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Lever & Ecker, PLLC, a plaintiff’s personal injury law firm, announced today that two of its attorneys have been named to the "2026 Top 25 Westchester County Super Lawyers" list, published by Thomson Reuters. The distinction is reserved for an elite group of just 25 attorneys in the area recognized for outstanding peer recognition and professional achievement.

Additionally, all four of Lever & Ecker, PLLC’s attorneys have been named to the "2026 Westchester County Super Lawyers and Rising Stars" lists.

“These recognitions reflect the strength and consistency of our team of attorneys and the work that we do. I am proud of our firm and our continued commitment to our clients and our community,” David B. Lever said.

The firm regularly secures multimillion dollar outcomes and is frequently featured in the media.

• David B. Lever has been named to the 2026 Top 25 Westchester County Super Lawyers list, placing him among a select group of 25 attorneys recognized across the Westchester County, New York region.
• Daniel G. Ecker has been named to the 2026 Top 25 Westchester County Super Lawyers list, reflecting his continued excellence in advocacy and results for clients.
• Adam C. Weiss has been selected to the 2026 New York Metro Rising Stars list for the seventh consecutive year.
• Katherine A. Henderson has earned the 2026 New York Metro Rising Stars recognition for the second year.

Super Lawyers recognizes the top 5% of attorneys across more than 70 practice areas through a rigorous, multiphase selection process that includes peer nominations, independent research, and peer evaluations. Rising Stars the top 2.5% of up-and-coming attorneys who are either 40 years old or younger or have been practicing for 10 years or less.

“Being named to the Top 25 Westchester County Super Lawyers list is a meaningful honor, especially alongside such a respected group of attorneys. I’m proud to be part of a team that is deeply committed to advocating for our clients and delivering strong results when it matters most,” Daniel G. Ecker said.

The annual Super Lawyers lists are widely regarded as a comprehensive resource for identifying top legal talent.

About Lever & Ecker, PLLC

Lever & Ecker, PLLC is a New York-based plaintiff’s personal injury law firm dedicated to representing individuals and families affected by serious injury and wrongful death. The firm is known for its client-centered approach and track record of achieving significant results in complex cases. For more information, visit www.leverecker.com.

Media Contact

Amanda Orr
amanda@orrstrategygroup.com

Foods and Wines from Spain's Eat Spain Drink Spain is back from April 15 to May 16, 2026, bringing a nationwide celebration of Spanish food, wine, and culture to retailers and restaurants across the country.

This month-long campaign invites consumers to discover the flavors that make Spain so special through in-store tastings, curated displays, and restaurant experiences designed to be fun, approachable, and full of flavor.

From timeless favorites to new discoveries, shoppers and diners can explore iconic products like jamón ibérico and jamón serrano, alongside standout cheeses such as Manchego, Mahón, and Murcia al Vino. Expect plenty of ways to enjoy Spain’s pantry staples too, from rich extra virgin olive oil, Sherry vinegar, and flavorful olives to conservas, Spain’s beloved premium tinned seafood made for sharing.

And of course, no Spanish experience is complete without wine. Whether it’s a refreshing and crisp albariño, elegant cava, juicy garnacha, or savory tempranillo, there's something for every taste and occasion.

“Eat Spain Drink Spain is all about making it easy and exciting for people to experience the incredible variety of Spanish food and wine,” said Jeffrey Shaw from Foods from Spain at the Trade Commission of Spain in NY.

With events happening nationwide and digital content to match, it’s never been easier to explore, taste, and enjoy Spain — wherever you are.

About Foods and Wines from Spain

Foods and Wines from Spain is the official brand of ICEX Spain Trade and Investment, dedicated to promoting Spanish food, wine, and beverages worldwide. Through trade events, marketing campaigns, and educational initiatives, it connects Spanish producers with international trade professionals and consumers, highlighting the quality, diversity, and innovation of Spain’s gastronomy sector. For more information and participating locations, visit www.foodswinesfromspain.com and follow on Instagram.

Media Contact

Pablo Olay
pablo@tastenetwork.com

CityLaila, a Dubai-based travel platform, has expanded its operations to more than 44 countries, marking a significant milestone in its growth from a local ticketing provider into a global travel business with integrated services and growing ownership of travel experiences. While the expansion provides access to a broader customer base and supplier network, it also places the company in a more competitive global environment where scale, operational control, and service consistency are critical.

From Local Ticketing to Multi-Market Operations

The expansion reflects the company’s rapid evolution since its founding in 2019, when it began as a platform for booking attraction tickets and activities in Dubai.

Today, CityLaila offers a broad range of travel services, including attractions, holiday packages, hotel bookings, flights, airport transfers, and visa services, serving both individual travelers and B2B partners across multiple international markets. This also positions the company within a more competitive global travel landscape.

The expansion represents a structural shift rather than incremental growth. Instead of operating as a single-market platform, CityLaila now manages supply, distribution, and customer delivery across multiple regions, supported by operational presence in India, Thailand, Singapore, and Egypt. The company said this footprint allows it to manage supplier relationships and customer support more directly while adapting to regional demand.

“We are no longer operating as a local booking platform,” said Manish Aryan, founder and CEO of CityLaila. “The expansion reflects how the business has evolved into a system that connects multiple markets, partners and services through a single platform.”

Funding and Ownership Strategy Supporting Expansion

The milestone comes alongside a broader set of developments that have supported the company’s transition. CityLaila has secured approximately $2 million in funding, which it said is being used to support market expansion, strengthen its B2B distribution network and invest in technology infrastructure. 

“This investment allows us to scale with discipline — strengthening our infrastructure, expanding market access, and building a globally connected travel ecosystem,” said Mantu Kumar, co-founder and CFO of CityLaila. The company is also targeting new markets including the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia as part of its next phase of growth.

Unlike many travel platforms that operate purely as aggregators, CityLaila has begun investing in owned inventory. The company has acquired a 50% stake in a Dubai-based desert safari operation, allowing it to directly manage both standard and premium safari experiences. This move provides greater control over pricing, service delivery, and customer experience — areas that are typically harder to manage in a purely marketplace-driven model.

The company is extending this approach into additional categories, including cruise and yacht offerings, as it builds a portfolio of owned and operated experiences alongside third-party supply.

“Ownership changes how you operate,” said Shamiullah Ansari, co-founder and CMO of CityLaila. “It allows you to control the quality of the experience, not just the transaction. That becomes critical when you are trying to scale across markets.”

Positioning for Global Travel Demand

Named “Most Promising Travel Company in the Middle East 2025” at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards, the company’s model is built around combining direct supplier relationships, owned inventory, and centralized distribution with the aim of delivering consistent travel experiences at competitive pricing. In a sector where customers often face trade-offs between cost and quality, CityLaila is positioning itself around the idea that affordability does not require compromise on the experience.

As part of its next phase, the company is focusing on strengthening its role in both B2B and B2C segments. On the B2B side, it is building a network that allows travel agents to access global inventory through a single platform, while on the consumer side it continues to expand its end-to-end travel offering.

For CityLaila, the shift from a Dubai-based ticketing platform to a multi-country travel operator reflects a broader trend within the travel industry, where companies are moving beyond aggregation toward more integrated and controlled models.

The company said it will continue to invest in infrastructure, partnerships and owned experiences as it expands into additional markets and deepens its presence in existing ones.

About CityLaila

CityLaila is a Dubai-based travel platform and destination management company offering attractions, experiences, holiday packages, hotel bookings, flights, transfers, visa services and B2B travel solutions across more than 44 countries. Serving both individual travelers and travel industry partners, CityLaila connects users with curated local experiences while supporting tourism businesses through global distribution and visibility. For more information, visit www.citylaila.com.

Media Contact

Debo Das
debo@citylaila.com

Mis-Sold Expert today announced the launch of a new review framework designed to help UK consumers assess their motor finance agreements following findings from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) that firms widely failed to disclose commission structures and key pricing information.

The framework is being introduced as the FCA prepares to implement an industry-wide motor finance redress scheme covering agreements entered into between April 6, 2007 and Nov. 1, 2024. The regulator estimates average compensation of approximately £829 per agreement, with total payouts expected to reach £7.5 billion.

What Has Changed

The FCA’s review identified widespread and systemic issues in how car finance agreements were sold, particularly around transparency. In many cases, consumers were not clearly informed that brokers could influence interest rates or that higher rates could increase commission payments.

These practices, according to the FCA, may have resulted in consumers paying more than necessary and being unable to make fully informed decisions. The regulator has confirmed that around 12.1 million agreements could fall within scope of the redress scheme, with most cases expected to be resolved by the end of 2027.

