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Sharjah to Host the International Publishers Congress 2028

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SHARJAH, UAE, July 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sharjah City will host the International Publishers Congress (IPC) 2028, one of the publishing industry’s most influential global gatherings, bringing the world’s leading publishers, authors, rights professionals and industry experts to Sharjah in October 2028 under the theme “Inclusion. Innovation. Integrity.” The announcement was made during the official handover ceremony at the IPA 2026 Gala Dinner, held as part of the 35th International Publishers Congress in Lumpur, Malaysia, from 5 to 9 July 2026. Sponsored by the Sharjah Book Authority, the Gala Dinner brought together approximately 500 delegates from across the international publishing community and provided the setting for Sharjah’s official acceptance of the hosting rights for the 2028 Congress. The Emirates Publishers Association will host the Congress in close collaboration and consultation with the International Publishers Association.

 

 

The official handover took place following the IPA Awards Ceremony, when representatives of Kuala Lumpur formally announced Sharjah as the next host city before handing over the International Publishers Congress flag. H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi Founder and Honorary President of the Emirates Publishers Association then delivered the official acceptance speech, formally accepting the honour of hosting the International Publishers Congress 2028 on behalf of Sharjah and welcoming the global publishing community to the United Arab Emirates.

H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Honorary President of the Emirates Publishers Association, said: “Hosting the International Publishers Congress 2028 reflects the confidence that the global publishing community has placed in Sharjah and in the United Arab Emirates as a meeting place for dialogue, collaboration and the free exchange of ideas. We look forward to welcoming publishers from around the world to a Congress that strengthens international partnerships, explores the opportunities shaping the future of publishing, and reaffirms our shared belief in the enduring power of books to connect cultures, expand knowledge and bring people together.”

Held every two years by the International Publishers Association (IPA), the Congress is the publishing industry’s foremost international forum, bringing together publishers, authors, booksellers, rights professionals, policymakers and technology leaders from around the world to exchange ideas, address emerging challenges and explore the opportunities shaping the future of publishing.

IPA President Gvantsa Jobava said: “We are excited to be heading to Sharjah for the 36th International Publishers Congress where we can build on the success of our Congress in Kuala Lumpur and further promote our pillars of copyright and the freedom to publish within the publishing sector. The EPA has been such an engaged member of IPA and we can’t wait to get started.”

Sharjah’s selection as host of the 2028 Congress reflects the international publishing community’s confidence in the emirate’s growing role as a global convener for the publishing industry, underpinned by its long-standing commitment to advancing culture, knowledge and international collaboration. Over the years, Sharjah has developed a comprehensive publishing ecosystem that supports every stage of the publishing value chain, from authorship and publishing to translation, rights trading and professional development, while creating an environment that encourages innovation, creativity and the free exchange of ideas. This recognition underscores Sharjah’s ability to convene diverse stakeholders from across the global publishing ecosystem and lead meaningful conversations on the future of the industry.

Hosting the Congress marks a new milestone in Sharjah’s global publishing journey and reinforces the United Arab Emirates’ position as an international destination for cultural dialogue and knowledge exchange. The event is expected to bring together decision-makers and industry leaders from across the global publishing landscape, along with professional networking and sustainable partnerships that will contribute to the continued growth of the sector. The Congress is also expected to create new opportunities across rights trading, translation, publishing services and international collaboration, further strengthening the UAE’s role within the global knowledge economy. These opportunities are expected to extend well beyond the role of the Congress itself, fostering long-term professional exchange, industry partnerships and continued collaboration across the international publishing ecosystem. Held under the theme “Inclusion. Innovation. Integrity.”, the 2028 Congress will explore the defining issues shaping the future of publishing in an increasingly interconnected and technology-driven world.

Commenting on the announcement, H.E. Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, said: “Hosting the International Publishers Congress 2028 in the United Arab Emirates represents a defining moment for the country’s publishing sector and reflects Sharjah’s growing influence within the global publishing community. The Congress will provide Emirati publishers with exceptional opportunities to engage with international peers, strengthen rights exchange, expand translation partnerships and showcase the UAE’s vibrant publishing landscape to the world. We look forward to contributing to a Congress that inspires dialogue, encourages innovation and creates lasting partnerships that benefit publishers across the region and beyond.”

The Inclusion pillar will focus on advancing inclusive publishing by promoting representation, improving accessibility and encouraging the localisation of stories that reflect the richness and diversity of cultures and communities worldwide. It will further explore how publishing can strengthen cross-cultural understanding by ensuring stories remain locally relevant while reaching global audiences.

The Innovation pillar will examine creative and technological solutions that support sustainable publishing and emerging business models, while exploring how digital transformation and artificial intelligence can create new opportunities across the publishing value chain.

The Integrity pillar will highlight the importance of upholding ethical standards, strengthening trust in publishing and safeguarding intellectual property in an era of rapid technological advancement, ensuring that innovation continues to support the core values of the publishing profession.

