Month: February 2026

KENTUCKY STUDENTS CREATE A CULTURE OF BELONGING ON NATIONAL NO ONE EATS ALONE® DAY

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

Sandy Hook Promise and WellCare of Kentucky Help Students Connect with Their Classmates

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Thousands of schools across the country celebrated National No One Eats Alone® Day, a program led by Sandy Hook Promise created to end social isolation and help students get to know one another, so that every student feels like they belong. WellCare of Kentucky, a leading managed care organization, and a company of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), worked with local schools to support this program that helps students connect.


NFL Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz speaks to students during No One Eats Alone Day at the Academy at Shawnee

Thanks to the ongoing partnership with the Centene Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Centene Corporation, WellCare of Kentucky provided curriculum and art project materials from the Sandy Hook Promise for National No One Eats Alone Day at no charge to Kentucky schools.

“Social isolation harms children both physically and mentally in terms of detrimental health impacts – some of which can be long-term – and it’s also a major risk factor and warning sign for extreme situations like self-harm and violence,” said Nicole Hockley, co-founder of Sandy Hook Promise.  “The power of personal connections is profoundly transformative, and that’s what’s so special about No One Eats Alone Day. Simple acts of kindness have the power to pull kids back from the brink – not only saving lives but changing them for the better. That’s why we are so honored to partner with the Centene Foundation in this incredibly important mission to protect kids. By working together, we can create safer, healthier futures for children throughout our nation.” 

For the seventh year in a row, WellCare supported National No One Eats Alone Day. Across Kentucky, 151 schools across the state participated. In all, 64,000 students took part in the program.

A special guest speaker, Pro Football Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz, spoke about important topics such as bullying and self-esteem during a schoolwide assembly of 800 students at the Academy at Shawnee in Louisville as a part of their No One Eats Alone Day.

According to a recent World Health Organization study, teenagers who felt lonely were 22 percent more likely to receive lower grades in school. Loneliness and social isolation were cited with direct correlation to an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, depression, and thoughts of self-harm or suicidal ideation. The same study also linked social connection to improved physical and mental health.

Participating schools received a free Belonging Box, which included in-class lesson plans on social isolation and actionable steps to cultivate belonging. The Belonging Box also contained a student leadership guide, conversation starters to help students connect with someone new, and materials for Connect the Dots, an innovative art project that helps students share things about themselves and learn more about their classmates. All student materials are available in English and Spanish. All Belonging Boxes were provided at no charge to schools.

 “Social isolation has been identified as a precursor to bullying, self-harm, and community violence,” said Corey Ewing, CEO and Plan President for WellCare of Kentucky. “WellCare is sponsoring the program because when students are given the appropriate tools, they will stand up for others as empathetic and caring activists, not passive bystanders.”

No One Eats Alone Day was launched in a handful of schools in Northern California in 2012 by the nonprofit Beyond Differences, which became part of Sandy Hook Promise in September 2024. In 2025, Sandy Hook Promise sent more than 3,100 Belonging Boxes to schools in all 50 states, reaching over 1.5 million students on National No One Eats Alone Day.  Click here for additional information

Photographs from the event can be downloaded at https://www.flickr.com/gp/couragemedia/k2C6W8vYUS 

About Centene Foundation
The Centene Foundation (the “Foundation”), a private nonprofit focused on investing in economically challenged communities, is the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) (“Centene”). The Foundation supports projects and initiatives strategically aligned with Centene’s mission-driven culture and enhances the work Centene is doing to remove the barriers to wellness that underserved and low-income populations face. The Foundation is committed to addressing social determinants of health and improving health equity in three distinct areas of focus: healthcare access, social services, and education. To learn more, visit the Centene Foundation’s website.

About Sandy Hook Promise
Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) envisions a future where all children are free from school shootings and other acts of violence. As a national nonprofit organization, SHP’s mission is to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Creators of the life-saving, evidence-informed “Know the Signs” prevention programs, SHP teaches the warning signs of someone who may be in crisis, socially isolated, or at-risk of hurting themselves or others, and how to get help. SHP also advances school safety, youth mental health, and responsible gun ownership at the state and federal levels through nonpartisan policy and partnerships. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.

About WellCare of Kentucky
WellCare of Kentucky provides government-sponsored managed care services to families, children, seniors, and individuals with complex needs primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans across the state. WellCare of Kentucky is a Centene Corporation company. For more information, visit wellcareky.com. 


Students participate in activities during No One Eats Alone Day


No One Eats Alone bracelet


WellCare of Kentucky (PRNewsfoto/WellCare of Kentucky)

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kentucky-students-create-a-culture-of-belonging-on-national-no-one-eats-alone-day-302698787.html

SOURCE WellCare of Kentucky

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OECD Forum Spotlights New Reality of Due Diligence in Garment Sector

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

At the recent 2026 OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector held in Paris, responsible purchasing practices, upstream due diligence, and the industry’s role came into focus.

The Cascale team was privileged to contribute this year, participating in four formal sessions.

Interim chief executive officer Harsh Saini spoke at a mainstage workshop on upstream due diligence titled “Moving Beyond Direct Business Relationships” led by the OECD Centre for Responsible Business Conduct’s garment and footwear program manager Peter Higgins, and Lauren Shields, lead of sustainability initiatives. Setting the scene for the workshop, fellow speakers included Clare Woodford, Alpine Group’s vice president of impact and sustainability and Ines Kaempfer, CEO of The Center for Child Rights and Business.

