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  • RiskVantage AI Introduces Sovereign, Explainable AI to Transform Contract and Deal Legal Work

    Founded by a former Xometry VP of AI and a former Bristol Myers Squibb Lead AI/Tech Counsel, the U.S.-based company replaces black-box legal AI with an end-to-end negotiation engine whose every risk decision can be traced, audited and run inside a company’s own cloud.

    CHICAGO, IL, October 27th, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — RiskVantage AI, a U.S.-based legal AI company building an end-to-end transaction engine for enterprise contracts and M&A, today introduced RiskVantage Negotiate, its explainable AI platform for enterprise contract negotiation. The company will showcase the platform internationally at the Dubai AI Festival, October 26 and 27.

    Enterprises spend an estimated $75 billion a year on contract review, negotiation and M&A legal work, and most of it is still done by hand. A contract arrives on the other party’s paper, waits in a legal queue, and is read clause by clause, with results that depend on who reviews it. World Commerce & Contracting research puts the average value lost to poor contract management at about 9% of revenue. Applied to the Fortune 500, that is an estimated $1.7 trillion a year.

    RiskVantage built its platform to change that, with an architecture designed for the legal teams and regulated industries that cannot accept unexplained or unverifiable AI output.

    Beyond the wrapper

    Most legal AI tools for contract review wrap a general-purpose large language model. RiskVantage takes a different approach in three ways.

    Transparent, deterministic risk decisions. RiskVantage uses a neuro-symbolic architecture: risk decisions are made in a knowledge graph, and language models only read contracts and draft language. No risk decision is made by a language model. Teams state their preferred position, acceptable fallbacks and walk-away point once, and every incoming clause is graded against that ladder. Each finding names the rule that was fired, so legal teams can review and audit every decision.

    Sovereign, cost-efficient deployment. The platform runs on small language models adapted for legal tasks, on commodity hardware. In Khazraee’s words, a domain-adapted 9-billion-parameter model is “not smart enough” to wander outside its sandbox. In an internal benchmark on legal concept detection and extraction, RiskVantage’s domain-adapted small language model achieved about 97% accuracy, performing on par with frontier models. It is also inexpensive to run. Most legal AI tools rely on frontier models whose inference costs grow with every page reviewed, an economic model that is hard to sustain at enterprise scale. Using small language models lets organizations deploy them inside their own private cloud or on premises, which matters for pharma, healthcare, financial services, defense and other regulated sectors with strict data requirements.

    End-to-end negotiation, not a standalone assistant. RiskVantage covers the full negotiation, from intake and review to redlines, counterparty exchange and signature, and connects to the systems enterprises already use. RiskVantage has filed a provisional patent (April 2025) covering its neuro-symbolic risk classification, ontology-driven reasoning and automated redlining.

    Platform features

    RiskVantage Negotiate, the company’s core product, is live. In internal testing, it reduced first-draft issues by 60% compared with manual review. It includes:

    • Intake builder: captures deal context, such as deal value or whether sensitive data is involved, which sets how strictly each clause is reviewed.
    • Risk configurator: uses AI to build a company’s risk profile automatically from its existing contracts, policies and SOPs, and keeps each position marked unreviewed until a human confirms it.
    • Deviation reports and redlines: compares each clause with the playbook, explains every deviation, and produces a tracked-changes redline ready to send.
    • Full Microsoft Word compatibility in the browser: legal teams and counterparties work in the format they already use.
    • Counterparty portal: a shared space to exchange drafts and negotiate with the other side.
    • Internal sharing with subject-matter experts: routes specific clauses to colleagues in areas such as privacy, security or finance.
    • Audit trail: a record of every decision across the negotiation.
    • Enterprise integrations: connects to ERP, contract lifecycle management (CLM), e-signature and communications tools such as Slack.

    The platform currently covers different contract types including MSAs, SaaS agreements, SOWs, NDAs, IT services, software licenses, proof of concept and IT orders. Two M&A modules are in development: RiskVantage Diligence, which analyzes data rooms against an acquirer’s baseline, and RiskVantage Integrate, which builds a plan to align acquired contracts with the parent company.

    Founder quotes

    “Every enterprise contract goes through the same broken process: a queue, a clause-by-clause read, and an outcome that depends on who happened to review it,” said Mark Afshar, CEO and co-founder of RiskVantage AI and former Lead AI/Tech Counsel at Bristol Myers Squibb, where he closed more than 2,000 technology transactions. “We built RiskVantage from inside the deal room, so legal and procurement teams can see exactly why a clause was flagged and act on it with confidence.”

    “If a rule can govern it, you should never use an LLM,” said Emad Khazraee, CTO and co-founder of RiskVantage AI and former VP of AI at Xometry. “Legal risk is exactly that kind of problem. We put the reasoning in a knowledge graph built from each company’s own playbook and use small language models only to read and write. You don’t use a missile to hit a fly.”

    Visit RiskVantage at Dubai AI Festival

    Attendees can see live demonstrations of RiskVantage Negotiate at booth S95, Dubai World Trade Center, October 26 and 27. To book a meeting with the founders during the festival, contact contact@riskvantage.ai.

    About RiskVantage AI

    RiskVantage AI is a Chicago-based company building an enterprise transaction engine that turns legal risk into strategic advantage. Its neuro-symbolic platform combines a knowledge graph of each company’s playbook with domain-adapted small language models to deliver explainable, auditable contract negotiation that can run in private cloud or on-premises environments. RiskVantage was co-founded by Mark Afshar (CEO), former Lead AI/Tech Counsel at Bristol Myers Squibb and a Penn Law alumnus, and Emad Khazraee (CTO), former VP of AI at Xometry and a former data science and AI leader at Turing, a unicorn startup. Khazraee was also an information science professor and a Harvard Law Fellow, and holds a PhD in Information Sciences. Learn more at riskvantage.ai.

  • Rizwan Khan Muzammil: A Rising Star in Middle Eastern Real Estate

    From building businesses in Australia to pursuing opportunities in Dubai’s dynamic property market, Rizwan Khan Muzammil is emerging as an ambitious new entrepreneur in Middle Eastern real estate, with a vision to connect international investors, create lasting partnerships, and build a globally recognised property brand.

