, remixing, or learning to play an instrument. In practice, vocal removal is just one part of a broader category known as music stem separation, which involves splitting a track into components such as vocals, drums, bass, synths, guitars, lead and back vocals, other instruments, and even echo and reverb removal.

Research models like SAM Audio approach this problem from a very wide angle. They are built to separate almost any sound from any mixture, including noisy or unstructured recordings. This makes them useful for experimentation, academic work, and certain multimodal tasks.

However, the expectations around vocal removal in music production are narrower and stricter. Users are not simply looking for isolated sound; they expect the result to preserve stereo width, timing, ambience, and tonal balance, especially in professional music production tasks. These details are often what determine whether a separated vocal is usable in a real project.

Research Models vs. Production Tools

The difference between research capability and production usability becomes clear when looking at how SAM Audio processes sound. The Meta’s model operates in mono, which limits its ability to preserve stereo information and spatial effects. For creative workflows such as remixing, mastering, or archival work, this is a practical constraint. Reverbs, delays, and spatial cues are not decorative elements in music; they are part of the mix itself.

This is where production-focused tools take a different approach. Instead of trying to separate any sound from any context, commercial stem separation systems are usually trained on music-specific data and optimized for speed, consistency, and fidelity. The goal is not flexibility at all costs, but predictable results that match the original track as closely as possible.

LALAL.AI Appeared in Meta’s Benchmark as a Leading Professional Instrument and Vocal Remover

In Meta’s published evaluation, LALAL.AI was included as one of the commercial reference solutions alongside services such as Moises, AudioShake, and FADR. The benchmark compared SAM Audio’s output with that of existing music separation tools across several categories.

SAM Audio achieved the highest overall scores in instrument separation, including vocals. Among commercial systems, LALAL.AI showed the smallest performance gap relative to the research model in professional instrument separation tasks, vocal isolation included.

“Being selected as a reference in Meta’s benchmark confirms that LALAL.AI continues to set the standard for high-quality, production-ready music stem separation,” said Nik Pogorski, LALAL.AI product owner and co-founder. “Among all commercial services evaluated, we achieved the smallest performance gap to the research-level SAM Audio, while offering fast, accessible, and reliable solutions for professional workflows.”

LALAL.AI’s approach relies on transformer-based architectures designed specifically for audio. Unlike generative diffusion models, these systems are discriminative rather than generative: they focus on separating existing sound rather than recreating or resynthesizing it. This design choice helps preserve stereo imaging, phase alignment, and subtle details such as reverb tails: factors that are critical for studio-quality vocal extraction.

As a leader in the Instruments (Pro) category among other commercial services and vocal removers, LALAL.AI is the cross-platform tool that is available to plenty of creators and businesses, from hobbyists and karaoke lovers to pro audio engineers and labels, on every device, in every scenario, and now, with the release of its VST plugin, in a direct integration with multiple DAWs. 

To remove vocals from a song, an audio file, or even a video recording, creators just have to upload the recording to LALAL.AI (either on desktop, mobile, or web) and choose the Vocal & Instrumental stem.

Speed and Accessibility in Real Vocal Isolation Workflows

Benchmarks provide useful reference points, but they do not fully reflect how tools are used day to day. For most musicians and producers, the key questions are practical ones: how fast the separation runs, what hardware is required, how clean vocals are, and whether the output can be used immediately.

LALAL.AI is built to run on standard consumer and professional setups, including desktop applications, mobile apps, and a VST plugin that integrates into existing audio workstations, which contrasts with research systems like SAM Audio, which are designed to explore what is possible under laboratory conditions rather than to support routine production work.

Universal models may perform well on noisy recordings, speech-heavy content, or multimodal scenarios that combine audio and video. These use cases matter, but they differ from the controlled, high-quality source material typically used in music production.

What This Means Going Forward

Meta’s SAM Audio highlights how quickly audio research is progressing and how much attention sound separation is now receiving within the broader AI field. Its release does not replace existing vocal remover tools or professional stem separation services, but it does help clarify the boundaries between research exploration and production-ready software and showcases how the field is developing.

For creators searching for reliable vocal removal today, the distinction remains clear. Research models expand the range of what can be studied. Production tools define what can be used, at scale, without specialized infrastructure. Both approaches are likely to coexist and serve different needs, under different constraints, and for very different audiences.

About LALAL.AI

LALAL.AI is an AI-powered audio processing platform that helps users extract vocals, instruments, and other audio components from music and video files. Launched in 2020 in Switzerland, it quickly grew from a 2-stem splitter to the world’s first 10-stem solution. Over the years, LALAL.AI expanded across desktop, mobile, VST, and API, added noise reduction, echo removal, and voice modification features. The service is now used by over six million musicians, producers, audio engineers, content creators, and media professionals around the world. For more information, visit www.lalal.ai.

Media Contact

Klara Alexeeva
PR & Communications Manager, LALAL.AI
klara.alexeeva@lalal.ai

As the New Year approaches, StartupMafia reviewed consumer products that have gained attention not through seasonal promotion but through steady, year-round demand. The resulting selection reflects how families, professionals, and entertainment consumers increasingly favor gifts that combine practicality, reliability, and long-term relevance.

1. Naturally KIDS Dinosaur Backpack

Naturally KIDS dinosaur backpack is designed for children aged three to five and serves as an everyday item for preschool and early kindergarten use. The backpack is sized for small essentials such as snacks, toys, or personal items, making it suitable for daily routines rather than occasional outings. Its playful dinosaur design is intended to appeal to young children while remaining functional for parents managing regular schedules. The product is part of Naturally KIDS’ broader range of themed children’s accessories.

What sets Naturally KIDS apart is its scale and focus on safety. The company reports serving more than one million families worldwide and cites over 22,000 verified reviews averaging 4.8 stars on Amazon in the United States and Canada. Products are designed and tested with child safety in mind, and the brand maintains a consistent design language across backpacks, toys, and children’s lamps shaped as animals and fantasy characters.

2. Silverline® Compression Socks

Silverline® compression socks are positioned for individuals seeking everyday comfort during work, travel, or light physical activity. The socks are intended for people who spend long periods standing or sitting and who prefer non-medical compression wear as part of their daily routine. Vita Vera operates as a Slovenia-based e-commerce company serving customers across Germany and other European Union markets.

The product’s distinguishing features lie in material selection and production standards. Vita Vera emphasizes certified textiles and consistent manufacturing processes, aligning with growing consumer interest in quality assurance for apparel worn daily. Rather than focusing on elite athletic performance, the Silverline® line targets routine use, reflecting a broader market shift toward functional wellness products integrated into normal lifestyles.

3. OKDERMO Professional Skincare Products

OKDERMO professional skincare products reflect a wider shift in consumer behavior toward ingredient-driven, routine-based skin care. The platform specializes in dermatology-oriented formulations, with particular emphasis on retinoid-based products that are widely studied and commonly used by experienced skincare users. These products are typically incorporated into long-term routines rather than purchased for short-term cosmetic effects.

OKDERMO differentiates itself through structure rather than branding. Products are organized by active ingredients and use cases, allowing consumers to make selections based on familiarity and gradual routine building. This approach mirrors an industry-wide move away from trend-focused beauty retail toward platforms that prioritize formulation transparency, consistency, and informed use over novelty.

4. World Cup 2026 Tickets via Ticombo

World Cup 2026 tickets on Ticombo have become a notable gift option as official ticket releases continue to sell out within minutes. Many fans are unable to secure seats through primary sales channels, increasing reliance on verified secondary marketplaces. Ticombo operates as a resale platform that connects buyers and sellers while applying checks designed to reduce transactional risk.

The platform’s role reflects changing dynamics in global sports ticketing. As demand for major events outpaces supply, structured resale markets have become a common alternative rather than an exception. Ticombo’s large inventory and verification processes position it within this evolving ecosystem, where access and reliability increasingly shape purchasing decisions.

5. MAG555 Google TV™ Set-Top Box

Infomir MAG555 Google TV set-top box is designed for users looking to upgrade standard televisions into comprehensive smart entertainment systems. The device supports 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, HDR, HEVC video compression, and Dolby Digital™ audio. Built on Google TV, it aggregates streaming services, live television, and applications into a single interface.

The MAG555 stands out for its focus on performance standards and platform integration rather than proprietary limitations. By combining widely supported hardware specifications with Google TV, the device reflects consumer demand for flexible home entertainment solutions that remain compatible as content formats and viewing habits continue to evolve.

Conclusion

The five gifts selected by StartupMafia highlight a shared pattern across different markets: consumers increasingly value functionality, verified quality, and long-term use over novelty. From children’s products to digital entertainment and personal care, the common denominator is practical relevance. Together, these examples illustrate how everyday needs are shaping gift choices as the New Year begins.

About StartupMafia

StartupMafia is a business media and research platform that tracks emerging companies, technologies, and market trends worldwide. It provides curated insights to help businesses and investors identify relevant solutions in a changing global economy. For more information, visit startupmafia.eu.

Media Contact

StartupMafia.eu Press Department
press@startupmafia.eu

Yarbo will introduce the newest addition to its product portfolio, the Yarbo M Series Modular Yard Robot, on January 6, 2026. This groundbreaking piece of yard equipment redefines outdoor and yard living, making laborious outdoor tasks simpler through automation and AI technology. Yarbo’s transformative piece of modular yard equipment will be showcased at Booth #51232, Venetian Expo, Halls A–D, Level 2 at 2:00 PM. 

At the launch event, Yarbo will host live product presentations and demonstrations, while formally announcing that the Yarbo M Series will soon be available to a global audience via Kickstarter. The smart yard management solution not only marks a significant expansion of Yarbo’s product portfolio but also a turning point in its product strategy. Until now, Yarbo has primarily focused on premium large-yard solutions; however, the M Series opens the door to everyday yard maintenance needs of the majority of households.

Yarbo and the Next Chapter of Smart Yard Living

Yarbo has long been committed to reducing the physical burden of yard work by applying the concept of the indoor smart home system to the outside world with its new modular yard robot ecosystem. This automatic yard robot transforms labor-intensive outdoor jobs into a system-managed daily routine.

Built on Yarbo’s modular DNA, the M Series Yard Robot comprises one core piece of equipment and multiple interchangeable modules, designed for all seasons. The Yarbo Core is the foundation of the entire ecosystem. It incorporates a powerful computing system with sensors to plan its pathways, navigate autonomously, and avoid obstacles. 