During the session, Cascale’s Saini highlighted the need for greater alignment across the sector to make due diligence workable in practice. She emphasized that focusing only on Tier-1 suppliers is insufficient and risks perpetuating fragmentation and audit fatigue for manufacturers.

“For more than 30 years we’ve been asking suppliers for more and more information, yet we keep duplicating efforts instead of coordinating them,” said Saini. “If we want due diligence to work upstream, we have to move beyond Tier-1, align expectations, and stop overburdening suppliers with fragmented requests.”

She noted that collaboration between initiatives, including Fair Wear, the Social and Labor Convergence Program (SLCP), Better Buying and others, together with shared data from tools such as the Higg Index, is essential to support upstream due diligence and credible decent-work outcomes across supply chains.

The workshop featured a discussion-style format with attendees divided into groups after initial firestarter prompts on upstream due diligence. Groups included brands, manufacturers, sustainability initiatives, and trade unions, CSOs, and policymakers.

Cascale also hosted a virtual side session drawing on insights from the Better Buying Purchasing Practices Index (BBPPI) 2025, “Sustainable Supply Chains in Turbulent Times: Regional Differences in Suppliers’ Experiences of Buyer Purchasing Practices in the Age of Tariffs.”

Katie Hess, head of product at Cascale’s Better Buying, and Orsolya Janossy, senior sustainability manager at Recover, guided the conversation. The virtual session underscored Cascale’s Better Buying data, collected confidentially from suppliers in Spring 2025. It unpacked regional challenges faced by suppliers, the impact of local contexts and business environments on buyer purchasing practices, and how buyer companies can adapt to volatility – while upholding responsible practices during turbulent times.

“This isn’t just a pricing conversation,” said Hess. “It comes down to a stability and feasibility issue. When costing isn’t realistic, it becomes a due diligence issue. Compliance and decent work are what gets squeezed first.”

“What we learned is that responsible sourcing isn’t just about auditing compliance or sourcing compliance, it’s about building a win-win sustainable partnership,” said Janossy.

She showcased a case study from Recover’s suppliers in Bangladesh, where fire safety often lags. Together, they prioritized long-term stability through shared risk management and improved grievance mechanisms and training.

In a separate virtual side session, Cascale’s Jeremy Lardeau, senior vice president of the Higg Index, moderated a discussion hosted by The Industry We Want as part of a Retailer Roundtable (RRT). Representatives from Fair Wear, retailers Zalando and Boozt, and brand member Ecco also joined the conversation. The session explored the essential and often overlooked role of third-party retailers in implementing and upholding effective Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD). Using the RRT to foster a pre-competitive space for retailers, the session examined the role of Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives (MSIs) to share and promote best practices. Together, these efforts aim to develop aligned solutions grounded in the OECD Due Diligence for Responsible Business Conduct framework.

In addition, Gabriele Ballero, public affairs manager at Cascale participated in a multi-stakeholder roundtable co-organized by Policy Hub and SLCP, focused on the implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) in the textile sector. The discussion gathered brands, manufacturers, policymakers and civil society representatives to assess the practical implications of the Omnibus changes and priorities for upcoming guidance.

Participants emphasized that the sector is not starting from scratch and that implementation should recognize credible existing tools and initiatives rather than create parallel systems. The discussion also highlighted the need for clarity around “reasonably available information,” warning that without guidance companies may over-collect data or face legal uncertainty. Stakeholders broadly supported a progressive, risk-based approach, greater interoperability across instruments, and collaboration to address deeper tiers of the supply chain while reducing audit fatigue.

Also in attendance were Cascale’s Carolina van Loenen, director of stakeholder engagement; Orine Dsouza, senior manager, Higg Facility Tools; and Hanna Griesbeck Garcia, Manager, stakeholder engagement, EMEA. As in years past, the stakeholder engagement team played a leading role in event preparation.

Posted in UncategorizedTagged

OECD Forum Spotlights New Reality of Due Diligence in Garment Sector

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

At the recent 2026 OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector held in Paris, responsible purchasing practices, upstream due diligence, and the industry’s role came into focus.

The Cascale team was privileged to contribute this year, participating in four formal sessions.

Interim chief executive officer Harsh Saini spoke at a mainstage workshop on upstream due diligence titled “Moving Beyond Direct Business Relationships” led by the OECD Centre for Responsible Business Conduct’s garment and footwear program manager Peter Higgins, and Lauren Shields, lead of sustainability initiatives. Setting the scene for the workshop, fellow speakers included Clare Woodford, Alpine Group’s vice president of impact and sustainability and Ines Kaempfer, CEO of The Center for Child Rights and Business.

During the session, Cascale’s Saini highlighted the need for greater alignment across the sector to make due diligence workable in practice. She emphasized that focusing only on Tier-1 suppliers is insufficient and risks perpetuating fragmentation and audit fatigue for manufacturers.

“For more than 30 years we’ve been asking suppliers for more and more information, yet we keep duplicating efforts instead of coordinating them,” said Saini. “If we want due diligence to work upstream, we have to move beyond Tier-1, align expectations, and stop overburdening suppliers with fragmented requests.”