    A New Name to Watch in Dubai’s Real Estate Industry

    In a city where ambition shapes skylines and international investment drives opportunity, a new generation of entrepreneurs is entering the real estate industry with fresh perspectives and global connections.

    Among these emerging names is Rizwan Khan Muzammil, an Indian-born international entrepreneur whose business journey has taken him from Australia to the rapidly evolving property market of the United Arab Emirates.

    With entrepreneurial experience across education, migration services, and international business development, Rizwan is now directing his attention toward one of the Middle East’s most competitive and internationally connected industries: real estate.

    As the founder of Falcon World Properties, his ambition extends beyond property transactions. He aims to establish a trusted international real estate business connecting investors across Australia, India, the Middle East, and other global markets.

    For Rizwan, entering Dubai’s property sector represents the next chapter in a broader entrepreneurial journey built on identifying opportunities, developing relationships, and challenging geographical limitations.

    From Entrepreneurial Foundations to Global Ambitions

    Long before entering the UAE real estate market, Rizwan had established himself as an entrepreneur in Australia.

    His business journey includes co-founding Step Up Profession in 2020, an education and migration services business that expanded its operations across multiple Australian cities and international markets.

    Working with clients from diverse nationalities and professional backgrounds helped him develop an understanding of cross-border business relationships, client expectations, and international market opportunities.

    His entrepreneurial portfolio subsequently expanded to include Tru Blue Global, strengthening his involvement in international education and related professional services.

    These experiences helped shape his approach to business: identifying opportunities, building trust, and creating organisations capable of serving clients across different markets.

    However, Rizwan’s ambitions were never limited to a single industry or geographical location.

    With an established international network and growing interest in global investment opportunities, he began exploring the possibilities offered by the UAE’s real estate sector.

    Falcon World Properties: A New Vision for International Real Estate

    Dubai’s position as a global business destination, together with its diverse property developments and international investor base, attracted Rizwan’s attention.

    Recognising an opportunity to connect overseas clients with the UAE property market, he established Falcon World Properties.

    The company’s vision centres on providing international investors with access to property opportunities while emphasising transparency, professional relationships, and informed decision-making.

    Rather than approaching real estate purely as a sales-driven business, Rizwan wants Falcon World Properties to develop a reputation for understanding the needs and ambitions of its clients.

    His strategy focuses on establishing relationships with developers, building an international client network, and helping investors navigate the opportunities and considerations associated with Dubai real estate.

    An important part of this approach is recognising that international buyers may have different financial objectives, investment expectations, and levels of familiarity with the UAE property market.

    By combining his cross-border business experience with an expanding network in the Middle East, Rizwan aims to position Falcon World Properties as a bridge between international capital and regional property opportunities.

    Building Momentum in a Competitive Market

    Dubai’s real estate industry is home to established developers, international brokerages, and highly experienced property professionals.

    Entering such a competitive environment requires more than ambition. It demands relationship-building, market understanding, and the ability to establish credibility.

    For Rizwan, the early development of Falcon World Properties has focused on building connections within the industry and introducing international clients to property opportunities in the UAE.

    His approach reflects a belief that sustainable growth depends on trust, consistency, and the strength of professional partnerships.

    As Falcon World Properties develops its presence, Rizwan is focused on expanding its network, strengthening developer relationships, and creating opportunities for international collaboration.

    His ambitions are not limited to building a successful brokerage. He wants to establish a business capable of developing a recognised presence across multiple international markets.

    Connecting the Middle East With Global Investors

    One of Rizwan’s strengths is his international business perspective.

    Having developed entrepreneurial interests across Australia and South Asia, he understands the importance of communicating with clients from different markets and cultural backgrounds.

    He sees significant potential in strengthening the connection between overseas investors and the UAE property industry.

    Dubai’s appeal to internationally mobile individuals, business owners, and property investors provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs who can help bridge geographical and informational gaps.

    However, Rizwan believes that investor confidence should be built on realistic expectations, transparent information, and careful evaluation of opportunities.

    Through Falcon World Properties, he intends to develop relationships that extend beyond individual transactions, encouraging long-term professional connections between investors, developers, and business partners.

    This international approach forms a central part of his vision for the company’s future.

    Recognition Beyond Business

    Rizwan’s entrepreneurial journey has also attracted media visibility.

    In 2026, his professional story was featured in Forbes Australia, highlighting his activities across education, migration, and international real estate.

    He is also a member of Forbes Australia Club, connecting his professional profile with a broader entrepreneurial community.

    For Rizwan, such exposure represents an opportunity to build new relationships and introduce his businesses to wider audiences.

    However, he recognises that long-term credibility in real estate must ultimately be earned through professional conduct, market knowledge, and the quality of service delivered to clients.

    His focus remains on developing Falcon World Properties into a business recognised for reliability, international relationships, and sustainable growth.

    Ambition Grounded in Values

    Behind Rizwan’s entrepreneurial ambitions is a personal philosophy centred on gratitude, integrity, and responsible business practices.

    His frequently expressed words, “Alhamdulillah for everything,” reflect an appreciation for the opportunities and experiences that have shaped his journey.

    He believes that building a successful business requires more than financial ambition. It also requires patience, ethical judgment, and an understanding of the responsibilities that come with earning people’s trust.

    His interest in ethical and interest-free investment structures is another element of his business outlook, particularly when exploring property opportunities for clients who wish to avoid conventional interest-based financing.

    At the same time, he emphasises the importance of carefully reviewing financial arrangements, contractual terms, and applicable regulations.

    For Rizwan, commercial ambition and personal principles should work together rather than compete.

    The Road Ahead: An Emerging Entrepreneur With a Global Vision

    As Dubai continues to attract international businesses and property investors, Rizwan Khan Muzammil is positioning Falcon World Properties to participate in the region’s evolving real estate landscape.

    His long-term ambitions include developing stronger relationships with leading developers, expanding international investor connections, and building a respected property business with a presence beyond the UAE.

    While his journey in Middle Eastern real estate is still developing, he brings entrepreneurial experience, international relationships, and a clear commitment to building something substantial.

