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ZX Capital Markets (ZXCM), a fast-growing global brokerage group, marks its two-year milestone with a record of strong expansion and market impact. Founded in 2023 by industry veteran Hadi Zaarour, ZXCM has quickly established itself as one of the most dynamic and client-focused firms in the forex and CFD industry.

Over the past two years, ZXCM has grown substantially — expanding its client base, scaling trading volumes, and unlocking access to new global markets. Guided by its principle of honesty and fairness and its promise of “No games, just trading,” the firm has built a reputation for transparency, professionalism, and a client-first approach.

Leadership and Vision

At the helm of ZXCM is founder and CEO Hadi Zaarour, whose nearly two decades of experience span management, operations, compliance, and senior leadership across global financial services. Before launching ZXCM, Zaarour played instrumental roles as a partner and leader in multiple brokerage ventures. With ZXCM, he set out to rebuild trust in the industry by creating a platform that prioritizes real execution, institutional-grade access, and tailored solutions for retail, professional, and institutional traders alike.

Milestones and Achievements

In its first two years, ZXCM has:

• Strengthened its global client base across key regions, particularly the Middle East.
• Expanded access to deep liquidity and diverse markets, ensuring clients trade with transparency and efficiency.
• Forged strategic industry partnerships that elevate its institutional and retail offerings.

Looking Ahead

As it enters its third year, ZXCM is poised for a new phase of strategic growth. The company is actively pursuing expanded regulatory licenses, deeper institutional connectivity, and innovative solutions tailored for both local and global markets. These initiatives reflect ZXCM’s commitment to scaling intelligently while staying true to its founding ethos of professionalism and fairness.

“We are only at the beginning of what ZXCM is set to achieve,” said Zaarour. “These first two years proved that there is demand for a brokerage built on honesty and fairness. The next chapter will be about scaling our impact, deepening our institutional roots, and continuing to innovate for our clients worldwide.”

About ZX Capital Markets (ZXCM)

ZX Capital Markets (ZXCM) is a dynamic forex and CFD brokerage founded in 2023. With a strong presence in the MENA region and expanding global markets, ZXCM offers institutional-grade solutions for forex, commodities, indices, shares, and cryptocurrencies. Our mission is to revolutionize trading experiences, providing transparency, advanced infrastructure, and localized strategies. Our commitment to setting new industry standards of trust and professionalism is evident in our rapid growth and the accolades we have received. The firm was established by Hadi Zaarour, a seasoned industry leader with nearly two decades of experience, whose focus on clarity and innovation has positioned ZXCM as one of the region’s fastest-growing financial service providers. Learn more at www.zxcm.com.

Media Contact

Ethan Stone
media@zxcm.com

The Stop Gas Station Heroin coalition is alarmed by reports from Cobb County, Georgia, where a two-year-old child became unresponsive after ingesting a small piece of a concentrated synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) opioid product known as 7Tabz tablet. According to state officials, the child required Narcan to be revived.

Initial media and police reports mistakenly referred to the product as ‘kratom’. 7Tabz, however,  is not kratom leaf or a natural botanical — it is a chemically manipulated, lab-made drug that is 13 times more potent than morphine.

The product in question, 7Tabz, is marketed as a so-called “energy pill,” with packaging and flavors that mimic candies and appeal to children, yet it contains over 15 milligram of synthetic 7-OH per serving – a serving of more than 15 times the per serving threshold set by Georgia's HB 181, which took effect January 2025. 15mg of 7OH is 166 times more 7OH than would be found in a 3 gram serving of leaf kratom. In July, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent a warning letter to the company behind 7Tabz for illegally marketing these products as dietary supplements. Despite this, they are still being sold in Georgia.

This incident raises serious concerns about the ongoing availability of concentrated synthetic 7-OH opioid products in gas stations, convenience stores, and online marketplaces. Colorfully packaged and deceptively promoted as safe, these street drugs are flooding American communities and, in this case, ended up within reach of children in a daycare setting.

Critically, the dangers of 7-OH products are well-documented: Misuse risks include tolerance, addiction, respiratory depression, and overdose. Even at doses promoted by manufacturers, the risks far exceed any reasonable threshold of safety. The fact that a toddler was exposed to such a product — and nearly lost their life — underscores the urgent need for state and federal policymakers to act.

What this case makes clear is that these products are not “wellness supplements.” They are illegal, chemically engineered opioids being misleadingly marketed and sold without FDA approval. Until concentrated synthetic 7-OH opioid products are removed from the market, children and families remain at risk.

To learn more about Stop Gas Station Heroin and its mission, navigate to stopgasstationheroin.com. 

About Stop Gas Station Heroin

Stop Gas Station Heroin is a national coalition that aims to educate consumers about harmful synthetic drugs and advocate for smart regulation that distinguishes between legitimate, natural botanicals and dangerous, synthetic drugs, combined with enforcement of current federal laws around unapproved drugs. To learn more, navigate to stopgasstationheroin.com.

Media Contact

Media Contact
info@stopgasstationheroin.com

Vinat, a sister-founded brand bringing cheeky, accessible, and thoughtfully made European wines targeting millennial and late Gen-Z women, is excited to announce its rebrand as Offline Wine, a new name that better embodies its core purpose: delivering high-quality, approachable European wines designed for in-person connection.

Sarah Mack, CEO and co-founder of Offline Wine, shares, "In a world where our work and social lives are more online than ever, wine remains one of life's last true invitations to unplug and connect face-to-face. Our wines are meant for real-life connection and genuine good times enjoyed 'offline,' just as they're meant to be. This name change perfectly captures how our wine brings people together, away from screens and into the moment."

Reflecting Millennial Shifts in Wine

Offline Wine is a response to evolving wine trends, especially among millennials. This generation now buys 83% of wines priced over $15, driving a major shift toward premium and experiential choices. Industry leaders have acted: Constellation Brands recently sold off most of its under-$15 wine portfolio to align with consumer-led premiumization. As Sarah notes, "Our wines aren't just European and accessible, they're crafted for the millennial and younger generations seeking authenticity and quality."

Emily Mack, COO and co-founder of Offline Wine, added, “So many companies don’t even know who their customers are which absolutely blows my mind. Every decision we make is influenced by what we know about our target market. Everything from the wines we select to our labels and the content we post on social media is driven by our customers.”

Despite concerns about generational transition, the Silicon Valley Bank report reveals that the millennial population is nearly equal to the boomer wine enthusiasts; the industry needs to engage younger drinkers more effectively. This shift comes as traditional wine clubs and tasting rooms see signups and visitation decline, particularly as baby boomers travel less and younger consumers seek fresh, engaging experiences: "The wine industry must actively market to younger consumers—they won’t just “age into” wine," notes Corksy Insights.

Launching a New and Refreshed Rewards Program

In tandem with the rebrand, Offline Wine is unveiling a robust new rewards program to celebrate and incentivize vibrant, 'offline' connections among its customers. Offline Rewards is designed with every pour and sip in mind. The program rewards participants with 'Sips,' which can be earned through actions such as referrals, social media engagement, and purchases. These Sips can then be redeemed for discounts on future purchases. Additionally, members enjoy exclusive access to product launches, events, and promotions throughout the year. Overall, Offline Rewards aims to enhance brand loyalty and engagement.

About Offline Wine

Sister-owned wine brand Offline Wine, formerly known as Vinat, began its journey from vine to bottle in 2022 when visiting vineyards on the outskirts of Barcelona. With a love for agriculture that stems from their Wisconsin roots, Sarah and Emily Mack recognized an opportunity to create ethically sourced, high-quality, approachable wines that eliminated the wine-snob stigma. Operating out of Austin, TX, Offline is currently available at select retailers and restaurants in Texas. All three wines can be easily purchased on their newly designed website at www.offline.wine and currently ship to most U.S. states.

Media Contact

Sarah Mack
hello@offline.wine

This summer in Zadar, sporting legends and top broadcasters came together for the first-ever Sofascore Player of the Season Award Show, filmed during the Sunset Sports Festival. Now, the show has reached millions as it premiered on CBS, bringing together football stories and data-supported awards.

The show celebrated Europe’s top performers from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and many more leagues across the world, all chosen just through Sofascore’s objective performance ratings. No votes, no popularity contests. Mohamed Salah topped the Premier League with a 7.78 rating, Raphinha led La Liga with 7.80, Mattia Zaccagni claimed Serie A’s best with 7.34, Joshua Kimmich was Bundesliga’s highest rated player with 7.91, and Achraf Hakimi shined in Ligue 1 with 7.76. Beyond this, the awards also celebrated the highest-rated player in the UEFA Champions League, the top leagues in women’s football, and many more standout performers from around the globe.

To watch the full show, visit this link.

