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Mars Impact Fund commits $1M to World Central Kitchen to support earthquake relief efforts in Venezuela

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The grant awarded to World Central Kitchen will help provide more than 200,000 meals for families in Venezuela following catastrophic dual earthquakes.Mars South American businesses are also supporting canine search-and-rescue teams, food donations to local organizations and providing support for Venezuelan Mars Associates based in Southern Brazil who have families impacted by the disaster.

MCLEAN, Va., July 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Mars, Incorporated today announced a $1M grant through the Mars Impact Fund to World Central Kitchen (WCK) to support communities impacted by the devastating earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela. The funding will help provide more than 200,000 fresh meals to people affected by the disaster, accompanying additional on-the-ground efforts already underway by Mars and its brands.

Mars and WCK have partnered together since 2022 to help prepare and deliver fresh, nourishing meals to those affected by crises worldwide. WCK provides on-the-ground food distribution for families in need and has served more than 600 million nourishing meals worldwide since its founding in 2010.

“As a family-owned, principles-led business, our hearts go out to the families whose lives have been devastated by this earthquake,” said Michelle Grogg, Executive Director of the Mars Impact Fund. “In times of crisis, Mars believes we have a responsibility to utilize our global resources to support the recovery of impacted communities. We are honored to partner with World Central Kitchen, whose team has the immediate on-the-ground expertise and local relationships needed to deliver hot meals and critical relief to families when they need it most.”

The grant complements additional relief efforts being supported directly by Mars businesses. Mars South America businesses have donated more than 5 tons of food products such as cereal, snack food and pet food through local food banks to support people and pets affected by the earthquake.

WCK activated its response within hours of the disaster, working alongside local restaurants and community partners to prepare and distribute fresh meals to communities most impacted by the earthquakes. To date, WCK has served nearly 500,000 meals across the affected states of Miranda, La Guaira, and Carabobo, working alongside more than 50 local restaurant partners to reach displaced families, first responders, and communities recovering from the earthquake’s devastation.

“When the earthquakes struck, our teams and local partners were able to mobilize within hours because of partners like Mars,” said Tunde Wackman, Chief Development Officer at World Central Kitchen. “This generous grant from the Mars Impact Fund means we can keep showing up for families across Venezuela with fresh, nourishing meals, and it’s a powerful reminder that when we come together, we can help neighbors when it matters most.”

Mars is also providing support for its Venezuelan Associates based in Southern Brazil and the deployment of canine search-and-rescue teams from Argentina and Mexico. The search-and-rescue work is funded by the Royal Canin Foundation, the charitable arm of Mars global pet nutrition brand Royal Canin. Additionally, Mars, along with VCA Charities (the nonprofit arm of VCA Animal Hospitals network) and Royal Canin U.S., have sponsored the deployment of the Los Angeles Task Force 2 Urban Search and Rescue team, which is actively supporting emergency response efforts on the ground.

ABOUT MARS, INCORPORATED

Mars, Incorporated is driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. Based on combined Mars and Kellanova 2025 net sales, we are now a $65bn+ family-owned business, with a diverse portfolio of quality snacking and food products that delight millions of people every day, and leading pet care products and veterinary services that support pets all around the world. We produce some of the world’s best-loved brands including ROYAL CANIN®, PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, CESAR®, M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, EXTRA®, Pringles®, Cheez-It®, and BEN’S ORIGINAL™. Our international networks of pet hospitals, including BANFIELD™, BLUEPEARL™, VCA™ and ANICURA™ span preventive, general, specialty, and emergency veterinary care, and our global veterinary diagnostics business ANTECH® offers breakthrough capabilities in pet diagnostics. The Mars Five Principles — Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom — inspire our approximately 170,000 Associates to act every day to help create a better world for people, pets and the planet.

For more information about Mars, please visit www.mars.com. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

ABOUT WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN

Founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen (WCK) is a nonprofit organization that is first to the frontlines providing fresh meals in response to crises. Applying our model of quick action, leveraging local resources, and adapting in real time, WCK has served more than 600 million nourishing meals around the world.

When disaster strikes, WCK’s Relief Team mobilizes with the urgency of now to start cooking and serving meals to people in need. By partnering with organizations on the ground and activating a network of local restaurants, food trucks, and emergency kitchens, WCK serves comforting meals to survivors of disasters quickly and effectively. To support regional economies, WCK prioritizes purchasing local ingredients to cook with or distribute directly to families in need.

Learn more at wck.org.