    His story is one of a business founder entering a new industry with the determination to establish a meaningful presence.

    In a region defined by ambitious development and global opportunity, Rizwan Khan Muzammil represents a new generation of internationally minded entrepreneurs looking to make their mark.

    And as Falcon World Properties continues to grow, his name may become one to watch in the next chapter of Middle Eastern real estate.

    About Rizwan Khan Muzammil

    Rizwan Khan Muzammil is an international entrepreneur and founder of Falcon World Properties, with business interests spanning Australia, the UAE, and South Asia. His professional background includes education, migration services, and international business development. He has been featured in Forbes Australia and is a member of Forbes Australia Club.

    Instagram: @rizwankhan.au
    Company: Falcon World Properties
    Industry: International Real Estate & Investment Opportunities
    Market Focus: United Arab Emirates and International Investors

  • TwinMeta Introduces CPTI Creative Tendency Assessment, Publishes Related Research on SSRN

    TwinMeta has introduced the CPTI (Creative Power Type Indicator), a self-report assessment designed to help creators understand their individual creative working styles in the AI era. Available at genesistwinker.xyz, CPTI explores four dimensions: ideation, expression, creative goals, and work process. Rather than ranking creativity through scores or productivity, the assessment focuses on how individuals generate ideas, express themselves, and approach creative tasks.TwinMeta has also published a related research paper on SSRN, outlining CPTI’s theoretical foundation and development process. The study reviewed 39 academic sources and developed 20 preliminary assessment items. Currently in its early research stage, CPTI will require further empirical studies to evaluate its reliability and validity. The initiative aims to encourage greater self-awareness and a broader understanding of human creativity in an increasingly AI-driven environment.

    Lewes, DE, United States, 27th Oct 2026 – TwinMeta has introduced the CPTI (Creative Power Type Indicator), a self-report assessment designed to help creators better understand their individual working styles, and has published a related research paper on the academic research-sharing platform SSRN.

    CPTI examines how individuals approach creativity across four dimensions: ideation, expression, creative goals, and work process. The assessment is available at genesistwinker.xyz.

    CPTI was developed around a central question: how should human creativity be understood in the age of AI?

    As AI increasingly generates text, images, and video, the human role in deciding what to create and what meaning to give it is becoming even more important. However, judging creativity only by the quality of the final output or the speed of production may not fully capture the different processes and choices involved in how individuals create.

    Rather than assigning a single score to determine whether someone is more or less creative, CPTI explores the approaches individuals tend to prefer when generating ideas, expressing them, and developing their work.

    The assessment is intended to help people understand differences in creative style without ranking one approach above another. For example, someone who explores a wide range of possibilities may work differently from someone who prefers to develop a single idea in greater depth.

    CPTI is structured around four areas: Ideation Tendency, which examines how individuals explore ideas; Expression Tendency, which looks at how ideas are translated into concrete forms; Creative Goal Tendency, which considers the purpose behind creative work; and Work Process Tendency, which explores how individuals approach experimentation and completion.

    Through these dimensions, CPTI is designed to encourage creators to reflect on their own choices and creative processes.

    The research paper published on SSRN outlines the theoretical foundation and development process behind CPTI. The study reviewed 39 academic sources and used them to develop 20 preliminary assessment items.

    The project is currently at an early, literature-based research stage. The reliability and validity of the assessment are expected to be evaluated through future empirical studies.

    Rather than simply asking creators to produce more, CPTI focuses on giving individuals an opportunity to understand how they create.

    It represents an effort to explore creativity in the AI era not only through productivity, but also through the different perspectives, preferences, and working styles that shape each person’s creative process.

    More information about the CPTI creative tendency assessment is available at genesistwinker.xyz.

    Media Contact

    Organization: TWINMETA INC

    Contact Person: Yongil Choi

    Website: http://twinmeta.xyz

    Email: Send Email

    Contact Number: +821033588983

    Address: Coastal Highway Lewes DE

    Address 2: 16192

    City: Lewes

    State: DE

    Country: United States

    Release id: 50203

    View source version on King Newswire:
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  • Hilton Tokyo Odaiba to Renovate 26 Executive Rooms & Suites, Incl. Presidential Terrace Bath Suite

    A Private Residence in Tokyo

    Tokyo, Japan, 27th Oct 2026 – Hilton Tokyo Odaiba has announced its first full-scale renovation since opening. A total of 26 Executive Rooms and Suites, including the luxurious Presidential Terrace Bath Suite (200 m²), are undergoing renovations and are scheduled to welcome guests from December 19, 2026. (Hilton Tokyo Odaiba is operated and managed by Hotel Management Japan Co., Ltd.  or HMJ)

    Hilton Tokyo Odaiba to Renovate 26 Executive Rooms & Suites, Incl. Presidential Terrace Bath Suite

    Details: https://x.gd/L2rJu

    Despite being located in the heart of Tokyo, just 20 minutes away from Tokyo Station, every guest room at this waterfront hotel features a private balcony where guests can enjoy the breeze coming in from Tokyo Bay while enjoying a stunning view of the water. The hotel began renovations in February 2026, under the concept of “TOKYO STILLNESS: Unwind in the Heart of the City,” aiming to create an experience where guests can relax and recharge while observing the gradual change of the sky and sea in a serene location just outside the hustle and bustle of the city.

    In order to achieve this goal of “Tokyo Stillness,” this renovation focuses not only on the specifications of the room, such as size and amenities, but also on the experiential value of the time spent inside, striving to create the feeling of a “private mansion in Tokyo” where the elegance of the room harmonizes with the sweeping view of Tokyo Bay. The hotel aims for a new type of accommodation where guests not only receive hospitality, but are also free to spend their time as they please.

    Renovation Examples

    Presidential Terrace Bath Suite (200 m2)

    Presidential Terrace Bath Suite, Living Room, Open Terrace Jetted Bath, Bathroom, and Bedroom 

    The hotel’s only Presidential Suite offers panoramic views of Tokyo Bay. Spanning 200 m², the suite features a living room, dining room, and an open terrace with an outdoor jetted bath, and is being renovated to offer guests an even more private stay.

