Singapore, Singapore, October 20th, 2026, Chainwire
The discretionary buyback represents close to 1% of circulating supply and precedes four planned product milestones culminating in Grvt 2.0.
Grvt, a self-custodial trading platform built on its own zero-knowledge (ZK) chain, announced that the Foundation’s token issuer has completed its first GRVT token buyback, purchasing and burning 1.1 million GRVT tokens on the open market.
The transaction permanently removed close to 1% of GRVT’s circulating supply at the time of purchase. It marks the first of five milestones ahead of the planned launch of Grvt 2.0 at the end of November 2026.
A Discretionary Buyback with On-Chain Verification
The Foundation’s token issuer intends to conduct further buybacks on a monthly basis. Each transaction remains entirely at the issuer’s discretion, with no predetermined purchase amount or guaranteed schedule.
Buybacks are executed through an independent execution partner, with purchased tokens transferred to a designated burn address and permanently removed from circulation.
The transactions can be independently verified through the public buyback dashboard, which records the number of tokens purchased and burned, the percentage of circulating supply represented, cumulative burns and on-chain transaction hashes.
“The GRVT token is an important part of the ecosystem we are building,” said Hong, co-founder and CEO of Grvt. “We welcome the issuer’s buybacks as a demonstration of its long-term commitment to the ecosystem and community. Grvt is expanding its products and markets, and the issuer’s buybacks sit alongside that as a supportive mechanism aimed at reducing circulating token supply.”
Grvt Outlines Four Product Milestones
The announcement follows GRVT’s token generation event in July 2026 and precedes a series of planned launches.Grvt Earn, scheduled for the End of October, will introduce yield opportunities backed by tokenized assets, with target yields of up to 11%. Potential returns are expected to derive from underlying asset cash flows, including interest, premiums and invoice-related income. Asset-supplying partners will be announced at launch. Target yields are not guaranteed.
Stable Funding Perps, scheduled for November, will introduce perpetual futures linked to commodities, stocks, foreign exchange and indices. The contracts are planned to carry zero trading fees and use once-daily funding. Grvt aims to list more than 1,000 markets by the end of December 2026.
Yield as Margin, also scheduled for November, will allow eligible Grvt Earn balances to support trading positions while continuing to accrue yield, subject to applicable product terms and risk parameters.
Grvt 2.0, scheduled for the End of November, will consolidate these capabilities into a single self-custodial app, alongside a new name, visual identity, and the company’s 2027 roadmap.
Addressing Idle Capital
The expansion follows a survey of Grvt traders conducted earlier in 2026. Six in ten respondents reported keeping at least a quarter of their capital on the platform idle, while many reported moving funds elsewhere to pursue yields of 8% or more.
Grvt’s upcoming products aim to reduce the separation between earning yield and deploying capital for trading.
“Traders shouldn’t have to choose between putting their capital to work and keeping it ready to trade,” Hong said. “Grvt 2.0 is designed around a single self-custodial balance that can support both activities.”
Founded in 2022, Grvt currently supports perpetual futures across approximately 200 cryptocurrency and real-world asset markets.
The GRVT token launched in July 2026 and confers no ownership, profit or other economic rights.
Grvt is a self-custodial trading platform operating on its own zero-knowledge chain. The platform supports cryptocurrency and real-world asset perpetual futures and is developing products that allow eligible balances to earn yield while supporting trading activity.
New cargo securement line combines one-touch release technology, automatic retraction, and reinforced webbing for professional and everyday hauling needs
Ningbo, China, 20th Oct 2026 – Towmax, a family-owned cargo securement brand, has announced the U.S. launch of its upgraded auto-retract ratchet strap series on Amazon, featuring a top-mounted one-touch release button, automatic webbing retraction, and reinforced polyester webbing.
Designed for truckers, contractors, movers, and weekend haulers, the new line combines practical handling features with reinforced materials for repeated cargo securement and outdoor use.
The launch marks another step in Towmax’s commitment to developing practical cargo securement equipment. Combining single-handed release with thickened, double-stitched polyester webbing, the upgraded series is designed to simplify everyday handling while addressing the demands of repeated transport and outdoor use.
The defining feature is its top-mounted release button, positioned for convenient thumb access. According to Towmax, the design allows users to release strap tension with a single press, reducing the lifting and repositioning associated with conventional ratchet mechanisms. The accessible button placement is also intended to make operation more convenient when wearing work gloves.
Another key feature is the single-pull automatic retraction mechanism, which allows loose webbing to retract into the housing in one motion after unloading, reducing the need for manual winding.
Watch Towmax’s auto-retract ratchet straps in action to see how the top-release button and automatic retraction mechanism work.
Say goodbye to webbing breakage and jamming during webbing retraction！Towmax has introduced thickened, double-stitched polyester webbing engineered for greater resistance to cuts, abrasion, and UV exposure. The reinforced construction is intended to support repeated cargo handling, while coated steel hooks provide corrosion resistance for trailer, marine, and outdoor applications. A compact, rounded, ergonomic housing complements the design, offering a more comfortable grip and effectively prevents the webbing from jamming during retraction.
The upgraded series reflects the company’s broader approach to product development, which emphasizes durability, ease of use, and practical innovation.
Towmax says its family-owned manufacturing heritage spans more than 20 years, with knowledge of ratchet strap production passed down through generations.
The company has continued expanding its cargo securement portfolio while focusing on products that address the everyday needs of transportation professionals and recreational users.
The upgraded Towmax Retractable Ratchet Straps represent the company’s latest effort to combine practical design improvements with durable cargo securement materials.
