Newsroom

In today’s global race, a handful of centralized players dominate data, computing power, and algorithmic control. But as nations, enterprises, and communities increasingly demand digital sovereignty, a new movement is emerging — one that reimagines AI as an open, decentralized, and community-owned system.

At the forefront of this movement is Hyra Network, a decentralized AI infrastructure building what it calls the foundation for the “Sovereign AI Infrastructure Era.”

A Closed-Loop Ecosystem for Sovereign AI

Unlike traditional AI or blockchain projects, Hyra Network envisions something far more comprehensive: a closed-loop ecosystem where compute power, data, and intelligence flow seamlessly across a decentralized infrastructure. This ecosystem connects decentralized computing resources, AI models, and applications into one seamless network — empowering individuals, startups, enterprises, and even governments to develop and deploy AI independently.

At its core, Hyra Network operates on a DePIN-powered (decentralized physical infrastructure network) solution that ensures compute power is distributed globally rather than controlled by a few corporations. This approach enhances accessibility and scalability while providing a neutral foundation where AI innovation can thrive freely and transparently.

“AI should not be a privilege of a few centralized entities,” said Jonh Tran, founder and chairman of Hyra Network. “The future of AI belongs to transparency, openness, and the power of community. We shared this belief with the global ecosystem — connects with pioneers who envision the same decentralized future of AI infrastructure."

The Next Internet Stack for Decentralized Compute & AI

Hyra Network positions itself as more than just a blockchain — it is the backbone of a new digital order, defined by transparency, sovereignty, and community governance. Its architecture reimagines digital infrastructure through a five-layer stack, each layer reinforcing decentralization and user empowerment:

• DAO – Decentralized Governance System: Enables transparent, community-driven decision-making and ensures that no single entity controls the network’s direction.
• Hyra Scan – Security and Transparency Layer for AI: Provides verifiable data integrity, smart contract auditing and on-chain monitoring for AI operations.
• Hyra AI – Interface Layer on Edge Devices: Allows developers and users to access AI capabilities directly from decentralized edge devices, enabling real-time, cost-efficient performance.
• Hyra Zone – Global Distributed GPU Layer: A global grid of GPUs that delivers scalable, decentralized compute power for AI training and inference.
• Hyra Mega – Marketplace for Data and AI Models: A decentralized marketplace connecting data providers, model creators and enterprises, fueling innovation through open collaboration and fair value exchange.

This 5-layer framework transforms Hyra into a unified infrastructure stack where every participant can contribute to, and benefit from, the global AI economy without sacrificing control or transparency.

The Foundation for a Sovereign Digital Future

Through millions of connected devices and hundreds of thousands of TFLOPS of distributed compute power, Hyra is already proving that community-driven networks can match the performance of centralized supercomputers, while remaining open and compliant.

“We’re not just building infrastructure,” explains Bui Dinh Ngoc, CTO of Hyra Network. “We’re building the solution for a neutral ground where the future of AI can evolve — open to everyone, governed by transparency, and powered by the collective.”

In many ways, Hyra Network represents more than a project — it’s a unique solution, a statement about how technology should serve society. Its vision extends beyond decentralized computing to redefine the very relationship between people, data, and intelligence.

By merging blockchain governance, distributed hardware, and open AI ecosystems, Hyra is positioning itself as the backbone of a new digital order — the one where AI sovereignty is not a privilege of the few but a right of the many.

About Hyra Network

Hyra Network, under Hyra Holdings, is a decentralized AI infrastructure project built on a Layer-3 blockchain with DAO governance and practical AI applications. The project aims to create a sovereign, transparent, and community-driven AI ecosystem. Looking ahead, Hyra is preparing for an IPO on Nasdaq in 2030, while expanding collaborations with governments, investment funds, and the international community to drive sustainable and autonomous digital transformation.

Media Contact

Luu Hong Nhung
nhunglh@hyra.network

Most Loved Workplace® has unveiled the 2025 America’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® list, published as a custom content feature in The Wall Street Journal. The annual ranking highlights 100 organizations across industries that are transforming employee experience and redefining retention strategies in today’s economy.

“These companies aren’t just attracting top talent—they’ve cracked the code on how to keep employees engaged and thriving,” said Louis Carter, founder and CEO of Best Practice Institute and creator of the Most Loved Workplaces® certification and annual rankings. “America’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® prove that when you help employees become who they want to be, they’ll help your company become what it needs to be.”

Why These Workplaces Stand Out

As U.S. businesses face unprecedented pressure from employee burnout, job market shifts, and AI-driven change, the 2025 America’s Most Loved Workplaces® demonstrate a different path forward. While many employers compete with signing bonuses and perks, these companies go beyond the transactional to create transformational experiences rooted in growth, purpose, and culture.

• First Watch Restaurants (#1): A no-night-hours model that prioritizes life outside work, career mobility through internal promotions, and executive listening tours that develop entrepreneurial leaders.
• Mission Pet Health (#2): A “grow with you” mindset, including programs to support employees through major life events and MPH University, which builds transferable business skills for veterinary professionals.
• O2E Brands (#3): Creates a culture of ownership and accountability where every employee feels empowered to drive innovation and growth.
• Databricks (#4): Democratizes data and analytics training across all employees, ensuring AI and technical literacy company-wide.
• Parkview Health (#5): Uses technology to improve both patient care and employee experience, giving staff tools to succeed every day.

This focus on growth reflects a broader shift in today’s workforce. Among the Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces®, a large majority invest in advanced skills development—equipping employees with capabilities that make them competitive across today’s and tomorrow’s job market.

The payoff is clear: More than 8 in 10 employees report a stronger sense of purpose and belonging as a result. A 2025 study of Gen Z and Millennials underscores why this matters. Nearly 90% of younger workers say a sense of purpose is central to job satisfaction. Employees stay not because of golden handcuffs, but because their company supports their internal desire to advance in their careers and lives.

How the Rankings Were Determined

The 2025 America’s Most Loved Workplaces® list is grounded in proof from employees themselves. Research was conducted by Best Practice Institute (BPI) using the proprietary Love of Workplace Index® and advanced sentiment analysis. This methodology captures how employees truly experience their workplace — measuring emotional connection, collaboration, respect, alignment of values, and achievement.

More than 2.8 million U.S. employees were surveyed across companies of all sizes and industries. Hundreds of executives were also interviewed to provide context on culture, leadership, and strategy. Companies represented 50+ industries, from Financial Services to Healthcare, Technology, Construction, and more.

This independent validation ensures the rankings reflect both the lived experiences of employees and a rigorous external assessment of workplace practices. In an era where candidates and employees seek proof over promises, America’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® provides credible recognition that employees themselves stand behind.

Companies were evaluated and scored as follows:

• 50% from direct employee feedback using the Love of Workplace Index®
• 35% from BPI’s in-depth company interviews and written submissions
• 15% from external public ratings, news analysis, and employee review platforms

This methodology ensures that the rankings reflect both the lived experiences of employees and a rigorous external validation of workplace practices.

The Bigger Lesson for U.S. Businesses

The old playbook of recruitment and retention built on perks alone is obsolete. America’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® demonstrate that lasting success comes from creating cultures where employees are empowered, valued, and deeply connected to purpose. The most loved companies aren’t keeping people with perks—they’re inspiring loyalty through belonging, growth, and meaning at work.

Explore the Full List

To see the complete 2025 America’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® list and company profiles, visit: mostlovedworkplace.com/americas-top-most-loved-workplaces-2025

To view the Wall Street Journal Publication, visit: https://partners.wsj.com/most-loved-workplace/most-loved-workplaces-2025/Americas-top-100-most-loved-workplaces

Learn How to Become a Most Loved Workplace®

Organizations interested in joining future lists can begin the process here:

• Apply for Recognition: mostlovedworkplace.com/americas-top-most-loved-workplaces-2025 

About Most Loved Workplace®

Most Loved Workplace® is a global certification and recognition platform powered by Best Practice Institute. Organizations certified as Most Loved Workplaces® outperform peers in retention, productivity, and customer satisfaction. Based on the Love of Workplace Index®, the model is featured in the bestselling book In Great Company (McGraw-Hill, 2019).

About Best Practice Institute (BPI)

Best Practice Institute is a leadership development and benchmark research organization that partners with corporations worldwide to optimize culture, performance, and talent strategy. BPI is the exclusive certifier and research body behind Most Loved Workplace®.

Media Contact

Scott Baxt
Head of Research, Most Loved Workplace®
scottbaxt@bestpracticeinstitute.org
+1 917-805-6413

Mailmodo, the email marketing platform known for its interactive AMP email technology, today announced the launch of Mailmodo AI, a conversational platform designed to handle the entire email marketing workflow. With a few natural language prompts, marketers can plan campaigns, generate emails, set up automations, segment audiences, and review performance, all in one place.

