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TEN U.S. CITIES JOIN CENTRAL EUROPEAN PRO-DEMOCRACY COALITION

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Alliance for Local Leaders International (ALLIES) Named Strategic Partner

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Pact of Free Cities (Pact), a global network of mayors dedicated to defending democratic values, civil rights, rule of law, and quality of life is proud to announce a major expansion. On May 12th, during the Pact’s annual summit, ten American cities will join the alliance which has been consequential in the fight against rising authoritarianism in Europe. With its new members, the Pact furthers the message of democratic solidarity across the Atlantic while adding a powerful bloc of pragmatic U.S. voices to the organization.

As a democracy promotion network, the Pact is committed to regular communication, the exchange of experiences, and the coordination of common positions. Member cities define shared problems, establish task forces to address them, and collaborate on joint letters, declarations, and projects. They also offer one another solidarity and mutual support, particularly those operating under hostile or authoritarian national governments, where cities continue to serve as bastions of freedom and democracy.

To support this historic expansion, the U.S.-based nonprofit Alliance for Local Leaders International (ALLIES) has been officially designated as the Pact’s Strategic Partner. In this advisory role, ALLIES will help facilitate the growth and operations of the Pact, including mayor exchanges and working to bring new cities into the coalition.

On the Front Lines of Democratic Leadership

Founded in 2019 by the mayors of Bratislava, Budapest, Prague, and Warsaw, the Pact of Free Cities was created to counter rising authoritarianism and protect shared democratic values. Member cities demonstrate the powerful role of local government in sustaining democratic culture and putting residents at the heart of politics.

Since then, mayors have time and again shown up as democracy’s front line of defense. Mayor Gergely Karácsony rebranded Budapest’s Pride parade in Hungary as a municipal event, defying a national LGBTQ+ assembly ban imposed by former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, drawing hundreds of thousands in protest of discrimination. Mayor Michelle Wu testified before Congress in defense of Boston’s immigrant communities at a time when few others dared speak out, while Mayor Jacob Frey prohibited city property from being used as ICE staging grounds, establishing support centers for Minneapolis’s immigrant residents.

Consistently ranked the most trusted political leaders in America, the inclusion of these ten U.S. mayors marks a significant milestone in the Pact’s evolution into a global network and sends a strong message of resistance to illiberal democratic trends and the centralization, and in some cases, abuse of power. These cities will now join Los Angeles, which has been a member of the Pact since 2021.

The newly joined U.S. mayors include those from:

Beaverton, ORBoston, MAChicago, ILCincinnati, OHCleveland, OHMontgomery, ALOklahoma City, OKSan Antonio, TXSan Diego, CASeattle, WA

“The addition of these great American cities brings a vital, pragmatic perspective to our shared global challenges” said Ambassador Nina Hachigian, Founder and CEO of ALLIES. “Mayors everywhere are on the front lines of the most pressing issues, from defending democratic institutions at the community level to tackling complex infrastructure needs. Their hands-on experience in delivering tangible results will be an invaluable asset to this coalition.”

About the Pact of Free Cities

Founded by four Eastern European capital cities in 2019– Bratislava, Budapest, Prague and Warsaw–the Pact of Free Cities is a city alliance that includes Amsterdam, Barcelona, Kyiv, London, and Paris, along with some 35 others. It unites mayors from around the world committed to protecting and promoting democratic values, defending civil liberties, combating the climate crisis, protecting vulnerable communities and fostering transparent, inclusive local governance.

About the Alliance for Local Leaders International (ALLIES)

ALLIES is a nonpartisan nonprofit that connects local elected leaders with peers around the world to exchange ideas, solutions, and solidarity. By empowering mayors and governors to work across borders, ALLIES helps local officials tackle shared challenges such as the rise of AI, climate change, and restrictions on city autonomy. As the Strategic Partner for the Pact of Free Cities, ALLIES provides the infrastructure and knowledge needed for local leaders to strengthen democracy on a global scale. Learn more at www.allies.net.

For media enquiries please reach out to the Alliance for Local Leaders International at info@allies.net.

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SOURCE Alliance for Local Leaders International

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Menu Order AI Appoints Krishna Kumar as Chief Operating Officer

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Menu Order AI welcomes veteran AI and technology executive Krishna Kumar as Chief Operating Officer to accelerate enterprise growth, restaurant partnerships, and AI innovation.

NEEDHAM, Mass., July 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Menu Order AI today announced the appointment of Krishna Kumar as Fractional Chief Operating Officer (COO), strengthening the company’s leadership team as it expands its AI-powered platform for restaurants and consumers.