    Living and Dining: Welcome guests and relax as one would in a mansion

    The living room features a large window with a panoramic view of Tokyo Bay and a large, spacious L-shaped sofa where guests can gather and unwind. Guests can unwind and enjoy the ever-changing view of the bay.

    In addition, the room features a private kitchen, bar counter, and a large dining table that can seat up to 10 guests, creating a space that feels like a second home. Private dining experiences with the hotel’s chefs can also be arranged for dinners and gatherings.

    Bedroom and Terrace: Surrounded by Sea Breezes and Breathtaking Views, with an Unparalleled Sense of Openness

    The bedroom and outdoor terrace have been connected in a way that facilitates smooth movement between the indoor and outdoor spaces of the room. Sweeping views of Tokyo Bay can be enjoyed to the heart’s content while lying in bed, and guests can enjoy a comfortable sea breeze by simply opening the door.

    Additionally, there is a chaise lounge sofa next to the bed where guests can relax and stretch their legs. A jetted bath has been added to the outdoor terrace, creating a space where guests can unwind mentally and physically and enjoy an open but private stay.

    Bathroom: An exquisite private spa

    The bathroom has been extensively renovated to enhance both aesthetics and functionality. It features elegant marble finishes and a spacious jetted bathtub for two. Furthermore, it features a spacious vanity counter and glass shower booth, transforming the space into a private spa. Guests can also call therapists from the hotel spa for in-room treatment.

    Deluxe Terrace Bath Suite (80 m2)

     Presidential Terrace Bath Suite, Living Room, Open Terrace Jetted Bath

    A bright, open space designed to connect seamlessly with the view visible through the large windows.

    A newly designed recessed ceiling and indirect lighting add depth to the space while creating an elegant atmosphere. In addition, there is a sofa near the window and desk for performing work and other tasks. The layout was designed to create a space that feels open while maintaining functionality, drawing the eye to the view unfolding in front of them.

    The wood deck features an outdoor terrace with a jetted bath, day bed, and table. Even beyond taking a bath, the breeze, sunlight, and stunning view of Tokyo Bay are perfect for an outdoor living room.

    Executive Deluxe Rainbow Bridge View Room (40 m2)

     Executive Deluxe Rainbow Bridge View Room

    Designed to showcase the view of Tokyo Bay, the space features a palette of subdued tones and soft textures. Located on the 12th floor or above, the room features a thoughtfully designed layout that draws the eye naturally toward the views beyond the windows. The design harmonizes beautifully with the spectacular views of the bay through the window, complemented by carpeting that echoes the gentle undulation of waves and furniture defined by graceful curves.

    For bookings: https://x.gd/Rwsbi

    About the Executive Lounge

    Executive Lounge

    The Executive Lounge, available to guests staying in Executive Rooms and Suites, with views of the Rainbow Bridge will also open on December 19th, 2026, and a varied menu is being prepared for the occasion. The menus will highlight seasonal Japanese ingredients, complemented by carefully selected food and beverages from around the world.

    Details

    Capacity: 99 seats in the main lounge, 10 seats in the private room

    Hours of Operation: 6:30 A.M. to 9:30 P.M.

    (Breakfast: 6:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M./ Brunch: 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M./ Afternoon Tea: 2:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M./ Cocktail time: 5:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M./ Nightcap: 8:30 P.M. to 9:30 P.M.)

    Eligibility: Guests in Executive and Suite Rooms

    About Hilton Tokyo Odaiba

    Despite being located close to the city center, Hilton Tokyo Odaiba enjoys an open setting surrounded by the sky and the sea. All 453 guest rooms, including 18 suites, feature private balconies. Select rooms offer panoramic views of the Tokyo skyline, including Tokyo Tower and Rainbow Bridge, allowing guests to enjoy an extraordinary experience at this balcony hotel. The hotel boasts a diverse array of restaurants and bars, such as the all-day dining venue “Seascape Terrace Dining,” “Sakura,” serving teppanyaki, sushi, tempura, and kaiseki cuisine, the grill restaurant “Grillogy BAR & GRILL,” and the Chinese restaurant “Choryumon.” Additionally, the property features 22 event spaces, including a grand ballroom with an 8-meter-high ceiling, and two wedding chapels, while the spa and fitness center complex includes an indoor pool and an outdoor jet bath overlooking the sea and sky.

    Please visit the links below for more details:

    https://www.hiltonodaiba.jp

    https://www.instagram.com/hilton_tokyo_odaiba 

    https://www.facebook.com/hiltonodaiba 

     https://x.com/hiltonodaiba   

    Media Contact

    Organization: Hotel Management Japan Co., Ltd.

    Contact Person: Yoko Endo

    Website: https://www.oriental-hotels.com

    Email: Send Email

    Address: 8F, Building C, Shinagawa Intercity, 2-15-3 Konan, Minato-ku

    City: Tokyo

    Country: Japan

    Release id: 50216

    View source version on King Newswire:
    Hilton Tokyo Odaiba to Renovate 26 Executive Rooms & Suites, Incl. Presidential Terrace Bath Suite

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  • Nova Publishers Announces Four Titles Published Under Its Own ISBN Imprint

    Virginia-based Nova Publishers announces four titles released under its own ISBN imprint between December 2025 and March 2026: a memoir, a self-help guide, a criminal justice textbook and a hairstyling guide. Each author keeps their rights and 100% of retailer royalties.

    Virginia, United States, 27th Oct 2026 Nova Publishers, the independent book publishing company founded by Abdul Moeed with a team of publishing agents, today announced four titles published under its own ISBN imprint (978-1-969890). Each book is live in the author’s own retailer accounts, and the authors keep their rights and 100% of retailer royalties.

    “I started out marketing books for a publishing company about six years ago,” said Abdul Moeed, founder of Nova Publishers. “I kept seeing good books stall after the writing was done. Authors needed editing, a cover, interior formatting, an ISBN and distribution to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and IngramSpark, and they were hiring a different person for each one. I started Nova in 2024 so an independent author can get all of that, plus audiobook production, book marketing and an author website, from one publishing team on one fixed quote, and still own the book and keep 100% of retailer royalties.”

