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A new era: ITF transforms into World Tennis with a vision to provide ‘world of opportunities’ through the sport

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Global governing body targets long-term sustainable growth through participation, powering future stars, enhancing nations competitions, driving innovation and ensuring greater investmentWorld Tennis reveals 30+ percent growth in global participation ambition – from 106 million players today to 140 million by 2035

LONDON, June 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The International Tennis Federation (ITF), the organisation that has governed tennis on a global basis since 1913, today became World Tennis, and announced its vision for the long-term sustainable growth of the sport worldwide.

The transformation to World Tennis marks the start of a new era for the organisation, which is committing to unlock a ‘world of opportunities’ for people of all abilities, ages and backgrounds – both on and off the court – at the heart of its ambition for the future success of one of the world’s most popular sports.

In an open letter co-signed by David Haggerty (World Tennis President) and Ross Hutchins (World Tennis Chief Executive), World Tennis pledged to reinvest back into the game at least 85% of all income it generates each year for the next decade – empowering its 214 national tennis associations – and committed to drive collaboration across the sport.

World Tennis has outlined five strategic priorities to achieve its ambition for tennis:

Growing participation
Connect and align one of the largest networks of national associations across world sport to increase the number of recreational players, and enable more people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the proven health and social benefits of tennis.Powering future stars
Deliver further enhancements to the World Tennis global player pathway – the main talent pipeline to the professional game – build new markets and provide more competitive opportunities all over the world.Elevating official nations competitions
Strengthen the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup and World Team Cup events; the pinnacle of national representation in tennis and pathway to the Olympic and Paralympic GamesEnsuring a sport fit for the future
Lead the way ensuring tennis appeals to future audiences; innovating, connecting nations digitally, protecting integrity and trust, evolving governance and advancing player wellbeingRaising investment to grow the game
Securing new and stronger revenue streams along with value-driven long-term partnerships, and support reinvestment into tennis via national tennis associations worldwide.

World Tennis today also revealed its goal for the sport to achieve ambitious new levels of global participation, targeting strong growth in the numbers playing tennis worldwide from 106 million players to 140 million by 2035 – an increase of more than 30 percent.

David Haggerty, World Tennis President, said: “Today is an opportunity to redefine our role at the heart of world tennis and pledge our commitment to ensuring a strong, sustainable future for this brilliant sport. World Tennis reflects who we are, our global footprint and unique mandate.

“Our ambition is to grow the game in all corners of the world, hand-in-hand with 214 national tennis associations and stakeholders across the tennis ecosystem. This includes increasing participation, further developing the pathway for future stars to rise to the top, and providing more access, regardless of age, gender or background.”

Ross Hutchins, World Tennis Chief Executive, said: “Tennis can unlock a world of opportunities both on and off the court, no matter who or where you are. This is at the very heart of our role at World Tennis, where our responsibilities are just as relevant to a world number one as to the child who hasn’t yet picked up a racket.

“We begin this exciting new era with a clear vision for our amazing sport to thrive, support stronger communities and help more people to enjoy healthier, happier and longer lives through tennis. We will be bold in our actions to achieve global growth, create more opportunities for all and deliver more investment for every level of our game. And we intend to achieve that future together with all those passionate about tennis around the world.”

Listening to the global tennis community

Today, World Tennis has also launched the first-ever Global Tennis Fan Survey – an open invitation to fans and tennis communities in every country to share their views and ensure their voices are heard as the sport evolves in the years ahead.

Every survey respondent will be entered into a draw to win an all expenses paid trip for two to the 2026 Davis Cup Finals in Bologna, Italy.

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DUVA Introduces DUVA ONE at IFA 2026: Personalized Sleep Earbuds That Respond in Real Time

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The Sleep System That Understands You Best.

BERLIN, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DUVA, created by Fitnexa, is introducing DUVA ONE at IFA Berlin 2026. This intelligent in-ear sleep system is designed to sense changes in the user and the bedroom, then personalize audio, noise control, and device behavior throughout the night.

Most sleep wearables explain what happened after users wake up. DUVA ONE is designed to help while the night is still happening. Its low-profile earbuds, environment-sensing charging case, and app work together to determine when and how to respond.

A user might start the night with a podcast over Bluetooth. After they fall asleep, DUVA ONE can introduce locally stored sleep audio and optimize power use. If a partner begins snoring or traffic grows louder, it can adjust ANC or add sound masking. In the morning, a private offline alarm wakes only the wearer, without requiring an active phone connection.

In-ear PPG and motion sensors estimate sleep stages and track heart rate, HRV, sleep position, and movement, while the case monitors noise, light, temperature, and humidity. The AI Agent interprets these signals alongside playback status and personal preferences to select an appropriate response. Users control sleep audio, playback duration, ANC strategy, and nighttime interventions in the DUVA App.

“Sleep does not happen in a static environment, so sleep technology should not remain static either,” said Diego, Founder of Fitnexa. “DUVA ONE is designed to respond while sleep is still happening.”

Key Highlights

Layered noise relief: Passive isolation, Hybrid ANC, and sleep audio provide noise reduction of up to 42 dB, with Transparency Mode and adaptive ANC calibration.Personalized AI sleep guidance: The AI analyzes the user’s real-time sleep state and generates personalized audio guidance to help them gradually fall asleep.Side-sleeping comfort: Each fitted earbud weighs approximately 3.3 grams and has an approximately 9.9 mm low-profile design. Two ear-tip shapes and multiple tip and stabilizing-wing sizes provide more than 40 fit configurations.All-night battery: Up to 16 hours in the most power-efficient configuration, including 13 hours of local audio with ANC off and 9.5 hours with ANC on. The USB-C and wireless charging case provides up to five additional recharges.Private offline alarm: Alarms gradually increase in volume and offer 5, 10, or 15-minute snooze options through the earbud controls.Privacy-first sensing: DUVA ONE does not record conversations, store ambient audio, or upload raw environmental audio. Users can disable individual sensors and delete historical data.