A Towmax representative commented on the motivation behind the new product line: “For too long, securing a load has meant sore hands, frayed webbing, and straps that refuse to coil back up. We built the auto-retract ratchet strap line because truckers, contractors, and weekend haulers deserve a tie-down that respects their time and their knuckles. Automatic retraction isn’t a gimmick — it’s the difference between fighting your gear and finishing the job.”
Alongside the newly launched series, Towmax offers additional cargo securement products through Amazon U.S. Its 1-inch by 12-foot retractable ratchet straps (4-pack) feature automatic retraction and are designed for motorcycles, trailers, and general cargo applications.
The company’s heavy-duty 20-foot ratchet straps with J-hooks offer another tie-down option for equipment transportation, featuring reinforced stitching and curved hooks for secure anchor connections.
For vehicle transportation, the Towmax wheel chock tie-down kit features bright green webbing and an E-track-compatible design intended to secure tires while limiting unnecessary suspension compression.
With the U.S. Amazon launch, Towmax aims to make its upgraded cargo securement solutions accessible to a broader audience while continuing to invest in practical product innovation.
About Towmax
Towmax is a family-owned cargo securement business based in Ningbo, China, with a manufacturing heritage spanning multiple generations. The company specializes in retractable ratchet straps, E-track systems, cargo tie-downs, and bungee cords for professional and recreational transportation applications.
According to the company, Towmax has more than 450 employees, operates a 50,000-square-foot factory, and generates annual sales exceeding $50 million. Its product development focuses on durability, versatility, and practical cargo securement solutions.
Internationally Acclaimed Performers Bring Laughter Beyond Language Barriers to Osaka, Building on the Momentum of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai
Osaka, Japan, 20th Oct 2026 — Bringing together internationally acclaimed performers and productions recognized at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL 2026 celebrated the universal language of laughter in Osaka’s Minami district from October 10 to 12. The international comedy festival showcased nonverbal comedy that transcends language barriers, while a program held in conjunction with the festival saw Cirque du Soleil hold its first-ever clown auditions in Japan. Organized as part of Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City’s efforts to sustain the momentum generated by Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, the festival welcomed a total of 73,658 attendees over three days.
Organized by Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City and the Osaka Cultural Arts Project Executive Committee, the three-day festival took place at Namba Square and SPACE14 on the 14th floor of Shinsaibashi PARCO. Centered on nonverbal comedy, the program brought together performers and productions that have earned international recognition, offering audiences from Japan and abroad the chance to enjoy comedy without language barriers. The event was managed by Yoshimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese entertainment company and talent agency.
Bringing the Energy of Expo 2025 to Osaka’s Cultural Scene
OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL is part of the Osaka International Cultural Arts Project, an initiative designed to build on the international attention generated by Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, and sustain it through ongoing cultural and tourism exchanges.
The inaugural festival was held during Expo 2025. For its second edition, the festival took place in Minami, one of Osaka’s major entertainment and shopping districts, presenting three days of free street performances.
The festival sought to share Osaka’s distinctive comedy culture—traditionally represented by manzai, a form of Japanese double-act comedy, and rakugo, a traditional form of comic storytelling—with audiences around the world through physical and nonverbal comedy.
Festival Highlights and Attendance
– Total attendance: 73,658 over three days – Street performances: Namba Square, October 10–12 (free admission) – Theater performances: SPACE14, 14th floor of Shinsaibashi PARCO ・CHALLENGE: October 10, with two performances ・SKIT COMEDY SHOW: October 11 – Program held in conjunction with the festival: Cirque du Soleil Casting auditions, October 7–9
Internationally Acclaimed Performers Take the Stage
Cirque du Soleil Holds Its First-Ever Clown Auditions in Japan
As part of a program held in conjunction with the festival, Cirque du Soleil Casting conducted auditions in the clown and circus act categories. This marked the first time the company had held clown auditions in Japan.
Charlie Burrows, who oversees casting for all of Cirque du Soleil’s resident shows, traveled from Las Vegas to attend the auditions and took part in the opening ceremony on the festival’s first day. Reflecting on the performers he saw in Osaka, he said, “I saw so many wonderful performers in Osaka.”
THE TOKYO IDIOTS, Featuring Britain’s Got Talent Finalist TONY
THE TOKYO IDIOTS invite audience members onto the stage for a coordinated comedy routine.
THE TOKYO IDIOTS, a comedy unit featuring TONY (Tonikaku Akarui Yasumura), WES-P and GASSY (Koikuchi Ichikawa), took to the center stage at Namba Square.
TONY reached the finals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2023, while WES-P has appeared on Got Talent programs in more than 10 countries and regions. The trio have also appeared at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, one of the world’s largest performing arts festivals, and received the “Sea of Laughter Award” at the Busan International Comedy Festival in South Korea.
Their coordinated routines, including a segment that brought audience members onto the stage, filled Namba Square with laughter and applause.
CHALLENGE: Five-Star-Rated Nonverbal Comedy at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
CHALLENGE, a nonverbal comedy production that received a five-star review at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
At SPACE14 on the 14th floor of Shinsaibashi PARCO, the festival presented CHALLENGE, a nonverbal comedy production that received a five-star review during the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Written, directed and produced by Akira Ishida of the Japanese comedy duo NON STYLE, the show incorporates distinctly Japanese elements, including sword-fighting choreography and kendama, a traditional Japanese skill toy. Through facial expressions, physical movement and music, the production tells its story without relying on dialogue.
The theater welcomed many international visitors. Following the performance, audience members shared reactions such as, “I’ve never seen a show like this before” and “It was much more fun than I expected.”