She noted that collaboration between initiatives, including Fair Wear, the Social and Labor Convergence Program (SLCP), Better Buying and others, together with shared data from tools such as the Higg Index, is essential to support upstream due diligence and credible decent-work outcomes across supply chains.

The workshop featured a discussion-style format with attendees divided into groups after initial firestarter prompts on upstream due diligence. Groups included brands, manufacturers, sustainability initiatives, and trade unions, CSOs, and policymakers.

Cascale also hosted a virtual side session drawing on insights from the Better Buying Purchasing Practices Index (BBPPI) 2025, “Sustainable Supply Chains in Turbulent Times: Regional Differences in Suppliers’ Experiences of Buyer Purchasing Practices in the Age of Tariffs.”

Katie Hess, head of product at Cascale’s Better Buying, and Orsolya Janossy, senior sustainability manager at Recover, guided the conversation. The virtual session underscored Cascale’s Better Buying data, collected confidentially from suppliers in Spring 2025. It unpacked regional challenges faced by suppliers, the impact of local contexts and business environments on buyer purchasing practices, and how buyer companies can adapt to volatility – while upholding responsible practices during turbulent times.

“This isn’t just a pricing conversation,” said Hess. “It comes down to a stability and feasibility issue. When costing isn’t realistic, it becomes a due diligence issue. Compliance and decent work are what gets squeezed first.”

“What we learned is that responsible sourcing isn’t just about auditing compliance or sourcing compliance, it’s about building a win-win sustainable partnership,” said Janossy.

She showcased a case study from Recover’s suppliers in Bangladesh, where fire safety often lags. Together, they prioritized long-term stability through shared risk management and improved grievance mechanisms and training.

In a separate virtual side session, Cascale’s Jeremy Lardeau, senior vice president of the Higg Index, moderated a discussion hosted by The Industry We Want as part of a Retailer Roundtable (RRT). Representatives from Fair Wear, retailers Zalando and Boozt, and brand member Ecco also joined the conversation. The session explored the essential and often overlooked role of third-party retailers in implementing and upholding effective Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD). Using the RRT to foster a pre-competitive space for retailers, the session examined the role of Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives (MSIs) to share and promote best practices. Together, these efforts aim to develop aligned solutions grounded in the OECD Due Diligence for Responsible Business Conduct framework.

In addition, Gabriele Ballero, public affairs manager at Cascale participated in a multi-stakeholder roundtable co-organized by Policy Hub and SLCP, focused on the implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) in the textile sector. The discussion gathered brands, manufacturers, policymakers and civil society representatives to assess the practical implications of the Omnibus changes and priorities for upcoming guidance.

Participants emphasized that the sector is not starting from scratch and that implementation should recognize credible existing tools and initiatives rather than create parallel systems. The discussion also highlighted the need for clarity around “reasonably available information,” warning that without guidance companies may over-collect data or face legal uncertainty. Stakeholders broadly supported a progressive, risk-based approach, greater interoperability across instruments, and collaboration to address deeper tiers of the supply chain while reducing audit fatigue.

Also in attendance were Cascale’s Carolina van Loenen, director of stakeholder engagement; Orine Dsouza, senior manager, Higg Facility Tools; and Hanna Griesbeck Garcia, Manager, stakeholder engagement, EMEA. As in years past, the stakeholder engagement team played a leading role in event preparation.

Posted in UncategorizedTagged

OECD Forum Spotlights New Reality of Due Diligence in Garment Sector

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

At the recent 2026 OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector held in Paris, responsible purchasing practices, upstream due diligence, and the industry’s role came into focus.

The Cascale team was privileged to contribute this year, participating in four formal sessions.

Interim chief executive officer Harsh Saini spoke at a mainstage workshop on upstream due diligence titled “Moving Beyond Direct Business Relationships” led by the OECD Centre for Responsible Business Conduct’s garment and footwear program manager Peter Higgins, and Lauren Shields, lead of sustainability initiatives. Setting the scene for the workshop, fellow speakers included Clare Woodford, Alpine Group’s vice president of impact and sustainability and Ines Kaempfer, CEO of The Center for Child Rights and Business.

During the session, Cascale’s Saini highlighted the need for greater alignment across the sector to make due diligence workable in practice. She emphasized that focusing only on Tier-1 suppliers is insufficient and risks perpetuating fragmentation and audit fatigue for manufacturers.

“For more than 30 years we’ve been asking suppliers for more and more information, yet we keep duplicating efforts instead of coordinating them,” said Saini. “If we want due diligence to work upstream, we have to move beyond Tier-1, align expectations, and stop overburdening suppliers with fragmented requests.”

She noted that collaboration between initiatives, including Fair Wear, the Social and Labor Convergence Program (SLCP), Better Buying and others, together with shared data from tools such as the Higg Index, is essential to support upstream due diligence and credible decent-work outcomes across supply chains.

The workshop featured a discussion-style format with attendees divided into groups after initial firestarter prompts on upstream due diligence. Groups included brands, manufacturers, sustainability initiatives, and trade unions, CSOs, and policymakers.

Cascale also hosted a virtual side session drawing on insights from the Better Buying Purchasing Practices Index (BBPPI) 2025, “Sustainable Supply Chains in Turbulent Times: Regional Differences in Suppliers’ Experiences of Buyer Purchasing Practices in the Age of Tariffs.”

