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On February 3, the Embassy of Nigeria appointed CAR Inc. CEO Gao Dewu as Designated Representative of the embassy, and specially invited CAR Inc. to become its official designated car rental service provider.

Eager to expand the Nigeria-China business, Jimmy Patrick Ebi, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Nigeria in China, met with Gao in Beijing to discuss the matter. Ebi stressed that with the growth of infrastructure and transport in Nigeria, high-quality used cars from China and professional management will largely contribute to the modernization process of Nigeria's transport industry.

Gao said that the event reflected the Nigerian government’s trust in Chinese automobile circulation system, and his company will contribute to China-Nigeria economic and trade cooperation. He noted that in the future, CAR Inc. looks forward to taking Nigeria as an important fulcrum to promote Chinese used cars from scale-based export to quality-based and service-based export.

Since China initiated the pilot program for used car exports in 2019, such business has shown strong growth momentum. Luo Lei, vice-president of the China Automobile Dealers Association (CADA), noted that China’s used car exports are currently in a golden period due to policy dividends and market explosion.

"With over 400 million vehicles in the automotive fleet, a mature supply chain system, and cost-effective model options, China's used-car exports have a solid foundation," Luo said. "Meanwhile, China’s used car exports also need to forge a collaborative development framework guided by the government, driven by enterprises, and empowered by industrial associations. By implementing standardized and internationalized service systems, overseas market barriers can be overcome, forming a more competitive global used-car circulation network," he said.

The Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security, and the General Administration of Customs jointly issued a notice on Nov. 14, 2025 that strengthened the management of used-car exports, which the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) said is of strategic significance in the internationalization of China’s automobile industry.

According to automobile export data that CAAM release in 2025, China’s internationalization of automobiles has achieved remarkable results worldwide, with Chinese enterprises placing growing emphasis on overseas market expansion. It shows that China’s automobile exports reached a record high of 7.098 million units in 2025, marking a 21.1% year-on-year hike.

CAR Inc. noted that as China’s used car export scale continued to expand, building a sound service guarantee system overseas has become a decisive factor for Chinese enterprises to shift from “going global” to “taking root.”

Gao said that 2025 was an important node for CAR Inc. in bolstering used-car exports, with its annual export volume reaching 3,100 units. He stressed that in the increasingly competitive global used-car market, CAR Inc. not only exported high-quality second-hand cars to targeting nations, but also introduced mature testing standards, sales service systems, and after-sales experience to the local areas, forming a complete service chain covering vehicle preparation, quality inspection, cross-border logistics, destination delivery and after-sales support.

"At present, among the more than 20 countries and regions covered by CAR Inc.’s businesses, Nigeria is not only one of the largest export destinations, but also regarded as the most potential core market in the future," Gao said. "The long-term local demand in Nigeria for cost-effective, reliable, and durable models is highly consistent with the advantages of Chinese used cars in product structure, service life, and supply scale. The dual recognition of CAR Inc. by the Nigerian Embassy in China not only reflects the high affirmation of its comprehensive strength, but also showed the positive attitude of the Nigerian government towards China’s mature automobile circulation and travel service system," Gao said.

With the continued growth of China-Nigeria cooperation, Gao affirmed CAR Inc. will continue to play a leading role in widening businesses in Nigeria and the broader African market, providing a replicable sample for the globalization of China’s used-car industry.

Media Contact

Fei‌ Zhao
ff.zhao02@zuche.com

Laptop Outlet, one of the U.K.’s leading tech retailers, is proud to announce its achievement of R2 Certification, placing the company among a select group of U.K. refurbishers that meet the highest global standards for quality, safety, and responsible reuse of electronic devices.

The R2 Standard, widely recognised as the world’s leading certification for responsible electronics refurbishment, confirms that Laptop Outlet meets strict requirements across product testing, data security, environmental management, worker safety and quality assurance.

This certification strengthens the company’s existing portfolio of internationally recognised accreditations, including ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 27001, ISO 45001, and Cyber Essentials Plus.

“Our commitment has always been to offer high-quality technology that people can trust,” said a spokesperson for Laptop Outlet. “Achieving R2 Certification reinforces our promise to deliver refurbished devices that perform like new while supporting a more sustainable future.”

Under the R2 framework, all refurbished products at Laptop Outlet follow a rigorous process that includes:

• Professional Refurbishment: Expert inspection, full diagnostic testing, and repairs to ensure reliable, high-performing devices. 
• 1-Year Warranty as Standard: Every refurbished item includes a full one-year warranty for added peace of mind. 
• Certified Data Sanitisation: Industry-grade data erasure guarantees that all previous data is securely removed. 
• Strict Quality Grading: Clear and honest grading (New Open Box, Manufacturer Certified-Excellent, Excellent, Very Good, Good) ensures shoppers know exactly what they are purchasing. 
• Eco-Friendly, Budget-Smart Value: High-quality devices at lower prices, helping customers save money while reducing e-waste. 

For customers, R2 Certification offers greater confidence in every purchase, from the reliability of the device, to the security of their data, to the sustainability of their choice. Whether buying for home, study or business, shoppers can trust that each refurbished laptop or PC meets some of the most rigorous standards in the industry.

About Laptop Outlet

Founded in 2010, Laptop Outlet is a leading U.K. retailer specialising in laptops, PCs, monitors, tech accessories, and professionally refurbished devices. With a focus on quality, value, and innovation, Laptop Outlet serves consumers, students, businesses, and public-sector organisations across the U.K. For more information, visit www.laptopoutlet.co.uk.

Media Contact

Isabell Seiferling
isabell@fivetech.co.uk

The Westlands Water District Board of Directors voted unanimously on Dec. 16, 2025 to certify the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) and approve the Valley Clean Infrastructure Plan (VCIP). There were no lawsuits filed during the 30-day Statute of Limitations period for legal challenges, which means the certification of the PEIR is final and can no longer be challenged. This approval clears the way for VCIP project implementation.

VCIP is a master-planned renewable energy initiative that integrates solar generation, energy storage, and high-voltage transmission infrastructure into a coordinated, cost-effective development strategy. At full buildout, VCIP is expected to deliver up to 21,000 megawatts (MW) of solar generation and 21,000 MW of energy storage, supported by a new 500-kilovolt transmission system that connects clean energy directly to California’s grid. Upon completion, VCIP is projected to supply approximately one-sixth of California’s electricity needs by 2035.

VCIP has been strategically sited to utilize up to 136,000 acres of impaired or fallowed agricultural land in areas increasingly affected by reduced surface water supplies, groundwater depletion, and regulatory requirements under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).

“VCIP demonstrates how clean energy development can be done thoughtfully and at scale,” said Erica Brand, decarbonization strategy lead of The Nature Conservancy. “Siting solar and transmission infrastructure on fallowed ag land while accounting for local habitat and environmental considerations is a responsible approach that delivers climate, water, and economic benefits. California should prioritize projects like this to ensure we meet our climate targets on time.”

Certification of the PEIR positions Golden State Clean Energy, the master planner for VCIP, to proceed with the next development phase for VCIP, including design and engineering activities. Potential construction could begin as early as 2028, with initial project energization beginning in 2030.

“This milestone reflects years of careful planning and collaboration,” said Bob Dowds, CEO of Golden State Clean Energy. “Certification of the PEIR confirms that VCIP can move forward in an environmentally responsible way while delivering reliable, affordable clean energy. This project strengthens California’s energy resilience, reduces reliance on natural gas, and is an important step towards converting fallowed land to productive uses at a time when water scarcity is reshaping agricultural opportunity across the Valley. VCIP isn’t just about renewable energy development, it’s a strategic plan for water management, economic development and regional sustainability.”

Overall, labor leaders estimate VCIP will generate approximately 10,000 jobs over the life of the project, with roughly 80 percent filled by local workers. Additionally, the project will provide training programs, local tax revenues, and community benefits.

“VCIP represents exactly the kind of investment California needs,” said Bob Dean, business manager of IBEW Local 1245. “This project will create thousands of skilled construction and energy jobs, the majority filled locally, while helping California meet its clean energy goals. We appreciate the Westlands Water District and Golden State Clean Energy’s commitment to labor and to building long-term economic opportunity in the Valley.”

By integrating transmission planning from the outset, VCIP will streamline the development process. The master-planned approach reduces risk, and spreads transmission investments across a large-scale, integrated approach, making projects economically viable. VCIP will support water efficiency in the Valley, allow agriculture jobs to be retained, provide new construction jobs, generate significant tax revenue, and support California’s clean energy transition in a timely manner. When constructed, VCIP will provide much-needed new transmission infrastructure centrally within the state, enabling flexible and efficient distribution of electricity across California's grid. As a result, VCIP is projected to save California ratepayers approximately $850 million annually by delivering lower-cost in-state solar energy and displacing more expensive natural gas generation, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions (according to a study by consulting firm 1898 & Co.). These savings are estimated to exceed $9 billion by 2050, with benefits continuing to grow beyond that timeframe.

“VCIP shows how a strategic master-planned approach can deliver cleaner energy, good jobs, sustainable land use, and lower costs at the same time,” Dowds added. “It’s a model for how California can meet its climate goals while supporting local communities and strengthening the state’s economy.”

