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DUPR ANNOUNCES JOOLA AS OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF DUPR COLLEGIATE PICKLEBALL EVENTS

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AUSTIN, Texas and ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) and JOOLA, a leading brand in pickleball and table tennis, today announced a new partnership that will see JOOLA become the Official Sponsor of DUPR Collegiate Pickleball, the largest tournament series for college players. The partnership will drive further growth and advancement of collegiate pickleball to create more pathways and opportunities for players to compete in college and beyond.

JOOLA named Official Sponsor of DUPR Collegiate Pickleball, the largest tournament series for college players.

DUPR Collegiate Pickleball Powered by JOOLA will have a total of 26 events in the Spring and Fall, with 8 Super Regional events and 16 Campus Regional events, Individual National Championships in June and the Collegiate National Championships in November. Now in its third year, the 2024 season offers the most extensive series of events and the largest scholarship prize money yet, providing more opportunities for competitive collegiate pickleball players to showcase their skills and jumpstart their professional career.

DUPR has led the way in establishing competitive collegiate pickleball by creating compelling opportunities for players to compete, earn scholarship prize money and identify new pathways to continue to play. Since hosting its first college event in 2022, DUPR Collegiate Pickleball has hosted 16 events for 1300 athletes – including the largest collegiate pickleball tournament ever with over 350 players – and contributed over $250,000 in scholarship money and travel stipends for players.

Tito Machado, CEO of DUPR, said: “College players are the future of the game. DUPR Collegiate Pickleball events are focused on creating more opportunities for players to hit the court and showcase their skills, and bringing new players and fans into the game to grow it for generations to come. JOOLA’s support is instrumental in driving more awareness and excitement around college pickleball. We are excited to work together to host more events, create more pathways for players and increase scholarship prizes.”

Richard Lee, CEO of JOOLA, said: “Collegiate pickleball has skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years and it is the fastest growing demographic in the sport. DUPR has established itself as the leader in this space. Its collegiate events are giving players real competitive opportunities to play and even find a pathway to the pros, and are shining a spotlight on the sport overall. These players are the future of the game and we are excited to support the 2024 DUPR Collegiate season.”

The schedule of events for the 2024 DUPR Collegiate Pickleball Powered by JOOLA season is as follows:

Spring Super Regionals

Illinois Super Regional – February 3rd-4th (Pickle Haüs in Chicago, IL)Utah Super Regional – March 2nd-3rd (The Picklr in Kaysville, UT)Virginia Super Regional – March 23rd-24th (Performance Pickleball in Richmond, VA)Georgia Super Regional – April 6th-7th (Pickle & Social in Buford, GA)

2024 Collegiate Individual National Championships

June 1st – 2nd (The Pickle Lodge in Cincinnati, OH$20,000 in scholarship money awarded

Fall Super Regionals

Nevada Super Regional – October 5th-6th (Green Valley Life Time in Las Vegas, NV)Arizona Super Regional – October 19th-20th (The Picklr in Gilbert, AZ)Texas Super Regional – October 26th-27th (PALA Pickleball in Houston, TX)4th Fall Super Regional – TBD

Campus Regionals

16 Campus Regional events at various colleges and universities across the country, dates and details to be released shortly. Interested parties must apply to host these events.

2024 Collegiate National Championship

November 22nd – 24th (Life Time Kingwood in Houston, TX)

For more information please visit dupr.com/collegiate

About DUPR 
DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) is the premier global pickleball rating system and technology platform, trusted by the world’s leading clubs, tournaments, leagues and players. DUPR’s dynamic rating system unifies pickleball across age, gender and location by analyzing match results to accurately evaluate all players across a 2.000 – 8.000 scale. Players and operators can visit www.dupr.com to sign up and learn more.

About JOOLA 
JOOLA has been a pioneer in table tennis since its establishment in 1952. In 2022, its expansion into pickleball quickly attracted the biggest names in the sport. As a sponsor of major professional pickleball tours, associations, and to top athletes in the game, the team at JOOLA combines its expertise with fresh perspectives to bring synergy and innovation to the pickleball market. JOOLA creates a variety of equipment, apparel, and accessories for pickleball players, both professional and recreational. JOOLA is based in Rockville, MD, and is owned by Sport Squad, Inc. Learn more about JOOLA and see why the sport’s best are joining Team JOOLA by visiting joolausa.com.