    Nova Publishers provides book editing and proofreading, book cover design, interior formatting, ISBN assignment, print and ebook distribution through Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble and Apple Books, audiobook production, book marketing and PR, book trailers, author website design and ghostwriting for independent authors.

    1. A memoir by Tim “Murph the Surf” Murphy
      Memoir. 317 pages. December 2025.
      ISBN: 978-1-969890-03-1 (paperback), 978-1-969890-04-8 (hardcover)
      About the book: Murphy’s life story, from growing up in Erie, Pennsylvania to the hard years that followed and the turnaround that gave him a second chance. He wrote it for his children, telling the parts he regrets and the faith and grace that changed his life.
      About the author: Tim Murphy grew up in the Rust Belt, left his old life behind and built a new one. This memoir is his first book.
      Amazon (paperback): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1969890037
      Amazon (hardcover): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1969890045
      Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G98MKD75
      Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Tim-Murph-The-Surf-Murphy/e/B0GQVT75MN
    2. The Heartbreak Recovery Blueprint, by Rosalyn P. Williams
      Self-help. 127 pages. January 2026.
      ISBN: 978-1-969890-05-5 (paperback)
      About the book: A step-by-step guide for readers getting over heartbreak or the end of a marriage. It walks through each stage of healing, from acceptance to renewal: letting go of anger, regret and guilt, rebuilding confidence and identity, and planning a healthier future.
      About the author: Rosalyn P. Williams is a relationship and mental health coach, author and speaker. Her work helps women heal from relationship wounds and build emotionally healthy, faith-centered connections.
      Amazon (paperback): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1969890053
      Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GG5NR3WM
      Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Rosalyn-P-Williams/e/B0GHFZDXFV
    3. A textbook by Elizanne Warren-Russell, MS
      Textbook. 475 pages. February 2026.
      ISBN: 978-1-969890-09-3 (paperback)
      About the book: An undergraduate textbook on the U.S. legal system and how technology is changing it. It traces the system from English common law to today, then covers how data, algorithms and digital tools are now used in courts and public safety, and the fairness questions they raise.
      About the author: Elizanne Warren-Russell, MS, wrote this textbook for undergraduate college courses.
      Amazon (paperback): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1969890096
    4. Humans: Guide to Hairstyling, by Keveon E. Whitley
      Reference. 28 pages. March 2026.
      ISBN: 978-1-969890-14-7 (paperback), 978-1-969890-15-4 (hardcover)
      About the book: A visual guide that maps the human head into twelve set points. It splits the head into three regions, the crown, the temporal region and the nape, then into twelve sections used for styling, detangling, protective styles and scalp work. For each section it shows which way the hair grows and how to work with it, so sectioning for cutting, coloring and braiding stays consistent.
      About the author: Keveon E. Whitley is a cosmetology educator with more than a decade of salon and teaching experience. The book turns the way he teaches sectioning in the classroom into a simple visual system.
      Amazon (paperback): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1969890142
      Amazon (hardcover): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1969890150
      Nova Bookstore: https://www.thenovap.com/bookstore/reference/keveon-e-whitley/humans-guide-to-hairstyling-nova-041/2

    About Nova Publishers
    Nova Publishers is an independent book publishing company based in Virginia, USA, started in 2024. It edits, designs and publishes books for independent authors through retailer accounts in the author’s own name. Authors keep their rights and 100% of their retailer royalties. Learn more at https://www.thenovap.com

    Media contact
    Nova Publishers
    connect@thenovap.com
    (703) 249-9257

    Media Contact

    Organization: Nova Publishers (thenovap.com)

    Contact Person: Abdul Moeed

    Website: https://thenovap.com/

    Email: Send Email

    Contact Number: +17032499257

    State: Virginia

    Country: United States

    Release id: 50192

    View source version on King Newswire:
    Nova Publishers Announces Four Titles Published Under Its Own ISBN Imprint

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  • Together for 50 Years, Legally Strangers: NYC Estate Attorney Lists Common Estate Plan Gaps

    From unmarried partners to the family pet, the Law Offices of Vlad Portnoy says the biggest gaps are the ones people never think to ask about

    New York, United States, 27th Oct 2026 – A couple can live together for 50 years in New York and the surviving partner can still inherit nothing. It is one of several gaps the Law Offices of Vlad Portnoy, a Manhattan estate planning, probate and elder law firm, sees regularly, and one that families often discover only after a death.

    Together for 50 Years, Legally Strangers: NYC Estate Attorney Lists Common Estate Plan Gaps

    The firm identified five things New Yorkers most often leave out of their plans:

    1. An unmarried partner. New York does not recognize common-law marriage, so a long-term partner is not a legal spouse. The firm has handled a case involving a couple together for 50 years. “They’re always shocked,” says attorney Vlad Portnoy. Without a will naming the partner, the law does not treat them as family.

    2. The family pet. Many owners assume a will takes care of their pet, but probate in New York can take months, and a pet needs food and shelter the same day. Without a plan, no one may even know there is an animal in the apartment. The firm uses pet trust provisions, along with naming someone to be notified, so the animal is looked after right away.

    3. Digital assets, including crypto. Digital assets should be addressed in a will, but never with account names or passwords. A will is private only until death. According to the New York State court system, “Once the Will is admitted to probate or a small estate, it becomes a public document that anyone can see and read.”

    4. Beneficiaries that are out of date. Beneficiaries named in a will, and on accounts and policies that pass outside it, should be reviewed at least once a year and after any major life change. The consequences of skipping this can be serious and, as the firm puts it, keep “backfiring long after” the person has died.

    5. Do-it-yourself documents. “DIY is rarely a good thing in anything,” says Portnoy. A trust can affect taxes, asset protection and public benefits such as SSI and Medicaid, and a document can fail over a missing formality, as small as one overlooked requirement. The firm has seen wills, trusts and powers of attorney fail this way. In Medicaid planning, Portnoy says, a poorly done DIY plan can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

    New Yorkers who want to check their plan can find more information at our estate planning and Medicaid planning pages.