More information on the PEIR is available at: wwd.ca.gov/news-and-reports/environmental-docs/

More information on the 1898 & Co. report is available at: www.goldenstatecleanenergy.com/company-news/valley-clean-infrastructure-plan-cut-emission-save-billions

About Golden State Clean Energy

Golden State Clean Energy (GSCE) is a California-based renewable energy developer delivering grid-scale solutions that meet the state’s ambitious climate and reliability goals. GSCE is quickly becoming the leading infrastructure developer based in California, specializing in innovative master-planned projects for renewable energy, electric transmission, clean energy sources, storage and water. GSCE’s leadership team was the founding developer of the 2,700 MW Westlands Solar Park, one of the largest solar projects in the United States, known for its innovative private transmission infrastructure. GSCE is committed to building investable, accelerated, and integrated clean energy projects across California’s evolving power landscape. For more information, visit www.goldenstatecleanenergy.com.

Media Contact

Alison MacLeod
amacleod@ka-pow.com

Michele Kline, founder of Kline Hospitality Consulting and a leadership performance coach working across corporate and youth sports sectors, has announced the launch of "STRETCH: The Truth About the Excuses That Keep You Small," a book and performance framework designed to address one of the most overlooked barriers to leadership and personal growth: fear disguised as logic. The book is designed to be a highly relatable, practical read that meets leaders in the real moments where fear most often shows up.

Developed through years of coaching leaders, teams, and young athletes, STRETCH challenges the belief that people are stuck because they lack motivation or discipline. Instead, the framework reveals how fear often presents itself as reasonable excuses such as “now isn’t the right time,” “I need to be more prepared,” or “this just isn’t realistic.” Over time, these patterns become automatic, shaping decision-making, communication, leadership behavior — quietly limiting growth. 

“At a time when burnout has become normalized and leaders are being asked to do more with less, awareness alone is not enough,” said Kline. “STRETCH focuses on the moment fear shows up and gives readers clear, relatable language and practical tools they can use immediately — without waiting for confidence or certainty to arrive.”

Unlike traditional leadership development models that rely heavily on insight and information, STRETCH is built on applied neuroscience, human performance principles, and real-world leadership communication strategies. The book is intentionally written to be direct, relatable, and easy to apply in real-life leadership moments.

Alongside the adult release, Kline has expanded the work through STRETCH Junior, a youth-focused adaptation created for young athletes and high-achieving kids ages 11 to 17. The program introduces emotional awareness, resilience, and self-trust early, using age-appropriate language and experiential tools. When parents and children engage with the material together, it creates shared language that strengthens connection and communication across generations — an increasingly rare advantage in high-pressure environments.

STRETCH builds on Kline’s broader body of work, including the 360° IMPACT Method, which has guided leadership, communication, and mindset programs across hospitality, sports, corporate, and education sectors. In 2025 alone, Kline coached more than 260 professionals and worked with over 70 youth and student athletes, supporting sustainable performance without burnout.

Kline is also the author of 360° IMPACT: A Guide to Live, Lead, and Serve in a More Colorful World and the creator of the 360° IMPACT Podcast. Her work has been featured in leading industry publications, and she has delivered keynote presentations for organizations including the Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association and academic institutions such as the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Looking ahead, Kline plans to scale STRETCH and STRETCH Junior through coaching, workshops, and cohort-based programs, while continuing work on her upcoming book, METHOD: Disruption with Direction, which challenges traditional leadership development models and focuses on making growth stick beyond the training room.

“Growth is not about doing more or pushing harder,” said Kline. “It starts with naming the truth about what is holding us back and choosing to move forward anyway.”

About Kline Hospitality Consulting

Founded in 2010, Kline Hospitality Consulting LLC is a leadership and performance consulting firm dedicated to helping individuals and organizations grow with clarity, connection, and purpose. Through coaching, leadership training, strategic facilitation, and the 360° IMPACT Method, the firm supports sustainable behavior change that integrates performance, wellbeing, and culture. The firm’s work integrates applied neuroscience, communication strategy, and human performance principles. Kline Hospitality Consulting works across all industries, helping leaders strengthen communication, elevate culture, and create results that last. For more information, visit www.klinehospitality.com.

Media Contact

Michele Kline
info@klinehospitality.com

Oberheiden P.C. is pleased to announce that the firm is now accepting anti-money laundering and Bank Secrecy Act (AML/BSA) whistleblower cases nationwide. Multiple federal agencies work with AML/BSA whistleblowers, and whistleblowers who come forward through the appropriate channels are entitled to financial rewards if their cases lead to successful enforcement actions.

The Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) and the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) prohibit financial institutions, businesses, and individuals from facilitating or conducting a wide range of illicit financial transactions. This includes not only transactions conducted specifically to conceal the source of funds derived from illegal conduct, but transactions that involve sanctions violations and other statutory and regulatory violations as well.

Banks in particular play a central role in preserving the integrity of the U.S. financial systems and markets, and they have extensive compliance obligations under the AMLA and BSA. These include obligations to maintain AML programs, detect suspicious transactions, file currency transaction reports (CTRs), and file suspicious activity reports (SARs), among many others.

While multiple government agencies have oversight of banks’ and other parties’ AML/BSA obligations, these agencies all rely heavily on whistleblowers to come forward. These agencies include the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), among others.

“AML/BSA violations can not only compromise the integrity of the U.S. financial systems and markets, but they can also compromise national security,” says Oberheiden P.C.’s founding attorney, Nick Oberheiden, PhD. “As a result, the DOJ and other federal authorities take these violations very seriously.”

“However,” he continues, “these authorities often have no means of detecting AML violations and BSA violations on their own. This means that they rely heavily on whistleblowers to voluntarily provide information about violations that warrant civil or criminal enforcement action.”

Dr. Oberheiden explains that prospective whistleblowers who have independent knowledge of AML violations and BSA violations have various options for coming forward. “While one option is to file a claim under the federal AML Whistleblower Program, the DOJ, CFTC, SEC, and FinCEN all accept AML/BSA whistleblower claims under their whistleblower programs as well. Our attorneys can help prospective whistleblowers make informed decisions about whether to come forward; and, if they decide to come forward, our attorneys can help them do so through the most appropriate means.”

Oberheiden P.C. has extensive experience representing federal whistleblowers in AML/BSA cases as well as cases involving violations of a broad range of other federal statutes. According to Dr. Oberheiden, “Along with cases under the AMLA and BSA whistleblower provisions, our attorneys also handle whistleblower cases under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), Commodity Exchange Act (CEA), Dodd-Frank Act (Dodd-Frank), False Claims Act (FCA), and numerous other federal statutes. As a result, we are intimately familiar with the federal whistleblower process, and by accepting AML/BSA cases nationwide, we hope to be able to help more individuals report violations and secure financial awards for their efforts.”

While monetary awards are available in many cases, Dr. Oberheiden emphasizes that this is not the only reason for prospective AML/BSA whistleblowers to consider coming forward. “Individuals who file BSA and AML whistleblower complaints are entitled to strict confidentiality, and taking retaliatory adverse employment action against whistleblowers is strictly prohibited. If a financial institution or any other business terminates a whistleblower’s employment or retaliates in any other manner, the whistleblower is entitled to compensatory damages and other appropriate remedies under federal law.”

Dr. Oberheiden continues, “Our experienced attorneys work alongside the government to protect whistleblowers’ identities, and our attorneys rely on their experience to help the government build strong cases for both civil penalties and criminal penalties in federal court. When financial institutions and other parties are held accountable for violating the law, they are much less likely to do so again in the future.”

Oberheiden P.C.’s attorneys are available now to speak with prospective AML/BSA whistleblowers nationwide. The firm serves as legal counsel for eligible whistleblowers at no out-of-pocket cost. Individuals who believe they may have information about BSA violations, anti-money laundering (AML) violations, or violations of federal sanctions laws are encouraged to contact the firm for a free and confidential consultation.

About Oberheiden P.C.

Oberheiden P.C. is a nationally practicing law firm with a focus on white-collar, national security, company audits, and federal litigation cases. Clients from 48 states have hired our team of former Justice Department prosecutors, former federal agents, and veteran litigation attorneys to protect their reputation, financial safety, and freedom. For more information, visit federal-lawyer.com.

Disclaimer

Oberheiden, P.C., is a whistleblower law firm headquartered in Dallas, TX, with a nationwide network of senior attorneys and consultants. The firm’s whistleblower lawyers are available to assist clients with exposing AML/BSA violations throughout the United States.

Media Contact

Nick Oberheiden
Founding Attorney, Oberheiden P.C.
nick@federal-lawyer.com
+1 888-680-1745

Istanbul-based hair clinic, Hair Center of Turkey, announced the opening of a new patient support office in the Netherlands to strengthen services for European patients seeking hair transplant in Turkey. The new office is designed to support patients before and after their procedures in Istanbul, while all medical treatments will continue to be performed at the clinic’s headquarters in Istanbul.

The Netherlands office will serve as a coordination and support hub for European patients, assisting with consultation inquiries, treatment planning, travel coordination, scheduling, and post-procedure guidance. By providing local, time-zone-aligned support, the clinic aims to streamline communication and improve continuity of care throughout the treatment journey.

What the Expansion Signals for European Patients

The launch of the Netherlands office reflects a broader trend in medical tourism, as providers establish regional support hubs in key European markets. These offices focus on patient communication, planning, and follow-up, while clinical procedures remain centralized at specialized treatment facilities in Istanbul.

For European patients, the Netherlands office is intended to provide a clearer and more structured experience throughout the process. Patients can access information about treatment timelines, preparation requirements, and post-procedure expectations before traveling. The office also assists with gathering preliminary photos and basic medical information to support an initial clinical review, helping patients align expectations around goals, donor-area considerations, and available treatment approaches.