For many teams, launching even a single campaign can require several days of manual work to write copy, design templates, set up automations, and review results. Mailmodo AI was created to eliminate that burden for small and mid-sized businesses, startups, and lean marketing teams that need enterprise-level capabilities without the steep learning curve or technical overhead.

“Prompting is becoming the default way people interact with technology, and marketing workflows are evolving in the same direction,” said Aquibur Rahman, founder and CEO of Mailmodo. “Email marketing has been slow to catch up with the AI revolution. With Mailmodo AI, we wanted to close that gap. By bringing planning, creation, automation, and analysis together in one platform, we’re helping marketers go live in minutes instead of days, and showing what the future of email marketing can look like.”

Unlike tools that add AI as an add-on feature, Mailmodo AI is designed to support every stage of the email lifecycle. Marketers can draft a full campaign strategy, generate subject lines and templates, build journeys, and then rely on the built-in AI Co-Pilot for performance insights and recommendations. The result is a platform that acts less like software and more like a teammate.

Mailmodo launched in 2021 and quickly became known for making interactive AMP emails accessible at scale. Its technology allows businesses to embed forms, calculators, quizzes, and even calendars directly inside emails. Today, Mailmodo supports thousands of businesses with automation, personalization, and analytics. The launch of Mailmodo AI marks the next step in its mission: to make email marketing faster, simpler, and smarter for the prompt-first era.

About Mailmodo

Mailmodo is a San Francisco-headquartered, no-code email marketing platform helping businesses drive higher conversions through interactive and automated campaigns. Since its launch in 2021, the company has enabled marketers to design, send, and optimize interactive AMP emails with ease. Backed by investors including Sequoia Capital India’s Surge, Y Combinator, and others, Mailmodo continues to reimagine email marketing by combining automation, personalization, and AI-powered campaign management into one platform. Learn more at mailmodo.com.

Media Contact

Hannah Richman
hannah@mailmodo.com

Unlisted, a groundbreaking digital real estate community focused on the 98% of homes that aren’t for sale—yet, today announced that Michael Chiffone of East Coast Capital has joined the platform as a Local Expert for buyers and homeowners in New York City. Chiffone is Unlisted’s designated lending resource in ZIP code 10475.

Unlisted is designed to allow real estate professionals, buyers, and homeowners to see beyond the MLS. The platform organizes publicly available real estate data into digital property profiles for every home in the country, making it easier to search and curate lists of homes that fit a buyer’s criteria—even if they aren’t currently on the market.

With the addition of Local Expert profiles, Unlisted connects users directly with trusted real estate professionals in their area. Unlisted’s experts are carefully vetted and chosen for their ability to provide meaningful guidance.

Chiffone is a seasoned, multi-state licensed loan officer with nearly three decades of experience in mortgage lending, guiding clients through a wide range of financing scenarios with professionalism and care. Through Unlisted, he serves buyers and homeowners in the 10475 ZIP code, providing expert financial insights and guidance to help them understand their options when considering buying, selling, or refinancing. Michael has also built a robust network of financial professionals and real estate partners, creating seamless transactions and valuable educational opportunities for clients and colleagues alike.

“My goal has always been to help people feel confident in their real estate decisions,” said Chiffone. “Unlisted gives me another way to support both buyers and homeowners by answering questions and helping them explore financing options as they consider their next step.”

Katie Hill, founder and CEO of Unlisted, added: “We’re proud to welcome Michael Chiffone as a Local Expert in the 10475 ZIP code. His expertise as a loan officer adds an important dimension to Unlisted—ensuring buyers and homeowners not only find homes they love, but also have trusted guidance on how to finance them.”

To learn more about Unlisted, visit UnlistedHomes.com.

To learn more about Michael Chiffone, visit his Unlisted profile or East Coast Capital.

About Unlisted

Unlisted focuses on the 98% of homes that aren’t for sale—yet. The company empowers home buyers to join the Waitlist for homes they love that aren’t for sale—in other words, unlisted. At the same time, homeowners collect a Waitlist of interested buyers for whenever the time comes to sell, giving everyone a head start. Unlisted also allows homeowners to control how their home is presented online; they can create a stunning up-to-date property profile that shows off the home’s best features and attracts more interest. With more time and more connection, Unlisted is a more human way to explore real estate that drives better outcomes for all. For more information, visit UnlistedHomes.com.

Media Contact

Sophia Jacomet
sophia@unlistedinc.com

Hensley & Krueger, PLLC, a Houston probate litigation firm, recovered a six-figure inheritance for their client in a recent case after uncovering hidden trust assets that a trustee attempted to withhold.

“This victory illustrates just how important is to be persistent in probate litigation. Trustees cannot withhold assets and information without consequences, but not every attorney has the skillset to get justice in these cases. We do,” said Cory Krueger, managing partner of Hensley & Krueger, PLLC.

Case Summary at a Glance

Decedent: Mother of three, estate held in a trust.

Trustee: Daughter, who sold the family home but withheld her brother’s one-third share.

Misconduct: Refused repeated requests for a copy of the trust or full accounting.

Action Taken: Hensley & Krueger filed a motion to show cause, subpoenaed financial institutions and a real estate title company, and traced hidden accounts.

Result: Trustee paid client his rightful share of the home proceeds plus one-third of undisclosed financial accounts, a six-figure recovery.

Q&A: What clients need to know

Q: What was the key issue in the trust/probate case?

A: A trustee failed to make distributions in accordance with the trust, withholding both the proceeds from a home sale and financial accounts from her brother, a beneficiary.

Q: How did Hensley & Krueger resolve the case?

A: The firm forced disclosure of the trust, subpoenaed records, uncovered hidden assets, and secured a six-figure distribution for their client.

Q: What does this outcome mean for Texas families?

A: Beneficiaries have rights. If a trustee hides assets or refuses transparency, probate litigation can compel full disclosure and payment.

Q: Can probate litigation be handled on contingency?

A: Yes. Hensley & Krueger often takes will contests and trust disputes on contingency, so clients pay only if the case succeeds.

About Hensley & Krueger

Hensley & Krueger, PLLC is a Houston-based firm dedicated to probate litigation, will contests, fiduciary disputes, estate administration, and related real estate matters. Known for its courtroom strength and client-first approach, the firm is committed to protecting families and ensuring fair outcomes. To learn more, visit probatetexaslawyers.com.

Media Contact

Amanda Orr
amanda@orrstrategygroup.com

Brazil’s leading tokenisation platform AmFi Finance has entered a strategic partnership with Helix, an award-winning real-world asset tokenisation platform incubated by Singapore-based fintech pioneer Helicap, to launch the first-ever tokenised private-credit initiative connecting Latin America and Asia. The partnership, facilitated by Onigiri Capital — a venture capital firm focused on blockchain and finance — aims to link Asia’s institutional capital with Brazil’s rapidly expanding private-credit market through compliant, blockchain-enabled infrastructure.

With real interest rates in Brazil at an all-time high, the collaboration marks a milestone in uniting two of the world’s most dynamic regions for financial innovation: Latin America and Southeast Asia. Structured by AmFi and enabled by Helix’s institutional network and infrastructure across Asia, the initiative opens new, compliant pathways for cross-border credit participation.

“This collaboration marks a defining moment for Brazil’s credit markets,” said Paulo David, CEO of AmFi Finance. “By combining Helix’s institutional reach across Asia with AmFi’s proven structuring expertise and track record exceeding US$300 million, we are creating institutional-grade access to one of the world’s highest real-yield markets — safely, transparently, and on-chain.”

Brazil: The Next Frontier for Tokenised Private Credit

This partnership follows the release of Project Aurora: Brazil’s Asset Tokenisation Opportunity — a landmark report launched by AmFi, Credit Saison Brazil, Onigiri Capital, Coruja Capital, and Pinheiro Neto Advogados. Sponsored by Núclea, the study highlights how Brazil’s private credit market represents a US$2 trillion opportunity, underpinned by one of the world’s most advanced financial infrastructures and a progressive regulatory framework that has embraced tokenisation as a catalyst for inclusion and efficiency.

Despite Brazil’s highly digitised financial system, access to credit remains concentrated among a few large banks, leaving small and medium-sized enterprises underserved. Tokenisation offers a technological leap to address these structural frictions. By converting receivables and structured loans into blockchain-based tokens, platforms like AmFi reduce issuance and distribution costs by up to 38%, improve transparency through real-time auditability, and enable fractional ownership for a wider class of investors.

The report highlights that Brazil’s regulatory foundations, collectively position the country as a global leader in regulated tokenisation. With more than US$300 million of private credit already structured on AmFi’s platform and an ecosystem now supported by established institutions, Brazil is evolving from pilot projects to fully institutional adoption.

“Brazil’s transformation mirrors what we’ve seen across Asia, where regulation, technology, and capital are converging to unlock new financial pathways,” said Qin En Looi, managing partner at Onigiri Capital and partner at Saison Capital (co-authors of Project Aurora). “This partnership demonstrates how global collaboration can accelerate tokenisation from theory to scale.”