Users can buy one Core and add modules as needed, eliminating the need for users to store multiple pieces of large yard equipment. With the Yarbo Core and its attachments, users can maintain lawn care during the spring and summer months and clear away debris and snow through autumn and winter. 

The Modular Yard Robot’s Key Features and Benefits

The Yarbo M Series is a compact yard robot for every season and a variety of yard types. Not only does this maintenance tool enhance service standards, but it also reduces labor costs, making it a useful asset in residential yards, high-end communities, resorts, luxury villas, and vacation properties. 

The three key pillars of its design are as follows:

1. Set up, charge, finish — all faster.

The M Series Yard Robot is designed to fit into users’ weekly yard work routine, including daily lawn mowing, trimming, leaf clearing, snow removal, and overall curb appeal maintenance. 

The interchangeable modules attach easily to the Core for a quick and hassle-free setup. Yarbo’s yard robot makes tasks easier to start and resume, cutting tedious tasks down to mere minutes of hands-on labor. It simplifies outdoor maintenance with its intelligent, all-season yard design. 

2. Compact size. Strong performance.

The Yard Robot has a compact footprint, making it easy to store. Despite its size, it packs power and intelligence into every inch. This piece of yard equipment is built to function across a wide range of terrain types–not just ideal lawns. 

3. Modular by design. Built for every season.

The Yarbo Yard Robot is not just a single-purpose machine, but a long-term service platform that allows users to buy the Core and add modules later. Under this budget-friendly, space-saving design, users only purchase and store what they need according to seasonal changes and climate. 

Upon its CES launch, Phase 1 of the M-Series will support the following modules:

• Two mower modules
• Plow blade module
• Collector module
• Trimmer module
• Smart assistant module

Kickstarter Launch and Preorder Information

The Yarbo M Series is set to launch first on Kickstarter, giving early supporters priority access to the system and exclusive early-bird pricing.

Attendees and readers are encouraged to subscribe on Kickstarter ahead of launch to stay informed and secure limited super early bird offers. Preorders are expected to open in February 2026, marking the first opportunity for users worldwide to experience Yarbo’s next-generation modular yard robot system.

The Future of the Yarbo Brand

Yarbo is making a global impact and is well on its way to becoming the world’s leading provider of smart yard solutions. Yarbo already has a wide following in North America and Europe, and is quickly catching on in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. 

The M Series Yard Robot launch at CES represents a key milestone in Yarbo’s expansion as a brand. Media and audiences can take the opportunity to stop by the Yarbo booth, see firsthand how this robotic yard system functions, and ask questions about its design and global crowdfunding via Kickstarter. 

With its new M series, Yarbo makes its innovative outdoor designs widely accessible to diverse audiences while steadily building its yard robot system.

About Yarbo

Yarbo is making a global impact and is well on its way to becoming the world’s leading provider of smart yard solutions. Yarbo already has a wide following in North America and Europe, and is quickly catching on in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. To learn more, visit www.yarbo.com, forum.yarbo.com, or wiki.yarbo.com. For additional information, you can also visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@yarboglobal, our Instagram at www.instagram.com/yarboglobal, our LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/yarboglobal, or our Facebook at www.facebook.com/yarboglobal.

Media Contact

Maggie Zhou
pr@yarbo.com

Metals Edge, a U.S.-based precious metals firm serving investors for more than two decades, today announced a business update expanding client support and investor education across three core areas: Gold IRA guidance, allocated precious metals storage, and insured physical delivery of gold and silver.

The update focuses on improving the investor experience from first inquiry through ongoing service, helping clients understand key decisions, including IRA eligibility, storage options, and the practical logistics involved in receiving physical metals.

Key Facts: Details of the Business Update

This business update includes improvements designed to create a clearer, more consistent experience across Metals Edge’s client workflows:

• Streamlined onboarding with more precise steps, documentation checkpoints, and improved process transparency
• Expanded investor education to clarify common questions about Gold IRAs, allocated storage, and delivery expectations
• Improved service pathways aligned to typical investor needs (retirement allocation, long-term diversification, direct ownership)
• Enhanced communication standards to reduce confusion around timelines, paperwork, storage coordination, and insured shipment logistics
• Updated website pathways to help visitors more quickly find resources related to Gold IRAs, storage, and physical delivery

What the Update Means for Metals Edge

The update strengthens Metals Edge’s ability to deliver a more standardized, service-led client experience across the full lifecycle of a precious metals purchase — from education and onboarding to storage coordination and fulfillment.

By prioritizing more precise documentation, cleaner process steps, and more accessible educational materials, Metals Edge aims to reduce friction points that can slow down decision-making or create uncertainty for investors — especially those evaluating precious metals for retirement planning, diversification, or long-term wealth protection.

Why It Matters for Customers and Stakeholders

For customers, the most meaningful benefit is clarity — knowing what to expect, understanding available pathways, and receiving straightforward explanations in plain English.

For retirees and pre-retirees, the decision to explore a Gold IRA or physical precious metals often comes with questions about custodians, eligibility, storage arrangements, timelines, and delivery. The Metals Edge update is designed to make those questions easier to answer early, so investors can move forward with confidence and with better context.

For stakeholders such as service partners and storage providers, more consistent documentation and communication standards can support smoother coordination, clearer handoffs, and more predictable service outcomes.

“Whether someone is planning for retirement or simply wants direct ownership of physical metals, we want the experience to feel organized, documented, and professional from day one,” said David Love, president of Metals Edge.

Supporting Investors Across Gold IRA, Allocated Storage, and Physical Delivery

Metals Edge supports investors pursuing different approaches to precious metals ownership, including:

• Gold IRA guidance: Many investors explore a Gold IRA as part of a broader retirement diversification strategy. Metals Edge provides education and process guidance to help clients understand common IRA-related considerations and next steps, including documentation flow, coordination steps, and service expectations.
• Allocated precious metals storage: For investors who prefer third-party storage, Metals Edge helps clients understand allocated precious metals storage — including what “allocated” means, why it matters, and how storage coordination typically works. The business update expands materials and service pathways intended to make storage decisions easier to evaluate.
• Insured physical delivery: Some clients prefer insured physical delivery of gold and silver for direct ownership. Metals Edge provides education around ordering, fulfillment expectations, shipping coordination, and communication standards to help ensure a professional experience from purchase through delivery.

About Metals Edge

Metals Edge is a full‑service precious metals firm serving high-net-worth investors and retirement account holders with Gold IRAs, storage trading accounts, and physical delivery. We are a licensed, bonded, and insured firm with an A+ rating and more than two decades in business. Our client‑facing platform includes a full‑service online account portal, and we offer market‑making capabilities for buys and sells, designed to deliver transparency and efficiency. Metals Edge is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. For more information, visit metalsedge.com.

Disclaimer

Metals Edge does not provide tax, legal, or individualized investment advice. Precious metals involve risk and may fluctuate in price. Investors should consult qualified professionals regarding their specific situation.

Media Contact

Stephanie Sutcliffe
Metals Edge
contact@metalsedge.com
+1 800-982-6105

Though Europe’s most listened-to artist on radio in 2025 was Ed Sheeran, Alex Warren's hit song, “Ordinary,” emerged as the most listened-to song across European radio.

The results are published as part of Radioplayer’s annual overview of actual radio listening. Unlike traditional radio charts, which measure what is broadcast, Radio Played 2025 reveals what listeners actually chose to listen to across platforms, countries, and moments. It is based on aggregated listening data from the Radioplayer platform, representing millions of listeners across Europe and powered by metadata supplied by radio broadcasters in 27 countries.

The data shows that while new hits dominate the very top of the rankings, radio listening across Europe is strongly shaped by timeless catalogue artists. Alongside Ed Sheeran, artists such as Queen, Madonna, and Michael Jackson rank among the most listened-to artists of the year, underlining radio’s unique role in sustaining long-term cultural relevance, not just short-term trends.

Seasonal listening also plays a clear role. Towards the end of the year, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” once again emerged as one of the most listened-to songs on European radio, highlighting radio’s continued importance for shared, live moments.

Beyond music, Radio Played 2025 also reflects how radio is used across Europe. Paris recorded the longest average listening sessions of any city, while November 27 became the single biggest radio day of the year, driven by an intense international news cycle that brought audiences back to live radio at scale.

Context and Platform

Radioplayer distributes radio across connected cars, smartphones, apps, voice assistants and smart speakers, offering a unique pan-European view of how radio is actually used today.

Unlike personalized or predictive rankings, Radioplayer captures collective listening behavior at scale, the artists, songs, cities and moments that brought audiences together across borders.

Radio Played 2025 is based on aggregated listening data from the Radioplayer platform, representing millions of listeners across Europe, and powered by metadata supplied by radio broadcasters in 27 countries.

Most Listened-To Song in Europe 2025

• No. 1: “Ordinary,” Alex Warren
• No. 2: “Messy,” Lola Young
• No. 3: “Nice to Meet You,” Myles Smith
• No. 4: “Azizam,” Ed Sheeran
• No. 5: “Abracadabra,” Lady Gaga
• No. 6: “Bad Dreams,” Teddy Swims
• No. 7: “End of the World,” Miley Cyrus
• No. 8: “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” Shaboozey
• No. 9: “That’s So True,” Gracie Abrams
• No. 10: “Sapphire,” Ed Sheeran
• No. 11: “Sorry I’m Here for Someone Else,” Benson Boone
• No. 12: “Austin,” Dasha
• No. 13: “Birds of a Feather,” Billie Eilish
• No. 14: “Belong Together,” Mark Ambor
• No. 15: “Anxiety,” Doechii

Most Listened-To Artist in Europe 2025

• No. 1: Ed Sheeran
• No. 2: Queen
• No. 3: Lady Gaga
• No. 4: Michael Jackson
• No. 5: Coldplay
• No. 6: Madonna
• No. 7: Myles Smith
• No. 8: Benson Boone
• No. 9: Sabrina Carpenter
• No. 10: Teddy Swims
• No. 11: Alex Warren
• No. 12: Taylor Swift
• No. 13: Lola Young
• No. 14: Miley Cyrus
• No. 15: Elton John

Cities with the Longest Average Listening Sessions in Europe 2025

• No. 1: Paris
• No. 2: London
• No. 3: Helsinki
• No. 4: Dublin
• No. 5: Milan
• No. 6: Lyon
• No. 7: Antwerp
• No. 8: Berlin
• No. 9: Tampere
• No. 10: Birmingham

Methodology

Radio Played 2025 is based on anonymized and aggregated listening data from the Radioplayer platform. Results are powered by broadcaster-supplied metadata from 27 European countries and cover listening in connected cars, on smartphones, apps, voice assistants and smart speakers.