Introducing the Mis-Sold Expert Review Framework

In response, Mis-Sold Expert’s new framework provides consumers with a structured way to review their agreements ahead of formal lender outreach. The framework focuses on key indicators highlighted by the FCA, including:

• Whether commission arrangements may have influenced the interest rate
• Whether key pricing and broker relationships were clearly disclosed
• Whether the overall structure of the agreement could be considered unfair

The tool is designed to be accessible without specialist knowledge, helping consumers understand their position before lenders begin contacting affected customers.

Why It Matters Now

Although firms will be required to review agreements and contact eligible customers, Mis-Sold Expert emphasizes the importance of early awareness. Consumers who review their agreements in advance may be better prepared to understand compensation offers and respond more effectively.

Under the FCA’s framework, firms will assess whether an agreement created an “unfair relationship,” particularly in cases involving discretionary or undisclosed commission. Compensation will vary depending on the structure of each agreement, with the £829 figure representing an average rather than a fixed payout.

Who May Be Affected

Consumers who entered into Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) or Hire Purchase agreements through dealerships or brokers between 2007 and 2024 may fall within scope. The FCA has divided the review period into two phases — 2007 to 2014 and 2014 to 2024 — to reflect changes in market practices over time.

Not all agreements will qualify, but firms are required to assess each case against the regulator’s criteria.

Supporting Consumer Readiness

Mis-Sold Expert’s framework is intended to complement the FCA’s upcoming redress process by helping individuals evaluate their agreements independently. By reviewing documentation, understanding how interest rates were set and identifying potential gaps in disclosure, consumers can gain clarity ahead of formal notifications from lenders.

As the FCA begins implementing the scheme in 2026, the review framework aims to provide practical guidance during what is expected to be one of the largest financial redress exercises in the UK.

Media Contact

Leah Young
info@mis-soldexpert.co.uk

Bitdefender announced the release of its Bitdefender Threat Debrief | February 2026, a monthly intelligence report designed to help organizations track emerging ransomware activity, attacker tactics, and shifting victimology using a blend of OSINT and observed data-leak-site (DLS) trends.

The February Threat Debrief analyzes ransomware claims posted between January 1–31 and records 831 claimed victims, representing nearly 10% growth compared to the same period the prior year.

Key findings and highlights from the February 2026 Threat Debrief

• 0APT’s rapid “victim” surge raises red flags: The debrief spotlights 0APT, a previously unknown group that claimed 91 victims in two days—a pace Bitdefender notes is suspicious for a new entrant and may be explained by factors such as inaccurate infection polling from sandbox environments rather than verified compromises.
• Notepad++ compromise used in targeted attacks: Bitdefender highlights reports that compromised Notepad++ updates have been used to target organizations in Asia and Central America, with potential impact dating back to June 2025 and affecting versions preceding 8.9.1.
• Healthcare data extortion escalates: The report notes FulCrumSec’s claimed responsibility for a healthcare breach impacting 160,000+ ID-linked individuals and close to a million exposed patients, including exposure of sensitive patient data.
• Ransomware ecosystem shifts: The debrief also covers Clop’s return to the “Top 10” list (including 90 claimed victims in January) and the reported disruption of the RAMP forum following an FBI-led operation.
• Operational reality check from MDR: Bitdefender’s MDR incident insights emphasize that modern ransomware incidents are increasingly credential-led and tool-driven, underscoring the need for proactive detection of credential dumping, privilege escalation, lateral movement, and remote tool abuse.

Read the report

The full February 2026 edition is available here: Bitdefender Threat Debrief | February 2026. Organizations looking to strengthen prevention, detection, and response can learn more about Bitdefender’s enterprise cybersecurity solutions.

About Bitdefender

Bitdefender is a cybersecurity leader delivering best-in-class threat prevention, detection, and response solutions worldwide. Guardian over millions of consumers, enterprises, and government environments, Bitdefender is one of the industry’s most trusted experts for eliminating threats, protecting privacy, digital identity and data, and enabling cyber resilience. With deep investments in research and development, Bitdefender Labs discovers hundreds of new threats each minute and validates billions of threat queries daily. The company has pioneered breakthrough innovations in antimalware, IoT security, behavioral analytics, and artificial intelligence and its technology is licensed by more than 180 of the world’s most recognized technology brands. Founded in 2001, Bitdefender has customers in over 170 countries with offices around the world. For more information, visit www.bitdefender.com.

Lucra, the plug-and-play loyalty SDK powering competition with real-money and rewards, today announced it has raised $20 million in a financing round led by Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest Venture Fund, with participation from industry-leading investors including Alumni Ventures, Astralis Capital, Harlo Equity Partners, Simplex Ventures, SeventySix Capital, and WTI. 

Lucra is building the infrastructure layer for the next generation of loyalty across real-world venues and consumer experiences. Its white-label technology enables brands to launch tournaments, live competitions, and peer-to-peer challenges directly inside the apps, websites, and spaces they already own and operate.

Traditional loyalty programs rely on passive points and discounts — approaches that increasingly fail to create meaningful, lasting behavior change in a competitive and distracted consumer environment. Lucra takes a different approach, turning competition into an engagement engine that helps brands create more memorable, social, and high-intent experiences — without having to build the underlying compliance, payments, fraud prevention, or settlement infrastructure themselves.

"Loyalty only works when it changes behavior," said Dylan Robbins, founder and CEO of Lucra. “We built Lucra to make competition native to the experiences people already love. This raise gives us the capital to deepen our platform, expand into new verticals, and bring that infrastructure to every brand that wants to turn passive consumer touchpoints into active, high-intent moments."

“Human connection and competition are powerful, often underutilized drivers of engagement,” said Cathie Wood, founder, CEO, and CIO of ARK Invest. “Lucra is building the infrastructure to bring these elements into digital and real-world experiences at scale, creating a new model for loyalty that we believe can redefine how consumers interact with brands.”

“We believe Lucra is tapping into a fundamental shift in how engagement and retention are built,” said Nick Grous, Director of Research at ARK Invest. “By enabling real-time, peer-to-peer competition with real stakes, Lucra is turning passive experiences into active ones and creating a compelling new paradigm for loyalty across consumer platforms.”

Lucra is on pace to surpass 1 million unique tournament signups in 2026, reflecting rapid adoption as brands look for better ways to drive retention, monetization, and community through competitive experiences. The company’s platform is already used by leading entertainment, hospitality, and consumer brands including Five Iron Golf, Puttshack, Backyard Sports, ChessKings, and TouchTunes.

Lucra’s technology is designed for brands that want to launch quickly without adding operational complexity. By handling the back-end infrastructure, Lucra allows partners to focus on the experience itself while creating new opportunities for engagement, retention, and revenue. As consumer brands look for more effective ways to turn attention into action, competition-based loyalty is emerging as a powerful new model.

About Lucra

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

Media Contact

Lindsay Linhart
Brand Strategist, Lucra
lindsay@lucrasports.com

Backbase today launched the AI-native Banking OS, the most significant evolution in the company's 22-year history, establishing a new market category in banking technology. The Banking OS introduces the Unified Frontline: the operating model for AI-native financial institutions, where customers, employees, and AI agents collaborate as one — across digital channels, front office, and operations.

The launch addresses one of banking's most persistent structural challenges: fragmentation. Based on insights from more than 120 deployments, Backbase estimates that roughly 80% of frontline banking work happens in the whitespace between systems — the handoffs, coordination, and exceptions no single application owns. It's the same work banks now want to hand to AI agents, and it's exactly where agents break.

"AI agents need shared context, clear authority, and a unified execution layer," said Jouk Pleiter, CEO and founder of Backbase. "Without it, adding more AI accelerates the fragmentation it was meant to solve."

The Banking OS closes that gap. It sits above a bank's existing systems — cores, payments, cards, risk, CRM — without replacing them. It understands the customer in one shared view, coordinates the work across every system, authorizes every action, and optimizes continuously — learning from every interaction, signal, and outcome.

The result is what Backbase calls Elastic Operations: a model in which financial institutions can scale customers, products, and support without increasing headcount, handoffs, or complexity. By aligning every channel, employee, customer, and AI agent on a single operating system, the frontline becomes adaptive, resilient, and inherently scalable. Capacity flexes with demand, the way cloud infrastructure flexes with traffic.

"Elastic Operations is a state no fragmented bank can match and it’s only possible on a Unified Frontline," said Pleiter. "That changes the strategic question every bank CEO has to answer in the next five years: can you still afford to run the bank on a fragmented frontline? Can you scale onboarding, credit, and servicing when your employees, your AI, and your customers are all on different systems? The banks that answer those questions now will compound their advantage every quarter. There's no version of the next decade where a fragmented bank wins."

A New Operating System for Agentic Banking

Expanding on Backbase's award-winning architecture, three new layers transform it into an AI-native operating system for banks.