GABEZ, Known for Their Tokyo 2020 Olympic Pictogram Performance, Close the Festival
Namba Square, the venue for the festival’s free street performances. OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL 2026 drew a total of 73,658 attendees over three days.
Nonverbal performance duo GABEZ brought the festival’s final day to a close on the main stage. The duo are widely known for their pictogram performance at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Combining pantomime, dance and audience participation, their performance drew enthusiastic applause from spectators of all ages, including children and international tourists, through to the finale.
Akira Ishida, Festival MC and Director of CHALLENGE, Shares His Vision
Akira Ishida of NON STYLE, festival MC and director of CHALLENGE.
Akira Ishida of NON STYLE, who served as the festival’s overall master of ceremonies and directed CHALLENGE, commented:
“We have performers here who can make people laugh without relying on words. I really hope audiences from overseas will find them funny, too!”
OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL to Continue in 2027 and Beyond
OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL is scheduled to continue in 2027 and beyond. Details of the next edition, including dates and program information, will be announced on the official website and social media channels as soon as confirmed.
Information for International Media
The festival’s international media contact team welcomes inquiries in both English and Japanese regarding:
– Media materials: Official photographs from all three days and daily highlight videos are available for news coverage of the event only. No credit line is required. Online use of video footage is limited to one video of no more than five minutes, with use permitted until December 31, 2026. – Future coverage and interviews: Inquiries are welcome regarding coverage of the next edition and interviews with performers and event organizers.
Event Information
Event name: OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL 2026 (Part of the Osaka International Cultural Arts Project) Dates: October 10 (Saturday)–12 (Monday, national holiday), 2026 Venues:
Organizers: Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City and the Osaka Cultural Arts Project Executive Committee Committee members: Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, and Kansai Tourism Bureau Total attendance: 73,658 Official website: https://oc-fes.com Official social media channels: X: @osaka_comedyfes Instagram: @osaka_comedy_festival
Media Inquiries
International Media Desk Osaka Cultural Arts Project Operations Secretariat International Public Relations (APOC Co., Ltd.) Email: pr@apocc.co.jp Tel: +81-3-6823-8848
Office hours: Weekdays, 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Japan Standard Time (UTC+9). Email inquiries are accepted 24 hours a day. General Inquiries and Performance Information in Japan Osaka Cultural Arts Project Operations Secretariat Tel: 06-7177-6938 (weekdays, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. JST) Email: info@oica-project.jp
Mastek using its proprietary ADOPT-AI platform will help the council modernise finance, procurement, HR and payroll services, supporting future-ready public service delivery and local government reorganisation readiness
United States, 20th Oct 2026 – Mastek (UK) Limited, a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Mastek Limited (NSE: MASTEK; BSE: 523704), a trusted AI-first digital engineering and cloud transformation partner, today announced that it has been selected by Staffordshire County Council to deliver a significant Oracle Cloud transformation programme spanning Finance, Procurement, Human Resources and Payroll.
Under the engagement, Mastek will use its ADOPT AI platform to deliver Oracle Cloud as the Council’s single, integrated platform for Finance, Procurement, HR and Payroll. The new environment will enable the Council to consolidate legacy systems, strengthen data governance, enhance employee experience and establish a modern digital foundation to support ongoing transformation.
As one of England’s largest county councils, Staffordshire County Council serves more than 875,000 residents and delivers a broad range of essential public services across education, social care, highways and community services. Supporting these services requires efficient, resilient and future-ready corporate operations capable of adapting to evolving organisational and service delivery requirements.
The programme forms a key part of Staffordshire County Council’s wider ambition to modernise its corporate services and establish a more agile, digitally enabled operating model. The council is focused on simplifying and standardising back-office processes, improving operational visibility and governance, reducing manual effort, and creating a scalable foundation capable of supporting future organisational change.
Abhishek Singh, President UKI & Europe, Mastek, said, “We are delighted to partner with Staffordshire County Council on this important transformation programme. Local authorities are increasingly focused on modernising operations while preparing for future structural and service delivery changes. By combining Oracle Cloud technology with Mastek’s extensive public sector transformation expertise and AI native approach, we look forward to helping the council build a more efficient, resilient and future-ready operating model that delivers long-term value for employees, stakeholders and residents.”
Pete Shakespear, Director of Finance & Resources, Staffordshire County Council, said, “As we continue to evolve our operating model and prepare for future organisational change, it is important that our corporate systems are modern, efficient and capable of supporting long-term transformation. Mastek demonstrated a strong understanding of our objectives, and we look forward to partnering with them to deliver a platform that will help us build a more agile and future-ready organisation.”
The programme marks another important milestone in Mastek’s continued growth within UK Local Government and reinforces its position as a trusted transformation partner for large-scale public sector modernisation initiatives.
Following a competitive procurement process, Mastek was selected based on its Oracle Cloud expertise, extensive UK local government experience, collaborative delivery approach and strong understanding of Staffordshire County Council’s transformation objectives.
The engagement further strengthens Mastek’s position as a trusted transformation partner within UK Local Government and expands its Oracle Cloud footprint across finance, procurement and human capital management. The programme is particularly significant as councils across England prepare for local government reorganisation and seek modern, scalable technology platforms capable of supporting organisational change while improving service resilience. The win also enhances Mastek’s growing portfolio of Oracle Cloud transformation programmes and provides a strong reference point for other local authorities pursuing enterprise-wide modernisation initiatives.