In addition, the Netherlands team supports travel and scheduling coordination, helping patients organize consultation times, procedure dates, and travel logistics. Post-treatment, the office serves as a point of contact for questions related to healing stages, washing routines, shedding, and regrowth timelines, while relaying medical inquiries to the clinical team in Istanbul when needed.

Why This Matters to International Patients

Medical travel often presents challenges related to planning, timing, and post-treatment support. Patients traveling abroad for procedures must navigate preparation requirements, travel arrangements, and recovery guidance after returning home. The Netherlands office aims to reduce uncertainty by providing consistent support in the patient’s local time zone and facilitating communication with the medical team when clarification is required.

At its Istanbul clinic, Hair Center of Turkey conducts hair transplant procedures under physician supervision, with anesthesiologist-supported sedation. The clinic limits the number of daily procedures and utilizes established techniques such as Sapphire FUE, FUE DHI, and Hybrid methods. Each treatment plan includes customized hairline design and structured graft placement based on individual patient needs.

Integrated service packages include accommodation, transportation, medications, and post-operative follow-up, with the goal of simplifying logistics and supporting continuity of care from treatment through recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does the Netherlands office perform hair transplants?

No. All hair transplant procedures are performed at the clinic’s facilities in Istanbul.

What services does the Netherlands office provide?

Patient coordination, consultation requests, treatment planning communication, travel scheduling support, and post-procedure guidance.

Can patients receive a consultation in the Netherlands?

Patients can request pre-treatment discussions and planning support; doctors make final clinical decisions in Istanbul.

About Hair Center Of Turkey

Hair Center of Turkey is an Istanbul-based hair restoration clinic operating within a fully integrated clinical framework. The clinic limits the number of daily procedures to support individualized treatment planning, direct physician supervision, and focused patient care. All procedures are overseen by licensed doctors and performed with anesthesiologist-supported sedation, using established techniques such as Sapphire FUE, FUE DHI, and Hybrid methods. Treatment protocols include customized hairline design, systematic graft placement, structured recovery planning, and post-operative follow-up, with comprehensive packages that may also include accommodation, transportation, and related services. For more information, visit haircenterofturkey.com.

Media Contact

Murat Sargaskar
murat@haircenterofturkey.com

In the wake of a powerful Super Bowl commercial drawing national attention to the rise of antisemitism among teens, the Jewish Student Union (JSU) and NCSY are stepping forward to spotlight what happens after the cameras turn off: daily, hands-on support for tens of thousands of Jewish teens in more than 515 North American middle and high schools.

The Super Bowl ad, backed by Robert Kraft’s Blue Square Alliance Against Hate, underscored a sobering reality — nearly two-thirds of Jewish teens report experiencing antisemitism. While the message resonated nationwide, JSU and NCSY leaders say the real work begins where the commercial ends: in classrooms, hallways, and student clubs across the country.

“That ad told America what Jewish students are facing,” said Rabbi Micah Greenland, International Director of NCSY. “But our students don’t experience antisemitism in 30-second segments. They experience it on a Tuesday morning between classes. JSU exists to make sure that when that happens, no Jewish student is standing alone.”

JSU operates on public and private school campuses nationwide, providing Jewish students with safe spaces, mentorship, and allies — often serving as the first line of support when antisemitic incidents occur. JSU focuses on “pro-semitism,” being prideful about our Jewish roots and identities, by teaching in engaging ways about Jewish holidays, values, and traditions. What once were concerns about grades, sports, or social pressures have increasingly been replaced by fear of slurs, intimidation, and even swastikas appearing in school hallways.

“We are seeing a dramatic shift in what students are carrying emotionally into school each day,” said Devora Simon, national director of JSU. “JSU clubs are not just extracurricular activities — they are lifelines. They are places where students rebuild confidence, develop pride in their Jewish identity, and find the courage to stand tall in environments that can feel hostile.”

For many students, JSU is the first place where they feel seen and supported.

“After a swastika showed up near my locker, I stopped wearing anything that made me look Jewish,” said Daniel, a high school junior in the Midwest. “JSU gave me the confidence to be myself again. I realized I wasn’t weak for being scared — I just needed support.”

“I used to think I just had to deal with it on my own,” added Sarah, a sophomore at a public high school on the East Coast. “JSU helped me find my voice. Now I’m not just surviving school — I’m leading.”

JSU and NCSY leaders emphasize that awareness campaigns are vital — but they must be paired with real-world action. While national messaging can spark conversations, it is consistent, in-school engagement that creates lasting change.

“Awareness is the first step,” Rabbi Greenland added. “But action is what changes lives. Where the Super Bowl ad ends, JSU begins — and we’re committed to showing up for Jewish students every single day.”

As antisemitism continues to rise nationwide, JSU and NCSY are calling on educators, parents, community leaders, and allies of all backgrounds to recognize the urgency of supporting Jewish students — not just during headline moments, but throughout the school year.

About NCSY

NCSY, a brand of the Orthodox Union (OU), connects with Jewish teens through innovative, cutting-edge social and recreational programs to develop a positive Jewish identity. NCSY inspires Jewish teens and their connection to Israel through informal Jewish education, retreats, and summer programs. NCSY empowers more than 35,000 teens, across six countries, through leadership development and guidance to become passionately committed leaders of the Jewish community and instruments for positive change and renewal. To learn more, visit ncsy.org.

About Jewish Student Union (JSU)

JSU is more than just a high school club. It is the only Jewish club on campus for Jewish teens in public school and, in the current environment, has become a beacon of Jewish pride. JSU provides a welcoming and vibrant Jewish community where teens learn and connect with each other, explore Jewish culture and history, and discover opportunities for deeper engagement. JSU has grown into a national network of over 515 clubs, transforming the high school experience for more than 22,000 students across North America every year. For more information, visit jsu.org.

Media Contact

Warren Cohn
Founder and CEO, RocketshipPR
warren@rocketshippr.com

A six-month study analyzing more than 560 websites across 44 commercial topics found that tools such as ChatGPT and Google’s AI Overviews often recommend different companies than those appearing at the top of conventional Google Search results. The findings suggest that online discovery systems are no longer operating in alignment but are instead developing independently.

The research, presented at Google Summit 2025 and First Page Digital Summit 2025 — events hosted by industry groups including Singapore-based digital marketing company First Page Digital Singapore, who specialize in SEO — compared traditional search rankings with AI-generated responses across 20 industry sectors and four business types. First Page Digital is a full-service digital marketing agency based in Singapore offering search engine optimization and related services. 

According to the study, which examined how artificial intelligence systems surface information online, brands that dominate Google’s traditional search results are frequently absent from AI-generated recommendations.

Limited Overlap Across Platforms

Overall brand overlap, measured using Jaccard similarity, averaged about 0.21 across all topics. Business-to-business categories showed higher overlap at roughly 0.36, while regulated “Your Money or Your Life” (YMYL) sectors such as legal services and early childhood education recorded overlap as low as 0.10.

Ranking agreement was similarly weak. Spearman rank correlation values averaged around 0.26, indicating that even when platforms surfaced the same brands, they often disagreed on their relative importance.

Agreement on the single most visible recommendation was lowest of all. ChatGPT and traditional Google Search matched on the top result roughly 20–25% of the time. Google’s AI Overviews aligned with standard search results in only 8–11% of cases. Across all AI tools analyzed, first-place agreement averaged below 20%.

Business Model Shapes Alignment

The degree of alignment varied significantly by business type. Service-based businesses showed higher cross-platform agreement, averaging just over 30%, while e-commerce categories recorded overlap closer to 18%.

The researchers attributed the difference to how trust and authority are evaluated. Service businesses tend to be assessed through professional credentials, demonstrated expertise and outcome-based signals. E-commerce platforms rely more heavily on comparative product frameworks, third-party reviews and distributed consumer feedback.

AI systems appear to reflect these distinctions, applying different relevance criteria depending on the commercial context.

Citation Behaviour Differs Sharply

The study also examined which sources AI platforms cited when generating responses. Google’s AI Overviews tended to favour brand-owned commercial pages and sources aligned with traditional ranking signals. ChatGPT more frequently cited editorial articles, listicles and aggregator websites, particularly in consumer and lifestyle categories.

Citation rates varied widely by content type. Consumer electronics listicles accounted for roughly 70% of citations across AI platforms. In home services, ChatGPT cited third-party recommendation lists in about two-thirds of cases, while Google AI Overviews cited brand-owned commercial pages at similar rates.

In regulated industries, AI tools relied heavily on institutional and directory sources. Law firms and preschool providers appeared in AI responses primarily when they were listed in recognised professional registries or government databases, regardless of their search ranking performance.

Authority As An Access Requirement

In YMYL sectors, authority functioned less as a ranking factor and more as a gatekeeper. Law firms appeared in AI outputs in about one-third of general AI Overviews and one-quarter of ChatGPT responses. Preschool providers appeared even less frequently.

The findings suggest that absence from official directories can prevent brands from appearing in AI-generated responses altogether, even when content quality and search performance are strong.

Frequency Over Prominence

Researchers also identified a small number of websites that appeared repeatedly across AI-generated responses, regardless of their position in traditional search results. These included large editorial publishers, comparison platforms, professional ranking organisations and government or regulatory sites.

Examples cited in the research included technology review outlets, legal ranking bodies, government registries and regional news publications.