Hosted by Kate Scott and Peter Schmeichel, and directed by Emmy Award-winner Pete Radovich, the event featured exclusive insights from football greats and top analysts including Jamie Carragher, Micah Richards, and Alessandro Del Piero. Raphinha shared his pride as both La Liga and Champions League’s top-rated player, while Luka Modrićmade history by receiving Sofascore’s first-ever Founders’ Legend Award. In the audience, big names like Dimitar Berbatov, Stipe Miočić, and Šime Vrsaljko added extra prestige to the celebration.

The Player of the Season celebration extended beyond the TV broadcast, with massive billboards in London, Liverpool, Barcelona, Munich, Rome, Frankfurt, Lyon, Metz, and other European cities, showcasing Sofascore’s award winners. From Raphinha and Alexia Putellas in Barcelona to Mohamed Salah in Liverpool and Joshua Kimmich in Munich, fans across Europe could see the season’s best right in their own cities.

The Sofascore Player of the Season award is built on objective data, not public votes. Every goal, pass, tackle or miss contributes to a rating that reflects what truly happened on the pitch. That’s why, for players and all football fans around the globe, Sofascore’s Player of the Season trophy is the only award that counts.

About Sofascore

Sofascore is a leading global sports data and analytics platform, providing real-time scores, advanced statistics, and performance insights across more than 20 sports and thousands of leagues worldwide. Known for its proprietary Sofascore Rating and intuitive visualizations like heatmaps and momentum graphs, the platform is trusted by fans, media, athletes, and scouts alike. With over 30 million downloads and users in more than 200 countries, Sofascore continues to redefine how sports data is consumed and understood. For more information, visit www.sofascore.com.

Media Contact

Anja Gadža
anja.gadza@sofascore.com

Girlfriend.ai's latest report confirms that AI girlfriends are no longer niche, they are rapidly becoming part of mainstream culture. The Girlfriend.ai Global Loneliness & AI Romance Report 2025 reveals that half of young men would rather date an AI girlfriend than risk rejection from a human partner, with millions already turning to AI companions for intimacy and emotional support.

Key Findings

• 50% of young men say they would rather date an AI girlfriend than risk rejection from a human partner
• 31% of U.S. men aged 18–30 report already chatting with AI girlfriends
• 19% of American adults overall say they have explored AI romance
• 80% of Gen Z say they would consider a virtual relationship with an AI girlfriend
• 83% of Gen Z believe they can form a deep emotional bond with AI companions

A Booming Market

The global AI companion market was valued at $28.2 billion dollars in 2024 and is projected to surpass $140 billion dollars by 2030, with some forecasts exceeding $500 billion dollars. Within this sector, the AI girlfriend app niche is expected to grow from $2.7 billion dollars in 2025 to nearly $25 billion dollars by 2034.

“AI girlfriends are no longer a niche curiosity, they are a cultural phenomenon,” said Emily Carter, chief research officer at Girlfriend.ai. “Just as dating apps transformed romance a decade ago, AI companions are defining this decade. Our research shows people are choosing AI girlfriends not to escape reality, but to meet genuine emotional needs in a safer, lower-friction way.”

Addressing the Loneliness Epidemic

The rise of AI girlfriends comes amid widespread loneliness. In the United States, nearly one in four young men report feeling lonely daily. Research indicates that AI companions can reduce feelings of isolation and provide meaningful emotional support, while experts recommend balanced use alongside human connections.

Why Girlfriend.ai

Unlike generic chatbots or manipulative virtual avatars, Girlfriend.ai focuses on emotional presence, long-term memory, and proactive companionship so relationships feel alive, consistent, and durable across time and devices.

“The stigma around having an AI girlfriend is fading quickly,” Carter added. “For Gen Z and beyond, digital love is becoming part of everyday life. The question is no longer whether AI girlfriends will go mainstream, but how quickly society will adapt to this new reality.”

About Girlfriend.ai

Girlfriend.ai is redefining digital companionship with emotionally intelligent AI designed to feel more natural and humanlike than traditional chatbots. The platform combines advanced conversational AI, adaptive memory, voice, and image interaction to create relationships that grow and evolve over time. As the market for AI-driven connection accelerates, Girlfriend.ai positions itself at the forefront of this cultural and technological shift, offering users a 24/7 companion that is supportive, responsive, and engaging. The company’s mission is to make emotionally supportive relationships accessible to everyone, establishing AI companionship as a new norm in everyday life. Learn more at girlfriend.ai.

Media Contact

Jon Davis
press@girlfriend.ai

The United States office market has reached a grim milestone, with vacancy rates climbing to a new historic high and compounding a deepening crisis for property owners and the lenders who finance them. Persistently high levels of remote work and cautious return-to-office strategies are the primary drivers behind this seismic shift, which is sending severe economic shockwaves through major metropolitan areas. According to recent data from Moody's Analytics, the national office vacancy rate surged to an unprecedented 20.7% in the second quarter, signaling a structural disruption rather than a temporary downturn for the multi-trillion-dollar sector. This glut of empty space is forcing a painful reckoning across the industry, threatening property valuations and straining the balance sheets of regional banks heavily exposed to commercial loans.

A Market Awash in Empty Space

The scale of the vacancy problem is vast, touching nearly every major city and suburban market across the country. While the national average paints a stark picture, a closer look at tech-centric hubs reveals an even more severe situation. In San Francisco, a city once defined by its booming tech-fueled real estate market, the office vacancy rate has soared to a staggering 27.7%, a dramatic increase from its pre-pandemic level of just 8.6% in 2019. Other major business districts are also grappling with an exodus of tenants, with Downtown New York's vacancy rate nearing 23% and Charlotte's reaching 23%, well above the national figure. Even suburban office parks, once seen as a potential beneficiary of decentralization, have seen vacancies climb to record levels. In this challenging environment, a distinct flight to quality has emerged, with a significant share of leasing activity concentrated in premier, modern Class A buildings, as companies prioritize high-quality amenities and prime locations to entice employees back to the office. 

The Economic Ripple Effect

The glut of empty office space creates a cascade of financial consequences extending far beyond building owners. Landlords are caught between falling rental income and the rising costs of servicing their debt, a predicament worsened by a looming debt wall. An estimated $290 billion in loans secured by office properties are set to mature by the end of 2027, creating a high-stakes environment where refinancing is difficult and defaults are increasingly common. This pressure is particularly acute for regional banks holding significant commercial real estate debt.

Furthermore, the crisis is severely impacting municipal finances. As property values decline, so does the property tax base that cities depend on to fund essential public services like schools, transit, and public safety, noted one urban policy expert. This creates a challenging cycle where service cuts could make cities less attractive, further dampening the demand for office space.

An Industry Pivot: From Towers to Warehouses and Apartments

In response to the unprecedented downturn, the commercial real estate industry is undergoing a significant strategic pivot, moving away from traditional office development and toward more resilient asset classes. This reaction involves two key trends: the complex process of converting obsolete office buildings into new uses and a broader capital shift toward sectors with stronger fundamentals. Developers are now forced to rethink the nature of urban commercial space, acknowledging that the pre-pandemic model of speculative office construction is no longer viable. The industry's adaptation is a direct response to fundamental changes in how and where Americans work, a shift that appears to be permanent.

The Conversion Conundrum

The most visible reaction to the office glut is the growing trend of adaptive reuse, particularly converting empty office towers into residential apartments. Across the nation, over 149 million square feet of office space are currently slated for some form of conversion, as developers and city officials seek to simultaneously address the office vacancy and housing shortage crises. Philadelphia offers a promising case study, where the strategic removal of over 1 million square feet of aging office inventory for residential conversion has helped stabilize its Center City vacancy rate at 20.4%. Despite these successes, such projects are fraught with significant challenges that limit their widespread applicability, including:

• Zoning restrictions: Many downtown commercial zones do not permit residential use without lengthy and costly approvals.
• Structural mismatches: Office buildings often have deep floor plates, making it difficult to design apartments with adequate natural light and ventilation.
• Plumbing and utilities: Retrofitting residential plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems into a commercial tower frame is complex and expensive.
• Financial viability: The high cost of conversion can make the final residential units unaffordable for the target market, creating a risk for developers.

Shifting Focus to Resilient Assets

Beyond conversions, a more fundamental shift occurs as developers and investors redirect capital away from the beleaguered office sector. Faced with high construction costs and profound demand uncertainty, many are now avoiding new office projects altogether. Instead, they are pivoting toward asset classes with robust demand drivers. Chief among them are logistics centers and modern industrial facilities, where pre-engineered solutions from companies like Worldwide Steel Buildings enable rapid construction to meet the sustained growth of e-commerce and the need for resilient supply chains.

This strategic reallocation of capital is starkly illustrated by comparing market performance. While the office sector languishes, the industrial market remains relatively healthy; despite its vacancy rate rising to 7.1%, it continues to show strong demand for modern, well-located facilities.

The U.S. office market is not merely navigating a cyclical downturn but is amid a fundamental realignment driven by the post-pandemic evolution of work. The speculative office tower construction era that defined city skylines for decades appears to be over, replaced by a search for more flexible, mixed-use, and cost-effective development models. The industry's future will likely be defined by its ability to adapt to a world where the office is just one of many places where work gets done, marking a permanent departure from the pre-2020 landscape.