Katie Hess, head of product at Cascale’s Better Buying, and Orsolya Janossy, senior sustainability manager at Recover, guided the conversation. The virtual session underscored Cascale’s Better Buying data, collected confidentially from suppliers in Spring 2025. It unpacked regional challenges faced by suppliers, the impact of local contexts and business environments on buyer purchasing practices, and how buyer companies can adapt to volatility – while upholding responsible practices during turbulent times.

“This isn’t just a pricing conversation,” said Hess. “It comes down to a stability and feasibility issue. When costing isn’t realistic, it becomes a due diligence issue. Compliance and decent work are what gets squeezed first.”

“What we learned is that responsible sourcing isn’t just about auditing compliance or sourcing compliance, it’s about building a win-win sustainable partnership,” said Janossy.

She showcased a case study from Recover’s suppliers in Bangladesh, where fire safety often lags. Together, they prioritized long-term stability through shared risk management and improved grievance mechanisms and training.

In a separate virtual side session, Cascale’s Jeremy Lardeau, senior vice president of the Higg Index, moderated a discussion hosted by The Industry We Want as part of a Retailer Roundtable (RRT). Representatives from Fair Wear, retailers Zalando and Boozt, and brand member Ecco also joined the conversation. The session explored the essential and often overlooked role of third-party retailers in implementing and upholding effective Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD). Using the RRT to foster a pre-competitive space for retailers, the session examined the role of Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives (MSIs) to share and promote best practices. Together, these efforts aim to develop aligned solutions grounded in the OECD Due Diligence for Responsible Business Conduct framework.

In addition, Gabriele Ballero, public affairs manager at Cascale participated in a multi-stakeholder roundtable co-organized by Policy Hub and SLCP, focused on the implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) in the textile sector. The discussion gathered brands, manufacturers, policymakers and civil society representatives to assess the practical implications of the Omnibus changes and priorities for upcoming guidance.

Participants emphasized that the sector is not starting from scratch and that implementation should recognize credible existing tools and initiatives rather than create parallel systems. The discussion also highlighted the need for clarity around “reasonably available information,” warning that without guidance companies may over-collect data or face legal uncertainty. Stakeholders broadly supported a progressive, risk-based approach, greater interoperability across instruments, and collaboration to address deeper tiers of the supply chain while reducing audit fatigue.

Also in attendance were Cascale’s Carolina van Loenen, director of stakeholder engagement; Orine Dsouza, senior manager, Higg Facility Tools; and Hanna Griesbeck Garcia, Manager, stakeholder engagement, EMEA. As in years past, the stakeholder engagement team played a leading role in event preparation.

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Silvi Foundation Announces Official Launch to Advance Neurodegenerative Disease Research

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FAIRLESS HILLS, Pa., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Silvi Foundation today announced its official launch as a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing research in Alzheimer’s, dementia, ALS, Parkinson’s, and related neurodegenerative diseases. As its first major initiative, the Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (IND) to support innovative blood-based biomarker research aimed at improving early detection and diagnosis.

The Foundation was created in honor of Larry Silvi Sr., founder of Silvi Materials, and his wife Rose Silvi, both of whom battled Alzheimer’s disease. Their experience shaped the Silvi family’s long-term commitment to supporting meaningful scientific progress in the fight against neurodegenerative conditions.

“The launch of the Silvi Foundation represents a deeply personal commitment for our family,” said Joy Silvi, President of the Silvi Foundation. “We have witnessed firsthand the impact neurodegenerative disease has on patients and caregivers. Our goal is to direct funding toward rigorous research and innovative approaches that can accelerate discovery and improve outcomes for families facing these conditions.”

The inaugural grant supports IND’s efforts to develop accessible, blood-based diagnostic tools designed to identify neurodegenerative disease risk before symptoms appear. Earlier detection has the potential to strengthen clinical research, improve treatment planning, and enhance patient care.

IND’s research focuses on biomarkers that may indicate disease progression across Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy Body Dementia, and Frontotemporal Dementia. The Silvi Foundation’s support will help fund laboratory equipment, research personnel, biorepository development, and continued biomarker analysis.

Through thoughtful grantmaking and collaboration with leading institutions, the Silvi Foundation aims to build momentum toward earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment strategies for individuals and families affected by neurodegenerative disease.

For more information about the Silvi Foundation or to support its mission, visit https://silvifoundation.org/.

About the Silvi Foundation
The Silvi Foundation partners with leading research institutions and mission-aligned organizations to advance understanding, early diagnosis, treatment, and care for individuals affected by neurodegenerative diseases. Guided by personal experience and a commitment to responsible philanthropy, the Foundation supports initiatives with meaningful potential for scientific impact.

About Silvi Materials
Silvi Materials is a leading supplier of ready-mix concrete, cement, stone, sand, slag, and rock salt, with locations across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and North Carolina. The company remains family-owned and is guided by values of long-term thinking, accountability, and service.

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/silvi-foundation-announces-official-launch-to-advance-neurodegenerative-disease-research-302698706.html

SOURCE Silvi Materials

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Loop Global Delivers a Breakout 2025, Driven by over 50% YoY Revenue Growth, Expanded Customer Adoption, and Industry-Leading Uptime

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Loop shipped ~4,200 chargers in 2025, growing its global network to 8,500 EV charging ports worldwide

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Loop Global (“Loop”), a leading provider of turnkey electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, today announced a strong 2025 marked by over 50% year-over-year revenue growth, expanded partnerships across multifamily, hospitality, entertainment, and owner-operator customers, continued product innovation, and industry leadership in charging uptime, compliance, and service.


