Boca Raton – October 15, 2026 -- All Star Healthcare Solutions, a top-five U.S. locum tenens provider, has appointed Kelly Rakowski as Chief Executive Officer, effective October 26, 2026.

Knox Lane-backed All Star has grown through two acquisitions since May 2024

All Star partnered with growth-oriented investment firm Knox Lane in May 2024 to fund its next phase of growth. Since then, it has acquired Cross Country Locums and Integrity Locums. The company says the deals diversified its customer base and expanded its capabilities.

All Star says it continues to invest in innovation across its workforce solutions offerings. It describes itself as a trusted partner to an extensive network of healthcare facilities and providers across the U.S.

Memphis – October 15, 2026 -- International Paper confirmed it is in discussions with potential bidders for its EMEA Packaging Business while it continues to prepare a spin-off of the unit through a London listing.

The company (NYSE: IP; LSE: IPC) said it is evaluating unsolicited inbound inquiries for the business. It described the sale process as early-stage and said there is no certainty that any sale will be agreed or completed. The statement followed recent movement in International Paper's share price and press speculation about a sale.

International Paper runs spin-off and sale evaluation in parallel

The company is progressing the spin-off and assessing the potential sale at the same time. It said it cannot provide assurance on the ultimate timing or structure of the separation of the EMEA unit.

Belo Horizonte – October 15, 2026 -- Cedro Participações has cleared the main regulatory hurdle for Porto do Meio, a R$3.6 billion iron ore terminal planned at the Port of Itaguaí in Greater Rio de Janeiro. The State Environmental Control Commission (CECA) approved issuance of the Integrated Environmental License (LAI) on Tuesday, October 13.

The company describes the decision as the project's most significant milestone so far. It confirms the terminal's environmental feasibility and allows Cedro to move into the next project phases.

License covers initial handling volumes below 15 million tonnes per year

In this first phase, the license covers throughput of less than 15 million tonnes annually. Cedro won the federal auction for the ITG02 area in December 2024 and signed a 35-year lease, renewable for an equal period.

Stamford – October 15, 2026 -- Olympus Partners has agreed to sell MEI Industrial Solutions, a U.S. equipment execution services provider with nearly 2,500 employees, to 26North Partners LP. The announcement did not disclose financial terms or a closing timeline.

MEI provides rigging, machinery moving, industrial storage, millwrighting, custom crating and integrated logistics. Its customers include data center and semiconductor operators, as well as other industrial end markets.

MEI expanded from 16 to 30 locations under Olympus ownership

During Olympus' ownership, MEI entered Chicago, Miami, Providence and Richmond. It quadrupled indoor storage capacity to more than 10 million square feet and completed seven strategic acquisitions.

Washington – October 15, 2026 -- Two hundred Slovak and Slovak American professionals, entrepreneurs, scientists, technology leaders, diplomats and creatives will convene on Oct. 23 for Slovak PRO Summit 2026, which the organization calls the largest in its history.

The invitation-only event takes place at George Mason University's Mason Square in Arlington, Va. Slovak PRO is marking 25 years of its community alongside the 250th anniversary of the United States. Executive Director Jana Trnovcová Ragucci said the group aims to connect Slovaks and friends of Slovakia across generations, industries and borders.

Englewood – October 15, 2026 -- MediOps has launched MediOps Aviation, a charter service for radiopharmaceutical distribution and organ transplant logistics, and named George J. Priester Aviation (GJP) as its preferred charter partner. GJP provides all flight operations.

MediOps Aviation replaces multi-vendor charter coordination with a single accountable provider

MediOps acts as the healthcare logistics and coordination layer. GJP supplies the aircraft, flight operations and safety infrastructure. The companies say traditional charter arrangements require coordination across multiple vendors. MediOps Aviation instead covers the full chain, from aircraft dispatch through ground delivery.

Washington – October 15, 2026 -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will offer eleven defaulted Section 232 healthcare mortgage loans with a combined unpaid principal balance of about $56 million in a sealed-bid auction on November 17, 2026.

HUD bundles 11 first-lien loans in Healthcare Loan Sale 2027-1

The sale, designated HLS 2027-1, covers loans that are due and payable and held by the HUD Secretary. Each loan is secured by a first-lien mortgage on one healthcare property, giving the sale eleven properties in total.

Collateral spans nine states from California to Pennsylvania

The properties are located in California, Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. HUD has reserved the right to add or remove loans at its discretion, so the final pool may differ from the eleven loans announced.

Edmonton – October 15, 2026 -- Flair Vacations LP, the new vacation package unit of Canadian carrier Flair Airlines, has signed a distribution agreement with IBS Software to source hotel rooms across the Caribbean and Mexico through the iStay Gateway platform, ahead of a package launch for the Canadian winter season in November 2026.

Flair Vacations connects to hotel inventory through a single iStay Gateway integration

The deal gives Flair Vacations one technical connection to a distribution network that already serves established airline vacation brands. That removes the need to build and maintain individual supply integrations. iStay Gateway handles rate and availability distribution, booking and content delivery, leaving the Flair Vacations team to focus on packaging, pricing and selling.

Westlake, Texas – October 15, 2026 -- Virbac has donated more than 29,000 doses of IVERHART MAX Chews to KC Pet Project, the municipal animal shelter for Kansas City, Missouri, to protect its dogs against heartworm disease and intestinal parasites.

Shelter treats 300 heartworm-positive dogs while screening 8,263 intakes

KC Pet Project cares for more than 16,000 pets each year. It took in 8,263 dogs over the past 12 months, and each receives preventive care at intake. The donation supports that standard of care for every dog entering the shelter.

The shelter is currently treating about 300 dogs diagnosed with heartworm while in its care, according to Dr. Heather Kennedy, chief veterinary officer of KC Pet Project.

Los Angeles – October 15, 2026 -- Pacsun has generated more than $2 million for Selena Gomez's Rare Impact Fund since 2024 and will donate up to a further $300,000 from sales of its newest Rare DNM Edit, which launches October 29.

Pacsun sponsors the Rare Impact Fund Benefit for a third consecutive year

The specialty retailer was an official sponsor of the fourth annual Rare Impact Fund Benefit: A Night of Radiance & Reflection, held October 14 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. The event raised more than $2 million through live silent auctions and an evening of giving, supporting the Fund's goal of mobilizing $100 million for youth mental health services and education globally.

Pacsun hosted a gifting experience at the event. Attendees selected pieces from the upcoming holiday collection ahead of its public release.