About Radioplayer

Radioplayer is the broadcaster-owned technology platform that keeps radio strong in the car and across connected devices. We work to make radio look right, work right and be right there wherever people listen, in dashboards, apps, smart speakers and through voice. By combining FM and DAB broadcasting with internet connectivity, Radioplayer delivers hybrid radio that just works, with seamless coverage and a modern visual experience that makes stations clear, branded and premium on every screen. We collaborate closely with the world’s leading car manufacturers and technology partners, providing one certified feed and integration framework. This reduces complexity, ensures safety and compliance, and gives carmakers a consistent, trusted way to deliver the best radio experience to drivers. Radioplayer is live with 17 major car brands and more than five million cars. Learn more about Radioplayer at www.radioplayer.org.

Media Contact

Tommy Gaustad
Head of Communication, Radioplayer
tommy.gaustad@radioplayer.org
+47 93 00 35 66

Known for formulating safe, science-backed peptide products, CJC 1295 (HGH boosters) has become a leader in the peptide supplement space. With declining growth hormone levels after age 30 and men seeking practical solutions for muscle growth, fat reduction, and anti-aging benefits without the risks of synthetic HGH, the demand for reliable CJC 1295 supplements has never been higher.

First Insights: CJC 1295 Peptides for Men (2026)

• Best overall CJC 1295 pick — CrazyBulk Revive Lagging Growth Hormone Levels
• Best for increased muscle mass — Testoprime Booster
• Best for metabolism boosting and natural leaner — Natural Capsiplex 

Why CJC 1295 Matters for Your Muscle Building Goals

For men, achieving and maintaining substantial muscle mass often involves more than just training and protein intake. Age, lifestyle, and declining growth hormone levels can slow progress significantly. Common issues for people over 30 include:

• Declining growth hormone production after age 30, reducing muscle-building capacity
• Slower recovery times between training sessions, limiting workout frequency
• Stubborn body fat that resists diet and exercise despite consistent effort
• Reduced muscle protein synthesis, making gains harder to achieve
• Poor sleep quality affecting recovery and hormone production

The best CJC 1295 supplements address these issues head-on. By naturally stimulating growth hormone release, enhancing IGF-1 production, and supporting muscle protein synthesis, these peptide formulations provide consistent and sustainable results. CJC 1295 works by mimicking growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), triggering the pituitary gland to release more growth hormone naturally, without the risks, costs, or legal concerns associated with synthetic HGH injections. Wolfson Peptides designs its supplements to align with men's health needs, supporting both muscle growth and fat reduction simultaneously. This dual benefit is critical for men who want to build lean muscle without excess bulk or maintain muscle mass during cutting phases.

How We Selected the Top CJC 1295 Supplements (Criteria and Testing)

Not all CJC 1295 supplements are created equal. Many products on the market make bold claims but lack the bioavailable peptide forms, supporting ingredients, or safety standards to deliver results. To create this list, we applied a strict evaluation process based on:

• Peptide quality and bioavailability: Only supplements with pharmaceutical-grade CJC 1295 (with or without DAC) made the cut.
• Supporting ingredient synergy: Products combining CJC 1295 with complementary compounds like Ipamorelin, GABA, or L-Arginine scored higher.
• Proper dosages: We avoided under-dosed or ineffective formulations.
• Safety standards: All Wolfson Peptides products are manufactured in FDA-approved facilities under GMP guidelines.
• Transparency: No proprietary blends, every label shows exact ingredient amounts.
• Side effect profile: We prioritized supplements with minimal reported adverse effects.
• User feedback: Reviews, testimonials, muscle gain measurements, and customer satisfaction played a major role.
• Value for money: We weighed effectiveness against pricing and bundle offersThis process ensures that the supplements listed are not only effective but also safe and worth investing in for serious muscle-building goals.

Benefits of CJC 1295 Peptide Supplements for Men

Adding a CJC 1295 supplement to a structured training and nutrition routine can unlock multiple benefits:

• Enhanced muscle growth: Increased growth hormone release stimulates muscle protein synthesis and hypertrophy.
• Accelerated fat loss: Elevated GH levels promote lipolysis (fat breakdown) while preserving lean mass.
• Improved recovery: Faster repair of muscle tissue between training sessions allows for higher training volume.
• Better sleep quality: GH release peaks during deep sleep; supporting this process enhances rest and recovery.
• Anti-aging benefits: Sustained GH production supports skin elasticity, bone density, and overall vitality.
• Increased strength and power: Enhanced muscle quality and neuromuscular function improve performance.
• No injections required.

These combined effects create a synergistic approach, making it easier for men to achieve muscle-building goals comparable to HGH therapy while maintaining safety and natural hormone balance.

CJC 1295 Ingredients That Actually Work: What Science Says

When reviewing CJC 1295 supplements, ingredients are everything. The following compounds are repeatedly shown in research to support growth hormone production and muscle building:

• CJC 1295 (Modified GRF 1-29): A synthetic peptide that stimulates natural growth hormone release by mimicking GHRH
• CJC 1295 with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex): Extended-release version providing sustained GH elevation for up to 7 days
• Essential minerals for hormone production and recovery.

Wolfson Peptides' CJC 1295 supplements consistently include these ingredients at effective dosages, setting them apart from underpowered alternatives.

Best CJC 1295 Supplement Types (Recommended Stacks / Brands)

When selecting the right CJC 1295 supplement, understanding the different types can help men achieve their specific muscle-building goals. Crazybulk and others offer a diverse range of options, each designed to target growth hormone optimization differently. Broadly, CJC 1295 supplements fall into three main categories: pure peptide formulas, peptide stacks, and DAC versus non-DAC versions.

1. Crazybulk — Revive Lagging Growth Hormone Levels Formula (See Limited-Time Holiday Deals)

As the most potent, pure CJC 1295 supplements contain primarily the peptide itself with minimal additional compounds. These products are ideal for men who want targeted growth hormone stimulation without extra ingredients. Pure formulas work best when combined with a structured training program and proper nutrition. They provide a clean, focused approach to GH optimization, delivering HGH supplements that support CJC 1295 in bioavailable sublingual or capsule form for maximum absorption and effectiveness

2. Testoprime Stack Supplements (See Natural GH Booster)

Peptide stacks combine CJC 1295 with complementary compounds like Ipamorelin, GABA, or amino acids to create synergistic effects. These formulations enhance growth hormone release amplitude, improve sleep quality, and support recovery simultaneously. Stacked supplements are particularly effective for men seeking comprehensive muscle-building support beyond GH stimulation alone.Testoprime is a prime example, when combining with CJC 1295 for proven muscle-building and recovery ingredients to deliver all-in-one benefits.

3. Natural Capsiplex (See Best Alternative to CJC1295)

The distinction between CJC 1295 with and without DAC (drug affinity complex) is critical:

• CJC 1295 without DAC (Modified GRF 1-29) provides shorter-duration GH pulses (2-4 hours), mimicking natural pulsatile GH release. It's ideal for men who want frequent dosing and natural hormone patterns.
• CJC 1295 with DAC offers extended-release GH elevation lasting 6-8 days per dose. It's suitable for men seeking sustained GH levels with less frequent administration, though it may suppress natural GH pulsatility over time.

Understanding these categories allows men to select a CJC 1295 supplement that aligns with their training frequency, dosing preferences, and muscle-building objectives. Whether it's pure peptide for focused results, stacks for comprehensive support, or choosing between DAC and non-DAC based on desired GH release patterns, selecting the right type is crucial for sustainable gains.

Key Ingredients and Function

CJC 1295 (Modified GRF 1-29): Stimulates pituitary GH release by mimicking growth hormone-releasing hormone- Ipamorelin: Synergistic growth hormone secretagogue that enhances GH pulse amplitude without cortisol elevation

• Alpha-GPC: Supports acetylcholine production and amplifies GH response to resistance training.
• GABA: Promotes natural GH release during sleep cycles, improving recovery.
• L-Arginine and L-Ornithine: Amino acid duo that boosts nitric oxide and supports endogenous GH secretion.
• Mucuna Pruriens (15% L-DOPA): Increases dopamine, triggering additional GH release from the pituitary.
• Vitamin D3 and Zinc: Essential nutrients for testosterone and growth hormone optimization.

Benefits:

• Stimulates natural growth hormone production comparable to low-dose HGH therapy while it also builds lean muscle mass while reducing body fat percentage
• Accelerates recovery between training sessions
• Enhances sleep quality for optimal hormone production
• Supports anti-aging benefits including skin elasticity and bone density

How CJC 1295 Works

Peptides works through multiple pathways. CJC 1295 and Ipamorelin directly stimulate GH release, while supporting ingredients enhance this effect and provide additional muscle-building benefits. Alpha-GPC amplifies the training-induced GH response, GABA optimizes nighttime GH secretion, and amino acids support the metabolic environment for muscle growth. By targeting GH production through multiple mechanisms, it provides consistent and sustainable results without suppressing natural hormone patterns.

Usage Tips:

• Take 2 capsules 30 minutes before training or 2 hours after your last meal in the evening.
• For maximum GH release, take on an empty stomach. Combine with resistance training 4-5 times per week and adequate protein intake (1 gram per pound of body weight) for optimal muscle-building results.

Benefits:

• Continuous 24-hour growth hormone optimization
• Maximizes training-induced GH release during the day
• Supports deep sleep and nighttime recovery
• Enhances both muscle building and fat loss simultaneously

How Testoprime Works

The day capsules optimize GH release during training when insulin sensitivity is high and muscle protein synthesis is most responsive. Nighttime capsules focus on deep sleep enhancement and sustained GH elevation during the critical recovery window. This combination ensures optimal hormone environment for muscle growth around the clock.

Usage Tips:

• Take 2 capsules first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, especially before fasted cardio sessions.
• Maintain moderate calorie deficit (300-500 calories below maintenance) and prioritize high protein intake (1.2-1.5g per pound body weight). Combine with resistance training to maintain strength.

Most Common CJC 1295 Side Effects

CJC 1295 side effects are generally mild when using pharmaceutical-grade oral supplements from reputable manufacturers like Wolfson Peptides. The most commonly reported side effects include temporary injection site reactions (for injectable forms), mild headaches, flushing, and dizziness . These effects are typically short-lived and subside as the body adjusts to increased growth hormone levels.

