SEOUL, South Korea, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality games, announced that it will host a character name reservation event for Game of Thrones: Kingsroad starting May 8 at 05:00 AM(UTC).

The event will be held through the game’s official website, where players can log in and participate via the name reservation feature, allowing them to secure their own unique in-game character name in advance.

In addition, Netmarble will release a special video featuring Hyun Il Jang, Executive Producer at Netmarble Neo on May 7 at 11:00 AM(UTC) via the official Game of Thrones: Kingsroad YouTube channel. The video will include a message of appreciation following the recent showcase and Closed Beta Test, along with a brief overview of the results. It will also introduce key topics based on player feedback.

Meanwhile, pre-registration for Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is currently underway. Players who pre-register can receive a range of platform-specific rewards designed to support early progression and customization, including Northern Outfit and more. Netmarble is also hosting a subscription event across its official channels, offering additional rewards such as the launch special title “Harbinger of Westeros” and 100,000 Copper.

Meanwhile, Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is scheduled for an initial PC launch on May 14, followed by a Grand Launch on May 21 with support for mobile platforms.

Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is an open-world RPG based on HBO^®‘s iconic Emmy^®– and Golden Globe^®-winning original drama series, Game of Thrones. The game is officially licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment on behalf of HBO.

GAME OF THRONES: KINGSROAD, GAME OF THRONES, HOUSE OF THE DRAGON and all related characters and elements © & ™ HOME BOX OFFICE, INC. (s26) All rights reserved. ™ & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s26)

About Netmarble Corporation
Founded in Korea in 2000, Netmarble Corporation is a leading global game developer and publisher. Through acclaimed franchises and strategic partnerships with top-tier IP holders, the company delivers innovative and engaging gaming experiences to audiences worldwide. As a parent company of Kabam, SpinX Games, Jam City, and a major shareholder of HYBE and NCSOFT, Netmarble’s diverse portfolio includes Solo Leveling:ARISE, Seven Knights Re:BIRTH, and The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin.

HONG KONG, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Beijing Yunji Technology Co., Ltd. (2670.HK), the fourth specialty technology company listed under Hong Kong’s Chapter 18C rules, today reported its 2025 annual results.

Total revenue rose 23.1% year-on-year to RMB 301 million. AI agent application revenue jumped 194.1% to RMB 33.9 million, increasing its share of total revenue from 4.7% to 11.3%. Subscriptions for the company’s Hotel Digital Operating System (HDOS) surged 925%, underscoring its pivot from hardware vendor to intelligent service infrastructure provider.

By vertical: Hotel scenario revenue reached RMB 244 million (+20.1%), technology scenario revenue grew 160.4% to RMB 29.6 million, and factory scenario revenue soared 393% to RMB 15.1 million. Overseas revenue rose 92.1% to RMB 19.1 million, now accounting for 6.3% of total revenue, with Japan, Southeast Asia and Hong Kong as priority markets for 2026.

R&D spending was RMB 62.2 million, or 20.6% of revenue. As of year-end, the company held 997 patents and contributed to 11 national and industry standards. Its AI agent intelligent diagnostic system (HQAS) supports 23 languages and has been deployed in thousands of hotels.

According to Frost & Sullivan, Yunji ranked first in China’s hotel-scenario robot service agent market with a 13.9% revenue share.

“We will continue to increase R&D investment, promote industry standards, and attract global talent,” said Zhi Tao, Founder, Chairman and President of Yunji Technology.

SINGAPORE, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Visa, a global leader in digital payments, today announced the launch of Visa Agentic Ready in Singapore with 13 issuers, spanning across banks and fintechs. This global programme is designed to support the payments ecosystem in the era of agentic commerce.

Powered by Visa’s trust layer, which includes tokens, identity, risk and controls, the first phase of Visa Agentic Ready is focused on issuer readiness. It gives them a clear, structured path to test and validate agent-initiated transactions inside a controlled, production-grade environment so that consumers remain in control as decision-making becomes increasingly automated. 