The pattern suggests that frequency of appearance across multiple contexts increases the likelihood of AI citation. Each reference reinforces the next, creating what researchers described as a compounding effect.

A Structural Shift In Discovery

Unlike traditional search algorithms, AI systems do not evaluate originality or innovation in a qualitative sense. Instead, they generate responses based on statistical likelihood, favouring entities that appear consistently across multiple independent sources using familiar language.

Brands positioned near the conceptual centre of a topic — those described using standard industry terminology and corroborated by overlapping sources — were more likely to be recommended. Distinctive positioning or novel language, when unsupported by third-party references, reduced visibility.

Fragmentation Replaces Convergence

The research concludes that AI-driven discovery systems are no longer reinforcing traditional search performance. Instead, they apply separate relevance frameworks shaped by platform design, industry context and citation availability.

As AI tools become more prominent entry points for information discovery, researchers say visibility will increasingly depend on consistent representation across trusted third-party sources rather than ranking position alone.

The findings point to a broader fragmentation of online discovery, with implications for how companies, publishers and institutions measure visibility in an AI-mediated environment.

About First Page

First Page Digital is a performance-driven SEO agency based in Singapore, committed to helping businesses increase their search visibility and achieve measurable growth. By combining technical expertise, creative content strategies, and transparent reporting, the agency empowers clients to succeed in an increasingly competitive digital marketplace. For more information, visit www.firstpagedigital.sg.

Media Contact

Eugen Kim
info@firstpagedigital.sg

Akurateco, a cutting-edge white-label payment software provider, is proud to announce its new integration with Aquanow, a leading digital asset platform. This collaboration empowers Akurateco’s clients to access a broader range of crypto payment options and liquidity services, strengthening their ability to operate seamlessly across both traditional and digital financial ecosystems.

Through the integration, Akurateco’s partners and merchants can now benefit from Aquanow’s institutional-grade crypto liquidity and crypto payment rails, enabling faster, more secure, and compliant digital asset transactions. Aquanow’s infrastructure supports high-volume trading and settlement, ensuring smooth operations for businesses entering or expanding within the crypto space.

“Partnering with Aquanow represents another important milestone in expanding our payment ecosystem,” said Andrew Riabchuk, CTO and co-founder of Akurateco. “We’re committed to giving our clients maximum flexibility and choice. Integrating Aquanow allows us to bridge fiat and crypto payments, empowering merchants to adapt to the evolving financial landscape.”

“This collaboration exemplifies how traditional payment platforms and digital asset infrastructure can converge to deliver more efficient, global settlement capabilities,” said Andrew Rizkalla, global head of Sales at Aquanow. “By integrating with Akurateco, we’re enabling payment providers and merchants to seamlessly access institutional-grade crypto liquidity and settlement — all within a trusted framework.”

Founded in 2019, Akurateco offers a unified payment hub with over 600 connectors worldwide, enabling businesses to optimise their transaction routing, boost conversion rates, and lower processing costs. The partnership with Aquanow further extends Akurateco’s capabilities in the digital asset domain, helping payment service providers, banks, and fintechs leverage cryptocurrency as part of a diversified payment strategy.

The collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to innovation, financial inclusion, and the convergence of traditional and digital finance. Together, Akurateco and Aquanow are paving the way for more connected, secure, and dynamic payment experiences across markets.

About Akurateco

Akurateco is a white-label payment orchestration platform that enables businesses to manage multiple payment providers, acquirers, and payment methods within one unified interface. With over 600 connectors and advanced smart routing, risk management, and analytics tools, Akurateco helps merchants and PSPs optimize payment flows and boost revenue. For more information, visit akurateco.com.

About Aquanow

Aquanow is a leading institutional digital asset infrastructure provider powering crypto financial services in partnership with banks, neobanks, brokerages, payment companies worldwide. Aquanow maintains a global presence with regional teams across North America, Middle East, Europe and Asia. Founded in 2018, the company now facilitates billions of dollars in monthly cryptocurrency brokerage and crypto payment transactions, delivering secure, compliant, and scalable solutions. In 2025, Aquanow was recognized for the third consecutive year on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500. For more information, visit www.aquanow.com.

Disclaimer

The Akurateco partnership is delivered through Aquanow’s Canadian entity, which is registered as a Money Services Business (MSB) with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).

Media Contact

Kateryna Leliukh
Head of PR, Akurateco
kateryna.leliukh@akurateco.com
+380 97 415 8994

Matrixport announced that its Bhutan entity, Matrix Bhutan Pte Ltd, has been granted a Financial Services License (FSL) by the Gelephu Financial Services Office (GFSO).

The license authorizes the company to provide a range of regulated financial services within or from Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), including money services, dealing in investments as matched principal, and custody services. The approval represents a significant milestone following the In-Principle Approval (IPA) received in December 2025 and marks the formal commencement of licensed operations by Matrix Bhutan Pte Ltd for the authorized activities under Bhutan’s regulatory framework.

Looking ahead, Matrixport remains committed to operating in strict accordance with applicable GFSO and GMC regulatory requirements, with compliance, risk management, and strong governance forming the foundation of its institution-grade digital financial services.

About Matrixport

Founded in 2019, Matrixport is a global leading one-stop digital asset financial services platform. Over the years, it has been dedicated to build an easy-to-access ecosystem that integrates digital asset trading, investment, lending, custody, RWA solutions, and in-house research — all in one place. For more information, visit www.matrixport.com.

Media Contact

Ivy Chen
pr@matrixport.com

Owning a dog brings many moments of joy. Everything from a casual walk around the city to escaping the hustle and bustle for a weekend trek through forest trails is better with that wagging tail leading the way. Plenty of owners want to match fashion with pets. To meet this demand, Bravident introduces the Adventure Matching Set, including a professional-grade outdoor jacket for humans and a matching waterproof dog jacket

The latest design from Bravident ensures better pet comfort and dog-walking safety in a matching travel bundle that looks just as good on owners. The Adventure Matching Set ensures owners can take dogs anywhere they go, instead of leaving them looking sad in an SUV or back at the apartment.

Why Matching Pet and Owner Gear Matters

Urban hiking is on the rise as a way to reconnect with nature, improve emotional well-being, and share the outdoors with pets. The modern adventurer wants gear that ensures these moments don’t end in waterlogged fur or increased risk due to pets not being seen by other hikers and vehicles.

Bravident latched onto this resurgence in urban hiking, providing a human-and-dog-matching outfit that perfectly aligns with the company's mission to empower humans and pets to explore safely, sustainably, and stylishly.

“We wanted to bring fashion into the practical world of pet ownership,” says Creative Director of Bravident, Francisco Terra. “Our team got to work on creating professional-grade outdoor gear with urban minimalism so it resonates with pet owners and looks fantastic.”

Pioneering Outdoor Exploration with The Adventure Matching Set

The Bravident Adventure Matching Set, also known as the “Daily Walk Bundle,” is designed to be lightweight for everyday use. It includes both the DriftShell™ Human Outdoor Jacket and the DriftShell Dog Outdoor Jacket Waterproof.

With this engineered solution, pets get the same protection as owners. The matching dog and owner jackets are engineered for use around urban environments when out for coffee or daily walks, but are also strong enough to perform when hiking, camping, or exploring.

The DriftShell Human Outdoor Jacket

First in the Adventure Matching Set is the Human Outdoor Jacket. This is a fashionable covering perfect for those who want to move between fast-paced city life and occasional hikes in more wooded or rural areas with features such as:

• A city to trail outdoor jacket with protective waterproofing up to 15,000 mmH₂O to stay dry in heavy rain, snow, and other winter weather.
• A 10,000 g/m²/24h breathability system that ensures humans remain comfortable on longer pet walks or when traveling to new destinations.
• Sustainable pet apparel that matches Bravident’s commitment to eco-conscious engineering, made with PFC-free fabric
• The use of YKK® fully waterproof zippers and fully taped seams to prevent any water from sneaking in during rain or storms.

Best of all, the high-performance urban dog walking gear features multiple waterproof pockets for dog treats, pet bags, flashlights, phones, charging packs, and other daily essentials.

The DriftShell Dog Outdoor Jacket Waterproof

To ensure all pets receive the same level of engineering and sophisticated design, Bravident created the matching Dog Outdoor Jacket that protects pups without restricting movement around walking, playing, running, or enjoying an afternoon rain shower. Key features include:

• All-weather defense using the matching 15,000 mm H₂O waterproof rating and 10,000 g/m²/24h breathability.
• A lightweight dog outdoor jacket, waterproof option with ergonomic flow and flexible range of motion for hiking and running.
• Enhanced dog hiking jacket visibility using reflective night safety features so everyone will see pets before getting too close.
• PFC-free fabric that ensures Bravident’s sustainability approach extends to pet products, as it does to outdoor gear for dog owners.

Crafting an Integration Design Philosophy

Bravident began searching for a better-quality, matching dog-and-owner jacket system due to the lack of availability in the market. Where many other brands provide satisfactory gear separated by type (one for humans, one for pets), Bravident took a different approach.

The innovation of the Adventure Matching Set lies in creating an integrated system. The system has a coordinated aesthetic, with performance details and features rooted in practical, daily use.

“Our clients prefer high-level design with a practical approach,” continues Terra. “We worked hard not to sacrifice performance elements or lose the fashion sense that empowers the relationship between pet and owner.”

The clean, modern look of the system fits everyday wardrobes, making it a leader in the growing matching dog and owner jacket category.