Media Contact
Erica Annon / DUPR / erica@mydupr.com

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SOURCE DUPR

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In HelloNation, Custom Auto Expert Gecovey Coffman Breaks Down Brake Warning Signs

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AMARILLO, Texas, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What do small changes in your vehicle’s braking behavior really mean? A HelloNation article featuring Gecovey Coffman of Coffman Customs helps drivers understand how early brake warning signs can prevent major repairs and improve safety on the road.

The article points out that many drivers ignore early signs like brake squealing or a slight change in pedal feel, assuming they’re harmless or temporary. But these signals often indicate worn brake pads or related issues that deserve prompt attention. When left unchecked, what begins as a small inconvenience can grow into a costly and potentially dangerous brake problem.

Brake squealing is among the most common early signals. According to the article, this high-pitched sound during light braking usually stems from worn brake pads or dust buildup. In Amarillo’s dry climate, dust is a regular factor in how brakes wear. The article explains that while occasional noise might be harmless, repeated or worsening squealing is one of the clearest brake warning signs to watch for.

Another issue the article explores is brake vibration. This can be felt through the pedal or steering wheel and is typically caused by uneven wear on the rotors. Brake vibration can worsen over time and reduce the driver’s ability to stop smoothly. The piece recommends brake inspection at the first sign of vibration to prevent further damage.

Pulling to one side when braking is another signal that may indicate uneven pressure or worn brake pads on a single wheel. The article explains how this imbalance can affect stability, especially in wet or dusty conditions, and is often overlooked until it impacts everyday driving.

The article also sheds light on the role of heat in brake wear. Stop-and-go traffic, frequent hard stops, and Amarillo’s shifting weather can all raise the temperature of brake components. This kind of repeated heat exposure increases the chances of brake squealing and accelerates the wear on pads and rotors alike.

The article emphasizes that a timely brake inspection can make a significant difference. It describes how inspections help identify wear patterns before they reach critical levels, limiting both cost and downtime. A standard brake inspection often includes checking for worn brake pads, measuring rotor thickness, and evaluating the condition of the brake fluid.

Speaking of brake fluid, the article notes that this is a frequently overlooked part of the system. Over time, brake fluid absorbs moisture, which can reduce its effectiveness and lead to a softer pedal feel. The piece stresses that brake fluid should be checked regularly, as degraded fluid contributes to inconsistent stopping power, particularly under heavy use.

Seasonal changes also play a role in brake behavior. The article explains that temperature fluctuations, especially during Amarillo’s cooler mornings and warmer afternoons, can cause brake materials to expand and contract. These shifts often make existing problems like brake squealing or brake vibration more noticeable.

Even with modern dashboard alerts in newer vehicles, the article encourages drivers not to rely solely on sensors. Physical feedback, like vibration, squealing, or pulling, often appears first. By recognizing and responding to these brake warning signs early, drivers can maintain safer and more reliable braking performance.

Ultimately, the HelloNation article promotes regular maintenance as the most effective way to prevent serious brake problems. A proactive approach, based on local driving conditions and vehicle feedback, protects both safety and the vehicle’s long-term reliability.

The article, When Your Brakes Are Telling You Something, features insights from Gecovey Coffman, Custom Auto Expert of Amarillo, TX, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation
HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative “edvertising” approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/in-hellonation-custom-auto-expert-gecovey-coffman-breaks-down-brake-warning-signs-302747736.html

SOURCE HelloNation

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Sinai.ai Closes $1.45M Pre-Seed Round to Reimagine the Future of Reading

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The AI-native books platform backed by KAUST Innovation Ventures, DisrupTech Ventures, and a coalition of leading investors is transforming the way people read, bringing books to life as living, interactive aiBook™ experiences

SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sinai.ai, an AI-native books platform, today announced the close of its $1.45M pre-seed funding round, led by KAUST Innovation Ventures (KIV) and DisrupTech Ventures, with participation from Maza Ventures and YOUXEL Ventures, alongside a coalition of angel investors. The capital will fund proprietary tech, AI infrastructure, user acquisition, and licensing.

The $150 billion global book market has seen little innovation in format for decades. Sinai was built to change that. At the heart of the platform is the aiBook™, a trademarked, patent-backed book format built on 100% licensed, full-text content. Readers can converse with their book in real time, generate study guides and quizzes, access titles across multiple languages, and switch between reading and listening. Sinai is launching with thousands of titles, having already secured partnerships with double-digit publishers, including several prominent names in the industry.