Unlike synthetic HGH injections, CJC 1295 supplements work by stimulating natural GH production, which reduces the risk of serious adverse effects. Some users report water retention during the initial weeks, which normalizes with continued use. To minimize CJC 1295 side effects, start with lower dosages and gradually increase as tolerance develops. Products like PeptideQ PM are specifically formulated to reduce side effects through evening dosing and synergistic ingredients.

Men with pre-existing medical conditions, particularly those related to cancer, diabetes, or pituitary disorders should consult healthcare providers before using CJC 1295 supplements

Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should avoid peptide supplementation entirely. The key to minimizing risks is choosing quality products with transparent ingredient lists and following recommended cycling protocols

The Ideal Ipamorelin CJC 1295 Dosage?

Ipamorelin CJC 1295 dosage for bodybuilding varies based on experience level and goals. Clinical research and bodybuilding protocols typically recommend 250-500mcg of CJC 1295 combined with 200-300mcg of Ipamorelin per administration. For oral supplements like MuscleSync and PeptideQ, the manufacturers have optimized dosages within capsule formulations to provide equivalent benefits to injectable protocols.

CJC 1295 Ipamorelin bodybuilding dosage protocols typically follow these guidelines, please consult a professional for a real recommendation and advice:

• Beginners: 100-200mcg CJC 1295 + 100-200mcg Ipamorelin once daily
• Intermediate: 250-300mcg CJC 1295 + 200-300mcg Ipamorelin 1–2 times daily
• Advanced: 300-500mcg CJC 1295 + 300mcg Ipamorelin 2–3 times daily (split doses)

Peptides' supplements like Testoprime and Crazybulk pre-dose these compounds for convenience and safety. Take 2 capsules daily — one pre-workout and one before bed-to maintain optimal GH pulses throughout the day. For maximum muscle-building results, maintain consistent dosing 5 days per week with 2 rest days to preserve pituitary sensitivity.

Timing matters significantly: dose on an empty stomach (2-3 hours after eating) and avoid carbohydrates for 30–60 minutes post-dosing to maximize GH release. Combining Ipamorelin CJC 1295 dosage protocols with resistance training 4–5 times weekly and high protein intake (1–1.2g per pound body weight) produces optimal muscle hypertrophy.

Disclaimer

This press release is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The statements made herein have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or any other regulatory authority. Products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Peptide supplements, including CJC 1295 formulations, may not be suitable for everyone. Individual results may vary. Readers should consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any supplement, peptide or hormone-related regimen, particularly if they have a pre-existing medical condition, are taking prescription medications, or have concerns related to hormonal health. The information presented is not intended to replace professional medical guidance. Any references to potential benefits are based on available research, manufacturer data and user-reported outcomes and should not be interpreted as guaranteed results. This content does not promote or endorse the illegal sale, distribution or misuse of controlled substances. Products referenced are intended for lawful use in accordance with applicable regulations. Always follow label instructions and applicable laws in your jurisdiction.

The forex trading industry has reached new heights in 2026, with technological advancements enabling professional-grade trading capabilities across desktop and mobile platforms. Following comprehensive analysis of execution quality, platform innovation, regulatory compliance, and user experience, five forex brokers have emerged as the definitive leaders for 2026:

• XM: Global leader with low barriers
• ActivTrades: European excellence and proprietary innovation
• BlackBull Markets: Institutional-grade conditions for retail traders
• PU Prime: Copy trading with comprehensive education
• Vantage: Social trading meets professional execution

These industry leaders represent the convergence of institutional-grade execution, advanced charting capabilities, and user-friendly interfaces that make sophisticated forex trading accessible to traders worldwide. Together, these platforms serve millions of traders globally, offering access to thousands of tradable instruments across forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.

The Best Forex Brokers in 2026

XM: The Most Valuable Bonus Package for New Clients

XM has established itself as the all-around champion for global traders, serving over 15 million clients across 190 countries since its founding in 2009. The broker's comprehensive approach combines ultra-low barriers to entry with professional-grade trading conditions that appeal to both beginners and experienced professionals.

Key advantages:

• Promotional offers: 100% deposit bonus up to $10,500 and a $30 no-deposit bonus for new clients
• Platform flexibility: Seamless access to MT4, MT5, and proprietary XM App from a single login
• Superior execution: Ultra-fast execution with zero requotes and low slippage, even during high volatility
• Advanced technology: Integration of advanced AI tools and TradingView for superior charting and analysis
• Comprehensive education: Extensive educational ecosystem with webinars, seminars, and structured learning paths
• Low barriers to entry: Minimum deposit from $5 with access to over 1,000 instruments across forex, stocks, indices, and crypto CFDs

ActivTrades: European Excellence with Proprietary Innovation

Established in 2001 and headquartered in London, ActivTrades has built a reputation for transparency, innovation, and exceptional customer service. The broker's proprietary ActivTrader platform complements its MetaTrader offerings, providing traders with a streamlined, modern interface designed for efficiency.

Key advantages:

• Best-in-class execution: Over 93.6% of orders filled at the requested price or better
• Competitive pricing: Commission-free trading with spreads from 0.5 pips
• Award-winning support: Customer support with a reported satisfaction rate over 95%
• Advanced analytics: Proprietary "smile charts" to decode market moves and price action
• Strong fund security: Client deposits held in segregated, insured accounts
• Enhanced protection: Insurance coverage of £1 million, exceeding standard FSCS protections

BlackBull Markets: Institutional Power for Retail Traders

Founded in 2014 and based in New Zealand, BlackBull Markets has rapidly expanded its global presence by offering institutional-grade trading conditions to retail clients. The broker's extensive instrument selection, featuring over 26,000 tradable assets, enables comprehensive portfolio diversification from a single account.

Key advantages:

• True ECN connectivity: Direct access to institutional liquidity pools
• Advanced Trading Tools: Advanced order types and deep market depth for professional strategies
• Tight spreads: Raw spreads starting from 0.0 pips on major currency pairs
• Robust platform suite: MetaTrader 4 and 5 with support for complex algorithmic trading
• Flexible account types: Comprehensive options designed for retail traders, serious investors, and institutions
• Extensive instrument selection: Access to over 26,000 tradable instruments

PU Prime: Copy Trading Pioneer with Comprehensive Resources

Since launching in 2015, PU Prime has positioned itself at the forefront of social trading innovation while maintaining competitive conditions for traditional trading. Recognition as a Top 10 Copy Trading Platform for 2025 reflects the broker's commitment to this growing market segment.

Key advantages:

• Flexible leverage: Options up to 1:1000, depending on entity and jurisdiction
• Competitive spreads: Starting from 0.0 pips on specific account types
• Broad multi-asset offering: Forex, commodities, stocks, indices, and cryptocurrencies (960-plus instruments)
• Industry-standard platforms: Support for MT4 and MT5 platforms
• Multi-jurisdiction regulation: Including ASIC-regulated entity for Australian clients
• Integrated copy trading: Transparent access to strategy provider performance with adjustable risk controls

Vantage: Social Trading Meets Professional Execution

Established in 2009 and headquartered in Sydney, Vantage has evolved into a comprehensive trading platform combining professional-grade execution with social trading capabilities. The broker offers its proprietary Vantage app alongside robust support for MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and ProTrader platforms.

Key advantages:

• Promotional offers: 50% deposit bonus up to $500
• Social and copy trading: Functions allowing traders to learn from and mirror strategies of peers
• Quick account setup: Easy entry with setup under five minutes and demo accounts for practice
• Multiple trading platforms: Access to various platforms and real-time charting services
• Transparent costs: Narrow spreads and no commissions on standard accounts
• Strong regulatory oversight: Multi-tier regulation including FCA and ASIC

Industry Evolution and Trading Technology Growth

The recognition of these five brokers reflects broader trends transforming the forex industry in 2026. Trading technology has evolved to provide comprehensive environments where retail traders can access institutional-grade execution, sophisticated analysis tools, and extensive educational resources.

Advanced charting capabilities, comprehensive technical analysis tools, and sophisticated order types have become standard features across leading platforms. Integration of artificial intelligence, social trading capabilities, and extensive educational resources reflects the industry's commitment to supporting trader success across experience levels.

Regulatory oversight has strengthened globally, with top-tier regulators enforcing stricter standards for client fund protection, execution quality, and business conduct. This enhanced regulation provides traders with greater confidence when selecting brokers and protects market integrity.

The convergence of desktop and mobile trading capabilities ensures traders can manage positions, analyze markets, and execute strategies seamlessly across devices. This flexibility has become essential for modern traders who require access to markets from any location while maintaining full functionality.

Selection Criteria and Methodology

The identification of these top five forex brokers for 2026 involved comprehensive evaluation across multiple dimensions. Key criteria included execution quality and speed, regulatory compliance and client fund protection, platform technology and reliability, trading costs and fee transparency, available markets and instruments, customer support quality and availability, educational resources and market research, and multi-platform functionality and optimization.

Each broker underwent rigorous assessment, with particular emphasis on real-world performance, user experience, and value proposition for different trader profiles. The selected brokers represent diverse strengths, ensuring traders with different priorities and trading styles can identify the platform best suited to their needs.

Platform Accessibility and Trading Styles

The recognized brokers serve diverse trading approaches, from day trading and scalping to swing trading, position trading, algorithmic trading, and social trading. Each platform provides the tools and infrastructure necessary to support these varied strategies effectively.

Day traders and scalpers benefit from ultra-fast execution speeds and tight spreads, while swing and position traders appreciate comprehensive charting with extensive timeframes and technical analysis tools. Algorithmic traders can leverage MetaTrader's Expert Advisor functionality and API access, while copy traders enjoy transparent access to strategy provider performance and risk management controls.

Beginners find value in intuitive interfaces, extensive educational content, low minimum deposits, and demo account access that enables risk-free learning. Professional traders appreciate institutional-grade execution, advanced order types, deep liquidity, and transparent pricing structures.

What to Consider When Choosing a Forex Broker

Selecting the right forex broker is one of the most important decisions a trader will make. The broker serves as the gateway to global currency markets, and choosing wisely can significantly impact trading success. Here are the critical factors traders should evaluate when selecting a forex broker in 2026:

Regulation and Security

Regulatory oversight should be the primary consideration when evaluating any forex broker. Top-tier regulators including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the U.K., the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) enforce strict standards for capital requirements, client fund protection, and business conduct.