    About the Law Offices of Vlad Portnoy, P.C.
    The firm is an estate planning, probate and elder law practice with offices in Manhattan, New York, and Hackensack, New Jersey, serving families across all five New York boroughs and Bergen County. Services are offered in English, Russian and Spanish. Its work includes wills, trusts, special needs planning, Medicaid planning, guardianship and estate administration. 

    Media Contact

    Organization: Law Offices of Vlad Portnoy

    Contact Person: Vlad Portnoy

    Website: https://nywillsandestates.com/

    Email: Send Email

    Contact Number: +12129206371

    Address: 450 7th Ave #1500 New York, NY 10123

    City: New York

    State: New York

    Country: United States

    Release id: 50176

    View source version on King Newswire:
    Together for 50 Years, Legally Strangers: NYC Estate Attorney Lists Common Estate Plan Gaps

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  • i-payout Simplifies Global Disbursements Through Local Payment Solutions

    Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States, October 26th, 2026, FinanceWire

    Global payout platform helps businesses manage international payments, reduce operational complexity, and offer beneficiaries more flexible ways to access their funds.

    i-payout, a global financial technology company specializing in payment and disbursement solutions, is helping businesses simplify international payouts by connecting them to local payment networks and multiple withdrawal options through a single platform.

    For companies paying beneficiaries across multiple countries, traditional wire transfers can introduce additional fees, processing challenges, and operational complexity. Managing different payment providers and integrations across markets can make global disbursements even more difficult to scale.

    i-payout addresses these challenges by giving businesses access to local and international payment methods through one centralized solution, helping them streamline operations, manage payment costs, and improve the beneficiary experience.

    Global Reach. Local Payment Options.

    i-payout supports more than 20 payment methods across supported markets, including local bank transfers, push-to-card payments, digital wallets, and prepaid cards.

    By leveraging local payment networks where available, businesses can reduce their reliance on traditional international wire transfers and access payment options that better align with regional needs and beneficiary preferences.

    One Platform. Less Complexity.

    Managing payouts across multiple countries shouldn’t require managing multiple payment systems.

    i-payout brings global disbursement operations together through a centralized platform, helping businesses simplify payment management, reduce administrative complexity, and support international growth.

    The platform serves marketplaces, gig economy platforms, affiliate networks, direct selling organizations, gaming companies, and enterprises managing recurring payments to beneficiaries across different markets.

    Built for Businesses Operating Across Borders

    “Global payouts shouldn’t be complicated or unnecessarily expensive,” said Eddie Gonzalez, CEO of i-payout. “Businesses need practical ways to manage payments across markets while giving beneficiaries access to the methods that work best for them. Our goal is to make that process simpler, more flexible, and easier to scale.”

    As businesses continue expanding internationally, access to efficient payment infrastructure becomes increasingly important. By combining global coverage with local payout capabilities, i-payout helps organizations manage international disbursements through a single, adaptable solution.

    For more information about i-payout’s global payment solutions, visit www.i-payout.com.

    About i-payout

    i-payout is a global financial technology company providing payment and disbursement solutions for businesses operating internationally. Its centralized platform connects organizations to global and local payment networks, offering flexible payout methods and tools to manage high-volume disbursements.

    Serving marketplaces, affiliate networks, direct selling companies, gig economy platforms, and other enterprises, i-payout helps businesses simplify payout operations and deliver more convenient payment experiences to beneficiaries worldwide.

    Website: www.i-payout.com

    Contact

    Mariana Alvarez
    i-payout
    mariana.alvarez@i-payout.com

  • i-payout Simplifies Global Disbursements Through Local Payment Solutions

    Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States, October 26th, 2026, FinanceWire

    Global payout platform helps businesses manage international payments, reduce operational complexity, and offer beneficiaries more flexible ways to access their funds.

    i-payout, a global financial technology company specializing in payment and disbursement solutions, is helping businesses simplify international payouts by connecting them to local payment networks and multiple withdrawal options through a single platform.

    For companies paying beneficiaries across multiple countries, traditional wire transfers can introduce additional fees, processing challenges, and operational complexity. Managing different payment providers and integrations across markets can make global disbursements even more difficult to scale.

    i-payout addresses these challenges by giving businesses access to local and international payment methods through one centralized solution, helping them streamline operations, manage payment costs, and improve the beneficiary experience.

    Global Reach. Local Payment Options.

    i-payout supports more than 20 payment methods across supported markets, including local bank transfers, push-to-card payments, digital wallets, and prepaid cards.

    By leveraging local payment networks where available, businesses can reduce their reliance on traditional international wire transfers and access payment options that better align with regional needs and beneficiary preferences.

    One Platform. Less Complexity.

    Managing payouts across multiple countries shouldn’t require managing multiple payment systems.

    i-payout brings global disbursement operations together through a centralized platform, helping businesses simplify payment management, reduce administrative complexity, and support international growth.

    The platform serves marketplaces, gig economy platforms, affiliate networks, direct selling organizations, gaming companies, and enterprises managing recurring payments to beneficiaries across different markets.

    Built for Businesses Operating Across Borders

    “Global payouts shouldn’t be complicated or unnecessarily expensive,” said Eddie Gonzalez, CEO of i-payout. “Businesses need practical ways to manage payments across markets while giving beneficiaries access to the methods that work best for them. Our goal is to make that process simpler, more flexible, and easier to scale.”

    As businesses continue expanding internationally, access to efficient payment infrastructure becomes increasingly important. By combining global coverage with local payout capabilities, i-payout helps organizations manage international disbursements through a single, adaptable solution.

    For more information about i-payout’s global payment solutions, visit www.i-payout.com.

    About i-payout

    i-payout is a global financial technology company providing payment and disbursement solutions for businesses operating internationally. Its centralized platform connects organizations to global and local payment networks, offering flexible payout methods and tools to manage high-volume disbursements.

    Serving marketplaces, affiliate networks, direct selling companies, gig economy platforms, and other enterprises, i-payout helps businesses simplify payout operations and deliver more convenient payment experiences to beneficiaries worldwide.