About Worldwide Steel Buildings

Worldwide Steel Buildings has been serving the public since 1983, when we opened our truss factory in Peculiar, Missouri. Today, Worldwide Steel Buildings is an independent operating company of Fall River Holdings, LLC. We offer high-quality, cost-effective custom metal building kits to individuals and small businesses across North America and around the world. For more information, visit www.worldwidesteelbuildings.com.

Media Contact

Jeff Snell
jeff@worldwidesteelbuildings.com

The new manufacturing base officially launched by GWM in Iracemápolis, Brazil, is not only another milestone in Chinese automotive brands' "going global" journey, but also regarded as a "China model" in reshaping the global automotive manufacturing ecology.

With factory doors swinging open and machinery humming in synchronized precision, the event brought together GWM executives, Brazilian officials, local partners, and media from across the globe. The message was clear: this plant isn’t just about making cars. It’s about planting roots — technological, economic, and ecological — in Latin American soil.

Through in-depth localization strategies, advanced technology introduction, and regional ecosystem co-construction, the plant demonstrates GWM’s globalization confidence — evolving from "product export" to "technology rooting."

Before official production, GWM Brazil Plant obtained Brazil's ISO 9001:2015 quality certification and passed the audit with zero non-conformities, highlighting its global quality management capabilities.

The first-phase production models include the hybrid SUV GWM HAVAL H6, the mid-size pickup GWM POER 2.4T, and the seven-seat SUV GWM HAVAL H9 — all tailored to local user needs and energy trends, reflecting GWM’s technological leadership in intelligent and sustainable mobility.

“We are not just building a factory in Brazil, but practicing the transition from product export to ecosystem export, empowering the local economy through full industrial chain layout,” said Mu Feng, President of GWM, in his opening speech. “Our Hi4 hybrid platform, intelligent four-wheel-drive technology, and comprehensive energy solutions for green manufacturing and sustainable development (including hydrogen and other technical paths) will help Brazil and even Latin America achieve green transformation.”

For decades, developing nations were positioned mainly as markets or assembly hubs for Western and Japanese automakers. GWM’s model — emphasizing not just localized manufacturing but technological transfer and green innovation — signals a shift in how industrial globalization is being defined, particularly by emerging Chinese multinationals.

The plant has an initial annual capacity of 20,000 units, set to gradually increase to 50,000 units. By 2026, it aims to achieve more than 60% localized production. Meanwhile, GWM is actively cooperating with local suppliers and research institutions to strengthen the localization of the parts supply chain and engineering R&D capabilities, realizing true “technology rooting.”

Guided by the brand mission “Technology to Enjoy Every Journey”, GWM also demonstrates its role as a warm global enterprise through local employment, skill training, and community integration.

From a manufacturing base to an ecological hub, GWM is redefining the meaning of Chinese automotive brands’ globalization — not merely trade, but co-construction.

About GWM

GWM is a global intelligent technology company, whose business includes automobile and parts design, R&D, production, sales and service. Our brands include HAVAL, WEY, ORA, TANK and GWM Pickup. To learn more, visit www.gwm-global.com.

Media Contact

Carol Wang
globalmarketing@gwm.cn

This fall, The Moth — the acclaimed global nonprofit dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling — presents a season devoted to the theme of Daring. Not the adrenaline-fueled variety, but the deeply human kind: the poignant power of telling the truth, the impactful moment of baring one’s heart, and the story that lingers long after it’s told.

Starting this September, from New York to Nairobi, 18 Mainstage events will be united under a single theme — marking the first time in the organization’s 25-plus-year history that an entire season has shared one focus. Each evening will spotlight five powerful storytellers sharing moments of honesty, vulnerability, and transformation — yet the tales and voices will be unique to that night. The result is a one-of-a-kind experience every time, woven with humor, surprise, and the kind of connection that only happens when true, personal stories are told.

At the heart of The Moth’s Fall 2025 Mainstage season are accounts of emotional revelation, courage of conviction, and the unshakable strength of the human spirit. Whether presented in a landmark New York theater or museum, under the lights of London’s Union Chapel, or in an iconic space close to the shores of Honolulu, each and every event promises an unforgettable evening — one night, one stage, incredible “best-of” emcees, and stories sure to leave a lasting impression.

“This season offers audiences a rare chance to witness courage in its many forms,” said Sarah Haberman, CEO of The Moth. “By uniting every Mainstage under the theme of daring, we’re not just presenting stories but sparking a collective conversation across perspectives. Each evening adds a new layer, and together they create a powerful portrait of bravery and vulnerability.”

The Moth Mainstage Multi-City Fall 2025 Season

• Sept. 18 – Season opener: Symphony Space, New York, N.Y.
• Sept. 18 – International season opener: Koerner Hall, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Sept. 18 – Herbst Theatre, San Francisco, Calif.
• Sept. 25 – College Street Music Hall, New Haven, Conn.
• Sept. 26 – Union Chapel, London, U.K.
• Oct. 3 – Hawaii Theatre Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
• Oct. 17 – Folly Theater, Kansas City, Mo.
• Oct. 17 – State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick, N.J.
• Oct. 24 – El Museo del Barrio, New York, N.Y. (Spanish-language program)
• Oct. 29 – The Wilbur, Boston, Mass.
• Nov. 1 – Catholic University, Nairobi, Kenya
• Nov. 7 – Miller Theater, Philadelphia, Pa.
• Nov. 19 – Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa, Okla.
• Nov. 20 – Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, Ill.
• Dec. 4 – Center Stage Theater, Atlanta, Ga.
• Dec. 5 – St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church, Brooklyn, N.Y.
• Dec. 9 – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, Ore.
• Dec. 10 – Paramount Theater, Austin, Texas

Images, interviews or tickets to any of the shows are available by request.

About The Moth

The Moth is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling. Since its founding in 1997, The Moth has presented more than 60,000 stories, told live and without notes, to standing-room-only audiences worldwide.

The Moth runs eight ongoing programs:

• The Moth Mainstage, which tours internationally and has featured storytellers including Elizabeth Gilbert, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Kathleen Turner, Malcolm Gladwell, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, John Turturro, Molly Ringwald, Boots Riley, Krista Tippett, Damon Young, Mike Birbiglia, Rosanne Cash, Danyel Smith and Tig Notaro, as well as an astronaut, a pickpocket and a hot dog eating champion.
• The Moth StorySLAM, an open-mic competition held in 28 cities, including 26 in the United States as well as Melbourne, Australia, and London.
• The Moth Community Engagement Program, which offers workshops and performance opportunities to adults often overlooked by mainstream media.
• The Moth Education Program, which brings personal storytelling to high schools, colleges and educators worldwide.
• The Moth Global Community Program, which elevates personal stories from individuals across the global south.
• “The Moth Podcast,” a 2020 Webby People’s Voice Award winner for Best Podcast Series, downloaded tens of millions of times each year.
• MothWorks, which applies storytelling as a tool for empathetic communication.
• “The Moth Radio Hour,” a Peabody Award-winning program produced by Jay Allison at Atlantic Public Media and presented by PRX, which airs weekly on more than 560 public radio stations nationwide.

The Moth has also released A Game of Storytelling (Clarkson Potter), its first card deck; launched its second podcast, “Grown,” a Webby Award winner; and published five books: the New York Times bestseller “The Moth: 50 True Stories” (2013); “All These Wonders: True Stories About Facing the Unknown” (2017); the New York Times bestseller “Occasional Magic: True Stories of Defying the Impossible” (2019); “How to Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth” (2022); and its most recent release, “A Point of Beauty: True Stories of Holding On and Letting Go” (2024).

Learn more at themoth.org.

Media Contact

Meryl Cooper
meryl@thecooperationinc.com

FanCode, India's premier digital sports destination, has partnered with Visionular to transform how millions of sports fans experience video-on-demand (VOD) content.

Key Highlights

• 30% reduction in data usage while delivering better picture quality
• Fans now watch 1080p content using the same bandwidth previously required for 720p
• AI-powered encoding optimized specifically for fast-motion sports content
• Longer watch times for viewers on limited data plans across India

The collaboration leverages Visionular's AI-powered video encoding technology to deliver significantly better picture quality while reducing data consumption by up to 30–40%, a game-changer for India's mobile-first sports consumption.

Addressing India's Unique Streaming Challenges

FanCode serves over 160 million sports enthusiasts across India, where network conditions vary dramatically and data costs remain a primary concern for viewers. The platform is home to multiple sports, including Formula 1, cricket, football, golf, requiring crystal-clear video quality for fast-motion sports content while accommodating users on limited data plans.

"Traditional encoding simply wasn't cutting it for our audience," explains FanCode. "Indian sports fans are passionate, but they're also practical about data usage. We needed a solution that could deliver broadcast-quality video without burning through their monthly data allowance."