Loop Global logo (PRNewsfoto/Loop Global, Inc.)

During the year, Loop shipped approximately 4,200 chargers to customers, growing its network to 8,500 total ports worldwide, reflecting increasing demand for Loop’s interoperable hardware, robust software platform, and high-touch service model designed to support large-scale deployments across complex operating environments.

As the EV market matures, Loop’s performance underscores a clear shift in customer priorities: consistent execution, dependable operations, and service quality that holds up in the real world. Even amid evolving policy headlines, consumer demand, improving vehicle economics, and continued infrastructure buildout, EV adoption is on a long-term upward trajectory.

“We’re extremely proud of the results we delivered in 2025, especially in a year when many EV charging providers struggled to scale reliably,” said Olga Shevorenkova, Chief Executive Officer, Loop. “As the market reset, it became clear that operational discipline and customer outcomes matter more than ever. Loop’s growth was driven by executing at scale and delivering a charging experience customers can depend on.”

“Looking ahead, we’re entering 2026 with strong momentum,” Shevorenkova added. “Even as the policy backdrop shifts, EV adoption is proving resilient. 2025 sales held steady versus 2024, and we expect the next wave of growth to be driven by consumer sentiment as EVs close the cost gap with gas-powered alternatives. We’re focused on scaling our platform, expanding internationally, and deepening strategic partnerships while maintaining the performance standards our customers expect.”

Deepening Customer Relationships Through Premium EV Charging Experience
Leading multifamily owners and operators remain cornerstone customers of Loop, with long-standing relationships—including AvalonBay Communities and AMLI Residential—underscoring Loop’s role as a trusted long-term infrastructure partner and validating the real-world performance of its solutions.

“Over the past several years, Loop has been a trusted partner as we scaled our EV charging footprint to over 800 ports, with a clear path to reaching more than 1,100 ports by the end of Q1 2026,” shared Noah Hager, Senior Vice President, Asset Management at AvalonBay. “Their ability to ensure consistent year-over-year growth while maintaining reliability and performance has been critical to our success in delivering a dependable EV charging experience for our residents.”

“Since partnering with Loop and their hands-on service, we’ve seen a sustained improvement in charger uptime reaching mid-to-high 90% range, which has had a direct, positive impact on our tenant satisfaction,” stated Josh Pierle, Vice President of Procurement at AMLI Residential. “Loop was also closely involved in overseeing our new installations, ensuring we met our uptime expectations from day one. What truly sets them apart is their proactive approach. Loop monitors our chargers daily, and any issues are addressed quickly and efficiently.”

Scaling Infinity Flash With High-90% Uptime in Real-World Conditions
In 2025, Loop made significant progress in deploying its flagship Infinity Flash charging platform, delivering high-90% uptime, strong utilization, and consistently strong performance under demanding real-world conditions.

Infinity Flash chargers have proven resilient in extreme environments, operating effectively at temperatures as low as –32°C and at elevations up to 3,000 meters. Notably, Loop successfully deployed Infinity Flash across a high-demand mountain corridor in Colorado, where the network continued to perform reliably—even during severe snowstorms—demonstrating the platform’s durability and readiness for the most challenging use cases.

Leading in Reliability, Compliance, and Incentives
In 2025, Loop continued to set the standard for technical and regulatory readiness across the EV charging landscape, maintaining and expanding certifications and incentive eligibility, including:

  • Open Charge Point Protocol (“OCPP”) 2.0.1 certification, the industry’s most advanced interoperability standard for EV charging network communication
  • CALeVIP, one of the most significant EV infrastructure incentive programs in the U.S., which can cover hundreds of dollars per site in installation costs
  • ENERGY STAR® certification, reflecting Loop’s focus on energy efficiency and performance
  • Eligibility across major utility and state rebate programs, including California, Washington, Oregon, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Michigan, and Wisconsin

Continuing to Address Connectivity Challenges
Loop has recently introduced Infinity Link, a technology designed to operate seamlessly in environments with little to no network connectivity.

Unlike other EV charging offerings, Infinity Link enables drivers to initiate charging anytime and anywhere—even when the driver’s phone or the charger itself has limited or no connectivity—without interruption or delay. Infinity Link is designed to deliver successful charging sessions regardless of network conditions, while providing site hosts and operators with the assurance of near-100% uptime and continuous data visibility through Loop’s customer portal.

Expanding in the UAE
2025 also marked the continued expansion of Loop’s footprint in the United Arab Emirates, including the opening of a 44-port charging deployment at Reem Mall in Abu Dhabi—the largest EV charging site in the UAE.

The Reem Mall project underscores Loop’s ability to deliver large-scale, high-visibility charging infrastructure in new international markets while maintaining the same reliability, uptime, and service standards that define its North American deployments.

About Loop Global
Loop Global is a leading provider of comprehensive, turnkey electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions for customers worldwide. The company offers a complete suite of hardware, software, and services, and its streamlined charging stations are distinguished by their focus on industry-leading uptime, user convenience, and performance.