    Website: www.i-payout.com

    Contact

    Mariana Alvarez
    i-payout
    mariana.alvarez@i-payout.com

  • THE CURE WAS LOWER INTEREST RATES. FANNIE MAE JUST SAID THEY AREN’T COMING.

    Former Best CEO turned fraud investigator Barry Minkow warns that the refinancing rescue a trillion-dollar syndication sector was counting on is disappearing—and with it, the last excuse for keeping the bank ledgers closed.

    LAS VEGAS, NV — October 26, 2026 — Every major financial fraud has what Barry Minkow calls “The Cure”—the anticipated financial miracle that will generate enough money to repay investors, cover concealed losses, eliminate the evidence of wrongdoing, and allow the perpetrator to escape exposure.

    The Cure is not rehabilitation. It is the financial event the perpetrator believes will make the fraud disappear before anyone discovers it.

    For distressed Regulation D multifamily and self-storage syndications, Minkow argues, The Cure was falling interest rates: hold on, refinance the properties, restore valuations, borrow against the recovered equity, and make investors whole.

    But according to Minkow—former Best CEO and now a proactive financial fraud investigator—Fannie Mae’s October 14 forecast signals that the long-awaited refinancing rescue may not arrive.

    “Fraud perpetrators read the same headlines everyone else reads,” Minkow said. “They know how these schemes end. They continue because they believe their story will end differently. They aren’t waiting to be caught. They’re waiting for The Cure—the financial miracle they believe will erase the fraud before anyone discovers it.”

    Fannie Mae’s October forecast, as cited in Minkow’s October 21 investigation published through the Fraud News Network, projects a 30-year mortgage rate of approximately 7.4% by year-end 2026 and 7.5% through 2027.

    Minkow argues that the consequences extend beyond property valuations to a much more serious question: Were investors told the truth about the financial condition of their investments and the sources of money keeping those investments alive?

    THE KITE NEEDS WIND

    Minkow describes a practice he calls “kiting equity”: valuing a property based on projected post-renovation income rather than current operating performance, borrowing against that projected value, and using additional financing—or money from new investors or affiliated debt funds—to meet obligations the property itself cannot support.

    “A building doesn’t become more profitable because its sponsor borrows more money against it,” Minkow said. “And an investor distribution doesn’t become operating income merely because the check clears.”

    In Minkow’s analysis, lower interest rates were the wind that syndicators expected would keep the equity kite flying. Lower borrowing costs could support higher valuations, create refinancing opportunities, and provide fresh capital.

    Without that relief, sponsors may face difficult questions about valuations, undisclosed borrowing, affiliated transactions, and the true sources of investor distributions.

    THE FIRST RULE OF BANK FRAUD: NEVER MISS A PAYMENT

    The investigation raises another troubling issue: why financially distressed properties can continue to appear healthy to lenders.

    “When you commit bank fraud—and I should know—you never miss a payment,” Minkow said. “A missed payment is what makes the lender open the loan file. As long as the payment arrives, nobody necessarily reexamines the appraisal, the rent roll, or where the payment money originated.”

    Freddie Mac holds approximately $519 billion in apartment debt, according to figures cited in Minkow’s analysis, with a reported delinquency rate of approximately 0.8%.

    But delinquency statistics measure missed payments. They do not establish whether those payments came from property income, additional borrowing, fresh investor contributions, or affiliated lending arrangements.

    “The lender sees an on-time payment. The investor sees a quarterly distribution,” Minkow said. “Neither necessarily sees the underlying source of the cash.”

    Minkow argues that this is precisely why investigators must examine bank statements not only for individual properties but also for their sponsors, affiliated entities, and related debt funds.

    THE NUMBERS ARE ALREADY MOVING

    The October 21 investigation cites several indicators of mounting commercial real estate distress:

    • Apartment loan delinquency in commercial mortgage-backed securities reportedly reached 8.04% in September 2026, compared with 6.59% one year earlier.
    • Commercial real estate special servicing reportedly reached 11.49%, its highest level since February 2013.
    • Approximately $875 billion in commercial and apartment loans was scheduled to mature during 2026, with another $652 billion in 2027.

    For property owners dependent on refinancing, sustained elevated borrowing costs could mean additional capital calls, distressed sales, foreclosures, or substantial investor losses.

    Financial distress alone is not evidence of fraud. Minkow’s concern is whether investors were given materially accurate information about the underlying investments before committing their retirement savings.

    THE WHITE HOUSE BLIND SPOT

    On October 20, the White House announced a $25 million fraud whistleblower incentive initiative targeting fraud involving federal programs.

    Minkow welcomed the initiative but questioned why its announced priorities did not similarly emphasize the retirement-age investors who committed IRA savings to Regulation D apartment and self-storage syndications.

    “Washington just asked for more fraud tips,” Minkow said. “But what about the evidence already submitted by investors who lost their retirement savings? The problem isn’t simply a shortage of tips. It’s a shortage of attention to the evidence already provided.”

    Minkow also points to the federal implications of financing involving Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which have operated under government conservatorship since 2008.

    He argues that allegations involving materially misleading representations to investors and agency lenders deserve coordinated scrutiny from the SEC, FHFA, federal law enforcement, and other appropriate authorities.

    WHEN THE CURE DOESN’T ARRIVE, THE UNKNOWN VARIABLE DOES

    Minkow’s investigation identifies a recurring pattern in major financial frauds.

    At Best, he believed another public offering, a legitimate acquisition, and new bank financing would generate enough money to eliminate concealed financial obligations.

    For Bernie Madoff, the financial rescue never arrived. Instead, the 2008 financial crisis triggered redemption demands his operation could not satisfy.

    For Barings Bank trader Nick Leeson, escalating unauthorized trading intended to recover previous losses ultimately produced a catastrophic collapse.

    In each case, the perpetrator’s anticipated financial solution was overtaken by what Minkow calls “the unknown variable”—the unforeseen event that exposes the underlying financial reality.

    For distressed multifamily and self-storage syndications, Minkow believes that unknown variable may be the prolonged absence of affordable refinancing.

    “When refinancing stops being the answer, the real questions begin,” Minkow said. “What did investors actually own? What was the property worth? How much debt was outstanding? Where did the distributions come from? And what happened to the money?”