The Congress programme will feature a dynamic agenda of keynote addresses, panel discussions, workshops and presentations addressing many of the issues shaping the industry’s future. Discussions will cover inclusive publishing, accessible book design, AI-powered publishing workflows, localisation strategies, sustainable publishing, ethical frameworks for artificial intelligence, copyright protection, and collaboration between publishers, creative industries and technology innovators.

The programme has been designed in alignment with the International Publishers Association’s strategic priorities of promoting Freedom to Publish and protecting and advancing Copyright, creating an international platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange and meaningful cooperation across the global publishing community. It will also provide publishers with opportunities to explore new approaches to rights trading, translation, localisation and sustainable business growth in an evolving global marketplace.

The Emirates Publishers Association will play an active role in supporting the Congress by strengthening engagement between Emirati and international publishers, encouraging professional exchange and facilitating dialogue on publishing, translation, rights trading and emerging opportunities for international cooperation.

By bringing the International Publishers Congress to Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates reinforces its commitment to advancing publishing as a catalyst for knowledge, creativity and sustainable development. Beyond convening the global publishing community, the Congress will provide a platform for addressing the opportunities shaping the future of publishing, fostering meaningful international partnerships while reaffirming Sharjah’s position as one of the world’s leading centres for culture, publishing and intellectual exchange.

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XREAL Opens U.S. Sales of X By XREAL a01+, Bringing Big-Screen AR Glasses to More People for $299

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The debut product from XREAL’s sub-brand delivers big-screen AR viewing and gaming to a wider audience, now available across xreal.com and major retail channels

SAN FRANCISCO, July 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — XREAL, the global leader in lightweight XR hardware development, today announced the availability of a01+, the debut product from its new sub-brand, X By XREAL. This device was created to bring big-screen AR entertainment to a wider, more mainstream audience.

The X By XREAL a01+ is a purpose-built, mainstream entertainment device designed to work with the phones, laptops, and handheld consoles people already own – all without sacrificing the picture quality XREAL is known for. At just 62 grams, the glasses use dual-layer Micro-OLED displays capable of up to 1,600 nits of peak brightness with HDR10 support, paired with real-time SDR-to-HDR conversion. This ensures content looks sharper and more vibrant on the fly. A custom display chip and XREAL’s ARView Image Engine drive a 120Hz refresh rate, while a proprietary spatial stabilization algorithm tracks micro-movements to keep the picture steady, even in motion.

“Where XREAL’s flagship lines push the frontier of spatial computing, X By XREAL was created to make AR glasses feel more accessible, personal, and fun,” said Chi Xu, co-founder and CEO of XREAL. “With a01+, we’re bringing XREAL’s industry leading display technology, comfort, and optical engineering expertise into a lighter, more affordable product built for entertainment, gaming, and everyday use. This is an important step toward making big-screen AR something anyone can experience.”

Built for movie-lovers and gamers alike

Positioned as a “pocket cinema,” the a01+ delivers a virtual screen equivalent to 147 inches at 4 meters, giving commuters, travelers and everyday users a big-screen experience anywhere. On the gaming side, the device’s “Just Play” approach lets users turn their smartphone, laptop, or handheld console into an immersive display in seconds, offering a 50° FoV and 120Hz refresh rate.

Comfort at the core

Designed for everyday use and personal expression, the a01+ can accommodate interchangeable front frames. Additionally, it has a lighter silhouette built to feel as approachable as it is portable.

The a01+ is TÜV Rheinland certified, matching the 5-star Eye Comfort, Low Blue Light and Flicker-Free certifications earned by the XREAL One Series. Nose pad geometry was developed using data from more than 2,000 facial profiles to improve fit across a wide range of users.

By design, the a01+ does not include a built-in camera, keeping the glasses lighter and more focused on the core viewing experience.

Pricing and Availability

The a01+ AR glasses are available starting today for $299 via xreal.com, Amazon, Best Buy, B&H, and Micro Center.

About XREAL
XREAL is the global leader in the design and manufacture of consumer AR glasses. XREAL has pioneered several core innovations that are transforming the AR industry, including its proprietary optical technologies and uniquely consumer-focused products. XREAL was the first to popularize the concept of connecting AR glasses with existing computing devices, bridging the gap between digital and physical reality.

Press Kit

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/1do852tz2bksc9j4cmu66/AMDVG_KozhpkFMywyyIXk1g?rlkey=rsxqlqfp5awbl2oo2rbcpr4yi&st=y6qcbmki&dl=0

Media Contact
Lightspeed PR
xreal@lightspeedpr.com

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SOURCE XREAL

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Echoes of Courage: The Living History of Luding Bridge

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BEIJING, July 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from China.org.cn on an international group retracing the Luding Bridge crossing and sharing their reflections on the enduring legacy of the Long March through global communication.

 

“Were they human beings or madmen or gods?”

That was the question American journalist Edgar Snow captured in “Red Star Over China,” reflecting the awe of the opposing troops who tried to hold the bridge against Red Army soldiers in a desperate battle nearly 90 years ago.

The answer lies right here, at Luding Bridge.