A Shared Vision: Connecting Capital and Impact

For AmFi, the partnership with Helix extends its mission to bridge local credit origination with global capital. The platform already works with a network of qualified originators across Brazil to tokenise receivables-backed assets, providing liquidity to fintechs and private credit managers in Brazil while creating diversified exposure opportunities for investors. Helix’s participation brings Asian capital into this ecosystem through a compliant and transparent framework that advances financial inclusion.

“The future of finance is about building bridges between regions that share the same challenges and opportunities,” said Jitendra Singh Jaitawat, CEO of Helix. “Through this collaboration, AmFi and Helix are creating a new chapter in global private credit, demonstrating how tokenisation can expand access, transparency, and inclusion across emerging markets.”

The initiative underscores Brazil’s emergence as a global benchmark for real-world asset (RWA) tokenisation. Through compliant frameworks and proven platforms like AmFi, international investors can now gain direct exposure to Brazil’s productive economy while supporting the financial inclusion of its business sector.

About AmFi Finance

AmFi Finance is Brazil’s leading tokenisation platform for real-world assets, focusing on private credit and receivables-backed investments. Supervised by the Brazilian Securities Commission (CVM), AmFi has structured over US$300M in tokenised assets since its founding and offers institutional-grade solutions that integrate compliance, transparency, and programmability for global investors. For more information, visit amfi.finance.

About Helix

Helix is an institutional platform for launching and managing stablecoins and tokenised real-world assets, enabling omnichain issuance, compliant distribution, and seamless interoperability between TradFi and DeFi through a unified, modular architecture. Led by TradFi veterans with a track record of US$500 million in off-chain deal volume and zero defaults, Helix combines the confidence of TradFi with the composability of DeFi through purpose-built infrastructure, laying the foundation for the mainstream adoption of programmable finance at scale. Learn more at www.helixfi.io.

About Onigiri Capital

Onigiri Capital is a venture capital fund launched by Saison Capital, the corporate venture arm of Japan’s Credit Saison. Onigiri is on a mission to support innovation to chart the next chapter of finance through facilitating trust, scale, and adoption for blockchain technology. The fund leverages its Asian institutional heritage to fund, advise, and empower blockchain founders who are unlocking real-world, global financial products and utility across stablecoins, payments, tokenised assets, DeFi, and financial markets infrastructure. For more information, visit www.onigiri.vc.

In her latest op-ed, The Wright Scoop urges readers to become people who create credibility — a matter of sustainable trust.

Each day brings yet another story of blatant unethical behavior — manipulation on Wall Street, fraudulent government contracts, national espionage, and or municipal government corruption. At every level and within all cultures, examples of failed credibility exist.

One cannot help but wonder when businesses will discover that sustainable businesses are built on an obligation of trust. Why? Trust is the bedrock upon which civil societies are built. Without it we resort of self-protection, erect defensive walls and remain forever on guard.

Have you experienced a misleading business agreement? Have you heard the words “let’s forgive and forget,” only to realize the real meaning was “Can I do it to you again and get away with it?” Unfortunately, reversing the effects of a one-sided deal isn’t simply a matter of sincere forgiveness — it’s a matter of lost credibility and broken trust.

What is credibility? It is a reputation of integrity, where integrity implies a special meaning, not just honesty, but consistency and predictability. For, credibility is built on admitting mistakes, forewarning others, correcting errors, and making sure an error is not repeated. Do not blame others and when a situation is corrected, do not dwell on an error.

While honesty is being truthful to other people, integrity is being true to oneself. How? Each of us is affected by everything we do and everyone we meet. Yet, we are a unique set of thoughts and feelings, and that is why having integrity is a matter of being in tune with who you are, what you are, and where you want to go. As a result, the act of recognizing who you are is not a one-time event, but a lifelong activity. 

“When public companies reported annually,” said colleague David Stern, associate professor of communications at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, “they were able to hide their shady practices. The implementation of quarterly reports was intended to provide shareholders with transparency; nevertheless, it also created an unintended consequence — short-term outlooks that shifted focus away from customers and long-term growth.”

Another factor, emergence of global businesses which forego a commitment to eco-sustainability, equally affected the focus of greening (plant, profit) market share. As a result, to borrow the words of colleague Julia Killian, "When we interact with individuals who lack integrity, whether on a personal basis or business dealings, we cannot depend on what we are told. Their self-serving duplicitous nature frequently results in misinformation and injustice. Their unethical words and actions knowingly deceive naive or uninformed people who accept false words and misleading statements as truth, often leading to decisions with unintentional negative consequences. So, a lack of integrity whether of a person, society or organization can monumentally impact a culture." Why? Trustworthy relationships are the foundation upon which communities flourish.

Simply put, credibility, as a matter of trust, is the foundation for all human relationships. So, all cultures should accept that without trust, mankind will blow in the wind this way and that when credibility if lacking. Why? There is no steadfast commitment to truth or honesty, resulting in a society or individuals who are neither believable nor respect other people.

How is trust achieved? Consistency and predictability, an outcome of "no surprises," is built on listening, trust, respecting the dignity of each person within an organization. No surprises up and no surprises down. If commitments change, explain the change before it impacts others? Why? Credibility is built on listening, trust respecting the dignity of each person within an organization. No surprises up and no surprises down.

Still, how do we deal with unethical behavior when it occurs? Protect yourself! If you hear the words, did I put that in writing then require that person to put it in writing. On the other hand, do not let a one-sided deal color your perception or warp your values. Everyone deserves at least contingent trust. So, when unethical behavior occurs, put it is perspective, let go, move on, and favor the positive. The experience of a one-sided deal should only emphasize how precious trust is. 

Can the concept of credibility be assured? Of course! Regardless of global and/or cultural influences, you be the person whose honesty and condor influences trust within a business community. Be recognized as the person whose credibility is a matter of sustainable trust. Become known as a person who ensures global eco-sustainability, a focus of growing green not simply for self but for all, planet, profit market share.

About The Wright Scoop – Sylvia Hoehns Wright

A graduate of the Virginia Natural Resource Leadership Institute program, The Wright Scoop – Sylvia Hoehns Wright urges all to keep America beautiful and become people who CARE — have a perspective of conservation, accountability, recovery and eco-efficiency. To inspire others, she offers one-on-one consulting, speeches and workshops and has published a series of eco-books.

For more information, visit thewrightscoop.com, email syhwright@gmail.com or follow her activities on social media through Facebook group The Wright Scoop or @WrightScoop on Twitter/X.

Media Contact

Sylvia Hoehns Wright
syhwright@gmail.com

As the U.S. government shutdown enters its third week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced it is furloughing nearly half of its workforce, a move expected to cause significant slowdowns in tax operations right at one of the busiest times of the tax year. According to the agency, about 34,000 IRS workers are being sent home, while another 39,870 remain on duty to maintain essential services.

Call center staff, IT workers, and most headquarters employees will be affected, creating potential delays in processing, customer support, and implementing new tax law changes. Taxpayers should expect increased wait times, backlogs, and slower communication until funding is restored.

That’s why Remitian, a company that has developed the world’s first automated tax payment system, is stepping into help. With IRS operations reduced, Remitian’s automated tax payment system is providing firms and taxpayers a secure and reliable way to stay compliant. Unlike many systems that depend on the federal EFTPS, Remitian payments will continue to post on time, regardless of IRS staffing levels. This eliminates a major source of stress and allows businesses to focus on the bottom line, not the shutdown.

“This shutdown highlights how fragile traditional tax payment systems can be,” said Solon Angel, CEO of Remitian. “When government functions pause, compliance shouldn’t. Our clients rely on us to keep payments moving, deadlines met, and errors out of the equation, no matter what’s happening in Washington. That’s what Remitian was built for.”

Remitian users can:

• See exactly when payments are made and schedule them ahead of time to avoid delays.
• Prevent costly mistakes with built-in error-checking tools. Which is especially important while IRS support is limited.
• Access Remitian’s Tax Help Line (1-877-8REMIT8) for guidance during the shutdown.

For a detailed look at how the furloughs are affecting IRS services and taxpayer obligations, visit Remitian’s Tax US Shutdown FAQ.

About Remitian

Remitian is an automated tax payment platform built for firms and their clients. Through one secure portal, users can manage all tax jurisdictions, eliminate manual errors, and ensure payments post on time — even when government systems are delayed. To learn more, visit remitian.com.

Media Contact

Press Inquiry
press@remitian.com

Women Road Warriors, the acclaimed women’s empowerment talk show hosted by Shelley M. Johnson and Kathy Tuccaro, has been honored with the 2025 Global Excellence Award from Acquisition International Magazine (AI) as the Best Female Empowerment Talk Show – USA.

This recognition marks the second major accolade from Acquisition International Magazine within a year. Earlier, Shelley M. Johnson was named Most Empowering Podcast Host – USA, and Kathy Tuccaro received the Excellence Award for Female Empowerment Podcasting in the AI 2025 Influential Businesswoman Awards. Women Road Warriors has received eight awards from various organizations in the past two years.