About Mastek
Mastek (NSE: MASTEK; BSE: 523704) is a global provider of enterprise AI, digital, and cloud services, enabling clients to achieve measurable and sustainable returns on their technology investments. The company has a presence in over 40 countries and a skilled workforce of close to 5,000 employees. Through its “Lead with AI” approach, Mastek integrates intelligence across its solutions and operations, enabling organizations to accelerate transformation using ethical, scalable, and domain-driven AI adoption. Mastek partners with industry leaders such as Oracle, Salesforce, Microsoft, AWS, Snowflake, and Databricks, serving key sectors such as Public Sector, Healthcare, Retail, Manufacturing, Higher Education, and Financial Services. Mastek is committed to driving innovation by developing a strong ecosystem of start-ups, academia, and IPs. With its core values of trust, value, and velocity, the company empowers 400+ active customers to transform their business in the evolving tech landscape. Mastek has always been a solutions-focused and relationship-centric company, valuing both employees and clients. With its humane approach, Mastek fosters growth through sustainable goals, high ethical standards, and responsible governance.
BrightStag Films has announced the pre-launch phase for The 18 Missing Years, a 35-time award-winning episodic series inspired by The Aquarian Gospel. The project explores the untold story of Yeshua Ben Yosef (Jesus) from ages 12 to 30 as he travels across six countries along the Silk Road, including Mesopotamia. By merging deep narrative mystery with a Neill Blomkamp-style Human-AI Hybrid pipeline, the campaign aims to build audience traction ahead of an upcoming crowdfunding launch. 35-Time Award-Winning Screenplay Sparks Dialogue on Ancient Accounts While Pioneering a Human-Centric Generative Workflow Ahead of Crowdfunding Launch
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 20th Oct 2026 – BrightStag Films, an independent production company based in Philadelphia, today announced the official pre-launch phase for its episodic series project, The 18 Missing Years. Written and created by Jean Galliano, the award-winning script has already achieved widespread acclaim, securing over 35 prestigious film festival and screenplay accolades. This pre-launch effort builds momentum and subscriber support ahead of the project’s upcoming official crowdfunding launch.
Inspired by the text of The Aquarian Gospel, The 18 Missing Years explores the untold story of Yeshua Ben Yosef (Jesus) during his lost years from ages 12 to 30, detailing his journeys across the Silk Road—including India, Tibet, Persia, Mesopotamia, Greece, and Egypt. Rather than presenting the show as historical or theological fact, the production aims to ignite curiosity, foster open dialogue, and invite audiences to ask deeper questions about ancient history.
Visually and technologically, the series positions itself at the intersection of narrative intrigue and technological innovation. The project aspires to build on the performance-driven production model popularized by filmmaker Neill Blomkamp in his short film Nightborne, which captured the faces, voices, and micro-expressions of 32 real people under likeness agreements to anchor generative visual media in genuine human emotion. BrightStag Films intends to adopt a similar Human-AI Hybrid Production Pipeline alongside the right production partners, ensuring that real actor performances remain the core driver of the visual world.
“Our goal with The 18 Missing Years is twofold: to provoke thoughtful discussion around an unseen story, and to demonstrate how advanced generative tools can elevate—rather than replace—the essential human element in television,” said Fredric Schwartz, producer. “By combining deep narrative mystery with a performance-driven AI workflow, we are creating a unique experience for both audiences and industry partners.”
BrightStag Films has launched an official preview landing page featuring the concept trailer, project overview, creator commentary, and early-access sign-ups for future supporters ahead of the upcoming crowdfunding campaign.
For more information, to view the trailer, or to join the project mailing list ahead of the campaign launch, visit the18missingyears.com.
About BrightStag Films
BrightStag Films is an independent production company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dedicated to high-concept storytelling, compelling episodic narratives, and next-generation visual techniques, BrightStag Films bridges classical storytelling traditions with emerging cinematic technology.
A faith centered guide examines the mental, emotional, physical, financial, and spiritual gaps that can quietly separate people from purpose, wholeness, and meaningful growth.
Houston, Texas, United States, 20th Oct 2026 – Keach Publishing Agency announces the release of “Where’s the GAP?” by David P. Matthews, a reflective and practical new book, now available on Amazon, built around a deceptively simple question: What is standing between the life a person is living and the life he or she is meant to live?
Matthews approaches that question through what he calls the Five Sacred Trusts: mental alignment, emotional alignment, physical alignment, financial alignment, and spiritual alignment. His central argument is that these areas do not exist in isolation. A neglected gap in one can place pressure on the others, shaping decisions, relationships, health, finances, identity, and a person’s sense of purpose.
Rather than presenting personal growth as a matter of appearances or temporary behavior change, “Where’s the GAP?” asks readers to look beneath the visible symptoms of frustration, exhaustion, unresolved hurt, financial strain, or spiritual disconnection. Matthews writes from a distinctly Christian perspective, combining scripture, personal reflection, prayer, and direct questions intended to help readers identify root causes and move toward genuine alignment.
“A gap does not always announce itself loudly,” Matthews says. “Sometimes it hides behind success, busyness, relationships, money, ministry, or achievement. The real work begins when we are willing to identify what pressure is revealing and allow God to address the root, not simply the symptom.”
The book moves through each of the Five Sacred Trusts individually while showing how closely they influence one another. The mental section explores mindset, maturity, and the role of adversity. The emotional section examines forgiveness, unresolved pain, and self compassion. The physical section challenges readers to view care of the body as stewardship. The financial section considers money, responsibility, generosity, and purpose. The spiritual section brings the framework together by placing identity, obedience, and God given purpose at the center of a whole life.
That interconnected approach gives the book relevance beyond a single moment of motivation. A person dealing with financial pressure may also be carrying emotional wounds. Mental exhaustion can affect physical health. Spiritual disconnection can alter identity and direction. By helping readers recognize those relationships, Matthews offers a framework for asking better questions about why certain patterns persist and what meaningful change may require.