Where The Adventure Matching Set is Beneficial

Before launching the new Adventure Matching Set, Bravident listened to customer feedback. For starters, consumers sought a more practical and visually engaging solution for daily walks around the city. Something that would add a layer of comfort to those late-night walks after coming home from work.

From that point, the pet apparel company took the design and amplified it with features and protection for extending dog outings into weekend park retreats and nature trail hikes. Now owners can travel with ease, knowing their pets are well protected from unforeseen weather events, thanks to a lightweight design that won’t restrict movement.

Whether extending a morning potty walk to the nearby coffee shop or bringing a pet on a long road trip to family “up north,” the Matching Adventure Set ensures both humans and pets have urban dog walking gear for any occasion.

A Gift-Worthy Price Point

With winter travel and gifting season still well underway, Bravident’s Adventure Matching Set provides an accessible holiday gift for dog lovers. First-time buyers enjoy 10% off orders of $99-plus or 15% off orders of $189 or more. In addition, orders over $100 receive free shipping.

As more and more dog owners start looking at excursions beyond the nearby dog park, Bravident’s Matching Adventure Set ensures complete versatility during rain, wind, snow, and other storms. Those looking to take advantage of the advanced walking system that redefines fashion and comfort, visit Bravident’s official website to purchase a matching set.

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About Bravident

Bravident is a leading pet and owner lifestyle brand that focuses on premium designs that blend urban functionality with rugged outdoor performance gear. Led by Francisco Terra and founder Zoe, the innovative pet company bases all product lines on the shared bond between humans and animals. With a timeless style that elevates pet aesthetics and materials supporting a more sustainable future, Bravident embodies the idea of shared exploration. For more information, visit www.bravidentus.com.

Media Contact

Zoe Wang
bravidentofficial@gmail.com

Inventor and systems theorist Vatsal Soin has filed a patent application for his 0→1 Doctrine, a universal, quantum‑resilient coordination framework designed to resolve structural waste and privacy risk across AI, AGI, and post‑quantum systems. The invention introduces a delete‑before‑share architecture that converts human and system needs into anonymous numerical bands instead of collectible personal data.

At its core, the 0→1 Doctrine is positioned as a new digital lingua franca built to end what Soin describes as the “global era of guesses.” It converts humanity’s needs and supply‑system capabilities into bounded alignment bands and enforces human intervention and supremacy whenever mathematics fails to overlap, creating a provable line between where machines may act and where humans must decide.

The Perpetual Delusion the World Calls Normal

For nearly two centuries, the world has operated on averages instead of real human needs. But we refuse to name it correctly as structural mismatch. The Doctrine preserves data privacy through delete‑before‑share — reversing today’s collect‑then‑encrypt paradigm. What never leaves the source cannot be harvested.

“We call it by softer names — ‘returns,’ ‘forecasting challenges,’ ‘supply chain volatility,’ ‘cost of doing business.’ We build entire industries around managing the consequences. We hire consultants to optimize the damage. We construct elaborate financial instruments to distribute the loss,” Soin said. “Every returned product, every empty shelf beside overstocked warehouses, every appointment was scheduled for the wrong specialist. Every asset is sitting idle while demand goes unmet. These are not inevitable costs of commerce. They are mathematical failures portrayed as acceptability.”

That is not a moral argument. It is a mathematical one: if needs and supply are misaligned, waste is guaranteed, such as returns, refunds, rework, excess production, idle capacity, overstocking, understocking, and operational churn. Trillions evaporate annually into this void. Systems don't match, and they call it “good enough.” Then comes the second failure, more insidious than the first: the claim that fixing this requires watching everyone.

Systems track every click. Algorithms record every preference. Sensors monitor every movement. Profiles grow so detailed that they predict behavior before it occurs. The implicit bargain: users surrender privacy, systems deliver efficiency. It was always a convenient myth.

The Digital Lingua Franca

Until now, every field spoke its own language — physics in joules, medicine in enzyme levels, logistics in tonnage, AI in probabilities. These isolated islands could not compare tsunami loads with hospital readiness or energy demand with grid capacity. The 0→1 Doctrine creates a universal number language, enabling products, services, and systems to speak across all domains simultaneously.

From Individuals to Planetary Systems

The 0→1 Doctrine enables alignment across planetary and environmental systems, natural resources and global infrastructure, enterprise and commerce, science and space, human systems and public life, daily use and fit‑critical domains, and robotics and automation.

Here is how it scales from one to billions:

At the micro level, patient urgency [0.74, 0.82] matches specialist availability [0.76, 0.85] — appointment approved without storing medical history or insurance status. Customer size needs [0.72, 0.80] align with product fit range [0.75, 0.85] — order confirmed without retaining body measurements or purchase patterns.

At the meso level, bridge load capacity [0.68, 0.78] coordinates with traffic weight [0.70, 0.76] and flood pressure [0.62, 0.72] — preventing failure without tracking vehicle IDs or routing data. Regional power demand [0.72, 0.82] matches renewable capacity [0.75, 0.85] and storage reserves [0.68, 0.80] — balancing load without exposing consumption patterns or industrial operations.

At the macro level, anticipated grain shortages [0.58, 0.70] match available national reserves [0.62, 0.74] and intercontinental shipping capacity [0.60, 0.72] — triggering coordinated distribution without revealing farm locations, stockpile quantities, or population vulnerabilities. Global semiconductor demand [0.64, 0.74] aligns with rare‑earth refining capacity [0.68, 0.78] and continental logistics networks [0.66, 0.76] — coordinating production across nations without exposing strategic reserves, manufacturing sites, or geopolitical dependencies.

Bidirectional Oversight and Real‑World Validation

The invention enforces strict checks and balances at every step through bidirectional flows, allowing corrections, human overrides, and reversals under cryptographic audit. A library of thousands of normalization parameters handles heterogeneous data across all domains. Both supply‑side capabilities and user‑side requirements are matched through the same framework, ensuring symmetrical validation. 

The Line AI Cannot Cross

Current artificial intelligence systems suffer from a fundamental flaw: they operate on probabilistic “guesses.” As these systems scale toward super intelligence, the risks of these guesses become existential. The Doctrine invents a mechanism in which every autonomous decision must pass through an appropriate execution chain.

Another uncomfortable truth linked to this Doctrine is that automation has limits that must be enforced, not negotiated. Some decisions cannot be safely reduced to computation, such as questions of ethics, culture, medical discretion, dignity, and fairness under scarcity.

“Machines operate in the 0→1 space; humans evaluate what cannot be reduced to numbers,” Soin emphasizes. “The Doctrine does not suggest these should be handled carefully by AI. It states they must not be handled by AI at all.”

A fair and transparent waste estimator makes prevention measurable, not rhetorical: [prevented waste = baseline waste − observed waste]. It mathematically demonstrates how much waste is avoided across sectors, including retail, healthcare, and infrastructure, by matching real needs with available resources through protected numerical signals.

When Biological Calendar Replaces Chronological Age

One sector where precision becomes existential is longevity.

The framework quantifies biological reality, not birthdays. A 60-year-old might function physiologically at 48 or 73. The Doctrine maps this gap through normalized health indices, matching treatments to actual biological state. The result is extended health-span through coordinated diagnostics and interventions measured in recovered functional years, not pharmaceutical promises.

Predictive Intelligence Without Surveillance

The architecture includes pre‑context foresight and post‑context learning layers operating without touching personal data. Early warning systems detect emergent patterns — such as supply shortages, infrastructure stress, and safety anomalies — before requests are made, enabling proactive coordination in air traffic control, emergency systems, and disaster prediction. Post‑completion analysis identifies system‑wide trends in medical outcomes and resource allocation, generating privacy‑safe reports for regulators while preserving the privacy of individual transactions.

Critical Infrastructure for a Post‑Quantum World

The Doctrine is positioned as critical infrastructure for the economies, rather than a narrow retail or logistics upgrade. It processes information locally using statistical normalization and quantum‑safe cryptography. The architecture is compute‑agnostic, operating across classical processors, AI accelerators, neuromorphic chips, and is designed to remain stable as computing moves toward AGI and post‑quantum environments. It is also compatible with digital twins and federated learning systems.

The invention prescribes new axioms, lemmas, theorems, equations, principles, systems, and standards employing spectral graph theory, differential privacy, homomorphic encryption, category theory, and tensor networks — defining limits, enabling privacy, constraining automation, and authorizing execution. QED closes the 0→1 invention with formal mathematical proof.

An Invention That Stops and Asks

“After years spent building 0→1, I did not build it to rule intelligence, but to give humanity a moment to choose. Years of perseverance produced not a command, but an option. It is now for humanity to decide whether to adopt it — or not — and that choice will define the decades to follow,” Soin concludes.

About Vatsal Soin

Vatsal Soin is an Indian-born serial inventor who holds 21 patent filings across six continents with several grants, including the United States, Japan, India, and other jurisdiction. His work spans biometric-fit modeling, AI-driven sizing, modular footwear systems, apparel interoperability using digital twins and global biometric size charts, and cryptographic abstraction for large-scale coordination systems. 

Media Contact

Vatsal Soin
vatsalsoin@gmail.com

8JJ Sports, a leading sports fan engagement startup, today announced the launch of its multilingual digital platform to unite and empower sports fans across South Asia. The ecosystem enables fans to watch, engage, debate, and earn rewards in their local languages.