Since 2018, Acquisition International’s Global Excellence Awards have celebrated organizations and individuals who redefine innovation, leadership, and positive impact across industries. Recipients are selected through a merit-based process by an impartial panel that identifies outstanding achievement and commitment to progress. The publication describes its mission as highlighting “the people, products, and services that can fundamentally change things for the better.” 

“Kathy and I are super elated with this second award from Acquisition International Magazine in less than a year,” said Shelley Johnson, co-host and executive producer of Women Road Warriors. “This is a serious affirmation that we’re accomplishing what we set out to do — to empower women with valuable information and interviews. There can be no greater compliment than knowing we’re making a positive change through our program that features celebrities and experts who inspire women and future generations. We’re privileged to be recognized on a global level and to be called out as leaders in the United States. We look forward to continuing to be vanguards of empowerment for women. Thank you again, Acquisition International.”

About Women Road Warriors

Women Road Warriors is a multiple award-winning women’s empowerment talk show hosted by Shelley Johnson and Kathy Tuccaro, featuring trailblazers, experts, and celebrity guests on topics that uplift and empower women. As a vanguard for change, it “powers women on the road to success.” The show blends humor, insight, and lively banter between Shelley, Kathy, and their guests.

The podcast ranks in the top 2% globally, according to Listen Notes, and appears among FeedSpot’s Top 10 in its list of the Top 100 Best Women’s Empowerment Podcasts Worldwide. It was recently named Self-Improvement Podcast of the Year by Corporate LiveWire. Women Road Warriors airs on WNEW-HD3 (102.7-3) in New York City and is available on demand across all major podcast platforms and at https://women-road-warriors.captivate.fm.

For more information, visit womenroadwarriors.com.

About Acquisition International Magazine

Acquisition International is an international monthly digital business magazine dedicated to providing timely news, commentary, and analysis to corporate readers. As the voice of modern business, it showcases excellence, innovation, and evolution across the global marketplace. To learn more, visit www.acquisition-international.com.

About AI Global Media

Since 2010, AI Global Media has produced engaging B2B and B2C content that informs and connects global audiences. The company recognizes and rewards organizations and individuals for their dedication to their industries, teams, and clients — no matter the challenges they face. For more information, visit www.aiglobalmedialtd.com.

Media Contact

Shelley M. Johnson
Women Road Warriors Talk Show
sjohnson@womenroadwarriors.com

EnviroPro 360, a leading environmental testing company based in Augusta, Georgia, is proud to announce the expansion of its service fleet with the addition of a new 2026 Toyota Prius. This strategic investment underscores the company's commitment to sustainable operations throughout the Central Savannah River Area of Georgia and South Carolina.

The introduction of the hybrid vehicle marks a significant step forward in EnviroPro 360's efforts to minimize its carbon footprint while enhancing its service delivery. With over 40% improvement in fuel efficiency, the Prius not only reduces emissions but also increases the company's capacity to respond promptly to requests for asbestos, mold, lead, and radon testing. This move aligns with EnviroPro 360's mission to safeguard both community health and the environment.

By incorporating the Prius into its fleet, EnviroPro 360 strengthens its position as a trusted partner for environmental safety assessments. The company's independent approach, which focuses on testing without offering removal or remediation services, ensures unbiased and reliable results. This unique value proposition empowers homeowners, businesses, and contractors to make informed decisions about the safety of their environments.

"Our new hybrid vehicle represents a crucial advancement in our eco-friendly initiatives," said Joseph Galpin, owner of EnviroPro 360. "It allows us to not only enhance our operational efficiency but also to contribute to a cleaner environment, which is at the heart of our mission."

Looking ahead, EnviroPro 360 plans to continue investing in sustainable technologies and expanding its services to reach more communities across South Carolina and Georgia. The company remains dedicated to innovation and quality, striving to set new standards in environmental testing.

To learn more and book testing with EnviroPro 360, please visit our website at enviropro360.com.

About EnviroPro 360

EnviroPro 360 is a trusted environmental testing company based in Augusta, Georgia, serving the Central Savannah River Area and beyond. We specialize in asbestos, lead, radon, and mold testing; providing clear, unbiased results without offering removal or remediation services. Our independent approach ensures honest reporting and reliable insight for homeowners, businesses, and contractors. With over 20 years of experience, EnviroPro 360 is dedicated to helping communities make informed decisions about the safety of their environments. Learn more at enviropro360.com.

Media Contact

Joseph Galpin
Owner, EnviroPro 360
info@enviropro360.com
+1 706-553-4602

When Dr. Andrew Rudin found himself drowning in workplace stress years ago, the toll was undeniable. The misplaced trust, the pressure, the grind, it all added up. The weight gain followed. For a cardiologist, someone deeply familiar with the mechanics of the human heart, this was more than just a personal struggle. It was a reckoning.

“I didn’t jump on medication. I didn’t schedule a surgery,” he recalls. “I got to the root cause. And that’s what saved me.”

That same philosophy has become the foundation of Rudin’s practice today. He’s not just a board-certified interventional cardiologist-electrophysiologist with decades of clinical experience. He’s not just a wellness advocate either. He is someone who has lived on both sides of the equation, patient and physician, and now walks the fine line between conventional medicine and the fast-growing wellness movement.

Rudin’s specialty lies in treating cardiac arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation, a condition affecting millions of Americans. But despite his expertise in high-tech procedures, Rudin is quick to caution against an overreliance on interventions. “There are hundreds of thousands of unnecessary stent procedures in America every year,” he says. “We’ve had years of data showing elective stents don’t prevent heart attacks or extend life. Yet patients believe they’re lifesaving because that’s how the system is built.”

Instead, Rudin emphasizes the foundations of health: nutrition, movement, and lifestyle change. “Food is medicine, it sounds cliché, but it’s true,” he says. “Cutting sugar, processed foods, and focusing on real, organic nutrition has far greater long-term benefits than most people realize.”

For Rudin, the path forward isn’t about rejecting medicine or championing wellness in isolation; it’s about balance. His approach is both rigorous and open-minded, backed by years of medical training and a willingness to engage with emerging data in wellness and longevity research.

This willingness to “follow the data, not the dogma” is what sets Rudin apart. He acknowledges the limitations of pharmaceutical-driven research, where negative or neutral results often get buried. At the same time, he warns against extremes in the wellness industry, where anecdotes can too easily masquerade as science. “The difference between me and many in wellness is that I’m not an extremist,” he says. “If a patient needs conventional meds, a pacemaker, or ablation, I’ll recommend it. But I’ll also push them to address the underlying drivers of disease, stress, diet, and inactivity. You need both perspectives.”

Central to Rudin’s philosophy is empowering patients to ask better questions and demand better care. He believes too many people accept procedures or prescriptions without truly understanding the data behind them. “I had a patient who thought that she shouldn’t play pickleball because of exertion,” Rudin shares. “That does not make sense. There’s no science for it. Exercise helps almost everyone.”

For him, the solution lies in honest, data-driven conversations, conversations where patients are equipped with knowledge and where doctors are challenged to go beyond band-aid solutions.

Dr. Andrew Rudin’s journey, from stressed professional in need of healing himself, to physician-innovator balancing the best of medicine and wellness, offers a new kind of blueprint. It’s one where longevity isn’t about quick fixes, but about sustainable habits and evidence-based choices.

“Modern medicine alone isn’t working. But wellness without medical grounding can be just as dangerous,” Rudin says. “The future is in walking that line, and making sure patients come away not just treated, but truly healed.”

About Dr. Andrew Rudin

Dr. Andrew Rudin is a board-certified interventional cardiologist-electrophysiologist redefining heart health through a balance of medicine and wellness. Specializing in cardiac arrhythmias, he focuses on addressing root causes rather than quick fixes, emphasizing nutrition, movement and lifestyle. Having faced his own health challenges, Dr. Rudin now champions evidence-based, sustainable habits and data-driven care, empowering patients to move beyond treatment toward lasting healing and long-term heart health. For more information, visit bestheartbeat.com.

Media Contact

Dr. Andrew Rudin
andyrudin@gmail.com

NOVVI Properties has officially announced its collaboration with Stake, a digital real estate investment platform that enables individuals globally to access, earn from, and sell real estate in emerging and developed cities. The collaboration will provide Stake’s investors with exclusive access to NOVVI’s listings, offering new opportunities to enter one of the world’s most dynamic property markets.

Stake, which has already attracted numerous users worldwide and is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), enables individuals to buy fractional shares of premium properties in Dubai. Through its model, investors receive income from rental yields, potential capital appreciation, and the eventual sale of their shares.

For NOVVI Properties, this collaboration reflects its ongoing mission to bring innovation to the UAE real estate landscape. “Dubai has long been a market of aspiration, but barriers to entry have often kept potential investors on the sidelines,” said Omar Doukkali, CEO of NOVVI Properties. “By working with Stake, we are opening the door for people to participate in property ownership with smaller commitments while still enjoying the benefits of Dubai’s thriving market.”