Brokers regulated by these authorities must maintain segregated client funds, keeping trader deposits separate from operational capital. This structure protects client funds even if the broker encounters financial difficulties. Additionally, many jurisdictions mandate negative balance protection, ensuring traders cannot lose more than their account balance even during extreme market volatility.

Investor compensation schemes provide an additional layer of security. The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the U.K. covers up to £85,000 per person if an FCA-regulated broker fails, while ASIC requires Australian brokers to maintain professional indemnity insurance. Some brokers go beyond regulatory requirements, offering private insurance coverage of £1 million or more.

Security features including two-factor authentication, data encryption, and biometric login procedures protect account access from unauthorized use. Traders should verify that brokers implement multiple security layers to safeguard sensitive financial information.

Trading Costs and Fee Structures

Understanding the complete cost structure is essential for profitable trading. The most visible cost is the spread — the difference between bid and ask prices. Spreads can be fixed or variable, with variable spreads typically tightening during high liquidity periods and widening during volatile or low-liquidity conditions.

Commission-based accounts often offer tighter spreads but charge explicit commissions per trade, usually expressed as dollars per lot per side. For active traders, calculating total cost requires factoring both spread and commission. A broker offering 0.2 pip spreads with $3 per lot commission might be more cost-effective than one offering 1.0 pip spreads with no commission, depending on trading frequency and position size.

Overnight financing charges, known as swap rates, apply to positions held past the daily rollover time. These charges reflect interest rate differentials between currencies in each pair. For swing traders and position traders holding positions for multiple days or weeks, swap costs can significantly impact profitability. Some brokers offer swap-free Islamic accounts that eliminate these charges but may adjust fees elsewhere.

Non-trading fees deserve careful attention. Inactivity fees, deposit fees, withdrawal fees, and currency conversion charges can erode profits over time. The best brokers eliminate most non-trading fees, charging only for specific services like bank wire withdrawals.

Execution Quality and Platform Reliability

Execution quality directly impacts trading outcomes. Fast execution means nothing if it comes with significant slippage — the difference between expected and actual execution prices. Traders should evaluate not only execution speed but also consistency in receiving fair fills, particularly during volatile market conditions.

Order rejection rates matter significantly for active traders. Some brokers reject orders during volatile periods, forcing resubmission at worse prices. No-dealing-desk (NDD) and electronic communication network (ECN) execution models typically provide better order fills than dealing desk models, as they route orders directly to liquidity providers rather than taking the opposite side of client trades.

Platform stability is crucial. Trading platforms that crash, freeze, or lose connection during critical market periods can result in missed opportunities or unmanaged losing positions. Reviewing user feedback about platform reliability provides valuable insight into real-world performance across different market conditions.

Cross-device synchronization enhances trading flexibility. The ability to analyze markets on one device, place trades from another, and modify orders from a third ensures seamless trading regardless of location or circumstances.

Looking Forward

As 2026 progresses, these industry leaders continue innovating, adding features, and improving their platforms to meet evolving trader needs. The forex market's 24-hour nature and global reach ensure that cutting-edge technology and reliable execution will remain central to how traders access and interact with financial markets.

The five recognized brokers demonstrate that successful modern forex trading platforms must balance multiple priorities: accessibility for beginners, sophisticated tools for professionals, robust regulation for security, competitive costs for profitability, and continuous innovation for relevance.

Traders evaluating these platforms are encouraged to utilize demo accounts for risk-free exploration, enabling thorough evaluation of interfaces, execution quality, and platform suitability before committing capital. Each broker offers unique strengths, and the optimal choice depends on individual trading style, experience level, and priorities.

About This Recognition

This recognition of the best forex brokers for 2026 represents an independent assessment based on publicly available information, platform testing, and industry analysis. Traders should conduct their own due diligence and consider their individual circumstances, risk tolerance, and trading objectives when selecting a forex broker.

The forex market offers significant opportunities but also carries substantial risk. Successful trading requires proper education, disciplined risk management, and realistic expectations. The platforms recognized in this announcement provide the technological foundation for trading success, but ultimate profitability depends on trader knowledge, strategy, and emotional discipline.

Disclaimer

This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, trading, or other professional advice. The rankings and evaluations referenced are based on publicly available information, independent research, and stated methodologies at the time of publication. They should not be construed as endorsements or recommendations to engage with any broker or trading platform. Trading foreign exchange involves significant risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Readers should conduct their own due diligence and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any trading or investment decisions.

Starting December 22, HEYTEA and POP MART’s popular IP Twinkle Twinkle officially launched their global co-branded campaign across HEYTEA stores worldwide. Timed to the Christmas and New Year season, the collaboration is built around the theme “Twinkle Twinkle for Winter.” Centered on the warm and comforting Twinkle Twinkle characters, the campaign introduces a multi-dimensional experience that includes custom character designs, co-branded drinks, themed merchandise, themed stores, and the Inspiration Bus pop-up activation.

This marks HEYTEA’s first globally synchronized co-branded launch. Even before the official rollout, the partnership generated strong attention across social platforms. With the campaign spanning Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, as well as more than 100 HEYTEA stores across the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other overseas markets, the collaboration brings a shared winter moment to cities around the world.

Beyond its festive appeal, the campaign offers a glimpse into HEYTEA’s approach to international markets. While character-led collaborations help create seasonal resonance, HEYTEA’s broader focus lies in building meaningful, locally grounded brand experiences that feel relevant in different cultural contexts.

Localized campaigns, shaped by local culture

Across overseas markets, HEYTEA has consistently used collaborations and pop-up activations as a way to connect with younger audiences and spark cultural conversation. Over the past year, the brand has partnered with names spanning fashion, art, and entertainment, including alexanderwang, Sandy Liang, Wicked, and Yayoi Kusama. Each collaboration is paired with limited products and immersive offline experiences, encouraging consumers to engage, explore, and share.

Rather than applying a single formula across regions, HEYTEA selects creative partners with strong local or cultural relevance, develops visually distinctive concepts, and designs in-store experiences that naturally translate into social moments. This approach allows the brand to build local presence while maintaining a coherent global identity rooted in inspiration and creativity.

Product creativity as a shared language

Product creation remains central to how HEYTEA expresses its brand globally. As the originator of “new-style tea,” the brand views innovation as a way to continuously reinterpret tea culture for contemporary consumers, both in China and overseas.

Internationally, HEYTEA has introduced more than 20 localized drinks designed to reflect regional taste preferences while staying true to the brand’s emphasis on natural ingredients and modern tea aesthetics. Examples include Cloud Coconut Blue, Cloud Longjing Tea Latte, and Ocean’s Glow, which incorporate lighter flavor profiles, lower sugar options, and plant-forward elements to better align with local expectations.

This philosophy is reflected in the Twinkle Twinkle collaboration itself. Alongside HEYTEA’s globally available classics, the campaign introduces two exclusive drinks, Tiramisu Milk Tea and Tiramisu Rich Chocolate, marking the brand’s first globally synchronized seasonal product release. For HEYTEA, seasonal storytelling is less about promotion and more about creating moments of comfort, warmth, and shared experience across markets.

The U.S. as a key stage for cultural connection

The United States continues to play an important role in HEYTEA’s overseas presence. Since opening its first U.S. store at the end of 2023, the brand has expanded into cities including New York, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, Houston, Seattle, and Boston. HEYTEA now operates 36 stores across the country.

For HEYTEA, the appeal of the U.S. lies not only in market scale, but also in its openness to new tastes and ideas. The brand sees tea as a cultural medium, one that can create connection through shared sensory experiences. This perspective has shaped both store design and product development, encouraging exploration rather than simple adaptation.

In New York’s Times Square, HEYTEA opened its overseas flagship TEA LAB store, a space designed to reinterpret Chinese tea culture through an inspiration-driven lens. Featuring exclusive drinks and a carefully curated environment, the flagship serves as a creative showcase for how tea can be experienced in a modern, global city.

Supporting experiences behind the scenes

As HEYTEA expands internationally, it continues to refine the systems that support consistent experiences across markets. The brand has extended its HEYTEA GO digital platform overseas and introduced a self-operated delivery model in the U.S., helping ensure a more seamless and reliable customer journey. These behind-the-scenes capabilities allow HEYTEA to focus on what consumers see and feel, while maintaining quality and coherence across regions.

About HEYTEA

Founded in 2012 in Jiangmen, Guangdong, China, HEYTEA is widely recognized as the originator of new-style tea beverages. The brand created the world’s first cheese tea using real tea and real milk, setting a new standard for the industry. HEYTEA is committed to using real ingredients, including real tea, real milk, real fruit, and real sugar, while continuously reimagining tea culture through products and experiences that resonate with young consumers. Today, HEYTEA operates around 4,000 stores worldwide, including more than 100 overseas locations across Asia, North America, Europe, and Oceania. For more information, visit www.heytea.com.

Media Contact

Matthew Zhou
zhouhaoge@heytea.com

HIZERO has firmly established itself in recent years as a category leader among home cleaning innovation brands, winning awards and gaining international attention for its breakthroughs in functionality and design.

As 2026 rolls in, HIZERO is on track to further revolutionize the market with new CES product launches. At the center of this pre-CES product launch buzz is the H100R Handheld Multi-Surface Cleaner.

This handheld cleaner is the world’s first multi-surface cleaner which can, clean, wash, and dry, featuring HIZERO’s patented no-suction technology. While other brands have introduced similar cleaning tools in recent years, HIZERO has proven it can outperform them in terms of results, and functionality.

The HIZERO H100R Handheld Multi-Surface Cleaner

The H100R is a game-changer for commercial customers and clean freaks who hold onto high cleaning standards. This multi-surface cleaner is putting cleaning cloths, and other forms of cleaning in their place, showing the world that cleaning doesn’t have to be a time-consuming, water-wasting, messy chore.

The handheld cleaner can go anywhere a cloth can, including refrigerators, mirrors, wardrobes, desktops, yoga mats, and commercial restaurant countertops. However, unlike the average cleaning cloth, this revolutionary no-suction cleaner is effortless to use and delivers more hygienic results. Using just one device, customers can both clean and leave the surface almost dry.

The H100R utilizes our own patented highly absorbent, Multi Roller, which rotates at 100 times per minute for the most efficient cleaning. Whilst in operation our real-time self-cleaning system kicks in, keeping the Multi Roller 100% clean, whilst in operation. The wastewater and solids are collected for easy maintenance, and the surface dries in seconds.