1. The Intelligence Layer: Spot risk, revenue, and churn signals weeks before they surface. Fraud patterns forming across accounts. Revenue opportunities hiding in transaction data. Churn indicators emerging weeks before a customer leaves. Every signal becomes an action plan, delivered to the right actor at the right moment.
2. The Semantic Layer (Nexus): Every employee and every AI agent now sees the same customer, the same context, the same truth. Nexus turns every customer, account, product, and case into a shared, always-current record. One reality, read from and written to by every actor in the bank.
3. The Authority Layer (Sentinel): Enterprise AI that a regulator can trust. Sentinel decides what each actor — customer, employee, or AI agent — is allowed to do. Every action gets checked against bank policy before it executes. Every action gets logged. Trust can be revoked at any time, in any domain.

Proven at Scale

Backbase surpassed $350 million in revenue in 2025 and serves over 120 financial institutions across 50 countries. The company was bootstrapped to a €2.5 billion valuation before raising its first external capital from Motive Partners in 2022. Major deployments include Navy Federal Credit Union, TD Bank, Techcombank, Standard Bank Group, Eurobank, and Keybank.

The AI-native Banking OS is available through Backbase's global operations and partner network.

About Backbase

Backbase built the AI-native Banking OS — the operating system that turns fragmented banking operations into a Unified Frontline. Customers, employees, and AI agents work as one across digital channels, front-office, and operations. 120+ leading banks run on Backbase across Retail, SMB & Commercial, Private Banking, and Wealth Management. Backbase was founded in 2003 by Jouk Pleiter and is headquartered in Amsterdam, with teams across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America.

Media Contact

Press Team
Backbase
press-relations@backbase.com

Phillips Distilling Company, a Minnesota-based pioneer in breakthrough flavors and spirits innovation in North America for more than 109 years announced today that its Prairie Organic Vodka has been named the No. 1 Best Vodka in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards in the Distilleries category.

Prairie Organic Spirits

This recognition comes as the brand celebrates Earth Day, reaffirming its ongoing commitment to supporting farming communities and environmentally responsible practices. Prairie Organic Vodka is crafted from organic, non-GMO corn grown on Midwestern family farms, resulting in a spirit with a naturally soft sweetness and creamy mouthfeel. Challenging the idea that vodka should be completely neutral, Prairie Organic Vodka leans into ingredient quality to deliver a vodka with real character that performs in cocktails and stands on its own. 

“As consumers become more intentional about what they’re drinking, transparency and ingredient integrity matter more than ever,” said Laura Donnelly, Vice President of Marketing at Phillips Distilling Co. “This recognition reflects our commitment to working with organic family farms across the Midwest and producing a vodka that delivers on both quality and taste. We’ve always believed great ingredients should come through in the glass.”

In addition to its organic distillation process, Prairie Organic Spirits has deepened its commitment through the Bee Better program, an ongoing initiative focused on protecting pollinators, supporting biodiversity, and strengthening the ecosystems behind its ingredients. In partnership with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Prairie advances pollinator protection efforts while inviting consumers to participate in the impact. Every purchase, whether a bottle or enjoying a Prairie cocktail at participating bars and restaurants, helps support the initiative and protect bee populations.

Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards

The Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards recognize standout businesses, brands, and experiences across a wide range of consumer categories. Winners are determined through a public voting process in which readers select the companies and organizations they believe deliver exceptional quality, value, and customer experience.

The 2026 program highlights leading companies across numerous industries, including the Distilleries category, where Phillips Distilling Company’s Prairie Organic Vodka was recognized as No. 1 Best Vodka 2026.

“Each year, the Readers’ Choice Awards celebrate the best of the best, as chosen by the people who matter most — our readers,” said Newsweek Editor-in-Chief Jennifer H. Cunningham “We’re proud to recognize those organizations that continue to raise the bar for quality, innovation, and customer experience.”

About Phillips Distilling Company

Phillips Distilling Company is one of the most innovative and enduring distilled spirits companies in North America. Over 109 years in the making, Phillips continues to produce high-quality products using only the finest ingredients, sourced from around the globe. Phillips is consistently a pioneer in the spirits industry, from America's first schnapps in the 1930s to flavored vodka in the 1950s to flavored whiskey in the 1990s to organic spirits in the 2000s. The Phillips portfolio includes Phillips Spirits, UV Vodka, Prairie Organic Spirits, Revel Stoke Whiskies, Tomatin Scotch Whiskies, Trader Vic's Rums, and Douglas & Todd Small Batch Bourbon. The company is based in Princeton, Minn., with offices in St. Paul. For more information, go to phillipsdistilling.com.

About Newsweek

Newsweek is the global digital news organization built around the iconic 93-year-old American magazine. Newsweek reaches 100 million people monthly with its thought-provoking news, opinion, images, graphics, and video delivered across a dozen print and digital platforms. Headquartered in New York City, Newsweek also publishes international editions in EMEA and Asia. For more information, visit www.newsweek.com.

Media Contact

Zach Groth
VP, Top Shelf PR
groth@curichweiss.com

salt+blue today announced the launch of its new BODY Sunscreen, a mineral-based formula designed to provide broad-spectrum sun protection while minimizing potential harm to marine ecosystems. The product is powered by non-nano zinc oxide and formulated without oxybenzone or octinoxate, two chemical UV filters linked to coral reef damage.

The launch comes ahead of Earth Day as regulatory scrutiny and scientific research continue to highlight the environmental impact of certain sunscreen ingredients. salt+blue’s BODY Sunscreen is enriched with organic and wildcrafted botanicals and reflects the brand’s focus on ingredient transparency and environmental considerations.

“Non-nano zinc oxide is one of the few UV filters that gives you both broad-spectrum protection and inherent photostability,” said Rachel Pachivas, co-founder of salt+blue. “We built the rest of the formula around not compromising that — no chemical filters, nothing that degrades in sunlight, nothing we couldn’t defend on environmental grounds.”

Product Formulation and Ingredient Approach

salt+blue’s BODY Sunscreen is formulated using non-nano zinc oxide, which does not readily dissolve in seawater and has not been shown to cause coral bleaching or DNA damage associated with certain chemical UV filters. The formulation avoids nano-sized particles, which can be absorbed by marine organisms, and instead prioritizes larger particle structures designed to remain on the skin’s surface.

The product is part of the brand’s broader approach to developing mineral-based sun care solutions that balance performance with environmental considerations.

Industry Context: Environmental Impact of Sunscreen Ingredients

According to the U.S. National Park Service, between 4,000 and 6,000 tons of sunscreen enter coral reef environments annually. Research published in Science by Stanford University scientists found that oxybenzone can be metabolized by corals into compounds that become toxic when exposed to sunlight. Additional studies have shown that even low concentrations may contribute to coral deformities and DNA damage.

In response, regions including Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Palau have enacted restrictions on sunscreens containing certain chemical UV filters.

A 2022 review by the National Academies of Sciences noted that chemical UV filters may pose risks to aquatic ecosystems and called for further ecological assessment, while mineral-based alternatives were found to have fewer observed effects on marine life.

Brand Background and Development

salt+blue was founded by Kevin Gianni and Rachel Pachivas, drawing on formulation experience from Annmarie Skin Care. The brand is built around the premise that sun protection products can be developed without introducing ingredients that may negatively impact ocean ecosystems.

The company positions its products for a broad consumer audience, aiming to provide accessible sun care options that do not require specialized knowledge of ingredient sourcing or formulation.

Consumer Awareness and Market Trends

As consumer awareness around environmental impact increases, terms such as “reef safe” have become more common in the marketplace, though definitions and regulatory standards vary. salt+blue’s approach focuses on clearly defined formulation choices, including the exclusion of certain chemical filters and the use of non-nano mineral ingredients.

“My hope is that one day the majority of people — not just a select few — are deeply aware of the impact their personal care products have on the world around them,” Pachivas said. “That awareness already exists — I see it in how people shop, how they read labels, and how they talk about the ocean.”

Broader Environmental Considerations

Coral reefs cover less than one percent of the ocean floor but support an estimated 25% of marine species, according to NOAA. While climate change remains the primary threat, scientists indicate that reducing localized stressors — including chemical pollution — may help improve reef resilience.

salt+blue states that its BODY Sunscreen is intended to offer consumers an alternative option as awareness of these environmental considerations continues to grow.

The product is available at salt.blue.

Media Contact

Michael Graziano
michael@mindfulagency.com

Vera Clinic, internationally recognised as a leading centre of innovation in hair restoration surgery, has released the full findings of a controlled clinical validation study demonstrating that its patented Vector-10™ CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) Lab-Grown Diamond blade reduces post-operative epithelial healing time by 40% compared to surgical steel and outperforms the current industry-standard sapphire instrument across every measured clinical parameter.

The study, conducted in collaboration with material science firm Appsilon Enterprise and independently validated by CinarLabs, marks what the clinic describes as the most consequential advancement in FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) instrumentation in over a decade.