Krishna brings decades of experience leading artificial intelligence, software development, enterprise technology, and global product initiatives. Throughout his career, he has built high-performing teams and helped organizations transform innovative ideas into scalable technology platforms.

As Chief Operating Officer, Krishna will oversee engineering, product operations, strategic partnerships, and enterprise growth while helping scale Menu Order AI’s restaurant and consumer platforms.

“Krishna’s operational expertise and deep understanding of artificial intelligence make him an invaluable addition to our leadership team,” said Melissa Butler, Founder & CEO of Menu Order AI. “As we continue expanding our restaurant partnerships and consumer platform, his leadership will help accelerate our mission of becoming the intelligence layer between restaurant menus and diners.”

Since launching, Menu Order AI has grown to more than 150,000 downloads and averages approximately 35,000 monthly active users. The platform helps guests instantly discover personalized menu recommendations based on their dietary preferences and nutrition goals, including high-protein, low-carb, and GLP-1-friendly options.

The company is also expanding its restaurant QR platform, enabling guests to scan a QR code at participating restaurants and receive AI-powered menu recommendations instantly without downloading an app.

“I am excited to join Menu Order AI during such an important stage of its growth,” said Krishna Kumar, Chief Operating Officer. “Artificial intelligence is transforming every aspect of the restaurant industry, and Menu Order AI is uniquely positioned to improve both the guest experience and restaurant performance. I look forward to helping build the next phase of the company’s growth.”

Menu Order AI continues to expand partnerships across restaurants, hospitality, and healthcare while developing AI solutions that simplify one of the most common consumer decisions—what to order.

About Menu Order AI

Menu Order AI is an AI-powered restaurant recommendation platform that helps consumers make smarter dining decisions by providing personalized menu recommendations based on individual nutrition goals and dietary preferences. The platform serves dine-in, takeout, delivery, and drive-thru guests while helping restaurant partners enhance the guest experience through AI-powered menu guidance.

For more information, visit www.menuorderai.com.

Menu Order AI – Apple App StoreMenu Order AI – Google Play Store

Melissa Butler
Founder / CEO
Menu-Order AI
melissa@menuorderai.com

This release was issued through WebWire®. For more information, visit http://www.webwire.com.

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Conformal Coatings Market worth $2.19 billion by 2031 – Exclusive Report by MarketsandMarkets™

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DELRAY BEACH, Fla., July 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — According to MarketsandMarkets™, “Conformal Coatings Market by Type (Acrylic, Silicone, Epoxy, Urethane, Parylene, Other types), By End-use Industry (Consumer Electronics, Automotive, Aerospace & Défense, Industrial, Telecommunication, Other End-use Industries), and Region – Global Forecast to 2031″, The conformal coatings market is projected to grow from USD 1.66 billion in 2026 and to reach USD 2.19 billion by 2031, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.7% during the forecast period.

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Conformal Coatings Market Size & Forecast:

Market Size Available for Years: 2022-20312026 Market Size: USD 1.66 billion2031 Projected Market Size: USD 2.19 billionCAGR (2026-2031): 5.7% 

Conformal Coatings Market Trends & Insights: 

The protection of electronic assemblies from environmental hazards such as water, dust, and chemicals is becoming more essential with the increase in demand for electronics. This increase in demand for electronics has led to increased interest in using conformal coatings as a method of improving reliability and lifespan of sensitive electronic components. There is an increasing demand for conformal coatings across all industries including automotive, electronics, aerospace, telecommunications, industrial automation, healthcare and renewable energy, where electronic systems must operate in extreme conditions on a consistent and reliable basis. Manufacturers and end-users are selecting conformal coatings to provide added circuit board protection, reduce maintenance, extend the useful life of products, and minimize product failures due to environmental conditions and electrical degradation. The performance of conformal coatings continues to improve through advancements in coating formulations, selective coatings, UV cure technology, automated dispensing equipment and inspection methods. Enhanced dielectric insulation, thermal stability, chemical resistance, moisture resistance, and mechanical durability provided by these advancements enable coated electronic assemblies to endure extreme temperatures, high humidity, low humidity, vibration, salt fog, and aggressive chemical environments. These improvements are critical for the future of electric vehicles, advanced electronic systems, 5G infrastructure, renewable energy installations, industrial IoT devices and medical electronics, all of which will require operational reliability for an extended period.Asia Pacific accounted for a significant share of 75.1% in 2025.By type, the acrylic segment accounted for 37.5% of the conformal coatings market in 2025.By end-use industry, the automotive segment dominated the market in 2025, with a share of 30.7%.Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Germany), Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) (US), Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. (Japan), and Dow Inc. (US) were identified as star players in the conformal coatings market given their strong share and product footprint.Europlasma NV (Belgium), Specialty Coating Systems Inc. (US), CHT Germany GmbH (Germany), AI Technology, Inc. (US), Master Bond (US), Aculon (US), and Percision Coatings Inc. (US) have distinguished themselves among startups and SMEs by securing strong footholds in specialized niche areas, underscoring their potential as emerging market leaders.