From Readiness to Real‑World Scale

Bringing agentic commerce at scale requires coordination with different partners across the payments ecosystem, and Visa will work with its existing issuing clients in Singapore for the Agentic Ready programme. These partners include Bank of China Singapore, CIMB Singapore, DBS Bank, DCS, GXS Bank, HSBC Singapore, Maybank Singapore, OCBC, Standard Chartered, StraitsX, Trust Bank, UQPay and UOB, with additional partners expected to join this year as the programme expands.

Adeline Kim, Country Manager for Singapore & Brunei at Visa said: “Singapore is an innovation hub where ideas move quickly from concept to real-world impact, making it the ideal market to progress agentic commerce. A Visa-commissioned study underscores strong consumer readiness, where close to 77 per cent of Singapore residents already use generative AI tools in their daily lives, and eight in 10 rely on AI assistance when shopping online. We want to ensure that in this early phase, we work with as many partners as possible to ensure they have the right technology to prepare for this next phase of commerce, where AI agents can discover, decide and pay on behalf of consumers.”

“Visa Agentic Ready builds on Visa Intelligent Commerce, which is Visa’s portfolio of initiatives and solutions for enabling trusted, AI-driven commerce experiences at scale. As we roll out agentic commerce, we’re also working with merchants and ecosystem partners to identify the use cases that matter most to consumers. Trust and control must be embedded across the payments ecosystem so these new commerce experiences can scale securely and transparently,” added Adeline.

This follows Visa’s announcement in March on early pilot testing with DBS, focused on everyday use cases.

Partner Quotes:

Mr Sonny Tan, Deputy General Manager and Deputy Country Head at Bank of China Limited, Singapore Branch, “Bank of China Singapore is pleased to partner with Visa on the Agentic Ready pilot in Asia Pacific. This initiative enables us to evaluate agent- initiated payments within a secure and controlled environment. Such collaboration is vital as digital commerce continues to evolve, helping ensure innovation is delivered in a way that is secure, scalable, and aligned with real client needs.”

Ms Merlyn Tsai, Head of Consumer Banking and Digital at CIMB Singapore and Regional Head of Digital Strategy, “CIMB Singapore is pleased to collaborate with Visa on the Agentic Ready pilot in Asia Pacific. The pilot enables us to explore agent-initiated payments within a controlled and secure environment. Partnerships like this are critical as digital commerce continues to evolve, ensuring innovation is introduced in a way that is secure, scalable, and aligned with genuine client needs.”

Ms. Chan Sow Han, Head of Payments & Unsecured Lending, Consumer Banking Group, DBS Bank, “Our journey as the first bank in Asia Pacific to pilot Visa Intelligent Commerce highlights DBS’ pioneering role in AI innovation for payments. Joining the Visa Agentic Ready programme is a natural evolution of this expertise, allowing us to collaboratively drive the secure and widespread adoption of AI-driven commerce, and deliver exceptional convenience and control to our customers”

Ms. Karen Low, Chief Executive Officer, DCS, “Agentic commerce is a vital evolution that will fundamentally transform the way we transact in a digital-first world. DCS is built on a foundation of innovation, and our collaboration with Visa centres on architecting more frictionless, efficient, and scalable customer experiences securely.”

Ms Jenn Ong, Group Head of Retail at GXS Bank, “Our collaboration with Visa to design and test the Agentic Payments Framework marks a step forward in GXS Bank’s journey to further AI-powered tokenised transactions. This initiative will enable us to drive innovation that makes digital payments easier and more secure for our customers.”

Mr. Nadeesha Senaratne, Head of Retail Products, HSBC Singapore, “While emerging AI-driven commerce presents new opportunities, it is important that these experiences can be delivered securely and at scale. Initiatives like Visa Agentic Ready provide a structured environment to test future payment journeys and assess the safeguards needed to ensure that our customers can transact safely and with confidence.”

Ms. Tessa Er, Head, Cards & Personal Loans, Maybank Singapore,” Maybank is pleased to partner with Visa on the Agentic Ready Programme as we evolve our cards proposition in step with changing consumer behaviours. We see significant opportunity to deliver more seamless, secure and personalised payment experiences for our cardmembers, reinforcing our focus on everyday relevance, flexibility and trust.”