From Sapphire to Diamond: A Lineage of Innovation

The announcement carries particular institutional weight: Vera Clinic was the originating force behind the sapphire-tipped incision tool, a technology that has since been adopted as standard across the global hair transplant industry. The Vector-10 represents the clinic's deliberate successor to that benchmark,  under full patent.

"We built the sapphire standard. We watched it become universal. That was validation enough," said Waleed Taleb, board member of Vera Clinic. "Vector-10™ is what we built after asking what comes next, and this time, the patent belongs to us."

The Clinical Findings of Vector-10 

The study stratified patients undergoing FUE procedures into three groups; historical steel-blade outcomes, a concurrent sapphire-blade control cohort, and the Vector-10 intervention group, measuring epithelial healing time, inflammatory response, blade force consistency, and patient-reported intraoperative sensation. Key results of this independent research shows:

Epithelial healing time

• Surgical Steel: 7–10 days
• Sapphire: 6–7 days
• Vector-10™ CVD: 5 days (~40% faster)

Visible scabbing at Day 5

• Surgical Steel: 89% of patients
• Sapphire: 74% of patients
• Vector-10 CVD: 12% of patients

Blade durability

• Surgical Steel: ~1,000 incision cycles
• Sapphire: ~6,000 incision cycles
• Vector-10 CVD: 150,000+ cycles (zero degradation; ~25× sapphire)

Intraoperative sensation

• Surgical Steel: Detected
• Sapphire: Detected
• Vector-10 CVD: None reported (Ångström-level edge, 10⁻¹⁰ m)

Surgeon force consistency

• Surgical Steel: Degrades during session
• Sapphire: Degrades during session
• Vector-10 CVD: Uniform across 4,000+ grafts (100% of physicians)

Durability data: CinarLabs independent fatigue testing. Clinical outcomes: controlled observational cohort, Vera Clinic Istanbul.

"This is my second hair transplant. I felt the incisions in the first one. This time I didn't feel anything at all," said Daniel J. C. a Vector-10 patient at Vera Clinic.

The Science Behind the CVD Lab-Grown Diamond Blade

Vector-10 is manufactured through a CVD process in which carbon atoms are deposited atom by atom onto a substrate in a controlled plasma environment, producing a fully sp³-bonded carbon lattice, the same tetrahedral covalent structure as natural diamond, achieved under laboratory precision. The resulting blade registers 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, the absolute maximum, and maintains an edge radius measurable in Ångströms rather than micrometres.

The clinical consequence of this edge geometry is a tissue separation mechanism that displaces rather than drags, generating no frictional heat, no compression trauma, and no trigger for the inflammatory cascade that drives post-operative oedema, crusting, and extended recovery.

Vector-10 Research with Vera Academy 

The Vector-10 was developed through Vera Academy, Vera Clinic's internal medical research and education division, which trains Turkish physicians in advanced hair restoration techniques and functions as the clinic's primary applied R&D arm.

The clinic's recovery infrastructure, including OxyCure (its in-house hyperbaric oxygen therapy system and the only such unit housed within a hair transplant facility), operates in clinical complement to the reduced-trauma profile of the Vector-10.

Vera Clinic's work has been recognised across independent evaluative bodies spanning medicine, patient experience, and architectural design.

Global Hair Transplant Market Evaluation with Vector-10

The global hair restoration market is projected to reach $10.64 billion by 2031 (Grand View Research), driven by expanding patient demographics and the destigmatisation of aesthetic medicine. Istanbul has functioned as the global centre of FUE innovation for over a decade, a position Vera Clinic has shaped directly and which the Vector-10 is designed to reinforce.

"The Vector-10 is not merely a surgical instrument," the study concludes. "It is the catalyst for the next era of precision aesthetic medicine, transforming a daunting medical procedure into a premium refinement with unrivalled speed to recovery."

About Vera Clinic

Vera Clinic is an Istanbul-based, internationally accredited centre for hair restoration and aesthetic surgery, operating from a purpose-built facility and serving patients across more than 60 countries. The clinic is the patent holder of the Vector-10™ CVD Lab-Grown Diamond surgical blade and the originating institution behind the sapphire-tipped FUE incision tool. Clinical and research operations are supported by Vera Academy, the clinic's integrated medical education and R&D division.

Vera Clinic's work has been recognised across independent evaluative bodies spanning medicine, patient experience, and design. The clinic received the European Medicine Award in 2021 as Best Hair Transplant Clinic in Turkey, followed by the IDA Design Award in 2024 for its clinic architecture. In 2026, Vera Clinic was presented with the Global Excellence Award (GHB) and the WhatClinic Patient Satisfaction Award alongside the iF Design Award for clinic design.

Vector-10 is a registered trademark and patented technology of Vera Clinic. All clinical data collected under institutional observational study protocols. CinarLabs independent validation report available on Vera Clinic’s website. For more information, visit www.veraclinic.net.

Media Contact

Vera Clinic
info@veraclinic.net

Doba, a dropshipping platform that has served more than 3.2 million sellers since its founding, has released Doba Pilot, its most technically advanced AI platform to date. The system brings the company's full suite of automation tools into a single, unified hub accessible via natural language commands, enabling U.S-focused eCommerce entrepreneurs to source products, build storefronts, generate listings, and manage fulfillment from a single interface without switching between separate software systems.

Doba Pilot consolidates three previously independent tools into a connected operational workflow. AI Pickr, the platform's product intelligence engine, analyzes real-time demand signals, trend data, and supplier pricing across Doba's vetted domestic catalog to surface commercially viable product recommendations. The AI Store Builder configures Shopify and BigCommerce-compatible storefronts automatically based on a seller's specified category, brand direction, and target market. The Auto Lister converts supplier data into complete, SEO-aligned product listings covering titles, descriptions, pricing recommendations, and item attributes. Under Doba Pilot, these functions execute in sequence from a single plain-language instruction, with each step's output feeding directly into the next. The result is a workflow that takes a seller from business concept to a populated, operational storefront without requiring technical configuration or manual data transfer between systems.

"What we set out to build with Doba Pilot was a platform where the operational complexity sits entirely with the software, not the seller," said Mandy Ji, CEO at Doba. "A founder using Doba Pilot should be spending their time on product strategy and customer relationships, not on moving information between tools. That separation is what makes the difference between a platform that enables a business and one that becomes a job in itself."

The platform's release comes as AI adoption across e-commerce software has accelerated materially. The retail eCommerce SaaS sector is growing at approximately 20% annually through the late 2020s, driven by mounting demand for platforms that deliver unified operational automation rather than expanding feature sets requiring manual coordination. Merchants across experience levels are consolidating their software stacks, and platforms capable of handling the full operational workflow from a single interface are gaining traction as the preferred operating environment for lean eCommerce businesses. Doba Pilot positions the company directly within that demand shift, offering a unified system in a category where multi-tool stacks have been the prevailing model.

A critical component of Doba Pilot's commercial value for U.S.-focused sellers is the domestic supplier infrastructure beneath it. More than 90% of Doba's vetted supplier network is U.S.-based, which means almost every product recommendation generated by the platform's AI is tied to domestic inventory with consistent shipping timelines. For sellers targeting American consumers, who according to industry research now expect two-day delivery as a baseline standard, this domestic supplier concentration is an operational prerequisite rather than a secondary benefit. Doba Pilot's AI recommendations are not theoretical suggestions drawn from a global catalog. They are actionable sourcing decisions grounded in verified U.S. domestic stock.

"Our supplier network and our AI tools are designed as one system," Mandy Ji added. "The intelligence the platform generates is only useful if the inventory behind it is real, available, and shippable within a timeline U.S. customers expect. The domestic supplier foundation is what makes the AI trustworthy for a seller building a real business."

Doba Pilot is currently available as an add-on to existing Doba users and new registrants through the platform's official website. The platform supports channel integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, eBay, Walmart, TikTok Shop, Wix, and BigCommerce, allowing sellers to manage multi-channel operations from within a single Doba Pilot workflow. Individual AI tools including AI Pickr, the Auto Lister, Ai listing Migrator, Ai Listing Optimizer and the AI Store Builder remain accessible through the main Doba platform for sellers who prefer modular use. Future development will focus on deepening the platform's personalized product intelligence, expanding its pricing optimization capabilities, and introducing seller-specific performance analytics informed by historical store and catalog data.

About Doba

Doba is a US-based dropshipping platform founded to make eCommerce entrepreneurship accessible to founders at every stage of business development. The platform has served more than 3.2 million sellers worldwide and combines a vetted supplier network, with over 90% of suppliers based in the United States, with AI-powered tools for product discovery, automated store building, listing generation, and order fulfillment. Doba integrates with major eCommerce platforms including Shopify, Amazon, eBay, Walmart, WooCommerce, TikTok Shop, Wix, and BigCommerce. The platform holds a 4.6 out of 5 rating on the Shopify App Store. Doba Pilot, the company's unified AI platform, became available in March 2026. Visit Doba's website to learn more about Doba Pilot and explore available platform plans.