“This is not a book about pretending every part of life is perfect,” Matthews says. “It is about becoming honest enough to see where the gap exists, disciplined enough to address it, and faithful enough to believe that restoration and purpose are still possible.”
“Where’s the GAP?” is positioned for readers interested in Christian personal development, spiritual growth, whole person alignment, purpose, stewardship, and practical faith. Its message is especially timely for individuals who appear productive on the outside yet sense that something important remains unresolved within.
Keach Publishing Agency is supporting the title through a broader book marketing and publicity campaign designed to introduce Matthews and his Five Sacred Trusts framework to readers, faith communities, media outlets, podcast hosts, book reviewers, and organizations focused on personal and spiritual development.
David P. Matthews writes about faith, purpose, personal responsibility, and whole person growth. In “Where’s the GAP?” he draws on personal reflection, mentoring experience, and Christian teaching to help readers examine the areas of life that may be keeping them from greater alignment with God and their purpose. Author website: https://www.tcyblueprint.com/
About Keach Publishing Agency
Keach Publishing Agency supports authors through publishing, creative development, book marketing, publicity, and campaign strategy. The agency works to position books with clear messaging and professional presentation while helping authors build visibility around the ideas and stories behind their work.
12th Edition of Art Fair to Feature Opening of GRIOT: Urgent Storytelling for Our Times Exhibit
Austria, 20th Oct 2026 – AfriKin Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit art institution based in Miami, will open the 12th edition of AfriKin Art Fair on November 29, 2026, with GRIOT: Urgent Storytelling for Our Times, an exhibition of an estimated 70 artists of African heritage from more than 35 countries and territories across Africa and the diaspora. Curated by Joseph L. Underwood, Ph.D., of Kent State University, the fair runs through December 6 at Maison AfriKin, 1600 NE 126th Street in Downtown North Miami, during Miami Art Week and alongside Art Basel Miami Beach.
Award-winning actress and art collector CCH Pounder, whose collection includes more than 500 works by Caribbean, African and diaspora artists, will receive the 2026 AfriKin Award of Excellence at the opening Vernissage on November 29.
Now in its twelfth consecutive year, AfriKin Art Fair has become one of the most sought-after destinations during Miami Art Week for collectors acquiring work by emerging and established artists of African heritage. The fair is built on AfriKin’s founding principle that culture creates commerce, commerce strengthens community, and community safeguards culture. In 2025, the fair welcomed 8,955 visitors, generated $188,000 in combined marketplace sales and paid $97,800 directly to participating artists.
“The griot kept the record of the community,” said Alfonso D. Brooks, Founder and Chairman of AfriKin Foundation. “For twelve years, AfriKin has given artists of African heritage a place inside Miami Art Week to keep the record of our time, put it in front of the world’s collectors, and be paid for it. CCH Pounder has spent decades carrying these artists into museums from Philadelphia to London, and we are proud to honor her as GRIOT opens.”
The Exhibition
GRIOT casts contemporary artists as vital members of their communities. The griots of West Africa have historically been responsible for carrying the stories of their communities, asking “Where have we been? What have we accomplished?” They could also carry a word of warning, often using their position of privilege to advocate for the community during the reign of difficult rulers, asking “What are we becoming? Haven’t we learned this lesson yet?”
Working in painting, sculpture, photography, textile and other media, the artists of GRIOT are storytellers who are each remembering, reflecting, critiquing, praising, celebrating, dreaming and encouraging.
The exhibition is divided into smaller sections, or dialogues, where the artworks pose similar questions. Visitors will have a chance to respond on site, engaging in a conversation with the display and re-enacting the call and response of a griot and their audience, like a minister with their congregation.
“Across the dialogues, visitors will encounter the art as a living force for dialogue, not a passive decoration on a wall, but a contemporary griot whose call demands our attention and our response,” said curator Joseph L. Underwood, Ph.D.
2026 Honoree: CCH Pounder, Griot of the Collection
AfriKin Foundation will present the 2026 AfriKin Award of Excellence to CCH Pounder in recognition of a lifetime spent collecting, preserving and presenting the work of Caribbean, African and diaspora artists. In the tradition of the griot, Pounder has built a collection that keeps the record: a living archive of more than 500 works that she has carried into museums across the United States, Europe and Africa.
The CCH Pounder-Koné Collection is concentrated in contemporary art and includes traditional African sculpture. Exhibitions drawn from it include Shared Vision at the African American Museum in Philadelphia, Diaspora Stories at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center in Chicago, Queen at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, and, most recently, Brother, Brother at the African Diaspora Art Museum of Atlanta. Works from the collection have also been loaned to the National Portrait Gallery and Somerset House in London, the Art Institute of Chicago, Xavier University of Louisiana, Spelman College Museum of Art, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art and the Kent State University Museum.
In 1992, Pounder and her late husband, Boubacar Koné, founded the Musée Boribana in Dakar, the first privately owned contemporary art museum in Senegal, and gifted it to the nation in 2014. In 2022 she was named a Commander of the National Order of the Lion, Senegal’s highest honor. GRIOT curator Dr. Joseph L. Underwood has himself contributed to exhibition projects at the Musée Boribana, a connection that links this year’s honoree and this year’s exhibition through the same institution.
“Artists are the griots of our time. They hold what we cannot afford to forget,” said CCH Pounder. “Every work I have collected carries someone’s story, and a collector’s responsibility is to keep that story moving into museums, into classrooms and into the hands of the next generation. AfriKin has built that kind of home in Miami, and I am honored to stand with these artists during Art Week.”