Browse in-depth TOC on “Conformal Coatings Market”

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Conformal coatings are chemical-resistant, thin, solid forms of flexible material, typically applied to electronic assemblies to protect against moisture, dust, limited chemicals, corrosion, temperature fluctuations, and all other possible atmospheric contaminants. The importance of conformal coatings lies in the enhancement of reliability, durability, and life span of electronic components used in the automotive industry, consumer electronics, telecommunications equipment, aerospace/defense systems, industrial automation, medical devices, and renewable energy applications. There are many different chemistries utilized for conformal coatings: acrylic, silicone, polyurethane, epoxy, and parylene. Each type of conformal coating has unique performance properties and capabilities, depending on the application. Coatings can be applied to assemblies by several methods: spraying, dipping, brushing, selective coating, or vapor deposition. If applied correctly, conformal coatings create a thin (0.001 – 0.010 inch), even, protective layer. After application, the coatings are “cured” by one of many ways to achieve the required physical, electrical, and environmental performance properties. Coatings are grouped by chemistry into 5 broad categories: acrylic, silicone, polyurethane, epoxy, and parylene. When correctly applied, conformal coatings prevent electrical-related failures due to corrosion, leaking current, or contamination, thus allowing electronic systems to function reliably in extreme or very harsh environments for extended periods of time.

By type, the silicone segment will witness the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.

The silicone segment is expected to account for the fastest CAGR in the conformal coatings market during the forecast period. The silicone-based formulation provides excellent performance in extreme operating conditions such as very high or low temperatures, high humidity, extreme vibration, and exposure to corrosive chemicals. Silicone conformal coatings are well-suited to protect electronics that operate in these conditions, as they provide excellent thermal stability, flexibility, moisture resistance, and dielectric insulation. The silicone formulation differs from many conventional coating materials because it will maintain its ability to protect electronic assemblies over the entire temperature range rather than degrade as other conventional materials do. Therefore, silicone conformal coatings will continue to be the preferred choice for manufacturers of electronic devices that require long-term protection from these types of damage and to ensure reliable operation when operated in an industrial setting. The demand for silicone conformal coatings will continue to be driven by the increasing deployment of electric vehicles, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), renewable energy systems, aerospace electronics, telecommunications infrastructure, and industrial automation equipment. All these applications need added protection from environmental stressors that can cause corrosion, electrical leakage, and premature failure of sensitive electronic components over time. As the trend toward smaller electronic devices continues to grow and power densities increase, the need for a coating material that has durable protective capabilities without hindering performance will also increase. Manufacturers will increasingly recognize the importance of having durable and reliable silicone conformal coatings, and therefore, the silicone conformal coating segment of the conformal coating market is expected to have the highest growth of any type during the forecast period.

By end-use industry, the telecommunication segment will record the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.

The telecommunications segment is expected to account for the fastest CAGR in the conformal coatings market during the forecast period. This is due to the rapid development of 5G networks, fiber optic communication infrastructure, edge computing facilities, and data transmission systems globally. The equipment used in telecommunications now requires increasingly complex electronic assemblies, printed circuit boards, antennas, routers, switches, and base station components that provide reliable service regardless of the weather or other external influences. The use of conformal coatings helps protect these sensitive electronic parts from factors such as humidity, dust particles, rust, saline, chemicals, and temperature variation that could jeopardize network reliability and provide operational efficiency. The increasing number of 5G base stations being installed outdoors, combined with the development of distributed communication networks, has increased the need for more advanced conformal coating solutions that can provide a longer-lasting level of protection from the elements. Furthermore, investments in cloud computing, data center development, IoT connectivity, and next-generation communications technology are increasing the demand for high-reliability electronic products that will have an extended service life. The growing availability of improved coating materials with superior dielectric insulation properties, enhanced thermal stability, and improved environmental resistance is also accelerating the growth of the overall market. Thus, the telecommunications sector is expected to be one of the most rapidly expanding end-user sectors for conformal coatings throughout the forecast period.