With no filthy filters and Automatic Waste Separation, the H100R delivers hygienic, hassle-free cleaning results. The H100R is part of the H100 Series and is $169 USD MSRP.

Other HIZERO products and new releases for 2026 

Besides the H100R Handheld Multi-Surface Cleaner, HIZERO is set to launch three other products in 2026: the HIZERO F200 Hard Floor Cleaner, HIZERO R700 Floor Washing Robot, and HIZERO M101 Wet Dry Cleaning Mop.

Here are a few of the main features and benefits users can expect from these new products.

HIZERO R700 Floor Washing Robot — Fully automated floor washing

The HIZERO R700 Floor Washing Robot is an innovative robotic cleaner that delivers ultimate cleaning by truly removing ingrained dirt and wet messes without spreading them around. Its self-cleaning roller keeps your floors washed with a clean roller at all times. Equipped with advanced navigation, you can relax while leaving floor cleaning the to the R700. Compared with conventional robots, the no-suction R700 prevents dust from being spread on the floor and air, is quieter, and delivers longer battery life. All of the above features are not only making cleaning easier for households but they will improve the cleanliness of your floor.

HIZERO F200 Hard Floor Cleaner — Ultimate clean in a snap

The HIZERO F200 Hard Floor Cleaner is a Multifunctional wet-and-dry cleaner that delivers deep floor cleaning. No Suction Technology ensures no flying dust during cleaning, and the F200 completely separates hair, dry debris, and liquid waste for effortless disposal, which is usually tedious with vacuum cleaners. Due to low power consumption associated with No Suction Technology, it will operate for up to 60 minutes with noise levels far lower than those of vacuum cleaners.

HIZERO M101 Wet Dry Cleaning Mop — One mop. All clean.

The HIZERO M101 Wet Dry Cleaning Mop is an innovative mop that delivers powerful cleaning performance without electricity. It sweeps, mops, and washes hard floors in one motion, covering large areas with its built-in water tanks. Dry debris and liquid waste are automatically separated for quick and easy disposal. With much less maintenance required, it is extremely easy to use, making it perfect for residential or non-residential areas.

Two of HIZERO’s newest cleaning products that are already on the market are the F300 All-In-One Hard Floor Cleaner and the F600 All-In-One Hard Floor Cleaner.

The F300 All-In-One Hard Floor Cleaner was released in January 2025 and is perfect for small homes or small commercial spaces. As they are lightweight, easy to maneuver and produce exceptional results. The F300 floor cleaner features HIZERO’s patented, highly absorbent Multi Roller and retails for $599 USD MSRP.

The F600 All-In-One Hard Floor Cleaner was released in 2024 and is designed for large homes and small commercial spaces. A continuously cleaned Multi Roller eliminates dirty water streaks. It sweeps and mops in a forward-backward motion, saving time and effort. The F600 has a larger water capacity allowing you to clean more flooring on a single tank of water. The F600 is offered at $899 USD MSRP.

Behind the HIZERO brand vision and future development

HIZERO’s goal is to help people enjoy healthier lifestyles by giving them tools to clean their homes and workplaces effortlessly and efficiently. The brand is now sold in more than 30 countries worldwide and is trusted by home and commercial cleaners for its results and reliability.

One of its major achievements is its patented No Suction Technology, which established the brand as an industry leader. Not only does this revolutionary approach cut down on dust, but it also saves energy and is environmentally friendly.

HIZERO currently has several innovative cleaning products on the market and ready for release. From 2026 onwards, HIZERO plans to launch new categories, including handheld, non-electric, and robotic products, to achieve a “clean beyond compare.”

About HIZERO

HIZERO currently has several innovative cleaning products on the market and ready for release. From 2026 onwards, HIZERO plans to launch new categories, including handheld, non-electric, and robotic products, to achieve a “clean beyond compare.” For more information, visit www.hizero.com and follow on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Media Contact

Lorie Ho
lorie.ho@hizero.com

On July 29, 2025, in a decisive move signaling the start of yet another chapter of the journey towards regional industrial leadership, ArcelorMittal Tubular Products Al-Jubail (ArcelorMittal TPJ) issued a Letter of Award to Sinosteel Equipment & Engineering Co. Ltd. (Sinosteel MECC). The move signals the beginning of a new chapter in TPJ’s drive toward regional industrial leadership and marks the launch of its Heat Treatment and Finishing Line (HT/FL) capacity expansion project. The investment underscores Saudi Arabia’s growing leadership in seamless steel tube manufacturing, enhancing industrial capabilities through the use of advanced and sophisticated technologies. The Chinese engineering giant is set to implement the project as EPC lead with Italy’s Tenova S.p.A. (Tenova Italimpianti) supplying the latest technology.

This initiative represents a strategic leap towards further reinforcing industrial localization in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Upon its completion, the Kingdom’s heat treatment and finishing capacity of OCTG (oil country tubular goods) and line pipe products will significantly increase, which will in turn facilitate the capture of greater value across its energy and infrastructure supply chain, thereby further consolidating its leading role in the MENA region.

“This is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s industrial ambition in motion,” said Laurent Bardet, CEO of ArcelorMittal TPJ. “We are not waiting for the future. We are building it. With Sinosteel and Tenova, we are charting a path of regional leadership and long-term sustainability. We strengthen our strategic position; we secure the supply chain of our customers.” 

The groundbreaking for the HT/FL expansion project is expected to take place in December 2025 or January 2026.

A New Era for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Industrial Sovereignty

Aligned with Vision 2030, this latest project reflects the Kingdom’s firm and ongoing commitment to high-value localization, advanced technology integration, and economic diversification.

In selecting Sinosteel Equipment & Engineering Co. Ltd. (Sinosteel MECC) and Tenova S.p.A. (Tenova Italimpianti) as execution lead and technology partner, respectively, ArcelorMittal TPJ has secured best-in-class project delivery capabilities. Both contractors provide world-class expertise in engineering, metallurgical plant design, construction, and commissioning, forming a powerful partnership to deliver excellence with respect to one of the most notable expansion projects in the MENA+ seamless tube manufacturing industry in terms of both finishing capabilities and capacities.

Strategic Impact

• Capacity built for control: Expands domestic production of heat-treated, high-spec pipes to comprehensively cater for regional oil, gas, and industrial demand.
• Market locked: Consolidates ArcelorMittal TPJ’s role as the strategic gatekeeper for OCTG and line pipe tubular products across MENA+.
• Saudi first, global ready: Further consolidates and enhances industrial independence and competitive positioning in global markets.

About ArcelorMittal Tubular Products Al-Jubail (ArcelorMittal TPJ)

ArcelorMittal Tubular Products Al-Jubail (ArcelorMittal TPJ) is a bold expression of industrial excellence — a joint venture between the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and ArcelorMittal, the world’s leading steel and mining company. Located in Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it operates one of the most advanced seamless carbon steel tube mills in the region. Purpose-built to serve the Kingdom’s most demanding energy and infrastructure projects, ArcelorMittal TPJ is more than a manufacturer. It is a regional champion — designed for performance, engineered for endurance, and committed to powering the energy ambitions of the Kingdom and beyond. Driven by Vision 2030, ArcelorMittal TPJ fuses global industrial leadership with national ambition — delivering quality without compromise, forging strategic partnerships, and enabling the Kingdom to lead not only in production, but in industrial sovereignty. For more information, visit www.amtpj.com.sa.

Media Contact

Osamah A Q
osamah@manwar.co

The video series "Wild Yangtze" documents how cities along the Yangtze River are working to restore habitats and protect rare species. These efforts follow the principle of strengthening conservation while curbing excessive development along the river.

The series highlights 11 representative rare species from the upper, middle, and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, including the Milu, the Yangtze finless porpoise, and the Chinese sturgeon. Through their recovery stories, the series reflects a broader shift in how people relate to nature along the river.

As one of the world’s most important freshwater ecosystems, the Yangtze River supports the livelihoods of more than 400 million people and is home to rich and unique biodiversity.

The Yangtze River is home to some of China’s most distinctive species. The Chinese sturgeon, often described as a "living fossil,” has survived on Earth for about 140 million years. The Yangtze finless porpoise, nicknamed the river’s "smiling angel," now numbers around 1,200 in the wild. A lesser-known but equally important species is Adiantum nelumboides, a fern endemic to the Three Gorges Reservoir area and known as a "green living fossil” of the river’s ecosystem.

For a long time, intensive human activity placed heavy pressure on the Yangtze and its wildlife. This began to change in 2016, when conservation became the guiding principle for development along the Yangtze River Economic Belt, opening a new chapter in ecological restoration.

Over the past decade, China has launched large-scale protection and restoration efforts along the river. Measures such as a 10-year fishing ban, the Yangtze River Protection Law, the relocation of chemical plants, riverbank rehabilitation, and wetland restoration have driven a clear shift from a development-first mindset to an ecology-first approach.

These efforts are now producing visible results. The decline of the Yangtze finless porpoise has been halted, and its population is beginning to recover. The Chinese high fin banded sharks have returned to the Xiang River after years of absence, signaling improving aquatic conditions. Meanwhile, Adiantum nelumboides is sprouting new shoots in artificial breeding bases, helping preserve this rare species.

Behind these changes is the steady, long-term work of researchers, patrolmen, former fishermen who have changed livelihoods, volunteers, and grassroots workers. Their combined efforts are helping bring life back to the Yangtze, allowing species once on the brink of disappearance to return to the river they depend on.

As Bitcoin continues to trade within a volatile macroeconomic environment, on-chain data from decentralized prediction markets is increasingly being cited as an alternative indicator of market expectations. Recent activity on Binamarket suggests that a significant share of participants are positioning around a scenario in which Bitcoin reaches $200,000 by 2026.

Data released by Binamarket, a decentralized prediction market platform built on BNB Chain, shows that more than 80% of recorded positions in a Bitcoin price market focused on the 2026 timeframe currently align with the $200,000 outcome. The distribution of positions reflects how participants collectively assess longer-term price possibilities rather than formal price forecasts.

Prediction markets differ from traditional analyst models by aggregating expectations through financial exposure rather than surveys or opinion-based commentary. Participants commit capital to predefined outcomes, creating a market-driven signal that some observers view as a real-time gauge of sentiment, particularly during periods of uncertainty.