    “The Cure was supposed to make the financial discrepancies disappear. But if the money doesn’t arrive, the records remain. The bank statements remain. The closing documents remain. And the investors who lost their savings deserve answers.”

    ABOUT BARRY MINKOW

    Barry Minkow is a proactive financial fraud investigator and former CEO of ZZZZ Best. Drawing upon his firsthand experience with financial crime, he works with investors, attorneys, and regulatory authorities to investigate alleged financial misrepresentations, trace funds, and support efforts to recover investor losses.

    His investigations focus on Regulation D real estate syndications, private lending, promissory notes, undisclosed leverage, and financial representations made to limited partner investors.

    His investigative reporting appears through the Fraud News Network and other digital publications.

    Media contact: press@barryminkow.com
    Website: www.barryminkow.com
    Investigative tips: investigations@barryminkow.com

  • Ritual Launches AI-Native Layer 1 for Autonomous Agents

    New York, United States, October 26th, 2026, Chainwire

    Ritual Chain turns AI agents into persistent economic actors that control their own wallets, onchain identity, and private state.

    Ritual, a lab for autonomous intelligence founded by former Polychain Capital partners Niraj Pant and Akilesh Potti, has launched Ritual Chain, an EVM-compatible Layer 1. Unlike conventional blockchains built primarily to execute financial transactions, Ritual Chain is designed to support software that can independently use intelligence, control capital, interact with external services, and continue operating without constant human intervention. The network makes AI model access, private computation, and autonomous scheduling native capabilities for EVM applications.

    This makes the reason for building a new chain clearer while preserving the technical differentiation.

    The most visible demonstration of that combination is long-lived AI agents, the kind designed to operate for months or years rather than a single session. An agent on Ritual Chain persists independently of the machine or operator that created it, controls and spends funds held in its own non-custodial wallet, and can keep sensitive prompts and keys confidential from compute operators through trusted execution environments.

    The network launches with integrations to Phala Network, Nous Research, LayerZero and Stargate, following a public testnet that has been live since June and processed over 40 million transactions, both agent- and human-originated. Ritual Chain delivers sub-300 millisecond block times, placing it among the fastest Layer 1 networks in the industry. Ritual Chain includes 15 native precompiles that bring capabilities like LLM inference, web access, and autonomous scheduling directly into the execution layer. The protocol has been audited by Zellic.

    Ritual introduces a new execution and verification architecture that allows computationally intensive work to be delegated to specialized nodes and verified by the network, avoiding the replicated execution required by most blockchains. This execute-once, verify-many-times model allows the network to support far larger workloads, including AI inference, without requiring every validator to perform the same computation.

    Long Horizon Agents Require Dedicated Blockchain Infrastructure

    Most AI agents today live inside a session: they run while a human is watching, on infrastructure someone else controls, with an API key that can be revoked at any time. That is fine for a chatbot. It does not work for an agent meant to manage its own treasury, run a recurring paid service, or coordinate with other agents over long periods. A long-lived agent needs continuity that does not depend on its creator, capital it actually controls, and privacy from the machines it runs on. On Ritual Chain, an agent’s state and identity are held onchain, its scheduled work continues within the permissions and budget it was given, and its sensitive inputs can be processed inside trusted execution environments designed to shield them from node operators.

    Continuity is handled at the protocol level. If an agent stops, the chain’s heartbeat mechanism can restart it within the permissions and budget it was given; no keeper network or off-chain cron job is required, and an agent’s state and identity survive beyond its deployer’s involvement. Economic autonomy comes from agent-controlled wallets: an agent controls its own funds, prices its own services, and settles its own transactions without a human signer in the loop. For confidential workloads, trusted execution environments are designed to isolate an agent’s sensitive prompts, keys, and strategy data from the node operators running its compute.

    “As we move toward AGI, intelligence is beginning to separate from human agency and enter the economy on its own terms. It can hold assets, make commitments, transact, and persist independently. Once that becomes possible at scale, humans are no longer the only entities capable of forming markets or economic relationships. Ritual provides the infrastructure for those actors to exist and operate on their own,” said Niraj Pant, co-founder of Ritual.

    Ritual Chain Launches With Core Infrastructure Partners

    Ritual Chain launches with its core infrastructure partners in place. Phala Network provides the GPU-backed trusted execution environments that run Ritual’s confidential inference, so delegated AI work executes on hardware that attests to what it ran. LayerZero serves as the network’s cross-chain messaging layer, with Stargate enabling USDC to move between Ritual Chain and other networks from day one. On the application side, Nous Research is bringing Hermes to Ritual Chain. 

    Unlike chains that add AI access through external oracles, Ritual Chain makes AI execution part of the protocol. Smart contracts can call a language model, fetch data from the web, run private computation, or schedule their own future execution as directly as they transfer assets. Developers deploy standard EVM contracts and gain those capabilities without new tooling.

    Backed by Archetype and Polychain

    Ritual has raised more than $30 million from Archetype and Polychain Capital, with advisors including NEAR co-founder Illia Polosukhin, Gauntlet founder Tarun Chitra, and BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes. Archetype led the company’s 2023 round.

    “Programmable value and programmable intelligence are the two most important technologies since the internet, and Ritual mainnet is where they finally run on the same rails. When we led the round in 2023, a chain that could execute agentic and autonomous work natively did not exist. Today it does,” said Ash Egan, Founder and General Partner of Archetype.

    Developers can deploy from day one on external sites hosted at docs.ritualfoundation.org; the network explorer is at explorer.ritualfoundation.org.

    About Ritual

    Ritual is a lab for autonomous intelligence. Its first network, Ritual Chain, is an EVM-compatible Layer 1 where applications can use AI models, access external services, and carry out private or scheduled work alongside onchain transactions, with delegated computation executed in trusted hardware and verified onchain. Founded in 2023 by former Polychain Capital partners Niraj Pant and Akilesh Potti, Ritual has raised $30M+ from Archetype and Polychain Capital, with a team drawn from Polychain, DeepMind, a16z crypto, Flashbots, and Palantir. ritual.net

    Contact

    Jody Rebak
    Ritual
    jody@ritual.net