Media Contacts 
marsmediarelations@effem.com

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SOURCE Mars, Incorporated

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AlgoLaser Launches DIY KIT MK3: Start, Just That Simple–A Smarter Way to Laser Engrave

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9 hours ago

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July 11, 2026

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SHENZHEN, China, July 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AlgoLaser, a global leader in smart laser engraving technology, today officially launched its latest desktop laser engraver: the DIY KIT MK3. For years, complex assembly, cumbersome operation, and steep learning curves have kept many creators from exploring laser engraving. The DIY KIT MK3 eliminates these barriers. Built around the core promise to ‘Start, Just That Simple,’ it features optimized structural engineering, an intuitive AlgoOS-powered HD touchscreen, and significantly boosted laser performance. From unboxing to final creation, the DIY KIT MK3 seamlessly streamlines the entire process while delivering exceptional value.

Streamlined Assembly for Immediate Use

The DIY KIT MK3 introduces an innovative Structrix Frame, featuring precision alignment slots and cable management. Arriving 95% pre-assembled, the machine can be fully set up in just five simple steps in under 10 minutes. This completely eliminates traditional frustrations like belt tensioning, repeated alignments, and messy wiring.

Intelligent, Computer-Free Operation

Powered by the proprietary AlgoOS, the built-in HD touchscreen enables fully offline, standalone operation. It boasts smart parameter recommendations, drag-and-drop positioning, and direct image processing. Combined with over 400 ready-to-use projects and creative tools like AlgoType and AlgoSketch, the system allows beginners to start creating instantly—no computer or technical expertise required.

Enhanced Power and Speed for Higher Productivity

Equipped with new 8W, 15W, and 20W laser modules, the DIY KIT MK3 delivers up to a 60% power increase over its predecessor. Robust structural and material upgrades fully harness this power, ensuring stable, high-precision engraving at speeds up to 15,000 mm/min. Additionally, the spacious 400×400mm workspace and an efficient repetitive processing mode make intricate designs and small-batch production highly practical, empowering users to easily monetize their craft.

Modular Design for Long-Term Flexibility

The DIY KIT MK3’s modular architecture supports seamless laser module upgrades and effortless integration with accessories like rotary attachments. This flexibility adapts to diverse needs—from scaling an Etsy business to exploring family DIY projects. Furthermore, with an optional Class 1 safety enclosure and multiple built-in monitoring systems, the DIY KIT MK3 provides peace of mind, making it safe for both commercial studios and home environments.

Availability

The DIY KIT MK3 is now available for pre-order exclusively on the official website, algolaser.com. From July 11–31, customers can order during the Super Early Bird window and enjoy exclusive perks, including free gifts and bonus points. It will then launch globally on Amazon and other major platforms starting August 1.

Order now to secure early access before the worldwide launch.

About AlgoLaser

AlgoLaser is a global provider of smart laser engraving solutions, dedicated to empowering makers, educators, and everyday creators around the world. By pairing high-performance hardware with the intuitive AlgoOS operating system, AlgoLaser breaks down technical barriers to make professional-quality creation as simple as everyday printing. The company is committed to helping users of all skill levels effortlessly transform creative ideas into reality, making laser technology easier, safer, and accessible enough for every household. For more information, visit www.algolaser.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/algolaser-launches-diy-kit-mk3-start-just-that-simplea-smarter-way-to-laser-engrave-302822637.html

SOURCE AlgoLaser

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DRAI Health Introduces SpaceXAI-Powered Personalized Voice Interaction in heyDRAI

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12 hours ago

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July 11, 2026

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New capability delivers more natural, adaptive, and human-centered voice-guided healthcare experiences

LOS ANGELES, July 11, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — DRAI Health today announced the launch of a new personalized voice interaction capability within heyDRAI, its AI-powered healthcare platform. Powered by advanced SpaceXAI technology, this innovation enables more natural, expressive, and context-aware voice-guided healthcare interactions, further advancing DRAI Health’s mission to deliver truly patient-centric digital care.

“By integrating SpaceXAI technology into heyDRAI, we are enabling a more natural, adaptive, and emotionally intelligent interface that enhances how patients interact with healthcare information.” said Gor Galstyan, CTO of DRAI Health.

The new capability transforms AI-guided consultations from static, text-based exchanges into dynamic, conversational experiences tailored to each individual user. Patients can select from a range of voice styles—such as calm and reassuring, clear and clinical, or energetic and motivational—allowing interactions to align with their personal preferences and emotional needs.