Market analysts note that rising interest in higher Bitcoin price scenarios coincides with broader structural shifts in the digital asset ecosystem. Institutional participation in crypto markets has expanded steadily in recent years, driven by the introduction of regulated investment vehicles, greater custody infrastructure, and growing acceptance of digital assets as part of diversified portfolios.

At the same time, expectations around global liquidity conditions and monetary policy cycles have fueled renewed debate over Bitcoin’s role as a hedge against macroeconomic instability. While views remain divided, longer-dated price scenarios have become an increasingly common topic of discussion among market participants.

Unlike centralized forecasting platforms or polling-based sentiment indicators, Binamarket operates entirely on-chain. All market parameters, including outcome definitions, timelines, and settlement logic, are governed by smart contracts. Once predefined conditions are met, outcomes are resolved automatically, providing a transparent and verifiable record of market activity without intermediaries.

Observers caution, however, that prediction markets should not be interpreted as price-setting mechanisms. Market outcomes do not influence spot or derivatives prices directly and are subject to the same uncertainties that characterize broader crypto markets, including regulatory developments, liquidity shifts, and changes in investor risk appetite.

Instead, prediction markets are increasingly viewed as complementary tools for understanding how expectations evolve over time. By capturing collective positioning rather than individual forecasts, such markets can highlight emerging narratives and areas of consensus or divergence among participants.

Binamarket said it plans to expand its range of markets beyond Bitcoin, introducing additional contracts tied to other digital assets, macroeconomic indicators, and selected real-world events. The expansion reflects growing interest in decentralized mechanisms for aggregating expectations across a wide range of topics.

As digital asset markets mature, on-chain prediction markets are gaining attention as a data source that sits alongside traditional research, analyst commentary, and derivatives positioning. Whether such markets become a mainstream reference point remains to be seen, but recent activity suggests they are playing an increasingly visible role in how participants interpret long-term scenarios.

To learn more, visit:

• Website: binamarket.com
• Airdrop: t.me/binamarket_airdrop_bot

About Binamarket

Binamarket is a decentralized prediction market platform built on BNB Chain that enables users to participate in markets linked to real-world events through permissionless, on-chain mechanisms. The platform focuses on aggregating collective expectations to provide insight into emerging trends across cryptocurrency and global markets. In addition to its prediction market offerings, Binamarket has announced a free $100 airdrop program for all users, aimed at supporting early participation on the platform. The initiative is designed to reward eligible users for engaging with prediction pools and contributing to the platform’s early-stage ecosystem growth. For more information, visit binamarket.com.

A new competitive infrastructure for algorithmic trading officially goes live with the launch of Spartan Arena, a structured, four-week public contest that places user-designed trading bots into real market conditions and ranks them on performance, stability, and market behavior. The Arena opens January 1, 2026, with qualified bots going live in three waves on January 1, January 6, and January 11.

Spartan Arena has been engineered from the ground up as a fully transparent testing environment, offering participants a way to validate their trading logic under the same conditions faced by institutional systems without requiring coding ability, hardware resources, or direct capital risk. 

The competition’s structure revolves around standardized exposure. Rather than allowing early participants disproportionate advantage, bots enter through three controlled waves, ensuring performance comparisons remain fair across different market windows. Once active, each bot trade lives, reacts to market volatility, and is ranked in real time based on fully transparent metrics. No simulations, no isolated models. The Arena evaluates execution under genuine conditions.

A major differentiator of Spartan Arena is its public visibility layer. Real-time analytics, performance charts, and behavioral tags allow viewers to follow the evolution of each strategy as it adapts to changing price action. These tags such as trend-adaptation, volatility response, or short-bias tendency offer insight into how each bot thinks and behaves, creating an analytical environment that is accessible to both seasoned professionals and casual observers. This visibility transforms algorithmic trading from an opaque practice into a transparent, spectator-friendly system.

Security remains central to the competition’s architecture. Participants never provide code, models, or proprietary files. Instead, all logic is integrated through a signal-only pipeline within an isolated Order Management System designed to prevent any access to underlying mechanisms. Participants retain full ownership of their intellectual property, and the NDA in place prior to development ensures confidentiality throughout the process. The result is a framework that offers public exposure without compromising strategy integrity.

The competition’s reward structure is built to recognize three distinct strengths within algorithmic systems: precision of performance, influence within the community, and trading volume generation. Prizes are awarded across these categories at the conclusion of the season, with final results scheduled for January 31, 2026. This recognition system encourages not only technical excellence but also engagement, consistency, and strategic identity.

By design, Spartan Arena serves as a proving ground for emerging system designers and a discovery platform for audiences seeking new approaches to automated trading. The environment merges engineering, performance evaluation, and public interaction, establishing a blueprint for how real-market competitions can be conducted without sacrificing security or fairness. Spartan Arena is available exclusively on OneBullEx.

About OneBullEx

OneBullEx is a next-generation derivatives trading platform offering USDT-settled perpetual futures, automated trading systems, and secure infrastructure for global users. Powered by OneMore Group, regulated by the Dubai International Financial Centre, OneBullEx combines institutional-grade oversight with cutting-edge trading technology to provide a stable, transparent, and efficient environment for traders worldwide. For more information, visit www.onebullex.com.

Media Contact

Isroil Shafiev
isroil@onebullex.com

First Care Medical Clinic, a top provider of primary and urgent care in Charlotte that families rely on for their immediate and long-term healthcare needs, today announced a strategic expansion bringing its total regional footprint to nine locations. This expansion establishes First Care as the Charlotte region's most accessible urgent care and primary care network, now serving patients across Charlotte, Concord, Rock Hill, Monroe, Gastonia, Albemarle, and Salisbury.

By growing its network, First Care Medical Clinic aims to continue to be the comprehensive "medical home" for the region, offering a seamless blend of walk-in immediate urgent care and long-term family medicine.

Removing Healthcare's Biggest Barriers

First Care Medical Clinic has built its reputation on a patient-obsessed philosophy that eliminates the obstacles preventing North and South Carolinians from receiving timely medical attention. The clinic accepts both Medicaid and Medicare at all nine locations, a rarity among urgent care Charlotte providers — ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to the same high-quality services as privately insured patients.

Beyond insurance acceptance, First Care tackles another critical barrier: transportation. The clinic arranges free rides to and from appointments for patients without reliable vehicles, addressing a social determinant of health that often forces people to delay or skip necessary medical care entirely.

"Too many people in Charlotte and surrounding communities face impossible choices between their health and their circumstances," said Obi Okwara, president at First Care Medical Clinic. "We've eliminated those barriers. Whether you have Medicaid, Medicare, or no transportation, you can access exceptional urgent care and primary care at First Care Medical Clinic."

Comprehensive Urgent Care Charlotte Network Prevents Unnecessary ER Visits

First Care Medical Clinic operates as a true "medical home," blending the convenience of walk-in urgent care Charlotte patients need for acute issues with the continuity of comprehensive primary care. This integrated model helps reduce costly emergency room visits by treating non-life-threatening conditions in a more appropriate and affordable setting.

Nine Locations Now Serving the Greater Charlotte Region

• Charlotte – Nations Ford Road
• Charlotte – Smith Corners Blvd
• Charlotte – The Plaza
• Albemarle, NC
• Concord, NC
• Gastonia, NC
• Monroe, NC
• Rock Hill, SC
• Salisbury, NC

Full-Spectrum Medical Services Under One Roof

Each urgent care Charlotte location offers an extensive range of services designed to keep patients out of hospital emergency departments:

• Urgent care services: Walk-in treatment for acute illnesses, injuries, infections, and minor emergencies
• Primary care: Ongoing management of chronic conditions including diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease
• Behavioral health: Integrated mental health counseling and psychiatric services
• Advanced diagnostics: On-site comprehensive laboratory testing and ultrasound imaging
• Wellness and prevention: Annual physicals, vaccinations, and health screenings
• Telehealth options: Virtual visits for enhanced accessibility
• Occupational medicine: Employment health screenings, DOT physicals, certified MRO oversight, and corporate wellness services for businesses of all sizes.

Redefining Patient Access in Primary Care Charlotte Communities

With extended hours, no-appointment-necessary urgent care, telehealth capabilities, and transportation assistance, First Care Medical Clinic is setting a new standard for patient-centered healthcare delivery in North Carolina.

The nine-location network ensures that whether patients need primary care or immediate urgent care in Charlotte or in Albemarle, Concord, Gastonia, Monroe, Rock Hill, or Salisbury, they have access to comprehensive medical services within minutes of their homes.

About First Care Medical Clinic

First Care Medical Clinic is a holistic healthcare provider founded on the principle that quality medical care should be accessible to everyone, regardless of insurance type or socioeconomic status. With nine strategically located clinics serving North and South Carolina, First Care has become the trusted urgent care Charlotte provider and primary care destination for thousands of families. The clinic's commitment to accepting Medicaid and Medicare, combined with unique transportation assistance, positions it as a leader in health equity and patient-obsessed care. For more information about urgent care Charlotte services, primary care appointments, or to find your nearest location, visit firstcarecanhelp.com or call 704-705-2050.

Media Contact

Obi Okwara
President, First Care Medical Clinic
callcenter@firstcarecanhelp.com

A set of photographs taken on the banks of the Yangtze River in early winter has recently attracted widespread attention. In the images, hundreds of Milu forage on the river beach in the same frame as large cargo ships that pass by. “At least 400 wild Milu have gathered outside the reserve. This is the first time I have seen this in my seventeen years of tracking and photographing them.” The discovery by nature photographer Lei Gang opens a 40-year story of species recovery that spans two continents.

This rare species, once revered by ancient Chinese as the prototype of the auspicious “Kylin,” suffered a catastrophic decline in modern times. In 1900, the last wild herd at Nanhaizi, Beijing, disappeared, and the few remaining individuals ended up overseas. Because of the first scientific record by French missionary Père Armand David, the species was named Père David’s deer. “In 1898, my great-great-grandfather gathered the last 18 Milu in Europe at Woburn Abbey. That became the spark that kept the species alive,” recalled Andrew Russell, the 15th Duke of Bedford.

In 1985, China and the United Kingdom signed an agreement to bring Milu home. Twenty Milu travelled on an Air France cargo plane back to Nanhaizi. To receive these “returning wanderers,” China set aside 900 mu of land. People’s Liberation Army soldiers spent more than a month building over 3,500 meters of perimeter wall and turned pig farms and fish ponds into habitat. “To bring a species back with such precision to its last native site is unique among reintroduction projects worldwide.” Andrew Russell, who witnessed that moment, still remembers it clearly.