Media Contact

Tabitha Parsons
tparsons@doba.com

Gang & Associates, PC announces the implementation of a neuroscience-informed workplace framework designed to improve both employee well-being and professional performance, following a year of internal application and measured outcomes. The firm, which represents veterans in disability claims and legal matters, has introduced structural changes that challenge long-standing norms within the legal profession while maintaining operational and financial performance.

According to founder Eric Gang, the initiative reflects a deliberate shift in how professional services firms approach productivity. He explains that the framework aligns daily work structures with principles drawn from neuroscience, with the goal of improving focus, decision-making, and long-term sustainability across teams. From his perspective, the changes were not introduced as theoretical adjustments but as practical reforms tested within the firm’s own operations.

The announcement comes at a time when concerns around mental health in the legal profession continue to grow. Gang points to findings indicating that 71% of lawyers surveyed reported experiencing anxiety, with rates increasing year over year. He also notes that broader trends, including rising burnout and substance-related challenges, have contributed to a growing number of professionals reconsidering their long-term careers in law.

From Gang’s perspective, these outcomes are the symptoms of structural incentives embedded within the traditional billable hour model. He explains that the model encourages prolonged work without clear limits while offering little recognition for efficiency or recovery. As a result, he suggests that many professionals operate beyond optimal cognitive capacity, which can ultimately affect both individual well-being and the quality of client service.

The firm’s framework reframes legal professionals as cognitive performers whose effectiveness depends on cycles of effort and recovery. Gang frames this approach by drawing on established research that emphasizes the relationship between physical, emotional, and mental capacity. 

“If you want people to perform at a high level mentally, you have to support the underlying systems that make that performance possible,” he says. “Rest is not separate from productivity. It is the mechanism through which sustained performance is built.”

To operationalize this perspective, Gang & Associates, PC introduced several structural changes. These include mandatory Friday half-days, with employees concluding their work at 1 p.m., and a reduced annual billable hour requirement of 1,500 hours, compared to industry norms that often range from 2,000 to 2,200 hours. According to Gang, these adjustments are designed to create a predictable recovery time while maintaining accountability and output.

Additional measures include employee lifestyle spending accounts that support physical activity and personal interests, as well as firm-wide initiatives that encourage consistent engagement in fitness and wellness practices. Gang explains that these elements are intended to strengthen the physical and emotional foundations that contribute to sustained cognitive performance in demanding professional environments.

The firm has also incorporated alternative fee structures and technology-enabled efficiencies into its operations. Gang notes that advancements in artificial intelligence have made it possible to deliver legal services more efficiently, but he emphasizes that billing practices must evolve accordingly. 

“If work can be completed more efficiently through technology, it should be reflected in how services are structured and delivered,” he says, highlighting the importance of aligning efficiency with ethical practice.

After a full year of implementation, Gang reports that the firm has observed measurable improvements in both morale and output. He explains that reducing working hours did not diminish productivity; instead, it contributed to increased focus and efficiency across teams. The firm also recorded its strongest financial performance during this period, which Gang attributes to improved engagement and the application of what he explains as a more disciplined use of time.

The firm has extended these concepts beyond its internal operations through its engagement with Cornell Law School, where it participates in discussions with students about alternative career pathways in law. According to Gang, these conversations are intended to demonstrate that sustainable professional models can exist alongside strong financial outcomes, offering a broader perspective on long-term career development.

Looking ahead, Gang suggests that the implications of this approach extend beyond the legal profession. He explains a broader societal impact in which reducing burnout could influence healthcare systems, workplace productivity, and overall quality of life. 

“When people are functioning at their best, the benefits extend far beyond the workplace,” he says. “It creates better outcomes for clients, stronger organizations, and a more sustainable professional environment.”

About Gang & Associates

Gang & Associates, PC is a law firm focused on representing veterans in disability claims and related legal matters. Based in Hackettstown, New Jersey, the firm is known for its client-centered approach and its emphasis on improving both legal outcomes and the well-being of its team. Through the integration of neuroscience-informed workplace practices, alternative fee structures, and technology-driven efficiencies, Gang & Associates aims to deliver high-quality legal services while promoting sustainable professional performance. The firm also engages with academic institutions, including Cornell Law School, to support discussions around evolving career pathways in the legal profession. For more information, visit www.veteransdisabilityinfo.com.

Media Contact

Eric Gang
info@veteransdisabilityinfo.com

Precoro, a procurement centralization and automation platform, introduces a new AI-powered feature that automatically converts supplier quotations into structured purchase requisitions within seconds.

The release addresses a pervasive friction point for mid-market procurement and finance teams: the data intake gap. Traditionally, supplier quotes arrive in a chaotic mix of PDFs and images. Manually reconciling these formats into an internal procurement system is not only time-consuming but a common driver of data entry errors and approval delays.

Precoro standardizes this intake process: the system extracts data from supplier quotes and transforms it into ready-to-use purchase requisitions. By reducing manual input at the earliest stage, the company aims to help organizations improve data accuracy and accelerate procurement workflows from the outset.

"As we continue to embed intelligence into Precoro, our focus remains on the people behind the screen,” said Andrew Zhyvolovych, CEO of Precoro. “AI for Quotation makes intake so intuitive that even new hires can handle the process from day one. When adoption is this high, teams start following the standardized procedures without any workarounds, so maverick spend disappears, and people stay focused on core tasks that drive business forward.”

Using AI to Reduce Friction at the Intake Stage 

By ensuring data integrity at the very first touchpoint, Precoro sets the foundation for smoother approvals, accurate POs, and faster processing.

For employees, the requisition process has historically been a productivity drain. Precoro’s AI removes this friction entirely; users simply upload a quote and move on to their core responsibilities. This upload-and-go workflow saves time for requesters and provides immediate transparency for approvers.

Efficiency in the procure-to-pay (P2P) cycle is only as good as the initial data. By anchoring accuracy at the intake stage, Precoro prevents the correction loops that typically stall approvals and PO creation.

Continued Investment in AI-driven Procurement

Precoro is doubling down on its commitment to intelligent procurement automation. After launching the AI-powered accounts payable and analytics suite, the platform now extends AI capabilities to the front door of procurement: the intake stage.

Beyond today’s release, Precoro is set to integrate AI into other key procurement areas, including purchase order and contract processing, with the goal of further reducing manual effort and improving process consistency.

About Precoro

Precoro is an AI-powered procurement centralization and automation platform that helps mid-sized companies gain visibility and control over spending before it reaches the ERP. The platform connects procurement workflows across departments and business units in one place, from intake and PO management to AP automation. Today, more than 1,000 organizations in over 80 countries use Precoro to replace ad hoc purchasing with structured, scalable procurement processes and full spend management control. To learn more, visit precoro.com.

Media Contact

Maryna Marochko
press@precoro.com
+1 929-284-2615

Dr. Cinik has officially launched a dedicated hair restoration clinic on London's prestigious Harley Street, bringing two decades of international expertise to the U.K. capital. The new facility specializes in advanced, non-surgical hair loss treatments while offering patients seamless access to surgical procedures at Dr. Cinik's Istanbul facility, creating an integrated model that combines local convenience with significant cost advantages.

The expansion addresses growing demand among British patients for effective hair restoration solutions that fit demanding urban lifestyles. Unlike traditional surgical-only clinics, the Harley Street center focuses on regenerative therapies including PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma), PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin), hair mesotherapy, exosome technology, and low-level laser therapy, treatments designed for minimal downtime and discreet integration into busy professional schedules.

Non-Surgical Excellence on Harley Street

The London clinic positions itself as a destination for patients seeking natural hair restoration without immediate surgical intervention. Dr. Cinik's team offers comprehensive 45-minute diagnostic consultations featuring advanced scalp analysis to determine follicle health, hair density, and growth potential before recommending personalized treatment protocols.

Available therapies include PRP sessions that utilize the body's own healing factors to stimulate dormant follicles, next-generation PRF treatments delivering five times more concentrated growth factors, and breakthrough exosome technology requiring only 1-2 annual sessions for remarkable thickness improvement. Each procedure is designed for speed and discretion, laser sessions require just 20 minutes, while injection-based treatments fit within lunch breaks with no recovery downtime.

"What distinguishes our London approach is the personalized protocol," the clinic notes. "Every scalp and hair type receives individualized assessment rather than standardized templates. We present multiple treatment pathways across different investment levels, ensuring patients find solutions matching both their clinical needs and budget constraints."

Transparent Treatment Packages

The clinic offers structured care packs ranging from maintenance-focused Hairfuel vitamin programs to intensive regrowth protocols. Options include the Revitafusion Pack combining PRF, mesotherapy, laser treatment and one-month vitamin supplementation; the Advanced Regrowth Pack integrating PRF with cutting-edge exosome therapy; and the comprehensive Ultimate Follicle Revival Pack featuring three sessions each of PRF, exosome, and laser treatments plus three months of nutritional support.