The Technology Behind Better Sports Streaming

Visionular's AI-driven encoding platform analyzes each frame of sports content in real-time, applying intelligent compression that preserves critical visual details: the spin of a cricket ball, the precise moment of a goal, the intensity of a Formula 1 overtake. This content-aware approach has enabled FanCode to achieve remarkable results: audiences who previously watched in 720p can now enjoy 1080p quality on the same bandwidth.

The impact extends beyond just picture quality. With 30–40% bitrate reduction, viewers with limited data plans can watch significantly longer, leading to increased engagement and, ultimately, more advertising revenue opportunities for FanCode.

Real Impact for Sports Fans

The partnership addresses a fundamental challenge in sports streaming: delivering the visual clarity that fast-action content demands while respecting the data and network constraints of everyday users. Whether it's the precise camera work during a cricket boundary or the high-speed action of motorsports, fans now get the full experience without compromise.

"We've seen our viewers' watch times increase substantially since implementing Visionular's technology. Fans are getting the quality they expect from premium sports content, but they're not worrying about their data plans anymore. That's exactly what we wanted to achieve," said Amit Mirchandani, CTO of FanCode.

"Sports content is some of the most challenging to compress effectively, you can't afford to lose detail in those crucial moments that fans live for. Our AI understands what matters in each frame of sports content, preserving the excitement while dramatically reducing file sizes. FanCode's results prove this approach works at scale," said Zoe Liu, CEO of Visionular.

Setting New Standards for Sports Streaming

This partnership represents more than a technology upgrade, it's a blueprint for how sports platforms can serve diverse audiences without sacrificing quality or accessibility. As FanCode continues expanding its sports portfolio and reaching new markets across India, Visionular's encoding platform provides the foundation for delivering exceptional viewing experiences regardless of network conditions or device capabilities.

Together, FanCode and Visionular are redefining what's possible in sports streaming, proving that cutting-edge technology and fan-first thinking can create solutions that work for everyone, from the cricket-obsessed viewer in Mumbai on a high-speed WiFi to the Formula 1 fan in Chennai on 4G.

About Visionular

Visionular is a Silicon Valley-based video technology company specializing in advanced, AI-powered video compression and streaming solutions. Visionular's cloud-native encoding platform enables media and sports companies worldwide to deliver broadcast-quality experiences at scale with significant bandwidth savings. For more information, visit visionular.ai.

About FanCode

FanCode is India’s premier digital sports destination, dedicated to delivering a best-in-class experience for fans across live and non-live sports. Launched in March 2019 by industry veterans Yannick Colaco and Prasana Krishnan, FanCode has reached over 160 million users. The platform features a wide array of global and domestic sporting leagues, in partnership with leading sports associations. FanCode offers interactive live streaming through industry-first subscription models, including Match, Bundle, and Tour Passes, as well as monthly and annual plans at accessible price points. Some of the marquee properties include La Liga, Formula 1, MotoGP, cricket leagues from around the globe including CPL, Super Smash amongst others. FanCode’s parent company is Dream Sports, India’s leading sports technology firm, whose portfolio includes Dream11 and DreamSetGo. To learn more, visit www.fancode.com.

Media Contact

David Lea
david@visionular.com

"IGNITE," a powerful group art exhibition from contemporary artist and curator Connie Rigdon, will open at Noble Studios on November 14, bringing together a diverse group of artists whose works explore freedom, women’s rights, human rights, and resistance to oppression.

The exhibition highlights the transformative role of art in sparking dialogue, raising awareness, and fueling collective resilience. Through painting, sculpture, installation, and mixed media, "IGNITE" embodies the strength of individual voices coming together in solidarity.

“The show is about resistance, but also about hope,” says Rigdon. “We wanted to create a space where viewers feel both the urgency of our time and the possibility of change.”

Featured artists include a collective of emerging and established artists, whose works range from deeply personal reflections to bold political statements. Together, their art forms a chorus that challenges silence and champions the right to expression.

The opening reception will be held on Friday, November 14 from 6 to 9 p.m., with an opportunity to meet the artists and engage in conversation about art as activism. The exhibition runs through Saturday, November 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

About Connie Rigdon

Born in Taipei, Taiwan, and raised between Hawaiʻi, Southern California and summers in Taipei, contemporary abstract artist Connie Rigdon now lives and works in Charleston, South Carolina. Trained as an architect, Rigdon brings the structure, precision and problem-solving of architectural practice into her paintings. Drawing inspiration from both natural and built environments, her abstractions aim to bring order and harmony to an increasingly chaotic world.

Rigdon’s award-winning work has been recognized in national juried competitions, including second place at the Bold Brush Awards in May 2020 for “Dreamland,” Bold Brush Top 10 in August 2020 for “Strawberry Fields,” the American Contemporary Artist Award and one-year contract in November 2021 for “Bonzai Beach,” and second place in the American Contemporary Artist competition in May 2022 for “Homage.” She has exhibited at the Piccolo Spoleto Juried Exhibition in March 2023 with “Quilted Pastures,” earned a merit award at the Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition in May 2023 and won second place at the SOBA Juried Exhibition in March 2024 for “You Get What You Give.”

Rigdon is represented by the Charleston Artist Collective in Charleston, South Carolina; Presson Art Gallery in Monroe, North Carolina; and Hagan Fine Art in Charleston, South Carolina (consigned). Her work is also available globally through Saatchi Art’s online gallery.

To learn more, visit www.connierigdon.com.

Media Contact

Connie Rigdon
connie.rigdon@gmail.com

Seven Yachts, the luxury yacht charter company founded by entrepreneur Steve Laidlaw, has announced plans to expand into Europe after achieving a record year of growth in Dubai throughout 2025.

Established as one of Dubai’s leading providers of luxury yacht experiences, Seven Yachts has built a reputation for bespoke service, curated experiences, and a fleet ranging from elegant 60ft vessels to 200ft superyachts. With international demand on the rise — particularly from Europe and the UK — the brand is now preparing to bring its offering to some of the world’s most iconic coastlines, including Monte Carlo, Cannes, Antibes, San Remo, St. Tropez, and Palma de Mallorca.

“2025 proved to us that the appetite for luxury yacht experiences extends well beyond Dubai,” said Laidlaw, founder of Seven Yachts. “Our expansion into Europe isn’t just about new waters. It’s about bringing the Seven Yachts philosophy of detail, service, and unforgettable moments to clients across the Mediterranean. We see this as a natural evolution of everything we’ve built in Dubai.”

The move will focus on premium charter destinations across Europe, introducing Seven Yachts’ hallmark services including tailored events, private parties, and high-performance water sports such as designer-branded jet ski packages.

Clare Laidlaw, managing director at Seven Yachts, added: “Clients want experiences that are seamless, personal, and exceptional. Europe gives us an incredible canvas to continue creating those world-class memories.”

Seven Yachts’ expansion underscores Dubai’s role as a global hub for luxury tourism while marking a new chapter of international growth for the brand.

For more information about Seven Yachts or its upcoming European operations, visit sevenyachts.ae or follow @SevenYachts.ae on Instagram.

About Seven Yachts

Seven Yachts is a leading luxury yacht charter, sales, and management company headquartered in Dubai. Founded by entrepreneur Steve Laidlaw and managed day-to-day by Clare Laidlaw, the company has built a reputation for delivering world-class yacht experiences along Dubai’s coastline and beyond. With a fleet ranging from 60ft Sunseekers to 200ft superyachts, Seven Yachts specialises in creating bespoke charters, private events, and luxury lifestyle experiences tailored to international clients. In 2025, following record growth, Seven Yachts announced its expansion into Europe, bringing its hallmark blend of luxury, precision, and personalised service to iconic destinations such as Monte Carlo, Cannes, Antibes, San Remo, St Tropez, and Palma de Mallorca.

For more information, visit sevenyachts.ae or follow @SevenYachts.ae on Instagram.

Media Contact

Clare Laidlaw
clare@sevenyachts.ae

American Kratom Association (AKA) said recent claims from manufacturers that the FDA has failed to meet the standard for scheduling 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) as a Schedule I substance completely ignore the real scandal: these products never had a lawful basis for market entry in the first place.

From the moment 7-OH products hit the market in 2023, their manufacturers violated federal law by failing to meet the mandatory requirement that every product have a "reasonable basis for safety under the conditions of use" as stated on its label. That failure means every 7-OH product was unlawfully marketed from day one.

It is absurd for 7-OH manufacturers and their allies to now attack the FDA, HHS, and DEA by claiming insufficient science. The burden was never on federal regulators to prove safety before scheduling; they only evaluate risks to public health from the use of these products. The burden was on manufacturers to prove safety before marketing — and they flagrantly ignored that obligation.

Kratom’s History of Safe Use vs. Reckless 7-OH Products

Kratom itself has been safely used for thousands of years in Southeast Asia, and more than 45 years here in the United States. By contrast, synthetic 7-OH products have been on the market for only two years — and when they were introduced in 2023, not a single piece of safety data on their synthetic products existed to support their lawful entry into commerce. That distinction matters: kratom has a long, well-documented record of safe use, while synthetic 7-OH was pushed onto the market recklessly, with zero scientific foundation, and in direct violation of federal law.