Applying a consultative, portfolio-based strategy, Loop guides customers through every step of the EV charging deployment journey with ease and confidence, supporting the continued mainstream adoption of electric vehicles. This approach has earned Loop long-standing relationships with marquee customers, including AvalonBay Communities, Reem Mall, and AMLI Residential, among others.

For more information, visit loopglobal.com.

Media Contact
Sara Linehan
sara@drumbeatcomm.com 

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/loop-global-delivers-a-breakout-2025-driven-by-over-50-yoy-revenue-growth-expanded-customer-adoption-and-industry-leading-uptime-302698648.html

SOURCE Loop Global, Inc.

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Loop Global Delivers a Breakout 2025, Driven by over 50% YoY Revenue Growth, Expanded Customer Adoption, and Industry-Leading Uptime

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

Loop shipped ~4,200 chargers in 2025, growing its global network to 8,500 EV charging ports worldwide

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Loop Global (“Loop”), a leading provider of turnkey electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, today announced a strong 2025 marked by over 50% year-over-year revenue growth, expanded partnerships across multifamily, hospitality, entertainment, and owner-operator customers, continued product innovation, and industry leadership in charging uptime, compliance, and service.


Loop Global logo (PRNewsfoto/Loop Global, Inc.)

During the year, Loop shipped approximately 4,200 chargers to customers, growing its network to 8,500 total ports worldwide, reflecting increasing demand for Loop’s interoperable hardware, robust software platform, and high-touch service model designed to support large-scale deployments across complex operating environments.

As the EV market matures, Loop’s performance underscores a clear shift in customer priorities: consistent execution, dependable operations, and service quality that holds up in the real world. Even amid evolving policy headlines, consumer demand, improving vehicle economics, and continued infrastructure buildout, EV adoption is on a long-term upward trajectory.

“We’re extremely proud of the results we delivered in 2025, especially in a year when many EV charging providers struggled to scale reliably,” said Olga Shevorenkova, Chief Executive Officer, Loop. “As the market reset, it became clear that operational discipline and customer outcomes matter more than ever. Loop’s growth was driven by executing at scale and delivering a charging experience customers can depend on.”

“Looking ahead, we’re entering 2026 with strong momentum,” Shevorenkova added. “Even as the policy backdrop shifts, EV adoption is proving resilient. 2025 sales held steady versus 2024, and we expect the next wave of growth to be driven by consumer sentiment as EVs close the cost gap with gas-powered alternatives. We’re focused on scaling our platform, expanding internationally, and deepening strategic partnerships while maintaining the performance standards our customers expect.”

Deepening Customer Relationships Through Premium EV Charging Experience
Leading multifamily owners and operators remain cornerstone customers of Loop, with long-standing relationships—including AvalonBay Communities and AMLI Residential—underscoring Loop’s role as a trusted long-term infrastructure partner and validating the real-world performance of its solutions.

“Over the past several years, Loop has been a trusted partner as we scaled our EV charging footprint to over 800 ports, with a clear path to reaching more than 1,100 ports by the end of Q1 2026,” shared Noah Hager, Senior Vice President, Asset Management at AvalonBay. “Their ability to ensure consistent year-over-year growth while maintaining reliability and performance has been critical to our success in delivering a dependable EV charging experience for our residents.”

“Since partnering with Loop and their hands-on service, we’ve seen a sustained improvement in charger uptime reaching mid-to-high 90% range, which has had a direct, positive impact on our tenant satisfaction,” stated Josh Pierle, Vice President of Procurement at AMLI Residential. “Loop was also closely involved in overseeing our new installations, ensuring we met our uptime expectations from day one. What truly sets them apart is their proactive approach. Loop monitors our chargers daily, and any issues are addressed quickly and efficiently.”

Scaling Infinity Flash With High-90% Uptime in Real-World Conditions
In 2025, Loop made significant progress in deploying its flagship Infinity Flash charging platform, delivering high-90% uptime, strong utilization, and consistently strong performance under demanding real-world conditions.

Infinity Flash chargers have proven resilient in extreme environments, operating effectively at temperatures as low as –32°C and at elevations up to 3,000 meters. Notably, Loop successfully deployed Infinity Flash across a high-demand mountain corridor in Colorado, where the network continued to perform reliably—even during severe snowstorms—demonstrating the platform’s durability and readiness for the most challenging use cases.

Leading in Reliability, Compliance, and Incentives
In 2025, Loop continued to set the standard for technical and regulatory readiness across the EV charging landscape, maintaining and expanding certifications and incentive eligibility, including:

  • Open Charge Point Protocol (“OCPP”) 2.0.1 certification, the industry’s most advanced interoperability standard for EV charging network communication
  • CALeVIP, one of the most significant EV infrastructure incentive programs in the U.S., which can cover hundreds of dollars per site in installation costs
  • ENERGY STAR® certification, reflecting Loop’s focus on energy efficiency and performance
  • Eligibility across major utility and state rebate programs, including California, Washington, Oregon, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Michigan, and Wisconsin

Continuing to Address Connectivity Challenges
Loop has recently introduced Infinity Link, a technology designed to operate seamlessly in environments with little to no network connectivity.

Unlike other EV charging offerings, Infinity Link enables drivers to initiate charging anytime and anywhere—even when the driver’s phone or the charger itself has limited or no connectivity—without interruption or delay. Infinity Link is designed to deliver successful charging sessions regardless of network conditions, while providing site hosts and operators with the assurance of near-100% uptime and continuous data visibility through Loop’s customer portal.