NOVVI will extend exclusive property listings to Stake’s platform, including apartments and residences across sought-after communities in Dubai. Once listed, these properties are purchased collectively by multiple investors through Stake. Stake helps ensure each property is either rented out to generate substantial income or strategically resold. Investors can then benefit from both rental distributions and long-term appreciation, with bi-annual exit windows after a one-year holding term.

For landlords selling their properties through NOVVI, this collaboration can provide additional selling opportunities to a previously untapped market through Stake. If the seller's property meets Stake’s investment criteria, this could mean a much faster sale with fewer viewings.

This new model of investment provides a window into ownership without requiring full capital outlay. As Doukkali explained, “Our collaboration with Stake aligns perfectly with our philosophy of creating value for every type of investor, whether you are a first-time buyer looking for a foothold or an experienced player diversifying your portfolio.” NOVVI has also taken the steps to onboard a dedicated in-house team to facilitate the collaboration, ensuring efficiency and streamlined communication.

Stake has rapidly gained traction by making real estate investment simple and accessible for a digitally native audience. The platform offers investors detailed, real-time data, 24/7 portfolio access, and access to prime properties that were previously out of reach. Since its inception, Stake has steadily expanded its portfolio, facilitated a growing number of individual investments, delivered consistent rental income to its investor community, and played a significant role in shaping the real estate investment landscape. With NOVVI’s exclusive contributions, the platform will expand its offering, strengthening Dubai’s position as a hub for innovation in real estate investment.

Beyond immediate benefits, NOVVI sees this as the beginning of a larger vision. “This is more than just an agreement. It’s a step toward a 2026 strategy of collaborating with leading companies across the region,” Doukkali said. “We want to make real estate ownership not just a luxury, but an attainable milestone for people around the world.”

By combining NOVVI’s expertise in premium property listings with Stake’s fractional model, the collaboration is poised to redefine accessibility in Dubai’s real estate sector. With strong legal frameworks in place and investor appetite for fractional ownership on the rise, the collaboration sets the stage for sustained growth and innovation. Doukkali added, “It’s about inclusivity, transparency, and giving everyone the chance to be part of Dubai’s remarkable property story.”

About Novvi Properties

Led by CEO Omar Doukkali, NOVVI Properties is a forward-thinking real estate firm that is redefining access to premium Dubai properties. NOVVI focuses on innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity in property ownership, empowering both local and global investors to participate in Dubai’s dynamic real estate market. For more information, visit www.novviproperties.com.

Media Contact

Omar Doukkali
marketing@novviproperties.com

Global Settlement Network (GSX), the leader in blockchain infrastructure, has partnered with Diacente Group, developer of Uganda’s Karamoja Green Industrial and Special Economic Zone (GISEZ), to launch the world’s most advanced tokenized economy. Backed by $5.5 billion in real-world infrastructure, the partnership will digitize value flows across key sectors, building an open, inclusive, and efficient economic engine from the ground up.

As a cornerstone of the rollout, Global Settlement aims at piloting Uganda’s first CBDC, deployed on GSN’s blockchain, and backed by Ugandan treasury bonds and shillings. The tokenization effort within the  Green Industrial and Special Economic Zone GISEZ will span agro-processing, mining, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, automotives, infrastructure, ICT and deep Tech, this partnership will unlock Africa’s economic potential, create over 1 million direct and indirect jobs, and lift over 10 million people out of poverty in Africa leveraging GSX’s blockchain technology to attract innovative finance in order to scale sustainable industrial initiatives, fostering economic resilience and regional integration with a planned investment of over $5 billion.

This structure will enable individuals, institutions, and governments to participate more directly in economic development, unlocking global capital, reducing reliance on intermediaries, and making it possible for even mobile-first users to access and settle high-value transactions securely. 

This digital shilling will operate in a regulated environment and adhere to both local and international compliance standards, including full KYC/AML protocols. Importantly, will be accessible via smartphone and USSD, enabling over 40 million people to transact using secure, mobile-first digital currency for the first time.

The initiative represents a paradigm shift in how financial and industrial infrastructure is delivered in emerging markets. It will enable a fully integrated digital economy that is embedded within national development priorities. “We’re building infrastructure that goes beyond theory; a programmable economy grounded in real assets, regulatory collaboration, and mass accessibility,” said Ryan Kirkley, co-founder of Global Settlement Network. “This is how we close the gap between digital finance and real-world impact.”

Our partnership with Global Settlement marks a new era for Uganda’s industrial transformation,” said Odongo Solomon, CEO of Diacente Group. “Through blockchain integration, we will build transparent, inclusive, tech-enabled industrial ecosystems and value chains, attract alternative long-term capital, create jobs, and uplift our communities all while staying true to our environmental and social priorities.”

More importantly the partnership means Diacente Group will establish state-of-the-art green mineral processing and refining plants capable of handling up to 70% of Karamoja’s mineral output including gold, copper, lithium, limestone, and rare earths retaining billions of shillings within Uganda’s economy and creating thousands of skilled jobs. "Our vision is to transform Uganda’s mineral wealth into sustainable economic growth, ensuring that value stays in the country while promoting environmentally responsible industrial practices," added Solomon.

Over 100,000 farmers and cooperatives across Africa will gain access to guaranteed markets through modern green agro-processing facilities in the Green Industrial and Special Economic Zone (GISEZ) by Diacente Group. This will reduce post-harvest losses by 40% and enable households to earn up to three times more per season from crops such as cashew nuts, coffee, shea, macadamia, and sunflower, among others. “By empowering farmers with eco-friendly facilities and reliable markets, we are turning agriculture into a sustainable pathway for wealth and prosperity,” continued Solomon.

The project will create opportunities for over 5,000 local SMEs across logistics, construction, food production, and service supply chains, fostering entrepreneurship and driving inclusive green industrial growth within the Green Industrial and Special Economic Zone (GISEZ) by Diacente Group. The zone will also connect Uganda directly to a continental market of over 1.3 billion consumers, positioning the park as a regional export hub for value-added goods such as processed foods, refined minerals, green construction materials, and clean-energy technologies.

The project directly supports Uganda’s Vision 2040, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). GISEZ has already been designated a national flagship under Uganda’s Karamoja Regional Development Plan (2025–2035). With over one million jobs projected and up to $10 billion in annual export potential, the initiative creates new pathways for investment, industrial scale, and economic resilience, all powered by a fully tokenized system of ownership, settlement, and trade.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact:

Global Settlement: press@globalsettlement.com
Diacente Group: press@diacente.com

About Global Settlement Network

Global Settlement pioneers blockchain infrastructure that powers secure, compliant, and interoperable digital asset ecosystems. Its proprietary GSX Protocol enables the seamless tokenization and management of real-world assets, bridging traditional and decentralized finance. For more information, visit globalsettlement.com.

About Diacente Group

Diacente Group is a Ugandan company developing green industrial ecosystems and strategic management of industrial assets to drive socio-economic transformation in Africa. Through the Karamoja Green Industrial & Special Economic Zone, Diacente drives inclusive growth, infrastructure modernization, and industrial transformation aligned with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). To learn more, visit diacentegroup.com.

Media Contact

Athraa Bheekoo
athraa@lunapr.io

Unipesa, a leading African fintech firm, and Mobipay Botswana, a fast-growing payment solutions provider, today announced a strategic partnership to expand cross-border payments and boost financial inclusion in Botswana. Backed by early shareholder Velex Investments, the deal combines Unipesa’s scalable fintech infrastructure with Mobipay’s local expertise to deliver secure and affordable digital financial services.

Southern Africa remains one of the most expensive regions for international money transfers. High remittance fees and fragmented payment channels hinder the provision of affordable financial services to individuals and small businesses.

By linking Unipesa’s pan-African technology platform with MobiPay Botswana’s on-the-ground networks, the two companies aim to unlock cross-border payment efficiency by reducing transaction costs, accelerating transfers, and opening digital channels for merchants, mobile money users, and unbanked communities. This approach aligns with the growth of digital payments in Africa and reflects a maturing African fintech ecosystem.

Under the agreement, Unipesa provides the technology platform and regulatory expertise. MobiPay Botswana brings local market knowledge and distribution. Together, they will introduce remittance solutions, merchant payments, mobile money services, and digital wallets to deliver seamless transactions and more affordable payment systems for individuals, SMEs, and larger enterprises. The MobiPay collaboration represents investor-backed African fintech growth and a strategic alliance for digital transformation.

“This partnership is about more than just payments. It’s about empowering communities with real financial access,” said Pavel Laptev, chief product officer of Unipesa. “By combining Unipesa’s regional technology platform with Mobipay’s local networks, we’re creating a bridge for individuals and businesses to move money securely and efficiently across borders.”