“Hundreds of millions of sports fans in South Asia have had limited access to local-language content and meaningful engagement opportunities,” said Ivan Dong, co-founder of 8JJ Sports. “We set out to build a dynamic, interactive community where fans don’t just watch, they participate, connect, and get recognized for their passion.”

Bridging the Engagement Gap

Unlike traditional broadcasters, 8JJ Sports offers news, commentary, and live discussions in major South Asian languages such as Hindi, Tamil, and Sinhala and introduces a first-of-its-kind non-cash rewards system. Fans earn points and digital badges for joining real-time conversations, predicting plays, and contributing to the community.

The platform features exclusive partnerships with top South Asian athletes, influencers, and celebrities, fostering a vibrant fan community across 8jjsports.com, 8jjcricket.com, and 8jjgames.com. This creates a blend of content, engagement, and interactive fan experiences.

A New Era for Sports Fandom

Founded by an international team with roots in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Singapore, 8JJ Sports expects to surpass one million registered users in its first month. The launch comes as digital sports engagement surges in the region, with fans seeking more inclusive experiences beyond traditional media.

“As technology transforms how we experience sports, 8JJ Sports is proud to offer South Asia’s most significant sports community where fans actively participate, share opinions, and help shape the future of sports entertainment,” Dong added.

Join the Movement

Fans can join 8JJ Sports on the web and social platforms for highlights, live discussions, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Connect with the community on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.

About 8JJ Sports

8JJ Sports is a next-generation, interactive sports fan engagement platform focused on delivering local-language content, community interaction, and non-gambling rewards to South Asian sports fans. For more information, visit 8jj.com.

Media Contact

Ivan Dong
info@8jjsports.com

StartupMafia, a media platform covering the European start-up industry, has released its editorial list of services that support different segments of the digital economy. The ranking spans payment gateways, blockchain infrastructure, and privacy-focused online services, offering readers a neutral overview of legally operating digital businesses.

StartupMafia’s editors evaluated digital platforms operating across fintech, blockchain, online payments, and privacy-focused services. The goal is to highlight companies that support the digital economy — from payment infrastructure and blockchain protocols to online platforms serving everyday consumer needs.

1. CoinsPaid (Estonia)

An Estonia-licensed crypto payment provider with more than a decade of experience in digital finance. CoinsPaid offers infrastructure for accepting and processing cryptocurrency payments, including stablecoin transactions, and supports businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions. As an international crypto firm, CoinsPaid focuses on enabling companies to scale payment operations in global markets.

2. UChain (UCN)

A high‑performance blockchain ecosystem focused on real‑world utility. UChain uses a Delegated Proof‑of‑Stake consensus mechanism that creates blocks every three seconds and handles over 2,000 transactions per second. Its ecosystem includes multi‑currency wallets, a crypto debit card and liquidity pools to encourage network participation.

3. AnonyIG (Online Service)

AnonyIG is an online Instagram Story Viewer that allows users to watch public Instagram Stories anonymously. The service enables private viewing without logging into an Instagram account and without appearing in the story’s viewer list. AnonyIG positions itself as a privacy-focused tool for users who want to browse public social media content discreetly, supporting everyday digital consumption and content discovery.

Conclusion

As fintech matures and regulation around digital assets evolves, these companies illustrate how fintech, blockchain protocols and online platforms are converging to support a digital economy. StartupMafia plans to continue monitoring and reporting on innovative and trustworthy players in the sector.

About StartupMafia

StartupMafia is a digital publisher focused on emerging companies, technology-driven business models, and the platforms shaping global markets. Through editorial lists, industry analysis, and startup insights, StartupMafia highlights how innovation translates into practical impact for businesses and users worldwide. For more information, visit startupmafia.eu.

Media Contact

StartupMafia.eu Press Department
press@startupmafia.eu

Skywork recently announced the launch of Skywork Desktop, a Windows system client that brings agentic AI workflows to where work actually happens. Built for sustained productivity, it extends intelligent agents beyond browser-based interactions into a persistent workspace, combining local file intelligence, a privacy-first architecture, and an execution environment designed for continuous, real-world use — marking a key step in Skywork’s effort to build what it describes as an “AI version of Office.”

Skywork Desktop highlights its capabilities across three key areas:

• Local file understanding without uploads, allowing agents to work from user-selected folders as a persistent context rather than relying on one-off attachments.
• Privacy-first processing is designed to ensure that workflows and data handling align with requirements.
• A format aligned with knowledge workers’ operational style, supporting repeatable, multi-step tasks instead of isolated, single-session chat interactions.

The launch places Skywork Desktop in the emerging desktop AI agent category alongside established solutions such as Claude Cowork, while emphasizing a Windows-native approach and deeper integration with local work environments. As AI shifts from conversational tools to operational systems, Skywork Desktop is designed for users who require agents that can operate in real-world conditions — across files, tasks, and ongoing projects — rather than in temporary browser sessions.

Introducing Skywork Desktop

Skywork Desktop is building what it describes as an AI version of Office — a system designed to help users turn ideas into professional outputs across multiple formats, including documents, presentations, spreadsheets, and more.

Skywork Desktop expands this ecosystem by introducing a dedicated, Windows-based workspace that extends its capabilities to the desktop. Rather than operating as a browser-only assistant responding to isolated prompts, it is positioned as a persistent AI-powered environment where agents can plan, execute, and adapt within the context of local files and evolving projects. The product is built around multi-step workflows, emphasizing continuity and operational context over one-off queries.

Looking ahead, Skywork said its broader vision is to make agentic AI a practical, always-available “work layer” for knowledge workers — software that not only generates content, but also helps coordinate the steps required to complete fundamental tasks end to end in a work environment. The company plans to continue investing in desktop-first experiences that reduce tool-switching and friction, with a focus on deeper integration into everyday work environments, stronger controls for organizations, and workflow capabilities that can scale from individual productivity to team and enterprise use.

Why Skywork Desktop Changes the Workflow

Many of today’s AI productivity tools remain primarily browser-based — well-suited for quick, single-turn tasks, but often less effective for sustained, file-intensive work. In practice, users can face recurring friction, including repeated uploads, session-to-session context loss, limited ability to work across extensive local file collections, and fragmented multi-step workflows.

Skywork Desktop is positioned as a response to that gap, arguing that real professional work unfolds inside folders, documents, spreadsheets, and layered project structures — not isolated chat windows. By bringing agentic workflows directly onto the Windows desktop, the company said it aims to support continuous productivity and enable users to run parallel tasks for different demands without interrupting active work.

Skywork brings agentic workflows to the Windows desktop and is designed to reduce the gap between thinking and creating:

• Human reasoning remains in focus.
• The system does not replace user judgment; it augments decision-making with structured assistance that understands context across files and tasks.

Local File Intelligence

Skywork Desktop is designed to work with documents stored on a user’s computer without requiring large-scale uploads, and it extends beyond basic filename searches. Skywork Desktop system can:

• Semantically index content, interpreting meaning rather than relying on filenames alone.
• Read and interpret context across documents to support cross-file understanding.
• Map relationships at the project level, connecting materials into a coherent knowledge structure.

As a result, Skywork users can search using natural language, generate summaries grounded in their own materials, and produce structured outputs based on the substance of the documents — not just metadata.

Privacy and Security by Design

Skywork Desktop is built around local processing, with core file understanding performed on the user’s device. Skywork Desktop's primary working files are not uploaded to the cloud, reflecting a “privacy by design” approach.

The company summarized the principle as: “Your data never leaves, security stays with you.”

Architecturally, Skywork described the system as combining local data processing with permission isolation. Operations run inside a locally isolated virtual machine environment, which the company said is intended to reduce risks such as accidental deletion, corruption, or unintended exposure of original files. Skywork added that user access rights and file boundaries are enforced during execution to help contain what the system can access and modify.

Skywork has not announced specific security certifications for Skywork Desktop at this stage, but said the product is designed to minimize the risk of information leakage.

Windows Desktop Client

Skywork Desktop is currently available as a Windows desktop application, designed for day-to-day office work and longer, workflow-driven sessions that benefit from direct access to local environments. macOS support is not yet available.

Skywork said the desktop client also supports dynamic model selection, allowing the system to choose different models depending on the task — optimizing for reasoning quality, multimodal output, or execution speed rather than relying on a single-model setup.

Built-In Professional Skills

Skywork said Skywork Desktop includes a curated library of 100-plus practical skills spanning document generation, web page creation, image production, video workflows, and other day-to-day professional tasks. The company said the system can recommend relevant skills automatically based on the job at hand, while also allowing users to select skills manually for greater control over how workflows run.

In the Desktop Agent Race

Skywork Desktop is positioning itself within the emerging category of AI-agent productivity systems — tools that go beyond single-turn chat to support end-to-end workflows. The space includes products such as Claude Cowork, which have helped define expectations for agent-oriented work environments.

According to Skywork, Skywork Desktop differentiates through native Windows support, multi-model flexibility, and multimodal output, targeting professionals who manage high volumes of information in Windows-based setups. The company says the desktop client is designed to preserve workflow continuity — reducing the need to bounce between fragmented browser sessions and to reload context repeatedly.

Skywork also shared internal benchmarking observations suggesting meaningful time savings in specific workflows. In internal tests, Skywork reported that some tasks were completed in under 10 minutes, compared with around 20 minutes for similar workflows in comparable environments.