The Facts About 7-OH

• 7-OH is chemically unstable and creates serious complications for identifying synthetic 7-OH substances in any post-mortem toxicology analysis.
• The claim that 7-OH is simply a “natural metabolite” of kratom is only true when describing the trace levels naturally present in the plant or the less than 2% fraction in natural extract products — not the concentrated, synthetically altered versions now being sold.
• Shaman Botanicals founder Stephen “Vince” Sanders II, publicly admitted that his process for creating 7-OH involves the chemicals used to “shock” backyard swimming pools. That is not natural. That is chemical synthesis.

Sanders leans heavily on the reputations of Dr. Smith and Dr. Boyer in his press release. The American Kratom Association calls on them to answer a simple and direct question: Do you agree that synthetically produced 7-OH — manufactured using “pool shock” chemicals — is in any way equivalent, in concentration or proportional mitragynine content, to the trace amounts of 7-OH found naturally in kratom plants?

The public deserves an honest answer.

This is not about regulatory overreach. This is about manufacturers who knowingly violated the law, skipped the safety requirements designed to protect consumers, and then tried to launder their synthetic compound into the legitimate kratom marketplace.

The American Kratom Association will continue to fight to protect consumers from dangerous and unlawful products that undermine confidence in the kratom market and put lives at risk.

About American Kratom Association (AKA)

Media Contact

Mac Haddow
press@americankratom.org

Hexaware Technologies (NSE:HEXT), a global technology and business process services company, today shared insights on how legacy systems can be transformed with generative AI.

Retained for operational continuity, legacy systems frequently inhibit modernization initiatives due to outdated architectures and limited interoperability; however, their outdated architecture often becomes a barrier to the digital transformation process. Developed on outdated technology stacks, these applications often incur excessive maintenance costs, suffer from limited scalability and face significant challenges integrating with modern cloud-native environments. As a result, integration issues arise, which slow down automation, increase delivery timelines and reduce overall system agility.

Furthermore, the inherent strong interdependencies and lack of service decomposition in monolithic architectures impede the migration toward modular, microservices-based frameworks, resulting in increased complexity and higher resource requirements for modernization initiatives. This rigidity leads to slow business response and reduces operational efficiency and customer experience over time. In regulated industries, the compliance risk is further amplified the lack of transparency and auditability in a legacy environment.

Given these constraints, the transformation of legacy systems has become a strategic imperative rather than a technical upgrade. The following sections explore how generative AI facilitates intelligent, accelerated modernization—and how specialized platforms are now enabling enterprises to implement this shift at scale.

1. Generative AI: A New Paradigm in Modernization

As legacy systems reach the limits of conventional modernization methods, generative AI offers a transformative solution—a new way to understand and change complex application landscapes for today and tomorrow. For a deeper dive into how generative AI is reshaping modernization at its core, continue reading below.

• What Sets Generative AI Apart: Generative AI extends traditional automation by moving beyond rigid scripts and rule-based refactoring. By integrating AI into software development, it learns to deal with evolving codebases, determines functional intent and automatically generates equivalent code in a modern style with reduced human dependency, enabling scalability.

• Foundational Capabilities: Driven by transformer models and deep learning, generative AI adds context to legacy code. It converts intricate logic, respects dependencies and uses domain-trained models to generate accurate, production-grade output through layers of the application.

• Why It’s Strategic for Modernization: Generative AI’s ability to reason through embedded business logic makes it a core enabler of intelligent modernization. It automates code transformation, ensures architectural continuity and accelerates delivery with reduced risk.

2. Intelligent Automation Across the Modernization Lifecycle

Modernization projects increasingly require speed, precision and reduced human intervention—requirements which generative AI is specifically designed to address. Outlined below are ways in which automation facilitated by AI facilitates crucial steps in the modernization process, rendering both strategic advantage and operational value.

• Code Translation and Re-Engineering: Generative AI facilitates refactoring monolithic legacy applications into modular, scalable codebases that contemporary platforms can support. With visibility into business rules and app architecture, AI-driven tools simplify the automation of the refactoring process, making it possible to break it down into microservices or APIs with reduced maintenance and scaling requirements. This simplifies manual coding and speeds up cloud-native migration.

• Smart Documentation and Knowledge Extraction: Automating the extraction of technical knowledge from legacy systems, generative AI generates comprehensive architecture diagrams, process flowcharts and detailed documentation directly from existing code. This alleviates reliance on manual documentation, ensuring accuracy and facilitating knowledge transfer critical for modernization projects.

• Data Mapping and Migration Simplified: Generative AI can infer complex data schemas from legacy databases, enabling efficient mapping and accelerating ETL processes required to migrate data to cloud-based systems. This reduces errors and improves consistency in data transformation, a key enabler of seamless legacy-to-cloud migration.

3. Platform-Led Acceleration: The Case for Integrated Modernization Engines

Enterprises facing complex legacy environments are increasingly turning to platform-led strategies to drive efficient, scalable modernization. Read further to explore how platform-led strategies are transforming enterprise modernization.

• Pre-Built Accelerators and Templates: Integrated modernization platforms like Hexaware’s RapidX leverage AI-infused, pre-built accelerators and templates to streamline critical tasks such as API generation, UI modernization, and service decomposition. These reusable components significantly reduce development effort by providing standardized, ready-to-deploy modules that align with best practices and enterprise requirements.

• Industrialized Delivery Models: RapidX exemplifies pipeline-based modernization, embedding generative AI tools directly into CI/CD and DevOps workflows. This integration enables automated, continuous transformation and testing, promoting consistency, rapid feedback and seamless deployment of modernized applications.

• Scalability and Reusability: A platform approach mitigates siloed modernization efforts by enabling cross-system modernization through reusable AI components. This architectural design ensures scalability, allowing enterprises to accelerate modernization across diverse legacy systems while maximizing reuse and reducing duplication of effort.

4. Benefits Beyond the Obvious: Strategic Payoffs

Modernization efforts today are not just technical upgrades—they’re catalysts for broader business transformation. Keep reading to see how generative AI delivers value well beyond initial expectations.

• Reduced Time-to-Modernization: Generative AI-driven modernization compresses development and deployment timelines by automating complex tasks such as code refactoring, documentation and data migration. This accelerated cadence enables enterprises to rapidly realize business value from legacy modernization initiatives.

• Smarter Resource Allocation: By automating repetitive and error-prone migration activities, generative AI frees engineering talent to focus on higher-value innovation and strategic development. This optimization of human resources drives enhanced productivity and improved project outcomes.

• Improved Risk Management: AI-powered impact analysis and automated regression testing reduce failure rates by identifying potential issues early in the modernization lifecycle. This proactive risk mitigation enhances overall project stability and ensures more predictable delivery outcomes.

5. Critical Considerations Before You Deploy

Before deploying generative AI-driven modernization solutions, it is crucial to address key factors that ensure compliance, accuracy and effective collaboration between human expertise and AI capabilities.

• Governance and Data Lineage: Ensuring auditability and explainability in AI-generated code and transformation decisions is paramount. Robust governance frameworks must be established to track data lineage and maintain compliance throughout the modernization process, safeguarding enterprise standards and regulatory requirements.

• Human-AI Collaboration: While generative AI significantly augments modernization efforts, human oversight remains essential. Architectural decision-making, validation of AI outputs and strategic direction require expert intervention to balance automation with business context and ensure alignment with organizational objectives.

• Model Accuracy and Domain Training: The effectiveness of generative AI depends on training models with domain-specific codebases and data. Tailored model training enhances accuracy, contextual understanding and relevance of generated outputs, thereby optimizing modernization quality and reducing rework.

Conclusion

Generative AI marks a pivotal shift in addressing the longstanding challenges of legacy systems by enabling intelligent, end-to-end modernization. Through advanced capabilities such as code transformation, automated documentation and data migration, it drives efficiency and precision across the entire lifecycle. 

When integrated into platform-led delivery models, generative AI ensures consistency, scalability and speed—turning isolated modernization efforts into cohesive, enterprise-wide initiatives. Reusable AI components and CI/CD integration further compress timelines, optimize resource deployment and reduce transformation risks. This strategic alignment transforms legacy environments into future-ready architectures, positioning enterprises to lead with agility, innovation and sustained digital resilience.

About Hexaware Technologies

Hexaware is a global technology and business process services company. Every day, Hexawarians wake up with a singular purpose: to create smiles through great people and technology. With offices across the world, we empower enterprises worldwide to realize digital transformation at scale and speed by partnering with them to build, transform, run, and optimize their technology and business processes. Learn more about Hexaware at hexaware.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements in this press release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking, which involve numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in earnings, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases globally, our ability to attract and retain highly-skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Hexaware has made strategic investments, withdrawal of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, and unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry.