Expanding in the UAE
2025 also marked the continued expansion of Loop’s footprint in the United Arab Emirates, including the opening of a 44-port charging deployment at Reem Mall in Abu Dhabi—the largest EV charging site in the UAE.

The Reem Mall project underscores Loop’s ability to deliver large-scale, high-visibility charging infrastructure in new international markets while maintaining the same reliability, uptime, and service standards that define its North American deployments.

About Loop Global
Loop Global is a leading provider of comprehensive, turnkey electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions for customers worldwide. The company offers a complete suite of hardware, software, and services, and its streamlined charging stations are distinguished by their focus on industry-leading uptime, user convenience, and performance.

Applying a consultative, portfolio-based strategy, Loop guides customers through every step of the EV charging deployment journey with ease and confidence, supporting the continued mainstream adoption of electric vehicles. This approach has earned Loop long-standing relationships with marquee customers, including AvalonBay Communities, Reem Mall, and AMLI Residential, among others.

For more information, visit loopglobal.com.

Media Contact
Sara Linehan
sara@drumbeatcomm.com 

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/loop-global-delivers-a-breakout-2025-driven-by-over-50-yoy-revenue-growth-expanded-customer-adoption-and-industry-leading-uptime-302698648.html

SOURCE Loop Global, Inc.

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CANADIAN FIRST NATION SEEKS TO HAVE ITS SAY AS PART OF UPCOMING SALE OF HECLA QUÉBEC AND THE CASA BERARDI MINE TO OREZONE GOLD CORPORATION

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

PIKOGAN, QC, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ – Abitibiwinni First Nation (hereinafter “Abitibiwinni”) is calling on Hecla Mining Company (NYSE: HL) (“Hecla”) and Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE) (ASX: ORE) (OTCQX: ORZCF) (“Orezone”) to ensure a smooth and fair transition that respects its Aboriginal rights and aligns future operations with current economic and environmental realities as part of the proposed sale of Hecla’s subsidiary “Hecla Quebec” and its Casa Berardi Mine to Orezone.


Abitibiwinni First Nation (CNW Group/Abitibiwinni First Nation Council)

These concerns were raised by Abitibiwinni in a letter sent to the presidents of both Hecla and Orezone on February 3rd, 2026, concerns which were largely dismissed and ignored by Hecla in its response dated February 16, 2026. Orezone, to this day, has not responded to Abitibiwinni’s letter.

“The sale of Hecla Quebec and Casa Berardi marks an important transition in our continued efforts to reconcile the sustainable development of our lands with our stewardship responsibilities,” said Chief Chantal Kistabish. “Abitibiwinni’s priority is to ensure that the sale, once finalized, leads us to constructive dialogue aimed at ensuring that fairness is restored in terms of our relationship with the mine and its owner and guaranteeing that further development only proceeds responsibly and with appropriate environmental safeguards.”

The Casa Berardi mine is located entirely on Abitibiwinni’s traditional lands, lands over which it has existing Aboriginal and Treaty rights. The mine is currently subject to an Impacts and Benefits Agreement (IBA) between Abitibiwinni and Hecla, but because of Hecla’s refusal to allow the agreement to factor in the sharp rise in gold prices, the very foundation of the partnership between Hecla and the First Nation has been undermined.

In its letter, Abitibiwinni also raised concerns about the impact of mining activities in the region on woodland caribou. Given the species’ cultural significance and ongoing decline, Abitibiwinni is moving to establish a network of protected areas in the region surrounding the Casa Berardi mine to protect the Detour-Kesagami caribou herd. Abitibiwinni expects both compagnies to support this initiative and insists that no further exploration or the possible expansion of the project can occur without its free and informed consent.

Abitibiwinni is therefore asking that Hecla and Orezone engage promptly in good-faith discussions to work toward a respectful and constructive path forward.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/canadian-first-nation-seeks-to-have-its-say-as-part-of-upcoming-sale-of-hecla-quebec-and-the-casa-berardi-mine-to-orezone-gold-corporation-302698569.html

SOURCE Abitibiwinni First Nation Council

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GoDaddy ANS Integrates with Salesforce's MuleSoft Agent Fabric

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

Originally published on GoDaddy

TEMPE, Ariz., February 26, 2026 /3BL/ — GoDaddy (NYSE: GDDY) recentlyy announced an integration with Salesforce’s MuleSoft Agent Fabric that helps companies of all sizes discover AI agents and verify their identity. This helps prevent rogue agents from interacting with business systems and sensitive data.

As organizations deploy more AI agents across different platforms and teams, many lack a consistent way to confirm where an agent came from, who published it, and most importantly, whether it is trusted by the business. Without that verification, businesses often face a difficult choice: slow agentic AI adoption to manage risk or move quickly without sufficient safeguards.

GoDaddy’s Agent Name Service (ANS) registers AI agents and publishes them to the public Domain Name System (DNS), the global directory that makes the internet work.

ANS extends the use of DNS to support AI agent registration. Once an agent is registered, it becomes discoverable from any network on earth within seconds, with a verified identity linked to the owner’s domain name. Other agents and systems can look up that identity using standard DNS queries, with no special tools or access to ANS required.