Ms. Regina Lim, Head of Card Payments and Personal Loans, OCBC, “This initiative aligns with our strategy to leverage AI, digital and data to power customer centricity, with the promise of AI transforming payments for consumers now closer at hand. We will work closely with Visa to test new payment technologies and design the right product for the right customer, delivered at the right time.”

Ms. Grace Chan, Managing Director, Personal Banking & Credit Cards and Personal Loans, Singapore, at Standard Chartered, “As AI-driven commerce models evolve, payments infrastructure will need to evolve with them. Visa Agentic Ready provides a valuable opportunity to test and validate how agent-initiated transactions may operate in a controlled setting before wider adoption. That practical understanding will be important in helping us prepare for changing customer expectations and the next phase of digital payments.”

Mr. Liu Tianwei, CEO & Co-Founder, StraitsX, “At StraitsX, we’re focused on the real-world usage of stablecoins and see X402 and Machine Payments Protocol (MPP) as key to a more agent-centric future. Through Visa Agentic Ready, we’re excited to help bring agent-driven payments to Visa’s network of 175 million merchants in a secure and scalable way.”

Mr. Dwaipayan Sadhu, CEO, Trust Bank Singapore, “At Trust Bank, we’re delighted to partner with Visa to design and test an agentic payments framework. This collaboration reflects our commitment to continuously improving how customers pay – making payments more seamless, secure and intuitive – while building robust, reliable infrastructure for the future of digital commerce.”

Mr. Jack Li, Founder and CEO at UQPAY, “As commerce shifts toward agent-initiated interactions, trust, security, and user control remain essential. At UQPAY, we are building infrastructure that enables secure, policy-driven, and programmable payment execution within intelligent workflows. This ensures businesses are ready for a future where AI agents can transact seamlessly on behalf of users.”

Ms. Jacquelyn Tan, Head, Group Personal Financial Services, UOB, “UOB is proud to take part in the Visa Agentic Ready programme, which will enable us to further explore the potential and opportunities presented by agent-initiated transactions in a safe, controlled yet realistic environment. Through this programme, we continue to forge ahead in utilising advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a responsible manner, to innovate and elevate the retail experience for our customers.”

Globally, Visa is expanding its Visa Intelligent Commerce portfolio to help businesses participate in AI-driven shopping. Visa recently unveiled Intelligent Commerce Connect, designed to provide an on-ramp to agentic commerce through a single integration via the Visa Acceptance Platform, supporting secure payment initiation, tokenisation, authentication and spend controls, and helping merchants make their catalogues discoverable within AI shopping experiences.

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, sellers, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.

SINGAPORE, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda has identified a group of coastal destinations across Asia gaining traction among travelers in the early summer period. Based on domestic accommodation searches for May check-ins, these destinations have recorded an increase compared to previous year, signaling rising interest in seaside getaways that are easy to plan and fit within shorter travel windows.

What distinguishes these coastal destinations is the range of experiences they offer within a compact footprint. Beyond the coastline, travelers are drawn to food scenes, local markets, cultural landmarks, and nearby natural attractions that can be explored without extensive planning.

These destinations stand out for their balance of experiences, where time by the sea can be easily paired with dining, sightseeing, and downtime, making them well suited to flexible, unhurried travel.

Da Nang, Vietnam: Da Nang recorded a 72% rise in interest compared to last year as per domestic accommodation searches. Its appeal lies in the combination of My Khe Beach’s long, swimmable shoreline with easy access to nearby landmarks such as Marble Mountains and the heritage streets of Hoi An Ancient Town. The city’s growing café and seafood dining scene also adds to its suitability for well-rounded stays.

Nha Trang, Vietnam:  Known for its wide bay and island-dotted coastline, Nha Trang continues to attract travelers seeking a classic seaside escape. Travel interest rose by 36% this year compared to the last for this serene destination. Visitors often pair time on the main beach with boat trips to nearby islands for snorkeling, alongside visits to cultural landmarks such as Po Nagar Cham Towers, creating a balanced mix of leisure and local exploration.