“Botswana is ready for the next leap in digital payments, and partnering with Unipesa allows us to accelerate that transition,” added Benjamin Molotsi, founder of MobiPay Botswana. “Our mission has always been to provide reliable, accessible, and affordable payment solutions. This partnership strengthens that mission.”

Velex’s involvement signals rising investor confidence in African fintech and reflects Unipesa’s fintech growth strategy, as well as the impact of shareholder support and growth capital on the fintech sector. As an early shareholder, Velex Investments has helped drive Unipesa’s pan-African expansion by backing the company due to its strong fundamentals, including scalability, regulatory resilience, and its ability to provide real financial access across borders. The MobiPay partnership builds on this foundation and is viewed as the type of market-led innovation that reinforces Unipesa’s fintech leadership on the continent. 

This new alliance positions Botswana as a hub for investment in digital infrastructure, advancing the broader objective of driving financial inclusion in Botswana and beyond, and empowering communities through digital finance. For investors following early-stage fintech investments and innovation, the announcement signals continued momentum for emerging market investments and the strengthening of Africa’s fintech infrastructure.

The partnership between Unipesa and MobiPay Botswana also demonstrates how market-led innovation can bring new products to market quickly and extend financial access to underserved segments. By offering merchant payments, mobile money services, digital wallets, and secure remittance solutions, the two companies cater to a growing demand for simpler, cost-effective cross-border options.

The move supports Unipesa’s ongoing efforts to deliver affordable payment systems at scale and reinforces its role as a regional leader in building practical digital finance solutions.

About Unipesa

Unipesa is a pan-African fintech company providing secure, affordable, and scalable payment solutions. Its platform enables merchant payments, remittance solutions, mobile money services, and digital wallets, supporting individuals and businesses across Africa with seamless transactions. For more information, visit unipesa.com.

About MobiPay Botswana

MobiPay Botswana is a leading payment solutions provider committed to delivering fast, secure, and accessible digital payment services for individuals, SMEs, and large enterprises in Botswana. The company focuses on expanding mobile money, remittance, and merchant payment options to improve financial inclusion. For more information, visit mobipay.co.bw.

About Velex Investments

Velex Investments is a global investment firm specializing in early-stage fintech investment and growth capital in fintech across emerging market investments. With a focus on investing in digital infrastructure, Velex supports companies with scalable fintech solutions that address systemic inefficiencies and drive investor-backed growth in African fintech. For more information, visit www.velexinvestments.com.

Media Contact

Unipesa

Phone: +971 58 683 2480
Email: info@unipesa.com

MobiPay Botswana

Phone: +26772309671

Philip Farr, Vanguard Properties' top buyer’s agent, today announced the upcoming launch of a new luxury real estate brand focused on delivering data-driven, bespoke service to discerning clients in San Francisco's most exclusive neighborhoods. Farr was recently named the No. 1 Top Buyer’s Agent at Vanguard Properties, a recognition based on gross sales volume data from the San Francisco Association of Realtors® (SFAR) Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for 2024.

This achievement marks a rapid ascent in one of the nation’s most competitive real estate markets. "Success in real estate usually takes years. To reach this level in just two years feels extraordinary," says Farr. "I’m creating a model where luxury real estate feels more like haute couture than a standard transaction."

A Rapid Rise in San Francisco’s Luxury Real Estate Market

Farr has built a reputation for thoughtful, data-informed representation in elite neighborhoods like Pacific Heights, Cow Hollow, Presidio Heights, and the Marina. With his combination of precision, vision, and local expertise, he has helped high-profile clients discover homes that align with both their aspirations and lifestyles. His recent accolades include the LuxeSF Rising Star Award (2024) and Top Producer status at Vanguard Properties.

Merging Business Acumen with Luxury Representation

Raised in the Bay Area and a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Farr began his career at Deloitte before negotiating more than $200 million in contracts as a Silicon Valley startup executive. That experience now informs his approach to luxury home buying in San Francisco: strategic, client-first, and deeply analytical.

A record-breaking collegiate swimmer, Farr credits competitive athletics with building the discipline and resilience that power his results.

What’s Next: Launching a New Luxury Real Estate Brand in 2025

In late 2025, Farr will unveil a new brand that combines data-driven insights with bespoke client service, reimagining what it means to work with a luxury real estate agent in San Francisco. This initiative is more than a personal milestone, it aims to set a new industry benchmark for how high-end real estate is practiced.

About Vanguard Properties

Vanguard Properties is one of the Bay Area’s top residential real estate brokerages, known for innovative marketing and market-leading results. The firm consistently ranks among San Francisco's elite agencies.

About Philip Farr

Raised in the Bay Area, Philip Farr is a San Francisco luxury real estate advisor and the principal of Philip Farr Properties. He partners with founders, executives, and other professionals seeking exceptional homes across the Marina, Cow Hollow, Pacific Heights, Marin, and other exclusive markets. A lifelong local, Philip blends nuanced neighborhood insight and architecture fluency with sharp analytics to navigate complex transactions with precision and discretion. From historic estates to modern ocean-view residences, he treats every search and sale as a bespoke engagement. Philip anticipates needs, simplifies decisions, and advocates relentlessly, so clients move confidently into homes that reflect their ambitions and lifestyles.

Media Contact

Anne-Alexis Moody
Head of Operations
anne@philipfarrproperties.com
+1 424-440-3020

Lucra, the leading social competition platform, today announced a partnership with Crush Yard, a unique entertainment concept that combines premier pickleball with elevated dining and social experiences. Through Lucra's white-label Web SDK integration, Crush Yard guests can now participate in real-money open-play tournaments and challenge friends to head-to-head matches for cash prizes, transforming casual pickleball games into rewarding, competitive experiences.

This collaboration represents Lucra's continued expansion into location-based entertainment, bringing social competition to America's fastest-growing sport. Crush Yard currently operates locations in Charleston and Orlando, with new venues opening soon, including Nashville. The partnership will expand across this growing network of premium pickleball destinations.

Crush Yard has redefined the pickleball experience by combining high-quality courts with full-service dining, craft cocktails, and vibrant social atmospheres. With Lucra's tournament infrastructure seamlessly integrated, guests can now elevate their gameplay through structured competitions that reward skill, participation, and friendly rivalry—all while enjoying Crush Yard's signature hospitality experience.

"Crush Yard has built something special in the fastest-growing sport in America—they've transformed pickleball from recreation into destination entertainment," said Dylan Robbins, CEO of Lucra. "By adding our real-money competition layer, every game becomes more meaningful and every visit more rewarding. This partnership shows how social competition can enhance location-based experiences and give guests new reasons to play, stay, and return."

The integration will allow Crush Yard guests to join open play tournaments with real cash prizes or create private challenges with friends and fellow players. Whether competing in organized tournaments during peak hours or settling friendly disputes through head-to-head matches, players can now add stakes to their games that match the energy and excitement of Crush Yard's atmosphere.

"Lucra's technology perfectly complements our mission to create the ultimate pickleball experience," said David Hack, CEO and Founder of Crush Yard. "Our guests are already competitive and engaged—now they can turn that energy into meaningful rewards while enjoying everything Crush Yard has to offer. The integration feels natural to our environment and adds another layer of excitement to every visit."

For Crush Yard, the partnership provides new opportunities to increase guest engagement and create unique programming that differentiates their venues in the growing pickleball market. The competitive element naturally encourages repeat visits and builds community among regular players while attracting new guests seeking elevated entertainment experiences.

Key features of the integration include:

• Real-money open play tournaments with multiple prize tiers
• Head-to-head challenges between friends and fellow guests
• Manual settlement system ensuring secure, compliant gameplay
• Flexible tournament formats that adapt to venue flow and guest preferences
• Complete risk management and payments infrastructure

The partnership is set to launch later this year at Crush Yard's Charleston and Orlando locations, with Nashville and additional venues incorporating Lucra's competition platform as they open in the coming months. Players can easily sign up and get involved directly through the Crush Yard website when the feature goes live later this year.

About Lucra

Lucra is defining modern loyalty through competitive gameplay, offering hospitality, entertainment, and consumer brands the ability to integrate social competition into their digital platforms; clients like Five Iron Golf, Puttshack, Backyard Sports, Dave & Buster’s, TouchTunes, and more trust Lucra’s white-label technology to power tournaments and challenges, build loyalty, and drive new revenue. Learn more at www.lucrasports.com.

About Crush Yard

Crush Yard offers vibrant, community-focused spaces centered around the fast-growing sport of pickleball. Offering a distinct blend of pickleball courts, premium dining, craft beverages, and social spaces, Crush Yard delivers engaging experiences designed to foster community and connections. Learn more at crushyard.com.

Media Contact

Michael Madding
michael@lucrasports.com

The world is divided into 24 standard time zones, coinciding with the speed of the Earth’s rotation. When accounting for Daylight Saving Time (DST), variations in the standard time zone borders, and local time, the figure increases to 38. Some large countries like China and India even use only one time zone, despite their size dictating having several. [1]

While putting the world under one time zone may seem nice, it poses several problems. Day-night cycles are still a thing, and working at night or sleeping during the day can risk throwing off the body’s circadian rhythm. Also, the concept of “AM” and “PM” would be rendered moot because it’ll only be one time all over the world.