Media Contact

Hexaware Technologies
marketing@hexaware.com

Merifund Capital Management views the current wave of initial public offerings as a turning point for global markets, with activity strengthening through the summer months and investor discipline sharpening around issuers with sustainable economics. August alone records twelve listings worth about $3.2 billion, almost twice the August average of the past decade, while July brought twenty-nine transactions raising nearly $5.8 billion. Equity indices reinforce the backdrop, with the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 both reaching new highs this month.

Large investment banks confirm the trend. Equity underwriting revenue at one leading Wall Street house rises 42% from the previous quarter to $558.2 million, while another reports investment banking fees of $2.3 billion, up 24% over the same period, with equity underwriting within that total growing by 98%. Developed markets count thirty-six technology IPOs by the end of June, raising more than $7.1 billion, already above the $6.9 billion total across all of 2024.

“Investor allocations this year concentrate on issuers with recurring revenues, strong unit economics and governance frameworks that withstand scrutiny,” notes Anthony Saunders, Director of Private Equity at Merifund Capital Management. “Our analysis of the year to date shows selectivity is now decisive, with software, fintech and digital assets leading order books where operational scale and cash conversion are demonstrable.”

High-profile debuts illustrate the scale of demand. In July 2025, Figma records a 250% first-day gain, opening at $36.84 and closing at $128.95, implying a fully diluted value of $53.5 billion. Its annual revenues of $836.2 million are up 48% over the preceding 12-month period, with a quarterly profit of $50.3 million further supporting investor appetite. Circle’s June offering follows a similar trajectory, closing 168% higher on day one and sustaining gains of about 400% above its IPO reference, underpinned by quarterly revenue growth of 53% to $734.61 million and USDC circulation rising 90% year-on-year. Bullish, the cryptocurrency exchange backed by Peter Thiel, prices at $41.31, peaks above $131.74 on its first day and settles near $103.38, equating to a valuation close to $14.7 billion against its $6.0 billion IPO reference, after handling $279.1 billion of trading volume during 2024.

Saunders interprets such moves less as anomalies than as signals that pricing dynamics are normalising. “Order books in the third quarter are clearing at narrower discounts, with quality growth securing sponsorship while cash-burning models encounter resistance,” he comments. “Where gross margins, governance and customer retention meet higher thresholds, we expect participation to remain broad through the second half, provided volatility continues to ease.”

Pipeline data support the constructive stance. As of late August 2025, there are about 168 active U.S. filings, with potential aggregate raises approaching $7 billion. Thirteen larger candidates target at least $111.6 million each. High-profile issuers include Klarna, exploring valuations near $22.3 billion following prior swings between $51.4 billion and $7.8 billion, and Databricks, tracked at $69.2 billion following an $11.2 billion December funding round.

Policy contours remain important. The Securities and Exchange Commission under acting Chairman Mark T. Uyeda is emphasising disclosure proportionality and lighter burdens for growth issuers. Exchanges are in dialogue with regulators over listing frictions that have discouraged companies in the past. Saunders cautions, however, that “regulatory adjustments may encourage activity, but issuers must still prove that business models deliver durable returns across cycles.”

Investor participation continues to split between retail and institutional dynamics. Retail enthusiasm is capable of inflating day-one valuations, while institutions increasingly target issuers with free cash flow visibility, revenue above $250 million and gross margins above 70%. “Dispersion is widening,” Saunders observes. “Our research shows institutional sponsorship focuses on profitability, not simply growth at all costs.”

For investors, the message is clear: opportunities are real but uneven. Merifund Capital Management’s analysis highlights that developed markets have already exceeded last year’s total technology IPO proceeds by June, and the outlook suggests momentum continues into the autumn window. Companies with proven scalability and resilient fundamentals are commanding sustained attention, while those with weaker models struggle to secure meaningful sponsorship.

About Merifund Capital Management

Based in Singapore since 2010, Merifund Capital Management Pte. Ltd. is a specialist hedge fund manager with a global perspective on investment opportunities. The firm manages a diversified set of strategies spanning traditional long-only portfolios, long/short equity, global macro, event-driven and systematic trading. Derivatives are deployed selectively to optimise exposure while ensuring capital preservation, liquidity and rigorous risk controls remain at the core. Environmental, social and governance principles are embedded into its processes in line with international standards. Merifund serves accredited investors, family offices, foundations and endowments, and is progressing towards making certain offerings available to retail investors.

For general information, visit merifund.com. Additional insights can be found at merifund.com/insights.

Media Contact

Tao Yang
media@merifund.com

The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) today praised Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier for swiftly updating its emergency rule on concentrated synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) opioid products, reducing the allowable concentration from 1% by total weight to 0.04% by dried weight (or 400 parts per million). The adjustment follows concerns that the original “by total weight” threshold created a loophole enabling manufacturers to produce large-format products and evade restrictions. Directly after the announcement, concentrated 7-OH opioid producers moved to exploit the new rule, creating ‘Florida Compliant’ concentrated synthetic 7-OH opioid products.

“Florida has taken another important step to protect consumers from dangerous concentrated synthetic 7-OH opioid products,” said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Global Kratom Coalition. “We strongly support this move, which preserves access to safe, natural kratom while closing a loophole that allows concentrated synthetic 7-OH opioid products to enter the market.”

The original 1% by weight allowance permitted products like 10 mg 7-OH tablets to be manufactured at 1 gram each. With the new 0.04% limit, such tablets are effectively removed from the market. Natural kratom leaf products contain natural 7-OH, at between 0.0021% and 0.0079% by dried weight, well below the 0.04% threshold set in Florida. Natural kratom leaf products remain fully unaffected.

“This update highlights Florida’s leadership in distinguishing between synthetic 7-OH concentrated opioid products and natural kratom leaf,” Lowe continued. “As shown by manufacturers coming out with a ‘Florida Compliant’ product within hours of the announcement, bad actors move quickly to take advantage of any areas that they can find to continue to reap profits over public safety.”

The Global Kratom Coalition remains committed to ensuring responsible regulation of kratom, protecting consumers from synthetic, concentrated 7-OH opioid products, and preserving safe access to natural kratom leaf products for millions of Americans.

For background, see this video of U.S. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary.

About Global Kratom Coalition

Media Contact

Patrick George
info@globalkratomcoalition.org
+1 916-202-1982

Assembled, the all-in-one platform trusted by the world's most discerning customer support teams, today unveiled its support orchestration suite, combining AI agents with intelligent workforce management. This is the industry's first comprehensive solution for turning AI automation into measurable cost savings by intelligently connecting AI performance to workforce optimization and staffing decisions.

"Great customer support needs AI and humans in perfect balance," said Ryan Wang, CEO of Assembled. "Support orchestration isn't just about deploying AI — it's about intelligently connecting your automation strategy to real workforce decisions. We're solving the fundamental challenge of how to capture ROI by helping teams identify where AI can take work off their plate, then automatically adjusting staffing to realize those savings."

As support teams increasingly deploy AI agents alongside human staff, Assembled's breakthrough solution addresses the critical challenge of maximizing automation impact while optimizing workforce allocation for superior customer experiences.

The announcement comes as support organizations worldwide struggle to realize the promised ROI from AI initiatives. While AI agent adoption has surged, most teams lack the operational framework to effectively balance automation with human resources, leaving significant efficiency gains unrealized. A recent KPMG report shared that only 31% of leaders anticipate being able to evaluate ROI of generative AI initiatives within six months, and none report achieving positive ROI yet, while 85% of leaders cite data quality as their most significant challenge in AI strategies for 2025. Support teams are facing challenges, including unclear ROI on AI investments, difficulty balancing human and AI resources, and limited visibility into AI performance impact.

"The complexity of modern support operations requires a fundamentally new approach to workforce management," added Olivia Teich, Chief Product Officer at Assembled. "Our unique position managing in-house teams, BPOs, and AI agents gives us unprecedented insight into how to optimize these blended workforces. Workforce management and AI support orchestration delivers the actionable intelligence layer that makes automation actually work for both your business and your customers."

A three-pillar approach to support orchestration

The support orchestration suite introduces three integrated capabilities that transform how support teams approach AI deployment and workforce optimization:

Increase AI adoption: Assembled guides customer experience teams through their automation journey by identifying where AI can take work off their team's plate, flagging knowledge gaps to increase automation, and analyzing open cases to boost automation through workflows and integrations. The platform provides data-driven recommendations based on actual case history, helping teams pursue automation based on specific case topics and queues.

Optimize staffing: Teams can make staffing adjustments to take advantage of automation by redistributing agents across multiple skills, queues, and channels. The platform shows where teams are over- and understaffed, incorporates AI coverage into staffing plans, and can automatically adjust staffing plans based on actual AI performance. Advanced forecasting capabilities help teams model different scenarios and evaluate automation targets based on potential ROI.

Delight customers: Support orchestration ensures the best possible customer experience by adjusting handoffs based on real-time agent capacity. When occupancy rates are high, AI agents focus on containment; when in-house teams have more capacity, AI agents can hand off cases more quickly. The platform guarantees quality with complete visibility and audit trails, ensuring seamless handoffs between AI, in-house, and BPO agents.