Importantly, Skywork emphasized that it is not positioning Skywork Desktop as a replacement for, or a “domestic version” of, any single competing product. Instead, the Skywork framed it as a desktop-first approach built around local intelligence and continuous, project-based execution.

Who Skywork Desktop Is Designed For

Skywork Desktop is designed for Windows-based knowledge workers who spend their day handling information, producing structured outputs, and managing evolving projects across multiple files and formats. Target users include:

• Researchers working with large bodies of reference materials
• Marketers developing content and campaign assets
• Analysts synthesizing data and reports
• Product managers coordinating documentation and planning materials
• Founders overseeing strategic and operational workflows
• Creators producing professional-grade digital outputs

Skywork said the product is particularly relevant for professionals and teams where confidentiality is critical, as well as for users looking to integrate AI into sustained, real-world productivity workflows — not just isolated, one-off tasks.

Pricing

Skywork Desktop is currently available as a Windows-only desktop application. Access is included with a Skywork.ai membership, with pricing at $49.99 per month for the Plus plan and $19.99 per month for the Basic plan. Furthermore, the desktop client in the Skywork ecosystem is unlimited for eligible subscribers.

About Skywork

Skywork describes its mission as building an “AI version of Office” — a work system that helps people turn ideas into professional outcomes across formats, from documents and research to presentations, web experiences, and applications. The company said its long-term goal is to narrow the distance between thinking and creating by making agentic assistance more practical in day-to-day work, while keeping human judgment at the center. With Skywork Desktop, Skywork is extending that direction onto Windows, aiming to bring continuous, project-based AI workflows closer to where modern knowledge work actually happens. For more information, visit skywork.ai.

Media Contact

Lisa Zhou
lisa@skywork.ai

Cata-Kor, a U.S.-based nutraceutical company focused on science-informed longevity formulations for vitality and daily performance, has received independent dietary supplement certification from NSF for its core product, Cata-Kor NMN. The product was evaluated and certified to meet the requirements of NSF/ANSI 173, the American National Standard for dietary supplements, confirming compliance with established standards for manufacturing quality, purity controls, and label accuracy. This achievement supports the company’s science-informed approach to product development in the longevity category.

The milestone follows a comprehensive third-party evaluation process that included independent laboratory testing and quality audits conducted in accordance with NSF/ANSI 173 requirements. Cata-Kor NMN completed all testing and audit phases on Feb. 2, 2026. 

NSF certification operates as a multi-stage quality control framework that extends beyond finished product testing. The process includes audited compliance with accredited cGMP standards, covering raw material qualification, supplier oversight, batch traceability, and quality management systems across the entire manufacturing cycle. In parallel, chemical and microbiological testing is conducted to identify potential contaminants — including heavy metals, pesticides, and residual solvents — and a regulatory review is conducted to ensure alignment with FDA labeling requirements.

“NSF certification is an operational milestone that validates how our quality systems perform under independent scrutiny,” said Roman Miroedov, PhD, product development lead at Cata-Kor. “For partners operating at scale, this level of third-party verification is critical for supply chain resilience. In the longevity category, where compositional integrity and audited manufacturing controls are essential, these safeguards reduce the risk of disruption and support reliable long-term distribution.”

“The NSF certification mark on Cata-Kor’s products signifies that they have undergone a rigorous evaluation against recognized industry standards for safety and quality,” said David Trosin, senior director, nutrition and wellness at NSF. “By pursuing this voluntary certification, Cata-Kor demonstrates commitment to transparency and consumer protection within the growing longevity sector.”

Cata-Kor continues to collaborate with independent research organizations to evaluate product characteristics under controlled conditions. The NSF program focuses explicitly on manufacturing integrity and labeling accuracy, providing a verified foundation for the company’s ongoing development efforts in the longevity sector.

About Cata-Kor

Cata-Kor is a U.S.-based nutraceutical company focused on developing longevity formulations that support cellular health, vitality, and daily performance. Cata-Kor has a manufacturing facility in the United States and conducts all testing domestically, with a focus on transparency, quality, and science-informed development. Cata-Kor’s approach is built around alignment with rigorous regulatory frameworks and independent third-party certification standards to ensure the highest levels of product integrity. Learn more at catakor.com.

About NSF

NSF is an independent, global services organization dedicated to improving human health for more than 80 years by developing public health standards and providing world-class testing, inspection, certification, advisory services, and digital solutions to the food, water, and wellness products industries. NSF has 40,000 clients in 110 countries and is a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center on Food Safety and Water Quality. For more information, visit www.nsf.org.

Disclaimer

This press release is provided for informational purposes only. Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, and statements in this release have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. NSF certification confirms compliance with applicable manufacturing, quality, and labeling standards but does not constitute an endorsement of product efficacy or health outcomes. Individual results may vary. Consumers should consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any dietary supplement regimen, particularly if pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or managing a medical condition.

Media Contact

Roman Miroedov
press@catakor.com

LALAL.AI, the AI-powered stem separation and voice modification platform, has been recognized by MusicRadar among the best 11 stem separation tools on the market, earning the publication’s highest evaluation for vocal removal quality, along with UVR. The recognition coincides with the release of LALAL.AI’s new VST plugin, allowing vocal isolation and soon multi-stem separation directly inside any DAW that supports VST3, and the rollout of its Andromeda separation algorithm, designed to improve vocal clarity and reduce artifacts in heavily mastered mixes.

MusicRadar conducted its evaluation by processing the same set of three mixed songs through eleven selected tools and comparing the results, focusing on vocal isolation performance, tools’ usability, and feature set.

LALAL.AI Achieves 5/5 Score for Vocal Removal Quality 

Among the tools reviewed, LALAL.AI stands out for its balance between separation accuracy and workflow flexibility. What began as a vocal and instrumental splitter has expanded into a multi-stem separation and voice modification platform capable of extracting drums, bass, piano, guitars, synths, strings, and several vocal layers (lead and backing vocals).

Vocal isolation, powered by the new Andromeda algorithm launched in November 2025, remains consistent even in dense, heavily mastered mixes, earning the 5 out 5 score, as per MusicRadar. Andromeda, in comparison with the previous LALAL.AI algorithm, makes sure that lead vocals retain presence without excessive smearing, while backing vocals are separated cleanly enough to be treated independently. Reverb tails, often a weak point in AI separation, are preserved without the metallic artifacts common in earlier systems.

“The quality of results delivered by LALAL.AI is undeniable. Instrument recognition is excellent, especially when it comes to ‘extended’ instruments like guitars and pianos," MusicRadar writes in their ranking. “Extraction quality is consistently good too, although [it] is better for vocals, drums and bass than it is for the ‘extended’ instruments.”

LALAL.AI’s strength lies not just in audio quality but in the way it’s used as well. The service is available as a web app, desktop software, apps for iOS and Android, an API for automated workflows and audio processing at scale, and now a VST plugin that allows vocal isolation directly inside any DAW that supports a VST3 format. This makes it suitable for producers working on individual tracks as well as teams processing large libraries of audio. The VST plugin is so far available only to the Pro LALAL.AI users.

Timely Recognition Amid Vocal Removal Market Growth 

This MusicRadar ranking comes at a time when stem separation tools, and vocal removers specifically, are increasingly used across music production, post-production, broadcasting, localization, and content creation workflows, where access to original multitrack sessions is often limited. Vocal removers can now be found in DAWs, standalone apps, plugins, and online services as audio production technology is growing more popular and utilized. The main limitation is that stem separation remains a preprocessing step. Like all tools in this category, including those featured by MusicRadar, the results benefit from the quality of the original source, further editing if needed, and cleanup before final delivery.

According to a recent Data Insights Market vocal remover market report, the broader vocal remover market is valued at $390 million in 2025, projecting an 8.2% CAGR through 2033, which likely reflects growth from AI advancements and rising use in podcasting, video editing, and industries beyond music production: songs are remixed across platforms like YouTube and TikTok; even Spotify has launched a feature that allows users to remix tracks right in-app.

To test the LALAL.AI’s vocal removal and stem separation functionality, users should visit the company’s website.

About LALAL.AI

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

Media Contact

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

In a fresh signal of deliberate expansion for his Mileo hotel brand, Yasam Ayavefe announced detailed plans for Mileo Dominica this week on his official website www.yasamayavefe.io. The move extends a hospitality vision that has already drawn global notice through Mileo Mykonos and Mileo Dubai, projects that were featured in a profile of his work and growth plans last November.

What might appear at first glance to be a simple geographic shift actually reflects deeper currents in Ayavefe’s approach to business. Instead of chasing rapid scale or headline grabbing openings, his focus remains on methodical growth rooted in design integrity, thoughtful guest experience and cultural alignment. That philosophy, which has shaped Mileo Mykonos and Mileo Dubai, now finds a new iteration in the Caribbean island of Dominica.

For Ayavefe, the Mileo brand is not just about adding new properties but about curating a network of stays that embody a consistent ethos. Mykonos and Dubai are materially different destinations yet share a calm, guest-centric design language that de-emphasises spectacle in favour of ease and reliability. Both places were selected not just for their global profiles but because they offered environments where intentional service, nuanced hospitality and local context matter most to discerning travellers.

The Dominica announcement, published prominently on the official Yasam Ayavefe website, suggests a continuation of that framework. Mileo Dominica is described less as a traditional expansion and more as the next chapter in a long term commitment to thoughtful tourism. Early communication emphasises respect for the island’s natural richness, integration with local culture and an approach that reframes destination hospitality around environmental awareness and community value rather than sheer room count or rapid build-out.