Investor Perspectives

“We strongly believe that AI will fundamentally reshape a wide range of industries, and the book industry is long overdue for meaningful innovation. For over two decades, the core format of books has remained largely unchanged. What the Sinai.ai team is building introduces a truly new paradigm — transforming books into interactive, intelligent experiences where readers can engage, learn, and explore in entirely new ways. We are particularly excited about the team and their ability to execute on a vision that sits at the intersection of content, technology, and user experience. We are always proud to back Egyptian founders who are building category-defining companies and pushing the boundaries of innovation beyond local markets.”
— Mohamed El Sayed Okasha, DisrupTech Ventures

“What drew me to Sinai.ai is that they’re approaching a huge, old industry with respect and clarity. Publishing has been around for centuries, and for good reason, but much of how it operates hasn’t evolved at the pace of technology. Instead of trying to break it, Sinai.ai is working alongside it, using AI to modernize how books are created, produced, and distributed. That’s a harder path. It requires understanding the incentives of everyone involved and building something that fits into a real ecosystem, not just replacing it. But it’s also the more enduring one. The companies that last are often the ones that reshape industries from within, and Sinai.ai feels like it’s doing exactly that.”
— Tambi Jalouqa, Maza Ventures

About the Team

Sinai.ai was co-founded by five individuals: Ahmed Kamel (CEO), a serial tech entrepreneur with post-graduate studies in AI and innovation at Stanford; Mohamed Elshamy (CRO), Yale MBA, with experience at Google, McKinsey, and Meta; Mohamed Elshenawy (CTO), PhD in AI from the University of Toronto, and led AI teams in different ventures; Hana Malhas (CFO), University of Michigan MBA, with deep experience in creative industries; and Abdullah Moatasem (CCO), creative director with credits at Warner Bros., Netflix, and Disney+.

Media Contact
Hana Malhas
6692369534
412491@email4pr.com
www.sinai.ai

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sinaiai-closes-1-45m-pre-seed-round-to-reimagine-the-future-of-reading-302747713.html

SOURCE Sinai.ai Inc.

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OpenTable Acquires Canadian Reservation Platform Libro, Expanding Presence in Quebec and Beyond

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SAN FRANCISCO, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — OpenTable, a global leader in restaurant technology, announced today that it has acquired Libro, a leading Canadian reservation and table management platform. With Libro currently serving thousands of restaurant partners in the region, the acquisition will strengthen OpenTable’s offering in Canada, specifically across Quebec.

By joining forces, OpenTable and Libro will combine industry-leading discovery, table management systems (TMS), and guest relationship tools to better serve the Canadian hospitality industry.

“Libro and OpenTable share a deep commitment to the success of local restaurants, making this a natural fit for both companies,” said Debby Soo, CEO of OpenTable. “By combining Libro’s localized expertise with our global diner network, we are deepening our commitment to the Canadian dining scene and providing Libro’s restaurant partners the option to soon join OpenTable’s diner network, driving broader visibility and more bookings.”

“This is an exciting next chapter for Libro and the restaurants we serve,” said Lorne Schwartz, CEO of Libro. “By joining forces with OpenTable, we’re able to expand our reach and bring even more value to our community, while continuing to deliver the localized support and innovation our partners rely on.”

To ensure seamless service for current partners, Libro will continue to operate as a standalone brand, while benefiting from expanded visibility on the OpenTable marketplace. A phased integration of inventory, infrastructure, and security capabilities is expected to be completed in the foreseeable future.

As part of the agreement, OpenTable will welcome Libro’s employees and leadership team. The combined expertise of both organizations will focus on delivering innovative solutions for restaurateurs and diners across North America.

About OpenTable

OpenTable, a global leader in restaurant tech and part of Booking Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG), helps more than 65,000 restaurants worldwide fill 1.9 billion seats a year. OpenTable’s world-class technology empowers restaurants to focus on what matters most – their team, their guests, and their bottom line – while enabling diners to discover and book the perfect restaurant for every occasion.

About Libro
Libro is one of North America’s leading online guest experience platforms, providing restaurants with a fully branded way to fill tables, manage reservations, reduce no-shows, engage customers, and elevate the overall guest experience.

The platform enables operators to strengthen relationships with their guests and drive repeat visits—all within a seamless reservation experience.

Headquartered in Montreal, Libro serves restaurants across Canada, the United States, and Europe.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/opentable-acquires-canadian-reservation-platform-libro-expanding-presence-in-quebec-and-beyond-302747348.html

SOURCE OpenTable, Inc.

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