Originally from Georgetown, Guyana, Pounder is a four-time Emmy® nominee known for her roles as Claudette Wyms on FX’s The Shield and Dr. Loretta Wade on CBS’s NCIS: New Orleans, and for James Cameron’s Avatar films, including Avatar: Fire and Ash. She can currently be seen in The Terror: Devil in Silver on AMC+ and Cape Fear on Apple TV+. She serves on the board of the African Millennium Foundation, was a founding member of Artists for a New South Africa, and holds the Cacique’s Crown of Honour from Guyana and honorary doctorates from the University of Guyana and Ithaca College.
Collectors, patrons and supporters are invited to join the celebration at the Vernissage on November 29, where Pounder will be honored alongside the artists of GRIOT. VIP Preview tickets
Programming
Following the Vernissage, the GRIOT exhibition is open to the public daily from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, November 30 to December 6, closing at 6:00 PM on Sunday, December 6, with performances, collector preview access, and artist-led workshops open to collectors, students and the public. This year’s AfriKin Talks program is CHANGÁ: Griot Moves on December 3. Signature programs, in date order:
Sunday, November 29 | The Vernissage: An All-White Affair | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
An evening showcase of multidisciplinary art and an All-White red-carpet gala, the Vernissage opens the 12th edition with a collectors’ preview, first access to the GRIOT exhibition, live performances, immersive installations and the presentation of the 2026 AfriKin Award of Excellence to CCH Pounder. Doors open at 5:30 PM. Dress code: All White with a Splash of AfriKin Chic. VIP Preview and VVIP tickets
Tuesday, December 1 | Rhythm and Soul: Mosaic Workshop | 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
A beginner-friendly mosaic workshop led by Orlando-based glass and metal artist JoKeeta of Stained Glass by JoKeeta. Using pre-cut tiles and provided materials, six to twelve participants each complete a finished piece to take home. RSVP
Thursday, December 3 | CHANGÁ: Griot Moves | 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
A breakfast, screening and conversation built around Changá, a 55-minute documentary that uses the Caribbean game of dominoes to examine how Dutch Caribbean communities create and thrive in the Netherlands. The screening is followed by a conversation between co-director Prof. Dr. Francio Guadeloupe, Endowed Chair in Public Anthropology of Kingdom Relations at the University of Amsterdam and former President of the University of St. Martin, and Prof. Patricia J. Saunders, Professor of English and Hemispheric Caribbean Studies at the University of Miami, President of the Caribbean Studies Association and author of the Bocas Prize-shortlisted Buyers Beware: Epistemologies of Consumption in Caribbean Popular Culture (Rutgers University Press, 2022). The morning closes with a live domino art activation. Register
Saturday, December 5 | African Fashion Week Miami Pop-Up | 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
A designer pop-up previewing the collections of REGENESIS: The African Winter.
Sunday, December 6 | African Fashion Week Miami: REGENESIS: The African Winter | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
The closing runway presents designers from continental Africa and its diaspora. Following 2025’s Resistance on the Runway, REGENESIS stages a winter collection runway in tropical Miami, presenting sculptural coats, futuristic knits and couture tailoring that position African design as a source of global luxury. Tickets
All programs take place at Maison AfriKin, Scott Galvin Community Center, 1600 NE 126th Street, North Miami, FL 33181. Ticket prices increase November 1. Full details at afrikin.org.
AfriKin Art Fair 2026 is presented with Miami Art Week partners the City of North Miami, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau and Art of Black Miami, Dutch Culture USA, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and CNW Network, with additional support from North Miami Parks.
Sponsorship Opportunities
AfriKin is inviting corporate, brand and institutional partners to join its 2026-27 cultural season, which opens with the Art Fair and continues with Black History Month programming in February 2027 and Art, Jazz & Champagne, AfriKin’s Women’s History Month centerpiece, on March 14, 2027.
Sponsors align with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit art institution that has paid artists directly, drawn international collectors, diplomats and cultural leaders to North Miami. Partnership includes brand visibility across the season, press reach, and direct access to collectors and artists during Miami Art Week.
Presenting and Premier are single-partner anchor tiers. Diamond through Community tiers are open to multiple partners at each level. Contributions may be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Sponsorship inquiries: Alfonso D. Brooks, Founder and Chairman, +1 (646) 296-3613, brooks@afrikin.org, afrikin.org/sponsor
About the Curator
Joseph L. Underwood, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Art History at Kent State University and returns as curator of AfriKin Art Fair after leading the 2025 edition. A historian of modern and contemporary art, he focuses on the postwar era, including post-colonialism, (trans)nationalism, globalization and biennialism. His research centers on how artists in Francophone West and North Africa have built transnational networks of influence since the mid-20th century. He has contributed to exhibition projects at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, the Dakar Biennale for Contemporary African Art and the Musée Boribana in Dakar. Curator profile
About AfriKin Foundation
AfriKin Foundation, Inc. (EIN 85-2592611) is a Miami-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit art institution dedicated to contemporary African and diaspora art and culture. Founded in 2015 by Alfonso D. Brooks, AfriKin has operated Maison AfriKin at the Scott Galvin Community Center in Downtown North Miami since 2022, guided by the principle that culture creates commerce, commerce strengthens community, and community safeguards culture. AfriKin’s work has been recognized by proclamations from the City of Miami, the City of Miami Beach, the City of North Miami and Miami-Dade County, as well as the 2025 Arts and Social Impact Award from the Arts and Business Council of Miami. The 2026-27 season continues with Black History Month programming in February 2027 and Art, Jazz & Champagne on March 14, 2027. In 2025, AfriKin Art Fair paid $97,800 directly to artists and welcomed 8,955 visitors. Learn more at afrikin.org and @afrikinnation.