Jake Alster, Sr. Manager Product Support at Patreon, and his team rely on this approach daily:

“What makes support orchestration work is that it treats AI and workforce management as one challenge, not two. We’re solving real problems like, ‘How do we use AI when queues are running hot?’ and ‘How do we rebalance when AI’s volume impact shifts day to day?’ Having a platform that can answer those questions with live data has changed how we staff, how we prioritize, and ultimately how we deliver for creators and fans.”

Proven results from a unified platform

Assembled's comprehensive platform already helps leading companies optimize their blended workforces. Flexcar, the Boston-based car-leasing company, uses Assembled AI Agents to resolve over 85% of their chat and email inquiries without human intervention. As Lesley Ong, Director of Infrastructure and Strategic Planning at Flexcar, noted: "Having workforce management and AI support under one roof was a major differentiator. It's not just about having agents handle contacts quicker — it's about orchestrating the entire operation."

Amazon aggregator Thrasio achieved $1.8 million in savings and a 10% boost in CSAT scores through smarter orchestration and increased automation. Gershwin Exter, Chief Experience Officer at Thrasio said: “Assembled is the only company that blends these functions in a single platform. I can make a business decision — do I want to temporarily hire an extra 50 people for the 8-day Prime Day spike? Having Assembled workforce management and AI agents gives me so much more agility and means I don’t have to go through that headache.”

The support orchestration suite is generally available today, with added features to come in the second half of 2025.

About Assembled

Assembled is the modern, unified platform for managing in-house teams, BPOs, and AI agents. The company's comprehensive solution includes AI agents for chat, voice, email, and SMS; an AI copilot to assist human agents; and workforce management tools to forecast, schedule, and monitor blended workforces. Founded in 2018 by machine learning engineers from Stripe, Assembled serves hundreds of leading companies, including Stripe, Robinhood, Canva, and Intercom. The company has raised $71 million from NEA, Emergence Capital, and top angels, with more than 130 employees across San Francisco, New York, London, and remote locations. Learn more at assembled.com.

Media Contact

Katy Goldstein
katy@katygoldsteincomms.com

Ribeye Media, a provider of programmatic advertising solutions designed specifically for local media companies, has appointed Philip Inghelbrecht, CEO and co-founder of Tatari, a leading technology company modernizing TV advertising, to its board of directors.

Amid growing industry buzz, Ribeye is entering a new phase of accelerated growth fueled by record-breaking revenue, new product releases, rapid expansion into new market segments and a strategic investment from Tatari — driven by the widespread adoption of its end-to-end advertising platform for local advertisers, delivering a unified alternative to fragmented point solutions.

Inghelbrecht is widely known as a co-founder of Shazam, one of the world’s most iconic music discovery apps. His background spans high-growth startups and major tech platforms, including leadership roles at TrueCar, Google/YouTube and Boomerang. Since founding Tatari in 2016, Inghelbrecht has led Tatari to become one of the leading ad platforms for buying and measuring TV ad campaigns, attracting over 400 brand partners and securing platform licensing agreements with more than 60 agencies.

“Philip has built companies that redefine entire industries,” said Joe Marino, CEO and co-founder of Ribeye Media. “We’re honored to have his strategic insight and entrepreneurial firepower on our board. This investment from Tatari is a testament to Ribeye's momentum and will significantly help us accelerate our business even further, enabling us to ensure local media companies and agencies are able to compete and thrive in today’s advertising ecosystem.”

"The impact of CTV is even more pronounced in local TV advertising," said Inghelbrecht. "Ribeye is building the kind of infrastructure that unlocks real power for local media sellers and agencies — bringing clarity, automation and scale. Our investment in Ribeye underlines our commitment to modernizing the infrastructure for TV advertising at all levels. I’m honored to work with Joe to help shape local TV for the future.”

About Ribeye Media

In contrast to the point solutions that dominate the industry, Ribeye unites premium programmatic inventory, transparent pricing and white-glove support with intuitive technology that streamlines every step — from planning and activation to measurement and attribution. The result: local sellers and agencies can compete — and win — in digital advertising under their own trusted brands, with the efficiency, scale and sophistication of enterprise-grade platforms. For more information, visit www.ribeye.media.

About Tatari TV

Tatari is building the infrastructure to modernize TV advertising for brands, agencies and publishers. Our clients include Calm, Tecovas and Chime. Tatari has been recognized by Business Insider as one of the hottest ad tech companies, by AdExchanger as the most innovative TV ad tech and by Digiday as the best CTV ad platform. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Los Angeles and New York. For more information, visit www.tatari.tv.

Media Contact

Jennifer Scilabro
jenn@ribeye.media

A comprehensive new analysis of congressional district bias reveals that 28 states have maps that disproportionately favor one party over another, yet these advantages largely cancel each other out nationally, creating a slim one-seat difference in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The study by Purple Values Foundation, released Tuesday, examined all 50 states and found what researchers call a "worst-case scenario" for American democracy: eroding voter trust and representation with minimal partisan gain for either side.

"We're destroying democracy's foundation, voters' trust in government, for essentially nothing," said Mike Saletta, President of Purple Values Foundation. "You've got all this district manipulation happening, alienating voters, and at the end of the day it produces a result that could've happened by random chance."

Study Challenges Abbott and Newsom to End Redistricting Arms Race

The report directly challenges Texas Governor Greg Abbott and California Governor Gavin Newsom to break the cycle of escalating redistricting warfare by simultaneously committing to proportional representation in their states.

Texas currently holds 4 more Republican seats than proportional representation would predict, while California gives Democrats 11 seats beyond what they proportionally deserve, the study notes. Under the proposed arrangement, Texas would move to roughly 21 Republican and 17 Democratic seats, while California would shift to approximately 20 Republican and 32 Democratic seats.

Both governors are on record as being willing to escalate redistricting battles, but the report questions whether they're willing to take steps toward healing the country.

California's Independent Commission Produces Most Disproportional Map

The study's most surprising finding concerns California's celebrated independent redistricting commission. Despite operating transparently with seemingly neutral criteria, the commission has produced the most disproportionate map in America, giving Democrats 11 more seats than their vote share warrants.

Democrats win about 60% of California's votes but hold 83% of House seats—an outcome the study calculates has less than a 1% chance of occurring randomly. California's bias score of 3.14 tops the nation, higher than any state accused of traditional gerrymandering.

Intended or not, California's redistricting system has created the most disproportional congressional map in the country. California’s rule that prioritizes keeping districts as compact as possible, preserves large urban Democratic blocs while disenfranchising millions of Republican voters.

The Numbers Tell the Story

The two states at the center of the gerrymandering feud, Texas and California, rank number 9 and number 1, respectively. If Texas succeeds in implementing its redistricting plan, its Bias Rank would move from ninth to second and its Bias Score from 1.31 to 2.94.

Additionally, the study identified 12 states with a two seat or greater advantage beyond what proportional representation would predict.

Democratic advantages:

• California: +11 seats
• Illinois: +4 seats
• New York: +4 seats
• Massachusetts: +3 seats
• Connecticut: +2 seats
• Washington: +2 seats
• New Jersey: +2 seats

Republican advantages:

• Florida: +4 seats
• Texas: +4 seats
• South Carolina: +2 seats
• Tennessee: +2 seats
• North Carolina: +2 seats

An additional 16 states show a bias of one-seat, of those 13 favor Republicans and three favor Democrats. The net effect of all the bias is one additional House seat for Republicans and millions of dissatisfied voters.

Massachusetts, Oklahoma Exemplify the Problem

The study highlights stark examples of disproportionate representation: In Massachusetts, one-third of voters support Republican candidates, yet Republicans hold zero of the state's nine congressional seats. In Oklahoma, Democrats receive over a third of the vote but hold none of its five seats.

Established research shows that 78% of House races are predetermined before Election Day due to safe seat arrangements. The race is essentially decided in the primary election.

Statistical Analysis Confirms Bias

Researchers analyzed voting patterns using data from the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections alongside the Cook Political Report’s Partisan Voting Index. Their findings show a clear trend: in 28 states, political bias favored the majority party, while only 3 states showed bias toward the minority. Statistically, it’s very unlikely this happened by chance.

Even after accounting for the typical advantages that majority parties tend to have, the odds of this pattern happening randomly were about 1 in 42. Under more realistic models, those odds dropped to less than 1 in 5,000.

Three States Break the Pattern

Colorado, Michigan, and Minnesota present anomalies as Democratic-leaning states that give Republicans extra representation. Researchers attribute this "reverse bias" to court interventions or independent commission decisions that prioritized factors other than partisan balance.

Methodology and Data Sources

The analysis combined multiple data sources to create a robust assessment of partisan preference for each state. Those sources include:

• 2020 and 2024 presidential election results
• Cook Partisan Voting Index ratings
• Current House membership data as of August 2025

Researchers calculated expected proportional seat allocations for each state and compared them to actual representation using standardized statistical measures.