How GoDaddy ANS Integrates with MuleSoft Agent Fabric

MuleSoft Agent Fabric intelligently discovers, orchestrates and governs any AI agent, regardless of where it’s built, and now MuleSoft customers can configure GoDaddy ANS as a trusted source for agent discovery. MuleSoft’s Agent Scanners pull verified agents from ANS into MuleSoft Agent Registry, where they appear for review and approval before accessing enterprise systems. From there, teams can:

  • See each agent’s verification status and publisher details
  • Click through to cryptographic proof of identity
  • Set policies that determine which APIs and data agents can access

Read details about the integration on the MuleSoft blog.

Raising the Bar for Agent Security

“The agentic ecosystem on the open internet is exploding, so trust and identity need to keep up,” said Travis Muhlestein, chief technology officer of product and AI at GoDaddy. “This integration helps organizations verify the identity of AI agents so they can scale adoption with stronger confidence and accountability.”

“Open ecosystems have always been critical for enterprise success, and we are committed to building one where customers can safely discover and govern AI agents, regardless of where they originated,” said Andrew Comstock, SVP & GM, MuleSoft at Salesforce. “By integrating GoDaddy’s ANS with MuleSoft Agent Fabric, we’re providing the ‘digital passport’ customers need to manage agent sprawl and help ensure every agent in their catalog is authenticated and trustworthy.”

To learn more about the GoDaddy ANS, visit www.godaddy.com/ans.

About GoDaddy
GoDaddy, the world’s largest domain name registrar, helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo®, the company’s AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by helping them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy’s expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

Source: GoDaddy Inc.

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Guiding Stars: Refining Our Guidance With Good Science

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

Originally published on Guiding Stars Health & Nutrition News

By Mark Kantor

The Guiding Stars algorithms, the formulas used to assign Stars to foods and beverages, were recently updated to reflect new information about nutrition science and the current landscape of food product labeling in grocery stores. The Guiding Stars Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) continually monitors new developments in nutrition and public health to determine if any changes in the algorithms are warranted. This year, after carefully reviewing federal nutrition guidance, Food and Drug Administration regulations, and nutrition science research, the SAP approved updates to four algorithms, resulting in the following key changes:

Star-Earning Yogurts

The FDA amended some of its labeling rules for yogurt in 2021. Among other things, the changes gave manufacturers the option of declaring “contains live and active cultures” (or a similar phrase) if products contain a certain minimum level of live and active bacterial cultures. In addition, the rule required yogurt labels to state “does not contain live and active cultures” if products were treated to inactivate viable microorganisms. To help shoppers identify more nutritious options in grocery stores, the SAP decided to award 1 bonus point for foods that declare “contains live and active cultures.” (Previously, only beverages could earn this credit). This bonus equates to a 1-star increase, which resulted in over 350 shelf tag changes, so shoppers will now see Stars on products such as whole milk plain yogurt and lightly sweetened yogurts, provided they don’t contain additives to limit, like artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners.

The Science: Live and active cultures in yogurt are a type of probiotic. When consumed, these “good bacteria” add to the population of microbes already found in the large intestine, or gut. This helps create a balanced and diverse gut “microbiome” – the entire community of microorganisms along with their genetic material – which is associated with such health benefits as improved digestion, a stronger immune system, reduced inflammation, and less constipation.

Addressing Food Additives

The Guiding Stars algorithms include an “additives to limit” component that considers the type and frequency of certain ingredients commonly found in highly processed foods. The “additives to limit” list includes ingredients such as artificial colors and flavors, synthetic non-nutritive sweeteners, chemical preservatives, sugar alcohols, and other additives used for such functional purposes as imparting texture and maintaining consistency. Although food additives are approved by FDA for use in certain foods at specified levels, many additives are often found in foods with poor nutritional quality, and some additives have been controversial over the years due to potential safety issues or public health concerns. The SAP monitors new research and policy issues related to food additives and considers not only their use in the U.S. but also how other countries view their safety.

To better guide consumers towards products that support good nutrition and promote health, the SAP chose to update the debit on “additives to limit” so that it is applied consistently across all the Guiding Stars algorithms. Now, all foods and beverages will receive a debit for one of these additives. Products that contain more than one additive to limit will be ineligible to earn any Stars.

The Science: For each additive included in the algorithm, there is evidence suggesting potential adverse health effects. For example, chemical preservatives like nitrates and nitrites found in cured meats can be converted to carcinogenic compounds called nitrosamines. Potassium bromate, used in baked goods to strengthen dough and help it rise, was linked to kidney and thyroid cancers and DNA damage, and was banned in several countries, including those in the European Union. The World Health Organization, based on what it considered to be limited evidence, classified the artificial sweetener aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic,” especially when consumed at very high levels. Many food additives are not necessary for producing tasty and nutritious foods or have not been shown to be effective for weight control, and they often can be replaced with less toxic ingredients.

Learn More: You can learn more about the science behind the Stars by accessing the white paper that details the Guiding Stars algorithms.

About Guiding Stars

Guiding Stars is an objective, evidence-based, nutrition guidance program that evaluates foods and beverages to make nutritious choices simple. Products that meet transparent nutrition criteria earn a 1, 2, or 3 star rating for good, better, and best nutrition. Guiding Stars can be found in more than 2,000 grocery stores, in Circana’ Attribute Marketplace, and through the Guiding Stars Food Finder app.
 

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