At the time of their return, Milu were listed by The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as extinct in the wild. An expert team then drew up a three-step conservation plan: strengthen separate subpopulations, establish new herds in other locations, and release animals into the wild after a period of rewilding. In only six years, the Nanhaizi herd grew from 20 to 203 animals. The land constraint pushed Chinese and British scientists to trace the original habitat along the Yangtze River. They finally chose the Swan Islet wetland in Shishou, Hubei province. This relic of the ancient Yunmeng Marsh is the place that the book, "Mozi," described as “full of rhinoceros, wild ox, and Milu”.

In 1993, 30 Milu were released at Swan Islet. The following year, they produced 10 calves. Then the catastrophic Yangtze flood of 1998 struck. 37 Milu were swept away, and the remaining animals were trapped on a broken embankment. “Eight of us stayed on that ‘island,’ rowing out every day with fodder. The only thought in our minds was that as long as we were here, the deer must survive.” Ranger Wang Jianfu recalled that his wife and child died when their boat capsized on the way back after bringing a meal, a loss that remains his deepest wound.

The flood, however, also created a breakthrough in the move back to life in the wild. Years of tracking found that 26 of the Milu swept away had crossed the Yangtze River and formed wild herds in places such as Sanheyuan and Dongting Lake. The 400 wild Milu now visible along the Yangtze River are their descendants. “That disaster freed the Milu from reliance on human care and allowed them to move from captivity to life in the wild,” said Lei Gang. At the same time, the 39 Milu introduced to Dafeng, Jiangsu province, in 1986 have grown into the world’s largest herd of more than 8,000 animals.

Behind the expansion of the Milu population, a genetic crisis quietly occurred. In 2010, an outbreak at Sanheyuan in Shishou killed 45 Milu in one month. Investigations showed that inbreeding had led to weak immunity. “All Milu in the world descend from one breeding pair at Woburn Abbey, so genetic diversity is extremely low,” admitted senior engineer Zhang Yuming from the Shishou Milu Reserve. In 2016, China launched a genetic exchange plan for its three main Milu populations. In 2020, 12 Milu from Beijing and 16 from Dafeng were brought together at Dongting Lake and produced a new generation.

The revival of the species has also reshaped the relationship between people and nature. “At first, I felt these ‘four unlikes’ cut off our income from bamboo shoots and cattle grazing, so I really disliked them,” said Ranger Liu Jigao from the Shishou Milu Reserve. As conservation advanced, villagers gradually changed their attitudes. When Milu’s antlers became entangled in discarded fishing nets, they came of their own accord with sickles tied to long bamboo poles to cut the deer free. When the herd approached the capacity limit, people in the surrounding communities voluntarily gave up 8,000 mu of tidal flats next to the reserve so they could be turned into habitat. “Protection of Milu has made our home more beautiful. We all feel proud,” said Liu.

Today, Swan Islet has become a storehouse of biodiversity. “This used to be a place where we never saw swans. Now thousands of migratory birds such as tundra swans and black storks gather here, and it is common to catch several Class I protected species in the same frame,” said Lei Gang, whose camera has recorded the recovery of the ecosystem. By 2025, China’s Milu population had passed 10,000 animals and spread to more than 100 sites within its historical range. IUCN has hailed its conservation as “a Chinese model for wildlife reintroduction.”

“From survivors behind iron bars to spirits of the wetlands, the fate of the Milu mirrors the awakening of humans’ ecological awareness,” Andrew Russell observed. IUCN president Razan Al Mubarak commented, “This miracle shows that government leadership, scientific support, and public participation can reshape the relationship between people and nature and bring hope for global biodiversity conservation.”

The former breach in the Yangtze levee is now covered by dense woodland and has become a new home for Milu. In his 60s, Wang Jianfu still patrols the reserve. Zhang Yuming’s monitoring team has new equipment. Lei Gang has begun to plan a third photo album on Milu. After 40 years of effort, the work has borne fruit. Père David’s deer has returned to its Chinese name, Milu, and the hoofbeats of this eastern auspicious beast now echo across ever wider wetlands and grasslands.

HostColor (HC), a global provider of managed cloud infrastructure solutions, announced that it will end 2025 and begin 2026 with 120 infrastructure points of presence (POPs) for bare metal and cloud servers spanning the United States, the Americas, Europe, and Asia. HC's managed server platforms are designed for hosting resource-intensive AI and machine learning applications, as well as latency-sensitive workloads.

This is how 2025 unfolded for HostColor's managed IT infrastructure products and POP development.

In January, HostColor launched Remote Desktop Hosting services and RDP servers compatible with Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. These services offer customers the flexibility to choose from over 100 data centers in the U.S. and worldwide.

On February 12, 2025, HC announced the release of high-performance AMD dedicated servers in Ashburn, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, and Seattle in the United States; Montreal and Toronto in Canada; Frankfurt in Germany; Madrid in Spain; and Zurich in Switzerland.

On February 28, 2025, HC introduced bare metal servers with Intel Xeon Gold 6438Y+ processors, 512 GB of RAM, and 15 TB of fast SSD and NVMe data storage in over 68 U.S. and international edge data centers.

On April 21, 2025, HostColor announced various AMD-based unmetered dedicated servers. These servers use processors such as the AMD Ryzen 7950X3D, AMD Epyc 7452, AMD Epyc 7502, AMD Epyc 7702, AMD Epyc 7662, and AMD Epyc 7742. All AMD CPU-powered servers are connected to a 10 Gbps internet network. Server hosting plans include an initial bandwidth allocation of 2 Gbps, upgradeable to 20 Gbps. Storage options for these servers include 1.92 TB, 3.84 TB, or 7.68 TB SSDs, as well as 1 TB, 1.92 TB, or 4 TB NVMe drives. Memory options range from 256 GB to 1 TB of RAM, with a default limit of 512 GB for most configurations.

In May 2025, HostColor improved its semi-managed and managed hosting services with the following AMD EPYC processor models: 4344P, 7713P, 7443P, 7543, 7543P, 9124, 9275F, 9274F, 9354P, 9355P, 9374F, 9474F, 9575F, and 9654. These AMD-based servers are available for instant delivery in Ashburn and Charlotte, North Carolina; Dallas, Texas; Los Angeles, California; New York, New York; Amsterdam, Netherlands; and Tokyo, Japan. Tokyo has become one of HostColor's most popular locations for delivering bare metal and cloud servers with AMD Ryzen and AMD EPYC processors. HostColor has significantly expanded its technological infrastructure in Japan by connecting its Tokyo dedicated server platforms to 10 Gbps network ports.

In mid-May, HostColor introduced its new line of high-bandwidth dedicated cloud infrastructure services. These single-tenant, bare metal hardware platforms can be scaled to include anywhere from 4 to 128 CPU cores, up to 2,048 GB of memory (RAM), and 30 TB of SSD or NVMe storage. Some dedicated cloud hosting plans are preconfigured and can only be scaled in terms of bandwidth and network configurations. Others offer upgradeable memory and storage options, as well as native network scalability.

In July, HostColor increased the variety of its European dedicated servers, which connect at 1, 2, 5, or 10 Gbps. Dedicated servers in Europe offered by HC are hosted in data centers located in the following cities: Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Dublin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Helsinki, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris, Prague, Rome, Vienna, Zurich, and Warsaw.

At the end of September, HostColor announced a new line of AI-ready GPU dedicated servers. These platforms use AMD EPYC and Ryzen processors, as well as Nvidia, Hailo-8 AI, and Google Coral artificial intelligence accelerator toolkits. These servers support the development and deployment of machine learning applications at the "edge." These servers can perform artificial intelligence tasks, such as object detection and video analytics, for autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and industrial automation.

In October, HostColor (HC) enhanced its AI- and ML-ready server platforms by adding 20 Gbps and 25 Gbps network bandwidth options to bare metal servers and dedicated clouds in its New York City and Ashburn service delivery locations.

In November, HostColor introduced Proxmox VE-based Virtual Dedicated Servers (VDS) with 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps bandwidth ports in 20 major U.S. and European edge data center locations.

In December, HC added AI and ML capabilities to edge-hosted infrastructure at its Miami data center POPs. The Miami dedicated server hosting solutions are designed to support resource-intensive AI applications and latency-sensitive workloads across the Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach metropolitan area.

As part of its plan to expand its points of presence (POPs) in 2026, HostColor is set to add 50 more locations to deliver edge bare metal and cloud server hosting services. 

About HostColor

Since 2000, HostColor (HC) has been a leading hosting provider offering customizable dedicated cloud infrastructure and bare metal servers from over 120 physical and virtual data centers in the United States and around the world. HC helps organizations maintain a competitive advantage in the cloud, optimize their technology infrastructure, and minimize costs. Its semi-managed Edge Cloud and Edge Bare Metal Server Hosting services include low-latency data and application delivery, unlimited data transfers, and business continuity infrastructure supported by a team of technology experts.

HostColor provisions U.S. edge servers from Albany, New York; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Ashburn and Herndon Virginia; Atlanta, Georgia; Amarillo, Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Houston and San Antonio, Texas; Bend and Portland, Oregon; Billings, Montana; Birmingham, Alabama; Boise, ID; Cambridge/Boston, Massachusetts; Casper, Wyoming; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina; Chicago, Illinois; Cincinnati and Cleveland, Ohio; Denver, Colorado; Detroit, Michigan; Honolulu, Hawaii; Indianapolis, Indiana; Jackson, Mississippi; Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa, Florida; Kansas City and Saint Louis, Missouri; Las Vegas, Nevada; Little Rock, Arkansas; Fresno, Los Angeles, Orange County, Sacramento, Santa Clara, and San Diego, California; Madison, Wisconsin; Miami, Florida; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Nashville, Kentucky; New Orleans, Louisiana; New York City and the State of New York; Omaha, Nebraska; Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Pennsylvania; Phoenix, Arizona; Salt Lake City, Utah; Seattle and Spokane, Washington; and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

For more information, visit www.hostcolor.com.

Disclaimer

HostColor uses its own IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, as well as leased IP resources and Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs) managed by partner Network Operations Centers (NOCs), for most of its bare metal server and cloud infrastructure delivery locations. The data centers used by HostColor to deliver hosting services are ISO 27001, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and SSAE 16 SOC I, SOC II, and SOC III certified. All are HIPAA and PCI-DSS compliant.

Media Contact

PR Department
HostColor.com
pr@hostcolor.com
+1 888-222-1495