DUVA ONE is planned for release in October 2026 at a target retail price of US$349.99, with target markets including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Australia.

Media Contact: essie@duva.com
Learn more: duva.com

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SOURCE DUVA

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China Xplained | The China Squeeze, or the China Opportunity?

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GUANGZHOU, China, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This is a news report from South: 

Is China’s manufacturing rise squeezing out or creating opportunities for other economies?

Ahead of the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in China this November, journalists and experts from around the world gathered in Guangdong for the Asia-Pacific Media Forum (APMF) 2026.

The forum opened in Shenzhen on September 5, bringing together more than 400 representatives from across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as from international organizations.

Before the opening of the forum, participants travelled across Guangdong to see China’s industries and development first-hand.

In this episode of China Xplained, we look at the numbers, supply chains, investment and voices from across the developing world—to ask a bigger question: Is China squeezing out room for other economies?

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/china-xplained–the-china-squeeze-or-the-china-opportunity-302870814.html

SOURCE South

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PUDU D7 Named Honoree in IFA Innovation Awards for Best in IFA Next & Emerging Technologies

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BERLIN, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pudu Robotics, a global leader in commercial service robotics, today announced that its PUDU D7 Semi-humanoid Intelligent Robot has been named an Honoree in the Best in IFA Next & Emerging Technologies category of the IFA Innovation Awards. The recognition highlights PUDU D7’s ability to combine mobile navigation, dexterous manipulation and intelligent sensing to perform a range of tasks in real-world industrial and commercial environments.

The IFA Innovation Awards recognize outstanding innovations across the global technology landscape. Entries are evaluated by an independent international jury based on criteria including technology and functionality, innovation and originality, and the potential to create tangible value for users and the market. The recognition places PUDU D7 among emerging technologies demonstrating new possibilities for the future of robotics.

From Industrial Operations to Guest Interaction

PUDU D7 is designed for industrial, warehouse, retail and hospitality environments, where it can move through human-oriented spaces and perform tasks that require both mobility and dexterous manipulation.

In industrial and warehouse settings, D7 can handle materials, pick items from shelves, replenish inventory, transport goods between work areas and push carts. With a payload capacity of up to 20 kg (44.1 pounds) and an operating height of up to 2 meters (6.6 feet), it can work with a range of storage systems and materials.

In retail, D7 can support shelf replenishment, item handling and store organization, moving products between storage areas and shelves and helping maintain product displays.

In hotels and hospitality, PUDU D7 can take on the role of an intelligent front-desk host, welcoming guests, preparing and serving coffee, interacting with visitors and providing engaging experiences. Its semi-humanoid form and dual-arm capabilities allow it to combine practical service tasks with natural human-robot interaction, bringing a more personable and engaging presence to the guest experience.

Designed for Adaptable Performance

PUDU D7 combines a dual-arm manipulation system, tactile sensing and a 360-degree perception system to support these applications. Front- and rear-facing LiDAR and other sensors enable navigation around people and obstacles, while tactile sensing provides precise control when handling objects.

The robot also features autonomous battery swapping, allowing it to independently replace its battery and reduce downtime during extended operation.

Together, these capabilities enable D7 to support different tasks across a range of environments without being limited to a single application.

PUDU D7 Makes Its European Debut at IFA

IFA 2026 marks the first time PUDU D7 is being showcased in Europe. At the Pudu Robotics booth, visitors can experience live demonstrations highlighting the robot’s capabilities and its potential for human-robot interaction.

D7 interacts directly with visitors through demonstrations including waving, making heart gestures and picking up objects. These demonstrations showcase the robot’s ability to combine movement, manipulation and interaction in a human-oriented environment.

Advancing the Next Generation of Intelligent Robotics

The IFA Innovation Awards recognition marks another step in Pudu Robotics’ expansion from service delivery, commercial cleaning and industrial delivery into embodied intelligent robotics.

PUDU D7 is part of Pudu Robotics’ broader strategy to develop a portfolio of specialized, semi-humanoid and humanoid robots, building on its capabilities in embodied navigation, manipulation and interaction. This approach enables the company to address a broader range of applications across commercial and industrial environments.

Pudu Robotics will continue working with customers and partners worldwide to explore new applications for embodied intelligence and bring increasingly capable robots into real-world environments.

About Pudu Robotics

Pudu Robotics is a global leader in commercial service robotics and the industry’s first company to offer a full portfolio spanning specialized, semi-humanoid, and humanoid robots. According to Frost & Sullivan’s latest market report, Pudu Robotics ranks No. 1 globally in commercial service robotics by both revenue and shipment volume. Built on its One Brain, Multiple Embodiments architecture, Pudu offers robots for service delivery, commercial cleaning, industrial delivery, and general embodied AI applications across hospitality, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, education, public services, and more. To date, Pudu Robotics has shipped over 130,000 robots to customers across 85+ countries and regions.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pudu-d7-named-honoree-in-ifa-innovation-awards-for-best-in-ifa-next–emerging-technologies-302870806.html

SOURCE Pudu Robotics

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