Unlike conventional text-to-speech systems that simply vocalize scripted content, heyDRAI’s SpaceXAI-powered voice interaction is designed to understand conversational context, adjust tone dynamically, and deliver responses in a more human-like manner. This creates a more engaging and intuitive experience that helps patients feel more comfortable, attentive, and connected throughout their healthcare journey.

Each user’s preferred voice profile is retained across interactions, ensuring continuity and personalization over time, while maintaining flexibility for users to modify their preferences as needed.

Technology Differentiation Through SpaceXAI Integration

The integration of SpaceXAI technology enables a new class of voice interaction that goes beyond traditional AI voice systems by incorporating:

Context-aware response generation rather than static script delivery

Adaptive tone modulation based on conversational flow and user engagement

Improved reasoning and coherence in multi-step healthcare interactions

More natural conversational pacing, reducing cognitive load for users

These capabilities are particularly important in healthcare, where clarity, empathy, and precision directly impact patient understanding and engagement.

Leadership Commentary

“Healthcare conversations are deeply personal. Our goal is to make interactions with AI feel less transactional and more human,” said Gor Galstyan, CTO of DRAI Health. “By integrating SpaceXAI technology into heyDRAI, we are enabling a more natural, adaptive, and emotionally intelligent interface that enhances how patients interact with healthcare information.”

Enhancing the Patient-Centric Healthcare Experience

The introduction of personalized voice interaction represents a significant step forward in DRAI Health’s broader vision to create a continuous, patient-centered healthcare experience spanning:

Wellness and preventive care

Symptom assessment and early intervention

Acute and chronic condition support

Post-acute recovery and ongoing monitoring

By embedding advanced voice interaction into the consultation flow, heyDRAI improves accessibility for a wide range of users, including those who prefer voice-first interaction or may have difficulty engaging with traditional text-based interfaces.

Looking Ahead

The personalized voice capability is now available within heyDRAI and will continue to evolve with additional features, including deeper personalization, multilingual support, and enhanced clinical interaction workflows.

About DRAI Health

DRAI Health is developing AI-powered healthcare technologies designed to transform how patients, providers, and health systems interact with medical information. Through platforms such as heyDRAI, the company focuses on intelligent intake, guided consultation, patient engagement, and clinical decision support.

DRAI Health’s mission is to make healthcare more accessible, personalized, and human-centered, leveraging advanced artificial intelligence combined with real-world clinical insight.

For more information, visit www.draihealth.com.

Media Contact

Kelsey Whiddon, DRAI Health, Inc., 1 818.621.1441, marketing@draihealth.com, https://www.draihealth.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/drai-health-introduces-spacexai-powered-personalized-voice-interaction-in-heydrai-302822689.html

SOURCE DRAI Health, Inc.

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Technology

PrimeBOT Brings Personal Robotics to the UN’s AI for Good Summit in Geneva

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19 hours ago

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July 11, 2026

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GENEVA, July 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — PrimeBOT, a robotics brand, appeared at the United Nations’ AI for Good Global Summit. The summit, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) with over 50 UN agencies including UNESCO, explores how AI can serve human welfare. PrimeBOT defines a new category: the Personal Robot – robots designed for homes and daily life, not production lines, that anyone can own, program, and create with. PrimeBOT came not to showcase technical specs, but to join a global conversation on education, inclusion, and human potential.

Personal robots will reshape how AI is taught. Imagine a child learning to code by teaching a real robot to move and respond. PrimeBOT Q1 offers a developer console for young learners. Children start with block-based programming to choreograph movements, expressions, and conversational responses – turning Q1 into a companion that listens and speaks. They can then convert blocks into Python code and train AI models to recognize gestures or objects, making the entire machine learning cycle tangible. Programming becomes a conversation with a robot, not abstract syntax. PrimeBOT envisions Q1 as an AI learning companion for every family – not replacing teachers or parents, but making education hands-on and playful.

PrimeBOT’s vision is collaboration and integration – robots understanding human needs and augmenting creativity. The brand partners with youth and educational institutions globally, helping people see technology as a connector, not a divider. At the UN, PrimeBOT chose education over spectacle. In its view, technology must let the next generation grow as creators of AI, not just consumers.

PrimeBOT is in dialogue with educational and non-profit organizations across North America and Europe to explore how personal robots can support youth AI literacy. This is a patient journey – not a product announcement, but a shared exploration with educators, parents, and children. The future of personal robots is not something to be defined alone – it will be built together.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/primebot-brings-personal-robotics-to-the-uns-ai-for-good-summit-in-geneva-302823152.html

SOURCE PrimeBOT

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