Pre-operative preparation packages are also available for patients planning surgical procedures, including exosome priming and six-month vitamin protocols to optimize scalp condition before transplantation.

The Istanbul Connection: Surgical Excellence at Accessible Pricing

Central to Dr. Cinik's dual-city model is the strategic link between London non-surgical care and Istanbul surgical facilities. Patients requiring hair transplantation can access Dr. Cinik's main Istanbul center, where over 50,000 procedures have been performed maintaining a 4.9/5 rating across 5,800+ independent reviews, at costs significantly below U.K. market rates.

This bridge approach allows British patients to receive initial consultations, ongoing scalp health management, and post-procedural maintenance locally on Harley Street, while traveling to Istanbul for the surgical phase performed using Sapphire FUE, FUE, and DHI techniques. The model eliminates the traditional aftercare gap in medical tourism, providing continuous clinical oversight throughout the hair restoration journey.

Elite Endorsement and Medical Credentials

Dr. Cinik's reputation has attracted prominent endorsements from international sports figures including Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, World Cup finalist Ivan Rakitić, Ballon d'Or winner Rivaldo, and former Liverpool striker Djibril Cissé. These associations reflect a broader shift within professional athletics where hair restoration is increasingly viewed as standard performance maintenance rather than exceptional cosmetic intervention.

Trained at Istanbul University, Dr. Cinik has built his practice on matching advanced technology with personalized attention. His methodology prioritizes graft survival rates and minimally invasive protocols, with surgical hairlines designed to complement existing facial aesthetics rather than override them.

Redefining Medical Tourism Infrastructure

Industry analysts suggest the London-Istanbul bridge model represents an evolution in cross-border healthcare delivery. By establishing local presence in one of Britain's most prestigious medical districts, Dr. Cinik addresses key barriers, regulatory familiarity, ongoing accessibility, and follow-up convenience, that have historically deterred U.K. patients from pursuing surgical options abroad.

The clinic's multilingual team operates within English-speaking environments, accommodating international patients who previously faced communication challenges in overseas medical settings. All procedures emphasize discretion, with treatments requiring minimal visibility and zero social downtime, critical factors for London's professional demographic.

About Cinik Dental

Cinik Dental is a leading dental clinic in Istanbul and Antalya, Turkey, offering modern, judgment-free dental care to patients from around the world. Specializing in dental implants, zirconium veneers, E-max smile design, composite bonding, and Hollywood Smile transformations, the clinic combines advanced digital 3D imaging with premium implant brands such as Straumann to deliver precise, natural-looking results. With a multilingual team, transparent pricing, and no hidden fees, Cinik Dental serves international patients seeking high-quality dental treatment at competitive prices. The clinic is trusted by celebrities and influencers worldwide and holds a 4.8/5 rating on Trustpilot. For more information or to book a free consultation, visit www.cinikdental.com.

About Dr. Cinik

Dr. Cinik operates as a large-scale hair restoration center with facilities in Istanbul and London. The Istanbul flagship has performed over 50,000 procedures across 20+ years, offering Sapphire FUE, FUE, and DHI surgical techniques. The new London clinic provides non-surgical regenerative therapies including PRP, PRF, mesotherapy, exosomes, and laser treatment, with structured care packages tailored to individual hair loss patterns. For more information, visit www.emrahcinik.com.

Disclaimer

This announcement is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Hair restoration treatments, including regenerative therapies (PRP, PRF, exosomes) and surgical transplantation (FUE, DHI), are medical procedures that carry inherent risks. You should always seek the advice of a qualified physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or before undergoing any procedure.

Media Contact

Serkan Kaya
Performance Marketing Manager
press@emrahcinik.com

Today, BuildForever launches Extra, a new email app for iOS and web that organizes your inbox around your life, not around subject lines and folders. 

“Email quietly became the operating system of our lives, but the interface never evolved," said Naveen Gavini, CEO of BuildForever and former Chief Product Officer of Pinterest. "Your life runs through email — flights, birthday parties, school updates, appointments, packages — yet you're still expected to do all the work: sorting, searching, triaging, hoping you didn't miss something. Extra changes that. Unlike most email apps, Extra isn’t about replying faster, it’s about knowing what’s going on in your life.” 

Built for real people and everyday lives

Extra is designed for the billions of people who use email every day but have often been overlooked by email innovation. Most recent email tools focus on power users and enterprises, adding AI agents, prompts, and workflows to help people get to inbox zero. Extra goes in a different direction entirely. Extra is built for personal email; for the people who open their inbox to check their flight status, track a package, make an appointment, and stay on top of their life. 

Your day at a glance, your life organized

Extra puts your life at the center of your inbox, not the other way around.

• Today view: Extra summarizes everything important into a daily, actionable overview that updates in real time so your day is always current.
• Designed around your life: Extra automatically organizes emails into custom categories that represent what matters to you - categories like trips, newsletters, my family, and finances. 
• Proactive by design: Extra doesn't just surface what needs action; it's already working before you open the app: drafting replies, flagging events, tracking expenses, and more.
• Talk to your inbox: Extra’s built-in assistant helps you find anything instantly, unsubscribe in seconds, and reply using your voice. Just ask, and Extra helps.
• Designed to feel good: The goal isn't just fewer clicks; Extra is personal, warm and visually beautiful.

“We’ve spent our careers building products for hundreds of millions of people,” said Albert Pereta, co-founder and former Executive Creative Director of Pinterest. “With Extra, we’re not trying to ship another productivity tool or a slightly faster email client. We’re bringing the same craft, empathy, and ambition that defined Pinterest to make email feel magical again.”

From anxiety to a sense of control

Email overwhelm is nearly universal. The average person receives between 150 and 500 emails per week, yet most messages never get opened. 

In Extra’s beta, users have experienced a shift:

• Beta users have collectively unsubscribed from over 2 million emails a year
• Extra’s Today view has processed over 4 million emails into simple daily summaries
• The average email session lasts just 23 seconds. Extra users are spending significantly more time in their inbox because, for the first time, they actually want to be there.

“One of my favorite pieces of feedback from beta was simple: ‘I don’t feel anxious opening my inbox anymore,’” said Steven Ramkumar, co-founder of BuildForever and former Distinguished Engineer at Pinterest. “We’re not just trying to make sending email faster. We are trying to make email more joyful and less anxiety-inducing.”

Built by a team obsessed with everyday software

Extra is the first product from BuildForever, a consumer technology company founded by Naveen Gavini, Steven Ramkumar, and Albert Pereta, who collectively spent over a decade at Pinterest helping grow the platform to more than 500 million users. The founding team includes engineers and designers who have worked at OpenAI, Snapchat, Apple, and Pinterest. They started BuildForever with a single belief: everyday software should feel personal, magical, and deeply human.

BuildForever is backed by Felicis Ventures, Abstract VC, Elad Gil, A-Star Co, and SV Angel. Angel investors include Paul Buchheit, the creator of Gmail, Pinterest co-founders Evan Sharp and Ben Silbermann, as well as Fidji Simo, Gokul Rajaram, Scott Belsky, Guillermo Rauch, Shishir Mehrotra, Michael Ovitz, and Shreya Murthy. BuildForever is assembling a team to define a new era of consumer products that people feel deeply connected to.

Availability

Extra is available today on iOS and web, invite-only. Users can join the waitlist and learn more at extra.email. Extra is available in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Taiwan, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Finland, the Netherlands, India, Japan, and Mexico.

About BuildForever

BuildForever is a consumer technology company building products that feel personal, magical, and deeply human. Founded by former Pinterest leaders Naveen Gavini, Steven Ramkumar, and Albert Pereta, BuildForever brings together deep expertise in design, engineering, and creativity to rethink the everyday software people rely on, starting with email. Their debut app, Extra, is live on iOS and web. For more information, visit www.buildforever.com.

Media Contact

Naveen Gavini
Co-founder, CEO, BuildForever
naveen@buildforever.com

UK-based direct lender Cashfloat is reshaping the way short-term borrowing works by giving customers greater control over when and how they begin repaying their loans.

The Easy Start function by the Cashfloat team, has introduced a range of free digital affordability checkers, loan calculators, and a zero-cost early-repayment solution to ensure consumers are never penalised when they can settle their loans sooner than expected.

Exploring the Benefits of Cashfloat’s Easy Start Options for UK Borrowers

Easy Start is optional, and loan applicants can choose whether or not it would be beneficial to them. It enables borrowers to pay less on their first repayment, if they wish, by adding a payment at the end of the loan term.

Reduced first installments ensure that borrowers have more time before fixed monthly repayments begin. There is no interest added to the additional month, so the extended period does not incur any extra cost.