Bali, Indonesia:  Bali recorded a 13% increase, reflecting continued domestic demand across different parts of the island. Beach areas such as Canggu attract surfers and café-driven lifestyles, while Uluwatu offers dramatic coastal views and temple settings. Inland, Ubud provides a contrast with rice terraces, wellness retreats, and arts-focused experiences.

Goa, India: Long regarded as one of India’s most established beach destinations, Goa continues to attract travelers with its varied coastline, where quieter stretches in the south contrast with the more active beaches in the north. The destination also offers Portuguese-influenced architecture, a strong seafood culture, and markets such as Anjuna Flea Market. Interest in the destination rose by 13% compared to last year, reflecting its continued relevance for coastal getaways in the country.

Pattaya, Thailand:  Easily accessible from Bangkok, Pattaya continues to attract travelers, with interest increasing by 11% as per domestic accommodation searches compared to last year. While the main beachfront remains lively, nearby islands such as Koh Larn offer clearer water and quieter settings for day trips, complemented by a wide range of dining, entertainment, and short-stay accommodation options.

Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President, Supply at Agoda, “Coastal destinations continue to resonate among travelers because they offer simplicity and flexibility. Travelers are looking for places where they can switch off quickly, settle into a slower pace, and still have enough variety around them, whether that is food, local culture, or nearby experiences, to shape the trip as they go. At Agoda, we enable travelers to curate such trips seamlessly by bringing a wide range of accommodations, flights and activities on one platform with great value deals.”

Agoda’s extensive offerings, including over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, make it easy for travelers to plan their next adventure, including coastal destinations. For the best deals, visit Agoda.com or download the Agoda mobile app.

SHENZHEN, China, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ASMAX today announced the global debut of ASMAX Mode, its next-generation intercom mode powered by Smart Mesh Control (SMC) technology. Positioned as a breakthrough in rider connectivity, ASMAX Mode combines the stability of mesh communication with intelligent network management to enable seamless, long-range group communication—setting a new benchmark for the industry.

For years, riders have faced a fundamental limitation: communication breakdowns caused by distance, terrain, and unstable connections. ASMAX Mode addresses this challenge with a pioneering hybrid architecture that intelligently integrates Bluetooth Mesh and network connectivity. The system dynamically switches between the two, ensuring uninterrupted communication regardless of distance or environment.

Whether navigating dense urban streets, winding mountain passes, or remote off-road trails, riders can now stay connected in real time—without manual intervention or disruption.

A Generational Leap in Group Communication

ASMAX Mode supports up to 50 riders simultaneously, enabling large-scale group coordination with unprecedented stability. Unlike traditional systems limited by short-range Bluetooth or closed ecosystems, this SMC adaptive tech delivers both flexibility and reliability.

Key advantages include:

• Hybrid Connectivity: Seamless transition between Mesh and network for optimal performance.
• Breaks Distance Barriers: Intelligent Mesh and 4G/5G networks switching enables uninterrupted communication from close-range to long-distance riding.
• Intelligent Stability: Auto-reconnect and dynamic channel optimization in motion.
• All-Scenario Reliability: Built to perform in complex terrains and extreme conditions.

Designed for Safety. Built for Freedom.

At its core, ASMAX Mode transforms communication from a technical constraint into an intuitive experience. Riders no longer need to manage connections or worry about losing contact. Hands stay on the handlebars, focus stays on the road—while communication simply works.

Early users have already validated its impact. Professional guides and long-distance riders report a fundamental shift in how they lead, coordinate, and experience group rides—eliminating the anxiety of disconnection.

ASMAX Mode will be available as a free software update across compatible ASMAX devices, including flagship and mainstream product lines.

About ASMAX

ASMAX leverages over 20 years of expertise in IoT, smart devices, and outdoor communication systems. Dedicated to building a global IoT ecosystem for outdoor sports, ASMAX delivers innovative solutions that enhance safety, connectivity, and the joy of riding.