That said, having multiple time zones has its fair share of problems. It can also throw one’s sleep-wake cycle out of sync, as it struggles to adapt to a vastly different time. While often in the form of jet lag, the rise of remote work these past few years has also impacted one’s ability to get quality sleep hygiene.

Once a Niche Topic

Studies on the relationship between remote work and sleep disorders surged following the end of the COVID-19 emergency. Researchers in these studies cited that relevant literature on this area was scarce at best before the pandemic.

In 2023, researchers in South Korea studied roughly 5,000 wage workers divided into two groups: remote and office (the latter having five times as many people). They discovered that the remote group was more prone to types of insomnia than the office group. These include having difficulty getting to sleep, staying asleep, and waking up unrested. [2]

In 2024, a sleep study of over 550 remote workers in France revealed that getting frequent work-related calls and emails outside of work hours was a major contributor to insomnia and other sleep problems. It’s also linked to increased work-family conflict, wherein the individual faces conflicting demands from their employer and immediate family. [3]

The main issue is staying in touch beyond a person’s work schedule. Prithwiraj Choudhury, Lumry Family Associate Professor at Harvard Business School, states that remote workers are pressured to shift work schedules toward after-hours. This affects certain people, such as housewives and residents of countries that mandate limiting working hours. [4]

Improving Sleep Quality

These sleep studies above urge employers to create and implement policies that benefit remote employees’ work schedules. However, other experts add that remote workers can take steps on their own, namely, improving sleep quality.

A good start would be to buy a bed frame that suits your space, especially when your old one is making disturbing noises. Consider factors such as the users, size of the mattress and bedroom, available storage space, and maintenance. Spending a bit more on one is a small price to pay for waking up refreshed in a great sleep environment.

A good mattress and set of pillows are just as essential. Apart from matching the size with the bed frame, these items should be ideal for your sleep habits. The market sells at least three kinds of mattresses for enhancing sleep quality.

• Innerspring: A set of metal springs or coils supports the sleeper’s weight. Cavities in between the springs are kept hollow, allowing the mattress to breathe.
• Memory foam: This mattress is filled with memory foam, which is known for returning to its original shape. Experts say this is suitable for people with back pain.
• Hybrid: This mattress combines the best of both worlds, using springs and memory foam in varying proportions (depending on the brand).

In the case of pillows, the market offers far more options. Fillings vary from organic ones like buckwheat to synthetics like memory foam and polyester fiberfill. Aside from sleep routines, the presence of allergies will also be a factor.

Good Bedtime Routines

Sometimes, an erratic work schedule can be unavoidable. Nevertheless, researchers from the Army Medical University in China confirmed the dangers of sleep deprivation to one's immune system and mental health.

In their study of over 88,000 adults wearing accelerometers, they recorded 172 associated diseases following a 6.8-year period. Of these, diseases with a doubled risk are age-related physical debility, gangrene, and liver cirrhosis and fibrosis. Others attributable to sleep deprivation include Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes, and acute kidney failure. [5]

The U.S. National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get between seven and nine hours of nighttime sleep every 24 hours. Sleep experts in Cleveland Clinic also said that, contrary to popular belief, there’s no ideal time to go to bed. However, an individual needs to be consistent with their bedtime to maintain their circadian rhythm. [6]

Sleep consistency also applies to other aspects of daily life like dinnertime. It’s generally advised to avoid consuming food and drink two to three hours before bedtime, as higher insulin resistance in the evening prompts the body to store these calories as fat. However, if you must have something, dietitians say you can’t go wrong with fruits and vegetables.

Blue light from electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets is known to negatively impact sleep cycles by stemming melatonin levels. Setting the devices to dim their screens when not in use can help prevent this. Also, it’s advisable to refrain from using devices an hour before going to sleep.

Conclusion

The advent of remote work has been a boon to the post-pandemic world, but it also comes with its share of problems. Remote workers struggle to adapt their circadian rhythms to night shifts and other non-ideal shift work times, leading to immune health and mental health disorders. A proper sleep sanctuary will become more important moving forward.

References

1. Timeanddate.com. “How Many Time Zones Are There?” 2019. Available from: https://www.timeanddate.com/time/current-number-time-zones.html
2. Lee L, Nam OH, Lee KE, Lee C. “Relationship between insomnia and working from home among Korean domestic workers: Results from the 5th Korean Working Condition Survey.” BMC Public Health. July 17, 2023; 23(1). Available from: https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-023-16268-5
3. Dolce V, Ghislieri C, Molino M, Vayre É. “‘A good night’s sleep!’ How do remote workers juggle work and family during lockdown? Some answers from a French mixed-methods study.” Current Psychology. June 8, 2024; 43(30):24915–29. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-024-06193-0
4. Blanding M. “Global Talent, Local Obstacles: Why Time Zones Matter in Remote Work.” Harvard Business School. 2024. Available from: https://www.library.hbs.edu/working-knowledge/global-talent-local-obstacles-why-time-zones-matter-in-remote-work
5. Wang Y, Wen Q, Luo S, Tang L, Zhan S, Cao J, et al. “Phenome-wide analysis of diseases in relation to objectively measured sleep traits and comparison with subjective sleep traits in 88,461 adults.” Health Data Science. January 2025; 5. Available from: https://spj.science.org/doi/10.34133/hds.0161
6. The Best Time To Go to Sleep [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. 2022. Available from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-time-should-i-go-to-bed

About Ecosa

Founded in 2015, Ecosa is a leading Australian sleep solutions brand dedicated to helping people achieve better sleep through innovative, high-quality products. Known for its award-winning mattresses, pillows, and bedding, Ecosa combines comfort, support, and sustainability across its product range. With operations across Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, the US, and Canada, Ecosa continues to set new standards in sleep technology while championing environmentally responsible practices. For more information, visit www.ecosa.com.au.

Media Contact

Rob Beer
partnerships@ecosa.com

Precoro, the procurement centralization and automation platform, today announced the launch of its AI Assistant, a native AI-powered chatbot that gives finance, procurement, and AP teams instant insights from their purchasing data. 

Instead of digging through dashboards or waiting on analysts, users can now simply ask questions like “Which suppliers are overdue?” or “What did we spend on marketing this quarter?” and receive clear, actionable insights in seconds.

With all procurement data consolidated in one platform, the AI Assistant gives teams a real-time view of spend and supplier performance, making it easier to identify trends, reduce risk, and stay in control.

“We noticed that procurement teams were investing too much time in analyzing data,”  said Andrew Zhyvolovych, CEO of Precoro. “So we built the AI Assistant to give every finance and procurement leader the power to act in real time, without waiting on reports or analysts.”

AI insights at your fingertips

Designed to work out of the box within Precoro, the AI Assistant requires no coding, SQL, or extra setup. It’s available today for all Precoro customers with purchase order or invoice roles.

Users simply open the Assistant from their accounts, apply filters like supplier or period, and type their questions. Common queries include:

• “How much cash outflow should we expect in the next 30 days?”
• “If our current spending trends continue, will we exceed the annual budget?”
• “Where do approvals get stuck most often?”

The AI Assistant delivers clear, reliable answers instantly and lets users go deeper with follow-up questions. All previous queries are saved, making it easy to track trends, refine analysis, and make informed procurement decisions.

Shaping the future of procurement

Innovation is at the core of Precoro. The platform continues to grow, adding capabilities that empower teams to work faster, reduce friction, and gain control over their procurement operations.

“The AI Assistant isn’t the latest step in Precoro’s journey to embed intelligence across procurement operations,”  added Zyvolovych. “Our upcoming innovations will further support businesses in consolidating purchasing data, improving spend control, and optimizing supplier relationships.”

Precoro’s ongoing updates keep procurement efficient, transparent, and fully aligned with business goals.

About Precoro

Precoro is a procurement centralization and automation platform that brings every request, approval, and vendor interaction into one place. By replacing the chaos of emails, scattered ERP modules, and manual processes with a single connected workflow, teams gain full transparency and oversight over purchasing.

Built on over a decade of experience in procurement automation, Precoro’s intuitive interface makes adoption simple for teams of any technical background, while its AI-powered features automate repetitive tasks and reduce errors. The platform adapts to the unique needs of each organization, providing flexibility without sacrificing control.

Today, over 1,000 organizations in more than 80 countries trust Precoro to transform procurement from a scattered, time-consuming process into a unified, efficient, and cost-conscious operation.

To learn more, visit precoro.com.

Media Contact

Maryna Marochko
401986@email4pr.com

QuantLase, under the visionary leadership of Dr. Pramod Kumar, a quantum seeker and principal scientist and director of research at QuantLase Lab based in Abu Dhabi, has been recognized for driving innovation in photonics and quantum intelligence. The UAE-based quantum research hub pioneers photonic intelligence solutions and breakthroughs in AI hardware. Under Dr. Kumar’s leadership, QuantLase has earned global recognition for its innovation in photonics and quantum intelligence, reaffirming the UAE’s position in the global quantum innovation race.