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Asia Pacific will record the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific is expected to account for the fastest CAGR in the conformal coatings market during the forecast period, as the electronics manufacturing sector continues to grow, automotive production increases, and more investments are made within superior communication infrastructure across the area. Major global suppliers of semiconductors, printed circuit boards (PCBs), consumer electronics, telecommunications equipment, and industrial electronic systems can be found in countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, India, Taiwan, and other Southeast Asian nations. The fact that there has been such an increase in producing these electronic devices means that there will be more demand for conformal coatings to protect electronic components from moisture, corrosion, dust, and chemicals. There is also an increasing number of electric vehicles being produced, along with batteries and ADAS (advanced driver-assisted systems), which are automotive electronics. All these factors will lead to increased use of conformal coating technologies across the industry. In addition, the deployment of 5G networks, expansion of data centers, industrial automation, and investments in renewable energy infrastructure provide significant opportunities for electronic protection. The demand for modern conformal coatings will increase dramatically as the desire for reliability, durability, and performance in electronic assemblies continues to grow. Thus, Asia Pacific will record the highest growth rate of any region in the world conformal coatings market throughout the forecast period.

Key Players

The conformal coatings market comprises major players such as Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Germany), Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) (US), Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. (Japan), Dow Inc. (US), H.B. Fuller (US), Element Solutions Inc (ESI), ALTANA AG (Germany), Chase Corp. (US), Dymax (US), and MG Chemicals (Canada) are covered in the conformal coatings market. Partnerships, acquisitions, and expansions are some of the major strategies adopted by these key players to enhance their positions in the conformal coatings market.

Get access to the latest updates on Conformal Coatings Companies and Conformal Coatings Market Size

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Built on the ‘GIVE Growth’ principle, we collaborate with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies to keep them future-ready. Our insights and strategies are powered by industry experts, cutting-edge AI, and our Market Intelligence Cloud, KnowledgeStore™, which integrates research and provides ecosystem-wide visibility into revenue shifts.

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England’s Togetherness and Leadership Inspire a New Generation as EE Launches Mentor Badge to Support Boys Both On and Off the Pitch

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LONDON, July 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — England’s exploits this summer have been defined by resilience, but it’s the composure shown by its leaders in high-pressure moments that’s resonating most. Thomas Tuchel’s calm considered touchline manner and Harry Kane’s steadying presence and leadership on the pitch have offered fans a real-world lesson in emotional intelligence, and proof that strength and openness aren’t mutually exclusive, even under intense scrutiny.

That leadership couldn’t be arriving at a more important moment. New research from EE, lead partner of the Home Nations Football Associations, reveals the scale of harmful online influence shaping boys’ attitudes and behaviour, with 42% of boys aged 11–16 exposed to damaging stereotypes, including the idea that men shouldn’t show emotion on a weekly basis. Against that backdrop, seeing elite figures model a different kind of strength matters: 69% of boys say hearing professional footballers speak openly about pressure and vulnerability makes them more comfortable with their own emotions. Meanwhile, 71% of parents believe a coach holds as much, or more, sway over their son’s sense of masculinity than online content does.

This isn’t a small issue. Football remains one of the most powerful spaces in a young boy’s life; a place where identity, confidence and belonging are shaped as much as skill. Tuchel’s approach echoes EE’s ongoing ‘Yes Boys’ campaign, which is working to counter negative online influences by helping young players build confidence, identity and resilience, both in the changing room and beyond it. With 95% of grassroots coaches saying emotional and mental wellbeing support is now central to their role, EE is equipping them with practical tools through the EE Mentor Badge, developed in partnership with Internet Matters, to help translate elite-level leadership into everyday coaching practice.

Thomas Tuchel commented about EE’s Mentor Badge: “EE has designed a programme to help coaches guide boys through the pressures of growing up online. Every module is built with leading voices in science, psychology and football, equipping coaches with the tools to help build up our boys – on and off the pitch.”

EE Mentor Badge: Key Tips for Coaches and Parents

Challenge Language, Not Character – Address harmful language calmly and consistently to set clear team standards.Redefine Leadership – Model inclusive behaviour and define leadership through how players treat each other, not hierarchy.Curiosity Over Confrontation – Ask where a phrase came from rather than shutting the conversation down.Focus on Performance, Not Appearance – Keep the emphasis on effort, not looks-based trends.Know When to Escalate – Follow safeguarding procedures for persistent or targeted behaviour.

To find out more and access the full Mentor Badge, search ‘EE Yes Boys’ or click here.

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