For more information, visit:
www.asmaxconnect.com (brand & partnerships)
www.asmaxworld.com (products & store)

Contacts

Distribution & sales partnerships: sales@asmaxworld.com
Marketing & collaboration opportunities: marketing@asmaxworld.com 

Victory at the Court of Arbitration for Sport reinforces SMU law school’s position on the global stage

SINGAPORE, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Singapore Management University (SMU) Yong Pung How School of Law (YPHSL) has successfully defended its title at the Sports Law Arbitration Moot (SLAM). Last week, SMU won LawInSport’s 7th annual international moot competition held at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland – the world’s highest authority for sports dispute resolution.

The win on 24 April is SMU’s second consecutive SLAM championship, having debuted and won the competition in 2025.

The winning mooters were Samantha Chong Wei En (2^nd year, LLB) and Ameerul Putra Bin Abdul Wahab (3^rd year, LLB). They were supported by Darius Alexander Maskun (3^rd year, LLB) and Kyran Mariel Narayanan (3^rd year, LLB), and coached by Jordan Chia (Class of 2024).

This year, the SMU team bested a field of 77 teams from universities across the globe, navigating written rounds and regional oral finals before advancing to the knockout rounds held before a panel of 15 CAS arbitrators on the premises of the CAS itself – a distinction that sets SLAM apart from other international moots.

The preliminary rounds tested competitors on a complex anti-doping dispute set in the fictitious sport of toe wrestling, centring on questions of athlete responsibility in supplement use. The knockout rounds presented a fresh problem involving fireball – another fictitious sport – where teams argued over whether anti-doping procedures had been properly observed. SMU’s team demonstrated command across both problem sets, combining technical legal precision with composure under pressure in one of the most demanding formats in international mooting.

Professor Lee Pey Woan, Dean of SMU YPHSL, said, “This win reflects our school’s commitment to training lawyers who can reason across complex, evolving legal landscapes – sports law being one of the fastest-growing areas of international practice. Two consecutive wins at SLAM is a testament to our students’ preparation, rigour and ability to perform at the highest level.”

In preparing for the competition, the team drew on SMU’s strong network of practitioners and real-world expertise. The students consulted Singapore’s former national runner and lawyer Goh Chui Ling, whose first-hand experience of elite sports competition brought invaluable perspective to the team’s understanding of the human dimensions of anti-doping disputes.

“Athletes experience these sporting rules not as abstractions but as lived realities – and having the SMU team bring that perspective to their championship-winning performance was incredible to witness,” said Ms Goh, who is a Switzerland-based lawyer specialising in international sports law and arbitration.

“This journey is a reminder of the collective effort required to move the needle in a specialised field like sports law in Singapore; but what excites me is the bigger picture: the seeds of expertise are being planted in our legal education system, and by sharpening this niche through both education and practice, we are doing more than just winning moots. We are reinforcing Singapore’s trajectory to be a premier hub for international sports law and arbitration,” she added.

Reflecting on the achievement, Samantha Chong, said, “I am honoured to have been blessed with this opportunity. It has been a nerve-racking, arduous, fulfilling and unforgettable journey. Competing at the actual CAS premises added a real dimension to the experience – these are the same halls where disputes involving Olympic athletes are decided. It sharpened our focus and reminded us why the arguments we were making matter. Ameerul and I could not have made it this far without the help of our coach Jordan, our professors, Ms Ling and Mr Hessert, all our judges in our practice rounds, and our indispensable teammates Kyran and Alex.”

The SLAM title follows a record-breaking season for SMU Law. In Academic Year 2024-25, the School claimed championship honours in seven competitions, including the Jessup, Vis East, Frankfurt, and International Criminal Court moots – an unprecedented haul that established SMU as having one of the most decorated moot programmes in the world.

The timing of this win is significant. Just weeks ago, SMU’s Law programme was named the most improved subject entry in Singapore in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, rising 45 places to 56th globally in a single year. Taken together, the ranking momentum and competitive record reflect a school that is building genuine depth in scholarship, in pedagogy, and in the practical formation of its students.