Groundbreaking work

QuantLase Research and Development Centre (QRDC), regarded as the UAE’s trailblazer in photonics and quantum intelligence, leads a team built on a breakthrough photonic AI chip design. The center has received international recognition for its contributions to sustainable, light-based computation. Dr. Kumar’s achievements mark a defining moment for the UAE’s growing role in shaping the future of quantum-enabled industries.

Quantum.Tech Europe 2025

Recent news reveals that Dr. Pramod Kumar’s QuantLase has been named among theQuantum.Tech Europe 2025 Hot 10. The event, taking place Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, 2025, will return with an expanded format at the Postillion Hotel & Convention Centre, WTC Rotterdam. The three-day program will feature enterprise case studies, skills-accelerator masterclasses, and a bustling expo that showcases the complete quantum supply chain across computing, networking, sensing and security.

For Dr. Kumar and his team, the recognition marks both a technological milestone and a deeper commitment to building quantum-ready infrastructure for a sustainable digital economy.

The mission and the recognition

The UAE is well known for its bold investments in advanced technologies, a strategy that has positioned QuantLase at the forefront of the global race for greener AI infrastructure. By focusing on photonic processing that uses light instead of electrons, the team has addressed bottlenecks in conventional chips, such as high energy consumption and heat generation.

Dr. Kumar credits his recognition to his dedicated team, emphasizing that innovation in photonics and quantum intelligence is not only about speed and performance but also about developing sustainable solutions for the future of computation.

Breakthroughs by the lab

Earlier this year, QuantLase Lab announced the successful design of the UAE’s first industrial-grade photonic AI chip, which has now entered fabrication in Europe. The chip, measuring just 5 millimeters by 10 millimeters, is designed to accelerate matrix multiplication — the backbone of AI workloads — using Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs). Unlike conventional GPUs, this architecture processes data at light speed with significantly lower energy loss. The design has already cleared commercial-grade foundry validations, ensuring readiness for industrial-scale adoption.

A strategic global vision

Dr. Pramod Kumar has guided QuantLase with a vision that extends beyond invention and innovation. He has secured regulatory clearances under the EU’s Dual-Use Regulation and the Wassenaar Arrangement, enabling QuantLase to bring its photonic chip design to global markets without delays.

Being named to the Quantum.Tech Europe 2025 Hot 10 further highlights QuantLase’s alignment of innovation, sustainability and compliance. For the UAE, it signals a national leap into sovereign quantum technologies — demonstrating that strategic ownership of architecture and execution can substitute for costly fabrication plants.

Looking ahead, QuantLase Lab plans to explore electro-optic tuning for enhanced adaptability, integrate high-bandwidth materials such as indium phosphide (InP) and build reconfigurable AI modules for dynamic workloads. Its mission is to ensure that quantum intelligence becomes not only a scientific pursuit but a practical tool that enables industries to scale responsibly and efficiently.

With this latest recognition, Dr. Pramod Kumar emphasizes that the team’s journey toward a sustainable, quantum-powered future has only just begun.

About QuantLase Lab

QuantLase Lab has become a pioneering hub for innovation in quantum-enabled photonics and advanced technologies. The team is dedicated to transforming industries through breakthroughs that span healthcare, cybersecurity, quantum imaging, blockchain, sustainability and renewable energy. Harnessing the speed and efficiency of light, the lab develops next-generation solutions such as the Photonic Intelligence Processing Unit (PIPU) — the UAE’s first industrial photonic AI chip — and advanced quantum-secure communication systems. Its research has also driven innovations in quantum imaging, quantum-assisted computing and ultrafast laser applications. For more information, visit www.quantlase.com.

Media Contact

Dr. Pramod Kumar
contact@quantlase.ae

As global interest in gluteal enhancements surges, Turkey has solidified its place as a top destination for butt implant and lift surgery. Estherian Clinic, founded in 2020 by Dr. Cengizhan Ekizceli, now performs hundreds of gluteal procedures yearly under a team of three board-certified surgeons, backed by a 100+ person support network.

According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), buttock augmentation was one of the fastest growing procedures globally in 2022, with over 820,762 procedures reported, marking a 56.8% increase over prior years (source). Meanwhile, the global buttock augmentation market — including implants and injections — was valued at roughly USD 1.83 billion in 2020, projected to expand to USD 11.2 billion by 2030 (CAGR of 21.2%) (source).

Within Turkey, cosmetic procedure statistics highlight strong demand: in 2022, around 470,900 cosmetic surgeries were performed, the highest recent total, and Turkey drew over 1.2 million medical tourists that same year (source). Liposuction (64,600 procedures) and rhinoplasty (56,700) were among the most common operations (source).

The Turkish Advantage: Why Patients Choose Turkey

• High medical quality + lower cost: many Western clinics charge multiples of what Turkish clinics ask.
• Strong aesthetic tourism infrastructure: clinics often provide full service—from airport transfers to translation (source: health score of Türkiye).
• Surgeon experience from high procedure volume: in a high-demand environment, surgeons develop refined technique
• Regulatory oversight and international accreditation in many Turkish clinics bolster patient confidence

Procedure Timeline and Key Steps

Pre-operative (typically 1–2 weeks before surgery):

• Comprehensive medical evaluation and imaging
• Blood tests, pre-operative screening, informed consent
• Smoking, NSAIDs and anticoagulants stopped 24–48 hrs prior

Surgical Phase:

• Anesthesia (general or regional)
• Incision and placement of silicone gluteal implants
• Optional selective liposuction to sculpt the surrounding tissue
• Closure, dressing, intraoperative monitoring

Recovery and Aftercare (Weeks 0–4+):

• Initial bed rest with special cushions
• Pain management, antibiotics, dressing changes
• Gradual return to sitting / movement over 3–4 weeks
• Scheduled follow-ups, hygiene instructions, light physical activity

By Week 3–4, most patients can resume moderate daily activities.

Clinic Profile and Surgeon Credentials

• Dr. Cengizhan Ekizceli — Founder (2020), leads clinical protocols and quality standards
• Dr. Mehmet Yıldıran and Dr. Alirza Jahangirov — Fellow surgeons
• All three are graduates of Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, a top medical school in Turkey
• Each surgeon performs 1–3 gluteal surgeries per day, ensuring deep procedural familiarity
• Backed by 100+ multidisciplinary staff (anesthesia, nursing, patient coordination, rehab) working in sync

Risks, Outcomes and Evidence

Silicone gluteal implant surgery carries risks: wound dehiscence (9.6%), seroma (4.6%), infection (1.9%) and transient sciatic nerve symptoms (1.0%) have been documented in analyses of 2,375 patients (overall complication rate of 21.6%). In contrast, fat grafting (autologous transfer) carries a lower complication rate (9.9%) in larger series.

In a broader review of 52 studies (7,834 patients), gluteal implant augmentation had a 30.5% overall adverse event rate, whereas autologous fat grafting’s rate was 10.5% (source). Despite higher risk, satisfaction rates in both groups are consistently high in published reports.

FAQ — Key Patient ConcernsHow long is the recovery period?

Most patients require 3–4 weeks before returning to normal sitting and light activity.

Are results permanent?

The implant itself is permanent. Fat transfers (in BBL methods) may partially reabsorb; remaining grafted fat can last 5–10 years in many cases.

Any patient experience?

Famous Irish icon Eva Van Rose shares her journey after BBL surgery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48ph3Io9u_c

How is a natural look achieved?

Achieving a natural aesthetic depends on proportional implant size, precise placement, sculpting of adjacent tissues, and the surgeon’s experience — an advantage in a high-volume clinic like Estherian.

What’s the difference between butt implants and BBL?

• BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift): uses fat harvested from other body areas then injected into the buttock
• Butt implant surgery: involves insertion of silicone implants, with optional small liposuction in adjacent zones

Comparison: Butt Implants vs BBL

Method:

• Butt implant: Silicone implant inserted
• BBL (fat transfer): Liposuction and fat injection

Longevity:

• Butt implant: Permanent
• BBL (fat transfer): Partial reabsorption possible

Risk profile:

• Butt implant: Higher complication rate
• BBL (fat transfer): Lower overall, but donor site risks exist

Recovery:

• Butt implant: About three to four weeks
• BBL (fat transfer): Similar or slightly longer

Natural integration:

• Butt implant: Depends on surgical technique
• BBL (fat transfer): Uses native tissue for natural blending

About Estherian Clinic

Founded in 2020 by Dr. Cengizhan Ekizceli, Estherian Clinic is dedicated to enhancing your beauty. We strive to deliver exceptional services throughout your entire treatment journey, from start to finish. For more information, visit estherian.com.

Media Contact

Ferhat Kondakci
pr@estherian.com