About Purple Values Foundation

Purple Values Foundation is dedicated to reducing political extremism and polarization by educating voters in the areas of fiscal responsibility, social compassion, and constitutional adherence. To learn more, visit purplevalues.org.

Media Contact

Purple Values Foundation
pvmedia@purplevalues.org

In a groundbreaking move for sustainability in sports, the Kansas City Chiefs are taking steps to eliminate single-use beverage cups at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium—becoming the first NFL team to offer reusable cups stadium-wide for every event.

Launching at the home opener on September 14, 2025, this collaborative initiative—led by the Kansas City Chiefs in partnership with Bold Reuse, Levy, Aramark Sports + Entertainment, and supported by a Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) grant—combines implementation of a reusable cup system with the continued availability of souvenir cups to create a single-use-cup-free venue.

The MARC Solid Waste Management District E. is pleased to support the Chiefs' effort to provide an alternative to disposable cups at Arrowhead Stadium. Reusable cups are a cutting-edge waste-reduction solution, and Arrowhead is helping to move the needle in the KC Metro area by introducing reuse to its fans.

This sustainability initiative builds on the Chiefs’ long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation through their Extra Yard for the Environment program. This shift to reuse tackles the waste problem at its source—offering an opportunity to significantly reduce single-use plastic waste and keep it out of landfills and local communities.

While reuse pilots have emerged in other leagues and limited sections of stadiums, this marks the first time an NFL stadium has eliminated single-use plastic cups by enabling reuse systems across every fan zone, club, and suite. The impact is immediate: more than 42,000 reusable cups, provided by Bold Reuse, will be used at every home game and event, collected after use, sanitized, and returned for the next event—forming a closed-loop system that drastically reduces waste.

“This is a milestone moment for our own sustainability journey, and we believe it represents a major shift in the professional sports landscape,” said Brandon Hamilton, VP of Stadium Operations and Facilities with the Chiefs. “We’re proud to be the first NFL team to fully commit to reuse at this scale—and we hope it sets a powerful blueprint for other teams around the league and beyond.”

The shift is about more than waste reduction—it’s about creating a better fan experience. Reusable cups look and feel better, reduce confusion around sorting waste, and make it easy for guests to participate in sustainability without changing their behavior. It’s a premium, frictionless experience that aligns with the Chiefs’ broader commitment to innovation and environmental leadership through their Extra Yard for the Environment program. Souvenir cups and merchandise remain available for fans who want to take home a piece of game day—this initiative now replaces previously used single-use cups with reusable ones for select alcoholic beverages in concessions and in the suites.

“This is the moment reuse moves from theory to transformation,” said Heather Watkins, co-founder and CRO of Bold Reuse. “GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium proves that reuse can scale, deliver operational wins, and elevate the guest experience. With the right systems and partners in place, reuse outperforms single-use—on cost, quality, and impact. We're proud to help lead this shift and to show the world that the future of hospitality is circular, seamless, and fan-first.”

Bold Reuse, a women-owned circular logistics company, launched its Kansas City hub in Independence, MO, in 2024 and currently operates a reuse system at CPKC Stadium, home of the Kansas City Current. This collaboration with the Chiefs is a defining moment in Kansas City’s emergence as a national leader in sustainable sports operations.

“We’re always looking for new opportunities to help our partner teams, venues, and events reduce reliance on single-use cups, containers, and packaging,” said Mary McCarthy, VP of Sustainability for Levy. “Having the opportunity to test, learn, and lead this new Bold Reuse initiative alongside our partners at the Kansas City Chiefs is one we’re particularly proud of because it demonstrates the ability to drive significant and accelerated impact.” 

“This collaboration is a first-of-its-kind opportunity to offer reuse at scale in an iconic sports venue,” said Alan Horowitz, VP of Sustainability at Aramark. “It is a powerful step in our commitment to delivering sustainable, guest-centered hospitality, where convenience, environmental responsibility, and exceptional service go hand in hand. We’re excited to partner with the Chiefs, Bold Reuse, and the fans in this exciting initiative.”

The future of game day is here—and it’s reusable.

About the Kansas City Chiefs 

Founded as the Dallas Texans in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL) by sports pioneer Lamar Hunt, the franchise moved to Kansas City in 1963 and became known as the Kansas City Chiefs. The team currently competes in the West Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). Under the ownership of the Hunt Family and the leadership of Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt, the core values of the club are to Win with Character, Unite our Community, Inspire our Fans, and Honor Tradition. The Chiefs are deeply committed to the Kansas City community through numerous programs as well as the Hunt Family Foundation. To learn more about the Chiefs, visit www.chiefs.com.

About the Kansas City Chiefs’ Extra Yard for the Environment

Launched in 2013, Extra Yard for the Environment is the Kansas City Chiefs year-round sustainability initiative designed to devise and implement green policies for the organization while raising awareness for green efforts at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, The University of Kansas Health System Training Complex, and for fans at home. For more than a dozen years, the Chiefs have been implementing and tracking sustainability efforts to become a more engaged and socially responsible corporate citizen and have formed relationships with like-minded community allies in the sustainability space. 

About Bold Reuse

Bold Reuse partners with venues, corporate campuses, and institutions to power circular systems through reusable packaging, logistics, and data-driven operations. Headquartered in Portland, OR, the company’s mission is to eliminate single-use waste and build a scalable infrastructure for reuse. For more information, visit www.boldreuse.com

About Levy

The disruptor in defining the sports and entertainment hospitality experience, Levy is recognized as the market leader and most critically acclaimed hospitality company in its industry. Levy has twice been named one of the 10 most innovative companies in sports by Fast Company magazine and has been honored by Forbes as a Best Large Employer, Best Employer for Diversity, and Best Employer for Women. Levy’s diverse portfolio includes award-winning restaurants; iconic sports and entertainment venues, zoos and cultural institutions, theaters and music festivals, and convention centers; as well as the Super Bowl, Grammy Awards, US Open Tennis Tournament, Kentucky Derby, Coachella and Stagecoach Music Festivals, and NHL, MLB, NBA, NFL, and MLS All-Star Games. For more, visit levyrestaurants.com or follow us on LinkedIn , Instagram, and X.

About Aramark Sports + Entertainment  

Aramark Sports + Entertainment serves more than 150 award-winning food and beverage and retail programs in premier professional and collegiate stadiums and arenas along with convention centers, cultural attractions, performance venues, and unique entertainment destinations across North America. The company has received accolades for industry innovations including autonomous markets and dining concepts powered by artificial intelligence and has provided hospitality services at high-profile sporting events like the MLB World Series, MLB at Rickwood Field, NBA All-Star, and Indianapolis 500. Visit Aramark Sports + Entertainment's website to learn more or connect on LinkedIn and X. 

Media Contact

Mya Manibusan
mya@boldreuse.com

Just in time for the fall and football season, VIVAZEN® is shaking up the energy shot category with the nationwide launch of its new Natural Energy Shot, a one-serving, fast-acting blend of plant-based ingredients and cordyceps, crafted to deliver natural, focused energy without the crash associated with caffeine.

Rolling out this month in major convenience chains nationwide, VIVAZEN’s Natural Energy Shot is designed for on-the-go performance, offering a natural alternative to synthetic stimulant-laden competitors.

“Consumers are rethinking what they put in their bodies, and they’re demanding more from their energy,” said Bryan Derr, COO at VIVAZEN. “Our Natural Energy Shot delivers functional energy from the power of plants, with ingredients like cordyceps that help support energy and stamina, without the harsh crash of caffeine or mystery chemicals.”

Key features of VIVAZEN Natural Energy Shot:

• Cordyceps for endurance: Some research suggests that this functional mushroom may support oxygen utilization and stamina.
• Clean tropical flavor: Naturally flavored with no artificial sweeteners or colors.
• Functional botanicals: Users report support in clarity and mental alertness on the go.

Conveniently packaged in a single-serving shot, VIVAZEN’s Natural Energy fits in your pocket, gym bag, or glove compartment, ideal for road warriors, retail workers, fitness fans, and anyone with a full schedule and zero time for burnout.

“It’s everything you want in an energy shot, minus everything you don’t,” said Derr. “Zero caffeine, zero artificial ingredients, just clean, botanical power in a bottle.”

VIVAZEN Natural Energy shots are now available in-store at convenience stores nationwide, as well as online at feelgreatbotanics.com.

About VIVAZEN

For over a decade, VIVAZEN has delivered trusted, high-quality botanical supplements that provide people with functional wellness without compromise. Rooted in centuries of herbal wisdom and backed by modern innovation, VIVAZEN is a functional, feel-good alternative for those who want to live—and feel—on their own terms. Join the millions who trust VIVAZEN to Feel Great™ naturally, and visit feelgreatbotanics.com.

Disclaimer

VIVAZEN products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.

Media Contact

Paloma Lehfeldt
press@vivazen.com