In May 1935, only 13 iron chains stood between the Red Army and survival. Twenty-two of its soldiers volunteered to lead the way across. Behind them stood an entire army; ahead lay a hail of enemy gunfire; below, the roaring Dadu River.

Snow later recorded this dramatic episode in his book “Red Star Over China.”

The battle — the heroic seizing of Luding Bridge — was a key episode in the Long March, a 12,500-kilometer trek the Red Army undertook from 1934 to 1936 to break through enemy encirclement.

By the time they reached the Dadu River, they had been marching for months. But this river loomed as the ultimate barrier to their path north. Luding Bridge became their only viable hope. Losing it could have ended the Long March.

Defying overwhelming odds, they crossed under a hail of fire. The victory paved the way north and became one of the defining moments of the Long March.

Today, Luding Bridge is welcoming people from around the world.

As a major stop on the Sichuan leg of China International Communications Group (CICG)’s “Together on the Long March” international communication project, Luding Bridge welcomes participants from around the world as they retrace the Long March, revisit the places where history unfolded, and explore why this journey continues to inspire people today.

Like Zhavier Harris, marketing and communications manager at Springfield Urban League, observed, the battle was “a direct reflection of the resilience of the Red Army soldiers.” Learning how they survived on hardened rice while drenched in rain, sweat and blood, then crossed the swaying iron chains under enemy fire while looking after their comrades, gave him “an even deeper appreciation of their courage and determination.”

Television presenter Iain Inglis said, “The 22 people… were all in their early twenties,” he said. “They had the future before them, but despite that, they were willing to lay down their lives.” Inglis said he “could not have imagined having to face something like that.”

That feeling was shared by Sky Gommeren, a student at California State University, Northridge.

“A lot of the soldiers were probably around my age,” he said. “I’ve never had anything close to this kind of experience.” Living in peacetime, he said, made him appreciate even more the sacrifices made by those who fought for what they believed was an important cause.

For Elsbeth van Paridon, a foreign expert and sinologist at CICG, preserving places like Luding Bridge matters because “it’s keeping history alive, and their stories are still being told.”

More than 90 years later, the bridge still stands. But everything around it has changed.

The battlefields are now peaceful villages. The rugged mountain roads have become highways and tunnels.

Along the Dadu River, communities are building a new future through eco-tourism, agriculture and their historical legacy.

In Lengqi Town, revolutionary heritage and green development are now intertwined. Visitors come not only to honor the past but also to experience the beauty and vitality of today’s Luding.

Standing here today, it’s impossible not to admire the courage it took to cross this bridge.

But perhaps the real legacy of Luding Bridge isn’t just the battle itself.

It’s the belief that even in the hardest moments, people can still find a way forward.

China Mosaic
http://www.china.org.cn/video/node_7230027.htm 

Echoes of Courage: The Living History of Luding Bridge
http://www.china.org.cn/video/2026-07/10/content_118593079.shtml 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/echoes-of-courage-the-living-history-of-luding-bridge-302822695.html

SOURCE China.org.cn

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Tineco Explores Why Cleaning Under Furniture Remains a Common Household Challenge

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Low-clearance furniture has become an increasingly common household cleaning challenge, driving demand for solutions that can clean more effectively. Tineco is exploring why cleaning under furniture remains a common household challenge.

SEATTLE, July 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As modern homes increasingly feature low-profile furniture and minimalist interior layouts, cleaning beneath sofas, beds and cabinets has become one of the most overlooked challenges in everyday floor care. While open floor areas are generally easy to clean, low-clearance spaces often require users to interrupt their routine, change cleaning angles or leave those areas untouched altogether.

Unlike large floor areas, these spaces are difficult not because of their size, but because of their accessibility. Many homeowners are reluctant to move heavy furniture or kneel down to reach underneath it during routine cleaning. As a result, dust, hair and everyday debris can gradually accumulate in places that are difficult to see and even more difficult to reach.

The Tineco FLOOR ONE S7 Stretch Ultra was built to address this everyday challenge. Its lay-flat stretch engineering allows the cleaner to reach beneath furniture and other low-clearance spaces without disrupting the overall cleaning routine. Combined with its vacuum-and-wash functionality, users can tackle both wet and dry messes in a single step, while the DualBlock Anti-Tangle Design helps reduce hair wrap for more consistent performance. Rather than treating hard-to-reach areas as a separate task, the FLOOR ONE S7 Stretch Ultra helps keep them part of the same cleaning flow, making it easier to clean the entire room with fewer interruptions.

The Tineco FLOOR ONE S7 Stretch Ultra is available through Tineco U.S. and select retail partners.

About Tineco

Tineco (“tin-co”) was founded in 1998 with its first product launch as a vacuum cleaner and, in 2019, pioneered the first-ever smart vacuum. Today, the brand has evolved into a global leader in intelligent appliances spanning floor care, kitchen, and personal care categories. With a growing user base of over 24 million households and availability in approximately 30 countries worldwide, Tineco remains committed to its brand vision of making life easier through smart technology and continuous innovation.

For more information, visit Tineco U.S.

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SOURCE Tineco

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