Borrowers can toggle Easy Start on and off when comparing repayment values and total repayable amounts. They can also review the impact clearly when selecting the loan they wish to apply for, with transparent calculations that show the loan duration and interest charges.

Using Easy Start does not affect any other terms or conditions of the loan, including the free early settlement option, and borrowers whose finances allow them to repay early will continue to pay less interest overall.

"We recognised that a real issue for many borrowers was the timing between taking out a loan and beginning repayments. It was apparent that, because consumers often use short-term loans in times of financial stress, this was making it harder to restore their finances to good health," said Peter Kimpton, Chief Operating Officer of Cashfloat. "There is absolutely no catch to Easy Start whatsoever, and we never charge interest for the additional repayment month. This ensures borrowers can take a little longer when they need it and can turn off Easy Start if it isn’t relevant, but, as a direct lender, we feel it is important that we give as much flexibility as possible so borrowers can decide what works best for them."

Cashfloat’s Non-Standard Approach to Flexible Loan Repayments

The lender charges borrowers interest only for the days of actual lending, which allows the firm to accept early repayments without penalty, since the remaining interest the borrower would have paid simply isn’t incurred.

Across the UK lending industry, the norm is very different. A large proportion of mainstream lenders charge exit fees or early settlement charges, which penalise responsible financial management and make it less worthwhile to work towards paying off debt sooner.

Cashfloat’s guide to Easy Start clarifies that the total amount payable remains unchanged but is divided differently to make it easier for borrowers, with loan APRs often lower when Easy Start is applied.

The company also makes full use of the fintech advancements developed by parent firm Western Circle, with an accessible, user-friendly login area. This provides every borrower with a personalised dashboard to manage their loans and repayments, with options to make additional contributions, close the loan account early and see exactly how much interest they are saving.

About the Short-Term Lending Products Available From Cashfloat

Borrowers can apply for a range of loans via Cashfloat, all available 100% online. The application process includes calculators and eligibility assessment checks to prevent consumers from applying who are unlikely to be approved.

Applications are processed rapidly using an innovative AI-enabled decision engine, with an average response time of 30 minutes. There are safeguards in place to ensure robust adherence to responsible lending policies, and applicants who do not demonstrate affordability are not accepted.

Products include short-term loans, temporary payday loans, and loans designed specifically for applicants with low credit scores or adverse credit, with affordability regarded as the primary factor when determining whether an applicant can be accepted.

Full details about all Cashfloat loans, including terms, interest rates, and the Easy Start feature, are available on the company’s website, with a detailed "How It Works" page that explains key information in greater depth.

About Cashfloat

Founded in 2014, Cashfloat is a U.K.-based direct lender providing online loans to individuals across a range of credit scores. Cashfloat focuses on accessible digital lending and transparent financial services for borrowers seeking short-term credit solutions. The company operates as a trading style of Western Circle Ltd, which is fully authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

About Western Circle Group

Western Circle Group is a UK-based, FCA-authorised consumer credit provider specialising in fast, responsible, online lending. Western Circle Ltd (company number: 07581337) is fully authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 714479) and with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO: Z3305234).

Disclaimer

This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation to borrow. Loans are subject to eligibility, affordability checks, and terms set by the lender. Borrowing involves risk and may not be suitable for all individuals. Readers should carefully review terms and consider seeking independent financial advice before making any borrowing decisions.

Media Contact

Ofer Valencio Akerman
Cashfloat
info@cashfloat.co.uk

MOVA, a provider of AI-enabled cleaning solutions, debuted its M3 commercial cleaning robot series at Interclean Amsterdam 2026, signaling its expansion into the commercial floor care sector. The company showcased its latest lineup during the exhibition, with live demonstrations at its booth attracting attention from industry professionals and potential partners.

The lineup was headlined by M3 and M3 Pro, automatic floor cleaning systems designed to support sweeping and washing in a single pass across different commercial environments. The machines feature an integrated 8-liter water tank and an additional 25-liter water tank in the docking station, enabling extended operation with a reduced need for refilling or complex setup. The “plug-and-play” design allows for extended operation and simplifies deployment for facility managers.

“We aim to develop products that are efficient and easy to deploy in real-world environments,” said Wu Yin, Go-To-Market Manager at MOVA. “Our goal is to support customers in improving cleaning efficiency while reducing operational complexity.”

During the exhibition at Hall 8, MOVA conducted on-site demonstrations, including automatic transitions between hard flooring and carpets, as well as obstacle avoidance tests using low-height objects. The team also performed a "liquid cleanup" test, where the robots successfully cleared stubborn liquid stains like soy sauce and ketchup in a single pass, showcasing the power of the integrated dry/wet separation system. These demonstrations showed the robots’ ability to navigate constrained spaces with a minimum obstacle clearance height of just 3 centimeters, attracting strong on-site engagement with about 30,000 visitors at the event. Many commercial cleaning reporters visited the MOVA booth to exchange ideas, further highlighting the growing interest in this new series. MOVA’s participation at Interclean Amsterdam 2026 also received extensive media coverage from outlets such as Cleaning Matters, Batiment Entretien, and Geeky Gadgets.

MOVA also presented additional models in its commercial portfolio, including a compact hand-push scrubber designed for smaller spaces and an industrial scrubber with low-noise operation and integrated disinfection functions. The broader lineup reflects the company’s focus on offering solutions for a range of commercial cleaning scenarios.

The launch reflects MOVA’s transition from home cleaning products to broader commercial applications, as demand for automation continues to grow in labor-intensive sectors. The company’s presence at Interclean Amsterdam 2026 also marked the first comprehensive showcase of its commercial cleaning solutions to the European market.

MOVA’s expansion into Europe is part of a broader market strategy focusing on regions with relatively high labor costs and rising demand for automation, particularly in Western and Northern Europe. The company is prioritizing partnerships with local distributors and facility management providers, while adapting its products to meet regional standards and compliance requirements.

According to the company, MOVA is in discussions with potential partners and plans to adopt a phased investment approach, starting with pilot projects and scaling based on market feedback and partner engagement. As the commercial cleaning industry adopts smart and autonomous technologies, MOVA’s entry positions the company within a broader shift toward data-driven, scalable solutions aimed at improving efficiency and reducing operational pressure.

About MOVA

Founded in 2024, MOVA is a global leader in AI-powered smart living. Driven by a mission to build a fully integrated, intelligent ecosystem, the company develops advanced robotics for home cleaning, outdoor maintenance, and now, commercial floor care. For more information, visit us.mova.tech.

Media Contact

Yin Wu
Go-To-Market Manager, MOVA
wuyin@mova-tech.com

ZEN.COM has officially launched in the United Kingdom, following a regulatory process and the establishment of a locally licensed entity operating under UK oversight. The move represents a structural step in building a global, multi-licence fintech infrastructure, rather than a standard market entry.

The UK launch follows ZEN.COM's steady expansion across 32 markets since its commercial debut in November 2020. In parallel, the company has built a robust regulatory and compliance infrastructure, including safeguarding arrangements that support its operations in one of the world’s most demanding financial environments. Client funds are held in segregated accounts with partner banks, in line with regulatory requirements, ensuring full separation from ZEN.COM’s operational funds.

A Two-Sided Ecosystem Connecting Consumers and Businesses

At the core of ZEN.COM's model is a two-sided ecosystem, where growth on the consumer side drives growth on the merchant side and vice versa. This network effect enables the company to scale both financial services and payment infrastructure simultaneously.

Consumers gain access to a multi-currency account, globally accepted payment cards, instant cashback, and ZEN Care, the company's purchase protection feature covering eligible transactions. Businesses, meanwhile, receive a payment gateway that supports more than 100 payment methods and enables them to accept payments from customers globally with instant settlement capabilities.

"The result is a network where growth on the consumer side drives growth on the merchant side, and vice versa. A two-sided dynamic that strengthens the entire platform with every new user," said Michał Bogusławski, CEO Europe at ZEN.COM.

Scale and Growth Across Markets

Since launching commercially in 2020, ZEN.COM has grown to over 1.5 million active individual customers and more than 10,000 business clients, processing billions of euros in transaction volume annually. This growth reflects increasing demand for financial services that operate seamlessly across currencies, markets, and user segments.

Infrastructure Built for Scale

ZEN.COM operates with direct access to global payment networks, enabling it to issue cards and process payments without intermediaries. This supports greater control over costs, speed, and product quality.

Foundation for Further International Expansion

The UK launch strengthens ZEN.COM's ability to scale both its consumer offering and payment infrastructure in one of the world's leading e-commerce markets. At the same time, ZEN.COM is expanding into new strategic markets, including Ukraine, where it plans to build a locally relevant financial offering and strengthen financial connections between Ukraine and the European Union. The company plans to leverage its UK experience to streamline future market entries and continue building a global ecosystem connecting merchants and consumers.