United States, 20th Oct 2026 — As the holiday season approaches, PetShopValue.com is highlighting practical pet comfort and travel essentials designed to help pet owners prepare for family visits, holiday trips, and cooler weather. From pet carriers and cozy bedding to sweaters, jackets, and thoughtful gift ideas, the company is emphasizing products that can help make seasonal routines more comfortable for pets and their owners.
Holiday travel often brings changes to familiar routines, including longer car journeys, overnight stays, crowded households, and exposure to colder temperatures. Preparing in advance can help pet owners address their animals’ everyday needs while making seasonal activities easier to manage. PetShopValue.com is drawing attention to useful supplies that support comfort, convenience, and preparation throughout the holiday period.
Preparing Pets for Holiday Travel
For households planning to travel with their pets, a suitable carrier can be an important part of the preparation process. Choosing a carrier that accommodates a pet’s size and allows appropriate ventilation can help provide a more secure and comfortable travel environment. Pet owners can also consider familiar blankets and other everyday essentials to help maintain a sense of routine when visiting unfamiliar places.
Planning ahead is particularly important for longer journeys and visits to family members. Pet owners should consider their animals’ individual needs, transportation requirements, and any restrictions that may apply at their destination. Keeping essential supplies accessible can also make travel arrangements more manageable.
PetShopValue.com highlights travel-related products as part of a broader approach to helping pet owners prepare for seasonal activities without overlooking their companions’ comfort and practical needs.
Creating a Cozy Environment as Temperatures Drop
Cooler weather can prompt pet owners to review their animals’ bedding and clothing needs. Cozy bedding can provide a familiar place to rest at home or during overnight visits, while suitable sweaters and jackets may offer additional warmth for pets that benefit from extra protection outdoors.
Selecting seasonal clothing requires attention to proper fit, comfort, and the individual animal. Pet owners should choose garments that allow natural movement and avoid items that restrict breathing or cause discomfort. Clothing should be monitored during use, and pets should not be left unattended while wearing items that could present a safety risk.
Bedding also deserves consideration as temperatures change. A comfortable resting area in a suitable location can help pets settle into their usual routines, whether they are staying at home or accompanying their families on seasonal trips.
Practical Gift Ideas for Pet Owners
The holiday season also provides an opportunity to choose useful gifts for friends and family members who share their homes with animals. Everyday pet accessories, comfortable bedding, travel supplies, and weather-appropriate clothing can offer practical alternatives to purely decorative gifts.
When selecting a gift for a pet, shoppers can consider the animal’s size, age, habits, and existing supplies. A well-chosen item that supports everyday care may be especially useful for households preparing for winter activities or welcoming visitors during the holidays.
By highlighting functional seasonal essentials, PetShopValue.com is drawing attention to products that align with the practical considerations pet owners face during one of the busiest times of the year.
Supporting Seasonal Pet Care
Through its online platform, PetShopValue.com provides pet owners with a destination to explore products for their animals’ everyday needs. Its holiday-season focus brings together travel preparation, comfort at home, cooler-weather considerations, and gift inspiration in one timely theme.
As families finalize their seasonal plans, preparing pets alongside other household arrangements can help make the holidays more organized. Reviewing travel supplies, checking bedding, and assessing whether additional protection from the cold is appropriate can help owners make informed decisions based on their pets’ individual requirements.
Australia, 20th Oct 2026 – The Brisbane Plumbers, a cutting-edge plumbing company based in Geebung, Queensland, has announced details of its dedicated plumbing services for property managers. The services are aimed at real estate agencies, landlords, body corporates and commercial buildings across Brisbane.
The company provides emergency repairs, scheduled maintenance, drain work, hot water services, gas fitting and compliance paperwork. Its offering also includes pipe relining and drain camera inspections, which are used to repair and assess damaged pipes without excavation where the condition of the pipe allows.
Emergency Response and Maintenance
The Brisbane Plumbers states that it operates a 24-hour emergency response, including public holidays. The callouts it lists cover burst pipes, blocked drains and toilets, hot water failures, gas leaks and sewer overflows. For emergencies, the company aims to have a plumber at the property within 60 minutes, and its vans carry common parts so that repairs can often be completed on the first visit.
Property managers oversee many buildings at once and handle maintenance requests from tenants and owners across all of them. A single plumbing contact who can respond to emergencies and also run planned work reduces the number of suppliers a manager needs to coordinate. The company offers preventative maintenance programs built around scheduled inspections. The frequency is tailored to each client, and quarterly visits are described as suitable for most.
“Property managers need a plumber who can respond quickly when something fails and who can also keep the paperwork in order afterwards,” said Joseph, Director of The Brisbane Plumbers. “The services are set up around both of those needs, so that an emergency callout and a routine inspection are handled in the same way.”
Reporting and Records
Reporting is a central part of the service for managers who answer to property owners. Each maintenance visit includes a digital report with photos and recommendations prioritised by urgency. Digital job records are archived and can be accessed through a portal, which supports audits of work carried out at a property.
Quotes are provided in writing before work begins on jobs that exceed an owner’s approval limit. After a job is completed, photos, a description and a quote for any additional work are sent within an hour. Where work is classed as notifiable, the company states that Form 4 or 4A is submitted within 10 business days and that copies are provided to the client.
Drainage, Hot Water and Compliance
Drainage services include clearing blocked drains with jet rodders and drain cameras, with camera survey reports available after an inspection. The company also offers acoustic leak detection for slab leaks between units, stormwater drainage inspection and clearing, and backflow prevention testing with certificates. For body corporate and multi-unit properties, a pre-holiday isolation service shuts water to specific zones during low-occupancy periods.