Ayavefe’s business perspective has always leaned toward careful planning and sustained impact. Guests, staff and communities are treated not as transient metrics but as foundational pillars of what hospitality should be. That mindset, which seems at odds with the louder growth strategies common in the sector, has drawn attention precisely because it blends entrepreneurial discipline with a kind of service ethos that feels rare in contemporary hospitality journalism and analysis.

In interviews and industry discussions, Ayavefe has made clear that his interpretation of luxury lies not in overt flourish but in removing friction for his guests. The belief that a hotel should “start by respecting the hours people give it” illustrates a perspective grounded less in marketing and more in lived experience of what travellers value most. This quiet insistence on meaningful service has been part of Mileo’s identity since its first property and is likely to shape Dominica’s positioning as well.

Mileo Mykonos, known for its intimate scale and thoughtful integration with the island’s relaxed rhythm, and Mileo Dubai, positioned as a calm, well organised retreat amidst the dynamic energy of Palm Jumeirah, together demonstrate how Ayavefe’s decisions weave strategic intent with operational clarity. This stands out in an industry where impulses often prioritise rapid expansion at the expense of guest or staff experience.

In practical terms, the Mileo Dominica project announcement also hints at a measured timeline and phased disclosure of details. Ayavefe’s communication does not rush into specifics but frames the initiative as a conversation with partners, stakeholders and future guests about how the Mileo ethos can align with a new setting that has its own identity and pace. These are the kinds of nuances a seasoned entrepreneur is likely to think through long before shovels hit the ground.

What remains consistent across all Mileo properties is a philosophy that prizes alignment over acceleration. That means prioritising projects that fit the brand’s core principles even when other opportunities might promise faster revenue capture. It is a stance that has drawn both admiration and thoughtful debate among hospitality observers who see in Ayavefe’s work a pushback against short termism in travel and tourism.

As Mileo Dominica moves from announcement toward realisation, the industry will be watching less for spectacle and more for how the project embodies the brand’s hallmark balance of calm, cultural respect and thoughtful service. In that context, this latest chapter may tell us as much about Ayavefe’s broader vision for hospitality as any prior milestone.

For now, the Mileo story remains one of deliberate choice rather than rapid expansion, and for followers of entrepreneurial strategy that has been part of what makes Yasam Ayavefe’s voice in global hospitality distinctive.

About Mileo Hotels

Founded by serial entrepreneur and philanthropist Yasam Ayavefe, Mileo Hotels is a boutique hospitality brand offering refined, design-led experiences in iconic destinations. The portfolio includes Mileo Mykonos, a serene retreat above Kalo Livadi known for its modern luxury, relaxed dining, and intuitive service, and Mileo Dubai, located on West Beach at Palm Jumeirah, Dubai’s first lifestyle Beach Resort House blending coastal energy with urban vibrance. For more information, visit www.mileomykonos.com or mileohotels.com.

Cosmo (Algorithm of Learning Inc.), an AI-driven education provider, announced today that it has been granted school-level full accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), one of the most respected and rigorous accrediting bodies in the United States, marking the first time an AI education institution globally has achieved this level of accreditation. The milestone underscores Cosmo’s adherence to established standards of academic quality, institutional governance, and continuous improvement in student learning outcomes.

WASC accreditation is a voluntary, non-governmental review process that evaluates the overall effectiveness of an educational institution, including its academic programs, governance structure, instructional quality and student support systems. WASC has accredited public, private and independent schools across the western United States and select international locations, and its decisions are widely recognized throughout the U.S. education system.

“This accreditation reflects years of disciplined work to align our institution with long-standing standards for school quality,” said Jessica Zou, co-founder of Cosmo. “Our mission has been to combine experienced educators with advanced artificial intelligence to deliver rigorous, personalized learning. Recognition from WASC affirms the integrity and sustainability of that approach.”

Cosmo, formerly known as ClassUp, has experienced rapid growth in the United States through its AI-enhanced, one-on-one online instruction model. As of 2025, more than 150,000 students have participated in Cosmo’s personalized learning programs, reflecting strong demand among U.S. families for data-driven and individualized academic support.

Unlike course-level or product-specific certifications, WASC’s school-level accreditation evaluates an institution as a whole. The process assesses curriculum design, faculty qualifications, monitoring of student achievement and organizational governance. Institutions that achieve this status are required to demonstrate sustained educational quality, ongoing self-study and continuous peer review.

For students and families, WASC accreditation serves as a widely understood indicator of institutional credibility within the U.S. education landscape. Accreditation supports confidence that an institution’s learning experiences and academic records meet recognized standards of quality and rigor, factors that are often considered in college admissions and credit evaluation processes.

According to education experts, WASC school-level accreditation requires a comprehensive, multi-year review process that evaluates an institution’s academic standards, instructional outcomes, faculty credentials, and student support infrastructure.

Cosmo’s approval for a six-year accreditation cycle indicates a high level of confidence by the review committee in the company’s institutional stability, governance and long-term quality assurance mechanisms. The outcome is seen by industry observers as a significant validation of AI-driven education models within established U.S. accreditation frameworks.

As artificial intelligence continues to shape the future of education, Cosmo’s achievement places it among a small group of innovative learning institutions that have successfully integrated AI-assisted pedagogy within the framework of U.S. school accreditation standards. The company plans to build on this recognition by expanding academic partnerships, enhancing learning pathways and deepening its engagement with communities seeking high-quality personalized education.

About Cosmo

Cosmo is a U.S.-based, AI-powered education platform providing personalized one-on-one Math and English Language Arts (ELA) instruction for K–12 students. Founded by Princeton University alumni in Silicon Valley, the company combines advanced artificial intelligence with a network of experienced educators to deliver adaptive learning experiences tailored to individual student needs. Since its launch, Cosmo has served a growing number of families across the United States, integrating continuous assessment and adaptive instruction to support long-term academic success. For more information, visit cosmoai.com.

About Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC)

The Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), a world-renowned accrediting association and one of the six regional accrediting agencies in the United States, works closely with the Office of Overseas Schools under the U.S. Department of State. WASC provides assistance to schools worldwide, especially in California, Hawaii, Guam, Asia, the Pacific Region, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. To learn more, please visit the WASC website at acswasc.org or contact the WASC office directly.

On the evening of February 4, "The World TCM Heritage Odyssey," co-hosted by Phoenix Satellite TV and Dong-E-E-Jiao, took place at the Phoenix Center in Beijing and successfully concluded. The event, marking the beginning of spring, showcased the latest practices and achievements in the international dissemination, academic exchange, and modern transformation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) through cultural tributes, cross-disciplinary dialogues, and the integration of technology and art.

The ceremony centered on TCM culture and leveraged the immersive cultural, technological, and experiential environment of the Phoenix Center. It connected traditional medical wisdom with contemporary global health issues, demonstrating the pathways of inheritance and innovation for TCM in diverse cultural contexts around the world.

In his speech, Xu Wei, chairman and CEO of Phoenix Satellite TV, stated that the global spread of TCM is not just about medical communication but also a process of cross-cultural understanding and exchange. He emphasized the need to build communication bridges through modern dissemination methods while respecting differences. Phoenix Satellite TV will continue to focus on and document the international dissemination of TCM.

Cheng Jie, chairman of Dong-E-E-Jiao, remarked that TCM culture belongs to all humanity and that the company will keep promoting the synergy between cultural dissemination and industrial development, facilitating a deep integration of technology, culture, and brand narrative to contribute to global health.

The event featured a "Tribute" segment honoring five representatives dedicated to the international spread and cross-disciplinary integration of TCM, covering fields such as academic translation, medical practice, technology integration, and public welfare dissemination.

Scholar Ehsan Doostmohammadi from Iran was honored for completing the first Persian translation of the "Huangdi Neijing: Suwen" and promoting TCM in the West Asia region. Zhao Zhongzhen, emeritus professor at Hong Kong Baptist University’s School of Chinese Medicine, presented the honor and advocated for further collaboration.

Malaysian TCM practitioner Neoh Karen was recognized for promoting the modernization and internationalization of TCM through innovative communication methods.

Lee Tsung-En Andy, CEO of the Yangqi Integrative Medicine Center in Silicon Valley, was honored for his exploratory practices integrating TCM concepts with artificial intelligence and big data, sparking discussions about the modernization of TCM.

Italian physician Valeria Toso, a proponent of TCM meridian theory, was acknowledged for her long-term efforts to promote TCM concepts in Europe.

Dr. Diarra Boubacar Thiemoko from Mali, the first foreign postdoctoral fellow in TCM in China, received high praise for his years of grassroots medical exchanges in Central Africa and his work in developing TCM training and public welfare diagnosis programs on the continent.

During the event, Phoenix Satellite TV officially launched the second season of "The Healing Path." The new season will document TCM's development and application across different countries and cultural contexts, showcasing its diverse expressions in a global setting.

Throughout the ceremony, the Phoenix Center also established a global TCM cultural interactive experience area, enhancing the public's intuitive understanding of TCM culture through cultural displays, product exhibitions, and interactive experiences. A special livestream program titled "Let’s Talk! Friends of TCM" preceded the event, generating public discussion.

As the event concluded, the theme song "The Healing Path," created with AI participation, resonated in the venue, marking the end of the ceremony.

The organizers stated that this ceremony was not only a concentrated display of TCM culture but also a forward-looking exchange practice, showcasing new expressions and possibilities for traditional medicine in the contemporary technological and global health context.