"We combine payments, competitive exchange rates, purchase protection, and price benefits in a single ecosystem. Our focus is to simplify the financial experience and deliver real value in every transaction. The UK is one of the most competitive fintech markets globally, and this launch is an important step in scaling our model internationally," said Bogusławski.

About ZEN.COM

ZEN.COM is a global payment ecosystem operating across 32 markets, connecting consumers and businesses through a unified financial infrastructure. Since launching commercially in November 2020, the company has grown to over 1.5 million active individual customers and more than 10,000 business clients, processing billions of euros in transaction volume annually. A principal member of both Mastercard and Visa, ZEN.COM issues cards and processes payments directly without intermediaries. The company offers consumers a multi-currency account, globally accepted payment cards, instant cashback, and ZEN Care purchase protection, while equipping businesses with a payment gateway supporting more than 100 payment methods and instant settlement capabilities. ZEN.COM holds regulatory licences across the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom. To learn more about its global payment ecosystem and UK market launch, visit the www.zen.com.

Media Contact

Marta Tyszer
marta.tyszer@zen.com

In celebration of Earth Day, Botanic Tonics, maker of feel free CLASSIC® and Kava Mate, today announced a sweepstakes offering five individuals a unique opportunity: a dedicated kava plot in their name at the Pacifikava farm in Vanuatu, where the brand sources its noble kava root.

Each selected participant will have a plot named in their honor, along with ongoing updates from the farm, including photos, harvest reports and insights into the journey from cultivation to final product. The initiative is designed to provide a more direct connection between consumers and the agricultural origins of the brand’s products.

The sweepstakes runs through April 22, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time and is open to legal residents of the 50 United States, including the District of Columbia, aged 21 and older. No purchase is necessary. Additional details and official rules are available at botanictonics.com/pages/earth-day-sweepstakes. Shop at botanictonics.com from April 15–22 for automatic entry, or enter here for a chance to win without purchase.

Botanic Tonics has positioned the initiative as part of a broader effort to highlight the role of sourcing, production and distribution practices in its operations.

“Everything we do starts at the root,” said Cameron Korehbandi, CEO of Botanic Tonics. “From how our noble kava root is grown at our farm in Vanuatu to how our products are packaged and distributed, we’re intentional about building a business that respects the Earth and supports the communities behind it.”

Rooted in Tradition: Sustainable Kava Sourcing in Vanuatu

Botanic Tonics sources its noble kava root from Pacifikava, its exclusive farm located on the island of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu. The region’s volcanic soil, climate, and cultural traditions support the cultivation of high-quality kava.

The company works with local farmers who grow and hand-harvest kava using time-honored practices designed to protect the land and preserve generations of agricultural knowledge. These small, carefully tended plots prioritize quality, sustainability and respect for the plant’s cultural legacy. 

Beyond sustainable farming, Botanic Tonics invests directly in the communities behind its supply chain, supporting education, economic opportunity and long-term stability for farming families, while helping preserve the traditions that have defined kava cultivation for centuries.

That impact is felt at the family level. As Pacifikava farmer Adison Goodwin noted, “Now with Pacifikava, they sponsored my child to go far in school.”

From Plant to Product: Thoughtful Materials and Packaging

Botanic Tonics’ signature cobalt glass bottles and aluminum caps were chosen deliberately for performance and for what happens after the product is finished. Glass and aluminum are among the most recyclable materials available, and the company actively encourages consumers to recycle or repurpose its packaging rather than send it to landfill.

Since launching its recycling program in 2023, Botanic Tonics reports diverting more than 357,000 pounds (nearly 179 tons) of materials from landfills, including over 142,000 pounds of plastic and 17,000 pounds of glass.

Circular Systems in Action: Tulsa Manufacturing

At its Tulsa, Oklahoma manufacturing facility, Botanic Tonics operates a closed-loop recycling system. Materials such as wood, aluminum, cardboard and glass are collected and reprocessed to reduce waste.

Twice per month, Botanic Tonics receives fully recycled, heat-treated wood product pallets used to ship feel free. Those same trucks return carrying used materials, including wood, aluminum, cardboard and glass, keeping them in circulation and out of landfills.

Since 2023, the company reports keeping nearly 179 tons (357,687 pounds) of materials in circulation, including:

• 71 tons of plastic
• 60 tons of corrugated cardboard
• 33 tons of metal
• 8.7 tons of glass
• 5.4 tons of wood

Extending Earth Day Beyond April 22

In addition to the sweepstakes, Botanic Tonics is encouraging its community to recycle its glass bottles as part of its Earth Day initiative. Every cobalt glass bottle is 100% recyclable, and the company provides an easy step-by-step guide on its website alongside updates from its sustainability operations from the farm in Vanuatu to the facility in Tulsa.

The company states that its approach to sustainability is embedded in its ongoing operations, rather than limited to a single day or campaign.

About Botanic Tonics

Botanic Tonics is a botanical supplement company founded in 2020 and headquartered in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The feel free® product line utilizes traditional botanical ingredients to support energy, focus, and mood. The flagship product, feel free CLASSIC®, is a formulation of noble kava root and natural kratom leaf that contains no synthetic ingredients, alcohol, or chemical extracts. Botanic Tonics products are manufactured in an FDA-registered, cGMP-certified facility and undergo third-party testing for consistency and safety. With over 129 million servings sold, the company’s safety protocols are supported by government testing, clinical trials, and medical review. Botanic Tonics provides consumer education regarding the responsible use of botanicals for adults aged 21 and older. Detailed safety data and product information are available at botanictonics.com.

Disclaimer

The statements made in this announcement have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are botanical supplements and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. feel free CLASSIC contains natural kratom leaf. Like other botanical stimulants, kratom may be habit-forming and carries a risk of dependency if used frequently or in high doses. Individuals with a history of substance use disorder or those currently in recovery should avoid this product. To date, clinical observations of feel free CLASSIC consumed according to recommended serving sizes have not indicated serious physical or social harm; however, individual responses to botanicals vary significantly. Strictly not for sale to or consumption by individuals under 21 years of age. Botanicals may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medications, particularly those metabolized by the liver. Consult a licensed, qualified healthcare professional before use to assess personal risk. Always follow the serving sizes listed on the packaging. For comprehensive safety data, third-party lab results (COAs), and further guidance, visit our Consumer Education page.

Media Contact

Botanic Tonics
media@botanictonics.com

A new historical analysis by researcher and author Fari provides a detailed examination of Cambodia’s transition from a post-conflict state to a stabilized regional actor. Titled "The Father: Who Shielded and Never Left," the work offers a multi-decade look at the "Win-Win Policy" and its application during the 2025– 2026 border tensions, providing a case study for leadership in fragile states.

Expert Analysis of Regional Stability

Unlike traditional biographies, the book utilizes a combination of archival research and observational data to examine how the "human-centered" decision-making of former Prime Minister Hun Sen created the framework for the current administration.

The text gains contemporary relevance by analyzing the 2025–2026 border dispute near the Preah Vihear Temple. Fari documents how the transition of power to Prime Minister Hun Manet was stress-tested by military activity in these zones. The author provides a detailed account of how the administration utilized diplomatic engagement and adherence to international legal frameworks to prevent escalation, citing specific instances where civilian protection was prioritized over tactical military gain.

Methodology and Scholarly Context

"The goal of this work was to move beyond the headlines and look at the underlying mechanics of national resilience," says author Fari, who draws on years of observation of Southeast Asian political transitions. "By documenting the shift from the Khmer Rouge era to the modern day, we see a repeatable pattern of prioritizing national unity over ideological purity — a model that warrants study by international political analysts."

The book addresses several key pillars of governance:

• Continuity of Leadership: Analyzing the advisory role of the former Prime Minister in supporting current executive decisions.
• Conflict De-escalation: A technical look at the 2025–2026 protocols used to stabilize border communities.
• Economic Rebirth: Data-driven reflections on Cambodia’s recovery from total infrastructure collapse to modern stability.

Critical Reception

Early reviewers in the regional security sector have noted the book's value as a primary-source-influenced record. Analysts suggest that while the book is written from a perspective of national unity, it provides essential data points for understanding the "Cambodian Model" of sovereignty and long-term stability in the face of global uncertainty.

About the Publication

"The Father: Who Shielded and Never Left" is available globally for researchers, historians, and the general public. The work includes an extensive narrative of historical milestones and a reflection on regional security. The book can be accessed via Amazon.

About Fari Books

Fari Sonita is an author and independent researcher born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She writes about the lives of extraordinary individuals, people whose journeys carry lessons of courage, leadership, sacrifice, and responsibility. Her work examines the decisions, struggles, and inner strength of those who shaped nations or quietly carried a weight that others can learn from.

Media Contact

Fari Media
info@farisonita.com