Professor Lee added, “Our students’ achievements on the international stage are the clearest expression of our commitment in providing a law education that is rigorous, cutting-edge and connected to the real world.”

As YPHSL looks ahead to its 20th anniversary next year, these milestones mark not just a moment of celebration but a statement of intent — that SMU Law is competing, and winning, at the very highest levels of international legal education.

About SMU Yong Pung How School of Law’s record of excellence

A key factor driving the moot success at SMU YPHSL is the Ian R Taylor International Moots Programme, which has firmly established the law school on the global stage. This programme has nurtured generations of mooters who have earned numerous world-class accolades, enabling it to consistently excel at the most prestigious international moots.

YPHSL is consistently ranked among the top three law schools worldwide for international moots, according to the Nica.team Law School Ranking. The School is also the tournament leader in prominent competitions such as the International Criminal Court (Hague), Price Media Law (Oxford), Frankfurt Investment, Vis East (Hong Kong) and Fletcher Insolvency moots.

– End –

More information:

• July 2025 – SMU celebrates dual mooting triumphs at 17th Frankfurt Investment Arbitration Moot Court in Germany and 2025 International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition in The Hague, Netherlands.

• April 2025 – SMU Yong Pung How School of Law clinches double victory at – the 66th Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in Washington, D.C., and the 22nd Willem C. Vis (East) International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Hong Kong. 

About Singapore Management University

A premier university in Asia, the Singapore Management University (SMU) is internationally recognised for its world-class research and distinguished teaching. Established in 2000, SMU’s mission is to generate leading-edge research with global impact and to produce broad-based, creative, and entrepreneurial leaders for the knowledge-based economy. SMU’s education is known for its highly interactive, collaborative, and project-based approach to learning.

Home to over 13,000 students across undergraduate, postgraduate professional and postgraduate research programmes, SMU comprises eight schools: School of Accountancy, Lee Kong Chian School of Business, School of Economics, School of Computing and Information Systems, Yong Pung How School of Law, School of Social Sciences, College of Integrative Studies and College of Graduate Research Studies. SMU offers a wide range of bachelors’, masters’, and PhD degree programmes in the disciplinary areas associated with its schools, as well as in multidisciplinary combinations of these areas.

SMU emphasises rigorous, high-impact, multi- and interdisciplinary research that addresses Asian issues of global relevance. SMU faculty members collaborate with leading international researchers and universities around the world, as well as with partners in the business community and public sector. SMU’s city campus is a modern facility located in the heart of downtown Singapore, fostering strategic linkages with business, government, and the wider community. www.smu.edu.sg

About Yong Pung How School of Law

SMU’s law school was renamed Yong Pung How School of Law (YPHSL) on 11 April 2021 to celebrate and honour the late Dr Yong Pung How, Singapore’s former Chief Justice and SMU’s third Chancellor.

The law school had proudly welcomed its first cohort of 116 students in August 2007. Taught by a dynamic faculty with postgraduate degrees from renowned universities, the School aims to nurture its students to become excellent lawyers who will contribute significantly to society.

Trained with the ability to contextualise legal expertise and to think across disciplines and geographical borders coupled with SMU’s interactive pedagogy, SMU’s law graduates are confident, articulate and analytically agile. SMU Classification: Restricted The School offers a four-year full-time Bachelor of Laws programme, a five-year double-degree programme which combines law with Accountancy, Business, Economics, Computing & Information Systems or Social Sciences; a three-year Juris Doctor programme; a Master of Laws programme; a PhD programme in Law, Commerce and Technology; as well as continuing legal education. From Academic Year 2020-2021, the School also jointly offers a new Bachelor of Science (Computing & Law) with the SMU School of Computing and Information Systems. This new degree will produce IT and legal professionals who are adept at bridging technology and law.

Research at the SMU YPHSL has a strong focus in three main inter-related areas – Law and Technology, Transnational Commercial law in Asia, and Dispute Resolution. The School has also set up legal research centres focusing on A.I. and data governance, computational law, commercial law, and international dispute resolution. law.smu.edu.sg