Hot water services cover repair, servicing and installation across electric, gas, solar and heat pump systems from major brands. The company states that it holds gas fitting licences, restricted electrical licences for hot water systems, backflow testing certification and public liability insurance. It describes its work as meeting the Queensland Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018, the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019 and Volume 3 of the Plumbing Code of Australia.
Looking Ahead
The announcement forms part of the company’s wider plumbing, drainage and gas work across Brisbane, which ranges from South Brisbane to the north of the city and surrounding areas. Property management is one of several client groups it serves.
“Property managers often work across many addresses, so the plan is to keep the reporting and response processes consistent from one property to the next,” Joseph said. “The Brisbane Plumbers expects to continue supporting agencies, landlords and body corporates with scheduled maintenance as well as emergency work.”
About The Brisbane Plumbers
The Brisbane Plumbers is a plumbing company based in Geebung, Queensland. Its services include 24-hour emergency plumbing, pipe relining, blocked drain solutions with CCTV drain inspections, general plumbing repairs and maintenance, hot water system diagnostics and repairs for gas and electric systems, and gas fitting.
For additional information about plumber for property managers Brisbane and related industry developments, contact The Brisbane Plumbers at 2/187 Murphy Road, Geebung QLD 4034. Inquiries regarding the company’s products, services and maintenance programs can be directed to 1300 847 094 or by email at info@thebrisbaneplumbers.com.au.
Brendale 4500, Queensland, Australia, 20th Oct 2026 – Cafe Solutions, a respected supplier of cafe and restaurant furniture, has announced details of its commercial dining chair collection for cafes. The Brendale, Queensland-based company currently lists 307 chairs in its cafe chairs category, covering indoor and outdoor models in plastic, timber, steel, aluminium, fabric and rattan, with shipping available across Australia.
The company supplies cafe and restaurant furniture, including chairs, tables, bar stools, benches and sinks. Its website presents indoor and outdoor furniture for hospitality businesses alongside a downloadable catalogue, and the chair collection is arranged so that cafe owners can compare models by style, material and feature.
Styles and Materials
Chairs in the collection are grouped as indoor, outdoor, crossback, bentwood, Parisian, industrial, upholstered, cushion, arm and stackable designs. Materials listed include plastic, timber and timber-look finishes, steel, aluminium, PU leather, fabric and rattan. The wider filter list also includes polypropylene, polywood, resin, rope, stainless steel and cast iron.
Dining chairs used in a commercial cafe are subject to different demands from those used in a home. They are moved, stacked, wiped down and sat on throughout the day, often by many different customers, so owners tend to weigh construction and ease of cleaning alongside appearance. A collection organised by material and feature allows those factors to be compared directly.
“Cafe owners usually have a clear idea of the look they want, but they also need chairs that cope with daily use,” said Russell Crawford, Spokesperson for Cafe Solutions. “The collection is organised by style, material and feature, so that a cafe can compare options on both appearance and practical requirements.”
Features Listed for Commercial Use
The product filters cover features that matter in a working venue. These include stackable and folding designs, bolt-in fixings, arm rests, backrests and cushions, together with UV resistant and weather resistant options for chairs used outdoors. Static seat load ratings of 120 kg, 150 kg and 250 kg are listed so that buyers can select by the load a chair is rated to carry.
Stackable chairs are commonly chosen by venues that clear floor space between services or host events, while fixed designs suit permanent layouts. Upholstered and cushioned models are listed for seating where customers stay for longer meals, and plastic and polypropylene chairs are listed for settings where light weight and simple cleaning are priorities.
Colours, Finishes and Sets
The collection includes models offered in several colours and finishes. One example is the Hanover chair, which the company lists in charcoal, chocolate, latte and tan with black, oak or walnut legs, and which can be purchased as a single chair or as a set of four. Other listed models include the Tudor chair, the steel Ladderback chair in oak, a banquet chair, a polypropylene cabaret chair sold in sets of two, and the Arabella waiting room chair with a fabric cushion or a PU cushion arm chair option.
Prices on the website are shown including GST, and some models are marked as pre-order. Cafe Solutions states that fast shipping is available Australia wide. The website also offers a catalogue download, showroom information, finance information and a VIP program, and sales enquiries can be made by phone or email.
Looking Ahead
Cafes refresh their seating when they open new sites, refurbish or change their menus and trading hours, and those changes affect the type of chair a venue needs. The company supplies the collection alongside its tables, stools and benches so that a fit-out can be sourced from one catalogue.
“Cafes change their layouts and seating over time, and the plan is to keep a spread of chair styles, materials and seat loads available for them,” Crawford said. “Cafe Solutions expects to keep reviewing the collection as the requirements of cafe owners change.”
About Cafe Solutions
Cafe Solutions is a supplier of cafe and restaurant furniture based at 12 Kingsbury St, Brendale, Queensland. The company offers chairs, tables, bar stools, benches and sinks suitable for indoor and outdoor settings, with shipping available across Australia.
For additional information about commercial dining chairs and related industry developments, contact Cafe Solutions at 12 Kingsbury St, Brendale QLD 4500. Inquiries regarding the company’s products, services and shipping can be directed to (07) 3184 8441 or by email at sales@cafesolutions.com.au.
Grvt Earn, scheduled for the End of October, will introduce yield opportunities backed by tokenized assets, with target yields of up to 11%. Potential returns are expected to derive from underlying asset cash flows, including interest, premiums and invoice-related income. Asset-supplying partners will be announced at launch. Target yields are not guaranteed.
